thankful for the 16 hour drive home

Thanksgiving was spent at the Kate and David Fischer farm. And it was was absolutely fantastic. On top of watching Sullinger and OSU clean up courtside, I got to spend quality time with the Fischer clan eating, watching movies, and, yes, playing Salad bowl.

here is the basic idea of the game: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28969388597

However, my cousin had us branch out to my new favorite family fun game (which got extremely NC-17): pictionary telephone. It is exactly what it sounds like. Google the rules or ask how to play.

However, now with the holidays and Christmas break quickly approaching (3 weeks), yours truly will be on a huge health kick: a) to ring in the new year b) to combat my 1 day weight gain from eating more food than I thought was humanly possible on Thanksgiving c) to fit into my new swimsuit for my trip to see paige in Sydney Australia


I will lay here on Manly Beach

In this swimsuit


With my best friend. I have been researching hostels and places to backpack and I can hardly contain my excitement. I will post again soon with my eating and workout regime as I add the final touches. However, I am in Birmingham, AL and need some major ZZZs as I was up with my cousins playing those awesome party games until 3 am, and I have quit a few miles to drive back to NOLA tomorrow.

Lee: Which is worse a depression or a storm?

So I just learned that a tropical storm is worse than a tropical depression, and WOOHOO we have been upgraded. I can't sleep due to the constant drone of rain on my window & the frequent gust of wind rapping the tree limbs against the side of the house. Luckily, my car is parked safely on higher ground, and I haven't had to move it.

I think I should be more worried, but I've been so tired and consumed with work that I have yet to really look at the weather reports of the severity of the stop. My initial informant was a text from my Neenaw asking if I had gone to the store to stock pile or if I was heading out for the Labor Day weekend. Silly me asked why then checked the weather report. Needless to say Neenaw is worried. Plus I left my amazing, well-crafted hurricane survival kit my dad furnished me from REI in Indianapolis. As of a few weeks ago I was tempted to tell him to send it up to Andy in Shawna in Rhode Island to combat Irene.

My first few weeks of school have gone by without any major glitches. I have a lot to learn about making kids love writing or at least pretend to for 70 minutes so the others that love to write can do so. Managing a room of 26 11-14 year olds is as difficult as a job there is. You need them to be hanging on your every word, yet having fun and totally commanding the room. My big take away is demand, command, and follow through. The students who are more challenging must know that you care too much to let them slide by, goof around, and not learn the material. I overlook behaviors at time for the sake of getting through the lessons.

But, I've been having fun. My favorite time to teach is during Power Hour, or short math block that every teacher teaches. I have one of the groups that struggles most in math. They are very invested in the Just Own it! mastery trackers I made that are all Nike themed (all boys are in my class with the exception of one girl). Hopefully they dominated their long division quiz this week. I took it while they were to doing it to make a key, and I found myself having to double and triple check my answers! I don't remember the last time I had done long division until this week!



This past weekend a large group of us got together for a co-workers birthday at the Windsor Court Hotel to celebrate at the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party. We were not there with our mothers like all the other 6 and 7 year olds, but needless to say my mother was exceedingly jealous! Everything was done so authentically down to the "eat me" tag on the sugar cube container. I am a huge tea fan but anything with rose flavor is not my cup of tea (great pun, I know.).

As you can see the lovely SPEDucators, and myself a SPEDucator for life, clean up quiet nicely. Rachel had my favorite outfit as she looked like she was stolen straight out of the 1920s and the novel The Great Gatsby.

So this weather is putting a damper on my plans of a really active 3 day weekend: jogging, reading, laying out. However, I am getting a much needed back massage this afternoon. Post op, I have felt like a million bucks with the exception of having no flexibility. Romney has built a brand new studio across from Whole Foods, and hopefully I can get in regularly on the weekend. Here it is under construction a few months ago. It's going to be amazing!


Last and certainly not least, my most exciting news is that I spent an arm and a leg but have NO buyers remorse for the plane tickets I just purchased. I will be spending this entire Christmas vacation and New Years with my best friend in the world back packing in Australia. I fly in and out of Sydney, but we are hoping to do a bit of traveling. I haven't seen Paige since early July, and this is actually going to be the longest I haven't seen her. She has been one of my best friends since freshman year of high school. People told me I would lose touch with my high school friends, but that has yet to happen. Here are a couple throw back photos of Paige, myself, Jill, and Ashley. I get jealous since they are all still in Indy, but I love going home to see them.




