a whirlwind

I am so so so super excited for this weekend. It will be the first time in like 12 days that I'll get to sleep in, stay in my jammies and spend quality time in my apt. As much as I love traveling, sometimes I am quite the homebody. That being said, don't even begin to convince me to come out of my apt this weekend.

In the last 12 days my life has been quite the adventure. At school we are in the midst of getting 5 new toddlers. One every Monday for a month. Whew. The last newbie starts this Monday and while it all is going well. Its still quite the production to get a new friend settled into our routines.

Yesterday, was quite the afternoon. At 4:25 I thought "we are never going to make it outside" 10 minutes later we finally headed out the door. Yay, we can run and shout and be ruckusey outside. 10 minutes after that? the sprinkles started. No fear, we're tough, sprinkles can't get us! 5 minutes after that? the downpour. I quickly maneuvered under the climber to stay dry. The children? laughing and running and dancing in the rain. It was warm outside, so the rain felt great. At this point I decided. Screw trying to keep them dry. We'll wait for it to let up and go

inside and change. Who cares if they all come home in different clothes, at least they're dry!

Due to some earlier puddle adventures, some of our friends ran out of dry clothes. Never fear! Koala Clothes are here! We have a stash of extras. Antonio was given the choice- dark blue jeans or fushia stretch pants. His outfit ended up being- Brown monkey shirt, fushia stretch pants and brown hiking boots. All courtesy of the Koalas. Oh and the outfit topper? While putting on some socks, we found a hair barrette. Of course he insisted on wearing this too. So Brown monkey shirt, fuschia stretch pants, brown hiking boots and blue sparkly hair barrette. Luckily his dad laughed.

The trip out west was fabulous, just slightly exhausting. Solidified my ideas, that I really am an out west kinda girl. I love a desert atmosphere especially the high desert, which cuts down on the plus 100* days. As we were driving to the mountains Jesse stated- isn't it beautiful, we should move here! My response: ok, lets do it! Don't tempt me and my wanderlusty feet! Although, it is true that if we moved to Colorado (or anywhere near there) I would never see him. In the winter he will ski constantly, in the summer- mountain biking off the same mountain that he skiied on. Therefore, I'll be able to spend time with him during the rainy spring, which in the desert I'm guessing isn't long.

Favorite pix from the trip:

We hiked 2 miles up and back down alongside this waterfall. 2 miles is much better than the 9 of our last hike. But in the high altitude still hard to breathe.

Mo Money

I've been a part of several (very different) money related conversations this week. Maybe I'm at that point in life where as "grownups" we sit around and discuss these important topics. Or maybe its the state of our economy. We can't help but bitch.

Its budget time where I work and I have the (un?)fortunate opportunity to speak for the staff at the board meetings. What this ends up looking like? Lots of listening, lots of bitching when I return home and a bit of speaking. I choose the philosophy of speaking few, but powerful words. The current argument? a .5% difference in raises. a) we deserve raises, don't you dare say we don't! b) the .5% difference you're arguing about amounts to like 5 c/hour. Seriously? Seriously.

The big argument came from the fact that few if any folks out there are getting raises. And we're asking for a tuition increase. We have to raise tuition b/c according to worker's comp, i'm suddenly worth a lot more money. Or at least their charging double for me (cause I'm that awesome!) Oh yeah and food. Can't cut out food. That would lead to very cranky children. So in the midst of these rising costs, and a modest raise, we have to raise tuition. Worker's comp raised their rates to cover costs. Grocery stores raised their prices to cover costs. Were raising tuition to cover costs. Get over it

A friend was sharing about student loans and that they're acruing $1000 interest a month. Interest!!!!! The monthly payment for that loan? something like 50% more than I make a month!!!!! How can you not see that something is broken with this system. Now, yes, once he finishes school he will make bocu bucks and be able to pay off the loan. However, someone is making bocu bucks off his interest. And I'm betting its those same damn loan folks that just fcked our country's housing market. ok now I'm angry

And the final financial conversation of the weekend. I was told "not that you dont deserve to make more money, but you did choose your career field" I know that! But that doesn't mean I'm not going to advocate for equal representation! And yes, I chose my career field, but you know what You Chose Me!

I'm not a money minded person. I can handle my own personal finances. Am attempting to understand this joint financial thingy. And can't even begin to fathom a businesses financing.

I'm exhausted and its only 9 am

A lil bit bitchy

Woke up this morning to a police car parked in front of our place. Jesse left for work, then quickly came back inside to warn me of the impeding doom. Well not doom necessarily, but intriguing none the less. So being the nosy person that I am, I open the curtains and use my observational skills to try and decipher who Mr Cop Man is spying on. My powers of observation noticed that he was munching on an apple (good choice!) and parked parallel with my apartment. So either he was watching the neglectful family that live in front of him and let their 5 yr old child ride a bike unattended in our parking lot. or he's watching the creepy neighbors that live on the other side of the parking lot (who he could observe with the aid of his rear view mirror) They creepy neighbors seem harmless, just a lil bit odd. I mean seriously, when it's 90* who doesn't close the windows in favor of the air conditioner?

