drama

Since it's Black History month I created a project to study influential black American musicians. Classes are performing works by: The Temptations, Jackson 5, the Supremes, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Destiny's Child, and many more. I thought the students would love working together and learning dances, getting to dress up etc...but little did I know that it would cause so much drama. I think I must have taken a vacation to lala land when I decided to do this. Of course junior high kids combined with music would cause such excess stress in my life and theirs. It seems impossible to do an out of the ordinary, fun activity with out several people getting their feelings hurt because someone says they cannot dance, sing, or a combination of the two. I decided to write down today's schedule as well as the drama it occurs. Enjoy.

7:10am Jaquetta comes to my room before school to discuss her unhappiness in the Temptations. She wants to be the leader but fellow Temptation Shaniqua is being bossy so she wants out.

7:16am: Bridgette, Angel and Miranda arrive wanting approval for their Supreme costumes. The old outfits I have that actually look similar to the Supremes were not cute so they brought some from a dance. That's fine though, at least they're interested.

7:30am: Dream Girls arrive to practice. Tyeshia is not the best dancer and Sonika and Martina are frustrated that she cannot seem to get the step/kick combination down.

7:45am: Guys Temptations constantly yell at Quintez for being off. Also, Raheem and Anvavious argue over who is in Davis Ruffin. I tell them that this is the school Temptations, and not the real group. We even have six men in that group, but they all want a member name and purpose.

7:50am: All in the same room, Destiny's Child group works and this group has the least amount of dancing ability. They expect me to come up with every move. Although this is a great work out I am strangely brought back to my lip sync days in high school and they tell me my moves are not "fresh". I tell them we have to keep it clean and they are visibly disappointed.

7:54am: Have to break up potential fight in Guys Temptations Group over who is leader. I move boys out of order and quickly implement a no talking policy in their group. They are only allowed to practice and say the words, "ready, go".

8:00am: Dream Girls Group wants help with more moves. They are starting to look really cute yet poor Tyeshia cannot get the concept that her move should be exactly the opposite of Martinia's. Of course many audible comments occur.

8:10am: Tayera arrives from another class to discuss their costumes. I ask her where she is supposed to be, she has a hall pass but no teacher would let her out to talk about costumes. She is supposed to be in the bathroom. I tell her to leave and we will talk later.

next 20 minutes: I run around like an insane woman trying to get everyone to work together.

What in the world was I thinking!?!?!? This is insane. All the kids do is yell at each other for being "off". So much for creating a fun and different project, I'm beginning to think all of my textbooks in school that discouraged busy work never taught junior high kids! Ahh!

Only 5 more of these classes to go. Anyone figured out how to make that xanex smoothie yet?!?! For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Nancy meet Satan

So I usually keep my opinions to myself (I know, I'm laughing too) but I am highly frustrated with Nancy Pelosi's recent gallivant to Italy. While I know it is important for government officials to meet with leaders from around the world, her trip along with other democrats accomplished nothing. Her meetings with the Pope were in my opinion a publicity stunt and he did not even allow her communion. Salt in an open wound for the vast majority of Americans who are struggling to make it while she's out cruising the world on tax payer money (holy Lord, who let Rush Limbaugh in here?!). Sadly, this is just another example of how our leaders are so out of touch with the real America. In my lifetime (excluding Bill... I still love him) I feel that almost every politician has been bogus and are really own out for their own pocketbooks...Debbie downer indeed...this is too much reality for a Monday morning. Let's move on.

This weekend was so exciting for many reasons but one of the highlights was that I got to see brother Ben play baseball! His team played at The University of Central Arkansas, a surprisingly lovely campus. His team played all weekend and we got to see him play Sunday afternoon. He looked great on the field and I was such a proud sister. Unfortunately we did not get to hang out with him too much because they had to get on the bus quickly and go back to school but I was so excited to see the young chap... and I didn't even have to do any of his laundry! Conway is a really nice city and I really enjoyed the downtown area. It is so cute, the streets in the downtown are painted and old train stations have been made into banks and restaurants etc. Really quaint, artsy etc..who knew?

Lastly, as I made the trip back to Oxford I was greeted with friends and fellow Oscar enthusiasts watching the Academy Awards at my house. It was the usual music crew who I love dearly because anything and everything is an excuse for an elaborate party. There was tons of food, drinks, and even forms with all of the categories and nominees printed as ballots so we could play along as the Oscars were on! Honestly I saw a lot more movies this year than ever but I really only care about the fashion. I love seeing what everyone is wearing; although I wish the stylist was not so popular because as much as I hate to admit it, I love a terrible dress on an A-lister. This list the popular trends seemed to be the color red, asymmetrical designs and mermaid dresses. Some of my favorite dresses of the night were Anne Hathaway (pictured upper right). She may have lost the Oscar, but she looked great doing it! Secondly, as much as I hate to admit it, I loved the dress Miley Cyrus wore (pictured left). Nothing says diva to me more than that beautiful dress, perhaps that's why I'm such a fan. Lastly, I had to add Beyonce because she can do no wrong in my book (pictured right). Although I like her dress in kind of an ugly/beautiful kind of way, her body is rocking and I was glad to see some curves on the red carpet!

