A grown up Christmas

This year was the second year in a row that I didn't see my family for Christmas. I worked all day on Christmas Eve and then spent the next two days at my in-laws, eating, drinking, and playing with our neice and nephews. I really felt like an adult. I wasn't eating the Hakanson Christmas traditional food, there were no exciting presents to open, and I didn't go to any form of Church. There really wasn't any excitement at all except to watch the kids who were so excited to open presents. It certainly wasn't a bad Christmas by any means, but I just can't beleive how much life has changed in the last couple of years.

We the People...

Nothing makes me happier than hearing my kids sing the School House Rock version of the Preamble in the hallways, basically studying for the Constitution test without even realizing that they are doing it. =)

Fall (Back) into the Gap

Exactaly one week ago, one shopping trip changed everything. Nick and I went to Lincolnwood to use Nick's Gap groupon (I spent mine a loooong time ago, he is much more patient than me) As soon as I walked in, one of my old managers, Suzy, came up and begged me to come back and work for the holiday season. She also said she was pretty sure that I would be able to stay after the holidays. Before I knew it, I was being introduced to the new general manager and telling him my availability. I am actually incredibly excited to be going back to the Gap. The only reason I didn't before is I thought it would be too tiring after a school day. But this school year has been really easy, so I'm pretty sure I can handle it. I quit my job at the Y this afternoon and I start at the Gap on Sunday!!! Come visit!

I think they actually do serve breakfast in Hell

Last night, Nick, Peter, Katie and I went to a halloween party dressed as pop tarts and frosted mini-wheats. Nick and Pete spent all week perfecting these costumes.







It was fun at first, but turned into a bit of a disaster.

First of all, it was not very easy to walk in these costumes. They hit our legs at a very weird place. It was especially difficult to walk fast. So, at the end of the night, as we walked home, I fell flat onto the ground, not once, but twice. My entire body is killing me this morning. My hands hurt because I landed on them. My knees are scratched beyond recognition, and my left foot can't hold my weight because it hurts so bad. When I fell, I was like a turtle on my back, I couldn't get back up. And the poptarts weren't much help, because they could barely bend over to pick me back up. It was miserable. Happy Halloween!

Phew!

I am exhausted. Tonight is the first weeknight in over 2 weeks that I will be home. Between my two jobs, I have had so many shifts and extra trainings. I feel like I am never home. Not to mention, I never see my friends! I haven't seen a single person since the first weekend in October. That is not ok! I miss you all. Hopefully i'll see you Chicagoans this weekend!

Backyard Berries

I found these on the back gate to my yard today and was so surprised to see so many weird colors on one vine. I've never seen colors like these before!

New Haircut

So I realize it may seen vain to take and post pictures of myself, but I got my shortest haircut since highschool and I love it.

Sweater Weather

After doing all of my laundry and emptying out my winter bins from the basement, I have discovered that I own 19 sweaters. Just call me Felicity.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Yesterday, I was bored, so I picked up To Kill a Mockingbird off of the bookshelf. I never read it in highschool. When Nick and I started dating and he found out that I had never read it, told me I was crazy, and sent me a copy in the mail when I was in Connecticut. I think I read it in 2 days. Rereading it again, I think I can safely say it is my all-time favorite book. It is so well written and so fun to see the world through the eyes of a very smart and imaginative kid. It also takes places in the deep South, which for some reason facinates me so much as a historically minded person. It deals partly with race relations in the South, which is another thing that I am perpetually interested in and confused by. I also love it because it was one of my mom's favorite books as a kid (well movie, actually) I don't know if any of you are familiar with the story, but there is a scary house on the corner where these kids live and there is a man named Boo Radley who lives inside who never comes out. The kids' imaginations go wild and they try and peek in the windows and all of this stuff. My mom loves to tell a story about her counsins at their lakehouse as a kid (which is actually in the town right next to where Kristin lives in Michigan) At the end of the street, there was this creepy house that was boarded up and they never saw anyone come or go from it. My mom and her cousins used to pretend that it was Boo Radley's house and used to creep around it, leave Boo notes, and peek in the windows. So anyway, I love this book, because when I read it, it has so many dimensions. I haven't read a book for fun for a while and I forgot how much fun a great book can be. (Nerd Alert!)

