...and we're back.

Another week down. They really have been flying by. No complaints from here. That having been said I am SO behind on my grading it's rediculous. I've got to get caught up this week - cause we have to prepare mid-quarter progress reports by the begining of next week (the 13th, I think).

Not that that's interesting. I'm just blathering.

In other news - Ladies and gentleman, we have a thesis!!! As most of you dedicated readers know, I have to write a thesis for my Master's. As I've taken a brief sabbatical from my grad work this semester, I gave myself the assignment to search for and develop a thesis statement. And I've found one... (this is literary - so if you're easily bored with scholastic chatter - skip to the next paragraph) I decided that many banned books are placed there due strictly to foul language, and not necessairly due to content. I have found that most parents have not even read the books they are so eager to ban. I decided that I should... WAIT! I can't divulge my thesis here on my blog. Someone might take my idea, and then it would appear as if I plagerized. Humpf... Well - so much for sharing my thesis. Rest assured - it's good. And it's already been approved by my advisor. :)

I'm so tired of getting sick. Marmee said I should just prepare myself to be sick for the next year. And my colleagues agree - most 1st year teachers spend the entire 1st year sick. But damn! Every weekend is ruined with me coughing & hacking, or worse... It would be so refreshing to just go out and have some fun on a weekend - and not have to be feeling all yucky.

I'll end today's post with some good information for any of you who are thinking of becoming a teacher... Things they don't tell you about teaching: 1 - You will have scheduled plan periods during which you will be expected to substitute in other teachers' classrooms, attend meetings, monitor hallways, receive mentoring (in your 1st year), and do pretty much everything under the sun EXCEPT PLAN! 2 - Nobody is going to tell you everything you need to know to correctly do your job. Learn on the fly - and don't expect anyone to feel bad that you weren't informed. It is your responsibility to find out what you don't know you're supposed to know. 3 - PRAY that you don't have to do a fire drill! Disaster drills and IOC drills are no big deal - you can figure those out by just watching everyone else. But since no one will tell you how to handle these drills ahead of time, it's best if you just PRAY to whatever god you choose that fire drills happen only when you have no students! 4 - Always bring your lunch. The cafeteria is a complicated and scary place and it's just not worth your life to try to go in there. 5 - Don't plan on having the luxury of modern technology. If you do have a computer, phone, tv, or overhead in your room - PLAN ON IT BREAKING! Because it will, and then you'll be screwed. 6 - Call parents early. I waited until today to call my first parent. I was afraid to. Don't be afraid. Call them. Some will be rude - but most will be appreciative, and they will influence their child to behave better in your class. 7 - Kiss your life goodbye. You will no longer have free time to casually read a book or watch a movie. Your life is now planning, grading, squeezing in 1 or 2 hours of sleep each night, and repeating that cycle. Be ready to be exhausted. 8 - Curriculum??? What curriculum??? There more than likely will not be one. They MIGHT give you a pacing calendar or some pass objectives, but then "good luck". Reserve the next 2 or 3 years of your life to creating your own curriculum. (At the end of which, you will be reassigned to teach a different grade or subject)

Now, don't take this to mean that I am disgruntled. I'm not. I'm still happy with my chosen profession. These are merely things I wish someone had told me before I started teaching. It would have been nice to know what to expect.

More to come! Stay tuned.

Yuck, But help is on the way!!!!!!

I've never had a job make me appreciate the weekend SO MUCH! Not to say I don't love the work, because I REALLY do. But by Thursday - I'm EXHAUSTED and SO ready for the weekend. This weekend, however, I was a little under the weather. I just felt awful. I had a headache all day Saturday that bordered on a migraine. Ugh - it was such a bummer! I'd like to enjoy staying in bed all day (should that be my chosen activity). But yesterday, I was in bed because I felt like crap.

Today I feel better. Infact - my first order of business today was to clean the kitchen. And I did it before I had even enjoyed my first cup of coffee!! Now, I'm on the sofa watching cooking shows and contemplating grading papers. It needs to be done. But much like the times when I have finals to study for, I'm noticing that the apartment could use a good once (or twice) over. I'm such a procrastinator. :) Good to know some things never change.

