First Day of School...

Today was my first day at a new school. Sierra Vista High School. It's a totally different world. I miss The Canyon.

AVID Reunion #1 (the first, hopefully, of many)

The AVID 07 CSHS grads got together at CiCi's Pizza for AVID REUNION SUMMER 2007. We wanted to see one another before school started and kids left for college.
We had so much fun and it was "all you can eat" (and all ya'all know some of those kids can EAT), so we actually stayed there until the restaurant was closing. We even hung out in the parking lot for a little while afterward. With the exception of one kid who forgot to fill out the FAFSA, most of the kids are ready for school to start. I'm pretty proud of all the little AVID homies and I'm excited to hear about the first semester of college. I think they are ready and if they aren't, I'm sure I'll be spending my free time helping to edit essays and helping them with homework. :)


We shut the place down. ;)

Growin' up.

I think I had a "moment" today when I realized, once again, that the young students I've spent the last couple of years working with and worrying about have grown up. I wonder if my parents felt this way when I left home for the first time. Worry. Excitement. Anticipation. I know I'm not a parent, but I've felt like one time and time again as I worked with these kids to fill out the FAFSA, admissions applications, search for scholarships, and make decisions about everything from which career best suits their talents to where to eat before prom.

We had an unofficial "AVID Reunion" at a pizza place on Wednesday. Most of the kids have jobs. They've registered for their classes. Some leave this week for school is far off places-- Reno, San Diego, Hampton, Lincoln, MO. I spent all day today with Ivette, a former student I've kept in touch with. She was a little nervous, so I volunteered to go with her to the freshman orientation at Nevada State College/Warehouse. (Actually, I was a little impressed. The last time I'd seen NSC it really did look like a warehouse. Today we saw actual classrooms!)

3 LONG hours later, Ivette treated me to sushi at I LOVE SUSHI!, which pretty much made suffering through the long boring orientation worth it. (And just in case anyone is interested, oyster shooters? Not good. Do not give in to peer pressure and allow anyone to talk you into that whole "just try it" routine. Gross.)

If you know me you've probably met or heard about Boo, who just graduated in June. She wrote this blog about "Growin' up" on her Myspace page.
Sidenote: She knows how to spell and can use proper grammar, as needed, but Myspacers appreciate street talk a little more. She knows her audience! Don't hate!

i been thru so much during my life time....but the trials ive made it thrgh have only made me a strngr person....to some ppl i was against all odds of graduating...but too bad i made it...they ddnt even thnk i had a chance of makn it 2 college....too bad im on my wy der....u learn in life who has ur back n who dsnt.....its the ones that was der b4 u made it who really cares....ive learnd if you take the cards that life dealt 2 u n ply them rather than tryn 2 change hands wit sum1...life will b much easeir 4 u.....its not abt who makes it der the da fastest....... its abt who makes it....n trust me IM GON MAK IT!!!!!!!

She will make it.

When I think about some of the things my students have been through, I'm just reminded of how blessed I have been in my life. I like Boo's idea about playing the cards that life deals you. For the most part I've been dealt good cards that are pretty easy to play. I've never had to deal with so many of the things that my students struggle with.

I am proud of Boo and all the other AVID homies are on their way to college. That's just one of many steps they've already taken in the right direction. It is a choice that will affect the rest of their lives. I love listening to my kids talk about their goals and plans for the future. Already, some of them are doing great things in the world. I am excited to hear about all they'll accomplish.

This blog is rated G.

Sadly, boringly, disappointingly (perhaps), this blog is so safe even children can read it. No controversial topics. No wild stories about thrilling nights out. As my students would say... "I need to get things crackin'. Real talk."

San Diego = Good times are over

I know that doesn't make a lot of sense. People LOVE San Diego. However, I feel like I'm in San Diego all the time. If it wasn't so far away, humid and expensive, I really wouldn't mind it much... :) I was there for a conference last week, but it wasn't too bad.
I was able spend quality time with my friend, Tanya (see very cute photo and be sure to notice Tanya is wearing an amazing AVID t-shirt).
Of course, there are some good things about San Diego. It's always great to see Trent (see second very cute photo)

and time at the beach is never bad, unless you are as afraid of sun spots as I currently am. (It's really quite sad).
The White Roller Coaster at Mission Beach is fun EVERY single time.

Every year, at the AVID conference in August, I suddenly realize that summer has mysteriously slipped past and I'm nowhere near ready for the school year to begin. Yuck.