happy hurricane

I stopped by the grocery store on my way home last night to pick up some essentials (like double-stuff Oreos). You know, just in case the power goes out or it floods or something. Everybody else seemed to have the same idea, so periodically store management would make announcements about what lanes were open, etc, and letting us know that they hope we have a great weekend and "enjoy the hurricane".

I have Oreos and Gilmore Girls so I most definitely will, thank you.

who wants to see my new house???

Oh, everybody does?? That's awesome.

My building. I live in the back left corner - nice and shady, which means I hardly even have to use my air conditioning. Awesome!!!

The bathroom (before):

The bathroom (now): The yellow is much darker than it looks here. I sewed a curtain to go around the bottom of the sink (it is odd-shaped and there are NO cabinets that fit it properly) and bought gray towels, bathmat, and shower curtain.

The kitchen (before):

Kitchen (after): I replaced the ugly gold knobs with nice sleek handles and painted (gasp) navy blue. I realized halfway through that the color was going to have to stay whether I liked it or not (I do NOT have the energy to paint over navy blue walls right now) but luckily, I really like how it turned out. Yay!

Dining room (before)

Dining room (now): The walls are actually a little darker than they appear in the pic. It's a nice, rich yellow. I can't quite figure out what to put on the windows... Any suggestions?

And my roommate: His name is Elian and he doesn't know it yet, but I have made an appointment to rob him of his manhood. I'm pretty sure we'll both be much happier that way. And by both of us, I mean me and my poor abused pillows. He is sitting on top of the fabric that I purchased that I am planning on using to make a rug. Nice print, huh?

how embarrassing

I am quite possibly the only person in the DC metro area who did NOT feel the earthquake today. The Commando sent me a text asking if I was okay, which I found very confusing.

That doesn't mean I'm not going to post about it!

so close

In about a week, I will offically be a homeowner.

In preparation for the big event, I have NOT:

started packing

started cleaning

looked for a roommate

found movers

but I HAVE:

spent an obscene amount of time browsing paint colors and decorating options.

so much time, so little to do

So you would think that having summers off would mean lots of time for updates and stories of all the fun I'm having. As it turns out, having all the free time in the world can make one a bit lazy. Huh.

But in case you are worried that I have been sleeping my days away, fear not! I am making good use of my summer. Carrie, Mom, Ashley, Bethany, and Mabel came to visit. I ate lots of cupcakes and took them to all of my favorite restaurants.

I made an offer on a condo in a great area out here. Hopefully on July 29 I will be an official homeowner!! Now I need to get Shady out here to help me pick out paint colors. (Pretty please? I'll buy you dinner and take you to get a massage!)

I am still training for the St George marathon, and still hate running on a treadmill. It gets more and more agonizing every week. But even if it kills me, I'm not quitting.

I joined Twitter! So if anybody wants mundane updates on what I'm having for lunch or how many hours I spent at the pool, you can follow me! (I actually joined because there's a whole community of science and math teachers on Twitter sharing resources and ideas for their classes. So my Tweets just might be less interesting to you than what I'm having for lunch. It's a toss-up.)

I have read 2 whole books in the past 2 days, so I am on the fast track to reading more books this year than Ryan. Now I just need to decide what book I want to make him buy me....

so so close

The end of the school year is almost here, and it could not come soon enough.

It's been a long year. I need a break.

But only 6 days left. 3 review days and 3 exam days. And then I am as free as a little birdie.

Hopefully this will be a sumer full of good change. I need it. I have recently been talking a lot with my favorite coworker. (He is not everybody's favorite coworker. Just mine. In fact, a lot of people find him abrasive and rude. I find him refreshingly honest. But that's just me.) He has challenged me to approach next year with more gumption. I think I'm up for the challenge. (That's part of having gumption, by the way. Being up for challenges. And I now have gumption. When I was little my mom told me I could be whatever I wanted to be. And I want to be gumptious. So now I am. (If that's a word))

awkward

We had a new substitute teacher here at school today, so I decided that it would be polite to make idle talk with him. When he told me his name, I thought that he said "Shark". So I went on and on about what an awesome name to have. His name is not Shark. It's something totally boring like "Shawn"' or something. (No offense, Shawn.)

Awkward.

bragging (again)

So today I was at the mall (because that's where my bank is... this just might be the death of me) when I stopped by a little store that sells hair care products. (I am out of shampoo.) I ended up buying over $100 worth of shampoo and other hair products for a mere $18. I'm pretty sure I have magical powers when it comes to sales.

a nerdy story

So we are currently wrapping up our unit on electromagnetism in my class, so we are obviously discussing induced currents. Which means that we are also discussing the meaning of the word "induced". (As it turns out, most 16-year-olds do not know the meaning of "induced". (Definition: to cause or to make something happen, as in "induced labor" or "chemically induced coma") Side note: the "induced labor" example freaked out the boys in the class. They asked me to please never mention labor ever again. I obliged.)

