Inner working of my mind

:)

2009-01-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

All right, as most of the people I've talked to know, I haven't been the happiest with my career choice. I've been down with teaching, and everything to do with it. Only after a few weeks into teaching out here in Vegas, I've wanted to come home and teach or just leave the profession altogether. Whether it was just the atmosphere of my first school, the behavior of my 5th graders, or the high stakes testing that's done in the upper grades, I just didn't like my job. When I found out that I was being moved to 1st grade this year, I was upset. I was thinking about moving back to Wisconsin again. There was too much drama to handle in the grade level, and I didn't like the fact I had to move to a lower grade. We all know I don't like crying in my classroom, and I wasn't about to deal with that again.
Now I'm halfway through my 1st year teaching 1st grade. When telling dad all about my class and such at the beginning of the year, he told me how he was so glad that I found something that made me happy and I was "out of the funk" I was in my first few years of teaching. I was taken aback that he would say I was in a funk previously. Looking back on the first half of the year, I know I was in a funk when teaching earlier. I'm having a good time with the kids, they tend to melt my heart each day. Today I had a meeting in the morning, and was back to my class by noon. I got back to the class before they got back from lunch, and was able to read the note the guest teacher left. She went on for 3 pages front and back of my notepad going on about what a good group I have. She told me that I had a great class, and they were all trained well. She even left me all of her phone numbers and her email address so I could contact her when I needed a sub again. I've never had that happen before! I don't think I ever had a sub return to any of my 5th grade classes. A lot of the other teachers have told me that I have a great class too. After having this class, I've renewed my love of kids and teaching. I'm kinda glad that this feeling has come back!

2008 in One Liners

2009-01-04T11:46:00.001-08:00

*Realized I don't like high stakes testing.

*Loved having short weeks of school.

*Enjoyed her family coming out to visit. Dad's first trip to Vegas in 15 years happened in 2008.

*I started making up new words by combining 2 words, or just thinking up new ones.

*Went to many Happy Hours. Good times had by all.

*I got to sing and dance with a lounge act downtown. Achieved a life goal.

*Planned dad's 65th birthday long distance, and it helped keep her stress level down.

*I was really exhausted this year.

*I got to teach my students songs. Both 5th and 1st graders.

*Had a great Leap Day. Wish we had those more often. It'd be more fun shopping if there were more.

*I guess I spent a lot of time baking. That's ok with me.

*I went on many trips this year. Road trips and others. Road trip in California with the family, and then another one with a friend's family. Road trip home this summer. MANY trips to the obscure. Summer trip to DC. Good times had by all.

*I lived for the weekend a lot. A LOT.

*I was shocked when dad surprised both Sue and I for her birthday.

*I didn't enjoy when the AC at school wasn't working when it was 80-90 degrees out. You know, both near the end and beginning of school.

*I enjoyed celebrating holidays at the halfway point (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter).

*I got a lot of new nicknames throughout the year. Either from movies, or just from stupid things I've done.

*Solarcane. That's all I'm saying.

*Met a few B level celebs at the Mallards games back home.

*I seemed to be in better moods when I was back home. "Refreshed" "happy" "glad" "cheery" were words used a lot in her stati on her trips home.

*I spent a lot of time in Green Bay on trips home. Not a bad thing.

*When watching Women's Gymnastics during the Olympics, I got very pissed at the team from China. Really? 16? Maybe in 4 or 5 years.

*I had a lot of fun with my Vegas peeps this year!!

*I'm enjoying my school year this year.

Gaurdian Angel

2008-08-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a year, and I think about her everyday. I miss her everyday. I move on a bit more everyday. This week I realized she's watching over me. Every time I would get down about teaching, I would hear, "Maybe you should try switching grades. Go down to a younger grade. You had a rough time with second grade, but at the school you're at, maybe it wouldn't be bad to try third or first." "Mom! I don't like the little ones. There's too much crying." At the end of the school year last year when I found out I was being moved to first grade, I thought my world was over in Vegas, and went back to my apartment to search for jobs back in Wisconsin. I asked someone to write a letter of recommendation for me to update credential files. All summer I dreaded coming back to Vegas. I dragged my feet about going back to school. Well, this week was my first week of school. I was really nervous, almost more than the students. It turns out that I like teaching the little guys (and gals). I know it's only the first week, and we're in the honeymoon stage, but it seems like a better fit for me. They like to do well for the teachers, and they do what you ask (most of them anyway). AND...I don't have as much grading in this grade. It's a lot easier for me to get done. By the end of the day on Friday, it seemed like I could hear her say, "I told you." I guess she did sometimes know what she was talking about. This year is going to be much better than the previous years. It's weird though since some of friends aren't at my school anymore, the ones that I was used to seeing everyday or going to happy hour with each Friday. I'll adjust.

Summer

2008-08-03T20:03:00.001-07:00

This summer has gone by FAR too fast. I don't like that feeling. It feels like just the other day I was packing up to come home for the summer. I've been spending today thinking about where the time has gone. First week home: Milwaukee and Rhythm and Booms. Second week: bumming around Madison. Third Week: Green Bay. Fourth Week: Washington DC. Fifth Week: DC and recuperating from DC. Sixth week: Green Bay, dinner with friends, State Fair, Gary Coleman, Mustard Day. I can't believe I've been home for only 6 weeks! It feels like I've been here forever, and then some days it feels like I've only been here for a short amount of time.
I'll start out by saying this has been a great summer. I've gotten to see just about everyone I've wanted to see, and some more than I thought I was going to see. I got to see almost anyone in Green Bay. I was able to spend a whole week up there. I think that's the longest I've spent up there since I graduated from SNC. I helped a friend move into her new house, and was able to spend a bunch of time with her. It seems like she's always working when I come up to visit. It was nice to be able to spend time with her. I got to spend time with my friend and godson. He's getting SO big. I wish I were here so I could see them more often. I stayed with Adam, and made him leave his apartment when he hadn't left all day, as well as other things that got him away from school work. It was kind of like being back at SNC. I did help out when I read over his papers. So I wasn't a total distraction. And I got to see two friends that I'm not always able to see up there. I was able to meet them in Oshkosh too. I love the fact that we can just talk for hours about so many things when we all get together. I was glad that I was able to get back up there for 2 more days near the end of my trip. Being back up there made me realize how much I really miss being up there. I really hope that there are job openings up there soon!
Washington DC was fun. I saw many things, and still didn't see EVERYTHING out there. I did get to see Dan, and that was awesome. I miss hanging out with Dan. He's always a good person to chillax with. I think my dad, sister, and I were tired of each other after 9 days in DC. But we all had a good time.
I've done so many "down home" things this summer here in the Madison area. The baseball games where I met Beaver from "Leave it to Beaver" and Gary Coleman. Going to the National Mustard Day celebration in Mount Horeb with my sisters and Adam. State Fair in Milwaukee. These are things I can't find in Vegas. Oh well. Some day I'll get back here to good ol' Wisconsin.

2008-05-10T10:00:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since my last update. I'm just sitting here on the couch basking in the AC on a Saturday morning. I don't like growing up...my body doesn't let me sleep too late anymore. I think I can sleep in about an hour later than a normal school day.
Anyhoo...I only have 17 days left with my students. I can't believe the school year is almost over with. It seems to fly by some days, and then drag on other days. This week just seemed to drag on. I don't know if I complained at the beginning of the year about my AC not working in my classroom, but it took them a good couple of months to get it working correctly for more than 2 days. Well, this week the AC decided to stop working. It decided to stop mid-day on either Monday or Tuesday, and we complained so we could get it fixed. It was working the next morning, but at about 9:15 as I was working with my small reading group, I heard a loud pop as I saw my lights surge and couldn't hear the AC anymore. That wasn't cool. It was SO hot in my classroom! It was so bad, that when you walked outside to the 90 degree weather, it was cooler out there. It was like that all week. Thursday morning I complained to one of my admin, and all I was told is that I could use certain areas of the building at certain parts of the day. As I was out talking to my admin, everyone else who was having problems (There are 5 rooms around me that don't have AC either) came out to complain too. We asked if they could at least get us fans (since there are no windows that open up to the outside in our school) to cool our rooms down a little bit. They told us we didn't have the budget to get fans. At that point, my room as well as the three connected to it, opened our doors to circulate air and the back rooms opened their doors to the playground to try and get air in. I emailed my sister to ask her to "be a concerned parent" and call our district region to complain about the conditions in our classrooms. I was coming home with headaches each night, and my kids were complaining of being nauseous and getting headaches too because of the heat. Luckily, Friday morning I was told by my admin that I HAD to move my class to another room because of parent complaints. I got to go to the PE room (we don't have gyms in elementary schools out here), where there were no tables or chairs. My kids did their work laying on the floor. I was sitting in one of the only chairs trying to teach yesterday, when I decided I could get on the floor for them too. They decided to complain about how cold it was in the room. I couldn't believe it! This whole thing with the AC is just ridiculous. Back home, I know we didn't have AC in school, but it didn't get up to 80 or 90 for too long in the beginning or end of the school year. Plus, we had windows that we could open and get a breeze going in. Ok, enough ranting.
I'm getting excited about summer. I'll be heading home mid June. Sue and I haven't decided if we're going to drive or fly. I think we're going to drive just so we have an extra car at home. I can't wait to see everyone, and be able to spend some time at home. This year I want to get up to the Dells for some Noah's Ark action though. Last summer just didn't feel right without going there!

Mom

2008-03-23T23:10:00.001-07:00

It's been 6 months now since she died, but I got a few good reminders of her today. When dad came out at the beginning of the month, he brought out a bunch of things from the condo he had found after we had left. He went on a cleaning spree, and pretty much put everything he didn't know what to do with in these boxes to figure out what we should do with them. Today Sue and I decided to go through the boxes (since he's leaving tomorrow morning). As I was going through some things, I came across a bunch of pictures of my friends and I mom kept for herself. There was one that she kept on the side of her old fashioned desk so she could look at it while she was laying in bed. There was another one of a few of us at an event that I emailed her while in college. And there were the pictures of my godson that she kept on her dresser for the few months they were both alive together. This reminded me of the part of my eulogy when I talked about mom knowing, and understanding, that my friends were also my family. And how she always wanted to make sure she was part of that family too. Seeing these pictures (which most were huge print outs on normal 8.5x11), reminded me of mom, and her constant questioning of how my friends were. It's nice, because dad has taken that place. He'll ask me if I've heard from certain people, how others are doing, and how often I talk to my friends. I never knew how much dad also liked it when my friends were around. Guess I'll have to be home for the fireworks this year so everyone can come down!

Taking a break to update

2008-02-23T19:54:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize I haven't updated in about 4 months. There's not much to say. Life has been okay. Christmas has come and gone, and so has my birthday. It was weird not having mom there on both occasions. I'm doing okay with it all. I have those days when I wish I could call her and tell her about things, but I know I can't. I can call dad, but I know mom would appreciate these little things more.
Dad came out for my birthday. This was his first time out here in 15 years! My has this city changed! It was a good long weekend. I had staff development the Friday before my birthday, so I was able to meet up with my sister and dad for lunch before they went off and gallivanted around town. We went to dinner with my godparents, and then down to the Strip to show him NY, NY. He loved it! We were all wiped that night since dad's plane didn't get in until 1 that morning. The day of my birthday, I took dad on a driving tour of "my" Vegas. I showed him my current school, my old school, my old apartment, and a few other of my places. Then it was time to pick up stuff for my birthday party. It was a good time. I made the spinach dip and provided the cake, everyone else brought something to share so I didn't have too much clean up after everyone left. It was really nice to have dad meet my Vegas friends. Now when I talk to him, he knows who I'm talking about. We all hung out until about 8 or so. After that dad, my sister and I headed to Fremont Street since dad hadn't been there with it all being covered and such. It was weird when dad bought me my birthday yard-long. Then they told the bartender that it was my birthday, so he made sure to put whipped cream up the straws of my drink. The way I was eating the whipped cream wasn't right with dad next to me. We made our way up to the Plaza, with a few stops to gamble, and I had finished about half of my yard-long. We got into the Plaza and played a game, and ended up winning some money. We meandered further into the Plaza, and decided to try our hand at another machine. While we were playing, we were listening to the lounge act. I mentioned to my sister and dad that I had a life long goal of becoming a lounge act here in Vegas (I think that one came up in late high school or early college). Three minutes later, I'm being dragged up to the stage where they were pulling up some guy since it was his birthday. I actually got on stage and sang and danced!! What?! This girl? The one who can't sing unless there's a radio or she's alone?! I couldn't believe it, but my sister got some of it on her cell phone. That night will live in infamy. Dad loved, my sister loved it, and everyone who's seen the video, loved it.
Other than that...life's been kinda hectic at school with our high stakes testing being pushed up by a month. It's all test prep we're doing in our classrooms for the next 10 school days. I can't wait til the testing is over. School will be so much better. It sucks though because dad's going to be out here at the height of stress...it'll be good though since I'll have him to help me de-stress...Plus, my brother and his wife are going to be out in about a week, and then my other sister's flying out mid-March to hang out. Dad and us girls are heading to California for our Spring Break. Dad has it all planned out...it'll be a good time...

2007-11-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've updated, so here goes. Last weekend I went home for Nevada Day. I had originally bought the ticket to go home to surprise mom, but instead we all went up to Door County to scatter/bury her ashes. Ever since the funeral over a month ago, I had been dreading this trip home. It was going to be the first trip where I haven't seen mom. It was also going to be my first trip up to Door County since I graduated from SNC. Door County has always been special for my family and I, and I was thinking that having mom's ashes buried up there would ruin Door County for me. It would be a sad place, and a place that I would mourn mom instead of having the good times we once had.
It ended up being a good trip. The whole family was there, including a couple of mom's cousins and my uncle came up for the little ceremony we had at the cemetery. Friday morning Sue and I got into Milwaukee at 5:30am, and dad and Jen were waiting for us right after security. We got our stuff, and headed to the car. Turns out dad bought a Santa Fe and didn't tell people he was going to be buying a car this soon. We knew he was looking at cars since he was going to sell the handicapped van, and the truck he has shouldn't be driven anywhere but a mile from home. Jen and I got into her car, and dad and Sue into the other. I was dozing the way up to Green Bay, but was awake enough to give Jen directions to campus. I had to go see campus with the new bridge and all. The new bridge surprised me! I was giving Jen directions on how to get across it, but I was wrong. I forgot they were going to be building it next to the old one, but further down the road. Then I got to campus and it was damn cold, and I found out that Res Life had moved out of the house!!!! WHAT?! The things I miss about being at home...being caught up on SNC gossip with Mary Kay. I got to see her while I was on campus. I had emailed her earlier in the week to see if it was ok to come see her in her new building. It was great to see her!!! After SNC, we went to the Perkins that my friends and I would always go to. It was awesome. I go to go to Perkins, and it was MY Perkins (at least up in GB). I also had to stop at a Hansen's to get my pumpkin pie ice cream. I had gotten some here at Baskin Robin's but it was really gross. Hansen's has the best. I ended up going to the Hansen's by Adam's apartment. It was kind of weird being up in Green Bay, but I didn't get to see everyone I would've normally seen.
After our wonderful trip through Green Bay, we headed up to Door County. I was still really tired, even though I slept for the duration of my flight, so I was dozing off and on. We finally got up to Peninsula State Park, and I was wide awake. I couldn't believe the color that was still there. We drove through, and headed to the hotel since Jen didn't get much sleep and she was really tired. While she stayed back to sleep, Sue and I went on a journey to take pictures of fall color since we don't really get that out in the desert. Sue realized she forgot her media card for her camera back in Vegas, so we didn't end up spending too much time taking pictures. That night we went out to dinner at one of the places we would go to when I was a kid since it was right near our cottage we would rent. It was good being there. Good conversation and such. Right after dinner, my brother, his wife, and their son got to the hotel. My brother, dad, and Sue went for a drive to scout out the hunting spots for my brother for the weekend, while Jen, my sister-in-law, nephew and I caught up in the common room at the hotel. Goober and I played checkers and cards (I was a good aunt, I let him win...everything but war.). Good times had.
Saturday morning rolled around, and we went to breakfast with a couple of my parents' friends at their house. Their house is mom's dream house. Set back in the woods, and right on the water...it was gorgeous. After that it was time to go back to the hotel to wait for my aunt and uncle to meet us to go bury mom. I was doing all right until dad started speaking, and he was breaking down. I was good as gone for the rest of the time we were there. It was even worse when I had to throw the dirt on mom's urn. We then took a drive, and I got some good pics of color and water. We stopped so I could scatter some of mom, and then all went to lunch. After lunch, dad, Sue, Jen and I went out together. We just drove around, stopped in some stores, and had a good time. That night we all went to dinner, and had more good times.
Sunday came quick, and I didn't want to really leave. Us girls went out to some places we still hadn't gone so we could scatter mom. It was good times, even if what we were doing was really sad. We had to leave early since we needed to get to Milwaukee for our afternoon flight. It felt like the longest car ride EVER. We got to the airport with about an hour and 15 minutes before we boarded, and there was a huge line at check in. We got checked in and headed for security. I hate security, that's the worst part about flying for me. I took out my laptop, and everything else so we could get to our gate and such with enough time to use the restroom and relax before getting on the plane. As I'm waiting for all of my stuff, I notice my bag isn't coming through. I'm freaking out! I hear one of the many people huddling near the x-ray machine say, "We can't let anyone with that on the plane." Shit, I forgot to take the plastic knife out of the fudge I put in my carry on for the people who were picking us up at the airport in Vegas. Someone asked me to step aside with them, and told me not to touch the bag as I was going for the fudge to show them the knife. I was FREAKING out. Turns out, my fudge was packed in front of my phone charger, so it looked like a brick of something with wires sticking out. Good times. Oh, and then we waited at the airport for an hour for my friends who were picking us up. Gotta love the Vegas traffic.

Quick Story

2007-10-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

This year, my school is Title I, so we're doing more programming to get our kids up to where they need to be. Every morning we break up the fifth grade into many reading groups for half an hour, and I got the 8 lowest kids in fifth grade. We're reading a short story, and one of my students came across the word, "ashore". She had no idea how to say it, and she used her prior knowledge to sound it out. I'm hearing, "ass-whore", and trying not to bust out laughing! It was awesome!!

Update

2007-10-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post a quick update.

In general, I'm doing well. Being back at school and having to deal with so many different things at once, has kept my mind off of mom dying. In those rare moments I have free during the day, it's hard not to think of things I want to tell mom about. Today I was thinking about my apple picking trip this weekend, and how I should call mom to tell her about it. It hit me then that mom's gone. There are days where it feels like she died (can't used passed away...she'll haunt me in a bad way.) a million years ago, but then there are others when it feels like it all happened yesterday. I'll be heading back home at the end of the month for my long weekend. Sue and I both bought tickets back in August to surprise mom, so now we're going to scatter some of her ashes and bury the rest up in Door County, where she would've wanted to be buried. I'm not sure how I'm feeling about all of this. I only know Door County as a stress-free, relaxing environment. Now all I'm going to think about, for awhile at least, is how mom's buried up there. This is going to be my first trip up there in 3 years, and it's to bury mom. That's not how it should be. It's at times like these, where I can reflect, where I tear up and miss mom. But, I know she's looking down and telling me to think of the good times we all had together.

It also helps to have a close friend here who's going through the same thing. Her dad died this past spring, so we're both experiencing things together. She has been helping me out with hard times, and I'm grateful for that. I know there are other people back home who have gone through this too, and I can always call them to talk too.

Prayers

2007-09-15T14:55:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

I'm asking everyone to say a prayer for my mom. She went into the hospital Friday, and it doesn't look like she's going to be making it out of there. All I want is for her to die without any pain, and for her to know that we all love her.

If I don't answer my phone, it's just because I'm with family and don't want to be interrupted. Thank you all in advance.

Back to school

2007-09-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't updated recently...I feel like I've been busy with things since I came back here in the middle of August. Here's all that's been going on since I've been back.

Let's go all the way back to August 20 when I went in for my keys and drop off all of my stuff I had at home. I went to check on my room, and was overwhelmed. First, I should have started by saying that my school was being rehabbed (getting rewired and other construction stuff) this summer. They started in April...weren't done when I went in a week before the kids came. I looked at my room, and had to sit down to plan out my room. I had 8 wardrobes, 3 filing cabinets, 2 teacher desks, and 4 bookshelves, along with all of my desks and chairs. After about 2 hours of moving all of the 5th grade computers into the building (our computer person couldn't do this bc of all of the construction going on at school), I decided I was going to go home. It was 107 and there was no AC in the building. Tuesday I went back, there was no AC, but I got some more work done. We had one work day in our room during our inservice days, and I had someone help me set up my desks and bulletin boards. Friday of that week we had our Open House...before school opened up. The school wasn't ready to be open. I had ceiling tiles missing, and there was a flap hanging down from it too. Good times. Monday was our first day back. I was keyed up, and couldn't get to sleep, but I still wanted to get to school by 7 to make copies and put out name tags and such. At 3:30, I woke to a loudest crack of thunder I've ever heard! There was a really bad storm that lasted for an hour, and I was up for it. I decided I needed more sleep and my kids could go without some of the stuff I wanted to do for them. I woke up and found out there was lots of flooding around the valley, and I needed to take time to get to school. As I pulled into a parking spot in the lot, it started pouring out! I walked into school half wet, with everyone pointing this out to me. I got to my room, and started putting things away when the power went out...Yep, power went out at school, and my room doesn't have emergency lighting. I had to meet my students outside my room, and take them into our den area for about an hour. All of fifth grade was out there with a few fourth grade classes since a bunch of us didn't have lighting in our rooms. I was a little upset since the lights went on 45 minutes before we could've sent the kids home. I was hoping that we would be able to send the kids home since we didn't have power. Damn them!!

It's gotten better at school. Things were coming together slowly but surely. Our computers were just put back online Friday morning. It was fun not having a computer to use in the classroom. Not cool Kool-Aid!! My class seems really nice, but I don't want to jinx it! It was nice coming back to school. It was like being a kid again. I got into school and saw all of my friends that I hadn't seen all summer, and we had to catch up on everything. It was really awesome.

This past weekend Dan and Jason finally came out to see me!! It was really nice to have them out here finally. It only took them 2 years to come and visit. ;) We did all of the touristy things that you have to do on your first trip out. I picked them up from the airport...late...the itinerary told me 11:10, but the flight got in early. Dan thought I was killed in an accident since my phone wasn't on, which I still don't know why it wasn't. Sue and I took them down the Strip right away. I stopped at the Welcome to Vegas sign so Dan could get a good pic of it. We then went to the Rio buffet (which sucked that day) and then back to the apartment for naps. For awhile, Dan and I laid in my bed talking and watching TV while we were waiting for Jason to wake up. That may have been one of the best parts of the weekend. Not being in bed with Dan, but just sitting and talking to him in person, in MY apartment. It was just a nice change. Having him out to see my "big girl apartment". We headed off to the Strip for some drinking and fun that night. The next morning we woke up and made breakfast and decided we were going to go to Madame Tussaud's wax museum down on the Strip. That was actually fun. All except the scary haunted house part. That was not cool. I think that I dug my nails into the guy ahead of me to the point I drew blood (not really, but I gripped hard!) and also made him go deaf. Dan and Jason had me go first, even though they knew I didn't want to go in. I think I was even more scared with Dan behind me grabbing me from behind. I think at one point my shirt was halfway up my torso with him grabbing at me! Uh-uh. We hit up another buffet, this time at Red Rock, after we stopped by to see my Vegas doggies that Amanda was watching. 2 buffets in 1 weekend. My stomach hated me! Oh well, such is life. After dinner we went downtown to see the old time Strip. We had lots of fun down there too. It was just an all-around good weekend with them here. I can't wait til I go see them in DC, or they come back here to visit!

