Man. This? This right here? Happiness. I saw it at the movies a few weeks back, fell in love with it, and have been waiting for someone to post it to youtube. Brilliant! How can you not smile?

Since they're already playing it on the radio, I figure it is time to break out the Christmas music. 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' as done by Judy Garland is my absolute favorite.





How about you? If you can link me to a youtube version, I would love you forever. I'm all about listening to Christmas tunes.

As most of you know, I've been working at the credential program this year to get my secondary education credential in Language Arts. Oooo. This is my first semester of Student Teaching, and it has had its ups and downs... but today was an up. Seriously.

On Friday of last week I had my students do a 'Passing Notes' activity, in honor of the random acts of kindness a character in the book we are reading does, and Thanksgiving. Basically, each student had to write an anonymous compliment about each of his/her fellow students in the class. I took home all of these compliments, typed them up, and handed them back today. I also participated, writing down compliments for each of them - and they did compliments for me. To be fair, so that I wouldn't be able to recognize their writing, my Master Teacher took the list of compliments made for me home and typed them up. Here it is:


Ms. Grandchamp - This is what we think of you:

You make Language Arts fun!
You are really cool because you love "Survivor."
I like the way you teach.
You teach 'good.'
You are a good teacher.
I love you.
You are a great teacher.
You are nice.
YOu're like my other mom.
You are cool.
You are the best teacher.
I love your clothes and your new haircut.
I love, love, love your shoes.
I like how you teach.
I think you and Ms. Chenelle are the coolest teachers ever, but don't tell anyone I said this.
You are an outstanding teacher. Best teacher ever.
Thanks for the maple bar.
You are a good teacher.


Awwwww. They like me! Man, what a relief.

I really had a great day with my 8th graders today. I was feeling a little discouraged, but today reminded me that yes... I can do this! Hooray.

William Hung, of 'She Bangs' fame, is in one of my classes. Crazy!

I am listening to Europe's Final Countdown in honor of today. Ehehehe.

Today is my last day working for Kaiser. It has been six years, and an interesting ride. I'm nervous, but at the same time very excited. Student teaching here I come!

Bad News: On Monday I crunched up my car. I'm still waiting for the claims people to call me and let me know if there is anyway to save the Disneyland Musical On Wheels. We'll see!

Good News: My sister does not have breast cancer. It is something else, and they'll still remove the lump, but not cancer. Hooray!

In other good news, tomorrow I am on vacation for a week and a half. Woo.

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20164491,00.html

That list is pure shit, and I can say that as I've seen every movie on it. No My Fair Lady. No White Christmas. No Oliver. And who would ever put West Side Story 2nd, above Singing in the Rain? Please.

So I ask you, my friends, what is your favorite movie musical?

So my older sister when into a routine doctor's appointment on Monday, and they found a lump in her breast. Tuesday she saw a specialist, who ordered an ultrasound (said she didn't need a mammogram) for today. She goes to the ultrasound appointment, and they say 'Oh. We want to do a mammo, too.' Not good, right? Apparently the lump is large, dense, and not looking good. She has a biopsy on Friday, results back by Tuesday of next week.

Cancer doesn't run in our family, so I'm hoping it isn't something as scary as that. But it worries me. A lot. I have this huge fear of losing anyone else, and realistically I know that won't happen now? But man. That irrational fear nags.


Anyways. Think good thoughts for my sister! That's all. Maybe good thoughts help.

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Copy the text below, erase my answers, then use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things.. nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial.. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Maureen
4 LETTER WORD: Moon
BOY NAME: Michael
GIRL NAME: Mary
OCCUPATION: Mayor
A COLOUR: Maroon
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Mankini
BEVERAGE: Mountain Dew
FOOD: Macaroni
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Makeup
PLACE: Montana
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Mom was vacuuming (actually happened to me in school)
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: MORON.

http://www.youtube.com/disneyparks?CMP=BAC-FY08DPYouTube@04-01A104


I am so going to enter this.

I am guessing my chances of winning are slim to none? But we'll see!

One of the benefits of living in SoCal, I've always said, is the fact that Vegas is so close and you can just drive there to spend a day! Still, not once in my entire life have I driven to Vegas just for a day... until now. I'm off to Vegas for the day! I hope I win big, though I've limited myself to penny slots so I doubt that will happen. Nina is going with me! Hooray.

I'm officially finished with my Bachelor's degree. It took me 10 years from high school to get to this point, and as I turned in my final portfolio for one of my classes I felt this great weight lift from my shoulders. Amazing, but I almost feel like crying with relief. I did it. And I'm set up for the credential program in the Fall. I'm finally going after what I've wanted for years. Man. It is such a great feeling.

What is even greater is that I can return to having a life. Who wants to go to Disneyland?

2 on 1 interview today with two teachers from the English department to see if I'm wise enough to get into the credential program. Little nervous, but should be okay!

Has anyone worked a ren faire? How time consuming is it? Just weekends during the season, right? How much does it cost to get a good costume? Do you have to be a fabulous actor? Is it worth the time put into it?

I went to ren faire yesterday, and seriously... every year I say I should actually try to work one, in true nerd fashion, but it never comes about.

Just a few updates in my life.

It has been raining for 4 days straight, and it is supposed to continue for another 3. I'm not sure how to handle this, as we hardly ever get rain down here.

Last night I saw the musical "The Color Purple" which actually had LaToya London from American Idol and Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child in it. It was fantastic. The music was beautiful, and the fact that my row H center tickets were free made it all the better.


Tonight I'm seeing Garth Brooks. My seat is up in the boonies, but I'm just excited to be there. Woo.