After writing my Tru recap last night, it was 8:15 p.m.
And I went to bed.
The stress of switching from camp to school always gets to me for some reason and I become an anxious mess, or “mood ball” as my mom used to say. Everything was making me cry, and just the upload speed of my post last night made me far too annoyed for any normal night.
Adam reminded me that EVERY year, the night before the kids come to school, I’m a moody mess because of the same reasons that the students are:
“What if they don’t like me?”
“What if I can’t find something to wear?”
“What if the kids are mean?”
And then I remember:
- This is NOT my first year teaching. It’s my 7th.
- It’s ok if the kids don’t like me, possibly even preferable.
- I have plenty of work clothes that feel binding after the whole summer of yoga pants and tank tops, but that doesn’t mean they don’t fit.
- I’m good at my job. No need to worry!
So I went to bed at 8:15 and was dead asleep by 9 p.m. I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to face the first half-day with students. The day went by quickly, and I spent my lunch hour (it’s the ONLY student day where we get a full hour) eating Chinese food leftovers and reading blogs. It was nice to actually have time to comment! (Some of your blogs, by the way, are blocked on my school’s server, so I read on Google Reader but can’t comment!)
Back to my point: I was reading blogs, and came across a fantastic post by Joe & Betsy. The lovely Miss Betsy made a pesto using minimal nuts and oil and was bulked up with (get this) steamed broccoli! At that point, all I could think about was making this with some high fiber whole wheat pasta and diced chicken for dinner tonight. I was so glad it made so much because now I have some to freeze and eat later!
The recipe was simple:
2 – 3 cups steamed broccoli (I didn’t measure)
1/4 C fresh basil leaves
2 cloves of garlic
small handful of walnuts
1/2 C Parmesan flakes
Combine all of these ingredients in a food processor, then drizzle in…
1/2 C olive oil (good quality) – this may vary depending on how much you steam your broccoli
Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
It turned a lovely creamy green, and I mixed it with some Amish Naturals fiber rich pasta that I found in the organic aisle at the grocery store as well as some diced and sauteed chicken. The result? AMAZING!
Yum! I’m going to have to try this!
My favorite teacher was my 12th grade British Lit teacher. He gave us all a ton of work and really hard tests, but the lectures were worth it. He would make the history behind the literature seem so alive! He also made a really great Macbeth…
[Click to reply]
miss ifollo, 1st grade. taught me about art and origami.
and my hs theatre teacher, mr. claudon.
[Click to reply]
Oooo that does sound awesome! Ugh I love broccoli – in any way shape or form, so this sounds right up my ally
My cooking teacher (go figure) in highschool was my absolute favorite. She treated us like adults instead of students, and I always appreciated that!
[Click to reply]
Yay I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for the shout out
Betsy´s last blog ..Broccoli Pesto & The Apricot Debate
[Click to reply]
Mrs. Menges. 2nd grade. She.was.awesome. Very creative and empowering for us little kids.
Erin´s last blog ..I Am In Pain
[Click to reply]
Sounds like a wonderful recipe!
Aww, good luck on the first day. I am sure they will LOVE you!
[Click to reply]
Great idea – not as much basil in the garden since the japanese beetles found it. This is the first year I’ve had that problem.
Diana´s last blog ..Sausage & Chard Crustless Quiche
[Click to reply]
oh mara – you are an incredibly patient teacher, and judging by your previous photos, your children LOVE you. i would, if you were my teacher.
Pearl´s last blog ..Teaching Methods
[Click to reply]
I loved my High School Spanish teacher so awesome! I love how you have the fears the kids have…we all have even as parents “will the other parents like me? what about their kids?” (((hugs)))
laura´s last blog ..All right you people get OFF your duffs
[Click to reply]
Aw I’m sure you’re a fantastic teacher!! My favorite teacher was in high school – she wasn’t just a teacher to us. She shared a lot of info about her family and what they were up to every day while relating it to the days lesson. Loved her!
K´s last blog ..I Want You To
[Click to reply]
That pesto sounds amazing, so simple too. Thanks for posting about it!!!
My favorite teacher was my high school Honors English teacher who would walk around with a yardstick sticking out of the top of his shirt collar. Just for kicks…
Graze With Me´s last blog ..To cook or to bake?
[Click to reply]
Ok, that pesto recipe looks AWESOME. I love pesto but it’s got so many calories. That seems like the perfect way to healthy it up. I’m all about trying that one next week.
And I feel that way going into a new job too (I imagine each year feels different like that) – even though I have tons of experience I always worry that everyone is going to hate me and I’m going to do a crappy job and…and…and… (and it’s all completely me being neurotic).
Hope you’re having a great day!
Quix´s last blog ..Better Today
[Click to reply]
[...] away from the junk food in the lounge, and came home and was beyond thrilled to warm up leftover broccoli pesto from last [...]
[...] Double Dose 2009 August 28 by joeandbetsy Broccoli Pesto is a hit! Check out Whitney and Mara’s blog to see both of their recreations of my [...]
Oh Mara! I’m sure you are the coolest, funest, most awesomest teacher!
I’d take Spanish from you in a heart beat!! Want to come teach in my city?! 
That pasta dish looks incredible. You always know how to make magic in the kitchen. …. Okay, I know that is cheesy…but girl, you know you can cook.
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU
glidingcalm´s last blog ..Happy 27th Anniversary to My Parents!!!
[Click to reply]
Hi Mara! I came across your blog and I love your layout and pictures! I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to seeing how your school year progresses!
I noticed in your post yesterday that your sis is a JWU grad! I work at the JWU campus in Providence and was just out in Denver this past June. I loved the Denver campus. Such a small world
My favorite teacher was my high school German teacher (yes, I took German. Definitely does not come in handy at all!), Frau Swan. She was crazy!! – but in a good, warmhearted way. She brought so much youthful energy, even though she was in her early 60′s when I had her. She was hilarious and would do daily songs and dances to help us remember our vocab. Good luck on the start to your year!!
Erin´s last blog ..Curses upon the Net.
[Click to reply]