Whoa! Sorry!

Ok people...first of all I want to apologize for the 2 month hiatus I took from blogging.  I guess I just haven't had any random experiences that I have found worth embarrassing myself on the internet about!

As the year draws to a close I figured I should do something to recap the year but now that I think about it, there isn't much to tell that hasn't already been stated...

I could make a list of my resolutions for the new year but I have never been known to make and/or keep said resolutions so I don't think that will work either...

Alright so I have just lost my inspiration to continue writing...yikes, not good...that only took about 10 minutes!  Basically I wanted to write to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you...all 3 of you...I just haven't had the time/inspiration/patience to sit down and write.

One resolution for the new year...keep you better updated on the happenings of my life.

I hope you had a fantastic Christmas spent with family and friends and that you have a wonderful and safe time celebrating this year and bringing in the new one!  Lots of love is being sent to all of you!

Teacher Workday

So today was a teacher workday and it is one of my favorite days of the school year.  I have been planning for this day for a few weeks now.  I had many lists prepared detailing things that needed to get done and I am delighted to inform you that I was able to accomplish all of the essentials on the list plus a few extra things that were just fun.

Top Reasons I Love Teacher Workdays:
1. I don't have to be to school until 8.  (Normally I am there by 6:15.)
2. I don't have to wear my 'teacher clothes".
3. I get to listen to music while I work.
4. I get to mark things off of my to-do lists.
5. I get to reorganize all the junk - I mean stuff - on my desks and bookshelves and closet.
6. I get to chat with other teachers I rarely get to see when I am trapped in my own classroom.
7. Maturity leave teachers bring their babies in to show them off.
8. I am at school working but there isn't a kid in sight.
9. We sometimes we have meetings where they buy us lunch.
10. I get to check things off my to-do lists.

I am sure there are way more things I love and they will all come to mind later but this gives you a bit of an idea.

This workday in particular comes at the end of the first nine weeks of school and is typically used as a day to get all of the grades posted for report cards, wrap up beginning of the year things and then prepare for the rest of the year.  At the end of each quarter we are asked to reflect on how things went.  Most people typically write a few sentences, these are the good things...these are the bad things.  Well for some reason today I felt as if it were necessary to write a book about the first nine weeks.  OK so it wasn't really a book but it was a single spaced page.

A lot of things have changed for me this year and I am having to get used to new roles and responsibilities.  I am now teaching math which is super stressful because it is tested and before when I was teaching social studies nobody really cared about the actual learning taking place.  I am also my team leader and 6th grade math PLC leader.  Both of which are jobs I have never had (or wanted) before and both require me to be on top of everything for everyone.  Oh yeah and not only that but I coached boys' soccer - everyday.  (So far we are 2-4 but we have a game next week that should be a fairly easy game for us so its not TOO bad.)  This first quarter has been extremely busy and therefore I felt it necessary to tell all about it.  Had I really took more time and thought about it longer, my reflection could have easily been 2 or more pages long but I was a little bit tired of writing and 2:30 was quickly approaching and I intended to be out the door as the bell rang.

I used to love teacher workdays because I got to stay at home all day.  Now I love teacher workdays because I still get to sleep in but I also get to go to school and be overly productive without children (or adults) constantly needing me for one thing or another.  Come Monday I am going to have another list and more junk that I need to do and so on and so forth but for right now, its Friday, I got home at 2:45, and I don't have to do anything until Monday!

Sorry for the delay...

Alrighty so school has started again and that means that I don't have a life.  Well I don't really have much of a social life in general but now if I wanted one, I might have some difficulties.

Anyways, this year I am teaching math for the first time.  For the past two years I have taught social studies (7th grade and 6th grade) and everyone has told me "Oh my gosh, you are such a math teacher".  I think it may be because of my over organization or my logical brain because I am not sure my patience and strength are up for this challenge.  I came in assuming (yeah, yeah I know that assuming is bad), anyway, I came in assuming that the students would know certain things - like multiplication facts, and how to add decimals, and how to use a pencil sharpener, and how to keep their snot and cooties to themselves.  Let me tell you, they don't know any of those things!!!!

I am only slightly kidding.  I did tell my kids that if they ever saw me having a heart attack or panic attack that they needed to know how to dial 221.  (That is the extension for the front office.  Haha!)  This was after we were "reviewing" multiplying with two digits and all I got were completely BLANK STARES.  But I had an epiphany the other day.  Instead of assuming the kids know how to do something and flipping out and over stressing when they don't, I will assume they know how to do nothing so that when they do understand something, or at least vaguely remember it, from the past I will be really excited.

Oh, did I also mention that I am teaching three 80-minute class periods of 6TH GRADERS?  And that one of those classes includes a high number of students that require special services? And that I am currently the only math teacher in 6th grade that actually taught at my school last year so I am the go-to person for the other 4 math teachers?  And that I am my team's leader?  And that I am the head, and only, coach of boys' soccer?  And that our first game is next Tuesday?  And that the boys' soccer team went undefeated last year - the only team in the county to ever do that? 

All of these things combined leave me running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  I never can get caught up.  The moment I think I am almost up-to-date I get another thing (or 5 things) thrown my way.  Stress and exhaustion are just barely touching the surface but are pretty good indicators of how I am feeling.

In the midst of all of this I also happen to be a part of a wonderful women's Bible study group at church.  These ladies come from every walk of life and walk with Jesus but are completely encouraging.  I am also reminded of several verses of Scripture that help me refocus my thoughts and motivations.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'  Jeremiah 29:11

As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.  2 Chronicles 26:56

So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:2-3

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

These are just a few of the awesome examples of how I can believe that God has a plan for my life and no matter what I am going through now, He is always with me.

