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!

Yummy - and off we go...

I love
LOVE Love love
those Betty Crocker Moist Delights
molten fudge cake
caramel cake
and the chocolate chip cookie one
YUM
one minute and 15 seconds and
YUM

Tomorrow,
Grant and I are off
we'll be ringing in the new year
on the Diamond Princess
together...

I have a good feeling about this year...
I think the Diamond Princess is going to launch us
into another special, memorable year...

Happy New Year to you...

This one was cool

Question #1 was "Have you ever had a season pass to Disneyland?"

You're totally like 86% California!

Ahhh... a true California Aficionado! That's just like a California Avocado but not as green. Come on over and we'll make some guacamole and chips and watch a CHP chase on the news.

How California are You?

One confused Californian

Hee Hee - I took this quiz, and well, I guess I'm not SO Cal enough... (I knew I should have answered that I see anorexics everywhere and that I'd consider plastic surgery at the first sign of a wrinkle...

ah well... its like that SO CAL Barbie list... Huntington Beach is just a little pocket of culture all its own...

Are You a Northern Or Southern Californian Your Result: You're One Confused Californian Okay, so maybe you've been transferred around the state, but most likely you're just from Fresno. I mean black beans and pinto, really, both are good. All you know is that you are proud to be from the state of fruits AND nuts, and your a little of both. :)
You're a Northern Californian
You're a Southern Californian
You Don't Know Cali
Are You a Northern Or Southern Californian

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S

I was so looking forward to this play ever since I first heard about it! And it was really good. I love when there is some improve, the characters had stories, an it wasn't altogether predictable. It had me laughing out loud during some parts.

Great show! I would totally see it again!

Good Friends, Good Times

Today, I went to lunch with the Cathy and Katherine - We hung out at Katherine's house and snaked all day, talked, had sandwiches, and watched TV. It was an awesome afternoon.

Also, Katherine lent me two dresses to wear on the cruise. I will have new dresses for my formal pics! Yipee!

Andrew and I

Yesterday after school, I met Angie and the kids at Disneyland. They had been there since around noon (they didn't have school!) and Cori was pretty tired, so Andrew and I stayed for another couple of hours.

Andrew was so funny!

"Did you know that along time ago they used feathers as pens?" he asked me while we waited for the train to arrive at Main Street Station.

"Yes," I said, "they called them quills."

"That's right!" he exclaimed, "I think my mom used to use them when she was little..."

HA HA HA!!!!

Later that night, we were eating dinner at the Grand Californian, and Andrew wanted dessert. Unfortunately the register was closed and they were counting the money and closing up. As I was throwing the trash away, Grant went up and asked the lady at the register if he could have an ice cream. She said yes! She gave him one for free...

That kid... only he could get something free at Disney....

Paper Cranes

The paper crane has become an international symbol of peace in recent years as a result of it's connection to the story of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki born in 1943. Sadako was two years old when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. As she grew up, Sadako was a strong, courageous and athletic girl. In 1955, at age 11, while practicing for a big race, she became dizzy and fell to the ground. Sadako was diagnosed with Leukemia, "the atom bomb" disease.
Sadako's best friend told her of an old Japanese legend which said that anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes would be granted a wish. Sadako hoped that the gods would grant her a wish to get well so that she could run again. She started to work on the paper cranes and completed over 1000 before dying on October 25, 1955 at the age of twelve.

On Tuesday, I went to visit Amy in the hospital. She is not doing very well. Her tumors have grown back since the radiation and the chemotherapy is not reducing her cancer. Instead, her cancer is spreading. She is on a lot of pain medication. When she is awake, she spends time in the craft room making crafts, which she loves to do. Her whole room is decorated for Christmas. I spent the evening with her on Tuesday.

On the way out of the hospital, I noticed a large Christmas tree in the lobby.

As I looked closely, I realized that the tree was decorated...

...with paper cranes.

December? The tenth?

yes, time flies. Don't was all know it.

It's been a whole - but I've been busy. I have all of my trimester one report cards done - they were done electronically this year which was pretty cool. Every year I try to find ways to make it not so grueling - and every year I teach right up till the last minute and then do a ton of grading. 2nd trimester is going to be really tough, because we have the first round of conferences, and we have an extra week before break, which if course, I am not going to use.

