Coming to an End

Last night we had a Jazzercise Girl's Night Out to celebrate some happenings of the instructors at our center. Two (including me) are moving, one is getting married, and one just became certified. I always have a hard time motivating for these types of activities, but I don't know why, I never regret going.

Last night was no exception. I had the *best* time. We started out the evening with drinks and dinner and the woman who planned the outing presented all of us with small gifts. I got a homemade trophy with my picture on it from the marathon, a picture frame with the play bill from Avenue Q (an inside joke- - I HATE that show), and a cute charm that says, "I (heart) CT". It was so sweet of them to think of me.

Karaoke was just getting started (we all signed up. Come on. 12 Jazzercise instructors at the same party? YOU BET people were singing and dancing) and I found myself at the bar with the owner of the center. I like her a lot, and really respect and admire how she manages everything. She offered to buy me a drink and took the opportunity to say how much she was going to miss me. It was very sweet, but what she said next really meant a lot. She told me that in all of her years of Jazzercise and all of her experience with instructors she rarely finds someone like me- - who is an incredible instructor, professional and "cool" as well. It was so sweet and I really appreciated her taking the time to say that. It makes what I do worth it.

During dinner we had all signed up and the karaoke was getting started so a group of three of us got it started with "Brick House" complete with wigs and feather boas. We do it right. People who know me in real life or have been reading this blog for a while know that my go-to song is Baby Got Back. I, of course, signed up for that with another instructor.

The next group of people got called up and they were NOT with our group. They were part of a softball team. Their song of choice?

BABY. GOT. BACK.

OH NO THEY DIDN'T!

They did. Only they? DID NOT. RESPECT. THE SONG. AT ALL. They didn't sing into the microphone. Had to READ the lyrics, and spent half the time giggling at themselves.

Oh YES. They did.

I was heartbroken. Everyone knows it's not in good taste to do the same song TWICE in one night.

Good thing I don't always act in "good taste" B*TCHES!

I marched over to the DJ and plead my case, "Listen, I know this is totally lame, but their rendition of Baby Got Back was lackluster. They obviously don't care about it in the same way I do. Please. If you let me do this song, in a few songs, I promise... you will NOT regret it."

He, miraculously, agreed. I think it had something to do with my saucy dress and killer dance moves. I'm just sayin'.

A few songs later, he called us up.

Before the song started, I took the opportunity to have the mic and addressed the crowd, "I'm really sorry about doing this. We're going to do a song that has already been sung tonight, BUT... and I would normally NEVER call anyone out like this... it was not done with the flourish that it should be. So, to the girls who already performed this song to night, I'm sorry. You're about to get shown up."

Oh, YES I DID.

And? In case you're wondering... WE. KILLED. IT. Like, cat-calls during and standing ovation at the end. LIKE, WE GOT FREE DRINK TICKETS FOR THE BEST KARAOKE PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT.

BOO to the YEA.

I may not be able to carry a tune in a bucket, but I can channel Sir-Mix-a-Lot like NO OTHER. It's a gift.

A Day in the Life

The past twenty-four hours have been some of the most awesome I’ve had in a while. Best friend D and I had to take the Praxis II (a CT/VT teacher certification test) this morning but we had a half day at school yesterday so we decided that we could take advantage of the early afternoon and head out for happy hour while still getting home at a reasonable time to rest for the test.

HA!

That’s me laughing in yesterday’s naive face.

We should have known better.

It started out innocently enough with one beer in an hour, a cheese board from Ginger Man and some perusal of the testing materials.

Then we ordered another beer.

Then we started dialing our friends.

Then we ordered a pizza.

Then one of our friends met us out.

Then we ordered another beer.

And another.

And sweet potato fries.

And a pulled chicken quesadilla.

And another beer.

Do you see where this is going?

Next thing I know we’re at the loft, wearing matching black and white fedoras we borrowed from two guys we met at the bar, DJ headphones on setting up an awesome playlist, and running the dance floor.

It’s an exhausting life we lead.

We made it home around midnight just in time to brush my teeth, drunk dial a few (11) people and lay down for the 5:45am alarm to go off.

