Two Things That Make Me Happy.

1. Colored paper in piles ready to be used for class assignments and projects. Because it makes all work happier. I seem to be the only one at school with this addiction, but that's okay. More paper for me. In KCK, I used to buy this myself, but now a very nice lady name Terry orders it for me. She likes to discuss my bright paper options with me before ordering. I appreciate someone who understands the importance of this paper.


2. Eighth graders and the things they say. Here's a short story to make you smile on this Friday and over the weekend until I'm back from my girls weekend in Bama. It's about one of my darling 8th grade punks who is from Puerto Rico. He was tardy to class Wednesday at the beginning of class. I pointed this out to him and he said "Psych," in his darling little Spanish accent.

I didn't know anyone said psych anymore. But he did.

Same boy was late after lunch too. He sauntered into my room a few minutes after everybody else carrying a cup full of some kind of fizzy pop. I said, "You're late - again!"

"Psych," he replied.

"And you're carrying POP!" I replied incredulously.

"You mean soda?" My tardy, psych-saying, Latino punk just corrected my midwest vernacular. Apparently even he knows that out here on the east coast they say "soda." I laughed and all attempts at discipline were lost. I love these kids.