Can I tell you, I am SO excited!! We are about to enter the "corridor of presents" as Alex calls it. It all starts Feb 7th - our 3 year anniversary; then Feb 14th Valentine's day; and finally Feb 17th MY birthday. Hee hee hee 3 days within a 2 week period where I get presents! I have to admit, this is almost more exciting to me than Christmastime. Almost. Christmas does carry with it a certain magic that can't be replaced. But magic aside - I LOVE THIS MONTH!

And for those of you who have known me since the good ol' college days - you know this was not always the case. I used to hate my birthday and Valentine's day. But that was because I was a miserable person back then. Now - I'm a happy person who's just tired all the time. :) But I LOVE LOVE LOVE my birthday and Valentines day!!

Alright - I can't take it any more... Mission: Clean the apartment!!!!

We don't need no education

It's sort of surreal being a teacher. I still look at the other teachers - now my colleagues - and see them just the same way I saw my teachers when I was in school. I don't consider myself to be really one of them. Not that they aren't nice. They're great. But I guess I just never thought that teachers were really human, or that they had lives outside of the classroom. And I am human, and I have a life (however boring) outside of the classroom.

I actually said something along the lines of "I didn't have time to grade that, because I have a life" to one of my students last week. He looked at me in shear disbelief. I'm 100% convinced that he thought I was full of crap.

Last Friday, I decided to read aloud to my classes. I thought it would give them the opportunity to relax a little after a long week of working hard - and it would also give me a chance to demonstrate classroom control. The only problem was that I didn't consider the fact that I've been coughing for a week, so my voice was weak. I made it through, voice intact, but by the end of the day I felt as if I had been singing in an opera for 3 nights straight. Note to self - elect students from the class to read aloud at least some of the time.

The other areas of my life are going well. Alex is great, and we're so happy. We're coming up on 3 years in a couple of weeks. I can't believe it. Really, our only problem is that our apartment is so small. It's like living in a sardine can. But it hasn't prompted any fighting. Just clutter. And, as far as I know, no one has died from clutter. :)

I hope all of you are well! Thanks to those of you who voted for Jerome & his fiancee!! They are accepting votes until this coming Friday - so if you have a spare second, please cast another vote for them!!

Because I know that millions of people read this blog...

Have you ever known anyone who won a contest? Like - a big contest, not just bingo at the neighborhood bar...

Well - my cousin's best-friend and his fiancee are one of 5 finalists to win a dream wedding in Chicago. All they need is for people to go online and vote for them.

Do something nice for someone else today - click here and vote for Jerome & Monica!!

Karma will thank you.

What did the zen master say to the hot dog vendor?

I just read Ellison's short story, "Repent, Harlequin" said the Ticktockman. It's cute. I was hoping I could use it for my 8th graders - but, it is WAY too difficult. Too many big words. Does anyone have any other short stories they can suggest??

I'd like to find things I can give them that aren't novels. Things we can do in between novels. I'm planning a 1 - 2 week unit on figurative language using music lyrics as a focal point. Things are moving along nicely.

At home, things are just normal. I get home from work around 5 - and by 9, I'm tired enough to start thinking about bed. Alex likes to say that I go to bed when Wheel of Fortune ends. It's not quite that early - but it's close.

I haven't heard from most of you in a long while - remember, you don't have to have a blogger account to post - you can just post as annonymous. :)

Hi diddle dee dee! The teacher's life for me...

Ten points to the first person who can tell me what movie that references...

Hee hee hee... Check me out - giving out extra credit outside of the classroom. :)

I'm now 100% convinced that I was born to be a teacher. I was really scared at first - afraid that the kids wouldn't respond well to me. But they have. I received feedback today from my team leader, infact, that she has heard nothing but positive comments from the kids about me. It's funny - but I get this strange swell of pride when the class is quietly working. Indescribable!

