Shades of Earth

2009-05-09T22:35:00.006-05:00

Andrew and I were driving home from our lunch date today when my phone rang; it was a friend I haven't seen in months - we were finally getting together again tonight. I start talking to her only to have Andrew begin tapping me on the arm, a talent any self-respecting 30-year-old has mastered, and pointing and yelling 'look! look!' He would NOT accept my I'm-on-the-phone-please-stop-the-tapping-now-glare, so I looked...and saw a sign that said SCOOPY DOO: Pet Waste Removal. I grinned and continued my conversation, or tried to at least, but Andrew wouldn't let it rest. I told my friend I would call her back, and turned to my cute hubby, who had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. How could I not join in?

I fear we may be saying SCOOPY DOO a lot in our house from now on...

Minus 12

2009-05-08T19:38:00.005-05:00

I have decided that I'm 17-at-heart. This is why I get along so well with my high school students, why they confide in me, tell me they want to hang out with me this summer, and want to be my friend on facebook the minute after they graduate. Here are some reasons why I've come to the conclusion that I should take 12 years off my age:

Young adult fiction is my favorite thing to read. I'm so happy that some of my students get just as excited about it as I do!
I love to watch the same TV shows as my students. Examples include Gossip Girl, The Hills, MADE, Taking the Stage, and more than I am too embarrassed to admit. That was bad enough.
I can remember so clearly what high school was like, and therefore understand many of the challenges, pressures, and exciting moments that my students face. And I often get as excited or upset about them. This could relate to the bullet above...or to talking endlessly about boys and prom dresses.
I hate to admit this, and it's not nearly as true as it was a few years ago, but sometimes I share the fashion sensibilities of a 17-year-old. Let's just say a very hip and sophisticated 17-year-old. I hope.
I have the same tendency to rebel against authority that many of my students do!
I want to be accepted.
Sometimes I just want to 'fit in' and be included.
I too often worry about what others think! Including when getting dressed each morning. ;)
I drive a 'beater.' [Although sadly many of my students drive nicer cars than me!]

And finally, the best and most unexpected one: I'm stressing about what to wear to Prom this year!

are you out there blog? it's me, tiff

2009-05-08T19:05:00.002-05:00

Well. I am not sure why the ridiculously long pause in my blogging, except that I have been busy...enjoying my job...lazy?...whatever. Lately though there has been this little nagging voice in my head telling me to get back to blogging, and I have some great stories/ideas/thoughts to share, so here we go...

2009-03-28T23:30:00.004-05:00

I know I haven't blogged in a LONG long time, and I don't have much to say now, but I am sorting through the hundreds of photos I took today at Longwood Gardens' International Orchid Show, and this one stands out so I thought I would share:

testing, testing, 1, 2, 3

2009-02-25T07:11:00.001-05:00

I am a test-taking Nazi.

Here are my rules when kids come to take a test in the library: [please note: I have never yet known these kids were coming beforehand, and I think the teachers don't care if they cheat, because why else would they send 6 kids down the hall together with tests in their hands? I was in high school once, I know what goes on.]
1. Students must sit facing walls ie they cannot face each other and therefore are not tempted to cheat. Which is what I tell them, although I know they think I am just trying to annoy them.
2. No bathroom breaks where you can potentially memorize the letters written on your arm that correspond with your scantron sheet.
3. If you keep coughing I am going to think it's code for a, b, c, etc and yell at you.
4. Same thing if you keep tapping your pencil, hands, feet on the table, floor, chair.
5. Do NOT make eye contact with anyone but me. This is usually avoided by #1.
6. When you are done with the test, give it to me, and I will turn it in for you to your teacher. What, did you think after all that I was going to let you walk down the hall together and compare answers?

Please.

i heart technology?

2008-11-22T16:57:00.003-05:00

So, as my last post stated, I love my new job, so much in fact that I have been neglecting my blog to work on school-related things at night, such as this and this. Not sure if that second link will work, but if not I will tell you that it is the ning that my [awesome] principal created for our faculty. I've also been spending time on this ning and on goodreads. I love that I get to spend so much more time working with technology at this job! Also this week I taught 10 classes about evaluating websites, for which I modified and presented a powerpoint, I made a [sweet] brochure explaining how to access all of our online databases, and last night I went to a used book sale where I bought about 60 books - all but 3 are hardcover and brand-new - for only $52!

Upcoming things that I am excited about at my school:
* spending more time on my webpage, which for now is only about research
* using ning with students
* teaching students how to create wikis / webpages
* the purchase of a new, web-based library program which is going to finally bring my school into the 21st century in this area
* the formation of a club of students who are going to meet with me to discuss how we can improve the library, and hold events in the library possibly as fundraisers, etc.
* the formation of a photography club, which i will moderate!
* the purchase of some bean bag chairs to make the library more comfy

I love my new job.

2008-10-23T18:13:00.000-05:00

My first day of high school.

2008-10-20T20:19:00.002-05:00

It was 14 years ago that I entered high school as a freshman.

Today I re-entered high school, 409 miles away, and hopefully much wiser.

I had conversation with some junior and senior girls on my first day, today,
and they have no idea how much they made my day,
and how much teachers want to be accepted just as they do.
One girl asked me if I was nervous, but I realized, much to my surprise, I wasn't!
I also don't remember being nervous to start 9th grade,
and overall, I really enjoyed my high school experience as a student.

I hope I love it as much from a different perspective.

Things happening soon that make me happy:

2008-10-07T21:14:00.002-05:00

Starting my new job in 12 days!
Seeing my in-laws Saturday, whom I haven't seen since June 20.
Seeing my brother-in-law, same deal.
Hanging out with my potential future-sister-in-law this weekend.
Going to see a Jars of Clay Christmas concert on December 17...only 15 minutes from my house!
Attending a wedding next weekend, at which I can spend time with every friend I have from church!
Our 5 year wedding anniversary on November 1st! [wow]

Things I will not miss about my job:

2008-10-04T17:23:00.003-05:00

getting coughed/sneezed on DAILY
teaching 30 classes/over 600 kids a week
saying the same thing a million times a week because of how many kids i teach
not having any time to get library work done [see #2]
meetings...sometimes 5 days a week! [see #4]
giving out grades that are completely arbitrary and pointless
relying on an assistant and 15+ parent volunteers to do my job [see #4 yet again]
being the 'exception' at librarian meetings ie: 'this does not apply to you because you have no time to do this...' [see #2 and #4]
teaching only 20 min less per day than a classroom teacher [again that pesky #4!]
no time to co-plan [see #8]
no time to co-teach
kindergarten classes 10x/week for 40 minutes each
pulling my hair out every week trying to figure out what exactly to do with 2 special needs classes that come to see me [together] for 40 min, for which i have absolutely no training
trite conversations with people that don't really care
working with 4 different budgets that go through 10 different people, when all i am trying to do is buy what is needed/wanted by staff/students
my sore throat that has been hanging on since teaching day one this school year [see #1 and #2]
'the framework for continuous improvement' which just results in even more meetings

You know something big is happening when I wake up at 7 am on Saturday and can't go back to sleep because I am too excited!

2008-09-27T07:26:00.004-05:00

Finally
Finally
FINALLY
I got a new job!
It's hard to even really express how excited I am.
And how thankful.
I've been hoping and praying and trying for this for so long.
I'm going to be the librarian at a catholic high school near here.
The library is a mess!
But I am so excited to do library work again
and not so much teaching.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

say that three times fast.

2008-09-08T20:08:00.003-05:00

So I've compiled a list of the top 40 'most interesting' student names from the kids I am currently teaching each week.
[Honestly, I don't know how to pronounce quite a few of them!]