I have started a new program in my class that I was trained one earlier this year called Jr. Great Books. It is such an awesome program! Also, it is such a neat way for me to observe my students in a way I never realized before. I am SO loving it!

I actually got all of my Christmas Cards out already. Unbelievable to me!

Winter break is right around the corner! Only 2 more classes for my Spanish class and I am done with that. I am looking forward to a break.

Last night, Grant and I went shopping. We went to Vans and got some shoes for us and for some upcoming baby showers, and we went to Old Navy and Mervyns and bought some clothes. I love shopping with grant because he was such a good eye about what is cute. I think he doesn't mind shopping with me, except he says I take too long in the dressing room. Hee Hee.

Well, thats all for now!

Almost December

Yikes! report cards coming out; Christmas happening soon... time just flies by! Belle is three years old now. Cute puppy. It even feels like winter - It was 57 degrees when I left class last night! yikes!

Tonight, Grant and I are going to see Sweet Charity at the ORANGE COUNTY Performing Arts Center. I am so excited!

I am totally bumming about 7th Heaven. They came back for another season but they sort of half assed it, with certain people coming back for some episodes, and a bunch of newbies filling in to create plots. Plus, they have Eric coming down with a fatal heart problem. Sigh. its a pretty depressing season.

I'm working on my family website. Its pretty cute. I hope the site becomes more popular so that they can offer more things. Its not done yet, but when it is I will tell you the link.

"Do you see what I see?" Kost 103.5 plays Christmas music all the way up until Christmas. My only problem is that it ends so abruptly on Dec. 26. I mean hullo, Christmas isn't over until Jan. 5!!!! Sigh.

Ok this is all so random, like me!!!! I am hungry... some of my students are hanging out with me so i'm going to finish this up now!!

Buh bye!

"I'm gonna go to hell when I die..."

Edit: Why did I write this? I was watching "Drawn Together," and the website flashed across the screen - and Grant told me to go check it out... as I started watching it I was partially amused and partially annoyed. The analogies presented made very shallow sense - on the surface they worked, but really they contradicted each other. What really got me, though, and inspired me to blog, was the beginning if the evolution part - Ray sets it all up, that we are going to watch these "Evolutionists," and see how they back pedal and use words like "maybe," etc... I was all excited - here would be some great evolutionary scientists and they would point out every time a "maybe" occured - Sounds great! I love a good fight... I was so disapointed when he started interviewing some college kids - they aren't experts! They don't have all the scientific evidence! ARG! It pissed me off... so - here is my blog about www.wayofthemaster.com.

I'm gonna go the hell when I die..Are you?

Way of the Master was very educational. After I watched the introduction, I was presented with three choices.

In part one, I learned that I am going to hell. I am going to hell because I have broken the ten commandments, and following the commandments is what makes one a good person. I screwed up there. god damn it.

I also learned that God is just and good because he doles out fair punishments - comparable to a Judge - If a Judge ruled that a rapist could go free, then the judge would not be a good judge: SO if God were to let a sinner like me go free, then he would not be a good God.

I also learned that hell is a place of pain and punishment, a place where someone like Hitler is spending his eternity.

However, part 1 left me with some questions. For example, if God is comparable to a "good judge," would that judge still be considered a "good judge," if he gave the same sentence to a petty thief as to a child molester or a mass murderer?

hmmmm.... (By the way, in rereading this, I can see how its very confusing. If you want, you can go watch the video clips first.

Well, let me see what I can learn from part 2. Ah! Lets start with Evolution. The beginning of the video is not quite convincing, as Ray Comfort interviews a bunch of college kids about the theory of evolution, and points out how shaky the theory of evolution is when these kids respond with words such as "maybe", "possibly", and "I don't really know..."

Um... these are hardly scientific experts he is interviewing. Seriously, when he set this up, I thought he'd have some stuffy professor guys interviewing with scientific jargon... I thought he was joking when he kept asking these college kids... come on... give me some field experts!

really, I think if you were to interview these same guys on the biology behind why eating fruits and vegetables is healthy those same words might pop up - Pass me the french fries!

Some other interesting tidbits I learned here:
Rented orangutans don't have appropriate table manners, and when Ray and Kirk get salads with all of the fixing and unfairly order the orangutan a plain salad with lettuce only, the orangutan breaks the commandment of coveting his neighbors goods when he prefers to eat the good salad.

