different school, same story

Hello world! It's been a while {I'm sure my numero uno fan, mi madre, can tell you the exact number of days} since my last post, but nonetheless, I had to vent update you on my life.

So, some of you may know I am working at a new school district this year {more on that later}. Some of you may also remember back in good 'ole Houston I was called many things: Heidi, Mrs. Barnett, Speech Lady...basically anything and everything except my actual name...which I still believe is not that difficult to pronounce.

Well, although dear, dear Waco is extremely different from Houston, one thing remains the same: 'Danielle Barrett' is apparently an impossible name to retain and pronounce. Here's the evidence:

Scenario 1: I got TWO letters last week from Speech Therapy-related companies addressed to 'Nicole Barrett' {what?}

Scenario 2: I walk into the front office to remind our principal, Mrs. S. of our 3 ARDs today. Just then the vice principal, Mrs. M., frantically leaves Mrs. S.'s office and beelines towards me. She says, "Mrs. S. and I need to have a briefing with you as soon as possible regarding a situation that occurred yesterday." {oh crap, what did I do...or not do...am I out of dress code...did someone report me for not been signing in...did Siri accidentally call them while I was venting in my office...is there a student missing because they wandered off after speech?!} Oh the possibilities! I couldn't wait until the end of the day; I had to meet now! I walked down to her office 5 minutes later to tell her I could meet then, if she could. She said that would work and got on the phone to call Mrs. S. As she tilts the phone away from her ear she casually asks, "I'm sorry and what is your last name?" "Barrett," I respond shakily. She says, "that's right...but I knew your first name is Kelly." {whhhhhhat? Mind you I have worked at this school 3 days a week for 6 weeks now...and I led 2 ARDs with her just last week.} 

3 days x 6 weeks x about twice a day= 36 interactions

"Ummm, no my first name is Danielle." She tilts her head to the side and replies, "Wait, are you the speech teacher?" "No ma'am I am the Speech PATHOLOGIST "Yes." Now I am already beyond offended considering: 1. She doesn't know my profession and 2. She doesn't know my first OR last name. She says, "Ohhh, ok I thought you were the Baylor Community In Schools Intern. Sorry, you both have blonde hair. Oops. I guess I don't need you after all, you're off the hook." Before I can get out the door to roll my eyes in solitude, Mrs. S. graces us with her presence. She starts on a lot of confusing things... Before I can get a word in Mrs. M informs her, "no, no, this is Mrs. BAR-NETT {said slowly and with emphasis to ensure she got it right}, the speech lady." They all get a good laugh and I get out of there. 

All of this to say, although I may be at a very different school district this year, in a different town, I feel riiiiight at home. 

Yours Truly, 

Kelly Bartlett, the blonde girl 

coming full circle

There are a few moments in life where you feel you've come full circle- you know like when your parents move in with you in your tiny apartment {cough...mom, dad, Lynley}. This week I got to experience one of those surreal moments. This summer, I was honored to be a graduate supervisor at Baylor's Camp Success. Camp Success is a wonderful, intensive 4 week program focusing on teaching language and literacy to kids with deficits in these areas. It is amazing. I got to meet with each of my 12 client's parents this week to report progress their child made, and more importantly, be graced with reports on how their lives have changed over the past month. One mom told me, with tears filling her eyes, her son made his dad take him to the library to get his own library card because he WANTED to read for the first time ever. Another parent reported he overheard his 4th grade son reading aloud for the first time. The gains were huge; some kids made up to 3 years of progress in only 4 weeks! There's no denying it- Camp Success lives up to its name. But with big strides come lots of work behind the scenes. Our entire month of June was is filled with paperwork, smiles, reading rocks, sleepless nights and even some tears {graduate tears that is...I don't cry}. Ahhh {sigh} the memories. This is also is the same camp I worked 3 years ago as naive 1st semester graduate student. It's the same camp where I interacted with my first client and conducted my first therapy session. FULL CIRCLE. Look at me now- a wise, seasoned professional {or something like that} included as {very temporary} Baylor Faculty. 

A few perks of being Baylor Faculty, in no particular order...

