America Runs on Styrofoam

As an attempt to return to blogging.....I am cross posting this blog with a post I wrote this weekend on my Ning Community for a teaching class I am taking- it's called "Expanding the Boundaries of Teaching and Learning" .  More info on this in the future

When I woke up this morning I really wasn’t sure what deep philosophical thought I wanted to share with you about education. Better yet I didn’t know if I have any deep thoughts left in my brain at all since this was our first five day week. I probably needed some caffeine. And then I turned on the news….


Dunkin Donuts is changing their Styrofoam cups!

Obviously we all share that by necessity we are all morning people. We have to be “on”. I assume other levels are really the same, but in elementary school I need to be able to perform when those students arrive at 8:15. (Someone once said, “Teaching can be 90% acting”.) To this end in the last several years of teaching, I have become a coffee addict. My “real life” friends would tell you that they have never seen me drink coffee and didn’t believe I ever did. Friends and colleagues at the Killam school know that I’m always seen walking in with my medium Styrofoam cup.

I won’t go in to crazy detail, but it’s never too hot on your hands and liquid stays warm for quite a while. Now, I am a moderate environmentalist. I’m an avid recycler and have always tried to honor the earth, be a good example to my students, etc. There is just something about that Styrofoam cup. I’ll tell you a secret- I actually don’t always need the medium amount of coffee, but I dislike the small paper cup and lid so I purchase a small in the medium Styrofoam cup.

Maybe I should admit that I just don’t like change…..I hope for that the company is able to come up with an acceptable green alternative.

No just for the earth, but also for me! Any other disappointed coffee addicts out there?

Helen, who?

You probably don't remember me, and I should probably reintroduce myself.

7 months...7 months....I'm not sure what my excuse is. Blogging (both the writing of and the reading of) has fallen completely off my radar this year. School is just...busy, and I don't find the "free" time that I guess I used to have. (maybe I'm actually being more efficient doing work) Who knows?

You want an update?

When last we saw our fair heroine, she was bemoaning the end of her summer. Returning not to the job she had been anticipating, but one that sucks her dry physically and emotionally. Not much has changed there- I've got a nice crew of kids this year, but very , VERY emotionally draining. I've got some wicked sad home situations and some other tough cases. Tough. And I teach in a "nice" suburb. I don't know how other people do it.

A possible bright spot.....that grant we didnt' receive- well, we're reapplying. My game plan is to not have my hopes up at all (like in my mind it really isn't happening) because the funding was a definite possiblity last time, and this year it may not be funded at all. We could potentially find out really, REALLY late- like September. My Superintendent said something crazy like, "Helen may have to start next year in the classroom until we find a replacement" Ha! Good luck with that- I'm not telling the parents and the kids that one. You see no one beats me in a tricorner hat :)



I also left you with the thought of weight loss. Seven months ago I was attempted to track my calories on my tap and track and find some will power. Many of you were kind with encouragement- thank you!

Good news! I have lost almost 13 lbs, and that BMI hovering around 28 is currently a 26.1

If you're keeping score, the number needed to officially not be "overweight" is 24.9.

At this time last year (when I was interviewing for that job), I was buying size 12's, and definitely Larges of things in order to feel more comfortable. A few months ago, my vast wardrobe of 10's was fitting again, yay! I've been on a bit of a clothes buying moratorium (save $), but over the past couple weeks armed with coupon-palooza I returned to Ann Taylor Loft. Well, I was a little shocked to find myself an "8" and comfortable again in Mediums. Wow. I was last an 8 probably about four years ago when I had initially been on the "Fat Loss" diet from my gym.

I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I'm probably at the weight now that will be easiest for me to maintain. At my slimmest four years ago, I was probably about four pounds less than this (which would also put me back into college territory). I'm not sure if this would be hard to maintain.

So, dear readers I know you're dying to know- what's my secret? Well, I've definitely changed my metabolism. I am definitely eating less, but I find I don't need too eat as much. I don't use the Tap and Track daily, but return to it like a security blanket when things aren't going well. I probably keep myself between 1400-1800 calories a day. I really don't deny myself things- if I have a 350 calorie donut, that's my treat. I'm still drinking a lot of protein shakes (although Trader Joe's apparently recently discontinued my protein powder...nooooooo) If I'm not really hungry at dinner time, I don't force myself to eat a "clean dinner" of chicken and broccoli, I just have a shake.

