I've been working on accreditation paperwork for the Ed Dept since last April and after today I *think* I am FINALLY done. The guy who is in charge of it now has a long weekend ahead of him though. I went in today (no subbing positions) and finished up my part. It feels good to be done... I'm still half-expecting to get a phone call or email asking me a question about it... But for the most part I should be done.
It's a relief.
Have a few friends coming over soon and we're going to play some games = woot!
I picked up my dress for the wedding today and Aya and I are going tomorrow for our pre-hair-appointments.
Just a week left!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
This actually made me want to cry...
The pilot who survived the boat tipping just passed away of natural causes.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Home Stretch
A couple of people saw my clip on the news. And I've had two requests for autographs ;)
The last couple of weeks have been full of accreditation and other work. Winding down with now... feels good to be in the home stretch.
I've also been going to the ceramics lab a couple of hours a day. It's sad but true - nothing I've made so far turned out very well. I know I just need to practice more, but it's hard not to get discouraged at times.
Aya's wedding is a week from this Saturday, but it seems like most everything is done. We've just got to decorate the church, dinner hall and dance hall. That can't be done until the morning of (and possibly day before). Mother Nature is contributing her own bit to it - all the leaves are changing and that fits in perfectly with the fall decorations. I'll try to take some pictures and post them if they turn out.
The last couple of weeks have been full of accreditation and other work. Winding down with now... feels good to be in the home stretch.
I've also been going to the ceramics lab a couple of hours a day. It's sad but true - nothing I've made so far turned out very well. I know I just need to practice more, but it's hard not to get discouraged at times.
Aya's wedding is a week from this Saturday, but it seems like most everything is done. We've just got to decorate the church, dinner hall and dance hall. That can't be done until the morning of (and possibly day before). Mother Nature is contributing her own bit to it - all the leaves are changing and that fits in perfectly with the fall decorations. I'll try to take some pictures and post them if they turn out.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
On the news...
Thanks to Sharon for pointing WCCO (TV station) towards my last blog post. I got an email from them asking for permission to use my video and pictures. I gave it to them and they gave me credit, both on the screen "Video by" and a verbal "Thank you to" via the newscaster.
Sweet!
Sweet!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Once in a lifetime...
I hope...
I was sitting in the Jeff Oestreich pottery class this afternoon when two guys came in and told us there was a plane - upside down - in the lake. The session ended at about 4:20 pm and since the plane was by the park two blocks from my apt (on the way home from school) I drove past. Sure enough all you could see were the pontoons:
I was standing in front of one of four sea-planes that were on (or in) the lake. When I walked down to this red plane I asked the lady (about my age) who was standing by it if everyone was ok and she said yes. Obviously I was relieved. I took some pictures and talked with this woman, an older man and a younger guy. After I'd been there for about five minutes or so I heard her say to someone "Yeah my Dad..." Then I realized it was HER father who had been in the plane and I got the entire story from her while we were watching the rescue/workers.
Apparently they (the four planes) were filled with friends and family all headed up from southern MN to northern MN to go fishing. They saw a storm headed this way so they turned back around and landed on our lake to wait it out. The storm passed and they took off one by one. When three planes were in the air, and the dad was getting ready to take off a huge gust of wind came and tipped over his plane. These things are really hard to tip over so this was a crazy-fluke accident. Once in a lifetime. Luckily the water was only around chin level in this part of the lake and the dad was able to get out and walk back to the shore. One of the ladies in another plane called 911 right away and all three planes landed.
Rescue showed up in the form of suited water rescue guys and the sheriffs department.
A couple of sheriffs boats/pontoons:
Two guys in Yellow Suits - that were in the water:
They had been trying for some time to turn the plane over, but the ropes kept breaking and it would only get to a certain point and the weight of the wings (water and fuel) would drag it back under. Shortly after I got there the boats came back and someone went to get some stronger ropes.
Then they headed back out (dad included) to try and right the plane. You can hear his daughter in the background as it started to climb out of the water. You can hear the wind - and see the camera shake from it. Sorry about that. (50 sec video)
But then it was stuck in the upright position. Here you might be able to see the yellow dots in front of the wings, the two guys in the water had to cut slits in the wings to let the water (and fuel - ugh) drain out into the lake so they could get it light enough for the boats to finish righting it.
In these videos they they're hauling the plane around in circles to get it upright. I had to split it up so Photobucket would take it.
Once they got it close enough to land they hauled it in by hand (dad was right there with them).
Other than where they had to slit the wings, the only damage to the plane was a little scraping on the cone.
Then they got this weird drill-pump thing that sucked the water out of the pontoons.
In the end his daughter (who'd acquired a vehicle from somewhere) asked me how to find a local hardware store so she could get some things they needed. She'd never been here before and while the place was very easy to find I didn't want her to get lost on top of everything else, so I had her follow me there and then I headed for home.
They're going to take the wings off the plane and haul it back in pieces.
The funny thing... according to the daughter the dad was still bound and determined to get some fishing in this weekend.
That's SOOO Minnesotan.
The man had built the plane by hand, so it was his baby. He's so unbelievably fortunate and I'm glad to say this was an adventure with a happy ending instead of some tragic tale.
I was sitting in the Jeff Oestreich pottery class this afternoon when two guys came in and told us there was a plane - upside down - in the lake. The session ended at about 4:20 pm and since the plane was by the park two blocks from my apt (on the way home from school) I drove past. Sure enough all you could see were the pontoons:
I was standing in front of one of four sea-planes that were on (or in) the lake. When I walked down to this red plane I asked the lady (about my age) who was standing by it if everyone was ok and she said yes. Obviously I was relieved. I took some pictures and talked with this woman, an older man and a younger guy. After I'd been there for about five minutes or so I heard her say to someone "Yeah my Dad..." Then I realized it was HER father who had been in the plane and I got the entire story from her while we were watching the rescue/workers.
Apparently they (the four planes) were filled with friends and family all headed up from southern MN to northern MN to go fishing. They saw a storm headed this way so they turned back around and landed on our lake to wait it out. The storm passed and they took off one by one. When three planes were in the air, and the dad was getting ready to take off a huge gust of wind came and tipped over his plane. These things are really hard to tip over so this was a crazy-fluke accident. Once in a lifetime. Luckily the water was only around chin level in this part of the lake and the dad was able to get out and walk back to the shore. One of the ladies in another plane called 911 right away and all three planes landed.
Rescue showed up in the form of suited water rescue guys and the sheriffs department.
A couple of sheriffs boats/pontoons:
Two guys in Yellow Suits - that were in the water:
They had been trying for some time to turn the plane over, but the ropes kept breaking and it would only get to a certain point and the weight of the wings (water and fuel) would drag it back under. Shortly after I got there the boats came back and someone went to get some stronger ropes.
Then they headed back out (dad included) to try and right the plane. You can hear his daughter in the background as it started to climb out of the water. You can hear the wind - and see the camera shake from it. Sorry about that. (50 sec video)
But then it was stuck in the upright position. Here you might be able to see the yellow dots in front of the wings, the two guys in the water had to cut slits in the wings to let the water (and fuel - ugh) drain out into the lake so they could get it light enough for the boats to finish righting it.
In these videos they they're hauling the plane around in circles to get it upright. I had to split it up so Photobucket would take it.
Once they got it close enough to land they hauled it in by hand (dad was right there with them).
Other than where they had to slit the wings, the only damage to the plane was a little scraping on the cone.
Then they got this weird drill-pump thing that sucked the water out of the pontoons.
In the end his daughter (who'd acquired a vehicle from somewhere) asked me how to find a local hardware store so she could get some things they needed. She'd never been here before and while the place was very easy to find I didn't want her to get lost on top of everything else, so I had her follow me there and then I headed for home.
They're going to take the wings off the plane and haul it back in pieces.
The funny thing... according to the daughter the dad was still bound and determined to get some fishing in this weekend.
That's SOOO Minnesotan.
The man had built the plane by hand, so it was his baby. He's so unbelievably fortunate and I'm glad to say this was an adventure with a happy ending instead of some tragic tale.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Starry eyed
There's a guest potter at school this week. Last night I went to his speech/slide show. Today I sat in for a few hours of his talk in the ceramics studio. His name is Jeff Oestreich and he's traveled all over the world. He'd mentioned spending 4 months in New Zealand and after his talk today I went up to him and asked him if he wanted to go back to NZ and we got to talking about how wonderful the people are, how beautiful the country is and how we both wish we could move there. We both had this dreamy look in our eyes and the same tone in our voices. I could tell we both feel the same way about NZ.
He told me it felt like home to him. I understand completely as I've been homesick for the past three years.
The difference... he gets to go back almost every year.
He told me it felt like home to him. I understand completely as I've been homesick for the past three years.
The difference... he gets to go back almost every year.
Holy wind & rain Batman!
Just as I was getting ready to leave my apt this morning the rain and wind kicked up considerably. I ran to my car - drove to school - found a parking space close by - and walked to the Ed Arts building (my second home). In the two minutes it took me to get inside the building I was splashed, buffeted and poured on. The wind was blowing the rain straight into my face, requiring me to squint. At the crosswalk four cars blew past without stopping to let a drenched pedestrian cross. Shame on them.
And the one day I decide to wear mascara - I wound up with some serious raccoon eyes. Waterproof my foot!
hehehehe ah well
Kind of reminded me of the rain storms back in Texas - except the wind is never THAT cold and TX has thunder and lightening that set off car alarms.
It was cold and wet - and I'm definitely awake! No coffee needed.
And the one day I decide to wear mascara - I wound up with some serious raccoon eyes. Waterproof my foot!
hehehehe ah well
Kind of reminded me of the rain storms back in Texas - except the wind is never THAT cold and TX has thunder and lightening that set off car alarms.
It was cold and wet - and I'm definitely awake! No coffee needed.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Stardust
Awesome!
Loved it!
Laughed for over half the movie.
Comedy, romance, adventure, suspense, drama, fantasy... A bit of everything.
What more could you want?
I'm SOOO buying it.
Loved it!
Laughed for over half the movie.
Comedy, romance, adventure, suspense, drama, fantasy... A bit of everything.
What more could you want?
I'm SOOO buying it.
Subbing 9.0
Last Friday I subbed at HM as Librarian. I read books to kids, helped them find books to read, stacked books. It brought be back to my junior high years when I volunteered on Saturdays at the public library.
F
U
N
!
Sunday night was our second week of bowling. We won two and lost two. Not bad considering the team we were playing.
I've been so swamped with accreditation stuff that I've been working more hours than I should. They can't pay me more for my extra hours, so I'll just have to take some time off later.
Ceramics is going ok. I've got 4 things being fired as I type and if all goes well that will mean two projects done. The professor says I'm ahead of everyone else in my class. I go to the lab almost everyday. I love it. As for my bowls... well those first two I threw disappeared. I threw four more and the trashed one and another disappeared. /sigh If I find out who's taking my stuff I'm gonna.... uhm.... give them a really dirty look? I've only trimmed one of my bowls and I need to make a minimum of 6, so still lots to do.
If you're curious here's a basic run-down of the steps.
1. Make/mix the clay - we're fortunate because the advanced students make it for us, but the professor made sure we all know how to make it just in case.