I learned that because Darwin was sexist and racist, his theories of evolution couldn't possibly be true.

I learned that a good way to find the truth is to "circumnavigate the intellect."

But if you want to use your intellect, you can purchase their book which explains how evolution is not factual and is unscientific. I hope the book is more intellectual then this video.

Next, I learned that dying is like jumping out of an airplane, and that "the fact" that we will face judgement when we die has the same merit, truth, and is as factual as the law of gravity.

I also learned that people can create some really crappy analogies.

I'm going to carry on, because I need to finish examining my soul.
Feel free to continue with me, or travel to The Way of the Master to examine your own soul. Kirk is waiting for you, with loads of analogies to make everything crystal clear.

Again, this probably doesn't make much sense. Sorry. Its 2:30 AM.

Atheism

Well, I don't know how interesting this video will be. Atheism is almost as unprovable as theism. I don't understand why anyone would speak of such spiritual matters, matters that can not be proven, with certainty.

But commentary could be fun, so we'll see.

"It takes more faith to be an atheist then to believe in God. Atheism is the opposite of intellectualism."

Hmmm... I feel an analogy coming on...

Ah! The "Intelligent Design" theory, except Ray prefers using a soda can instead of a watch - not an original analogy, which probably explains why its a decent one - although here even Ray tries to simplify the argument to almost nonsensical form - a watch, unlike a soda can, has small parts that work together, internal and external, that serve an intricate purpose, much like a life form.

Ok - So this intelligent design theory always argues the existence of natural things through the existence of unnatural things. A building must have a builder - a painting must have a painter... but both of these things, paintings and buildings, are not found in nature.

Unnatural things have inventors so natural things have inventors. I'm suppose to follow this logic and say that a tree has a treer and a rock has a rocker? Party on....

The fact that there is nature does not convince me that there is a God. They keep poking fun a the concept of the Big Bang, "Would you believe us if we told you we had a big bang in this room and this video just appeared...?" yuck, yuck....

Um, no.

But would I believe that a Big Bang created millions of stars with billions of solar systems and circling planets and at least one of those billions of possibilities fell into orbit at just the right distance from its star that made the environment on that planet conducive to life? Sure...

Thats right. I believe in cosmic accidents. Some people find reassurance in "A PLAN." I find reassurance in randomness. This applies to creation. This applies to crap in our lives. I believe little girls who have been fighting Leukemia all of their lives are victims of a cosmic accident, not a puppet in some grand Master plan.

I also think it is very human to think that this whole universe was invented FOR us, rather then taking our place in nature as a by product of its growth.

I mean, humans must be much more significant then any other piece of life on our plant, right? (um, yes, this was a sarcastic paragraph. )

Well, at least, in theory, we agree on this - humans don't know everything! There is knowledge that we don't know yet.

Why is it that they can admit and point out how little humans really know when arguing that atheists couldn't possibly know for certain that there is no God, but they themselves can be so sure not only that there is a God, but of what God believes and how he will judge us, what he wants and expects in our lives, and what he will punish?

Kirk's "Gold in China" analogy sort of contradicts what he said earlier. The analogy says: You need absolute knowledge to say "there is no gold in china," but you just need to know of one gold ring to be able to say "there is gold in china."

I agree, but where is the "gold ring?" Where is the shred of knowledge that God exists?

Also, at the beginning, they said it took more intellect to be a believer, and yet now they are saying that you really don't need to know much in order to believe in God. Which is it?

What is frustrating about this video is the facts or analogies they use are so silly - they are trying to make people with ideas that are different from their's seem ludicrous, but to me it is defeating the purpose. "So an atheist must claim to know absolutely everything, including the romantic love lives of two fleas on the back of Napolean's bed..." What? Are you serious with that?

And then they point out that most atheists are really agnostics, because an intellectual being must acknowledge that the can't possibly know everything. And right when I am ready to finally agree with a point, yes, most atheists truly are agnostics, Kirk has to open his house and say," So agnostics are like someone who looks at a building and says that he isn't sure whether or not there is a builder..." trying in one swoop to ridicule the agnostic.

Sigh.

He never acknowledges that the building's construction is not necesarily comparable to nature's construction.

