My sister's big news!

So, my little sister is engaged! Her fiance proposed to her on Christmas morning, by giving her a gift from under the tree with an engagement ring and asking her to marry him!

No wedding date set, yet, but his daughter, Lexi, (my soon to be step-niece!), who is 6, suggested next Tuesday. Tammy mentioned that it would take a bit longest then that to plan, s Lexi reconsidered and suggested the following Sunday, instead!

Congrats Tammy and Dave - I am so happy for you guys!

43 things / 43 places

Well, it is the end of the year - people review last year and think about next year...

resolution time...

I think I've blogged about this in the past, but I love the website 43 things... on it, you can list 43 things you'd like to do... you can look at them as goals, short term goals, long term goals, resolutions, or just things to check off your "things to do in your life" list. It can be as simple as "Watch the movie "Rent"" to "Climb Mount Everest" or anything in between.

It is fun, a neat way to track progress... (for each thing, you can leave messages or log entries tracking your progress, if you wish. You can also find others who are working on similar goals, or who have succeeded in meeting doing that "thing" and read their entries or ask the for ideas. You can also opt to have the website email you to remind you that it is something you want to do... currently I have 18 things on my list, and I get emailed about 4 of them once a week.)

It has a sister site - 43 places, where you can make a list of 43 places you want to go.

So, if you're thinking about making a resolution this year, give yourself a break and head over to 43 things. Make a list, set some goals, big and small, achievable tomorrow or in 20 years... And resolve to try and tackle at least one of those things in the next year...

After all, I did learn to solve a rubik's cube.

Corteo - Cirque du Soleil

Last Night, Grant and I went on a date.

We had dinner at Bella Terra at the Japanese restaraunt and then had pink berry for dessert. (Pinkberry is okay - I am not a huge fan of frozen yogurt, and it is expensive...but it was tasty.)

Then we saw Corteo at the OC fairgrounds. It was AWESOME! The musicians and singers were stellar, and the acrobatic acts were amazing! Some of the standout acts were the trapeze act - except there was no trapeze, the acrobats swung each other - a human trapeze! Very cool! They also had a gymnastic - bars at that I particularly enjoyed, as well as a cute scene with "children" bouncing on trampoline "beds."

A fantastic show!

Radio City Rockettes

Last night, Grant and I got to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular - performing in Orange County! It was SUCH a fantastic show! It was so neat to see it live - you know - it is one of those things you hear about growing up but living out here on the west coast, you really don't think you'd ever get to see it. It is really cool - like seriously - the American version of "Lord of the Dance."

Really puts you in the holiday mood!

The Von Trapp Children

On Saturday, Grant and I went to the new concert hall at the OC Performing Arts Center, and saw the Pacific Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Pops concert. The guest singers were the Von Trapp Children, the great grandchildren of Captain Von Trapp, and the grandchildren of Werner Von Trapp, the 2nd eldest son (portrayed as "Kurt" in the movie.

The concert was fantastic - and the Von Trapp children are REALLY good. They can really sing. It was so neat to heat them!

Here is a youtube clip if you'd like to hear them - but as good as they sound here, they sound SO MUCH BETTER live!

Dad

So my dad went to the hospital with severe stomach pain last night and it was appendicitis. He had an laparoscopic appendectomy, because it hadn't burst yet, so he should heal more quickly.

It was all over so fast. I was at the hospital at 8, they took him in at 8:30, they were done by 9:30 and he was out of recovery at 10:30. Just amazing.

I am sure he had a crappy night at the hospital, but hopefully he will be home today where he can sleep and heal.

It was weird seeing dad like that, though - he's one of the guys, you know, who's never sick and has a very high tolerance for pain.

Typical dad. He goes to work even though he's in pain. Decides to come home early becasue it hurts so bad, but decides to swing by Costco to pick up a Christmas present and then swing by Target to pick up another one. Then he goes home, lays down for a minute, decides the pain is too bad, and then heads to the doctor. :::roll my eyes and sigh::: that's my dad!

Against God's Plan

I don't know if I can convey the hilarity of this moment to you.

But I will try.

SO, last night I was at a party, and one of the girl's brings a friend. This guy is loud, exuberant, and needless to say my gay-dar alarm was going off, full blast. (As it turned out, I sort of "knew" this guy from someplace else, which made the story all the more hilarious when I came home and described this to Grant - because he sort of had an idea of who this guy was, and how gay this guy was.)

A few hours later, I heard the girl who brought this guy introduce him as her fiancee. What? Just about everyone's jaw hit the floor. Seriously and I kid you not. We we're all in shock. I mean, it was so against any prediction we could have possibly made.

So, I am talking to another friend of mine who happens to be gay, Brad, and he sits down next to me and another friend. We kind of glance over at the gay-guy-who is engaged-to-a-girl and Brad is like I know, IKNOW. So we just keep shooting each other these looks whenever he does something that elevates our gay-dar alert. Honestly, this guy wasn't just "maybe-gay." We were honestly confused. At one point, he leans in and kisses his fiancee, which was shocking -

and a scene from "My Best Friend's Wedding" popped into my head. Let me take you back... Julienne (Julia Roberts) has this best guy friend, Michael (Dermot Mulroney), who is getting married to (Kimmy)Cameron Diaz. Julia's character decides she is madly in love with this guy and decides to crash the wedding. In desperation, she calls her other best friends, George (Rupert Everett), who is very gay. However, Julienne introduces him as HER fiancee, to try to make Michael jealous. When Sammi finds out she comes squealing up the aisle in excitement, "This is so great so wonderful, it just makes everything so perfect..." And George, very gay, and very exuberant, has his arm around Julienne - so obviously where it doesn't belong, and Kimmi says "This is just, so... so...." and George jumps in and says, "Against God's Plan?"

And that line just jumped in my head... to see this guy at the party that seemed so unbelievably, desperately gay...and not just in a "poor sap he's clueless" kind of way, but in a "he is so exuberant in his word choices and song dedications and movements that he is out and proud" kind of way... to see him kiss this girl... it just seemed so... against god's plan.

So I am looking at Brad and he's looking at me, and he's like, "oh that is just so wrong." So I say, "I know... I KNOW ... Brad says, "It would be like if I kissed...." (sigh of utter disgust) "....you!"

So my friend and I are cracking up and Brad puckers his lips with a look of utter terror on his face, as if he is about to kiss a cockroach. So I lean in and kiss him and we both jump apart as if it were... well... against god's plan. hee hee.

So he jumps up and runs outside shivering like... "That was so wrong..." and I can't stop laughing about the whole thing. Brad pulls out a cigarette and lays on the driveway fanning himself... it was so funny... it was just so freakin' hilarious. The look on Brad's face...

Sigh... just one of those moments that hits so perfectly... I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time!

Spanglish

***possible spoilers***

I really liked this movie. I wasn't satisfied with the ending, but I think it has a lot to do with how you look at the movie. It was sort of like "Little Children..." movies that go for the more realistic ending rather than the expected/romantic ending.

I really liked Adam Sandler in this role. I love when he plays the more serious roles with the hint of comedy.

The problem is when you try to look at the story from too many angles. I mean, you want to look at the story from Cristina and Flor's perspective, but you only see their lives in relation to the Clasky's, with very few references to their home life. Who were Flor's friends in America? What about Cristina's friends? cousins? We were rooting for John and Flor because that was all that we saw of Flor's life?

On the other hand, ug... when you look at John's story - well, he's got great kids, a great staff and a great job, but a neurotic wife - who is AWFUL for him and their daughter. I feel badly for him. He deserved better. But really, it wasn't his story.

All in all though, I thought it was a good movie... thought provoking, for sure.

LegoLand

Grant and I went to Legoland yesterday with Angie and Drew and Cori. OH MY GOSH! What fun! Yes, Legoland is for the kids, definitely, but still, it so so cute and creative! The rides are just okay, but the landscaping is lush and beautiful, and the opportunities for kids to use their imagination are abundant!

My favorite part was the driving school (and I couldn't even participate!) We took Cori to a driving school for 3 - 5 year olds. They press a peddle, turn the steering wheel, and get to go around an oval track. So cute.

Then we met up with Andrew who was at the driving school for 6 - 13 year olds. SO CUTE!!!! It is like a whole series of streets - one section is like a city, with intersections that have stop lights and stop signs. Another section is like a park with trees. Each car has a gas and brake peddle, and the kids get to practice driving ion the left side, stopping at stop lights and red lights at intersections, etc. So cute and so cool!

