Who'd have thought ...I'd ever type this:
It's a good thing my realtor's gay because I would probably have a MAJOR crush on him by now. Just because he's been in my corner the whole time. He's made a few slips, but not because of laziness but because of small details that anyone could have missed. Those minor slips have been surpassed by amazing attention to this "property virgin" -- soon no more!
I'm packing. I hate packing. The next time I move, I'm just throwing everything away and buying new stuff.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Amanda Show: Vol. 3
One of my friends from SIUE and AST, Joi, posted this on her blog (see links to the left). It's a list of 100 things that were worth doing in your life and reflecting upon them. Here's the first installment of my list! And, these are in no particular order, just the order in which they "came to me." (repeat from vol 1)
49 Being awarded three scholarships from Coe College. It was still entirely too expensive, but I felt pretty good about it because they were all talent-based.
48 Being accepted into CSOPP. I didn’t go, and that turned out to be the best for me, but at least they wanted me at one point in time.
47 When I went back to DHS to sub, my French students were genuinely happy to see me.
46 Going to dinner with Nataliya and her husband. That was a really fun night, and I’m glad I finally got to meet Mr Z.
45 Realizing that, after 22 years of hating having to clean a house, I want a clean home and I’ll clean on my own.
44 When I was in the fourth grade, my drawing was chosen to be the flag for reading week. I felt pretty freaking special.
43 I won $50 in 7th grade in a drawing. I had a small, almost non-reaction. Hey, what luck!
42 This is minor, but I was really happy to help Karen clean her house for their Bible study she and my dad were hosting that night. I don’t support the basis for their meetings, but when I can help Karen, I feel like a minor peace treaty is in the draft process.
41 Going to the flea market with Brandi, Mandi, and her friends. I got TWO great purses and one matching wallet. Who knew a shopping experience would make it in my top fifty? Well, these are random after all…
40 Going to the IL HS theatre festival and seeing a much less impressive version of The Foreigner.
39 I was mistaken for a French-Canadian in Montreal. I spoke French to the guy behind the desk at the hotel in 2006 and he didn’t know I spoke English. How cool is that?
38 Going fishing with my dad. I hate fishing, but my dad’s a difficult man to relax, and he seems to enjoy fishing.
37 Finding out my sister, Brandi, is going to have a baby! And I’m going to be an aunt! Wa-hoo!
36 Standing in Shelley’s wedding. My shoes were killing me but it was really cool to stand next to her.
35 Even though it was a long process, graduating from high school was pretty exciting!
34 Okay, graduating from SIUE was a LOT more exciting. I was able to find my family because Dave, my brother-in-law, was so much taller than everyone else in the audience.
33 A day or two after 9/11, I found a website that showed pictures of people all over the world showing their mourning and support. I was so moved!
32 Visiting my grandparents. I miss them terribly!
31 Winning my ipod on ebay. It was never hip, but I felt relatively up-to-date.
30 Getting my driver’s license. I was pretty stoked that my test instructor was fairly laid back … and didn’t make me parallel park.
29 Realizing that s’mores are made best in the microwave. That first one was the best s’more ever.
28 Going to Florida’s Disney with the band. I think that was the farthest I had ever been in a bus. Or maybe it was New York.
27 Moving to a new grade school in the 6th grade. Before school started, one girl knew right away that I was new, but one of my teachers didn’t; she seemed to think I fit in pretty well.
26 Reading Jane Eyre for fun. I probably could have “gotten more” from it if I had read it for a class, but I felt as if it were an accomplishment anyway.
25 Watching Dave and Heather’s nephew play hockey. It only took me about 6 years to have enough interest to actually watch the Stanley Cup finals.
49 Being awarded three scholarships from Coe College. It was still entirely too expensive, but I felt pretty good about it because they were all talent-based.
48 Being accepted into CSOPP. I didn’t go, and that turned out to be the best for me, but at least they wanted me at one point in time.
47 When I went back to DHS to sub, my French students were genuinely happy to see me.
46 Going to dinner with Nataliya and her husband. That was a really fun night, and I’m glad I finally got to meet Mr Z.
45 Realizing that, after 22 years of hating having to clean a house, I want a clean home and I’ll clean on my own.
44 When I was in the fourth grade, my drawing was chosen to be the flag for reading week. I felt pretty freaking special.