My schedule couldn't be better! I have 2 plan periods, one first hour, and one seventh. (There are only 7 hours in a day) I don't have to be there until 820am, and can leave by 4. Truth be told - I've been getting there around 8, and leaving around 445... But I have a lot to do in the way of organization and planning. I experience exhaustion like I haven't known in years by the time I get home each day. As I said to one of my fellow teachers - I've never before been so concerned with my feet and their comfort. Suffice it to say - fashion in the shoe department is no longer necessary... GIVE ME COMFORT! New shoes are on my list of things to obtain this weekend. 'Cause man-oh-man my dogs are barkin!!!!

I've really lucked out with my teaching environment. I am surrounded by an extremely supportive staff, and I do not feel like an outsider or a stranger in the halls. That is a feeling that would take weeks to gain in any other job I've had. (Even at Cendant - and I had a lot of friends who worked there)

How is it only 715?? It feels like it's about midnight. So - to sum up - I'm exhausted, but happy. I have found my niche in this world.... I was meant to be in front of a classroom.

So it is.

Quack Quack goes the duck.

Nice lazy Saturday. I'm so tempted to stay in my jammies and veg out in front of the TV all day long!! The cheesier the movie the better - thank god for TBS!!! Of course I'm looking around and realizing that I need to clean this apartment. But for now, I'm procrastinating and writing this FOR YOU! :)

I actually went to the school to observe some last week. It was great to meet the students and faculty ahead of my first day, when I know I'll be stressed and crazy. The retiring teacher I'm replacing is leaving me all sorts of supplies and materials. I am so greatful to her!! I'm convinced that I will have some challenging students - but I think I have some great ideas on how to reach them.

I'm really nervous. I'm afraid I am going to smile too much and be too nice - and then the kids will try to push me - or take advantage. Alex is nervous because 90% of the kids are bigger than I am. I told him that really doesn't matter. A 3' tall 50 pound kid could walk in with a weapon - and then he's automatically bigger than I am. But I feel safe in this school. They seem to have a good handle on security.

Okay - MOTIVATE!!! To the shower I go!!!!!

3:30am & WIDE awake.

Don't know why in any sane reality I'd be awake at 3am, but here I am. For some strange reason, Alex and I both shot out of bed wide awake at about 245, and neither of us could get back to sleep.

My mind is racing. (Although it was my bladder that initially woke me) :) I am thinking of all of the things I need & want to do for my job. So - I figured if I can get it all down somewhere, MAYBE my mind will let me sleep... I want to call all of the parents and introduce myself - as well as send home a note with each child giving the parents my contact information. (and I want to have a little space where the parents can sign it - so I know they are aware of me being the teacher now) I want to make sure I take snacky things with me to keep on my desk like nuts, etc... That way I won't be tempted by the evil vending machines. Do I have a locked cabinet or drawer somewhere in my room for my purse? When the service center calls me to officially hire me and give me the paper work to fill out - I need to make sure and ask when my first paycheck will be. (I'm a little afraid it won't be until Feb. 20th as this school district only pays once a month)

Also on my mind for my personal life this year - I want to take up Yoga. I'll probably have to wait until summer to have the spare finances and time to do it. But it's definately something I'm interested in learning. My cousin Nick took up some sort of Tai Chi - or some other sort of Chi - I'm not sure, but it's been life-altering for him, and I hear all of those sort of energy-connected exercises are that way. My 10-year high school reunion should be this summer, although I have not heard one word from any "reunion committee" ever. It would totally not surprise me if my slacker Gen X class decided just not to have one. But if there is one - count me in. My cousin Brian is graduating from law school this May, and a good part of my family will be in town for that. Then, I'm going to attempt to throw a HUGE bash for Marmee's 50th birthday (I'm thinking the party will be Aug 12th). If you live within driving distance and love Marmee as does all mankind, reserve that weekend and plan to be here celebrating with us!! (The party itself is not going to be a surprise party - but I am trying to keep the details from her - cause it'll be more exciting that way) We keep trying to get our apartment more organized and less cluttered. It's crazy how small 850 square feet can become. I don't even have all of my things here - there just wouldn't be room!! I hope that in this new year - we can find a system to help us organize better. Always, always, always - I want to take more pictures!! I never take enough.

I didn't really do resolutions this year. I think they're a set-up for failure. There are things that are in the back of my mind like those I've written here that I want to be aware of and attempt, or complete in the near future. But not "resolutions".

