My name is Tater, as in the tot!

Week 3:  Some progress is being made.  Although conditions remain crowded, I have managed to acquire 2 more desks and now have to import only three for use during first and second periods.  It is amazing what you get when you offer a kidney, half a liver, or one fully functioning ovary to the highest bidder! 

I had hoped that something would happen to lessen class size, but it doesn't look like that will happen.  The logic behind our class assignments and scheduling is fuzzy at best, and I can't even begin to explain why things happen the way they do, so I will just bypass that subject completely.  You all will just have to believe me when I predict that nothing is going to change...

Anyway, one of the problems associated with having so many students is the difficulty of learning all of their names.  I have long prided myself on knowing the kids' names by the first week's end, but this year I find myself scrambling for names even at the end of the second week. 

I finally realized that Emily in first period was not Ashley (and never would be for that matter), that the unnamed boy in second period is Kyle (who'd have thought?  he doesn't look like a Kyle, that's for sure!), that Erin wears braces and Emma doesn't, and that the boy in seventh period is called...wait...it will come to me in a second...

Oh, names!  Living in an international, multicultural environment like Houston, I've grown accustomed to a wide variety of names; however, this year I've discovered a few new ones...Vaiphav, Atul, Aremy, Pranav, Jordi, and Dianjun are just a few I can remember off the top of my head.  Of course, there are always the Texas favorites to include:  Austin, Tyler, Dallas... and as for the girls, it is the year of Rachel.  I have three in 5th period alone...  Jessica and Sydney are popular as well.

There aren't many Laura's out there.  Someone recently asked me what name I would choose if I could select another.  I can't imagine choosing another name, but I would be happier if people would pronounce my name properly: La-La-La-Laura, not Lora.  It amazes me that some people can't even hear the distinction, but to me it is as different as Tad and Ted, Jane and June -- completely different names, right? 

Anyway, I'd keep Laura, but if I were on the lam or in the witness protection program I'd probably choose Caroline.  I've always liked the ring of that name -- Either that or I'd have to go way to the other extreme and choose my favorite nickname, Tater  (Yes, as in tots!)  Who couldn't love a girl called Tater? 

How about you all?  What kinds of names have you encountered?  What would you like to be called?  As always, I wait in breathless anticipation for your responses...