43 I won $50 in 7th grade in a drawing. I had a small, almost non-reaction. Hey, what luck!
42 This is minor, but I was really happy to help Karen clean her house for their Bible study she and my dad were hosting that night. I don’t support the basis for their meetings, but when I can help Karen, I feel like a minor peace treaty is in the draft process.
41 Going to the flea market with Brandi, Mandi, and her friends. I got TWO great purses and one matching wallet. Who knew a shopping experience would make it in my top fifty? Well, these are random after all…
40 Going to the IL HS theatre festival and seeing a much less impressive version of The Foreigner.
39 I was mistaken for a French-Canadian in Montreal. I spoke French to the guy behind the desk at the hotel in 2006 and he didn’t know I spoke English. How cool is that?
38 Going fishing with my dad. I hate fishing, but my dad’s a difficult man to relax, and he seems to enjoy fishing.
37 Finding out my sister, Brandi, is going to have a baby! And I’m going to be an aunt! Wa-hoo!
36 Standing in Shelley’s wedding. My shoes were killing me but it was really cool to stand next to her.
35 Even though it was a long process, graduating from high school was pretty exciting!
34 Okay, graduating from SIUE was a LOT more exciting. I was able to find my family because Dave, my brother-in-law, was so much taller than everyone else in the audience.
33 A day or two after 9/11, I found a website that showed pictures of people all over the world showing their mourning and support. I was so moved!
32 Visiting my grandparents. I miss them terribly!
31 Winning my ipod on ebay. It was never hip, but I felt relatively up-to-date.
30 Getting my driver’s license. I was pretty stoked that my test instructor was fairly laid back … and didn’t make me parallel park.
29 Realizing that s’mores are made best in the microwave. That first one was the best s’more ever.
28 Going to Florida’s Disney with the band. I think that was the farthest I had ever been in a bus. Or maybe it was New York.
27 Moving to a new grade school in the 6th grade. Before school started, one girl knew right away that I was new, but one of my teachers didn’t; she seemed to think I fit in pretty well.
26 Reading Jane Eyre for fun. I probably could have “gotten more” from it if I had read it for a class, but I felt as if it were an accomplishment anyway.
25 Watching Dave and Heather’s nephew play hockey. It only took me about 6 years to have enough interest to actually watch the Stanley Cup finals.
Monday, June 23, 2008
p to the issy.
I'm in a pretty horrible mood. I knew thing were going to come to a head this week, but I didn't realize things were going to be so crappy. There won't be a list of things that are irritating me right now because I'll feel like a jerk. None of it's that bad, I'm just having a hard time juggling it all. Ha.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
hmm.
So okay, I'm taking an online course this summer. It's mostly just to pad my endorsement in English, and it's not a big deal if I do very well.
However.
Part of every online course, it seems, is to post your own question about the text that the class is reading and discussing for the week. We're doing Hamlet this week. I've read Hamlet three times, so I feel as if I know a lot about it. I asked a question about Denmark because that's where its set and something else about the religious notes in the text. One of my classmates responded, and done.
Then the prof chimes in and practically tells me, "Well what you SHOULD be asking about is Shakespeare's audience, not Denmark."
Really? Do you have to invalidate my question like that? I guess I'm at the point in my academic career where I feel my interest in a certain part of a work is valid and I don't need to be steered in another direction.
Hmpf, this may actually HINDER my performance in a class. What a rip.
However.
Part of every online course, it seems, is to post your own question about the text that the class is reading and discussing for the week. We're doing Hamlet this week. I've read Hamlet three times, so I feel as if I know a lot about it. I asked a question about Denmark because that's where its set and something else about the religious notes in the text. One of my classmates responded, and done.
Then the prof chimes in and practically tells me, "Well what you SHOULD be asking about is Shakespeare's audience, not Denmark."
Really? Do you have to invalidate my question like that? I guess I'm at the point in my academic career where I feel my interest in a certain part of a work is valid and I don't need to be steered in another direction.