So Ready

No one in the school of education ever told me that the hardest part of teaching was going to be the parents.

SOOOO ready for this weekend. I can't wait!!!!

I swear, if one more person tells me I am too young to be married I am going to punch them in the face. Dear co-workers at the Y: My age and my marraige are none of your business. Keep your opinions to yourself. Thank you.

Ok, i'm done now.

Post

Well, everyone else is posting, so I might as well, too.

Just a few things that are going on:

Yes, it sucks to get half of my pay-check, lose my health insurance, and have to get a second job, but I LOVE TEACHING THIS YEAR!

It is completely different than last year. I have more time and energy to do the job right, and I got rid of everything that I hated about my job (recess, lunch, and detention duty, teaching P.E. and religion, not to mention my old 8th graders) It is a breath of fresh air and I am loving it.

My job at the Y has been fine. I work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. Its usually pretty boring. I have more breaks than I actually guard, so I guess I can't complain. It was pretty rough to lose my Friday nights, though.

As of 2 days ago, Nick and I have been together for 3 years. He even remembered and brought me flowers, which was sweet, because I kind of feel like anniversaries start over when you get married, but why shouldn't we celebrate how long we have been together? We also went to Mi Terra off the Belmont stop, which I have walked by a million times and have never noticed. It was yummy!

The only thing missing from this wonderful fall is my lovely long distance friends. I miss you!

First Day

Today was my first day with students. It was wonderful. I didn't realize how much I missed it. It was so weird to go home at noon though. I was partly sad to leave, but also, it was nice to go home and eat lunch in peace and air conditioning. I am also relieved, because a guy from the Leaning Tower YMCA called me yesterday, and it looks like I have a lifeguarding job, which is a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. Life is good today.

My classroom is all set up and ready to go! This school year is going to be very different because I get to leave at noon, but I am still really excited to be teaching again. I had way more time this year to set up my classroom and I am really proud of the way it turned out.




This is the front of my classroom.





These cabinets were blank and boring last year, so this year, I filled them with an American history timeline and pictures from all the Ancient civilizations that I teach.




I'm excited about this one, but I hope I'll remember to update it everyday.




My desk.

I've been married a year! (and a day)

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by.
We didn't really celebrate much, but last night was really fun. Katie and Peter, who have been married 8 days, brought over the top of their wedding cake and shared it with us. In case you don't know, it is a tradition to keep the top tier of your wedding cake frozen and eat it on your first anniversary. Well, we didn't have a cake to do that with, and Peter and Katie didn't want to wait that long because they didn't really have time to taste the cake at their own wedding. So, they surprised us by stopping over and sharing cake. It wasn't the cake from my wedding, but it was so fun that I got to eat someone's wedding cake on my 1st anniversary.

Oh the Places You'll go

Oh man. This summer has been crazy so far. I had expected to sit around a lot, and I guess I have had a lot of down time, but I have traveled so much. And its not over yet.

A few weeks ago, I went to Minneapolis and the Southern Wisconsin with my family. It was the first time we have all been together that wasn't a wedding or a funeral, which means we just got to hang out and have fun with no stress. We ate delicious meals, drank delicious beer, played tons of games, and enjoyed each other's company. We also spend loads of time hanging out with the world's cutest niece and nephew.



Priceless. This is Miles. 14 Months.




My Halli Bear. 2 1/2 years.



