Reactions to VMA performers in 6 words or less

Well I was watching the VMAs and had to comment on how ridiculous Miley was, and then I wanted to put in my 2 cents about all of the performers, so here you go!

gaga - bowling ball confusion but applause!

miley - your sexy does not equal mine.

robyn thicke - why'd you wear that umpire suit?

kanye - Ummm....fast forward.

JT - Now or then, I'm in love!

*nsync - Can't stop smiling. Takes me back!

macklemore - simple. classy. keep spreadin' the word.

jennifer hudson - you're beautiful: inside, outside, and voice.

drake: love (mostly) appropriate rap for TV.

bruno mars - confused....gorillas / love? must study lyrics.

katy perry - rebirth: no cotton candy hair! LOVE!

What did you think about the VMAs? Waaay better to DVR them than to watch all of that 2:30 minute show!

Happy Monday!

Randomness

1. Got into my car this morning and noticed that the rose corsage (momento of 8th grade graduation) that usually is in the ash tray was on the floor. Then glanced all the stuff from the center console was on the passenger's seat. The CD that was in the front middle section was on the floor. But, my yoga mat was still in there. And the Lucy Caulkins books for writing workshop were still in the back, and my trunk wasn't shuffled through. The only thing that was stolen was the GPS. I must not have locked the doors - no windows were broken and there was no other damage. Well, the joke is on the thief - that GPS is four years old and doesn't even charge anymore. So, I say that even though I was a little shaken up this morning, it's a win for me. Oh - and he didn't take the change or the Dunkin giftcard! Definitely winning!

This is for you, Dream Team : )

2. So at the elementary school I have to do recess duty and we finally got the schedule so I'm out with the 2nd - 3rd graders every day. Ummm...before I get to the story - recess duty is all year - and you always go out in all seasons, unless the windchill is like 10 degrees or 10 below, I can't remember. Hi...10 degrees? Boots and coats and scarves and gloves on a bunch of little kids? and then have to take all that stuff to lunch with them. Hot mess.

anyways - so there was this group of maybe 20 girls doing some cheerleading so I went up to them and asked them all peppy, "omg. Are you doing cheerleading?" They all shouted back yes, so I taught them a chant and then today they asked me to show them again. Good stuff, but that's not the what was my first glimpse of seeing I just might like little kids....

Fast forward an hour after recess and I was walking to the office and one little girl walking by and chirps, "Hey, Coach!" Heart melting.

3. Did you hear that *Nsync (That's how their name was spelled and with a star in the front of it, right?) will reunite on the VMAs this weekend? Ohhhh yes, and I will be recording that! Brings me back to that day I was wailing Bye Bye Bye at the top of my lungs on the freeway in Phoenix with the windows down and the dudes in the truck next to me were looking at me with that "Really?" expression. Still not embarrassed. Okay, maybe a little.

wtf is up with JT's hair?!

That's all I've got for today. Hope you had a great Hump Day!

Trying to Surrender

It's so hard to try and make yourself realize some things in life you can't control.

Yes - lots you can....

I wanted to be good at my job, so I worked hard at it (and continue to) so I can be.

(When) I want to lose weight, I know what to do to make that happen.

When I really want to buy something, I figure out a way to make it happen.

When I miss my family or friends, I find ways to connect.

When I didn't want to live in Phoenix anymore, I moved - no job, no apartment. I knew I could figure it out. And I did.

The only thing that I can't seem to nail down is finding a relationship that both of us want to continue.

See....here's the thing: I don't want to date just anyone. If that were the case, I would probably be dating this guy Tim I met a week or two ago from Match. He was nice enough, was in education, was cute enough, so yeah, I could have a boyfriend if I wanted.

That's just it - I don't just want just any guy who wants to date me. I don't think I'm that picky, but come on....some things I've found to be non-negotiable:

I have two degrees and am about to begin a third. You have to be ambitious. I don't necessarily care if you went to college, but you have to be driven enough to move yourself professionally and challenge yourself. You kind of have to like your job. I mean, I love my job. No, not every ounce of every day, but I waaaaay more like it than not.