Remember that test we had this morning?

Yea…we had to be there at 7:30am. Yikes.

You know that I am completely OCD so we arrived thirty minutes early and got situated in our room.

We’ve taken three tests in New York for teaching certification and the difference between these tests were incredible. New York is like a well-oiled machine who doesn’t give a F*ck WHO YOU ARE. They yell at you, treat you like idiots (to be fair, it’s mostly warranted- - you should SEE the people there), and then spit you out like last night’s beer you drank by mistake.

Connecticut is all sunshine and rainbows but completely unmanageable because of the lack of organization and incompetent proctors. It took the women in charge FIFTY-THREE minutes to hand out the tests and sign us in.

I wish I was kidding.

So, because Connecticut is sunshine and rainbows (and madly infuriating) D and I were assigned to the same room where we could choose our own seats. OUR OWN SEATS! And they requested that we sit near each other! The proctor hands us our exams and we look down to start reading- - there in a BOLD BOX is the text, “Calculators are permitted for the math section of this exam.”

WHAT?

We had not been notified that calculators were allowed. Typically NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PERMITTED.

NONE.

I asked the proctor if she had an extra calculator.

No luck.

So? We spent the next sixty minutes feverishly computing math by HAND. Seriously. I was doing long division in the margins.

When those unbearable 120 minutes were over we were STARVING so we headed to a local diner, then to my apartment so I could regroup. Then? We headed to Greenwich to see the Tall Ships.

I’ve been looking forward to seeing the Tall Ships all week. I love the water, I love boats, I love special events like this. We I had originally asked D if she wanted to come with me she responded, “Tall Ships? I don’t know what that is.”

She can give me a hard time all she wants for never having been on a sailboat but at least I know what the damn TALL SHIPS are!

Turns out part of the Tall Ships event is a fair complete with games, rides and fried dough. D suggested that we go on one.

I am a (semi) risk taker and have always loved rides. However, I have not actually BEEN on a ride? Well, I don’t think since high school honestly. Let me tell you, that ride was like jumping off a cliff.

SCARY.

INVIGORATING.

SUPER FUN.

I’m NOT kidding. We were the only two on the ride except for two ten year old boys. We laughed and screamed the ENTIRE time. I had to close my eyes and I couldn’t even control the noises that were coming out of my mouth. “Whoooooeeeeeee!” “Eeeeeeee.” At one point D turned to me and said, “WHAT are you SAYING?!!?”

I have no idea.

I felt like a rockstar.

We were laughing so hard by the time the ride ended we had tears streaming down our cheeks. It wasn’t that anything was THAT particularly funny, it was the ride. We had made it.

Then, we hopped down out of our chair.

I felt like I had been at sea for seven days; my legs were wobbly, my head was spinning and I couldn’t walk in a straight line. We sat down to rest on a bench overlooking the harbor and we soaked up the rays for an hour.

It was incredible.

It’s days (nights) like this that are going to make it hard to pack up and leave Connecticut. I’m just glad I’ve still got a few memories left to make.

(on a side note I drunkenly gave some guy my number at the bar last night. No, I’ll never learn. And he ACTUALLY CALLED ME TODAY. I’m not interested but this is the FIRST time that I’ve been here that a guy has ACTUALLY called after I’ve given them my number.)

Best Text

I received a text from my sister tonight, "Hey! I'm heading into the city to meet J..." ((the NON boyfriend)),"for dinner. Probably won't be back til the am to get ready for school."

!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bed to MYSELF tonight! Woop, woop!

I guess it really is the SMALL things we learn to appreciate...

Yea, We Went Out Last Night

My sister, D, and I all went out last night to celebrate the gorgeous weather we've having, SPRING, and my NEW JOB! Initially, I almost canceled because I just wasn't feeling it, but I'm so glad we motivated to go. We had *so* much fun.

We headed to The Ginger Man in SoNo. Have I mentioned how much we *love* Ginger Man? It's the best place EVA. We ordered our Blue Moons and the cheese plate...and then we started talking. And didn't stop until after midnight. I'm not even kidding. I don't know WHERE the time went, but before we knew it we were four rounds deep and ordering another pizza to top off the night. Really. We RARELY go out on school nights but when we do, I guess we go all the way.

