Mean Girl

It's official. We have a bully at school.

Unfortunately this bully is a member of the staff and forty years old.

Not even kidding.

She is a mean girl to the core. You know she was that girl in middle school who spread rumors about people and excluded others and was just downright cruel.

It all started last week when she was upset about a decision that was made at a team meeting. (Which she blamed an INDIVIDUAL for making. Um, HELLO?!? It's a TEAM MEETING. TEAM DECISION. WHEN YOU SKIP THE MEETING YOU VETO OPINION.) Then? She cornered me about my Jazzercise prices and how they were too expensive.

I was willing to take the high road.

Today? She made my cooperating teacher cry and made a snide remark in the lunchroom about Jazzercise again- - "I think I might come to jazz tonight... I'd really love to come twice a week but I, JUST. CAN'T. AFFORD. IT."

OKAY LADY. I GET IT. YOU THINK IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE. GUESS WHAT?!?

I DON'T.

Also? I don't manage your family's budget. If you think it's too much money, don't come. SIMPLE AS THAT.

Because I'm a new teacher I'm really trying to keep quiet, go with the flow, and stay under the radar.

Meanie MaGee isn't making it too easy.

If she keeps this up? She's goin' DOWN.

I walked off the middle school playground about twelve years ago and I don't intend on going back.

Another Update

Wow. I am REALLY terrible. It's been over a month since my last post. I'd like to say that I'm going to be more than a once-a-month blogger, but... I'm not going to make any promises. With such long breaks in between posts it's hard to know where to start, but since I just celebrated my birthday (26! WHOA!) yesterday, I think I'll start there.

And that? Begins with me saying that I have the best. boyfriend. ever. He is seriously amazing. He gets me COMPLETELY and totally loves that I'm NUTS 98% of the time. He is optimistic and life-loving and totally lights up a room when he walks in. He loves my family, he is kind and supportive and I could not be happier.

I know what you're thinking, it won't always be sunshine and rainbows but... I think it will.

So THERE. ;)

My birthday weekend started with the two of us getting some stuff done around his house in preparation for the party we were hosting there Sunday evening. We went to the gym, then headed home to shower and get ready for my birthday weekend getaway. He planned an entire weekend away for my birthday and I had no idea.

We had some errands to run before we left town (we bought a bedroom set and a living room set...

I KNOW!), so after we finished that we headed south on 89 and that was when he told me our destination: Topnotch in Stowe, VT. He got a room for the entire weekend and signed me up for a day at the spa on Saturday. It was, in one word, AMAZING. I relaxed, we went out to dinner, I slept in, read the paper in bed, and just enjoyed every minute of my birthday weekend.

It was incredible.

Sunday we came home and hosted a small birthday gathering at his house.

I am so loving my life right now it's amazing.

Life in Vermont

I really have so much to say here and have just lacked the motivation to sit down and type it. It's not because I'm SUPER busy. Ironically, I'm the least stressed and most calm I have been in four years. For the first time... ever? I'm only working one job (for now) and am not in school. It is an amazingly liberating feeling.

I, stupidly, thought that since I'm making more money than I EVER HAVE BEFORE one job would cut it.

HAHA.

Those are my graduate loans laughing in my face. Remind me why I went back to school...?

Oh right. So I could get my sorry a** back to Vermont.

Well... here I am. I am living in a part of Vermont that I have never spent time in before and I am actually loving it. It's much more small town than I'm used to, especially coming from Fairfield County, Connecticut, but it is so idyllic and amazing. I walk to and from school every day. People you pass on the street say hello and, of course, everybody... knows EVERYBODY.

I have amazing views of the mountains which are just beginning to change to foliage colors, I have a river that runs through town that I run along every day, and most importantly, I have my own classroom that I have worked so hard for the last two years to get.

OF COURSE. Public school in rural Vermont is a MUCH different demographic than private school in CT. My class statistics are depressing and inspiring simultaneously. I'm trying to learn to keep my head above water with 1/4 of my class requiring special ed, 2/3 requiring special services, no classroom aid and one special per day. It's a challenge, but I feel like I have an amazing start to the year.

Some days I do find myself banging my head against my desk once the kids have left, but OVERALL, it's been pretty good. I actually have my first observation this week which is terrifying but I'd just as soon get it over with.

And. To top it all off. I have an amazing boyfriend. Like, an AMAZING boyfriend. And I could not be happier.

Life? Is pretty freakin' sweet these days.

Stayin' Alive

I'm still here. Can you believe it? I'm sure NO ONE is reading this anymore, but... I'm back. Watch out.

Full updates coming soon.

I promise.

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.

The Marathon: Part I

Sunday was the BIG DAY. The day that I have been training for since January. The day that I have been waiting for with nervous anticipation for the past few weeks.

It did not disappoint. I woke up early to make sure I had plenty of time to eat something, drink some water, and get all of my stuff organized. Best friend S and his parents met me and my family at our house and we all headed down to the start of the race together.

Before we separated from the group S's mom handed us each a card. They were from S's older sister who couldn't be there, it was such a sweet gesture. We visited with everyone for a little bit near the start and made our way over to the Race Start.

