April Ramblings

Where have I been? 

Just about everywhere.  I went to visit Chris' over President's Day weekend, Evansville to meet up with some school friends and home.

I wish I stayed more on top of blogging.  I always feel like within those first few weeks after a post, I don't have much to say and then before I know it, months have passed.  Recently, even though I have things to talk about, I've been pretty busy.  I signed up to take one of my certification tests, which is a week from today.  It's the teaching test and since I didn't go to school in Illinois, I was really worried that I might not have been exposed to everything I should have.  I bought a study guide and made a study plan.  I've not followed it very well.  I have about 160 pages left and exactly a week.  Completely doable, but I have no motivation for it.  I took a practice test today and did well.  Some of the information I recognized from the study guide, so I guess I'll continue to study. 

I don't read as much because if I read, I feel like that's time that should be spent studying.  So do I study instead?  No, I just waste time watching tv or wandering around facebook.  It reminds me of what I used to do in college when there was a class I didn't enjoy reading for.  Instead of doing something I knew I'd enjoy, I just let the time slip away.

Chris' Borders is closing, while this makes me sad, we've really cleaned up.  We spent about 2 hours (about an hour in line) there when I visited.  Things were only 20% off but you'd think everything was $2 with the amount of people that were there.  I only bought things that were marked down before the 20% off so I continued to be a bargain shopper.  I left Chris with a list of books for both my mom and me.  He goes back now and then to check the markdowns and increase my already oversized collection of books.  I'm getting ever closer to needing a library the size of Belle's in Beauty and the Beast.

Evansville was tons of fun and I got to meet up with some sisters that I don't have as much time to stay in contact with because we all lead busy lives and most of them are still in school.  There were some dinner dates, some shopping and lots and lots of talking!  It was really great to see them again, but it also made me realize that I'm fairly lonely in Jacksonville.  Normally I don't mind, I have a lot of time to myself.  But it's always nice to see some familiar faces.

Home was wonderful as always!  I got to spend a lot of time with Mom, Julie and the kids.  I really miss seeing the kids often, but besides the summers, I guess it's fairly normal.

I've started running again.  It's not going as well as I had anticipated and I guess I'm more out of shape than I thought, but I'm improving a little bit every day.  I didn't run very far today because it was 80 degrees outside, but I'm planning to try again when it starts to cool off in about an hour or so.  I normally run a small lap around part of my neighborhood that is a half mile.  I like it a lot more than running one big lap because I'm always close to home.

Easter is coming up!  That might be one of my favorite holidays because it's normally warm and there's always the egg cracking competition to look forward to on Dad's side.  I came in 2nd last year.  I've never been so close to winning.  Maybe this year is my year!  Also, I'm soooo excited to meet baby Ava!  My cousin Sarah lives in Denver and Ava was born at the end of December, so I have yet to meet her.  Unfortunately, Chris and I will be spending Easter apart because Brandon and Alex will both be home from school, so he doesn't want to miss out on sibling time.  All three of them are currently in Evansville this weekend to celebrate Brandon's 21st birthday tomorrow!  I'm a bit jealous.

The weekend following Easter I have a trip planned to go north and Chris and I plan to go to Chicago and spend a day downtown because I have some train tickets that expire at the end of May.  We haven't figured out what we're going to do yet, but I'm sure we'll find something fun.

There's only about a month and a half left of school.  I'm definitely getting ready for my 3 month vacation.  The kids are becoming less and less attentive and even good kids are starting to slack.  It's discouraging to watch it happening.  I had a student ask the other day if we could have a countdown on the board of how many days are left of the school year.  I said no because I feel like if they're constantly reminded by how many days we have left, the faster they will continue to check out.  I'm doing all I can to slow down the process, but I don't really think it's working.

My Psych kids are excited to watch A Beautiful Mind.  I'm also planning to show clips from Scrubs and The Office that have some connections to what we'll be studying.  I was shocked when I told them this and a student actually complained.  He said he would much rather watch documentaries and see real people and real stories.  Knowing that, I'm going to try to find some more scientific things to show as well.

