Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow...

Well, it is finally looking like December outside. I usually hate the snow on days like this, when I have to be driving in it, but after a month of looking at dead trees and ugly grey sky I say "Bring it on!"

This is such a fun time of year. I love Christmas! Even though I have been super stressed with school, homework, finals, my job, remodeling, Christmas shopping, and spreading holiday cheer, when I look out the window and see the world covered in white it helps me to be a little more peaceful and relaxed inside. Finals are almost over, Christmas is around the corner, and soon I'll be in Mexico saying goodbye to the white outside and soaking up the warm sun. It's hard not to be excited about this time of the year, even being as busy as I have been.

I have a lot to be thankful for, and it has been hard to remember all of the good things in life being bogged down by stress, but this is definitely the time of year that I reflect on what I am grateful for....so I wanted to make a reminder list of everything good in life...

*My Health

*My Love

*My Family

*My Friends (Both New & Old)

*My Home

*My Career (Future Career)

*Britney Tickets

Remember the good things in life and be appreciative for what you have.

Happy Holidays!

Please explain to me...

Can someone please explain to me how studying the hallways and cafeteria of a school that I will NOT be teaching at in the future is going to help me become a better teacher? How is taking photos of the surrounding area of a school going to improve my cultural sensitivity skills? Why is it important to understand what a business merchant in the local area thinks about the community they live in? I do not get the connection between this very long, very detailed assignment that took me over 10 hours to complete and kept me up til 4 am last night, and my future career as a teacher. Maybe it's because I am running off of 3 hours of sleep AFTER a day of waking up at 6:30 for work (at my real job), leaving two hours later to teach (my wannabe job) for 8 hours, then hitting school for 3 hours, and back to home for 6 hours of homework.

I don't know...my brain might just be fried right now and I will understand the significance of all of this busy work after finals, but somehow, I doubt I'll make the connection even then.

Final

adj.

1. Forming or occurring at the end; last: the final scene of a film.
2. Of or constituting the end result of a succession or process; ultimate: an act with both an immediate and a final purpose.
3. Not to be changed or reconsidered; unalterable: The judge's decision is final. See synonyms atlast¹.

n.

Something that comes at or forms the end, especially:

1. The last or one of the last of a series of contests: the finals of a state spelling bee.
2. The last examination of an academic course.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin fīnālis, from fīnis, end.]

finally fi'nal·ly adv.

They are approaching fast!

Day O' Britney!

Not only did Britney's awesome new cd come out today, but her concert tickets for Salt Lake City (yes, she is coming to my home town) went on pre-sale this morning. I thought I was screwed when I tried to buy two and kept getting an error message saying I had to have a "password" for the pre-sale.

"Password??? What do you mean I need a Password??? I didn't see anything online about a password!!! Where the hell is the Password?!?"

Luckily, her tour information was up and running this morning on her website and three minutes after tickets went on sale I was able to find that coveted password. Long story short! I am in Section 3 of the Lower Bowl and so excited I could scream!!! The concert is two days before I leave for my Mexico trip so I am sure I will still be beaming on the flight!

To quote my friend Melanie after an exuberant night of partying...

"This is the greatest day of my life!!!"

"The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started."

pro·cras·ti·nate  (pr-krst-nt, pr-)

v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

v.intr.

To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.

v.tr.

To postpone or delay needlessly.

---

[Latin prcrstinre, prcrstint- : pr-, forward; see pro-¹ + crstinus, of tomorrow (from crs,tomorrow).]

---

pro·crasti·nation n.

pro·crasti·nator n.

I'm screwed if I don't start on my homework. I'm just saying.

I'm Thankful It's Almost Over.

So you know how everyone rips on how they hate Halloween and how Halloween is no fun or just a "slut holiday" (as I heard numerous times this year)...AND...remember how I defended Halloween cause it's one of my favorite holidays?