I had never raced in a race this big before so I didn't know what to expect but it was actually very low key. You just kind of found your place and waited for the countdown. This was where I was the most nervous. The moments before the countdown were when I started to sweat and wish that I was simply spectating. Then the countdown hit zero and there was no turning back.

We snaked our way through downtown Burlington and were barely into our second mile when I heard a phone ringing.

Really. A man next to me answered his phone.

"Hello? Yea... I'm running the marathon... can I call you back?"

ANSWERED HIS PHONE. DURING THE MARATHON.

It takes all kinds I guess!

We looped around and headed north to a section of the marathon that is a 6 mile out and back. (Three each way.) This part of the marathon did not have many fans so many of the men used it to relieve themselves in relative privacy. And by privacy I mean in front of 1,500 other racers.

I actually didn't mind this part because as I ran out the faster runners were coming back in. I felt great about my pace and it was motivating to see the fastest runners in the race. It was during this leg that I saw three of my friends (two ahead, one behind) and it was fun to cheer for them and be cheered for BY them.

After running a marathon I will never, ever doubt the impact of the words and encouragement from spectators. It is truly amazing.

I started to slow down on the long gradual uphill at this point and was passed by the 3:30 finish pacers. Wow. I was impressed with myself- - I could still slow down considerably and still might make my 4 hour goal of a finish time!

As I crested the hill of this leg, I was passed by yet another pacing group. The 3:40's. Okay... I still had twenty minutes to account for if I could keep this pace going. I came off of the beltline and was greeted by one of my friends cheering. It was so excited to hear your name while you're out there running. It really is.

We wove our way back downtown and it was at this point that I saw my family for the first time since I started- - at mile 9. It was so exciting! My aunt handed me a wet paper towel as I ran by and it felt SO good to clean my face and hands. You wouldn't necessarily think so, but running is a very dirty/sticky sport. I was really hoping for some Bloks or Gu at this point, and I thought my mom would have them ready but I think they weren't quite sure how to get them to me and I wasn't sure that I wanted to wait for them, so I just kept running.

That? Was a big mistake.

Miles 9-14 were, in one word, pure MISERY. Luckily at mile 11 my dad HAPPENED to be on the street that I was running down. Thank god for that familiar, encouraging voice and face because I was ready to run STRAIGHT to the car. I'm not sure what happened mentally/physically/emotionally but at this point I could have called it quits. I felt like I was going SO SLOWLY and would NEVER reach the end. AND? I was barely halfway done.

At mile 11.5 I thought I heard my name but didn't see anyone I knew in the vicinity so I just kept running. Then, I heard my full name. I turned my head slightly and saw someone standing on the side of the road in a hot dog suit waving their hands, cheering for me. I still have NO idea who it was, but god bless them. They got me through mile 13.1.

Reaching the halfway point was bittersweet. I wanted to be proud of myself but it was a huge relay exchange so the new, fresh, runners kept BLOWING by me which was pretty disheartening. Also- - thinking about the last 13.1 miles and knowing you're about to do them ALL OVER AGAIN... made me want to find the nearest tree, curl up in a ball behind it, and cry.

Luckily miles 13 and 14 were flat, easy and heading back towards downtown. You could see the hotel we were running towards the entire time which was sort of like a beacon of light- -getting closer, and closer... and then all of a sudden you're almost to mile 15 and climbing the steepest hill of the race.

Really. And at the bottom of the hill there were Taiko drummers. It was probably the most ominous choice of music at that point. Like I was trying to outrun a tribal ritual where they eat you for dinner after you're grilled alive.

I'm not even kidding.

I knew my family was going to be around this point so I kept my eyes, up, focused and scanned the crowd the entire way up the hill. It might have cost me a few seconds, but finding them was super important to me at that point. I still had eleven miles to go and I needed encouragement.

As I almost reached the peak of the hill I saw Sister 2's skinny arm waving ahead. Then my eyes focused and I saw my whole family, my aunt, my uncle, the boys, and S's parents. Until you've run a marathon and have spent the last 14.5 miles gruelingly putting one foot in front of another, I don't think you can EVER truly appreciate having your whole family in once place, cheering for you. It was exactly what I needed. I ran straight over to them, and Sister4 had thoughtfully put two Bloks in her outstretched hand. I grabbed both of them and took one step. The first one fell out. I took another step and the second one fell.

DAMN IT.

The Marathon

Is on Sunday. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! It felt SO far away in January and February and all of the sudden. BAM. Here I am packing my sneakers, making a playlist for my ipod and icing my knee.

Yea... my knee. I did something to it about three weeks ago and haven't been able to run more than 3 miles at once since then. I'm extremely nervous for Sunday but hope that the adrenaline of actually being IN THE RACE will get me through it. I went to see a joint doctor, but he couldn't find anything seriously wrong so he prescribed an anti-inflammatory.

After training for this thing since JANUARY THIRD I will be more than devastated if I can't finish. Not to mention we've planned a rocking post-marathon party that well... would be embarrassing to attend if I didn't RUN the marathon.

At this point though, I feel great about all of my training and how I've prepared. I just hope it all pays off on Sunday.

Send me good (fast! HEALTHY!) thoughts!