Hmpf, this may actually HINDER my performance in a class. What a rip.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Dangit.
So, I'm not allowing myself a "day off" with food. I used to eat like a total idiot: Pizza, burgers, whatever I wanted.
I had more pizza that one "serving size". Now I feel horrible. Same thing happened when I had more than one cupcake.
For my loyal readers, please note that I'm going to try to ease off with posting about diet and exercise. A friend from high school and I have started a health blog, so check out my profile!
I had more pizza that one "serving size". Now I feel horrible. Same thing happened when I had more than one cupcake.
For my loyal readers, please note that I'm going to try to ease off with posting about diet and exercise. A friend from high school and I have started a health blog, so check out my profile!
I fall sometimes.
I was taking out the garbage before I went grocery shopping last Friday, and I tripped up the stairs. I was wearing some new flip flops that have a little extra room by my toes, and plop! There I went. I now have a big scratch on my right arm and an ugly bruise on my left knee. It wasn't a big deal unless Heather's dog jumped on it. Also, taking a shower reminded me that I have a gash (?) on my arm.
However, I worked out at home today, and I still do push ups on my knees. That was no fun. Also, the cool down routine involves a lot of knee stuff. But even though I was not wanting to finish, I did. I had to do my own cool down, but that's not the big deal.
However, I worked out at home today, and I still do push ups on my knees. That was no fun. Also, the cool down routine involves a lot of knee stuff. But even though I was not wanting to finish, I did. I had to do my own cool down, but that's not the big deal.
Monday, June 16, 2008
So much for Yahoo!
I finally broke down and deleted my yahoo email address. For those of you who need it, please comment here, and I'll give you my new email address at gmail.com
:-D
:-D
Friday, June 13, 2008
Rock out while I work out.
I need some assistance. I have been trying to run this week, and I need some more kickin' songs (yeah, I know) for my iPod. Here's what I have so far. I want advice!
With a little help from my friends - Across the Universe sdtrk
War - Edwin Starr
Get Low - Flo Rida
Handlebars - Flobots (cool down)
Promiscuous Girl - Nelly Fertado
Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
Piece of Me - Britney
Come Together - Across the Universe sdtrk
Four Minutes - JT and Madonna
La Belle et le Bad Boy - MC Solaar
My Love - JT
Glamorous - Fergie
With a little help from my friends - Across the Universe sdtrk
War - Edwin Starr
Get Low - Flo Rida
Handlebars - Flobots (cool down)
Promiscuous Girl - Nelly Fertado
Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
Piece of Me - Britney
Come Together - Across the Universe sdtrk
Four Minutes - JT and Madonna
La Belle et le Bad Boy - MC Solaar
My Love - JT
Glamorous - Fergie
Thursday, June 12, 2008
(Top) Five?
1. What did you do 10 years ago?
I was almost sixteen, so I was probably bugging my dad to let me drive him somewhere, anywhere! was either at marching band camp OR working at Quick's.
2. Five items on your to-do list today:
1: post my responses on Blackboard.
2: work out.
3: Call U-Haul and see what the next size up is from the mini-mover I reserved.
4: eat breakfast
5: Call my mortgage broker and see if maybe the rates went down...
3. Snacks I enjoy:
I like to mix salty and sweet, which can be very dangerous. I just bought some applesauce packs yesterday, though, and I think they'll be my 50-cal salvation from cookies!
4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Pay off my student loans and my sister's, buy a house in Chicago, Paris, New York, Phoenix, and wherever else I want, donate one mil to every school I've been to, find a charity to sponsor, and then do some serious shopping ... after putting the money in a trust or something.
5. Places I would live:
1: France (preferable one of the larger cities, but maybe not Paris)
2: Arizona
3: just outside of NYC
4: Canada
5: Houston, TX
6. Bloggers I am passing the challenge onto are:
Anna P, Anna Z, Cori, Salsa, and anyone else who reads this! :-D
By "passing the challenge" I mean, I'd like to read yours, but I won't come after you with a stick if you don't :-D
I was almost sixteen, so I was probably bugging my dad to let me drive him somewhere, anywhere! was either at marching band camp OR working at Quick's.