Penina
Bhoomika
Akash
Osayamen
Ebreez
Amna
Amir
Nyvia
Jahair
Soumya
Brietta
Tyshira
Sreelikhi
Yana
Jaidyn [also have Jaden and Jadon]
Nivedita
Chiere
Kenika
Radhika
Asuka
Brodyn
Aleksandir
Asiyah
Maxim
Abena
Kanishk
Aislinn
Aritro
Torsten
Naia
Nyah
Dai-Jahn
Mehul
Nybree
Eleni
Akyr
Denisse
Ciasaire
Maizy
Purva

Also, I have about 98363 girls with a variation of this name:
Kirsten
Keirstyn
Kierstin
Kiersten
Kristen
Kristin

2008-09-05T15:44:00.000-05:00

thurs - after an especially badly behaved class, i had a pretty good one

fri - 3 kids hugged me on the way out [and they had only just met me 40 minutes before]

trying to find a silver lining, no matter how small

2008-09-04T18:53:00.005-05:00

School has started and I can't lie and say it's great...but I really hate that I *hate* it...and I don't like the way I feel when I am there and the way I act and things I say. It's just really not me.

So in order to combat this, I am going to try and think of at least one GOOD thing that happens each day at school.

So here goes:

Tuesday - a 1st grade girl named Maggie came into the library during open house, and her mom told me that Maggie said they had to go visit 'the nicest teacher in the school'...and it was me.

Wednesday - I was completely stressed out about having 4 autistic students and 5 special needs kids in my room for 40 minutes not even an hour after school started...but then we had an assembly during that time, and the kids were wonderfully behaved. Phew.

Today - Umm today was a challenge. I will keep thinking and get back on here soon. ;)

to lighten things up. this always makes me laugh.

2008-08-29T11:22:00.003-05:00

2008-08-27T14:46:00.002-05:00

i somehow made it through my 1st day.
i can't lie and say it was good.
but i did survive.
until i started driving home,
and thinking about
how i thought i would be somewhere else.
and how i just can't believe
i am still working at this place
that just makes me miserable.

that is when the tears came.

2008-08-26T20:19:00.003-05:00

I'm going to be having a panic attack in about 10 hours.
I'm trying not to have one now in anticipation of tomorrow.
I just hope it doesn't last. It being my feelings, sickness, and THE JOB ITSELF!
But if it does...I pray that I can find peace about it.
And some little bits of happiness here and there.
And if I do end up leaving two weeks into the school year...I hope I can be forgiven.

Are you there God? It's me, Tiffany.

2008-08-25T14:19:00.006-05:00

Well, I've had a frustrating day.

It started out ok - I got up and wanted to hit the gym - but alas, my gym is closed for the week. Man, I wish I had my own treadmill.

But I decided to take advantage of the extra time and get ready for my interview which is Tuesday at 11 am.
That's right, yet another job in a long line of jobs that I have pursued this summer.
I just got an email about this one [a Catholic high school nearby] on Friday, called them, sent them my resume, and by 6 pm was set up for an interview tomorrow.

I had to gather all of my materials, including a letter from a pastor stating that I am in 'good moral character.'

I spent the morning getting paperwork together: digging out old lesson plans from 6 years ago when I student taught at a high school; going through documents from college courses to see if I could use any of it for a new, improved, teen-oriented portfolio; gathering copies of reference letters and clearances; downloading my current grad school transcript because I never received an official, paper copy; you get the point.

I emailed links and documents to myself so that I could print them at the library since my home printer hasn't been hooked up in years.

I also searched the internet for "high school librarian interview questions" and general advice for getting a job, and was totally overwhelmed by some tough questions and by the general feeling that I was not prepared and just 'not good enough.'

Going from my K-2 job of the last four years to a 9-12 job will be hard...am I ready for that?

My pastor had told me he's be in the office this afternoon so I could come pick up my letter. So I went there and am so grateful for a. a wonderful recommendation and b. the use of their printer [as opposed to going to the public library, waiting, paying, etc].

My lack of printer prompted me to go to Staples next and spend $70 on new ink for my old, dusty printer. [crossing my fingers all the while that I can actually get the thing to work, and my $70 spent was not in vain]

So far, not such a bad day, right?

Well, here is where it got frustrating. My cell phone refuses to charge, and since we are getting a new carrier/plans/and phones on Wednesday, there is really nothing I can do. So Andrew, very sweetly, let me borrow his today. So all day I've used his, and called and checked my voicemail every hour or two.

I got home from staples and got on my computer, and received the following email from the school I am supposed to interview at in less than 24 hours!

I left a message on your cell phone. We 'contractually" can't interview until the job has been posted. I believe the next posting is Sept 2. Once it is posted we will give you a call or you may call us.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

I think I had to read it about 3 times before it really sunk in. The main thoughts in my head are/were:
- wait, so all of my crazy running around/freaking out/etc today were in vain?
- so now i have more time to prepare?
- do you even still want to interview me? since you were so casual in saying 'you may call us'
- oh no. this is horrible. this means i have to actually start the school year - and teaching - at my old job. whereas if i interviewed tomorrow, there was a chance i wouldn't have to start teaching.
- this means i have to start teaching at my job i hate
- is God trying to make me sweat? teach me patience?
- am i really that impatient of a person that i need this lesson? especially after waiting all summer for a new job?
- i really, really, really, don't want to start the school year at my old job that i hate.
- oh dear.

So...I guess it could be worse. They didn't say they don't want to interview me. Having an extra, oh TWO WEEKS, will be helpful to prepare and feel more qualified to be a high school librarian.

And, I got my printer to work after using it as a dust collector for years.

I'm just a little frustrated. I wish I could hide in a hole for two weeks until I get to interview. But instead...I have to go back to the job/people I really don't like, and pretend to enjoy it for a couple weeks.

I can only pray that is as long as it lasts.

road trip!

2008-08-08T14:42:00.007-05:00

So...I'm going on a road trip. With my parents. Actually, first I am flying to Pittsburgh to meet them, and then the road trip begins the next morning.

I think it's going to be: crazy. fun. exhausting. exciting. frustrating [at times]. beautiful. fun!

My main concern is that I get violently carsick. All the time. So I will be stocking up on dramamine, and hopefully driving a lot so that I don't have the possibility of being sick. And, since my dad is an early riser [somehow he actually finds pleasure in rising at 5 am?!] - I hope that on the two mornings we plan to drive, we leave ridiculously early and I can sleep for some hours in the car, thus not being sick.

Anyway.

Here is our master plan:

Friday, August 15: My plane leaves Philly at 8:30 and I get to Pittsburgh around 10 pm. Then I'll stay with my parents at a hotel that night. [Even though I have many friends I want to see! But I don't think I can since I know we will leave at the crack of dawn the next morning.]

Sat, Aug 16: We leave Pittsburgh early [hopefully not too much before 8 am] and drive to Nowheresville, Virginia to visit my cousin Julie and her family. She just had a baby girl in July...after having 3 boys! How exciting.
This leg of the trip should take 5 hours.

Then we leave VA and drive to my sister's place in Gastonia, North Carolina! It should take about 3 hours - and hopefully we get there at like 5 or 6 pm and RELAX for the rest of the night.

Sun, Aug 17 - Tues, Aug 19: We enjoy North Carolina, especially when we whitewater raft on Monday night! We're all staying at my sister's house with her puppy, 2 roommates, and their cat and dog. It will be a full house!

Wed, Aug 20: We are leaving [hopefully early] in the AM and driving to Baltimore, MD to see another cousin and her husband and their new baby. This drive will probably be the worst - it's like 7-8 hours, the same as driving Philly to Erie! [Ugh. I've driven that SO many times, and I must admit...I hate it.]

