Pride and Prejudice.

My favorite time of the school year is when I get to teach from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

It could be due to the fact that, of all literary characters ever written, I find myself identifying most with Elizabeth Bennet. (Or, at the least, I strive for her wit and clever mannerisms). I could look forward to this time so much because it means that my kids will finally be exposed to the excellent writing of Jane Austen. It could be because of my love/hate relationship with the newest film version of Austen's novel which I show at the conclusion of the book.

But...

I think the real reason I so look forward to this season of my curriculum is because of moments like these:

--While reading through this book, I hardly ever send the kids home with homework reading. I much prefer to read together in class...and actually, I end up reading most of the book out loud to them. I do voices for the different characters, and I gesture wildly while reading so as to keep their attention. Inevitably, laughter and snickers ensue, but I know they secretly are entertained and love it. ;)

--When we finally get to some of the key moments of the novel (Darcy's unexpected proposal, the truth about Wickham's scandalous past is revealed, Elizabeth and Darcy's arguments), I sneak a peak at the students' faces. There are looks of shock, surprise and amazement---and I LOVE IT. They don't see that I see...but I do. Those expressions on the faces of my students show that they are into the story, which is, after all, the goal.

--By the middle of the book, I've figured out how to build and build and build and build up to a certain cliff-hanger moment in the story line...and then I'll tell them we are out of time for the day. The story will have to wait till tomorrow, and this announcement is met with many "Awww, Mrs. Kern! Don't do this to us! We still have, like, 8 minutes of class left. Keep going!" Seriously. Doesn't get any better than that from high schoolers.

--Once we've finished the book, played a review game or two and taken the exam, I'll give them a break, and we'll watch the film version of the book. By the end of the movie, at least two or three kids per class will have muttered something about how the book is better than the movie. I am always floored by these remarks, because I would assume that, to them, ANY movie would be better than a 300 page book. That's what I get for assuming. ;)

--And, my favorite moment of all........It happens when I'm walking through the halls, a few minutes after class, or after school. It happens when I least expect it. It is what I anticipate all year: when the male students in my class will sneak up, no buddies around to hear, and very quietly...almost in a whisper...almost inaudibly...they admit that they secretly really love this book. But DON'T TELL anyone, Mrs. Kern! Oh man. Love it!!

This may sound like no big deal, but it is a rare day when a high school teacher (perhaps ANY teacher) hears compliments from their students. I realize that even though none of the above mentioned phenomena are technically compliments directed towards me, I'll TAKE THEM! Encouragement regarding one's job can happen so infrequently that we should all take it in any form we can get. ;)

Anyway, my kids and I are about 10 chapters from the end of the novel, and I have to say that I truly do love what I get to do for a living. Read one of my favorite books and watch as my students fall in love with it, too. Doesn't get any better than that!

PS-For further reading, maybe pick up a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Russell bought this for me as a joke, and one of my students asked if he could borrow and read it. He LOVES it! Apparently the zombies show up in random parts of the rewritten story wreaking havoc on the residents of Hertfordshire and London. Plus, it has pictures. ;)

Too Free to Free Verse.

Recently, I assigned my students with the task of composing an original free verse poem. Free verse poetry refrains from any required structure or rules, so I thought my high school students (who frequently complain about unfair rules, restrictions and requirements unfairly placed upon them by 'the man' etc....) would just love this excersise in complete freedom.

I was wrong.

Here is a sampling from one of the more 'entertaining' original poems...

Under PRESSURE

I need to type the PERFECT poem,

But it's just not flowin'.

I've never had such serious writer's block.

I wonder if you can even read this?

The font is odd,

And my lines are too choppy!

But coincidentally,

This isn't supposed to be perfect. Annoying.

The lines I write are usually FLAWLESS,

But today...not so much.

These free verse poems have no structure!

And unfortunately,

I'M A STRUCTURED PERSON!

So.

I will end my poem as follows:

I need more STRUCTURE in a poem assignment.

Thank you.

That is all.

Ha! Sometimes I get such good belly laughs at work, so I thought I'd pass that along to you, lovely readers. Hope his poetic panic attack made you giggle a little....

I sure did! ;)

(And THANK YOU for your helpful hints on packing the hospital bag--I so appreciate you!)

A Cry For Help: Hospital Bag Edition.

Okay ladies. I need more help. You all gave me SUCH good suggestions and helpful tips when it was time to register that I come before you once again to ask for help with another personal conundrum: the hospital bag.

I've read a few books, and they all list the obvious items, such as camera, pillows, list of phone numbers, etc. However...I suspect there are items on the lists that aren't exactly useful (i.e. bringing tons of your own diapers when the hospital provides them for you), or there are most likely items left off of the list that should be there. For example, one friend encouraged me to bring lotion and socks: she said the epidural made her feet and hands super dry (lotion), but that she didn't want her feet slipping out of the stirrups (socks).

SO. I ask you: what items worked for you, could you have lived without, etc.? Were there any little extra things you wish you would have brought, you did bring that you were glad you did, etc.?

ANYTHING will help this puzzled preggo! Thanks, friends! :)

An Attempt at Lemonade.