So anyway, our school's theme this year is "make it happen". Our new headmaster is a go-getter kind of guy. So I suggested to the class that we replace our school theme. Instead of "make it happen" it could be simplified to "induce". Great idea, right?

(I don't think the kids took it seriously. So I suggested it to my colleagues. I don't think they took it seriously either.)

physics fail

we watched this video in my class today. is it mean that i find it kind of funny?

favorites

every teacher has a favorite class. Mine just happens to be the last class of the day, which is so convenient because that means I always go home in a good mood. Awesome, right?

So a while ago, they decided that whenever anybody in the class did something awesome (meaning answering a difficult question, stumping the teacher (this doesn't happen very often - what can I say, I'm pretty good) or asking something insightful, the rest of the class starts up a slow clap in celebration. For those of you who do not know what a slow clap is, it is pretty much what it sounds like. You start clapping slowly, then gradually increase in intensity until you have an all-out celebration. (Sometimes this includes banging on the tables, hooping and hollering, etc.) To be honest, it's pretty awesome.

So yesterday was the senior's last day of school. (They're spending the next few weeks doing service projects.) So all of the juniors got together and decided to do the ultimate slow clap in honor of the seniors. So they clapped once at 2:05. Then they clapped again at 2:15. Then once at 2:23. Then again at 2:28, 2:32, etc. until the very last minute of class there was an eruption of applause, jumping, cheering, and congratulating the seniors on successfully completing high school. They thought it was just fantastic that I had no idea why the entire class would randomly clap once while I was in the middle of saying something that was, in all honesty, not that interesting. (At first I thought they were applauding me and was quite flattered. I was wrong.) How is it possible to NOT love these kids? (Answer: it's not possible. Obviously.)

bring it on

So, just let me brag about myself for a minute. (Since I'm pretty good at it.)

The last time I went on a real run was last August. I broke my foot. Then my eyes stopped working and I started slamming into walls and such if I so much as walked briskly. Poor poor me, I know.

Today, I ran seven miles. In a sub-9-minute mile pace. (Just barely. They were something like 8.9 minute miles, but still. It counts.) Not bad after a 9 month sabbatical. And I ran it on a treadmill (with a .4 incline, thank you very much). I hate treadmills. Almost as much as I hate rap music. (Which is a lot, in case there was any question.)

But I have this coworker named Chris. Back when my eyes stopped working, I got lots of pity from lots of people. Pretty much everyone except for him. He made fun of me. Which, in all honesty, is exactly what I needed. Feeling sorry for myself got me absolutely nowhere. And while it's nice to know that people care, having the rest of the world feel sorry for me also got me nowhere. But being made fun of made me laugh and feel like a normal person. And for that, I love Chris. (Don't tell him that. He's all finicky and weird about mushy stuff like that. He won't even admit that we're friends. We are "friendly". Whatever. We're friends whether he likes it or not.)

But I'm getting off topic here. Last week, I was telling him about how I am registered for a marathon in October and was worried that I wouldn't be able to train since I still have trouble keeping my eyes open when I move any faster than a slug. And again, I got no pity from him. (Surprise, surprise.) In fact, he may have thrown something at me and then told me I was an idiot. (Have I never heard of a treadmill? Really?) As much as I tried to tell him that I hate treadmills and lose my sanity after about 8 minutes, he refused to listen. (As much as I love Chris, listening is not one of his strong points.) Instead, he told me that if I really wanted to run a marathon in October, I had to just make it happen. My excuses are lame. I deserve a better life than I am giving myself. I can do anything I want, have any man I want, but I have to stop holding myself back. Blah, blah, blah. Kind of irritating at the time, but totally true.

So here I am, making it happen. I bought myself a nice long playlist of running music for my ipod (meaning early 90's country music), headed to the gym, set the speed to an 8:50 mile, and ran for seven miles. Monday is incline work, Tuesday will be a nice slow(ish) run, more hills on Wednesday, shorter runs Thursday and Friday, and 10 miles on Saturday. By October, I will be marathon ready.

So I hope Mom and Kate are ready to get their butts kicked in St George.

contradiction

Today I charged my Garmin wristwatch, with hopeful anticipation that I will be able to run in the near future. (And by run, I mean run, not run into. I'm already really good at that.)

Today I also turned in my garage key to my apartment office, since I haven't used it in 8 months and it will save me $40/month.

Apparently for me, running is a little more important than driving. (Mainly because I have a personal chauffeur. Hehe.)

augh.

Today is just one of those days. Not one of the good kind. One of the annoying kind.

My kids are whiny. (All 60 of them. If I hear one more complaint I'm going to lose it.)

