A close call

After many sleepless nights, meals uneaten, hour long phone calls, lines galore and a 12 hour day, I finally have my passport! Which means in less than 48 hours I'm on my way with Mike to Germany, Austria and Switzerland!

A word to the wise: TURN IN YOUR PASSPORT EARLY AND BE SURE TO EXPEDITE IT!!! (And by early I mean six months early. No joke.)

School's out for SUMMER!!!!

Today was my last day of school. School was only an hour today. So silly to send children to school for such a short time! Regardless of such an absurd schedule, I must say I love my job. I am sometimes impatient, and often tired, but being a teacher is so rewarding. I have loved my kids this year. They are nice, well behaved, and so funny. Here are some of the funny things that have happened this year.

1. I have seen the BC of one of my students everyday this year!

2. One of my students tried to fix a hole in his pants by taping it. Kids are so creative.

3. After smelling his armpits one of my students commented, "WOW! That's disgusting. I smell the way my dad smells after he's done working." I love the honesty.

4. Another student then smelled his armpits and said, "I only like the way mine smell, but nobody else's." Once again love the honesty.

5. Busting kids pick their nose each day, even when they think no one is looking.

6. One of my students wears a retainer. I have received spit in the face many times when having a conversation with this particular student. So gross.

These are just a few of the funny things that have happened this year. It has been a wonderful experience teaching second grade this school year. I love my school and colleagues. But the best thing about my job is..... I HAVE SUMMERS OFF!!!!! Summer officially begins for me tomorrow and I can't wait!

Cicada Hunting

Today Laura and I went Cicada hunting. I was driving between hospitals earlier this week and found a forest preserve filled with the unusual bugs. Since we have been more than disappointed with the showing of the "17-year phenomenon" around our house we went to find some Cicadas. We got some good pictures that we thought would be nice to share. Enjoy

This is a picture of the holes left behind after their emergence from under ground.

This is a picture of what they look like just after leaving the ground (right side) and just after they break out of the nymph stage shell (left side)

There were so many shells from the nymph stage stuck all over the leaves. They were everywhere!

Laura was worried that one would fly down her shirt so she had to put on the hood for protection.

We were gone for a long time and sometimes you need a snack

Like a kid with candy

Last night was the eight grade graduation for the students who attend the school where I teach. (The school is a k-8 school) Some of you know Jasmine Jordan (Michael Jordan's daughter) goes to my school. It just so happens she was in eigth grade this year, which meant she was graduating. I went to graduation last night for the sole purpose to see Michael Jordan. I know, I'm so lame, but I just wanted to see him!!! I was sitting in my seat when one of my friends whispered to me, "Here he comes." In walks Michael Jordan himself!!! He is huge, and very attractive. I had butterflies in my stomach I was so excited. I was trying not to stare, but I must say it was neat to see him in real life. At the end of graduation our principal asked that all the staff members attending graduation line up in the center isle to shake hands with all the graduates. All the teachers get up and start lining up in the isle, guess who stood 2 feet away from Michael Jordan? ME!!! I literally could have reached out and touched him. Of course I didn't talk to him, but I did get a good look at him, and he is quite good looking and still looks quite young. PS he still chomps on his gum like he did when he was playing basketball. I know this is all so silly of me to be so excited about this. I was like a kid with candy, I was so giddy and excited to see him.

They're BACK!!!!

So, every 17 years a certain species of cicadas make a special appearance in Chicago! These nasty little buggers are all over my school, literally ALL OVER! The kids at school are going wild over these bugs! I think they are so disgusting! They have black bodies, and bright red eyes! This is a picture of one on the front doors of the school where I teach. The science teacher thought it would be funny to come into my classroom and put some cicadas on my arm. Not funny. Needless to say I had to take a picture of this momentous occasion. I have three on my arm around my watch, such a creepy feeling!

Although I think these cicadas are ugly, I must say it's so cool to be in Chicago while these creatures are out, you only get to see these bugs every 17 years! Their entire life cycle is 17 years, most of which is spent underground! Once they hatch out of their eggs, they mate, lay their eggs and die. What a life. If you would like to read more about them check out this website: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/news/news.cfm?NewsID=5588

Peanuts, pickles, and hot dogs

Last week Mike and I were itching to go out and do something. So we drove to Milwaukee, WI and went to a Milwaukee Brewer's baseball game.


The stadium is relatively new. It has a roof that can open and close depending on weather demands. I never thought I would enjoy watching baseball! Being at the stadium and watching the game in real life is much more exciting than it is on TV!




There is always a hot dog race at the end of the seventh inning. What is more entertaining that watching hot dogs run?



You can't go to a baseball game and not partake of the excellent menu items. Our dinner consisted of peanuts, multiple hot dogs and 1 giant pickle. DELICIOUS!



Mike and I had an excellent time at the baseball game. We are trying to take advantage of every opportunity we have to enjoy the Midwest while we are living here!

UTAH! There's no place like Utah

So excited. Beginning July 2nd, Mike will be doing a Neurology rotation at the University of Utah for four weeks. Which means we will be in Utah for the entire month of July! YAY! So everyone clear your schedules! I'm planning on doing a lot of hanging out while I am in town!