sad day

Hello everyone,
I am sorry, but I am going to use this as a place to vent my frustrations and sadness today. I know that it will be good to get my thoughts out and also I know I have some wonderful friends who love me and for that I am sooooo happy.
On Friday night, a student from St. James was killed in a car accident. He was a junior who moved here last year. So, he wasn't known by everyone, but it is a small school. He had a big group of friends who are devestated. They are not the popular kids, they are not the kids who are overly involved in school, but they are sweet kids who have been good to each other because they don't have the strongest families. In a time of immense hurt, the one place they have to look towards for guidance has let them down- the school.
Although the school had counselors and pastors available to them, they did nothing else. They did not dismiss school for the funeral today. It was at 2:00. This did not make it easy for anyone to attend. I never had Jake as a student, but I have had all of these grieving teenagers who need a support system more than anything right now. I could not believe that they did not dismiss school this afternoon. This meant that unless most of our class was going to be gone for the funeral, we were not encouraged to go. I do not think that is right. I think those kids needed to know that people care about them and care that their friend died. So, I found my own substitutes and went to the funeral.
I don't care what the circumstances are, if a student dies, it is traumatic. I had 8th graders who had no idea who Jake was, but who need help dealing with this. However, we were told to keep things as normal as possible in our classrooms. Are you kidding me?
You can't tell me that if this were a student who grew up in St. James and lived here their whole life that they wouldn't deal with it differently. The way that they have approached this has made me feel like an insensitive person when these kids really need to see that teachers are having a hard time with this too. I am sooooooo frustrated and sooooooooooo sad.
Today was a hard day.

I miss mi amigas!

Hello my sassy sistahs,

So, I've had the privilege of chatting with a few of you and I'm hearing a theme of "We need a get together!!" So, I'm starting the conversation...

What about a gathering sometime in November? The first or second weekend? And then there is location-but maybe we can wait and see who is interested to find good spot.

I could also start a Christmas time festival chat....but I'm too tired, so feel free to comment on that too if you'd like.

Scanders those shoes are hot!

e

mis zapatos nuevos

El fin de semana pasado yo compre zapatos nuevos. Necesite los nuevos mucho. Pero el tiempo pasado no satisfice con los zapatos a Kohl's o Sportmart o una otra tienda. Entonces, mi mama me dijo que debo a ir la tienda, New Balance. Yo fui, pero los zapatos tan expensivos pero compre y tenia este zapatos por mas que un ano. Pero ahora los no funcianada, entonces yo fui a a la tienda otra vez. A New Balance, no hay muchos zapatas tenis. Trate mucho parajes y decidi en un paraje para mujeres viejas. Cuando yo lleve los zapatas para la primera vez hoy, me senti un poco foolish.



So I bought a new pair of shoes this past weekend. I'm been disappointed with the previous pairs bought at Kohls or some other store and my mom suggested New Balance. The shoes are good, but they're expensive. Over a year ago a put out the dough for some good shoes and they've lasted all this time. When working at World Market I would wear them everytime and they worked well on the concrete floors. Well, I decided to go back this weekend for another pair. At New Balance, there is not a lot of selection and I tried on several pairs, looking for some that are somewhat stylish, but highly comfortable as well.

I was at the store at closing time and finally decided to make a decision, because I did not want to be 'that person' who stays late and make the poor employees have to wait to go home on a Saturday evening. (I've been on that side of the counter plenty.) The best shoe I tried on looks straight out of pair that you would envision elderly women wearing. All white, thick soled shoes are what I put on today to take a walk. I felt a little foolish because I felt like I was saying to the world, "LOOK AT ME, I BOUGHT NEW SHOES!" And while they don't have fancy colors and aren't stylish in the least, they are comfortable. Perhaps I will start a trend of wearing comfort over style. (Yes, I know comfort can also be stylish, but since I'm cheap, I want shoes that will be comfortable for at least another year.) And just so you can see my shoes, I've included a photo for you. I know, I know, I might as well put 'SAS' on the side and get myself a pair of gray polyester, elastic-waist pants and a nice 'blouse' to go with them. Take care, friends!

(Please note: the English is not a direct translation from the Spanish text. You'll have to figure that out on your own. Have fun!)