New Computer

2007-07-23T10:50:00.001-07:00

I don't know if having a laptop and wireless connection in my apartment is a good idea. I can now sit in bed and play on the computer when I should either be going to bed, or getting up and think about being productive. Case in point, yesterday I spent WAY too much time playing on this thing. I figured I'd go to bed at about 1, and wake up early to be productive or something. I came into my room, played on my computer until 3, woke up this morning and grabbed my computer. Although, I can now update in my room, when I think of things to update. I do love my new computer. I had my other one since 2001. It was getting old, and didn't have Word or let me download things I needed. This laptop rocks. I've been slowly adding files from my old computer to this one. I've added a bunch of pictures and music, and I haven't really downloaded much to it yet either.

I'm trying to plan out the layout of my new apartment. I don't want to plan too much since the only room I have complete control over is my room. I went online to see the layout on a floor plan, but there weren't any there. I know where I'm going to place my bed and dresser, but I don't know about anything else. I'm trying to plan on how I'm going to decorate too. I bought a whole bunch of frames at IKEA while I was home, and now I'm looking at all of my pictures to figure out which ones I'm going to frame and hang. I also got really cute curtains for my window in my room. I think I need to get a shower curtain and a router for the internet. Random thoughts, I know, but I need a router for our computers. Amanda bought the one we have now, and she'll need it wherever she moves to.

Time to update

2007-07-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

I guess it's time for me to update. I know that I've complained that others haven't updated...so I shouldn't talk the talk if I can't walk the walk.

I think I'm going to start with my road trip musings:
*I've found more states to add to the list of crappy drivers. I can now add Idaho and Nebraska to California and Illinois.
*I don't like Salt Lake City, on account of their not so good downtown parking. Uh-uh. But I do LOVE the fact that the people don't know how to cross the street, so they need look both ways to cross painted on the street at every crosswalk. Flippin' idiots.
*No open 24 hour Perkins from Albert Lea Minnesota to Green Bay?! That does not help when you're driving all night and are hungry.
*In Nebraska and Colorado, there are windsocks in the medians and by bridges to show the wind speed. At first I thought that was stupid as anything, but when we got into Nevada and hit a pocket of strong wind, I was wishin' I had a windsock to tell me about the wind.
*How about "Stay off the median" signs? Really? Do people need those signs? I'd really like to meet the people who don't know to stay off the median.
*Nebraska has no turn arrows at lit intersections. What's that about? Do people not make left turns?
*Sign in Colorado: Clean dirt needed. What's clean dirt? Isn't that an oxymoron?
*The BEST sign of all: Caution: Correctional Facility Ahead. Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers. Oh man, I wish we had been able to capture that on film.

The drive out to Madison was cool. We started off by going up to Bryce Canyon in Utah. It was really amazing. Much better than the Grand Canyon in my opinion. We headed to Salt Lake City, saw Temple Square and the Great Salt Lake. Went up to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks. The mountains in Grand Teton NP were awesome. I didn't know if the pictures we took of the mountains reflecting on the water would turn out, but they did. They're some of my favorite pictures. My dad didn't think a digital camera could take such good pictures. Yellowstone was fun. We got to see Old Faithful, and all of the geysers. On the way out, we got stuck in traffic, and then I had to drive down a mountain on gravel...it was less than cool. On our last day we hit up Mount Rushmore and Wall Drug. I had been to both of these places when I was 3, but I couldn't remember either of them. They were both fun. At Wall Drug Adam was able to see his jackalopes, and I saw Sam, the piano playing gorilla. After Wall Drug, we decided to drive through the night to make it back to Green Bay. Never again will I do that. I was so drained that whole next day. I slept for a few hours at Adam's apartment before heading back down to Madison to surprise my parents who thought I was going to stay in Green Bay until the baptism that weekend.

I really enjoyed being home. I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, but I'll see them again when I'm home again in about a week. It was nice to go up to Green Bay and see everyone. I got to sit at my favorite place on campus a couple of times. The first time I was labeling pictures from the drive back to Madison. I knew Adam was on campus for a class, so I kept watching my back. I knew if he saw me, he'd do something to make me freak out, thinking I'd fall into the nasty river. I then sat on the river later that night with Adam after we put our photo albums together. It was good times. I forgot how much I love that campus...no, not really. I do know how much I miss campus and Green Bay. I got to see my godson, and make him smile and laugh. He's such a cutie. Back in Madison I spent lots of time at the condo with mom and dad. It was nice spending time there. It still doesn't quite feel like home, but in time I know the condo will be home for me. I got to make Perkins runs with everyone too! I miss Perkins. The last two times we went, we played Pop 5. It was really fun. Our waitress the first time asked us what game we were playing. The second is when I dropped one of the pieces and it landed at the foot of some guy who didn't notice. I didn't want to go get it, but I did.

The drive back to Vegas was fun. We stopped at the Kool-Aid museum in Hastings, Nebraska. That's where Kool-Aid originated. They even have Kool-Aid Days each year. I want to go back for Kool-Aid days. It took us awhile to find the museum. We saw a sign saying to get off at the next exit and head south 15 minutes. The road we took felt like it was straight out of Children of the Corn. I was waiting for children to come take me to the corn field and kill me. We hit up a Pony Express station and Buffalo Bill's ranch in Nebraska before making it to Colorado. We headed through Rocky Mountain National Park on our third day. It was quite amazing. I had been there when I was younger, and I don't remember much of it. We got to see bighorn sheep and elk while we were there. Cool! AND it thunderslushed while we were there! It wasn't quite snow, and it wasn't quite rain. It was slush falling from the sky. We actually watched the storm roll in. We were heading up some hiking path, when someone pointed out a storm and we shouldn't go up any further. We saw lightning, and were debating finishing our hike since we had just seen a warning about seeing lightning and heading to your car for safety. When we heard thunder, we decided that we should get to our car. We drove through the park (on very curvy and steep roads that made me car sick), taking lots of pics, and headed out. I never thought I would see traffic as bad as Vegas until I hit Denver in rush hour. Not cool. The fourth day we hit up Mesa Verde National Park. We didn't get all the way in because we wanted to get to Flagstaff that night. We decided that we didn't want to drive a 90 minute one way road and not be really impressed by it. The roads were curvy again...and I got even more car sick. We got to see Four Corners too! I was in 4 states at once! Even though I said I would never go back, we went to the Grand Canyon. It wasn't too bad. I got to see it in full daylight. And, there was a storm brewing at the east end of the park. Patty and I both noticed how it rained each time we went to a national park, and if we wanted it to rain, we had to open our windows. It was a good trip. We were both happy to be out of the car though at the end of it. Good times had by all.

Last week of school

2007-06-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

I never really talked about my kids this year on this. I guess I didn't want to bring work home with me or something. Friday was an awfully dramatic day with my female students. There's this one student who has had a dramatic attitude change. I never knew what was going on with her. She'd just write smiley faces as her answers and turn in her work within minutes of me having them start the assignment. She kept telling me to fail her and keep her in 5th grade. Friday she was really down with herself, so I took her out of the room and asked her what was going on. I was kidding with her that she wouldn't be able to see me everyday, and deal with me being her teacher. As I looked at her (her head was down), she looked up at me and had tears in her eyes as she nodded yes. She was going to miss having me as her teacher, so she was trying to fail 5th grade to stay with me. Damn little kids. Melting my heart. I actually had to wipe tears from my eyes after that. That totally redeemed my year.

The Best One Thus Far

2007-05-19T22:48:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting at Happy Hour with my friend after school yesterday, and she turns to me and says, "I have the best story from your favorite student." They were reading a book about a fox in their basel, and were doing an author's study afterward. The kids in her class decided to search the bookshelves in her room to see if she had any of the other books the author has written. Sure enough, the students find two books about the fox in her bookshelves. She read the first story to the students. Fox was a crossing guard, and his friends wanted him to go to the beach. At first he didn't want to go, he told his friends he didn't have his swimsuit. His friends convinced him to go to the beach, the animals would be able to cross the street by themselves. While he's at the beach, he has a dream that the old dog wasn't able to cross the street because he wasn't there. He was really upset by the dream, so he rushed to his post. The old dog was waiting to be crossed, and asked Fox why he would leave his post, he was letting everyone down. The old dog thanked him for coming back, but then told Fox that the next time it happens, that he should put clothes on before coming back to his post! Inappropriate! She asked the students what they thought the moral of the story was, and they gave good answers. The next book has Fox going on dates with different girls each night of the week. On Friday he's at the park with his girlfriend. As he's swinging, the pictures of himself and the other girls falls out of his pocket. His girlfriend got upset and showed the other girls the pictures, all of them were upset with Fox. Again, inappropriate! After this story, my friend decided not to ask her students for the moral of the story. As she's deciding this, my favorite student raised his hand and asked her if she wanted him to share with her what he thinks the moral is. "No, that's ok, we don't need that." "Oh well, I'll give you what I think it is anyway. I think the moral of the story is to not cheat with 3 other girls, and at least not have pictures of those girls around. But, he did have his clothes on while he was cheating!" My goodness! I love this kid!

On a personal note, I'm only 13 school days til I'm done with school, and less than a month til I'm home. I can't wait. This week was an especially stressful week, and I really want to school year to be over with now.

Stories!

2007-05-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

The other day, my friend took her class to The Sigfried and Roy Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. She came back with a bunch of booklets from their old show at The Mirage. My favorite student picked up the book and said, "Oh my gosh! I can take this home and show my mom the dolphins that we saw!" As he opens the booklet, he sees Sigfried and Roy and says, "Who are these freaks?!" He kept flipping through the booklet and saying, "Who...are...these...freaks?! They're everywhere!"

Another story. My friend was sick and not in her class Friday. There wasn't a sub to cover her class, so they pulled someone who works with her class everyday that's licensed to teach. I guess this person had no idea what to do in the class even though there were detailed plans for who ever came in to sub. I guess my favorite student talked one of the new students into sticking their head through some polls on the playground. I guess the person in her room freaked out and had to have two other teachers get the student's head out from the polls. He's going to be a good salesperson when he grows up!

One More Story

2007-05-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post this after I was told the story. I'm sorry for keeping this for so long.

At dinner the other night, a few of us were sharing stories about our classes (that's what you get when 4 teachers go out for dinner). That's when I had to ask about my favorite student. I guess the other day another student in his class was name calling and picking on other students. That's when my friend put the student by herself and asked her how she would feel if that were being done with her, because she was sure (the teacher) that the other students probably had a few choice words for her. That's when my favorite student raised his hand and said, "Oooh! Ms. K, I have some choice words for her!! I have some words!" "No, I wasn't asking for any right now." "Well, when you need them, I have them for you!" This is when I started laughing really hard. And this is why this student is my favorite!

Sunburn part deux

2007-04-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI...I did put sunscreen on when I was outside. I learned my lesson that time at Noah's Ark. I only got burned in the areas that I missed with sunscreen.

Sunburn

2007-04-28T17:18:00.001-07:00

It's official. It's the 28th of April, and I have my first sunburn of the year. It's only sporadic too. You can obviously tell where I forgot to put sunscreen. It's nice that it's only the end of April and I have a burn. You can't really do that back in Wisconsin. Yesterday my neck burned during Field Day, and today I burned within the 2 hours I was out at the pool. Oh well.

Speaking of Field Day, my favorite student (the one I have stories about) came up to me during recess. I was watching all 4 fifth grade classes to make sure they weren't beating up the few first grade classes when I turned around, and there he was. "There's way too much color out here today!" (Each class had matching shirts for Field Day, and they were different colors depending on the class and grade level. You couldn't have the same color as someone in your grade level.) "But, kid, you have the BEST color on today (we had the same color)" "I know, but there's still WAY too much color going on today." And then he walked off.

Oh my gosh! I went to the Clark County Fair and Rodeo two weeks ago! It was so much fun!! I felt like I was back home at the county or State Fair. They had the racing pigs like back home!!! I couldn't believe it. I was also eating a hot dog about 500 feet from the pigs. Hope they weren't offended. :) I got me a cowgirl hat too while I was there. Shannon and Amanda couldn't believe that I was getting one, but I did. We got to go see the rodeo too! It was the first time I'd been at one. I was kinda waiting for Borat to come out and sing the National Anthem. He didn't. I was screaming after each person went. Shannon turned to me and dared me to yell out "Yee-haw!" at some point. She obviously doesn't know me very well. Within the next 10 minutes I yelled it. I think she and Amanda were ready to disown me. It was fun times had by all.

Another Story

2007-04-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the student story of the day:

At school, we're now doing "Student of the Week." Each teacher can choose a child to be the SOTW, and they get a certificate, pencil, and trophy on their desk for the week. Well, my friend chose our favorite student to be SOTW. The Assistant Principal came to the room to present the certificate and pencil to the student. As the student got his award he said to the AP, "It's about time!" What kid actually says that to the AP?! I thought you'd all enjoy.

Funny Story

2007-04-14T11:23:00.001-07:00

When I was home I was sharing stories about a student at my school. I'm not going to name names to protect the innocent, but I will be posting funny things this student says.

This week at school, there was a teacher out all week. I guess the sub that was in the room on the first day had no control over the kids. They were playing games, and banging on the walls, disrupting the class that this student is in. As this student's class was walking through the other room to take a bathroom break, the student says to the other kids, "You're acting like a bunch of maniacs!"

It's not as funny as the other stories I've shared, but it was funny at the time...

Spring Break

2007-04-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying that I know why people don't think of Wisconsin as a Spring Break destination.

This Spring Break was the most fun filled, and busiest Spring Break. It all started out by driving back to Wisconsin with my sisters. Many people ask me why they didn't just fly out. I think the reason they didn't do that is because when my oldest sister bought a new "SUV" back in July, her goal was to drive out here in it. They drove out here for the last week I was teaching before Spring Break. It was awesome having them out here. I have never been more exhausted. I'm not used to visitors during the school week. I was told that I needed to behave like a young person by people at work, but it's draining teaching all day! I did enjoy winning money downtown. Back to the road trip...it was a good time for the most part. We stopped at the Grand Canyon and stayed too long. It was fun seeing it and being in awe for the first 30 minutes or so...the last 5 and a half hours dragged on. AND they were pushing the limits on the edge of the canyon. Uh-uh. We stopped for a few other tourist traps, and decided to drive the rest of the way home from Albuquerque. 26 hours non-stop wasn't very awesome, but it was better than stopping and still having to drive 14 hours the next day. Good times had by all.

Being home was awesome. I didn't get to see my brother or his family and a couple of other people, but I did get to see the majority of friends. There was a mandatory Perkins run the night I got home, which SOMEONE missed, not going to name names. I got to go up to Green Bay to see everyone. I got to meet my godson! He's the most adorable baby I've come across in a long time (since my nephew was born)! It was good to see mommy and baby together and so happy and healthy. I then got to see everyone else. It was such an awesome time. I'd say I'd forgotten how much fun it is hanging out with all of them, but there's no way I could forget about how fun it is hanging out with them. We spent about 3 hours at dinner, and I think the waitress wanted us to leave sooner. Oh well, it was an awesome time. I'm still smiling when I think about it :). Afterwards, Adam and I decided to go back to his place to change to go out to the bars since the others didn't want to come out with us. We got to my favorite bar to dance, and no one was dancing. I was a bit upset. Then we headed out to see my cousin who was on duty and couldn't come out with us. Headed to a townie bar a block from his apartment, which was interesting. Then played Jeopardy until 4am. Good times.

After Green Bay, I spent a lot of time with the family and a few good people (you know who you are!). Spent most of Saturday with Patty. We went and dyed eggs with Erika and her bf. That was a hilarious time. We then headed downtown to State Street and the Square to walk, talk and enjoy Michelangelo's beverages. Easter felt like just another day, but it was a day spent with my family...and some with my sister's friend to play Friends Scene It. Good times.

It was hard leaving today. It's always somewhat hard leaving, but today it was really hard. Not quite as hard as it was a year ago, going back to a job I hated, but it was still hard. I saw everyone that I'm close to, and want to come back to hang out with them more often. I saw home and my other home (Green Bay), and I want to be able to hang out at my regular places. It wasn't as hard leaving Green Bay this time. The last time I left Green Bay I thought I was going to have to pull over because I was crying so much. I think knowing I'll be back to visit in a couple of months helps. I think being homesick is a sign that I need to move home eventually. I know it won't be soon, even though there are many people who would like to see me there, but I know eventually I'll be back home in cold Wisconsin.

Damn Right!

2007-02-12T22:27:00.000-08:00

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Ugh...

2007-02-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

Life is still good. Things at school are getting crazy, but I think I can handle the changes that are coming our way. It's still a thousand times better than my old school.

Not too much has been going on. I was insanely jealous of the "cold day" that everyone got back home. I would've much rather been at home laying on my couch watching daytime TV. I don't watch any soaps, but some of the daytime talk shows would've been nice to watch. I miss being able to lay on a futon in the afternoon and catch up on the celebrity gossip on those shows. I didn't mind that I had 75 degree weather these past 2 days. Nothing beats T-shirts and flip flops at the beginning of February.

That's all I've got for right now...can't think of anything more to update with...

I'm Alive!

2007-01-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but I now have a life! It's hard to believe, but I do.

Long update short...I had a wonderful time at home over break. I got to go up to Green Bay and see everyone I wanted to see. It was awesome when I got to see people I haven't seen in over a year. I do miss seeing those people as often as I used to see them. The best was when I was driving to Wrightstown to see Jimmy and Wayne. Just as I was passing St. Norbert, it started snowing! I was SO excited!! I also thought that it was awesome that it started there. It wasn't so awesome when I had to drive back into Green Bay from there when there was slushy snow and such on the highway. I haven't driven in the snow in over a year! I did get to clean off 2 cars, and found that my brown shoes let water leak into them. Not cool. Overall, it was a great trip to Green Bay. Home was great too. Got to see almost all of my friends. Hung out with the fam, and made it in to see both grandmas.

I'm back in the swing of things with school. The kids are getting better. I'm able to joke around with them, and get them back into what we're working on. The other day I ended up jumping rope with them at recess. I was even heckled by a student when I wanted to give up and go eat lunch! Our assistant principal left us. I really grew to like her a lot, and will have to adjust to her not being there for me. I know the principal will be there for me to talk to, but I don't know her as well as the assistant principal. I have time to get to know her though. It'll be a good thing.

Things with friends out here are good. I had a few people over a couple of weeks ago. We ended up playing games, and got really competitive. It's good times had by all.

This year's birthday was a complete 180 from last year. I actually had friends to go out with! We all started out at dinner, and then only 3 of us went to the Strip so I could get my HUGE drink (a true yard long...3 feet of liquor!). I wasn't able to finish it. I know, first sign of growing up. If I hadn't had that drink at dinner...

That's all I have right now. I need to relax before heading to school in the morning. It's been a long weekend...

Such a good day

2006-12-10T01:23:00.000-08:00

I had the best day I've ever had since I've moved out here (minus times when my sisters or friends have been out here)...so, with my friends out here.

Today started off with a meeting at school from 10-2. I was kinda dreading it. Knowing I had to go to school this morning made last night not feel like a Friday. The meeting ended up only lasting 2 hours, so that meant I could head over and start baking with Daisy and her daughter! I came home, packed up my stuff, and headed over there. When I got there, I was greeted at the door by Daisy's husband, asking if I needed some help carrying my stuff in. He helped me carry my stuff in (so did my 5 year old friend), and then "I" got to open her gift. She loved it! I had bought "I" an apron, and ironed on her name and a jewel crown. I have never seen anyone get so excited about an apron. I noticed as I was putting it into a box to wrap, that there was a big hole in the bottom of the apron. Mom told me she wouldn't notice, but I knew she would. Daisy and I had gone up to "I"'s room to finish combing her hair, and as Daisy was talking on the phone, "I" got out her sewing kit for me to sew it up. Daisy couldn't believe she had done that! Oh well, I told her I could try to fix it, but she said she'd take it to someone that she knows could use a machine to do it better than "I"'s sewing kit. We then headed downstairs to start cooking. I started unloading my stuff (I had a Rubbermaid container and a couple of bags of stuff), and getting the ovens ready. Yes, she has 2 ovens. I loved baking in there! There is so much room to move around and everything! Baking was fun, and "I" really loved doing the cookie cutters. It got old after awhile for her, but she was still loving it. She loved licking the beaters clean. That was part of her job...she got the beaters.

We took a break to run to the store once the cookies were baked, and then came back to relax. As I was laying on the floor, trying to find a child friendly question on Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture, Julie came. I was just wanting to lay down for a bit, and "I" was using my arm that was jutting out from under my head (since I was using it as a pillow) as her pillow. That's when she said she was getting hungry, and that we should start making appetizers. That was a friendly hint that she wanted the spinach dip that I was planning on making. A few more people came over, and us girls played Rudolph Monopoly while the boys played Xbox. After dinner, I got to escort "I" up to her bedroom to get ready for bed. I was requested to take her up there. It was cute. It made me feel good.

Once she was in bed, that was when Game Night started. We played Cranium wrong for awhile, and then played correctly. My team won. Then we went to play Trivial Pursuit on the Xbox. My team won. We had a rematch. We tied (but we got to the finishing place first). We then played Family Feud. We tied...and then won the last game. It was our night. At one point "I" woke up from all of the yelling we were doing. It was a good time had by all! It was awesome.

If I don't move home in the next year or so, I know I'll be good out here with my friends I've made.

Finally

2006-12-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

It's been forever since I've updated, but I now have a life. Not saying that people who post a lot don't have lives....I'm just excited I actually have people out here to keep me away from my computer!

I'm so excited! My sister's moving out here soon! She just got accepted into the History grad program out here at UNLV. I got the email while my kids were working on their math, and I had to hold back the jumping up and down and screaming! I had to wait a full hour to call her about the news. It was killing me sitting through my grade level meeting, and not being able to share my news with anyone. Of course I emailed most everyone in my school email account as soon as I got her email...but I didn't have anyone to share in my excitement! I finally got to talk to her once my meeting was over, and I was eating my "lunch" (expired chips they can't feed the kids don't really count for lunch...stupid me forgetting the frozen meal at home...). I told Daisy about it, and she got really excited. She only met my sister once, but she was still excited. She turned to her daughter (my new best friend...who happens to be 5), and said, "Isn't that exciting?! That means she'll be out here for a bit longer!" Aww...

Speaking of Daisy and her daughter, we're baking Christmas cookies this weekend! I'm super excited about that one too! We're totally going to bake like I've never baked before! We're going to make sugar cookies and decorate them, which I don't remember doing much as a kid. We're going to make pumpkin bars and spinach dip too. I know, it doesn't sound like a good combo, but we're playing games with a bunch of people from work after baking....and the staff loved my spinach dip I brought in as part of our fifth grade sponsored luncheon.

