It All Ends Abruptly

Today I finished all of my remaining work for graduate school. I cannot believe it. It actually hasn't even hit me yet- - that I'm done. I won't relax until I give a final presentation on Tuesday and hand in another final assessment but the hard part is over. This is so surreal...

Summer Days

Tonight is my last night of graduate school for the summer. THANK GOD. I will be celebrating by having a drink (drinking heavily) immediately after. This sh*t deserves to be celebrated. Going into the fall I have two classes left and then? I. AM. DONE. Woop! Woop!

Having returned from our wonderful, fabulous vacation and uploading all of the pictures I realized that I AM A FATA$$. Bikini shots from this year compared to last year are DEPRESSING. Really. I'm trying not to think about it too much but it has definitely served as some SERIOUS motivation for me to get BACK into a workout routine and start eating a little more healthy. I don't want to be too hard on myself because last year I was teaching 7 jazz classes/week and doing PT sessions all the time. Right now my focus has been on keeping my head above water while being in grad school full time and dealing with all of these living situations. I need to cut myself a little of a break, but... I also want to feel AWESOME in my bathing suit. I have four weeks before school starts again so I've got some time to figure things out.

(I'm debating putting up the pics for your viewing pleasure (ahem, horror) but I'm not QUITE sure yet...)

I've spoken with BB once since his arrival in TX. Things got a little weird over the weekend and he (for SOME reason) thought that I wanted him to be my boyfriend... I have NO idea why he thought that but we've sorted things out and everything with him seems to be on an upswing. We've texted everyday so that's been nice but it's been difficult to go from texting with him non-stop all day to only a few times. Basically? I'm bored. I hate to even admit that because I've been SO busy this whole summer, but I've gotta come up with some things to occupy my time or I'm going to just go crazy.

One of my best guy friends from HS, S, finally made it to Maine for vacation with us after all of these years and my best friend D did too. It was awesome. My sisters all had their boyfriends there, and me? Well, I brought my friends. Works for me. :) I am so lucky to have the friends that I do. They fit in seamlessly with everyone else in the group and I *so* enjoyed spending some fun, relaxed time with them.

One last night of classes and I'm home free...

10 down

6 to go. That's right. I got my grades for the last session of summer courses and I got two A's. I'm totally proud of myself and obviously not above some shameless self-promotion. I found out my grades RIGHT after I got a text letting me know my friend found my camera in his car after Friday night. Thank god. Because I had NO idea where I was going to find THAT baby after my crazy night.

I've also spent the day fielding text messages from two boys back home that read something to the effect of:

I wish you could have stayed in VT longer.

I miss you. xoxo

I had so much fun with you this weekend.

You're awesome. You crack me up. So funny.

I've wanted you for so long and now I have this HUGE crush on you.

I guess its all a little flattering but REALLY, I need to remind myself that I'm pretty sure I just like BEING LIKED by these guys I'm not interested in either one of them. At least not seriously. It is fun to always have plans when I'm home though.

Good thing I won't be home for over a month, they'll have some time to come to their senses. Bottom line? I'm pretty sure NEITHER of them could handle me on a regular basis. I can be...difficult. To say the least.

Pet Peeves

One of my biggest pet peeves are people who ask to borrow pens in class. If you BROUGHT a pen and the ink runs out, or it breaks, or explodes, fine- - I'll let you borrow one. (Although, you really SHOULD have an extra just in case.) But simply NOT BRINGING a pen to GRADUATE SCHOOL is unacceptable.

No excuses.

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.

Wednesday High Mileage

I got home yesterday, got the laundry going and set up to get down with Jillian. It was awesome and I burned 150 calories for 20 minutes. Not bad. I finished with her right about the time the clothes were ready for the washer so I switched everything over to the dryer and set out for my run. I tried to mentally pep myself up for it all day so I started out great. I actually felt like the whole run was awesome. I did get a little tired around miles 5/6 but that's not surprising as I was running directly into the wind and I was on the busiest section of the road. Having to be super-aware of traffic stressed me out.