Well I need to get back to work, I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday. For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

back it up...

Sorry for the blog schizophrenia, but let's back it up and get to Weekend Update. This weekend was so much fun! I hate to be one of those annoying romantics on Valentine's day, but this year was the first in a while that I got to celebrate rather than feel the cold harshness of singles awareness day. If you read the previous blog you know that Friday afternoon I spent with the parents in Oxford enjoying the square. Around 2:30, I packed up and headed to Nashville while the parents made another trip back to Martin to see brother Ben. Since the laundry was taken care of, they actually got to spend time with the college chap and enjoyed dinner at a local Italian eatery. The parents said they were sad to leave me but I think they were most upset about leaving my new addition, Millie (kitty pictured left..the picture really doesn't do her cuteness justice). The new kitty instantly won the affection of my parents and they played were her constantly! I was afraid to leave them alone with her for too long because I wouldn't put it past my Momma to steal Millie for herself..Back in Nashville Philip and I met high school friends Jenna and Taylor at their house in Franklin. Later we met other high school friends Bret and Christina at newly renovated 108 restaurant in Franklin that used to be Monells. 108 is off the square and was once a prison. Yikes! There are still cell doors, rooms for solitary confinement and other spooky reminders of the past. Although the ambiance and martinis were excellent, the food was really lackluster; I would not recommend eating there but if you would like an expensive yet tasty martini, drinking at the bar might be fun. Saturday morning I hung out with the parents. It is a family tradition that on the weekend Papa cooks breakfast for the ladies and waits on us constantly with coffee. Yeah...lucky you momma! Later I did some last minute shopping and met Philip for a special Valentine's Day dinner. He cooked steak and lobster, twice baked potatoes, pasta, salad, and creme brule for dessert! Move on over Food Network; what a meal! Then we swapped gifts, I got a very sweet and romantic heart shaped necklace and Philip got a bass pro gift card. I know...so shameful, but that's what he likes. Sunday morning and afternoon the family hung out and after a quick stop in Brentwood, made the long haul back to Oxford.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines and beginning to their week, promise to blog about something less self involved soon... well I don't promise but I'll try :) For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

this is your life on junior high

So it is hard enough to wake up before the sun and come teach crazies but the earth's glory has surprised me with one of the most dreaded aspects of being a teacher ever...you guessed it, the parent/teacher conference. This time it's personal. The child in question got in a fight on Thursday and now Momma believes her precious boy would never do anything like this and wants revenge on the mean ol' music teacher. Awesome. This is the same child who regularly calls other folk's mommas fat, ugly, etc. asked loudly if breast cancer was when you had three "titties" and regularly makes a mockery of my existence by being a total goob. But yeah, Mom is right, her boy would never break the rules and is a total sweet heart. And you know what, this is all totally worth it because we make such bank here that all of this constant scrutiny and "accountability" from No Child left behind makes it so fair. I hope you're picking up on my sarcasm, because I'm laying it on pretty thick. Anyway, pray for me in my hour of need. If I don't return I want a montage of musicals played at my funeral with "Don't stop believing" by Journey at the very end.

Hopefully I will be back to update everyone on the weekend. For Natalie's News this has been Natalie

shamed faced

Yes, like many of my students so eloquently say, "I'm shamed faced" about my severe lack of blogging. Like a broken record, I keep the same excuse of being so busy but now overwhelmed with a dud-like feeling at work. Usually some little spark of nothing will occur sometime during the day that brings that ah ha moment and Natalie's News receives some form of blabbing but nada has come recently. Maybe it's writer's block, maybe it's all of the fighting at school, I really don't know, but for some reason today I felt back in action. Why you ask? I'm in Nashville! Oh, what a perfect segway for... you guessed it!