Well, I'm about to rip on Thanksgiving for all you turkey lovers out there. I know there are a lot of you too because all I ever hear this time of the year is how wonderful Thanksgiving is, and how excited you all are for pie.

I'm sorry, but I just don't get it people. Just thinking about it causes fear and loathing to resonate through me. I do not like this holiday, not one bit. I associate this holiday with the way I look at the world right now. Everything outside is ugly, we are between fall and winter and everything is brown and dead. Thanksgiving is ugly. People talk about this holiday as this great time to spend with your family and how heart-warming it is and how we should be thinking about all that we have in life (which I do agree with, that is the one good thing about Thanksgiving, but only if you truly take the time to do this, and I don't believe that enough people do). When you actually think about it though, Thanksgiving is really about spending a lot of money to prepare a meal that takes hours of work and cleanup and is over in a 1/2 hour. All that hard work and prep and it's done in 20 minutes and then people watch football (which I hate).

Thanksgiving has never been anything but stress and fighting in my family, which I know is the reason I don't like it, but over the years my feelings have only become stronger on this subject. Every year we fight about who's house we should go to because our family's never coincide with rotations, so someone is always left out. This year we decided we are doing both, which means a lot of gas and car travel, and a lot of eating.

And speaking of eating, what is with the food at Thanksgiving? I hate Thanksgiving food. Pumpkin pie is the grossest thing on earth (pie in general is just plain wrong), turkey is blah and boring, candy yams with marshmallows burnt on top is disgusting, and stuffing that you eat out of a bird's ass? What is that about? The only thing I can handle on Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes, ham, and rolls...AND most people think ham at Thanksgiving is weird, so unless I'm with my family and I specifically tell them to buy a ham, I am screwed. See, I don't even like all of the warm comfort food that this damn holiday provides.

I know I'm a complainer and it's not a very good attitude to have towards this time of reflection and thankfulness, but I really wish I could just stay home with a stack of DVD's and an afternoon on the couch wrapped in a blanket in nothing but my undies and t-shirt. That's my idea of the perfect Thanksgiving. I'd be very thankful if I could just do it my way. However, since I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and I DO want to be a part of the celebration, I will put on my happy face, travel to the family, and pretend like I enjoy their cooking.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

5 Things I Love...BLOG TAG

5 TV Shows I Love to Watch:

1) Gossip Girl
2) Ugly Betty
3) Grey's Anatomy
4) What Not To Wear
5) Divine Design (zwee daaa bab bab dweee daaaaa)

5 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Cafe Molise
2) Trio
3) Arby's
4) Cafe Trang
5) Confetti's

5 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1) Bought New Car Key Hooks
2) Finished Painting the Living Room
3) Put Up My Christmas Tree/Decorations
4) Ate Krysta's Yummy Dinner
5) Got Caught up on 90210 (I've missed so much)

5 Things I Love About Fall:
1) Colorful Leaves
2) The Transition to Sweaters
3) Scarves
4) The Smell
5) That the Heat is Finally Over

5 Things On My Wishlist:
1) There is this REALLY Cute Vest & Cardigan at Urban
2) Money for my Cruise
3) New Art for the House
4) I-trip
5) The Britney CD

5 People I Tag:
1) Lindsey
2) Halley
3) Holli
4) Allisen
5) Allison

My Weekend in Retrospect

So...initially I thought I had a pretty mundane weekend. I mean, no parties, no dancing, no drinking, no big plans. However, looking back on all the stuff I actually did this weekend I can see that it was quite fun and exciting. Allow me to take you through it a day at a time.