2. Five items on your to-do list today:
1: post my responses on Blackboard.
2: work out.
3: Call U-Haul and see what the next size up is from the mini-mover I reserved.
4: eat breakfast
5: Call my mortgage broker and see if maybe the rates went down...
3. Snacks I enjoy:
I like to mix salty and sweet, which can be very dangerous. I just bought some applesauce packs yesterday, though, and I think they'll be my 50-cal salvation from cookies!
4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Pay off my student loans and my sister's, buy a house in Chicago, Paris, New York, Phoenix, and wherever else I want, donate one mil to every school I've been to, find a charity to sponsor, and then do some serious shopping ... after putting the money in a trust or something.
5. Places I would live:
1: France (preferable one of the larger cities, but maybe not Paris)
2: Arizona
3: just outside of NYC
4: Canada
5: Houston, TX
6. Bloggers I am passing the challenge onto are:
Anna P, Anna Z, Cori, Salsa, and anyone else who reads this! :-D
By "passing the challenge" I mean, I'd like to read yours, but I won't come after you with a stick if you don't :-D
The Amanda Show: Vol 2
One of my friends from SIUE and AST, Joi, posted this on her blog (see links to the left). It's a list of 100 things that were worth doing in your life and reflecting upon them. Here's the first installment of my list! And, these are in no particular order, just the order in which they "came to me." (repeate from vol 1)
74. My initiation into the best sorority ever, Alpha Sigma Tau.
73. Hey, before that (74), being announced to Alpha Sigma Tau, and Anna Z running to meet me! I love and miss those ladies SO much! And I'm so glad Shawna came to NIU :)
72. Trying to donate blood when the "blood bus" was parked in the quad ... and being rejected because I had a temperature! Stupid gum! :) It was amusing, and I still donate when I can.
71. Meeting Lise' and Carol across the hall. These are some truly terrific ladies. Plus, they taught me how to play euchre.
70. Alpha Sigma Tau Convention. We Beta Etas were the hosting chapter, so we had a LOT of grunt work to do. But we had a lot of fun! This could be a long #70, but I'll leave it at this!
69. Getting Straight A's for the first time. This was during my second semester at NIU, I think, and I was ecstatic. I worked really hard, and it paid off. (It's true that I could have worked harder, but I guess it wouldnt have made much difference.)
68. Helping Heather and Dave fix up their house. I got to handle a drill. I got to steam up some old kitchen tile with a heat gun and then scrape it up. I got to paint. We ALL put some serious sweat into those rooms. Those rooms look great.
67 Having stuck to a work out schedule for a month.
66. Presenting our senior group project in Chicago at the APA paper presentation conference. We didn't get significant results, but I felt pretty fancy.
65. Being told, in high school, that I interview well. I was in a retailing class and a retail manager came in to do mock interviews.
64. Getting a surprise pedicure with my aunt. She doesn't get along with everyone in my immediate family, but she's a generous person who's willing to share and listen. And pay for pedicures ;)
63. Standing up to that jerk at EmbroidMe (right, Joi?!) who somehow tried to make me feel bad because his workers made a mistake. I felt like an adult when I told him, "You know, it's too bad because you seemed to have such great service when I walked in to order these items..."
62. Staying calm in my first car collision. Well, at least until the situation had passed.
61. This is absolutely superficial, but the first time my hair was ever STRAIGHTENED. I felt like I fit into a new crowd or something. I loved it and was hooked ... until I realized how long it took me to do it and how quickly my curls come creeping back!
60. Seriously looking at homes to BUY.
59. Putting in an offer and negotiating to BUY the condo.
58. Mumo and I had a (broken) ladies' luncheon at my house. She taught me how her French host mom prepared green beans and we had a merry old time in DeKalb! :)
57. When I was little, watching the 4th of July fireworks at the fairgrounds in Belvidere. We'd have a blanket to sit on and just watch them go.
56. Finding a skirt in France that fit me. It was a challenge, but I really like the skirt!
55. Participating in the role-playing activities of Mr Steinkamp's AP US History class. I got to be a southern representative. I did the accent, yes, I did!