2. Throw a piece on the wheel (or like my slam pots - by hand)
3. Let it dry for a couple of days
4. Trim it up a bit - hollow it out (slam pots) - finishing touches
5. Let it dry to "Greenware" stage where it can be fired
6. Fire piece
7. Piece comes out as Bisque fired - time to put on the glaze(s)
8. Fire piece again
The entire process takes about a week - or more, depending on when your stuff makes it into the kiln.
This stuff really doesn't come naturally for me, but like I told the professor, I'm having so much fun that I don't have to make myself come to the studio. I wake up and say - ooo I get to go make some more bowls today or I get to trim my bowl or it's glaze time!
Maybe I'll do another slam pot - or two. That's more sculpture than thrown and I have a couple of ideas.
F
U
N
!
Sunday night was our second week of bowling. We won two and lost two. Not bad considering the team we were playing.
I've been so swamped with accreditation stuff that I've been working more hours than I should. They can't pay me more for my extra hours, so I'll just have to take some time off later.
Ceramics is going ok. I've got 4 things being fired as I type and if all goes well that will mean two projects done. The professor says I'm ahead of everyone else in my class. I go to the lab almost everyday. I love it. As for my bowls... well those first two I threw disappeared. I threw four more and the trashed one and another disappeared. /sigh If I find out who's taking my stuff I'm gonna.... uhm.... give them a really dirty look? I've only trimmed one of my bowls and I need to make a minimum of 6, so still lots to do.
If you're curious here's a basic run-down of the steps.
1. Make/mix the clay - we're fortunate because the advanced students make it for us, but the professor made sure we all know how to make it just in case.
2. Throw a piece on the wheel (or like my slam pots - by hand)
3. Let it dry for a couple of days
4. Trim it up a bit - hollow it out (slam pots) - finishing touches
5. Let it dry to "Greenware" stage where it can be fired
6. Fire piece
7. Piece comes out as Bisque fired - time to put on the glaze(s)
8. Fire piece again
The entire process takes about a week - or more, depending on when your stuff makes it into the kiln.
This stuff really doesn't come naturally for me, but like I told the professor, I'm having so much fun that I don't have to make myself come to the studio. I wake up and say - ooo I get to go make some more bowls today or I get to trim my bowl or it's glaze time!
Maybe I'll do another slam pot - or two. That's more sculpture than thrown and I have a couple of ideas.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
It fits...
Tried on my bridesmaids dress (for Aya's wedding) today and it fits like a glove. It's all swirly and stuff. I'll have to post a pic after the wedding.
Aya tried on her dress and got all pinned-up. Once they make the needed alterations she'll have to go in one more time before the wedding to make sure her dress fits her like a glove. It's reallllly pretty. I'll see if she'll let me put a pic of her up after the wedding.
Still have a cold.
Still haven't found my bowls.
/sigh
I should be in the studio now making more, but I feel crummy and I've been working on other homework (Tech Writing).
Oh and let's see if you can follow this one. Aya's fiance D - his sister is the one I said was having twins. She had them yesterday and they're both girls. Aya and I were wrong, we thought two boys. All three are doing well. I really want to see them, but I can't go as long as I'm sick, so will have to wait.
Yay for babies!
Aya tried on her dress and got all pinned-up. Once they make the needed alterations she'll have to go in one more time before the wedding to make sure her dress fits her like a glove. It's reallllly pretty. I'll see if she'll let me put a pic of her up after the wedding.
Still have a cold.
Still haven't found my bowls.
/sigh
I should be in the studio now making more, but I feel crummy and I've been working on other homework (Tech Writing).
Oh and let's see if you can follow this one. Aya's fiance D - his sister is the one I said was having twins. She had them yesterday and they're both girls. Aya and I were wrong, we thought two boys. All three are doing well. I really want to see them, but I can't go as long as I'm sick, so will have to wait.
Yay for babies!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Grumbling...
You've been warned.
I have a cold and as I'm sure you'll all agree it sucks to be sick.
My fishy died.
I finally managed to make two bowls in ceramics and someone moved them/threw them out or something - and I can't find them.
On the plus side Fall is HERE early this year. It's cold and windy and the leaves are changing.
My work load has been doubled this semester from previous years, but everyone is concerned about it and they keep asking me: Are you doing ok? Is there anything we can do to help? etc.
So that's a good feeling.
I have a cold and as I'm sure you'll all agree it sucks to be sick.
My fishy died.
I finally managed to make two bowls in ceramics and someone moved them/threw them out or something - and I can't find them.
On the plus side Fall is HERE early this year. It's cold and windy and the leaves are changing.
My work load has been doubled this semester from previous years, but everyone is concerned about it and they keep asking me: Are you doing ok? Is there anything we can do to help? etc.
So that's a good feeling.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Prediction
I've never been able to do this before, but now I know somebody who is having twins (in the next month) and they don't want to know the sex of the babies. So I'm gonna guess what they'll be. I've got a 1 in 3 chance right?
My guess is two boys.
Though the mom was kind of hoping for a boy and a girl. Hmm... I'll probably be totally wrong, but it's fun to speculate.
My guess is two boys.
Though the mom was kind of hoping for a boy and a girl. Hmm... I'll probably be totally wrong, but it's fun to speculate.
5 years
Wow.
I was so crazy-busy this summer I forgot my blog anniversary on July 26th.
5 years! Geeze, that's just crazy!
Welp... happy be-lated birthday Aspen E Tall As A Tree!
I was so crazy-busy this summer I forgot my blog anniversary on July 26th.
5 years! Geeze, that's just crazy!
Welp... happy be-lated birthday Aspen E Tall As A Tree!
Dear Minnesota 2.0,
Thank you so much for your prompt response.
Last night/this morning's thunderstorm was wonderful and I know the grass, trees and other assorted plants are very thankful for the rain.
You rock.
Love,
Aspen E
Last night/this morning's thunderstorm was wonderful and I know the grass, trees and other assorted plants are very thankful for the rain.
You rock.
Love,
Aspen E
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Dear Minnesota,
You may or may not have noticed my arrival back in August of 2001. I have, for the most part, resided within your lovely borders ever since this time. I am extremely grateful for all the fall colors, snowstorms and chilly summer nights you have provided in this time.
However, your recent bout of humidity + warm weather is very disconcerting. I actually left Texas to get away from such weather.
Please do not think me ungrateful; I heartily appreciate your by-and-large cooler temperatures. If you could possibly drop the humidity a good 30-40% I would be forever in your debt.
Love,
Aspen E
However, your recent bout of humidity + warm weather is very disconcerting. I actually left Texas to get away from such weather.
Please do not think me ungrateful; I heartily appreciate your by-and-large cooler temperatures. If you could possibly drop the humidity a good 30-40% I would be forever in your debt.
Love,
Aspen E
Monday, September 03, 2007
Back into the swing of things...
I'm excited that I actually have more free time now than I did this summer. I really need to work on that "No" word so I don't wind up with four jobs at the same time (again). Not that I'm sorry I was so busy this summer or that I would have given up any of the jobs I took on... Well now I'm just contradicting myself.
I guess what I mean to say is I had some awesome job-related experiences this summer and if I had said no to even one of the job opportunities - I would have missed out on some great stuff.
Hopefully that makes sense.
Now that school is back in session and my friends are back I'll probably be going out more. This means I'll most likely have more to blog about.
Friday morning I ran around campus taking care of paperwork-type stuff, had lunch with Aya and Jer then spent the first part of the afternoon helping Aya with some of her errands. The rest of the afternoon until 8pm I spent hanging out with a new friend, took a walk in the woods, petted a horse and watched the first three episodes of Firefly. At 9pm the university showed Spiderman 3 on the lawn and I bundled up and hunkered down in my reclining-foldy-chair. Almost froze my tushy off, but it was worth it.
Saturday was Aya's bridal shower. Had a good turn out, yummy food, fun games... a good time.
Sunday I lounged about my apt, being a lazy bum, but went bowling for an hour with some friends.
Today I purchased tickets to go home for Thanksgiving. Dad told me the other day that my cousin & his family who live in Nevada are moving back to Texas = YAY! This means I can see them whenever I go home instead of every other Christmas!
Rest of today will be spent doing homework and finishing up The High King, the last of the Prydain Chronicles.
And tomorrow - back to school and work!
I guess what I mean to say is I had some awesome job-related experiences this summer and if I had said no to even one of the job opportunities - I would have missed out on some great stuff.
Hopefully that makes sense.
Now that school is back in session and my friends are back I'll probably be going out more. This means I'll most likely have more to blog about.
Friday morning I ran around campus taking care of paperwork-type stuff, had lunch with Aya and Jer then spent the first part of the afternoon helping Aya with some of her errands. The rest of the afternoon until 8pm I spent hanging out with a new friend, took a walk in the woods, petted a horse and watched the first three episodes of Firefly. At 9pm the university showed Spiderman 3 on the lawn and I bundled up and hunkered down in my reclining-foldy-chair. Almost froze my tushy off, but it was worth it.
Saturday was Aya's bridal shower. Had a good turn out, yummy food, fun games... a good time.
Sunday I lounged about my apt, being a lazy bum, but went bowling for an hour with some friends.
Today I purchased tickets to go home for Thanksgiving. Dad told me the other day that my cousin & his family who live in Nevada are moving back to Texas = YAY! This means I can see them whenever I go home instead of every other Christmas!
Rest of today will be spent doing homework and finishing up The High King, the last of the Prydain Chronicles.
And tomorrow - back to school and work!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Luxor
Poor baby. He'd been sick for quite a while and he passed away last night.
My parents got him after I moved up here to go to school, but he was still part of our family and he was sweet and loving and I'm very sad he's gone.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Throwing Clay
How exciting!?
I had my first ceramics class this morning. The instructor gave an introduction to the course and we talked about clay and the steps in the process. He gave us our first two assignments and most of the class left. The three of us that stayed went straight to work on the wheels. I got 3/4's of the way through making a cylinder before I needed some help. The instructor walked me through the last step, but I think it's going to require a lot of practice.
Fun stuff! Messy... but fun!
I had my first ceramics class this morning. The instructor gave an introduction to the course and we talked about clay and the steps in the process. He gave us our first two assignments and most of the class left. The three of us that stayed went straight to work on the wheels. I got 3/4's of the way through making a cylinder before I needed some help. The instructor walked me through the last step, but I think it's going to require a lot of practice.
Fun stuff! Messy... but fun!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Confusing ya
You know how you think you know something, but you don't really want to know it. And it's not really your business to know in the first place? But it seems pretty obvious and maybe you're in denial because you care about the people involved, though you're not in a position to do or say anything about it?
Yeah?
It sucks.
And then you find out not only were you right, but there's worse.
Sucks to the power of 10.
And if you followed that I'm amazed. So kudos.
Yeah?
It sucks.
And then you find out not only were you right, but there's worse.
Sucks to the power of 10.
And if you followed that I'm amazed. So kudos.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Back to Nature
Usually I spend a good bit of time outside during the summer. However, with 3 and 4 jobs this summer I haven't spent any time outside.
