Happy 2013...Two Hours To Go!

With two hours remaining in 2012, I just thought I'd put my resolutions in print...make me that much more accountable for them. I mean, I did last year, and actually achieved two of the three...not too shabby for new year's resolutions, right?

1. Read 50 books this year. It's going to be a combo of some of my favorite series that I'm re-reading and new books that are on my list to read for the first time. I'm actually pretty excited about it.

2. Keep going to the gym. This is more of just a maintenance thing, but if I can up it to twice a week instead of just once a week, that'd be great.

3. Drink more water. I'm not too bad with this, but there are times where I really slack off with it, so I'd like to improve on it.

I hope you all have a safe and very happy new year! Here's to 2013 being better than all of the previous years!

Six Question Saturdays: Goodbye 2012

In recognition of the close of 2012 coming up soon, how about a 15 question survey about the past year? I even turned into "little miss over-achiever" and put in some photos!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I went to my first science teachers staff development that was away from home for a week. Total nerd, I know, but it was really cool and I hope to attend one a summer from now on! I made some new friends, learned a ton about planetary science that I never thought I'd ever want/need to learn (big bang theory, how we find new planets, astrobiology, holding the oldest rocks on Earth...awesome!) and drove across NYS taking only the old route 5 instead of the thruway.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I kept up with going to the gym...some weeks better than others, but for the most part I went at least once a week. I didn't write down a single thing that I ate. And I read 61 (currently on 62) books this year, and my goal was only 40. Yay! I'll make some for the upcoming year...working on coming up with them.

3. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

Let's go with a relationship...that would be spiffy!

4. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

November 26, 2012...it's when I moved back up to high school teaching. Definitely a high school teacher more than a middle school one, which surprised me, because I always thought it was opposite.

5. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Standing up for myself and realizing what I deserve in life. It's a huge achievement for any person when they reach that point!

6. What was your biggest failure?

I really don't think that there were any failures...sadnesses and disappointments, but not failures.


7. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmm...my iPhone in February. Don't know what I would do without that thing, which saddens me in a way by how pathetic it sounds, but I'm being honest.


8. Whose behavior merited celebration?

You mean other than my own? My dog's...he's been a good boy this year. Plus, he's so damn adorable!

9. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

One of my closest friendships came to an end this year sadly it seems. It's linked to my answer for #5.

10. What song will always remind you of 2012?

My awesome friend Aleisha posted that "Call Me Maybe" was hers, and I thought...wow, yeah...that is it! Especially the US Swim Team version...

11. Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier? About the same
Thinner? I am! The scale may be the same, but I've gone down a size or two for clothes!
Richer? Hell no! Paying bills sucks!


12. How will you be spending New Year’s?

At home watching the ball drop with some champagne, appetizers, and my dog (leading up to the big event by watching some great movies.) I've gone out in the past for New Year's, and it always leaves me feeling disappointed.

13. What was the best book you read?

Hmm...okay, I'm going to list a few, cause I can't choose just one. They're all in different genres too, which makes it even harder to try to choose one.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo (stays with you and haunts you long after you finish reading it...)

Vaclav and Lena by Haley Tanner (sweet and sad, a must for anyone who teaches, especially ESL students)

The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony (elephants...'nough said!)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (hilarious!!!!)

Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy #1) by Ken Follett (I'm going to read #2 this upcoming year...can't wait!)


14. What was your film of this year?

Brave...loved all of it!

15. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

Patience will bring good things to those who have faith in God.

Wordless Wednesdays: I Hope You Had A Great Christmas!

Six Question Saturdays: Leading Into Christmas!

So...I have a voice back, kind of. It hurts deep down in my throat and all of the muscles of my neck hurt by the end of the day, but I can talk. Went to the ENT doctor on Thursday, and apparently I have laryngopharyngeal reflux. It's similar to GERD (acid reflux) which I had before going gluten free, but doesn't cause heartburn...just enough acid that goes into your larynx and throat. My vocal cords is beet red and my uvula (that dangly thing at the back of your throat) is so swollen that it is hitting my vocal cords every time I talk. The doctor put me on Prilosec (haven't been on it in a couple years now, again since being diagnosed with celiac which I thought had solved that whole problem.) We'll see how it works. I'm also not allowed to talk too much for the next week and a half of winter break in order to rest the muscles of my throat and neck. Again, we'll see how it works...at this time of year of all times to not talk! It needs to work though...because this can cause vocal cord scarring even if not treated and allowed to heal.

But anyway...let's move on to more important things. Christmas is literally around the corner! Winter break from school has just started! Some simple questions to celebrate...

1. Have you been naughty or nice this year?
I think I've been pretty nice...I can't think of anything naughty that I've done this year at least. Guess I'm a goody goody when it comes to that kind of thing.

2. What new Christmas movie have you seen this year that you really liked?
I just watched Arthur Christmas this morning and absolutely loved it! What can I say? I have a really huge soft spot for Santa Claus.