One of my students climbed out the window when my back was turned. It took me a good five minutes to figure out why everyone was laughing.

It was supposed to be sunny today, and it is not.

I decided to try driving on Saturday, just to see how it went. It didn't go past the parking garage.

BUT I am getting a new roommate today. One that I am confident will soon turn into a good friend. So maybe today won't be so bad after all.

new blog

pintucksandruffles.blogspot.com

Shady will be posting some sewing/crafty tutorials soon. And so will I.

Who knew I would love being crafty?

march madness

Guess who is ranked #1 in our faculty March Madness bracket pool?

(me)

Now my coworkers are trying to get me disqualified since I am a Mormon and technically not allowed to gamble. They are only thinking of my eternal welfare.

Ahem. Right.

and now spring break is over

It was 77 degrees and sunny when we got out of school last Friday. Then the temperature promptly dropped to around 40 and stayed there all week. Lame.

But one of my students became an ordained minister over the break. Turns out all you have to do is send an email. He thinks a physics classroom wedding would be just a stellar idea. I beg to differ.

And now Shady and I are starting our very own sewing blog! I think it's going to be a hit. Any ideas for a name would be appreciated.

spring break

It's finally here!! I had big plans for sitting outside in the warm sunshine reading books.

But today it rained, and it is supposed to snow on Friday. If it snows, at least it could have the courtesy to wait until next Tuesday so we get another snow day. Snow over spring break is entirely pointless.

In the meantime, I am sewing myself a ruffled gingham shirt and striped dress.

great news

So my coworker Chris applied for a grant from our school to take a trip to British Columbia for an 8-day backpacking trip. He found out yesterday that he grant was approved, and guess who he invited to go along with him?

No, not me. He invited Jack.

But guess who invited herself to come along?

Yes, that would be me. Shameless? Maybe. But still pretty awesome.

dear family members (and friends)

Since I clearly have developed a new obsession with sewing (which makes sense, considering it's the only thing that keeps my eyes open), if anybody would like any of the below items (or a tie! i know how to make a tie too!) I would be happy to oblige. (ps - I am planning on making all of the below items for myself, just in case my closet is not quite full enough. But don't worry, Dad. I am still your daughter and frugal as ever, so I am using materials that I already own. Who can pass up free clothes?! Not me. I am, after all, a product of you and mom.)

The petal tank: I could use whatever colors you choose, so if it is too rainbow-y, no worries!

Ruffle scarf: SO cute. And it is impossible to have too many scarves. Especially if you live somewhere cold.

Flower tank: So pretty! There's not much I would change about this one:

Pretty flower shirt (I will obviously make the neckline a little more "modest" so that it covers). I already made this one for myself and am already in love. It makes me feel so pretty:

Don't worry, guys. I do have other hobbies besides sewing. Namely, riding my bike in my room while I jam to "I want to bop with you baby" with my eyes closed. (And just so everybody knows "I want to bop with you baby" is about dancing, and nothing else. And quite possibly the best song ever.) I also enjoy watching trashy reality TV. I have a very fulfilling life, guys.

Dear Ashley,

Here is the prototype for the ruffle skirt you wanted me to make you. What do you think? (My pictures are not as high quality as the one I was copying, but I definitely got a compliment at church today.)

just a couple more

I made some yarn balls to fill the empty white bowl on our coffee table. (It used to be filled with Christmas decorations, and while I fully admit to listening to Christmas music year-round, the decorations just have to go after New Year's.)

I made a board on which to hang all of the pictures of my favorite nieces and nephews. (Don't worry guys, everyone's included.)

A pillow made out of two clearance napkins and some scrap felt. Total cost: about $.50.

And one more pillow, also made from a napkin and scrap materials. (It's a flower. Just in case you couldn't tell.)

Up next:

A slightly toned-down version of this pillow (with colors to match the color scheme in my room, of course)

This skirt: (Is it obvious yet that I love ruffles?)

And a set of individual whiteboards for my freshmen. I've been promising them for weeks to make them some, so that they can solve problems at their desks using whiteboard markers. (Because that is some how way more fun than solving problems using a pencil.) I even told them they could borrow the school's label maker to label their own boards. I'm pretty sure that makes me teacher of the year. (Or a pushover. Definitely a pushover.)

Proof I watched the Superbowl

The Steelers did not win. Joe picked me up for school the next day, anyway. (He's nice.) And he did a really good job of not being grumpy.

oh, and a couple more things

I have been decorating my room.

Like it?

I printed out a bunch of black and white pictures of DC and hung them up over my bed. And I made those curtains. (They're purple. Still trying to figure out my fancy new camera.)
Notice the bedding? I hit up the Macy's sale and bought $500 worth of bedding (coverlet, sheetset, and bedskirt) for $81. Mom, I take it back. I'm glad I inherited your inability to pass up a good sale.

