BOOM

I have a problem.  It reminds me of how you parents must [sometimes] feel.  A lot of times when I'm trying to encourage students - either as a class, or individually when tutoring them - I get tired of saying things like "good job," especially if they have been struggling with a difficult issue over time.  When they start getting the hang of it, I get excited, then try not to overdo it and freak them out, and find myself saying, "boom!" a lot.

Stuff like, "Boom, you got it," and "Boom, that's it."

Sometimes - ok, mostly - just "Boom!"

I have no idea why I do this or where it came from or what.

But now, most of my students have started parroting it back to me.  Like, on their own when they have that "aha!" moment.  Everyone from the 7-year-olds to the 24-year-olds.  It's a very bizarre thing to hear them say and it has me wondering if they think I'm Cuckoo.  At first I thought they were being sarcastic, but no, they've adopted it.

It's Tuesday night and I just graded my last paper.  Well, my last paper that's due back to students tomorrow.  Not my last last paper.  I am a rock star and plan to sleep 23.5 hours a day during my fall break next week, despite the *&%$# papers of my own that I need to complete.  So. Not. Thinking. About. It. Right. Now.

My first "red cup" of the season.

Today we were short on teachers at the K-8 school and I had to help out in eighth grade.

I'll give you a minute to let that sink in.

I led a third grade reading group at 8:00 a.m., then went to EIGHTH GRADE for the rest of the day.  OMG I'm sooooooo not everrrrrrrr teaching middle school. 

Completely unrelated picture that does, in fact, convey how I felt when I had to work with an eighth grade boy.

I have borrowed books from several friends in anticipation of doing nothing but laying around in my pj's and drinking coffee and reading next week [during the oh-so-few waking hours].  I may have outdone myself.  But, hey!  Free borrowed books!

I'm delirious from grading.  Must go to bed now.  Yes, at 9:14 p.m.