There were some free floating boats that you could drive through a course at skipper school. Just lots of neat things for kids to do. Of course, the miniland - where there are lego models of San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, etc. are really cool, too.

Just an all around neat place for kids and families!

Presenting

So, I have been thinking that I'd be interested in presenting - to other GATE teachers, etc. So I mentioned it to Nanci... and well, last week she said - "Ok, on Thursday night, we're presenting to the parents and you're helping...."

So tonight, we presented to parents of GATE students in our district. Nanci did most of the presentation, but I did a little. That is just the way I like it. baby steps. I might do this presentation later in the year by myself, and I totally think I could do it.

The hardest thing for me, though, was to speak slowly, because everything I said was being translated. So I couldn't go too fast... which is very different from my presentation style, which is to talk, ramble, and repeat myself.

I think it went very well, though!

Yeah for me!

24 Season 6

Grant and I are starting it and watching it on dvd before season 7 comes out on tv... although I just don't know if I could actually watch 24 live - and wait a WHOLE WEEK between episodes.

Gawd... I do love the show, but I HATE torture... and there has been far too much of it on the first 3 episodes.

OH - and let me get this straight... there is a price that the Chinese Government is will ing to take to give Jack back to the US, and no one bothers to do it until they need to turn him over and sacrifice him to a terrorist... wha? That so pisses me off. I mean, sure I am sure they explained the situation and the Chinese figured, "well, sure, if you're just going to kill him..." but still PISSES ME OFF that Jack did SO MUCH for the country and they are so willing to just throw him away. Anyway - we just finished ep 3.

Bad Dreams

I have had the crappiest dreams lately.

Two nights ago, I had a dream about a guy chasing Grant and I down in a car. He started out by asking us for directions and then he started stalking us and then it was like a full on chase - and there was like no one around to help us.

Last night, I had a dream about Amy. I went to the Children's hospital (granted, it wasn't the same hospital that Amy was actually at.) When I first saw her, she scared the shit out of me for two reasons; one because I knew she was dead and therefor a ghost, and two, because she looked sicker than ever. I wanted to talk to her but she left like she was mad at me. As I continued my tour of the hospital I came across her again, and this time she felt better and looked happier, but she was sad because she wanted to go home, or at least that was the impression I had. I picked her up and carried her for a while. Throughout the dream, when I was deep in the hospital, she looked pretty healthy and happy to see me. But whenever I saw her near the exits, she would start to look unhealthy, sad, and even angry. I finally woke up when she got really mad at me for taking her close to the exits. She wanted to leave, but was furious when I tried to take her. It was weird, uncomfortable, and sad.

Kathy Griffin

I LOVE Kathy Griffin. She is so funny. I love her show "My Life on the D-list," so when I saw she was coming to the OC Performing Arts Center, I HAD to go.

So last Friday, Katherine, Reid, Cathy, Grant and I went to the new concert hall to see Kathy Griffin in person. I was curious about whether she would have someone open for her and when she came right out, I was a little disappointed, because I thought, "How long can the show last if it is just Kathy?" I mean, I worry way too much - I am one of those people who frets about what is going to happen rather than just enjoying the moment... you know, "Only "blank" days left of vacation...." kind of thing...

So I was worried about when it was going to be over... but Kathy had all us laughing... for 2 hours and fifteen minutes! She was fantastic!

I am so glad she signed on for a fourth season. She is so freaking hilarious!

Christmas Lights

Ok, first - I found a way that I can play my Sims game in a window - so now I can play my sims while doing other computer stuff, like now for instance - my new Legacy family, Nicole and Sheldon, just got married and are on their honeymoon on Twiiki Island. As they're combing the beach for seashells right now, I am taking the opportunity to blog...

So - Thanksgiving Day is over and it is officially the Christmas season... quite a few houses have lights up outside, and thank goodness. It just seems so DARK. I know that is like the uh-duh of the century, but it is true - the first few weeks of Daylight Saving's Time, I just feel so tired, because it is so dark... and the Christmas Lights - they are just so needed to brighten up the spirit... it truly is no surprise that so many holidays based around light - Hanukkah, the Pagan Festival of Lights (Winter Solstice) etc., all gather around this time of year. It is just needed.

My Sims are at the beach now, swimming. It is unfortunately, raining, so I am going to get them out of the water before they get electrocuted. Maybe we'll had to the spa and get a couples massage...

Sp anyway, my toes are so cute - bright holiday red with a snow man on one toe and a holly leaf on the other...

OH! The people who are across the street and one house down have their lights up - three separate strands, synchronized to some annoying tech-y music. I am glad I don't live next door! The lights don't match, and it is so bright when a whole strand blinks on and off. It is not done very well... but maybe it will be better next year with practice... now that they have an idea of how it works...

Broadway Dark

The strike sucks. I'd hate to be in NY this season.

A judge ordered "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to start playing again in NY.

It seems to me there should be a better way to handle this, you know? I am a teacher - I am union - and luckily my union and district work well together. But still. This whole idea of not showing up to work, shutting down jobs, it just doesn't seem like the best way to handle the whole problem.

...and in a related note... I miss new episodes of "The Big Bang Theory..."

I love that show.

The Holidays

So It is official, the holidays have begun. It is Thanksgiving! My toes are painted a holiday red with a cute snowman on one toe and holiday leaves on the other toe. I took a pic, but it didn't come out very good. If I can take another picture, I'll post it here for you.

I am so excited to have a few days off! I am watching past episodes of Ugly Betty online that didn't record on my DVR for some odd reason and searching the Internet with nothing to do until 3:30. So sweet.

On Tuesday, Grant, Cathy and I saw Jersey Boys, the new Broadway musical about The Four Seasons. It was so good! I love that music! "You're just to good to be true... can't take my eyes off you..." LOVE it.

The End

I hate when stories come to an end. When I was a kid, I loved reading serial books - especially the Babysitter's Club. When I came to love a group of characters, I always wanted to know what would happen next. When books were stand alone, I'd reread them over and over - I must have read, "Are you there God, it's me, Margaret," 6oo times.

I am that way with TV shows, too. I hate series finales. I want the show, the adventures, to go on and on.

Not so much with movies... maybe I just don't get as invested in the characters... although I take that back... sometimes I come to the end of the movie and I go online and look for everything I can find about that movie, but certainly not as often as with books or TV shows.

Add it my list of OCD symptoms.

Sylvia

Last night, Grant and I went to see "Sylvia," starring Kathy Rigby, at La Mirada. The play was ok... we we're all pretty underwhelmed. However - Garry Marshall was in the audience! How cool is that? I guess they are launching a new musical based on "Happy Days," and it is going to premiere at La Mirada. It was one of the plays on the survey for the next season at the Performing Arts Center!

 

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Cool HB website!

Check this out: The Local HB

I particularly like this page... where to go.

Proud to be born and raised in Huntington Beach!

The fires

I suppose I should have blogged about this during the week it actually happened, but such is life. So. The fires. SUCKED. Here in HB, we were fine, really, but the air quality was nasty. The Silverado Canyon fire hit closest to home. One of my friends lives there, but she is fine, her house is fine, and she got to go home last night.

I kept my students in all week... 3 of the days the district mandated it, but the other days I let them stay anyway. Seriously - it was nasty out. But this past week is much better.

Oh yeah, some school districts closed... we don't get snow days, but once every decade we get a fire day... unfortunately, you don't get to play outside, but then again, kids don't do that much more anyway - so they can play video games or watch tv all day. I am sure they were thrilled.

The Amazing Race

The new season of Amazing Race starts in just a week and a half...

Get this - three of the racers are from Huntington Beach, and two racers are from Fountain Valley!

This post contains offensive language...

I am fucking pissed off.

Ok. So. I am trying to be understanding. But... aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh

Ok... let me back up. Today, after school, I glance over at my Writing Process board, which has black butcher paper on it. From across the room, it looked as though there were white streaks on the board, so I go over to look closer, and realized there were tears in the black paper, showing the white under the first layer.

HUH?

So I think back to earlier in the day, when my class had their first mall of the year. A mall is when students get to bring in stuff - homemade items, gently used toys and books, etc. - and sell them for classroom money. In addition, students can create games to entice customers. I remembered that one little darling had a dart board on the writing process board. However, having taught 5th grade for a few years now, and having had many many many Benedict malls, I didn't panic about seeing the dart board there. I figured the student who had attached the dart board used a push pin or something equally logical.