So I found it absolutely wonderful when I was able to go for a nice walk in the woods with a friend yesterday. I went out to visit this friend, who has 40 acres in the woods. She cooked an amazing dinner and then we went on our tramp, where we saw a couple of fairly young deer bouncing through the trees. Afterwards we sat and spun on our wheels for over an hour. Good times. It was just the sort of relaxing evening I needed to get my mind off of things.
So I found it absolutely wonderful when I was able to go for a nice walk in the woods with a friend yesterday. I went out to visit this friend, who has 40 acres in the woods. She cooked an amazing dinner and then we went on our tramp, where we saw a couple of fairly young deer bouncing through the trees. Afterwards we sat and spun on our wheels for over an hour. Good times. It was just the sort of relaxing evening I needed to get my mind off of things.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Vampires, past & future
Well apparently the people in charge of Moonlight realized that the public realized it was a total rip-off of Forever Knight. Seems they're making some changes... and swearing they're not ripping off Angel, while failing to acknowledge FK ever existed. The article mentions they've made quite a few changes... The love interest is now a reporter instead of working at a morgue, etc.
*chuckle*
*chuckle*
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Renovations
My *CLANG* landlords are doing some *THUMP* renovating *BUMP* in the apartment next to mine. *CRASH* They were nice enough to warn me about it yesterday... but wowsers I had no idea they'd be that loud.
Oh and apparently I'm not done with Concordia yet. Just got the schedule for this weekend and I'm working 5am-5pm on Sunday.
Ah well.
Oh and apparently I'm not done with Concordia yet. Just got the schedule for this weekend and I'm working 5am-5pm on Sunday.
Ah well.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Once more with feeling...
It's that time of the year again...
Professors are slowly trickling back to prepare for their fall courses. I'm making up the fall lab schedule and looking forward to my last semester of classes... Possibly forever... though surely not. If I'm addicted to anything other than tea and chicken fajitas, surely it is education! I love learning.
There's a certain Feeling in the air that's hard to explain... it's just the Feeling that comes at this time of the year.
And it's also a bit different this year, because I know this is the last time I'll be helping professors get their computers up and running after a three month break, looking forward to old friends (and potential new ones) coming back after the summer and looking forward to classes.
Odd. To be looking forward to something and at the same time sad because it's the last time you can look forward to it...
Professors are slowly trickling back to prepare for their fall courses. I'm making up the fall lab schedule and looking forward to my last semester of classes... Possibly forever... though surely not. If I'm addicted to anything other than tea and chicken fajitas, surely it is education! I love learning.
There's a certain Feeling in the air that's hard to explain... it's just the Feeling that comes at this time of the year.
And it's also a bit different this year, because I know this is the last time I'll be helping professors get their computers up and running after a three month break, looking forward to old friends (and potential new ones) coming back after the summer and looking forward to classes.
Odd. To be looking forward to something and at the same time sad because it's the last time you can look forward to it...
Follow your heart...
This Watch can help...
*chuckle*
A Canadian friend of mine shared this link with me.
If you're bored and want a little chuckle you should watch the entire thing.
Apparently the USB is English...
/ponder
*chuckle*
A Canadian friend of mine shared this link with me.
If you're bored and want a little chuckle you should watch the entire thing.
Apparently the USB is English...
/ponder
Friday, August 10, 2007
Instead of dreaming...
I've been reading... well scanning... too tired to focus on anything for too long, but this stuff looks promising. Will read more when the sun is up.
Government Grant to Preserve Virtual Worlds (Second Life)
Instructional Scaffolding
The Year 3000
Classroom Practices
EduBlogger World
There seem to be a lot of kid-adventure-fantasy-books-made-into-movies... movies coming out these days...
The Golden Compass
The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
And there's a.. uhm... an Interesting version of Beowulf coming out.
Government Grant to Preserve Virtual Worlds (Second Life)
Instructional Scaffolding
The Year 3000
Classroom Practices
EduBlogger World
There seem to be a lot of kid-adventure-fantasy-books-made-into-movies... movies coming out these days...
The Golden Compass
The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
And there's a.. uhm... an Interesting version of Beowulf coming out.
*flip*
*flop*
*blink*
*stare*
*sigh*
It's 4am and I shouldn't be doing any of these things... but that's exactly what I have been doing since around 2:30am.
Bah.
*blink*
*stare*
*sigh*
It's 4am and I shouldn't be doing any of these things... but that's exactly what I have been doing since around 2:30am.
Bah.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Up in the air
Everything is... up in the air.
One job prospect turned out not to be a prospect. "They" (the higher ups) decided to cancel the position, nobody knows who is going to be doing the work... It still has to be done...
My other job prospect is still out there. I'm waiting to hear something... anything...
As for what I'm doing now... Well, I'm still working for the Ed Dept. I'm in charge of the lab, making up the Fall lab schedule, helping professors with various technology needs and working (alone) on the accreditation stuff.
I *think* I'm done working for Concordia. I'm not on the schedule for this weekend (and that's the last weekend for this summer). So... unless an emergency pops up I'll have my Sundays back! Woot!
This has been a lonely summer. That's the problem with living in a College society, everyone goes home for the summer. Except that THIS year everyone has moved on/moved off... Several went back home to the cities, others moved to South Dakota and Arizona. I only have two friends left here. I have lunch once a week with one of them and the other... well things aren't so good there.
Bah.
One job prospect turned out not to be a prospect. "They" (the higher ups) decided to cancel the position, nobody knows who is going to be doing the work... It still has to be done...
My other job prospect is still out there. I'm waiting to hear something... anything...
As for what I'm doing now... Well, I'm still working for the Ed Dept. I'm in charge of the lab, making up the Fall lab schedule, helping professors with various technology needs and working (alone) on the accreditation stuff.
I *think* I'm done working for Concordia. I'm not on the schedule for this weekend (and that's the last weekend for this summer). So... unless an emergency pops up I'll have my Sundays back! Woot!
This has been a lonely summer. That's the problem with living in a College society, everyone goes home for the summer. Except that THIS year everyone has moved on/moved off... Several went back home to the cities, others moved to South Dakota and Arizona. I only have two friends left here. I have lunch once a week with one of them and the other... well things aren't so good there.
Bah.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Dreaming of NZ...
Last night I dreamed I was back in NZ, this time with my parents. I was showing them the sights, visiting with old friends...
It could be because I know two people who are there now... because the last thing I watched before I went to sleep was Flight of the Conchords... or because three years ago tomorrow I boarded a plane for the biggest adventure of my life...
In any case... I haven't decided if it was a good dream or not... because I woke up missing NZ more than normal.
I will say it's gotten better as time has passed, but there's still a deep longing to return.
One day...
It could be because I know two people who are there now... because the last thing I watched before I went to sleep was Flight of the Conchords... or because three years ago tomorrow I boarded a plane for the biggest adventure of my life...
In any case... I haven't decided if it was a good dream or not... because I woke up missing NZ more than normal.
I will say it's gotten better as time has passed, but there's still a deep longing to return.
One day...
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Near misses...
I finished picking-up and dropping off campers, climbed back in my Element and headed for home. I'd barely started out when something came falling from the sky, hitting the street a few feet in front of my car.... a baseball from the baseball fields.
A block from my house something came flying across the road a few feet in front of my car... a golf ball from the putt-putt golf place.
I was very relieved when no bowling balls came at me as I passed the bowling alley.
A block from my house something came flying across the road a few feet in front of my car... a golf ball from the putt-putt golf place.
I was very relieved when no bowling balls came at me as I passed the bowling alley.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Flight of the Conchords
If you've never seen/heard of these kiwis you really should look them up. Now they have a show on HBO on Sunday nights.
I've only caught one episode, but it was hilarious... and of course I love their live shows.
You can find some clips of them on YouTube if you're curious...
I posted about them last year... but I want to post about them again... cuz they're pretty much awesome.
I've only caught one episode, but it was hilarious... and of course I love their live shows.
You can find some clips of them on YouTube if you're curious...
I posted about them last year... but I want to post about them again... cuz they're pretty much awesome.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Game of Life
There are all sorts of changes afoot... "That's life" you say? Yes, but there are even more changes lately than usual.
There are a couple of job options that have popped up... POTENTIAL job options I should say.
I'm excited and terrified and anxious and uncertain and all those other lovely emotions that come with this sort of life change. I've been in the same place (in one job form or another) for five years now. It feels safe and comfortable and I'd be quite happy to stay here for another year, but while I've climbed the ladder a rung or two in the last couple of years there are no more rungs. I've reached to top. I can only keep this job for one more year and then I'll have to jump to another ladder. The question is do I go now or this time next year? I'm choosing now, but it really depends on these other potential job options.
I have a great deal of support from my current employers; they understand that I can't go on being a Graduate Assistant. They're encouraging me to find something else and offering good wishes and letters of recommendation, all while assuring me I'm making the right choice and I shouldn't feel like I'm abandoning this department. My boss even promised to hold my current position for me in case the other possibilities don't work out.
I'm a very, very lucky woman.
There are a couple of job options that have popped up... POTENTIAL job options I should say.
I'm excited and terrified and anxious and uncertain and all those other lovely emotions that come with this sort of life change. I've been in the same place (in one job form or another) for five years now. It feels safe and comfortable and I'd be quite happy to stay here for another year, but while I've climbed the ladder a rung or two in the last couple of years there are no more rungs. I've reached to top. I can only keep this job for one more year and then I'll have to jump to another ladder. The question is do I go now or this time next year? I'm choosing now, but it really depends on these other potential job options.
I have a great deal of support from my current employers; they understand that I can't go on being a Graduate Assistant. They're encouraging me to find something else and offering good wishes and letters of recommendation, all while assuring me I'm making the right choice and I shouldn't feel like I'm abandoning this department. My boss even promised to hold my current position for me in case the other possibilities don't work out.
I'm a very, very lucky woman.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Stabbed in the back...
At least that's what it feels like... like some little gremlin snuck into my bedroom with a super-sharp little dagger and stabbed me in the back... it went just past my heart and came out through my chest.
Ow.
Maybe I slept wrong... but it's been hurting since Saturday. I'm sure loading and unloading luggage for the villagers on Sunday didn't help... one girl... under 5 foot, had a bag that weighed over 75 lbs. *boggle*
In any case... I can't take a deep breath or move certain ways without triggering that stabbing feeling.
Bleh.
In other news...
I've had lots of bad news roll my way over the last two weeks (starting on the 4th of July). It's frustrating and in some ways painful.
I've been trying to focus on the positive.
You know how that goes.
Ow.
Maybe I slept wrong... but it's been hurting since Saturday. I'm sure loading and unloading luggage for the villagers on Sunday didn't help... one girl... under 5 foot, had a bag that weighed over 75 lbs. *boggle*
In any case... I can't take a deep breath or move certain ways without triggering that stabbing feeling.
Bleh.
In other news...
I've had lots of bad news roll my way over the last two weeks (starting on the 4th of July). It's frustrating and in some ways painful.
I've been trying to focus on the positive.
You know how that goes.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Happy Friday the 13th
I've always rather liked Friday the 13th...
Only worked for two hours this morning as there was nothing else for me to do - and I can't in good-conscience get paid for sitting there reading Harry Potter... I left to run errands. Dropped of my grades and keys for Upward Bound - saw my first chipmunk of the year (love them!) - had lunch with a friend who made me feel better about some stuff that's been bothering me - spent the afternoon snuggled with my kitty reading HP - got a msg from my Brit friend - and now a thunderstorm.