1. Faculty ID = legit

2. Primary parking with a faculty/staff parking pass

3. Getting out of 2 parking tickets because of #1 on the list

4. Eating lunch on a weekly basis with fun people in the McMullen Faculty Dining Hall...fancy

5. Getting paid to do the same gig I paid good money to do 3 years ago

staarrrgh

This week is TAAS TAKS STAAR testing. As you know, testing can be a little daunting for some. Well, that's the understatement of the century around these parts. In a half day of testing, the following things occurred on just my campus alone:

-Got my hair pulled/ripped out by 8:45 AM.

-A kid had a nose bleed. A big nose bleed that was
categorized as a "free bleed."

-A 4th grader threw up...on the test booklet.

-We had another puker.

-Oh, and a kid got scared and literally ran away...

out of the classroom, down the hall and out of the school.

I know at this point you are probably worried about our state's standardized test results, I know me too, but let me assure you-- the testing carried on regardless. That thing doesn't halt for trivial things such as loss of hair, profuse bleeding, puke, or runaway juveniles. THE STAAR WILL PREVAIL {insert evil laugh here}! 

People often say to me, "Oh, you get to do Speech Therapy with elementary school kids? You must play games all day and have so much fun!" To that, I rub my newly found bald spot and say, "Puhhhhlease."  

a lot of changes

Today after a stressful session teaching same/different with those pesky Venn Diagrams, I had a conversation with a particular 4th grader about having a positive attitude during speech. "We all have to do things we don't want to, but you get to choose if you will do it with a stinky attitude or a positive attitude. It's your decision." Clear enough, right? Wrong. While explaining how eye-rolling and huffing/puffing is disrespectful {and more importantly will not earn him a coveted "super straw"}, he informed me that he "is just going through a LOT of changes right now". I stopped mid-sentence, first in confusion and then hesitating before asking the next question cautiously, "What... kind... of changes?" He told me, accompanied by one of his signature eye-rolls, "Well, I'm just changing a LOT right now. You see, I am only TWO years away from becoming a teenager. That's why I am changing so much." 

Touche. 

Likewise, the Barrett household has "just been going through a LOT of changes" right now in the past 3 years. Yesterday marked the anniversary of our 3 year engagement. It was merely 3 years ago yesterday that Tate asked me to marry him. I don't know why he wanted to claim me after only 6 short months, but I'm sure glad he did! And change has been inevitable ever since... accompanied by a few eye-rolls every now and again, I'm sure. 

The other night over pesto chicken pasta {one of the many things we have learned to cook together} on our back patio {while fending off a certain, droopy-eyed golden retriever}, Tate and I played a fun game. We had to name 3 ways we had changed in the past 3 years due to one another's influence. It could be anything- personality changes, routine changes, likes/dislikes, etc. After little thought the verdict was: 

Tate: 

1. I cuss less often.

2. I am more particular about food. 

{false. very false, if you know Tate, you will agree}

After further questioning, he rephrased by saying, 

"Well, I am more particular about the finer things." 

{oooook, Mr. Fancy Pants. I've created a monster}

3. No response.
{Typical. At least we know some things haven't changed.}

Danielle:

1. I cuss more often. And by more often, I mean ever.

2. I am on time more often. 

{also false. If you know me, you will agree.} 

I quickly retracted that statement after laughter from both parties

3. I am more laid back about the little things.

Well done. Here's to three damn {that's from the post-Tate Danielle} good years together! Can't wait to see how much more changin' is to come for Mr. Fancy Pants and Mrs. Potty Mouth Barrett. I love you and appreciate you more everyday! 

Also- yesterday was Dr. Robby Barrett's birthday! Happy b-day Rob-o! I hope your day was filled with your favorite things including Long John Silver's, The Ghost of Mr. Chicken and roller coasters. 

moms are great

Moms are great. When you're little, they pack your lunchbox with special notes, put band-aids on your microscopic wounds, and buckle-up your imaginary friends in the backseat. When you get older, and unfortunately don't recognize the greatness that moms are, they still drive you to the movies {remaining a safe 100 yards away at all times}, dig through piles of taffeta to help you find the perfect homecoming dress {that you will later regret}, and if you have a really great mom, take you  wrapping in the middle of the night. When you're grown, moms are still great, and you know it! They help you plan weddings, answer the phone when you are in the middle of the grocery store wondering what kind of roast to buy, and stay up late helping you decorate your first apartment. Moms are the best.