I come home in a week! I'm excited about that. I get to see everyone, and feel the pain of the extreme coldness. I froze last week when it was in the low 30s in the mornings. I broke out the winter coat last week. That was the first time I've done that out here! I get to hang out with my peeps, and I get to take a road trip up to Green Bay to see everyone! I'm so happy I get to see everyone. I even get to go to school with Adam on his last day before break. That should be fun. And I get to see the rest of my favorite people in the world who are up in Green Bay.

I guess if I had to choose a word to describe myself today, it would be..excited.

I can't wear face paint to a UFC match?!

2006-11-16T22:12:00.000-08:00

Random, I know, but it's catchy, right?!

I can't remember when I updated last, or what I even talked about. I'm ready for a break, and I know that next weekend will be a great break. Sue will be in town, and we're already planning on where we're going shopping on Black Friday. It's going to be fun. She's coming to school with me on Wednesday. She'll be seeing my class in rare form. We've had testing this week in reading and writing for the district, and next week we have math for the district and then our reading unit test. Not cool Kool Aid. I was thinking about making hand turkeys with the kids at the end of the day on Wednesday (even though one of my college profs would KILL ME if he knew I was doing that!). I know that the kids are a bit too old to do that kind of thing, but it'll be something fun and relaxing for them to do after the tests. We'll share what we're thankful for. Sorry, not meaning to plan out loud...

Not much else going on here. I'll be home a month from today! I'm a little excited, since this will be the first time in about 6 months that I'll be home for longer than a weekend! YAY! I'm already planning my trip to Green Bay to see everyone, and then I have to make it around Madison seeing my peeps too. It'll be a busy 2 weeks home, but I'll make the most of it!

Quickie

2006-11-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update before watching Desperate Housewives (I never EVER wanted to watch this show, but Amanda's hooked on it, so I've been watching with her since she watches all of my shows...and I'm beginning to like the show. I'm sorry.).

This week it was found out at school that I was single. Now I have a bunch of people trying to hook me up. Uh-uh. I don't know how I feel about this.

I went out with a co-worker last night. She's like my Vegas Erin. She's short, blonde, and just like Erin. We were going to go to a VIP lounge on the Strip, and then to a comped George Wallace show. Turns out we ended up going to a couple of parties thrown by other co-workers. We started out at a teacher's house hanging out and discussing sex and marriage. I sat back and listened and drank. The next place we went was Roy's. Roy's the fifth grade chairperson, and makes my life out in the portables fun as hell. I was really excited that we were invited out there, since Roy has legendary parties. He made sure I had something in my hands all night. I had a few Twisted Smirnoffs and at least 4 shots. I haven't had that much alcohol in a damn long time! AND...my friend and I were the "Token White Girls." All of Roy's family (including Roy himself) are Pacific Islanders...so we were the only 2 white people there. It was awesome.

Today I went shopping for some clothes for work. I'm so excited! I'm down 2 sizes from where I was a year ago!!! I'm uber excited. I actually did a dance in the fitting room today when I tried stuff on. It makes me feel really good about myself!! YAY!

Next Friday a bunch of us teachers are getting together for games and a pot luck. It should be a great time. I can't wait!

Pics of the car

2006-10-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

Here they are!

Craziest Thing

2006-10-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

I did the most impulsive thing I've ever done in my life today. I went in for an oil change, and three hours later I drove off the lot with a brand new car! Crazy, right?!

I started off my day planning on going to school to enter grades in my computer there, and then wanted to go get an oil change. I got to school, and no one was there, so I didn't have any way to turn off the alarm system if I went in. I decided to get the oil change first, and then head to school. I drove up into the service department at Saturn, and one of the guys in there came up and was asking me questions about my car. "What year is it? How many miles? Are you happy with it? etc..." He followed me into the showroom, and was asking about where I moved here from, and everything (I wasn't going to stop him since he was easy on the eyes). He then went into a spiel about how they have a deal going on where they match your current payments and pay off your old car if you upgrade to a 2007. The new car comes with OnStar, and a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty. Turns out, mom and dad had told me earlier this week that they wanted me to look into getting OnStar in my car when I went to get my oil changed (it's factory installed, so there wasn't any way I could get it in my old car). I called mom and dad to see if I should pursue this. They said I should go for it. I told the guy that I wanted to see what we could do about getting me a new car, and I wanted to upgrade to power windows/locks, and cruise control. The sales guy went to check out their stock, and couldn't find a black car in what I wanted, but they did have one in dark blue (which is new to Saturn, starting with the 2007 models). I didn't know how I felt about it, until I looked at it when I took it for a test drive. It took me about 2 hours to get everything rolling with it. I ended up bargaining with the guy. He came to me with monthly payments that I thought were absurd. The 2007 model in what I already had was $60 more than what I'm currently paying, and it was $88 more for the power package (I've been thinking about why that may be...my other Saturn had my dad's name on it too, so maybe that helped me with the cost of the car...). I told him I had to think about it. I can't pay that much. He told me he'd get me a copy of the offer so I could bring it in on Monday. He came back saying he really wanted me to get the car today, and that his boss said to see how much I'd be willing to pay for the car. I told him if I was getting a new car it was going to be the power package or no car today. I told him I'd be willing to pay $30 more a month for the car. He came back with $30 more, plus $500 down. I couldn't do that either. I just paid a bunch of bills the day before, and I knew what I paid was right around $500, and I don't get paid again for another 2 weeks. It ended up being $40 more than I already pay. It's ok, I want a new car with what I wanted originally. I waited another half hour or so to meet with the financial guy, who was trying to sell me more stuff for my car. By the end of the time there he wanted me to be paying over $300 a month. No way. It would've been $100 more than what I'm paying now. I don't think so. I picked up 2 extra things, and I'm paying more than I thought, but I can afford it. I just need to figure out what I'm cutting out each month (probably some of my crafting stuff).

After I left the dealership (in my new car!), I called Mary to see if she wanted to go for a spin, since Amanda wasn't home. I drove over to her place, and we went out for a meal (lunch for me, dinner for her). It was nice being out with her. We have a lot more to talk about now that we're at the same school. You'd think that being at the same school, we'd see each other more often. We see each other each week at the staff meeting...that's about it. Anyway, I digress. She loved the car. We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening chatting about everything. It was good times.

I've had some great reactions from people when I've told them that I got a new car. The first one was Adam's response. I had to list 2 personal friends that I've known for more than 1 year. I called him to see if I could list him, and he was flustered, and then asked why I was getting a new car. Then I called Jen on my way to Mary's. "I'm calling you from my new Saturn!" "Yeah?" "Did mom and dad tell you?" "No, but you're not in Madison, so I know you're in Vegas..." "No, I'm in MY NEW SATURN!" "WHAT?!" We chatted about things, and compared what we each had in our cars (since she bought a Vue in July). I loved Amanda's reaction. She came home from her road trip, and told me she was going to run to McDonald's for dinner. I told her that I would drive her there. "No, I can go. I have to move my car over here since I parked out front." "No, I'll drive." "What'd you do to your car?" "Nothing." "Did you clean it?!" "Yeah, we'll go with that." "How long did it take you?" "Three hours." "That long?" "Uh-huh." We got downstairs and were heading to it when I hit the unlock button to unlock the car. She stopped dead in her tracks. I was getting into the car when she finally asked me what the hell I did. She loves the car, and now says I will be driving everywhere we go together.

I realized that this is the third car I've bought in my whole life. In high school I used my entire life savings to buy the Metro. After graduating from SNC, I bought the Ion. Now, after moving to Vegas, I traded in the Clown Mobil Deuce, and have a new car. And this one is under MY name! I'm so excited. It's been a gradual step. Metro-Dad. Ion-Dad and I. Ion2-ME!

Sorry, I'm just really excited about this! Tomorrow I will post a pic of the new car so we can think of names for it!

All Wisconsin

2006-10-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Sitting here watching Wisconsin Hockey, drinking Door County wine, and the air cool like a Wisconsin night in September...I think it's a good time to update about the awesome weekend I had at home two weeks ago.

I stayed at school the Thursday before I left until about 5:30. I needed to make some stops before heading home, and finally made it home to pack everything before I left. I couldn't sit still, I was so excited to be heading home! I was able to sit for dinner, but it took all of my might to sit down and watch The Office and Grey's before heading to the airport. I was like a kid waiting up all night for Santa to come. We finally left for the airport, and I was freaking out about having everything. Just as we were leaving the apartment, I had to have Amanda stop before leaving our parking lot to make sure that I had my license and confirmation number. It was OOC (out of control). The plane couldn't board soon enough. I was praying that I had a row to myself, but I didn't. Luckily though, I remembered Sue telling me that Northwest now boards all rows, not just from the back to the front. I shoved my way to the front so I could just get in my seat and sleep. I was beginning to get sleepy in the terminal, but I was able to stay awake creating questions to ask Zach at Perkins the next night. I got in my seat, and fell asleep right after we started taxiing. I only woke up a few times, but I don't like how there's no leg room on the planes for Northwest. I'm just used to Midwest I guess.

I was bundled up when I got into Milwaukee. I had brought home my leather jacket, but I had it packed in my checked luggage since I had many layers on in Vegas, and was sweating from wearing more than a t-shirt and jeans. It was a shock to get outside into the chilly air, but all was good when I saw that my sisters had brought the dog all the way out to Milwaukee to come and get me! She and I got to reconnect on the way home. Good puppy...she and I were back to normal within a few minutes. I miss her. I got to come home and go to breakfast at Mickie's Dairy Bar with Patty that morning. It was a good time. It was really crowded in there, so we had to sit at the bar. That was ok, I got to see her and catch up, and that's all that matters. After hanging out with Patty, I got to go get my hair cut, and to see my peeps from Barnes and Noble! It was awesome seeing them! It made me feel really happy to see them all. We headed home, and I still couldn't sit still. My sisters, mom and dad and I were eating lunch, but I couldn't eat it all. I was excited for what was to come. Sue and I went to go get the dog from doggy day care, and run a few errands before people got to the house. Yes, I was waiting to see my peeps! Adam called as he was driving down, and just knowing he was on his way made me even more not being able to sit down. I was WAY too excited! I had talked to Dan earlier, and had the same feeling. When we got home I knew I only had a few minutes to wash my hair and change before people started showing up. I heard a car outside of my parent's condo, looked outside, and saw Adam's car. I ran outside in just my socks to go greet him. Turns out, the car belonged to someone else. Not cool. A few minutes later, Adam got there, and a few minutes after that, Meghan and Dan got there. It was so good to see them all. I can't even remember what we had for dinner...I was just so happy to see them, and to have such good company. A while later, Erika and Zach showed up. I believe I ran out to greet her in just my socks too! We had to pick up Adrienne from the airport at 10:30, so we waited around my condo for her. We all decided that we were going to make a sign to hold up for her when she got down to baggage claim. We made a sign that said, "Congrats Adrienne on the baby!" It was funny, but would've been funnier had there been more people coming down the escalator when she came down. We all headed to Dan's to pick up J (and to get a tour of the apartment). Then...it was onto Perkins! YAY! We all had a great time, and were exhausted by the end of our time there. We had Steve as our waiter (uber excited about that one!), and all got to grill Zach. Or, we got to see if he would do anything we had all done before...to see if he was worthy enough for Erika (he is!). Good times had by all. The night ended with me driving Adam's car back to my house with him and Adrienne, and then reading Adam a bedtime story.

Saturday was awesome! I got to get all dressed up, and wear the jewelry that Amanda and I had made. It took forever, but I looked DAMN good (at least I thought so) in my dress and all. I was getting ready in my parent's bathroom so Adrienne could use the guest bathroom. As I was getting ready, Adam sat in my parent's room talking with my mom. I thought that was kind of cute. We had a good time at the wedding. The car trip was fun up there. Adam and I were following Dan, who had Adrienne, J, and Meghan in the car. We could see Dan dancing, and could tell when he got really into it (the car would jerk one way, and then back). The wedding was awesome. We got there really early, so we were able to see Kathleen before the wedding. She was so beautiful that day (not that she isn't any other day). Dan and I threw a fit when we realized we weren't sitting next to each other, and eventually got our way before the ceremony began. Then the pastor started talking about Jesus "pitching a tent in your living room." Dan lost it. I knew right after he had said that, that Dan would be turning to me eventually. He did. And then an older woman sitting in front of us turned to look at Dan each time he started giggling. After the wedding, Adam and I headed to UW-La Crosse to see his sister. It was fun seeing her again. The last time I saw here was Adam's graduation. We then headed to the reception, and almost ended up in the wrong reception. Good thing Kathleen saw us so we could get to the right one. Good times had by all by everyone. They were kinda scared with the energy I had when it came to the dancing portion. I had to drag J out on the dance floor with me. We were all crazy out there. A younger person even came up to us to tell us how we all looked like we were having so much fun out there, and wanted to join in. Heck yeah she could! By the end of the night most of the bridal party was calling us the "SNC Gang." As we were walking out, I noticed that we could see our breath, and I was the only one not wearing a jacket. Although, as I was sitting in Adam's car, trying to stay awake so he would, I had my jacket around my legs and was bundled under Adam's jacket. We had some good convos on the way back. Good times. When we got back to my parent's condo, I couldn't find my house key, and had to call dad to let us in...at 2:30am! Uh-uh. It was off to bed, since I had to get Adrienne up and out by 5:30.

Adrienne woke me up for her flight...at 7:00am! 10 minutes after take off! That was not cool either. I felt so bad about it. I realized that I set my alarm on my phone...which was on Vegas time still. That was an added stress to my morning. I didn't like that at all. Adrienne found a flight, but it didn't leave until the next day. We made arrangements for her to stay with Dan for the night. Adam left after breakfast (I was sad to see him go), and soon after I was getting things ready for my flight, and to take Adrienne home. I stopped by Erika's one last time, to get my luggage she still had, and to say hi to her parents. They're like my second set of parents, so I had to go see them since I was home. When I got to Erika's, I pulled into the driveway of our house that my parents are still trying to sell. I noticed right away that they had painted the whole door white! That's not cool (it was black and white). That made me sad. After Erika's, Adrienne and I headed over to Dan's. It was good seeing him and J one last time before heading away again. Once back home, I packed up my stuff, and we (mom, dad, and Sue) headed out to Milwaukee for my flight. Stopped by to see Grandma since I hadn't seen her since May. I ended up leaving 10 dollars richer, and a bag of candy fuller (I didn't eat it all...I don't think I've opened the bag of candy yet!). It was sad leaving her since she was trying to fight back tears. That doesn't make me feel good. At the airport, they all stayed with me until right around boarding time. I had about 15 minutes before boarding when I got to my gate. I got really sad all of a sudden when I got to the gate. I called Dan, but he was eating. I called Erika, but she was doing something. I was going to call Adam, but decided not to since I knew he was busy working on school stuff. Luckily, Amanda called to see if I had boarded yet, and to see if she should come into the baggage claim area to get me (which she did since my bags were really heavy with her scrapbooking stuff!). The flight back wasn't good. Really turbulnt, and the people next to me wanted to talk. That's when I pulled my hood up, and pretended to sleep. Got home, and knew I had to get to school the next day. Oh well, it's better than it was last year.

Ok, I didn't mean to ramble on and on, but it was too good of a weekend not to ramble. I have less than 60 days til I'm home for Christmas! I'm looking at it in terms of how many more weeks of school I have to teach: one full week, one four day week, one full week, Thanksgiving (when Sue and Amanda's sister are coming out), two full weeks, and then I'm home for two weeks! Amanda and I realized that the other day, and we're PUMPED!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!

PS: Here are pics from the weekend!

Many updates today

2006-10-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Since I usually end up rambling when I update after a huge lull, I've decided that I'm just going to update with little entries.

I have the day off, and I'm planning on staying in my jammies until 4pm. I don't think I'm going to make it. I got up early, yet still slept an extra 2 hours. I couldn't believe it when I woke up at about 8:30 this morning! It's my first day off since August when I didn't have to take a day from my "bank" of days. I was slowly waking up when I went to McDonald's with Amanda for breakfast, and I put on jeans to go out in public...but I was still wearing my jammy top. A while later, Amanda left for her road trip, and I've been alone in the apartment for the past 2 hours. It's been wonderful. Reading the morning paper and drinking coffee from a mug...good times.

Last night I spent the night on the phone and watching TV. I had a stressful day at school, and decided to splurge and get Olive Garden for myself. As soon as I sat down, and started enjoying my soup, Adam called. Just as I was hanging up with Erika, I told her that as soon as I sit down and start to eat, Adam will call. I swear he has "food-dar" and "good show-dar." He always calls when I'm eating or watching something good on TV. Like every Tuesday he manages to call right as the opening credits come on for Gilmore Girls. According to him, he's more important than my TV shows...we'll see about that. Anyway, I digress. I chatted with him for about 2 hours, read him some Shel Silverstein poetry (Amanda thought that it was "kinkified" that I was reading him kid's stuff...), and just chatted about our craptastic days. I was a wimp, and couldn't drink as much as people wanted me to, and ended up in bed by midnight. Not cool. I could stay up til 3 if I wanted to since I have today off! Uh-uh.

On a happier note, I made a great new friend at school who's me, but 10 years older! I love it! I've ben staying late at school just because I've been chilling in her room riling her daughter up, and chatting about stuff. It's awesome. We're planning a game night for the next time we have off (in 2 weeks, for Veteran's Day). YAY! Other stuff going on at school. I'm doing an after school program getting kids up to meet standards for our test we take each trimester, and then throughout the school year. It's an ok program. The kids are cool too. It's nice working with 3rd and 4th graders as well as the 5th graders. Plus, it's after school, and we're more laid back after school. I had 6 kids sent to the office the other day because of name calling. They all have to meet with me, the principal, and their parents. It's going to be a fun week next week.

Coming up in Part 2: My Trip Back Home.

OMG!!:)

2006-10-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be sitting in the airport 2 days from now, waiting for my plane home! I can't wait! I'm WAY excited. I actually had a great workout yesterday, where I was shocked when my machine stopped since my cycle thingy ended. Then today after I worked out, I went to get Jimmy John's for Amanda and I, and came home WAY happy. It's really awesome. I can't wait. This weekend is going to be a blast!! I love the dress that I have (thanks to Amanda making me try it on!), and the jewelry Amanda and I made to go along with it will kick ass too!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

I promise I'll update more later, but I'm falling asleep right here!

It's just a Saturday night...

2006-09-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

...and I thought it would be a good time to update. I have some time to kill before Dane Cook hosts SNL.

I love my new school. I love everyone I work with. I'm having some trouble with my kids, but I'm dealing. I'm really ready for a vacation, and can't wait til I go home for a weekend in less than 2 weeks! My kids are generally good, but there are a few who are driving me nuts....and it's mainly the boys. I keep a tally throughout the week with the kids, and depending on how many times they land on a certain color, they get 1-2 prizes from the Bucket O' Fun. And it's always the boys who have reds next to their names. I feel for them, but they know the rules, and I have to be tough with them right away until they understand what's expected of them. I've also had to call home a couple of times. I don't like doing that. I had to have one of my kids translate the convo between his mom and I on account of her not speaking English, and my not speaking Spanish. That's the hurdle that I need to get over this year. There are a lot of parents who can't speak English, and I can't speak much Spanish. I guess that's why Amanda's living with me. She can teach me Spanish! I had an observation this week, and it went very well. There were no complaints, and no one was run down. It was an awesome time.

As for the rest of my life...it's good. I'm back in the BN loop now that Sue's back there. I'm actually kind of jealous that she's back there working. I miss the people I worked with. Tonight she called me as she was leaving, and two of my favorite people started yelling for me in the background. It made my day! Living with Amanda's good, we get along great. It's awesome to have someone to laugh with everyday. It's actually a good time out here now.

I can't wait to go home in less than two weeks! I get to have my hair cut for the first time in almost 6 months, get to see my family, and get to spend all weekend with some awesome people. I hope I'll want to come back to Vegas that Sunday. I get to go to Perkins, and some other places that I haven't been to in months. I just can't wait! I get to get my groove on at a friend's wedding, and I have a great dress that will show off the little bit of a tan I have left, as well as my Curious George tattoo. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! :)

Pics

2006-09-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

For those who have been pestering me about pics of the new place...here you go.

September 11 and such

2006-09-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

All day today I've been thinking about 9/11 and the day it happened. I know I've probably posted about it before, but I'm going to post about it again.

I had had such a bad cold that week, and I had a NyQuil hangover. I was sitting in one of my many 2 hours classes. During our break, Erin and I sat in the room instead of going to the commuter lounge in PAC. We were sitting there saying how nothing short of a fire would get us out of our seats. Within a minute of us saying that, one of the other students came running in telling us that there was a plane that had flown into one of the WTC buildings. Just as we got downstairs, we saw the second plane hit. It was surreal. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. We tried conducting class after that, but no one was paying attention so we ended for the day. I remember walking over to Mad/Lor with Erin, and immediately called home to make sure everyone was ok. I knew that they would be, but for some reason I needed the reassurance. I also sat in Niki's room just watching news coverage until my next class began. I got to class, and the prof could tell we weren't really paying attention at the task at hand (You really shouldn't try and have college kids sit in front of a computer when something like this is going on. You could see all of the computer screens on CNN, and other news sites figuring out what was all going on.). No one knew quite what was going on. Was there going to be another attack at some point during the day, or anytime soon? Who was the mastermind behind this? Most of all, why was this happening to us. Just before noon, the president of the college sent out an email saying that it was up to the prof on whether or not we had classes. I know I was excited at the possibility of no more classes that day (granted I only had one more class), but I wanted to sit in front of the TV watching what was going on. During the time between my two classes, I ran to my dorm room and just put in a blank tape to tape all of the news coverage. I can remember setting up sleep timers, and changing the channels so that I could see the different views everyone had. I was also thinking ahead...I'm going to be a teacher, and maybe some day I can use this in a classroom setting. My prof for my afternoon class decided that he didn't want to cancel class. This was a "teachable moment," and we're going to have lots of these in our teaching careers. We only stayed in class for about 20 minutes, but it was still a good class. I ran back to my dorm to find out we were having an emergency staff meeting (RAs) in response to what was going on. We were trying to figure out what we were going to do, and how we were going to do it. It was still a very surreal day. I can remember going to the candlelight vigil that night and just crying with everyone, even though I didn't have a connection to anyone who died. It was a very emotional day. Throughout the next week or so, there were events on campus about what was going on. I can remember our overnight trip to Fallen Timbers for Sophomore Block fell during the President's response to everything that was going on a few days after the attacks. Our prof got a great pic of all of us that night. We made sure we rushed through our evening activities to make sure we could see the President's speech. All of us were crowded around the TV, just leaning in towards the TV. That's what she got...all of us huddled there in complete silence watching this going on. I can remember all of us sitting around afterward talking about how we were all feeling and handling the attacks. That was a great bonding experience. There was another candlelight vigil the week after the attacks, and I can remember crying there too. Everyone was. It touched me to know that I was in such a caring community at SNC.

The following year, there were a couple of things happening on campus to commemorate the attacks. I can remember going to those too. My senior year (2nd anniversary), there was nothing planned for the whole campus. There were a bunch of things going on in the Res Halls being put on by RAs, but nothing campus wide. The night before the 2nd anniversary, Dan, Adam, and I (along with the best HD's help--Adrienne!) (Harr, you were right up there with Adrienne...just not there at the time!) planned a candlelight vigil for the next night. For being such last notice, we had a good turn out. We were very proud of each other for putting this on. Dan and I still talk about it. What can I say, we done good guys!