And did anyone notice my nice, fancy roadbike secluded to the corner of the room behind my bed? When I bought him, the poor little guy thought that he would actually be able to explore the HUNDREDS of miles of hilly, green bike paths that Northern Virginia has to offer. He thought he'd be able to ride along the river under a canopy of trees. No such luck. He's just spinning his wheels in the corner of my room. And let me tell you, riding your bike in your room is not quite as much fun as riding along the Potomac on a sunny afternoon.

Then I made a wreath out of a book. (I proofread to make sure I wasn't destroying any hidden literary genius. Believe me, I was not.) Then I painted that book case a dark brown to match the rest of the furniture in my apartment.

what i've been up to

Making this shirt: It began as a long-sleeved blue and white striped tshirt. Now it is a blue and white striped tanktop with a nice pretty flower on the front.

Making this caridgan: It used to be a (very old - so old that Ashley wore it on her mission. yikes) and added a nice blue ruffle from scrap material. So much cuter.

Making this shirt: It used to be a long-sleeved blue shirt that I bought to wear on blue and gold spirit days. Now it is along-sleeved blue shirt with a nice ruffle on the front. (the ruffle is navy blue, not black as it may appear in the picture)

Making a purse: This one was made entirely from scratch. So cute. And small enough that I can't fill my purse with worthless crap that is completely unnecessary yet still fun to carry around. (15 varieties of lipgloss, anyone? or maybe 4 different books, just in case the first three get a litttle dull.)

Making this skirt: It used to have a very large toucan on it. (Yes, as in the giant tropical bird.) It was on clearance, and since I am my mother's daughter I could not pass up buying a $70 for $10. (Thanks a lot, mom.) I wore it once. I received lots of comments on it. I have since learned that having lots of people comment on your clothing is not always a good thing.

Making lots of fruit smoothies. Plain yogurt + frozen fruit = delicious and nutritious.

Wait, did you just say you wanted to see what these shirts look like when I wear them so you can see how much cuter they are when you put them on? Don't fear, my friends. That post will be coming soon.

it's midnight. what are you doing?

I am sitting in bed, reading a book, eating soy nuts and strawberry fruit roll-ups and drinking crystal lite fitness. And thinking about what i want to wear to school tomorrow.

I am an awesome multi-tasker.

my apologies

I certainly don't want to be that girl who brags about how much better her life is than anyone else's. But today, I have a really good reason.

We had two more snow days.

End of story.

Don't even try to tell me my life isn't awesome.

crafty

In addition to my sewing projects, I have also made one of these:

My first pattern was more simple than this one (I needed to practice) but I have four more empty journals just waiting to be folded into something awesome. (I made my first one while watching the Steelers/Jets game last night. Go Steelers. (I have to say that because my ride to school is a die-hard Steelers fan and it's a long walk to work.)

And then I am making this:

To hang in my room on the one empty wall I have left.

And then, to get back into sewing, I am going to attempt this sweater:

I have a sweater with the same general shape. I just need to alter it and add some buttons. I think I can do it. I'll try, anyway.

don't be jealous

But my 3-day weekend just turned into a 4-day weekend.

Snow days rock.

Dear Drivers of DC,

Thanks for being so bad at driving in the snow. I don't think less of you. Schoolchildren all over the DC metro area are singing your praises right now.

Love,

Poodle

ps

After looking into things, it was actually Kate Spade who wanted me to buy that first tank. And she wanted me to pay way more than $50. Silly girl.

adventures in sewing

Look what I made yesterday!!

Awesome, huh? Anthro wanted me to pay at least $50 for it. They clearly have never met me. Otherwise they would know how ridiculous that is.

Instead, I took a blue and white striped tshirt (purchased for $5 at the Gap 3 years ag0) that I hadn't worn in about 1.5 years. I cut the sleeves off, sewed them on the front of the shirt, and viola!! So cute.

Next, I think I'm going to make this one:

Except I'm going to use a royal blue long sleeved tshirt with some navy blue ribbon that I have from a skirt I bought 5 years ago that really looks much better without the ribbon. (You're going to have to trust me on this one.)

Before you know it, I'm going to have a whole new wardrobe without buying a thing!! (Besides a sewing machine, that is.... Thanks, mom!)

3-day weekend

Oh, how I love thee.

I am sleeping in tomorrow. (Probably really, really late. Seems that nothing can keep me awake these days. Not even The Bachelor! It's disgraceful.)

Then I am celebrating Jonathan's birthday.

Then I am making a skirt, a dress, a pillow, and a shirt. (Maybe a bit ambitious for one day? No problem! Because it's a 3-day weekend! So I have Monday, too!)

Or I may get a massage and a facial. Who knows?! The possibilities are endless.

