Chicago Recycling

In case you haven't seen this. Because I hadn't, until very recently.

We Wait

Acceptance letters for Chicago Public high schools mail on February 19th.

And it actually feels good to just wait. In other words, to not have to do something. No more weekend open houses, no more interviews, essays, applications, and math problems! (see below).

You can get a glimpse into my world of late, if you so choose. Here's a little math problem that was handed out to all the students (and parents) at one of the last high school open houses we attended:

"What is the least possible positive difference between two three-digit numbers which together use the digits 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9?"

Good luck! I will post the answer.

Simple Pleasure

For some reason, I spent a lot of my free time this January immersed in two Scandinavian books.

One was Swedish author Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I listened to the recorded version during my commute, and Simon Vance's reading made that time pass quickly and enjoyably. (Better than the news!) The book is mostly plot and a little-over-the-top, but much fun.

The other book was Norwegian author Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses. This I read in large chunks, early on two weekend mornings before my family woke up. The beauty of this book, and its ease in transporting me to another time and place, made me remember the way I used to read, in my youth. I spent hours reading long novels in my father's hammock on summer afternoons. I ignored bedtime and stayed up reading long after my brothers and sisters and parents went to bed.

It's been a long, long time since a book had that kind of pull on me.

Random Thought

Our daughter's outing to Harold Washington Library to do research for History Fair was uneventful. She came back with some books. Last time around, she came back with this story.

And as things turn out, our little warrior is testing for her black belt in Taekwondo in a few weeks.

And Finally - the Worst Field Trip Ever

Going to Lane Tech to see High School Musical.

I'm sorry, that's not good enough. I can't think of an eighth grader who's interested in High School Musical (and I know a lot of eighth graders).

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for going to see high school theater productions and supporting high school theater programs. But this show seems like something a family can go see on their own time.

If I was a 14-year-old, I would interpret this as punishment.

Other Good Teaching

I must say the eighth grade teachers are on the ball this year.

Our daughter said to us last night, "I passed my midterm...and I get to make sushi!" Huh? Apparently, her math teacher promised that interesting prize to anyone scoring 86% or higher.

(I wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall for that one, though.)

Best Homework Ever

"Create 10 Shakespearean insults for tomorrow's insult battle."

Oh, to be a fly on the wall. (But I'm sure our daughter will provide us with an unforgettable play-by-play.)