2009 Songs

After I posted my favorite movies of the year, I began contemplating my top songs of 2009. I take full responsibility for my shallow bubble-gum musical tastes (at least Katrina will be on board with me!) So here, in no particular order, are the 10 songs from last year that make me crank up the volume and sing along with every word:

Paparrazzi - Lady Gaga

Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson

I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas

Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry

21 Guns - Green Day

Human - The Killers

Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event

Love Story - Taylor Swift

Chances - Five for Fighting

Don't Stop Believing - The cast of Glee

You Are a Wise Person

I received this email yesterday from one of my students.

Hi Ms.Howard!! I hope you had a great winter vacation! And a happy new year!
On the New Year's day,I am going to go to K's sleepover birthday party!
Well actually what I was going to really tell you was I've been getting online
put-downs(several of emails that hurted my feelings) from J. I told my parents,
and they called her a stuck-up,(I thought it was too harsh)
and said to break the friendship between us. You are a wise person besides my parents,
so please tell me what to do... Thank you! (Sorry if I'm bothering you...)
--
-C

The future blackberry owner (April 2010)

If you've ever wondered when girl drama starts, the answer is early. Helping young ladies with "hurted feelings" is part of my job, and I remember that hurt all too well from my own elementary school days. I am honored that C thinks I am a wise person. I have faith that these girls will be buddies again soon - I may not even have to say a word as it's likely they'll have it all figured out by the time class starts up again on Monday. However, there is no way for me to fully prepare my girls for the angst-ridden, teary, hormonal, "mean girls," 'tween years ahead of them. It's definitely not easy being a girl!