UGH!!! I'm still just awake as can be! Maybe a game of bookworm will drain my brain of it's vim!!

Auld Lang Syne

Almost 2006. The minutes are ticking away, and the close of another year is at hand. I'd like to think that as I leave 2005 behind, and take my steps into my 28th year of life that I'm a little wiser, a little funnier, and no worse for the ware. :)

This year in brief review for me has been a mixture of good and bad, progressive and static, and all in all well spent. I started off the year by begining my serious treck towards becoming a certified teacher. I took 15 hours of education classes; began plugging away at 3 of the 4 required state exams for the licensure; and Alex and I moved in together. By summer, I watched as my best friend got married; applied to and enrolled in my first semester of graduate school. Fall and winter brought me to 9 hours of graduate school; completion of my teaching certification; earning a job as a teacher (yay!); watching with pride as my Mom became a CEO; and the realization that I really can accomplish goals I set for myself, if I just commit to seeing them through.

Now, I am preparing myself for both my immediate future, and my distant future too. I am looking forward to being with Alex, teaching, continuing working on my Masters degree, helping Mom in any way I can with her new clinic, and maybe even making a few new friends. I've decided to start attending All Souls Unitarian church this year. And I hope to further my skills in knitting.

I'm inspired by this trend of blogging. I feel like it's a great way to keep in touch. I frequent all of my friends' blogs (at least the ones I know exist), and I love the idea that you are able to keep up with me when it is convenient for you. :)

Here's to a new year full of opportunity, health, wealth, and love!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquantaince be forgot and days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne my dear. For auld lang syne. We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

This JUST in!!!

Grades for Fall 2005 semester are in...

Drumroll, please...............................................

4.0 HOORAY!!!!!!!!

Much ado about job offers.

Greetings fair reader! Good to see you again. I hope that you have completed (or almost completed) your holiday shopping, and that you are able to enjoy at least a few relaxing days with your loved ones this coming week. I have completed my shopping. I think that all on my list will be happy with their tokens. I'm really ahead of schedule actually, because I've even finished wrapping all the presents & stocking stuffers. That's right - you're jealous. :)

So today was easily one of the crazier days in the history of me. As you know from your close following of my every move - I've been applying and interviewing for teaching jobs. I had my heart set on one job, but the principal never called me back. It's now well into the 3rd week since I last spoke with her. It's sad. And I was mighty disappointed. But - as Alex pointed out, it was a win-win situation, because either I got that job, or I took another full time semester of grad school. Either way - I'd be working toward my goal still. So I had resigned to the idea of another 9 hours of grad school when on Thursday of last week, I got a call from the Asst. Principal at Edison Middle School. I had already interviewed with her once - before Thanksgiving - but hadn't heard from her since, so I figured she went with someone else for the position. Turns out, she wanted me to interview with the principal. We scheduled it for 1030 this morning. I was pretty sure I wouldn't take this job, but I thought the interview would be good practice. Meanwhile, as I was getting ready for the interview this morning, my phone rang. It was the principal of the high school where I had interviewed in mid-November. She called to offer me the position. Teaching 12th grade on-level English. I told her that I was on my way to another interview, and asked if I could have some time to think about the offer. I went to my interview, and the principal (my old high school principal) offered me the job right away. Overwhelmed by this point, I asked him for some time to think about it. I told him that I had another offer on the table. He said he understood, but explained that he really needed an answer either way before the end of the day today. The asst. principal then gave me a whirlwind tour of the school - introducing me to teachers, letting me observe kids - it was so much information in a relatively small amount of time.

I walked out to my car with my head stuffed full of information. I called Marmee to get her opinion, and started driving. *Beep* Call waiting. Mom goes on hold, and on the other end of the line - the lady from TCC (Tulsa Community College) she has a class that needs a teacher - Comp 2. I asked if I could call her back, and told her that she was officially my THIRD job offer for the day.

I couldn't believe that I had THREE JOB OFFERS on the table. All of them great and interesting. What's more - I had no time to think about it. I had to make my decision today. Before 2pm.

Needless to say, I was flustered.

After much discussion and debate, and after getting the opinions of both Alex and Mom... I decided.