Eskimo Kisses






Then, last week, Nick and I decided on a whim to travel to Florida. Nick has been wanting to go to Disney World for a long time, and is always looking online for deals. He found a good deal, and 2 days later, we were on the road. It was a blast. We went to Epcot and saw all of the world places. Then the next day, we did the Magic Kingdom, so your typical Pirates of the Carribbean, Splash Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. We spent the rest of the time exploring and swimming at our resort. It kind of felt like a second honeymoon. We had a great time.




Sweaty in the Florida heat and humidity.



This was the resort we stayed at. It had a New Orleans theme.



Magic Kingdom



Epcot



On the schedule for the rest of the summer:

-Weekend at Christines (yes, Christine, I think I am coming!)
-Roadtrip to Connecticut to visit my parents
-Roadtrip to Omaha if KVP and I can figure out when it works for both of us

Nick and I have calculated that by the end of the summer, we will have put about 10,000 new miles on our car. It reached the 100,000 mile mark on Nick's drive to Canada.

Oh, and one more thing. I've now been to 40 states! Georgia and Florida were new. They are my first new states since 2001.

The Hakansons

Good to be Home

I just had an amazing week. I traveled to Minnesota and Wisconsin and saw all of my family. It was relaxing and so much fun. Plus, I got to spend plenty of time with my niece and nephew who are so freaking cute. I'll post some pictures later. Now, my parents are in Chicago for another week, but I am so glad to be home.

My Fleece

Hey friends.
I am missing my black North Face Fleece. The one with the thumb holes. Did I leave it in any of your apartments or cars? I know its a long shot, but I just thought I'd ask. Thanks!

I'm too old for this stuff

Here, on my 23rd birthday, are some thoughts more appropriate for a teenager. But I have no shame.

Let the record show, I'm on team Roberto.
And on the Twilight front, I am definetly on team Jacob.

Reflections

Things I have learned in my first year (of teaching, marriage, homeownership, and general adulthood)

• Keep every bit of semi-important paperwork you ever fill out of receive. You don’t want to spend hours on the phone/internet/in boxes at the top of your closet looking for them frantically when a mortgage lender wants them the next morning.

• Don’t let people look down on you because you are young. Sure, I’m 22. Sure I don’t have a whole lot of life experiences. But that doesn’t mean I am not professional and fully competent in my field. Sure, in contemporary America, I am much younger than the average bride, but I am old enough to know that I love my husband and will love him for the rest of my life.

• Life requires a thick skin. You can’t cry every time a parent disagrees with your educational philosophy, a colleague treats you like a student, or someone flips you off at a four way stop sign. People will always defend themselves to protect themselves or the ones they care about. You have to realize that not everything can be taken personally. Some people may truly not like the way you do things, and sometimes they may be right. Take true criticism and learn from it. But learn how to tune out the criticism that is just plain crazy.

• Don’t get too comfortable. I spent all year saying, “man, I can’t wait for next year”. Now next year is not shaping up to be the way I expected it to be. I should have seen it coming from a mile away, but I just assumed my job would be there next year. Try to love your life the way it is, but be flexible and ready for change at any moment.

• The hard days really do make you stronger. You all know that my 8th grade class made me want to pull out my hair this year. And I was not even the slightest bit emotional when they graduated, because I was so ready to be done with them. But I really did learn a lot from them. They taught me how to handle a difficult classroom, how to problem solve, and how ridiculous I look and sound when I get really mad. Knock on wood, but I feel like after them, I can handle anything.

• A disagreement doesn’t have to be a fight. It took me a while to figure this one out. And lets be honest…I’m still working on it. But when your husband complains because the laundry is almost never done, its not because he hates you, its just because he really needs clean underwear. (And don’t think I do all the chores, Nick does all of the dishes, and that’s no easy task.) And after a moment of frustration, its much better to cool down for 5 minutes, than to scream for 15.

• Have a drink whenever you feel it is necessary…But I don’t think I needed to tell any of you that one. =)

I'm done

I have (somewhat) successfully completed my first year of teaching.

