Kiittehs!!!

First things first.

Grad school is HARD. Student teaching is HARD. It's a pretty unpleasant experience all around. I mean that it's hard to take over a class that is completely different than the way I want to teach. I know, deep in my heart, that my classroom won't look, sound, or feel like my student teaching class (called the internship). But I also know that there really isn't much I can do about the choices that are already made. Maybe that's not very clear. Suffice it to say that it's hard to take over someone else's classroom. I'm lucky that someone is willing to let me do it at all. I'm lucky I get such good feedback and guidance in the content areas where I'm weakest- math and science. I'm lucky we have a good, strong, caring relationship. But it's still hard.

Winter is hard too. We went skiing on the three-day weekend, but the snow was crap with extra crap on top. Below 4000 feet was almost snow-free (according to Andy- I bailed and waited for him to come back in the car-that's how bad it was). I also broke a strap on my brand-new boots, and I still haven't solved the problem with the blisters. In fact, the blisters are actually worse than my old boots. The new gear is good though (excepting the blisters). I have a great deal more control and confidence when I can actually use my edges. I miss Tahoe snow.

It's been raining a lot. Raining, but fairly warm. I saw a camellia in bloom the other day, and cherry blossoms starting to peek out. That means pollen, allergens, and still more mold growing in our house. Our bathroom has a leak (I think-there's a bucket on the floor for the moment), and the whole house feels damp.

My allergies are out of control, and I'm pretty miserable. I think I made a delicious pot of lentils tonight, but since I couldn't taste them, I'm not sure. I burned the tortillas I was reheating because I couldn't smell the smoke. My head is pounding with sinus pressure, and my throat and nose feel raw.

However, all that is nothing-NO THING AT ALL- when compared to the pleasure and belly laughs that have come from fostering two kittehs.

Toby and Bella came to us via a craigslist posting asking for help to foster two cats for six months. That's just about perfect, I thought. So I convinced Andy (easy), made contact, and voila- two very different 6 month old kittens are tearing our house, curtains, sofa, and peace apart. And I love almost every minute of it.

They bring a totally new energy into the house. They are noisy and annoying and needy. When we come home, they follow us from room to room. They sleep in open drawers, under the covers, on top of our feet, on shelves, in the laundry, and just about everywhere else. This is the first time I've lived with kittens since I was about 10 (when I rescued Vinigar, my childhood kitty). They are nuts. And fun as hell. They are good friends too, and when they sleep they cuddle, nuzzle, and groom each other. Bella is the runt, and she's the kind of kitty who will struggle to stay awake when she's sitting on you but just can't quite do it. Toby is about twice her size, and a bully. Toby's social, smart, and likes to sleep under the covers.

They are pure joy.