I have officially decided that I have attended enough weddings in my life and I am done. Except for the upcoming wedding in 2 weeks. I remember a conversation like 5 years ago with a friend. If you get this relationship back on track, throw a party cause I want to dance at your wedding. Ok, in 2 weeks I will. Can I take it back? Not because I don't want to celebrate with my friend. But because weddings are a pain in the butt! Its this giant event that everyone stresses over and while it must be great to have all your friends and family in one place, its not like you can spend quality time with them.

Luckily I'm in a training program to prepare me for perhaps the biggest wedding of my life! Or at least the biggest since 2003 a Texas Wedding (at least I think it was '03) As part of the training program, I recently attended a Bachelorette party where I met the bride a grand total of once! Its a lil awkward when asked to explain how you know the bride and the answer is- uh friend of the groom? My favorite part of the night? She opened a gift of a panda cause apparantly she has a thing for pandas and the quiet response from my buddy. "Yet we saw an actual panda with the groom!" Ha! Winners!

I am getting excited for the wedding. Cause if nothing else, I'll get to see some friends, travel out west and eat a fabulous burrito (if i can meander my way through the airport) Must find the perfect dress/shoe ensamble.

In the spirit of preparing for my review at work- I've been doing some reflecting and dreaming for the upcoming year. My goal: to spend less than 10% of my vacation time attending weddings.

Last night I came home to a car parked up against the curb behind my parking spot. Now while I did channel my awesome parking skills to get my car into the spot- I did have a moment where I thought "Your the idiot who parked in my way, I should be allowed to run over your car" I bet its the damn family that lets their kids play in the street!

Gonna drink more coffee to improve my attitude before work

My next career

I've decided that for my next career I'm going to be a travel agent. Specializing in roadtrips across america.

In 4 days we're flying to Florida- and I can't wait. After a weekend of family fun, we're driving back. 7 days 7 states and at least 3 detours everyday.

Check it out! I haven't decided on a name yet, all the best roadtrips have names. The Alaskan Adventure: to Hell and Back (and learning that Canadian radio really really blows) The Great Detour roadtrip (just how long does it take to drive 200 miles- apparantly 2 days) The Great Northern Adventure (and learning that when a tire blows out on a gravel road in Montana, it sounds just like an airplane coming in to land)

The recipe for a great roadtrip:

At least 1 detour every day www.roadsideamerica.com

Fabulous Food www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html

Good tunes or in this case good conversation www.jackandstench.com

Now all I have left to do is pack- and convince Jesse that I really honestly do need 6 pairs of shoes. It's not my fault that our roadtrip covers the spectrum of possibilities.

3 pairs of flip flop for Florida and the Beach: 1 everyday pair, 1 sandy pair for the beach, 1 pair just in case either break (has been known to happen)

1 pair fancy dress shoes appropriate for his cousins wedding

1 pair of flats that could go either way. Looks fabulous with a skirt or jeans

1 pair of tennis shoes that will provide at least a lil traction as we hike in the smokey mountains- cause I still don't own hiking shoes.

a few thoughts

First check out this image

Just a few thoughts to unpack it.

I've taken at least 3 college courses, a handful of workshops and dozens of inservice trainings on diversity in the classroom. Primarily that as educators it is necessary for us to go out of our way to be sure everyone (big picture everyone, not just the kiddos in our room) is represented in the room. Represented in the books we read, the music we listen to and the posters that adorn our walls.

Why?

Cause this is reflects how the children see themselves. They need to look around the room and see images that reflect their home life, their parents, their holiday celebrations. I have a family in my room who speak Arabic at home. Mom was tickled to notice a poster in our room that is in Arabic. (I wish I could say this was intentional, but just a happy accident.) She was surprised to notice it, but immediately took a picture to bring home to show her husband. That made her (and her son) feel like this was a place especially for them.

Its the same thing that makes me smile when I see a license plate from Texas, or hear a good ol country song from my childhood. This same feeling is what we want to create everyday in the lives of the children in our classroom. A safe, warm, comfy place that is all for them. Especially for each one of them. Cause thats how they make sense of the world. They compare it to what they already know.

So back to the picture. This little boy, standing in the middle of the oval office (in what has to be an intimidating environment) meets this man he has never met before. He looks at him, compares him to what he already knows and asks, "Does your hair look like mine?" The little boy sees that this big powerful man that everyone listens to, is kinda just like him. The little boy thinks, if someone just like me can be this big and powerful- then so can I. And he realizes this at the age of 5.

Imagine how far he can go...

What I learned this weekend...

I am not high falutin'.  We were graced with tickets to the Memorial Golf Tournament this weekend and while neither of us are "golf people" we decided to check it out- thought it would be a neat thing to do.  Well it was totally cool.  However, at many points along the way I did not think we would be able to actually see anything there.