As three teachers, who are best friends/sisters who work and live together you would think we'd have OTHER things to talk about besides our students. Notsomuch. I cannot IMAGINE what we'll be like when we have our OWN kids because we talked about our students ALL NIGHT LONG. We're all fairly exciting people but we hardly veered from talking about the kids. It's nuts.

Well... we did detour the conversation enough to debate the 2Birds1Blog debate about wiping position. (Please, go read that post if you need a laugh.) ((We're all sitters if you care). While I'm at it, Meg @ 2birds is quite possibly the funniest person ALIVE.

So we're sitting there chatting and I get a text from my mom, "Just had a lovely chat with Coach".

...

They were all at the bar together. I, of course, was DYING to know what they talked about because my own communication with Coach has been rather lackluster lately. (I cannot figure him out. I'm still trying to play it cool but am secretly hoping that I'll see him while I'm home this weekend. I'm not sure on ANY fronts how that will play out.) I almost texted him about it, but while I was contemplating that I got a text from him, "Just had a beer with your parents." Which started a texting conversation that lasted most of the night and ended with a drunken, 1am phone call.

My mom thinks he's "so nice", my dad thinks he's a player... I don't really care WHAT he is, as long as he's into me.

There, I said it.

I woke up this morning READY to go but I am fading...FAST.

Assistance

I received an email from a parent of one of my students:

Hi Miss T,

Hope you are enjoying the incredible weather.
I don't know if you are on the babysitting, etc list, but I thought I'd
check to see if you might be able to help me this weekend at a party I'm
having. It's a casual party, and all you'd have to do is help me
put food out and wash plates. I know it's last minute, but my husband is
going to be away and I'd love the help. It would be from about 5:45 to
10 or earlier if you want. I will be at school for a meeting at 8 and
may check in to see if you're interested.

-Parent

Put out food? Wash plates? For a dinner party that she's having which will most likely have our other parents as guests? NO THANK YOU.

Seriously.

She came in this morning right at 8am to double check and when I told her I would be out of town for the weekend she responded, "Ohhh, I'll just use paper plates then."

SERIOUSLY?!?!??!?! She has to resort to PAPER PLATES because I WON'T BE THERE TO WASH DISHES?!?!??!

And SECONDLY. I'm pretty sure I didn't just shell out $30,000+ for a masters degree so I could wash dishes at family parties (other than my OWN) on the weekends.

That's not to say that I think I'm above ANY sort of job- - I'm NOT. I just can't believe the families around here sometimes.

Do your own damn dishes.

Clarification

It has come to my attention (Thanks to my aunt, Jane) that you may have assumed I censored our neighbor's email address and put in a generic "pleasekeepmeposted@gmail.com".

This is NOT the case.

pleasekeepmeposted@gmail.com is the email address she gave us.

I wish I was joking.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I know I've told you about the drama with our neighbors. It's hard to fully explain but we received that rude note about the parking. I was going to ignore it but my sister doesn't handle things quite so...easily as I do. She wrote a note back saying that we'd never want to put anyone in danger and if there are certain times they NEED the front spot we'd be happy to oblige.

Cut to last Thursday.

I opened the mailbox and saw just one note in there with our names written on the front. I almost didn't take it. It was after a long day of conferences, I had to babysit in twenty minutes and I just didn't have it in me emotionally to get riled up about anything.

I should have stuck with that plan.

I was on the phone with my mom so I grabbed the note, got in my car and opened it to read it to her.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the nice letter, sorry it took so long for response. Just FYI none of us should use the fence so it is great that we can share it. C and I have been double parking for 10 years and you can imagine how annoying it could become. Maybe we could talk about what days work for everyone. (Me: "Wow, Mom, I think she's getting nicer. Maybe M's note worked!) If you want we can set a date/time and go over it. You could come over for a glass of wine. Whatever works for you. We are happy to live next to you, you seem kind and flexible. YEAH! (Me: "Uhhh, Mom? I don't think she's being nice...) My email is pleasekeepmeposted@gmail.com.