Sigh. He keeps saying that you are not a good person if you don't follow the 10 commandments. He keeps saying "what if you died and God judges you by the way you followed the 10 commandments..." but following the ten commandments does not make me good, and not following them does not make me bad. And God never told me those are the laws he wanted me to follow. You can't use the Bible as proof to someone who does not believe that the Bible is more then a famous history book.


Do I consider myself a good person? Yes. Have I broken some of the commandments? Yes. But I don't think, and I don't believe, that the ten commandments are God's recipe for what makes a good person.

Jean ValJean stole bread to feed his family.

Javert's justice involved imprisoning ValJean.

The Bishop's justice involved giving Valjean all the bishop had so that ValJean could live in freedom.

According to Kirk and Ray, God is a Just God - Just like Javert. A sinner is a sinner, and the punishment will be doled out, the debt, the consequence, must be repaid.

How can they presume to KNOW what kind of Justice God will dispense?

Besides, - fear is not a reason to profess faith.

Now, when interviewing the atheist, the atheist admits that he doesn't know everything, and based on what he knows, he does not believe in God. When he acknowledges that he does not know everything, Kirk and Ray accuse him of "backsliding." Sigh. But Ray and Kirk themselves just said that humans can't know everything. They are just interpreting the given data to the best of their ability; just as everyone is. Yet when they admit they don't know everything, its being human. When the atheist admits it, it is back sliding.

I guess only regular humans only know 1% of everything. Christians like Ray and Kirk know much more.

I don't know... that last video was a big waste of time. I don't think it is hard to convince an atheist that they are really agnostic. I think its a big jump to convince the agnostic that they must accept the plan of salvation.

This blog is probably way crazy. As I watch this stuff, millions of things fly through my head. I only get to jot bits and pieces down.

Just to conclude - I've been told by Christians that they totally respect the questioning individual, they just have a problem with those who "work against Christ" to convince others that Jesus is a myth, that the Bible is just a book. Sometimes I can see that it would seem that I am doing just that - fighting against Christianity. I don't think I am doing that, because I can't say without a doubt that Christianity is not true.

The only thing I can say with absolute certainty is that I JUST DON'T KNOW. And truth be told, I don't believe anyone can truly know the nature of God with absolute certainty - and thats what I am fighting against. The concept of anyone saying that they really know the true nature and intent of God.

They don't know. Thats why you can't have logical arguments - because it doesn't come down to knowledge. It comes down to faith.

Logic is supported by knowledge and facts.

Faith is supported by beliefs and opinions.

The truth? No one really knows the truth.

I think I will save part 3 for another day.

Half assed, but its a start.

Main Street shutdown OKd

Huntington council approves making stretch pedestrian-only for 12 Tuesdays. By JENNIFER MUIR

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER





HUNTINGTON
BEACH – The City Council on Monday night voted to shut down the city's
main drag on Tuesday for 12 consecutive "Local's Nights," striking a
compromise with business owners who were concerned about making Main
Street a pedestrian-only thoroughfare.
More than a dozen
people urged City Council members to back off proposals to transform
Main Street into a pedestrian-only mall during weekends for three
months. Some called the idea of a pedestrian-only thoroughfare
"ridiculous" and "horrible." One resident spoke in favor of the plan.
"If
you close it, it's going to hurt everyone's business down there, said
Rick Fignetti, who owns Rockin' Fig surf shop on Main Street. "There's
an excitement of Main Street, with all the classic cars coming down."
The
city began looking at ways to close Main Street to cars earlier this
year, hoping to make it more like the Third Street Promenade in Santa
Monica. Think street performers, shopping, landscaping and more outdoor
dining.
Now, the city will close off two blocks of Main Street
for Local's Nights for 12 consecutive Tuesdays beginning March 6. The
events will include a farmers market, two hours of free parking, street
performances by groups like local high school bands and family
activities. They'll also shut down the street to coincide with five
already-scheduled special events.
Councilwoman Debbie Cook was one of six who voted to support the compromise.
"I
think downtown Huntington Beach is as close to a downtown pedestrian
mall as McDonald's is to a high-end restaurant," Cook said. Mayor Dave
Sullivan, the only member who voted against the compromise, said
downtown business owners needed to do more to support the city.
"All
they ever do is whine and ask more and more from the city," Sullivan
said. "I don't see them doing any part to do anything for the city."
Various plans to shut down the thoroughfare started floating around
town nearly a decade ago, economic development director Stanley
Smalewitz said.
City officials resurrected the idea earlier
this year when they began considering revising the plan for downtown
Huntington Beach in the face of two major developments: A hotel and
retail center a block away from Main Street called The Strand, and the
31-acre Pacific City development on Pacific Coast Highway, Smalewitz
said.
A group of city officials and downtown business owners in
May visited the Santa Monica pedestrian mall to begin brainstorming
ideas for shutting down the street.
Business owners on Monday
urged the council to back off the plans, saying their businesses will
suffer if the street is shut down and convenient parking is eliminated.