Things are improving.
Last night at the UB end-of-the-year Banquet/Awards Dinner I had two students (out of 9) come up to me and thank me, tell me what a good teacher I was and say they hope I come back next year. That helped too :)
*edit* P.S. If you didn't watch tonight's episode of Psych... shame on you... two words: Tim Curry... Genius!
P.P.S. And if you didn't watch Dr. Who... double shame! Dr. Who, William Shakespeare and HP references... good times. *edit*
Only worked for two hours this morning as there was nothing else for me to do - and I can't in good-conscience get paid for sitting there reading Harry Potter... I left to run errands. Dropped of my grades and keys for Upward Bound - saw my first chipmunk of the year (love them!) - had lunch with a friend who made me feel better about some stuff that's been bothering me - spent the afternoon snuggled with my kitty reading HP - got a msg from my Brit friend - and now a thunderstorm.
Things are improving.
Last night at the UB end-of-the-year Banquet/Awards Dinner I had two students (out of 9) come up to me and thank me, tell me what a good teacher I was and say they hope I come back next year. That helped too :)
*edit* P.S. If you didn't watch tonight's episode of Psych... shame on you... two words: Tim Curry... Genius!
P.P.S. And if you didn't watch Dr. Who... double shame! Dr. Who, William Shakespeare and HP references... good times. *edit*
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Upward Bound is Over
Or at least my role in it is... I taught my last class today. I must say I really did enjoy it! Despite a few students with a bit of attitude (aren't there always). Looking at the Pre-test and the Post-test they ALL learned so much. Some of them came in there knowing very little or no ASL and they left able to carry on a basic conversation. That's awesome for seventeen 50 minute class periods. I'm so proud!
Tonight is the dinner/awards banquet and I'm definitely going to that.
Yay... I survived and I had fun!
Tonight is the dinner/awards banquet and I'm definitely going to that.
Yay... I survived and I had fun!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Better
I figured my UB students would be stir-crazy today - with it being the last day of class before a very long weekend... They were certainly hyper, but they did remarkably well. They all presented for 2-3 minutes about their families and they were very patient and attentive to their fellow students. Afterwards, I went over a list of new signs: Activities (baseball, work, soccer, play, cheerleading, etc) and they loved it.
Just one week left...
I've been working in the Ed Lab since 11am - JUST had my first person show up at 1:30pm. Out of here at 3 - to run a few errands and start clearing out my storage unit.
Tomorrow is a late lunch/dinner with Aya's family and then Aya and D and some other friends are going to the top of Tamarack to watch the fireworks.
Happy 4th of July to everyone.
Oh, saw Ratatouille last night with Aya and D - it's cute :)
Just one week left...
I've been working in the Ed Lab since 11am - JUST had my first person show up at 1:30pm. Out of here at 3 - to run a few errands and start clearing out my storage unit.
Tomorrow is a late lunch/dinner with Aya's family and then Aya and D and some other friends are going to the top of Tamarack to watch the fireworks.
Happy 4th of July to everyone.
Oh, saw Ratatouille last night with Aya and D - it's cute :)
Monday, July 02, 2007
Movies, Carnivals, Weddings, Work and the Fourth
Last Wednesday Aya, D, his friend and I went to see Live Free or Die Hard – Aya LOVES... love love love love LOVES - Bruce Willis and all the Die Hard movies. This was no exception. I kept hearing giddy-giggles and gasps to my left as we watched the movie. It was a good movie, but Aya was almost more entertaining...
Friday night Aya, D and I went to the carnival by the lake. It was the first time (in the 6 years I’ve lived here) that I have been to the carnival. I bought a funnel cake (nummy) and threw some darts at balloons and won a stuffed dog.
Saturday (as I previously mentioned) was Chris & Ashley’s wedding. I videotaped – though there were some technical difficulties. I got to see quite a few people I hadn’t seen in a long time = Yay! At the dinner/dance I danced myself silly – after being drug out the first time. I then drug Aya and D out and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was so much fun… and I don’t dance… ever… I think I danced more in those 5 hours than I have in my entire life all combined… I only sat out 6 songs or so… My feet hurt yesterday, but it was SO worth it! I think I should dance more... maybe I should practice in the privacy of my own apt though... kitty won't laugh at me... at least not to my face... and thankfully none of my friends laughed at me - to my face - at the wedding. But yeah... I should definitely practice for Aya's wedding.
Today was back to work – starting out with a meeting – then teaching ASL. Those kids were CRAZY hyper! We have class today and tomorrow and then they’re off for the Fourth. I’m sure it doesn’t help that next week is their last week of class. I’m taking Weds-Friday off this week – from all my assorted jobs. And of course I have Saturday off, but then I work for Concordia on Sunday. I’m not sure what I’ll do with 4 days off… love my kitty… watch TV… relax... hang out with Aya and D... finish reading Slaughterhouse-Five (which came highly recommended by a couple of people)... I so look forward to having time off... but then I never know what to do with myself... /sigh... vicious-vicious cycle.
Friday night Aya, D and I went to the carnival by the lake. It was the first time (in the 6 years I’ve lived here) that I have been to the carnival. I bought a funnel cake (nummy) and threw some darts at balloons and won a stuffed dog.
Saturday (as I previously mentioned) was Chris & Ashley’s wedding. I videotaped – though there were some technical difficulties. I got to see quite a few people I hadn’t seen in a long time = Yay! At the dinner/dance I danced myself silly – after being drug out the first time. I then drug Aya and D out and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was so much fun… and I don’t dance… ever… I think I danced more in those 5 hours than I have in my entire life all combined… I only sat out 6 songs or so… My feet hurt yesterday, but it was SO worth it! I think I should dance more... maybe I should practice in the privacy of my own apt though... kitty won't laugh at me... at least not to my face... and thankfully none of my friends laughed at me - to my face - at the wedding. But yeah... I should definitely practice for Aya's wedding.
Today was back to work – starting out with a meeting – then teaching ASL. Those kids were CRAZY hyper! We have class today and tomorrow and then they’re off for the Fourth. I’m sure it doesn’t help that next week is their last week of class. I’m taking Weds-Friday off this week – from all my assorted jobs. And of course I have Saturday off, but then I work for Concordia on Sunday. I’m not sure what I’ll do with 4 days off… love my kitty… watch TV… relax... hang out with Aya and D... finish reading Slaughterhouse-Five (which came highly recommended by a couple of people)... I so look forward to having time off... but then I never know what to do with myself... /sigh... vicious-vicious cycle.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Chris and Ash's Wedding Day!
It's finally here!
Got my outfit picked out... my cat is laying on it though *ponder* gray hair on cream clothes... *sigh* ah well... it's the price I pay for having my snuggly wuggly kitty with me! (and it's SO worth it).
Very exciting day... *sniffle* I promise not to cry!
I'm videotaping their wedding... kind of a big responsibility. They have a professional photographer, but they asked if I'd video it just for kicks...
I just woke up at 10am and I'm not fully awake yet. I was just SO tired... working lots... though I have both today and tomorrow off = exciting.
Yesterday I got some potentially good news... I'll share when it's for sure.
Uhmm.... yeah... gonna go read a book until it's time to go.
(Aya is getting married in Oct.)
Got my outfit picked out... my cat is laying on it though *ponder* gray hair on cream clothes... *sigh* ah well... it's the price I pay for having my snuggly wuggly kitty with me! (and it's SO worth it).
Very exciting day... *sniffle* I promise not to cry!
I'm videotaping their wedding... kind of a big responsibility. They have a professional photographer, but they asked if I'd video it just for kicks...
I just woke up at 10am and I'm not fully awake yet. I was just SO tired... working lots... though I have both today and tomorrow off = exciting.
Yesterday I got some potentially good news... I'll share when it's for sure.
Uhmm.... yeah... gonna go read a book until it's time to go.
(Aya is getting married in Oct.)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Working 5:30am - 11:30pm
That's a long day...
/sigh
So tired...
I had to get a girl from the dorms and take her to the airport at 5:30am yesterday. I continued to transport people off and on all day long... I was already in my pj's and reading my book when I got a call asking me to pick someone up at the airport at 10:30pm... and of course the plane was late. It was 11:30pm by the time I was done.
I was going to come in to work at 8am today... but I decided to sleep in so I wouldn't be a zombie. Got to work at 9am, but still look and feel exhausted.
In other news... teaching is going well. I struggled with a couple of students during the second week, but things went better after I told them they couldn't sit with each other (though they were thoroughly ticked about it - I'm soooo mean). Overall the students seem interested (some more than others of course). I gave them their first quiz last week and they all did reallllly well. I'm so proud.
Working in the lab and for the Ed Dept is same as always... slow periods and insanely busy periods...
And this weekend two of my best friends are getting married... He got a job down by the cities, which means they'll both be leaving right after they get married. This makes me sad... :( I'm happy for them, but sad to see them go.
Been reading whenever I can. Finished His Dark Materials, re-read the first four Artemis Fowls and now I'm reading the newest one, next on my list is Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom... then the last two HP's in preparation for the next (and final) in the series. After that... I dunno... Something new? I have a big stack of books I want to go through this summer, I just started with my YA series because I had two new books to read and wanted to refresh my memory on the rest...
/sigh
So tired...
I had to get a girl from the dorms and take her to the airport at 5:30am yesterday. I continued to transport people off and on all day long... I was already in my pj's and reading my book when I got a call asking me to pick someone up at the airport at 10:30pm... and of course the plane was late. It was 11:30pm by the time I was done.
I was going to come in to work at 8am today... but I decided to sleep in so I wouldn't be a zombie. Got to work at 9am, but still look and feel exhausted.
In other news... teaching is going well. I struggled with a couple of students during the second week, but things went better after I told them they couldn't sit with each other (though they were thoroughly ticked about it - I'm soooo mean). Overall the students seem interested (some more than others of course). I gave them their first quiz last week and they all did reallllly well. I'm so proud.
Working in the lab and for the Ed Dept is same as always... slow periods and insanely busy periods...
And this weekend two of my best friends are getting married... He got a job down by the cities, which means they'll both be leaving right after they get married. This makes me sad... :( I'm happy for them, but sad to see them go.
Been reading whenever I can. Finished His Dark Materials, re-read the first four Artemis Fowls and now I'm reading the newest one, next on my list is Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom... then the last two HP's in preparation for the next (and final) in the series. After that... I dunno... Something new? I have a big stack of books I want to go through this summer, I just started with my YA series because I had two new books to read and wanted to refresh my memory on the rest...
Monday, June 18, 2007
Mama Mia
If you want to live to be insanely old... you should move to the island
of Kyushu in Japan...
In other news...
I'm really enjoying teaching for Upward Bound. Most of my students seem to be really excited about learning the language and it's something that I really enjoy doing. I have had some complaints that I don't speak while signing... *blink*....
Nope... I don't use my voice when using American Sign Language. ASL is a separate language, not just signed English, so it wouldn't be terribly accurate if I did say everything I was signing. Besides, immersion is a common way to teach languages. It's the way I was taught ASL... and I do use my voice for clarifications or first-time instructions.
