Flit
I just returned home from my thrid party of the day. We had our CKS party at one of the Dallas houses that makes you gasp in awe--very nice. Then I went to GHS for a retirement party for an old teacher, and that was really touching. I hope that one day I stay at a place for 27 years and can go out as a legend. After that party a select few of us went to dinner at Blue Mesa which I'm pretty sure has cornered the market on yummy grilled veggie goodness. They make a grilled sweet potato that is out of this world. Anyway, everyone kept telling me that I have never looked happier. It made me think--it's true, I have never been happier in my life.

Amy Slogans from The Advertising Slogan Generator

Amy Slogans from The Advertising Slogan Generator

Wouldn't You Rather Be Amy?
It's a good slogan.

This is Why I Teach
"Thank you for a fantastic and exciting year. You have showed me how to take my writing to the next level. Before this year I dreaded English class. Thank you for making me look forward to class by having us work on projects instead of out of the textbook. I also learned to love poetry this year partially through your enthusiastic readings. Thank you for making me a scholar"
And
"You have no idea how much your teaching meant to me! You were most definitely the best thing to happen to my eighth grade year, and I speak for a lot of people. I can now proudly say that in this one year I have learned more from you than in all of my nine years here combined. You teaching meant so much to so many of us."

Whenever I get frustrated and think that I am not making a difference, I need to remember this.
Somedays I love my job.

Some Mornings I Feel Like This

Better Late Than

Despite my impending death from eating my own weight in hummus, the evening has been worth the wait. I do believe that Greek/Lebanese food will eventually be my downfall.

Highlights:

1)Ali Baba's has quite possible the creamiest hummus and crispiest falafal in the world

2) I found the perfect old dragonfly on main street that brightens up my living room

3) Most importantly I spent the evening with my baby

It's late, but check out this Mothers' Day pic--a very happy day.

Pinwheel
Once again I've been abandoned on a Saturday. Eric is busily coding and making arrows or whatever makes a tank understand where it is going, and I am trapped in my house, literally. We had a most excellent Girls' Night last night, but I had to leave my car at Jen's. Unfortunatley Eric left so early for work that he didn't take me to get it. The day began as promising--I went for a long walk and then went swimming, but since then hanging out alone in the house has lost its appeal. Hopefully he will be home in time to check out the festivities at Main Street Days. I've been going on ad nauseum about the 4 story slide that is only on Main Street for 3 days a year. I guess if the worst happened, I could make the 2 mile journey there on my bike, but going alone is a little lame. I also had big plans to hit Central Market because I'm craving grilled goat cheese. I really must stop watching Food Network HD--Nutella ice cream on 63 inches on high definition goodness is something that could get me into trouble.

Cocoa Reads
Tonight the Well Read Women of Dallas met and over vino really trashed yet another book. We're good at deconstructing! Still, the book is well worth a read. Check out The Thirteenth Tale--it's very reminiscent of Jane Eyre or any other 19th century fiction for that matter. It made me want to curl up in bed under several quilts with either cocoa or wine by the bedside and devote a cold, rainy day to the written word. There are not that many books out there that make me wish for a gray winter's day. I recommend. I also recommend finding a book club--the intellectual stimulation makes me come alive in a way that my ordinary life does not allow. Perhaps this is telling me to get my booty back to school again, but maybe I'm just supposed to enjoy a night of girl talk, literature, yummy food and wine once a month. that would be the cheaper option.

To the Nines
After trying on pounds and pounds of taffeta, we've finally decided on a bridesmaid dress. It's a beast of a dress.
The house is going to be full tomorrow--it's going to be mom, dad, Jen, Jay, Bill, Dawn, Henry and Chica the Chihuahua. The recent deluge has made it nearly impossible to keep the weeds out of the lawn and beds, and now the yard is like a jungle. I'm a little embarrassed, but there's not much I can do about it while everything remains soaked and nasty. Besides, I got my nails donw this afternoon, and I'm not quite up for digging in the mud yet. Maybe tomorrow I'll find inspiration.
While waiting for e, I flipped on Scary Move 3--it may quite possibly be the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Perhaps this is a sign that I need to go read a book or, gasp, grade some papers.

Super Stalker
After an excellent evening last night, I have come to a strange realization. I am a stalker of sorts. I delight it clandestinely learning information about people. I check multiple blogs of people I do not even know on a daily basis (my hero Wil Wheaton being the most obvious case) and I religiously check myspace. I never post anything about myself there, but I enjoy reading the results of other people's surveys. I never really thought about it before, but that's just odd. Perhaps it's the same impulse that makes me such a rabid reader--I just like getting in other people's lives. I am sure it is an annoying personality trait, but really it's one of my lesser annoying traits, right?
E just called me as they were getting on the river at Gruene. I, on the other hand, am glad I chose to stay here for the weekend. I got up this morning, hit the gym, Costco and Lowe's. It sounds mundane, but to me there is something reassuring about Saturday morning errands on a beautiful day. Plus I had a heck of a nice work out--one that just makes you feel on top of the world. I'm about to go find a bridesmaid dress with Jen and Vange. We shall see what brown taffeta can do for me.
We are having the mother's day extravaganza here tomorrow. One would think I would be spending the entire day cooking and cleaning. Heck, it might also make sense were I to spend my time grading papers. Forget it. I've got a full tank of gas, 3/4 of a can of Fresca, it's bright blue skies and I'm in a tank top. Hit it.