Friday night I was dying to go see Happy Go Lucky and I had e-mailed basically everyone I knew and told them I was planning on seeing this movie and invited them to come along. By 12:00 on Friday I had about 14 people on board. Then at about 6:00 when I checked my phone I had 3 voice mails and about six text messages all from people with good reasons (nice excuses) as to why they couldn't make the movie. It ended up being just a few of us who went, but it was great company. As for the movie, here is my quick review:

(POPPY: SALLY HAWKINS)

Go see this film! I L-O-V-E-D it! Remember how everyone was in love with the character of Juno when they saw the movie. "Oh she is just so cool and so sarcastic and how great would it be to have her personality," and blah blah blah. I personally did not care for Juno all that much. It's a cute movie and Ellen Page did a good job playing the sarcastic teen, but I just felt like the dialogue was forced and that no one is truly that sarcastic, especially a 16 year old pregnant girl. Anyway...enough about Juno, my point is that Sally Hawkins (Poppy) in the film Happy Go Lucky is my version of Juno. I would LOVE to have a personality like hers. She is completely sarcastic and totally quick witted in a completely honest and unapologetic way, all the while making you fall in love with her "annoying" charm and sincere personality. The character of Poppy is so realistic and so well acted that it does not feel like you were watching her on film. This movie has so much character, is full of memorable lines, is quite surprising, and will make your cheeks hurt from smiling. It is a must see.

Saturday rolled around and it was a pretty uneventful morning. Grocery shopping, running errands and cleaning the house. Then Casey got the idea to drive down to Carmax and see what was available. Well, four hours later we were out the door in his new Audi A4. I've attached a photo of what it looks like. 4wd, heated leather seats, sun roof, 5 disc cd player, adjustable driver and passenger air system, the works.

(CASEY'S NEW CAR)

Later that night we went to a lecture series on independent journalism and got to watch Anderson Cooper give a talk. He is very witty, and very sincere when he speaks. It was really enjoyable.

(ANDERSON COOPER LOOKS GOOD IN A SUIT)

Sunday was another movie day and we went to the new 007 film. I really enjoy Daniel Craig as James Bond but this movie was not as good as Casino Royal. It was non-stop action, but the story line wasn't all that great, and the villain wasn't all that mean. He was sort of a nerd-0 and really not that much of a match for Mr. Bond. Still, if you want an action film that will entertain you, this one is pretty incredible.

(BOND, JAMES BOND)

Sunday night we had to dismantle our entire living room, including all electronics and our entertainment center, so that we could get ready for our new carpet to be installed today. It has been months and we are finally having new carpet laid. I am so excited! I also got a call today that our cabinet model is finished, so the kitchen remodel should be well on it's way by the end of the week. New carpet and new kitchen cabinets! The anticipation is killing me.

I'll have to upload pictures when we are finished with all the work.

So a recap of my weekend: I saw a great movie and saw a good movie, met Anderson Cooper, helped buy an Audi, got to hang out with Friends, and I'm getting new Carpet and a new Kitchen. Pretty exciting stuff.

Twilight Insanity

Yes I am a fan of the books and yes I'm excited for the movie (mainly to find out if it sucks or not) ...but is all the hub bub really worth what people are making it out to be? I mean...people out there are going insane over this movie.

And is this guy REALLY all that cute? Seriously? Look at his crazy ass hair? C'mon!

MA-Donna!

{Road Trip}

So it's my first day back to work after a fantatstic weekend in Vegas seeing Madonna in concert and hanging out with friends. We had a blast shopping, drinking, eating, and enjoying sin city at it's finest. We had a great room at the Tahiti Village Resort (a timeshare I booked through a coworker of mine) which included 1 and 1/2 kitchens and a master bath the size of a bedroom, with a huge jetted tub and steam shower, and I took full advantage. I miss taking baths. The bath in our condo won't even fill with enough water to cover your nipples.

{Tahiti Village}

Vegas was a "trial run" of traveling with friends for the first time. I have a cruise to Mexico coming up in January and all of these friends will be stuck on a boat with me for 7 days. It's a good thing we now know that we can survive one another while on vacation. Let's hope that none of us get sick of anyone and throw themselves overboard. You know, road tripping for the first time with friends allows for many opportunities to get to know one another on a whole new level. I shared, friends shared, we all shared TMI.