Tonight I went to a memorial here in Vegas for 9/11. About 2 weeks ago, a group (can't remember who) put up 3000 American flags, 1 for each person who died in the attacks. On each flag there was information about each person. It was so moving. It was more moving than the OKC Bombing Site for me. It hit me when I found the SNC alum's flag there. I never knew her, but knowing that she had at one time been at the same place I had been, made me sad. I was also sad when there were just 1 sentence descriptions about people. There were many with paragraph descriptions, and then there were the ones with, "John Doe worked for such-and-such company." Maybe the family didn't want to share much, but it was still sad. I had to hold back tears many times walking amongst the flags. I was upset that parents were letting their kids play tag and such within the flags, but oh well, the kids don't understand yet. It was all in all a moving day for me.

Well, here's something about my kids. They're pretty good...for the most part. We are staying in for lunch recess tomorrow to work on walking in line, working quietly, and taking our things out of our desks without talking. They wore me out today, but when doesn't that happen. I have my first open house as a teacher this Wednesday. It's kind of nerve wracking!

Oh, and I BOUGHT A COUCH this weekend! I'm finally becoming a big girl!!! YAY!

Dreams

2006-09-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know, I haven't updated about my new school and my kids yet, but you can just hold your horses. I'm just doing a post before I go to bed.

Lately I've been having some very vivid dreams. There was one a week or so ago that was just a great dream. I'm not going to go into it here, but I was smiling all day just thinking of the dream. My kids were getting me down, and I'd think of the dream. Thinking about it now is getting me smily. Last night I had two dreams that were pretty vivid. In one I was on vacation along some coast of the US with Adam and Adrienne (I probably had these two in my dream since we played Monopoly for what seems like forever before going to bed). I can remember just goofing off in the hotel, and then standing out on the balcony watching HUGE waves roll in on the shore. I have no idea what that was about, but we sat out there just watching the waves. Before the waves, we were out playing on the beach, just having fun. Then I had another dream that I was back at my high school for a graduation. I was with my sister, and my mom. We were all up in the balcony, and I can't remember who was graduating. After waking up, I figured it was because my niece is graduating from high school this year...I don't know. I've been dreaming about being on vacation, and certain people being there.

I'm thinking it's because I haven't really had a vacation in almost 6 months, and am heading home in a month for a wedding that I cannot wait to go to. Is it bad that I'm more excited about seeing everyone Friday night before the wedding, than the wedding itself? It's going to be a kick ass wedding, but Friday night everyone is going to be together after 6 months. I can't believe it's been almost 6 months since the last time I've been home...that's the longest I've ever gone...

My kids are good, there are some that grate on my nerves, but oh well. That's what happens, right? I did treat them like my second graders on Friday. We didn't get to do our Fun Friday because we spent it in line working on walking in line the correct way. Good times had by all. A student from last school year actually called and asked me to come to her baptism tonight. It was already about 2pm, and it was at 6pm. Amanda and I had planned on going up to Mount Charleston, and I didn't know when we were going to be coming back, so I didn't go. I did promise to come to her dance recital next weekend. That'll be fun. It feels good to know that I did make a difference in this child's life.

For those who don't like what Facebook has done...

2006-09-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

....check this out.

2006-09-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

"Chasing Cars"

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

My Classroom

2006-08-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

Here, I posted pics of my classroom.

:-D

2006-08-27T23:01:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in a long time, and haven't been keeping up with it recently, but I've been busy with my new school. Anyone who knows me knows this past school year sucked, and I hated pretty much every moment at my old school. This is for everyone who ever worried about me and my thoughts on leaving the teaching profession:

I'm happy. I'm really happy I decided to stay out here for another year. Almost every day that I've been at the new school, I've been told by either the principal or assistant principal that they are very excited I'm there this year, and are so glad I came to the school. The principal even said that at the first staff meeting of the year. I was in my room the other day, and I smiled to myself as I looked around at "my room." I'm very happy.

It also helps that Amanda's out here. I know that I was anxious as to how this was going to turn out, but it's been great. We take good care of each other. I guess Amanda was having the same anxiety about living with me. We talked about it the other night. Good times.

To those who have been wondering about what the new place looks like, I'll be finishing up unpacking and getting things up this week, hopefully. It's just taking longer since I haven't really had too much time to do it.

Darn kids!

2006-08-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've been able to swim my laps. I'm a snob and will only swim laps when the pool is empty. I don't want to have kids swimming into me, or swim into something else if there's a couple in there. Lord knows we don't want any "Little Kristys" running rampant out there in the world. I woke up this morning (thanks for not calling at 4 am Adam!), and decided to get right into my suit. As soon as I had gathered my stuff for the pool, and was ready to sunscreen up, I looked out to find a little kid with his mom. What the h?! I would've gone down to the pool, but this is the same kid who had befriended Amanda Wednesday night, and then took our dive sticks. He saw us bring the sticks with us to the deep end where Amanda was going to play with them, and I was just going to balance on my funnoodle. We're a couple of big kids. He took one look at our dive sticks, and said, "I'm good at finding those." I ignored him, and I think Amanda did too. His parents were sitting in the hot tub, or were laying in the evening sun at the side of the pool. Then a few minutes later, he's over at our sticks, picking them up and seeing how many we have. At that point I told him he could use a couple of them. We have 9, but I didn't want the kid to take all of them. So, he starts throwing them in, and nearly hits me TWICE with MY OWN DIVE STICKS. And, needless to say, he didn't listen, and threw all of the sticks in the pool. His mom's just laying on a chair with her back to him, and his dad is more worried about talking to his wife. If my kid were in a pool with 2 grown people in there, I'd sure be watching him. I wouldn't want him bothering the adults. I guess that's just me. This kid then asked who could open their eyes underwater. I ignored, and just kept on swimming. Amanda, not so much. She told him he could. Then he wanted her to play with him. She kept telling him that she couldn't because she needed special glasses to see, and that she could barely see him at the side of the pool. He couldn't believe it. He kept asking her about it, and finally grabbed his mom's goggles for Amanda to use. At this point she told him that she still couldn't see with those, and to give them back to his mom...who was oblivious as to why he wanted to take her goggles, until he threw them back to her and scratched them. Good lord people, watch your damn kids! We finally went to the "hot tub" (not so much hot, as it was 10 degrees warmer than the pool) to wait til the kid left. That was after his dad joined in on the dive sticks. Nice. Maybe it's just me, but I would've asked where he had gotten the sticks if it were my kid.

This weekend was good. Friday night I think Amanda and I just sat around watching TV. I had made a "Kristy-tini", and she was drinking her drink. Saturday we got up early for teacher stuff. Office Depot was having a breakfast for teachers, and giving us extra off of our discount (can't remember what), so we headed over there first (they were also advertising free totes for teachers). Turns out, you had to buy something in order to get the tote. Amanda got post its, and I got colored pencils. Good times for a tote with some free stuff in it. We ran home to get directions to some other teacher stores on the other side of town (which is like driving half way to Milwaukee from Madison). Went to the "free" store for teachers in the district. Turns out it's free the first time, but then you have to have 50 cents or 1 dollar taken out of your check in order to earn more "points" to come back for more stuff. I found a bunch of stuff that I would've paid a crapload for at a normal teacher store, so I guess it was worth it. We then headed to the teacher store that Amanda had a gift card for, and I spent a bunch. Amanda walked out to the car complaining that she still had more than half left on the card. Uh-uh. We headed to a couple more places, and then home. She went to a BBQ for new teachers at her school, and I stayed home determined to get my room unpacked and organized...while doing laundry. All of a sudden, all of the shopping, and little bit of sleep, hit me like a Mac truck. I was exhausted! Amanda came home, and told me I looked sick. I took my temp, but I was fine. Ended up playing Scrabble and Battleship online with Adam...kicked butt with Battleship, but sucked it up with Scrabble. Headed to bed, had the chills, woke up at 7, took off my sweats, and went back to bed...for almost 4 more hours! I haven't slept that late since I've moved out here! Got up, watched Celebrity Fit Club and Flava of Love, then went out shopping again. Headed to the teacher store closest to us so we could go to the clearance section. Amanda still hasn't used up the gift card. If I had had that gift card, it would've been gone by the time we left the store yesterday. Oh well...it's easier for me since I have a "normal" class, I don't have to look for Spanish things for my room. I headed over to the house I will be dogsitting/housesitting at Labor Day weekend to meet the dogs last night. It was a good time. The dogs are awesome, and so is the owner. She's my godparent's son's girlfriend, so they were all there last night, and we had a good time.

It was a good weekend in all. I'm hoping to get unpacked and organized this week, and to have pics of the new place up this weekend. :)

I guess I'm "sporty" now...

2006-08-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

That's what I was told yesterday. I had to navigate Dan through Oshkosh, and then he asked what I was up to. Well, I was just about to put on sunscreen before I went to the pool to do some laps....at 10 am. "Wow, you're getting sporty!" I'm sorry, but I want to go swim and no one's in the pool at that time. The kids start coming in at about 11, and I don't like sharing my pool with kids...they're annoying, and I'm not getting paid to deal with them. Yeah, I know that I hadn't been swimming much when I lived alone, but I wasn't as close as I am to the pool now. I can look out the window in Amanda's room to see if anyone's out there (swimming, or doing anything else...our pool is the make out place here I've learned). It's been my goal ever since I moved out here to become more healthy, and lead a healthier life. I started with eating more healthy foods (unless I just needed something comforting), and now I'm doing more exercise. I've been swimming 2 times a day ever since I've been done with school, and once Amanda is less exhausted when she comes home from school, we're working out and then swimming. It makes me feel good. Too bad the pool isn't open until I have to be at school...I'd be half tempted to get up early and swim some laps. I bet some of you would never have imagined me saying that!

In other news, I went to my new school the other day to get my keys to my room. It was the total opposite of the feeling I got at my other school. They all knew who I was when I walked into the office, and they were really friendly. It made me feel so welcomed and that it was going to be a good year. I sat on my desk, and had to call people to tell them how I felt there. Even now as I write this, there's a smile on my face. I love this feeling!

Well, people were at the pool this morning when I wanted to even out my sunburn, so I didn't go. Lord knows I didn't want to be there when the making out started up. Guess I'll have to find some other time to even out the burn... Oh well, I'm off to my new classroom to set it up and figure out what I need!

Last Night as a Wisconsin Resident

2006-08-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't lived there since last November, but I still haven't registered my car. Tomorrow morning, I will be doing so. On my 36 hour summer vacation, I will be spending a good few hours at the DMV turning my car over to Nevada, and getting a new license (finally having a pic that looks like me!). It's going to be weird. Amanda looked it up online, and since we're not 25 yet, we have to take a written exam to get our licenses. I find that to be bogus since we have valid WI licenses. Whatever.

Living with someone has been good. It's taken awhile to get used to having someone else in the house, but I'm dealing. I feel bad, because I have these shows that I've just become accustomed to watching, and Amanda doesn't watch much TV. I feel like I'm hogging the TV. I do offer to go to my room and watch TV so that she can watch what she wants. Tonight was especially bad. The-N had a marathon of Dawson Creek season 1. I LOVE Dawson's Creek! I miss the early episodes, and I've been looking forward to this night for awhile. I knew that I was going to be done with school today, and I wanted to celebrate by sitting down and watching the beginning episodes of Dawson's. I'm sad and pathetic, I know. Amanda had never seen a full episode of Dawson's Creek. I kept telling her while I was making dinner to turn on something she wanted. I think she did when I realized I forgot something at the store that I needed for dinner, but then turned Dawson back on. Gotta love her!

I'm done with my school. I turned in my keys, and I'm done! I only have 36 hours of vacation, but oh well. I did get to say good bye to some of the teachers I've become friends with, and that was sad in a way. They were the ones who actually helped me out, and that I really got along with. I spent the morning cleaning/scrubbing down my room. I still had a bunch of crap in there since the teacher who started out the year in there still hadn't come to get her stuff. I had a fun time taking that stuff down. I had to leave school last week because I was getting cramps in my hands from removing all of the staples she put in the wall! Anyhoos, back to today. I spent the afternoon in Mr. Clark's room watching Napoleon Dynamite, and looking through some books while waiting for an administrator to check me out of my room. I left Mr. Clark's room to check out with the office manager (as much as I could before the administrator checked me out), and I came back to notice that no one had come by to check me out. I was told that I could leave at 2 since I was leaving for a new school. At about 2:20 I went to an administrator's office to see if she could check me out of my room when she had a minute. "Well, I came by your room, and you weren't there." She sounded kind of miffed. I told her I was checking out with the office manager, and I'd be in my room for the rest of the afternoon. Half an hour later, she came by to check me out of my room. She congratulated me on finishing my (almost) first year of teaching, and wished me luck at my new school. I was out of the school by 3pm. It was kinda sad leaving, but not really. I was more excited. I walked out of the school, and called Adam (since I was venting to him this afternoon on my lunch break).

Tonight consisted of grocery shopping with Amanda, making dinner, and watching Dawson's Creek. I'm trying to stay awake for the episode at 2am my time. It's the beauty pageant one! I LOVE that episode.

Quick update

2006-08-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd throw out a quick update about the last week.

Sunday: Moved big stuff, and 3/4 of stuff to new apt, stayed one last night in my other apt.

Friday: Last day with kids. A couple of them cried, and then made me teary eyed. Sat outside talking to a parent for about 15 minutes after school. Kids got out at 12:20, teachers had to stay til 3:26. Went to crappy staff luncheon, cleaned out my room, talked with the teachers in my pod. Came home to drink, and didn't get drunk. Oh well.

Saturday: Cleaned/ moved out of old apt. Took all day. Need to unpack DESPERATELY. Went to see Talladega Nights with Amanda. We paid less for the movie than the popcorn and drinks...kinda scary.

Today: Turned in keys to old apt, worked out, showered, and couch shopped. Didn't find anything in the price range I wanted. Maybe I'll have to wait a bit to get a new couch.

In general, it's great having Amanda here. I have someone to go to movies with, someone to talk to at night, and someone to just hang out with. We also have each other to work out with. That's going to be nice. I always wanted to use the place at the other complex, but there was a HUGE window that was in the leasing office so I would've been seen by everyone who came in there. Here, it doesn't seem like many people use the facilities. Amanda and I are now going to work out everyday after school, and then do some laps in the pool. It's so nice being within 2 minutes of the fitness room and pool.

Now I get to burn all of my lessons onto a CD for the school....

Real Quick!

2006-08-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here in my apartment two nights before moving all of my crap out. The best way to do so? Having my future roommate make a pitcher of margaritas while I'm at school so that they're ready for me when I get home, and typing up lessons! YAY! It's awesome. I'm already feeling it, and I've only had 1.5 margaritas!

YAY for having Amanda here!!!

(And we've started up a new tradition...playing Trivial Pursuit 90's edition whilst drunk!! Since the last time I played was Homecoming whilst drunk!)

2006-08-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, but I'm here.

This weekend I started packing up the apartment. I tried to on Saturday, but Target didn't let me. Thanks for holding boxes for me Target! I sat around all day on Saturday. Well, I talked to Dan when I was pissed at Target, and I talked to Adam when he was finished with moving into his new apartment in Green Bay. I'm quite jealous of him being in Green Bay. I'd give anything to be back there. I know, I'm sitting here in Vegas saying how I would give anything to be in Green Bay. I would. I would trade this for Green Bay. I'm sad and pathetic.

Saturday night I sat around coloring and watching the last few episodes of Dawson's Creek. I forgot how sad some of the last few episodes were! While I was coloring, I thought about the one night Adam and I were coloring while watching infomercials in my room. That night was awesome. That was the night when we really started coloring pictures for each other. (We have now started a competition to see who can get who's fridge filled with pics first!) I can still remember Harr coming to my door with her Coke and Malibu, and sitting down to play my guitar. It was awesome. I love thinking back to that night.

Sunday I woke up early to go get the boxes Target promised me, only to find out they gave them to someone else who was in earlier than me ( I got there at about 9:30). Yeah, that made me happy. Luckily Borders said they had lots of boxes for me, yay! That is why I will shop at Borders a lot more now, and why I will not be shopping at Target for a bit. I was able to get a lot of packing done on Sunday. I packed up my dresser, my living room, and most of my kitchen. It's getting bare in here! While I was packing, I was getting sad. I'm leaving my first apartment! Plus, I was using some of the boxes I still had from when I originally moved out here. Those feelings came back. Not cool.

I'm also starting to get nervous about living with someone again. I haven't lived with anyone since Niki freshman year, and before that it was my sister when I was 8. I know Amanda and I get along, but I just worry about things. I know it'll work well, and I can't wait to have someone here from home. It'll all work out, I know....

What my kids have to say about me....

2006-07-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

We did an activity on Friday where we put our names on top of a piece of paper, and then sent it around the circle so everyone could write something nice about each person in the class...I sat in the circle and sent around a piece for me too. It's a nice self esteem boost. Here's what they had to say about me...in their words (and spelling)

Ms. P

Shes a very nice Teacher.
Ms. P isa nice teacher becus she gives us candy.
I like Ms. P
Ms. P is the best.
I like Ms P she is best teacher ever.
She is very super nice.
She gentel and buteful
Your my frined!
Miss. P is very very nice, funny, and cool.
Very nice.
(Insert heart here) a nice teacher (insert heart here)
Miss. P is a vear good teach and she's nice.
You are a nise teacher. (all "a"s written as hearts)
Your sweet and so kind and you work hard and very beautiful.

Hmmm...makes me think I have some suck ups in my room.

:)

2006-07-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Today was a pretty good day. Nothing special, but thinking about the little things make me smile about today:)

I decided to see if Adam would call again, after he had said he was going to call when they got done at the last bar. As I finished my last post, I was going to give him about 15 more minutes. I laid down on the futon, watched old school Pink Panther cartoons and fell asleep. I thought that since it was 4:10am Wisconsin time, I knew he wasn't going to call. Turned off the phone and went to my bed to sleep.

I woke up this morning, and just lounged around. Read the Sunday paper, ate some cereal, and putzed online. Adrienne called, and I was happy to talk to her. I hadn't talked to her in a long time, and it was just good talking to her! I ran some errands, came home, talked to mom on the phone...until she drove me nuts telling me what I should be wearing if I go hiking. Talked to Erin for a bit on the phone about a lot of things. All I'm saying is that growing up sucks. I had to call Adam to see how he was feeling today. I guess he didn't feel to bad today. Dang! He did tell me he was going to call me again, but his DD was beginning to get pissed with the drunks. I told him I wasn't expecting anything since he was drunk and all. He reassured me that he may have been drunk, but he would've called since he told me he would. :) We ended up going shopping at WalMart together, and then I ditched WalMart for Target. After I got done talking to Adam, I got to talk to Amanda about things for when she gets out here in 3 weeks!! (She's leaving home in 2, but will be here in about 3) It's going to be awesome! I did a lot of knitting and watching more Dawson's today. I'm going to get that damn scarf I started after graduation done by this winter. That's my goal!

Well, here's to a great day. I hope it transfers into my day tomorrow!!

2006-07-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been really uneventful thus far. Well, minus the fact that no one in the office here at my apartment complex had written down that Amanda and I want a 2 bedroom apt. I got a call from the leasing agent I've dealt with the whole time I've been here asking me what I was planning to do since I had signed a paper saying I was going to be out of my current apt by the 31st. I told her about our previous convos, and that Amanda's app got lost in the mail (which I got today...two weeks later). I ran over to the apt and found us a 2 bedroom...it's at the other side of the complex, so I won't be in the same place as the other teachers at my new school. Oh well, it's closer to the pool and everything. Second floor too. I can handle that. Spent a few hours on lessons. I had to keep telling myself to just plod through it. I took mini breaks, which I shouldn't have done. Finished my lessons, ran some quick errands, and laid down to watch some Dawson's Creek season 6. That's all I had dreamed about at school on Friday...coming home, and just laying on my futon watching DC. I did that today too. I did my laundry and such, ran errands (can't seem to find any inspiration or creativity for Adam's housewarming gift...), and came home to veg some more. Fell asleep watching DC, woke up to mom, dad, and grandma calling me on speaker phone. I despise that thing. I can't hear anything! It was great trying to act awake while talking to them, and having mom ask me who I talked to (no one), and then having her ask me about each of my friends and when I had last talked to them. Not cool. Slowly woke up, went out to get some groceries, and to pick up some Chinese take out (since my sister went while I was at school and didn't get me anything last week). Talked to Erin for a bit as soon as I walked in my door with my food...not cool again, but I still talked to her. Received 3 drunk dials from Adam thus far, watched more DC, and took a nice hot bath. Good tunes, good drinks, good book. Good times.

Alright, it's 3am back home in Wisconsin, I don't think I'll be getting more drunk calls tonight (even though he told me he'd call me later--two hours ago). I think I can think about crawling into bed...if my napping this afternoon will let me.

It's been a long time...

2006-07-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

Seeing as how I harassed Dan about not updating more often, I guess his email to me about updating today was called for.

Sue was out here for about a week. We had a great time together. We pretty much kept moving non-stop all week. Here's a summary of what all went down:

Thursday: Sue dropped me off at school, and I worked all day. I had her pick me up late from school so I could get my room ready for the sub. Came home, requested a sub online, and headed out to Red Rock Casino to see The Devil Wears Prada (seeing as how most of the movie theaters are in casinos out here). It was good, but it deviated A WHOLE LOT from the book. Oh well. It was still a good movie. Played a little on the penny slots, and won $50 on the big Wheel of Fortune slot. Good times had by all, the money paid for our meals for the week. Came home, fixed dinner, and hung out.

Friday: Woke up at 5:30am, emailed my asst principal to let her know that I wasn't coming in because I hadn't been feeling well the past few days (which was true, I felt like I was going to pass out in my room all day on Thursday, and I wasn't feeling well that morning). Woke up, redyed my hair while Sue made breakfast, showered, and eventually left the apartment. Headed to the Strip to Build-A-Bear for Sue to build a Hello Kitty. Got to the casino mall, almost got hit by a few people because they don't know how to drive, went to Build-A-Bear. Sue walked in and started looking for the perfect Hello Kitty. As soon as we got in, I spotted a Cookie Monster. Not cool. I wasn't planning on buying anything, but seeing as how he's my second favorite Sesame Street character (Oscar's my main guy!), I had to build him. Two stuffed animals later (and what felt like forever for Sue to find the perfect clothes for Hello Kitty--which was actually really cute), we got back in the car and headed towards the World's Largest Buffet. I swear if I go back there anytime soon, I'm going to puke. It's a great place, but 3 times in one month, not cool. I had the cake that Adam had been searching for, and had to call him while eating it. Instant Karma...I got SO sick at the buffet I wasn't able to finish the cake. We headed home, sat down for a few, and went back out to go grocery shopping and to WalMart to get some Funoodles for the pool. Got home, went swimming (in a pool that had no light...all I thought of was the new movie Lady in the Water.), came back, made dinner, watched Reno 911 season 3.

Saturday: Woke up, did laundry, prepared to go hiking. Got outside, saw all of the smoke from the wildfires in San Bernadino up in the mountains, and decided to just drive up to Mount Charleston and take pics. Ended up going to Primm (on the state line of Nevada and California) to the outlet mall there, and to take the monorail between the 2 casinos there. Bought things that I don't really need, and took in a lounge act at an old school casino where an Elvis impersonator was singing karaoke. It was funny, but not at the same time. On the way home from Primm, we stopped at Santa Fe Station (the casino 5 minutes from my apt) to see if we could win more from the big Wheel of Fortune. Not so much. Oh well, stopped off at Fatburger, headed home, put in a movie, and hung out.