3. What do you have for Christmas dinner?
Corned beef and potatoes with chocolate pie for dessert.

4. What do you really want for a Christmas present?
I'd love a Nook...but I doubt I'll be getting one. I have a Sony eReader, but there are plenty of things that I don't like about it now that eReaders have improved so much. A Nook would be perfect!

5. What kind of Christmas tree do you have?
Artificial. It's three parts plus the base, pre-lit in white lights (I like them much better than color ones.) We have a ton of old ornaments that were my great grandmother's from Germany mixed in with a few newer ones that seem to have an Irish theme to them.

6. What are your Christmas Eve plans?
Mom and I watch Love Actually every Christmas Eve, then we go to church for the candlelight service. Granted, I can't sing this year, but there's something so magical and truly beautiful about celebrating Jesus's birthday in a dark church with just candles glowing while singing "Silent Night" in German.

And last but not least...a photo of my new haircut. Side bangs and all...

Wordless Wednesdays: Merry Christmas!

Okay, so more words...sorry...

If you've never seen this Christmas movie, "Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey," you must watch it immediately. Truly...I cry every time at multiple points throughout the movie, it is so heartbreaking and beautiful.

Ears Nestor... 

(Here's the link to the whole thing on YouTube...24 1/2 minutes well spent.)

Taurus and Santa

Taurus's Video From Santa

(Okay, so the Santa in this photo doesn't look too nice. In fact, he was a little too happy...smelled like vodka. But it's tradition every year for Taurus to go see Santa at PetsMart!)

RIP Little Angels

I have nothing more to say today...

Wordless Wednesdays: Love Actually

Six Question Saturdays: Christmas, Take Two!

Well...I hate this. Last week, I started up a little cold, but thought nothing much of it. Did all of the home remedies to soothe the symptoms, but there's really nothing you can do to "cure" them. If you treat a cold, it will last one week. If you don't treat a cold, it will last seven days. I slept as much as I could, drank a ton of tea with honey, took cold meds, yadda yadda yadda. It got better by Tuesday...my nose stopped running, the cough stopped for the most part, my eyes didn't feel like they were bulging out of my head anymore.

Wednesday morning? Woke up with a searing hot pain down my throat. Like, this must be what Stephenie Meyer was writing about for vampires when they wake up from the pain of being transformed, willing to kill to get rid of their throat pain from thirst. I added gargling with warm salt water, chloraseptic spray, and throat lozenges to the mix...to no relief at all. I called my doctor Thursday because there was no relief and was told to go to Immediate Care for a throat culture to check for strep throat (they don't do them in his office), so I did. Two throat cultures later, a negative on the quick result strep test,  the doctor saying that he can't even see why it hurts so badly because it's not red and there's no post-nasal drip, a $35 copay, and I was sent on my merry way with a discharge sheet saying "keep doing what you're doing and if it still hurts in a week, call your doctor again." Gee...thanks.

Friday morning? Well...that implies that I actually slept Thursday into Friday night, which I didn't because I kept waking up almost every hour with my throat burning...but anyway. My voice was very hoarse. I head into work wide eyed and bushy tailed...my students are working on one of the four required NYS labs for the Regents exam (I hate those labs, but that's another journal entry for another day.) My co-teacher and I agreed that we would switch who taught which class...I would cover 1st and 11th periods, and she would teach 2nd and 4/5th periods. 1st was rough...hurt my throat a lot, but I managed and was happy when it was done so I could stop talking. When 11th started, I felt like I was going to die, tried pushing through, but had to ask for my co-teacher to jump in and finish the period for me. I don't like asking for help like that...I don't like to feel weak or that I can't do my job because of something...but I couldn't talk anymore. I was squeaking, literally.

Now...7:23am on a Saturday morning? My voice is totally gone. There is nothing left at all except for searing pain. I'm really hoping that it's just laryngitis, and that hopefully I have my voice back by Monday, because my co-teacher isn't going to be there in the morning and I'll have three of the classes on my own (we have a very morning-heavy schedule.) My mom is worried that it's vocal cord polyps, because my grandma had them right around my age and needed them removed, and her symptoms were similar to this. I'm a singer...and this is the season with my favorite songs to sing...I get very sensitive to any damage to my throat and/or voice. So to be honest...yeah, I'm a little scared whenever something like this happens. Plus, I hate not being able to talk. My mom is keeping her cell phone on her constantly in the house so that I can text whatever I want to say. Try having a full conversation like that...fun.

Okay, enough of my complaining. I need to get to my questions!

1. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?
I'll admit, a green Christmas is weird to me. Strange, foreign, unwelcome. It might be that I'm so used to seeing every Christmas card with snow on the ground, or that I'm in Buffalo and well...snow is expected at this time of year...but yeah. It needs to be a white Christmas. My great-grandmother used to say that if it was a green Christmas, there would be a lot of deaths the upcoming year. Now, I've never tested out that theory or counted and compared or anything, but yeah. I'm not saying that there needs to be six feet of snow...just enough to cover the grass and rooftops for me to be happy.