Now, ironically- the gym explosion of the end of the summer has not continued. If you are looking for other gym inspiration, see my dearest Nat or Stacey.

I don't have a whole lot of before and after pictures, but let me see what I can come up with for you over the weekend.

Off to proctor the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). I won't lie- it's kind of nice that they can't talk to me for a couple hours:)

Constant Craving......

Food and Exercise Update- I've been doing pretty well lately. I continue to "Tap and Track" my calories and grams of fat on my IPod. It has definitely helped. I also set a personal goal of going to the gym seven days in a row. I made it! I took two days off, and have done eight more in a row. I definitely feel like "I'm back". Now the challenge will be keeping all of these plates spinning in the air when I go back to school.....

Now the title of the post is a nod to my current obsessions, not all of which are food.


1. Sex and the City repeats- In an effort to trim the fat in my life (and save some $), I cut down my cable and lost several key channels including my beloved "SoapNet". TBS shows sanitized versions of Sex and the City at 1:00 a.m. Since I've been looking for new things to watch, I've set the old TiVo to record them all. I actually saw an episode that I had never seen before! Don't you love when that happens! I had never had the pleasure of the one when Trey buys Charlotte a paper cut-out of a baby because they haven't been able to have one. Yikes- I don't know how I ever missed that one! When I say sanitized, there are definitely episodes you watch and realize that cut out great lines, and even better sex scenes. Both usually belonging to Samantha.


We're just coming up to the "Berger" episodes. Some of you know of my "Berger" that I had hanging around this year. It's so funny to watch/listen to Carrie's thoughts after she asks him to be her Plus One at her book launch- and suddenly he has a girlfriend- "I have a girlfriend, BOOM, We live together, BOOM, this whole flirtation is in your head, BOOM!"


Having a couple of these to watch when I get home from school should help me transition back into the year!


2. Bravo- I think Bravo is now my new VH1. I used to watch a lot of shows on VH1, but it's a network that I've apparently aged out of- or something. I watch just about anything/everything on Bravo. Kathy Griffin- I adore her! Top Chef (kind of boring this season) but I've learned a lot from. I also finally committed to watching/trying "Flipping Out" and "The Rachel Zoe Project". Mommy Esq loves crazy, anal Jeff Lewis. I have to admit, I kind of love him now too. Some of his befavior has to be an act. Although on the flip side, I now see what some of my rigid/spectrumy kids will grow up to be. I'm puzzled by the fact that he has pets. I think I'll stick longer with Jeff then with Rachel. Her teeny tiny frame, and old looking face are kind of tough to look at. She seems like a genuine person, needy al beit, but nice. Seriously though, her health issues- her headaches, etc and she can't figure out what the problem is, "stress" apparently. Rachel, if you can't eat anything more than soup and always have headaches, you have a MAJOR eating disorder. Get yourself some help, stat!

3. Tzatziki- Whole Foods got me one day with their free sample tub and some pita chips that they left out right in my view at the store. I definitely enjoy different aspects of Middle Eastern Food- falafel, yum. I will eat this creamy, Greek yogurt with garlic and cucumber, on anything it seems. One of my favorite things to eat it on right now are.....

4. Olive Chips- these chips are not cheap, but their packaging makes me think they are practically a "health food". They are marketed as tortilla chips/crackers that are made with Black, Green, Kalamata olives, garlic and sea salt. Usually I pick olives out of everything, but recently I ate a few that were in something. And....they weren't too bad.....do I actually like olives? Oh my god, am I officially a Jenkin?

I wonder how long my obsession with these things will last, especially the food. Do you ever find something that you like, and then you basically OD on it, or is it just me?

Quick update

I have about five separate blog post ideas in the works, but first a quick update.

The Job- I finally snapped myself out of a bit of a funk on Wednesday and went outlet shopping with my mom and Amy. When I got home there was a message from the Superintendent's Office- No Grant. So at least the wait is finally over and I can move forward with getting ready to teach fifth grade again (i.e. spending oodles of money I don't currently have on books and supplies). Thanks for all your support!

