Keepin' it classy since 1889!

Several news agencies have reported that the South Carolina head coach, Steve Spurrier, was asked about the status of his program following the Gamecocks’ 34-13 win over Clemson, and he said, “We ain’t LSU or Alabama, but we ain’t Clemson either.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was asked to comment following the Tigers’ Thursday practice for the 2011 ACC Championship, and it was easy to tell that he took offense to Spurrier’s remarks.  However, instead of stooping to the level of a chicken and retaliating with his own snide remark, Coach Swinney handled the situation with class and integrity, like a true Clemson Tiger.

 ---------------------------------------------

“I heard that. That’s the kind of thing that gets back to you.  And I don’t know if he really said it or not, but I guess he did, there’s been no rebuttal.  You know if he said that’s disappointing to be honest with you, because I was taught to win or lose with class.  That’s kind of a childish thing to put out there. I think our program here speaks for itself. I guess I’d have to say I agree with him. I guess if I had to respond to him I’d say he’s right. They’re not Clemson and they’re never going to be Clemson, to be honest with you.

“And you know what, no three-game winning streak is going to change that,” he said. “It’s not the first time they’ve won three in a row and it won’t be the last time.  It might be 50 more years, but it’ll probably happen again. I’ve gone out of my way to be complimentary to them and complimentary to Coach Spurrier, I’ve got a lot of respect for Coach Spurrier.  But I’m going to defend my program; I’m going to defend my players, my coaches. I’m going to defend Clemson University because I believe in it. I think he’s exactly right. I think they’re not Clemson and they never will be. You are looking at the best era in the history of South Carolina football right now. They just had their second 10-win season. They won a championship in 1969 and the 2010 SEC East. And this rivalry – you know, there’s a lot of rivalries out there; this is more of a domination, and that’s the fact. My kids, grandkids won’t live long enough to ever see this really become a rivalry. It is what it is.

“I’ve got respect for their program, but South Carolina is not Clemson. There’s a lot of differences. This is a place that’s won a national title, 17 conference championships, two division titles; heck, we’ve won more bowl games than they have even been to. I think our program’s got 100 plus more wins than South Carolina. That’s reality. The best era they’ve had in 115 years of South Carolina football is right now, and they’ve done a great job. I mean a great job. They’ve whipped our butt the last three years; it’s my job to change that.

“Coach Spurrier’s been there seven years, and after five years I think he had 35 wins and a new contract and all that kind of stuff.  After five years at Clemson, if I’ve only got 35 wins there’s going to be a new coach here.  And you know what, there should be because there’s a different standard. So, he’s exactly right – they ain’t Alabama, they ain’t LSU and they’re certainly not Clemson.  That’s why Carolina is in Chapel Hill, USC is in California and THE University in this state always has been, always will be Clemson. And that’s right here in Clemson, South Carolina. You can print that. Tweet that.”

2009 Music City Bowl 
<http://danonthestreet.com/news/2009/12/28/music-city-swinney/> 

**I typed exactly what Dabo said, word for word, only ommitting a handful of superflous phrases like, "umm, so, and, but, you know, to be honest, etc."  I don't think any football coach is known for his eloquent speaking!

**You can watch the video here.

**PLEASE share with any other Clemson fans, or USC fans you are tired of hearing gloat.  Consider this the slap in the face we wish we could give them all.

Friday Funny(s)

Happy Friday!

Sorry I've been slack and haven't posted in a while... but I'm back with some funnies  :)

3 weeks ago... I was helping in the 3rd grade classroom one afternoon and the kiddos were writing down their homework and getting ready to go home.  As I'm walking around, making sure they are writing the correct homework assignments, I notice one little girl has a note on her desk.  Taking full advantage of my "teacher rights," I pick up this note to read it.  Yes, I was mainly being nosy.  And relishing in the fact that I am no longer the student who has her notes intercepted, but the teacher who does the intercepting.  And of course making sure it wasn't anything inappropriate that needed to be relayed to the homeroom teacher.  So this is what the note says, letter for letter: 

"Sorrye. this is the end of our frendshippe."  

Turns out, this kid was finally getting a taste of the "mean girl" medicine she's been handing out for the last 2 years.  She is famous for telling students who they can and cannot be friends with, and bossing around the other girls.  Such drama for 8 year olds!  I chastised the author of the note, of course, but sent her a mental high-five for standing up to little bully girl!

