(Not So) Happy Friday!

When I first woke up today, I was so happy. It was Friday! The weekend was finally here! Hooray! And so forth. But then I got these really bad stomach cramps for some reason and that distracted me from all my hooray-ing. And the stomach pains were only a precursor of the bad day to come...

You see, reader, when I checked the news this morning, it was to learn that Florida passed SB6/HB7189 last night at 2:30 AM. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, this is the bill that wants to remove seniority and professional development from teachers in favor of basing half of our pay on student performance on standardized tests. I've already written about how I'm so against this bill. I think it is bad for students, bad for teachers, and may mean the end of public education in Florida as we know it today. Does our educational system in Florida need reform? Yes, I do believe it does. But we need change for the better, not the worse.

Okay, enough about that. *steps off soapbox* It's Friday, so it's time to take our mind off our troubles and focus on the wonderful weekend we have ahead of us! How about some fill in the blank fun to properly kick off our Friday? Lauren has given us TEN this week to make up for not posting one last week, and reader, I think these questions are the best she's ever written. 

Enjoy and click here if you want to play along!


1.  The strangest thing I've ever eaten was   alligator -- it tasted like chicken! (Doesn't everything taste like chicken when it's brand new to us, though? It's strange.) .

2.  My best friend is  also my boyfriend -- we were friends first and that didn't change when Love entered the room.

3.  If I could live in a different era it would be    the 1800's because I really feel like I'm from that time -- something about the dresses, the romantic sensibility of the time, just appeals to me so much. Oh, and I hate driving, so there's that, too! I'd rather ride a horse. ;) .

4.  I like  when people take me by surprise -- in a good way, of course.

5.  If you only know one thing about me it should be  that if you are my friend, I will be loyal to you forever, so long as you never betray me or do anything to damage our relationship. Once I'm your friend, I'm yours for life .

6.  My favorite book of all time is   The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. If you think the film is amazing, try reading the book! I'm writing my thesis on it. :) .

7.  The one beauty product I couldn't live without is   my foundation. I had super clear skin as a teenager, but now that I'm 31, I suddenly, inexplicably, have acne. Lancome foundation is my saving grace! Covers up all those ugly spots .

8.  Blogging is   a great stress reliever for me! I love writing about my days, my thoughts, what I'm feeling and hoping and dreaming. But the best part of blogging is reading your comments! Thanks for making blogging worthwhile, reader .

9.  If I could star in a movie with any actor/actress I would want to work with   Meryl Streep. I think she is the best actor of our generation, and she's just such an inspiration to me as a onetime wanna-be actor myself.

10.  One of the best feelings in the world is   waking up on a day when you have absolutely nothing planned at all -- it's like having the freedom of a big white page and knowing you can color it however you like .

 
picture via we heart it

So, my lovely bloggy readers, how are you planning to "color" your weekend? I've got a baby shower planned on Sunday, but tonight and tomorrow are wide open, which makes me very happy indeed. :D

Photobucket

9 comment(s):

Brittany said...

Hey Ana! Love the post! :)) I'm really mad considering tomorrow night I was going to go to 'The Runaways' movie ... but it's too far for me (Delray) but my Mom said she'd take me Sunday ... the thing is though is that it's only playing tonight through sunday! It's like WTF! haha but tonight is homework ... tomorrow morning is homework ... tomorrow night is hanging out with friends ... & sunday is homework & hopefully movies! haha Hope you have a good weekend! :))

--Brittany

Whitney said...

Hey there~
I originally came here to comment on your fill in the blank but then I read what you had written about that bill and I felt like I HAD to comment on it.

I am in my second year of my teaching program and I just started my student teaching. It makes me so sad because the closer I get to become a real teacher the more I realize how different and political it is.

I could go on and on about standardized testing and what crap it is, but I know that you already know this. Just know that there is someone on the other side of the country who is fighting for you and sending good thoughts to every teacher in Florida.

Like you said though, it's time to focus on the weekend.

So back to what I was here to comment on originally~ I love your answer to #9. I would just love to have coffee with Meryl Streep and pick her brain.

Have a great weekend :)
Whitney

Unknown said...

@Brittany: Hope you get to see "The Runaways" this weekend! Man, I thought it would have a wider release...

@Whitney: Thank you so much for your kind words, and please do hang in there -- teaching is the most rewarding job I've ever had, even if the Powers That Be don't seem to think we're worthy of any reward.

Stacey said...

I'm having a lot of issues with the government right now. I think that Florida bill is ridiculous! I hope it's vetoed!

You are in no way a bad bloggy buddy! I haven't commented much either,lots of family issues going on right now. Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

Melly Mel said...

I am so sorry about that bill!!!! I hope it gets vetoed. I am so sorry you had cramps as well!! You poor thing! Hope you have a lovely weekend Anna!

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear about the bill, Ana! :(

Do hope you're enjoying "coloring" your weekend though - good simile with number ten there, hahah. I totally get what you mean :D

Lauren @The Little Things We Do.... said...

LOVE meryl streep. good choice :).

and i'm sorry to hear about that bill. i agree. standardized tests are a joke. i worked at a public middle school for 2 years and seriously half of the time the kids were being pulled out of class to take one test or another. it was pretty ridiculous. BUT...while i don't think tests are a good indicator of a teacher's efficacy, i also don't like how easy it is for teacher's to have seniority when it's not really deserved. i've known a few teachers that really weren't putting in a lot of effort anymore which is a dis-service to students when their are so many talented and passionate teachers unemployed out there. it's a catch 22. i hope eventually they figure out a solution :(.

Unknown said...

@Lauren: I completely agree -- I'm in favor of educator reform, so long as it benefits students AND teachers. I think tests are important, but if anything, they should give teachers bonuses for good results, not base our livelihood on the whims of something that is ultimately out of our hands. If the students don't feel like putting in the effort, if their parents aren't involved, or whatever other extenuating circumstance prevents them from doing their best, why should we be to blame? Like you, I hope they will eventually figure out a situation...

Vanessa said...

I'm so sorry they passed it. Stupid people. 8(

Oh Meryl, she is the definition of fabulous. <3