I took the job with Edison middle school teaching 8th grade reading.

I am nervous but excited.

More to come!!!

The semester is OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay everyone - on three, take one BIG deep cleansing breath!!! WHEW! The semester is over!!! As of 9pm last night, I officially finished my first semester of grad school!! WOO HOO!!!!! And, you won't believe this - but I really think I got all A's!! Although we shall see if my Lit Theory final was as succesful as I think it was.

On the job front - I still haven't heard anything from Nimitz. I called them again yesterday, but they must be crazy busy with holiday plays and grades or whatever it is that needs to be done.

I do have a 2nd interview at Edison middle this coming Monday.

Either way - I've enrolled in 9 hours for the spring, and I can always just do another full time semester.

Cool website alert: www.pandora.com they will take a culmination of all your favorite music, and introduce you to other music that you would probably like. It was cool - you should check it out.

Tis all for now. I have tendonitis in my right thumb, and it's really impossible to type.

The word is - there is no word.

I had a great time observing at Nimitz. The staff is super friendly, and the kids are spirited, but loveable. I observed both Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Then, Friday - I went in to meet with the principal. I went in thinking she would be offering me the position. But she didn't. The truth is - my meeting with her was short and uneventful. As we left things - I am to call her this Wednesday. I don't know whether she has found somebody else she wants to interview - or perhaps there is a tenured teacher who is interested in transferring to the school - or maybe after observing me while I observed, she decided that I am not a good candidate for the job. I don't know. But I am not discouraged. I was, but I've decided that there isn't a reason to be so. If I get the job, I'll take it - and start teaching. Win. If I don't get the job, I'll stay in school full time and knock out another 9 hours. Win.

Either way, I'll still be progressing toward the ultimate goal of being a teacher, and getting my Masters & then my PhD.

The weekend was quick but nice. Friday was uneventful. Saturday, we went to help Marmee paint her new clinic. Yesterday, I went to Marmee's and baked cookies and made chicken & noodles for dinner, which was fun.

Today - I've been hitting the books. I have completely finished my Educational Research class. The only thing left to do is turn in my research paper & take home exam. I have almost finished my college teaching class. I have 2 small papers to write for it, and one small powerpoint to create. Then - for my Lit Theory class, I still have to prepare for the comprehensive final - which is going to be a list of 18 quotes which I will have to identify and discuss. This would be great if it were quotes from stories - but it will be quotes from obscure essays that we have read for the class by obscure theorists. YUCK!! I also have my critical paper to write. I'm going to be working on Lit Theory this evening.

Tomorrow - I am heading to OKC to appear before the Teacher Competency Review Board. The rumor is that once I finish this final step - my certification will be complete, and I am licensed and ready to teach. :)

I'll keep you updated about the job or not the job. ;)

So, tomorrow - I shall become The Shadow

The interviews at both Edison middle and Nimitz went well yesterday. When I got home from the Nimitz interview - the principal called me and asked if I'd be willing to come to the school and shadow the other reading teachers for a couple of days. Of course I said yes, so I will be shadowing tomorrow and Thursday. Although - Thursday might suck a little, cause I sure will have to be in class until 10pm Wednesday night. But I think I'll live. And hopefully, I'll be living while holding a job.

Tired the next couple of days.... But ALMOST done with the fall semester. HOORAY!

And, I'm learning to knit!

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Wednesday - I went to Marmee's and baked pies from 4pm until almost 1am non-stop. I had some new recipes this year for the crusts and the pies. They were MUCH more high-maintenance than any I've made before - but they were also way more YUM-O! Except for the pecan pie which promptly exploded upon being placed in the oven. That sucked. Thursday, I was up and at Mom's by 10am to watch the parade and start cooking. We had our traditional fare this year for dinner - Roasted Turkey, Grandmother Hatcher's stuffing (which is SO yummy), Green Bean Casserole (which is much yummier now that I'm older), Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes (or, Yams - we weren't really sure which we bought - is there a difference?), Hawaiian Bread Rolls, and of course Cranberries. Then for desert - it was Pecan, Pumpkin, and Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream OR brandied whipped cream.