So if you begin to wonder where I am and why I am not updating you with the wonders of my life, just know that I am in the middle of a craziness that I am not sure I can really describe or understand but I am loved by an AWESOME God who will see me through it!

When is it summertime again?

Recap of Russia

We had our Russia reunion yesterday and it was so fun seeing my fellow travelers again.  I apologize to Bess for stealing her post but I thought it was so awesome that I could share it with all of you as well.

Check out this photo/video montage of my trip to Russia.  Our group leader created this and it was so great to reminisce.  You should be able to notice a few shots of me with my traveling companions enjoying the Russian experience.  Enjoy!

'Cause I Want It That Way!

Oh my goodness!!!!!  How could I have forgotten to tell you about my adventure to see NKOTBSB?  Let me just tell you, it was amazing.  I am sure I lost several cool points with some of you but I actually have way more cool points than any of you can count!  I turn into a 12 year old without even trying!  The lights went out and the smoke came on and I screamed and squealed like they were going to hear me above everyone else!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

New Kids on the Block

Backstreet Boys
They were like right there!
At one point Brian totally waved just to me!  Eye contact was made.

There was this little girl there that had a shirt on that said "I learned to walk by listening to Step by Step".  She had blond hair in pigtails and it was super cute.  But then there were these cougar ladies in front of us that were super dressed up like they were going to a cocktail party.  And then they left every 15 or so minutes so they could get more alcoholic drinks while I was screaming and belting out the songs and taking a hundred pictures.

All-in-all it was fantastic and if you don't get a chance to see them then I feel really sorry for you!

Movies I can't not watch!

So I was reading Pioneer Woman's website the other day and got the idea for this post by reading her Five Movies I'll Drop Everything to Watch.  By the end of this I am not sure how many movies I will have thought of so we'll go with it.  (Sorry Laura, it may not be a nice number but it is what it is.)  These are movies that I own or have seen a zillion times that I know it in my head!  I can't not watch/DVR to watch later these movies.  They are some of my all time favs!  I am pretty sure that if you know me you will be COMPLETELY SURPRISED by all of my movie choices!  Insert as much sarcasm into that statement as you can handle and let's go!

#1 - Titanic - Don't hate!!  I can't help but watch this movie any time it is on TV (regardless of what part it is) and sometimes I even plan to watch it on the VHS tapes that I own.  Sadly I have never upgraded to DVD but it is so awesome that I don't really care - but the DVDs might be a good gift I mean if you are ever short on ideas.  I am not really sure what I love most about it; history, love story, that I used to have a huge crush on Leo, great story, lost love, pretty clothes, Irish music and jigs, poor boy meets rich girl, old lady telling a story about a naked picture of herself, and the list goes on and on - just as my heart will go on!

#2 - Hook - I love the story of Peter Pan; the play version with Mary Martin (1960), Disney's animated version (1953), or this real-life "Peter Pan has grown up" version (1991).  There are so many great lines in the movie...the lost boys chanting "Ru-fi-o.  Ru-fi-o.  Ru-fi-ooooooooooo", the name calling session between Rufio and Peter - R: "You are fart factory, Slug-slimed, sack-of-rat-guts-in-cat-vomit, cheesy, scab-picked, pimple-squeezing finger bandage. A week old maggot burger with everything on it and flies on the side!"  P: "Rufio, if I'm a maggot burger why don't you eat me! You two-toned zebra-headed, slime-coated, pimple-farmin' paramecium brain, munchin' on your own mucus, suffering from Peter Pan envy!", or Smee and his craziness.  Classic!  So great!  Plus Maggie Smith is in it and I. LOVE. HER.  PS - it was on this weekend, I have it on the DVR and I am 1/3 of the way through it (and have it paused) and knew I had to write this blog.

#3 - A Walk to Remember - Oh my goodness!  Who does not love this movie?  If you don't, we can't be friends, PERIOD and EXCLAMATION POINT.!  The soundtrack is fantastic, the story line is great, ahhhh Shane West!  I remember watching this movie for the first time in the theater and basically crying through the whole thing.  I also can recall reading the book in high school, late at night (on a school night), in my room bawling my eyes out.  It was a sad cry but a good cry.  Such a sweet story.  OH!  By the way, I was in a shop in tiny little Suzdal, Russia this summer, minding my own business, shopping for souvenirs when I hear about 5 seconds of "Cry" that Mandy Moore sings for the movie and turn around and see the movie on the TV, dubbed in Russian!  Unfortunately I couldn't watch much because my traveling buddies were ready to head out but I still thought it was pretty cool.  WARNING: Do not watch this movie with me if it bothers you when people quote movies word-for-word.

#4 - Three Ninjas -  Oh the '90's.  Weren't they fantastic?  I could place this movie in the same category as Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, Richie Rich, all of the Mighty Ducks movies, Adventures in Babysitting, Camp Nowhere, and Heavyweights.  There are probably way more that I left off of this list but they are so great in their awesomeness that I can't list them all here or I will lose focus.  OK back on track.  So, who doesn't love a grandpa that teaches his grandsons to be ninjas and gives them ninja names and then those grandsons have to use their ninja skills to save said grandpa?  Oh plus - favorite line - "Rocky loves Emily!  Rocky loves Emily!"  haha LOVE. IT.