Downtown residents also spoke out against the plan, worried about detoured traffic clogging their streets and increasing noise.

OJ

Ok, folks. So OJ has written this book. Its all over the news. So much damn publicity. Everyone talking about how horrible it is that he would write such a book. How awful for the families to have this all brought up so publicly.

I happen to agree. Whether you believe OJ did it or not, writing such a book is distasteful and disrespectful. Does he even think about his children?

So I intent to do something about it. I refuse to watch the special. I refuse to buy the book. To me, the ultimate voice to OJ and his publisher would be if the book didn't sell. Talk about it. Spread the word. Pass it on.

DON'T BUY THE BOOK.

The fog rolls in...

Grant and I just got out of our salty jacuzzi,
with the fog rolling in all around us.

I'm feeling limp and relaxed like a noodle.

We had a nice conversation, too. You know... sometimes you just have a very pleasent talk. Special, memorable. Makes me thankful to be married to such a wonderful man.

I've been thinking a lot lately - what else is new, right? Anyways, I suck at making decisions becasue I take too long to make them, to weigh both sides. One of the biggest fears I've ever had is making the wrong choice.

Is that Libra like?

Let's put it this way - it doesn't suprise me at all that the symbol for Libra is scales.

I am so behind on my tv watching. I have 2 7th heaven's, 2 Ugly Betty's, 2 Drawn Together's, a South Park, an Amazing Race, A Survivor, and a Ghost Whisperer sitting on my DVR.

Luckily I have thanksgiving week coming up.

Also, I have report cards coming up. Finally, we have electronic report cards. We'll see if I prefer that or not. At first I was very excited, but now I wonder - all of that inputting data!!! Oh well, I am sure it will be better then writing them in - and I am SO excited about the comments - I always spend so much time worrying about how to phrase everything. What is super cool is that it will automatically translae the comments into the home language, and we can send home both an English and a hone language (instead of just a triplicate.) I am so happy about that!

Ok, I am getting droopy, so, night yall!

Tahoe

Man, its been a while...
I need to blog about Tahoe on my vacation page, but I'm still not finished updating Alaska.
That is very, very bad.
I am way behind.
School starts, life gets crazy,
I must find balance...
I'm a Libra
Balance is key...
its hard for me...

So I am in Tahoe with Grant,
Our Marriott one bedroom suite is awesome...
I'm about to go take a bath in the BIG tub...
love vacation clubs...

I just watched the rest of 24 season 2.

Our room has a fire place. It is cold outside.

On the drive from the airport,
I downloaded "Diner Dash" on my cell phone.
Unbelievably addicting.
I played the version on some game website,
to see how it compared...
The cell phone version actually really rocks.

I'm thinking of downlading the sims 2 for my cell as well.

Ok. I am going to go take a bath now...

Bye!

Sims 2 Pets

SO, The Sims 2 Pets finally came out. I installed it and played on Wednesday and then for a long time last Sunday... (I haven't had a chance to play since, but I plan to play a bit this weekend.)

Anyways, the pets are so cool. I really like this expansion pack because it is one of the few packs that really pervades every day Sim life.

So, I made a Belle and a Kanga.

I made a little grey kitty named Cosette, and a Beagle named Porthos (hmm???)

Then I made a boy Belle, named Peek - a - Boo and a boy Kanga named Roo. I moved Belle and Kanga in with the Loves, and I moved Peek-a-Boo and Roo in with two of my other families. Then I tried to get puppies. Not so easy.

In the game, you can't directly control the pets like you can with the Sims. Which makes the game challenging. In order to have puppies (or kittens), you have to have a high relationship score among the Sim and each of the two dogs, AND the two dogs have to have a high score with each other... but it isn't easy to get the dogs to play with each other since you can't control them. (Once the sim has a high enough relationship with the dog you can tell them to go play with another dog, but they don't always listen.)

