Things that make me go hmmmmm

So I am sure this list is extensive and will be added to as they come to mind but the inspiration for this first post is...the need for fast food and other manufacturers to put CAUTION labels on various items.  The dummies that didn't realize that coffee is generally served hot, PopTarts reminding you to take the pastries out of the foil packaging before you put it in the toaster or microwave, and any other ridiculous cautions provided on items for the people who don't use common sense or want to sue other people for everything. Who would put a plastic bag in a crib?  What would be that purpose?

People...use some sense!

Plan for the summer

I am happy to report that I don't really have plans this summer.  No long extended vacations, no actual days set in stone that I have to be somewhere.  I do know that in 18 school days I will be on summer vacation...well not exactly but I feel like those workdays at the end of the year are like vacation days because there are no children and plus the 18 days makes me feel better about the time frame so that is what I am going with.

I do know that I plan to do things this summer and while I enjoy traveling and galivanting around the world, I am glad to be home.  But while at home I do have quite an extensive list of things to accomplish.  So here is my to-do list...for now anyway.

1. Get driver's license renewed...I'll be 25 and I have been living away from home for 3 years, its probably time I get the address changed :| that's probably against the law so let's pretend I didn't say that.
2. Get banks switched...I have been a State Employee for 3 years now and have never switched banks.  I still have my mom on my account...since high school.  Although that does come in handy if I was to ever need a "loan" from the Bank of Mom!
3. Read.  That is always my plan in the summertime and I do very well to accomplish that goal so I figure its a good one to have.
4. Help my best friend move far, far away.  Ok, this one I am not happy about at all but I am happy for her and her new home and life...really I am just being selfish when I discuss my sadness so...moving on.
5. Spend time with that wonderful man of mine.
6. Try to update some lesson plan ideas.
7. Go through closet and dresser to cut down on stuff I never wear.

Ummmmmm so there is probably more but if you notice the post just below this one...I'm sick and I'm not a fan...so I may not be thinking as clearly as normal.  Sorry also for only having 7 things on my list.

On being sick...

NOT A FAN...

Liar, Liar Pants On Fire

Ok blog readers...I again apologize for the lack of communication on my part.  And I totally lied when I said I had nothing to tell you about.  I knew I was lying to you but I did it anyway.  And then my mom called me out on the lie so this is me repenting and desperately asking for your forgiveness.  I actually have some VERY exciting stuff going on in my life but I just didn't really know how to tell you about it.

We don't have a whole lot of pictures yet so this will suffice for now.

Distraction from blog #1: This has been my biggest distraction for the past four months...I have a man in my life!  His name is Jeremy and he is really really great!  We met through a lady that I work with whose kids go to the Rec center that he supervises.  Long story short our mutual acquaintance didn't really know either of us that well but it turns out that we have ALL KINDS of stuff in common.  It is a little strange/weird/both of those words tend to have bad connotations so we will go with "uncanny" how much we have in common.  A great thing about him is that he and my best friend have become pretty good friends and can hang out with each other watching football on Sunday and neither one gets upset when I take an hour nap on the couch.  They just talk it up...I am actually glad that they have each other to talk to about football because when it is just me and one of them watching football, they do a lot of talking and I do a lot of head nodding and half smiling!  My family also loves him and finds all kinds of reasons/excuses to see him or have me bring him home.  I met a lot of his family over Thanksgiving and they are so welcoming and sweet.  This whole experience has been a bit overwhelming for me and at points seems completely unreal how comfortable and normal (yet at the same time SO different and exciting and fun and AWESOME) this way of life has become for me.

Distraction from blog #2: School DUN DUN DUN  This year has been SUPER crazy for me.  I think I have gone on a rant about all of the crazy jobs and stuff that I am responsible for this year.  I believe you can get caught up on all of that here.  I even went on and on about how that had caused a delay in September so yeah...definite distraction.  But now that I have Distraction #1, Distraction #2 gets to take a back seat!!!  Muahahahaha take that school!

Distraction from blog #3: Allllllllllllllright so really I don't have other distractions that are keeping me from my blog. #1 is really the only legit thing WONDERFULLY taking up lots of my time.  But, there are lots of other things going on in my life that I will briefly mention here and hopefully getting around to posting more about them in the very near future.

- I got to see Lion King and Beauty & the Beast in 3D.  They are two of my favorite Disney movies and I got to see both with my incredible guy.  Lion King was on the 1st date...definitely a good sign!!!
- I am actively involved in two Journey Groups (sort of like small groups) at my church. One is people - guys and girls - my age and we meet on Sunday morning before worship and the other is women of all ages - 17+ - and we complete different Bible studies from Beth Moore.  Both are great groups and have helped me grow a lot in the last year/year and a half.
- Everyone in my family and most of my friends have smart phones and I do not.  Sad day for this girl and her tiny tiny budget.
- Today was the end of the 2nd Quarter and 1st Semester of school.  Half way to SUMMER!!!!!
- Girls' soccer starts in February - only a few weeks away.

I can't think of anything else but I know Laura will be very satisfied that I gave a list with a semi-nice number. Ok, so I thought I gave a list of five things and then I recounted and saw that it was six so maybe she won't like it too much.  Uh oh!  Anyway...for those of you less concerned about the number of things in a list I hope you enjoyed the very brief recap of my life.  And that you forgive me for lying to you in my last post.

Until I get the notion to write again...

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Ok so on second thought there are only 5 things in the list but a formatting issue and a hyphen in one of the thoughts made me think it was six ideas.  Great!  

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!