Spring Break Blues

I got my first official wedding present today. Actually apparently the psycho upstairs neighbors got my first official wedding present. They left it in the storeroom outside of our back door. Getting a "first official wedding present" was almost worth Mikes waking me up at 7:00 this morning when he discovered it there. Almost. I mean, it's friggin' SPRING BREAK. Hello? Does sleep ring a bell?

Speaking of weddings...mine is less than a month away. More like three weeks and two days...and I think I may be a little stressed. WE may be a little stressed. Tempers are short and even the cats are on edge around here. We have to make an effort to remember that we're stressed out and that we can't yell at each other about little stuff just because we're stressed. For example, the other day, Mike was pre-boarding us for our honeymoon and I was sitting on the couch grading papers or something and we had an argument because I had registered under Lucinda Harris which would no longer be my legal name. Silly things.

It is indeed my spring break and I am spending it working. Unfortunately, my spring break also is the "Between quarters" break. So I have to have three new syllabi prepared and chapters read in three different textbooks before Monday. I got sorta bullied into teaching a class I wasn't really interested in. They cancelled my speech class which dropped me from three down to two classes. This wasn't really a problem, though, because they had a Latin American Literature class still available and I emailed saying I'd take that class provided it would work with my schedule. The class scheduler emailed me back and said they had a class called "East-West Signature" that was about to become open. The class is required of all students before they can graduate and the current session was completely full and they still had people who needed to register so they were going to open a second section of the class. I emailed back and said I'd really rather have the literature class. She emailed back and said that the director of the department had recommended me for the signature class. Translation: Signature course, here I come. The problem is, the head of the department has recently found out that I have a Liberal Studies degree rather than simply an English degree. True, a majority of my classes were literature and English classes but I am fully qualified to teach theology and humanities as well. The signature course is a higher level course, so I suppose I should be flattered that they offered it to me. I'm not. It entails me reading a book called, "Guns, Germs and Steel" by a guy named Jared Diamond. I had to laugh because this is a book we already have a copy of. Mike bought this book for his own pleasure reading. At first I wasn't dreading this so much because Mike had the book and I thought, "No problem. Mike can help me get through the book and understand it blah, blah, blah." Then I suggested Mike go through the book and familiarize himself with everything and finish reading it. When he said, "I've tried...like...three times to read that book"....my heart sank. I'm going to be going through a book that my educated, brilliant boyfriend can not finish....with Chicago's inner city youth. Oh yeah. This'll be great. Good times.

School has been stressing me out anyways. Thankfully, the quarter finished up last week. I turned grades in and started working on getting materials gathered for this quarter. I sat down to add a "few details" to my syllabus and have written what is well on it's way to being a multi-paged manifesto. I'm going to have to do a little trimming on it. It's good therapy but I'm fairly certain that administration would not approve of me starting it with the words "I swear to God I will fail your ass if..." It's really sad that I have to put some of this stuff down on paper - it should be common sense. For instance, "it is not ok to come to class 45 minutes late, sign the attendance sheet and then leave." and my personal favorite, "between the hours of midnight and 6am, calling my home phone is off limits."

Next time I promise to blog about Mike's "bachelor" party with his co-workers. It was a riot. It's a story that involves handcuffs, a feather boa, many many drinks and a cake shaped like breasts.

It's true...

It's true...all the pretty girls want to kiss Mike. Should I be jealous?

Future father of the year?