You have to be more expressive than not. Have you read that book about the five love languages? Well, my top one is to be expressive - text me to tell me you're thinking about me. Tell me I look pretty when you see me. Say that it was so nice of me to do whatever I just did for you. I swear - one text and I'm good for a week!

eh...no.

Also - you kind of have to be funny. Even corny funny would be okay with me. (Okay, perhaps corny funny would be ideal.) : ) Really any kind of funny. Make me laugh. Have fun with me. Be silly. Have inside jokes. Stuff like that.

After I graduated with my Master's, I was telling my Aunt Pam that I was kind of sad, because I like school and coming to campus and meeting new people and learning new things. She told me, "Niece, now it's time to work on a M.R.S. degree." I had no idea what she meant, so she explained - you know, a Mrs. Degree - find a husband!

Sidenote: This is actually a thing! Auntie Pam, thought you made that one up!

Anyways - I get it. I would love for that to happen. But no matter what I do, I think I'm learning that you can't control that kind of thing. I can't just hop on Match (tried it), or go to a meet-up group (did it), or join a volleyball team (yep, that too), or go to alumni events with your college (check, check). I mean - you can do all those things, but that doesn't necessarily lead to anything to happen for sure.

I've never been a super religious person, but this summer I've really come to love yoga. Some of the teachers read us some meditative passages and I love that. I've definitely heard things about letting go from them - and I think it's the  only thing I can really do. But it's so scary! I'm the kind of girl who wants to control everything - do everything in steps to arrive at a finished product. The thing is, this is the one area of my life I just can't seem to control like I want to.

So I guess I need to just surrender. It's scary though. It's putting faith in the unknown and letting go of control. It's so hard, but I am going to start trying really hard to be okay with it. Have you learned this lesson already? Tips? I need help: I'm in the reteaching group for this as it's harder than hell to accomplish...

That's all for tonight and my first Slice of Life.

Happy Tuesday : )

Friday Favorites

I feel bad. I've only been posting Friday Favorites for the last three weeks. Going back to work is exhausting though. I wanted to write last night, but I was too tired. I swear, I'll get back in the habit....but for now, this will have to do!

New Art for my casa

So last Saturday I went to breakfast with a friend, and right next door was this cute little shop with a bunch of art from independent artists around Chicago. I found this little gem and LOVE it. In case you haven't notice, I love Chicago and all things Chicago, so this was perfect for decorating. A little expensive, but worth it. Planning on going back to breakfast at the same place this weekend, and hope to stop in again. There's a super cute shirt I want - it says, "Midwest is Best." Why, yes it is. (Southern California - think you're pretty close to Midwest in this ranking!)


Ezekiel Bread

Okay, so I'll admit it - I don't know much about this bread, but I heard about it from my cousin and bought it. I was expecting it to taste awful, but then it was great! (See - set expectations low and you're always pleased!) (One caveat: this theory does not apply to  teaching...) Anyways, this bread is flourless and made from organic grains. I feel better about eating it. I haven't taken it yet for a day at work, but I will report back about whether or not it puts me in a bad place around 2:30ish. You know when you eat poorly at lunch and then hardly any time has gone by and your'e already craving bad stuff in that afternoon slump? If you want to try it - I found it in the freezer section. Also, read more about it here.

Awwwhhhhh.....DT : )

So Damon was the assistant principal the first year I was hired. Then, when he went to Excelencia to take on the principalship, I went over there to work with him for a few more years. He was a great example of what an amazing leader is and I feel blessed to have worked for him. He mentored me and helped me get to where I am today! He was in town for a conference, so I was so happy that he called me up to meet him for dinner. So, so good to catch up. I've been blessed with great leaders and hope to follow in his footsteps one day! 