2. Have you ever had a traumatic Christmas experience?
Well, it wasn't really traumatic for me other than that I got in a lot of trouble one Christmas morning. Remember Beta tapes...before VHS? We had a gigantic (seriously, the thing was huge!) Beta video recorder, and my dad always recorded my brothers and I opening our Christmas presents. Not that we can watch them anymore, because they're all still on Beta tape, and I wish I had this on video for evidence, because I'm sure I was provoked in some way. Don't prod the bull, right? Okay, I'm going off on a tangent, back we go! It was my brothers' first Christmas (yes, plural, they're twins) and I was a jealous (see...provoked!) older sister by four years. I pushed the Beta recorder (supposably on purpose, but where's the proof?!) on Andy as he crawled by. Apparently we're lucky that he wasn't crushed by it, because I think the recorder weighed as much as he did at the time, and I spent the majority of the rest of Christmas in my room, but well...that's the story.

3. When it comes to Christmas decorations, are you more of a Griswald or a Grinch?
In between? I know what I like, and I like simple but still festive. I only like white lights, not the colored ones. I'll go look at and admire the houses with a ton of decorations, but at the same time I'll think "gee, their electric bill must be ridiculous!"

4. When do you open gifts?
Christmas morning. We go to church for the later Christmas Eve service (candlelit and Silent Night's in German,) come home, go to bed, and then wake up bright and early in the morning for presents.

5. Do you think Christmas is still traditional? What traditions does your family have?
I think that families still keep up traditions and fuse them together as they come together...but at the same time, I feel that we're losing touch with the reason for the season. So much focus is on the presents and how much money you spend or don't have to spend, when really it should be us giving the presents to little baby Jesus. Our family traditions? Well I already talked about the candlelit service for church and last week I talked about the pickle in the tree. We always do an orange in the boot of the stocking for good health in the upcoming year. We watch "Little Women" and "Love Actually" on Christmas Eve before going to church (okay, so this is a more recent (past five years) addition to our traditions, but it's still tradition!) When we sit down for dinner on Christmas, after we say the prayer, we sing happy birthday to Jesus. I don't know what other traditions we have...when you do something your entire life, you think that's just normal, right?

6. Are you a gift giver or gift receiver?
I love giving gifts, primarily for the look on the receiver's face when they open it.

Okay...that's all for today...I need to take my little man to see Santa today at PetsMart! He's super excited and has been for weeks...this is his little tradition.

Wordless Wednesdays: Dance!

Okay, so there are words...but this will put a definite smile on your face if you like funny kids or ever took dance lessons...

What Would You Do For Love?

Anna Karenina, the newest Focus Features Film (love those movies!), just came out to a few smaller theaters here in Buffalo. I've been dying to see it since I saw that it was coming out, mostly because Matthew Macfadyen was in it (ahhh), but also because Joe Wright is an amazing director with amazing visions for his films. I mean...all of Pride and Prejudice (though especially the ball scene with its twists and turns) and most of Atonement. I just don't know what he has with wanting to kill horses, but anyway...This one didn't lack in the amazing department, as it was a visual spectacle that made me dizzy and confused (though those are the feelings "desired" with the storyline.) It also doesn't help matters that I can watch an entire movie about cheating and lying and scandal, and take away at the end "wow, I want every single dress and all of the jewelry too!" (Especially the necklace shown below...I would kill for that necklace!)

So the main plot is that Anna at first fights, but then gives in, to an affair with Vronsky. There are other stories in there...Stiva and Dolly (he loves the ladies, she loves their kids and forgives him for his infidelities) and Levin and Kitty (the true love story in the whole thing...the one that I want, along with the necklace. Hear that Santa?!) The end is predictable, even for someone who hasn't read the book, but it is no less emotionally jaw dropping.

Big question...What would you do for love? Would you die for it? I personally don't know...maybe? Only time will tell I guess...

P.S. to Santa...see my Facebook for the other major Christmas present I want. Kellan Lutz! We've talked about this before...him attached to the love story and necklace would be absolutely perfect!

Six Question Saturdays: The Holidays Are Coming!

With Christmas coming up in 24 days, I figured each Saturday, I would address a different aspect of the season. It is, after all, my favorite holiday by a long shot.

1. What is your favorite SNL Christmas skit?
Well, it's a three way tie to be honest. Schweddy Balls, Justin Timberlake as the giant soup "Ringin' on up for Homelessville," and John Malkovich reading "Twas The Night Before Christmas."

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
"Love Actually" has to be my absolute favorite...but I have a soft spot for "Nester The Long Eared Christmas Donkey." Ears Nester...