But no. The effer taped it up. TAPED IT UP. ON THE BULLETIN BOARD. right on my BLACK BUTCHER PAPER. Then, after the mall, they proceeded to tear the tape off. Hence, the white marks were four different places that tape was ripped off of the butcher paper, ripping the top layer of the butcher paper off.

Ok. So. I am trying to be patient. Forgiving. I am thinking over how I can appropriately deal with this on Monday when I see him again. I have two other teachers who have suggested kicking the kids ass.

But seriously, right? Its a kid. Right? Kids make mistakes, right? Sigh. I can help him learn from his mistakes. I need to give the kid a break - being that it is just a mistake.

Except that I just keep thinking... after he tore off that first piece of tape, did he stop tearing the tape off? No. Did he come to me? No. He proceeds to tear the fuck up on my B-board. In FOUR DIFFERENT places. He doesn't stop after one... or two.... or even three tears.

Then, when he sees the damage, does he come to me? Oh no. He just saunters his ass out to PE.

god damn it.

The Sample People

Ok - you know the sample people at Cosco? The ones who make samples of the food products and then hand them out? OK. I am sure that they are very nice people. And I am sure that this isn't true of everyone who gives at samples. And I REALLY don't mean to sound bitchy.

But seriously.

Some of those people are weird. Seriously. Yesterday, I was walking down an aisle, and I here a Sample Lady saying, "Right down this aisle, half way down on the left." I get closer, and realize that there is NO BODY THERE. She is talking to herself. Out loud. Not loud enough to be pimping her product, but not quiet enough that she is just practicing the spiel to  herself.

The whole situation was kind of... creepy.

 

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"No day but today!"-
- Rent

Halloween

Halloween is turning into such a festive season. The key word being season - with people decorating their yards weeks ahead of time to theme parks having special events through the month of October. I know a lot of people have turned Halloween into a season,  but I am feeling it more so in recent years, as people around here are putting up orange holiday lights, scary snow globes, and other assorted items on their lawns - much like Christmas.

I like it. Especially here. Without the leaves to signal the changing season, it is a nice way to ring in the Fall.

I think I'll have apple cider tonight.

 

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"No day but today!"-
- Rent

Just Me

I can't help it.

I gotta be me.

80's Music

Growing up, I didn't listen to a lot of current music - I preferred oldies - bubble gum, 50's K-Earth 101, listening to mom and dad's records, picking out my favorite songs... Close to you, One Tin Soldier, The Twist, The Lion Sleeps Tonight...

So 80's music, well, I never really knew, could never really sing along, never really considered this music a part of my life...

But music, well, music isn't really like that for me. Music gets inside of me, it sets a mood, it reminds me of things... like scents... music makes me nostalgic.

Without me even realizing it, 80's music filled my blood, carved a place in the time line of my life. It played in the background at the malls when I went Christmas shopping, it played in the movies I went to see with my family, with my cousin Betty, and eventually, alone with my friends. It played at Bullwinkle's fountain show, on TV commercials, at Knott's Berry Farm's shows in the Good Time Theater, on the radio in other people's cars. 80's music was all around me.

So now, when I'm driving to work, and 80's music comes on, I get slightly annoyed - because in general, I like to sing along, and as mentioned, I can't sing along to most 80's tunes - but there is something about the commonality of 80's music that floods me with memories - and makes it so hard to turn the dial. How could this music that I spent a decade actively ignoring have such a powerful impact on me?

Because I hear it... and I'm in grade school again, twirling in my uniform jumper, running barefoot at the park, playing "traffic," on my bike with Tammy, creating stage shows with the neighbors, The band I made with Sarah, The spy game with the colored badges, sneaking up the neighbors trees, eating waffles with peanut butter and syrup with Danny D., and of course, unending laps at the roller rink....

Nostalgia, so powerful.

Sims 2, Dawson's Creek, and High School Musical 2

SO, The new Sims 2 EP came out - Bon Voyage... and I LOVE it. I love taking my Simmies on vacation... it is so cool to just relax and have fun with them, without feeling like I am wasting time when I could be increasing my Sims knowledge or skills. And I REALLY love the new lots... I have never been so excited about building... I am going to create some kick ass vacation lots.

I'm in the middle of Dawson's Creek, Season 3. I am so in love with Joshua Jackson, it is unreal.

Also, I was watching the Dance-Along version of high school musical. I was just thinking, in general, how neat those kids are - Ashley Tisdale, Zac Effron, Vanessa Hudgens - I mean, here they are hugely successful with the same age group that adored Brittany Spears and Lindsey Lohan... and yet, there staying out of trouble. What happened? What is the difference? I mean, in a way, I feel sorry for the Brittany's and the Lindsey's. I can't claim to understand what celebrity is like... but anyone who is so addicted to drugs an alcohol like those girls... sigh. What a horrible place to be.

But those Disney channel kids, (granted, Lindsey Lohan was a Disney girl), but these high school musical kids, they're so put together. I mean, they have to dig to find dirt on these kids, and the worst they can do is publicize a personal, private photo that one of them took for their love. I mean, the media, the publicists chastising about mistakes made.... whatever... To be perfectly honest, I think their relationship is sweet and I feel badly that the picture was leaked somehow. In any case - props to that group for doing something right, for staying positive and keeping their lives real.

Back to School

Back to school,
schedule, routine...

I'm feeling pretty crummy about last year - over all, in many ways, my worst year teaching - because it was mostly self inflicted - when I was excessed, that was the worst - but I had no choice in that, but yes, that was the worst year - but last year, my personally worst as a teacher.

A learning experience. So many things that happened that I will not let happen again.

So now, here is my new year, a fresh start, a chance to try again.

Thursday morning - so nervous - as always, to start a new class - to make a good impression, to make the right impression. I think I did ok. By nine, the nerves were mostly gone, only to resurface slightly Friday morning.

I am looking forward to when I know all my kids, when I feel comfortable coming in... the first few weeks are always like putting on a new pair of shoes - and knowing that soon, they will be soft and comfortable, but for now they still feel a bit stiff and awkward.

I also have so many ideas to plan better lessons. My GOAL this next week is to really go slow and explain procedures carefully - how I want assignments done - and to really have higher expectations for my students. I really want to try to instill a sense of pride in my students regarding their work - always a week area of mine - and not accepting mediocre is something I am going to try.

So - we'll see where this year goes, right?

Perfect Cruise line

My Perfect Cruise line would have:
Carnival's food
Carnival's prices
Princess's Anytime dining
Royal Caribbean ship's layout and decor - particularly the atrium pool area.

This summer has been crazy. Not the most productive for me, and I find myself again disappointed with what I didn't manage to get done.

Including on this blog.

Its been a long run of fleeting thoughts of "I should blog about this," or "I should blog about that...." and of course, I don't blog about any of it.

Tomorrow, we leave for Disney World. I am so excited. I LOVE Disney World. And then we go on our Carnival Cruise. I am so excited. I LOVE to cruise.

So of course, I will be updating the vacation blog, hopefully with Grant's help. Check that out.

Summer Televison

I am watching Power of Ten right now - It is this new game show on CBS.

Why I love it: You get to guess what a percentage of Americans feel about certain topic. I do pretty good at it, in general - of the 6 questions that have been asked so far, I've been close (enough to win each round) on all questions but one (of course, that was the million dollar question, but whatever! )

Why I hate it: Well, you know how I just mentioned that I answered 5 of the 6 questions right? Well, the show is 46 minutes over. It is one of those drag them out game shows with lots of time between the questions discuss whether or not you should go on (a potentially gain ten times what you currently have), leave with what you have, or guess, and if you guess wrong, your current winnings are divided by ten. It is what I hate about, say, Deal or No Deal, or even the 2nd night results show of American Idol (which I fast forward through most of.)

See the problem with gameshows these days is that the stakes are so high, and so much money is given away, that they can't afford to move much faster. Unfortunately, the result is a show that is almost painfully slow for me to watch. I feel like I waste so much time - seriously - like 48 minutes of my life, for like 10 minutes worth of show.

But - I enjoy it much more then, say, Deal or No Deal, because there is a little more thought to it, then "pick a number!"