Favorite kiddos

These kids are awesome - totally organized my whole library and got it all good to go. It's kinda a secret though - I love them so I call them to help me, but little do they know I just want to hang out with them, too. Love this profession and the great people it brings into my life!

First Day Back

While it's an understatement to say that I totally miss a big handful of people at Heritage (Yes, you!) I'm feeling good about this move to Emerson Elementary School.  Looking at the big picture, I'm happy to report I did the right thing. I feel like Emerson is a great place and I'm going to be really happy there. Everyone I've met is awesome : ) I will, however, miss me some middle school attitude. Need an intervention? Send them over! : )

Hope you had a great week!

Happy Friday, everyone!
xo

Friday Favorites

Cool stuff from the last week:

Cousin Emma
She came last weekend to stay with me and we celebrated her Sweet 16! It was also a weekend of "Try New Things." So, we went to Cafe Sushi, hot yoga (I never knew I could sweat from my legs like that!), and the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock building. I definitely had to lie and say I was her mom, but it worked out. And....birthday cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B's. I had a banana chocolate chip one - delish!

That martini - awesome! Whipped vodka, pineapple juice, Malibu, Blue Caracao, and something else.
Called Blue Waters. SOOO good!

Holls, Mikey, and Carson

BFF, Mikey, and little Carson came up for a visit from Kentucky. Baby is adorbs! He loves to bounce and do squats, and as Mikey says, no weak squats....ass-to-the-floor squats! We also all went over to the Lake County fair with Holls' parents and Holls' nephew, Landon. Super fun time, and we got to see some cute animals!

Unpacking the Classroom
I was so lucky to have a few of my kiddos from last year come and help me work on my library. They had to go through all the books and pull the ones inappropriate for K-5, then organize them into genres, then go through and put new labels on the. We're so not done, but they'll be back next week to continue. The library is going to look amazeballs when they're done. They're such good kids, too. Very self-directed, they know how I like things, and they can make decisions without asking me about every little detail. LOVE!

Last Volleyball Game
We played our last game Thursday night at Oak Street Beach. Half of the team wasn't there and so we were hoping for a win in the playoffs to return next week, but no luck. But, we did get to see this view for the whole season, so I can't really complain...

New favorite song....as of yesterday:

I so love this song. I downloaded it and listened to it probably 10 times already... not feeling the need for sad breakup songs quite as much anymore...

That's about all from my week. Hope you had a great one! What are you looking forward to coming up? One week left of no students for me...I feel like I definitely need a beach day in there for sure!

Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites - Seattle!

I begin this blog sitting on the plane home from such a great trip to Seattle...you know when you plan a trip and you leave wishing you had more time? So how I'm feeling right now! I think I'm going to start the Friday Favorites blog with this one since I took so many pics. So, enjoy my visit through my camera's eye!

I arrived on Saturday night. Liz picked me up and we went out for Sushi first thing! One of the rolls we got was the Caterpillar. So good. After that, went across the street to a brewery and had a few ciders and then back to see her place.

Sunday morning we went first to Pike's Place Market - A HUGE market in what I think is downtown Seattle...I'm sure you've heard about it!

Tons of vendors, like this one with fresh fruit - anything you could want! This was just one fruit vendor. There had to be like another ten or fifteen just like it!

And lots of vendors with fresh fish, shrimp, crab, lobster...any kind of sea food you'd like!

We actually didn't get seafood for dinner that night. Instead we stopped at Uli's all-natural, no preservatives sausages...here's the guy telling Liz all about the different kinds.

Fresh flowers galore....see below for the ones we picked!

The flowers are gorgeous!

And the original Starbucks. We didn't get to go in - it was Sunday and the line was so, so long, but cool to be where it was all started!

We also got to see lots of crafts, too. And jewelry. Liz and I got these really simple stacking rings - one with my birthstone and one with hers. Hopefully I'll do better and not lose my sentimental rings anymore...