#5 - Borrowed Hearts - One of my favorite made-for-tv Christmas movies!  I have lots of favorite Christmas movies but this one just has a sweet story and little Zoe and her hopes for a house just like her doll house.  It just leaves you warm and happy inside.  It comes on for "Christmas in July" specials, "Falalala Lifetime" or "Countdown to Christmas" and I can't miss it.  One Christmas morning I woke up to find this movie under the tree just for me (thanks Mom) so now I can watch it whenever I want!

  

#6 - He's Just Not That Into You - What did I do before this movie came out?  It has been my go-to movie as a single 20-something.  Justin Long is so cute.  Jennifer Aniston and Ben Afleck - LOVE IT!  "I want you to stop being nice to me."  "This feels like a trick."  "Do not be nice to me unless you are going to marry me."  Except for the Jennifer Connelly/Bradley Cooper/Scarlett Johansson story line, I pretty much love everything about this movie.  Practical advice, awkwardly funny moments that make me cover my face every time I watch it, many happy endings - really, what's not to like?

#7 - Remember the Titans - Also another great movie with a great soundtrack!  This is probably my favorite sports movie EVER.  Great inspiration and characters and actors and DENZEL!  Dancing and chanting football players struggling to bust through the trials and tribulations of racial desegregation in America.  This is history people!

#8 - Beauty and the Beast - Of course there would be at least one Disney movie on this list and why not this one?  I mean I am totally Belle - nose stuck in a book, wanting to travel to far off places (even if they are only in books), singing and dancing around all the time, hottest guy in town after me constantly wanting to marry me - totally me.  Well at least part of that is true.  Again, FANTASTIC soundtrack.  And also, don't watch this with me unless you are comfortable with my singing and line-by-line replay!


Ok well 8 isn't a horrible number and I could probably think of 2 more movies to make it a nice 10 but hey it's still summertime and I am on vacation.  I'll follow those crazy rules in about 3 weeks thank you very much!  Enjoy!  I would love to hear your top movie choices - I am always up for a new movie.


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BTW - IMDB and Google are AWESOME!

Traveling with friends!

Hey people!!!  I know you have been DYING for a story from Russia and I am just now ready to appease that request.  I have been home for just over a week now and have not done much more than upload all 800+ of my pictures to Facebook.  If you have the chance to check them out, do so under the warning that the only requests from people before I left included (1) Be safe. (2) Have fun. (3) Take lots of pictures.  So I did all 3 with an emphasis on #3!

Prior to the trip I didn't really know anyone else going.  I mean we had our 2 day workshop in March with a half hour "get-to-know-you, here are more details, did we scare you yet?" lunch but really I didn't know anyone.  Insert a 4 hour plane delay at RDU and problem is solved!

I met Tammy in the first line of the day - checking in at the "self check-in" computers.  We were both at the end of the line and struck up conversation about who knows what.  Probably a lot of "wow how long does it take to check in at the computer?" "why is this going so slow?" "oh, don't get that computer it seems to be giving people lots of fits." and so on.  After checking in, we got transferred to another line the "check in your luggage, get passport inspected, get actual ticket" line.  Joyful!  We also ended up next to each other on the plane to DC...score!  YAY friend #1!!!

Now that I am exhausted already and have yet to go through security, I sit down and strike up a conversation with Bess.  (I know look at me branching out and striking up conversations.  Such a big girl!)  Anyway, we dealt with the whole "my name is... I teach...in..." junk to be repeated at least 25 more times to the other travelers.  She has a very interesting story - she taught the new American Idol in English!  I had to text my mom right away because I knew she would want to know.  So anyway, we got past my little bit of star-struckness and had a unspoken plan to stick together - at least for the day.

After security and knowing that we would be at the airport for a while we decided to go on an adventure to find food; what may possibly be some of the last edible food of our trip (in my mind at least).  As we were wandering we came across Andi and invited her to join us on our quest.  Come to find out through the "my name is... I teach...in..." junk that she teaches at one of my feeder elementary schools.  SMALL WORLD!

From this point on the 4 of us verbally decided that we are going to stick together for this trip.  Short of one small incident, we never left a WOman behind!

Andi, Tammy, Bess, and me in Suzdal, Russia

I am not really sure how my trip would have gone without these girls, but I am really glad I had them!  We had a blast learning new things, being a sounding board when something or more likely someone was driving us crazy, or just to laugh and chat together.  We have plans to meet up at our post-travel workshop and get dinner and reminisce about our adventures.

Traveling 101: If you don't know anyone, meet them!  Some of them may actually turn out to be pretty darn cool!

Russia

I don't have time or the desire right now to tell you all about my trip so far to Russia.  I did want to give you a quick update.  I arrived in Moscow last Sunday and stayed there for 2 days and then we traveled 3ish hours to the northeast to the Golden Ring.  We stopped shortly in Vladimir and then continued on to Suzdal - a former capital of Kievan Rus/Russia although most people back home, including me, have never heard of it.  Our time in Suzdal and surrounding areas has been great and tomorrow we prepare for our overnight train ride to St. Petersburg!  I am very excited for the next few days.

More updates and pictures are to come once I get home and have stable internet and lots of rest!

До свидания!
 [dah svee-dah-nee-yah]
Goodbye!

I know it is long but please read!

This is a post from my cousin and I didn't really know how to cut it so you get it in its entirety.  This is not really a political plea but one of humanity!  I ask for your prayers on her behalf!

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This is a note I've been wanting to write for quite some time, but I've never been able to talk myself into doing it.  I'm doing it now because I'm angry. And I'm sad. And there's a big, strong boy up here that needs your prayers.

