Snippets

* I got a big kick out of one of my students this week in my beginner's class. She got up to leave the room and I said, "Where are you going?" Her answer still makes me giggle, "I need to make pie pie."

* It's so funny how such a small thing can generate so many varying points of view. This week we've been discussing the story of a kid who was suspended for coming to school with a mohawk haircut. He was six years old. His mother changed schools because the boy wanted to keep his haircut. In class, it seems to depend on the person's preconceived opinion of a mohawk. If they have attached a dangerous or violent meaning to it, they find it hugely inappropriate for a six year old, but if the person has attached a cute or individual taste meaning to it, they find the suspension of the student ridiculous. Many in between opinions too. We end up talking about conformity and whether or not and to what extent we should be teaching that to our kids.. I've been very surprised at the amount of conversation it has inspired. Makes my job a breeze when that happens.

* I tried the Chunky brand "Chicken and Sausage Gumbo" and LOVED it. I decided to try another one yesterday - "Chicken a la King" and I was barely able to gag it down. It was like pus with chunks in it.

* I took over 50 pictures for 12 of 12 and then I had a hard time choosing 12. What's interesting about that exercise is that you're forced to look for the interesting as you go through your ordinary day. I passed by a plaque that I have probably passed by 1000 times and never even looked at it. Finally I did and I learned that the crabapple is Montreal's official tree. Felt all edified, I did.

* I've been paying attention to salt lately. Sometimes I wake up all filled with water and I figured it was the salt. I've been shocked at how much there is of it in everything. 12% of the recommended daily intake just from the morning bagel. I got a coupon for two McDonald's breakfast sanwiches for the price of one and if there's one Mickey Dees weakness I have, it's the Sausage McMuffin with egg. (I adored when I stayed in Hong Kong that the McDonald's there serves them all day.) So I had two the other morning and was horrified to see on the wrapper (since I'm reading them now) that I had consumed the full day's allotment of salt. There were still two meals to go. Sure enough, I was all bloated and sluggish the next day.

* The girl gave me back the coupon to use again instead of putting it in the drawer. Ever since, it's been causing me to exhibit conflicting desires. The bloating is still dominating the deliciousness. But my spendthrifty ways are sure to come into play.

* Hey, the blog's been scat-free for a week. Oh. Oops.

* There's a contest in the paper here to fly four friends or family members to Montreal for dinner. It's a two week contest and you have to find the little symbol in the newspaper each day and send in the form. So I've been doing it and since you have to state the people you'd invite, I've been mixing it up each time, a different mix of either family or friends or both. I've got several forms here yet to be filled out so I thought I would maybe do a blogger entry or two as well. I mean y'all are my friends too. Trouble is, I need real names and cities of residence. So if you're interested (like it's a zillion to one that we'd win, but still) email me your name and city (I don't need your address, just city) because you know, Midwestern Funky Town is not going to be good enough. tornwordo atsign yahoo dot com


* I took this for the 12 of 12 thing, but it didn't make the cut. Still I thought the sun on the horizon illuminating the trees was beautiful.