Da, Da, Da, Da...Puppy Power!

The tile of this blog, has absolutely nothing to do with the content to follow. I was just going to put the 'Da, Da, Da, Da' part, cause I was so excited to be writing another blog, and just as I got to the last 'Da', I remembered the 'Puppy Power'. Who else knows where this is from? Frankly, I think 'Scrappy' should never have been invented (was he Scooby's nephew or something?). Scooby had Shaggy, there was no need for another character, puppy-wearing-a-cape or otherwise. I loved watching Scooby Doo as a kid, sometimes it freaked me out, but even then, I pretended that I loved it, cause what kid wants to be seen by their older siblings, freaking out over a kid's cartoon?

Ok, now the title has something to do with the blog ;)

Wow, these blog posts are becoming as rare as hens teeth! One day, when I'm famous, these blog will be locked away in a virtual vault, for the purpose of inspiring future generations...how cool that you get to read them before they get locked away! ;)

A few weeks ago, my friend Susan pointed out that I hadn't written a blog in ages (shout out to my fellow H.P champion!) , so I thought I should write one, before school starts up again, and while I'm on a procrastination roll!

School does start again, on Wednesday in fact. Actually, school started back for me last Thursday, but my class doesn't return until Wednesday, so it's nice to have a few days to get work done, and my room set up and all that.

Over the holidays, my classroom was repainted and had new carpet put in...and the room now looks B-E-A-UTIFUL! This year will be my first year of having the same class, for a full school year! I have the lovely 3/4 class, and I am excited to be able to set up the classroom and decorate it and all that fun stuff. I have a total of 23 kids in my class so far, which is not the 18 I was expecting (yep, 23 is more than 18...what an educational blog!). I have a couple of new kids in both grades, so it'll be fun to get to know some new kids, and to shake up the dynamics of each grade a bit...this could end badly actually...

I also have grand plans for forcing...I mean, 'encouraging' my class to love reading this year. I have emailed my boss with an idea (that Google gave me, thanks Google) for D.E.A.R time. I didn't really use D.E.A.R time last year, mostly I just read aloud to the class a couple of times a week. I think I've mentioned that in an earlier post, about forcing my class to like the books that I liked as a kid (and still like)...turns out that not everyone, the boys in particular, appreciate being read a book about 2 primary school girls, one prim the other a bit of a bogan, who go to a dodgy school, and up being the most unlikely of BFFs. Who knew boys wouldn't enjoy that plot?! It didn't take me long to work it out, and I tried to make it more boy-friendly, but they weren't buying it. Eventually, I gave in, and ended up reading 'Spooky Stories' by Paul Jennings. More of a crowd pleaser? Yes. My favourite book as a kid? No! Oh well, guess you have to compromise on some things...*dreams shattered*

On another note, today I bought an indoor antenna for my tv. We do have an aerial thing in the loungeroom, but it's currently being used by one of the other teachers, for his tv. The other teacher that lives here has used a splitter (not even sure if that's the word I'm after) on the existing aerial thing, and has it running into her room, for her tv. I considered getting a second splitter, and running it into my room, but was worried I might blow up the reception for everyone within a 5km radius. I don't even know if this is possible, but I figured there's only so many tvs that can run from the one rooftop antenna...all the days I spent as a tv specialist (totally a job title) taught me that! Anyway, after deciding I didn't want to blow up the tvs, I looked into alternatives. I read some indoor antenna reviews, and I had high hopes for the particular one that I bought *hopes shattered* I can't get it to pick up any channels. Granted, it is highly likely that I'm using it incorrectly, or that I've missed a step in the procedure, but whatever the case, I've boxed it all up and I intend to return it for a full $24.99 refund. Thank you very much, Mr Dick Smith.

I went to Lismore for the day today. It rained all the way there, and all the way back (and practically the whole time I was in Lismore too). I went down for my beautiful friend's baby shower (Amanda, or 'Mann' as I have been in the habit of calling her for about 6.5 years now...not to be confused with 'man', they sound totally different...trust me!). Anyway, this celebration was meshed with Amanda's husband's 30th, as well as their farewell from Lismore. It was a HUGE celebration! Lots of people will be sad to see them leave Lismore, though, the plan (at the moment) is for the move to be temporary, and they will be back in Lismore by the end of 2013. It was so fun to be able to go down for the day...ah, the beauty of living in another state, and still only being a 2.5 hour drive away :)

Well, it's 11:30pm, and I should get to bed. I am going to try to be more regular with this whole blogging gig...I've probably said that in previous blogs...I will actually try to be this time though, pinky swear (that's pretty much the 'muggle' version of 'the unbreakable vow' in HP. Hard core).

I shall leave you with a joke I heard a few months ago, and think is hilarious!

A grasshopper walks into a bar, and the barman says
"Hey, we've got a drink named after you!"
The grasshopper replies
"You have a drink named Kevin?!"

How great is that! I remembered it on the drive back from Lismore tonight, and I actually laughed out loud at it...perhaps I was delirious with exhaustion? I dunno. Maybe.

PS It's raining HEAPS at my school (I usually only stay at the teacher's residence on weekedays, but I have lots of work to do, hence the weekend visit). I'm supposed to be going into Brissie in the morning, I hope I don't get cut off! I don't want to be stuck out here with half a loaf of bread, 1 apple, a cup of milk and some honey! I'll have to get all 'Bear Grylls' and eat a possum, or a wallaby...either or...

PSS HAPPY 'STRAYA DAY!