Back To School- Semester 2!

"There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down, but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it, but
These are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep goin',
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on..."

-Miley Cyrus, The Climb

Yes, I know, I know- a Miley Cyrus song... but it has good lyrics!  Anyhow- back to the grind I go... school has started back up and the third semester is rolling.  We actually started school last Thursday, and this week has pretty much been pre-tests for everything coming up.

Last week the kiddos we're sooooo quiet... it was quite strange, because my bunch... well they are never the quiet kids....  I'm pretty sure they were also not ready to be back.

To break for just a moment- I had a WONDERFUL break back home in North Carolina, even if it was only a week!  It was much needed, and even though it may not have been the most restful trip, it was only because I attempted to use every minute to see friends and family!  If I didn't see you for whatever reason... well believe me, you will be seen next time I am home! =)  I did eat at a couple of places I've missed, walked through a Harris Teeter, (yes... I'm odd- but only having a Walmart and a VERY tiny grocery store is just not the same.... Oh and of course Harris Teeter has those wonderful free cookies, and all kinds of samples!)  I visited TARGET!!!!, saw a movie for the first time in MONTHS, went to a mall, saw the super exciting Christmas lights, saw some of my old Bruster's favorites actually skadoodle for me, (a random slide I made them do every night before they left- the pride and joy of my evening ritual!) and of course went in a million other stores, and ate lots of good food! 

I should tell you that OF COURSE... there would be a bit of bad luck, because who I, if not the princess of bad luck?!  Of course I rented a car to come home, and drove all the way back to Greensboro from Helena... well of course, getting up on Christmas Eve morning to do ALL of my Christmas shopping (as there aren't many places to get gifts here...) I walk outside to a flat tire and a rim missing.  Yes, yet another rental car to let me down!  My dad followed me up to put air in the tire, just to listen to it leak right back out. (of course.)  We went up to Enterpise and they sent us to Firestone to have it fixed.  I spent the good part of my morning waiting on that to be fixed, BUT Enterprise was wonderful about it.  They ended up giving me a discount on my total rental price, apologized so many times, and I was not responsible for any repairs, as it wasn't my fault.  So- I can't be too mad, just another bad-luck, but funny story to add!

Back to school-  This week my students have been back to themselves completely.  I've heard so many more good kid quotes, and sure there are more to come... Let me share:

One kid:  "Mi Mukay- it's cold in hereeee!"

Me:  "Yeah, you'll warm up though, just rub your arms for a minute!"

Kid:  "Nah, look I can put 'em in my shirt! It be hot in here!"  (kid proceeds to tuck his arms into his shirt..) 

One morning before school:  (and get ready for this, because I certainly wasn't and it makes me cringe..) Older sister of one of my students:  "Ms. Mackay, ________ won't be here for a while, just so you know.)

Me:  "Oh no!  Why not?  We will miss him!"

Sister:  "He's having his circumsision."

Me: "Oh, okay, thanks for letting me know...."  (awkwardly moving on to the next thing on my to-do list now...)

I have some more, but I'll save them for another day!! 

I miss you all!