That's all I've got for now, but I promise to return soon :)

*Besos*

Jury Duty Cutie

Once again, another month has flown by since the last time I posted.  So much has happened and I'll do my best to remember it all!  Chris and I have been seeing each other an awful lot....I think that phrase is funny "awful lot" because nothing has been awful about it.  I went to visit him the weekend following MLK day and he came to visit the next weekend.  We're always looking for fun things to do with our time together that is something out of the ordinary.  When we're here we sometimes make a trip to Springfield which is nice for the shopping and the plethora of restaurants.  Normally we end up just hanging out and watching tv, but it's always nice to be together.  The last time he was here I talked him into going to one of the boys' basketball games.  It was a tournament championship and they lost, but it was definitely a lot of fun to go.  My students were also really excited about getting to meet him.  They're insisting that he comes to prom though.

That next week was a relaxing one!  We only had school for 1.5 days.  We got out early on Monday because of the sleet that started at about 11 and we didn't go back til Friday.  I didn't do any planning during that time because I was super lazy, but I did end up reading a lot.  Now is a good time to plug my most recent book....

This was book #6 and also a Borders clearance book.  I LOVED it.  I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much.  It was hard to follow at first, but once I kept track of all the characters, it was really great.  I will definitel be reading more by this author.

Speaking of Borders....
1. Those clearance books I think may be one of the best ideas ever.  My mom and I end up reading them and then looking for books by the same author because we enjoy the $4 ones so much....so definitely a great play on their part.
2. Borders filed for bankruptcy.  They have started closing stores, but the one I frequent (when I'm home) isn't one of them.  Thank goodness!  I think if the whole company went under, I might be shattered.  I thought about that on Monday when they announced it.  I think the 2 stores that I could not live without would be Borders and Kohls.  I know what you're thinking....that's a bit dramatic.  Yes, maybe it is, but here's why....a. B&N doesn't have the same cozy feel to me that Borders does. b. Yes, Amazon may be cheaper, but ordering online is not as fun as browsing the store and finding those great books you weren't even looking for (especially clearance!) c. Amazon doesn't have price tags on their books.  Make fun of me if you want, but my favorite part of returning from a book shopping spree is peeling the price tag off the book.  That's the moment I feel like it's really mine, because I don't intend to return it then.

While I'm on the book subject (yes, I'm obsessed).  Julie is thinking about getting a Kindle/type of ebook reader.  It makes me wonder if I'll ever own one since I love books so much, but I fear that some day there will be no books for me left to buy that are not digital.  While I was contemplating this, I found this post.
How To Read A Book  <I think this is such a wonderfully, well-articulated tribute to the printed word in book form and it reaffirmed my love for physical books.

Ok, moving on from the book tangent.

I saw Despicable Me the last time I was at Chris' house.  LOVED IT!  It was really great and I enjoyed it the whole time.  Chris was not incredibly excited to watch it, but he also enjoyed it, but I think enjoyed watching me watch it even more.

I was home last weekend because I had jury duty on Monday (Happy Valentine's Day to me).  I'm glad I went home right away because it was a fantastic weekend!  We went out for Julie's birthday on Friday night to Joe Boccardi's.  It was delicious and I had a really great time with Julie, EJ and my mom.  Then later that night while I was sitting in my room I looked up to see Chris standing in the hallway.  He's starting to get really good at surprising me.  Saturday we played with Hailey and Jacob most of the day, had roast for dinner (mmmmm) and met Chris' brother Brandon at TGI Fridays in St. Louis. Brandon was in town for a Greek conference for school.  It was a lot of fun and I had a great time with both of them. 

