I’m one of the few teachers who does not run out of school on Friday afternoon, usually because the faithful Math Lab students like to hang around for awhile before going home. So yesterday I was there until 3:30 doing a bit of work, but mostly chatting with Preeti, Wenjing, Soo Hee, Lauren, and Charraye (who was actually the only one working the entire time!). Preeti asked me if her class has the only students who spend so much time in the Math Lab, and I told her that has been happening regularly since I became lead teacher (and took over the Math Lab) in 1986. That’s one of the highlights of teaching for me, chatting with students before and after school.

Last night Jean and I went for our traditional Friday evening fast food supper and shopping spree. We ate at Panera’s (a GREAT soup/salad/sandwich shop and bakery), then I spent an hour browsing at Barnes & Noble while Jean went to other stores. I only saw about two dozen books I wanted to buy buy buy!! ☺ But I restrained myself to only buying a copy of Dale Carnegie’s HOW TO STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING. Periodically I give copies of that book to friends or students in emotional need, and we have such a friend now who has been totally traumatized the past year since her stupid husband walked out on her because he wanted his freedom! So that jerk is dating young chicks while his wife and three kids are really suffering.

CURRENT LISTENING: All-Time Greatest Hits, by Harry Nilsson. He was one of the most talented singer-songwriters of the 1970s. Too bad he lived a self-destructive life and died young like so many other talented artists. Maybe it’s better not being a creative nova.