Perfect Weekends

Lately, I have been having the most wonderful weekends. And this one was no exception.
-wine, pasta, and Avatar with Nick
-Saturday of my backyard, iced tea, and people magazine
-Evening with friends and seeing the girls new apartment.

And my weekend is only halfway over.
And...this is my last weekend until August.
Bring on summer vacation!

Saturday

Yesterday was one of the most fun days I have had in a long time. Breakfast at a new restuarant close to my house with Nick, Pete, and Kate. Lunch and drinks with so many friends. And I finally got to enjoy my backyard with Tare, Kiera, Kristin, and Em. It was a blast. I wish some of you were still in chicago and will miss those of you who are leaving in the next few weeks. Thanks for this great last hurrah!

Happy Birthday Miles!

Today is my nephew's first birthday.
I wish I could see him more often, but pictures will have to do until I can see him in June. Love you, Miles! Happy Birthday, messy boy.

3 1/2 weeks!

I need summer so badly! Every day at school has been a battle lately. I just need a freaking break. 16 days.

Congrats, Grads!

Congratulations to all of you wonderful graduates. It was so fun to see you in your caps and gowns today. Aquaintences kept asking me who I was there to see graduate, and I kept anwerering, "Everyone!" And its true. Almost all of my closest friends graduated today. I wish it could have been with me, but I am so happy for all of you. I will miss those of you who are leaving and I am so excited that so many of you are staying. I also got to spend a lovely celebration lunch with the Van Puttens. It was great, and the Mediterranean food was delicious!
Congratulations again, my loves, here's to your futures!

Facebooks Ads

I hate facebooks ads. The second I changed my relationship status to engaged, all of the ads were wedding adds about photographers, and losing weight to fit into a dress. Now that my status is married, all of the ads are about pregnancy, diapers, and fertility. Oh facebook, you know me so well. Thank you for targeting my exact needs as a consumer. Jerks.

Maybe Christopher Columbus was right

Let me preface this by saying, my title is completely historically inaccurate. Columbus was well aware the the earth was round. I just thought it was fun. Anywho....

I feel like I have fallen off the face of the earth. Hopefully I will return soon. Hopefully I will remember all of your names. Its been too long.

random jumble from my mind

So, I suppose that last post seemed a little dramatic. I didn't mean for it to sound as though I have been forgotton. I meant that I have forgotten so many things in the past few weeks. Its been a theme. I cannot remember a time that I have ever been busier. Between school events, traveling, my mom visiting, keeping up with lesson planning, running a household (haha) and the emotions that have gone along with losing a friend, I have just forgotten to breathe and get my priorities straight. I have forgotten to get enough sleep. I have forgotten to do the very best at my job. I have forgotten to spend time with my friends. I had a wonderful time at home. It was great to spend time with my family and friends and see the Pines. It has been great to see my mom for almost a whole week straight. But life has gotten so busy. And I know it has for all of you too. I remember that feeling of the last few weeks of school, being so excited, but so stressed, and feeling like time was slipping away from me. I am so happy I have a year of real life under my belt, but part of me is so jealous that you are all experiencing this together. Graduating together will be such a joyous event! (now I sound like my mother!) Enjoy the last two weeks of school, my friends!

forgotten

Happy Birthday Tare!

Yesterday, I had the most lovely evening. Kristin and I celebrated Taryn's birthday with Julia Moon and the Johnson's. We sat around the dinner table for hours and just talked and laughed. I truly can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. We ended the evening by watching a home video of the girls when they were little. It was hilarious. Tare was about 6, and wanted the camera's attention the whole time. Kiera was 4, and hasn't changed a bit. And Sommar was just one and was toddling around being cute. It was fun to see a family that I knew so well when they were little. Today is the memorial service. I can't wait to be at one of my favorite places on the planet to celebrate Peder's life again.

Going Home!

I'm going home tomorrow night! To spend time with my family and remember Peder once again at Pilgrim Pines. I can't wait!