Best,
J

Uhhhh...WHAT?!?!?

I CANNOT BELIEVE how snarky and sarcastic that note was. I vetoed my sister and we completely ignored it/her. Whenever I see them now I pretend I don't.

BUT. IT GETS BETTER.

I babysat for the entire weekend so Friday afternoon I threw my overnight bag in the car and headed out. My sister came to join me Friday evening to have dinner, do some laundry and keep me company. She came back Saturday morning at 8am and THEY WERE PARKED ON OUR SIDE.

ON OUR SIDE.

AFTER BEING LITTLE POOTERS ABOUT THE PARKING.

THEY WERE ON OUR SIDE.

The husband happened to be outside and said to my sister, "Ohhh, well, my wife saw you put bags in your cars so we figured you were gone for the weekend."

Uhhhh. NO. WE'RE NOT. WE'RE AROUND. YOU PSYCHO LITTLE PARKING CREEPS.

*********
My posting has been lame-@$$ recently. I apologize. I'm applying for EVERY job I possibly can and EVERY JOB has an additional two essays that are required when submitting an application. I've written more in the past two weeks than I have throughout all of graduate school and when applying to college. It's overwhelming and makes for ZERO time over here in blog land. I promise, I'll be better as soon as I can.

When to Let Go

My sister and I share an apartment. It's an old cape that has been split into two units- - an upstairs and a downstairs. We rent the upstairs. Our downstairs neighbors have been there for a couple of years and haven't liked us since we moved in because we have two cars.

The former tenant had ONE car.

This is a very big issue.

Our driveway is 2.5 car widths wide and 2 car lengths long. We have the left side, they have the right side.

There are a total of 4 cars to park every day.

Call me crazy, but we could fit four cars in the driveway if need be.

There is a spot out front, on the road that is two car lengths long that the Mr. from downstairs likes to park his HUGE truck in. Fine. It's really not an issue for us. Occasionally we park there if I leave much earlier than my sister and she'll be coming home after me.

When we have guests for an entire weekend I'll park my car someone else to alleviate any issues we might have.

They have complained to the landlord about us being too loud, coming in late at night with rambunctious friends, and parking crooked.

Let's just clarify that between my sister and I we have three friends TOTAL in the area. Those friends have all been over LESS than two times EACH. SEPARATELY. And never late-night (minus that ONE visit from D in October.)

My sisters and I would, normally, be great neighbors. We go to bed early, aren't wild and crazy, have normal jobs and are hardly home. On most days I leave my apartment at 6 and don't get back until 6:30 or 7:30 that night.

We don't wear shoes in the apartment so they really can't hear our footsteps, we don't listen to loud music or tv. We aren't loud talkers.

Imagine my surprise when I get this "note" in our mailbox last night,

"M & M,

If you could please have guests (overnight) park out back we would appreciate it. Sat morning our babysitting had to pull out into the road while I pulled my car out. It was dangerous for her. I know the landlord spoke to you about it. It would make our Sat. work morning much easier. Thank you.

J."

I have so many points to contend with this note I can't even begin to type them all right now but one thing's for SURE.

I AM BEYOND ANNOYED.

What I Did on my Summer Vacation

Today was a very typical first day of school. We found our desks, found our books, our binders, introduced ourselves and then- - of course- - we had to answer THE question. What I did on my summer vacation.

Except when I was in elementary school in Vermont the answers went something like this, “I went swimming in the lake.” “I went to camp.” “I had a sleepover with my cousins at my Grandma’s house.”

That’s not how they roll in Fairfield County.

The conversation in our room today went something like this:

Student 1: I went to Paris and we saw the Eiffel Tower.

Student 2: Oh! I went there too, but we also went to the south of France.

Student 3: I went to my house in the Adirondacks. It was awesome. We boated and fished.

Student 4: I went to my house in Vermont. We also went to New Hampshire.

Student 5: I went hiking in MA then I went to Chicago.