Madonna put on an awesome show as usual. This was my third time seeing her and although it was not my favorite concert of hers, it was still pretty darn amazing to be in the same room with such a huge star. Every time I see her I am a little aw struck. The show was very 80/90's rock inspired with a touch of boxing in the mix. My favorite part was the Britney video section, of course.

{Madonna Getting Crazy With a Car}

{Madonna & Britney Together Again}

Shopping in Vegas is always fun and this trip was no exception. I found a few things that I really love and can't wait to wear. H&M is such a great store! Sweaters, scarfs, bracelets, cologne, gloves...that's pretty much everything I bought.

{You Like My New Sweater}

The other great part of the trip was that I got to see my friend Jessie. She is such a sweetheart and it is always so much fun being able to hang out with the SSTVG.

Vegas was wondeful! Watch out Mexico, you're next!

{iiiiiii}

Wicked!

I was able to score some Wicked tickets this morning on a pre-sale and I just wanted to say how excited I am!

Woot Woot!

The Countdown Has Begun...In 5,4,3,2 and...

Not everyone knows this about me, but I am pretty much fanatical about a certain pop star from the south who had a huge career, then went a lil' crazy, then went a lot crazy, then hit rock bottom, and is once again picking up the pieces of her shattered life. Yes, I am a Britney fan! A BIG one. I must admit that during the heyday of her "dark period" I found myself getting sick of the constant crazy, but I remained a true fan and tried to stick up for the poor girl.

The last few months have been such a great period for this woman. A hit single, three VMA's, a SUPER hot video, a new album, a normal life again, a rumored tour, and she is trying to be a good mom. Say what you will about Britney, but I love her! Crazy and all! And come December 2nd I will be in the midnight line at Walmart picking up the new album.

I know, I know, I'm a slave for this woman!

33 DAYS AND COUNTING...

I heart Halloween

I know that there are a lot of people out there that are just not into Halloween, but I am not one of them. Next to Christmas I think it is the best holiday of the year. I love the fall weather, the pumpkin carving get together with friends, the scary movies and haunted houses, and most of all, seeing how excited kids get when they talk about what they are going to be for Halloween. It is such a fun holiday. You get to be scared and excited at the same time, and you get to play dress up on numerous occasions throughout the month. Halloween is not to be taken seriously and everyone should look at it as just plain fun.

Enjoy tonight as much as I know I am going to.

Happy Halloween!

"One of you will be in...And one of you are vout!"

LeAnne may have won Season Five...

But I kicked ass in our play at home version!

*This is the search for the next big fashion designer…12 designers, three finalists, and one winner… Three designers will make their runway debut at Olympus fashion week… And the winner of “Project Runway” will receive everything they need to start their own label… For these twelve contestants, “Project Runway” is the chance of a lifetime...*

So...this year my good friend Nick decided to hold a little design competition amongst friends during the Project Runway Finale. We each got to choose our models, pick our materials, and come up with our own designer gowns. After the judges voted (we each got a say), we narrowed it down to the three best designers, and yours truly won this year's fierce competition. Not only does my model get a spread in Elle magazine, but I also won a Saturn and $100,000.00 to start my own line. (Actually, the prize was a used DVD, but at least I got to pick first.) Woot Woot Heyyyy!

The Competition...Pretty Stiff...

The Final Three...

The Winning Design...A one of a kind Brandon Christensen.

Auf Wiedersehen

Paris, finalement!

For Casey's birthday this year we threw a "Paris" themed party. I had promised two months ago to show off the pictures of the decorations and the party, but I'm just barley getting them uploaded. The party was very "Black Chandelier" inspired. We had black porcelain animals, framed pictures of Paris, and candles everywhere. There were lights hanging from the trees, blankets for a picnic dinner, and an outdoor movie theater set up showing French films. The night was perfect and everyone had a great time. C'était un parti fabuleux!

The pictures can be found on my Facebook account, so if you want to see them I'm afraid you'll have to go there. For some reason they will NOT upload to my blog for me. Damn Technology!