Spring Break

I got almost no school work done this break. But I did get a lot done on the house, and I kept my social calendar full. I saw nearly all of my nearest and dearest this week and it was wonderful.

My Favorite Thing

I love a lot of things about my new house, but today, I decided on my very favorite thing. Kitty corner from my house is a huge beautiful Lutheran Church. It has church bells that chime every hour, which I love. But it is the best at noon and 6p.m. At both of those times, the bells play a hymn. And not just like 10 seconds of one, but several verses. Yesterday it played "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" and today it played "Up from the grave he arose" and "All hail the power of Jesus name". I have always loved hymns. And now I love that once a day, all I have to do to hear one is to walk onto my front porch and listen. Today, KVP and I listened while sitting on my front porch sipping Starbucks and chatting about life. It was wonderful.

Moved In

Nick and I have officially moved in! And I am on spring break this week. Let me know if any of you are around and want to hang out, because I am free! Come stop by and see me!

"Not because we have to"

My earliest memory is of being at his house in Minnesota. All of my brothers and Peder and Eric got to go to a Twins game, and I was sick as a dog throwing up in their basement. I stayed home watching Quigley's village. They all came home with souveniers. I remember being jealous.
I remember playing capture the flag in their backyard in Homewood, using old socks as the flags, and learning how to play Mao from him and having to say "I am batman" any time we played the 5 card or something like that.
I remember his mom telling me how she and Peder always watched Everwood together and I thought to myself, "What kind of teenage boy watches Everwood?"
I remember reconnecting with him at Pilgrim Pines. Picking him up at the airport as an almost stranger. Childhood "friends" who really had nothing in common. The real friendship quickly started. As we drove to the Pines with my mom, he made fun of me because I had to stop and pee so many times. And when we stopped at friendly's for lunch he was flabbergasted that I didn't want dessert at the end of my meal. (For those of you who knew Peder, you knew his favorite meal was desert.)
I remember bingo nights at the VFW and him always making fun of my dry, cracked hands.
I remember putting my feet in his face just to make him mad.
I remember spending lots of time with him on instant messenger convincing him to come to North Park, and being so excited when he did.
I remember the dance party at Steve's house, and Peder dancing in one spot because his foot was injured.
I remember watching Beauty and the Geek every week and mercilessly making fun of the idiot girls on the show.
I remember sitting with Peder on the lifeguard stand when it was a rainy day and no one was swimming. We spent an hour talking about what we might name our future children (and I realize that sounds like we were having children together, but you know that is not what I mean) He also talked about how he wanted 1 daughter and she would be his "princess". I'm so sorry that you will never have that daughter, Peder.
I remeber teaching Jr. High with Peder at camp, and how he always wanted to teach a lesson to the kids about finance. He tried it once. It lasted about 3 minutes before the kids started yellin at him.
I remember going to Margarita's with his parents and my parents and laughing because our moms both got beer and our dads both got girly drinks.
I remember going to friendlys when he ordered a bowl of peanut butter and chocolate syrup. You should have seen the look on the waitress' face. =)
I remember Peder and Alissa trying to cut my hair. It actually turned out quite nice, but Peder kept saying things like, "is this right?!" and it made me nervous. He also commented on my split ends.
I remember at the end of the summer,in room 15 hearing Taryn talk about liking Peder and being so excited.
At my wedding, he came up to me and offered me a glass of water. I thought it was so sweet. Later, I found out that it was Luke Johnson's idea and he was surprised I took the whole glass, instead of taking a sip and giving it back.
My favorite memory of Peder is from our first summer at camp. The whole staff was writing notes to each other on sheets of paper that were encouragement or memories and he wrote, "I'm glad we will be able to go to each other's weddings because we are friends, not because we have to". I am so glad Peder got to come to my wedding. And I am so sorry that I will never go to his.

Love you Peder! You are already missed.

