Getting ready

Whew! What a week! I started reading To Kill a Mockingbird with my students at the return from Christmas break. My students aren't thrilled, but I think I am slowly winning them over. We'll see. Getting ready for this weekend has been tough. I swear, preparing for a sub is harder than teaching myself. I had to lay out three days worth of lesson plans and it took forever. I left tons of work for my students to do. I hope they don't hate it, but they will. 

Anyway, I am off tomorrow to Albuquerque with my mom for a Western Regional Leadership Conference for the NEA. I don't know a ton about union stuff so this should be cool. I've never been to ABQ before so I am looking forward to the trip. We'll be there until Sunday and will return to SLC for the night. Monday morning we leave early for D.C. hoping to get through all the hustle and bustle and find the place where we will pick up our inauguration tickets. My Uncle Doug and Aunt Sara are letting us stay at their place for the whole trip, which is really nice of them. It sounds like Doug is on a list for stand-by tickets and might even get to join us for the big day. I am really looking forward to this event, I mean once in a life time right?

In fact, our Gunnison newspaper has already contacted me for an interview when I get back. They want me to make sure to take a picture (obviously won't be slacking on that). I guess it's all a little Mr. Smith goes to Washington for our tiny town. Everyone is pleasantly excited for me, which makes it more fun for me. I have a ton of people to be excited with. 

Mom and I are packing right now and trying to squeeze all our 3 ounce bottles into a stupid quart size bag. It's harder than I planned. We are having an ongoing debate about whether or not toothpaste is a liquid. I think I'm winning, but I'm going with the better safe than sorry philosophy. I mean if you can't have gel shoe inserts, toothpaste has to be a liquid, right? 

I am taking my laptop with me so hopefully I'll be able to put up a timely post for all of you who want pictures. My students told me to get one shaking the President's hand. I told them that it might be hard to fight my way through the easy million people who will be vying for a close spot. But, might as well try. Secret Service shouldn't have a problem with me walking right up to him and saying hi.  

Anyway, my overstuffed carry-on is calling my name. *sigh . . . stupid toothpaste