Student 6: I went to Chicago- -saw a Cubs game! They won! We also went to Aspen and California.

Student 7: I went to Turkey and Greece.
Teacher: Oh! What was your favorite part?
Student 7: Santorini. It’s beautiful there. Clear water, warm temperatures.

Student 8: I also went to Paris. We stayed at the Ferragamo Hotel. Ferragamo is actually a shoe company. It’s very cool.
Teacher: Oh! Did you get a new pair of shoes.
Student 8: No, they didn’t have my size. My mom got two pairs though.

Student 9: I spent the whole summer on Nantucket. I took golf and tennis lessons.

Student 10: We went to the Bahamas.

And it went on…and on…and on…

Teacher: Well, I got married and went to Mongolia.

MY TURN: I moved. TWICE. And took FIVE graduate school classes.

HA! Take THAT B*TCHES!

My third graders are officially cooler than I am.

Back to Schooooool

Today is the first day of school! Third grade here I come! :) Woop Woop!

Roomates

Living with your sister? Is fantastic. I have a built-in person to...

talk to in the morning
make plans with for the day
carpool to work
go to dinner with
bounce ideas off of
get second opinions about outfits

So far? So good.

Simma, Simma

Who's got the keys to my...NEW APARTMENT?!?!?! Oh wait... I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woop Woop! Signed the lease today, got my keys and started moving my stuff in! Luckily I have a fantastic sister with an even more fantastic boyfriend who met me to do everything and helped me lug boxes and bags and baskets up the stairs. I still have a LOT to move, but a good portion is done.

In between packing and moving I'm packing my bags to head home for the REST OF THE MONTH. I got subs for jazz until September 1st which means I'm (basically) footloose and fancy free. I could just die. I haven't felt this relieved since... well... since I have no freakin' idea.

I feel so lucky and so fortunate to be in the position. Aside from the fact that my rent is basically my ENTIRE PAYCHECK FOR THE MONTH, I really think this is going to be awesome. (Someone remind me of this when I'm complaining about it come October...)

Three more days in the 203 and I'm BACK IN THE 802. Woop Woop!

(please excuse the excessive capitalizion and the "Woop Woops" I had three Blue Moons tonight and when you're used to drinking Mic Ultra.. well, you get it.)


WOOP WOOP!

Am I a Renter?

Not yet... I brought my rental application and deposit to the Landlord today and providing my credit report checks out (it should- - I have stellar credit) I'll sign the lease tomorrow or Thursday. The best parts about this?

-The lease goes until June 15 which is PERFECT because I have NO idea where/if I'll get a job after my program is done after this school year.
-Even though the lease is for August 15th my (hopefully) landlord said that I can move my stuff in anytime before then...which MEANS once I'm all moved in and if I get subs for jazz I can go home on Saturday for the REST OF AUGUST! WOOP WOOP! I don't want to get too excited YET, but...things are LOOKIN' GOOD!

Another Day, Another Dolla' (s)

I've alluded to the fact that I'm looking for a new place to live. The woman that I live with is so sweet and I *LOVE* where I live, but she is getting older and is looking to move to a condo or is looking to hire full-time help for herself. If she moves... I can't really stay at the house. (I did tell the realtor to put, "House for Sale! Comes with responsible, energetic and gorgeous 24 year old female!" in the ad, but... she didn't exactly find the same humor in it as I did.) If she stays, she's hiring full-time, live-in help and well, they'll be living where I live so that doesn't work either.

I've spent the last two days looking at rooms for rent, apartments for rent, and studios for rent and *think* that I've found a great 1 bedroom apartment. It, of course, is WAY out of my price range but I (again) *think* that my sister will be renting it with me which makes it a little more affordable. Keep your fingers crossed that my application will be approved tomorrow, I'll be moving in soon, and then... I can GO HOME FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST. That alone? Is (almost) worth the rent.