I ran the 9 miles in about an hour and twenty minutes. My average pace per mile was 9:34 which wasn't great and not at all the same as last week's 8:32 pace. I think I messed up the timing on one of them... who knows. I'm not overly concerned. I burned 1100 calories overall which pleased me. I think I need a new ipod nano though, in addition to a new Nike+ system... ack. Too bad I still need to pay of this semester of school. Being a poor graduate student totally stinks sometimes.

I think some summer employment opportunities are working out though and my summer is starting to come together nicely. I'm going to be very busy, but I'm always more successful that way anyway.

It's pouring rain in CT today. BLEH.

It is however, pajama day at school so I'm rockin' black stretch pants and my Wishbone Bowl 2008 tshirt. Life isn't so bad.

Shameless Self-Promotion

My friend D (the one you will all love and IS getting her own blog soon) called me after school today to mention that all of my recent talk of exercise and food makes me sound anorexic and unhealthy. In case you were wondering or concerned, I am neither. I AM however trying to lose some weight so I guess it's at the forefront of my mind. All of the time.

I wish I was one of those people who wouldn't mention anything about dieting or losing weight to anyone, make some changes, lose the weight, then show up at a family function or after the summer 4 sizes smaller and have everyone be like, "Oh my god! Oh my god! You're SOOOOOO skinny!" I? Am not that person. Everyone in my family and at work knows that Tuesday? Is weigh-in day. (Ohhh, remind me to tell you about a really rude coworker sometime...)

Disclaimer, done.

I have had quite a few days of really great accomplishments that I should be REALLY excited about, but for some reason it's just not sinking in. I love feeling really proud of myself (who doesn't) and like my hard work is paying off but I haven't felt that, starts-from-your-toes, call-everyone-you-know, excitement lately and I'd really like to.

Maybe if I type it here it will start to sink in...

Tuesday: was down 2.4lbs at WW

Saturday: I found out that I got a 100 on my final paper for my Child Development class which left me with a 103% average for the semester. (Woo!)

Sunday: I ran the 5k with a good time- - turns out I won for my age group and won a prize! (I still don't know what it is, or who to get it from but... DETAILS people, I'm not worried about the DETAILS!"

Monday: Received email notification that I scored a 272 on the NYS LAST test (a teacher certification test). You need a 220 to pass. I won't know the specifics until I get the results in the mail, but I passed! WOO!

All of these things are great. REALLY great. And I should be excited about them, but I'm just kind of ho-hum about the whole thing... whatever to ME!

Teaching Social Studies

I'm taking a course now, Teaching Social Studies, and one of it's requirements is that you have some sort of stock of social knowledge. (Yea, I didn't see that coming either.) We all know that I am Jeopardy-obsessed and love trivia but as far as comprehending the overall scheme of social studies... well... I lack. Slightly. We have the test tonight- - supposedly a very broad, general, social studies knowledge test that I will either,

Pass with Distinction
Pass with Honor
Pass
or Fail

So... just so all of you can improve upon your (stellar, I'm sure) social studies knowledge right along with me here is a sampling of the questions that will be on the test. I'm not providing answers because you should just *know* this stuff (and you can certainly google it), but it will be fun and interesting just to see what you know!

1. If you are sailing from Africa to South America what ocean will you cross?
2. What line cuts through the center of the earth?
3. Which Amendment stated that slavery was abolished?
4. Who said, "The only thing to fear is fear itself."?
5. Which president authorized the Atomic bomb?
6. Australia is/was also called __________?
7. Which line cuts through the earth the OTHER way?
8. Which continent doesn't have a desert?
9. Which continent doesn't have a rain forest?
10. What is the capital of New York?
11. What are the 5 Great Lakes?
12. What country is northernmost in South America?
13. What country is bordered by Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia?
14. What is the capital of Afgahnastan?
15. Where was George Washington's home?
16. Who was the Pilgrim's best friend?
17. What were the dates of George Washington's presidency?
18. What country wasn't part of the Axis of Power of WWII?

