Descriptive Frustrations

  I am currently plodding through 8th grade descriptive essays becoming more and more irritated by the minute.  After spending weeks (quite literally) working on making bare statements vivid, focusing essays on a very short period of time (30 minutes preferably), and journeying through the writing process, here are some excerpts of the good, the bad, the ugly, and just plain funny:

•  Topic:  Connor the Cow
  "We had good days that were good and bad days that were bad."  "All of my cows were different; that is what I liked most about cows.  This year will definitely be different; each year is always different." 

•  Topic:  Barnes and Noble bookstore
  "I was trudging down the modern literature aisle until my mom and dad came and showed me the books I've craved since I was 10 years old."  Wait for it...  "...a biography on Albert Einstein and a book on the evolution of organisms.  It was like a kid in a candy store, so many choices, yet you only have 25 cents."  Real kicker:  "Later that night I just realized that all those years ago when I first started reading science books, my mind passed through a doorway which I like to call the gateway of knowledge."  (Also, cleverly, the title of essay)

•  Topic:  Getting Attacked by a Fat Cat
  "At last, the cat impaled my arm by using his near razor-sharp claws, and even though I tried to pull him off, he wouldn't let go.  I tried hitting him on the house, but when one of his paws fell off, he just dug his claws back into my appendage."

•  Topic:  Falling Asleep After Waking up from Surgery
  "I now know that my family knows I am all right.  I just wish that I could convince myself that as the pain starts to make everything foggy.  The world looks more like an old worn out comic book, but that slowly fades too.  I can't control myself any longer as I start to drift.  I want to stay but I'm suddenly tired.  So tired.  I guess the world can wait.  I just want a tiny nap, just a tiny nap.  That is all I think as an uncontrollable wall of sleep comes and covers me and pushes reality away and takes the pain with it."
 

Spring is fast approaching!

After seeing so many others join the blogging world and enjoying following up on others' lives I decided to take the plunge. I'm really looking forward to keeping an account of things that I always want to remember but never seem to find the time to write down. For example, I started writing down my engagement story about a week after the event occurred. Did I ever finish it? Sadly, no, and that was 4 months ago today. Considering I spend an obscene amount of time online and love to incorporate technology whenever possible this seems to be a good "fit".

Today's topic of choice my fianceé asks me? Spring is coming. After what seemed like an unbearably long winter, sun and warmth is finally on its way. Today I sat outside and graded some papers in a lawn chair in a t-shirt and capris. I can't even remember the last time I was out without sleeves and very content. I could also tell there was a vast difference in my mood, made me wonder if I suffer a bit from SAD. Okay, that's a bit overboard, but I think a lot of Iowans can relate to it. I've been so unmotivated lately looking out at all the gray foggy days and only wanting to lay around and sleep and relax. Today I just wanted to spend every waking moment outdoors - schoolwork was accomplished, had a nice 4 mile run, smoked some amazing BBQ pork ribs, and went on a walk with Ryan and Bailey (our dog). As we were walking around town, some amazing memories from last spring came flooding back, but I'll save those for later.

Spring also means track which I am excited and yet nervous about. Tomorrow is our first day of practice! I know coaching will be a lot different than competing, but I am thrilled to be sharing in my adolescents' successes, no matter how large or small. Who knows what the day will bring...

One last thing, Ryan is coming to school for lunch tomorrow which I have been ecstatic about ever since he suggested it a few months ago. Walking tacos, mmm!!!