So grumble all you want. My class. My rules. No talkie talkie!
of Kyushu in Japan...
In other news...
I'm really enjoying teaching for Upward Bound. Most of my students seem to be really excited about learning the language and it's something that I really enjoy doing. I have had some complaints that I don't speak while signing... *blink*....
Nope... I don't use my voice when using American Sign Language. ASL is a separate language, not just signed English, so it wouldn't be terribly accurate if I did say everything I was signing. Besides, immersion is a common way to teach languages. It's the way I was taught ASL... and I do use my voice for clarifications or first-time instructions.
So grumble all you want. My class. My rules. No talkie talkie!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Push-E
Holy freaking cow!
I just got a call from my Mom saying I got a new credit card in the mail (in Texas)... it's a card I forgot I even had... not good... but in any case she gave me the info and I called to cancel it. I was the epitome of patience, but good grief... PUSHY...
The automated thing notified me that my call would be recorded...
Account guy: Oh please don't say that... Please... We can... blah blah blah
Me: No - no - no - no - no - no - no thank you - no - nope - nopers - nosky - N O
Account guy: But we can......
Me: No - no - no - no - no - no - no thank you - no - nope - nopers - nosky - N O
Finally...
Account guy: Ok well I will close your account, blah blah blah Was your call courteous and helpful today?
Me: Yes. Just way too much pushing me to keep a card that I've already decided I wanted to cancel.
Account guy: I'm sorry, but I really hate to lose you as a customer blah blah blah...
The end.
If I ever thought I might want to re-open an account with that company in the future... This has convinced me otherwise.
Geeze.
I just got a call from my Mom saying I got a new credit card in the mail (in Texas)... it's a card I forgot I even had... not good... but in any case she gave me the info and I called to cancel it. I was the epitome of patience, but good grief... PUSHY...
The automated thing notified me that my call would be recorded...
Account guy: Oh please don't say that... Please... We can... blah blah blah
Me: No - no - no - no - no - no - no thank you - no - nope - nopers - nosky - N O
Account guy: But we can......
Me: No - no - no - no - no - no - no thank you - no - nope - nopers - nosky - N O
Finally...
Account guy: Ok well I will close your account, blah blah blah Was your call courteous and helpful today?
Me: Yes. Just way too much pushing me to keep a card that I've already decided I wanted to cancel.
Account guy: I'm sorry, but I really hate to lose you as a customer blah blah blah...
The end.
If I ever thought I might want to re-open an account with that company in the future... This has convinced me otherwise.
Geeze.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Humidity...
TX = 69%
MN = 78%
It's raining in both places... though TX seems to be getting drenched and we have scattered rain.
But UGH!
I moved away from TX because I hated the hot weather, the humidity... and the first few years I lived here in MN we had dry summers... I loved it. Now I'm about to melt.
*whimper*
MN = 78%
It's raining in both places... though TX seems to be getting drenched and we have scattered rain.
But UGH!
I moved away from TX because I hated the hot weather, the humidity... and the first few years I lived here in MN we had dry summers... I loved it. Now I'm about to melt.
*whimper*
Friday, June 08, 2007
The magic's in the music...
and the music's in me...
do be do be do
I found 98.7 KLUV online! Yay! I can listen to my oldies again!
/cheer
That certainly makes my workday more enjoyable!
Board of Teaching stuff is taking up most of my work time... I even work through lunch - sandwich in one hand and clicking away on the mouse/keyboard with the other hand.
Another Rummage Sale tomorrow... sposed to be much nicer weather, so hopefully we'll get rid of all that STUFF!
Start teaching next week... eeeee! Need to make up a test to see what they already know.
Almost done with His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman (halfway through the last book). Started the series last summer, but never had time to finish it.
do be do be do
I found 98.7 KLUV online! Yay! I can listen to my oldies again!
/cheer
That certainly makes my workday more enjoyable!
Board of Teaching stuff is taking up most of my work time... I even work through lunch - sandwich in one hand and clicking away on the mouse/keyboard with the other hand.
Another Rummage Sale tomorrow... sposed to be much nicer weather, so hopefully we'll get rid of all that STUFF!
Start teaching next week... eeeee! Need to make up a test to see what they already know.
Almost done with His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman (halfway through the last book). Started the series last summer, but never had time to finish it.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Survived the busy weekend
Working full-time from now on.
Lots of paperwork - checking bookmarks and hyperlinks - staring at a computer screen.
Good thing I like that sort of thing.
Sometimes I get to work with people too - I enjoy that as well.
Hope all is well with you.
Lots of paperwork - checking bookmarks and hyperlinks - staring at a computer screen.
Good thing I like that sort of thing.
Sometimes I get to work with people too - I enjoy that as well.
Hope all is well with you.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
5 days off
The last day I worked was Friday. I got a lot done in my 5 days off: Grad party for a friend, helped a friend move, helped 5 friends (and myself) prepare for this weekend's Rummage Sale, hair cut and highlights, bought a sewing machine, bought patterns and fabric to try out sewing machine, flipped through endless magazines and made clippings for a collage project, watched season 4 of Stargate while clipping, loved kitty cat, slept in... got recognized by a 7 year old that I subbed for (that was weird)... did absolutely nothing work-oriented or school-oriented and it was wonderful.
And now I'm back at work.
Work today and tomorrow.
Saturday is the big Rummage Sale.
Sunday I'm driving to Duluth for a Bridal Shower.
Back to work on Monday.
Next Thursday I have my CPR training for Concordia.
A week from Tuesday I start teaching for Upward Bound.
I'm working 2 jobs for the Ed Dept, one day a weekend at Concordia, and teaching for Upward Bound. That's 4 jobs. FOUR. I took full advantage of my ability to laze about the last couple of days - with this fact in mind.
Oofda.
And now I'm back at work.
Work today and tomorrow.
Saturday is the big Rummage Sale.
Sunday I'm driving to Duluth for a Bridal Shower.
Back to work on Monday.
Next Thursday I have my CPR training for Concordia.
A week from Tuesday I start teaching for Upward Bound.
I'm working 2 jobs for the Ed Dept, one day a weekend at Concordia, and teaching for Upward Bound. That's 4 jobs. FOUR. I took full advantage of my ability to laze about the last couple of days - with this fact in mind.
Oofda.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Subbing 8.0
Music teacher at Northern and JWS yesterday.
Oy.
25 minute classes, but there were... 9? of them. It was a crazy-hectic day. I had kids from Kindergarten through fifth grade. Very interesting.
Went to see Pirates 3 yesterday.... not really that impressed. Makes me sad. I LOVED the first one. Second one was very disappointing and this one... yeah... /sigh
Ah well.
Sposed to be setting up for next weekends rummage sale - but it's pouring rain and thundering.... Yay thunder!
Think I'll curl up with my kitty cat and a good book.
Oy.
25 minute classes, but there were... 9? of them. It was a crazy-hectic day. I had kids from Kindergarten through fifth grade. Very interesting.
Went to see Pirates 3 yesterday.... not really that impressed. Makes me sad. I LOVED the first one. Second one was very disappointing and this one... yeah... /sigh
Ah well.
Sposed to be setting up for next weekends rummage sale - but it's pouring rain and thundering.... Yay thunder!
Think I'll curl up with my kitty cat and a good book.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Subbing 7.0
Morning of 3rd grade at HM.
I liiiiikey.
They listened, followed directions, had questions, were generally well-behaved and fun to boot.
And as requested... a picture of my kitty:
I liiiiikey.
They listened, followed directions, had questions, were generally well-behaved and fun to boot.
And as requested... a picture of my kitty:
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Subbing 6.0
Last Friday afternoon I subbed at the HS for the choir teacher. My first class had close to 75 students. It was chaotic to say the least. The second class was only 35.
Went to a graduation party this past weekend and had some people over to my apt.
Ran a bunch of errands yesterday and today I bought a desk and chair. Spent all afternoon assembling the desk. I still need to assemble the chair, it shouldn't take nearly as long, but I'm hot and wanted a break.
Went to a graduation party this past weekend and had some people over to my apt.
Ran a bunch of errands yesterday and today I bought a desk and chair. Spent all afternoon assembling the desk. I still need to assemble the chair, it shouldn't take nearly as long, but I'm hot and wanted a break.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Pontoon-ing
Wednesday evening, after the big retirement party for the Ed Faculty, I went to a friend's house and we went for a ride on her pontoon. She lives next to a beautiful 4-mile long lake.
A boat ride at sunset:
We saw lots of beautiful critters... pelicans, blue herons, geese, fish... and my very first beaver!
We could even see him swimming under the water.
And... more sunset:
A boat ride at sunset:
We saw lots of beautiful critters... pelicans, blue herons, geese, fish... and my very first beaver!
We could even see him swimming under the water.
And... more sunset:
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
While I was at home...
Dad and I went to visit a vet-friend of ours. He just had a baaaaaby horse on Easter and this is the way she eats - with both feet in the feed bucket:
And he has three mega-hyper dogs - they were only sitting like this for 30 seconds:
My dad took both those pictures... I didn't bring my camera home... but if I'd known there were BAAAAABY horsies I woulda!
And he has three mega-hyper dogs - they were only sitting like this for 30 seconds:
My dad took both those pictures... I didn't bring my camera home... but if I'd known there were BAAAAABY horsies I woulda!
"She's got the look..."
One of the profs put this in my mail box:
Of course he doctored it a bit... but it's hilarious... and actually true - every once in a while.
Of course he doctored it a bit... but it's hilarious... and actually true - every once in a while.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Texas Time
Been in Texas since Thursday and I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning.
Bringing my kitty cat with me!
See ya'll in a day or two.
Bringing my kitty cat with me!
See ya'll in a day or two.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
More than a feeling...
Happy Birthday to Doug - he's 24 today!
I've had meetings-galore today and it's not over yet.
To Do:
*Find Res Life video
*Res Life calendar
*Pack
*Research tech writing
*Flying home May 10th - 14th to get my kitty cat
*Track down rest of inventory
*Set summer lab schedule
*Oil change
*UB meeting (last week of school)
I've had meetings-galore today and it's not over yet.
To Do:
*Find Res Life video
*Res Life calendar
*Pack
*Research tech writing
*Flying home May 10th - 14th to get my kitty cat
*Track down rest of inventory
*Set summer lab schedule
*Oil change
*UB meeting (last week of school)
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
It's a little bit funny...
This feeling inside....
Errrr....
I have this odd desire to watch Moulin Rouge.
*ponder*
I'm done with everything... School-wise... Class-wise... Just work left from now until the end of the semester - and that's being interrupted by a 4-day trip home. Odd feeling.
Errrr....
I have this odd desire to watch Moulin Rouge.
*ponder*
I'm done with everything... School-wise... Class-wise... Just work left from now until the end of the semester - and that's being interrupted by a 4-day trip home. Odd feeling.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Subbing 5.0
Oofda.
They wore me out.
I had a "Room Grandma" in the morning, with two para's - and in the afternoon I had the actual teacher popping in and out and two para's.... And STILL they wore me out. 25 five year olds that never ran out of energy.
They wore me out.