Food- Still trying, some days are better than others. I'm shocked when I use my ITouch and look up some food when I'm out- yikes! I'm trying to get to the gym. If I don't go now, I know I will never get back into the groove once school starts. My gym is a pretty friendly place and a woman who I know casually (i.e. i have no idea what her name is) was saying today was her fourth day in a row getting to the gym, and the rest of us bemoaned that we've been unmotivated too. But it inspired me- so I went today, and I'm going tomorrow and I'm going to try for some days in a row too!

More commentary on a lot of reality tv to follow!

An apple a day.....

I'm having some issues with food. I don't know too many adult women who don't wish something different about their body, especially their weight.


Since I've had too much time on my hands this summer (see previous post about Job agony). Stacey hit it on the nail when she said job agony= life agony! I seem to be encountering news about "health" and "weight" every where I turn which is forcing me to come to terms with my reality.



I've known for a long time that I fall in to the "apple" category and not the "pear" category. It was solidified for me today when listening to that show "The Doctors". They showed two women's bodies; the pear woman carried her weight around her hips, butt, and thighs, the apple lady carried all her weight in her stomach. They asked which body shape was healthier- and yes it was the pear. They talked about BMI- and any BMI above 25 is considered overweight. I am hovering right around 28 right now. What's deceiving about BMIs is that its based on your weight and height, but it doesn't take into consideration your amount of muscle. A couple years ago (when I probably weighed five pounds less) I had a good go-around with my doctor telling her that I was healthier if my BMI was slightly above the magic 25 number because I lifted a lot and had a lot of muscle. One of the "doctors" mentioned that specifically today. So, okay if my BMI is a little high and I have a lot of muscle that's ok. But I know I'm overweight.

I put on between 3-5 lbs every year. I can't keep doing this.

Everything about being an apple is bad, bad, bad. Carrying all your weight around your middle leads to like everything bad imaginable.

Now the other problem is that I know I am fighting genetics. Remember my trip to the beach with my mom and sister, well seeing them in bathing suits is just a reminder that we are all "apples". My sister and I have rolls in the exact same places. My stomach has always been my "problem" area. I can remember all the way back to high school and early college when I was till pretty thin, that I never had washboard abs. Both my siblings have have issues with High Triglycerides, my brother is pre diabetic, and my sister just went on meds for high blood pressure. Probably at least in part to the fact that we are all apples.

I'm suddenly freaked

I've started tracking my calories on my Itouch. This has been very eye opening. It allows me to search restaurants and I'm pretty horrified to find out how many calories are in many things. Case in point- Panera. I'm a Panera junky, plain and simple. I usually eat their at least once a week. One of my favorite things to eat- a simple tuna fish sandwich. Guess how many calories in the tuna sandwich? 720.....720!!!! I'll be sticking with the half size choice when I eventually return there. (Seriously for the amount of time I spent there I'm surprised they haven't put out an A.P.B. looking for me!)

When I can follow a really strict plan, and basically always eat at home, I do ok. When I have to go out, it all falls apart. I have such issues with will power. It's the late at night that kills me. I have to turn often to gum to get me through the witching hours where for no reason I start to eat a whole box of croutons!

I've been avoiding going to the doctor, which isn't usually like me. I keep telling myself I want to lose some weight before I go so I don't get a lecture- but who am I kidding. I should just accept my fate and take my scolding. And if I get blood work done and I am meant to suffer the fates of my siblings maybe the truth of that will finally be the real wake-up call!

"The Job"

Did you ever get sick of talking about something? That's how I feel currently about the state of my "new" job.

Many of you are my real life/facebook friends so you were privy to the exciting news back in MARCH that I had applied for and got a new position. This position would be as the Project Director of a Federal Teaching American History Grant. I basically would be in charge of the programming to help improve the content knowledge of teachers of American History in Grades 3-5. As I was a History major in college, I am kind of an anomaly in the elementary school world. I never thought this awesome opportunity would pop up for me.

I was hesitant to apply initially for a bunch of reasons. I wasn't sure I was ready to leave the classroom for three years. Yes, it's a three year gig. I love teaching because I love the kids and this would be a lot of paper pushing, phone call making, etc. This past school year proved to be kind of tough, and since it was my tenth year teaching I thought maybe it was time for a change. By far the biggest reason I was unsure about the job was just that- the uncertainty of it. The grant application was due in March and I knew best case scenario we would hear by the beginning of June. Worst case scenario, it would be more like mid July. My district had previously applied for, and received, these million dollar grants two times. The one we have currently is more high school focused.