Focus on the Family

My ultra hip parents informed me months ago that the North Mississippi Allstars (pictured left) would be performing at the Lyric in Oxford. My cool parents luckily bypassed the stereotypical hobbies of knitting, bingo, and playing checkers and spend their time having tapas with friends, going to happy hour and the newest pub and listening to awesome music. Never in my life have I had to endure John Tesh, Chuck Mangione, Yanni, or Kenny G. Although Michelle will occasionally make the family suffer watching Antique Road Show, for the most part my parents are hip and listen to grooving tunes of then and now. Thursday the parents began their epic trip at 7am and made a pit stop in Martin to see brother Ben. While Ben went to class the parents did 8... yes 8 load of laundry at a local laundry mat. And you were concerned with mustard gas... I imagine the odor that loomed from that enormous mountain of laundry would bring even the most devoted soldier out of the caves and show us to Osama's location asap. After repairing the layer of the ozone depleted by the smell, the parents got back on the road and arrived in Oxford around 5:15. We freshened up at my house and quickly left for dinner at Ajax diner (pictured left) on the square. After dinner we met up with lifelong friend Barrett and had a Blue Moon at The Library sports bar. Finally we arrived at the Lyric (inside pictured right) for the main event. Since we arrived earlier than most around 9pm, we were able to score awesome seats in the balcony...really close to the bar. Both bands were awesome and all really enjoyed the show. The only downfall is within my first year of teaching I have aged 2 years everyday and apparently cannot stay out past 10pm. When that midnight hour approached I was seriously forcing my eyes open. Sad. All was worth it though. The North Mississippi Allstars were amazing and all enjoyed the late night. The only thing that would have topped the night would have been chicken on a stick from Chevron...next time. The next day the entire family slept in and we went to lunch at Roosters around noon. Roosters is a blues bar that used to be Jeannie's Hallmark on the square. After lunch we strolled the busy square streets and visited Square Books and Holli's Sweet Tooth. Finally we returned to my house, packed up and trekked back to Nashville!

More details are to come tomorrow because luckily the weekend is not over! I hope everyone had a wonderful break, I'll see you tomorrow with the case of the Mondays. For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

weekend update

This weekend seemed to fly by with fun times had by all. It was exactly what I needed to detox from the long week of craziness here at the junior high. This weekend was pretty bare in my favorite city. I guess because of the cold weather and such it seemed at the beginning of the weekend that there was not much going on, but this quickly changed. Friday night was pretty tame with a casual dinner at Oby's then a house party at the Worthy's estate. Brooke, the ultimate hostess served lasagna and low calorie margaritas. Saturday we saw movie, ran some errands and then....picked out a new kitten! For some reason I thought I would be able to go to the humane society and just look...right. I picked the cutest baby kitten that is only 3 weeks old. Considering we are not supposed to have animals and I am super busy this was really one of the worst decisions of the weekend, but I don't really care. She is so cute and I cannot wait to get her in two weeks. After the shelter we went to dinner with power couple Rebecca and Smitty. They spent the day getting engagement pictures taken all over town. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Bouree (sign pictured left) and then went to City Grocery (pictured right) for after dinner drinks. Usually when I go out now I have become a total snob and stick to wine, occasionally when I'm influenced by a particular boy I will stoop to a 24 ounce beer but for the most part, snobby wine is my drink of choice. But for some reason Saturday after wine at dinner, I was feeling frisky at the bar so I went for an old favorite during my sorority days...jack and diet coke. Huge mistake. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe it was my sudden urge to do more before I turned 26, maybe I thought I would drink it slower, I have no idea but it was not pretty. The next morning I had to arise bright and early for children's choir and let's just say it was not my finest hour. Nothing came up but my head kept throbbing and cursing my thoughtless drinking! Sadly, I only had 1 and a couple of sips of another drink and it did it in for me. I guess we should look on the bright side of things, I've become a totally cheap date and with our economy nobody can complain about that. Plus, it takes way fewer calories. So lesson learned is: I still plan on trying new things etc before I enter that horrid stage of the upper twenties but my former boyfriend Jack will be dumped permanently and we will never fling again. Ever. I did "buck up and do" and got up for church like a good little Episcopalian girl on Sunday (church where I felt awful pictured left). I went to church and then went back to bed for some much needed recuperation. As I began preparing for the Superbowl, Philip told me the best news of the entire weekend...he downloaded all of the newest episodes of Big Love (pictured right) for me. Holy Lord God, my life is complete. Previously I had HBO but I felt that times were tough I should cancel it, but oh how I've missed my shows...most of all Big Love. Who cannot enjoy this show of crazies hiding their polygamy? It is so twisted and dramatic, I love it. Secretly I want to pretend that I am a polygamist so I can get inside the cult and do a whole Lisa Ling style documentary...no worries that is a fleeting thought before I come back to reality. Plus their dresses are so ugly. After two glorious hours of Big Love we went to a Super Bowl party with St. Peter's folks and enjoyed the boring Super Bowl. I really didn't care about either team and the commercials were pretty lame. After the Super Bowl we came home and watched the hilarious after Super Bowl special hour of The Office. Amazing. Wow, as I write I just realized how much television I watched yesterday. Kind of gross. Maybe I shouldn't say bye bye to Jack just yet.



Well I better get back to work, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. For Natalie's News this has been Natalie Corinne.