Once we finally get to Maryland, we're are going to visit with me cousin and her new baby. THEN we are driving [hopefully not too long] to our hotel so we can FINALLY crash!

Thurs, Aug 21: Hooray! We get to 'sleep in.' Then we have a 2 hour drive back to Philly, where we are meeting my hubby for lunch.

I get to go home, but my parents are driving a couple more hours, then staying at their final hotel. I will certainly be looking forward to sleeping in my own bed [and not alone!] by this point.

Fri, Aug 22 - my parents drive back to Erie, while I sleep in and enjoy being home again!

Questions I can't answer. But wish I could.

2008-08-07T18:48:00.003-05:00

1. How will I survive the school year if I don't get a new job and have to go back to my old one?

2. When we will get to move away from here and closer to family? Will this ever happen?

3. When will I ever feel permanently settled? Can I feel that way here?

4. Why can 'everyone else afford to buy a house here' but not us?

5. Why are all of my close friends moving away, thus making me not only unhappy, but lonely here? What can I do about this?

6. Why can't I just trust God like I should and let all of this go?

The most beautiful wedding ever.

2008-07-07T16:14:00.008-05:00

things that have broken in the last couple weeks

2008-07-02T13:32:00.002-05:00

1. my visor in my car. now it is sort of working with the help of some velcro.
2. my old lime iMac - well it's been broken for a long time, but today some 'genius' at the apple store apparently fixed it...until i came home and it won't turn on again.
3. our garbage disposal
4. my favorite sunglasses
5. our screen door - it ripped out of the wall last night when i opened it.

hopefully, i won't have to add anything to this list!

viva la vida

2008-06-17T08:13:00.007-05:00

It's been a long time since I let a whole month slip by without posting. One reason that it's happened now is because that last post was really significant...our life could change drastically and for the better soon...but we are waiting for now.

Another reason is that this has been probably one of the busiest times of my life! In the past month I drove something like 3,000 miles [yuck], visited my family at home and my husband's family, went to 2 concerts, helped a friend move, attended a wedding [as you can see above], FINISHED TEACHING, and in the last 11 days, I have been extremely busy every day and night except ONE.

Hopefully some of my activites the last 2 days will pay off [such as driving 700 miles in 24 hours].

I promise to stop being so vague soon! Once some things have been figured out.

I have 2 days of 'down time' - during which I have a huge to do list to complete - then it's back to Pittsburgh Thurs-Sat for my sister-in-law's wedding...then I fly out of Pittsburgh at 6:30 am on Sunday to visit my sister in Charlotte for 4 days!

I think it's a sign of me getting older when I actually [secretly] look forward to June 26, when I will be home again and can actually relax for a few days. Or maybe even a whole week!

2008-05-11T12:05:00.000-05:00

Looks like you are. I couldn't be happier.

Aw.

2008-05-07T14:46:00.002-05:00

Today a six-year-old boy said to me 'Hey! You look cute!'

Sometimes I guess I don't hate my job so much.

[However, when I work with 12 - 18 year old boys in the future, comments like that won't be so adorable.]

higlights from my 4 day weekend

2008-05-04T18:41:00.007-05:00

1. spent time with family*
2. got my awesome bridesmaid's dress - a whole size smaller than what fit when i ordered it - and when i put it on it fit!
3. met a Caldecott-honor winning illustrator*
4. cried from happiness
5. bonded with some potential future family*
6. networked like you wouldn't believe [more to come about that later!]
7. received/won 7 free books*
8. purchased 19 hardcover books for under $70*
9. was told i am 'adorable' and 'have beautiful coloring in my skin, eyes, and hair' by a random nice person
10. successfully pulled off an amazing surprise*
11. learned so many innovative and exciting ideas that i can use in my future secondary library
12. introduced my sister to the wonderful world of martinis
13. spent time in nature [or at least pseudo-nature]*
14. memorized a few new songs [i'm a little obsessed, plus they were my soundtrack for the 300 miles i drove]
15. had an honesty session with a dear sister and friend ;)
16. wore super cute shoes*
17. made it home just in time for the game-winning goal by Hossa, which means the Pens are one step closer to the Cup!

* = photo to come!

P.S. Aforementioned songs include 'I Will Possess Your Heart' by Death Cab**, 'I Feel It All [Britt Daniel Remix]' by Feist, 'Walnut Tree' by Keane, and 'The World Turned Upside Down' by Coldplay***

**seeing them live June 12!
***would pay a ridiculous amount of $ to be able to see them live!

Longwood Gardens on a hot spring day.

2008-04-23T20:14:00.004-05:00

comparison.

2008-04-18T18:22:00.004-05:00

Townhouse for sale:

3 bedrooms
1.5 bathrooms
central air
integral garage
breakfast bar
all appliances included, even washer, dryer, and dishwasher!
16 x 10 family room [plus living room and separate dining room]
partially finished basement [den]
no townhouse/association fees
good school district

In Philly, this home would cost $300,000+.

In Pittsburgh, it costs...$79,900!

This is a dream.
I can only keep trying and praying to get a job there for the fall.

inspiration

2008-04-16T14:12:00.003-05:00

Amazing. Just amazing.

sometimes i want to hide in a bag, too

2008-04-15T17:44:00.002-05:00

sneaky Napoleon
Originally uploaded by t23e.

when i take the day off tomorrow and hide in my house, that is pretty close.

new me?

2008-04-11T15:01:00.002-05:00

So I have lost 17.5 pounds in 2008.
And racked up over 60 miles on the treadmill.

Today I weighed in and lost 3 pounds [since last Friday].
It was exciting.

Right now I really want to eat. And watch tv.
But I am going to force myself to work out

because I want to keep feeling this good.

2008-04-06T18:53:00.002-05:00

Only 97 more days!!!

a most successful day.

2008-03-30T19:21:00.003-05:00

Not only did I break my 'record' for longest time/distance/most calories burned on the treadmill today

I ALSO

got so much homework done

AND NOW

I only have little things to do before class next weekend

WHICH MEANS

I can enjoy s'mores [ok, one s'more] on Wednesday night with friends

AND

I can hang out with my dear friend Mel on Thursday night!!!

I am pretty darn excited. Like you couldn't already tell.

my laugh of the day

2008-03-29T21:06:00.002-05:00

2008-03-29T12:42:00.004-05:00

i'm so productive.
i went to barnes and noble and enjoyed a comfy chair and coffee while i worked for over 3 hours.
and even though i have a LOT of work left to do before class next weekend,
i am not stressed!
amazing!
i'm actually really excited about the work ahead of me.
to quote my friend Crystal, who knew??

this is it.

2008-03-27T14:27:00.002-05:00

i know i have these flaws:

- i take everything personally

- even when it's 'business'

- i worry WAY too much

- i make myself sick from worry

- i leave work and can't let go of the stress

- the stress of it carries through into my evenings and makes me unhappy

so here is what i think [know] that i need to do.

i need to let go.

it's that simple.

so i am going to write down all of my stresses, worries, etc.

and post them on here

and let go.

which i know won't be easy

but i really need to do it.

[AND the stupidest thing is that i won't even be at my job next year. i will be at a new and hopefully much improved one!]

so here's all the work shit that i hate and need to let go of:

1. the book fair. i could write so much, but what's the point. it's [mostly] in the past.

2. next year - they are potentially adding 190 minutes of teaching to my already packed schedule

yet they have taken away 38% of my budget for next year

and will probably take away my assistant for at least 30 minutes who is now only here for 3 3/4 hours anyways.

3. this meeting i have next week - so i've been working here for 4 years now and ordering books and supplies and been running the library successfully for that long. but all of a sudden i [not any other librarian] has to have a big meeting with an administrator so i can show her all of my purchases and explain exactly why i need to order each item before i order them...and why? who the hell knows.