Having looked at places for two days straight I now consider myself an expert on the "looking" process. I've dealt with more building managers, apartment renters and property owners than I really care to admit so now, I have a word to the wise: if you're showing your apartment to a very cute, blonde, preppy, semi-conservative person don't invite your CRAZY-@$$ friend over for pizza at the same time because, chances are, your potential renter is going to RUN LIKE THE WIND OUTTA THERE. I'm Not. Even. Kidding. My sisters came traipsing all over Fairfield County with me yesterday and I went to look at an apartment. I left them in the car because really? We're very overwhelming. I was almost finished getting the low-down from the renter when I hear this HUGE BELCH and an, "HAHA. EXCUSE ME." Girl let herself in and flopped on the couch. Renter says, "Oh, this is my friend... Becky!" Becky? Was hardly a girl. She had a mullet down to her back, an adams apple to rival Gaston, a backwards baseball hat, an oversized t-shirt, cargo shorts and tattoos... EVERYWHERE. And she was smoking in the house. CHECK PLEASE.

I'm not even kidding. While I was in there I received a text from my sisters inquiring about my safety. They were scared for the girl in pink and green entering GOTH HOUSE. Not to mention the inhabitants of the house were in their mid-thirties and had cigarrette butts, beer cans, and overflowing trash cans outside. Hi, my name is P in VT and I graduated from college three years ago.

I'm a little worried about the financial piece of this whole move, but you know what... it can be done. I've been very lucky so far and I really think I'm ready for my own place. It will be such a relief to, when I want to leave for a weekend, simply lock the door. No schedules to contend with, no one to check in with... just me. And my sister. Life? Will be pretty good.

(Completely non-related sidenote. When I just typed, "...just me. And my sister." I was immediately thrown back to 5 years old and Mercer Mayer books and that book called, "Just Me and My Dad." Tell me you guys know that book. I had it on tape and there was this awesome song that went with it... "Just me and my dad! What a good time we had! Hanging out in the Woods..." and something, something, something. Trust me, it was awesome.)

I've texted with BB every day but we haven't spoken for a week. I decided yesterday that I wasn't going to text him at all to see if he texted me first. (Yea... middle school, I know.) But HomeBoy texted me at 8:30. (BooYEA! I've still got it!) And things seem to be relatively normal. For as normal as it can be. I don't even know what I want from this whole thing (nothing?!?!?) so, I'm really not pushing it.

Today was my first day class/worry/stress free and it was pretty awesome. I've gotta find a job or something though because I'm going to go CRAZY! Tomorrow I'm bringing a deposit for the new apartment so... wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed!

The Fun? It Never Ends

When you're in Grad school. Today was Day 1 of summer session II, and? I already would like to kill myself. To recap, I'm taking three courses. Teaching Math M- Th 9-1pm, Curriculum Management M, T, H, 4-7 and Literacy II M, T, H 7-10pm. The day course is way down in NY, like far down. Past the toll booth. (Hello, $2 toll every day. I knew I should have bought that speedpass when I moved.) And 'round here in CT people think traveling one town over is a day trip. I remember the first time I subbed at Jazzercise here and I introduced myself and told everyone I had just moved to the area from Vermont. Somebody yelled from the back, "Oh! From Norwalk?!? Wow!" Uhhh.... NO. Not from NORWALK the town that is THREE EXITS up on the Interstate. From VERMONT. You know, the STATE? That's about... 5 hours and three interstates NORTH? VER.MONT. I wonder how they would react if I told them that some towns in Vermont don't even have their OWN HIGH SCHOOL. The horror.

So our professor for Teaching Math is a teacher at the school (way down in NY) where our class is held and she's more than personable and very realistic but, she's got that edge. Unless you live here or are familiar with the tri-state area you may not know what "edge" I mean, and I can't describe in a way that is remotely PC, but... she's got fake (long) nails, is very Italian and is totally rockin' the Westchester/NY accent. I KNOW.

So, class starts and there's a small group of us there and the professor tells us that one of her co-workers will be joining us shortly. The door opens a while later and she greets the woman who walks in like a friend, only thing is, I'm pretty sure this woman got lost on her way to the nail salon. On her wedding day. We all know, I'm no queen of fashion (like I need to remind you about my T for L dress debacle), but seriously? She was wearing a babyblue terrycloth full tracksuit, flipflops, and had a WIDE, white, elastic headband in her hair. I thought for SURE she would have the word, "Bride" emblonazed across her butt. (I checked. She didn't.) And I guess she found what she was looking for, because she pulled up a chair and joined the group.