My private school students know this too. Today the walls were adorned with charming Mother's Day art projects. {See below} Pardon the lack of centering and focus in these here pictures. Mind you, I was lurking in the PreK hallway, where not only do I not have kids attending this school, but do not have any kids at all. I'm sure this exact thought was running through the mind of the eagle-eyed hall monitor {a.k.a. lady in the hallway with the cane} as she intently watched me snap pictures on my phone. I had to be quick...well obviously not that quick and get out of there before she reported me!

Emmy's mom is pretty

and a very young mother!

Hmmm....doesn't do much and goes to lots of meetings? AA anyone? 

Lipstick-scented hair or hairy lip? 

Allan's mom has her eye on you, much like the hall monitor watching me right now...

and she needs to get off that phone! Maybe she is busy scheduling all those meetings for that other mom. 

This was so inspiring, I decided to write one of my own:

My mom is 50 years old.

My mom likes to wear t-shirts that mysteriously get tiny holes in the front. 

My mom's hair smells like Tresemme hairspray and apples.

The best thing my mom cooks is beef stroganoff and potato soup.

In her spare time my mom comments on Facebook pictures and organizes trip binders.

My mom is really good at rigging things up to make them more efficient.

My favorite thing to do with my mom is talk and split a meal.

God made mothers so we can know how to love and take care of each other. 

Tate loves his mom too and came up with one:

My mom is 53 years old.

My mom likes to wear pajama pants and t-shirts.

My mom's hair smells like blue gel.

The best thing my mom cooks is chopped steak.

In her spare time my mom makes things and drinks Diet Coke.

My mom is really good at letting people know what she thinks.

My favorite thing to do with mom is go shopping for "treats."

God made mothers so they can keep their boys in line. 

The best thing about being married is you get double the moms! You are, and always have been the very best. We love you. Happy Mother's Day! 

santa is a _______

So, I don't know about you, but it seems like when I am having one of those down-in-the-dumps kinda days God throws me a little BONUS. He sets something so unordinary in my path, I have no choice but to laugh. For example, on one of these days years ago, I was driving down Highway 75 in my Explorer, Eddie, tears streaming down my face. I was probably upset about my mom making me come home from a friend's house to clean my room or something, who knows, 16 is stressful. Anyway, as I was driving, content in my anger, BONUS! A Ford Ranger passed me in the slow lane. As if this wasn't enough, because who doesn't think Ford Rangers are hilarious, I noticed this particular Ranger hauling a llama. tied to a rope. held by a man wearing a safari hat.  

Well, today was no different. Ok, well I guess it was a little different considering my mom didn't call me to clean my room. However, other than that, it was another down-in-the-dumps day with tears. After my second to last therapy session, I was walking down the hall to take one of my kindergardeners back to class. BONUS! I turned the corner and ran across this little gem. Santa is a _________. Apparently, the kids drew their best picture of Santa and wrote a little description. (Chimney downer is my personal fave). So stinkin' cute, how could this not make your day?! 

Santa is a: 

fast flier 

elf helper

cookie eater

chimney downer

red clothes wearer 

present wrapper 

ho ho ho laugher

reindeer driver

sleigh rider 

kid lover


Merry Christmas, everyone! Hide yo kids. The fast-flier, chimney-downer, kid-lover is on the prowl! He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake... 

it's private

It's private only for me this year. As you know, last year I was working 2 days in private schools and 3 days in public schools. Well, things have changed, as they often always do in the Houston Independent School District. This year, I am in private schools only! There is a group of 4 of us working on the SLP private school team, which is great! We divide up the caseload between ourselves, travel around to different private schools, and provide one-on-one speech therapy throughout the week.

Formerly, parents had to take their kids to their "home zoned schools" to receive therapy. Yuck. That meant parents had to drive and we SLPs had to work overtime. Now we come to you, compliments of HISD. This means a lot of driving for us. Silver-lining: it gives me time to finish my coffee, sing a few verses of "Cooler Than Me", and catch up on my non-work related phone calls.

Currently I have 8 kids at 4 different schools including 3 Catholic schools and 1 orthodox Jewish school. This is much different from the Islamic School and Autistic school I had last year. I went from hijabs to beards and yamakas. I had never seen a 3-year-old wearing a yamaka until last week, but I guess we will file that under "perks of the job." Other perks? Less paperwork, more holidays and reimbursement for gas. All in all, it's not bad. I get to do more quality therapy seeing the kids one-on-one, so everyone wins! This year, thanks to Mr. Obama and the stimulus cha-ching, our kids get an hour of therapy per week, which is double from last year. I now see my kids twice a week, which means double the preschool-yamaka-sightings!