4. i need to STOP TALKING to people about all this crap and just think about the present day, and my personal life, and the promising future....i keep blabbing about these things to people at work, and they don't really care anyways, and then i get upset and sick again.

seriously, i detest my job. i'm sure you can see why. [plus the other things i posted below!]

i just need to let it go

and relax

and pray for the right job for september.

3-10-08

2008-03-27T14:26:00.001-05:00

i am dying cause i am so stressed

everyone keeps saying to not worry about it

but i think it's a big deal

and i am still not totally sure what is going on today

but i am being interviewed

and observed when i teach

and my principal doesn't even care

when i came in today i asked him what was happening

and he said he didn't know

and don't worry about it

2-29-08

2008-03-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

i am WAY too sensitive for my own good

'i don't want to do the same thing twice everyday'

how about the same thing TEN TIMES a week?

and why am i so stupid

that i try to talk about it

when i should keep my mouth shut

because i know that no one understands.

no one.

and no one cares

because they have stuff to do, too.

i can't do this anymore.

i don't enjoy it.

so how many days left?

i'm not sure.

less than 90

that doesn't sound too bad.

i really

hope and pray

that i can find something else

that makes me happy.

1-10-08

2008-03-27T14:24:00.000-05:00

i feel attacked

pressured

and like i am being forced into something i don't want to do

i don't think people know this about me

but i HATE being told what to do

especially on such a large scale

why does everyone care about money so much?

i find it ridiculous

and disgusting

that my $43,000 salary can't buy me a home

or help me raise a family

and that i 'need to' or 'should' be trying to make as much money as i can

and my husband makes that much too

so really, then everyone is saying

our $80,000+ income

isn't enough?

we need to make six figures in order to survive?

to buy a house?

to AFFORD to have children?

i don't want to AFFORD to have kids

i just want to have them

and stay home with them

in our HOUSE

i don't want to waste

time

money

effort

on a degree that I DON'T EVEN WANT.

F you and your degree requirements

all of you

8-30-06

2008-03-27T14:23:00.001-05:00

why does this happen every year. i feel like an idiot. is it my fault? why do you treat me like crap? i can't figure out if i am screwing up or if you are. what the hell. i don't understand why everything must be so complicated.

it's not personal, it's business.

that only means it's not personal to YOU. it is personal to me.

2008-03-24T16:03:00.002-05:00

"Books can ignite fires in your mind, because they carry ideas for kindling, and art for matches."

— Gary D. Schmidt (Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy)

i need sanity. therefore, a list.

2008-03-14T19:04:00.003-05:00

here is what i need and want to do this weekend:
1. read a few articles and write reviews/applications for them for grad school
2. read a couple books
3. hang out with stacy
4. hang out with my hubby :)
5. hang out with andrea
6. work out for at least 90 minutes
7. relax
8. finalize plans for next week with my friends
9. finalize plans for next week with my family
10. watch a movie
11. shop for a new outfit
12. shop for a new purse
13. get a money order.
14. sleep

yeah. better get cracking on #6 right now!

fierce.

2008-03-07T15:56:00.005-05:00

Going to visit the in-laws and order my dress this weekend! I SOOO need a change of scenery after my week from hell. One more full week and then spring break, hooray!

I went to the Philly Flower Show! It totally rocked. No, literally, the theme was 'Jazz it Up!'

My fav from day #1 won Project Runway!

this makes me so happy.

2008-02-25T18:05:00.005-05:00

"Hi everyone.

I just want to thank you so much.

This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling.

This - the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this - it's just to prove, no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible.

And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up.

And this song was written from a perspective of hope and hope, at the end of the day, connects us all, no matter how different we are. "

~ Marketa Irglova's acceptance speech

[speech from BBC News, photo from Getty Images]

nonspecific randomness

2008-02-21T18:37:00.003-05:00

I want to write a novel. For teens. Or maybe 'tweens' - I still can't say that without quotes.
...
My job is killing my health. The stress of it makes me sick, the kids who constantly sneeze and cough directly on me make me sick [go figure], and the schedule makes me sick. I refer to it as 'the germ factory.' Someone today told me that kids are like petri dishes. Amen to that.
...
That being said, I used sick days #9 and #10 this week. Ridiculous. Right now I have bronchitis. It's supposed to 'storm' and 'snow' tonight and tomorrow. Is it wrong to pray to God for a snowday?
...
I can't predict what will happen in the future, but just talking about it with my husband lately has gotten me extremely excited. I'm still really hoping to move west this summer. I'm going to start applying for jobs soon! Yikes!
...
I love YA books. I know I sound like a broken record. I need a job where I just read YA books. Sadly, I don't think it's actually possible to make a living on reviews.
...
More later...

yay life.

2008-02-06T21:45:00.000-05:00

have my second weekend of my rad class this weekend. i can't believe how much i am looking forward to it. maybe because my passion for the subject is just confirming my gut feeling that i need to work with YA lit on a daily basis...and ditch the 6-8 year olds. sorry kiddies!

seriously, i cannot WAIT to get a new job. perhaps i will write more on that later.

the other thing consuming all of my time is exercise. oh my. i've worked out for over 900 minutes since the new year. pretty amazing if i do say so myself! my school nurse who is recording everyone's weight loss every friday for 'the biggest loser' whispered to me last week 'you are my pick to win.' i'm not gonna lie, it made me feel good. even if for all i know she said that to everyone.

i'm so tired. but sorta in a good way. know what i mean?

too much carbon monoxide...

2008-01-10T19:45:00.000-05:00

i am buried in stuff. some of it is fun, though:
*i start grad school next friday night
*i need to pay for my class
*tomorrow is my 1st BL weigh-in at school
*i am going to win, btw
*i'm trying to keep track of calories and fitness everyday online
*i've worked out for 10 days in a row...85 more to go!
*i SO want a new job
*my class next weekend is YA lit. i'm pretty sure i've already done most of the work, ha!
*YA lit rocks. i can't believe how much i am looking forward to class.
*it's cool how complete strangers can encourage you. [sparkpeople.com!]
*i need to get my degree approved by my super anal school district - prayers would be helpful.

where's the air?

i'm going to stick my head in the oven now.

2008-01-07T15:43:00.000-05:00

why do i have to have such a stupid mouth?
i don't mean to be a high maintenance patient.
but my jaw doesn't last long
and my pain tolerance doesn't even exist.

so i get to the dentist
and she says 'i'm going to use this gel to numb your mouth'
and i say 'ok.'
then she says '95% of people use this gel and are fine.'
i say 'ok, let's try it.'

nope.
not even close.

so then the 'real' dr. comes in
and shoves loads of needles into my mouth
meanwhile i am starting to shake quite a lot
and freeze. oh my word i am so cold.

then dr. #1 starts working again.

nope.
closer, but no.

so dr. #2 comes back.
you know what this means.
yep.
more needles.

and i am now turning to ice
and shaking so much
and they are like 'oh yeah, those are side effects of the anesthesia.'
nice.

then as dr. #2 is working again she casually mentions that i can't eat for 3 hours afterwards.
even nicer.

finally the work is done
and dr. #1 says she is going to give me a quick polish then i am done.
the polish = ice being blasted into my mouth.
but it looked like smoke was coming out of my mouth.

the best part is that i have to go back again next week to have the other half of my mouth done.

stupid, bastard mouth.

again with the numbers.

2008-01-03T16:55:00.000-05:00

170 - days till i have a new brother-in-law
111 - more days of school this year provided we have 4 snow days [which we will not]
95 - days in a row i will be working out starting January 1st [3 days down]
90 - cost of new running shoes
84 - days i will be participating in 'the biggest loser' at my school
29 - cost of nike plus to keep track of miles and distance
3 - miles walked / jogged so far
2 - days that i have had shin splints

growing up...

