I am super sleepy today. I don't know what's with me! I'm not sure if it's because I was teaching outside all morning, or if it's due to the very grey and rainy weather we've been having. Maybe a little of both? Sometimes I really like seeing droplets of rain tumble down from the sky, sprinkling lightly on my face, or pattering loudly on the pavement outside. Sometimes when it's rainy, I like seeing the interesting grey patterns that form in the clouds above the surrounding mountains. And sometimes, it all just makes me damn sleepy. I'm weird about weather. When I lived in Washington, it'd snow, and I'd be so excited for like a whole day! Then it was like, "Okay, snow, you can leave now." I'm like that with the rain, too. I find the sound of rain simultaneously exhilerating and relaxing. Then I just want sunshine again. Of course, while sunshiney days are my favorite kind of days, too much sunshine can get old, too. Actually, it's not the sunshine that gets old; it's the heat. I think that's why I do best in Spring. Summer's too hot, Fall is too bleak, Winter's too rainy or cold. Spring works for me.

I do try to embrace all the seasons, though. What's the point in hating any of them when they're all going to come around again and again, year after year? Might as well make friends with the weather and be thankful I live in California rather than anyplace else. Right? Right. Okay.

This morning, I was convinced I wouldn't have to teach because of the weather, actually. The sky was definitely threatening to rain, and I thought there was a pretty good possibility the class would cancel their field trip today. A big part of me wished to hear the familiar beep-beep-beep of a voice message when I turned on the speaker phone this morning, informing me that this was the case. No such luck. Off I went to the marsh, and boy was it wet and yucky out there. And COLD. Luckily, it was hardly even sprinkling and it stayed like that most of the day. I worried myself, though, by thinking that London weather would be so much worse, so I better be able to at least handle this, and quick! I just wanted to stop shivering! As it turned out, I was fine in no time, especially once I was interacting with the students, who did show up, after all. Nothing like reprimanding students to keep your mind off the cold! Heh. Just kidding. The kids were really good, for the most part. A few disinterested girls annoyed me, as well as one girl who asked non-stop questions about things immediately before I explained them. I hate that! Another boy was just being a jerk. I threatened to send him away from the group. The next time he acted up, before I even got a chance to be all, "That's it -- GET OUT!", one of the chaperones grabbed his sweatshirt sleeve and walked him away from the group. How incredibly awesome! Most chaperones aren't in tune with what's going on with us teachers, but this lady was on top of things, and did exactly what I wanted her to before I ever asked. As Joe said, "Maybe she saw it in your eyes!"

The rest of the fifth grade class was awesome. They're so cute! I love their questions, their enthusiasm, their curiosity. My station really is one of the more boring stations, so when one boy said, "This is my favorite part!", my heart just soared. How freakin' cool! I love it when kids enjoy the stuff I teach them. In fact, I got a few compliments from the chaperones as well, and that made me feel great, too.

Afterwards, I talked with the other teachers, who all happen to know more about the general local school districts than I do. They were discussing all the problems with administration, excessive testing, and lackluster teachers in the schools around here, and I just cringed. I used to think I wanted to be a teacher, but after hearing that, as well as what my mom (who is a substitute teacher) has told me about what she sees in the Washington schools, I know it's not for me. At least not in the classroom sense. Teaching programs at a zoo is still an option for me, one that I think could be pretty cool. Who knows?

Today's class at the marsh was the last program for the year, and we aren't having any others until MARCH! I couldn't believe it! Last year, there were far more field trips scheduled than this year. It's kind of odd. It's sad, too, because I really do enjoy it. Oh, well. I guess I'll just look forward to when it all starts up again in the Spring. After all, that's when all the goslings will be there!

I also drove out to Cici's owners' house today to return their key. I saw Cici, and pet her for a while. Then she tried to bite me and the guy said, "Shame on you, Cici!" And I laughed. I didn't tell him that that was nothing compared to the last time I saw her when she sank her tiny razor teeth into me! It was nice visiting with the guy, talking about Europe, etc (he just got back from France). I always feel good when talking to my petsitting clients. People who love animals are the awesomest people in the world.

When I got back home today, I felt cold and yucky from being out in the rain and mud. I changed into my pajamas, threw on my cat slippers (which my cats, indcidentally, find rather disturbing) and took a nap on the couch. After I woke up, I ate some leftover pizza and watched two episodes of King of the Jungle. God, I love that show! I mean, it's kind of repetitive in some parts, so I use the fast-forward button a lot, but I love watching the competitions and listening to the critiques of the on-camera performances. As far as I'm concerned, this all relates directly to me, because I'm positive I'll be giving more interpretive animal presentations in the near future. So, hearing the good and bad points on these contestants' performances helps me know what to pay attention to next time I'm in that situation. Plus, I'm a sucker for reality television. So, a reality show about animals?? How could I resist?!

Speaking of reality television, did anyone else watch Average Joe? Joe and I watched it together and when I saw the finale and saw the guy she chose, I just said, "Lame!" Joe laughed and said, "That's exactly what I said!" (He saw it before I did.) The next one, which is set in Hawaii, looks exactly the same. No, I mean, exactly the same. So help me god, Hawaii-girl said word for freakin' word the same things the first girl said on the first episode of the first Average Joe! May I say it again? Lame!

On the other hand, I was quite happy with the way The Next Joe Millionaire turned out.

Anyway, where was I going with this? Nowhere, I guess. Hmm, I think it may be time to go visit my SIMS. Joe brought home the "hot date" expansion pack tonight, which I'm pretty excited about! My SIMS fell in love last time I played them. So cute! Maybe now Opal and Oscar Mayer can go have some hot dates to enhance the passion in their relationship!

I have way too much fun with all these silly things. For that, I'm glad. Life is good!