2 weeks ago... I was sick with a cold at the end of last week and seriously losing my voice on Friday.  My adorable kindergarteners come to Spanish class, and their teacher warns me that they've had a rough morning.  I tell them at the beginning of class that they have to be "super extra quiet" so I don't have to yell and lose more of my voice.  But telling a 5 year old to be "super extra quiet" is like telling a dog to make you a grilled cheese.  So they are starting to get chatty and loud.  And I warn them and threaten to call home and I take away "pimientos" (peppers they earn for good behavior; more peppers = better chance at getting a prize).  Attempting a light-hearted approach, I tell them they're acting "silly like monkeys."  Precious little boy then tells me, "We're not silly monkeys.  We're MEAN gorillas!  Raaaaawwwwrrrrr!!"  I stifle my laugh and try to continue the lesson.  Then a few minutes later, same precious boy turns to his still talking classmates and with the most serious and exasperated expression says, 

"Guys!  You have to be quiet!  If she has to yell at us she's going to lose the rest of her voice and she won't be able to talk any more!"

This week... One of my fourth-graders has started calling my "Grandma."  I have no idea what possessed him to give me this nickname, especially since I am the youngest teacher in the school.  However, for the last 2 days, he gives me a "Hi, Grandma!" every time he sees me.  Every. Single. Time.  I'm working on at least getting him to say it in Spanish...

Friday Funny

Teaching produces a lot of hilarious moments.  Therefore, every week I'll try to share with y'all a "Friday Funny."  Enjoy the preciousness of my kiddos :)

Soooo... Things are getting a little chaotic as I try to wrap up my kindergarten Spanish lesson.  The kids are excited because it's a half day (Thank you, Irene!) and I'm trying to think about the most efficient way to get 16 five-year olds out to their busses in the rain.  All of the sudden, one little boy (who happens to be one of my favorite kids to ever exist, because he's so freaking cute and hilarious) shoots his hand in the air and says he left the water running in the bathroom.  So, I tell him to walk next door and turn off the water.  A few minutes later, he returns and I ask, "Well, did you turn off the water?"  And to this, my precious, precocious, kindergarten student responds...

"The water wasn't on.  It was just the rain."

Thats' right, he heard the rain and thought he left the water running.  I die.

I'd probably lose my job if I posted a real photo, but this kid from Microsoft Images is pretty cute too.

Pining for positivity

piningpresent participle of pine (Verb)1. Suffer a mental and physical decline, esp. because of a broken heart.
2. Miss and long for the return of.
Merriam-Webster

 Well, I don't have a broken heart, but lately I have been "pining."  The part about "suffering a mental decline" definitely applies to me.  I've just kind of been in a funk for the last week or two.  There are several contributing factors to my funk, but the details aren't really important.  Anyone who knows me will agree that I do not handle change very well.  Sure, I like to change outfits, genres of music, earrings and nail polish.  But when it comes to big changes, changes in my routine or lifestyle, I have a tendency to... freak the freak out.

 My freak-outs have a history of being quite dramatic and I really wanted to avoid the hemorrhage-inducing hysterical crying.  But bottling my emotions did not work.  It turns out I don't hide my feelings very well.  I have been focusing on any negativity I can find; nit-picking over pointless details, criticizing family and friends, and just being all-around pessimistic.  It wasn't until a few days ago that I realized how much I was affecting myself and everyone around me.  I don't buy the old adage, "misery loves company." When you're miserable, you are unapproachable, unattractive and un-fun.  Who would want to make company with somebody like that? Not me.  I "miss and long for the return of" positive thinking.

 Therefore, I am now making a conscious effort to heed the advice of the Law of Attraction.  I am going to send positivity out into the universe, in hopes that it will return to me.  I don't want to be irritable and unapproachable.  I don't want to seem unattractive.  And I most definitely do not want to be un-fun.  I have a lot of great things in my life, and it's time to appreciate my blessings.

 So, here goes... a list of EIGHT of the most positive things in my life right now!

1) I am HEALTHY.  No terminal illnesses, no physical disabilities and no substance addictions.

2) I recently acquired some FABULOUS new sunglasses :)

** Sunglasses from Target **

3) I have a great J-O-B!  Not only is it a lot of fun to be an elementary school Spanish teacher, but I feel so blessed to have a stable job in a time when they are so scarce. 

4) CHEAP rent... my big sister has been generous enough let me live in the awesome house she just bought and charge me a very reasonable rent.

5) Super CUTE bedding, to go in my new room at my new house!

** The Company Store - Peyton quilt **

6) FANTASTIC friends... I have three very close friends that I can always count on for support, companionship and LOADS of laughter.  

7) I also have a six-year BFF... It sounds a little creepy, but she is my favorite kid in the world.  This chick knows how to push my buttons and melt my heart, all within about 3 minutes.  :)

** Did you just die a little? **

8) AMAZING family!  We may not always get along (heck, I wouldn't even say that we usually get along), but I am definitely the quintessential "family girl."  My family will always be the most important part of my life.

Alright, Universe.  I'm ready.  Send me the love.