goal

I want to be a marathoner. Really. I need to start training at some point because right now I don't know if I can run 3 miles, let alone 26! There is a 5K on Feb. 11th that I want to sign up for. This will give me a goal to work towards. Once I accomplish this race, I can look for a 10K to train for, then up to a half marathon, then a full. I have no idea how long this process will take, but if I take baby steps, I know that I can achieve my goal. One of the things I want to do before I die is compete in a full marathon.

To be continued...

current obsession

My current obsession section is old. I need a new current obsession. Unfortunately I don't have one at the moment. I'll have to think on this one.

If I had gotten an ipod for Christmas, I'm sure that would be my obsession; I'd spend all my time, like a fellow blogger, doing stuff with it. But, I'll have to wait on that one. My mom did say if I don't get one before my birthday she will get it for me. Hmmm, that's 6 months away. I need one now because I am convinced that I will not be able to exercise properly at the gym without it. I guess I could use that as an excuse as to why I can't shed the 20 pounds I would love to lose by summer and swimsuit weather.

gift card Christmas

I received several this yuletide season. Yesterday I spent my Target card on new flatware. I know, boring, but I have been wanting new flatware since I moved into my own place. I don't even know where the old stuff came from, probably remnants of college. I also got some cute earrings.

I got 2 Starbucks cards. That's right; now I'll be able to get my caffiene fix before having to face nutso teenagers.

I also got a card to J.C. Penney. This one was a surprise because of the place, but it will definitely come in handy. I haven't decided what I'll get. I'm still in need of slippers and I'd like to continue building up my earring wardrobe.

motivation

I lack this today. I need to clean my apartment in the worst way. If I don't get it done this week, it will not get done until summer vacation. Once school starts back up, there's no looking back. Now that I'm feeling better, I need to get into gear and get cleaning. I have the kitchen and bathroom done, just need to mop the floors. It's the rest of the apartment that's going to take a while. I'm a perfectionist and because I know it will never be perfect, why even bother trying to straighten up? But I have friends coming into town and I am so embarrassed by the state of my place!

I need some kind of reward system. When I finish cleaning an area, I should reward myself. Let me think...it can't be anything monetary because I don't have any. It can't be food because goodness knows I don't need more of that right now! I will have to brainstorm on this.

And by the way, before you start thinking I'm a complete slob, I clean my bathroom and kitchen regularly.

commentaries

One of my favorite weekend shows is CBS News Sunday Morning. It usually has feel good stories about small towns and funny travels as well as commentaries on different subjects. I really like Ben Stein's commentaries. He has such a dry sence of humor but above all else, he makes sense! Here is a recent favorite titled, "Who Are Nick and Jessica?" Enjoy!

And Merry Christmas!!!

relapse

Just when I thought I was getting better, this cold came back with a vengence! Yesterday I felt pretty good although tired. Then last night I started coughing and sneezing all over the place. I felt weak and ucky. I didn't sleep well last night (again) and today I feel so exhausted. I forced myself to go to the store to pick up more tissues and vapor rub (that's what you smell, by the way) and it seems to be helping a little. I hate being sick!!!

Funny sidenote: Simba was biting at his tail, trying desperately to get something loose. Curious as to what it could be, I grabbed him and saw it was a sticker that had gotten stuck to his tail and he couldn't get it off. I helped by yanking it, along with lots of fur. Poor guy! He seems to be content now, though, sleeping in a ball on the floor. Earlier as I was rubbing the vabor rub on my neck, he came up and wanted to smell. I thought he would run away once he got a whif, but not so. Strange cat!

generic

For those of you wondering, I am feeling much better today. Still a little tired and run down, but overall I feel much better. I tried cleaning earlier but it took a lot out of me so instead, I'm baking chocolate chip cookies.

I make pretty good oatmeal cookies but I have never had much luck with chocolate chip. They just don't turn out that well...until today. These are really good! I bought the generic chips at the store and followed the recipe on the bag. And viola! They are quite tasty! Who knew?