3. When did you find out Santa wasn't real?
Wait...he's not?! He is in spirit to me! Anyway...my "dad" played Santa for the firehall, so the whole thing got ruined for me pretty early on in life. I then took it on myself to inform the rest of the world of this fact, on local television no less while waiting in line downtown to see Santa.

4. What's your favorite Christmas tree ornament?
The Pickle!!! German tradition to hide a pickle ornament on the tree on Christmas Eve, and the first one to find it Christmas morning gets an extra present. It usually means a candy bar in my house...

5. What's your favorite Christmas song?
It's a tie between "Oh Holy Night" and "Ukrainian Bell Carol (Carol of the Bells)." They're both absolutely amazing in their own ways...the first as spiritual (plus it has personal significance in that it was my dad's favorite too) and the second is just so much fun!

6. Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe?
No!!!! Boo!!!

Wordless Wednesdays: It Isn't Christmas Without...

Wordless Wednesdays: Happy Thanksgiving!

Six Question Saturdays: Thankfulness

In recognition of Thanksgiving being Thursday...here we go. These are not questions, but six things that I'm thankful for. I really can't stand when people on FaceBook do this for every day in November...sure, we're all thankful for small things. But to flash it for everyone, well...I'm not much a fan. Six is a much more manageable number for me, so I'll stick with that. They're broad ideas anyway. So...in no particular order...

1. I'm thankful for my health. Sure, I have to follow a strict diet in order to stay healthy, but there is amazing food out there now that is gluten free, and I'll follow a diet any day than have to battle some of the illnesses out there that can affect people.

2. I'm thankful for a job that I love. And even more thankful that I'll be switching to full time again after Thanksgiving Break within the district.

3. I'm thankful to have a nice roof over my head with heat, water, comfortable furnishings, and warm thoughts and feelings.

4. I'm thankful for my dog, Taurus. He's my best little guy in the world, my best friend. Yes...my dog is my best friend...

5. I'm thankful for my family. My mom and grandma, my (absentee) brothers, yeah...

6. I'm thankful for my true friends...I don't have many of them, as I'm picky with who I'll truly associate with and let into my life, but the ones who are here are absolutely amazing and wonderful.

I hope you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesdays: Happy Diwali

Six Question Saturdays: Favorites

In the interest of keeping this simple, well...let's just stick with some favorites. Especially since I'm all questioned out after yesterday's romp in the blog.

1. What's your favorite restaurant? It's a bit of a haul, but I love King David's in Syracuse...totally worth the three hour drive for amazing gluten free falafel!

2. What's your favorite scent? For perfume, I love Jimmy Choo...it's fresh yet romantic and well...far too expensive for my little teacher's salary. In the shower/bath, I love peppermint scented stuff, especially Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint or Philosophy's Peppermint Bark (chocolate and peppermint...yum!)

3. Which of the Harry Potter books is your favorite? Which of their soundtracks is your favorite? Which of their movies is your favorite? Okay...favorite book was the last one..."Deathly Hallows." It has some of my favorite lines in the series and the final story is just amazing and all culminating. JK Rowling said that the whole series does a loop, and the Golden Snitch says it best that "I open at the close." For the soundtrack and movie..."Half-Blood Prince" takes the prize. The soundtrack is so sweepingly beautiful, and the movie is dark and twisted but still has the smirk that the books have. (Though "Deathly Hallows Part 2" track "Battlefield" on the soundtrack wins for best overall song...closely followed by "Weasley Stomp.")

4. What's your favorite thing to eat? Ice cream...which is probably why I have such a hard time losing weight. I love it, could eat it year round, and could never give it up. And there is a huge difference between premium and light...don't get me started.

5. What's your favorite flower? Tulips...yellow ones in particular. They go really well with the bright green of the stems and just symbolize spring to me. I really love spring...

6. What's your favorite animal? What about your favorite mythical creature? For real animals...elephants! I have always loved them...they symbolize intelligence, strength, and nobility to me. They're just so majestic and beautiful in their own way and damn smart! The Elephant Whisperer (book...check out my Goodreads page) alone shows that. Mythical creature would be the griffin...blame Canisius for that. They're a half eagle and half lion, smart and strong. If I could have one as a pet, I would. Wouldn't you want one of those helping to guard your house?!

Such An Honor!

So my friend Aleisha nominated me for the Liebster Blog award, for up and coming bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers. Since I think I really only have two followers, yeah...I qualify. Awesome! (And if you've not checked out Aleisha's blog, here's the link: From The Puck To The World. We met on Kiwibox (RIP...cause the fluke site that exists there now is crap) where we started blogging before blogging was cool (2000.)

If you're nominated, you have to post 11 random facts about yourself, answer the 10 questions that the person who nominated you posts for you, and then choose 11 bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post. You go to their page and tell them about the award, and give them 10 questions to answer. Whew! Anyway, it's a huge honor, and I love Aleisha, so...yeah, here we go!

