So I guess my anti-sweater campaign will have to hold off for awhile because, of course, I received some sweaters for Christmas gifts. And now, since I rarely buy clothing for myself, I have to stick with the styles that other people choose for me. Which isn't such a bad thing, you know, because it means less work for me. Generally, like last evening, if I have somewhere to go, I usually go over to my younger sisters' closets and raid them to wear whatever ensembles they suggest to me. And usually that works out pretty well too because that means I've got a cool outfit for a night, and I didn't go spend lots of money on something I may never wear again. Anyway... the babe awakes so I must go...

The word sweater brings about numerous negative connotations. Like a sauna in which you've overstayed your welcome, or one of those shops in southern California where tons of people are doing work for which they should be getting better pay. So why is it that the sweater is the chosen uniform for winterwear? I mean, the word sweater means something that makes you sweat. So, why would anyone choose to do so? Sweaters are uncomfortable and itchy too, and god forbid you believe that the sweater dress actually looks good on anyone. So, I am saying no... no to sweaters and no to sweating. I am officially launching my anti-sweater campaign starting today. Even if I have to go outside is sub-freezing weather, I will layer t-shirt on top of t-shirt before I put on a sweater.

What a time to decide that I need to lose weight/get in shape, right? The wintertime is the worst time to start, and stay committed. But, I've realized that if I keep on with the pace that I'm gaining, that there would be no chance for me to run around with Jack this spring once he starts walking. And, I just won't accept that.

Christmastime brings about a lot of questions in my mind... like, is there really a point to buying your kid any presents for Christmas? I mean really, at 8 months old will he even remember Christmas, let alone, any of the gifts he actually received from us? According to the students I teach, if I don't get him any presents, then I'm inevitably heartless, and a horrible mother. But the way I see it, that leaves me more money to spend on gifts for him in the future -- gifts he actually remember getting, and also may actually keep track of for more than 1 month. I guess if my parents would've had that mentality, our family would've never received any presents at all for Christmas. I remember distinctly that I would play with the toys I got for maybe a month, and then inevitably would lose them, or possibly ruin them -- to the point that they were dangerous for anyone to play with them (except, of course, the only real Cabbage Patch Doll I ever got). So, I guess for this Christmas, I'm going to be wrapping up a lot of boxes so that he can play in them, and with the wrapping paper, but past this point, I'm going to have to deal with what all parents who are consumers deal with in our country -- ungrateful children.

Parent-teacher conferences are always a good time to reflect on your teaching practices. For instance, about an hour ago, I spent about 45 minutes cleaning out the files of past 4 years of my teaching career. As I threw away assignment sheet after assignment sheet, I just kept thinking, "Man, I've done some assignments that I thought were brilliant, but ended up being a total waste" But, fortunately, most were insightful and fun, and I aim to retain some practices that I've done in the past, in my classrooms for as long as I teach -- class discussions for points, and read-arounds, to name a couple. It's nights like these that I wonder how anyone could want to do anything but teach... and it sounds so idealistic that I want to change the world or something, but don't we all?

I've never been one to exhault the virtues of 80s movies. However, I've recently become quite fond of the general nonchalance that writers of said movies are able to employ. I mean, take, for example, the movie montage. Never before or since has the montage had such significance to movies in general. Sure, you watch Easy Rider, and you can see a "tripping montage" or you watch Wedding Crashers and you can see a "sexual conquest montage," but whatever happened to the training montage? You know, the ones like in Rocky or the Karate Kid where the unfortunate student has to work with less than stellar equipment, but still manages to learn the techniques and acquire skill in order to defeat his opponent? I mean, seriously, how did Daniel understand that he would be able to use the drum technique not only for defensive strategy, but offensive as well? Of course, the montage comes in, and we can see that he is able to do so. And even with all of the Russian technology, Rocky was still able to train harder with just snow and mountains around him. Amazing. Where have those days gone?

Have you ever seen a better movie with Ed Norton in it than Rounders? I mean, really. He did a pretty good job in Primal Fear, I guess, but in Rounders he is quintessentially, well, Norton. I chose this template for my blog because it is entitled "rounders" and I wonder if that's because a lot of cheating card players decided to make up their own template for their blogs. If so, I guess I'll join their ranks -- not as a cheating card-player of course, but a person who wants to be a cheating card player. You see, I could so totally get away with it, and no one would ever know any better. I have such a look and presence of innocence, and I can lie like no one's business. I would be a perfect candidate for a rounder. Could make so much bank, you know? I guess I'd have to risk losing my money, or my car, or possibly even my life if I were ever caught, but seriously, who would ever suspect lil' ole Siouxs?