Sunday: Went back to the Strip. Went to Sephora, walked through the casinos to get out of the heat, and ended up at Fashion Show Mall. After Fashion Show, we stopped off, changed out of our "Strip" clothes, and went to my godparents' house for dinner. We had a great time over there. We always do. I even wore an "I love Paris" shirt (my godfather HATES France), but it took him all night and for me to point it out in order for him notice it. Came home, dyed Sue's hair, and watched Reno 911.

Monday: Had to work. Sue picked me up from school, and we headed to the "Old Strip", or downtown. We walked around for a bit, and decided to join the slot club for Four Queens. We didn't win anything, but I did get a really cool light up cup with a good drink in it for four bucks. Headed home, ordered pizza, and watched Napoleon Dynamite. Sue had never really seen it before. We had watched part of it a long time ago, but she was in the mood for it that night, and loved it. As we were watching the movie, the wind picked up, and it turns out we had a severe thunderstorm warning! YAY! It's what I was waiting for!

Tuesday: Work, again. Sue picked me up, came home, relaxed for a bit, went to the mall by me, and hit up Olive Garden for dinner. We had a good time. Decided not to go swimming since the lights still hadn't been fixed (and the sand that was dumped in the hot tub at the beginning of the month still hasn't been cleaned up). Sue packed, we hung out for a bit before I had to go to bed.

Yesterday she left. It was really good having her out here. We had a lot of fun, and I wish things had worked out for her to come out here for school. It would've been a great time had she moved out here too. Oh well, I'll see her again at Thanksgiving. We've already begun planning for that trip!

Meh...

2006-07-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to update, but I figure that since my sister's coming to town for the next week, I'll update some.

There's nothing really to update...I did have a fun moment in class today. For writing this week, we're talking about our favorite trip. Well, I've been thinking about one that I would write about with my kids. I was thinking about different family trips up to Door County, and other trips taken in college. I couldn't really think of any that stood out in my head where I could pick out who I had gone with, what we did, and what things we ate (yeah, what we ate...the kids are fascinated with food). I then thought of a recent trip. Homecoming 2005. Who went with me: Jill, Adam and Dan. What did we do: Hmmm...what did we do that I can share with students? I can't say we spent time at a casino, and then sat in the bar...well, we played games (drunk), hiked through the woods (sober), and watched movies (whilst drinking). What we ate: brats, pizza, popcorn. The kids started asking if they could write about what they drank...sure, why not? What did I drink? Well...orange and pineapple juice...with Malibu, but we kept that from my kids. Dan pointed out that I also drank grape juice. We were only doing our circle maps, so no complete sentences yet. I'm waiting for them to start asking me questions about who I was with. They were already trying to figure out the names. They pointed out I wrote a "bad" word on the board..."dam." Yep, part of Adam's name. If they ask more, I will take the picture I have of all of us down from my filing cabinet and show them. They will be seeing Mr. Rudar with facial hair in that picture.

That's about it. Other than getting my lessons for next week done on a Tuesday night...not Friday night. I'm proud of myself. I guess that's what happens when Dan's busy at work and we aren't constantly emailing back and forth during my prep time. :)

Lost My Childhood...

2006-07-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

It's the summer for losing my childhood. First, my parents decide to move and sell the house I grew up in. I know, I always knew that it would be sold, but I thought it wouldn't be until MUCH later. I wanted my kids to see where their mom grew up...just call me old fashioned. I also dreamed of having my wedding in the backyard...again, old fashioned. Then this spring, I find out they closed the pool that my friends and I hung out at while we were growing up. Ok, I can handle this...I hadn't been there in a damn long time...but still... THEN, I get an email from my sister with a subject of ELLISON BAY EXPLOSIONS. WHAT?! I went to the link that she sent me, and there it was...the last bit of childhood gone. The Pioneer Store that my siblings and I would go to for cheap candy is gone. The cottage across the road from where my family used to rent a cottage is leveled. It looks like a flippin' crater landed there. Scary thing is, my mom's cousin just got back from the resort and her other cousins were going to be staying in one of the cottages that exploded. Not cool Kool Aid.

Ok, there's my rant for right now.

ADAM MUST DIE

2006-07-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Anything nice I've ever said about Adam, I am now taking back. I am now upset with myself that I was so upset when he left. He is going to die when I get home.

Here's the story on why he MUST die.
Yesterday I was going through my freezer to find something, and I noticed that the bottle of vodka that was in there had been moved. I found that weird since the last time I put it away was last week after making the slushes. I just figured Adam was rooting around looking for something while he was here. I was also looking at a convo he and Dan had had while I was at school. I found it interesting that Adam was asking about the names of 2 of my monkeys. Whatever...Tonight I was going through to get out some cream puffs I forgot I had in there. As I was putting them away, I put the vodka in it's place, and then tried shoving my ice cube trays back so the door will close. I felt resistance from something behind the ice cube trays. I looked back there, and was confused at what I saw. There was one of my measuring cups behind the ice cube trays. That's weird, I can't remember putting that in there. I ripped it out of my freezer and realized that one of my monkeys was in there! UH-FREAKIN'-UH! NOT COOL KOOL AID!

To make matters worse, this is one of the monkeys that Dan stole 3 years ago. Adam took part in taking pictures for Dan when the monkey was stolen. This monkey has gone through too much. Leave the little guy alone!

I did take pics so people didn't think I was making this up.

Adam, if you're reading this...PAYBACK IS A BITCH! You are no longer getting anything homemade from me for your apartment warming...huh-uh.

Adrienne, if you read this before you meet him in GB...HIT HIM!!

Sigh Part Deux

2006-07-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

Now that I've had time to digest things, I can finish the update about Adam's trip out here.

Let's see, I'll pick up with Saturday evening.

Saturday Evening: Came home from Red Rock, ate some tots and nuggets, and chilled for a bit. Adam wanted to swim, and I did not feel up to it. I sat pool side while he swam. Niki called, got to talk to Niki, and tried to avoid all of the splashing Adam was doing to try and get me wet. Not cool Kool Aid. After Adam was done swimming, we just sat poolside and talked. It was nice. We got to catch up on things, and watch lightning off in the distance in the mountains. Came back to the apartment, watched the first season of The Office, made Raspberry Lemonade Vodka slushes, and then later indulged in peanut better Oreos with milk.

Sunday: Went to the Bellagio for the Ansel Adams exhibit. I've been waiting to go see this for a couple of months, Ansel Adams is my all time favorite artist (photographer). After the Bellagio, we hit up Fashion Show Mall (I didn't embarrass Adam by walking down the catwalk like a model from Project Runway...wanted to, but didn't), and then the World's Largest Buffet at the Rio. We waited in line for a good 40 minutes in front of a huge family with small children. Coming from a teacher's mouth...I wanted to beat the hell out of these two unruly kids. The parents had no control over the kids. Then to top it all off, the little kid in the stroller behind us decided to start kicking the back of my legs. Punk kid. As we were heading home, the fireworks at the Stratosphere started going off. It was awesome, there were fireworks coming out of the observation deck! AWESOME! I had to remind myself that I had to drive, and not concentrate on the fireworks.

Monday: Went to school, left Adam with the key to the pool...punk got to go to the pool while I dealt with my kids. Came home, made a quick picnic dinner, packed the cooler, hit up WalMart for pics and ice, and headed up to Mount Charleston. I hadn't been up there yet, and all I've heard have been good things. It isn't too far from my apartment, and once we got out of the desert landscape, I felt as if I was in Northern Wisconsin...if I ignored the mountains surrounding me, and the one I was currently driving up. We found a park to eat (dang $6 entrance fee!), and the ranger made sure to tell us that we had until 8 to get out. He was closing the gate at 8pm. I looked at my clock to see if it really was that late. It was only 6:30. After dinner, Adam and I decided to start hiking. I had gotten shin splints for the first time since playing softball in high school while Adam was out here. It was uncomfortable, but it was fun. We both had walking sticks, and were having fun. I felt as if I was going to die when I realized that I would be walking down a mountain back to the car...with not so sturdy footing. Oh well. It was still fun, even if Adam did take a video clip of me walking down...Got back to the apartment and went swimming. Came back, shared a BBQ Chicken Pizza (quite good actually), and watched some TV.

Tuesday: Woke up, I read the paper and graded math workbook pages while Adam went outside and worked on some stuff. It started to actually rain, and Adam called me outside to see it. We showered, and decided to head out shopping. Went to the World's Largest Gift Shop, Goodwill, and Barnes and Noble. Adam picked up souvenirs for his siblings, and I picked up some stuff to send to my grandma. Went to Goodwill to find a chair to finally start my "Rejection" Chair, but couldn't find anything worthy. As we were driving away, there was a special weather bulletin. There was a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southeastern Clark County! Yeah, that's not me, but still...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING! I wish I had been near a TV so I could see if they have the same little things on to let you know there's a warning. Came home after BN, made some dinner, cleaned up, and went to go watch fireworks. Fireworks were awesome! I went up a road near my apartment maybe a mile or so, and we were able to see all of the fireworks anywhere in the Vegas Valley. It was awesome! No matter where you turned, there were fireworks going off. Even at the houses that we were near had awesome fireworks...well, one of them I swear was a Roman Candle factory seeing as how they were lighting those off every few minutes. Came back to the apartment, went swimming, came back, and I stayed up late with Adam. Well, until midnight.

Wednesday: Went to work, started crying when I realized it was his last day here, went on with my day...after realizing I forgot to leave the key to get into the pool area, I'm such an idiot! Came home from school, mailed out grandma's package, saw the goats, and made dinner. Watched About Schmidt, ate pizza, and didn't talk about him leaving. As I was getting up from the futon to do something, it hit me that I was going to be taking him to the airport about an hour from then. Then when it was about 20 minutes from him leaving is when I had to excuse myself to the bathroom so I could start the crying. Stopped, and then had to go to the kitchen to compose myself, and then took him to the airport....And the rest is history.

The rest of the week was alright. Thursday was rough. I had little sleep, and many choruses of "I wish Mr. Rudar was here" I looked one kid in the eye and said, "Yeah, I do too. Join the club."

Today I went shopping for things...Dawson's Creek season 6, windshield wipers (I know, I live in the desert, but I have never replaced them--the car's 2 years old), the list goes on...Stopped to look at picture frames, but decided that I would wait until the new place since I wouldn't have to fill in a hole here and not have to pack something else. I did find a really cool black leather scrapbook on sale for 50% off. Once Sue brings out my pics from SNC, I can FINALLY start my college scrapbook.

Tonight I watched 40 Year-Old Virgin, the first episode of Dawson's 6th season (which I shouldn't watch), and then took a nice long bubble bath. The bubble bath was nice and relaxing. There's nothing better than a good book (Devil Wears Prada--started reading it last winter, but forgot about it until I found it in a box I packed for out here), a mudslide in a martini glass with heart shaped ice, and "Singers and Standards" (Frank Sinatra type music) playing in the background.

Countdowns:
Sue comes to visit: 4 days
Amanda moves out: about 27 days
School days til school is over: 25
Thanksgiving with our sisters: 5 months
Months til I can go home and see everyone: 6

PS: CONGRATS ON THE NEW JOB ADRIENNE!!!!!

Sigh

2006-07-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

Last night I had to go through one of the saddest good-byes. It rivaled the good-bye that I had with my friends before moving to Vegas, where I laid down and cried for about an hour. This one was a bad one...I started crying a day before Adam even left. I was taking a shower after swimming, and I realized that he was leaving the next day. It was so nice having someone hear for as long as he was here. We had a great time, and I just didn't want him to leave. I was able to wait until I got outside of the airport to start crying. I turned on the car, the first song on the radio was "Bad Day." Not a good one to listen to. Turned on the oldies station (can't go wrong with the oldies), and "Happy Together" was on. Not so much again. I was able to hold my own, and only cry when I thought about it...I'm pathetic. I'm not going to see him again until December, that's the longest we've gone without seeing each other...it'll be a long 5 months.

I was way naive after graduation thinking that all of my friends and I would still be close enough to see each other all the time. I thought that I would still have years to have my friends close by. Guess I was wrong...and I'm the one that screwed up my ideal scenario of having my friends near me at all times. I don't like this growing up business...I just don't. I don't think I'm going to have enough time to come home before Christmas. I know mom's upset that she won't be seeing me until then, but I only have 2 weeks off before starting back at school. I don't have a month...It's going to be hard when Homecoming rolls around this year. I love Homecoming, and I know last year people were talking about coming out here for Homecoming. I have this feeling that it's not going to happen. Oh well, I've got Amanda here, we can have our own Homecoming.

As for Adam's trip out here, it was an absolutely fabulous! I couldn't sit still on Thursday after school. I came home, cleaned, double cleaned, and then went through the apartment and cleaned again. I was tracking the flight, and left the apartment with plenty of time to get there to meet him at baggage claim. I was so excited waiting in baggage claim...I had learned from Erika's trip that I needed to put in a lot of change in the meter...so I had plenty of time for NWA to mess with us. Damn baggage claim, telling the passengers one thing, and then getting to claim area to have it changed...

Friday: Adam came to school with me. Mr. Rudar now has 17 new best friends. I was waiting for the questions from the kids about who Adam was...especially from the girl who is obsessed about me not being married. There weren't any from the kids...a couple from the teachers, but none from the kids. We left school, headed out to get some groceries for the week, made dinner, showered, and headed to the Strip. Got our drinks, headed up to get our show tickets (before being harassed by people trying to get us to buy show tickets and made a comment about how we "must be honeymooning"), and then saw our show. The Improv was awesome. We were right up front, my leg was touching the stage, and the $3 8oz. bottle of water was the best $3 water I've ever had. There was some guy Wendall, and the headliner was Lisa Lampenelli. She was hilarious! She was awesome. I laughed my ass off. Good times had by all. After the show, we headed up to the Venetian, and just stood around outside. It had cooled off, and it was beautiful out. We eventually headed south back to the car.

Saturday: Decided to go see petroglpyhs. Got directions to a canyon that had a lot of them (Sistine Chapel of petroglyphs according to the website). Got to where the directions led me to a dirt road to follow for about 4 miles, and no signs to the canyon...went off roading in the desert for a mile, and turned around. Decided to go to Red Rock Canyon. I knew they had some petroglyphs there. Went to the Visitor's Center to figure out where they were, and found the path. Two hours later (and a few drops of rain and thunder), we had hiked up a path in the mountains (not too difficult or anything) and still hadn't found the things. Got back to where the car was parked, saw a map, and found the petroglyphs...5 minutes from the car. Oh well, it was an awesome time. There weren't too many people in the park, so it was nice to have the areas to ourselves. Many pics were taken, and fun memories made. :)

Alright, I'm exhausted, so I'll chronicle the rest of the trip later...once I've caught up on my sleep.

I'm Here

2006-07-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take the time right now to just let you know that I'm still here...Adam's in the shower, and I thought I would just say that I'm having an awesome time with him here. I haven't hiked/walked as much as I have since he's been out here, but it's been good times!

Here are some pics from this week thus far!

Here are pics from the Strat with Erika!

Confuzzled

2006-06-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

I spent a good part of this weekend watching the first season of Grey's Anatomy. Being a People reader, and a former TV Guide subscriber, I know what happens in the second season. I still have about one more episode of the first season, and I'm still wondering when certain things will come up, or be resolved...oh well, I guess this summer's for catching up on Grey's. I don't want to know what happens until I see the episodes, that's how I am. I'd rather not know what happens until I see it so I can put all of the pieces together. I have decided that George is the cutest thing! He's such a bumbling fool, but it's really adorable! Awww...

Anyhoozles, it's official. I'm staying in Vegas for the next year. I decided that Friday. I knew that I had to let Amanda know, and also the apartment people so we could get a two bedroom. It's turning out to be a big headache. I was told that there won't be any ready until after my lease is up for the apartment that I'm currently in, except for one that I would have to be in by July 17. There's no way I was going to move in then...I'm still teaching, and I would have to start packing my things now. Amanda's not going to be out here until the beginning of August, and I can wait that long. I told mom what was going on, and Sue found a ticket to come out to help me move if I wanted to get in there by July 17. I got excited about the fact that Sue would be coming out to visit!! I talked to my leasing agent, and I can't really move into that apartment unless Amanda's there to sign the lease with me. I had to call Sue and let her know. We were both disappointed, but turns out she's still coming out! She'll be here for a week! She's also offered to help start packing while I'm at school (she'll be here while I'm working). That's awesome. She's now helped me pack and move for every move I've made. Kinda cool.

Amanda and I have decided to stay out here for Thanksgiving too. We've already got our sisters (who have been close friends for over 10 years) to come out, so if anyone else wants to come, they're more than welcome! It'll be a good time. Sue's always said she's wanted to do Thanksgiving in Vegas. She's now got her wish ;)

It's going to be a good month. I know it. Thursday Adam comes for a week. A week after he leaves, Sue comes for a week (which means two weeks of planning the weekend Adam leaves). Two weeks after Sue comes out, Amanda moves out and we move into our new apartment (which will have a cactus in it). And a week after that, I'm done with second grade, and Patty may come out! YAY!

60% Wisconsin!

2006-06-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

[x] You were born in Wisconsin
[x] You can taste a difference in cheese or milk made somewhere else. (or have never tasted cheese or milk from somewhere else)
[ ] You own at least one tie with a or piece of jewelry with a Green Bay Packer theme.
[x] You can find and pronounce : Eau Claire, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, and La Crosse, Fond du Lac.
[x] You can correctly spell Milwaukee.
Total: 4

[x] You know what "bubbler" means.
[ ] Your pretty sure your parents (especially father) will dis-own you if you stop being a Packer fan.
[ ] When the weather hits 0 degrees you decide that maybe it's time to get out a jacket instead of a sweatshirt.
[x] You know what a brat is, and they're at every outdoor event that your family has ever had.
[x] You know how to make a very good sled out of normal household items.
Total: 3

[ ] You family owns a "winter car" while the "good one" sits in the garage from Nov-Apr.
[ ] You put ketchup on a charcoal grilled NY strip steak.
[x] You can make sense out of the words "upnort" and "Trivers".
[x] You can visit Luxemburg, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Berlin, New London & Poland all in one afternoon.
[ ] At least twice a year, the kitchen doubles as a meat processing plant or cannery.
Total: 2

[ ] You consider using your life savings to go to a Packer game
[x] Down South to you means Chicago
[ ] You don't have a coughing fit from one sip of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
[x] You can use the word "ya der hey" easily in a sentence
[ ] Your whole family wears green and gold to church on Sunday.
Total: 2

[x] You own a cheesehead.
[x] You know how to polka .
[ ] You're a member of the Polar Bear Club and proud of it.
[x] You know what a FIB is and can spot them a mile away.
[x] You think of the major four food groups as cheese, beer, brats and sausages.
Total: 4

[ ] You have eaten a cow pie at the State Fair.
[x] You know several people who have hit a deer.
[x] Your school classes were cancelled because of the cold.
[ ] Your school classes were cancelled because of the heat.
[x] You switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
Total: 3

[ ] There was at least one kid in your class who had to help milk cows in the morning
[x] You have ever partied at Summerfest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, Irish Fest, or Oktoberfest.
[ ] You have partied at all of the above mentioned fest and some others
[ ] You or someone you know was a "Dairy Princess" at a county fair.
[ ] You have cow pharaphenilia around your house, including your pajama pants
Total: 1

[x] You measure distance in hours.
[x] You drive at 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
[ ] you think vegetarians shouldnt be allowed in Wisconsin
[x] You have ever worn your Halloween costume over a snowsuit.
[x] You know what cow-tipping is.
Total: 4

[x] Its called soda.
[x] You bring your groceries home in a bag
[x] You consider Madison exotic. (not so much exotic, but it's pretty damn different from the other cities in the state!)
[ ] You buy cat litter every winter, but you don't own a cat.
[x] You have used your hand as a map of Wisconsin.
Total: 4

[ ] You think the start of deer season is a national holiday.
[ ] You were unaware there is a legal drinking age.
[x] You refer to the Packers as "we".
[x] You have ever been to a city with more bars then stores and churches combined.
[x] You believe Wisconsin really is the good life and could never leave. (I left, but I wanna come back!)
Total: 3

Grand Total: x2 = your Wisconsin %

60% WOO HOO!!!!!!

Free Stuff!

2006-06-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

In Madison? Need free stuff for your house or apartment?

Random Stuff

Kitchen Table

Grill

Bikes (The black one was mine!)

Rascal Scooters

I can't believe they're giving all of this away!!

Oh HELL no!

2006-06-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

This is the only legacy my family has! It was created in Two Rivers you bastards!

Long Awaited Update

2006-06-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

Here it is...

Friday night I come home from work, and I'm way too excited to take a nap. I'm eating a bunch of chips and such since I know that I'll be drinking later on when I'm on the Strip. I'm cleaning up the last minute things that need cleaning, and at about 6, I started tracking Erika's flight so I knew when to leave the apartment to go down there. I took a shower, got dressed/ready for the Strip, and played around on Pogo for a bit until leaving to get Erika. Luckily, her flight was running late, because I ran into traffic. I got to the airport, and walked as fast as I could (since it was the busiest I've ever seen it!), and got to her baggage claim carosel. It took her awhile to get there, but I kept myself busy. I was walking around trying to see if I had missed her, and while I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking, I walked right into some random guy. It was actually kind of funny. All of a sudden, my foot hit something, and that's when I realized someone was standing right there. She finally got to baggage claim, and then we began to wait. We had a prime spot at the carosel, and then they told us that the baggage for her flight was on a different carosel. Nice. We got over there, and it was from a flight from Detroit, not Milwaukee. It stopped moving, and we went back to the other place to find her flight's luggage. I watched the luggage that she brought out for me go by at least once before I finally shoved my way past some older guys to get the bag. We found an open area to get her luggage. From there we headed to the Strip. First stop, Gonzales y Gonzales (in New York, New York) for the best yard longs on the Strip! We walked up and down the Strip for a bit, and headed to dinner at about 1:30am. I had damn near finished the yard long by that time, and I knew I needed food before I headed back to the apartment 45 minutes away. We got into the car at 3am. I haven't been up that late in forever.

I fell asleep with no problems. I woke up because the people who live above me decided they wanted to move every piece of furniture in their place...at least it sounded like it. I was up by 8:30. ( I wasn't feeling too well either...) I got my laundry started, and thought about finishing up lessons for the week, but instead caught up on my celebrity gossip on E! After waiting to wake up (and finish my laundry), we headed to the World's Largest Buffet. Ate a lot there! After that, we headed to the Stratosphere. I've never been a fan since it's the " tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River." I'm not a big fan of heights, but I thought I would go up since I knew she wanted to go up. I knew she wanted to go on the rides, but there was no way I was going on a ride up there! Headed to the World's Largest Gift Shop, and then to Fashion Show Mall which is the country's 3rd largest mall. Had a good time there, and headed back to my apartment to relax and eat something before heading back out to the Strip. Walked around, saw the end of the soft core porn at TI, the volcano at the Mirage, and the water show at the Bellagio. We headed to Paris Las Vegas for another yard long...Well, I had just had a drink and knew I had to drive...so Erika was going to get one. Turns out, you can get the non-alcoholic! I now have 3 normal yard longs, and an Eiffel Tower yard long! I got the lime margarita sans alcohol, and it was like a gianormous lime slushie! Mmmmmm...good times, but after about 10 minutes, I was ready for a huge drink of water. However, while we were at Paris, Erika won about 20 bucks (that's how much, right Erika?). I watched her win...after I lost 2 bucks. It was good for her though. We left the Strip earlier, and we headed back to eat some pizza and watch the Office.