SO, I get Belle and Peek-a-Boo to be great friends, and both of them have high relationships with Mrs. Love. But the option to have puppies never comes up. Wha??? So finally I check closely and realize, I had accidently made Peek-a-Boo a girl.

Damn it.

Don't ask how long I'd been playing.

SO. I make another Belle dog, this time a male, and name him Scamp. I move him in with the Love's, and work hard to build Scamp's relationship with Belle and Mrs. Love. No easy feet since Mrs. Love had gotten pregnant and gave birth to twins, Jessie and Tessie, during this time.

But finally, after ?? hours of playing, Belle and Scamp had three little puppies. Two girls, Smokey and Lucky, and a boy, Squirt. Too Cute!

Salt Water Pool

So our salt water pool is installed now. Grant and I used the Jacuzzi the other night. Such a difference! I can totally tell that the water feels way softer on your skin. It is way awesome. No more yucky chlorine smell!

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Night

For our October date (two weeks ago,) Grant and I went to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Night. We had never been, so I thought it would be fun. Besides, as passholders we got a really good deal on the tickets.

Grant found a really good deal at the Universal Sheraton and we decided to drive up on Friday and stay Friday night and Saturday night. On Friday night we had dinner at the Micelli's by Universal Studios. On Saturday we had lunch at the Saddle Ranch Chop House - OH. My. GOD. they had this sweet potato casserole that was to die for.

We went in to the park and did our thing - the tram tour, Terminator 2 3-D, etc., and then we went back to the hotel to rest for a bit before the late night.

Halloween Horror Night was fun. We did Jurassic Park in the Dark, The tram tour maze (which was way cool - you got to walk along the Bates Motel patio, up around to the Bates House, and through the War of the Worlds/Ghost Whisperer plane wreckage, all the time while being chased by monsters of all sorts. Very cool. I especailly liked the guy in the plane wreckage who was walking around carrying a shopping cart full of found body parts.

We didn't do the other two mazes because the waits were too long. We went to the shows, which were, ok. Well, not really. They were kind of lame.

Here is the problem. When you've been to Knott's Berry Farm, nothing compares. Knott's really does it right. Any other Halloween event I've been to pales in comparison... (Although the Queen Mary did do a really good job, and much of that is the ambiance.)

In any case, we did have a lot of fun. It was a very enjoyable weekend.

Just saw the coolest thing

Just saw the coolest thing.

Thought I'd share.

I was walking back from the office, and i was looking at the sky. It is a beautiful, clear blue today; a shade so true it looks like a crayon melted in the sky...

Here and there are puffs of clouds, some those stretchy, cotton candy ish stratus clouds, an a few solid, puffy culmulus clouds that look as though they could easily support your weight as you rested on them.

As I past the overhang of the building, this low hanging cloud came into view. At the same time, a flock of silvery birds flying in formation passed just in front of it and off to the right.

From my vantage point, it appeared as though the birds launched staight from their resting place on the cloud. They stood out vibrantly against the clear blue sky flying off, as though they had just appeared there to fly after a morning rest in the clouds.

beautiful

Happy to share my birthday with....

Celebrate National Coming Out Day
October 11, 2006

NCOD 2006 Theme: “Talk About It”

“Talk About It” will be the theme of this year’s National Coming Out Day to be celebrated on October 11, 2006. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Coming Out Project is an on-going campaign to empower gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied Americans to live openly and honestly about their lives.

"Understanding is curing ignorance and curing ignorance is abolishing fear."
Author: Matt Marty

Domisticated? Not so much!

So... today is my birthday!!!!!! Happy Birthday to me!!!!!! I'm 28. Lord. Where did the time go.

I wore jeans to work today. I sang a song to my doggies, "Its my birthday I'll where jeans if I want to, jeans if I want to, jeans if I want to... ' I made up a whole verse. Sadly (or maybe not so much?) I can't remember all of the words. Sort of a spur of the moment thing.

So last night, I made 22 beanbags on Donna's sewing machine. gary was so shocked he wanted to take a picture to prove it.

I made the bean bags out of this leftover denim we used to make our bedroom curtains. It felt very Sound of Music ish.

I have a whole stack of presents on my desk from the kiddos. One is this huge Santa Bear stuffed animal. yeah.