After dinner we played some games and then Phill dropped by to see me for a couple of hours. It was So great to get to chat with him and he taught me how to knit. Well - he taught me the basics - although I'm having a hell of a time trying to figure out how to cast on now that I'm away from his help.

Friday, we put up our tree. It's so pretty! It's a 7.5' pre-lit, and I love it! We haven't put ornaments on it yet - because I forgot to buy ornament hooks. But we'll probably do that tomorrow.

So - that brings us to today. I am watching the 100th Bedlam match-up between Oklahoma State and my beloved Sooners. And I just saw Phill on TV!! Hee hee. I remember when we used to go to every home game together. I'm sad I can't be there now. :(

I'd like to just take some time to reflect on those things for which I am thankful. First and foremost - I am thankful for my Mother and my family. Marmee has really given me the type of foundation that will provide me with even footing for the rest of my life. And she is one of my very best friends in this whole world. My family - although they can at times drive me crazy, has shaped my sense of humor, my sense of love, and my sense of home. Though we may not always see eye to eye, and fights occur more often than we wish they would - I know they love me, and I love them more than my meager words can express. My friends - I've done an excellent job alienating most of my friends this year. I've been out of touch - and unresponsive. My actions towards them have been abhorrent. And yet - my friends are always there for me with arms outstretched, ready to forgive my numerous offenses. I am so thankful that my friends are so understanding, and loving that they would tolerate my obnoxiousness. There are a plethora of other things for which I am thankful - but I'll close now with this... I am thankful for Alex. He has been my cheerleader, my friend, my advisor,my heart, and my home for 3 years now. Without him, I would not have earned my bachelor's degree, and I would not be on the verge of becoming a teacher. I would still have terrible credit, and I would feel like love is a myth that looms large above our society - but does not actually exist. Thank you, Alex - my life is what it is now because of YOU!

I hope you have much for which to be thankful this year.

Interviews a-go-go

So I've been interviewed and interviewed. I'm thinking a teaching job is mine for the taking in January - if I want to take it. I have a 2nd interview with Nimitz middle school on Monday, and a 1st interview with Edison middle school the same day. Meanwhile, on Monday as well - I am supposed to call Central high school and let them know whether I'm interested in working for them.

I really expected finding a teaching job to be much more difficult than it seems to be. Maybe it's just easy to get the interviews. Maybe getting the jobs is a bit harder. Although I have to confess that I was sure I'd have to teach French somewhere because no English jobs would be available. And not one of my interviews have been for French. All English. Thank goodness. :)

Alex & I have been cleaning our apartment the past couple of days. I am ashamed of how dirty we let it become. Hopefully we'll have it looking all nice for this weekend when we put up our Christmas tree! We got a 7 foot tall pre-lit tree with all white lights. I'm excited! I LOVE Christmas and decorating.

The semester is wrapping up. I'm glad. It was hard. I still have my HUGE paper to write for my Lit Theory class & we have a big scary comprehensive final in that class, too - so it's not over yet. But it's getting there. I have finished my 5 chapter research paper that I had to write along with the 100 question take home final for my Educational Research class. Then, for my college teaching class, I need to write 2 brief papers & create a powerpoint for a presentation, then I'm done for that one. So - really, I just have to focus on the Lit Theory for a couple more weeks - then I can relax my brain until next term. (Which, with teaching, might turn out to be REALLY SCARY!!!)

Thanksgiving day after tomorrow - I'm going to Marmee's and spending the day there. We are going to eat around 5pm, which is later than usual for us - but we are accomodating Alex's schedule, since he has to go to dinner with his family around noon. (To which I was invited - but part of the fun of Thanksgiving for me is spending the entire day in the kitchen cooking, and Alex was so sweet to be understanding)

Hope your all your turkey dreams come true!

...and for cryin' out loud - drop me a line occasionally!!!

I got a great book this weekend! Teaching Outside the Box - How to Grab Your Students By Their Brains by LouAnne Johnson. You have heard of her before - she wrote the book upon which they based the movie Dangerous Minds. If you're a teacher - or wanting to become one, I whole-heartedly recommend this book!