Oh, the glory of federal holidays.

fyi

five people voted on my super awesome texting poll.

every person responded differently.

you guys are no help at all.

want to see the coolest thing ever?

Yeah, I thought so.

You can take a poll with your cell phone! (In my class, they're actually quizzes, not polls, but whatever.) So every kid can text in their answer, and since their answers are linked to their cell phones, I can see who responded correctly and who did not.

Now, suddenly, quizzes are fun! (Who knew teenagers were so easily tricked? Oh, wait. I did.) And, delight of all delights, they are allowed to use their cell phone during class. Remarkable.

You can either click on your preferred answer, OR send a text to 36707 with your preferred response in the body of the text. (Don't worry. It's free)

If you choose the scarf, text the code 10543

If you choose jeans, text the code 20833

If you choose a skirt, text 20838

If you choose a purse, text 25600

Jewelry 25728.

SO. TOTALLY. AWESOME. (If you're a teacher anyway.)

anyone want to hear a great story?

Okay, so maybe it's only a great story if you're not me. But whatever.

So remember how I got such an awesome deal on my flight home that I got to spend eight whole days playing with these little kids? Well, if you forgot, let me brag just one more time that I got quite possibly the best price on a holiday flight in the history of holiday flights. Hehe.

Unfortunately, all good vacations must come to an end. I arrived at Reagan National Airport at 1 am. My keys did not arrive at Reagan National Airport. They stayed behind on the Peterson's counter. (That's the awesome part of the story)

Luckily, I am friends with a lot of superheroes, so I had a slumber party with Stefi (yay for Stefi!)

Then I fell into a deep dark pit called the Flu. (Don't worry guys. Everything turned out okay. I am still alive.)

how was your new year?

Mine was pretty stinkin awesome.

I had the flu (or something that was 50% headache, 50% fatigue, and 50% congestion.) So instead of going out, I stayed in and watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (Parts I and II, for those of you who were wondering. Which is probably all of you.)

And I made a wreath out of a book! It looks much like this:

I think it is beautiful. And it only cost me $1!!! (Oh, how I love a great deal.)

I also made a yarn wreath (mostly because I was envious of the yarn wreaths all over Bethany's house.) It is also beautiful.

So remember when I pretended to hate crafts? I lied.

Happy New Year!

christmas cheer is alive

in Pentagon City.

See, I was just standing in line purchasing stocking stuffers for those family members who are not so great at purchasing stocking stuffers. (I won't say who. That would just be rude. But I'm pretty sure we all know who I'm talking about.)

So. Back to my story. I am standing in line, and the man in front of me bought my items for me!!!

Okay, so really he had spent so much money the store was allowing him to buy extra stuff for free, so technically he didn't buy my stocking stuffers. But I also didn't have to buy them.

So yay for the Christmas Spirit.

school's out!

Well, not quite. We still have one day left. But at 10:30 today, an announcement was made over the intercom system that, due to snow, school would close at noon.

Yay!

Except now my students think that they don't have to stay for the rest of class. Or act even remotely attentive.

Dear Delta Airlines,

In the spirit of spreading holiday cheer, I just wanted you to know that I love you with all my heart. Thank you for having a mega-sale on holiday flights. You rock.

Love,

Poodle

30

I am officially 30, guys. (Don't tell Santa. He might stop coming to my house, and that would be catastrophic.)

All in all, though, turning 30 was pretty fun. My coworkers bought me a cotton candy machine (which I have used more times than I care to admit). My mom bought me a sewing machine (thanks mom!), Katelyn bought me a gingerbread house mold (guess what I'm doing when I go home for Christmas!) and I finished off the evening with Thai food.

PS - Remember how last year I made a list of 30 things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30? Yeah. Me too. That's all.

hobby

So I'm pretty sure I'm getting a sewing machine for Christmas. I included this on the absurdly long list I made of items that would make me happy (which I sent to my mom, obviously). I pretended that I was going to let her surprise me with which ones she picks. However, after 30 years of being her daughter, I can now guess (with about 95% accuracy) which items she will buy me. (Sorry, mom. You're kind of predictable. But don't worry, I'm super excited about the sewing machine.)

I have big plans for this sewing machine. These plans may or may not involve Project Runway-type projects. Prepare to be amazed.

(I may have practiced just a little with Katelyn's sewing machine. And I may have almost broken it. But I think I have the kinks worked out. I'm ready.)

diy: how to make the best thanksgiving rolls ever

Step 1: Make Mom's homemade roll dough.

Step 2: Melt an entire stick of butter in the bottom of a bundt pan.

Step 3: Cut out the rolls and place them in the bundt pan so that they swim in butter. (It's fun for them.)