Well this post was all over the place; however, it is before 7am on a Saturday, so it is allowable. But thing I now understand: Tropical Storms. Lee and I are going to get familiar today!

the 1st day of my 24th year

Yes, yours truly is 24. That is almost a quarter of a century. After the first day of my 24th year, I have learned a few facts that I will elucidate now & expand upon this weekend.
1) In New Orleans when they say "rainy season" they mean torrential downpours.

2) I have made a few amazing friends year that really make my life exponentially more manageable, enjoyable, hilarious, and amazing. Dinner with a few of them at Capdeville was delicious! If you are in NOLA, check it out in the Warehouse district.



2.a) You can live in New Orleans for a year and not make it to every restaurant you've heard rave reviews about. Luckily, I still live here.


3) No matter how far I am from them, I have amazing friends all over God's green earth that I would not change for the world. And, on top of that, I love that despite time zones, distance, and time apart, I don't love or appreciate them any less.

4) My family is my rock...even though JIMMY did not call me... :-(. He will realize it late tonight, but I'll be fast asleep.

5) Teaching middle schoolers is the toughest job I will probably ever have next to motherhood, but thats WAYYYYYYY down the rode. (Jeeze I said I was 24 not 42). But, both will probably be the most rewarding jobs I will ever have.

6) I am completely capable of making important life decisions. It took me a long time how to figure out the right way to explain it; however, after 24 years of reflection (I'm sure I was this deep in thought in my terrible 2s), I roughly know what I want out of life, out of love, and the little things that just make me happy.

Can't wait to debrief on week 2 of PD when I have some time. Good things are going on.

make your life transformational not just better than

back to basics

year 2 of teaching starts tomorrow. lucky me it just adult professional development so 6:00am school arrivals (which turned to 6:30 school arrivals by February) is not until 7:30am. SLEEPING IN! My last day of summer I spent going to Alley Oak Plantation. The 300 year old oak trees were breath taking, and they alone were worth the hour long drive out past Meterie. Then we did a little Target shopping for the essentials. After drinks at the Columns to meet and greet new staff, I headed out for my "last supper" of choice, Cochon, with my hot date (my mother). Yet another thing that Josh Besh put his hands on and turned to gold. I got catfish courtboullion. Yes it made the list of stuff cajun people like YUMMY.

Well Adam Sandler did always say it best...back to school back to school to show my dad that I am not a fool.

Crazy how i started this blogging business a year ago and only have a few posts. Hopefully I can maintain some persistence and regularity in my writing this year.

it's not a snocone

I asked myself a million times...what the hell is so great about a snoball? And, why do they even call it a snoball. It's a snocone for goodness sakes. I have had the ones outside audobon park which in essence (minus the atmosphere of the park which is stunning) is the exact same thing as the little snow-shack next to the monon in Indianapolis (no I am not knocking the snow shack for all you die hard fans. I too the popsicle lover enjoy the snow-shack).
<


Okay, the park is beautiful (new orleans own central park), but back to the point. My mom convinced me that we had to go to hansen's. I had never been due to the lines but knew it was a new orleans institution. So after a lovely day of lounging at the JCC pool, I stood on the side of Tchopitoulas in my towel in sweltering heat for 45 minutes for a delicious Hansen's snoball. And, yes it was completely worth it! The building itself just screams, "don't judge a book by it's cover." Then again, a lot of places in New Orleans epitomize that saying. Here is a picture of hansen's

I go a small cream of chocolate and cream of coconut snoball. The heaven's opened and I was in a new a level of popsicle-eque euphoria. On top of combating my exhaustion from heat, this 72 year old institute was absolutely delicious. Like eating a frozen mounds bars but better. Hansen's Website. So the verdict is out, snocones are delicious, but snoballs and the experience and anticipation of waiting are doubly delicious. Sorry if you don't live in NOLA and can't try one for yourself.

my dear friend jill elise...

Well, this one is dedicated to you. After many many a discussion about the value of blogging, me singing her praises about her writing, and my general need to ask dumb (yes there are such a thing) questions, I have realized this is generally a fun way to remember things. And, since I am doing something I deem fairly unique in my life, even though thousands upon thousands are involved in the education movement in our country, I am going to write a bit about it. Surely, I will about other things since I think New Orleans is an absolutely AMAZING city. Yes my door is always wide open (metaphorically not actually because that is dangerous) to visitors. So thanks Jill. Yell at me when I do not keep up with this because I will get mad when I do not.