You see in my world the fourth graders learn that I'm their teacher at the end of the school year. Not to toot my horn or anything, I'm kind of a celebrity to these fourth graders after ten years. I've had everyone's siblings, I'm very friendly and know lots of their names and say hello to them around the building. The fourth graders start their "campaigning" for me usually at the end of May. (They have no say in anything, but it's pretty funny to see them try to get my attention and one's who have never spoken to me suddenly know my name.) I was not excited about the idea of lying to the kids that I would be their teacher, and then they would get a letter in the summer saying never mind. I was also not sure what parent reaction would be. Everything actually went fine, and several parents I knew told me how excited they were for me to have this opportunity. When the job came through, one of my teammates would take my job (we were four classrooms this year, but three next year). And if no job, that teammate will teach fourth grade. Are you seeing how complicated this is?

When I was away in early June, I got an email that the decision would hopefully come through around July 10th (which was weirdly a Saturday, but whatever). Ok- and the following week would be the 15th so mid July right? July 14th comes- new email from "insiders" who say now it's the end of July. Ugh....ok. One week after that, another email- beginning of August. Now all those involved, the grant writer, other director, etc say this is so strange, can't believe it. No, this is just What the Helen.....

So it's July 26th- and I'm still waiting. I really thought my summer would start when I knew which job I would be doing. Now I just kind of feel like my summer is gone and I've spent it with a knot in my stomach:( I honestly don't care which way it goes anymore, I just need to know! My teammate deserves to know what grade she's teaching, my students deserve to know who will be their teacher and someone might need to be hired at the last minute and that never works well!

So please cross your fingers for me that this is all resolved soon because I can't take too much more of this!

Conversations heard at the beach

My lazy, crazy summer continues. I owe you all a post of the misery that is the status of my supposed fancy new job- but do you ever find that you just don't want to talk about something anymore (or definitely type out all of your mixed up feelings about it!). But I promise that will be the topic that is conquered soon.

First a trip to the beach.....

I'm not a huge beach goer. I'm not really a sun worshipper (although I have found more enjoyment over the last few years) and this isn't that surprising if you know me well enough to know the fairness of my skin, and my propensity to burn:( I loved the beach as a kid, what kid doesn't, right. I live moderately close to beaches- 45 minutes or so. I hate packing up all the gear that you will need, I hate sitting in traffic, I hate sand in your shoes or stuck all over your body. I especially hate having black blotchy marks all over my hands and legs courtesy of deadly combination of sun tan lotion and an US Weekly. (does this happen to anyone else?)

My family are big beach goers, especially my mom and my sister. In the summer, my sister and I look like we could be two different races based on the level of our tans. I always attribute the others love for the beach over mine due to how our childhood summers were spent. You see, in my family we measure time BH or AH; Before Helen and After Helen. I am the much youngest in my family and in some ways my siblings had very different experiences then I did. My grandfather owned a chain of Five and Dime stores, and the last one that they owned was at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. My parents would spend every summer living there with my grandmother, working at the store and my siblings frolicked on the beach. The store was sold the summer before I was born. As a kid, I spent every day (of the week) at day camp in the local state forest. Spending every summer from age 5-18, then 20-23 at this camp made a big impact on my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. My beach experiences were contained to weekend jaunts an occasional rental cottage.

Needless to say, my mom and sister love to go off to the beach and I am always welcome. I'm not usually interested for many of the reasons that I listed above. This past week I decided to make my once a summer pilgrimage with them. All of the things listed above happened and it was also a pretty windy/cloudy day.

We ended up sitting fairly close to some others who were behind us. Two loud mouthed blonds....very quickly I ascertained at least one was a teacher. Ahh....my people, but by what she was saying she's the kind who gives the rest of us a bad name. Now, I admit I really enjoy listening to other people's conversations (beware if you're around me), but these two gave you no choice but to listen. My sister and I rolled our eyes at each other many times. They were reading and discussing all sorts of pop culture information, which ordinarily I would have been fine with but their People magazines were months old- not acceptable.

A great discussion ensued about the Sandra Bullock cover with her new cherub Louis. One of the ladies asked the other, "what country did she adopt him from?". I'm not kidding- I almost fell out of my chair. Louisiana is a lovely country....

Now there is a punch line to the story- email me or Facebook if you want to hear it!