I can do some fast forwarding.... (o:

Big Brother:

I am so anxious for tonight's episode. There has been a big shake them up in the house, and it looks like Eric might be out the door. I am stressing. Eric fucked up big time by telling Dick Amber's story. On the other hand, I really don't think it is fair that his game was blown by the stupid airplane banner. Especially because, although he screwed up with telling Dick, he wouldn't have voted against his group if America hadn't told him too (Eric is America's Player - he has to do what America tells him to.)

Oh wait! (I am watching now!!!) Eric didn't TELL Dick the secret, he just told Dick that he KNEW a secret about Amber! Now, it sucks that he told Dick that (and that he sensationalized it by saying "it is such a horrible thing...." That was a dick thing to do.... but he didn't tell the secret, he didn't use it... Amber is so irrational!!!!!!!!

I really am hoping that the Eric/Dustin alliance pulls through.

Anyway here is who I hate in order right now - although I admit that this changes by the hour.

Dick. You know what? He's just a Dick.
Amber. She is whiny. She's not logical. She is a stupid player.
Danielle. She's so fruuuuuustrating. And she let's daddy do all her dirty work.

Jen and Kail are kind of annoying. If Jen keeps Eric in tonight, she will go way up on my scale of who I like.

Jessica, Jameka, Zach - Not a strong opinion, (although Jameka annoyed me last week with her religious understanding of what it meant to play POV). But again, if they keep Eric in, that will improve their likability.

Eric. Sigh. He bugs me with his verbal diareah, but he is America's player, so his votes had to be cast. That in itself isn't enough, becasue that is what he signs on for, and what he gets paid for, but I also think it is extremely unfair that the airplane banner calling Eric a lier was not fair at all.

I am pulling for Dustin. He is a good player.

Ok I have to go watch the show...

2 years!

Grant and I have been married for two years! It is so funny. I can't imagine my life without him. He has certainly been a part of my life for a large part of it - considering we first met in the summer of 1994 - Our relationship constitutes 13 years of friendship, 6 years of romance, and 2 years of marriage. Wow.

So what does all that give me? SOmeone who knows me better then sometimes I know myself. SOmeone that I trust implicitly. Someone who shares my everyday life and my exotic adventures. Someone to hold me at night and to kiss goodbye in the morning. Someone who makes me feel incredibly lucky every single day.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,,,

It is finished.

The last few days

So, our bathroom - at least the major stuff, is all done now. I think it turned out pretty well! The shower is heavenly - huge and pretty and wonderful. Unfortunately, that made the area where the toilet goes a bit narrower, but it is ok. We just need to do some last minute detail work and it will be complete once and for all.

I have been watching "Kathy Griffin - My life on the D-list." That show is so funny!

Oh - and Big Brother - Dick as HOH!!!! Yes!!!! I want Jen out...

Ok - I am off to meet the girls from work for lunch, and see Princess Brooklynn - I don't even want to think about how much she has grown...

Sometimes it works out...

I was thinking about old friends the other day. You know, friends that you've lost touch with over the years? You think, "Maybe I should get in touch with them..."

Sometimes you do, you make that step. It is actually pretty easy with email now. So you exchange a couple of emails and then things sort of just drift off again...

But sometimes, you click. Sometimes, you renew an old friendship and in many ways, it is like you never left - you're as close as ever - maybe even closer.

That is awesome when that happens.

Right, Angie?

I didn't title this blog yet because I have no idea yet what I am going to blog about. Since I have no purpose in writing this particular entry, it could be incredibly dull. I don't know how to spell at all.

I had some super weird dreams last night. Strange, I tell ya! Wacky....

Our bathroom is almost finished being redone. I can't wait until it is complete!

I just caught up on the past few video blogs on Rosie's site. That cruise seems like such a awesome experience for those families. I also watched a couple of Ross the Intern's talky blogs, as well.

Yup, this blog is going no where fast. I was reading other people's blogs the other day and I was totally in awe of the way other people do their blogs. That is what I love about blogs - you do what makes sense to you - what is meaningful for you. Sometimes I think my blogs are stupid, but then I go back and read old entries and think, "that's pretty cool..." 'cause it represents who I was that day.

Tomorrow, Grant and I are taking Andrew and Cori to Disneyland. That should be fun. I hope it doesn't get too hot! I still have not been on the submarine ride yet. I am thinking September, after school one day.

I went to my classroom yesterday to get started. This might actually be the year that I do some exciting stuff (furniture-wise) in my classroom that I've always wanted to do. We'll see. I will keep you posted.

Bye for now...

Down in the dumps

I am feeling super gloomy. Very grumpy. I am not sure why. I've just been in this perpetual bad mood. And it is the middle of summer!!! It sucks. I know I should snap myself out of it. Make myself cheer up. But I don't. I don't want to. I don't have the energy or the motivation. Stupid, huh? sigh. It makes me very tired all of the time.

So anyways, I am trying to figure out how to make my classroom function better this year. My biggest dilemma is trying to figure out how to organize my digital projector. I don't use it as much as I would like, and I think that is because it is not easily accessible. Every time I want to use it I have to get it out and set it up. I would like it permanently set up some how, but I am not sure what I want to set it up on.

Also along this line, I am trying to figure out if there is a better way to organize my overhead projector. Lots to think about.

5 days until Harry Potter comes out. Then it will all be over. Sigh.

Food for thought

“I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we’re really talking about peace.” -George Bush, June 18, 2002

“War is Peace” -Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Book 5.

I have no read through the series several times, but I never get bored. I love JK Rowling's writing style. The books are so entertaining and interesting to read.

I am feeling rather gloomy now, as I have just finished the book, though. I am feeling very anxious about book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I don't know how it is going to end, but I know that there is more sadness to come. Also, I am dreading the end of the series, because the books themselves are so fantastic. I wonder what Rowling's future writing plans are, or if she is done.

I wonder if my questions will be answered. I wonder if I will be satisfied with the ending. I hope, after so many gloomy endings, that Book 7 will end with triumph and joy. Harry deserves that. I love that he has a hero complex.

I am trying so hard to avoid spoilers. I want to read news and websites, but I am so afraid I will read something that I don't want to know yet.

Michigan - Michelle's wedding

Michelle's wedding on Saturday, June 30, went very well. As far as I know, it went off without a hitch. Steve, Michelle's husband, works for a caterer so they actually did all of their own food! I think they took on a lot, but it was a very nice wedding. I also got to see Scott and Carlene and Tina and Brittany and Paige. That was cool. One of Steve's friends, Grant was really awesome to. He was so cool with my mom. A really cool guy.

The wedding was in Burton/Grand Blanc, and we stayed in La Pere.

We got back to the house yesterday afternoon. Mom's house is like a game's dream. Thwy have just about every game system. We played some wii, and Guitar hero, and Karaoke.

I'm getting caught up on this season of Big Love - since I do not have HBO, I need to either watch it at someone else's or wait until it comes out on dvd. I love this show, and I hate that it is only one season a year!!!!

No Doubt



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No Doubt turns up during Gwen Stefani's encore in Irvine

No Doubt turns up during Gwen Stefani's encore in Irvine

We already knew they were all in town and hanging out; Adrian Young had already told Rolling Stone the entire band was going to see the Police at Staples Center Wednesday night. By early evening Friday, after savvy insiders who apparently overheard some familiar tunes during Gwen Stefani's soundcheck had posted hopeful news on a key message board or two, the rumor of a surprise No Doubt reunion was out.

And a little before 11:30 p.m., as Gwen began her encore to the screaming delight of a capacity crowd, it had become a reality: No Doubt had returned to the stage.

The group - including smiling, clearly thrilled Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young - performed just three songs ("Just a Girl," "It's My Life" and "Spiderwebs") to conclude Stefani's first of two shows at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater this weekend. But it was enough to suggest the intervening years while Gwen has risen to international solo-superstar status have not had any crippling effects on her home base. The band played as confidently as ever, with Gwen, back in fighting form and donning a blinged-up version of old-school No Doubt garb, leaping about the stage and resurrecting her tough-girl strut.

It was a great treat - one that people who split around 11ish, thinking Stefani was wrapping up, sadly missed. What's more, the insane reaction to No Doubt's sudden appearance suggests the band will be eagerly embraced whenever it properly returns, whether that's late 2008 (as some have speculated) or beyond.