I realized today that I use a lot of generic products, from cold medicine to bathroom cleaner to cereal. It not only saves a lot of money, I usually can't tell a difference between them and the name brand. Now, before you think I'm a total cheapskate, I still have those few items that must be name brand: Smuckers jelly, Jif peanut butter, Starkist tuna, Tropicana orange juice.

sick day #2

I am still sick, which isn't very surprising since you usually have a cold for more than one day. I didn't sleep well last night and I'm so exhausted and drained. I want some juice but I don't have any and can't muster up the energy to go to the store. I am supposed to get together with a friend tonight at Starbucks and I know I should just go ahead and reschedule but I feel so bad about doing that. But I'm also sure she'd rather get together when I am less germy. My apartment is a disaster so I feel even worse than I do to begin with. Ugh!

Okay, okay, no more complaining. I'm going to try to change into something other than my flannel pajama pants and go to the store.

sick day

I hate being sick, especially when I'm on vacation. It seems to work out that way for me. I remember several times being sick on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day growing up. I guess the holiday stress just wears me down...okay, not likely since I really don't feel any stress in that department. My stress is reserved solely for school related topics. Back to being sick, I'm achy and congested and coughing and my throat is on fire. This came on all of the sudden so I'm thinking it could be the flu, which totally stinks; the one year I don't get a flu shot!

Why is it that only one nostral seems to get stopped up? I can breathe just fine out of my right one but my left side is all clogged. I don't know if it's always the same one that is clogged (thankfully I don't get sick that often) but I do remember that one is always messed up. And why can't I fall asleep? I even took Nyquil for heaven's sake! That stuff should knock me out. I'm so sleepy and drained and have no energy to even squeeze lemons to make this hot lemon and hot water mixture that is the Venezuelan cure-all for everything from colds to plantars warts (this is what they always recommended to me when I was sick in VZ). And yet, I can't fall asleep.

Simba

I was just looking for Simba. I couldn't find him anywhere. I looked in all his usual spots: curled up in the corner of the dining room, under the bedside table in my room, in my closet. He was nowhere to be found. I was about to resort to calling out the "t" word (treats) which was sure to get him out of any hiding place. The thing about cats is they don't come when you call their names. It's always on their terms. Anyways, I looked at my unmade bed and noticed an unusual lump. I pulled the covers down and there was Simba, curled in a ball getting himself warm. Yes, it is chilly in my apartment but he must have been really cold to do that. He's so goofy!

Christmas presents #2

I started and finished my Christmas shopping today. I know, I'm a big time procrastinator! I hope everyone likes their presents; I tried to be creative while sticking close to the lists people provided. The most exciting gifts to buy were for my little baby nephew set to arrive mid-January. I love cute little baby clothes and blankets, etc. So fun to buy that stuff!

I even got the presents in the mail today. Talk about industrious! And while the line at the post office was a little long, it went really quickly. Way to go PO! Should be there by Thursday, yay!

Christmas presents #1

I had a notice in my mailbox on Thursday that I had a package waiting at the office for me. Yay, I love packages! Unfortunately the office decided to close early so I had to wait until yesterday to retreive it. I knew it was a Christmas present; my mom told me the night before that she had ordered something from Amazon.com for me. I went to the office yesterday and sure enough it was a box with Amazon emblazend on the side. I then had an inner struggle. Should I open the box or wait until Christmas? It wasn't gift wrapped so it wasn't very pretty to look at. But it was a present all the same. Finally the child in me won out and I opened the box. Inside were 2 dvds: Napolean and Pride & Prejudice. Yipee! I love getting presents!

arrivals

My sister arrives to the US from France this evening. She's in the air even as I type this (I think; that whole time change thing gets me all confused). I'm excited to actually talk to her and hear how she's doing. Going overseas changed my life and I'm sure it has hers.

The funny thing is that my sister and I do not communicate that regularly. Don't misunderstand me, I love her; we just don't talk as often as we probably should. And I haven't seen her in a year. I miss her more now though than I ever have. I think part of it has to do with my being protective of my baby sister and she being so far away. Plus she is a junior in college now, almost ready to bound into the world...

I can't wait to talk to her.

intervention

I spoke to a fellow blogger via phone last night. We have started weekly phone dates during Lost commercial breaks (sidenote: stinks that Lost is reruns, I'm so sick of those new people!). I called her to let her know that another blogging friend had threatened to cut her out of her list of blogs to read if she didn't update her blog. She informed me that she hasn't checked email in forever and forgot about her blog. What!? How can someone not check email? And forget about the blog? I hope I was able to convey to her the importance of staying connected to the world and not living like a hermit. We shall see...

why i do this...