I have all new kids, with the exception of A, this year.  A and I worked on his /s/ sound allllll year long last school year. A would say "stink" for "sink" and "stand" for "sand". As last summer approached, I made a homework packet for him to work on during the break. It included fun /s/ games and color sheets. But who really works on that stuff over the "stummer" anyway, right? As I went to pick A up from his Kindergarden this week, I was nervous. I knew he had made significant progress on his sounds, but I was anxious to see if he retained it over the summer or if we would be starting back at square one. As I walked with A to the library I said, "Hey buddy, did you have a good summer?" He said, "Yes." (Not "yet" or ye" but "YES!") Awesome! It was the feeling of pure accomplishment for me, and I'm sure for A as well, that made my day. We now have our /s/ down and are moving on to bigger and better things this year: /r/....dun dun duuuuuun.

diary of an SLP

School officially starts in 4 days, which means it's back to work for me! This is my second year as an SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist). As the new year is beginning,  I am reminded of the journey I've partaken in over the past year and the countless memories made along the way. Working with kids in the schools, I thought I would impact my students, when in reality they are the ones that made an impact on me. Feel free to browse through my SLP diary and see for yourself. My days were filled with what you could call um, "extraordinary experiences", some just too funny not to share with the rest of the world.

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Dear Diary, 

Today as I was working in the PPCD class (the special ed preschool for kids with multiple disabilities, but you know that, Diary) we focused on identifying verbs. I laid out three cards in front of the group and said "show me run, show me jump, show me sing." The goal was that they would correctly point to the appropriate verb card. As I was going around the group, I came to Joshua. Joshua is 4 and often gets his 'g' sounds and 'k' sounds confused...aka devoicing. Moving along, I put three cards in front of him: a boy jumping, a boy digging and a boy running. I said, "Show me dig." He looked up at me, somewhat confused. I said, "It's alright, show me dig...show me dig." After thinking for a moment, he pointed to his crotch! What?! No, no no, no! For a moment I tried to explain, D-I-G, it's a 'g' not 'k'. Then realized this wasn't going anywhere good. So, I moved on to a new verb and hoped I didn't get arrested. 

Sincerely, 

the speech lady

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Dear Diary, 

Today we worked on non-literal expressions with Henry. After reading the phrase, Henry was to draw a picture of what the phrase sounded like and then a picture of what it actually meant. For example, if the phrase was "The lady talked my ear off", he would draw a pic of a lady without an ear and then a pic of a lady talking a lot. Now, Henry and I have been working on this goal for 5 long months, and he has made considerable progress...so I thought. With high hopes, I gave him two non-literal phrases, telling him to draw what the phrases really meant. When we were finished, he could explain to the group why he drew his picture. Henry drew what seemed like the entire session, working so intently. He would draw, look up at the ceiling, think about it, and go back to drawing. I couldn't wait to see what he had learned! Mind you, Diary, these weren't new phrases; we'd reviewed them weekly. As the session came to a close, I asked Henry to show us his pictures. He held his paper up proudly and our convo went a little something like this:

Me: Ohhhh wow! What was our first phrase?

Henry: I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.
Me: Yes, great! And what is that on your paper?
Henry: Me sitting at the table.

Me: Good, and what is on your plate? 

Henry: A whole horse. 

Me: What? Why?

Henry: Because I'm eating a horse. (duh.)

Me: Ok.....well, what is the next phrase?
Henry: I slept like a baby, and this is my picture.
Me: Looks like spikes, what is it?  

Henry: A pointy, spicy baby vampire. 

Me: (Speechless) Uhh....ok well, non-literal express......(forget it).....Henry, you are so creative! 

Looks like we will continue our goal of non-literal expressions next week....and the next...and the next... 