11 Random Facts About Marie:

1. I sing. Like, not just in the shower or car, but as in I've won competitions and been chosen to perform with an international chorus in Germany. I would never under any circumstances try out for American Idol or anything like that though...too scared. I also won't sing for my students, even though they beg. I tell them to ask me on the last day of school and then I will, but they usually forget. 

2. I'm a "shoe snob." I refuse to buy or wear shoes at Payless or anyplace similar. Your feet are important...they carry all of your body weight and more. Good shoes are a must. (This also might stem from my working in the women's shoe department at Lord and Taylor for a horrible summer.)

3. I'm addicted to lip balm and gloss. Seriously...I have one at every place that I go in my house, near every chair or desk that I have (yes, I have two desks at home and two at school.) I have two in my car and one in my mom's car. I have a couple in my purse and one in my coat pocket too.

4. I was born on a Sunday, which makes me holier than most (at least I like to think so.) My mom wanted a May Day (May 1st) baby, but I was born an hour and 50 minutes too late. She also wanted a six pound baby, and well...I was 0.1 ounces shy of that goal. But at least I was born on a Sunday!

5. I didn't learn how to swim until I was in 6th grade and thought it would be a great idea to join the school swim team (yeah...bright idea, huh?!) I fell off a boat in the Chesapeake Bay when I was two and was so traumatized by that, water terrified me no matter how many swimming lessons I was signed up for.

6. My dog is the love of my life...as in, he is my child. My friends have to put up with me telling stories about him like they tell stories about their children.

7. I HATE bacon and ham. I've tried them both and don't understand the obsession that most people have with them. There's this sort of juicy thing with them that I just can't stand.

8. I used to have a giant stuffed Pound Puppy (he was about three feet long) named Big Wrinkles. I used to do my science experiments with him when I was little...he ended up with a whole bunch of Elmer's glue all over his back and survived. He did not survive my brother Andy throwing up on him though. I'm still sad over the loss of Big Wrinkles, but I've forgiven Andy.

9. Coffee makes me physically ill, but I can handle drinks with espresso in them (a little too much if you were to look up the history of my Starbucks gold card...)

10. I watch the 2005 version of "Pride and Prejudice" about once a week. I'm not obsessed, it just makes me feel good and happy. 

11. I play with my hair a lot. I like the way it feels. I blame a Rainbow Brite blanket that my mom made me when I was little...it had ribbons coming out of it in various places that I would run through my fingers all the time, and I liked the feeling of those too. I don't have the blanket anymore, but I do have my long flowing locks of hair, and they feel similar. It's a comfort thing and I don't usually realize that I'm doing it.

Questions Aleisha Asked:

1. What was the last thing you ate?

I just ate two clementine oranges.

2. If you were born the other gender what would your name have been?

Jack...my other brother got that one. My mom had all of our names chosen out when she was in elementary school I think...

3. You have just won a 5 minute shopping spree at the mall, what store would you hit?

Book store...definitely!

4. At what age do you consider/did you consider yourself grown up?

I still don't totally...95% grown up maybe is where I'm at right now. I reached that at 28 years old and have been pretty stagnant since.

5. Whats your take on Uggs?

I own a couple pairs, but wouldn't buy any more. They do absolutely nothing for anyone except keep your feet warm for a year. And let's not get started on the fact that they're about as good for your foot as a flip flop.

6. Who is your favorite president, dead or alive.

Lincoln...he did what was right, not because anyone else was paying him to do it or anything, but because he thought it was right.

7. What Disney princess would you be for the day if you could?

Snow White...or Belle...I've always liked those two the best. Physical resemblance and the same love for singing and books.

8. When was the last time you played in mud puddles?

Forever ago....I don't like getting dirty too much.

9. Thanksgiving or Christmas/Hanakkah?

Christmas...not so much the presents, but the warm and fuzzy feeling that you get during the season. There's nothing better than seeing Santa Claus, than hearing Christmas carols (AFTER Thanksgiving), and seeing the Christmas tree lit up in the family room. The magic and spirit of the season get me every time.

10. Whats in your back pocket at the moment?

Nothing...if I were to put anything in my back pocket, I would forget that I put it there and it would go through the washing machine. Then it would reach the 6th dimension where all of my missing socks live and never return.

So who should I nominate...there are no tag-backs, which makes this hard...and most of the blogs that I subscribe to have more than 200 readers...I seriously have no one. I just went through my whole list and well...anyone who does have fewer than 200 readers/subscribers hasn't updated their blog in months, which leads me to think that they don't want them anymore. AAAAAHHHH! This is what I get for reading a whole bunch of gluten free recipe/support blogs! Sorry Aleisha and Liebster!

Wordless Wednesday: El-le-FANT!

Six Question Saturdays: Polls

No matter your political affiliation, no matter which candidate you love or hate (or in my case, which one you can't stand more)...get out there on Tuesday and vote for what you think is best for the country. It's the only (little bit) of say that we get in the whole political process, and while I know that sometimes that doesn't seem like a lot, if you don't take advantage of it, you don't get to complain about who wins or loses. And if anything, see it as a party for all of the phone calls, paper mailings, Facebook promotions (or bashings), and television commercials ending!