Last weekend, Mike and I had brunch with Siobhan and her daughter, Laiba. Laiba is about four months old now and quite a smiley baby she is. I spent a fair portion of the meal holding her and asking Mike, "Wanna hold the baby, Mikes?" He, on the other hand, spent his time laughing nervously and saying, "Heh...That's ok." Halfway through the meal, Siobhan took Laiba and fed her. Apparently she got too much milk because shortly after they returned to the table, Laiba "urped" and spit up a little bit. Now I do not have children of my own but I've been around one or two. My nephew used to get nauseated whenever I picked him up. No sooner would I pick him up than he'd be tossing his cookies all over my shirt. While Siobhan cleaned up her shirt and wiped the baby's mouth with a napkin, I peeked over at Mike. I could literally read the thoughts crossing his mind from the look on his face. I just KNEW he was thinking, "Oh my God...is she touching that with her bare hand? Oh that is just GROSS!" I laughed and told Siobhan that I should have made him hold her before because there was no way he would pick her up now. It turns out I was wrong. He did pick her up. I was holding her when it came time to leave and I made him hold her while I slid out of the booth and stood up. THIS was the best part of the whole day. He took her and held her out as FAR away from his body as he could get as if she was filled with dynamite. I can only hope that any kids we have are born about 3 years old. No fuss, litter muss....otherwise I may be on my own.

Bring back that blogging feeling

I don't really have anything witty for you at this time. Cindi says that I'm lazy for not blogging recently, but I'm all about having a topic.

Tomorrow night my co-workers are throwing me a pre-wedding party at a restaurant. It was supposed to be a Bachelor-type party but seeing that I work with nearly all women, that wouldn't quite be right. I'm not sure what will be in store exactly. Hopefully Cindi will be coming with me.

Friday is my birthday. I'll be celebrating by not eating meat. Whaa!

Saturday morning I will be attempting to get tickets for the greatest rock band in the free and non-free world, Pearl Jam. Having 2 shows in Chicago is awful tempting. Oh yeah, I gotta work for a few hours too. Whaa!

My birthday dinner will be post-poned until Saturday night when I can properly enjoy myself while consuming meat. I think we'll be going to Club Lucky, an Italian joint in nearby Bucktown.

I haven't heard anything yet from the Cook County job as far as a second interview. I hope to hear something soon about the two openings for the City of Chicago Health Dept.

Just an observation...

Am I intimidating? I've never really thought so but I suppose I am my mom's daughter. Ask anyone at the hospital where she works and they'll tell you that when they started (and almost all of them have been there less time than she has because she's been there next to FOREVER) and they'll tell you that they were scared of her for a few weeks. (Yeah, mom, I know..."Well, I don't know WHY. Do I seem that scary to you?") To which I can respond that Mike was, indeed, a bit terrified of her at first, too. Poor Mike kinda got ambushed by my family from the get-go. There had been some talk about Mike's...err...family background before he came to visit at my parents' house the first time. My brothers especially were curious as to whether Kurczewski was a Polish last name. At that time I had no idea exactly what his ethnic origins consisted of and I told my brothers he was probably part Czech or something. The LAST thing I wanted was them thinking they were cute telling Pollock jokes to him. Then the first night he met my family, we were playing trivial pursuit and my little brother, Matt, decided there was one way to find out exactly what his background was. He turns and says, "So, Mike...how many Pollocks does it take to..." I. Was. Mortified. I stared him down and mouthed, "Shut the hell up!" which naturally only encouraged him more. He said, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? YOU said he was Czech." Thank goodness Mike has a sense of humor. I don't have a point here...just an observation.

I must go get ready for the brunch we are having with my friend, Siobhan. I'm going to make Mike write something soon. He's so lazy!

May the road rise up to meet you...

Is a birthday really a birthday when you sit at home doing nothing? Well, yeah, of course it is. Man, I'm so bored! Have you ever seen that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer is alone all day in Jerry's apartment? That's what it's been like on Dickens Ave. today. Mike had to work today and with all the stuff going on at his job, I didn't push for him to take the day off. I've done laundry, watched two movies, read two books, watched Judge Mathis, played with the cats, written in my journal, taken a bath AND a shower, checked my email compulsively about 40 times, played Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City and nearly had a fist fight with Furio. The thing I haven't done is pull out all the grading I need to do. It's my birthday! No way am I grading essays.