On November 28, my boyfriend's oldest son, Alex, was a happy, healthy, active 15 year-old boy. Tipping the scales at 6'1" and 203 pounds, he was a star defenseman on his hockey team; a hockey team that was runner-up in the Provincials just the season before.  On November 29, Alex spiked a fever so high that he actually became delusional, to the point of yelling obscenities at his mom and sister that should never escape the mouth of a 15 year-old.  He went to the Emergency Room, where he was given some fluids, told he had the flu and sent home. "Free" Healthcare Fail #1.  By Thursday of that week, he was still feverish, had started vomiting, and was complaining of a pain in his side.  So off to the the ER again, this time with a request to check his appendix.  Same fluids.  Same story about the flu.  Same result.  "Free" Healthcare Fail #2.  Another week later, a trip to his pediatrician.  "It can't be appendicitis, he's had the symptoms for too long."  No appendicitis, just the same flu.  "Free" Healtcare Fail #3.  Repeat this scenario.  Three trips to the ER, one trip to Urgent Care and two trips to the Pediatrician... landing with the final trip to the ER on December 18.

On December 18, Alex was a very ill 15 year-old boy.  He was vomiting blood.  He had a raging fever.  His kidneys were shutting down.  After a million tests, the doctors finally ordered an ultrasound.  And what they found was shocking.  Alex did, in fact, have appendicitis.  But, unfortunately, it went undiagnosed during SIX visits to healthcare facilities.  His appendix had ruptured nearly two weeks prior.  He was toxic.  His body was literally killing itself.  And we almost lost him.  He was too weak for an operation to remove the pieces of his appendix or the pockets of infections that had formed in his abdomen.  He had three abscesses; one the size of a golf ball, one the size of a baseball and one the size of a grapefruit.  Because he was too weak for major surgery, the doctors inserted drainage tubes into the abscesses and started him on the strongest antibiotics known to man.

On December 24, Christmas Eve, Alex was released from the hospital.  He was our Christmas Miracle.  And we honestly couldn't have been more excited to have him back home.  He was weak and tired, but he was home.  And we were able to share Christmas together, outside of the dark walls of the hospital.

Fast forward to December 27.  Alex had a fever, which meant an automatic trip to the hospital.  So back he went.  To the same place he had just lived in for a week and left a mere three days earlier.  And what did they do?  They told him his case was now too complicated and they could no longer treat him.  Alex's case was forwarded to The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto.  It's a state-of-the-art, best-of-the-best hospital.  At Sick Kids, two more abscesses were found.  Again drains were inserted.  And again he was put on antibiotics.  He continued to lose weight.  He continued to be in great pain.  And the abscesses continued to gain on him.  He had good days.  And he had bad days.  But he fought through it.  He came home to us, once again, on January 7.  He was 43 pounds lighter.  But he was home.  For good.

Until May 25, when a "routine" surgery changed everything.  Because Alex was so weak when he was first admitted to the hospital, they couldn't operate to remove the pieces of his appendix.  So a surgery was scheduled for May 25.  It was expected to be routine, with only a day or two spent in the hospital.  Unfortunately, a pesky abscess was hiding behind all of the scar tissue.  An abscess that had been building up strength in his body for five months.  So the doctors removed it.  And that's when the nightmare started again.  Two days after the surgery, on Friday, the doctors removed Alex from his antibiotics.  Within an hour, he had a fever so out of control that they had to pack him in ice to bring it down.  The infection was back.  With a vengeance.  Another ultrasound revealed five more abscesses. As before, drains were inserted to drain the abscesses and he was put back on powerful antibiotics.  Antibiotics that, unfortunately, resulted in a nasty case of C.diff.  And C.diff meant Alex had to be put on yet another antibiotic to treat that.  Alex's planned 2-day stay in the hospital turned into a 12-day stay.  But he came home to us last Sunday.

Fast forward a week.  My, how life can change in a week!  Alex is no longer home with us.  He spiked a fever yesterday afternoon after two hours of shopping at the mall.  The fever was controlled with some Tylenol, but he headed to the ER this morning just to be safe.  We had convinced ourselves that the C.diff had just reared its ugly head again and figured he'd get some antibiotics and be on his way.  Unfortunately, an ultrasound showed differently.  The infection is back.  In full force.  His abdomen is, once again, filled with abscesses.  They will likely try to drain the abscesses tomorrow, but the doctors aren't sure they're drainable.  The second option is a massive surgery in which they'd open him up and flush his abdomen to completely remove the infection.  Whatever ends up happening, enough is enough.

Why do I share this?  Because, in light of Obamacare, so many of you have asked me what I think of Canada's "free" healthcare. My response has traditionally been that I don't really have an opinion because I haven't had to deal with it.  Until now.  We asked 4 different doctors on 5 different occassions to check his appendix.  Why?  Because his grandmother had appendicitis.  And his uncle had appendicits.  And his dad's appendix ruptured.  And nobody ever checked it.  He never had an ultrasound until he was vomiting blood in the ER.  Never.  It's so easy.  And it's not that expensive.  But in a "free" healthcare system, even the smallest of expenses is a big deal.  An ultrasound could've stopped all this.  You know what else could've stopped this?  Not sending him home on December 24th, just because you have to hire staff nurses to work on the holiday.  What else?  Doing an ultrasound before releasing the boy from the hospital las week, to make sure you really did get all of the infection.  What else?  If you're not going to do an ultrasound before releasing him, at least send him home with antibiotics. Yes, they sent a kid with two different infections home without a single antibiotic.  "Free", in the Canadian healthcare system, clearly means "cheap"... and not cheap in a good way.

