a few new favorite things

Peanut butter filled Hershey's kisses (to die for!!!)

diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke (yummy! way to mix to of my favorite flavors together)

Vegetable Italiano Progesso soup (great for a cold gloomy day)

my new Black and Decker blender (finally can make smoothies!)

it's raining!

I was just sitting on the couch, reading, when I heard this unfamiliar sound, a pitter on the windows and roof. I looked outside and it's raining. Not just a drizzle, but a steady rain. It hasn't truly rained here in months.

Even though we desperately need the rain, it still makes me want to crawl into bed and sleep. Takes me back to winters in Blacksburg, where it was cloudy and gloomy about 90% of the time. Gotta love the New River Valley:)

Where were you?

10 years ago: I must have been a sophomore, too, since Karebear and I are the same age. I was living in Main Egg two doors down from Mish (btw, why doesn't she have a blog?); we'd make our daily trek to Owens for meals and we had some ridiculous Sociology class with a professor who obviously smoked too much (but isn't one cigarette too much?). I was a psych major at the time but took my first Spanish class that spring semester. Who knew it would change my life forever?

5 years ago: I lived in Harrisonburg after coming back from a year in Venezuela. It was my "what the heck do I want to do with my life" year, or so I thought. Too bad I'm still living that year...anyways, I had two jobs, one as an office manager at a crisis pregnancy center and another as a home/school liaison with Migrant Education Program. I loved that job and wished they would offer me full time, but that didn't happen until April when I had already decided to join staff.

3 years ago: I was in Venezuela for round 2, living with my favorite family in the world in the midst of a 3 month long nationwide strike. I remember the guys on the street corners who bought 2-liter Cokes in Colombia and sold them on the street for a huge markup because there was none in any of the stores. Everything was shut down and the lines for gasoline were literally miles long. Buses didn't run and taxis were also scarce and it was nearly impossible to do ministry.

1 year ago: Yikes, I don't like to think about this. I had just heard back from Hewitt that I got a job as a customer service associate, and I was actually excited about it because I was so desperate for a job. At least the uncertainty of getting the bills paid would shortly be ending.

yesterday: Tried once again, and almost surely unsuccessfully, to teach reflexive verbs to my Spanish II classes. Took my co-worker Tim to Whataburger so we could grab lunch. Had coffee with a friend and caught up on our lives. Definitely the highlight of an otherwise horrible week.

today: Same ol' same ol'. Had my terrible, rotten, no-good first period today (my school is on an A/B block schedule so today was a B day). To start it all off, one student saw his progress report grade, wasn't happen, and decided to let a stream of obscenities fly out. Office referral number one for the day. As I'm writing it up, he starts calling another kid derogatory terms (nevermind that it wasn't even related to the other kids true race) and the second kid was ready to pound him. So, I had to send kid #2 outside to cool down while I finished the referral. The kid who called me stupid on Wednesday was in true form again today. He threw paper all over the room but I could never catch him in the act. He was disruptive, etc. I told him that we were going to have a conference after school because his behavior was unacceptable. The bell rang and on his way out he hurled a paper wad at me, aiming for my face but hit me in the chest instead. It actually stung a little so I know if it had hit me in the face it would have hurt. I was furious! I wrote up an office referral and marched straight to the office during second (my planning period). My favorite assistant principal was in so I talked to him about the issue and he called the student down. He reemed this kid out for a while. I felt bad for the kid but at the same time he has been this way for a while and this isn't his first occurance. Another teacher said I should file charges for assault because that is what he was intentionally trying to do, even if just with paper. I have had it with this kid, though. I shouldn't have any further problems, though, after today. Parents have been notified and a conference is in the works. I will not put up with disrespect any more!

tomorrow: Sleeping in! Going to the library is on the agenda for the morning, then I have a test review thingie for yet another test for certification that I have to take in February. That is most of the afternoon, then I plan on hitting SuperTarget to finally stock up on groceries. It has been rough lately but finally payday came! Yipee!

5 snacks i enjoy: peanut M&M's, Dove chocolate, kettlecorn, white chocolate covered pretzels, Nutella spread on almost anything

5 songs i know all the words to: Ummm, this is a hard one...Living on a Prayer/Bon Jovi; Where the Streets Have No Name/U2; You Can Call Me Al/Paul Simon; Born to Fly/Sara Evans; Nothing But the Taillights/Clint Black (this is in no way an exhaustive list...)

5 things i would do with $100,000,000.00: Get out of debt! Pay of those pesky school loans finally! Then buy a house or two, give lots away to various ministries, never work another day in my life, and volunteer where I wanted. I'd also go to back to school just because I love learning. And I'd travel!

5 locations i'd like to run away to: Hawaii, Venezuela, Greece, Australia, Mexico

5 bad habits i have: Eating crap food; not exercising enough; not having consistent QT's; not flossing regularly; gossiping

5 things i like doing: Watching movies, traveling, reading, cross stitching, playing with my kitties

5 things i would never wear: anything that shows off my flourescent white legs; belly shirts; leg warmers; matching outfit of boyfriend/spouse; holiday cardigan (you teachers know exactly what I'm talking about!)