Step 4: Let the rolls rise. As they rise, they will absorb the butter (hence absorb delicousness)

Step 5: Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Step 6: Consume. Go to the gym. Consume some more. Go for a run.

Dear Ear Doctor,

(otherwise known as Katie's husband),

When you first told me that Q-tips are evil, I kind of thought you were pulling my leg. Seriously. I didn't think it was possible for someone who loves ears so much (as you apparently do) could not love Q-tips. Bizarre.

But then, suddenly, I couldn't hear out of my left ear. And I completely blame Q-tips. Dang. Turns out you were right. I will never again doubt you or your audiological skills.

All the best,

Poodle

PS - Don't worry, thanks to a couple bottles of debrox drops I can hear again. Crisis averted!

blepharospasms

So, in case anyone was wondering, I can't seem to keep my eyes open these days.

I'm not tired, they just won't stay open. It's something neurological, apparently. So I can't drive. I sometimes run into things when I'm walking. My students think I'm weird because sometimes my eyes close when I'm answering their questions.

But don't worry, I have lots of friends who have all offered to drive me around, cook for me (okay, maybe I can cook for myself, but if anyone offered, I'd certainly accept) and help me out with whatever else I need. They're great.

overheard in the faculty room

So sometimes, if a kid's schedule changes, all of his grades get deleted from my online gradebook. (Annoying for me. Sometimes good for the kid. Sometimes not so good for the kid.)

So theoretically, if a student wants a fresh start, all he has to do is "lose" all of his old papers and change his entire schedule. How delightful.

We were obviously discussing this phenomena in the faculty room (because we had run out of gossip). And the math teacher pipes in:

So, if a student wants all of his grades erased, really, all he has to do is go find that room where we keep the internet....

3-day weekend

It was blissful.

I slept.

I read.

I organized my closet. (Still working on that one.)

I did not grade a single paper. I did not do anything I didn't really want to do.

Back to work tomorrow.

i moved!!!

After a month of sleeping on the floor, I have finally moved into a permanent apartment! It is delightful.

In case anyone was wondering, Katelyn and I have excellent style. Since my camera cord was lost in the move (along with my flat iron and curling iron) you will have to come visit to see what it looks like. But please wait until I have time to replace my flat iron. I am having some bad hair days recently. (How embarrassing...)

But the great news is, only two weeks left until my foot will return to full functionality. I am looking forward to my inaugural run (and inaugural bike ride). Everyone's invited. It's going to be a huge party.

Ragnar

I am not really sure why spending 30 hours in a car with no shower and no sleep is fun, but it really is. Except this year, I was not allowed to run because of my broken foot. Jack took my place. He was way faster than I would have been. But I came along anyway as van chauffeur/entertainer extraordinaire. I don't want to brag or anything, but I think I was a perfect fit for the job.

Except for when I thought that I had dropped the car keys in the porta-potty. I can laugh now, but I was less than amused when I was digging around on my desperate search. (Don't worry, the keys were found safe and sound under another team's van.) And I totally secured my prize as "most dedicated team member". Which makes it totally worth it. (Right?)

did you hear?

I broke my foot.

Which wouldn't be so bad if the weather out here weren't perfect for running and frolicking in the great outdoors. And if the Ragnar Relay weren't this weekend, and if my marathon weren't coming up in 6 weeks.

Needless to say, I am not running Ragnar. Even though I am the team captain. BUT my new coworker is probably running in my place, which makes me feel good that I could make the new guy feel welcome. Yippee.

first day

We went back to school today (finally). As wonderful as my summer was, it was great to be back discussing really important things like exactly how old Bill Clinton is (trust me, it relates) to why you can't win a track meet if you run in the wrong direction.

My juniors are delightful. So delightful, in fact, that even the most crotchety teachers can only think of good things to say about them. And when you can get Adam the history teacher to say good things about you, you have won a very hard-fought battle. (Again, you're going to have to trust me on this one.)

just in case

Just in case you ever wondered what teachers do before school starts, I will tell you.

First, we sit through hours of meetings that have no known purpose.

Then, just as we think we are going to die of boredom, we start playing pranks on one another. And suddenly, life is much better.

sad news

Okay, not only is this my last week of summer, but I also learned some terrible news today.

My copy of Mockingjay is not even shipping until the 30th!!! The copy that I pre-ordered so that I would have it the day it came out!!

(Okay, so maybe I pre-ordered because it was half price. But still!)

Life is hard.

holy cow

I only have one week of summer left.

Seriously.

Then I have to actually get up in the mornings. And go to work. And leave my house every day! Not sure what I'm going to do with myself.

But until then, I have been thoroughly enjoying the every last bit of summer by moving to Virginia, buying a bike, spending time at the pool, and convincing my former roommate that it might be time for her to pay the utility bill. (We're still working on that last one.)

inventory

Moving forces you to take inventory of the things you own, whether you like it or not.