Why else do I share this?  As I sit on the couch in my quiet house, I am in tears.  This boy - this 15 year-old kid - has been through enough.  Alex will be turning 16 on the 30th of this month.  I don't want him to spend that day in the hospital.  I don't want him to ever see the inside of that hospital again.  I'm not his mother, but I so want to take this pain away from him.  And I want to take the weight of this situation away from his dad.  I want the nightmare to end.  We need your prayers.  Prayers of strength and courage for Alex.  Prayers of knowledge and guidance for the doctors.  Prayers of strength and love for the man I so adore.

If you're the praying type, please say big prayers for Alex tonight.  And if you're not the praying type, please just remember us over the next few days as we fight this battle yet again.  It's like a bad dream that you can't wake from... a nightmare that keeps coming back no matter what you do to rid your mind of it.  

And, please, no matter what you do, just say 'no' to Obamacare.  Keep some integrity in your health system.  Please.

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As of June 15th he is back in the hospital "We need big prayers, y'all. Alex is crashing. In x-ray and ultrasound right now to figure it all out..." quoted from my cousin Aleesha!

I craft - no biggie

So I was spending the morning searching Amazon for new free books to put on my Kindle (because I only get free ebooks) and I was showing off my new Kindle cover/carrier that I got from Thirty-One (click the link to take you to Jordan's website to check out all the cool things you can buy).  The holder is actually a Fold-N-Go Organizer with notepad but a Kindle (or Nook) fits in nicely.  So anyway...downloading books, showing off my new cover and I stand up to put it away and my Kindle falls out the top! Hitting my computer and the falling to the floor...crash, bam, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I freaked out - but only slightly (which surprised me that I wasn't more freaked out).

So Laura and I decided something has to be done!  Her suggestion - get some ribbon or something like that and attach snaps to hold it in place but so that you can still take it out.  Guess what...I just so happen to have a snap attaching kit and ribbon.  Really random I am aware but also VERY awesome at that point in time.

I read the directions carefully before attempting anything - because I am a planner and because I won't do it if I can convince myself that it won't work.

OH!  Did I tell you that I had to listen to Jason Aldean while I crafted?

The first step is to poke holes in the fabric.  This makes me extremely nervous because I don't want random holes in it if it doesn't work.  I do a test hole in a portion that can't be seen and it works!  So here we go.  I measure for the hole very precisely - stretching a piece of ribbon across the distance, folding it in half and then seeing where the middle is, and then eye ball it with the hole puncher - like I said very precise.  I worked really hard to punch the hole, got most of it punched and finished it off with scissors.  Whew that was stressful but accomplished nonetheless.  Now I had to make a hole in the ribbon to attach the snap - I just used scissors for that knowing the hole punch would jack. it. up.

Now comes the attaching the snap part.  I looked at the diagram to figure out which piece is (A), (B), (C), and (D).  And then I went to town.  Hammering was involved!  And voila! one snap is completed!  Now I folded the ribbon over, again precisely measuring where the holes will go and repeated the above steps!  Now it is complete.  I also added little pieces of rubber (extra stuff used to secure a rug to a hardwood floor - also something I just happened to have laying around) to the underside of the snaps that touch the Kindle so that the metal of the snaps won't rub and mess it up.

Let me just tell you this thing looks AMAZING!!!  Way better than I thought it would.  I do have some critiques of it - the holes are just off center (maybe my precise measuring should have actually been precise), I could have done this and that a little differently, etc etc.  But really I am super excited about it and won't complain - too much.  For half an hour's work I got a revamped Thirty-One Fold-N-Go Organizer turned one-of-a-kind Kindle cover!  Some things money can't buy!

Speed dating...on a military base

Never thought you would ever hear/see those words coming from me did ya?  No, me either!  Well my friend Laura mentioned that she had been invited by a friend to go and then asked if I would do it too.  Normally my answer would be "heck no" but for some reason I agreed to go and even had to almost convince her it was a good idea.  I know its crazy but I have no idea why I wanted to go to this thing.  Again this is TOTALLY not in my character at all so who knows.  I went into the situation like this - I don't anticipate anything relationship-wise coming from this experience but it will definitely be an adventure and something to get me out of my comfort zone (but on purpose).

Anyway as we get up to the gate and we have to get the car inspected since none of us are military connected.  The first thing the guard asks is "what brings you ladies to base?"  What is the response the driver gives?  "We're going to speed dating."  OH FANTASTIC!!!!  Now I am super embarrassed to be here and would love for you to leave me at the gate; you can pick me up on your way home.  So we all laugh hysterically, get back in the car, and are on our way.

We get to the sports bar where the event is being held and now I am completely reconsidering the whole thing but once again I push on through.  We get out to the back patio area and are asked to sign in and then sign a waiver claiming we know that the group putting this thing together is not a dating service and are not liable for anything that does or does not happen.  Also, that I am not married.  Oh awesome.

Now we start off with a kind of mingling game thing.  There is a name tag on your back and you have to ask yes or no questions to find out who your person is.  Then you have to find out who your "other half" is; examples include Demi Moore - Ashton Kutcher or eggs - bacon or yin - yang etc.  My person was Robin and my other half was Batman who actually happened to be a very tall, handsome man from Norway who is on base taking a nine-ish month course here in the US.  Oh...and his name is Hans!