The only downside to this ND spotlight? It was such a special moment, it somewhat overshadowed what was otherwise an unexpectedly solid and entertaining Stefani show. But I'll have more to say about that in my full review, which should be online by Sunday afternoon.

Orange County - Gwen rocks!

Best freaking concert EVER!

Ok, soze Cathy, Katherine, and I went to our long-awaited Gwen Stefani - Sweet Escape Concert tonight.

Lady Sovereign and Akon opened. LS was cute and interesting. Then Gwen came out, and she was, of course, amazingly wonderfully awesome.

In between scenes, the girls and I discussed whether she would perform any No Doubt songs. I had heard that she didn't perform any on this tour, but we were saying how awesome it would be if she did - especially because she was performing her in OC.

Gwen was awesome - she even ran out into the crown and up to the second level of seats and performed "cool" from there.

She did keep talking about how awesome it was to be performing back home in Orange County. But - No Doubt songs? It was too much to hope for, right?

SO the concert ends, and a few losers who wanted to beat the crowds start rushing out - but most people are still cheering - hoping for an encore. The lights had not come back on yet, so we were hopeful... but it was taking a very long time...

Jokingly, I said to Cathy and Katherine, "Chh... probably because they need to set up the band..." and we all kinda moaned like a "wishful thinking" groan...

Then the stage lights came on...

and the band started playing the intro to... "I'm just a Girl..."

and Not Gwen's solo band - the actual BAND - No Doubt! Tony, Tom and Adrien (wearing nothing but his underwear, of course!!!)there, playing to intro to "just a girl"

Oh my GOD!!!! Cathy and Katherine and I jumped and danced and hugged and screamed - so freaking excited! My throat probably wouldn't be remotely as sore if it weren't for No Doubt coming out... I sang the lyrics to all three songs. Loudly.

"Surprise - Orange County!" Gwen yells for us! The first time the band has performed together in years! Music history in the making, folks! Complete with "No Doubt" plastered across the scene behind them!

They performed "I'm just a Girl," "It's my life," and "Spiderwebs"

So. freakin. rad.

It felt so cool to be a part of that - to be special because we are Orange County, her hometown, the band's home town - my home town!

I LOVE NO DOUBT!

Harry Potter countdown....

SO, it is officially summer, and hear I am, rereading the Harry Potter books and rewatching the movies to prepare for the 5th book, and, most importantly, the 7th book!!! I am so excited (and yet, sad that it will soon be over!!!)

I am hoping that all of my questions will be answered. That it will be a satisfying ending. That it will be really long so I can enjoy reading it. And that the ending won't be spoiled for me.

Gawd! I am SO MOODY!

Sigh.

I am in such a crappy mood.



I don't know why. I have been so moody lately. It is annoying. It is this retardedly vicious cycle.

I feel like I should be pissed off about something.

SO I get all cranky and geared up to start bitching about whatever it is I am supposed to be mad about.

Then I try to remember what I was pissed off about, and once I review my thoughts, I realize that I don't have anything to be pissed about.

So I get depressed for feeling cranky.

Usually, at some point, I have snapped at someone, yelled at someone, or been generally rude or pissy to someone. So then I feel bummed that I treated someone badly.

Then, decide, screw it... cheer up... just focus on good stuff, make yourself get in a better mood.

The somebody will piss me off, or some kid will ask me an asinine question that I've already answered, or I'll get distracted from my mood lifting mental exercises, and then I'll think... "aren't I supposed to be angry about something?"

and the cycle starts all over again.

Blah!

So,
I just finished reading, "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom," by Louis Sachar, to my class.
I totally started crying at the end. Full on tears rolling down the cheeks. I love that book. I wish I could write stories like that. Stories that make people cry. Stories that move people.  Maybe some day. You never know!

I am about to start reading through the Harry Potter series, starting with book 1, in preparation for the release of the 7th book.  I am going to start with a copy of, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," which I purchased in London.

I am feeling bitter and cranky about the end of the year party.  the cost is $40 a person. I am so cheap. But I don't want to pay $40 to go. But I want to go. I think I am going to ask if I can go and not eat. Seriously, I don't want such a huge meal for lunch.

OK. Thats it for now. 

---

Dreams... crazy, crazy dreams...

Dreams are so weird -

Last night, back in time,
no doggies
not married
ex boyfriend
parents still together
everything uncertain
everything unsettled
lots of water slides
sliding water
big drops into unknown depths,
swaying, wobbly bridges,
bright sun,
dark caves...

a snapshot from
10 years ago....
in a place that doesn't even exist...

how about this?

testing 1 2 3

 

---

hate those shoes...

1,600 Roller - Shoe Injuries Reported

By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer
(AP) -- Accidents from trendy roller shoes are far more numerous than previously thought, contributing to roughly 1,600 emergency room visits last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Those injuries were mostly in children, the target market for the wheeled shoes that send kids cruising down sidewalks, across playgrounds and through shopping mall crowds.

Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said last week that the agency knew of at least 64 roller shoe-related injuries and one death between September 2005 through December 2006.

The new higher estimate is based on a more recent and thorough examination by staff statisticians of data reported to the agency, Wolfson told the AP Wednesday.

The update follows new safety advice posted online Tuesday by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which recommends helmets, wrist protectors and knee and elbow pads for kids who wear wheeled shoes.

On Monday, a report in June's Pediatrics said 67 children were treated for roller-shoe injuries at a Dublin, Ireland hospital during a 10-week period last summer.

Heelys, the most popular brand, are sold in 70 countries. They're made by Carrollton, Texas-based Heelys Inc., which maintains that the shoes have a safer injury rate than skateboarding, inline skating and even swimming.

The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the new injury data.

Freaking Crazy Week

Monday - dropped my keys in the trash can - the big trash can outside on the curb. I checked it 4 times before I finally found the keys. Got to work late.

Finished correcting the research reports.

After school, went to Disneyland with Grant and Steve, and then stopped to see Mary Pham on the way home.

Tuesday morning, 5:00, the power went out - the sound of the window AC shutting off suddenly jolted me from sleep, and the annoying beeping from the UPS (Uninterrupted power supply) Grant has attached to the power supply ensured that I fully woke up. Once Grant got it off, the last hour or so of sleep was more of a light doze, with me being afraid that I had incorrectly set the alarm on the phone, and that I would sleep in.

Showered in the dark...

Went on the first grade field trip for one of the teachers who had recently had foot surgery. She watched my class. A super fun trip to El Dorado Nature center... but still, tired. Back in time for dance practice for the Dance Festival.

Power still out when I get home - it comes on at a little after 5 in the evening.

All Shook Up at the Performing Arts Center.... good show, but a little long... tough when I'm so tires as is.

Wednesday - I sleep in until 6 45. Disaster Drill. Dance Practice. Student Council Meeting. Making the classes for next year. Next year!!! Go to see Katherine, then to see Grandma Adair at her new place with Grant and Donna.

While eating dinner at Islands, My Mighty Ducks took the Stanley Cup against Ottowa. 6 to 2, I think. Not a big sports fan, but I do love my Orange County teams - Angels and Ducks. so... YEAH DUCKS!!!

I'm going to bed early tonight!

Correcting Research Reports

I took home a stack of research reports to correct this weekend.

My students so graciously suggested that I kick back and relax this weekend, maybe spend some time at Disneyland, and not worry about those pesky reports - I could just give them all "4"'s and spend the rest of the weekend relaxing?

Wasn't that thoughtful?

After school, Jan reminded me of their suggestion. I told her that I was thinking about using the stair method. After explaining to her what the stair method was, she looked at me thoughtfully and said, "I think that is a great method. Just be sure that" ... and she rifled through the pile..."this one reaches the "4" section of the stair case!"

Feeling kinda blue...

So.
Rosie is leaving the View early. This was her last week. I wish her departure could have been happier. More of a celebration of her year on the View.
That is why I am sad. (Edit: Looks like Rosie will be back for one more episode on Monday. The View's Website says to tune in on Monday, May 28 for Rosie's last day on the View.

I know you don't understand.

You don't have to.


Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés writes:
She is a casebook example of a bright, what I would call, “extra- extrovert.” Her energy is very vital. She pounces and blurts. She says what comes to mind. Her associations are broad. She has a long memory. She is dedicated, fierce, opinionated. Funny often. Bossy girl. Big heart. Young in years no matter how old she becomes. Eccentric. Odd. Smart.

