The New Chicken Boy

Look out old chicken man. There's a new chicken boy in town! Woo-hoo!

Saturday Adventures

:o) No, Angie's not really doing what you're thinking. She's just having spitting problems and I was ordered to take the misleading picture. We were walking back from the library when this incident happened. I thought it'd be great to post something to embarass Angie. Also, Avery had a little walking problem on the way to our house later that day. While running with "boo-boo" he, uh, wiped out on the mean streets of Bethel. Fortunately, "boo-boo" wasn't hurt when Avery wiped out and splattered mud everywhere. We cracked up so bad 'cause we didn't expect him to do that. Thanks for providing the weekend entertainment Avery.

Fiddle Dance

I volunteerd at the NYO fiddle dance last week. It was a neat little experience. I thought it would be more fast paced-- like a slow Whiskey Barrel (some hot counrty bar that I miss dearly), but it was a slow two-step dance the whole night. It was cute seeing elders dancing with each other and little kids hopping around to their own rythm. I almost... Almost danced with an older gentleman, but I explained my work at the concession stand was too important for me to leave. *sigh* He wasn't an elder so I didn't feel bad for turning the offer down. I mean, if the lights were down a little, or if everyone wasn't watching your every move, then maybe I would have danced. But, there was good company and good music so I had a wonderful time. I thought it was also interesting that there was a wide range of people there. Elders, young kids, teenagers, and middle aged people were all there dancing. They all liked the same music, or was just there to see who made an appearance. But it's neat to see everyone together having fun whereas, if I were still in MI, there would have been two separate dances, or it would have been uncomfortable if there were a mix of ages together. Ya get my meaning? If not, then send a message and I'll explain more.

Lost and Found

So, after roller skating on Friday night, Angie, Erin, Avery, and I were walking home on a dusty road in Bethel, when all of a sudden.... I spied a treasure in the bushes. It was a thrown-away bike rusting in the ditch. I cried "Avery, go get, get it, you can, go get it, quick, before someone sees, go get it!" He did, with Erin's help. So, we brought the bike up and it's in pretty good shape. The chain was rusted and completely off the track, but we took it anyway. Yeah, we took it about 5 minutes down the road then ditched it again. We'll let someone else discover Bethel's wonderful treasures. We were watching the weather channel this morning and we're supposed to get some snow this week. Yuck, now I should really buy snowpants, gloves, hat, and goggles. I'm getting off topic. So, when you walk around Bethel, you notice that people throw everything out! I was walking down the boardwalk and I can find backpacks, shopping carts, baby seats, bikes, bottles, shirts, man everything! So, before you go to the AC store, take a walk down some Bethel roads and you can pick up a lot "o" things:) Naw, I'm joking-- don't pick up that nasty stuff. But, if there were any dumpster divers in Bethel like there are elsewhere (MI) then they would be in trash heaven.

Water

I just wanted everyone to see a picture of the water truck dumping off our weekly supply of H2O. When they dump it into our tank, all of that nasty stuff on the bottom starts to surface and float around. So, we truly see what kind of water we are drinking and washing our hair with. After a little while the muck stuff returns to the bottom until the next time we meet the water man.

Field Trip

I took my class and a few others to Meyer's Farm last Thursday. The kids had a wonderful time! Before we left, I asked them what they will look for, and they all said "bunnies and carrots." So, they saw carrots but I don't think bunnies live on the tundra. It was weird to see corn growing. It looked a little puny compared to corn at home, but I heard they were trying to grow it for the first time. The crop will probably be yuck, but at least they tried-- it'll be better next year. They had chickens in a little coop and they tried to get out when we opened the door. The rooster even cockadoodled for us:) It was muddy, rainy, but we all had fun. We even picked turnips to eat for snack when we got back to school. I never had a raw turnip before but it was yummy. We picked some cabbages and made coleslaw today for snack. I reccommend (for anyone visiting Bethel) to visis Meyer's Farm.

My Honey-Bunches-of-Oats

These are my boys. one of the things I will miss in MI will be the Red Wings. Their probably in Traverse City right now practicing for the pre-season stuff. This is why I shall renew my efforts to get cable:) Games usually start around 7pm MI time so I think it'll be 3pmish our time. That's not bad. I can always do work at home instead of staying late at school. If I ever go home for Christmas, one of my goals is to go to D-town for a game:) Smell the ice, wave at the kids on the zamboni, buy a Red Winger at the liquor stand, eat a greasy pizza, have beer spilled on you buy a drunk fan, etc. I can't wait! So, I'll say this now, if anyone wants to get me a Christmas present, you already have an idea of what I like:) No, not a Red Wings ticket, but their paraphanelia will work all the same.

p.s. That's my boy on the very left, # 13, Datsyuk. He's from Russia (I think)... and I'm closer to Russia than i'll ever be... hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge.

My First Real World Pay Check

:) Yes, I finally got it. We had a surprise meeting after school. I was in the middle of testing a student for first grade when my principal came behind me, and said in his most principally voice, "Ms. McDaniel, I need to see you immediately." So, like a scared first year teacher, I told the student I'd be right back and to go make a mess of the toys in the back of my room. I walk into the room and everyone is there clapping as I and another fellow first year teacher walked in. He handed us our checks and congratulated us on making our college experience a successful one. I blushed and all that good stuff when attention is directed at you. We took a couple of pictures to share our joy. So, the second picture where I am staring at my check, figuring out how much money they have taken out, I sort of have a smile on my face, but I'm really trying to keep it together and not cry in front of everyone! *sigh* It's the biggest paycheck I've ever gotten, so I'd better be happy and shut up about it! Now, I get to go spend it on rent, food, and loans.

My New Blog!

Hello out there! I finally got one:) So, I've been watching the polycom for a very long time and my brain is fried... so I don't really know what to tell everyone. We've been sitting in the "Time Out" room at Kilbuck elementary to learn about the culture here... and my tush has permanently conformed to my hard plastic chair. I shouldn't write more because I need to pay attention. My next blog should be better:)