Mike actually took me out for my birthday yesterday. We went for a very nice birthday dinner at the Outback and then he took me to the book store. Perhaps you didn't understand. Mike Kurczewski VOLUNTARILY TOOK ME TO BORDERS. When he suggested the trip while we were eating I nearly choked. Then I looked at him suspiciously and thought to myself, "Oh, hell. He's either losing his job, terminally ill or about to break up with me." Yes, I know - he's a nice man who does sweet things for me all the time. But we're talking bookstore. When he told me my limit was "no more than FOUR books," I was like "Who are you and where's the real Mike? You aliens think you can fool me with this pod people version of my boyfriend but I'm WAY too smart for you." I'm still waiting for him to peel his face off and reveal his true identity. I'll let you know...

We're going to a hockey game tonight. Go Blackhawks! They're giving away green Blackhawks hats and I must possess one. I must.

Mike "accidentally" woke me up too early today. His excuse was, "Oh yeah. I forgot you don't have to work today." Yeah. He just wanted a chance to do his usual...."How old are you? 29. How old am I? Oh, yeah....still only 28." That's is SO not amusing any more. It was cute when we were 22, 23, 24...but as I age, I appreciate it far less.

Oh! Mike got home early. I suppose I should go change out of my pajamas so we can get go to the hockey game. Yeah, that's right...It's 4pm and I'm still in my pajamas. Big whoop...wanna fight about it? Anywho, I'm off. I'll try and update more later.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I solemnly swear that the testimony I am about to give...

To: Administration
CC: Dr. G., Dr. P., R.B. (Head of Security)
From: Me
Re: The incidents of 02-22-06 in the English tutoring office
Date: March 1, 2006


The Incidents of February 22

Student M approached English tutor, Ms. O at approximately 10:30 on the morning of February 22, 2006. Ms. O was tutoring that day and stationed at the front desk. I was not currently on the clock as a tutor but was sitting at the rear desk preparing for my classes. His manner was rather short and I remember this specifically because I thought that he addressed Ms. O in a rude style. Ms. O requested that he make the corrections suggested by his teacher and bring back a clean copy of his paper to her for further revisions. She attempted to explain to him the benefit of this method. He refused and insisted that she look at the paper as it was. While he was speaking to her, his voice was raised in volume and he continued to speak to Ms. O in an inappropriate manner. I came from my cubicle and, in an attempt to defuse the situation, advised Ms. O to go ahead and work with the paper in hand. At that time, I informed Student M that we were here to help him and that he was being hardheaded. I returned to my station and heard Student M tell Ms. O to give him his “shit” back. He left the office without further interaction. A few moments after he removed himself, Dr. G entered the office to speak with me regarding another matter. I advised Dr. G of the situation and the actions of both myself and Student M.

Approximately 15-25 minutes later, Student M returned to the office with a revised, clean copy of his essay. His manner was rigid but no longer as rude and angry as he had been previously. Ms. O and I worked with him for approximately two and a half to three hours, concluding at nearly two p.m. During this time, Student M made several remarks indicating that his teacher was not grading him fairly but was not discourteous to Ms. O or myself. I suggested that he speak with his teacher but he said that he felt he could not speak to her and that when he tried, she would “blow him off.” I informed him that, were he unhappy with his grade, he could appeal his class grade or ask to have his papers reviewed by Dr. G. He left our interaction on almost pleasant terms, thanked me for my help and advised us that he would return after making revisions to have his paper looked over again.