Sincerely, 

the speech lady

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Dear Diary,

Today I met my first private school student! He is in 1st grade and is having difficulty transitioning between different activities. Oh, and he is obsessed with anything space related: rockets, NASA, planets, you name it. I saw one of those giant space puzzles at TJ Max the other day and bought it as a reinforcement activity. Basically, I'll have him work for a few minutes, then do the puzzle as a reward. He saw the puzzle and was super excited! At the end of the session I knew it was important to explain how and why we are going back to class, because he has trouble knowing what is appropriate in social situations.  I said, "Now what are we going to do when we get back to class?" He said, "walk in and sit down." I said, "Should we be loud or quiet?" "Quiet." I explained to him that we were going to walk in quiet as a mouse and sit in the circle with the rest of the group. He nodded in affirmation, then walked quietly back to the classroom, holding my hand. I thought, good, the transition is going well. As he opened the door he couldn't contain himself any longer and shouted, "WE DID A SPACE PUZZLE AND IT WAS AWWWWESOME!" The entire class, including the teacher, turned around in disbelief. Great transition, very appropriate. I stared him down for a minute and then had a good laugh on the way back to my car. Guess he liked it!

Sincerely,

the speech lady

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Dear Diary,

Being an SLP is gross. Today I conducted a reevaluation on a 5 year-old PPCD student in the library (aka my office). As I was in the middle of testing, AACHOOO! He sneezed and I mean he SNEEZED!  Two lines of green gunk flew out of his nose like a machine gun. On the table. On my test. On his face. On my pencil. Snot was everywhere!  I froze, looking down at the disaster. He was laughing, which made it even worse, considering it was far from comical. I was trying to think quick and act quicker, but was baffled. How can so much come out of something so small? I got up to try to find anything that would provide relief in the situation: tissues, paper towels, a tarp, maybe a raincoat. I was halfway to the front of my office (the library) to ask my secretary (the librarian) for tissues when I turned around to give him strict instructions: DO NOT MOVE. SIT IN YOUR CHAIR AND DO NOT GET UP. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. Still laughing. (Sidenote: this is the kid that runs from the bus monitor everyday) I got the paper towels and headed back to the snot-covered, goo splatter. I wiped everything down, bathed both of us in hand sanitizer x2, and threw away my pencil. As I sat down to finish testing....AAACHHHHO! I sent him back to class. Sometimes testing can wait.

Sincerely,
the speech lady
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Dear Diary,

Today I worked on answering "why questions" with a sweet boy at the private clinic. The session went well, but more importantly, I learned a lesson in brutal honesty while he learned a lesson in manners.

Me: Why do you sleep?

Boy: Because I'm tired.

Me: Why do you eat?

Boy: Because I'm hungry. Did you know my mom is on a diet. 

(Seeing this as a good learning moment I ask:)

Me: Oh really, why is she on a diet?

Boy: Cuz she's fat.

Dangit, I should have seen it coming. Funny how they can't answer questions until it comes to something like that. I proceeded to tell him that isn't a nice thing to say and it could hurt someone's feelings. Hey, at least he is making progress with his 'why questions.' I'll count it as a positive. 

Sincerely,
the speech lady

mrs. barnett, the speech lady

Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Barlett, Mrs. Berry...

Over the past 9 months I have been called all of the above. Is Barrett really that difficult? I know it isn't overly common yet it's not that unusual either. Granted it may be challenging to spell seeing as the the "double r" and the "double t" can be a double doozy, but it is pronounced exactly like it is spelled.

Barrett: (Bear-It)

Maybe I am just above the curve since I teach speech for a living, maybe I should go easy on the rest of the world...

August marked the beginning of the school year as well as the start of my first real job. I arrived on campus, introducing myself as "Mrs. Barrett." It seemed strange and unnatural at the time considering I wouldn't be married for another two months. However, if I didn't start then, I would forever be "Nicholson" to Houston Independent School District. If you don't believe me, try looking me up in the HISD directory. No Danielle Barrett exists, only Danielle Nicholson...it's exhausting to explain every time someone wants to shoot you an e-mail.

As the year went on, we had numerous meetings for any student entering, receiving or exiting the speech program. Each meeting started the same way, going around the table, being introduced by the chairperson. As it turns out, I was continually being introduced and referred to as Mrs. Barnett, the Speech Therapist. Great. I see these people everyday. I work in their classrooms with their students. Sign my names hundreds of times on their paperwork, yet still I am Mrs. Barnett. Sure I probably should have corrected them the first time it happened, but I was new and that would be awkward. As time went on, it just got worse.