54. Discovering the classical music station in the fifth grade. I was home sick ... and sick of 97.5. This was a gateway station to NPR, and I am officially an NPR addict!
53. Our first year with a "live" christmas tree. I just loved the way it smelled and didn't even mind "watering" it every 2 hours or whatever it was!
52. Learning that my new roommate, Holly, was an even bigger FRIENDS fan than I was! (I think we might be even now because I have the series and watch it during down time)
51. Walking around Target with my friend, Lydia, pretending to be British.
50. Going to Wal-Mart with Shelley after her rehearsal dinner. She was a wee bit drunk, but still a lot of fun. I had promised her mom I would "watch her."
I think there's a clear pattern of rant here :) Stay tuned for Volume 3!
74. My initiation into the best sorority ever, Alpha Sigma Tau.
73. Hey, before that (74), being announced to Alpha Sigma Tau, and Anna Z running to meet me! I love and miss those ladies SO much! And I'm so glad Shawna came to NIU :)
72. Trying to donate blood when the "blood bus" was parked in the quad ... and being rejected because I had a temperature! Stupid gum! :) It was amusing, and I still donate when I can.
71. Meeting Lise' and Carol across the hall. These are some truly terrific ladies. Plus, they taught me how to play euchre.
70. Alpha Sigma Tau Convention. We Beta Etas were the hosting chapter, so we had a LOT of grunt work to do. But we had a lot of fun! This could be a long #70, but I'll leave it at this!
69. Getting Straight A's for the first time. This was during my second semester at NIU, I think, and I was ecstatic. I worked really hard, and it paid off. (It's true that I could have worked harder, but I guess it wouldnt have made much difference.)
68. Helping Heather and Dave fix up their house. I got to handle a drill. I got to steam up some old kitchen tile with a heat gun and then scrape it up. I got to paint. We ALL put some serious sweat into those rooms. Those rooms look great.
67 Having stuck to a work out schedule for a month.
66. Presenting our senior group project in Chicago at the APA paper presentation conference. We didn't get significant results, but I felt pretty fancy.
65. Being told, in high school, that I interview well. I was in a retailing class and a retail manager came in to do mock interviews.
64. Getting a surprise pedicure with my aunt. She doesn't get along with everyone in my immediate family, but she's a generous person who's willing to share and listen. And pay for pedicures ;)
63. Standing up to that jerk at EmbroidMe (right, Joi?!) who somehow tried to make me feel bad because his workers made a mistake. I felt like an adult when I told him, "You know, it's too bad because you seemed to have such great service when I walked in to order these items..."
62. Staying calm in my first car collision. Well, at least until the situation had passed.
61. This is absolutely superficial, but the first time my hair was ever STRAIGHTENED. I felt like I fit into a new crowd or something. I loved it and was hooked ... until I realized how long it took me to do it and how quickly my curls come creeping back!
60. Seriously looking at homes to BUY.
59. Putting in an offer and negotiating to BUY the condo.
58. Mumo and I had a (broken) ladies' luncheon at my house. She taught me how her French host mom prepared green beans and we had a merry old time in DeKalb! :)
57. When I was little, watching the 4th of July fireworks at the fairgrounds in Belvidere. We'd have a blanket to sit on and just watch them go.
56. Finding a skirt in France that fit me. It was a challenge, but I really like the skirt!
55. Participating in the role-playing activities of Mr Steinkamp's AP US History class. I got to be a southern representative. I did the accent, yes, I did!
54. Discovering the classical music station in the fifth grade. I was home sick ... and sick of 97.5. This was a gateway station to NPR, and I am officially an NPR addict!
53. Our first year with a "live" christmas tree. I just loved the way it smelled and didn't even mind "watering" it every 2 hours or whatever it was!
52. Learning that my new roommate, Holly, was an even bigger FRIENDS fan than I was! (I think we might be even now because I have the series and watch it during down time)
51. Walking around Target with my friend, Lydia, pretending to be British.
50. Going to Wal-Mart with Shelley after her rehearsal dinner. She was a wee bit drunk, but still a lot of fun. I had promised her mom I would "watch her."