Anyway...let the speed dating begin.  The girls are all asked to sit down at a table (two girls to a table) and then the guys fill in across the table - pretty much like you see on tv.  Each mini date supposedly lasted 3 minutes although many of them seemed to drag on and on and on!  Basic questions got asked "what do you do" "tell me about yourself" etc.  By like the 15th person I was so tried of hearing my own schpeel that I said "I could tell you all about how I am a 6th grade teacher but I would rather make up an interesting lie and tell you that I am an astronaut."  The guy seemed to go with me on it so we talked about how it would be cool to be an astronaut.  This has nothing to do with whether or not he was interesting just I was sick of hearing myself say the same thing over and over again.

One tactic that helped out with uninteresting guys was that since we were outside and had to deal with lots of bugs - mosquitoes specifically - if I had nothing to say I would just wave my hand all around my face and say something like "oh goodness these bugs are crazy."

I will say that there were some really good looking and nice men there but alas many of them were younger than me and as suspected, no love connection was made.  I could tell you individual interesting stories but I don't feel like it at the moment and really I think you kinda had to be there for some of them to really be funny.

Verdict on this adventure: a fun experience that I would probably do again - with the same expectations/or lack of expectations as this time.

Summer trip

Ok ok I know my posts are getting further and further apart but really the 3 people that read this on a regular basis already know whatever it is that I am posting.  But, for those of you that don't know, I am going to Russia in 36 days!

Russia?  Yep!  Why?  Because how many people do I know that can say they have been to Russia?  Like 1 - and it was the Soviet Union when she was there.  Also, I am teaching 6th grade social studies this year which includes Russia in the curriculum.  But really I just love the idea of going somewhere far away - for a visit - and learning about the history and see how other people live.

In order to get ready for this trip I have been teaching my students some Russian to help me learn some Russian. I can now hold a conversation that goes something like this:
"Hello.  Good morning (or afternoon).  My name is Brandi.  What is your name?  Pleased to meet you.  Goodbye."  I can also say "please" and "thank you".

Yep.  That's about all I've got at the moment.  Not going to get me very far but like I told my students, if you can be polite, it can get you some help.  Plus I don't really think that I will be able to hide my American-ness while I am there anyway so whatever I learn will be a miracle.

I have stocked up on travel size necessities, space-safer bag things so I can pack for stuff, luggage locks that are TSA approved so they don't have to cut them off should they need to make sure I don't have a bomb, and a wall outlet adapter.  I am still waiting on my visa to come back from DC.  I had to send my passport to the Russian Embassy in DC to get the visa.  This is super scary because should something happen to that passport during transport or whatever, there is no way I will get another in time for the trip.  YIKES!!!  And the embassy has been closed for at least 6 weekdays in the last 2 weeks due to different holidays for Russia.

I also was flipping through the channels tonight and found out that I have a Russian Television channel that comes straight from Moscow but is in English.  I have been watching for about an hour and they are replaying the same exact footage that I saw when I first tuned in.  I think if I watch it a few times a week, I will know more info about the ins and outs of Russia.  Like did you know that every year they open up all of the museums all night, for one night for free to anyone that wants to come?  Or that Volgograd is powered by a hydroelectric dam on the Volga River that although provides enough power to run the town plus send extra over to Moscow is also cutting down on the sturgeon population responsible for the famous Russia caviar?  Or that there are only 1000 days until Sochi hosts the 2014 Winter Olympics?  Well, now you do!

I hope to learn more about the wonderful place I will travel to in a few short weeks.  Maybe you can learn something too!  I will keep you updated on the process of packing, etc and of course supply you with lots of stories and pictures when I get back.  Stay tuned.

Spring Cleaning

BEWARE: Nostalgia and extremely long run-on sentences included in this post.  You have been warned!

I paid all of my new bills for the month and then organized and put away all of my bills and paperwork that have created an enormous pile on my desk and surrounding area for the last few months.  Oh the joy of a clean desk!

In general, my "office" area has been driving me crazy...basically since moving in almost 2 years ago!  I am known for keeping things - all kinds of things - but in particular school things.  I have a giant box at my mom's house in the attic that has junk in there from kindergarten - finger paintings, awards for 'clean cubbie' and 'student of the week,' mini coloring books, teacher evaluations on my ability to identify shapes and colors, etc. - all the way up to high school classes - the contents from just about every single class I took in high school including my "portfolio" from ART I (I use quotations around portfolio to signify that no one else in the world would qualify the art within the portfolio to be actual art - but hey I need an elective and so art it was.).  Like I said I keep EVERYTHING!

Somethings I brought with me to my big girl place are my notebooks from my college classes.  Now I don't have ALL of my notebooks just the ones from my education classes - a total of 7 complete notebooks plus random other things like lesson plans + junk to go with lesson plans and readings for classes - from 3.5 math classes - the half was from a Calc 2 class that I had a bad professor/I was doing HORRIBLE in the class and therefore dropped it but picked it back up the next semester with a different professor (Most of my math classes were INSANE and therefore when I looked back at the majority of my tests I wonder how I actually passed the classes.) - 4 books I used for my math ed classes - I am taking those with me to school Monday - from only 1 history class - not sure what happened to the other 5 or so classes (I probably did really bad in those classes and gave up hope of ever finding the nostalgia in them.  Although I didn't do too hot in the one class I still have so not sure why that one made the cut.  But alas, I have it.) - and from a drama class - senior year, fall semester, last semester of classes before student teaching; I loved the class and the professor and met lots of fun freshmen who were so cute when they asked if I lived in HJ.