So, epic road trip back to NOLA, the Big Easy, the Crescent City, the Birth Place of Jazz. Obviously Maribeth is coming with me to enjoy my sampling of country music on the 12 hour drive and indulge in some of my favorite John Besh Restaurants. Yes I am in love with this man and his cooking




As far as my father is concerned, she is coming to make sure I don't try to work out or do any lifting or moving of things since I am still in the recovery stage. ALMOST 4 Weeks & my scar is pretty cool.

Well I am going to leave this post with some food for thought (no pun intended). This has been all over the news but it concerns me is and partially a reason why I am so eager to get better and back into good shape
GET HEALTHY

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/sports/revolving-door-is-not-an-open-and-shut-case.html?_r=1&ref=sports

Pacers great just diversifying his talents...I'm not opposed. Jackson won't suffer the same fate as Millen. Smart player and analyst knows the game and is a driven guy. I think the young players can relate and the Warriors will be on the up and up. I'm a Warriors fan...especially if they draft Skeen.

In the words of Mike Tyson, "My back...it's broken"

I got home late Tuesday evening from a 200 plus mile road trip stopping from Louisiana to Georgia to North Carolina then on to DC. It was a whirlwind of a road trip loved and hated by yours truly for a variety of reasons. A solo road trip has numerous perks including but not limited to:
1) sole control of the radio
2) being able to sing loudly, and generally off key, to the same song over and over
3) the passenger seat holding a sampling of not your typical road trip food because I stopped at Whole Food prior to departing to refrain from eating slushies and combos the whole drive up
4) catching up on phone correspondence starting with the A section of your phonebook
5) no one faulting me for only driving 5 over the speed limit
6) being alone to reflect on the most demanding and interesting year of my life to date

drawbacks:
1) reflecting on the most demanding and interesting year of my life to date
2) sections of middle of no where Alabama with horrible radio stations and no cell phone signal
3) hands free cell phone laws when my speaker phone is broken
4) getting sleepy and having no one to trade off driving with
5) my spine KILLING ME yet not having the capability to low ride and lean my seat all the way back and still be a safe driver (still can't figure out how people lay their seat back that far and are able to see the road)

However, the pros out weigh the cons because I got to see some amazing people along the way: best friends, old friends, new friends, etc. My stops in North Carolina really kicked off the trip right and made my back not hurt so badly and me way less tired. I realized once I drove to NC, I did not really have a plan. I planned on going to Winston, Charlotte, and Hickory yet didn't know which one on which day. Not having a plan for the first time in months was great to me. After teaching for a year and feeling that every minute of every day had to be accounted for, I loved being able to say "Ummm let's just see." I'm sure it drove my various hosts nuts, but they put up with it :-)! My favorite part of the trip was my visit to small town NC, Hickory. I had heard of how country, small-town, and boring it was from the friend I was visiting. As soon as I got there, I was just very happy to see my friend and he took me to a new restaurant he had never tried out. We were completely underdressed for the place that had a wine list that rivaled a small novel. After an extremely indulgent dinner surrounded by well dressed businessmen, he claimed, "These people aren't from here I swear!" We then went to see Bridesmaids at the ever-sentimental Carmike movie theater, which made me miss college. Hickory ended up being quite a classy visit AND the city has a drive through Starbucks. Needless to say, my friend does not realize the budding metropolis he actually lives in.

Being in Winston made me miss college and Wake. The night I stayed there was exactly 365 days---12 months since I had moved to New Orleans to start my new adventure. Regardless of the sheltered and somewhat homogenous experience Wake Forest could be at times, I look back knowing I loved it and am a little sad i will never get it back. I don't regret anythings, but there are a few things I wish I would have done more of or differently. But, cest la vie; what can you do; alls well that ends well. The campus is beautiful with the addition of the new dorms and admissions building. Yes, one day I will be that mom that forces her children to visit Wake regardless of their actual interest in it.

Post Winston, I spent some time with a sorority sister in Charlotte. I have always been a fan of sushi and of fro yo, but I discovered something absolutely delectable: ginger fro yo. Yes, it sounds weird; but if you ever get the opportunity to indulge and feel a bit adventurous, please do!