I think there's a clear pattern of rant here :) Stay tuned for Volume 3!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Discipline and balance.
So today was an okay day. I felt kinda crappy earlier because Heather and I grabbed lunch at Burger King. I always get the whopper jr because, honestly, who really *needs* the whopper? Anyway, I got onion rings and a dr pepper (one in a million times i will choose the pepper over a diet something-or-other). After I finished the rings I felt like I needed to purge or something.
Now, gentle readers, I do not have an eating disorder. I have NEVER gotten sick by choice, if you know where I'm going. But I've been beginning to attach a certain emotion to fast food and another to home-made food (well, salads, at least). It's harder for me to accept the fact that I just had a burger with cheese and it won't cause me to never be able to work out. In fact, I made myself work out tonight to prove that to myself. I still tabulate what I eat, and sometimes I "go over" my calorie "goal," but I hope that I never bring myself to that point. And I don't think I will. There's something in psychology, I kid you not, called the "what-the-hell" effect. Not as in the surprise ("What the hell?!"), but in the "who cares, I've killed my day already, I'm going to eat a whole pound cake myself." These are the two extremes that I'm going to work against. I don't want to physically harm myself for making a tiny McDonald's lapse. However, I don't want to overindulge for an entire day just because I had some queso cheese with my tortilla chips, either.
Also, it's been *really* hard not to weigh myself and measure myself. I can tell I'm making progress with my clothing, and that's what I'm going to stick to.
On the education front:
I had my first face-to-face with my Lit Classics class yesterday. It was pretty cool. I met a woman whose brother teaches French at a prep school in Chicago, and I heard back from him today (she let me e-mail him from her email address). My good friend, Meryl, is in the class. And we'll be reading about 6 books that I've read before. I'm hoping my writing won't be totally off, but the prof's expectations for the reading response papers are ... let's just say different. It's supposed to be mostly personal but also include textual evidence. Goodness, this goes against everything I believe when it comes to writing for a grade. I haven't had to stretch my writing skills this much since my Philosophy of Education class. Fingers crossed!
Now, gentle readers, I do not have an eating disorder. I have NEVER gotten sick by choice, if you know where I'm going. But I've been beginning to attach a certain emotion to fast food and another to home-made food (well, salads, at least). It's harder for me to accept the fact that I just had a burger with cheese and it won't cause me to never be able to work out. In fact, I made myself work out tonight to prove that to myself. I still tabulate what I eat, and sometimes I "go over" my calorie "goal," but I hope that I never bring myself to that point. And I don't think I will. There's something in psychology, I kid you not, called the "what-the-hell" effect. Not as in the surprise ("What the hell?!"), but in the "who cares, I've killed my day already, I'm going to eat a whole pound cake myself." These are the two extremes that I'm going to work against. I don't want to physically harm myself for making a tiny McDonald's lapse. However, I don't want to overindulge for an entire day just because I had some queso cheese with my tortilla chips, either.
Also, it's been *really* hard not to weigh myself and measure myself. I can tell I'm making progress with my clothing, and that's what I'm going to stick to.
On the education front:
I had my first face-to-face with my Lit Classics class yesterday. It was pretty cool. I met a woman whose brother teaches French at a prep school in Chicago, and I heard back from him today (she let me e-mail him from her email address). My good friend, Meryl, is in the class. And we'll be reading about 6 books that I've read before. I'm hoping my writing won't be totally off, but the prof's expectations for the reading response papers are ... let's just say different. It's supposed to be mostly personal but also include textual evidence. Goodness, this goes against everything I believe when it comes to writing for a grade. I haven't had to stretch my writing skills this much since my Philosophy of Education class. Fingers crossed!
Friday, June 6, 2008
I'm going to miss you, cupcakes....
Okay, so I went mini-shopping yesterday. I needed something sweet ... even though I have low-fat sherbet in the freezer. I hadn't splurged on sweets since before I started working out on a near-daily basis, so I bought some cupcakes.
Oh my, what a horrible idea.
They don't taste as good as they used to. I don't know if I'm just not used to as much sugar as I was a month ago or what, but not only were they not as delicious as I remember, but they have made my stomach quite uneasy.