So all of this is to say that I spent the good part of an hour (probably more than an hour) "reorganizing" my college stuff in the crates I have them in.  I was actually able to get rid of a small pile of stuff (plus I'm taking those math books to school) and did move some things around but no one would probably notice any real difference.  I also realized that looking at bad grades I got on calculus tests and history papers and discrete home works don't really have a whole lot of impact on me today.  I did well enough to pass the classes and I graduated on time and got my degree - which I am currently using.  Who really cares about my ending GPA?  No one!  Do I even know what it was?  Nope!  Do I care?  Nope!  I reference the notebooks and stuff every once in a while for an idea for my lessons but really the stuff is there to remind me of my small accomplishments and give me a laugh when I notice I got a 40 on a CALC 2 test (the first time around).

I still have lots of stuff in my office area that I could get rid of or put somewhere, I just need more organizing tools and apparatuses (?) (apparati?) to better organize them.  Summer project...check!

Next spring cleaning task - closet.  I need to get rid of clothes but once again I KEEP EVERYTHING!  "I wore that shirt that one time and I might be able to wear it again."  I think I need Stacy and Clinton to come in and tell me that everything in there is gross and give me $5000 to get a new wardrobe!  HINT HINT, WINK WINK to all those that read this for a nomination!

I think I am done for now - no need bombarding you with too much info!  hehehe

Wow...they never cease to amaze!

I was on for a workshop a few weeks ago and when I got back I had my students do a quick-write about how the 2 days went while I was gone.  I told them that the sub had written me a note detailing their behavior and general goings on so they shouldn't lie but tell me their side of the story.  I was expecting lots of "the sub was mean," "too much work," "I didn't do anything wrong," etc etc.  What I really got was "I was disrespectful to the sub and got sent to the office."  I also got "I did all of my work but I am not a rat.  I don't tell on people."  As well as "I was bad but the sub made me write sentences and then I got my work done."

What the kids didn't and still don't know is the sub had yet to leave me a note until the next day and I was surprised at how many actually told on themselves for even the smallest things.  Some of the behavior the students mentioned were little things that the sub didn't even tell me about.

It is very refreshing that even though I have A LOT of hard headed students that can't locate the Atlantic Ocean on a map or stay in their seat or bring a pencil or pen to class, they are honest about their poor decisions and bad behavior (most of the time).

If nothing else, they gave me a good laugh and restored a little of my faith in the future world.

Boys

Ok.  I have been pretty reluctant to mention this at all or talk about the 'boy' subject in general.  Lately it has been a really annoying thing going on in my brain and I figure why not share it with the whole world.

I would like to start off with the fact that the questions When are you getting married?  Are you dating someone right now?  Oh really, why not? are EXTREMELY annoying and I think this is to get out my side of the story and to provide answers to those questions.  This post is addressed to loving aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, other various family members, friends, and casual acquaintances of mine and every other single girl I know.

Let's start with the past.

Those that know me know that I have never had a real relationship.  I mean I had a boyfriend in 6th grade but that really means we would meet up at the dance and only talk to each other during the mandatory 5 slow dances and then after that the other was no where to be found.  We maybe held hands once - A BIG DEAL - and we passed notes every once in a while.  A major real-life relationship these things do not make.

I have had guy friends since elementary school, especially since I have two brothers and had mostly boys in the neighborhood.  I had/have my fair amount of crushes on boys - realistic and so-totally not going to happen crushes - but nothing that would ever resemble a relationship or the beginning of a relationship.  AND I am totally fine with this.  There are definitely times when I get a woe-is-me feeling while reading a cute book or watching a RomCom or hearing a really sweet song.  I have even been known to complain to friends and family that I will never have my happy ending.

To the people who really feel sad for me right now I want you to dry your eyes because at this point I actually feel lucky.  There are so many opportunities in my life that I have had because I wasn't tied down to anyone, or reliant on taking another person's feelings into account for decisions I have made for my life.  I also don't have the heartbreak of losing a deep relationship or making mistakes I can never take back that friends of mine have.  Praise God for that protection!

Questions I ponder on the regular - What would my life look like if I had dated _____?  What if I had given him a chance?  I wonder what life would be like if I was married.  Why haven't I had any relationships?  Why don't boys like me?  What is wrong with me? The questions are really endless along that line of thinking.  I have friends that are married and have children and last summer was a marathon of weddings for some friends and in those instances my mind really starts thinking obsessing.  But in my rational mindset I have clear thoughts on my current situation.

My friends and family in recent years seemed to be very concerned about me moving onto a new life stage and worry and want to set me up with any number of guys who they know, who are so-and-so's friend, etc etc.  These are not random guys or bad guys - many of them are probably really great guys.  But what are the qualities they are looking for in these people they want to set me up with?  Basically I think they are throwing anybody and everybody out there as an option.  Problem is:  I don't see every single-guy as an option for me.  I don't like to think that I have a checklist of qualities my ideal guy needs but I guess I kinda do.  (No I am not going to make a list of my top 10 [or 100] qualities but I am going to point out a key thing that I think is really important.)

Something that is extremely important to me is the guy needs to have a desire for the Lord and desire for Him to be the center of his life.  I am not into a 'missonary dating' relationship where I show him Christ and he follows me on the path.  That is not me, not what I see as my responsibility, and I defintiely can't be anyone's savior.  We both need to be on our own paths towards the Lord and eventually those paths meet and join.  This also can't be a trait that the guy seeks because his mom or sister or grandma or friends are pushing him towards.  He needs to want it for himself without factoring anyone else into the equation.  Without this quality I think the relationship would be very shallow and would lead to a quick dead end.

That is really the only serious thing that my knight-in-shining-armor needs to have but I also have preferences.  That guy should strive to have good relationships with friends and family. Not a 'mama's boy' but good to his parents and grandparents.  Now if you know any of these guys - loves the Lord and his family - send him my way!  I am all for that tall, dark, and handsome idea - think cowboy-esq - but I am not dead set on it.  It would be great if he has some sort of higher education and a job. 