Sunday we went out to see Nacho Libre. It started off slow, but it ended up being pretty funny. Headed off to the teacher store for me to pick up some stuff, then to Precious Slut to get her belly button pierced. We came home, I made dinner, and we sat and watched TV until I took a shower and went to bed. Oh wait, there was the birthday cake with the trick candles that did not want to go out. It was fun.

Monday I came home from school, and as we were getting ready to hit the Strip until she left, I realized I had left Erika's boarding pass at school. I sped over there to find out that no one was there (I never got a code to get in if no one's there). I called Erika to find the 800 numbers to call to see if she'd be able to check in again at the airport even though she didn't have the credit card the ticket was bought with. After being on hold for about 30 minutes (on my cell phone...and I had my home phone on the other ear while I was searching online at the same time), I found out that she could. Nice...went to Sonic for the first time. Pretty good food, expensive, but good. Stayed on the Strip until about 9:45 when we left for the airport. Got the boarding pass, and then they weren't very helpful as to how to check our baggage. "Just step over there, and someone will call you to get your bags checked" We stood there as we saw a family with a cart full of luggage who was still checking in when we got in line. I'm sorry, but I don't play that. I saw an old couple walk up to the desk too...huh-uh. I walked right up behind the old people...I thought I would let them go ahead since they don't have as much time as I do...Luckily, the person who told us to wait noticed we hadn't been helped yet, and helped us first. Turns out the old people were first class passengers, but oh well. People riding coach are cool too. Damn straight! None of this hoity toitey stuff for me. I'm a poor teacher. I walked her to security, and walked back to my car. It was good having Erika out here, and sad to see her leave.

This weekend is going to be boring...

Ok, more tattles for you:

"(Name) and (name) was playing light savers with markers"
"(Name) and (name) were playing light sabres with markers."

"(Name) wus lefting up he's desk and play in he's desk?"
"(Name) was lifting up his desk and playing in his desk."

"(Name) called me the f would and the a would" (Ok, so I've learned that their "words" aren't our "words". The "s" word to them is shut up or stupid)
"(Name) called me the f word and the a word"

I'm still alive

2006-06-21T23:33:00.000-07:00

I'm still alive...I just haven't posted much lately. I'm here for just a few minutes before I pass out.

Erika was here this weekend. It was good times had by all. I'm worn out, and I saw the Strip each day this weekend. There until 3am Saturday morning, 1:30am Sunday morning, and about 10pm on Monday. Good times. I'll update more later about it. I need a few hours to describe the awesomeness!! :) ( "It's like we're in an Ella's table!")

I have an empty apartment until Adam comes in about 8 days! It'll be a good time. I just can't melt before then. I'm not liking the forecasted highs of 112 this weekend...Not cool Kool Aid!

Here are a few more tattles for those who enjoy them:

"(Insert name here) called me Jerry Speringer and is no eke pobol!"
"(Insert name here) called me Jerry Springer and it's not okay people!"

"(Insert name here) was puting his finger in is nose then eating."
"(Insert name here) was putting his finger in his nose and then eating it."

Tattletales

2006-06-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

I've been sick of hearing my kids tell on each other, so I started a Tattletale Book back in March. This way, I don't have to hear the tattles, and it makes the kids think about what they want to tell me from now on. They don't like writing things down, so I don't hear much tattling, I love it! They've filled up a whole book since then...I've decided I'm going to go through it and choose the best tattles and try to post one a day. I have a few that I have chosen to start this out. I'll write their words exactly, and then translate.

March 17th, 2006:

"(insert name here) wot liev me alon. he wot stop beging me four sum hot chedos"
(Insert Name Here) won't leave me alone. He won't stop begging me for some Hot Cheetos.

"(name) and (name) wher playing spin the bodol."
(Name) and (name) were playing Spin the Bottle. (I don't think they really were playing Spin the Bottle, they were just spinning the bottle of water)

"(name) keeps kluking like a chicin."
(Name) keeps clucking like a chicken.

This is just a few of the tattles from the many pages from that day. And we wonder why I'm going insane....

(Erika's here in less than 24 hours!!!)

Quick update

2006-06-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

I've recently gotten on someone's case about not updating enough...so I thought I should stop being a hypocrite.

This weekend I made a Mary Kay cherry pie. It's good, but not Mary Kay good. It doesn't have all the lovin' she puts into it. Mine had frustration put into it...the pie crusts did not want to cooperate with me. Also made honey grilled shrimp skewers with pineapple. I felt like Martha Stewart.

This week I haven't been motivated to work. I felt like I was coming down with something at the beginning of the week, so I bulked up on echinacea, zinc and vitamin c. I don't think my body knows what to do with that all in my system...this is all on top of my daily multi vitamin.

I'm now watching Half Ton Man on Discovery Health with my sister. She had to call and have my guess what channel it was on...I guessed TLC (the freak channel), but I was wrong. We were lucky enough to have it on at the same point even though we're in 2 different time zones. It's always good watching long distance and poking fun. I'm evil, I know.

Erika's coming in 2 days! YAY! I'm trying to get motivated to work...but it's not really happening!

Mini Heart Attack

2006-06-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Nothing like bolting out of bed to shrieks of noises on a Saturday morning when you've only been sleeping a few hours. I bolted out of bed this morning to hear the fire alarm going off. I thought it was my smoke detector, so I grabbed my stepladder to turn it off. Yeah, I couldn't get it to turn off. I then decided I wanted to take out the battery. This place makes it so you can't get to the battery. I finally yanked it out of the ceiling and undid some wires. I don't think that was a smart thing to do, but at 6am when you're still sleeping, it was a smart thing to do. I called home to see if dad knew how to turn the damn thing off (after shoving my bed out of the way to find my cell phone that I thought had dropped behind my bed), and he told me it sounded like a fire alarm and to grab some stuff and leave. I changed into regular clothes (didn't think the best way to meet my neighbors would be by wearing a black tanktop with my Spongebob boxers...), grabbed my wallet from my school bag, my phone, and my purse. Left my apartment (locking it behind me), got into my car, realized that I pulled the detector out of the ceiling, called Dan to see if I would get fined, woke Dan up, Dan fell asleep within 1 minute of me calling, and then I decided to go check my mail. Mail room was dead bolted, so I couldn't get in. Puts me in a better mood. Mom calls as soon as I'm in my car, asks me if I grabbed some important things from my apartment. I told her I was still half alseep when I left, but I had my purse. She told me to go back to my building to wait for the fire department. It took the FD about 20 minutes to get to the apartment. No sirens, no fire gear on, nothing...good to know they take alarms seriously. Turns out someone pulled the alarm on the building next to mine, and it set off about 3 of the buildings....I went back to my apartment (having to unlock it, unlike my neighbors who just kept them unlocked...thanks for teaching me to lock my door Dan!), changed into my PJs, and tried going back to sleep. I was WAY to wired to go back to sleep after this happened. It's now laundry and grocery shopping time....have to get the fixins for Mary Kay pies!!! YAY

HELP!

2006-06-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

I need help compiling a list of characteristics of a good friend. Lately in the classroom we've had trouble being friends...thus an emergency lesson on being a good friend tomorrow! LEAVE A COMMENT WITH SUGGESTIONS!

Motivation

2006-06-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

One lesson, and the rest at least templated out so I just have to fill in the info, is good enough for tonight. I at least got something done. I was really gung-ho about getting my lessons somewhat done before Friday, but then it all went downhill when I laid down on the futon tonight. I was going to get up right after Gilmore Girls, but I thought I could just lay down until mom called. If I waited til mom called, I wouldn't be interrupted. Yeah, I was still interrupted. Only one game of Word Whomp...that led to many...that led to me making dinner...that led to me doing dishes...that led to me sitting down to work, and chat with people. I didn't get much done, but hey, I got one done tonight!

Chatting people was good. I got to chat with Marx. We had a great Marx/Phipps chat. Very similar to one we would've had back at SNC. It was very deja-vu for me...but good. I haven't really talked to her since my trip home for my sister's graduation. Good times. I then began talking to a friend from high school that I haven't talked to in a couple of months. I got to catch up with her, and then catch up on another friend through her. Good times indeed.

OMG! It rained today! It was dripping when I was driving to school today, and was really cloudy. I went out to get my kids from lunch, and it was just black everywhere. I was uber excited! Just as I was talking about the weather they had back home with another teacher, rain drops started falling, and claps of thunder were heard! YES! Within minutes of us coming in from outside, it was POURING! I've never seen it rain like that before here. About an hour or so later I had to take my kids out to a portable classroom to drama, and it was still raining! YAY! I emailed Dan and told him how it better be raining when I get home so I could sit outside with a drink and enjoy the rain! Alas, it was not. It stopped raining by the time I went to go get my kids from drama. As I was heading to my car at the end of the day, I realized I had left my windows open so my car wouldn't get so hot...oops. My seats were dry when I got out there, so there couldn't have been much rain in there. I could tell that I live in a dry area, with the way the rain was drying so quickly. The rain had to have stopped a few minutes after taking my kids to drama. When I went back out, the blacktop was half dry. It was crazy! But it rained!!!

I'm pathetic

2006-06-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

"True"

I wont talk
I wont breathe
I wont move till you finally see
That you belong with me

You might think I dont look
But deep inside
In the corner of my mind
Im attached to you
Im weak
Its true
Cuz im afraid to know the answer
Do you want me too?
Cuz my heart keeps falling faster

I've waited all my life
To cross this line
To the only thing thats true
So I will not hide
Its time to try
Anything to be with you
All my life I've waited
This is true

You dont know what you do
Everytime you walk into the room
Im afraid to move
Im weak
Its true
Im just scared to know the ending
Do you see me too?
Do you even know u met me?

I've waited all my life to cross this line
To the only thing thats true
So I will not hide
Its time to try anything to be with you
All my life I've waited

This is true

I know when I go ill be on my way to you
The way thats true

I've waited all my life to cross this line
To the only thing thats true
So I will not hide
Its time to try anything to be with you
All my life I've waited

This is true

Flashback

2006-06-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

I just had a flashback to college...spaz-tastic emails...gotta love those....

I owe Harr so much money on account of my free therapy sessions with her. :)

Organized

2006-06-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm old. I'm a young person stuck in an old person's body. Last night I sat and put my recipes into a tiny recipe binder. Well, almost all...I lost my steam after awhile. Today I went and did my grocery shopping (bought flowers, ran out of room in my two vases, so I'm using a yard long as a vase right now), and ran a few other errands. I came home, vegged for a bit, and then decided to organize my pics. As I was out shopping I thought that I would do that outside on my patio with a big glass of lemonade...but seeing as how it was 108 today, I decided to stay in. I went through all of my pics that aren't in albums, and put them in chronological order...beginning with 8th grade. It was actually really fun. I got to relive some moments that were great, and I got to see some pics that I haven't looked at in a long time. There was actually a picture from the time in my life that Dan knows where to push my button to get me going. I forgot to tell him tonight that I found a picture taken that night, minutes before the night went horribly wrong. But then I had Gold Baby to look at, and other times. I went through and labeled and dated half of the pictures. It was good times. I found a picture where I actually like how I look at the time, and others where I could think about what all happened after the picture was taken to figure out when it was taken. For example, I was trying to figure out what summer Patty got her tattoo. Well, in one picture we were in the parking lot at Noah's Ark eating lunch, and there was a picture of peanut butter Oreo's on the car. Junior year Adam would always be in my room eating the peanut butter Oreo's my dad stocked me up on for eating the rest of mine from the trip to Noah's Ark. My memory is messed up, I know. There were a bunch from drunken Truth or Dare...mostly from the night in Brooks' room, and the night Jasper died. The one of Harr in front of the computer screen, and what she was looking at...classic.

Alright...enough of traveling down memory lane...I can't remember what I was going to post about earlier today. I was in my kitchen, thought of something, and almost came to post. I told myself that I would remember later. Guess I didn't.

Hey, did you know that I moved back to Wisconsin and am looking for jobs there? Neither did I. I got a message from a friend at Barnes and Noble back in Madison asking me why I haven't called her since I came back to town. I got a little confused. She called me later in the day, and I guess I'm back in town. She's been hearing this for the past 2 weeks. Well, I was back in town 2 weeks ago for my sister's graduation, but that's it. People said they saw me down on campus, and stuff like that. My friend's going to start telling people that I'm up in northern Wisconsin teaching at a Catholic school. I want to see how far this rumor can go. It only took them 6 months from when I left to come up with a rumor about me...that's ok, I can handle it...

Excessive Heat

2006-06-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well, for the first time in my life, the severe weather statement for my day was an Excessive Heat Warning. Yeah, it got up to 105 today, and it's supposed to get warmer tomorrow.

I really didn't want to do my lesson plans this weekend. Last night I wanted to go get my Jimmy John's before it got dark (The other night I was over by where Jimmy John's is after dark, and there was a police helicopter with the searchlight on and other cop cars around in the parking lot where I was parked...not cool), and I had other errands to run, so I did that instead of starting my lessons early. I came home (sans Jimmy John's since they ran out of bread...how does a place that bakes it's own bread run out of it?!), and was just about to start when my phone rang, and I ended up on the phone for the rest of the night.

This morning I was going to start my lessons early, and then head out shopping for some pants and such. Well, Dan sent me a text to see if I wanted to go shopping with him. Hell yeah I'd rather go shopping than work! It was a fun time. I got to help him find some stuff and look at it while he was looking at it too...awww, it was like we were at the same Target...but not. We had a good time, and were on the phone for about 2 hours. Got to talk about random things. We talked about things that happened back at SNC, caught each other up on some gossip that we forgot to share, and Dan needed to push my buttons. "Oh, so...(insert name here)...(Dan pauses)" "Dude, just add more fuel to the fire of dislike..." or how he got me started on something that happened damn near 4 years ago now that still gets me worked up. I can look back at it now and somewhat laugh, but I look back and notice how far Amanda can throw an apple from 3 floor Sensenbrenner. :)

I was semi working when Adam called this afternoon. We were talking about random crap....OH! I found out the other night that I'm number two on his younger brother's cool people list! Hell yeah! And I guess there was one night Adam was talking to his sister and his brother thought it was me and took the phone away from Adam, started talking..."you're not Kristy!" and gave Adam the phone back. Awesome...but I keep telling him that he's higher on my list than his brother (Adam). Good times had by all...back to random crap. I thought it was just him and his brother in the car, so I was talking like I normally do. Just saying random things, commenting on how I don't like Illinois (his parents are from Illinois), and other things...yeah, it was him, his brother and his parents. They did like the comment about me getting LASIK in one eye and then getting a monocle for the other eye. I could be Mr. Peanut. With the top hat and cane. Hell yeah!

I finally got my Jimmy John's tonight, watched my Office DVD that I bought, and am starting to organize my recipes...wow. I got old all of a sudden...

Ursprache

2006-06-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

..."a parent language, especially one reconstructed from the evidence of later languages"

Yes, I'm a geek. I ran early enough this evening so I could make it home to watch the National Spelling Bee. I think it's because I like seeing the little ones cry like babies when they get out, but there's always going to be a special place in my heart for the Bee ever since Adrienne, Dan and I sat down and watched it my senior year. I'll never forget "pococurante". It'll be in my head forever.

Here's something that bothered me with this Bee. There were contestants from Canada. Isn't that a totally different country? I know that Puerto Rico and such are a part of the Bee, but they're still US Territories. Why the hell is Canada sending contestants to our country?! Although, I was secretly hoping that the contestant from Canada won. Maybe if she beat out all of the contestants from the US, they'd look at what's going on in the classrooms and look to our neighbor to the north for some help. They may have something going for them...except for their own damn Spelling Bee.

School's been ok. I just feel that I'm watching over my shoulder constantly. No matter what I do, I feel like I can't do it right. Oh well, only about 2 months left there. I can deal...

Ahhhhhhhhh........

2006-05-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

...my last day off of school until the 4th of July. Mary and Roger are coming for dinner tonight, and I'm freaking out that I haven't cleaned enough or something like that. It's like my parents are coming, and I'm trying to prove to them that I'm not a slob. And I'm not since I moved into my own place.

This weekend was a good one. Friday started out shaky, but turned out to be great. First, Amanda's plane was delayed, and she got in at about 11:45pm on Thursday. Then we didn't get back to my apartment until about 12:45. Waking up at 5:45am was not cool. We left the apartment at about 6:50-7am. We got to where mapquest told us Amanda's school was, but it wasn't there. It took us an extra 15 minutes to find her school, which made her 10 minutes late and me 20 minutes late. I was freaking out about being late! I called the school to let them know that I was going to be late, and I drove as fast as I could without getting caught. I was upset because the school zones were still in effect, even if the students weren't in school that day. The school was awesome. I felt welcome, and the staff was really nice. It was like being in a place opposite of what I work in now. I went out to lunch with some teachers, and had a great time. I was even walking up to people and introducing myself. I was going way out of the comfort zone with that. It was a really good day. I called mom and told her that if I didn't end up at home in August, I wouldn't be upset.

Friday night Amanda and I went to the Strip. We had to talk ourselves into getting up off of the futon to go to the Strip, but we got down there. We went to the World's Largest Gift Shop (they roped off Elvis Adrienne!! You can't get as close as we did anymore!), and then drove down to the other end of the Strip to get a drink and wander. We went into M&M World (with drinks), and I had to show Amanda the "rejects" since she had just seen the pics. They put something in front of it so you can't sit there! Not cool Kool-Aid! Anyhoos, we ended up going to a 3D movie at M&M World, and then heading to PF Chang's for dinner. Got to PF Chang's and there was a 45-60 minute wait, so we decided that going home and putting on our PJ's while eating chinese carry out sounded good too. It was almost immediately after we put our food away when we both started falling asleep watching TV. When I got up to move to my room, Amanda just laid down without opening the futon...and stayed there until I woke up the next morning at 8:30.

Saturday we just went around the area where my apartment was since she'll move in with me if I stay out here. I dropped her off, came home, made plans to go see a movie with Mary for Sunday, and worked on some lessons. I decided to finish up with the lessons I was working on, and make potato salad for this weekend.

Sunday I went to see Akeelah and the Bee. It was a really good movie. I recommend seeing it. But I also have a special place in my heart for the National Spelling Bee. All I need to say is...pococurante. I went back to Mary and Roger's for dinner, and Roger ended up having me order few pizzas online. I came back to my apartment, started falling asleep while finishing up my lessons (at about 8:30pm), and finally finished at about 11, just because I needed to take breaks to wake myself up.

Today I've just been running around the apartment and other places to make sure I had everything for tonight. They're going to be here in about 40 minutes, and I'm really freaking out. I don't know why, but I am...

Adam placed the face with the name...

2006-05-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

...Clay looked like kd lang last night.

Hump Day

2006-05-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, let me start by spazzing about American Idol. I've never watched a season of AI all the way through. I've always watched the auditions, and then some in between. This season I got addicted to it. I even voted last night for the winner. Granted, Paris should've been up there in the final 2, but I can handle Taylor being in the final 2. First things first. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO CLAY AIKEN'S HAIR?! I had a flashback to 8th grade when I screamed out loud about Zack's long girly hair...because I screamed when I saw Clay. Had it not been for the horrible Clay look-alike, I would've been wondering who the hell was singing. Second, is it bad that I knew, without having to hear Ryan Seacrest announce him, that it was Burt Bacarach coming on stage only because of my knowledge of Austin Powers? I was half paying attention to the TV, but looked over and saw him walking on stage. I thought, "huh, that's Burt Bacarach...he's from Austin Powers." And my final rumination about tonight's episode...Why did they have to show David Hasslehoff tearing up after they announced the winner?! Honestly, did they HAVE to do that?

Ok, here's something that brought a smile to my face everytime I thought about it today (and I'm smiling now even thinking about what I'm going to write!). Each month I have to pick a student for the "Wrangler of the Month". This month was hard since we've only been in school for about 10 days. I was trying to think of kids who behaved all the time, and were doing well in school...and weren't a pain in the bee-hind these past 10 days. I thought about it, and I decided to choose my mini 50 Cent. He's been trying so hard to stay on green all day every day. He hasn't left green since we've gotten back, AND he's been setting a great example for the rest of the class. I was just way to proud of his transformation to let it slip by without some recognition. I sent a letter home from the office letting the parents know he was getting an award, and he came in today with a grin on his face when I asked the class to line up for the assembly. It was really cute. When I got up there to introduce him to the school, I could see him beaming from ear to ear when I looked out at him. The assistant principal was really shocked and congratulated him when he came up on stage. For the rest of the assembly any time he caught me looking at him, he beamed from ear to ear and pointed at his award. He was so proud of himself, and I was really proud of him. He even left the pencil that came with his award on my desk tonight so no one would take it. I'm so proud of him!

The rest of the day didn't go so well, but I don't think I want to go into detail about it. Long story short, thought I was going to get reamed this afternoon when I had my post observation meeting.

I think I want to come home. Being home this weekend solidified that decision. As I was getting closer and closer to the airport, I kept saying that I didn't want to head back to Vegas...and then as I flew over Madison, tears began welling up. I just don't know what I want to do right now...

Off to bed...this is the latest I've been up all week. Sad, I know...

I'm heading home!

2006-05-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

I'M HEADING HOME!!!!!

See you Suck Town!!!!

Not much to say...

2006-05-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

I'm Yours-Jason Mraz

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
and now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon its again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment maybe sing with me
A la peaceful melody
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love love

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A la one big family (2nd time: A la happy family)
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love

I won't hesitate no more
Oh no more no more no more
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved, I'm sure
Theres no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

No I won't hesitate no more, no more
This cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours, I'm yours

I love Jason Mraz...and I love this song. I heard it for the first time while I was in California with my sisters. I love it! It's a good song to help you get out a funk that your students have put you in (This...and venting to Dan the whole way home from school!).

I don't have much going on. I only have one more day of the week, and then I'm on a flight home at 11:59pm my time. I can't wait for that. I feel rushed though...I know that once I get in my room tomorrow I have SO much to do. I couldn't bring myself to stay late at school this week. I know that I have to clean up my desk, copy math packets, and write a detailed note to the sub...It's ok...I'll be home Friday morning until Monday afternoon...It'll be good, a good relaxing weekend. Friday morning I'll drive home, go out to breakfast with Erika, do lunch with Jeane, maybe hit up the garage sales back in my 'hood, hopefully meet up with Eve for coffee, and then head back to Milwaukee. Nap time in Milwaukee, and then we're having a Cult Reunion (Jill, Dan and I...minus Adam-who's a punk!) and taking Sue out for a pregraduation celebration! I CANNOT WAIT! I can't wait to see everyone this weekend. I'll be in Milwaukee Friday night and Saturday, but I'll be back in Madison Sunday afternoon/evening until I need to head back to Milwaukee for my flight in the afternoon.

Good times await me!

I'm so tired...