Bowled Over

Today, I achieved 2 life-long bowling goals.
Now, I am not an avid bowler, but I have been several times recently. I has always been my goal to win a game of bowling. Never happened. It has also been my goal to get at least 100. Also, never happened. I have been in the 90s several times, but I've never hit 100. Today, we had a bowling field trip. Ok, so I guess winning the game was pretty cheap because I was playing with 7th graders (however, 2 of them are on the bowling team at school). The second goal was so so exciting. I had told all my kids how much I wanted to hit 100, so they were all rooting for me. On the last roll of the 10th frame, I had 97 points, with 3 pins left. It was either all or nothing. I rolled a spare, and my whole class cheered! I got 110! I know its lame, but I was so excited!!! Its the little things sometimes. =)

drum roll please

So let me first remind you of the before


And Now for the After. Its kind of hard to see in the light that I was taking pictures in. If you want to see it better, well, you'll just have to come over! =)

so you had a bad day

bad day. and its not even 10am.

All nighter

Nick and I stayed up until 3am (which was actually 4am because of stupid daylight's savings) to finish painting our house. Now, just the living room and dining room need one more coat and we are done! Pictures to come soon.

At long last!

After many trips to every paint store or store that sells paint in the greater Chicago area, not to mention many dollars spent on samples that just weren't right, we have found our paint colors.

spun honey
filoli ginkgo tree

Its Greek to me

Oh boy. How many of you can explain how the electoral college works? Believe me, it is not easy to explain. Now, try explaining it to a 13 year old Korean student who barely speaks English. I just spent the last 15 minutes trying to explain this wacky phenomenon to one of my students today. He understood that in the election of 1824, Jackson won the most popular votes, but he could not understand why John Quincy Adams became President. I kept trying to explain that he got less electoral votes, but regular English speaking 7th graders (and adults for that matter) barely understand this concept. He kept saying, "why?! more vote for Jackson!" and I kept saying. "Yes, but that doesn't choose the President, the electoral votes do" I kept thinking to myself how funny it is to explain the electoral college to a foreigner who thinks it is a silly idea. Because lets be honest...its a silly idea. A very exhausting 15 minutes, but I like that he cared so much.

Through the eyes of a history nut

As obnoxious as it is to have to get rid of all of the outdated stuff in our new house, I can't help but think about the generations of people who put all that stuff there in the first place. My house was built in 1903. People have been living there and making decisions about windows, carpets, floors, kitchens, etc. for over 100 years. I keep wondering who thought it was a good idea to paint the bedrooms aqua (you can tell because the paint is still left in some of the tough to reach areas) , who decided put beige swirled carpet over beautiful hardwood, and who in their right mind decided to put shingles on the inside of the house on the kitchen ceilings(come see Tim and Krissy's kitchen some day). But it also makes me wonder, who lived in my house in the 1920s? Or during the Great Depression, or the people who lived there in the 50s who made most of the style decisions you can still see today. More than anything, it makes me wonder if the people who buy our house 40 years from now say, "who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to buy stainless steel appliances and restore these hardwood floors back in the 2010s? What were they thinking?!"

SLOW DOWN!

Why is it that my weeks crawl by and my weekends are whirlwinds? I need spring break ASAP.

New Floors

I bet you're all really bored by now hearing all about the state of my hardwood floors, but its pretty much all I think about these days. =) Today, we had a guy come in and refinish our floors. They look gorgeous! and we got a really great deal. Next up: painting!

The gloss is still wet in this picture, so it looks weird, but it looks really nice when its dry!

After Pictures

Well, the last two days I have done almost nothing except pull up staples. There were literally (and no, I am not exaggerating like a Hakanson, KVP) thousands of staples stuck in our floor from the carpet. Some popped out right away, others required up to 5 minutes to bend them in a way that would have them be easy to get out. At long last, the carpet and all of the staples are up. Tomorrow, we are having someone come in to refinish the floors.









And here are just a few of the many many many staples we pulled out.

I'm a homeowner!