Monday was my first ever jury duty experience.  I was there for 2 hours and released because only one trial actually went to court.  A guy I went to high school with happened to also have jury duty the same day so we got lunch together at the mall when we were done.  I had to go back on Tuesday for a whole 25 minutes just to find out I was released again.  I went back to work today and found other this afternoon that I've been excused!  Overall, jury duty was pretty easy because I never even got assigned to a trial.  So now I'm hoping that it'll be awhile before they call me again.  I really hated being gone for those 2 days and it was just really stressful to have to plan everything and worry about how the kids were doing.  They were a little disappointed to see me back because that meant they wouldn't get to watch some of the movies I had planned, but I decided that some of my classes will finish the week with the movies and the other ones will watch them later. 

I'll leave with this....I just found it in my saved pictures file and I like it

*Besos*



Pages and Pomegranates

It's been awhile.  I've been busy....planning!  I'm so far ahead it's so wonderful!  It makes me so happy and I have time to actually read!  This is the best I've kept up with reading since I think I was in high school...even then I kinda sucked at it when I was in school because I always had so much reading to do for school I was tired of it.  But now it's so relaxing and I've already finished 2 books since the new year started.  It makes me feel so accomplished and happy that I get to read during the school year instead of just during the summer.

Here is one that I read during our trip to VA.  Very interesting, began as a Borders clearance book and has already been passed around my mom's work and to me.  It's funny and also fairly thought provoking.



I had Monday off school and what always occurs on this 3 day weekend in January?  Birthtoberfest of course!  This meant another trip to Moline, IL for catching up and a great deal of enjoyment with college friends.  I carpooled with Stuart and Whitney both ways, which was incredibly fun and I even got some reading done too!  Saturday I had my first Chinese buffet experience....at which, if it is possible to fail a buffet, I did so with flying colors.  I ate mainly bread and rice because I didn't like the sesame chicken and I needed Whitney's help to open the rice steamer, because apparently I'm kitchen appliance inept, if there is such a thing :) 

We had Old Chicago for dinner where I was introduced to pomegranate...in mojito form.  Delicious!  I want to try the fruit, maybe I can add it to my list of fruits I like...which would then include....1.  We also watched the first part of the Falcons-Packers game...the part where they were winning.  Chris and I were bummed.  I've developed a disdain for them since becoming a Bears fan.  After OC we proceeded to the Daiquiri Factory which is extremely cool (literally) because daiquiris are the theme so there are lots of frozen/slushie drinks.  My favorite is the Naughty Girl Scout because it's mint chocolate chip!  If you google it, you could find a whole menu. 

The girls at the Daiquiri Factory. :)

In the District, which is where the Daiquiri Factory is, they have these really cool trees.  They are not trees with lights, they are trees made of lights.  Very interesting and add a nice touch to the area.

Then we returned home where the rest of the night was filled with Rock Band 3 and Dance Central(?) on xbox kinect....super fun despite the fact that I suck at dancing.  But learning them and being told your moves were "flawless" is a nice confidence boost.

I had all of Monday to relax...which I did in the form of reading!!! (can you tell I'm super excited about this?)

In other news, Chris likes his job so far.  I don't completely understand what it is that he does...something to do with reviewing contracts, whatever that means! :)  To be honest, I think it sounds a little boring...of course it's not the glamorous life of telling kids to sit down, shut up and do their assignment (ok, maybe not in so many words), but he's happy with it, so I'll take it.

Oh, also!  My Bears shirt is not bad luck!  I was wearing it on Sunday so I'm happy they didn't lose because of me.  I hope it will continue not being unlucky next week when they play the Packers...again.

*Besos*

Good Times Never Seemed So Good

So much has happened in the last week!