I had a "Room Grandma" in the morning, with two para's - and in the afternoon I had the actual teacher popping in and out and two para's.... And STILL they wore me out. 25 five year olds that never ran out of energy.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Subbing 4.0
Yesterday morning @ Lincoln, 4th grade. The class had a student teacher in his last week of teaching, so he taught and I wandered around helping kids.
Yesterday afternoon was Career Day at the Middle School, where I spoke to two groups of about 20 kids (each) about my career: Teacher. It was actually really fun. They had lots of questions for me and I was able to answer all of them! Other careers that were represented: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Chiropractor, Foreign Language Teacher, Dirt Bike Racer, Police, Sheriff, Fireman, Child Care, Horse Riding, Small Business, etc. There were a lot more people there, but I didn't get a chance to see what they all did... mostly the uniforms of the service guys and the law enforcement stood out. It's an awesome opportunity for these kids, who can start taking classes related to careers in High School and it seems like they really enjoyed it.
Last night Aya, D, his friend, and I went to see Spiderman 3. Uhm.... pretty much awesome! I was not disappointed.
This weekend is all about finishing stuff for my online class - since I am leaving town on Thursday.
Monday is a full-day sub of Kindergarten! at HM. I'm soooooo excited. They'll probably come up to my knees! LOL! I better get lots of rest the night before so I can run around with them :)
Yesterday afternoon was Career Day at the Middle School, where I spoke to two groups of about 20 kids (each) about my career: Teacher. It was actually really fun. They had lots of questions for me and I was able to answer all of them! Other careers that were represented: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Chiropractor, Foreign Language Teacher, Dirt Bike Racer, Police, Sheriff, Fireman, Child Care, Horse Riding, Small Business, etc. There were a lot more people there, but I didn't get a chance to see what they all did... mostly the uniforms of the service guys and the law enforcement stood out. It's an awesome opportunity for these kids, who can start taking classes related to careers in High School and it seems like they really enjoyed it.
Last night Aya, D, his friend, and I went to see Spiderman 3. Uhm.... pretty much awesome! I was not disappointed.
This weekend is all about finishing stuff for my online class - since I am leaving town on Thursday.
Monday is a full-day sub of Kindergarten! at HM. I'm soooooo excited. They'll probably come up to my knees! LOL! I better get lots of rest the night before so I can run around with them :)
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Winding down sure is hectic...
Yup... I've got a lot going on this time of year (as most College students and teachers do).
*Res Life end-of-the-year video
*Res Life calendar
*Burn dvds
*1/2 day Sub at Lincoln on Friday
*Middle School Career Day (tomorrow)
*Sub Kindergarten (cute!) on Monday
*Flying home May 10th - 14th to get my kitty cat
*Finish everything for my online class before I leave next weekend
*Track down rest of inventory
*Find workers for the lab for fall
*Set summer lab schedule
*Laundry
*Oil change
*Bank
*Pay bills
*Concordia training RSVP
*UB meeting (last week of school)
*Last dept mtg next Wednesday
It's a relief to be done with my f2f class, but also a bit sad. I enjoyed the class and the people. Hopefully I'll see most of them again next fall.
*Res Life end-of-the-year video
*Res Life calendar
*Burn dvds
*
*
*
*Flying home May 10th - 14th to get my kitty cat
*
*Track down rest of inventory
*
*Set summer lab schedule
*
*Oil change
*
*
*
*UB meeting (last week of school)
*
It's a relief to be done with my f2f class, but also a bit sad. I enjoyed the class and the people. Hopefully I'll see most of them again next fall.
Foxy...
I heard they were making a movie about His Dark Materials/The Golden Compass... apparently it's coming out in December... guess I should finish reading the books.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Happy Happy Joy Joy
I got a letter from my landlords today that made me VERY happy :)
Know what else makes me happy?
This movie:
Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti
Think I'll go home and watch it this evening!
Know what else makes me happy?
This movie:
Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti
Think I'll go home and watch it this evening!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Subbing 2.0
Finally got my first full-day sub. Subbed for an AP English teacher at the HS. Kids were really good and I was done by 1:30.
Tonight was the Hall of Fame dinner/induction for the Ed Dept. Nummy dinner, good friends, inspiring stories...
Plus Aya found out she's been rehired as Hall Director - permanently. She has a "career" now!
So... all-in-all... A good day.
Tonight was the Hall of Fame dinner/induction for the Ed Dept. Nummy dinner, good friends, inspiring stories...
Plus Aya found out she's been rehired as Hall Director - permanently. She has a "career" now!
So... all-in-all... A good day.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Photos... as promised
Mom and me at the Viking statue in Gimli, MB (Canada)
And a picture of Winnipeg's White Buffalo. They're very rare and are sacred in many Native American cultures. His name is Blizzard: "A male named Blizzard was born in March 2006 on the farm of an anonymous rancher, who arranged to have the calf transported to Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba in recognition of his spiritual significance to aboriginal people" - From Wikipedia.
And a picture of Winnipeg's White Buffalo. They're very rare and are sacred in many Native American cultures. His name is Blizzard: "A male named Blizzard was born in March 2006 on the farm of an anonymous rancher, who arranged to have the calf transported to Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba in recognition of his spiritual significance to aboriginal people" - From Wikipedia.
Catching Up
So....
Mom and I had a wonderful time in Canada - met some lovely people - learned how to make needle-felted teddy bears - got a little lost in downtown Winnipeg - and went to the Winnipeg Zoo. We're both hoping we can go back to the retreat next year, as all the people there were asking us to come back and we had a fantastic time.
I have a couple of pictures I'll be posting, but I'm at work at the moment.
In addition to our Canada adventure, my mom met most of the people I work with and many of my friends, she went to my Web Writing class, shopped downtown Walker, and relaxed. We saw lots of dear, a woodchuck, osprey, other assorted birds, and a porcupine.
Coming back to work = lots of catching up and everybody wanting me RIGHT NOW... well not everybody... just a few... but it kind of felt like everybody. I think/hope I'm caught up with work now.
Time to work on stuff for my online class... last chapter response is due tonight.
Also... I saved the best for last...
I've been stressing horribly about what will happen in December - I'll be done with my degree and without a job. Well... I spoke to the Dept Chair (my boss) and I told him about the new Electronic Writing Certificate being offered by our English Dept. I've taken all but one course for the Certificate, so (on recommendation of the Chair) I'll be taking that one course this fall and transferring my thesis credits to the spring. This means I'll have my GA (job) through May. I won't be out on my ear in December! VERY, VERY, UNBELIEVABLY, GOOD NEWS!
My stress level just decreased majorly. Plus I get to stay up here for another year - and I LOVE it here!
/happy
Mom and I had a wonderful time in Canada - met some lovely people - learned how to make needle-felted teddy bears - got a little lost in downtown Winnipeg - and went to the Winnipeg Zoo. We're both hoping we can go back to the retreat next year, as all the people there were asking us to come back and we had a fantastic time.
I have a couple of pictures I'll be posting, but I'm at work at the moment.
In addition to our Canada adventure, my mom met most of the people I work with and many of my friends, she went to my Web Writing class, shopped downtown Walker, and relaxed. We saw lots of dear, a woodchuck, osprey, other assorted birds, and a porcupine.
Coming back to work = lots of catching up and everybody wanting me RIGHT NOW... well not everybody... just a few... but it kind of felt like everybody. I think/hope I'm caught up with work now.
Time to work on stuff for my online class... last chapter response is due tonight.
Also... I saved the best for last...
I've been stressing horribly about what will happen in December - I'll be done with my degree and without a job. Well... I spoke to the Dept Chair (my boss) and I told him about the new Electronic Writing Certificate being offered by our English Dept. I've taken all but one course for the Certificate, so (on recommendation of the Chair) I'll be taking that one course this fall and transferring my thesis credits to the spring. This means I'll have my GA (job) through May. I won't be out on my ear in December! VERY, VERY, UNBELIEVABLY, GOOD NEWS!
My stress level just decreased majorly. Plus I get to stay up here for another year - and I LOVE it here!
/happy
Friday, April 20, 2007
Road trippin'
Momma is here!
She got here Wednesday - met a bunch of my friends and co-workers. Thursday she went to class with me and met more friends and co-workers and had dinner with friends.
Now we're off to Canada for a Fibre Retreat. Wahooo! Spinning, knitting, crochet, needle felting, and so much more crafty goodness!
/bounce
She got here Wednesday - met a bunch of my friends and co-workers. Thursday she went to class with me and met more friends and co-workers and had dinner with friends.
Now we're off to Canada for a Fibre Retreat. Wahooo! Spinning, knitting, crochet, needle felting, and so much more crafty goodness!
/bounce
Monday, April 16, 2007
More betterer
I'm all better now. Nasty icky flu-y thing. BAH! Wasted almost a week on sleep!
Ah well...
It was worth it as I'm now 100% and ready for Momma!
Playing catch-up with my online class and for Web Writing. I'm sure I'll have plenty of stuff to do when I go to work tomorrow too...
I need to finish catching up on homework, clean the apt, do laundry, and vacuum out my car before Mom gets here.
Oofda.
Ah well...
It was worth it as I'm now 100% and ready for Momma!
Playing catch-up with my online class and for Web Writing. I'm sure I'll have plenty of stuff to do when I go to work tomorrow too...
I need to finish catching up on homework, clean the apt, do laundry, and vacuum out my car before Mom gets here.
Oofda.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Germs bad
I left work at noon yesterday and missed class and work today - that's something I never do... but I feel "like death warmed over" (as my mom is fond of saying).
I hate being sick :P
I hate being sick :P
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Peer pressure...
Yeah that's it... Everyone at work has been sick lately and they made me join them... yeah...
/sigh
Buy it?
Bleh... I've got a sore throat and a snuffly nose and my mom's coming next week. I have to be healthy!
/sigh
Stupid, annoying, germy germs.
/sigh
Buy it?
Bleh... I've got a sore throat and a snuffly nose and my mom's coming next week. I have to be healthy!
/sigh
Stupid, annoying, germy germs.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Time to post...
Lessee... What have I been up to since I last posted?
Lots of insomnia...
Saturday - Easter lunch with Aya, her mom and D... went to look at new house her mom is buying and got an Easter basket from her mom :) YAY Chocolate Bunny.
Sunday - Easter lunch and basket/egg hunt with D's family... His mom made us baskets and hid them and eggs throughout her house. We were all running around, digging through drawers, looking under things, trying to find all the eggs.
Lots of homework...
At work now... Yup... there ya go... highlights of the last four days.
Also have a pool tournament scheduled tonight for hall council.
Lots of insomnia...
Saturday - Easter lunch with Aya, her mom and D... went to look at new house her mom is buying and got an Easter basket from her mom :) YAY Chocolate Bunny.
Sunday - Easter lunch and basket/egg hunt with D's family... His mom made us baskets and hid them and eggs throughout her house. We were all running around, digging through drawers, looking under things, trying to find all the eggs.
Lots of homework...
At work now... Yup... there ya go... highlights of the last four days.
Also have a pool tournament scheduled tonight for hall council.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
I have this theory...
That in the future, someone will develop a computer, linked to our brains, with an off switch...
So when you wake up at 4am and can't get back to sleep you can just hit this "off switch" - go back to sleep - and the computer will wake you at your normal time.