OMFG GG!

I have a new drug. I can't help myself. I'm a total addict. Gossip Girl is the best show to hit the airwaves since Sex and the City parted ways.

I didn't watch the first season because I assumed a show on the CW would be lame. I mean, I haven't been interested in anything on that network since the first season of Felicity aired. But, somehow I got a whiff of what Gossip Girl had to offer (via season two premier), and it intrigued me enough that I had to check it out.

Long story short, I'm through with the first season (thank you Netflix), caught up on the second, and I can't get enough! It amazes me how much this show can entertain, and shock at the same time. The scheming, the fighting, the love stories, it is a must see.

I highly encourage you to check it out if you, like I once was, are a doubter.

Eggciting!

So...I taught my first Science lesson yesterday and I must say that it went over well. The kids really seemed to enjoy learning about the Scientific Method, and they LOVED my egg experiment...How can you tell the difference between a raw egg and a hard boiled egg without cracking them?

Two things that I can say I need to work on when it comes to my teaching style are discipline and remembering names! I am horrible at both. I think that if I were in the classroom more I would pick up on each students name. I mean, I've only been to visit them three times and so far I have more than half the class down...but little Jacob keeps getting called Joshua, and I can't help but mix up Tiffany and Britney. As for discipline, it is so hard for me to be strict with the kids and try to keep them on task and focused. I just don't have it in me to say "1, 2, 3 Eyes On Me..." or any other ridiculous focus rhyme. In fact, when I got to the breaking point and almost used the said technique, I stopped myself and asked the teacher if there were any techniques she used to keep the class under control. Her response was, "They can just tell by the tone in my voice." Well, that's nice and all, but how do I keep 24 students from getting too rowdy while holding a dozen raw eggs in their deviant little hands?

Luckily, my students are lil' angels and we only had two accidental broken eggs. Not too shabby considering the possible outcome.

I'm gonna make it after all...(Toss Hat Into Air & Twirl)

Yesterday I taught my very first lesson in this Elementary Teacher career I've been workin' towards. It was on Adjectives/Superlatives and I helped with some Halloween poetry ideas. Overall I must say the lesson went really well. The kids had fun, I had fun, the assignment got across to at least 80% of the class, and I learned a lot about teaching 3rd graders. The one flub I had was when my mentor teacher asked me to use the overhead projector to get my point across, but being that I was an overhead projector virgin, I had NO idea what I was doing. It took a third grader to show me how to turn the machine on, and an entire class of third grader's to barade my overhead skills in order for me to get the technique down correctly. Who knew something as simple as an O.P. (overhead projector) would be so difficult?

Afterwards, I went to class and proceeded to tell one of my professors about the wonderful teaching job I did on my first lesson. I was super proud and enthused to finally have one under my belt. My confidence was raised and I was excited to brag about how well it went, how much fun I had, and how I couldn't wait to teach the next one. The professor, however, proceeded to say, "That's good. I'm sure that will help you to decide if teaching is something you really want to do."

WHAT?

Of course it is something I really want to do! Why else would I spend hours upon hours of my life sitting through classes, reading chapters of books, writing response after response, killing myself trying to make a full-time work and full-time school (I'm technically a part-time student, but with teaching the hours really add up) schedule coincide, willingly give up television, free-time, and social events, let my house cleaning and cooking skills go to pot, and surround myself with children who are the most brutally honest and terrifying human beings on earth??? What do you mean, "IF TEACHING IS SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANT TO DO!?" Damn Straight it's something I want to do, and I'm determined to be good at it!

In all actuality I didn't truly take offense to what my professor had said, she didn't mean it the way it came out, she was proud of me and the fact that my lesson went over well. However, it did make me wonder what all my professors say about me when they have their meetings and discuss who is excelling and who is annoying in the program? Hmmmmmm?

I'm sure I'm excelling. I mean, c'mon, I'm good at this. My first lesson killed! I think I'm gonna like teaching after all.