sweetness

From an 8th grader as an apology for talking too much in my class.

Oddest thing ever--my celery-loving 6th grader came in to swap candy for veg.

A gemstone tiger.  

And I neglected to take a photo of my favorite gift of the day.  A student walked by with his overflowing Valentine bag o' goodies and plopped down on the ground and dug through everything to find me something 'magical' [I think I overuse that particular adjective in class] from Willy Wonka.   So while it wasn't particularly bought/designed for me, thought it was very sweet that he would part with some of his treasured sugar.

Friday!  Don't know of another word that brings such delight at present.

the syntax of things

since feeling is first

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves,
and kisses are better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says

we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death i think is no parenthesis

~ e.e. cummings

Friday's poetry, a day early.  May your path have laughter, fluttering eyelids and some Spring foolishness today.  Happy hearts to each of you!

Mardi Gras

Some--what do you call a Shrove Tuesday magical person?--elf created a festive table in the staff work room this morning.  And all the faithful children were running around cramming in as much Valentine sugar as possible before tomorrow's ashes.  Clickety beads were everywhere today and lots of sparkles as the sun returned this afternoon.  

Despite the challenges of this particular posting, I am so very glad to be living in sunshine.

cue card

for parent-teacher conferences.

year of the snake

Very fun to live around the corner from the Asian Market as I've gotten to hear those little firecrackers and during my market run, saw the dragon dancers.

Forgive the horrid shot, but it was the only one I grabbed from last night's Zydeco festivities. Lovely live band with a French singer,lots of people practicing their swing steps and many sparkly purple/gold/green hats everywhere.  I had yummy tofu and enjoyed my dual culture celebration.

And in the spirit of the skin-shedding snake, decided it was time for a spring wallet.   Dithered about in the palace to accessories that is called Charming Charlie's and came home with purple chiffon roses.  Tres chic!  And I'm hoping that today's fortune is true. 

Gong Hay Fat Choy; may it be an auspicious year!

celebratory

This little cutie-patootie is six months old today.

Really needs no caption.

the solution to all worldly problems

Drive your car, drive to work

Drive to work to pay for your car

Drive your car, drive to work

Drive to work to pay for your car

The way I see it, just get rid of the car

Then you won't have to drive to work

The reason why you won't have to work

Is 'cause you'll have no car to pay for.

~Akara K.

    

I would love to live a car-less life; especially after this week of transmission scares and clutches beginning to fail.  Some sensor is off on my left wheel and the a/c doesn't work anymore.  I hate to even allow the thought to gain entrance into my life, but it may be time to consider replacing my faithful 2004 Honda.

 

if>then

The thought manifests as the word;

The word manifests as the deed;

The deed develops into habit;

And habit hardens into character.

So watch the thought and its ways.

~Buddha

I'd like to know exactly the time line between the thought & the ways.  Because if this is truly true--I'd be slender/fit, living a creative & comfortable life in a serene & cosy home.

unholy glee

An 8th grader wanted to get something from his locker during 6th period today.  I told him that it was fine with me, but then he declined saying that the principal would leap out and get him in trouble.  I told him that was because the rooms & hallways were monitored.

That got the entire room's attention.  I said 'you only think Jesus is watching you, but all these crucifixes (i?) are cameras and the principals have apps on their phones to watch what's going on over the entire campus.'

Still snickering over this.   If I'm fired over my flippant sacralige?  It would be worth it.

joys, stumbling upon

Early Valentine from a jr. high student's mother with the words: "I know you guys get tired of sugary treats."  Amen and thank you!

The traffic gods smiled upon me and I was able to zip across the city at 4 p.m. and was able to get both my faculty parking permit and my ID badge (the photo is beyond hideous, so it will remain hidden).  I know they're just pieces of plastic and I'm only an on-call sub, but I'm still jazzed about being officially being on college staff!

Then I popped down to BookPeople to take more blurry author photos.  Tonight's treat was Dave Barry.  While he did give a synopsis of his latest book, he mostly just ad-libbed and took audience questions.  It was lovely to laugh to tears.   He has perfected dead-pan delivery.

At the end, I happened to see the hosts of the Superbowl party I attended--not only are they fun & globe-trotting/living people, it is nice to have been in town long enough to begin to recognize people while out/about.

six degrees

A high school classmate in Portland connected me to her Austin friend via facebook, upon which we (the Austinites) discovered that we were on the same undergrad campus at the same time.  It's been a fun connection as she and her husband are foodies.  

While it's perhaps not the most appetizing thing in a bowl, this broccoli divinity is what I'll be living on for the next month.  

elegance

Despite the EARly a.m. class today, it has been a weekend of lovely elegance.

Delish dinner last night at the Driskill Hotel--one of my favorite buildings in downtown Austin.

And tonight found me at the school's annual gala/auction at another downtown hotel.

My favorite item at the silent auction.  I left before the tallies were in, but am guessing by the raves I'm still collecting from yesterday's concert--that this will be one of the top bids.

with a wink and a smile

lyrics from one of my favorite songs in today's concert...stay tuned to hear how 300+ singers did this morning!  Welcome February.

A Wink and a Smile

~Shaiman & McLean

I remember the days of just keeping time,
of hanging around in sleepy towns forever.
Back roads empty for miles.
Well, you can't have a dream and cut it to fit,
but when I saw you, I knew
we'd go together like a wink & a smile.

Leave your old jalopy by the railroad track.
We'll get a hip double-dip tip-toppy two-seat Cadillac.
So you can rev her up; and don't go slow,
it's only green lights and all rights.
Let's go together with a wink & a smile.

Now my heart hearts music; such a simple song.
Sing it again; the notes never end.
This is where I belong.

(dramatic key change)

Just the sound of your voice, the light in your eyes,
we're so far away from yesterday, together,
with a wink & a smile.

Weeeeee go together
Like a wink & a smile.

(if you've clicked on the title, the song ought to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  You're welcome.)