It's time for summer...

Yes, I'm ready.

Ready for summer.

I think that we should shorten the school year from 180 days to 170... that's when I really started being done with school this year.  The kids have been a little trunky since spring break 5 weeks ago... and last week, everything seemed to come to a head, and I'd had it.  So had they.  But... we still have 3 more days to get along with each other.  Well.

So I was thinking that I needed some reminders as to why I actually like teaching most of the first 170 days of school.

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Last week, my students were writing their letters to next year's teachers to introduce themselves and to serve as a first impression writing piece for their new teacher.  We brainstormed a few minutes about what should go in each paragraph of their letter... about themselves, what they liked about 5th grade, what they're looking forward to in 6th grade.

I was more than a little surprised to read how many students said something to the effect of "Miss Ferrin is a big reason why I liked 5th grade so much!"  There are always a few kids who you know that's true for without them saying so, but to see it in writing was more than a little shocking, especially the kids who wrote it.  Ah, shucks!

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Last Friday, we went on a field trip to Timpanogos Cave.  That 1.5 mile hike is a killer - especially when you are an old-ish, out-of-shape person such as myself.  There can be a lot of support found in 11-year-olds yelling encouraging words from on top of a mountain.  "Hey, Miss Ferrin!  Are you okay?!?!  Do you want me to come down there and help you get up there?!?!"

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 My kids are really fun this year.  There are, as always, a few stinkers, and a few parents I could really do without, but for the most part, this has been a good year.  My kids have interesting things to share, tell funny stories and jokes, laugh at themselves and with one another, and are hard working most of the time.  Each group is different, and I don't have a favorite - but this year has definitely been memorable.


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And while I do look forward to summer - a lot - the change that comes with the end of the year gives me a little anxiety.  I trade in my 33 darlings now for new ones in the fall... (and, let's be honest, some of them I'm not so sad to lose, but others I will definitely miss)  I am moving classrooms... (to a bigger room, which is good, but moving is still so stressful!)  I'm losing a friend on my team... (only to a team down the hall, but still...) and have to get used to someone new...

The UC

I'm not a Utah County native.  I don't want to be an immigrant even.  I'm plenty happy being a daily in-and-outer.


I guess there are just some things that I just don't quite understand about the UC.


1.  A few weeks ago was the Hope of America 5th grade performance, the Freedom Festival kick-off event.  I drove down with my lovely team and ate dinner at Zupas.  Can we say "I'm-more-religiouser-than-you" any louder than long, silent, bowed heads in prayer in a restaurant?  Not just a little quick short bow of the head.  I'm talking about a few minutes worth of prayering.  In a public place.  With someone sitting across from her.  In a crowded restaurant.  Really?


2.  Shed hunting.  This came up in after-school conversation the other day.  Two people with master's degrees don't know what this is, the two people from Lehi UC did though.  Do you?  Better yet, if you don't, what image does it bring to mind?  And no, the Lehi-er didn't put bullets through any storage units in case you were wondering.


3.  Bad driving.  Maybe the problem is all the construction going on in the south UC, and by the time people drive to north UC they're still driving strangely.  Maybe.  Or maybe it's just an extension of Utah drivers as a whole.  Meh.


4.  BYU.  And okay, I'm a Utah girl, so everyone's obsession with the Y is not normal to me anyway.  But everyone on the BYU bandwagon?  All they're really doing is making life that much more exciting for Utah fans, with Utes thinking that their lives are in danger - especially in Provo.  Which reminds me - I forgot to switch my plates when I was driving around there last week... no harm done though - what a miracle.


5.  University Boulevard vs. University Parkway.  Really?


6.  Speaking of streets, I don't get the UC address system.  13 summers ago, my lovely little city decided they were going to finally re-address the city to match the rest of the county.  What a relief!  I really don't enjoy driving down a street in the UC and find that it's called something different at the other end.  Talk about confusing.  Everyone gives directions in the UC according to landmarks because street addresses are a lost cause.  If you can find the Purple Turtle, you can find anything.



I guess there are a few good things about the UC.  But only a few.

1.  JCW's.  Yum-o!
2.  Proud Utah fans baring their colors boldly.  And putting their lives in danger each time they do so.
3.  My great school.

Yeah, that's about it. :)