How did you do?!?!

Whoa

Has it really been 9 days since my last post?!? I don't know where the time is going! The family that I live with has been on vacation for this week so I've been enjoying a QUIET house with no dishes to do, clothes to wash, or dog to walk. Life, in fact, has been wonderful. Of course, it all comes to a close tomorrow when they arrive back. Dun Dun Dunnnnnn.

I know it's not Valentine's Day YET, but seeing as how VDay falls on a Saturday we get to celebrate today! The kids are so cute delivering their cards and making their mailboxes. I'm reminded once again why I LOVE MY JOB. Today will be filled with love (and sugar. damn it) and I'm looking forward to it! I've also worn something pink every day this week and the kids can't wait to see what it is. Yesterday? Hot pink tights. Yea, I went there.

I am taking 5 classes this semester and it is about as overwhelming as it sounds. My math class is sucking all of my free time and brain capacity and I'm left with Friday nights of pondering inequalities and graphing incomplete equations... Yea. Good thing I'm in week 4 of a 5 week course. It's ALMOST over.

Given that I have no free time I haven't been able to read at all at night before bed. I've read a few pages here and there of the new Jodi Piccoult book but what I'm waiting for, and have bargained with myself for is...?!?!?!??!?!??! The second book in the Twilight series. I refused to read them at first. My friend gave me the book after she read it because it was JUST. SO. GOOD. I picked it up just to glance through it. I finished it in three days. If you haven't read it yet, DO IT. So good! :) My bargain with myself that as soon as this dreaded math class is over I get a reward. A new book. Normally I would reward myself with a donut or an iced coffee with extra cream and sugar but I'm on a diet. (Yea, again...) and they kind of frown upon rewarding yourself with food in the diet world. I guess it makes you get all kinds of confused about when you're supposed to eat and what you're supposed to eat and doesn't promote a healthy food relationship. Of course, I'm all, my realtionship with donuts is VERY healthy. I love them. I eat them. What's the problem? They? Don't see it that way. And? I gained .5 lbs last week instead of LOST weight so I guess I better start listening.

Ack. This is way longer than I was orginally anticipating and doesn't even have a real point. HEY! YOU? All you bloggers who have one, cohesive point per post? How DO you do it?!?!

Happy Valentine's Day to all. I have a math quiz over the weekend so there are no guarantees about my blogging time in the next three days!

Happy February

Grad school is sucking the life out of me. I hope to be thinking clearly soon. :)

400

Wow. I was just popping on to say hello and I realized this is my 400th post! Where does the time go?

It's a snow day here in CT and I would have loved to sleep in but unfortunately I have a *lot* of graduate school work to do. A lot. Which includes over 30 algebra problems. Did I tell you I was taking a math class? Have I told you I hate math? Yea... it's a winning combination. Also? This MATH class is online. Which means that I have to do the problems in pencil and then RETYPE them in the class forum.

Ugh.

Monday Already?

One of the many (many, many) benefits of teaching, especially at a private school, is nice looong vacations. However, after said vacations it is extremely difficult to get back onto a routine. I'm jumping in headfirst today though-- back to school and back to grad school all in the same day.

Watch out.

I've Never Felt So Ready

I went to my first graduate class yesterday solely to pick up my remaining materials and get my final grade. What did I get you're wondering? I got an A-. That's right! I have never felt so much like I earned that grade. I worked for it and it wasn't easy, but seeing that letter on my paper last night made it so. worth. it. I was a little proud of myself.

My second class has been kind of a joke all semester but I still worked hard and never missed and paid attention. Last night we had our final and I was the first one done. I *hate* when that happens but I was so confident in my answers that I marched to the front of the room and handed in my little blue book. I won't get that grade for a week or so, but I'm confident that I won't be disappointed.

For as stressful as this first semester of school has been, feeling ready and knowing that I was able to show what I know successfully on a test was the best feeling I've had in a long time.

In fact? It totally rocks.