1. What terrifies you the most?
Disappointment, losing everything, and plummeting towards the ground head first


2. Favorite fall/winter drink? 
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes...duh! I also love hot chocolate...especially with that new Baileys (NA) creamer in the spice flavor.


3. Do you and your friends have the same political views?
No...(this question was originally "you and your spouse.") I don't care for Facebook at all during this time of year, because of everyone tearing apart the other candidate. I can watch all of the gajillion commercials on TV for that. But everyone is entitled his/her own opinion for it.


4. What are your thoughts on the political climate in the USA right now?
I think that parties are killing us. I would just love for a person to not stick with their party and just go with what he/she feels is right and good for the country. Not "well the president is ___ and I am the opposite, so I can't agree with what the president says."


5. What political party are you affiliated with?
I'm a registered Republican, but I don't agree with everything the party stands for. And that's where we'll stop with this question.


6. What book are you reading right now? Is it any good?
Currently reading "Touch of Frost" by Jennifer Estep. It's a YA mythical based book...pretty good. I'm a little more than halfway through it, and it's got my attention. I believe it's part of a series, and I'd probably keep going with it.

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween at Hogwarts!

Six Question Saturdays: Rain Rain Go Away

Hurricane Sandy is set to turn into a "frankenstorm" next week just in time for Halloween...my students think that they're going to die (a lot of them don't remember the October 2006 storm.) So let's tackle everyone in Buffalo's favorite topic (other than our sucky sports teams who love to try to get your hopes up until they crash)...weather!

1. How would you describe the climate in Buffalo?
It can go from 74 to 36 in one day (gee...yesterday?!) People think that we're a huge snow capital because of the Blizzard of 77, but we don't even get the most snow in NY. That goes to Watertown at the other end of Lake Ontario followed by Syracuse. Sure, we get a lot of snow in the winter, but it's spread out usually over several months. We get the lake effect snow in winter, and lake effect rain the rest of the year, but it doesn't rain too much usually. Our summers can be pretty hot by northern standards...this past summer we averaged about 78. We don't have much of a spring...it's very short. Our autumns are really long...they start in early September and go sometimes all the way through November.

2. What is your least favorite weather?
I can not stand ice and slush on the ground...they're both really messy! The initial snow falling doesn't bother me, but when it turns into ice and slush, I hate it! (But I'll take a blizzard any day over a hurricane or tornado.)

3. What is your favorite kind of weather?
Dry heat and sun...I love temperatures of 95 and 0% humidity. Maybe I should have been a pizza in an oven...

4. What's your favorite winter accessory?
I love my infinity scarf. It's big and fuzzy, a bluish grey color with silver thread mixed in with the wool, and super warm. (A close second are my Ugg mittens.)

5. What kind of bathing suit do you wear in the summer?
Buffalo doesn't have beaches. Well, we do, but the sand is more like sharp rocks and the water is so gross that you'd never really want to swim in it. Some people have swimming pools, but because our summer is so short, you really only get two months (at most three) use out of it, and pools are a bit expensive to just get that short an amount of time for it. People do like their boats here though with two Great Lakes within fifteen minutes (and the Finger Lakes two hours away.) I was on my school swim team, and competitive Speedo crossback bathing suits are always going to be my favorite. I do like tankinis too, but not regular bikinis. But I think the last time I wore a bathing suit was three years ago...

6. Any good stories about the October 2006 Buffalo Storm?
I was actually in New York City that year...we got an inch or so of slushy rain and that was it. My mom feels the need to constantly tell me stories about it though...the best one was that she used my dog Taurus as a sled dog. She attached his leash to his harness and used him to pull a sled that she filled with firewood from one of the nearby nurseries. They were selling it for $40/pack (normally it's about $5-10/pack.) She also took my grandma to Tim Hortons and Dunkin Donuts where they were charging $3 for just plain hot water that was really only lukewarm. (She's very happy that, even though they're predicting this storm to be similar, we now have a gas fireplace insert that can work even if there is no electricity and keeps the whole house warm.)

Just A Little Something I've Noticed...

This is just an observation on my part...a self-analysis if you will. Something that I've noticed really has happened since I reached the big 3-0.

I just don't care what other people think of me.

I have my beliefs, my thoughts, my opinions, and I stand firm behind them. You can disagree, and I'll totally respect you for it, but I'm not going to be trampled on because I think/feel something. I've always been that way, but with the new decade came the whole not caring if you don't like it.

Before, it mattered so much what other people thought of me...their opinions almost mattered more than my own. If someone told me that they disagreed, I would think "hmm well maybe they're right and I must definitely be wrong" or "well I must be an idiot then."

Now? I will still consider their thoughts and opinion. And maybe I'll modify or change my own based on something new that they might bring to the table. But it's not in efforts to get them to accept me or like me more.