One of my students was in my room after school with questions about his grades and such. It's amazing how they come out of the woodwork when the six weeks is about to end. He shared with me how he really wants to graduate and go to college. I asked where he was planning on going and he said he wants to start out at community college and then eventually go on to get his 4 year degree. He asked, "What's up with college? What is it like? How will I even know what to major in?" I told him that he will have the opportunity to take classes in various areas to find out what he likes and doesn't like, and hopefully that will help him choose a career. I asked him what interests him and we continued to talk for a few more minutes. As he left, my heart felt so proud and I thought, "Students like him are the reason I am here."

internet dating

One of my new friends here in Dallas wants me to sign up for an internet dating service. I'm an old fashioned girl; I want to be pursued! I feel like internet dating makes it easy for the men because they know when a girl is interested. They don't have to put themselves on the line and take a risk. Unfortunately, this way isn't working too well for me. I'm too embarrassed to put the number of years it has been since I had a date.

I think getting a circle of friends together is more of a priority than dating. Plus, I can't afford it, although the free meals would be nice.

as if traffic wasn't bad enough...

I thought Orlando traffic was bad. And it still is, probably the worst I've ever experienced in this country. But Dallas traffic ranks right up there. It is always busy on the highways, even on Sundays when people are supposed to be hanging out at home with the fam. No one uses their signals here, super annoying, especially when you get cut off going 70 mph. Anyways, traffic is bad here. So what does some genius decide to do? He must have gone to the beach and saw those airplanes flying over head with the trailing ads and thought, "wow, what a great way to advertise!" Now these planes fly over the Dallas metroplex advertising attorneys and jewelry stores. One huge difference between the beach and here: people at the beach aren't doing anything but laying there so not too much concern over a major pile up on the highway!

I think I'm going to write to my congressman about this!

and the award goes to...

The first thing that came to my mind this morning as I woke up was the strangest memory. When I was in the 7th grade one of my classes was an exploratory block. The point of this class was to allow students to experience several different types of classes. I spent 6 weeks in various classes, from home ec. to a careers class where the teacher told me my eye brows were huge and that pharmacology (what I wanted to be at the time) was a boring profession. Way to encourage the future there, Mrs. Whatever-your-name-was. Anyways, one of the classes was shop. Yes, you read correctly, I was actually allowed near power tools. I wasn't exemplary in this class by any means, yet somehow my teacher nominated me for student of the week. I would not have been surprised if I had been nominated in a core subject area like English or social studies (yes, I was a nerd; still am). But shop? I, to this day, still have no idea why he chose me out of all his students as student of the week. I don't remember all the prestige and benefits that came with this title, except that I was allowed to cut to the front of the lunch line that week. I think I may have been given a pencil or something, too.

I think I'll try to choose one of my students for this honor. I don't know if there are any benefits with the award other than knowing your teacher thinks you're a good student.

Christmas list

My family wants to know what I want for Christmas. The truth is, I have no idea. I don't feel in the Christmas mood at all this year, even after going to an amazing performance at the biggest church I've ever been in (it has it's own workout facility!). I'm so blah right now. I think my problem is that I have been slaving away at a job that is killing me and I haven't met any people or found a church yet. Plus, the biggest downer of all is that I can't go home for the holidays. It's been 2 years since I went home. That's so long! I really miss Virginia. Anyways, I've been racking my brain trying to come up with things. What I'd really like is to be out of debt at last but we're talking around $8000 so I don't think that's going to happen (school loans etc).

Here's my list so far:
-subscriptions to "Real Simple" and "Cooking Light"
-slippers
-"Pride and Prejudice" dvd with Colin Firth
-Napolean Dynamite

Anyone have any ideas of things I can ask for?

fire alarm check

I just got a flyer on my door that said the apartment complex will be coming into apartments to check the fire alarms. I wish I had a little more notice; my place is a wreck! I know, who cares what they think of my piles? But I do! It embarrasses me to think of people coming into my place and thinking I'm a slob. So, I need to get cleaning, or at least throw everything into my closet and shut the door.

this is only a test...