Turns out my possessions fall into the following categories:

32% clothing

32% furniture

32% books

3% sports/athletic/outdoor gear (which will increase when I buy my new road bike this week)

1% everything else

I have my priorities, okay?

hehe

I just invited a bunch of people over for a barbecue Sunday night.

What they don't know is that Sunday also happens to be the day that my furniture will need to be moved from my room to the basement.

I'm sneaky.

you are SOOOO welcome

Hey, did you guys know that you can now pay your tithing using your bank's online billpay?

It's true. You can.

They announced this in my ward's Relief Society a few weeks ago. Out of the 200 women sitting in RS that week, I think I was the only person listening.

I might have started clapping.

But ever since then, every single person I have mentioned this to acts shocked. They all want to know where on earth I learned such a thing.

(In relief society, obviously. The same Relief Society that they were sitting in. (I think this might tell us something interesting about Relief Society "announcement time". Maybe. I'm just saying...))

And then they want to hug me. And be my best friend. It's almost like I invented it myself. (I didn't. I just know how to do it. And now I am exploiting it so that people will like me.)

dear bethany,

I made giant home-made oreos the other day. Thought of you. Wish you were here.

Love,
Poodle

3 weeks

Only 3 weeks of summer left. I can't say I'm ready for it to end.

But tomorrow I leave for Nashville to spend the weekend playing with Bexie and her kids. And hopefully taking in some good country music.

And then I get to dog-sit for my coworker. He thinks I'm doing him a huge favor, but really I get to spend 5 days playing with his dog, eating his food, and watching his TV (and scooping up a little bit of dog turd along the way). (He thinks I need to be a live-in dog sitter. People around here love their dogs. Fine by me.)

And everybody keep your fingers crossed that I will find a place to live by the 15th. Please, I would rather not sleep in my car.

Right now....

I am wishing summer would move just a little bit slower. I am really enjoying this whole no work and all play thing. Just over a month left.

I am looking forward to a trip to the rodeo this weekend. Nothing beats bull riding, mutton busting, and fair food.

On a more serious note, I am making steps towards buying both a bike and a house. I think the house is a slightly bigger deal than a bike, but both are stressful. I have a hard time with large purchases, in case you didn't know. But if I'm ever going to do a triathlon, I need a bike. And if I'm ever going to feel like a real grown-up, I need a house. (or condo. whatever.)

brother

I have recently been informed that I never talk about my brother. Apparently a few people thought I didn't have one.

I do. I like him.

We were totally partners in crime when we were little. Then I turned into a poodle, and as it turns out, poodles do not make the best partners in crime.

But now he has what might be the cutest child on the planet.

summertime!

Summer is finally here. All I can say is, it's a good thing May went by so fast. Otherwise I would have been royally annoyed by the fact that I was still in school on June 11. As it were, I thought it was still May, and being in school during the month of May is nothing to be annoyed by.

I am already on my summer schedule of staying up until 3 am. I am not, however, sleeping this summer away. Instead, I have all kinds of plans.

I am going to become a better tennis player. I have been practicing for a few weeks with my coworkers after school, and am already light years ahead of where I was before. Which still does not mean that I am particularly good, but I'm getting there.

I am going to read a LOT of books. I've already finished a couple, and started a new one called The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. So far, so good.

I am going to start a new blog. One all about teaching. It's already started, actually, but is not ready for public viewing. (Don't worry, this one is not going anywhere.)

I will find a new item to grill every week. Today it was strawberry shortcake. It is true that everything tastes better off the grill.

Best of all, I am going to spend as much time as possible out in the sunshine. (Most likely reading books in the sunshine.)

Oh. And I am not going to hate girl's camp. I'm convinced of it.

Dear Bexar,

How am I supposed to be your favorite sister when you never answer your phone?

Love,
Poodle

okay, okay. here i am.

Just in case you were wondering, I am still alive. And doing well, thank you very much. My days are filling up nicely, which means that I will thoroughly enjoy the end of the school year. (Which is coming up in exactly 5 days. Not that I'm counting....)

Weekly routine:
Monday: Tutoring, followed by the latest episode of The Bachelorette and grilling anything and everything that can be grilled. (bananas, pineapple, stuffed peppers, corn, and the list goes on.)

Tuesday: Tennis Tuesday! I am getting SO good. (As long as you're okay with having a flexible definition of "good".)

Wednesday: more tutoring and being Ashley's personal shopper.

Thursday: more tutoring

Friday: take a nap.

dearest may,

No offense, but I don't really remember much about you.

I hope I get along a little better with June.

Regretfully,
Poodle

dear ashley,

your job sucks.

but i still love you.

your favorite sister,

poodle

books. (surprise, surprise)

Now that I am officially done teaching seniors I have all kinds of time on my hands. Which means a book order from Amazon.