All of these traits can seem and be spun out with forethought, or brashly…or some mixture of both. All these traits, which are the traits of many BIG personalities of high energy including politicos, thinkers, teachers and entertainers… all these traits can be used as reflections of one’s gifts and bring much good in many ways.

These same traits can also bring down opprobrium from those don’t like the bigness, the loudness, the oddness, the ‘take-control-ness’ of such a soul. Those who much prefer measured things, or prefer a certain aesthetic, or who are quite introverted are often put off by those kinds of Bigness.

Belle

Dogs TOTALLY know when they've done something wrong...

Yesterday, Belle chewed up a candy wrapper. The pieces were all over the family room floor. When I came downstairs, Belle stayed upstairs. I couldn't figure out why until I saw her mess.

That doggy stayed upstairs alone for 5 hours. When she finally came down stairs, she went straight outside. She would NOT come into the family room at all!

Sweet puppy.

So me... Ha!

You are Betty Grable

The ulitmate girl next door You're the perfect girl for most guys Pretty yet approachable. Beautiful yet real.

What Famous Pinup Are You?

Becoming a weekend blogger?

I am SO on the countdown for summer. This week has seemed so hectic. My classroom is a MESS. Sigh. 4 1/2 more weeks.

So I am watching Dawson's Creek now. So not as good as Joan of Arcadia.

I am LOVING our dance festival dance - and having so much fun practicing it. We're doing a hip hop dance to hit me up from the Happy Feel sound track. So cool.

So our computer crashed - Grant's still performing surgery to see if we can get our stuff back - like my Sims information, for example. I may have to start all over again.

Your Brain is Purple

Of all the brain types, yours is the most idealistic. You tend to think wild, amazing thoughts. Your dreams and fantasies are intense. Your thoughts are creative, inventive, and without boundaries. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking of fictional people and places.

What Color Is Your Brain?

Joan of Arcadia

Sigh. I just finished watching the last two episodes of Joan of Arcadia. What an awesome, amazing show. I am so bummed that it went off of the air. It is so infuriating that such a good show was taken off of the air, and that they had no clue, no chance to resolve it -

They were picking up momentum - there was huge potential for what they were introducing.

SO BUMMED!!!

Could it ever come back? Is it too much to hope for???

FRIDAY!

Hello! It is Friday! I love Fridays! I love the weekend!

My hands are all cut up - so random... like two paper cuts and an injury that involved a screw driver last week thats all infected now. Let's just say using hand sanitizer is not at the top of my list.

Oops - I left my flowers from Teacher's Day in the trunk - I'm going to go get those. I'll be right back.

smells so good!

So, hmmm, we started to learn our dance for the School Dance Festival. We're doing a hip hop dance to Happy Feet. It is pretty good!

This week was crazy. Once testing starts, it totally begins to feel like the end of the year, and I totally start to check out. Seriously, testing should be the last 3 weeks of school, literally, and then we'd just test and do fun stuff and then school would be out. I wonder why they don't do that? Things would certianly stay academic that much longer!

So Cathy and I made a pact to try to start eating healthier, so we're only going to go out once a week from now on. Wish us luck!

My Sims are starting thier fifth generation! Oliver and Lily had a baby boy named Logan, Nadia and Dylan had a baby girl named Kijana, Dalia and Dimitri had a son named Christopher and Rose and Orien are expecting their first. I think the baby might be born tonight. Hee Hee.

I'm so lazy. In case ya didn't know.

Ok buh bye

<3 Rent! (again???) (o:

Hee Hee. I have a slight headache.

It happens when I cry.

And who can go see Rent and not cry?

I just got back from Rent. My seventh time.

Let's recap:
London
Los Angeles
New York
Orange County
San Diego
San Diego
and now, Orange County

I saw the show with Angie, Kevin, and Cathy - none of who had seen the play.

They loved it. Kevin was blown away - it was the first time he had seen any show on stage like that - a Broadway style show.

The crowd was awesome tonight - plenty of Rentheads, but respectful ones - they cheered appropriately but quieted down so we could hear the show.

God. I love Rent. I honestly think this could be my all time favorite show.

"I've longed to discover something as true as this is...."

its been how long?

Ok, so its been a few weeks
of
fleeting thoughts
"I should blog about that..."
but back to school,
unpacking,
catching up on tv,
laundry,
vacuuming,
and getting my generation 4 Sims through college...
well,
its time I blogged.

So - in love with Joan of Arcadia,
and so angry that I have only 8 more episodes left,
and then I know it will end,
with no real ending,
a story with a phenomenal cast,
and a great story...
canceled.
grrrrrr..........

Its so easy to gossip about someone,
when they don't seem like someone,
just a fleeting thought,
a passing person in your life,
and how much does it suck,
when that person becomes more permanent in your life,
and you have to face that they're real
multifaceted,
and you are forced to see them,
and then your opinion is changed
a bit of shame,
a bit of wondering how to have handled it differently...
screwed up
make it better

Europe was awesome. I loved it.
I can't wait to go back,
although it just reinforced
how much I wish we had a Universal Translator...
quite possibly the most useful gadget in all of star trek...

These free form blogs are kind of fun.
Sometimes I feel like talking in fragments,
instead of paragraph form
does it piss you off?
Its kind of fun,
you should try it,
seriously.

To be so brave...

Holocaust survivor killed in Virginia Tech shootings trying to save students

Matti Friedman, Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Article tools


JERUSALEM (AP) - Liviu Librescu survived the Nazi Holocaust. He died trying to keep a gunman from shooting his students in a killing spree at Virginia Tech - a heroic feat later recounted in e-mails from students to his wife.

Librescu, an aeronautics engineer and teacher at the school for 20 years, saved the lives of several students by using his body to barricade a classroom door before he was gunned down in Monday's massacre, which coincided with Holocaust Remembrance Day. His son, Joe Librescu, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that his mother received e-mails from students shortly after learning of her husband's death.

"My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," Joe Librescu said in a telephone interview from his home outside of Tel Aviv. "Students started opening windows and jumping out."

The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, an English major and native of South Korea, killed 32 people before committing suicide, officials said, in what was the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history.

Librescu, 76, had known hardship since his childhood.

When Romania joined forces with Nazi Germany in Second World War , he was first interned at a labour camp in Transnistria and then deported along with his family and thousands of other Jews to a ghetto in the Romanian city of Focsani, his son said.

According to a report compiled by the Romanian government in 2004, between 280,000 and 380,000 Jews were killed by Romania's Nazi-allied regime during the war.

"We were in Romania during the Second World War, and we were Jews there among the Germans, and among the anti-Semitic Romanians," Marlena Librescu told Israeli Channel 10 TV on Tuesday.

After the war, Librescu became a successful engineer under the postwar communist government and worked at Romania's aerospace agency. But his career was stymied in the 1970s because he refused to swear allegiance to dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's regime, his son said, and he was later fired when he requested permission to move to Israel.

After years of government refusal, according to his son, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin personally intervened to get the family an emigration permit. They moved to Israel in 1978.

Librescu left Israel for Virginia in 1985 for a year sabbatical, but eventually made the move permanent, said Joe Librescu, who himself studied at Virginia Tech from 1989-1994. The elder Librescu, who was an engineering and math lecturer at the school, published extensively and received numerous awards for his work.

"His work was his life in a sense," his son said.

In Romania, the academic community mourned Librescu's death.

"It is a great loss," said Ecaterina Andronescu, rector of the Polytechnic University in Bucharest, where Librescu graduated in 1953. "We have immense consideration for the way he reacted and defended his students with his life."

At the university, where Librescu received an honorary degree in 2000, his picture was placed on a table and a candle was lit. People lay flowers nearby.

Professor Nicolae Serban Tomescu described Librescu as "strong and dignified."

"He had a huge affection for his students and he sacrificed his life for them," Tomescu told AP Television News.

Mean People Suck

Why do people have to be so mean? Seriously... I think it has a lot to do with impatience. But for whatever reason, it just sucks. One mean action can make a person feel crummy. And why would anyone want to make someone feel crummy, even if for only 5 minutes?

I am talking about random acts of meanness, of course. There may be times when you can't avoid hurting someone's feelings. Break-ups for example. Or telling someone something they don't want to hear, but need to.

No, I'm talking about those moments when a stranger goes out of his or her way to just be a jerk.

This morning, i am waiting to turn right out of my track. There is some traffic coming, so I am patiently waiting for the one last car to pass me up. This truck comes up from behind me and edges out on the left - you know, like he's going to make a left hand turn, totally blocking my view. he waits for the car to pass and then TURNS RIGHT, right in front of me.

Grrr... Just making me feel totally crummy. I could have felt angry, but more just crummy. Why does someone have to go out of there way to do that? Be a bully and take cuts.

Sigh. I think I am going to have to go out and do some random acts of kindness now, to balance out the karmic suckiness today.

The Week

So Grant has been gone since Sunday (and having a mighty good time in Italy, if I may add...) However, my week has been totally, and for the most part, pleasantly busy.

First up, I had conferences. Not the most enjoyable part of being a teacher, but student led does make telling parents that their child has received low grades because they haven't turned in half of their assignments is made quite a bit easier when I don't actually have to tell them - their child does. Hee Hee.

On Monday, I found out that Rent is coming to Orange County at the end of April (how on earth I missed that is beyond me...) so after school I drove to the Performing Arts Center to try to get the best possible tickets for Grant, Cathy, Angie, Kevin, and myself. I ended up with Orchestra row A (which is actually like the 4th row) way over to the side. I don't think I've ever been that close. So freaking excited. I celebrated by meeting my Angie and the kids at Long John Silvers.

On Tuesday, I went to see Chita Rivera: Life of a Dancer. Damn, she's amazing. So much energy. I bet she doesn't eat Long John Silvers very much.

On Wednesday, I finally got to visit my friend and her brand new baby - who was two weeks and one day old. What an unbelievably adorable little squiggly worm. Then I went home and babysat for Andrew and Cori.

Thursday brought a crazy cool treat - I went out to dinner with some friends who invited me to tag along because they knew G was out of town and thought I'd like the company. We always talk about going out and it finally worked out! We went to Korean BBQ - fully authentic, and then sang Karaoke at one of those rent-a-room karaoke joints. So much fun!

Now here it is, Friday. My conferences are finished. I can sleep in. Do my laundry which hasn't been done since 2006. Pack. Clean the pool.... did I mention sleep in??? I have a list of stuff to be accomplished this weekend. You know, stuff I'd put off until Spring break... only, I can't... because I'll be in Paris...the most romantic city in the world... with my wonderful husband...

Sigh... in one week, I'll be on that plane...

:::squeal:::

yucky cold

This has been a mad crazy week
started out with a sore throat,
a cough,
by Tuesday's field trip,
I was feeling pretty yucky

The Field Trip to Riley's Farm was great,
although my class was a bit rude at times.
I know I have high expectations,
and really they were not that bad...
but still.

At least the trip home was relaxing -
I had the row to myself.

I should have taken Wednesday off work,
but I didn't.

By Thursday I was starting to feel more human.

Shitty time to get sick -
with my report cards,
and conferences.

But I feel human again,
which is nice.

Grant's off this weekend.

Plus, Grant leaves for Italy tomorrow....

I am getting so excited!!! March 30 - I'm off to Paris.

A quick trip, a week, Paris, Disneyland Paris, London, and then back.

And it will be April.

Report Card Time

So - I corrected papers from 10 AM to 8 PM last night. Fun. And what do I have to look forward to today? More papers to grade. Wahoo!!!

So why am I blogging instead of correcting? I just can't start. Sigh. Its to beautiful outside. I really should take a shower. That will get me more motivated to work. Or at least make me feel less sluggish.

My class this year is pissing me off. I have so many missing assignments. I am so irritated. Conferences are going to be really eye opening. I'm bummed though - because at the beginning of the trimester, I was really good about sending home alerts with missing assignments. This last part of the trimester, I haven't been so good about it - and I have 3 students who slipped through the cracks - didn't turn in a single reading assignment for the past 3 weeks, and yet I didn't send a note home. chh.

Oh well. My pulse rate is 76 this morning.

Death and New Life

So, Amy's funeral, on March 8 was both beautiful and sad at the same time. So many people turned out for her viewing on March 7. The mass had a lot of people, as well. But the burial was probably the most significant.

There was a beautiful balloon release of pink, white, and yellow balloons that had everyone in tears with their eyes towards the clear, blue sky. The family's beautiful singing of "You are my sunshine," with Mary repeating "Please don't take my sunshine away in a beautiful and heartbreaking ode to a girl who touched so many lives. And the burial itself - the lowering of the coffin, the filling in of the dirt, new grass on top, and a blanket of flowers. I had never seen that before - the most I'd seen was the coffin lowered - but there was something soothing and complete about it being all finished when we left.

On March 6, my friend Katherine welcomed her new baby girl, Brooklynn Kate, into the world. My days of sadness were punctuated with pictures sent to my cell phone of this new life. They are both doing fine, and our home, enjoying life as a family.

Life is beautiful.

I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell...

So,
I'm upstairs in my room,
talking to dead people...

Amy? Are you watching me change my clothes?
Did you ever come by to visit me?
Betty - do you like my new blankie?
Yes, I still have a blankie -
its not the same one -
its from my husband when he was a kid -
Betty, I wish you'd met my husband,
you would have loved him,
you would have made him laugh,
he reminds me of you
in a secret way in my mind
that makes sense only to me,
Betty, do you know Amy?
Have you met her?
Amy's sense of humor isn't as sarcastic as ours,
but it used to be,
or anyway, she at least appreciated it,
before...
come to think of it,
maybe she'll appreciate it again,
check her out,
make her smile,
Hi Frankie, Hi Grandma,
why not come and join the little party in my head?

Hold on
I'm feeling like I'm headed for a
Breakdown
and I don't know why
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know, right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know, right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
Me
Talking to myself in public
Dodging glances on the train

So.
Amy died on Saturday.
Dead.
Passed away.
So strange,
her little body,
it's her,
it's not her.

I tried to donate blood today. I'm like 4 weeks overdue. They turned me down. My pulse rate was too high. 118. It was 118 ten minutes later in the car. Its at 96 now. Guess blogging calms me down.

Or not. Its 100 now.

When I was little,
I used to lay on my bed,
and feel my heart beat.
I always had a fast heart rate
86-92 is average for me.

I knew it was a little faster than normal
I used to try to will my heart to slow down.
I was afraid that my heart had a predetermined number of beats.
If it was going fast like this, it would use up my alloted heart beats faster.
If I could just slow it down, even have a normal heart rate,
them maybe I could live just a little bit longer.

Why can't death,
be as wonderful as birth?
They are both a part of life,
why so yin and yang?

so. on we go.

Please please please please

Disney-to-beach transit gets funds
OCTA awards a grant to study building a transit line
from Surf City to Disneyland.
By JENNIFER MUIR
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

An idea to build a transit line stretching from
Disneyland to Huntington Beach got a $250,000 boost
Monday from the Orange County Transportation
Authority.

The OCTA board unanimously approved doling out grants
to several cities to find ways to connect with
existing Metrolink lines, including a total of
$250,000 to study the possibility of building a
transit service connecting the two tourist
destinations along a transportation corridor that cuts
through Garden Grove, Stanton, Westminster and
Anaheim.

Huntington Beach will head the study, which will
include evaluating the possibility of a transit line
along 18 miles of Union Pacific Railroad tracks
stretching from the Metrolink station in Anaheim to
the intersection of Ellis Avenue and Gothard Street in
Huntington Beach. It will evaluate ways to move people
to the beach and into the Disneyland resort area and
also will review other possible transportation routes.

The type of transportation -- such as light rail,
monorail, bus – also has not been determined. The
study could take up to a year and a half to complete.

The proposal is among those submitted by 18 cities
vying for a share of grant money from OCTA's Go Local
program. Each of Orange County's 34 cities was
eligible for $100,000 grants, offered to encourage
cities to think of ways to connect to Metrolink lines.

The best plans will qualify for cash to fund further
study. In all, $30 million is set aside.

News of the idea has angered some residents living
near the railroad corridor in Huntington Beach, who
fear building a transit line there will decrease their
property values.

Big Big SKy

Today,
driving home,
the sky
looked so big,
HUGE fluffy clouds
storm clouds,
rain clouds,
HUGE,
disorienting,
cloud
patches,
and yet there was still
so much sky.

Grey,
not much color,
you could touch them
crisp,
clear,
sharper than HD,
plucked
into the sky
huge,
disorienting,
in so much sky.

