Sunday, September 27, 2009

One Week Later...

I concentrated on vocal rest this week. Not bad. Only spoke to the chosen few. I'm getting really good at deciding who is "speech worthy". I did rather well with the whole thing. The kids are fabulous(school kids). My own personal kids are still testing the waters. Oh well. The only bad part to the week was a mishap while consuming my usual gallons of water each day. It just went down the wrong way and I had a major coughing fit. Tears rolled down my cheeks and the kids kept asking, "Are you ok Ms. Bilyo". The hang on 1 sec hand motion meant nothing to them. I went to the hallway to recover. After that my throat hurt for a couple days. YIKES! Note to self...don't cough unless you really, really have to.

For the most part, life is really good and I am enjoying the ride right now. That's all I can do. I start teaching Kindergarten Religious Education on Tuesday(no snickers, apparently they are letting anyone teach religion these days). We shall see how that factors into my vocal cord irritation.

Mel out!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Social Speaking 101 (review class required)

Enjoyed my first Pub Crawl. Yep, good time. We drank, we talked, we laughed, we danced and of course...we sang. I did everything I'm not supposed to do. Well the dancing was ok but with dancing comes singing...no, no, no. Can I help it that it was a cover band and I knew every song? Could I help it that we knew one of the wives and they requested Bon Jovi just for me? Can I help it that it was a beautiful day with really fun girlies to hang with? I know, I know self control is an issue here. Story of my life! The bars were loud(not supposed to talk "over" anyone etc). The band was loud too. The girls were hysterical and I just plain love to talk. Also, this was the first full week of school and I had curriculum night. I already had a few extra hours of talking on the record books.

I have learned my lesson though. Jake called me at 8:30 AM(Geesh kid, ever sleep in?) He just wanted to chat. My voice was strained and he felt bad keeping me on the phone. It was my choice to abuse my voice, he shouldn't have to pay for it. I need to save my voice for those who are important to me. I guess you will know if you are one of the chosen few if I return the banter. (Hee, hee!) So back to the recommendations for vocal rest this week. I have already begun today with a few hours of silence and some nice warm tea. Thank goodness for txt messaging.

Mel out!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Pbbbbttttthhhh Sarah!

So Sarah thinks I need to change the blog title. I suggested Big Mouth Bilyo is back. I didn't like that, however. For now what you see is what you get. Suggestions from the peanut gallery are always welcome. The kids are doing great with the routines etc. My throat is a little sore today and I have curriculum night tomorrow so stay tuned. And keep your fingers crossed. I just hope noone falls asleep. True story, someone did one year.

Mel out!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Monday's are tough!

Especially sunny Mondays. I didn't want to go to work this morning, just had a lovely weekend. I had lots of vocal rest...ok, ok I lie! I'm a fraud. Whatever! I did rest a bit. I didn't sing while I cleaned the house, just danced. I didn't use my voice at all while playing Go Fish with the boys for almost and hour. I didn't shout at the soccer game, nope not once. When I took the boys to Wickham Farms for Putt Putt and the bouncy pillow(I don't recommend for women with after children bouncing issues) I used my whistle to get their attention. I didn't care that the other parents thought I was a freak, I didn't care that they thought I was the father in the Sound of Music before he became all mushy for Fräulein Maria. Didn't care. It worked, I blew, they froze and looked at me. Ya do what ya gotta do my friends.

I only had 15 children today, 2 out sick and one...well...I think in Russia, not really sure. We had a fire drill and they responded like good little Pavlovian puppies. I was so proud. They followed every hand gesture and every mouthed word. They will know how to read lips very well after being with me. Parents all over Webster will despise me. I rewarded them with a danceparty where the boys taught me some "cool moves". They are some serious party animals. I love 'em. I do. Gonna be a good year. Aaaaahhhhhhhh can't wait.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Rock Star!

I felt like a rock star today...well, I guess I imagine I felt the same rush as a rock star. Stood in the hallway at "my post" like I have done every day of school for the past 14 years and accepted every hug and high five I could possibly muster without hurting someone. I love my job! Where else can you get that much sincere lovin'.

I had cried all the way to work thinking about my boys entering their new situations(middle school and kindergarten). I felt old, like time had passed so quickly and I worried. I worried Jake wouldn't find his classes or have any buddies in them. I worried that Cody would be too scared(he kept saying he was nervous) and cry at school-I hate when they cry at school, breaks your heart. So I needed all the lovin' I could get and boy did they bring it! Upon walking in to the cafeteria I had shouts from all corners and kids risking breaking the rules to rush me for a squeeze. Lots of the kids even remembered that I had surgery over the summer. They asked about my voice and if the students were being good. Man, I love those kiddos.