5 t.v. shows i like: Lost; ER; What Not to Wear; Extreme Makeover Home Edition; Law & Order: SVU

5 movies i like: About a Boy; Spanglish; While You Were Sleeping; Return to Me; Pirates of the Carribbean

5 favorite toys: I'm broke; I can't afford any toys!

recommendation

I just finished watching the sweetest movie, "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." I love how the friendships of 4 young women are portrayed in such a positive light. Precious!

I'm going to the library tomorrow to see if I can find the books!

horrible day

I almost quit today. My first period class was horrible. I hate American teenagers! They were loud, obnoxious, rude and disrespectful, refused to do any work, and I got called my normal "boring" but with an added, "you're stupid". Okay, punk, when you graduate from college and have lived on 3 continents, then you can call me stupid! Once class was over, I went into a co-workers room and just lost it. I cried and cried. Not because of what was said to me but because of their disrespectful behavior. If you don't like my class, fine; you don't have to pay attention or act interested. But shut your mouth! Sit there and just be quiet. Don't make everyone else's life miserable because you think the world revolves around you. I hate my life right now. I have absolutely nothing to look forward to here. Sure, I have good things in my life, like the fact that today is my bro and sister-in-laws' due date, but those things are so far away. I work, come home, work some more, and sleep. It's miserable. But it's not like I even have the energy to change anything. Never ending cycle...

donuts

1. What goes best with a donut?
o Milk
o Muffins, bacon, eggs, toast... mmmmo Irish coffee
o A mint chocolate chip iced coffee drinko You've been asking yourself that for a while now
o Your normal coffee - two sugars and cream (nonfat latte with 4 splendas)

2. What's better? Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme?
o Doesn't matter - whatever's closest to youo You'll have both, thanks!
o You prefer an indie donut shop
o Krispy Kreme, especially when they're hot (yummy! hotnows!!!)
o Dunkin Donuts, no question about it
o Depends on what you're getting

3.If you were a donut, what would you be filled with?
oCherry flavored jelly
o Apple filling
o Caramel
o Gooey dougho Chocolate
o Cream (the white sugary vanilla or boston, both are great!)

4.When you get up in the morning, you're most likely to say "Time to make the ..."
o Coffee (i wake up at 5am people!)
o Bacon
o Alarm clock stop ringing
o Pancakes
o Cappuccino
o Donuts

5. How many donuts do you eat in one sitting? (be honest!)
o 1
o 3
o You lose count
o Enough to get a sugar high
o 2 (not too bad, right? i don't eat them that often...)
o 6

mountains

I had a dream 2 nights ago that I was driving through enourmous mountains covered in snow. The peaks reached up as high as the Alps. The sun was shining and it was all so breath taking. I miss the mountains so much. Virginia mountains are nothing like what I saw in my dream, but I still miss them. I think the enormity of their size in my dream shows how much I miss being home.

Dreams are funny things. I often find myself in the morning wishing I could fall back asleep to my dream because the thought of going through my boring drudgery real life leaves me restless and discontent.

I need to get out more...

ginger

doing what they do best

I can't believe they are actually sitting next to each other. Usually Simba (right) attacks Ginger within seconds of their being close to one another. He's just having fun; she does not feel the same way and hisses at him...

small victories

I made it to the gym yesterday. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill then walked for a long time waiting for the Redskins to beat Tampa Bay. I even did some weight training. Now we'll just have to see if I can keep it up!

blah

That is what I feel today. I feel like there is a hole in my stomach, a sinking pit. I think I'm getting sick of hearing how other people's lives are going somewhere and I feel stagnant. Plus I'm exhausted because school started back up this week. I gotta look at the positives...

change

Sometimes I like change. Sometimes I don't. Right now is one of those times when I don't like change. I printed out a class roster for the 6 weeks starting on Wednesday (trying to be prepared) and I noticed some names I did not recognize. I looked through all my classes and not only do I have new students in each of them, but some of my favorites were taken out! This is a bit of a shock for me, especially after the guidance office let us know that there would be very minimal schedule changes mid-year. This is very frustrating me because I tend to be protective of people. I have had these students for a full semester and I know them; they are my kids. Now everything is getting all mixed up! I need to make a new seating chart but I have no idea where to put people because I don't know who knows who, who's a discipline issue, etc. Very frustrating! Ugh!

Happy New Year!

I have made some goals for this year. I don't like the word "resolutions" because I tend to not fulfill them, so we're going with "goals" this time around. Goals are things to shoot for; it makes me want to work harder to reach them than keeping a resolution. Here are the four I have come up with so far:

1. Train for and run a half marathon. I already mentioned this one. I have no idea how long it will take to actually accomplish this one, but I'm hoping before the end of the year. I'm registering for a 5K in February to get my into gear.

2. Pass the TOPT--this is an uber hard oral profiency test I have to pass in order to become fully certified. It's really tough; someone said that only 10% of non-native speakers pass it the first time around. I have 2 chances to take it before next school year starts. I have a lot of work to do!

3. Meet with a financial advisor and start investing. My savings account is pathetic and I really want to start investing for the future. I'd love to be able to buy a house one day!

4. Start seminary. I have already started filling out the application online and I made a reservation to participate in a 2 day info session in March. My hope is to start taking a class this fall.

So, that's it for now. I'm sure I will have more to add as the year progresses. Those are my top 4 for now. I will keep you updated on how things go. Happy New Year!!!

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.