Yesterday was one of the longest days of my life, but so rewarding. Tim, Krissy, Nick and I took the Metra downtown (which felt really important and fancy, even thought Tim takes it every single day to work.) We got off and ate lunch downtown. (Fun to do in the middle of a school day, since usually I spend lunch time yelling at 7th graders to stop throwing food at each other.) Then we spent a few hours on the 16th floor of this big building downtown where I signed and initialed my name more times than I could count. Our attorney who explained everything to us seemed so familiar the whole time, and I couldn't figure out why. It was only at the end of the closing that I found out that he was Cam Hodgekinson's dad. Small world. We went back to the new place and immediately started demolishing everything gross. I spent hours pulling up light brown swirly carpet and unearthed beautiful hardwood floors that haven't seen the light of day since probably the 60s. Then, I spent even more time pulling up the carpet track that was nailed to the floor. My whole body is sore today. Nick spent his time taking down some old nasty doors and huge curtains that were the color of mustard and probably older than the carpet. I felt like I was on a missions trip, but kept realizing, THIS IS MY HOUSE! I own it. It really is crazy. We celebrated with pizza and champagne at Tim and Krissy's place, which is already at the painting phase. I'll have you guys over soon if you want to see it, but I want to get a little more work done first.

Here are the before pictures. After pictures to come.

No Big Deal

I'm buying a house tomorrow.

Viewer Discretion Advised

Don't read this if you are squemish.

Tonight, while Nick was away at a work party, I decided to go get some dinner for myself. I put on my coat and scarf and went to put on my shoes. I put my foot into my shoe, but couln't get my foot in all the way. "Strange" I thought. "Maybe there is a rolled up sock down there". Without thinking anything of it, I shoved my hand in my shoe to take out the sock. Much to my dismay, my sock was hard, fuzzy, and oh yes, it had a tail! So joke, there was a dead mouse in my shoe. I screamed, threw my shoe, washed my hands, screamed some more. With no heroic husband around to save me, I threw my shoes into a plastic bag, tied it tight, and ran down to the dumpster. Thank you Kristin Moulton, for these shoes that have served me well for 3 years. They have seen their last day today and will become the final resting place for my rodent friend. So moral of the story is....always look in your shoe before you put it on your foot...and if you have a mouse, don't waste money on a trap. Just put out a smelly pair of old sneakers. It'll get the job done.


And if you don't beleive me, here's a picture.

ugh

Tonight, I am snuggling up with a bottle of water, a box of tissues, and several doses of Tylenol cold and sinus. boo. I thought it was amazing that I had made it through my first year of teaching without getting sick. No such luck.

President's Day

When I was younger, my mom would always buy me a President's book on this holiday. Today, my collection sits on a bookshelf in my classroom. I'm very proud of those books.

This valentine's weekend was very low-key, and i loved it. Nick and I went to dinner and a movie on Friday. Unfortunately, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is one of those stories where the book was 100% better than the movie. Oh well, live and learn.
On Saturday, I got to celebrate and engagement just moments after it happened! Nick and I hung out with Pete and Kate all night on Saturday, and then pretended to go home at about 11 p.m. We hopped in the car to go buy Champagne to celebrate and by the time we got back, she had a beautiful ring on her finger! I'm so excited for them.
The rest of the weekend mostly consisted of laying in bed watching old Survivor episodes with my husband. It doesn't get much better than that. The only downside is I didn't see any of you. Hopefully next week!

Christmas in February

Today in the mail, I received my new Glamour and my new Real Simple. It was like Christmas.

The grace of a gorilla

So tonight, after months of inactivity, I decided to try out an old workout video that we had laying around. After about 15 minutes of hooks, sweeps, step touches, lunges, push ups, planks, squats, taps, etc, I gave up. It was so fast, I couldn't keep up. I couldn't even follow the beginner steps. I mostly just danced around in circles for a few minutes and then sat on the couch. In high school PE, my teacher showed these videos all the time. I always stood in the back so no one could see how uncoordinated I was. Tonight, in the privacy of my living room, I felt just as embarassed. I guess my holiday weight will have to stick around until it is warm enough to run outside.