The best part of the trip was my time in Annapolis and DC. I got to see a sorority sister wed her soulmate in front of friends and family with the gorgeous backdrop of the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay. Stunning. By no way shape or form am I getting married in the near future, but I am such a hopeless romantic and have loved seeing friends find their best friends and tie the knot. You get to celebrate with them and get back in touch with friends you haven't seen in awhile. The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous and ADPis represented in full force. Seeing one other girl from my pledge class made my week! Note to self: this was a reconfirmation to me that I have sucked at staying in touch with my friends who live out west in particular and must make a more conscious effort to stay on top of that!

Interruption: Indy Jazz Fest coming up...TROMBONE SHORTY IS COMING!!!! If you live in Indy, GO SEE IT SEPTEMBER 12th

Okay back on my train of thought, post wedding, I headed to Arlington to see an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time. Yet another hospitable person allowing me to crash during the road trip. I love New Orleans. It is so unique and different from anywhere I've ever lived or imagined myself living. However, being in Arlington and DC just made more sense to me and felt more comfortable. ALthough I am now soft when it comes to cold weather, I see myself moving more North (yes, even Charlotte is more north) in the near future after a few more years of teaching (yes, in reflection I hate it and i love it...but I mostly love it!).

While people were at work on Monday, I got to do the whole tourist sight seeing thing. Yours truly loving to walk and having been sick of sitting in the car rode the metro from Arlington to Foggy Bottom but proceeded to walk everywhere in flip flops for the rest of the day. Poor decision considering my calves are STILL sore. However, the Newseum is AWESOME. I was particularly interested in the Photos of the Year, Katrina Exhibit, and the History of News. Seeing the evolution of the "newspaper" since Gutenberg is amazing. If you're in DC, you need at least an entire day to check this museum out. I wish I had the opportunity to stay a bit longer so I could have taken in the museum another day. My sister gave great food suggestions since she lived there for four years, but, sorry Katie, it doesn't hold a candle to NOLA cuisine, but I think she knows this as well.

All in all I loved this trip even though most thought I was a bit crazy for solo driving 2000 miles. Getting to see friends was just a great way to start my short summer vacation and relax after a last few very stressful weeks. With my birthday coming up in about a month, yet another year older, it was nice to put things into perspective and grow up a bit. My best friends from home made me very aware that I am much more aware of what I want these days. A Faulkner quote sort of fits how I feel, although it talks about Mississippi. But, it works because it says "like Mississippi": To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi. Yup, after NOLA I think I get "my world" a bit more.

Now just to really get summer going, I aggravated the crap out of my siatic nerve and L5 disk herniation with a 10 hour power drive back from DC in one day to my favorite city in the world: Indianapolis! I couldn't stand up straight when I crawled out of my car on 62nd, but I got welcomed with open arms by MB, Dfisch, and KT. I was so glad to be home but utterly exhausted. I got the great news that I had my doctors appointment on Wednesday afternoon, a mere 12 hours after getting home. A mere 17 hours after that doctors appointment and lab work, I was dressing in a hospital gown, compression tights, and those AWESOME hospital socks which I would wear every day if I could, to get my long overdue back surgery. It was a, "hey! Surprise, we can squeeze you in tomorrow be at the hospital at 5am!" I was too shocked to be nervous or worried, but when my dad gave me a kiss and I was alone watching AM news in the hospital room, I'm not going to lie, I started to freak out a bit. My generally low resting heart rate got up to the 50s and I think I made the lady walk me to the bathroom twice. So, shout out to all the demon deacons for a long overdue surgery from lifting and who knows. Herniated disk, its been a fun 4 years. Steroid back injections, it's been real. Standing up and walking out of the middle of movies and dinners, welp, that's been embarrassing. But, hello rehab walks on the monon and a whole new spine for yours truly!!!!! I'm pretty miserable right now but I didn't puke on the nurse nor did I say anything embarrassing to the anesthesiologist. Nothing as embarrassing as what my comrade Mike Tyson told people about his back problems: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw47gXsDwjw

So, today, being bored to death because of my immobility, I decided to start my blog again. Let's see if I can actually keep it up this time. Posts will be less lengthy and less play by play. However, I cannot guarantee they will be interesting. Sorry.