2007-12-23T13:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my sister, who is 6 years younger than me, graduated from college. She'll be starting a job the day after New Years Day. My other sis has been on her own now for a year, and I've been married for over four years.

It's weird to think that our family has changed, and there isn't really a chance that anyone will be living at home again except for my parents.

As strange as it seems right now, I know this is just the beginning of change. In a few years, there will be some grandchildren [God willing] and perhaps another marriage or two.

I'm excited to look at both of my sisters as adults now, and on the same 'level' as me, that is, being out in the working world, college behind them, etc.

In May, my sister-in-law will join us 'adults,' as she graduates from grad school, and then gets married in June.

I'm trying not to feel old as all of these people mentioned are at least 4 years younger than me, and I will be 30 in less than two years!

for the rest of us

2007-12-13T21:41:00.000-05:00

Exciting things are happening...

2007-12-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

*my sister-in-law got engaged

*my sister got a job only 2 hours from here

*the neighbors have been gone now for a week

*we've had some snow here and there

*i get to see some old friends from high school over break

*i get to help my sister move soon

*i'll be seeing my family in 16 days

2007-12-03T18:35:00.000-05:00

so back to the weekend again, because it started as nothing special and ended up being one of my favorite weekends of all-time.

friday:
*read 'The Book Thief' for a couple hours
*relaxed

saturday:
*the neighbors were all moved out by 9:45 am
*things got nice and quiet and wonderful after they left [more on this later]
*finished 'The Book Thief'
*read the majority of 'Book of a Thousand Days' [which I highly recommend]
*got our Christmas tree
*decorated the tree and house
*my husband surprised me with s'mores
*we roasted marshmallows and ate s'mores and watched a Christmas movie together

sunday:
*finished 'Book of a Thousand Days'
*read all but the last chapter of 'Igraine the Brave'
*relaxed
*enjoyed the SNOW!
*enjoyed the tree
*watched the Steelers beat the Bungles

2007-12-01T09:24:00.000-05:00

i must have lost my mind when i wrote my previous post!
OF COURSE this is a special weekend....my neighbors are moving out!

in fact, i think they have just left with the moving truck because it no longer sounds like doors are repeatedly slamming and the continual barking of dogs has ceased.

oh happy day!

2007-11-29T19:34:00.000-05:00

this is not a special weekend.
i plan on relaxing, mainly.
but even though it's nothing amazing
i am really excited about it.
i have a goal
to finish one book
[about 300 pages left!]
and read another entirely
and perhaps start a 3rd?
i plan on spending lots of time
in my pajamas
and with my husband
and just enjoying being home
and being in love
this December.

vague much?

2007-11-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

this is so ridiculous. in fact, it is so ridiculous that i will not even explicitly state what i am talking about.

anyways.

i faced one of my biggest fears today. no, wait, i conquered one of my biggest fears today. ooh that sounds better.

i was so afraid of this thing that i avoided it for at least 5 years...though i lied and said '3 or 4' or even 'a few years.'

all of my experiences with this have been horrific. no exaggeration necessary. pain and tears and humiliation...these were always present.

but not today.

today was wonderful. i was terrified, i won't lie, and there were still some tears [though very few], but i feel SO much better now.

i should have done this years ago.

This week's top 5

2007-11-18T09:03:00.000-05:00

1. enjoying a whole week full of birthday celebrations with family and friends

2. getting my acceptance letter for graduate school and scheduling my first class

3. counting down to my neighbors move in 14 days

4. bundling up and facing the chilly weather with a smile

5. knowing that my loved ones are safe [after one was in the hospital and one flew to Rome!]

2007-11-09T21:46:00.001-05:00

$$$

2007-11-06T21:33:00.000-05:00

WHY does money bother me so much?

I feel like a reverse snob.
I look down on people with loads of money
who go on fancy vacations all the time
and drive huge stupid SUVs
and etc.
I wish it didn't bother me so much
but it just does.
Maybe because I don't have tons of money
and I never have
and probably never will.

We've had to wait so long
just to feel slightly secure
in our finances
that now we have to wait
again
for other things.
[Oh, that infernal house purchase!]

I hope that if I was wealthy
that I would spend wisely
and GIVE give give
and not splurge so much
as I see others do.
Yes, I am jealous
when you travel the world
all the time
and 'own a house in a gated community'
several states away
and seem to take this for granted.

It's mostly the traveling.

Tonight at small group
K was in Austria [!] so he couldn't come
B just got back from Costa Rica [again]
and is going to Jerusalem next month
and D was in France/Europe for the millionth time
and then at that blasted vacation home.

grr.
I hate to feel jealous.
I know that I need to work on that.

And I should keep saving
in hopes
that I make it to Europe
[for the first time]
before I turn 30.

And I know
I will definitely
NOT
take that for granted.

hmmm...

2007-11-06T16:02:00.001-05:00

Years ago when I was student teaching, the principal saw me in the hall and told me to get back to class. Then he realized who I was and the next day the vice principal apologized to me. I guess the principal was too embarrassed? Or just busy.

Ok, so I look younger than I am. No complaints here. I know as I get older I will really appreciate this more and more.

So today I was walking past some politicians and I was wearing a Clarion University sweatshirt [my alma mater]. One of the ladies asked if I went there, and wanted to know if I knew someone, but I apologized and said I graduated 5 years ago. Then a man near her said 'really?! You look like you're about 17 years old.' I told him I'd be 28 in a week, but thank you.

So apparently, whether 22 or 28, no matter, I still look 17.
Interesting.

[or was this the politician's ploy to get me to vote for him? aha!]

Four years ago...

2007-11-01T17:51:00.001-05:00

The happy couple
Originally uploaded by t23e.

I miss these

2007-10-30T20:47:00.001-05:00

Lake Erie sunset
Originally uploaded by t23e.

Lake Erie sunsets are the best.

tonight

2007-10-30T20:17:00.001-05:00

There is something so wonderful about basking in the glow of a friend in love.

2007-10-29T20:01:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wish I could embrace the cheesiness...

Great, Good, Bad

2007-10-24T20:19:00.000-05:00

A great book is a homing device
For navigating paradise.

A good book somehow makes you care
About the comfort of a chair.

A bad book owes to many trees
A forest of apologies.

~J. Patrick Lewis

potsa

2007-10-21T15:49:00.001-05:00

marijuana
Originally uploaded by t23e.

Went to the newly opened Cheesecake Factory yesterday.
Ordered the fettucini with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes.
Thought it tasted strange at first.
After a few more bites it tasted pretty good.
After I finished my husband took a bite.
He got a really strange look on his face and said:
'that tastes like weed.'
And he was right.

We later deemed it potsa.

2007-10-11T18:09:00.000-05:00

"I believe that a good children's book should appeal to all people who have not completely lost their original joy and wonder in life. The fact is that I don't make books for children at all. I make them for that part of us, of myself and of my friends, which has never changed, which is still a child."

~Leo Lionni

The baby name game

2007-10-04T17:57:00.000-05:00

NO, we are NOT planning having kids NOW. Just wanted to clear that up.

However, this is always a fun topic. Especially when you're a teacher.

Names I really really like:
Audrey [my grandma's name]
Aubrey
Ava

The name Andrew is dead set on:
Drew Iverson [yes, I am cringing]

I think this is cute:
Emma Emerick

I have a cute kid at school with this cool name:
Vaughan
Quinn

Names I can't stand as a result of teaching kids with these names:
Arianna
Seyvon [don't like this name anyways!]