The kids were thrown off too. They were initially confused, spouting off gibberish as my last name and have since shortened the confusion to "Mrs. Berry." As I walked into their Resource classroom,  I was greeted by a chorus of "Hiiii, Miss Berry." Good. Now not only am I not a Barrett, I am apparently not married either. It was a long time coming getting that title and now I am back to square one, "Miss." I don't even get the satisfaction of a questionable "Ms." I always smiled and responded to the greeting. I like Berry better than Barnett anyway. It sounds happier. And if you are going to get it wrong, go ahead and get it really wrong.

Speaking of getting it wrong, one particular teacher didn't even try to hide the fact she was clueless when it came to my name. We work in Special Education together, so she isn't a teacher on the other side of the building whom I never see. I see her on a weekly basis. After 8 months, I was walking down the hall as I came upon her disciplining a Kindergarden student. As she is talking to him in a stern voice, he looks up at me with pleading eyes, avoiding eye contact with her. She looks at me, then back at him and says, "Look at me, don't look at...(pause)...the Speech Lady." Wonderful. Now I don't have a title or a name and am reduced simply to the speech lady. At least she left "the" and an adjective in there, soon I will merely be "that lady."

Well, at least at the end of the work day, I can go home to my apartment with familiar faces and people that know my name, right? Wrong. Home is even worse. We have this friendly man that works at the front desk. He is great, his name is Dwayne. He greets every resident as they come off the elevator, calls when you have a visitor and signs for your packages. Basically he is all up in your business, so he knows everyone. Problem is Dwayne apparently thinks I am someone else. A while back, Dwayne greeted me with, "Heidi!" as I walked into the building. I heard it as "Hi, D!" Thinking it's a nickname, I responded to his greeting which only confirmed "Heidi" as my name. Fantastic. Now I'm "Heidi Barnett." I'm going to go missing one day and the posters will read- MISSING: HEIDI BARNETT. No one will ever find me. I learned my lesson at work, so I mustered up the courage to correct Dwayne, even thought it was painful. I thought everything was squared away until this week. As I was in the front office, Dwayne came over to say hi and asked me if I had already moved out. I don't know what he was talking about. I am not moving out, I just resigned my lease...but I bet you anything Heidi did...

All this to say, my insurance cards with my new last name came in the mail today which was the last thing to do on my list entitled: Changing My Name. Also on the list:
Drivers License- check!
Social Security- check!
Bank- check!
SLP license- check!
Insurance (as of today)- check!
It only took 9 months, but everything is officially changed. Our mail is finally being addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Tate Barrett. Although, we did receive a letter by mistake addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Tate Nicholson...haha I had a good laugh at that one.

I became Mrs. Barrett on October 17th, but as of July 14th, I will officially be known as Mrs. Barrett to the rest of the world; however, come August, I am sure Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Berry and the Speech Lady will be making appearances as well. Until then...

Best Wishes,
Mrs. Barrett

school's out

Every year around this time I like revert back to the olden days at FBC Denison. Every summer we'd put on a summer musical. One year we did "School's out" (Lynley and Jana, you know what I am talking about) All I remember was throwing papers, running down the aisles of our sanctuary (which I thought was a sin) and singing the theme song that went a little something like this:

School's out! Summer time has come. 

School's out! Time to have some fun. 

School's out! Life is such a blast, at laaaaast. 

No more walking in single file where ever we go. 

No more questions about the state of Idaho. 

(bumm, bum, bum bum bum bum bum...)

We ain't gonna use good grammar no more. 

We don't have to relive history no more. 

'Cause school's out! 

Remember how exciting it was to be a kid on the last day of school? It was the best! Well, today I learned it is equally as satisfying to be a staff member. SCHOOL'S OUT! This year I worked at 7 schools-- 2 public schools (seen below) and 5 private schools. As long as it had a door and a chair, you could call it my office. I worked in a blue library (also seen below), copy room, conference room, another library, counselor's office, PE portable, sunday school room and out of my car. I had a great time working with all my kids and learned a lot!

Thanks to input from my favorite mom-in-law (who is a teacher), I have decided to not partake in any work activities and enjoy my first summer off....which is why you work in a school district anyway, right? People keep asking me, "What are you going to do all summer?" Well I haven't really figured that out yet, but off the top of my head...I don't know, umm...

Instead of updating IEPs at ARDs, I am will update my TAN at the PdoulbeOL. 

Instead of  eating breakfast in rush hour and lunch in a library, I  will eat with friends.