Also, please realize that as much as I would like to live in 19th century pioneer times, I do not.  Therefore, being a single 23-year-old woman in no way means that I should be "put on the shelf" or that I am destined to be a spinster.  I have time to enjoy being single and figuring out my life and my hopes and desires.  I have faith in what He tells me in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future."  The Lord knows the desires of my heart and will provide all things in His time.  Which means that all you people are just going to have to be patient.  I truly appreciate your concern and your desire to help me on my quest for a man so don't stop those things just don't be upset when it doesn't happen in your time frame.

I hope this opens the eyes of some that yes, I do want a man but no, I am not desperate.  I will not take any man.  I also hope that those of you that read this and are dealing with the same situation as me realize that you are not alone.

Alrighty!  End of discussion.  Now we no longer need to harp on it!

Why is it almost Monday already?

I am not a fan of daylight saving time! The 'falling back' one hour part is kinda nice but not really worth its 'spring forward' counterpart. Yeah I know it is only one hour but I really think that my body was going to allow me to sleep another hour this morning, which is not normal recently (ie Saturday morning I woke up at 7:30 with no chance of falling back asleep).

I also don't really know where my weekend went...actually I do, I showed some signs of actually having a life and BAM...weekend over.

Really my weekend was jam packed with stuff.
- Awesome country concert on Friday night courtesy of Steel Magnolia, Easton Corbin, and Blake Shelton!
- Nail-biting ACC Tournament Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Disappointing ending for my Heels :(
- Getting my read on - I have been slack lately on reading so I read one all the way through and started another. The first was a sweet fiction book about a middle child that feels Stuck in the Middle with two sisters that have amazing lives and opportunities while she continues to be a 'plain-Joan' that brought real tears to my eyes and down my cheeks and demonstrated how chocolate ice cream has the power to drastically alter a person's life. I also started an interesting non-ficiton memoir-type that was recommended to me by one of my BFFs Maggie Same Kind of Different As Me that has already made me laugh and want to cry.

This has been a GREAT weekend and I guess I just don't want it to be over yet.

So I figure there has been a lot to keep me busy and not notice the time flying by. Knowing this still does not make me excited to go back to work tomorrow. I pray for a better attitude when I wake up.

Funny school story

Did you know that Joseph Stalin is from the COUNTRY of Mississippi?

I will leave you to ponder on that until I have the energy to elaborate!

-> Originally posted Feb 28...as of March 13, I still don't have the energy to really tell the whole story. Suffice to say, when asked what country Joseph Stalin was from, one of my wonderful - but clearly misinformed - students stated that he was from Mississippi. Oh the wonders of 6th grade.

New Goal

Ok well my other two goals have been going really well (read here and here to get caught up).

I am starting to become an adult...FINALLY as my mom would say! Now I don't know another goal for this next week. I think I should test out these two goals for another week. (This will also solve the problem of not having a goal.)

Ideas for new goals are welcome. Especially from those people that are already adults!

Goal #2

Alrighty so goal #1 was a hit! I will definitely be doing my best to keep up with that goal. One thing that helped me with this goal was deciding the night before if I wanted to sleep in an extra 15 or 20 minutes and then I set my alarm for that time and felt way more refreshed than I would have been hitting the snooze 3 or 4 times! A 3-hour delay on Thursday didn't hurt one bit either! Also, by keeping my bed made, I have naturally kept the floor and closet more tidy as well. Especially my bookshelves which can be my dropping off place for all manner of things. I have been putting things away! I am growing up! :( or is it :)?

So on to my new goal for this week.

I am going to eat all meals at home at the kitchen table! I have lived here with my brand new table for a year and a half and use it more as a place to leave my purse or mail or do schoolwork or all kinds of things but not very often do I actually use it to eat my meals. The couch is generally my choice spot - I can watch tv and use the computer at the same time. I tried the table the other day and found that there is a seat that I can sit in and still see the tv comfortably should I try to use that excuse as a reason not to sit at the table.

I think this goal will go along with keeping my bed made to making me into a more civilized adult. It also helps me to not be so lazy! I am not saying I won't eat at the couch - a girl has to snack every once in a while but actual meals, especially those that require utensils, will be eaten at the table. I think I will start tonight with dinner - since I definitely ate my lunch sitting on the couch while checking email and Facebook!

New question. What to have for dinner?

Wish me luck with my new goal!

God's Peace

Today I have delighted in God. Through spending time in His Word and listening to teaching of His Word I have felt some of His Peace.

I am currently working through a Beth Moore study called Breaking Free and it has exposed some areas in my life that have held me captive, areas that have kept me from knowing God and His Peace. I also listened to a sermon from Mark Driscoll Fall: God Judges that showed me how my sin and the sin of those before me has broken my relationship with God. Even though there is a brokenness, God sent His Son Jesus to bind up our wounds and heal us of our brokenness. All you have to do is truly be repentant of your sins and through God's grace, your slate is washed clean. By no means does this suppose that your life will be a cake walk - because it definitely won't - but how can you NOT find peace in the knowledge that He is watching out for you in everything?

I have a loving God that does not bring pain and turmoil into my life but uses the pain in my life to bring me to Him; to make me more like Him; to give me something greater than anything I can find here on Earth. God's love is AWESOME. Not awesome like a new book or new outfit but AWESOME like I can't fathom it. Or as dictionary.com would say an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.

My prayer is for you to find peace in the AWESOME God!