The wedding was tons of fun!  We had 4 very positive flying experiences, with the exception of our gate in Detroit getting moved 3 times during our lay-over.  We landed at C20, first went to C7, then to C37 and then finally to C19.  If only they had figured it out right away, we would have barely had to move.  We got into Richmond, hitched a ride with some friends and found an Amazing local pizza place.  Piccola's pizza was incredibly fantastic and I was dying to have some of their pasta, but we ran out of time (and stomach room) to have any.  Chris apologized that we didn't get to go back for dinner, but said maybe we could go back to Richmond sometime.  It sounds like we would be going back for just a restaurant, even though we're not....it was that good.  I can't bring myself to throw the receipt away.  The wedding was beautiful and the reception was extremely cool!  Since the wedding was at 7, there wasn't a sit down dinner at the reception, but they had hors d'oeuvres including a tomato soup shooter with a grilled cheese chaser (clever) and a gourmet mac and cheese bar (Chris' favorite part!).  The mac and cheese was inventive with bacon and spinach as well as lobster...and another one I can't remember.  I only had the bacon and spinach kind.  It was really great to see everyone again and it is probably one of my favorite New Year's Eve nights.  At midnight when we all counted down, I felt like an adult at a super swanky NYE party....which it was.  Oh and I also realized what a great song "Sweet Caroline" is.

There was some disappointment when we got back because we attempted to get Noodles and Company(for me) and Chipotle(for Chris) for lunch in Springfield, but they were both closed because it was New Year's Day.  We settled for Panda and it was fantastic.  (I just realized that I've spent most of this post talking about food).

It was nice to have some down time on Sunday.  Chris and I watched the Bears game while playing Monopoly City...I won.  Unfortunately the Bears lost, but we were sporting our gear anyway...I hope my shirt isn't bad luck!

I survived the first week back at school.  It kind of felt like a 4 day week since Monday was the 2nd day of finals and I didn't have to do much.  My crazy big 3rd period class was split into 2 classes and I've had happy mornings all week!  It's crazy how much stress decreases by taking bodies out of the room.  My Psychology class is big, but I'm loving it because they all seem so excited and enthusiastic about learning the material.  I hope they stay that way once we get into the structure and functions of the brain. 

The week was also a bit easier to deal with because I got a midweek visit from Chris because he had an interview in Springfield.  The job ended up not working out because they wouldn't be hiring until the end of January and he was offered another job that starts on Monday.  So since they couldn't give him an answer, he's accepted the other one and starting then!  It's in Chicago, which is a little disappointing, but overall definitely a positive in such a difficult economy.

*Besos*

Virginia Bound

The rest of school went fairly well.  We had 3 snow days due to temperatures and then ice, which pushed back one day of finals.  When we return on Monday, we'll have the second day of finals.  I hope my kids have been studying over break!  We also still have to finish watching A Beautiful Mind in my Psych class, but there's not much left so they should have time.

Christmas was fantastic!!!  The usual Christmas Eve festivities with my mom's side of the family, and then also Christmas day with them followed by dinner at Julie's.  There was quite a bit of babysitting while I was home also, and I taught Jacob the wonders of bubble wrap.  I'm not sure who had more fun, him popping bubbles or me watching him popping them.  Then I was able to enjoy some after Christmas family time with my dad's side plus Chris a few days after Christmas.  All of the gifts I gave were well received, which is always rewarding since I have such a fun time shopping...and I also got everything that I asked for along with a few things I didn't....including a Chicago Bears t-shirt!  Maybe I'll take some pictures during the game on Sunday.

In about 4 hours, Chris and I will be hopping in the car to drive to Bloomington to head to Virginia.  Although Bloomington is a smaller airport, it's surprisingly cheaper.  We planned to go to bed around 8 tonight, but neither of us were tired.  I have a feeling we'll get a little bit of sleep and then sleep a lot on the plane.  I have yet to pack our one bag we're taking since it's such a short trip.  Me procrastinating again, what a shock!  That's all for now, I guess I should go pack that bag!

*Besos*

Procrastination Station

I did really well this week with getting ahead and staying ahead.  I have the rest of the semester planned, which is a nice feeling.  That's the easy part though.  When I say planned, I don't include handouts being made.  Soooo with that said I still have 3 finals to make and review packets to go along with them.  All before Thursday of this week.  It doesn't sound so bad and I've got some time, but it's seems daunting.  I had all this motivation yesterday when I left school, but now it's all gone.  Only 12 more school days until break though!