Boo, you whore.

It works much better when you drink it

Nick and I bought this wonderful machine with a Macy's gift card from our wedding. I've never been much of a coffee person, until now. Waking up in the morning isn't so bad when making coffee is so easy! The best part of waking up is Keurig's mini cup. (They should hire me as an advertiser. I have so many original ideas!)

Encouragement

Today was one of those days where I remembered why I wanted to be a teacher. Some of my seventh graders were packing up boxes of supplies for Haiti and carrying them across the street. One of my girls said, "I feel like i'm moving with all these boxes, and I hate moving." Then I said, "I know the feeling. I am moving in a few months and I am not looking forward to packing up all my stuff." All of the sudden, she gets this really worried look on her face and says, "YOU'RE LEAVING!?!?" She had misinterpreted me and thought I was moving away from Chicago and leaving St. Philip. I said, "Nope, I'm just moving houses in Chicago. I'll still be here." She looked relieved and said. "PHEW". That one exhale from her made my whole week. It made me feel loved and it made me feel like what I do is worthwhile. I needed a day like today.

Gap Card Silver

I DID IT. and it only took my 5 months. Now that my friends, is loyalty.

Winter

Life has felt heavy lately. I feel like everywhere I turn, I have forgotten something else that I need to do. I've got the January blues. Big things are coming up soon, but I am in limbo right now. Not to scare all of you future teachers, but I hope so much that its true when they say your first year is the hardest. Because...this is hard. Also, pray for Peder.

I love being married. And I love my friends. And I'm really proud of the fact that Nick and I have struck this amazing balance of having time for each other, time alone with our friends, and time with friends who belong to both of us. I'm so glad I haven't turned into the kind of person who gets married and never sees her friends again. You girls have no idea how much I love coming over to drink wine and talk for hours. Last night, we hung out with our group of couples, which was a blast. Love it.

Sick Day

I went home sick today. I didn't even make it past homeroom. I was nauseous and shaking and had a pounding headache. After several hours of daytime sleeping on an air mattress in my living room, I feel somewhat better. Sick days when you are an adult are so much better than sick days as a kid. In order to encourage us kids from ever pretending to be sick, just to get out of school, my parents made sick days awful. We had to stay in our rooms all day. No TV, no Toys. Only homework books, and sleeping. Today, despite feeling miserable, I got to lay in bed and watch Friends and Snooze and make myself a sandwich. The joys of being an adult. =)

A Case of the Wednesdays

Sometimes teaching is really hard. Thank the Lord for summer break...I'm only like 90 something school days away. oh jeez.

A word to the wise

So, this is going to make me sound dumb...
I have never been a pack-rat.
I throw away pretty much everything, incluing things that are important.
I throw away paystubs, W2s, letters from my student loan creditors. I throw away old check books, old bank statements, and tax returns.
Learn from my mistakes, and keep everything that is ever sent to you.
When you apply for a housing loan, the bank wants proof of everything you have ever done....EVER.
I have spent the last few days chasing down every document that proves my existance and financial history. It is exhausting and expensive.

I have to remember that I am doing all this for a reason. The end is in sight.

Mondays off

I have decided that there should never be school on Mondays. Today has been wonderful. A great sleepover last night, chorizo breakfast burritos, plenty of time to do laundry and work on school work. Today has been lovely. Oh, if only weekends were always this long.

Here Goes

Kristin Englund, are you happy now?
I mostly started this thing because I have to admit I read all of yours daily, but feel really creepy because I just look at them and don't comment, which makes me feel like you don't know that I am reading them, which in turn makes me feel like a creeper. So here we go. I have my own now. I blogged religiously my first year of college and then gave it up. Does this mean I have fallen off the wagon (or is it on the wagon?)?