Sounds kind of creepy? Well on 4.5 hours of sleep it sounds pretty darn good to me :P
So when you wake up at 4am and can't get back to sleep you can just hit this "off switch" - go back to sleep - and the computer will wake you at your normal time.
Sounds kind of creepy? Well on 4.5 hours of sleep it sounds pretty darn good to me :P
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
You reap what you sew...
Isn't that the old saying?
Soooo... my neighbors, the ones that I had to call the cops on at 2am (because they were blaring their music) back in January... well they've taken to parking in my spot on an almost daily basis. I find it very annoying, but I wasn't going to say anything. Pick your battles... Just now, the owners of the building were out plowing and I asked him if he needed me to move my car. He asked me if I knew who was parked in my spot and I said I didn't know for sure. I also told him it had been happening a lot lately. He didn't like that... he said he'd find out who it was and talk to them and that if anything like that happens I should let him know and he would take care of it. I believe him. He and his wife are really sweet, but I wouldn't want to cross them.
What goes around comes around...
Mwahahaha...
Soooo... my neighbors, the ones that I had to call the cops on at 2am (because they were blaring their music) back in January... well they've taken to parking in my spot on an almost daily basis. I find it very annoying, but I wasn't going to say anything. Pick your battles... Just now, the owners of the building were out plowing and I asked him if he needed me to move my car. He asked me if I knew who was parked in my spot and I said I didn't know for sure. I also told him it had been happening a lot lately. He didn't like that... he said he'd find out who it was and talk to them and that if anything like that happens I should let him know and he would take care of it. I believe him. He and his wife are really sweet, but I wouldn't want to cross them.
What goes around comes around...
Mwahahaha...
Ceramics
So... I've been at this University for 6 years now, since the Fall of 2001. In that time I've considered taking ceramics, decided I REALLY wanted to take ceramics, and had to pass up ceramics multiple times because:
a) I couldn't get into it
b) I needed other classes to graduate
c) I didn't need/couldn't afford any extra credits as a Graduate student
Now, when I only have a 3 credit load for the Fall 2007 semester...
Now, when I get first dibs on registering as a graduate student...
NOW, I am FINALLY registered for ceramics.
And the budget meeting, which will determine whether the Arts program gets cut, is tomorrow.
Aside from my own ceramics greed, I really hope they don't cut the Arts program. I'm a big supporter/believer in the Arts. I think it's really sad that it's always one of the first things schools look at cutting: elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and universities. I know they've made some cuts already in that dept and I realize it's not a cheap program, BUT... it's important. In this town that supports the arts, where the community vote yearly on artwork to be displayed downtown... At the university where art is displayed around every corner...
a) I couldn't get into it
b) I needed other classes to graduate
c) I didn't need/couldn't afford any extra credits as a Graduate student
Now, when I only have a 3 credit load for the Fall 2007 semester...
Now, when I get first dibs on registering as a graduate student...
NOW, I am FINALLY registered for ceramics.
And the budget meeting, which will determine whether the Arts program gets cut, is tomorrow.
Aside from my own ceramics greed, I really hope they don't cut the Arts program. I'm a big supporter/believer in the Arts. I think it's really sad that it's always one of the first things schools look at cutting: elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and universities. I know they've made some cuts already in that dept and I realize it's not a cheap program, BUT... it's important. In this town that supports the arts, where the community vote yearly on artwork to be displayed downtown... At the university where art is displayed around every corner...
Sunday, April 01, 2007
New friends..
I had some new friends over last night. I was actually nervous before they came over, thinking "I hope they have fun."
Well they stayed from 6pm-11pm talking, listening to music, and playing games. And then we went to Perkins for an hour and a half.
So I think they had fun... Which makes me happy, because that means new friends and they're all quite fun.
Well they stayed from 6pm-11pm talking, listening to music, and playing games. And then we went to Perkins for an hour and a half.
So I think they had fun... Which makes me happy, because that means new friends and they're all quite fun.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Give me something to blog about...
How about a worker/friend who every time he sends me an email about work, he has a sentence or two alerting me to something that happened in the lab. Then another paragraph of randomness... when he needed me to figure something out for example:
"the challenge has been made, the gauntlet has been thrown down, the target is set, the harvest date has come, the sun has set, the moon has risen, the trout are swimming upstream, the birds are flying south, the light has turned green, the whistle has been blown, the gun has gone off, the feature film has started, the test has begun, the applications are due, the registration has begun, the fire alarm is sounding, the judges hammer has fallen, the power ranges have morphed, the transformers have maximized, the fat lady has begun to sing, the dice are rolling, the world is turning, the phone is ringing will you answer it?"
Why does he do this? Because it makes me laugh :)
"the challenge has been made, the gauntlet has been thrown down, the target is set, the harvest date has come, the sun has set, the moon has risen, the trout are swimming upstream, the birds are flying south, the light has turned green, the whistle has been blown, the gun has gone off, the feature film has started, the test has begun, the applications are due, the registration has begun, the fire alarm is sounding, the judges hammer has fallen, the power ranges have morphed, the transformers have maximized, the fat lady has begun to sing, the dice are rolling, the world is turning, the phone is ringing will you answer it?"
Why does he do this? Because it makes me laugh :)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Up, Down & All Around
That pretty much describes my day.
It got better.
It got a lot worse.
It got better again - thanks to some good friends.
It got better.
It got a lot worse.
It got better again - thanks to some good friends.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Angry Aspen
Apparently I get this really scary/evil/angry face when I'm really upset about something. Today I got REALLY upset - while at work. NOT GOOD. Everybody was asking me if I was ok, if I was mad at them... NOT GOOD.
After I left I called my mom and fumed for at least 10 minutes, took a drive in the country, chatted up some horses I saw along the way, listened to the chirping birds and a woodpecker beating the crud out of a tree.
I feel better now.
I just sent apology emails to three people who saw me really upset and thought I was mad at something they did.
*sigh*
NOT GOOD.
After I left I called my mom and fumed for at least 10 minutes, took a drive in the country, chatted up some horses I saw along the way, listened to the chirping birds and a woodpecker beating the crud out of a tree.
I feel better now.
I just sent apology emails to three people who saw me really upset and thought I was mad at something they did.
*sigh*
NOT GOOD.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Next...
So apparently people in the Ed. Dept. thought I was done at the end of the summer. Uhm... nope... I'm here through December. After I made this abundantly clear to my supervisor and the dept. secretary I had several people come up to me and say how happy they are that I'm here through December. This makes me feel all warm and tingly. And then they ask what's next for me... after December.
Then feel like I've had my brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow...
Then feel like I've had my brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow.
I'm going with the flow...
NZ Knitter
Found this site - Just Jussi - from an article in the NZ Herald. Gorgeous stuff. Maybe one day I'll be able to knit like that :)
Oh... and I thought animal rights activists wanted to SAVE animals... not let them die...
Oh... and I thought animal rights activists wanted to SAVE animals... not let them die...
Emo?!? Me?!?
LOL
My friends were giving me a hard time because I dyed my hair... and now it's kind of... black-ish... well... really dark brown. I took Aya's word on it and she said it wasn't too dark and it would look great... *grin* Yeah. Well she still says it looks good... but I miss my normal hair color.
Oh, and if you're not familiar with "Emo" here's what the Urban Dictionary has to say:
"Genre of softcore punk music that integrates unenthusiastic melodramatic 17 year olds who dont smile, high pitched overwrought lyrics and inaudible guitar rifts with tight wool sweaters, tighter jeans, itchy scarfs (even in the summer), ripped chucks with favorite bands signature, black square rimmed glasses, and ebony greasy unwashed hair that is required to cover at least 3/5 ths of the face at an angle."
Hmm... not 17, smile all the time, no wool (too hot and too itchy), don't wear tight anything, soft scarves only when it's COLD, no chucks, my glasses are purple and catty, I wash my hair and I don't hide behind it anymore... so no... I'm not emo. Though I do listen to some music that's classified as emo...
Oh, and I really liked this definition:
"Like a Goth, only much less dark and much more Harry Potter."
My friends were giving me a hard time because I dyed my hair... and now it's kind of... black-ish... well... really dark brown. I took Aya's word on it and she said it wasn't too dark and it would look great... *grin* Yeah. Well she still says it looks good... but I miss my normal hair color.
Oh, and if you're not familiar with "Emo" here's what the Urban Dictionary has to say:
"Genre of softcore punk music that integrates unenthusiastic melodramatic 17 year olds who dont smile, high pitched overwrought lyrics and inaudible guitar rifts with tight wool sweaters, tighter jeans, itchy scarfs (even in the summer), ripped chucks with favorite bands signature, black square rimmed glasses, and ebony greasy unwashed hair that is required to cover at least 3/5 ths of the face at an angle."
Hmm... not 17, smile all the time, no wool (too hot and too itchy), don't wear tight anything, soft scarves only when it's COLD, no chucks, my glasses are purple and catty, I wash my hair and I don't hide behind it anymore... so no... I'm not emo. Though I do listen to some music that's classified as emo...
Oh, and I really liked this definition:
"Like a Goth, only much less dark and much more Harry Potter."
Monday, March 19, 2007
Black Sheep
I laughed so hard I cried... and then I snorted... snorting and crying... just from the preview.
I've GOT to see that movie...
Do you realize how much trouble NZ would be in if that happened (cuz it's SOOO possible)... the sheep outnumber the humans by 10 to 1.
*edit* indeed! 10 to 1 not 4 to 1... silly me :)
hehehehe
*snort*
hehehehehehe
/sigh
I've GOT to see that movie...
Do you realize how much trouble NZ would be in if that happened (cuz it's SOOO possible)... the sheep outnumber the humans by 10 to 1.
*edit* indeed! 10 to 1 not 4 to 1... silly me :)
hehehehe
*snort*
hehehehehehe
/sigh
Pirates 3.0
Well.... I was super-excited for the first and second one... but the second one let me down :(
Now the preview for the third one - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is out.
Now the preview for the third one - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is out.
Subbing 1.0
2 hours....
Standing outside in the freezing cold, watching kids K - 5 play.
More to come :)
Standing outside in the freezing cold, watching kids K - 5 play.
More to come :)
Friday, March 16, 2007
Never seen the original...
But I really want to see the new: Hairspray.
Now... do I watch the old one first or wait for July, watch the new one, then watch the old one.
*ponder*
And yeah.... can't sleep.
Now... do I watch the old one first or wait for July, watch the new one, then watch the old one.
*ponder*
And yeah.... can't sleep.
New Playlist
I changed my playlist... this is a collection of rockish songs...
Abba, Matchbox Twenty, BNL, Bowling for Soup, ELO, Kiss, Kansas, Twisted Sister, Weezer...
I dunno some old and some new. Whatever tickled my fancy at the moment :)
Abba, Matchbox Twenty, BNL, Bowling for Soup, ELO, Kiss, Kansas, Twisted Sister, Weezer...
I dunno some old and some new. Whatever tickled my fancy at the moment :)
Not this time...
We got about ten minutes north of here when the roads started getting slippery and it was snowing so much that every time an 18-wheeler passed I couldn't see the road... So we turned around and came home.
Nobody was THAT desperate to get to D's parent's house...