Raindrops Falling on My Head
I am pretty sure that it will stop raining some day, but sometimes it seems like it will never stop. I'ts rained every day for the past few weeks. If it were just rain, I could deal, but we're talking serious thunderstorms. Every day the power at least flickers off. I suppose I'm just bitching because I'm tired and cranky.
Despite the fact that it is 8:30, I am still waiting for Eric to come home for dinner. I had a serious work out this evening, and waiting until 9 for dinner was not in my plans for the evening. Not to mention it puts everything else on hold. He actually finished work at 7 but then his boss wanted to take them out for drinks. I wouldn't be upset if I weren't 1)hungry and 2) surprised. I would think that as much as they've all been working lately they would actually want to go home when they had the chance. Apparently I would be wrong. Who knew?
Speaking of workouts, I pushed it today. I ran a 5k in 25:30 which is a new record for me. As I told Jen, I didn't just run it, I ran the crap out of it! I also did a nice arms workout as a counter balance to the legs workout I did with my trainer yesterday. I am thus ensuring that my entire body will hurt tomorrow. Still, no pain, no loss, right? My goal is to run more often and with greater speed this month. The eliptical does nothing for me anymore--it makes me lazy whereas the treadmill continues to push my limits of endurance and fitness. Wow, that doesn't sound preachy or anything. I've become one of those intolerable fitness people except that comparatively I'm not in very good shape. I guess that attitude comes before the body. One can hope.
At least I have the Mythbusters to keep my company. Science has never been so entertaining.

I was talking to one of my coworkers today, and I am renewing my goal to be more positive, especially at work. I have a job that I truly love where I feel appreciated. Today at least one person in every class thanked me for being there. Does it get better than that? I need to avoid negative people and try not to fall into the pit of complaint. It's just sometimes hard to separate little annoyances (like not eating dinner) from the bigger stuff, especially when hungry and tired! I pledge to work harder at recognizing my blessings and ignoring the crap. A worthy goal I think.
Plus I have a cat curled up with me--who could complain with all of that loving?

At Last
After two weeks of dining alone each night, E is finally coming home for dinner. This should seem small, but it feels big. I'm making whole wheat rotini and egg plant. This calls for celebration.
I've been oddly productive all day--feet jumping and brain moving. I need to take advantage while I can. I cannot believe the school year is winding down so quickly. I guess I need all of the energy I can muster.
Other than a bizarre feeling of exuberance, I'm boring. I guess boring is better than freaked. I'll take it.

For Your Reference
My obsession with reference books has gotten a little out of hand. I find myself spending a lot of time not just reading the dictionary but also surfing the Oxford Dictionary website, looking for new books, pondering buying the Classical Dictionary, the Oxford Book of Quotations, and several style guides. In book stores now, I go first to the reference section. This is sad.
I took the day off today in preparation of going to Iowa, and I feel positively decadent. This morning Toby and I went for a walk by the lake, and we just got back in time for Magnum. Thank goodness I have a full time job.
I still do not know if E is going to get to come with me to Iowa. Heck, if he can't go, I don't think I really want to go either. There's nothing like waiting for the last minute to make a decision.
Incidentally, should it tell me something that all the commercials during Magnum are for The Scooter Store, kidney disease, and vitamins?

You Can't Go Home Again
7 hours on the road takes 1 year.
I enjoyed getting to see Taylor again. I missed those people a lot, but I left knowing that I am much better off where I am. I felt like some sort of time traveller, born back into the past. Perhaps I am too tired to explain exactly what I mean. Here's what I know for sure:
I miss those people a lot.
I made a difference while I was there.
I love my new job.
The past is a different animal.

Eric has been working like crazy lately, and he is getting frustrated. I am getting irritated about being a tank widow. Now I have to go to Iowa alone. Woo.

Widow
I am a widow to the Marines and their damn tank. Eric worked all day Friday, all day Saturday, until 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, until 10 p.m. last night, and I have a feeling I will be eating alone again tonight. Stupid marines. Stupid tank. Being single stinks.
Other than being abandoned, all is good. I just cannot believe that the school yearis ending so quickly. I have so much left to cover, but I have to trust that I did a good enough job and let them go on thier own. It's the letting my babies go that I really have difficulty handing! Isn't that sad?
Although it's only Tuesday, I'm almost done teaching for the week. On Thursday I am driving down to Taylor to be the godmother to a former student. It is just about the biggest honor I have ever had. I cannot believe I touched him enough that he's asking me to be there for him. Then on Friday we fly to Iowa for Jon's 1st Communion. I am anticipating chaos, but I am hoping for the best. I am afraid that my extreme aversion to crowds will make me irritable. I might have to practice my breathing exercises.
I must go sulk now.