New German Words

ein blauer Tag

Schwarz und Weiß

Travelin' at Twice the Speed of Light

H1N1

I knew it was a matter of time, but H1N1 (or the Swine Flu) has found its way into the kid's school. KK's teacher was taken to the hospital on Saturday, but she was at school on Friday with a fever because the class had field trip. Students from grades second to fifth were on a bus with this teacher (including mine) and then spent the day with her. Parents are freaking out; administrators are being called over the teacher's decision to come to school with a fever. I have mentioned to some vocal parents that the school is no very tolerant of teachers being absent. During my brief tenure, we would receive emails telling us that there were certain days we were not allowed to be absent because they lacked sufficient classroom coverage. So how did this all come out over a weekend - Facebook.

A friend of mine is Facebook friends with this teacher. The teacher posted her diagnosis on Facebook, and my friend emailed me. I really debated what to do with the information, but I kept coming back to the fact that if I were an unknowing parent who had a kid with respiratory issues I'd want to know. I sent an email to the principal and the teacher to verify the information, and then sent an email to the few parents I know. I am obviously aware that theses parents then contacted other classroom parents until one parent with everyone's email address sent out a mass email. The teacher has been very upfront and sent me back an email confirming the diagnosis and telling me to watch my own child for symptoms. The principal did respond to my email about having the classroom cleaned, but made no attempt to notify parents. Yet another reason parents are furious. There is an available system at the school for both recorded phone notification and email notification to parents, Neither was used.

For today, I am keeping my kids home. Mostly because if the teacher passed it on to another student, it could be four to seven days before we know it. Also my son has cold like symptoms so no need to risk it; obviously KK will have a substitute for the week.

The questions for the day: am I over-reacting by keeping the kids home for today? If someone publishes a medical diagnosis, is that permission for public release? Has the school fumbled yet again or are parents blowing this out of proportion?

For today, we'll just be hanging around like this guy . . .

Moving at the Speed of Light

No I have not won the lottery, abandoned my house, and jumped the nearest plane out of here (but I would if given the chance!). Since school has started, I have been on fast forward. Every weekend is filled until November. The week includes ballet, tap, two soccer practices, two soccer games, science club, and Brownies. Throw in my photography class which has begun, my German class which will start at the end of the month, a bathroom renovation that will not end, and fifteen loads of laundry and that is my life. Some of the highlights:

• The bathroom is not done. I have to finish painting the closet door, and a section of crown moulding that must be put up. The outlet covers have not arrived and we still need a medicine cabinet. Oh, and lights - the light fixture still needs to be hung. I hope to have most of this done by Friday when we are having some friends to dinner, otherwise they potty in the dark.
• The photography class - mixed feelings right now. Having to take specific photos on specific settings while trying to master aperture and shutter speed feels forced. I am not enjoying it as I keep looking around desperately for some inspiration in the scenery, but I am . . . .well, here . . . central Florida in the heat and showers of September is not inspiring. It is just hot, humid, and unattractive. Sorry - I am suppose to be finding the positive, but photography homework only makes me want to move far, far away. Maybe as I begin to understand aperture and shutter speed more, it will begin to feel less forced and I won't dread my assignments.
• The German on-line class begins at the end of the month. I know that an on-line language course is not ideal, but it is what fits in my schedule for now. I have received my materials and have begun my first lesson which includes a DVD with hilarious skits of people dressed in late 1980s parachute pants and fluorescent colors. I am learning certain words just by association with the outfits and the dialogue. Oh and yes, I am beginning to conjugate some verbs too. Once the class starts, I think I will be pretty busy.
• Thankfully, there are a few escapes between now and the end of the year including a long weekend in Seattle with an old friend (where we could both fly directly - me from Florida and her from Kansas- and find cheap tickets); five days in the Smokey Mountains with the kids during an October long weekend; Vail in December for a lawyer seminar; and Maine for six days at Christmas. So I better learn aperture and shutter speed because there has got to be some inspiration coming soon!

That's all folks! I'll try to post some of my least hated photos in the near future, but for now it is time run.