First let me say that when Jesse goes long periods without eating, he turns into a grumpy gus with a wicked temper.  Unfortunately he did not heed my advice and eat something before we left for the tournament.  We were gonna grab food first thing once we got there and he didn't want to spoil his appetite. Well we parked the car at 12:30 and begin the half mile walk to the gate.  He's a lil grumpy, a lil worried about his car getting dusty in the parking lot, but not too tempermental yet. 

And then we get to the gate.  They have a rule- no photography, therefore no cell phones.  Jesse being the kind, unassuming man that he is, Said Yes when asked if he had a cell phone.  He pulled it out to show the man that he turned it off and that is when the Douchbag #1 opens his mouth.  "You can't take that in, leave it here."  Ha, leave it here, does he not know my boyfriend?  Jesse says No!  Douchbag #1 says, "Then take it to your car."  We walk back down the path until we're out of sight and Jesse begins to stew...who does he think he is telling me what to do...i'll show him...he can't make me leave my phone... 

We walk back to the gate for attempt #2 with his cell phone cleverly hidden in my purse which has already been through security- oh and by the way, they said nothing about my cell phone sitting right there in my purse.  Doughbag #1 sees right through us and won't less Jesse in.  Now the lack of eating has gotten the better of Jesse's spirits and several different colorful words come spouting out.  

This time we did walk back to the car, attempt #3 proved successful in getting through the gate.  Douchbag #1 did call Jesse out, but he played the "cool guy" and turned around, smile on his face, arms out as if to say- what are you gonna do about it? 

On the way to the clubhouse we were in the middle of a giant crowd of people waiting to see Tiger Woods- seriously is it that exciting to watch a man hit a ball- for practice!  We were stopped in the crowd by security as someone important walked by.  Someone bumps into Jesse's leg.  No big deal, we are seriously packed in like sardines.  Bumps again, ok now Jesse's a lil irritated.  Then the voice "Move!"  We turn around, and it wasn't a fellow golf watcher who bumped into us, it was a stupid security guy (Douchbag #2) in a cart.  One security guy has us barricaded in and another wants us to get out of his way- seriously!  Ya'll need some better communication! 

There was a verbal exchange between Douchbag #2 and Jesse in which both of them threatened to call the sheriff.  Luckily it didn't come to that and we safely made our way to the clubhouse.  After a nice lunch we watched some golf (and watched some folks watching golf) and it was a lovely afternoon.

Then that night I learned lesson #2 for the weekend- I cannot cannot cannot watch scary movies.  Earlier this week we watched Mr. Brooks- good movie, just very scary.  When it finished I told Jesse, you cannot let me watch movies like this- they are too too too scary.  Jesse's response: but thats what I'm here for, to keep you safe- awww.  But doesn't protect me from scary dreams.  Well it took 4 days for the movie to make its way through my subconscious and produce a scary dream, but boy did it happen.

There was a serial killer chasing us around with a hatchet!  Let's just say I was wide awake from that dream.  And since I'm wide awake, I woke Jesse too, afterall it was his idea to watch the movie.  Good payback.

A quick year

Last weekend I had a realization- it was this time a year ago I began job hunting.  I knew I was leaving my old job.  I knew, they knew, all that was left was to find out what's next.  I knew my old boss was holding out hope that I couldn't find anything, then I would be forced to stay on a bit longer.  But we began the search for my replacement.  We began the search before I began my search for what was coming next.

I remember a conversation towards the end of May with Liz (who would turn into the next Carri)  I heard that she was considering applying for the position.  I told her she would be great at it, and to get her resume in that week- cause I knew we were working on a quick deadline.  My boss was leaving on vacation at the end of June.  We needed to have my replacement before then, so I could "pass on my knowledge."  

We were busy at work, so I put off the stress of job hunting.  Plus I know my field.  They post for open positions and often want to hire w/in 2 weeks.  Its very quick.  So I put off the stress.  It was too much to think about.  I told myself, Memorial Day.  Memorial Day I will sit down at my computer.  Rewrite my resume and find me a job.

And I did.

Take that you nay-sayers who were telling me to job hunt sooner!  Take that you people who say I don't know what I'm doing!  The job I have now is the first one I applied for.  Not the first interview, I think it was my 2nd.  (Got a practice interview in during the meantime)  Interviewed a few places after that and realized I really really wanted the job at NBCC.  

And then I got in.  Much cheering and dancing about!

June 30th is my anniversay date.  My boss gets us flowers on our anniversary.  Yay for flowers.  It's been a very quick year.  But I finally feel great in the classroom, I feel ownership of it.  Sometimes my ideas are heard.  If not, I kinda do it anyway, just a lil bit sneaky about it.

For example, I wanted to add a small table in the corner of our room so I did.  I didn't ask first, cause I would have gotten a No.  So I just did and I like it.  

Usually after being in a job ofr 9 months I get a lil wanderlusty.  Not yet.  Interesting, does this mean I'm a grownup now?