I've gotten no farther on my shopping, but have made progress on MY Christmas list.  I feel like I always have a hard time coming up with things that I want, are easy to find and aren't too expensive.  Here are some shirts I got for the kids...

I thought Sarah would like this one for Hailey.

Sooo excited to see Jacob in this!  It reminds me of Phi Mu :)

I just got schooled today on being a grown up in the winter (yes, it's still fall, but the temps say it's winter).  I looked at my power bill which is normally around 65 and it's 91 for this month.  This gives me yet another reason to hate cold weather, along with not being able to wear flip flops, my hair being in a constant state of static cling, it getting dark far too early, etc.

Buuttttt, winter does give me a fantastic reason to wear boots...with which I now have developed a small obsession.  I will hopefully be receiving these for Christmas :)

Super cute and I already know that they're comfortable because they're just like my gray ones.  I wore them Thursday and Friday and one of my students said "you really love those boots don't you?"  And I said...."yeah, I really do."

I'm starting to get pretty excited for the holidays.  Christmas will be a little weird this year because we won't be having the normal gathering on Dad's side on Christmas day because most people will be out of town.  It's just been postponed until Dad's family flies in from Pittsburgh, which means extra time with Mom's family that I normally don't get.  Unfortunately there will be no trip north to see Chris' family over break because I only get about a week and a half.  But I will get to see Chris when we fly to Virginia!  One of his brothers is getting married in Richmond on New Year's Eve so we're both pretty excited for that.  Tickets were a bit pricey, but that's expected for the time of the year, and we're saving money on a hotel because we're flying out at 6am on the 1st.  Our plan is to celebrate the new year until we have to go to the airport.  Should be a great time!

I'm excited for the next two weeks of my Psych class.  We're going to watch Winnie the Pooh one day and analyze/diagnose all of the characters with their respective disorders and then we're watching A Beautiful Mind at the beginning of the following week.  Such a great movie and definitely very applicable to that class.

*Besos*

Another Month Gone By

It's been a long time.  I had intended to keep this up to date fairly well, and then before I knew it a whole month had disappeared.  It was busy, it was happy, it was sad.

Dubuque was fantastic!  Alex scored 2 goals and drew a penalty kick for an assist.  I happened to get this fantastic shot of her first goal.

It doesn't look as good not zoomed in, but still pretty awesome.

Before I left Dubuque, I got a call from my Greek little-little sister informing me that one of our sisters passed away due to her Epilepsy.  I proceeded to cry in the middle of Wal-mart (Chris was really great though because he happened to be there), but made it through the next week alright.  Sometimes I still see things that make me think of her, like a picture at school that a student had drawn and signed her name.  Anytime I see those things, they make me smile because I know she's not really gone.

I got to go home the next weekend after 2 days of parent teacher conferences (I survived!).  It was really great seeing family again and attending Sarah's baby shower!  The next few weeks pretty much flew by with a weekend spent with college friends in St. Louis.  Thanksgiving was great.  I went to Chris' for the first part of the week and returned home on Friday.  Thursday night Alex and I went to Aurora, which turned out to be a huge bust, but you can't win 'em all.  Mom and I, of course, did some more shopping when I was home and I got to spend some time with the kids.  Hailey and I played Candy Land.  The tally is 1-1, I figured I'd keep track.  Jacob appears to be teething and is somewhat clingy recently and wanted to be held all the time....by Julie.  Luckily, when she was busy, "Narn" was an acceptable substitute.

I'm about halfway done with my Christmas shopping which I think is pretty good for the end of November.  I did start in October though :)  I'm hoping to be done within the next 2 weeks at the latest.  I'm trying to avoid the whole procrastinating thing as much as possible.

Last thing before I head to bed.  This is from my new favorite blog and it made me smile.

*Besos*