My plan went well and because I have so many students from the first grade next to me now in my second grade class I had them do the explaining for me. It was perfect. (I'm knocking on wood right now-can't hurt). The students were attentive, fun, engaged---maybe they were scared or tired. You can never really tell the first day. I will keep y'all posted. Right now I am riding high on SUCCESS. I'll take it and I will see what tomorrow brings.

Best part about today...I was able to have dinnertime conversation with the boys about their first day of school and Jake even said, "Hey mom your voice sounds great, didn't you have to talk a lot today?" And my throat is not sore at all. I am grinning like a goofy kid tonight.

"Go Melissa, it's yo birthday, go and party like it's yo birthday" I know HK is singing anyone else?

Mel out!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Night Before School Jitters

Yep...I got 'em. I know, those of you who know me well are yelling at your computers "bologna, never been nervous in her life" Well, you are wrong. I always get a little jumpy the night before. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

I LOVE the first day of school, always have. I remember getting all dressed up for kindergarten(even though I fought my mom, cuz I didn't want to wear a dress-"boys don't have to wear dresses") The sassy Dorothy Hamill haircut in the 5th grade. I remember the scratchy polyester herringbone uniform from Junior High. And the freedom of walking into High School, knowing I chose to go to EFA rather than Notre Dame(no more Catholic School for this chick!)

It's no different now, I love the new school supplies and the fact that you get a "do over" each year. Fresh start, fresh faces. The chance to make a difference or have one made in your life. I LOVE IT.

But tonight...I'm apprehensive. Change is entering my workplace. Some change is good, lots of change I am not too sure about. We shall see. The boys are both in different settings(Cody in Kindergarten and Jake at a middle school where he knows kids but all his best buds are elsewhere). Stress effects my vocal cords sooooo I'm trying not to stress out about it. Just let it all work itself out.

I have a great plan in place for mission "reduce verbalization". Stop laughing...it could happen. Geez, I love to talk. I do. And read out loud and really ham it up for the kids, and you guys too.(my two readers) I am hopeful, optimistic and energized. Good things are on the way, you will see and I am going to tackle this like everything else in my life. Jump in with both feet and hang on for a wild ride. Join me won't you?

Mel out!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Ok...so I may have panicked. I can soooo do this!

Went to school today for the final, yes I say FINAL time before Tuesday. If it isn't ready the 7 year olds won't even know right? Right. But I did make a pretty good plan of action for the pantomime routine that will be my teaching style from now on. Granted I can talk I just have to cut back on the talking, the volume has to come down and I can't animate it as much as with growling, clearing-you know the fun stuff the kids love when you read to them out loud. Oh well. I will adjust and the kids will do the animation for me.

I found these great signs that say everything I need. Sit down. Raise your hand. Clean up. Line up quietly etc. I will flag those babies around every chance I get. The first day of school I will just lay it on the line...this is how it is I do not repeat and that is that. I have my microphone still and it has an extra so I will let the kids use the microphone to repeat the directions so I don't have to and anything that has to be read aloud, they can do that too. They love to use microphones. They will be "kid coaches" or my "co -teachers" or something like that I can not think of anything really catchy this late.

I will use the time at lunch, specials, recess, before and after school for vocal rest. Keep quiet in the hall when walking with the kids. Continue the water hydration and stay out of loud situations on the weekends when I am being social. No yelling at sporting events, do not talk over people in loud rooms like restaurants etc. Then maybe I can save my voice for singing a bit. I do miss it.

I can totally do this. Piece of cake. Well.....I will try anyhow. Never been really good at keeping quiet. But I don't have to anymore I just have to make some adjustments and stick to them. I got this. You'll see.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

She's baaaack!

Sooooo.... It's not going as well as I had hoped. Therefore I have decided to return to the blog. I have very little voice stamina and it is still painful to speak. Is this some cruel joke? Payback for something I have done in my life? Maybe. I am using all of the vocal hygiene guidelines- staying hydrated, not whispering, not yelling(well...do you know me? Do you know my kids? Do you know how I feel about dealing with incompetent individuals?) All I know is school starts next week and I can't even make it a couple of hours with social conversation or with my own two children without having pain, strain and exhaustion. I'm in trouble, I think. I do have some stress in my life still and I carry that stress in my neck and throat. Imagine feeling like someone has his hand clasped around your throat at all times. That is exactly how it feels all the time. I can't wear a crew neck t-shirt or a necklace. Anything against my neck drives me crazy. It is very frustrating. I have no idea how I will make it through the first week of school. You have to talk soooooo much the first few days. After that I will be able to work some routines that will allow me to use signals etc. but the first few days that is almost impossible. Harumph! The Doc doesn't want to see me until Oct. YIKES!