I have WAY too many students with these names:
Tyler [today I had a class with three boys named Tyler. nuff said]
Kirsten, Kiersten, Kirstin, Kristen, however you spell it or say it, I am sick of it

First names I have encountered that are RIDICULOUS:
[to be fair, some of these are maybe not ridiculous, just hard to say, and come from other places in the world that I am not familar with. But some are just plain stupid]

KBN [not kidding]
Ibn
Zahmir
Meadow
Emerin
Serenity [she is so NOT serene]
Mehul
Anuya
Rehan
Torsten [STUPID!]
Tristen [makes me think of triscuits]
Keirstyn - what a ridiculous spelling
Declan
Ciasaire [pronounced KA-sear - and it only took me a year and a few weeks to get that memorized]
Rashmika
Enyce [pronounced a-NEE-say??????????]
Ysenia
Hasan
Yanira
Ciaran
Journei [groan]

2007-10-02T16:48:00.000-05:00

i got my new camera today! it only took 2 days. amazing. i am DYING to go out and shoot but i don't have the memory card yet. it better come soon! fortunately the camera came with a 32 MB card so i can take about 15 pics. [i suppose i could knock down the mp from 8 to 4 or something and get more shots but i haven't figured that out yet.]

anywho i am REALLY REALLY excited, the few random shots i took around the house already look pretty awesome. ;)

the things i am SO excited to use:

12x optical zoom
super-macro mode
fireworks setting
SNOW setting!
the super-cool flip out screen [already has come in handy]
face detection
loads of manual settings [since i can't afford a DSLR this rocks]

also, i can't wait till i go home and watch the sunset on the beach! and get some awesome shots. hopefully the sun will cooperate. ha.

btw, for those who care [crystal and alex!] i decided on a Canon PowerShot S5 IS. after HOURS [days?] of research!

babysitting

2007-09-23T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today was/is a good day.

I started off by working in the nursery - I always end up with a little baby [or at the oldest, today, a sweet little girl who was around one year old, I think] who I pick up 'cause they are crying, then I sit and rock them to sleep. I hope this is an indicator of when I have a kid! One of the moms told me I must have a 'calming presence' to always end up with a sleeper. I thought that was really nice.

Then after church I was thrilled to discover that my reimbursement for my glasses already came through...which means...NEW CAMERA! So I spent some time researching them, until:

My phone rang, and a friend from church called to see about a last-minute hangout. So we spent a couple of hours at Barnes & Noble, where I scored the signature edition of Charlotte's Web, and saved over $20 on it!

The steelers won again, and even though it wasn't on tv, next week it will be and we will party!

Since B&N I have been researching cameras again [think I am finally done, at least for today] while my hubby watches [and I half watch] football.

I think it's time to [finally] put away the computer, and curl up with my kitty and a book, and relax until Monday.

2007-09-20T16:42:00.001-05:00

I heard the saddest statement today.

"If I gave the amount of time and effort to my marriage that I give to this job, things would be a LOT different."

~said by a teacher at my school

.
.
.

All I could think was 'wow, I am glad that's not me' and 'I will never become that way.'

hooray for today

2007-09-12T15:08:00.000-05:00

1. I love my new glasses.

2. My new principal rocks.

3. I have more people on my book fair committee than any other year [thanks to #2 above].

4. The weather is absolutely lovely - it finally feels like autumn!

5. Tomorrow is a day off that I really need and plan on thoroughly enjoying.

My new obsession

2007-09-08T16:33:00.000-05:00

Well folks, I have found my calling.
Glassblowing.
Yes, you heard that right. Glassblowing. I saw the most incredible exhibit of it last weekend and I am still feeling blown away. The artists' name is Dale Chihuly, and he is a genius. I can't believe it took me this long to post about it. Where was my head? [I know where: at school.] Anyways, I took about a million photos, some of which I will now share.
Actually, maybe my calling is just to travel all around the world to see the rest of Chihuly's exhibits. That sounds about right.
The cool thing is, I actually know 2 people who 'do' glassblowing. So there is a chance I might be able to convince one of them to teach me sometime...sweet.
Also, there are a couple of these that don't have the glass in them, but they are some of my favorite photos from the weekend.

2007-09-08T16:32:00.000-05:00

I survived my 1st day of teaching.

2007-09-04T20:55:00.001-05:00

My first day of school
Originally uploaded by t23e.

If you click on the pic, you can read more. ;)

[too excited to think of a good title!]

2007-08-29T21:36:00.000-05:00

I am bursting with excitement. I have an amazing weekend planned, when I get to see many [so many] people that I don't see very often.

For the first 24 hours it's just me and my twin, who I haven't seen for almost 2 months, which is way too long.

My camp Bible study partner is coming to stay with us Saturday night. And I just love her.

And Sunday is the big camp reunion, precious, wonderful people that I usually only see once a year. This year I am lucky to see them again!

'I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it...'

On another note, and another reason to be excited, is this: tomorrow at school we have open house, where parents/students can casually come and visit the school, their teachers, etc. I find I am really looking forward to seeing some families that I have not seen since June, and also I'm excited to meet new families.

I need to get to bed!

I have football fever.

2007-08-26T19:03:00.000-05:00

Right now I could be at the Steelers [preseason] game. I decided against going.
And we had free tickets.
.
.
.
WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING???!!!???

I went to a rap show?

2007-08-23T18:13:00.000-05:00

I promised a friend I would blog about this. And so I shall.

Sunday night was the Modest Mouse concert. It was an outdoors, all-weather show, so of course it was cold and rainy. However, I was too excited to care. I met my friends outside of the city for dinner and then we all rode downtown together. We got there just in time, and secured our places in the mob, about 4 rows back on the right side of the stage. It was a pretty sweet place to stand.

And stand we did.

There was a random opening band at 7, didn't catch their name, and I wouldn't give them a good review anyways.

Then Band of Horses played, and they were really good. I'll probably end up purchasing some of their music.

And then. Brace yourselves. Clipse played a set. [I use the term 'play' loosely.] I hate to even disgrace my blog by linking to their site...but you need to go there to fully understand.
As I stood there with my mouth agape, wondering why there is an effing RAP GROUP opening for my beloved Modest Mouse, I decided I was in my own personal nightmare. I don't know who was in charge of the booking for this event, but I would love to know what they were smoking when they came up with this idea.
The scariest part was:
a. when their 'dj' played the bass so loud that I literally could not breathe. For an entire song. I had to time my breathing for moments when the bass died out and quickly take a breath then. This was a new and terrifying experience for me.

or maybe:
b. when I tried to be sneaky about my ear-plugging, and I was afraid one of the guys on stage would point me out since I obviously hated them, and their *cough* 'music' and life in general.

Anyways. After rattling my bones with their noise for too many minutes, they left the stage, to much cheering [mostly by me] and I was able to laugh about it...although I couldn't really hear myself laughing...so I at least think I was laughing. I'll have to ask my genius of a friend who was next to me and must have been forewarned to bring EAR PLUGS.

Note to self: always, always, always, bring earplugs to concerts from now on. Just in case.

Moving on.

Three openers 2 1/2 hours of standing in the rain aside, it was finally time for MM. And the shoving.

A group of people had worked their way through the crowd and came to 'rest' right behind me. Literally right behind me. You could not have shoved a piece of paper between me and my new buddies. I really don't prefer my ass to be grabbed that much unless it is by my husband. I looked at the girl next to me and we bonded over this uncomfortable and unfortunate experience, and we decided to stand our ground. So we did. We ignored them for quite some time, then turned around and yelled a couple times. I think they backed off for a song or two [because MM had finally taken the stage!].

I began truly enjoying myself for the first time in 3 hours.