Andrew is getting his tonsils taken out today. He is going to feel so much better in a few weeks. He'll be able to sleep much better!

Ok I better go teach now.

Buybye

Obsession

I am watching Nip/Tuck.

Never seen it before, so I don't really understand the story line, but Rosie's on it. Only some of my blog readers remember me from my Rosie-obsessed days, but hear I am again. Watching The View, reading her blog a few times a week, and now, here blogging with Nip Tuck in the background to see her. Seriously. Crazy. I know.

Anyways. I have so many papers to correct. I am looking at them.

"Hi papers. I know I should be correcting you. I see you.

But really. It is a friday night. If I tried to correct you right now, I couldn't truly give you the attention that you deserve. You understand, don't you? I thought so."

I desperatly need to go get my nails done with my seester. Tammy??? When are we goooooing???

SO, I wrote an email to my friend today and I thought part of it was pretty funny, so I thought I'd share it with you:

SO, the excitement of my week was when I got to yell at Brett for peeling the candy shell off of his M&M during a descriptive writing lesson and saying, "look, my M&M is naked! It can be a stripper now!" for his whole group to hear, including my most niave little girl who still can't figure out why 5th grade girls have to watch a movie about periods when she's been punctuating sentences since the first grade. Lord.

hee hee. That was a pretty good sentence. I enjoy a good sentence.

I went to dinner with Angie and Andrew and Cori. Cori has the Little Mermaid toy closet with all of these rubbery-plstic clothes tha you can dress Ariel in. Ariel has this ball gown, complete with these white elbow length gloves. Problem? Instead of two white cylinders with an opening at one end, they created a thicker, round outline at the end of the glove where Ariel's hands go, which makes the "gloves" look like two little condoms.

So inappropriate. (my brain, not so much the toy...)

Cool - this episode has scientologists in it... kinda kooky...

By the way, I wasn't crazy about the first episode of South Park - it was ok. not great. Yeah, really not worth mentioning.

Ok. I am going to go now, becasue I am absolutly rambling senselessly. Becasue itis Friday. I am always soooo tired on Fridays. I always type the word becasue incorrectly. Also studnet. I don't know why. My fingers just hit them in the wrong order.

Ok. Night.

Mish Mash

This week has seemed so long! I haven't been able to watch hardly any TV (poor me!) and my shows are just piling up on the DVR. (Oh how I miss my other boyfriend, Tivo.)

So anyways, Student - Led Back to School Night was a total success for everyone who tried it, so I am super happy.

Fall seems to be a cosmic time for me to reconnect, as I am once again back in touch with another old friend from high school. (Last fall, if you recall, Angie and I started talking again - and now we hang all the time.)It is really nice emailing with this other friend, too. I almost can't really believe it, but it is pretty cool.

Its 7:30 already, and if I leave for school now, well that would be good.

OH! I got two moled removed (gross? sorry!) They looked kind of funny so we just wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong with them. They have some stitches in them, I guess so that the scar is not as noticable. It is itchy!

Have I mentioned Cathy? She is my new 5th grade partner and she is becoming a fast friend. We have a lot in common, it seems! I so LOVE my 5th grade team this year - we are all so awesome! We work together so well and support eachother. Seriously, its very cool. It helps because my class, well, there not gelling like they did last year. I know, though, that my last years class was amazing - a once in a lifetime expereince.

Ok. I really should go now.

Love you, peeps!

new phone, new pool

New news...
So I got a new cell phone - its cool because it is super skinny and light. Also, it is black and it has a color screen on the outside and on the inside. I downloaded "Seasons of Love" for my ringer and Grant downloaded "La Vie Boheme," for me...

I need to send some pictures to it so that I can customize it even more!!!

Also, we are changing our pool to a salt water pool - no more chemicals, no more chlorine! I am so excited! That should be done in the next few weeks... Very cool.

I am going to watch "Ugly Betty" tonight - thats new, too.

later - gator

WTMI

I suffer from "Way too much information" syndrome. I know. Sometimes I just talk - its annoying.

Anywho. Thats what my blog if for.

So. I love playing around with my blog. I think it is way cool and way fun to change the colors and stuff andit is so east to do! I love the way I can play with the layouts. DO you dig the pic I put up? And the text? Col.

I love my new teaching partner. She is awesome.