Hot drinks...

I am drinking hot chocolate right now. I have this weird thing with hot drinks. They have to be the perfect temperature. So, I have to wait until the drink cools enough so that it is comfortable to drink. Then I have a very short window where I can gobble down the rest before it gets too cold.

I've seen people drink cups of coffee for long periods of time - but I can't do that, even in those insulated sup thingies. blech...

Great Moments

Last night was our school's "Great moments" program. I think this is such a neat thing that we do, and I was so glad that my class participated this year.

Great Moments is based off of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters. Each class that participates chooses a painting and recreates it as a "living picture" live on stage.

Our class did the painting George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuele Leutze.

Here are the results!




The evening was fabulous - my kids did such a good job! I was very proud of them. Props also go out to my dad and Delaine for helping to create the boats and water effects. Also, thanks to Rob for helping me pick out the music - we used the last part of the fourth movement of "Pines of Rome."

Disney Cruise Line

Finally! Disney has announced that they are building two new ships! I am so excited! They will be about a third bigger then the current sister ships, the Magic and Wonder, as well as two decks taller, however they will follow the same classic ship design, the same Mickey Mouse color scheme, and the same elegant decor. The ships are scheduled to debut in 2011 and 2012.

I know, I know,

I know it has been a while... but you know if you've read my blog for a while that I go through dry spells every once in a while. I'm still here my faithful friends.

God... Jack Bauer is a bad ass...

I digress. Its hard to type and watch 24 at the same time. Did I mention my heart rate while watching this show? buh bump buh bump...

SO - this weekend Grant and I saw Music and Lyrics. I love Hugh Grant, and I love Drew Barrymore. So cool to see them in a romantic comedy together. (peaking of which, how do you like the new look of the IMDB?

We also went to a Korean/Japanese BBQ called Gyu Kaku in Huntington Beach. SO GOOD!!! I mean delicious.

Then, on Sunday, we went to Sea World with Angie, Drew, and Cori. I love that place - it is really cool there. Except - if anyone tells you that you only get a little bit wet on "Journey to Atlantis," don't believe them. I got soaked. drenched. and I am not exaggerating.

ok - more to come.

Entertainment Lately

I am so over Rob and Amber. I am not happy with this season of The Amazing Race. My game is going to work in reverse this time - I am going to be rooting for teams to lose each week - starting with my most hated, (Rob and Amber...) sigh.

Survivor is interesting so far. It always takes me a long time to really see who everyone is and decide who I like.

Also - loving Joan of Arcadia - I've been watching it on DVD.

Saw Little Miss Sunshine. It is okay - not sure what they hype is about. I am not in the love it or hate it camp.

Finally - I'm on Season 4 of 24. I have such a love hate relationship with this show. I consider is aerobic activity to watch it since it raises my heart rate so much!

July 21

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, the seventh and final ::sniff:: Harry Potter book in the series, will be released on July 21!

Amy

A little girl
with so much strength
with so much love.
let her find peace,
let her find rest.
let her be not afraid.

Disney Cruise

We booked a Disney Cruise for Aug. 2008! Disney cruise is coming out to the west coast to do 12 Mexican Riviera cruises.

Then, a fifteen night repositioning cruise on the Disney Magic from LA to Florida through the Panama Canal. Way cool. A repo cruise in August - one that I can actually go on!

Grant woke up at 5:00 am (8 eastern time - when the Mexico cruises went on sale,) on January 31, and booked two connecting balcony cabins for Grant and I and Mom and Bobby. Yipee!!!

Good thing, too, because we just went online and checked and currently the cruise is completely booked!

Amazing Race and Survivor

The Amazing Race - All Stars premiers on Feb. 18th.

This time around, its former teams (or in one case, a couple who met on the race while racing against each other.)

I'm pretty pissed about most of the selected teams. And dissapointed about some of the missing teams. No BJ and Tyler. No Chip and Kim.

But they included Rob and Amber. I am SO OVER Rob and Amber.
Those bitchy models from last season (Dustin and Kandice).
Grrr...

Oh well, Charla and Mirna are back. Good choice there. Uchena and Joyce - I'm all about them. The coalminer, David, and Mary.

What about Survivor: Fiji

It starts soon... Feb. 8. I am excited for a new season. Something to look forward to until Rob and Amber are eliminated from the race.

My favorite South Park Quotes

Kay, I was going to add one of these quotes to my email signature - but it would be my luck that I would accidentally email someone that wouldn't appreciate my humor... so here you go...

(This was my first choice... seeing as how I say this in my mind about 20 times a day... I'm kidding... sort of...)

Mr. Garrison: "Okay. Now, let's try to get an answer from someone who's not a complete retard...anyone?"

moving on...

Stan: Hey, do you know where I can find the clitoris?
Cartman: What is that like finding Jesus or something?

Satan: Saddaam! You're back. I thought I killed you!
Saddaam: Yeah, well where was I gonna go, Detroit?

Dr. Hallis: Look, us plastic surgeons have one philosophy: if we can help someone's self esteem a little, then why not do it if they have three thousand dollars?

Reporter: This week a boyscout leader has been apprehended for taking sick child pornography pictures, which we will now show you.

Rob Reiner: Sometimes lying is okay, like when you know what's good for people more than they do.

Mr. Garrison: A haiku is just like a normal American poem except it doesn't rhyme and it's totally stupid.

Goth Kid: You can't be a nonconformist if you don't drink coffee.

Mr. Garrison: I just don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

Cartman: How 'bout we sing, 'Kyle's Mom is a stupid bitch' in D Minor.

Just curious... are these as funny to you as they are to me?

Cartman (singing): I want to get down on my knees and start pleasing Jesus. I want to feel his salvation all over my face.

"Just remember what the MPAA says: Horrific, deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words!" -- Kyle's Mom

Other Mom: Can Eric spend the night?
Mrs. Cartman: No, I'm sorry, Eric is grounded for trying to exterminate the Jews last week.

Cartman: Think about it - it's the easiest, crappiest music in the world, right? If we just sing about how much we love Jesus, all the Christians will buy our crap."

Cartman: "That movie has warped my fragile little mind."

Stan: Wow! Cartoons are really getting dirty.

6 degrees - Rent to Aladdin

There's only us.... there's only this... forget regret, or life is your's to miss... no other road, no other way...

...way up high, there's a land that I've heard of, once in a lullaby. Somewhere...

...somewhere, out there, if love can see us through, then we'll be together...

...Together at last, together forever, we're tying a knot, they never can sever... I don't need sunshine now to turn my skies to blue

... blue...red, yellow green brown and scarlet and black and ocher and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and...

and the world will open its arms to me... I'm a young Norwegian princess..

princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?

I noticed

I've noticed I do something really stupid. When I meet someone new, someone I like, someone I want to like me... I tend to be really vocal about my faults and annoying traits. I loudly make it clear that I am a big ol' nerd and point out all of my nerdiness. Its like - if you can put up with me at my worst and most annoying, then, cool... you accept me for me.

I've also noticed that I think way to much about myself. Yes, I am somewhat narcisistic. Its my way of dealing with social situations - which I hate - I always think about myself - what shoulod I say next, what should I do next, how am I coming across... that I often miss what is going on or don;t pay enough attention to other person. Way not cool, huh...

Jesus - January's almost half over...

Yup - twice this week. I used my new Rachel Ray cookbook.

I got the new Karaoke Revolution - American Idol. I LOVE the American Idol game. I HATE the song list. Sigh.

What I wouldn't give for some kind of hard drive that you could access songs from all of the karaoke revs... god that would be so very awesome.

The new Sims 2 expansion, Seasons, is coming out in a little over a month - I am SO excited... seasons and weather in the pack... I can't wait to see the doggies playing in the snow - and my Sims raking leaves or playing Marco Polo.

I got my first crown yesterday. I think that means I am getting old. Yuck. At least I like my dentist - but I still hate going.

Angie's off to Myrtle Beach with the kids this weekend. Cori and Andrew came over for dinner last night. Have I mentioned how much I love those kids?

My friend from work is due on March 23. I am so excited! I can't wait to babysit for her! That is going to be so cool! (o:

I am reading a book called "The Faith CLub" right now - a great read! If only everyne could be so open, honest, and respectful as the three authors in this book are. I recommend it.

Talk to you later!