Suddenly, I got shoved, hard. I fell onto the people in front of me and tried to stand up, and got pushed again. And again. And I started pushing back, and who knows what song was being performed, all I knew was hands and legs and feet and yelling. Then someone grabbed my arm, really hard, and I started yelling at them, and my friend Jess yelled that it was her, and she pulled me out of there.

[Now, I have been to a LOT of concerts. And many of those involved a similar venue, and I know there have been high/drunk people at other shows. But I have never been treated so rudely. I know these people were high, I could smell/see the pot and the beer bottles were everywhere. But come on. These people were OLD. I mean at least as old as me! And I'd think by then you would have moved on in your life? Apparently not.]

So anyways. Jess pulled me out of there and now I am pretty much standing as close to her and her husband as possible, but at least I am not getting shoved.

I am fuming, and the assholes who pushed me are right next to me, and I just want to kill them all. But I managed to close my eyes, forget about them, and focus on the [amazing] music.

Then MM had to go and play 'Doin' the Cockroach.'
Yes, I love this song.
No, I did not love the insane amount of ruckus it caused [wow, I sound old] and the fact that another, larger shoving match broke out, and I got moved further away from MM and their awesomeness.

Ok. So again, I managed to ignore my fury, and enjoy myself. Until finally Jess was getting beat up again and we got out of there and stood behind the whole crowd.

We should have just done that in the beginning, but Jess and Joe are die-hard concert-goers and they wanted to stand up there, so we did.
I will let them go on their own next time.

Bottom line[s]:
Was Modest Mouse good? No, they were amazing.
Did I want to kill myself during Clipse? Yes.
Did the rudeness ruin my night? Hmm...I would say no, but almost.
Do I need to see MM again to redeem my concert life? Yes please, and soon.

For a more lighthearted review of MM live, see this blog!

bdgt

2007-08-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

I've decided to eliminate the vowels and create a new word so as to make this word a 'four letter word.'

This four letter word makes me want to quit my job before the school year has even begun.
This four letter word is the cause of more discussion, stress and tears than anything else related to my job.
This four letter word is one of the most frustrating things I have dealt with in my entire life. No lie.

This four letter word had better become a 6 letter word again, and soon, or I just might lose my mind.

2007-08-22T21:09:00.000-05:00

I turn 28 in 85 days. Time to drag myself back up on the proverbial horse.

2007-08-17T14:36:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it is a good thing that I go back to school soon...in the past week I have almost put soap on my toothbrush twice, and this morning when I was in the shower I noticed that I had left my wedding rings on...and right before I turned off the water I realized that my glasses were still on.

I just made 2 amazing purchases on bn.com and I am way too excited about it.

2007-08-15T22:18:00.000-05:00

I <3 gardens.

2007-08-02T22:30:00.001-05:00

my extremely random yet oddly specific thoughts.

2007-07-30T20:51:00.000-05:00

We bought a laser pointer [remember those?] in the 'cat toy' department at Target over the weekend. I never knew my husband would be so entertained by it. He is enjoying it more than the cats!
I remember being in 9th grade...watching 'channel one' at school [a news thing] and there was a commercial with a little girl who was talking about 'the information superhighway.' It sounded crazy, unreal, even silly. And my friends and I laughed about it and said 'that will never happen...' and not 2 months later I had an email address.
This coming weekend [which for me, starts Wednesday!] I am traveling to Virginia by train. I get to see my sister! And some dear friends. I'm very excited. Like jumping up and down excited. Super squinty eyes and huge cheesy grin excited. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.
I purchased a belt today. I have never purchased a belt in my life. My sister would be so proud.
I had to purchase a belt because I keep buying pants and they keep ending up being too large after a few weeks.
Speaking of shopping, I tried to buy a swimsuit today. I wish I would have gotten the memo that swimsuits are no longer functional whatsoever! I need one that I can wear for water aerobics that will actually stay on, go figure. I tried on Nike and Speedo ones, and they were cute and fit and whatever, but there was no way I could wear any of them for swimming or aerobics. And don't even get me started on 'support.' Or really the lack thereof.
I got a phone call from a camper yesterday. It was the cutest thing ever. [besides which this girl was my 'favorite' - shh!]
Yesterday at church my pastor asked if I was in for fantasy football again this year. I got really excited. I came in 2nd last year...out of 40 teams! And only 3 of them were run by women.

Someone at accuweather is feeling feisty!

2007-07-26T07:32:00.001-05:00

retail heaven

2007-07-20T14:10:00.000-05:00

I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday for over two hours. [C'mon...shiny new books...comfy chairs...and starbucks coffee! What more do I need?]
I also made two sales when I was there and was basically offered a job! Ha, too funny. I spent most of my time in the 'teen' section [I still swear that 'teens' don't want to be called 'teens.'] - reading many a book jacket and writing down too many titles on my 'to read' list. And giving a few recommendations here and there...I just can't help myself.
Also I find it comical that I *ahem* 'seemed' to know more about *cough* young adult/children's books and authors than the employees. [Probably why they tried to recruit me.]
Anywho, if you click on my 'goodreads' link over there on the left, and then from there find my 'to read' list, you will see the gems I discovered in the teen section that I hope will live up to the previews! Actually, over half of the books I chose are by authors I have previously enjoyed...so they should be rather good!
Now the question is...back to B&N for a midnight purchase tonight? Hmm, we will see.

2007-07-17T15:35:00.001-05:00

I've been gone for a long time. You might want to grab a snack before reading. Here goes:

1. I did successfully reach my "I am going to exercise for 90 days in a row no days missed" goal thingy. Then I went to camp for a week and took some days off after that. I think tomorrow I need to get back on the horse. Or treadmill/bike, as it may be. The good news is that I have gone down some inches here and there and taking that time off for camp was not a setback!

2. My grandparents 60th / parents 30th anniversary party was so nice! It was pretty laid back, as family parties go. And great to see some family that I see about 2x per year.

3. I went to camp again. I could write a novel! For now I will say it was great, but also a lot different from previous years, and I had to deal with some heavy issues concerning one of my campers. Hopefully I helped her some...only being there for a week is not so long when it comes to situations like these.

4. On a happier note, this was the best year of camp in many ways!

5. It was good to be with my immediate family for so many days! I miss them. I hate living so far away. My 92-year-old grandfather [Papa] always reminds me of this fact when I leave. So sad.

6. I just loved the weather when I was home. I wore jeans/sweatshirts/etc so many days! I love when it's like 70-75 in the day and then cool enough at night for a sweatshirt. Although the 1st two days of camp were HOT, after it stormed on Wed am, the rest of the week was gorgeous. I'm so thankful for that!

7. I felt like crap after camp...well the sunburn [only a little!] and shin splint didn't help. And the lack of sleep. It took me a LONG time to recover! In fact, today is really the 1st day I feel pretty much normal. So, only 4 days? :)

8. I wish I lived in Pittsburgh. And could see camp people all year.

9. Hopefully I will be seeing some of them over Labor Day. And New Years. And other random times!

10. I am really glad to be home...I was away so long!

11. I finally became a member at Barnes and Noble today, after many years of shopping there and sighing when they asked me if I was a member and having to say 'no.' Immediately after getting my membership card, I went to the B&N starbucks and got lunch...and did a victory dance when I got to use my member discount for it.

12. I have my hair in braids and I feel like Pippi Longstocking.

13. I will stop for now. Need to finish reading HP6, and make dinner, and see my hubby, etc.

PICTURES TO COME!!!

2007-06-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

It's a really good thing that I am leaving in a couple days for Erie...otherwise I am afraid I would spend too much time sitting here perfecting my ability to waste a LOT of time! Granted, I did do the following today: worked out at the gym...random housekeeping...started packing/laundering things to pack...but yeah, that's about it for my entire day. Oops. Well at least I always claim to work well under pressure...so tomorrow when I have to do about 73, 921 things to get ready for 2 1/2 weeks away, it should be no sweat. Except it is going to be in the 90s again, so there will definitely be some sweat. Ah well. A few days from now, I will be in my lovely little hometown enjoying my family and the 68 degree high! Break out the jeans and sweatshirts, my friends, we are going to pretend that it's autumn, and nothing could make me happier.