I still want a cupcake for my birthday, though.
Oh my, what a horrible idea.
They don't taste as good as they used to. I don't know if I'm just not used to as much sugar as I was a month ago or what, but not only were they not as delicious as I remember, but they have made my stomach quite uneasy.
I still want a cupcake for my birthday, though.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Amanda Show, Vol 1
One of my friends from SIUE and AST, Joi, posted this on her blog (see links to the left). It's a list of 100 things that were worth doing in your life and reflecting upon them. Here's the first installment of my list! And, these are in no particular order, just the order in which they "came to me."
100. At the age of six, watching my Grandma marry the only grandfather I ever knew, Charles.
99. Playing card games with my family on Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as I can remember.
98. Having a pencil sketch of mine mistaken for that of a friend I consider highly artistic.
97. Playing roles on stage in high school under the hot lights with pancake makeup slathered all over my face! Good times… I love to make-believe.
96. Marching in Harvard’s Milk Day Parade with the BHS band.
95. Riding Heather’s 4-wheeler for the first time … and freaking out after getting “stuck.” That was hhilarious.
94. Riding Dad’s 4-wheeler in
93. Going to
92. Seeing my first musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with my Dad in
91. Getting my first paycheck! How grown-up did I feel, earning money at a burger joint!
90. Taking a plane for the first time in seventh grade to
89. Standing in my sister, Heather’s, wedding.
88. Traveling out of the country for the first time –
87. Moving into my first *real* apartment. I paid rent, electric, and everything!
86. Adopting Jo. I went to the shelter with Heather, we opened her little cage, and she jumped into my arms, purring already! Plus, she was “on clearance!” What a steal ;)
85. My girls’ trip to Wisconsin Dells with Brandi and Mom. We ate junk food, took the boat tours, and enjoyed each other’s company!
84. Being offered positions at three different schools. This was bittersweet, but I felt affirmed as a teacher with potential! Plus, I had more options than I thought I would.
83. Attending the young writers’ workshop with other American high school students who shared an interest in being narcissistic. ;) I got a new perspective on myself as a writer.
82. Sitting on Grandma Patton/Larson’s lap and playing with her slender hands. I thought it was so cool that I could see and feel the bones in her hands. Thinking back on it now, she was a really patient woman to put up with that :)
81. Helping Mom in the garden at the house on Van Buren. I learned how to plant cucumbers really well in that huge garden.
80. Student teaching at DHS and getting to know the great kids in the French program and the supportive staff of the whole building!
79. Flying first class on my flight from
78. Voting for the first time in 2000. I felt like an adult and a part of something … even though my candidate didn’t win.
77. Helping Brandi move into Downer’s Grove from Chicago. Though it may have been exhausting, I loved helping her move from one stage of her life to another.
76. Learning how to crochet with my sisters. We all helped each other and we created some … interesting projects since then!
75. Working on puzzles in the porch with my dad. It may have hurt my back, but it was a relaxing bonding time :)
Thanks for the challenge, Joi! I think I will copy your format because it's getting late!Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Not gonna do it!
I probably won't throw away my scale, but I'm going to weigh myself only ONE TIME per month. I've gained a lot of muscle from working out 6x/week, and I get all sorts of frustrated from not losing any "weight." I know I'm making progress because I feel great and my jeans are fitting looser, and I don't want to be unnecessarily disappointed because of a number. I'm eating a little smarter = salads for lunch, lots of water, and some serious protein post-workout. I'm hoping this will make my progress ... better? Does that sentence make sense?
Also, Dr. Ruth turned 80 on Today. That woman makes me want to hug the TV. The Talk Sex lady wasn't quite as lovable ... but I think it has to do with the accent and the height. No, I'm not superficial and silly...
Also, Dr. Ruth turned 80 on Today. That woman makes me want to hug the TV. The Talk Sex lady wasn't quite as lovable ... but I think it has to do with the accent and the height. No, I'm not superficial and silly...
Monday, June 2, 2008
the eventual new home
I'm watching game 4 of the finals (Stanley Cup) ... but I can't watch. I get too worked up and freaked out.