I am currently reading The Space Between Us, which is taking me forever. (Mainly because it's not as great as I want it to be. Okay, but not great.)

So I went ahead and ordered Physics of the Impossible (physics that could theoretically explain invisibility cloaks and other such things. awesome.) Ella Minnow Pea (I have no idea what this book is about, but it's been on my amazon wish list for forever) and Let the Great World Spin (I hear it's excellent. I hope it doesn't disappoint.)

Anyone have any other recommendations? It seems I've hit a rut.

good news bad news

Okay, so I have some good news and I have some bad news.

Bad news: I am not going to Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia this summer like I had planned.

Good news: I am going go Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia next summer! Why? Because I think I can get my school to pay for it. Sometimes they're nice like that.

Bad news: I do not have a summer job.

Good news: I have been tutoring for the past few months, which pays WAY better than summer school does and is tax-free. So don't you worry, I can still afford to go to Italy and Greece this summer. And visit Bexar. And spend a lot of time reading books by the pool.

Bad news: I am out of bad news. Turns out being me is pretty easy these days.

pictures

I finally found my camera cord in a trunk of clothes.

The race ended on the beach at Dana Point. We would have been smiling even if it had ended in a junkyard. We were just happy to see each other.

And Ashley and January made friends with a guy named Johann. He liked us because we filled his water bottle for him so he wouldn't die. What can I say, we are good people.

my pants ARE on fire

You're right. I said I would post pictures, and I have not.

I can't find my camera cord. I'm still looking.

But in the meantime, if you want to read a really depressing book, read The Weight of Heaven. So well written but seriously so depressing. And I rarely find books depressing. Sad, yes. Depressing, no.

If you want to read a really excellent book, read Sold. It's about a girl who is sold into prostitution, so you would think that it would be depressing, but it's not. It is excellent. Love it.

The end.

socal ragnar

For those of you who were wondering, california was lots of fun.

even though our team captain did not like me, ashley was there, so how could i NOT have fun? seriously.

i did very little sleeping, lots of running, and lots of sister time. exactly what i needed out of my weekend.

i will post pictures tomorrow. i promise.

teenagers are funny

In the middle of class last week, (while I was wearing my favorite, very large necklace) one of my students raised his hand:

"Ms. Reed, what would happen if you fell over and couldn't get up because your necklace was too heavy?"

good news, guys

in case you were worried that i might be running out of things to do, i am flying to california next weekend to run ragnar with ashley. luckily my principal thinks running is awesome and will give me a day off of school. sometimes i love him.

born to run

has anyone read it? if not, you should. it'll make you love running.

now, maybe this means that i'm easily swayed, but after reading it all day long saturday (while sitting on my porch basking in the sun) i decided to get up and run 8 miles. it turned out to be the fastest 8 miles i have ever run. (i know because i have the awesome garmin wristwatch. it told me how fast i was. i wanted to hug it.)

then today, after my regular run, i ran 1.5 miles barefoot through the grass. it just might have loved that 1.5 miles more than any other 1.5 miles i've ever run.

now, i know i say this a lot, but this book just might change your life. seriously.

2010 books

As you know, when I turned 29, I made a list of 30 things I wanted to accomplish before I turn 30, including reading at least 30 books this year. Easy.

So far I have read:

1. Into Thin Air

2. Rules of Survival (kind of heartbreaking)

3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

4. The Girl who Played with Fire

5. I am the Messenger (one of my favorite books EVER)

6. Ender's Game (also one of my favorite books ever)

7. The Maze Runner

8. Eat, Pray, Love (delightful)

9. The Glass Castle (fantastic)

10. Left Behind (surprisingly good, considering it's a "Christian Lit" novel. It's the only book my co-worker has read cover to cover, so I obviously had to read it out of curiosity)

11. The Great Gatsby (again)

12. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (not as good as I had wanted it to be)

13. Catching Fire? (maybe... I can't remember when I read this one)

up next:

Born to Run. Everybody at work has been talking about it, and I feel left out. Especially since I run. Supposedly this book says it's okay (in fact, preferable) to not spend a lot of money on running shoes, which is awesome because, let's face it, I don't like spending a lot of money on anything.

Utah

Besides the fact that it snowed, Utah was awesome.

I played with Violet every day, securing my spot as favorite aunt. Brandon thinks that she loves me more than she loves him, which might be true. I mean, I don't want to brag or anything, but I am a pretty awesome aunt.

I consumed all-you-can-eat french toast from Magelby's Fresh, had dinner with some old friends, and took a nap pretty much every day.

correction

For those of you who read Ashley's blog, "extremely high grooming standards" is not a downfall.

And yes, having a poodle as your best friend is SO totally worth it.