You need to go here.

2007-06-26T22:25:00.001-05:00

Click on the picture and it will come up all big and happy-like.

Just a quick brag.

2007-06-22T20:04:00.000-05:00

I have [somehow] successfully managed to exercise for 75 days in a row.

I am only 15 away from my goal of 90 days. It's been either cardio or weight training or a combo each day,
BUT
I think in mid-July, when I return home after 2 1/2 weeks of adventures, I will step up the exercise even more...and try to do 90 days of cardio in a row. [Is that even legal?]

That should take me to Saturday, October 13. I think.
19 days after that, Andrew and I will have our 4 year anniversary. [speechless]
13 days later, I will turn [gasp] 28.

Maybe my high school trig teacher was right, I should have majored in math! [kidding]

Water aerobics dilemma.

2007-06-21T13:58:00.000-05:00

This morning I got up and went to a water aerobics class at the YMCA...so as I walk into the building, I see about 17 of my students who are there for summer camp. Nice. After putting my stuff in the locker room, I walk out to the pool [in my suit and a tshirt] and see a parent [of a couple of my students...oh and the wife of a school board member] sitting there. And the pool is full of kids. Awesome. Apparently the kids are supposed to be outside, but lucky me, the paint in the pool is peeling, and so the kids had to come inside today. [Really I don't think a couple of paint chips is going to harm anyone. That much.] So after a long time of standing there, talking to the aforementioned parent, slowly recognizing more and more students in the pool, and resisting the strong urge to run away screaming...the kids get bumped over so there is room for our class. Sweet.

So the class goes well, [though I am 40 years younger than everyone else in it], and I notice that some of the students I recognized may be recognizing me now, so I head back into the locker room.

Now for the biggest dilemma.

How can I possibly shower [and undress] and dress myself in a locker room swarming with precious little kiddies that I teach??? [And God forbid a boy comes through that locker room, at that point I would have to run away screaming, and probably quit my job as well.]

I decided to rinse of quickly in the showers, wrap myself in my [thankfully] huge beach towel, and then get dressed in the toilet stall. Except the toilet stall is SO tiny, that I barely manage to get my 'intimates' in place, and there is just no way I can manage my pants and shirt. So I have to walk through the locker room with my towel around me again but now with bra straps showing...and I manage to throw on my clothes at warp speed [and I am still praying that my little 1st grader didn't see anything of me she wouldn't normally see at school]...and I run out of the locker room and through the lobby and to my car...where I have a loud, hysterical dialogue about the experience...with myself.

All this for some quality physical fitness. Now the question is...do I dare go back again Tuesday morning?

I'm lame. And I have too much free time.

2007-06-21T13:16:00.001-05:00

[And ew, I didn't put on makeup today.]

A great start to summer

2007-06-15T08:14:00.000-05:00

I've made some really exciting plans in the last few days:

1. Modest Mouse concert on August 19! I actually got a ticket this time! Thanks to Jess for the presale password.

2. Tonight, on my way to a fabulous weekend with my sister and a dear friend's wedding, I get to stop and have dinner with a wonderful friend that I have not seen since October at her wedding! I am pumped.

3. I'm going to make a powerpoint show for my grandparents and parents for their joint 60th / 30th anniversary party...then I can burn it on DVD and they can watch it whenever. And I am going to take my parents basket [yes, basket] or photos and get them framed, or put into albums, and help them preserve their memories.

4. This is more of Andrew's plan, but I love it. He's made a nice chunk of change lately designing websites in his spare time...and we are going to take this 'extra' money and pay off some debts a whole year early...which makes the dream of owning a home that much closer.

Now I need to return library books, and clothes/etc at THREE stores...then go to the gym...PACK...and get on my way for my summer kick-off weekend!

drowning in donuts. what a way to die.

2007-06-11T15:35:00.000-05:00

No lie...33 students over the last week have come to see me and give me a birthday treat...all the students whose birthdays actually occured during the last week [only 7] and the other 26 kids who have bdays in the summer but brought in fat, I mean treats, for the last week of school.

i've gathered quite the collection of school-made cupcakes [ick], MUNCHKINS [never want to see another one as long as i live], and assorted homemade goodies.

i've also taken WAY too many 'bites' of these sugary things.

today a kid came in with another box of munchkins [i swear dunkin' donuts makes so much frickin' money off my students' parents!] and i gave him a little present [an eraser, i think]. and then he left, and i did a victory dance for managing to avoid the sugar. then 2 minutes later, he comes back in, and says 'you forgot your donut!' and i said 'that's because i have eaten too many of them today!' But then when he gave me the puppy dog eyes i said 'oh, ok' and took a chocolate one, and took a bite of it. dammit.

thank goodness tomorrow is the last day, or this would be coming next:

MALE WORKER: You were out sick yesterday, so we got you a get-well cake.

FEMALE WORKER: It's carrot. It's good for you.

WORKERS (singing): Get well get well soon, we wish you to get--

ELAINE: Stop it! That's not even a song! I mean, now we're celebrating a sick day?

MALE WORKER: I think it's nice.

ELAINE: What? What is nice? Trying to fill the void in your life with flour and sugar and egg and vanilla? I mean, we are all unhappy. Do we have to be fat, too? Not you Becky, I know you have a slow metabolism. I don't want one more piece of cake in my office!

June?

2007-06-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

I just simply cannot believe that it is June 8. I only have 3 more days of school left, and then I have completed 3 years at my school. Amazing. I am fairly sure I will continue to work there next year - the new principal alone brings so much promise. And the relationships I have built with students, parents, and other teachers just keeps getting stronger. I hate to leave it behind, though I know I will someday. Just maybe not as soon as I thought...and I think I feel OK about that.

I'm thrilled for summer. I have plans through the middle of July, and then a glorious month of freedom, which I hope will include some traveling, and perhaps whitewater rafting? I long for those spontaneous days of fun and freedom. They are almost here.

The Clash said it best.

2007-06-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble

And if I stay it will be double

So you gotta let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

#s

2007-05-23T15:26:00.000-05:00

7/7/07...my grandparents will have been married for 60 years. Wow.

It's day 45 of my 90 day madness. I haven't missed a single day!

45 days from now, I'll be at camp.

Meg and John are getting married in 23 days! It will be the perfect summer kick-off. I can't wait.

Summer vacation officially starts in 21 days...at exactly 3:05 pm.

14 days of school are left. But I only have 6 more days of teaching. What more can I say.

12 #s down.

more fun from last weekend

2007-05-19T18:55:00.000-05:00

priceless

2007-05-15T16:48:00.001-05:00

I'm still too tired and sore to write much. But I just had to share this pic, by far the funniest one from our whitewater adventure.

boing

2007-05-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

.
.
.
I feel like a tightly wound spring, ready to burst at any moment. The spring has been twisting, twisting, for the past 2 weeks, tighter and tighter. I'm so grateful that today has finally come, and I think the spring will start to twist back and loosen up in a few hours. Once I am through the security gates, sitting in a chair with my dinner, music, and a book...that is the moment that the spring will start to turn back. Once I make my connection in Atlanta and am safely on plane #2, the spring will turn back some more. Once I step off the plane in Charlotte and see my twin, the spring will be almost back to normal.
.
.
Tomorrow morning when I wake up, physically 10 hours away from the stresses of the past 2 weeks, then I can finally
.
UNWIND.