2006-05-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

I went to bed early last night...and I knew it was going to be rough when I couldn't wake up for anything this morning. I dragged myself out of bed, wet my hair, styled it, and laid down on the futon until the last possible minute to leave my apartment...School was kinda ok...We had to take our district test today, and one of my kids got the test on his desk, and proceeded to cry for the whole hour it took us to finish the test. Good times had by all. It got worse from there, but I'd rather not think about it since I'll be heading to bed in just a bit to have another day of testing...Oh well, I only have 2 more days this week, and 3 next week.

Worked on lessons tonight. I'm done with spelling and math for next week, and I know that I'll be able to pull lessons from this week into next since we aren't getting too much done this week with the test.

Amanda got a job out here! She's coming out next week for the last staff devo day of the school year. We both get to go to our new schools for this! It turns out that she's about 10-20 minutes from my new school, and her school's about 25 minutes from my apartment. So...if I'm here next school year there's a possibility that I'll have a roommate! That would be cool!

Good Weekend

2006-05-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

"Old Time Memory"-Josh Kelley

Standin 'round in a crowded room
Your face is here bring me back to you
Leaving town slips into my head again
My friends say stay but I wanna go
There's people here that I used to know
To the situation that you put me in
And I can tell myself that I will be gone
You can rest assure that I will be home

Cuz I belong to the best of you
And you belong to the things I do
Well this song is how I'll remember you
Cuz I can tell you what its like to be gone
You're an old time memory
You're an old time memory

Laying back with the headphones on
A pen in hand takes me to the dawn
Paper warned to the thoughts of you again
Taking light of the time of night
A ballpoint fast full of work in mind
The chorus playing in my head again
Cuz I can tell myself that I will be gone
But you can rest assure that I will be home

Cuz I belong to the best of you
And you belong to the things I do
Well this song is how I'll remember you
Cuz I can tell you what its like to be gone
You're an old time memory
You're an old time memory

Well the feelings that remain
And the promises in vain
And the memories are stained
You do

Cuz I can tell myself that I will be gone
And you can rest assured that I will be home

Cuz I belong to the best of you
And you belong to the things I do
Well this song is how I'll remember you
Cuz I can tell you what its like to be gone
Cuz I can tell you what its like to be gone
You're an old time memory

I put in an old CD on Friday night as I was driving back from picking up Chinese for dinner. I had a mini-meltdown at school, and needed something good for dinner...something I didn't have to cook. I put in a CD that I made 3 years ago, and this song was on it. I've loved this song forever...and Josh Kelley. There are other songs on the CD that make me smile with memories of back then. Good times.

As I said, I had a mini-meltdown at school on Friday. The whole day started out on the wrong foot. As I was getting dressed, I decided I wanted to wear a black shirt. I put on my black bra (sorry, tmi, I know...), and then my black shirt. Well, I decided to change my shirt, because I didn't want to wear my black shoes. I put on a lavender shirt. About 3/4 of the way to school I realize that I'm wearing a lavender shirt with a black bra. Great, I don't have time to turn around and change. I'm panicking and looking in the mirror to make sure you can't see my shirt. You can't, so I'm ok. I get to school, I'm printing out my lessons, and checking my email. I get up, go to the board, and start writing the DOL and math review on the board for the kids. As I'm writing, I hear the asst. principal come on the PA and start telling the teachers that if we had Art for our special, we would have to keep the kids since there wasn't a sub for the Art teacher. I look up to the place where I keep the specials listed...yep, Art is today. At lunch I find out someone is going home early, and there's the possibility of some of her kids coming into my room, so I have to figure out what to do with these kids. Turns out the kids aren't coming in, but I still had to think of something to do for my kids during Art. I decided to take them outside, even though it was hotter than Hades out, to play a game to review verbs and adjectives. I got many, "it's too hot out" or "I'm sweating". I'm trying to do something fun for you kids, and all you do is complain?! Not cool. I take them back inside, tell them I don't want to hear voices in the hallway. They were loud as hell! I took them back into the room, made them line up quietly, and that didn't happen. I sat down and told them I wanted explanations as to why they were so loud. One of the kids told me that it was because it was Friday. I didn't care, and I told him that's not a good excuse. Then a couple of kids told me they were bored. That was the last straw. These are the kids who had been talking too much all day, and weren't paying attention to anything going on. I felt tears welling up behind my eyes, and my voice was cracking when I was telling one of my problem students that he needed to get in line. A student asked if I was crying, and i told her that no, I wasn't crying, but I was ready to. They quieted down for a few minutes, but were back to normal soon after...I left school, blared SOS as loud as I could, and came home. I almost screamed when I looked toward my patio ledge to find that half of the buds on my plant (Gwyndolyn) bent over. I came in, dropped everything on the floor, and rushed outside with water for my plant. I turned on my computer, but I just wanted to put up an away and lay down for a bit. Before I could put up an away, John IMed me, and told me I needed to apply to a kindergarten job at a Catholic school in Merrill, since he'll be the Youth Minister there. We got to talking, and I was half paying attention since I was playing my games on Pogo, and telling mom about my day. After I hung up with mom, John and I were discussing me moving home and why. I gave him some reasons, and he suggested one more...it made me literally laugh out loud. Leave it to a man who was almost a priest to get me out of my funk. :)

Yesterday I got a wake up call at 9:30 from Mary. She invited me over for dinner Sunday night, and I think could tell she woke me up. It was a hot day. It finally broke 100, and I finally turned on the air. I was sitting at my computer feeling a hot breeze coming in, and decided to turn on the AC. There's nothing like wearing a tank top and trying to put what little hair you have back in a pony tail to cool you off. I put in a great CD, and started working on my lessons. A few minutes after I started my lessons, there was a friendly knock on my door. I didn't know what to do...I had my music blaring, and I looked like hell. I went to the door, looked out, and there was a really cute guy standing in front of my door. I knew Dan would kill me if I didn't answer it, so I did. He started telling me that he was a neighbor out getting votes for a trip somewhere, and that he was doing this as part of his communications class to better his public speaking skills. He was really funny and such, and I was talking with him, and he started showing me magazine lists. There were no prices, and I got sucked into thinking they were for free as part of his class. Turns out I wrote out a check for magazines, but looking back, I shouldn't have. I'm going to call and cancel my subscriptions tomorrow since I can't afford any magazines right now. But he was cute, and I was flirting back. See guys, I can do it...he was a complete stranger! I set a goal of 8:30 to get my lessons done, and I did meet that goal. I went out shopping for sandals, and other things. I got my sandals, some freeze pops, and a pot to replant Gwyndolyn. Painted the pot (I've missed doing that every year like we did in Sensenbrenner), and watched TV.

Today I woke up and started cleaning up the apartment. I went shopping for produce and stuff to make for Mary and Roger. Got some great watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, and asparagus. Got cookie dough to put in the oven to make cookies for Mary and Roger. Went to Mary and Roger's, and had a very fun time. As I was leaving, Mary was telling me that there's a good restaurant in their gated community, and how they'd have to take me sometime. And she kept telling me how great her school is. Somehow I think Mary and Roger are trying to make me want to stay in Las Vegas.

Quick update

2006-05-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

Thought I would throw up a quick update before I go and TRY to get to bed at a reasonable hour, seeing as how that didn't happen today.

I went to my surplus meeting tonight, and I was able to get my first pick. I decided on choosing the school Mary teaches at, teaching 5th grade. I'm actually excited about it, and I guess if things don't work out back home I'll have someplace that wants me. As I was signing my papers, someone came up behind me and started introducing herself to me. It turns out it was the assistant principal. She was asking for my name, and I looked at her and told her that I was Mary's goddaughter. She lit up when she heard that. She was really excited about finally having me at the school, and everything like that. She took me up to the principal and told her who I was, and she was excited too. I ended up leaving the meeting with my very own polo (red...does that count Dan? What about if I wear a red polo?) for the new school. It made me feel good that I was wanted. I called Mary after the meeting (well, after I drove another teacher from my school home), and told her about it. She literally squealed with delight. It's been her dream ever since I wanted to be a teacher (2nd grade) for the two of us to teach in the same school. It may just happen this next school year. The only thing that sucks is the fact that it's a 9 month school, and I won't have the big vacay I thought I was going to have. Oh well...

I don't know what to do...

2006-05-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

First of all... I still don't know what to name my plant...I've had many suggestions, and I think I like Mildred and Gwyneth the best. Carnal Treasure (submitted by Adam) does not even enter my list of names.

And now onto my life...I don't know what to do. I just don't know...I went through my list of schools that have openings for next year, and I have a solid list of ten positions that I would like. Two of them are at the school Mary teaches at. I know I would enjoy teaching there, and I know the principal wanted to get me into the district, but I don't know...I don't want to sign up for it, and then in July/August tell her that I'm leaving for back home. I don't want to do that to someone who wanted me to work at their school for this school year, and I turned her down, and then tell her I'll be there next year, and turn her down. But, she never emailed me back a month ago when I told her I was looking for a new job...I don't know what to do! I've never not known what to do like this before. All through my life I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to become a teacher. I've done that. I knew I didn't want to work in the Madison schools. Check. I never wanted to move to Vegas...I moved out here, to everyone's surprise. I've never had second thoughts about teaching like I'm having now. Maybe it's just the politics out here in the district. The only thing that our principal and our assistant principal can talk about are test results. It's all about getting our test results higher. That's the only thing that's talked about at school. I know that test results are important, but we need to focus on the students. I know we can look at the test results, and determine what we need to work on with our students. There just has to be more than test results. I've never really taught in other districts, but when I was student teaching, I never heard talk of tests like this.

It all goes back to the No Child Left Behind. In my opinion, we're leaving kids behind. We're teaching them to the tests. That's not how we should teach. I'm not sure exactly how we should teach, but teaching to the tests is not right. There are other ways to assess the students, and the teachers. These tests are putting more stress on the teachers. I know I'm stressed with the tests that we give our kids. We take our interim tests next week, and the lessons I have planned for Thursday and Friday of this week are geared toward things we didn't get to this trimester that will be on the test next week. I want the scores to be higher than last test, because the last test I had the excuse for parents that the low scores were due to the lack of consistent teaching. Whatever. I'll stop my rant. But...I was emailed a great article about teachers today.

In good news, I got an email from the Director of Res Life at SNC. I had emailed him last Friday to ask if it was alright if I used him as my supervisor for my RA/AHD positions since my HDs have since left SNC. I mentioned to him that I was thinking about going back to school for Student Affairs if I ended up not wanting to teach anymore. He told me that he could really see me doing that. He offered me a soda and a discussion if I ever wanted to pick his mind about it...Awww...good times.

Well, I should think about going to bed since it's 11, and I need to get up for school tomorrow. I really should've gone to bed early all this week, and gotten up early...Oh well...

I need help!

2006-05-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

I bought a pot of flowers today...and I don't know what to name her! I need help!

What do I name her?!

"We're members of the Case Club!"

2006-05-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

...is what I heard at least 3 times this morning...I'm not used to people calling me past 11pm here, since that would make it 1am back home. I knew someone had either died, or Dan was drunk when I heard his ring on my phone at 12:15am (my time). Yep, he was drunk. Good times. I haven't had a drunk-dial from Dan in FOREVER! It was awesome. He was telling me about how he went mini-golfing, the different bars he went to, and I could just tell that he was really excited about being in the Case Club! Did you know that if you go to Wollersheim Winery, you can get a bottle of $20 Port for only $6.50?! If you didn't...now you know. I had to share, since I was told that a million times...Good times. Helped me be less lonely.

I got really bored and lonely tonight. I decided after my sisters didn't want to talk on the phone, that I would go out for a drive. I thought that going out for a drive and blaring tunes would be helpful. I knew everyone was out, so I decided to try giving Adam a call to see what he was up to. When I got his voice mail, honestly starting tearing up. It felt like no one wanted to talk to me. I put on some good tunes, and started jamming out. I was thinking about things, and it still wasn't working. I then started racing some guy on 215, whilst listening to S.O.S., and I got smiley with that. It's the little things. Adam called me back, and we talked for almost 2 hours. Mostly about throwing stars, but also about different shows we could see while he is out here. Carrot Top is out...damn him! But talking to Adam helped my mood, and then talking to Dan helped too.

I just really hope something works out back home...that's what I really want...

Hell...

2006-05-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

This can't be right...

Your Deadly Sins

Sloth: 60%

Gluttony: 20%

Greed: 20%

Envy: 0%

Lust: 0%

Pride: 0%

Wrath: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 14%

You will die with your hand down your underwear, watching Star Trek.

How Sinful Are You?

Fat People Unite!

2006-05-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot to put this in here, and was reminded of it whilst talking to Dan today.

We were talking about me applying for a job in the Madison Metropolitan School District (which I've had qualms with for a damn long time), and he was telling me that one of the key people in the district had left. I thought he was talking about the union head (whom I have not liked), but he was talking about one of the school board members. He told me that this guy annoyed him...and that he was fat. Out of this conversation, I concluded that Dan gets annoyed by fat people.

This morning we were talking, while we were at the Farmer's Market and the Monona Terrace (he had me on the phone while he went up there), he also said that hippies annoy him. I guess there were some hippies on the Square, and he found them to be annoying. I told him that his worst nightmare had to be a Fat Hippie. He then said that it's more like a Fat Flaming Hippie. He also told someone he "didn't do dorms" on his way back to his apartment. Who says that?!

Feels like I've done this before...

2006-05-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

I spent 4 hours today in front of my computer filling out applications, or just going through the listings of open positions in Wisconsin. I believe that at the last count, I was up to 23 positions applied for, and about 10 more that just need my resume and credentials. I don't know if I even searched this hard the past two summers. I knew that I needed jobs, but I don't think I wanted to find any...well, last summer I did. I wanted to find one in the state. I'm hoping that something comes of this job search. I really want to come home now. I was talking to Adrienne today about how I can say that I at least moved out here. In my first outing from home, and first real job in my field, I moved 2000 miles away from home to Las Vegas. I can tell my kids that I got my tattoo while I was living in Las Vegas in my 20s. I can now tell people of my first teaching position that I had...in Las Vegas. Many people can't believe I moved out to Las Vegas by myself. I can't believe I did it either. I never thought I would do this. In August at grandma's 100th birthday party I was telling my family that if Sue was going to go to UNLV's Law School, then maybe I'd THINK about moving out here to teach knowing they need teachers all the time out here. A few weeks later was when Mary called me, and the debating began. It was a lot of debating, and a lot of tears. Just ask Patty and Dan. They were there the night everything was brought up...but I did learn that I have the greatest friends through this. Not just anyone has friends who will throw them a surprise going away party without even having job...and keeping it a secret! It's these things that I miss, and want to go home to. I know that they won't always be there (in Wisconsin), but they're there now, and I think my teaching experiences will be better if I have some people to turn to when I need them. I know that I can turn to them now, but they're 2000 miles away. I really don't have anyone here my age to turn to. There are other reasons that I want to come back to Wisconsin, but I think we all know why.

Yesterday I spent hours with Dan trying to figure out what he was going to do for this summer. Should he commute from Madison to Oshkosh everyday? Should he sublet his apartment and find one up in Oshkosh for the summer? I went to all sorts of websites for him to see if we could find anything for him. Nothing really came up, but I contacted a couple of people I know up in Oshkosh. I haven't talked to them in years, but oh well, anything to help him. This proves that I DO have a heart sometimes.

Wednesday turned out to be a great day. I left the house to pick up Mary for shopping "early" (and I consider leaving my apartment at 10:40am early). I got there, dropped off the pumpkin pie I baked for Roger, and we were off. I was worried about the pie, seeing as how Roger was pulling up to the house as we were taking off. I half expected it to be finished when we came back. It was an adventure shopping. I still hadn't found much at Old Navy. I was disappointed, but I was able to find a pair of capris that I can wear to school when I go back. We headed off to the mall for Mary to find hats. She was trying them on, and told me she didn't really need a mirror since she could tell by my face whether the hats looked good on her. Guess I shouldn't play poker anytime soon, huh? We went to lunch together, and it was fun. We got to talk about school stuff, and other things that were going on. We went to an interesting place for lunch. We went to Sweet Tomatoes. It's a big salad bar place. It has the salad bar, but then it also has a soup, bakery, and pasta bar. I didn't know what to think of it at first, but it was really good. It was refreshing. We headed back to her place, and on the way home we ran into traffic. I showed her Sue's graduation present, and she loved it. She couldn't believe I could do all of the work on it so quickly. It wasn't really quick, I just had free time and didn't want to leave it unfinished. When we got back to her place, I came in and sat down with her and Roger. It was like I was living with them again. I helped make dinner, and everything. It was weird eating dinner just 2 hours after finishing lunch, but oh well. I had fun mocking Roger, and he had fun giving it right back. I helped him move a chair to his backyard (or cement slab...depends on who you're asking). Mary almost killed us for moving it. It wasn't that heavy. As Roger and I were outside moving the chair Mary asked if I wanted to take roses home. Like I was going to refuse roses! That turned out to be a chore for Roger. He ended up pruning the rose bushes after he cut some roses for me. It was really awesome seeing them again. I may see if I can start a weekly dinner with them. I always have a fun time when I see them!

Tonight I just sat around and watched TV. I made tacos and a margarita for dinner since it was Cinco de Mayo, and vegged. I ran to WalMart to get hangers and Rice Krispie Treats (which I forgot to get!). I came home and made an irish cream shake. Yeah, I was being an alcoholic tonight, but I needed the drinks after this week. And again, watched TV. Granted it was quality TV. Who wouldn't enjoy a night of a new episode of Degrassi and season 10 of Friends on DVD. Good times...

Good Day

2006-05-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

I had a really long entry, yet the autosave didn't pick up the whole entry...thus, I will be posting tomorrow sometime now...

Good Song

2006-05-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this song! I have for a long time, but I had to put it in here...Lovin' it!

"S.O.S. (Rescue Me)"

Lalala lalala la la lala la Ohhh
You know... I never felt like this before
Lalala lalala la la lala la Ohhh
Feels like.. so real

I'm obsessive when just one thought of you comes up
And I'm aggressive just one thought of close enough
You got me stressing, incessantly pressing the issue
'Cause every moment gone you know I miss you
I'm the question and you're of course the answer
Just hold me close boy 'cause I'm your tiny dancer
You make me shaken up, never mistaken
But I can't control myself, got me calling out for help

S.O.S. please someone help me.
It's not healthy... for me to feel this way
Y.O.U. are making this hard,
I can't take it, see it don't feel right
S.O.S. please someone help me
It's not healthy... for me to feel this way
Y.O.U. are making this hard
You got me tossin' and turnin' and can't sleep at night

This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind it's got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me lookin' for the rest of me
Love is testing me but still I'm losing it
This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind, it's got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me looking for the rest of me,
Got the best of me, so now I'm losing it

Just your presence and I second guess my sanity
Yes it's a lesson, it's unfair, you stole my vanity
My tummy's up in knots so when I see you I get so hot
My common sense is out the door, can't seem to find the lock
Take on me (uh huh) you know inside you feel it right
Take me on I'm put desire up in your arms tonight
I'm out with you, you got me head over heels
Boy you keep me hanging on the way you make me feel

S.O.S. please someone help me.
It's not healthy... for me to feel this way
Y.O.U. are making (Y.O.U.) this hard,
You got me tossin' and turnin' and can't sleep at night

This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind, it's got me losing it ('Cause you on my mind)
I'm lost, you got me lookin' for the rest of me
Love is testing me but still I'm losing it
This time please someone come and rescue me (someone come and rescue me)
'Cause you on my mind got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me looking for the rest of me,
Got the best of me, so now I'm losing it

Boy, you know you got me feeling open
And boy, your loves enough with words unspoken
I said boy I'm telling you, you got me open
I don't know what to do it's true
I'm going crazy over you,
I'm begging

S.O.S. please somebody help me.
It's not healthy... for me to feel this way
Y.O.U. are making this hard (are you making this hard for me, baby?),
You got me tossin' and turnin' and can't sleep at night

This time please someone come and rescue me (someone rescue me)
'Cause you on my mind, it's got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me lookin' for the rest of me
Love is testing me but still I'm losing it
This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind got me losing it ('cause any time)
I'm lost you, got me looking for the rest of me,
Got the best of me (best of me), I'm losing it

Lala lala lala lala Ohhh
Ohh ohh lala lala lala lala
Oh oh

It's Finally Happening

2006-05-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's right, I'm finally updating.

I was going to go into depth the last two weeks, but I'm very sluggish with the heat (I'm not trying to brag for those people dealing with coldness) and tired from today.

My sisters' trip out here was awesome. They got in on Friday night, and we had a full week to do things in town. Saturday we went to Red Rock Canyon. It was really cool. I was glad I was finally going out there. I have seen it from the highway many times, but I was actually going to be going to see it. It was all good until I noticed a snake hole. Not cool. I know there are rattlers out there, there were many signs that they were there. I'm glad I didn't know while I was there, but I guess this is the time of year when there are the most rattlesnake bites since they're just coming out of hibernation. Not cool. I stuck in the car for the rest of the time. That night Sue broke my sink, and I had to wait til morning for it to work. Oh well, she didn't mean to clog up my sink. The best was walking into my apartment with her running into my kitchen with my plunger. Easter we went gambling at the casino that's right near my apartment. Sue and I both won $10. The rest of the day we just bummed around the apartment. Monday we woke up early to get to Carlsbad, CA. We got out of my apartment at about 10:45 or so, and hit traffic like none other once we got onto the interstate 20 minutes from my apartment. I decided to get off of the interstate, and take my sisters down the Strip since we hadn't gone down there yet. Big mistake. I should've taken another way. I think we finally got going at about noon. It took us what seemed like forever. Hit more traffic in San Bernardino, but we managed not to kill each other...barely. It was fun seeing the ocean for the first time. I have seen the Gulf of Mexico, but not a real ocean. It was really fun. The water was cold, but it was fun. I wasn't prepared properly for walking the beach. I didn't know I would find so many cool shells. I know, I'm a girl...and I seem to be 5 years old if I'm collecting shells. Oh well, deal with it people! I ended up filling my sandals the second time on the beach. I did find a sand dollar. That was cool. It's only half of one, but I kept it, and it's on my dash in the Clown Moble Deuce. We came back, headed to the Strip for Sue's birthday, had yard longs while Sue turned 30. We were sitting at slots and drinking when it turned midnight. The next day we all got tattoos! YES, I GOT A TATTOO!! I thought it was going to hurt but, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it was going to. I decided on a really cute Curious George. I liked it, and everyone who was watching me liked it too! Thursday we bummed around on the Strip, and went to my godparents' house. I told my sisters that I didn't want them to know that I got a tattoo. I was more worried about their reaction than my parents. My godfather just stared at me with his eyes wide, and speechless. Thanks Sue for telling them right away. Headed to Red Rock Casino, since we wanted to go to the opening, but decided to stay on the Strip. We also hit up the world's largest buffet! It was really good. Friday we went back to the Strip for the places we hadn't gotten to yet. We saw Elvis! It was awesome. We were heading back to the car, and he was walking down the Strip. I'm happy to report to you all that Elvis is alive and well! We were able to get to Watson for Sue and Jen to see my room, and take some pics for mom. After that, it was back to my apartment to eat dinner, clean up, and pack up to go home! I couldn't wait. We got on the plane, I woke up for soda and cookies, and was out for the rest of the flight.