Anyway, I saw the condo again today to go over the minor details that were mentioned in the inspection. These are the things that I have to get in order to bring the condo up to MY standards ;)
Anyway, I saw the condo again today to go over the minor details that were mentioned in the inspection. These are the things that I have to get in order to bring the condo up to MY standards ;)
- Washer/dryer (stackable). It's a condo that was originally an apartment, and I'll have to petition to the association because it's an alteration. I don't know how long that will take, but once it's approved, I'm running to Sears and grabbing one. Hopefully one that's dented because those mo-fos are PRICEY.
- New kitchen faucet (old and/or original from the 60's).
- New bathroom faucet (see above).
- New kitchen above-sink light fixture (it's crazy old school, and not in the quaint way)
- New range hood (see above ... it's not gross but its OLD looking, and I'm sure it is indeed old. I will have to consult Dad on this because there's alllll sorts of stuff involved that I'm ignorant about)
- New counter tops (this can wait til next summer ... especially if I'm going granite)
- New facing for cabinets, maybe one or two with mesh! (ditto on the waiting)
- Slipcover for recliner. I have to get this relatively soon because the fabric is wearing out and the duct tape is going to be needed soon! I like surefit.net -- anyone have other ideas?
- Slipcover for couch. Not so dire, I might be able to wait for the summer on this one too.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Just one drink.
So last night Meryl and I saw Sex and the City. Loved it. It's amazing to see a movie like that on opening weekend because the energy is unbelievable. The theater wasn't packed completely full as I had imagined it would be (my friend and I sat in the front section and had plenty of empty seats around us), but there were a LOT of people (98% women, of course). The film answered lots of questions about the future of characters, etc. I'm mad because I fell for the desire to want to buy the whole series. You KNOW the series price skyrocketed upon the opening of the film. Anyway, I am not as excited as Meryl is about The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (who cares?) or Mamma Mia (but I do want to see it), but I'm curious to see The Women (Annette Bening with long hair? What?). I effing LOVE previews.
We had drinks afterwards at Rock Bottom (love it). The drinks were messed up because Meryl's cosmo barely had any alcohol in it, and I got a pomegranate cosmo instead of the pomegranate martini that I ordered. I didnt find out about the second thing until we got our bill, though. I think a lot of women did what Meryl and I did, and cosmos were likely the drink of the night. There were a handful of cute boys at the bar, which leads me to believe that they were there to check out the fabulous chicks who would be there downing cosmos and talking about sex. Well, that IS me and Meryl :)
Other stuff less fun
I'm set to move out of DeKalb on my birthday, the 29th. I was planning on moving the day (or two) before because I need the time to super-clean my room and other spaces like that, but Dave and Heather have a wedding to go to on Saturday, and I started thinking that Dave would be tired from Friday's work. I cannot move without Dave (or Bill ... but they're going to be in STL) because my couch is heavy. Right now I'm only lifting 5 pound weights. :) I'm a little nervous to get all that moving and cleaning done in one day, but I need to remember that we're only loading up the truck. I'm staying with Brandi for a little under a week while I wait for the closing of the condo, and then we'll all go down to Kankakee and empty the truck ... on July 5th.... If I weren't going to be in a class I would just spend the following week in bed watching old Friends episodes.
One other thing that's STILL up in the air is my little cat (not literally, haha!). I was planning on keeping her in a kennel, but that's just terribly expensive. $25/day, and I'll need her kept somewhere for 2 weeks. I don't have $350 to spend on my Jo, and I have a feeling I would have to sit down and explain her ridiculously sensitive feeding schedule. I e-mailed the fam to let them know the deal with the move(s), and I had a little side note for everyone. I asked my mom if Jo could stay at her place. I'm crossing my fingers because she and her husband played foster parents to her when I lived on Lucinda, and her husband got all out of sorts and said they'd never do that again. Mom's gone a lot during the week and jobless Scott (can you tell I don't like this man?) winds up getting attached (and takes care of the animals), so Mom has to ask him if it's okay. If he says no, I'm going to ask for her help paying for the kennel. I hate asking for money more than I hate asking for that kind of help. Obviously.
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