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.