The Lemons:

Yesterday, I slipped off my cozy house shoes and noticed that they had made an indentation line across my feet. Alarmed, I reached down and touched the top of my (normally bony and slightly skeletor-esque) foot only to leave a finger tip indentation. I noticed my toes have become very thick and rub together. My ankle bones are slowly disappearing into the recesses of flesh around them, and I can no longer make it an hour without needing to pee. I dropped my three pound dog on her face yesterday, because my puffed and awkward fingers have made me clumsy out of nowhere, and I also stabbed myself in the eye in a fumbled attempt to apply eyeliner with said sausage fingers. Heartburn is a constant, good sleep is becoming a thing of the past, and I emit man-belches.

And, to top it all off, as I was leaving work today, a coworker paused in the hallway, looked me up and down, and, with a smug smile said, "Wow, you really are ballooning up all over, aren't you? Guess you aren't all-belly like I had heard." (She is one of those women, just for the record.)

The Lemonade:

I am growing a baby that I fall more and more in love with each time I feel a hiccup, a kick to the ribs, hear a heartbeat or say her name out loud.

I am married to (quite possibly) the most helpful, brave and accepting man in all of existence. I tell people all the time that I have no idea how any woman could have made it through their pregnancy not married to Russell, and I mean it. He is the best of friends.

I have two sets of wonderful family members that love and support my husband and me during this journey. They are patient with me, so pumped up about the future, and they've been a soft place to fall these last few months.

I have some pretty amazing girlfriends. In the midst of one of the most overwhelming times of my life, I have had such support, love and notice poured on me from people who were, only a few short years ago, total strangers to me. Some have offered their baby gear to us, some have sent sweet notes of encouragement, and some have even offered their help when the (seemingly daunting) task of breastfeeding is at hand since I don't have family in town. These women have listened as I worked through my early-pregnancy anxieties, have taken the time to answer my endless questions regarding childbirth and care, and they have, without judgement or ridicule, talked with me about my own desires and hopes for the birth and raising of our baby. I was so touched by the excitement displayed by my friends when we announced the gender of the baby, the name of the baby and any other little development that we wanted to share with them. Sometimes I get down about how judgmental women can be towards each other, but, when I step back and take stock of how I've been treated and accepted, I am truly humbled and blessed.

There you have it, folks. After beginning to write a very negative and grumpy post, it was promptly deleted. My 'verse of the day' that popped up on my computer this morning was Psalm 32:10: "Many are the complaints of the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord's provision." Friends, I have truly been surrounded by love, and for that, I am so grateful. My complaints fade quickly when reminded of what really matters, what really counts and how I've been so very blessed beyond what I deserve.

Here's to making lemonade.

Preggo Photo Shoot!

Tease if you will, but I had been looking forward to doing a maternity photo shoot since before I got pregnant...and I finally got my wish! My very talented friend Katie (click here to link to her photo blog) was such a trooper to take our pictures out in the freezing cold snow, but I was so excited to have a wintery backdrop for the session. We traipsed around a few different locations, and, despite the frigid temps, we had so much fun!

A few of our favorites (and it was so hard to choose!):

We had so much fun together, I felt so special and I will treasure these pictures always!

When a Hero Comes Along.

(Admit it. You started belting out the Mariah Carey version of this song after reading the title. No? Just me?)

After watching a nice man tow a family's car out of an icy ditch recently, I began to think about heroic moments. I've really only had one such moment in my lifetime. No, I didn't save anyone's life or rescue a stranded kitten from a tree. But I did act quickly under pressure, had to literally dance around a large pile of vomit, and the phrase "the show must go on" rang true in my heroic moment.

You see, for many many many years, I was in dance classes. I did tap, ballet, point, jazz, everything--loved it! Each year, the company I danced with put on a Christmas show called "The Little Drummer Boy," and I had won the coveted role of Drummer Boy for three years in a row. I knew the dances by heart, and the rush of being on stage in front of an audience was so very fun to a girl my age (at the time, I was around 11-13ish).

As time passed, I became too old to have the role of Drummer Boy, so I moved up into the Senior Dance Company and performed in various other dances during the Christmas show. The first year that I was in the Company, one of my good friends won the role of Drummer Boy (she was a few years younger than me). Things were going great, the show was a success, and we made it to the grand finale number to close out the show.

My friend had been feeling a little under the weather all day, but she was a trooper and went on with the dance as planned. When the closing number came around, she made it through about a minute of the dance before she stopped dead in her tracks, looked over her shoulder at me, grabbed her mouth and puked all over the stage. She was petrified! The audience gasped, my friend froze, and the rest of us on stage (there were about 25 people out there, all waiting on the Drummer Boy to lead the dance) didn't know what to do. As the music kept playing, a girl close by was able to rush my sick friend off of the stage, but that left the rest of us just standing there, awkwardly exchanging sideways glances, wondering what to do.

And that's when it hit me. I knew all of her steps. I had performed in the role of the Drummer Boy a dozen times, and, since the entire finale number revolved around the lead character of the Drummer Boy, it was up to me, little 14 year old me, to save the day.

So, I jumped out of my place in the Company, and took on the part of Drummer Boy. I leaped and twirled around the stage (attempting to gracefully avoid the various piles of vomit...), dancing the steps that my poor friend should have been dancing. I was able to keep the show moving, guide the rest of the cast through their parts, and close the show to a roaring round of applause. My one heroic moment.

(See, I told you it was nothing major. But to a 14 year old, it was pretty huge.) ;)

What about you? Any 'heroic' moments from your past? Don't be afraid; you can brag on yourself a little bit. And, might I suggest, hum Mariah's song in your head as you type. Makes reliving the moment much more dramatic. ;)