I took a test today, one of three that I have to take to get fully certified as a teacher. It was the written Spanish exam; all multiple choice so you would think no big deal. Not so. Everyone told me not to worry, that I would do fine. I left the test unsure of how I did. Usually you know right away on a test, either you passed with flying colors or you bombed it. I have no idea. There were so many questions that I was uncertain of and that I second guessed myself. I feel like I don't really know Spanish. Sad thing is that this test is supposedly much much easier than the oral profiency exam I have to take in March. This guy in the test today said that a teacher he works with had to take that one 7 times before she passed it. If I fail either of these tests twice, I think I'll quit teaching...

playing hookie!

I stayed up late last night hoping and praying that my school district would be closed today. It was sleeting outside and I just knew it had to happen at some point. No such luck. I woke up this morning at 5:15 and stumbled to the living room to turn on the television. As I hugged my legs to my body trying to stay warm, I watched the little bar at the bottom of the screen with cancellations. My district was not listed. Then I changed the channel. Still no luck. I checked all 4 major stations and none of them had my district. I was so bummed! I started getting ready, all the while complaining under my breath about having to slip and slide to work. As I was putting on my makeup, smelling the coffee brewing in the next room, my cell phone rings (not the cool VT ringtone I've been trying to download, stupid phone). It was my department head. She told me school has just been cancelled. I was happy but ticked it took so long. Oh well, at least I have the day off.

It is so freezing right now! The temp outside is 19 with a real feel of 2 degrees. And that's not in celcius people! No wonder my apartment won't get warm!

weather

It's 65 degrees in my apartment right now. Brrrrrr!!! And outside? 32 with a real feel of 22. Yikes! It's even sleeting right now which is unbelievable. My students were a little nutso today (when aren't they?). They were so excited about the potential for bad weather and getting out of school tomorrow. I have to admit, I desperately want a snow day, too.

reality

I don't know how personal I should get in this thing, especially when it has to do with my students. I'll leave it at this: one of my students got into major trouble and will not be in school for a while. We're not talking getting into a fight and being suspended kind of trouble; this is big time. It breaks my heart. I have students who are troublemakers, who spend lots of time hanging out in in-school suspension or end up suspended from school but this is the first time I've had to deal with this kind of issue. I wish I could go into more detail because I need to process, but I need to protect my students. The reality of my job came crashing down on me today.

a few of my favorite things...

I just had a great cup of coffee this morning and it inspired me to make a list of my current favorite things. Here goes:

mocha peppermint creamer (makes my regular coffee as good as Starbucks)

my new snowman coffee mug (so adorable, got it at Target)

Coke zero (I love this stuff! I can drink it like water!)

working out (I know, I know, it can be hard to get to the gym, but once I'm there, I feel so good!)

cooler weather (it's been in the 50's and 60's and the leaves have even changed colors)

Nutella (spread it on a ritz and it's a delightful treat)

ancillaries (we just got our much awaited supplemental material for the text books and all of us were so excited; one teacher mentioned that you know you're a teacher when this gets you excited; they are making life so much easier)

Memoirs of a Geisha (this book is really good! I can't put it down!)

kitty prints

I bought some furntiture wipes for my new dining room table. I used one last weekend to polish the table. By the way, they don't work as well as using the spray can and a cloth. Anyways, I was washing the dishes this morning and the sun was coming through the dining room window, shining onto the table. It was then that I noticed several little paw prints running across the table. Sneaky little devils! They would never think of walking on the table while I'm there. They know better.

incident

Ginger scared me half to death last night. She was in her usual spot, taking up half the couch like the true princess she is. She was laying on her back, sprawled out and sleeping. I happened to look over at her and she was shaking with her eyes rolled back in her head. I freaked out and thought, "oh my gosh, she's having a seizure!" Ginger isn't a young cat anymore; she's 7 years old. I was frantically thinking through calling an emergency vet and how I would transport her to the office while shaking her a little and saying, "Ginger, Ginger!" She woke up and looked at me with those huge green eyes like she was dazed. She then got up and ran away from me because I had startled her from her sleep.

I guess she was just sleeping and having a dream, but I have never seen her do that before! It scared me to think that she was sick. I'm so attached to these cats...