Saturday morning was awesome! I got home, saw the dog, mom and dad. Soon after that, Patty and Erika were at the condo, and then to the Farmer's Market. That was awesome. I love the Farmer's Market, and am glad I was there for opening day. I wish I would've gotten there earlier, but I was too busy talking to the fam and playing with Eva. After the Farmer's Market was breakfast with Dan, Jason, Erika and Patty at Mikey's Dairy Bar. It was crowded since the spring football game was going on that day. I ended up falling asleep on the couch with Erika at Dan's. Patty was trying to fix Jason's computer, and I just zonked out for a few. I felt like a narcoleptic that day. I was wide awake when I got home from Dan's, talking to mom, and playing with the dog. I put in RENT for mom and I to watch, and I saw the first and last 5 minutes of the movie. Woke up, had a snack, laid down on mom's bed, and then woke up to Sue telling me dinner was ready. The next incident was while watching shows we had taped during the week. That's when I decided to go to bed, and then I woke up when Sue came to bed...and then I slept until the next morning. Sunday was excellent! I got to see most of my peeps from the old days at SNC. Niki, Dan, and Adam were all there, as well as my real OLD school peeps (whom I wouldn't trade for the world) Erika and Patty. Well, Erika was there for the whole day, and Patty came for the evening festivities with Adam, Erika and I. Those consisted of heading down to State Street...and having to turn around halfway there for my ID. I'm an idiot. The rest of the week was great too. I spent the days going through all of my stuff at home and in the storage shed. I threw away a good 2 truck loads of crap that I've accumulated over the years. I looked at stuff, and if I hadn't used it in the last year or so, it was thrown. I kept pictures and such that were drawn for me by people, and stuff like that, but most of my crap was junked or donated. I know I'll be able to walk into St. Vinnie's at home and see my stuff in there soon. I got to hang out with my peeps all week, and ended up at the same Perkins 3 times while I was home. Good things came from those trips. Diva Dan. "Who's your daddy?!" "You don't f$%@ with a fat girl and her free ice cream" and "BASTARDS!" will forever remain in my memories from that trip. There are others, but I'll keep those to myself for right now. :) I got to see a friend from childhood that I haven't spent anytime with alone since I graduated from college. It was nice seeing her, and getting to spend time with her kids. There were a bunch of people I didn't get to see. I wish I could've spent more time alone with Patty, and my parents. I feel bad that I wasn't able to do that. I didn't get enough quality Patty time, which was my fault since I was all narcoleptic the night she wanted to hang out. It was really hard for me to leave this time...I knew I would be leaving my friends and come home to an empty apartment....

One thing that came out of this trip was the realization that I want to move back and teach in Wisconsin. Well, just move back. If I don't go back to teaching, I'm thinking maybe I want to go back to school for Student Affairs. Many of my happiest memories of stem from me being an RA. I know that's not all Student Affairs is, but I'm entertaining the thought. I should maybe contact people about that...I did decide to start applying online for jobs back home. I want to move back...desperately. I told my principal and assistant principal that today. My assistant principal called last week while I was gone about what my plans were for next school year. I told her what was going on, and then she told me that there was an opening still at our school in 4th grade. She made it seem like I didn't want to take on that position. I had to tell her that I like the older grades. I wouldn't mind that position. After she found out about me thinking about leaving the district, she told me that out of professional courtesy I should surplus. I didn't know what to do. I think she wanted me to decide right then and there what I wanted to do. Are you kidding me? I had until 3 to decide. It was about 11:30 when she told me that. I spent the rest of the afternoon crying and talking to people about what I should do. I haven't cried that much in a long time. I decided to surplus, and I think that is the best thing for me. I told my dad that if I got a really crappy job, I would leave the district for the next school year, and move home...even if I didn't have a job. He didn't have a problem with that...I figured he would. It kinda scared me. Oh well, what's done is done, and I'm working towards a better tomorrow...and a cooler tomorrow...

Punk

2006-04-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

It has been brought to my attention that I have not written in here, even though I've been back in Vegas since Friday night. Friday night I passed out on my futon before getting to write in here. Last night, I just wanted to finish Sue's graduation gift. That didn't happen, but I got some of it done. I will most likely update tonight...I'm just too homesick to write about home right now...

Last one for awhile

2006-04-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it's the end of the week of nothing. I leave to pick up my sisters in a couple of hours (their flight was delayed, damn Midwest!), and then it's nonstop thrills for the next couple of weeks. Monday I head over to California for the night, Tuesday and Wednesday we're staying on the Strip, and Friday night I fly home for a week.

This week I really didn't do much. Yesterday I cleaned up for my sisters' arrival. I scrubed down the kitchen and bathroom, organized my bedroom, and reorganized my crafting things in my living room. I woke up this morning and hung up more maps of Madison/Wisconsin in my Wisconsin room. I Swiffered up my apartment, and then did my laundry. How much more domestic can I get? I've totally changed my cleaning habits. It's the exact opposite of what I had up in DePere. I go insane if there's too much clutter in my apartment. It kinda scares me, but as Dan has reassured me many times, you have more than one room to organize my things. Thanks Dan!

I'm not in an updating mood much anymore, but if I find a free moment while my sisters are here, I will for sure update!

Boredom

2006-04-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

What Your Face Says

At first glance, people see you as warm and well-balanced.

Overall, your true self is creative and expressive.

With friends, you seem logical, detached, and a bit manipulative.

In love, you seem energetic - almost manic.

In stressful situations, you seem cheerful and optimistic.

What Do People Think Of Your Face?

Face?

You Are Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Truthfully, you're too spazzy to be chunky - you cheeky monkey!

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain.

People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

You Are a Chocolate Martini

You're an elegant drunk, who only likes the best bars and the most expensive drinks.
A bit of a cheapskate, you're likely to mooch ten dollar drinks off both friends and strangers.

You should never: Drink and dash. You're gonna get caught leaving someone with the tab!

Your ideal party: A posh celebrity party you crash, with an open bar.

Your drinking soulmates: those with a Classic Martini personality

Your drinking rivals: those with a Blueberry Martini personality

What Flavor Martini Are You?

Blotchy Redness

2006-04-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

That's what I have on my arms. Blotchy redness. I sat out in the sun for not even 30 minutes today, and my arms are all blotchy red. Oh well, I can handle it. I was totally transported back to high school while I was sitting outside. I can remember how when I'd have a day off from work I'd bring out the lawn chair and lay down in the only sun spot in our backyard. I'd change into my swimsuit, bring out the music, and just lay in the sun for a long period of time. That's what happened today. I had on my tank top and shorts, put on my tunes, grabbed a book, and got comfy in my chair in the sunspot. I didn't really read. I just got way comfy on the chair and kinda dozed. That was alright with me. I decided it was time to come in when it felt like I was going to burn. After last summer's trip to Noah's Ark, I'm not going to burn EVER again. That burn hurt SO much. It wasn't cool...

It's been nice out this whole while I've been on break. It hasn't been as warm though. It finally got up into the 70s yesterday, and it's supposed to get up to 88 today. When I rolled out of bed and came out to my digital cable, I turned on our Vegas weather 24/7 to find out that it was already 80. This wasn't at noon either, it was at 10:30am. That's ok. I'm still refusing to turn on my AC. It's only the middle of April, even though it feels like June. It's much more bearable without the humidity. My patio door is wide open, and I forgot that I have ceiling fans to help out with the cooling the apartment down.

I've been working non-stop on Sue's birthday/graduation gift since yesterday. It started early afternoon yesterday, and ended at 3 this morning. I still have a bunch to do, but I can finish what I can now before she comes tomorrow. I have to get more stuff at home for it, and then I can just crank it out. It's been fun working on it though. It's given me something to do on break. It's sad, because I was actually getting bored by Tuesday afternoon. Now I'm trying to do what I want before my sisters come out tomorrow afternoon.

Blog War

2006-04-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

And I blame Dan on this one...He states that I'm a hater in one his entries for today. We'll see who hates the other more with this war I guess.

First, I'd like to point out some inaccuracies in his post. "I heard somebody advertised she 'sniffs glue for Jesus', 'Corday will you be my Valentine', and 'If there is no God, Who pops up the next Kleenex'." Hmm...I wonder who all started this, and literally taped them up on my window...to the point where I spent two nights Goo Gone-ing my windows at the end of the year? I have no idea who this hater could be. "Somebody also made my MMM room smell like Adam's plant." Oh no. I still blame this one on Adam. Yes, I watched him as he cut up his plant and put it in a box with Kathleen's name and address on it so he wouldn't know it was us. Yes, I was the distraction to get the plant under the bed, but in no way did I touch the plant or plant it under his bed (pun was intended there). Oh, and the ER trip? NOT MY FAULT FOR ONCE! I believe it was someone who would like to put the blame on someone else, seeing as how he's been blamed for that since it happened. I was not the one who slammed the door into Katie's hand that had a glass in it. I can still remember the panic in his face when he heard that we were going to the ER...and to this day, Katie cannot feel some of her fingertip.

I will admit that I will not live down "I cannot tell you at this juncture." That was quite possibly the crowning point of my drunkenness. I love the fact that I said that after having as much as I had that night. I will admit that my 21st was a crazy night. Falling out of a car into snow, not feeling the snow, and then ending up in Jill's house not knowing how I got there, is not the best.

Let's think of some of the times that we were both crazy and insane, seeing as how we both know we're crazy and insane. Fox River...Granted, I wasn't the one who really wanted to go in. Someone else wanted me to go in, to the point he'd try and carry me down to the river anytime we were near the CC. I then went limp, he would trip on me, and then I'd see him fly right over me. The Fox River Incident will forever be ingrained in my memories (seeing as how my children are going to have 5 legs or something like that...just remember Dan, it's your godchild...). It was a warm spring day, and I decided that I would go in the river...after someone stole my glasses and put them on the far edge of a dock. We had to wait til Adam came to help Dan, since it was Adam's idea originally (which is why he's more evil than I). I remember them taking me out to the edge of the dock. I had a panic attack as I watched a dead fish float by in the murky brownish-green water. I should state here that I hate swimming in deep water (where I can't touch the bottom) and water that isn't in a pool. Katie told me later that Dan wanted to run and push me in with all of his might...nice Dan. Katie and I did have a pact though. If they pushed me in, she'd push them in. Katie got Adam in after I was pushed, but Dan ran off like a scared little kid. Eventually, he and Katie ended up in the river. Those were good times. I loved how the photographer of this incident was a PIT (Priest in Training).

Hmmm...another one where both of us are crazy. Truth or Dare nights. We were both drunk off of our asses most times we played Truth or Dare. Walking outside in a women's bra while a frat party was going on across the street. Walking down your wing with no pants on...just a blanket, humming "You're a Grand Old Flag". Having someone pour Sprite on your chair, and make you sit in it repeatedly, after you've been in the bathroom puking your guts out. Getting a tattoo of your phone number...good times...good times...

See, I can admit that I wasn't an innocent person...now you need to as well Dan. :)

I had a title...just can't remember it...

2006-04-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

It's so nice that I don't have to get up early tomorrow! I know that I'm going to wake up at about 7:30 tomorrow morning in a cold sweat thinking that I'm WAY late for school. That's when I just roll over and say, "Hell no, I'm done!" I plan on laying in bed and watching morning TV for a good chunk of the day. And then it's reading outside for the rest of the day.

Today was relaxing as well. I woke up, made french toast, read the paper, took a shower, made a CD, put my hair up, and left to run errands. I wanted to get some air tight containers for some things in my cabinets. I went to the Dollar Tree for those...good and cheap. Off to check out the gift my parents want to get my sister for graduation. They have no idea what they're looking for, so I went to go check it out for them. I came home, ate lunch, and decided to do some spring cleaning. I took the drip pans off the stove and soaked them, and washed down the stove. While I let the drip pans soak, I went outside and read some more of my book. It's not too bad. It gets you right away. My sister told me she started reading it in England after she picked it up for me, and she couldn't get into it. Oh well, I've read almost all of her other books (still have one more to read that I bought before leaving BN), and I've liked those other books. Read a couple chapters, came back in to clean up the drip pans, and decided to re-organize my cabinets. I don't know why, but I did it. Reheated some stir-fry, and watched West Wing. As West Wing was finishing up, I thought it was the saddest episode I've ever seen...and then I saw the previews for next week. I will have Kleenex next to me.

I came online after West Wing, and talked to a friend that I haven't talked to in a couple of weeks. It was nice talking to him. We haven't talked too long online lately, and it was cool getting a chance to chat. He asked me about something we had talked about the last time we saw each other...about boys. He asked me how things were going on that front, and then questioned me further. This is something that we've never really talked about. I've never really talked about boys to him, nor him about girls. Granted, we did start talking more about it earlier this year when he needed a girl's take on something. He learned new things about me. They're things that most of my close friends know, but he didn't. And he learned that I was the baby of the family. I told him that there's always something new to learn about me ;). It's kinda weird though. He and I weren't really friends at SNC until my junior year when I started hanging out with Dan more. He and I were both RAs my sophomore year, and I was afraid of him while I was in MMM both my freshman and sophomore year (which I told him about this winter when we were hanging out). It's been cool getting to know him, he's a great guy.

It was weird that he asked me about some of the things he asked me about. I was actually thinking of things that have happened in the past. I was reading my journal from SNC, and I was thinking about things. Would I change the way some things turned out? If I could, would I relive those moments? There are some things I would change. I wish I could've had the courage to tell people things that were going on in my heart during my time at SNC. There was one time I was able to do that...with the aid of massive amounts of alcohol and Dan taking advantage of that fact (need I bring up November 1, 2003?). And, after that, my life was hell for about two weeks. I hated those two weeks following that night. Not good times had by all. What else would I change? Well, I feel that once I became an RA, I neglected some friendships. I'm sure those friends would say that I didn't, but in some ways I felt like I left my friends from freshman year in the dust. Granted, they were involved with sororities and social groups, and I was consumed with trying to be a good RA. The friends that I was making while being an RA were going through the same things as I was. Yes, I got to see my friends in class and at meals, but I felt like I didn't really spend as much time with them like I used to. But hey, I'm still friends with them now, so I guess it was alright. There are so many things I would relive. Being a DW (designated walker) for Dan so many times junior year. The one time that stands out is when he turned sideways and upside down to read "Skechers" off the bottom of my shoe before taking it off. As he, John, and I left Jill's he asked if I would walk him home. John told Dan that it didn't make sense for me to walk him home since I would be passing my building, and heading across campus. John said he'd just walk Dan home. No, Dan wanted me to walk him home. That was ok with me. Turns out that Dan's residents were sitting out in front of his building, and Dan was WAY gone. We sat in front of the big clock for about an hour before heading to his building. I walked back to my room at 3:30am. I'd pretty much live most of my time at SNC. It was a great time.

Ahh...it's almost midnight here, and I'm still up and not in bed. Makes me feel happy and relaxed...first time in a long time. :)

Relaxed Sigh

2006-04-08T23:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't felt this happy/relaxed in a long time. Last night, I had a few drinks, made a pizza, and was passed out by 11:15. Yep, my first night on break, and I'm asleep earlier than I am on a school night! Kinda sad, but those kids wore me out!

Today was a relaxing day. The first time I woke up this morning, 7:15, I decided that I still needed to sleep. I slept until almost 9:30, but decided to get up when I saw a bug in my room. I HAD to get up and kill it. Seeing the bug made me realize that I should probably Raid the apartment now that it's bloomin' hot out. I took everything out of my bedroom closet, and got the Raid. I Raided my closets in my room, the windows, the bathroom, the front door, and outside on my patio. Good times had by all. Getting work done before 10am. I sat down to read the newspapers from the past few days. I thought about driving up to the Clark County Fair and Rodeo after reading an article about it, and seeing a picture of a crapload of cowboy hats. I still need to get me one of those hats...Instead, I settled for taking a shower, doing laundry, and then putting my room back in some semblance. Unlike my room in Sensenbrenner, and home, my room here stays clean, with the rest of the apartment. I have a few things laying on the floor in my living room, and I'm actually upset by it, oh well. As I was cleaning, I was talking to Dan. He was out shopping, and asking me things about what he wanted to get. I was eating my breakfast (at noon), and thinking about what I all wanted to get this weekend. I then decided to go shopping a bit later. I needed to get some bubble bath, a table for with my chair outside (as a foot rest...I can't relax without putting my feet up), and some hair bands to put my hair up (it's that long again...but not for long. When I'm home, it's getting chopped, a good 4 inches at least.). Dan and ended up going shopping together. I went to WalMart first to see what they had to offer. I didn't like what they had, so I left to go to Target. Dan's phone was dying, so we hung up and ended our shopping trip together. I was in search of bubble bath, and could not find it while I was at Target. Dan suggested looking down the shampoo aisle, which I had just gotten out of since I had just put my hair things in the basket. Then I checked the shower gel aisle. Not there. I was about to give up when I thought I saw some...down the baby product aisle. What? Come on now...keep it where normal people can find it. I thought about getting Johnson and Johnson Goodnight Baby bubble bath, but decided to stay with the classic Mr. Bubble. I was wandering the store to see what they all had on clearance. Dan and I were talking about how we both wanted rice steamers earlier, and I wanted to go check it out. I totally forgot about it as I went past the aisle with them, but as I rounded the corner a to the clearance aisle, there was a rice steamer sitting on a shelf. It wasn't in a box or anything, but it was marked $6. Like I'm going to pass that up! I can always go online and get the manual. I ended up getting a rice steamer, a bunch of magnets (which I have become strangely addicted to...fun magnets), a table (which ended up being $2 more than at WalMart, DAMMIT!), and my hair things. I got home, and emptied my bags. I was going into my bathroom to grab a hair thing to put my hair up since it was getting hot, and there were no hair things in my bathroom. I went to go look at the receipt, and I must've forgotten my hair things in my basket! DAMN! I had hair things on my list of things to get for the past 2 weeks. I had a few of them here, but I have no idea where they went. I swear I lose things so fast here! Anyhoo...I got home in time to eat some lunch, and talk to Erika, before the UW Hockey game came on (I was proudly sporting my Wisconsin t-shirt today ;-)). As the game started, I was getting into it, and then swearing whenever BC got the puck. I decided I needed to get out of the room, and just listen to it. I prepped my stir-fry while listening to the first two periods of the game. I came back to watch the third to see who would win since it was still 1-1. I brought in my cantloupe that I had just cut up (thanks Dan for telling me that you got one today!) to eat whilst watching. Yeah, totally ate half of the cantaloupe within half of the third period. Didn't mean for that to happen. Finished the game (YES! WE WON!!! GO BADGERS!), and decided to actually cook my dinner. As I began to cook, I realized I had forgotten to get bread for french toast in the morning, and wanted to get wine for with dinner. I set the steamer to begin since I knew it wouldn't take me too long to get the stir-fry done. I came home and got going on dinner. As I was cooking my mushrooms, the rice dinged at me to let me know it was done. I took off the lid, and the rice hadn't cooked at all! It was still in the water that I had put it in with. Guess it would help if I had plugged in the steamer, huh? Got the stir-fry done, waited for the rice, and ate dinner. Good stuff. I have a ton leftover. That's cool. I can eat it this week. As I was eating, I decided to put in an episode of the original Degrassi. It was one that I don't remember seeing. One of the characters, Caitlin, had just been diagnosed with epilepsy and didn't want to take her medication. She tried out for the school play, along with one of her friends, and the friend got the part she wanted. While she was at a sleep over, she had a seizure, and everyone freaked out. It was weird, cuz Caitlin's in the Next Generation too. Damn, didn't know she had epilepsy, which is fine with me. I got done with dinner, and decided to go take my bubble bath. Took my wine, a good chick lit book that I forgot I had here (Special Relationship by Robyn Sisman, not printed here in the US anymore, Sue got it for me in England this summer), and my phone into the bathroom. Turned on a radio station on my TV, blared it so I could hear it, and relaxed in the tub. I started reading, after just relaxing for a few moments, and my phone rang. I thought about not getting it, but decided that I would tell whoever it was that I would call them back later. It turns out it was Adam. I talked to him for just a few minutes because he's up in Green Bay with friends, and he was at Denny's with them. one of them said that I was more evil than Adam. I have proof that I'm not, plus, I just KNOW I'm not as evil as he is. And here I am now, out of the tub, in my very warm apartment.

Wow, I didn't know I could blather on and on about my day like that.

Tomorrow I plan on just sitting outside and reading. It's supposed to get up to 82 tomorrow. It got up to 81 this afternoon. It was nice, but now it's really warm in my apartment. I don't want to turn on the air conditioning yet...

Shopping Trip

2006-04-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

I was told I had to blog about this, even though the person who told me this rarely reads this.

Last night Adam called me to see if I wanted to go "shopping" with him at WalMart. I was still at school, so I couldn't go. I was upset that I wasn't able to go shopping with him. Tonight I needed to go shopping for my Track Break Party, and I called Adam to leave a message to see if he wanted to go shopping with me. I came home, watched some TV, made dinner, and then got sucked into the Degrassi marathon. I decided to go shopping, sans Adam. Just as I was pulling into the parking lot, my phone rang, and it was Adam. He had great timing. I knew that the phone wouldn't cut out, seeing as how I talk to mom all the time in that store, so I knew I could talk to him while shopping. I was talking to him about the different juice boxes that I should get my kids. I was having a nice convo, when I realized that he wasn't saying anything. My phone cut out. I called him back, and we were talking some more. As I was finishing up, I realized that I needed to get some things for my stir fry tomorrow night (thanks for planting that seed Dan!). I was picking some stuff out in the produce area, and Adam was talking about tomatoes and how I hate them. I'm still talking to him, asking him questions, when all of a sudden my phone started ringing. Nice one Kristy, talking to someone and then your phone rings...smooth move ExLax.

I'm ready for break. Tomorrow I'm pretty much done at 1. The kids have an assembly at 1, specials after that, and then we're just going to have our party. I can't wait to be done for a bit. I'm SO not going to want to go back in May!

One more week til my sisters come out, and then two more weeks til I go home! We need to plan something for when I'm home people!

Inner working of my mind

:)

2008 in One Liners

Gaurdian Angel

Summer

Mom

Taking a break to update

Quick Story

Update

Prayers

Back to school

New Computer

Time to update

Last week of school

The Best One Thus Far

Stories!

One More Story

Sunburn part deux

Sunburn

Another Story

Funny Story

Spring Break

Damn Right!

Ugh...

I'm Alive!

Such a good day

Finally

I can't wear face paint to a UFC match?!

Quickie

Pics of the car

Craziest Thing

All Wisconsin

Many updates today

OMG!!:)

It's just a Saturday night...

Pics

September 11 and such

Dreams

For those who don't like what Facebook has done...

My Classroom

:-D

Darn kids!

I guess I'm "sporty" now...

Last Night as a Wisconsin Resident

Quick update

Real Quick!

What my kids have to say about me....

:)

It's been a long time...

Meh...

Lost My Childhood...

ADAM MUST DIE

*Sigh* Part Deux

*Sigh*

I'm Here

Confuzzled

60% Wisconsin!

Free Stuff!

Oh HELL no!

Long Awaited Update

I'm still alive

Tattletales

Quick update

Mini Heart Attack

HELP!

Motivation

I'm pathetic

Flashback

Organized

Excessive Heat

Ursprache

Ahhhhhhhhh........

Adam placed the face with the name...

Hump Day

I'm heading home!

Not much to say...

I'm so tired...

Good Weekend

Quick update

I don't know what to do...

Sigh Part Deux

Sigh

Relaxed Sigh