I also got this little dish. The colors are so pretty and love the message. Still trying to decide if it's going to work or staying home though...

After the market the first day, we came home and made a great dinner together. Nick, Liz's boyfriend was there, and their neighbor, Brent. There's a pic of those two guys later on.

First night dinner: Hot Italian Sausage, Chicken Sausage, and Brats on the grill, grilled corn on the cob, a kale salad, and red wine. Oh, and the best part - Liz made home made bread and then Nick made a garlic-rosemary-olive oil spread to dip it in. It was so, So, SO good...I def ate myself into a food coma!

So mad I didn't take a pic of the bread and EVOO sauce!!

After we lethargically cleaned up dinner, we watched Friday Night Lights. Have you seen that show? It's so good. I think the whole time we got through like five or six episodes. I'm crossing my fingers it's free on my Amazon Prime. (It is! I watched one last night!) : )

Monday - Liz had to go teach. Did you already see my pics on facebook from that? It's amazing to see a great friend doing such a fantastic job teaching preservice teachers. I got a great refresher on all things phonics: CVC words, short vowels, long e, blends, digraphs, diphthongs, r-controlled vowels...I totally took notes and participated with the kids. When I asked them if they loved her as much as I do, the said, "omg. We're learning about digraphs and blends and the time flies. Who would thought it could be so fun? She's awesome!" Anyways, being so passionate about literacy made going to work with her super fun!

After work, we were off to the beach for a few hours of sun. You think of Seattle and think it's always rainy, but the clouds usually burned off around 1, and then we got a few hours of sunshine....

After the beach, we were back at home making another amazing dinner - home made gnoochi! (nee-oh-kee) Love learning about new recipes, and what better place than from my Italian bff? So the dough of gnoochi is potato, flour, and eggs (kinda like a Polish pierogi, right?) They are little dumplings and then you put them in a great marinara...

So much work - Liz did the dough and then Brent and I helped press the little dough balls with a fork after...

Don't get the wrong idea - Liz did most of the work, but she's so gracious she lets me take a pic and make it look like it was me : )

And here's the finished product! Nick did a great job with the sauce!

Lovely dinner with a salad, red wine, and lots of gnoochi. We were so full, but we finished it all. Food coma day #2!

And then we were on to another episode of Friday Night Lights before we went to sleep....

Tuesday Liz didn't have class so we started off at Toulouse Petit for a French breakfast.... The restaurant was gorgeous and it was breakfast happy hour!

We started off with French pressed coffee and beignets....

I had a skillet with crawfish, shrimp, and Andouille sausage in a spicy sauce with egg whites. I'm so proud of myself for trying new things. It was delicious, but spicy and so, So rich...

After breakfast we decided we needed a light salad for dinner! : )

Nick dropped us off at this park for a great view....

and then we walked around some little shops in the Queen Anne neighborhood...

I found these little magnets showing all the things we did (minus the rain, LOVE!)

And we stopped at Theo Chocolate Factory and I picked up this (after like 25 samples...that salad was definitely in order!)

We finally got home, and then got ready for another few hours on the beach. Nick told me that he doesn't want everyone to know what great weather is in Seattle! It was gorgeous. We were actually on the Sound so the water is pretty calm. Then you have a few islands and mountains in the background. The water is ice cold, but the weather was perfect....actually, kind of hot!

Love her!

After the beach we rushed home, made that salad, and then got ready for the last hurrah - the Space Needle.

That was Tuesday night and then I left Wednesday after I went to class with Liz again. Who would have ever thought phonics would get me so excited?

Well that was it. (I know, longest blog ever!) I had such a great time and realized how much I really, really love to travel. To new places, but to old places too. I think the next trip will be Thanksgiving in Phoenix with Katie, and Jamie and Brian might come in, too : ) Briese - we're making Thanksgiving dinner at your casa!

Thank you Liz for such a great trip. I can't wait to do it again! Love you, friend!!

Happy Friday everyone! Have a great weekend!