Instead of teaching rules of initiating/maintaing a conversation (1.Greet 2.Ask 3.Wait 4. Respond. 5.Stay on topic), I will throw the rules out the window. 

Instead of planting hope in the young minds of students, I will plant an herb garden.

Instead of walking down the hall and greeting each person with "walk, don't run" I am just going to say "hi." 

Instead of working Mr. Potato Head to death as a "WH" question activity, I am going to give him a vacation in the storage closet. Good work, Mr. P! 

Instead of wearing an HISD school ID and head scarf every Tuesday at my School of Islam, I will sport a uniform of tank top, jorts and sunglasses. 

Instead going to PPCD for 30 minutes on a weekly basis, I'm going to Target.

Instead of using my car as an office, I will use it only as a mode of transportation. 

Instead of reporting assessment outcomes to parents, I will report the local bakery's cookie-of-the-day to my hubby. 

Instead of determining duration of speech services, I will determine duration of sleeping in. 

Instead of observing students in the classroom, I will observe Ellen and Caesar Milan in my living room.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head... Hope I don't get bored! 

feliz cinco de mayo

It's Cinco de Mayo! Fiesta!

It's a holiday we take seriously here in Houston. I am used to celebrating up North where we just grab a bowl of queso and if you're feeling extra loco- a margarita with friends after work. However  now that I am 5 hours closer to the border, I'm learning it's a much bigger party down South!

At my elementary school there was minimal class and maximum partying. I intended on conducting therapy today, but ended up soaking in the festivities instead. The whole school was decorated, and the kids put together an all day Cinco de Mayo program. Oh, AND there was a real, live mariachi band! The only problem is, you have to hire the band all day, so between scene 1 and scene 2 of the program the kids enjoyed a great cultural performance while they ate their sack lunches in the cafeteria. I didn't know most of the songs, but I did recognize the "Frito Bandito" song and the chicken dance. The kids didn't seem to know this dance, maybe I'm getting old.

After work Tate and I walked over to Berryhill for some tex-mex. Their fish tacos are the best! I love that we can walk to places from our apartment, its so much fun. What a great day! Now all I need is a siesta...

sicko

Today I am home sick. Yuck. I have felt under the weather for a little over a week now. The worst part (besides the excessive cough and sore throat) is that I lost my voice over the weekend. It didn't help that I was with 7 of my best friends all day Saturday, so a whisper wasn't going to hold me back. Since then I haven't been able to talk. Which seems to be contradictory at work since I am a  Speech Pathologist. This was a pic from work yesterday, I had a lot of extra time on my hands since I wasn't able to lead my sessions.

This morning I decided to finally go to the doctor. Before leaving the house I had self diagnosed myself with an upper respiratory infection thanks to WebMD. I thought I could probably use a second opinion, so I went to one of those walk-in clinics. There were a few things wrong with this picture...

1. This clinic is located IN an HEB...not beside, not next to, but in the actual grocery store. How unsanitary is that? Attention HEB customers: buy one bushel of bananas and get a free sample of tuberculosis. Not really, but doesn't that seem kinda gross? I guess it is convenient for some people. The dad waiting beside me bought some trash bags while his daughter was waiting to see the "doctor." Two birds, one stone.

2. I felt like I was in the movie, "Meet the Parents." I was the ONLY patient this morning when I got there. I walked up to the counter (located by the registers) and whispered, "Hi, I need to check in." They said, "Please sign your name and we will be with you in a moment." They said it like they were busy or something. I looked around (which didn't take long) to notice I am the only patient in the clinic. It's just the secretary, nurse and me. So, I quickly scratched my name on the sheet and sat down. 30 seconds went by before I heard, "Danielle." Seriously, you couldn't have asked that 30 seconds ago? Now I have to get up and walk over the counter. Maybe she wanted to feel like she worked in a real doctor's office, I can't blame her.

3. The best part occurred after I was called back to Examination Room 1 (1 of 2). The "doctor" was asking about my medical history and symptoms. At one point he pulled out his iPhone to look something up! I'm pretty sure he was typing my symptoms in the google search box to make his diagnosis. Not too comforting. I already did that myself at home.

Conclusion: secondary infection to either allergies or a virus. Thank you google for the diagnosis and thank you HEB walk-in clinic for a Z pack prescription.

It was an interesting morning, but it got the job done. I guess I can use my free time to update the blog world on our eventful weekend...coming soon!