I watched Chasing Amy this weekend. I'd seen it before, but it had been a while. Dogma is still my favorite - loving the religious stuff - with Mallrats a close second. View Askew, baby!

This is just the randomness of random. But hey, its my blog, so whatever...I'll do what I want!

My principal likes South Park. She gets it. I love that she gets it.

One of my students had her cell phone stolen out of her back pack today. We found it in the trashcan of the class next door. Our classes switched today - which makes me think I may have a little thief in my class who used the opportunity of being in another class to dump it off. wunderbar.

Its almost October... what the????

In touch with an old high school friend... so strange - I have thought about this person so much, it is almost surreal to being touch with her...

So I am so excited - I am going to go watch 7th Heaven - thank goodness it is on for one more season!

Ok, I am outtie. Talk to ya'll later!

Hmmm... so country music does suck?

Los Angeles no longer has a country music station. KZLA, the only counry music station, switched to a pop station this summer.

The 15 fans are protesting to get their station back. Its a fun fight. I'm glad I got my Jamie Jack and Stench back! Maybe they'll get thier wish too...

IN any case, if your here in LA, and you want to have country, you better have the satellite radio or your out of luck, chuck.

SO sad. Maybe someone should write a country song about it.


(RE: COMMENT: Sorry Ang! KFROG is San Bernadino County. You may be able to get it, but technically, there are no stations broadcating from LA anymore!)

Block

I have had such a block lately. I feel like there are so many things I want to blog about, but when I sit down to type them, they just seem to be incomplete. I save them to publish later or I delete what I have written altogether.

I am not sure why I have been so choppy in my thoughts lately. It is very odd.

I started to write a blog yesterday about how irritated I am that people are still so eager to blame a whole group (the muslims) for something radical extreamists chose to do. But once I started writing it, I realized I wasn't getting my point across the way I wanted to.

Today I started to blog about loose ends - how much they drive me crazy. How I can pinpoint specific loose ends but I think that my dreams bring up many more that I'm not consciously aware of.

I don't know. My head is playing tricks on me! And I'm going to be late if I don't get going.

September date and catch up

So, Grant and I went to the LA COunty Fair yesterday for our September date. "Something old, something new," as I have never been to the LA Fair (although I have been to many others.

As expected, going on a Saturday, it was insanely crowded, but lots of fun. We ate, of course, way too much, but who doesn't love carnival food? We looked at all of the exkibits. We watched the horse racing (I picked a horse to win and it did - too bad I didn't bet!) We ran in to Jessica and Alan who took us over to the animals from Jessica's school. We watched a hypnotist (not Mark Yuzuik, who I love.) Over all, it was a good time. Mostly, we just enjoyed being togehter. And we didin;t ride a single ride - who would have thought? Sigh.

I always think of random little things to blog about, but I'm usually in the car so I forget to actually blog them. I have to try to be better about that.

I love that Rosie is on the View. I still find Myspace to be annoying, run as it is, and yet I have a profile - however my name is not posted to it at all so no one can find me, which is nice. I mostly use it to look up other people.

I still haven't finished blogging about my Alaska trip.

I find that I am barely treading water at work- - doing lesson plans literally day to day. I will be so excited when I am actually ahead of the game! Speaking of which, I need to go to work to meet my partner in a while, so I have to get some stuff done.

Later

Karaoke Revolution: American Idol

It's official! The songlist for Karaoke Revolution: American Idol has now been released!


1. All My Life
2. Alone
3. (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me
4. Be Without You
5. Breakaway
6. Build Me Up Buttercup
7. Can't Help Falling In Love
8. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
9. Dilemma
10. Do I Make You Proud
11. Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me
12. Don't You Want Me
13. Easy
14. Every Rose Has Its Thorn
15. Flying Without Wings
16. Heartbreaker
17. Heaven
18. Hungry Like The Wolf
19. If You Don't Know Me By Now
20. It's Not Unusual
21. Just The Way You Are
22. Let's Stay Together
23. Love Will Keep Us Together
24. More Than Words
25. Photograph
26. Piano Man
27. Proud Mary
28. Rock With You
29. Saving All My Love For You
30. She Bangs
31. Stand By Me
32. Stickwitu
33. Straight Up
34. Sugar, We're Going Down
35. The Real Thing
36. Total Eclipse Of The Heart
37. Unwritten
38. What A Girl Wants
39. You And Me
40. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling