Yes, my blogoversary came and went yesterday. It has been two years and just over 400 posts. About 100 of you come by here and I appreciate your kind words when you stop long enough to write.

When I set up this blog, I had no idea of what I was doing or getting myself into. I had been told I should do this, and knowing I would be leaving teaching in a couple of years, I wanted to venture out beyond my four classroom walls. It has been a great experiment and now is a part of my life. I have made many new friends and learned a lot.  And, I have fun doing it.

My writing is my voice.  If you know me, then you would say you hear me when I write.  If we’ve never met in person, trust me, I sound just like this when I talk.  As I am transparent here on this page, I am in my 3D life also.  I am often loud and passionate about my subject.

Thank you, dear Reader, for stopping by, for sticking with me.  I appreciate all of you.  You have made this successful for me, and I hope you are informed, entertained, and that you leave feeling like you’ve spent time with a friend.  I know that is how I feel after reading many of your blogs.

Just waiting to eat

Originally uploaded by dkzody

After all the hard work the marketing class has done this semester, we decided to celebrate. However, it was hard to find the time to do this as we are busy with our next project. On Friday we made time.

The kids all brought something yummy with a brunch theme (I made biscuits and gravy) and we invited a few guests. Although our Junior Achievement partners had other meetings, others accepted, came, ate, and enjoyed a good time.

We had two previous students who came. One now works for the California State Department and had a furlough Friday (3 Fridays a month, the state government shuts down). The other is the school’s activity director and she had to stop in to ask a question of one of my students and stayed for food and fellowship.

Dr. Godfrey, who took the kids’ videos to Norway, came by before heading off to Fresno State to teach her Friday class. Pamela Howell of the AfterSchool Foundation who worked so hard with us on the chalk art competition also joined us. It had been her idea to do this celebration. And a good one it was.

I’ve learned that there are some people I cannot invite to anything. They always have something else to do. Hey, I can take a hint. Those who come always have a good time and it helps my students practice their social graces. I was very proud of how well they did on Friday.

And so, I continue to write.

We all have them, any of us in education.  Our school has an assortment of conferences, all the way from the very short chat at grade distribution to the more lengthy 504 marathon.  There can be anything in between too and such was the case yesterday.  I met with a parent and student in the counselor’s office to discuss the student’s grades, attendance, and attitude.  I don’t think we got very far.

The student is extremely angry about something but would not tell us.  The mother made excuses and apologized instead of standing up to the student, creating consequences, and following through.  Those last three are the biggest problems I see with parent/child relationships.  The student runs the household, does what they want, goes where they want, and never has any consequences except for the parent yelling at them.  Usually, the student just yells back, again with no consequences.  Then they come into my classroom and want to act the same way.

I believe in parent conferences, but over the past 20 years I have seen only a handful have any effect.  I put lots of effort into these meetings and just wish all of the participants would do likewise.  Parenting, teaching, learning…it’s all messy with lots of hard work to be done by all parties.

Public art on the mall

Originally uploaded by dkzody

Isn’t this a great face? It is one of two women in a large art piece on our local mall. It is called “The Visit” and it was made in the late 60s.

I had forgotten all of the great pieces of art that we have on the mall. This is probably my favorite, closely followed by “The Washer Woman.” It was so much fun to go downtown and wander around the mall, taking photos of all sorts of things on Saturday, and especially photos of the great pieces of public art.

The Fulton Mall has fallen on very bad times as far as retail establishments go. But the landscaping, the fountains, and the artwork are all there to enjoy. It is clean and safe and just so much fun.

The controversial mural

Originally uploaded by dkzody

This is a small corner of a large mural that has been painted by numerous artists on the side of a new thrift store that is located in a less traditional neighborhood in Fresno. The Tower District has many murals on the sides and fronts of buildings, and I’m sure no one thought this one would create such a large outcry.

The goat shows up twice, and it is my favorite character. Much of the work is “in your face” but the goat seems to be standing back, just watching.

Houses in Fresno

Originally uploaded by dkzody

One of the abandoned, boarded up houses in downtown Fresno that we found on our walk. These old homes sit just in the shadow of the freeway, and across the street from the new Fifth Appellate Courthouse.

Fall foliage

Originally uploaded by dkzody

A picture from our walk about town.

My senior marketing class had another marathon week, with their fearless teacher leading the way.

On Tuesday, our regular Junior Achievement mentor brought along a tv news crew to tell the story of entrepreneurship and teenagers.

We were on the evening news.

The next day we spent the whole period, working feverishly to get our Red Ribbon Week door decorated for the next day’s judging:

We didn’t win.

Thursday morning we headed to our local community college, only two blocks away, for a morning of motivational speakers from Extreme Tour about being entrepreneurial.  This is great jumpstart for the kids’ business plans.

Thank goodness we get an extra hour this weekend, I need it.  I’m also taking Monday off as my body, soul, and spirit are exhausted.  I have to recharge to get ready for the next marathon.

I have been working so hard, running at such a hectic pace (why do so many of my posts start this way?).  I want to do something fun JUST FOR ME.