I'm reading it, because I just might be teaching high school in a month or two. I've been interviewing like mad, sending out resumes, etc... Friday, I interviewed with Tulsa Central High School. If hired there - I'd be teaching on level 12th grade English. For those of you who aren't familiar with Tulsa schools - I'll tell you that Central is in North Tulsa in a poorer neighborhood. It would not be an easy job by any stretch of the imagination. It would certainly be a challenge. Tomorrow - (Monday) I have another interview. Nimitz middle school - 7th & 8th grade English. We shall see what they have to offer. It is comforting that I'm getting so many interviews - I was really concerned that it would be rediculously difficult to even get one interview.

Also on Friday, I took the Miller Analogies Test. Let me just tell you what a bonehead I am... I had to drive to Tahlequah to take the test - it's about an hour away from Tulsa. My materials all stated that I was to report to the test site no fewer than 15 minutes prior to the 3pm test time. I rolled up in there at 3:15. Luckily, they let me take the exam. Thankfully - they hadn't yet begun. I think I did fairly well on the exam. We shall see.

Friday night, we (Alex, Mom, Shannon, and I) went to see the new Harry Potter movie. I really liked it. Although, I regret not having read the books. I tried to read them after I had seen the 3rd movie - but they follow the movies so closely that I got bored.

Saturday, Alex and I shopped for Christmas ornaments and went out to dinner. Today, Mom and I went shopping. There is this store in Tulsa called Direct Sales which sells business casual clothing from Dillards and other upscale department stores for rediculously low prices. Imagine $17.75 per clothing item. I got some great new stuff. over $300 worth of close for only $100. Can't argue with a deal like that. We did our grocery shopping for Thanksgiving, and then I came back home to read more of my book.

Nothing terribly exciting.

Alex bought us Coldplay tickets for their Oklahoma City concert in February. I'm looking forward to that. Especially since Fiona Apple is their opening act. :)

I suppose there has been enough babble for today.

It's been awfully quiet out there, readers.... So I fixed the comments section of this blog site so you do not have to use a user name & password. Post to your heart's content!!

Guess what!?!?!?!?!

No, no. Not that - but ALMOST as exciting... Marmee got the C.E.O. position!!! HOORAY!!!!! Our very own Marmee is the new CEO of Community Health Connections. (Or at least I think that's the name of the place) Now - before you all get excited and start emailing me (or her) that your best-friends uncle's wife's brother's friend's cousin's girlfriend knows a guy who has this friend who needs a job - she's not at that point yet. Of being able to hire people. I only say that because that seems to be everyone's reaction to her news. :) Not that I can blame anyone. :)

So - being the sweetheart that I am - I threw a surprise cocktail party for her on Friday night. Just 10 people very low key, but she was surprised and it was a good time. Good enough that we went through 3 bottles of champaign!! WOOO HOOO!

She is going today (actually in about 20 mins) in front of the board to negotiate salary & benefits, etc... i'm doubting that there will be any deal-breakers or show-stoppers there.

Congrats go out again to Marmee! I couldn't be prouder!!!

In other news - it was a very nice and very relaxing weekend! Other than Friday being a little crazy... I attended a teacher fair at NSU, and got 2 interviews out of the deal. One at Shawnee Public Schools (which is near Norman, OK 2 hours away - I won't be taking that one) and one at Tulsa Public Schools. Now, I would really rather not teach at Tulsa Public Schools because I don't want to have to wear a bullet-proof vest to work... But I'll take the job, if they offer me one. Cause that's just how I roll.

Following the cocktail party Friday night, Saturday was one of the most relaxing day I've had in weeks!! I got up, took a shower, changed into a clean pair of jammies, and proceeded to not leave the house the WHOLE day! It was yummy. Yesterday was nice eventhough we had to help Alex's Mom move the last few boxes from her storage unit to her new house. It wasn't much stuff - nothing was heavy, and it only took an hour or so out of the day. Then we went to Marmee's and had a nice roast for dinner, then home.

It was almost a perfect weekend. I don't really know what would have made it more perfect.

This is the last week of classes before Thanksgiving. I'm excited to have a whole week off coming up. Time to work on Christmas cards. Yay!