After Math I headed to school to get a workout in before the afternoon/evening classes. The first day of classs is always the best, because you find out everything you need to know for the semester and it's always the worst because you find out everything you need to know for the semester. I feel sick about all of the work I have to do but at least I have internet at home again and will try to get some work done every night. Even though I'm not home until 10pm usually.

Right now I'm tired, and exhausted and have some work to do... but tomorrow's a new day and guess what? I get to do it all over again. Go me.

Also, I've gained three pounds since my last weigh-in so I'm trying to lose 4lbs. BY WEDNESDAY. I never claimed to be sane. So I've been starving myself for the day (yea, yea, yea, I know. You're NOT supposed to do that. Guess what? I don't care. Fact is, people who don't eat? Lose weight. Seriously. I'll post a link that proves it.) So this morning I have some veggies, then for lunch I had a salad and some cheese sticks. Then for dinner I had some turkey slices. I was, in a few words, feeling pretty damn good about myself. Then? I came home and was starving (oh, please. You SO saw that coming) so I had some egg whites with cheese, a spoonful of Better 'N Peanut Butter, and a pudding cup. Then I had a WW sundae cup and a box of raisins. I told you, even if I wanted to be anorexic I couldn't. Believe me, I've tried.

So, that's where I'm at. The alarm is set for 5:35 so I can make it to 6:30am spinning before Math. God help me.

P.S. Have you seen those new Bing commercials? The, "What has search overload done to us?" ones? Well, I feel like I am everysingle person in those commericials. Seriously, if they taped my inner monologue every day they could have saved some big bucks on talent fees.

I've Got Friends

In the best places. I was feeling a bit... I don't even know how to describe it... out of sorts perhaps, tonight and I called one of my very best friends to complain/get an opinion from. He said everything you would want a friend to say and completely talked me off the ledge I was standing on. It's instances like this that remind me how lucky I am to have the people that I do in my life. It's funny how things work out sometimes and how you end up being friends with the people you're friends with.

In high school, I never thought he was the one I'd be closest with now and even though we don't talk every day, or even every week, he knows me. He "gets" me. And? (Aside from actually really appreciating me and all of my ridiculousness) He always gives me a point of view that I wouldn't think of on my own and encourages me to think about the big picture.

Well, tonight I did just that. I came home, got into my pajamas and helped myself to one of the last pieces of key lime pie left in the fridge that my sister had made. Every last bite was delicious, in case you were wondering.

I can't believe it's so late either. I'm teaching jazz at 8:20 in the morning... then babysitting all day. Here's to the one weekend until July that I won't have any homework. I plan on spending every second at the pool.

It's Sunday

This week marks the last week of the first summer session of grad school. Even though it’s totally sucked, I (kind of) have to admit that it went by quickly. That being said, I still have about 27,000 things to accomplish before Thursdays night’s last classes and a WHOLE new summer session starting next week to look forward to. Here’s to a VERY productive beginning of the week.

I can’t believe it’s Sunday night. Again. Does that ever happen to you? This is the THIRD Sunday I’ve had since school got out and I feel like I’m still adjusting to summer schedule. I don’t know where the weeks are going. All of the sudden it’s like- - BAM! SUNDAY NIGHT!

This weekend went by exceptionally fast because I was so busy. Friday, Sister #4 came down so Friday afternoon/night/Saturday morning was spent with her and Sister #2. Sister #3 couldn’t make it; she was in the Bahamas. (Yea, we didn’t feel too bad about that either.) The weather down here has been crazy so it’s been too tough to plan any activities outside. We had enough of watching the Soap Net Friday afternoon and we headed down to Greenwich Ave to browse. Notice I say BROWSE. Shopping? On Greenwich Ave? Is definitely not in these girl’s budgets. I, myself, could always pretend and try stuff on and browse but my sisters do not have the same appreciation. I did convince them however to accompany me into JCrew (I had a $100 gift card) and I scored a new skirt, shirt and flip flops for $40. I know. It was awesome. I think my big score enticed sister #2 to find some of her own bargains so when we walked by Lucy she asked if we minded stopping...

