I got accepted by Princeton!

Made you look!

Actually, here's the truth: my AP English Literature curriculum/syllabus has been certified by the College Board, which is, after all, located in Princeton, NJ.

I wasn't worried that it wouldn't be, although we have heard some horror stories. Still waiting to hear if my colleague at our other high school has HERS (identical to mine) accepted. Don't laugh - it's isn't necessarily a slam dunk. We already know of instances where teachers at the same school submit the same paperwork and some are accepted and others sent back for more work. But I cannot imagine she would get someone reviewing hers who wouldn't pass it.

What it means is that we can keep calling our course AP - regardless of whether or not the kids take the test. And I don't have to do it again unless I switch schools or we drastically change the curriculum. I feel good because 19 of my 23 took the test. Now I just have to wait until July to find out how they did! I had to remind them (and myself) that the scorers are human beings and thus have human foibles and frailties, so this isn't the be-all, end-all assessment of their worth as people.

Goodbye "Girls"

Guess this is the best place to say "So long" and "Thanks" for "Gilmore Girls." I just watched the last episode yesterday (taped it and didn't watch even a minute until yesterday). I have to say I got just a tad bit misty, but not out and out teary-eyed. Here's my take on it:

Loved - the whole Emily suggesting Lorelei add a spa to the inn as a ruse just to make sure they stayed close, then Lorelei saying, "Let's talk about it at Friday night dinner." Kelly Bishop was perfect in her reaction. I just love that actress - hope she gets another gig, but I'll never get past her as Emily. I loved Richard's comments to Lorelei - I am happy that the three of them seem like a family at last.

Loved - Luke sewing all that stuff together (although I seriously don't think it's physically possible for him to have done that). So sweet. Remember when he made her a chuppa for her wedding to Max that didn't take place? He has his faults, of course, and Lorelei mentioned that - "I need someone who shows how he feels" or something to that effect. But he is a great guy, overall, and sometimes so painfully sweet in spite of himself.

Loved - Sookie and Luke planning the party together (remember when he was filling in for her while she was supposed to be in bed and she was actually upstairs at the inn?) - although I think Melissa McCarthy was a little transparent in that scene - more the actress than the role - but still nice. And, oh man, how about that speech by Taylor?

Loved - Luke saying, "I just like to see you happy" and then the kiss. Not too much.

A little disappointed in the farewell of Rory and Lane - wish it could have been more - but you can't have everything.

The last scene in the diner - absolutely priceless.

Although the writing certainly suffered this year with the loss of Amy and Daniel (we GG aficionados refer to the Palladinos by their first names), this was iconic for me and my daughter. She got me watching when she was in college, and during the time she was back here, it became a ritual for us. The characters were likeable, the story line believable, the writing witty and with just enough esoterica to keep me interested - I mean, references to Oscar Levant, Proust, and 80s pop music all in the same episode?

Things I really loved over the course of the show:

Mrs. Kim - she cracked me up, especially when she got involved in Hep Alien's tour. While she could have been cartoonish, you "got" her - how great was Lane's wedding episode?

Paris's meltdown at Chilton graduation when she announced she had not gotten into Harvard - a classic Paris moment.

Luke in so many ways, but one I really loved was when he went to the Renaissance Faire thing that Liz and T.J. were working - I loved how he was with his sister and, even more, with Jess. And later with April. I know Scott Patterson was often annoyed by the typecasting, but I totally could get him and Lorelei

Emily - particularly when she found the letter her newly-dead mother-in-law had written saying she wished Richard had married Penilyn (what kind of tight-ass WASP name is that, anyway?) - probably Kelly Bishop's finest hour, although I did enjoy the "kayak/canoe" analogy she made after Richard's heart bypass surgery.

Stars Hollow - seriously, who wouldn't want to live there? Loved all the "events" in the town - especially the living art tableau thing

Things that got on my nerves:

Kirk - although the episode when the middle school did "Fiddler on the Roof" and he was Tevya was in my top ten episodes. He just bugged me most of the time.

Logan - never really trusted his character and it truly showed through in the penultimate episode last week

Lorelei/Max - I think it might have been because the actor had played a wolf (or something like that) in a previous TV movie or miniseries - just kind of a creepy thing

Lorelei/Christopher - although I confess that it was probably a necessity - she had to get it out of her system - I just never cared for the actor at all

What I'll miss most:

Talking to my daughter about it the next day.

Good luck to everyone involved in "Gilmore Girls" - it was a wonderful experience that never made me feel I'd been patronized or "taken" - ever!

Catching up with this 'n that

Haven't blogged - probably no one reads this anyway!

1. I'm so glad spring has finally arrived - it's SOOO much more pleasant to get in my car for work in the daylight. I look forward to the end of the day, too, when I can put the top down for the ride home - like a mini-vacation.

2. Went to my first Phillies game of the year last night - Pat Burrell had two homers and Cole Hamels pitched well. Just love going to the ball park. I really hope the Phillie fans start treating Burrell a little better.

3. Had a nice dinner at "Pif" before the game - a cozy little BYOB in South Philly - (thanks, Brian and Paige). I just have to say that BYOBs are such a wonderful concept - you can have a really nice bottle of wine without paying a premium for it and spend your money on great food. Oh, and while we were in there, some anti-foie gras demonstrators did their thing outside the restaurant - but they were gone before we came out. I actually thought about getting the foie gras, but opted instead for a warm goat cheese, arugula, and pine nut salad and saved room for dessert - pot de creme. Had a nice shrimp with lobster roe sauce entree, too. Just enough.

4. The AP English Literature test was Thursday - kids seemed pretty happy with their performance. Most of them have other AP tests - I will be glad for them when next week is over.

5. I want to do something about the whole graduation project system - I'm sick of it being just something to get through. It's supposed to be an accomplishment, but we don't treat it like that. When I run the schools, it will be something to celebrate.

6. Graduation is in less than four weeks, so I have to get on my letter writing. I have 64 seniors this year to write letters to and I try to make them as personal as I can.

Finally, LOSTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!! Just when I'm about ready to bail, they crank up a great one. I'm pretty sure Locke will survive, but beyond that I'm completely baffled. Can't wait until next week.

And, farewell to Gilmore Girls. I know the time had come, but I will miss those ladies and their assorted friends and lovers. I was pretty glad Rory declined Logan's proposal, since it showed what a self-absorbed person he is. I have always hated when people propose in public places - makes it so awkward. Last night at the ballpark a guy did it - she seemed okay with it, but I've seen times when the girl looked SO uncomfortable. And I really don't know what I want to happen with Luke and Lorelei. I will definitely be taping it so I can save it for posterity.