Life is too short and too precious in order to give up who you are for others. The people who accept you for who you are and what you stand for are the ones who are worth it, and anyone who won't is...well...not.

Wordless Wednesday...Christmas???

Six Question Saturdays: Wow, So Long Ago...

It's been 12 years since I graduated from high school with the rest of the "nothings" (2000...'00.) And I taught in the same building for the past two years, so it leaves an impression on you, ya know?

1. What do you remember about high school dances?

They were filled with my friends and I running around the gym, laughing, and just general chaos. Oh, and my one locker (I had two) was right across from the gym, so everyone used it as their coat room.

2. At whose house would you and your friends usually gather after school-related activities?

We didn't really...but I guess it would be my house. After both the Junior and Senior proms, the girls slept over at my house.

3. Did you have a memorable nickname?

There were a few...I know that I had a few. ReRe Daffy was what my friend Beth loved to call me...

4. What was your high school cafeteria like?

I never had a lunch in high school included in my schedule. Little miss overachiever here had too many classes. There are two cafeterias though in my high school...the general one was large and over crowded. The smaller one for seniors only was called the Doghouse (our mascot was the bulldog) and each year, the senior class would paint a mural on one of the walls that would be up there until the next cycle (four years.) It's all redone now though...in blue and gold (school colors.) They did originally put in blue and white tiles when they redid them last year, but the principal made them take them all down (rival school colors.)

5. Your parents aren’t reading this, so what were some of the crazy (or just memorable) things you or your friends did while driving?

The only thing I can think of is that my friend Michele got her license first, cause she was the oldest out of all of us. And my 17th birthday party included her taking us all for a ride in her giant station woody wagon. My friend Shaun and I were crammed into the back hatch area and she was such an awful driver that we ended up on top of each other a few times due to her crazy turns and swerves and all.

6. What activities were you involved with in high school?

The biggest for me was Company of Song...our school's show choir. Think Glee but no mash-ups. I was in that my junior and senior years, primarily because I never really wanted to be in it so I never auditioned beforehand. Only did then on a dare (and the girl who dared me who tried out as well didn't get in.) It was awesome though...one of those things that shapes you for life. I was also in Model UN all four years (one of the four founding members for the school...and now they're regional champions!) Dance team (and manager), musical, band, orchestra, string ensemble, wind ensemble, mixed chorus (president too), National Honor Society...yeah, you get the picture.

Wordless Wednesday...Memolink

Memolink...If you shop online, why not earn gifts too?!

I'm Done!

Okay...I really don't understand something about guys. This is not the first time this has happened. The first time, I could take it as a fluke. This isn't even the second time. This is the third time now...all from online dating sites.

Height is something that is easy to tell right away. You can tell whether someone is shorter or taller than you. You might not be able to tell the difference between 6'5" and 6'4", but you know that they're taller than you then.

So why must guys lie about their height online? You don't say to a girl who is 5'10" that you're 5'11" many times, then set up a date, meet her, and turn out to be 5'8" on a good day. Especially when that girl told you multiple times that her one physical requirement for a guy be that he's taller than her. Is this similar to girls lying about their weight?

Do I ask for too much? Am I being too picky? Really...good hygiene and taller than me...that's all I need to see. Obviously the personality matters most, but those two requirements in the looks department are reasonable I think. Aren't they? And obviously, if you lie about your height which is something I can tell really fast, what personality do you have? What else have you lied about to me in our getting to know you before deciding on meeting up for a date?

And it makes me wonder where things are going if people are so quick and find it so easy to lie about blatant and obvious things. How can you say that you're looking for a long term relationship when you're going to lie to the girl you think might potentially participate in said relationship with you? Honesty is a big deal...and I'm just not finding it.

I'm done with online dating sites. Plenty of Fish, Match, whatever...it's too easy to lie, bend the truth, whatever you want to call it. I would rather be single than settle. After all, I've waited this long...what's a little longer if needed?

(All said and done, it was a bad blind date tonight. There was much more wrong than just the lying about the height thing. This peppy, bubbly, bouncy, smiley girl can not go on with someone who has no true beliefs system other than being an atheist, never went to a school dance or event, and reads an average of two books a year only filling the rest of his time with video games. No offense to those out there like that...but it's just not what I'm looking for.)

Six Question Saturday: Colors of the Rainbow

1. What is your favorite color? I honestly don't have one...I like red, yellow, and green the best though.

2. What colors do you like to decorate with? My room is turquoise and lime green. I also like the color combination of deep red and walnut brown.

3. Is there a color that you absolutely hate? I'm not really a fan of orange too much...I don't think it does much for many people.

4. Which colors look best on you? Red...pasty pale skin and dark hair and eyes. My friend calls me Snow White whenever she sees me in it.