I’ve never been into a Lucy store so I didn’t know what to expect but their window display was cute and I’m always searching for workout clothes for running and Jazzercise. We (obviously) headed straight to the back to the sales rack and Sister #2 almost couldn’t contain her excitement. She is NOT a shopper by any means so I got excited solely based on her excitement. Before you knew it we were scanning the racks and pulling out different pieces to mix and match. She just recently started attending Bikram Yoga classes in the city so she needed some outfits to wear. The saleswoman was so helpful and as my sister was walking into the dressing room with a top and a pair of shorts the sales woman says, “Oh, what size are those shorts?” Sister #2 answers, “XS”. (I know, gag me.) The saleswoman replied, “Ah, I think you’re going to need a Double XS.” I did a double take. As in X.X.S. TWO X’s before the S. DOUBLE EXTRA SMALL. Are you following this?!? I could have died. And you know what? Lucy sales woman was right. Sister #2 walked out from behind that curtain and those EXTRA-EXTRA-small shorts fit her perfectly. Meanwhile I was knocking down hangers with my fat ass. If she wasn’t my sister and I didn’t like her so much, I’d totally hate on that skinny B.

We ended up leaving with two new outfits for my sister. (If I fit into XXS I’d have bought the whole damn store.) She bought one for herself to have RIGHTNOW and I bought her one for her birthday that’s coming up. I usually like to keep things a SURPRISE, but she really loved this stuff so I couldn’t resist.

I’m currently watching Army Wives as I type this. Does anyone else watch this? I’ve only seen it twice, but I’m slowly becoming addicted. I hope this doesn’t interfere with Brothers and Sisters come September.

ALSO?!?!? I saw The Hangover today. FUNNIEST movie I’ve seen in a while. You’ve got to go see it. Really. I was laughing uncontrollably at one point. Couldn’t even catch my breath.

The New Place!

It's totally awesome and I love it!

Wecome to the 'hood

Yesterday evening I was sitting on my couch, watching tv, chatting on the phone with my mom, and looking at some school work, (have I ever mentioned my need to be doing 200 things at once? All the time? Yea, well, I do) when someone knocked on my door. I looked up and it was the three girls who live next door to me, their mom and their dog- - they were headed out on a walk and stopped by to see if I wanted to join them. (This family attends the school that I work at so while I don't know them well, I do know who they are.)

We headed out for a nice walk down to the beach, up by the yacht club and back around by the other yacht club. (Have I mentioned how much I love my new place yet?!?!?!) As we walked they gave me the low-down on all of my new neighbors and introduced me to the ones we passed. Becuase we live in a community of sorts many families have golf carts that they take to and from the beach, yacht club, gate house, etc. We were rounding the circle down by the beach when I heard the familiar sound of a golf cart behind us. I turned to look and there was an elderly (maybe 65) year old woman driving the cart holding the leash of her dog. Apparently her dog likes to run-- she does not- - so she "runs" him around by means of the golf cart. Welcome to the neighborhood.

The Move

The Move has officially taken place and I *love* my new living accommodations. They're fantastic. However, I don't yet have internet at the new place so I have to drive back down to my sister's boyfriend's family's house every time I need to get online. Fun? No. Convenient? Definitely NOT. Worth it to live in a beautiful place with no dog and no psycho? YES.

Check out my new cottage:

I went to WW this morning and after having a drink/calorie ridden weekend at home I wasn't expecting any great change. Well, the lady goes, "Oh my gosh! WOW! You're down 3 lbs!" I said, "No way, that's crazy." (Internally thinking- Hot DAMN! I'll eat maple creemees EVERY day if that's the case!) Then she goes, "Really! You are ! Congratulations! Wait, hold on... now wait a minute... I mean. Oh. I guess...? Well, you're up. .6. Sorry!"

Yea.