Student M did indeed return to the office. I entered the office at approximately four p.m. and he was working with Ms. O.H. (a different O. than before) on his paper. I spoke with him briefly and he asked me if Dr. G was in his office. I stated that it was my belief Dr. G would be gone because of the lateness of the hour and that he should wait to see what his grade was before speaking with him. Student M stated that he could/would not wait because he could not afford to fail the class. At this point his manner was tense but our interaction was quite civil. I walked Student M upstairs to show him where Dr. G’s office was located. It happened that Dr. G was in his office speaking with Ms. L. Despite the fact that Dr. G was obviously meeting with someone, he threw himself dramatically against the door and said, “Dr. G, I need your help!” He then opened the door and asked if Dr. G had time to meet with him. Dr. G advised him that he was meeting with Ms. L and then he would be leaving for the day. Student M asked if he could give Dr. G something to read at home that evening. Dr. G replied that he could and Student M left to collect his papers from downstairs. I spoke to Dr. G for a few moments and returned downstairs in time to see Student M leaving with his papers. At this time he shook my hand and thanked me for all of my help.

I sat down and began working again. A few minutes later, Ms. L came into the office and informed us that Student M had come into Dr. G’s office and insisted that Dr. G read his papers rather than taking them home with him. Approximately 15-20 minutes after Ms. L arrived in the office, Student M came through the door. At this point, I was standing in the middle of the office between the front and rear desks. Student M entered the office and immediately headed in my direction. He walked toward me and put his finger in the vicinity of my face stating that Dr. G had refused to read his paper and that it was my fault because I had unfairly prejudiced Dr. G against him by informing him of our conflict earlier that morning. He went on to say, still with his finger in my face, that I had provoked him by calling him “hardheaded.” At this point, Ms. L became involved in the conversation. I believe her intervention came both as a desire to speak on my behalf and as a result of her frustrations due to him interrupting her meeting with Dr. G. The situation quickly escalated as both parties raised their voices. Student M became increasingly aggressive, at one point making a fist and slapping it against his palm in Ms. L’s direction. At this point, I took Ms. L with me to speak with Dr. G. I wanted to inquire as to Dr. G’s reasons for, as Student M had stated to us, refusing to even read his paper. I took Ms. L with me in an attempt to separate them and defuse the situation.

When we arrived at Dr. G’s office, he was putting on his coat. I inquired as to what had transpired between the two gentlemen. Dr. G asked if he was still in the office. I informed Dr. G he was currently in the office working with Ms. O.H. Ms. L and I followed him down to the tutoring office. I was in the hall and did not visually see anything that transpired inside of the office. I heard Dr. G ask Student M if he was in the office bothering the tutoring staff. I heard no response and I did not see if Student M responded in any way with his body language. I then heard Dr. G state that he was going to contact security. Dr. G then left the office and headed down the stairs. I entered the office and sat down. Ms. L came to stand in the doorway but did not speak. Student M turned in Ms. L’s direction and said, “You trick ass bitch!” Ms. L angrily replied that he could not speak to her in that manner. He put his finger in her face and replied that he had “already stepped in some shit” and that he would “do whatever he pleased now.” Ms. L repeatedly told Student M to remove his hand from her face and advised him she would call security who would “have him out of here in under two minutes.” Student M refused to remove his hand and told her that she “thinks she has so much pull around here” but that she “wasn’t shit.” Ms. L left to get security and Student M followed her out of the office. During this last interaction between Ms. L and Student M he was not aggressive towards myself, although I find his behavior toward Ms. L to be inappropriate and quite aggressive. I was later told by Ms. L. that Student M had threatened the tutoring staff and herself by stating that, "He was going to jail tonight" because he intended to "beat someone's ass" and that we "had better watch our asses" when leaving campus at night.

I feel that disciplinary action is required in the case of Student M. Threats, whether stated or implied, should not be tolerated by {name of the school for which I work} . I am willing to testify in any hearing held by the administration. Thank you.

LLH

Return of the Living Unwed

I know, I know. Mike and I have been absolutely horrid about posting lately but you would not believe the crap that has been going on. Between the two of us we have suffered through job interviews, a coup d'etat at work, wedding dress fittings, bridesmaid dress issues, hotel reservation issues, unexpected wedding expenses, unexpected car expenses, wedding hair stylist issues, general financial bugaboos and an incident in which I was threatened by a student. Stay tuned for a proper update soon. I promise!