5. Which colors do you wear most often? Yellow probably...closely followed by blue I think.

6. Which color combination do you think is the worst one out there? Hmm...I don't care for neon color combinations. One neon color is okay, but much more than that is too much for my eyes.

Simple and short today. This girl has a blind date to get ready for!

Books...First Love

Okay, so I'm taking an idea that the lovely and wonderful Aleisha has been doing for quite a while. But I'm going to do it on Saturdays. And let's make it six...so Six Question Saturdays. Ta da!

Books are my favorite things in the world. Always have been, always will be. (Well maybe that will change later, but they're still going to be at the top!) I just love how they can take you away from everything, or help you realize more about yourself, or just be a comfort. They're my true love. So here we go...

1. What’s your favorite book you’ve had read to you? I sort of mean read aloud in person, as opposed to read aloud on a recording, but answer it however you want.  

I loved having the Arthur books read to me when I was little. You know...the little aardvark and his annoying sister and all that good stuff? I have a few books signed by Marc Brown (the author/illustrator) from when he came to my elementary school. He even included the name of our school hidden in one of the drawings for one of the books. He read to us one of them, sadly I don't remember the title, but having the author of a favorite series of books when you're little read to you is the best!


2.What book (or series of books) would you like to see turned into a film?

Hmmm....most of them already have been! "A Summer in Europe" by Marilyn Brant would be pretty awesome to make into a film. The "Vampire Academy" books would be pretty good too, but I'd fear they'd become too much like the "Twilight" movies and be ruined...


3. We often complain about movies not being as good as the books upon which they are based, but what’s a movie that was as good as (or better than) its book?

"The Help" as a movie is much much MUCH better than the book. I could get through the movie...the book (sorry if I offend anyone, or maybe I'm not) I just couldn't get past the first sixty pages. I'm a fast reader, so when it takes me two weeks to read 60 pages, I know there's a problem. Just couldn't get into it at all! (I even tried reading it again after seeing the movie, and well...it didn't make a single bit of difference.)
Another is a TV miniseries that BBC made for "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I attempted reading the book in 2006, but it was so massive with so many characters and plot lines that I just couldn't keep it all straight. I set it aside, and years later saw the miniseries on TV (Matthew Macfadyen strikes again! Seriously, I could watch anything with that man in it and love it!) It all made sense then, so I read the book finally in two weeks and loved it! The miniseries is just as great too, so I recommend both.


4. Songs often take us back to specific times in our lives, or remind us of specific people. What book does that for you, and what’s the explanation?

"The Chronicles of Narnia" series...it just wraps me into this little cocoon while I read it and reminds me of how simple and innocent everything can be if we allow it. It's magic in every sense with every word.


5. What book do you know well enough to quote from once in a while?

Anything from the "Harry Potter" series or "Pride and Prejudice"...though P&P might be more so from the movie that I watch every time I'm sad or depressed and need a pick-me-up, so I have it memorized word for word (ahhh Matthew Macfadyen!) HP has so many great lines throughout as well that can be applied to so much, and my students love when I start throwing them around.


6. What is your all-time favorite book? (Yes, you have to choose one...imagine if there were a fire in your house and you could only save one book. Which would it be?)

So tough! Thank goodness I have all of "The Chronicles of Narnia" in one big huge volume. :-)

A New Decade

I'm writing this in my last minutes of my twenties. Interesting how you think you'll be at a certain point in your life, and you end up in a completely different area.

Ten years ago, I was halfway through my undergraduate degree in biology with pre-medicine. I was going to become a doctor and there was no stopping me. I was in a long-term relationship with a nice guy...it just wasn't meant to work out for various reasons. My parents had just gotten divorced two years earlier, and things were rough.

Five years ago, I had just gotten back from a year in New York City. A year that taught me so much about myself and what I can and can't handle. I never thought I'd miss Buffalo, but I did. I was in another long-term relationship that was never meant to work, but I kept pushing for it to. I also realized that hmm...maybe teaching is the thing? I dropped my view that medicine was the only possible career for me. I took a couple months off of school and jumped into my first education courses...and I'll never look back.

Two years ago, I went back in time, starting a new teaching job at my alma mater high school. Again, I learned a lot about myself and how I interact with other people. I pushed my limits and knowledge. I've succeeded. I've come home exhausted, I've graded to the wee hours of the morning, I juggled getting my Masters degree while working full time, I earned a 4.0 GPA while helping my students pass the NYS Regents exam. And you know what? I absolutely love it!

On May 2nd at 1:49am, I turn 30 years old. It's a new decade. Who knows where the next ten years will take me. Of course, I can have a plan, but if anything over the past ten years, I've learned that these plans rarely ever turn out how you think they should. So here's what I say for my thirties...I'm going to go with it. Wherever the road may take me, I'll go.

One thing that I do know? I'm getting rid of the junk. I've learned what I deserve over the past ten years...in relationships and friendships, with work, with life in general.

So bring it on. The clock just struck midnight. Happy birthday!