If you're travelling for your turkey this year - I hope you have safe travel. I am sure that I will post at least a couple of times between now and then - but just incase!

You're my best friend, and I love you!

Phill called me today. You guys remember what Ber & Phill used to mean?? We were a force to be reckoned with. No one had a closer friendship than Phill and I had. We were inseperable. We were the idyllic best friends. You will all be happy to know that although we live 9 hours away from one another, we are still a force to be reckoned with. Kudos to Phill for never losing faith in our friendship. I have to admit that I had lost some. When he joined the married club, I was pretty sure he was going where I could not follow. And I was sad that when he moved away, he would become absorbed in his life, and wouldn't need me anymore. Scarier still was the fact that I wasn't all depress-y Jane over the idea. I used to fall to pieces if Phill didn't call me one day. I knew we were both starting to grow up, and I thought that automatically meant growing apart. But it doesn't.

We're different now. But as he said today, "as soon as I hear your voice, everything's okay again." I feel the same way.

So - props go out to freshman & sophomore years of college. Gellie, 'Stina, Laura, Schuster, Amy, Lauren, Allison, Nate, Steve, Drew, Papa & the boys, those jerk-off SAE's, The Mont, The C-Store, Block & Barrell, Couch caff, Dale Hall, the duck pond, Sarah McLachlin, and all the incense in Norman. And to Phill. Those were the best times. Of my life. And although Phill and I both wish we could go back - even for a couple of hours, we know we never can.

Growing up sucks. And at the same time is wonderful.

It's 1145pm, and Texas still sucks!

Alex and I visited Dallas this past weekend. He had a comic-book convention to attend, and I thought I'd seize the opportunity to not only get out of town for a couple of days, but to see my friend Angel who I hadn't seen in WAY too long.

The trip was fun overall. When we arrived Thursday night, we checked into the hotel, then met Sterling (Alex's brother) and some friends for a late dinner. Friday, I stayed in the hotel room and did homework while the guys were at the convention, then we all piled into two cars, and went to Dave & Buster's. If you have a Dave & Buster's near your home, I highly suggest you go. It's an adult arcade basically. You can play skee-ball whilst enjoying your favorite alcoholic beverage. Plus - they have AWESOME food. We had an excellent time. With the tickets we won playing a highly addictive trivia game, we purchased some coffee mugs, beer mugs, and playing cards. Don't get me wrong - they had the stuffed animals, bouncy balls, and other things one would expect to find at a "redeem your tickets here" counter, but Alex and I were both excited that we can actually use the things we bought with our tickets. :)

Saturday I got to see Angel. She looked so wonderful, and it was great to be able to sit and talk with her. We reminisced about college, and all of our goofy stories. There was a bittersweet-ness to seeing her, though. It made me really miss those days when there were no consequences. (or at least it seemed that way) But I won't get all nostalgic on you again... I wouldn't want you to worry.

What sucked the WHOLE time we were there, though - aside from the fact that we were in Texas, a state I have ALWAYS disliked, was the damn traffic. I just don't know how people can become numb to it enough to not want to shoot themselves daily in lieu of driving in that bullshit one more day. Maybe it's just me. But the traffic in Dallas is crappy and unnecessary. And could they please just let each street have only ONE name?!?!?!? WTF?!?!? Why do they have to have streets that start out being Main, then change to 137th, then change to Wilson, then to Collins, then back to Main, but only in one direction, because going the other way, it's called King Rd?!?!?! Thumbs down to you, Dallas. Your secret society of navigators is way too much for this girl to put up with.

I just noticed that we haven't changed our wall clock for daylight savings time. I was shocked that I'd been sitting here more than an hour when I realized it's not nearly 1am, but nearly 12am. Did I mention I LOVE that I don't have to get up and go to work tomorrow? :)

For you music buffs out there - I've found an artist I L-O-V-E love!!!! Madeline Peyroux. She sounds like Billie Holiday. Very smooth & jazz-y. If you're looking for something relaxing if not a little romantic - I recommend her highly. ;)

I suppose I'll get back to my homework now. Since I'll have some more time on my hands now - you might just see a little more frequency in my posting. But I shouldn't make promises I can't keep. ;)