We spent all afternoon working on wedding stuff: invitations and decorating the little bubble containers :)
Dinner with several friends and then back to their apt to finish up decorating... Also, we watched Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dracula: Dead & Loving It.
THAT made up for earlier disappointments. :)
Nobody was THAT desperate to get to D's parent's house...
We spent all afternoon working on wedding stuff: invitations and decorating the little bubble containers :)
Dinner with several friends and then back to their apt to finish up decorating... Also, we watched Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dracula: Dead & Loving It.
THAT made up for earlier disappointments. :)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Outta here...
I'm actually going somewhere for a couple of days... getting out of town... moving to the country :)
Later!
Later!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
What's with the acorns?
I mean seriously....
Aspen -- [noun]: A person with a taste for acorns 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com |
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Translation please?
Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.
Yesterdays fortune cookies... 2 out of 3 said this (I freaking love fortune cookies... nummy)
Intrigued, I alta-vista'd blind hog and this is what I got...
Apparently there's a book published in 1945 called: A Blind Hogs Acorn...
And then there was THIS (for lack of a better description)... They describe it as "an unusually good performance coming from an unexpected source."
The third fortune cookie: "Happiness is coming from an unexpected source."
And so, to you oh Fortune Cookie God... I say this: Bring it on.
Yesterdays fortune cookies... 2 out of 3 said this (I freaking love fortune cookies... nummy)
Intrigued, I alta-vista'd blind hog and this is what I got...
Apparently there's a book published in 1945 called: A Blind Hogs Acorn...
And then there was THIS (for lack of a better description)... They describe it as "an unusually good performance coming from an unexpected source."
The third fortune cookie: "Happiness is coming from an unexpected source."
And so, to you oh Fortune Cookie God... I say this: Bring it on.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Man oh man...
My head hurts...
I just spent the last hour looking around to see if teachers are needed in the states that I'm interested in living in... ugh I can't even make that sentence make sense now... hehe... k here's what I've come up with so far...
States I've been to and know I'd like to live in:
*Minnesota
*Wisconsin
*Colorado
*Wyoming
*Montana
*Texas
States that I haven't been to but I think I'd like to live in:
*Michigan (maybe - need to go there first)
*Washington
*Oregon
*Nevada (maybe Reno - cousin there)
*Alaska
*Northern California?
As for the number of teaching jobs available... well... yeah... *sigh*
I signed up for two different free sites to search for teaching jobs:
ABC Teaching Jobs
Education America
There are so many sites to look at... every state, school district...
It's going to be a lot of work, but I WILL find a job somewhere :) I think it helps that I'm willing to relocate.
I just spent the last hour looking around to see if teachers are needed in the states that I'm interested in living in... ugh I can't even make that sentence make sense now... hehe... k here's what I've come up with so far...
States I've been to and know I'd like to live in:
*Minnesota
*Wisconsin
*Colorado
*Wyoming
*Montana
*Texas
States that I haven't been to but I think I'd like to live in:
*Michigan (maybe - need to go there first)
*Washington
*Oregon
*Nevada (maybe Reno - cousin there)
*Alaska
*Northern California?
As for the number of teaching jobs available... well... yeah... *sigh*
I signed up for two different free sites to search for teaching jobs:
ABC Teaching Jobs
Education America
There are so many sites to look at... every state, school district...
It's going to be a lot of work, but I WILL find a job somewhere :) I think it helps that I'm willing to relocate.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
I'm not the only one
Just in the Ed. Dept we had 4 people out sick yesterday... Some with stomach-issues and some with head-coldy issues like me.
Geeze....
Germs = suxor.
Geeze....
Germs = suxor.
Flackity flack...
Well people are glad we made the trip safely, but they're informing me that I'm insane/stupid to have gone in the first place.
Let me just say I knew perfectly well we had NO business whatsoever going, but since the other two weren't about to drop it - and I wasn't sure they'd be able to say, "Ok, this is too much we need to stop" – and because if anything had happened to them I would have been devastated... I went. I drove and I did my darndest to make sure they got there and back safely... and I succeeded. And the Assoc. Director of Res. Life thanked me today for making sure we got there and back safely.
When we got to the hotel that first night it was interesting to see how each of us dealt with the day...
Amy kept herself busy calling people, ironing and organizing for the next day.
Aya got in her pj's and watched Resident Evil. She says all the stress and violence of the movie makes her feel like her problems aren't nearly as bad.
I called my mom to tell her where we were, popped on my iPod and lay down on the bed to relax. It made me feel better, but I still wasn't able to sleep. I think I got about 2 hours of sleep, off and on, that night. My mind was replaying the day’s events, thanking the Lord we were safe, and wondering what the next day was going to be like.
Let me just say I knew perfectly well we had NO business whatsoever going, but since the other two weren't about to drop it - and I wasn't sure they'd be able to say, "Ok, this is too much we need to stop" – and because if anything had happened to them I would have been devastated... I went. I drove and I did my darndest to make sure they got there and back safely... and I succeeded. And the Assoc. Director of Res. Life thanked me today for making sure we got there and back safely.
When we got to the hotel that first night it was interesting to see how each of us dealt with the day...
Amy kept herself busy calling people, ironing and organizing for the next day.
Aya got in her pj's and watched Resident Evil. She says all the stress and violence of the movie makes her feel like her problems aren't nearly as bad.
I called my mom to tell her where we were, popped on my iPod and lay down on the bed to relax. It made me feel better, but I still wasn't able to sleep. I think I got about 2 hours of sleep, off and on, that night. My mind was replaying the day’s events, thanking the Lord we were safe, and wondering what the next day was going to be like.
Monday, March 05, 2007
More...
It took us 16 hours (minus spending the night in a hotel) to get there and only 9 hours to get back.
I hardly slept the first few nights, which is probably why I have a cold. Started feeling icky Saturday morning and it's just gotten worse.
I got back home at 11pm last night and took two Nyquil. Woke up at noon today, made myself eat so I could take more medicine, went back to bed. Woke up at 4pm, made myself get up and stay up so I could sleep tonight.
Had a Hall Council Exec and a HC hall-wide meeting tonight. Both were VERY brief. It's good to be the president :)
I've got class and work tomorrow. Didn't make it through all of the site revisions for tomorrows class... maybe I can do a couple more tomorrow morning.
Time for more sleeeeeeep!
I hardly slept the first few nights, which is probably why I have a cold. Started feeling icky Saturday morning and it's just gotten worse.
I got back home at 11pm last night and took two Nyquil. Woke up at noon today, made myself eat so I could take more medicine, went back to bed. Woke up at 4pm, made myself get up and stay up so I could sleep tonight.
Had a Hall Council Exec and a HC hall-wide meeting tonight. Both were VERY brief. It's good to be the president :)
I've got class and work tomorrow. Didn't make it through all of the site revisions for tomorrows class... maybe I can do a couple more tomorrow morning.
Time for more sleeeeeeep!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Thank you, thank you, thank you OMG thank you...
4:20am - Woke up
4:30am - Called Aya & Amy to see if we were REALLY going to do this
5:30am - Left town - roads were not-so-good just outside of town but got better as we went
8:00am - Stopped for breakfast
10:30am - Arrived in the cities
11:50am - Reached the other side of the cities - lots of snow and traffic at a stand-still in places
The afternoon drive through Wisconsin was spotty, but generally not that bad. We had snow, sleet, rain, hail... and variations of all the above.
5:00ish - We got almost to Wausau, WI (about 100 miles from our destination) and we hit blizzard-type weather... We stopped at an Applebee's so I could take a break from driving and we were hoping the weather would get better. Left Applebee's at 6:00pm and it took us over an hour to get 30 miles. I couldn't see the road for large periods of time, there were cars/trucks/vans in the ditch every 5 minutes... then I literally couldn't see anything because the road hadn't been plowed recently, the wind was blowing more snow across the road, we were headed into the driving snow, and an 18-wheeler that had JUST passed us was off the side of the road, jack-knifed and I declared "THAT'S IT! We're pulling off I can't see the freaking road and there's a sign for a hotel." And we did. Our guardian angels were DEFINITELY with us. I have never been so scared in my life. We made it to the hotel and I was shaking all over. We're in the room now making lots of phone calls to reschedule interviews, checking emails, checking weather and road conditions....
UGH!
I tried so hard to talk them out of this trip and I probably should have stayed at home, but I couldn't just drop out and make them go on their own... It sounds weird but if something had happened to them I would have felt so horrible.... and I knew I was risking my own neck... but for most of the trip it really wasn't that bad.... Just WI is freaking awful.
UGH! UGH! UGH!
Anywho... We're here. We're safe.
I am going to try and relax, take a hot shower and go to sleep. They'll both be running around the room but my adrenaline is starting to wear off and it has been a LONG freaking day.... Sleep is sounding so good right now.
We'll most likely be up at 4am tomorrow to check weather and road conditions. It could potentially take us up to 4 hours to get there.... but I'm seriously holding my ground if it's anything at all like it is now we're not going ANYWHERE. If they don't have jobs they can all come stay in my one-bedroom apt. At least we'll all be ALIVE.
That's what's important.
4:30am - Called Aya & Amy to see if we were REALLY going to do this
5:30am - Left town - roads were not-so-good just outside of town but got better as we went
8:00am - Stopped for breakfast
10:30am - Arrived in the cities
11:50am - Reached the other side of the cities - lots of snow and traffic at a stand-still in places
The afternoon drive through Wisconsin was spotty, but generally not that bad. We had snow, sleet, rain, hail... and variations of all the above.
5:00ish - We got almost to Wausau, WI (about 100 miles from our destination) and we hit blizzard-type weather... We stopped at an Applebee's so I could take a break from driving and we were hoping the weather would get better. Left Applebee's at 6:00pm and it took us over an hour to get 30 miles. I couldn't see the road for large periods of time, there were cars/trucks/vans in the ditch every 5 minutes... then I literally couldn't see anything because the road hadn't been plowed recently, the wind was blowing more snow across the road, we were headed into the driving snow, and an 18-wheeler that had JUST passed us was off the side of the road, jack-knifed and I declared "THAT'S IT! We're pulling off I can't see the freaking road and there's a sign for a hotel." And we did. Our guardian angels were DEFINITELY with us. I have never been so scared in my life. We made it to the hotel and I was shaking all over. We're in the room now making lots of phone calls to reschedule interviews, checking emails, checking weather and road conditions....
UGH!
I tried so hard to talk them out of this trip and I probably should have stayed at home, but I couldn't just drop out and make them go on their own... It sounds weird but if something had happened to them I would have felt so horrible.... and I knew I was risking my own neck... but for most of the trip it really wasn't that bad.... Just WI is freaking awful.
UGH! UGH! UGH!
Anywho... We're here. We're safe.
I am going to try and relax, take a hot shower and go to sleep. They'll both be running around the room but my adrenaline is starting to wear off and it has been a LONG freaking day.... Sleep is sounding so good right now.
We'll most likely be up at 4am tomorrow to check weather and road conditions. It could potentially take us up to 4 hours to get there.... but I'm seriously holding my ground if it's anything at all like it is now we're not going ANYWHERE. If they don't have jobs they can all come stay in my one-bedroom apt. At least we'll all be ALIVE.
That's what's important.
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