Memorial Day

I'm sort of embarrassed to admit this, but I briefly forgot the purpose of the past 2 days of poolside fun until an electronic billboard flashing on the Pike on my drive back tonight very bluntly reminded me why we bbq-ed all weekend.

It was a fantastic unofficial start to the summer, starting with Earthfest at the Hatch Shell on Saturday afternoon, and ending with s'mores over our gas stove & black raspberry ice cream tonight. In between, I spent some quality time out in the 'burbs, enjoying a Memorial Day party with some family and friends Sunday afternoon & night, followed by an 8:20am to 6 pm pool day today. I'm a little sad that this 80 and 90 degree weather will be gone tomorrow and I have to go back to entertaining rugrats and babies with exploding diarrhea.

Thanks to KW for taking tons of pictures all day!

I'm a bit of a hypocrite. And a bad driver.

When I'm running on the sidewalk, and get to an intersection, I get really annoyed at the cars that pull out to turn onto the road and block the crosswalk, making me have to run around behind them. But I've been noticing lately that I drive right through the crosswalks when I want to make a turn, and get annoyed that people would actually try to walk across rather than just walk behind me. I need to get through so I can pull out quickly and cut off cars!

Sometimes I think it's a wonder that the people at the DMV gave me a license. Or that I've been practicing with said license for 8 years already.

And while I'm thinking about my driving skills, I noticed tonight on a bike ride that I get bike rage in the same way that I get road rage sometimes. If cars cut me off, even if I have plenty of time to slowly put on my brakes, I sometimes wait to brake and pull up close behind the other car, to show them that they really didn't have enough time to pull out in front of me. When I was riding my bike, I got fed up with walkers who take up the whole bike path and are going the opposite direction as me. The bike path even has a dotted line down the middle to show that you're supposed to be on one side, but people go in packs of 2 and 3, and take up the whole width. So anyway, I don't think I should have to slow down. They should stop talking for 5 seconds about the tacky curtains that Mildred just put up, and compact themselves. If you ever find yourself in this situation, the key thing to remember is that you don't need to slow down, and you don't need to ride off the bike path onto the grass. Simply continue at full speed, and if they don't quickly move over, then put your brakes on really quickly right in front of them, so it makes the screeching noise. That's how you do it.

Poop is such a funny word.

So today I babysat for both of the families I usually babysit for...one family in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. The morning was going really well...I even tricked the 3 year old into cleaning up the playroom in record time by pretending she was a chicken who had to clean up her pen, because apparently (so I told her) chickens like clean pens. Her mom came downstairs just as she was finishing up, and Ally was so excited and ran to her mom (while flapping her wings) to tell her all about the great chicken game we were playing and how she was cleaning up her pen. She was impressed.

But then, 9 month old baby Kate, with the stomach bug, had exploding diarrhea. On me. On my jeans. On my shirt. And all over herself.

I'd google-search a good picture to put here, but this is a family place.

Oh, and then I babysat for Rogers in the afternoon, and at the playground an 9 or 10 year old called me Ma'am. Way to finish off the day. I'm not old enough to be a ma'am, man.

A cocoon as a sleeping arrangement

I have an obsession with fleece. I wear fleece pants and fleece tops to bed through the year. I own four fleece jackets. And I Love, with a capital L, fleece blankets.

I had a great fleece blanket that I really liked, until I fell asleep with it over me, and my foot ended up in a candle and set the blanket on fire. Since then, I've sort of taken over Gillian's fleece blanket that's out in the living room for the past few months.

However, Kate gave me the most amazing fleece blanket for my birthday. It's incredible. I'm not sure I've ever felt something this soft. It's actually called The Nap Blanket. It's like it was made for me.

Anyway, I couldn't fall asleep last night because it was Sunday and I had to get up early today...until I devised the most amazing sleep contraption....

A few minutes later I was wrapped up in my new blanket, then under my covers, and away to sleepland I went.



PLUS




I highly recommend that you get your own Nap Blanket. The blue one is pretty.

Mid-twenties

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes yesterday! I appreciated Zabe reminding me that even though I'm 24, I'm already starting my 25th year, and something about a quarter century mark too. And should you need a reminder on what makes me so special, I recommend that you check out Spags' blog for a very nice birthday post.

I have a new, very special "Queen" wine glass, complete with some sparkly jewels, from a very special Pugs, and I intend to enjoy some white wine tonight in it, before eventually I switch over to something classier, like Miller Lite (fridge pack).

But first, I have to go babysit...and I'm very excited about all the puddles from the rain this morning, that Rogers will certainly be aiming for when we're out for a walk. Bring on the mud.


This isn't actually Rogers...his hair isn't long enough yet to put in pigtails

My very special brother doesn't ever leave comments here, but I know he reads it...so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite brother!! You make a good addition to our family, even though you're adopted.


I can't speak for Eric, but I am still just as fascinated by autumn leaves. And it appears that I'm wearing an early-edition, 1984, model of the Snozu

Oh. My. God.

It's still raining. But, it stopped briefly around noon today. And as I was driving home from babysitting, the sun didn't actually come out, but one layer of clouds was starting to break up, so the sky actually brightened. My eyes didn't know what to do. I hear tomorrow's going to be 70 and sunny. I'll believe it when I see it. It's been a good week and a half with rain every day and no sight of the sun. Babysitting has been horrendous because I get stuck inside with them, and they've all been cooped up for way too long. I end up inventing weird games that are a combination of Simon Says and a game that I used to love called "Spud," but the game's real purpose is to have "Simon" tell the kids run to the door and back very often to get out some of the energy. However, flooding is more exciting than I thought it would be. Mostly because I'm on the 2nd floor & not very worried about my stuff getting wet.

My room is a disaster. The whole apartment is in need of a good vacuuming and dusting, at least. But it's pouring and cloudy and that sort of makes me want to put on some pjs...


Back at school, Jeff & Kate don't leave the house without appropriate rain gear

Oh and one more thing. I was looking through some of my pictures online, and I noticed that the flag is half-staff during Union graduation. Anyone remember why? I can't remember who died or what happened & it's bugging me.

Exhibit A:

Sniffles & Number 2 Pencils

It's been a solid week now of rain. It's lousy. Every day, same thing as the last. I just checked weather.com, and it's looking like the sun is coming out next Saturday? Well hooray.

I'm officially on vacation for the next month-ish, so I'm hoping it gets nice & I can cram some beach time in before I have to start teaching. Yesterday I took the test for my reading specialist license. One of the things I dread the most about standardized tests is having to sit in a room with 30 other people who don't understand that I need total silence, or a constant noise, in order to concentrate. I was annoyed enough when the girl behind me began sniffling as we approached the second hour of testing. But then, THEN, she began reading some of her questions out loud to herself. She was taking a different test, so I couldn't even coordinate and take advantage of her reading my questions for me. I could've finished my test a lot sooner, but I spent a considerable amount of time deciding whether I should turn around and hit her, or tell her that a reading specialist would be concerned that she's older than 3rd grade and still isn't using her inner voice as she reads.

Well since my only work now consists of getting out job applications, I've found some other lofty ways to bide my time. Like this--a survey that Charlotte asked me to do (actually, I think the real term is "tagged"). The rules are that you bold the things that are true about you, italicise the things you wish you were true, add one true thing about you, and then tag five more people.

So, read it if you want, or don't if you don't want to...I just enjoyed having something purposeful to do. Or, "purposeful." And then, fill it out & share it yourself, if you want to.

I miss somebody right now.
I don't watch much TV these days.
I love olive rice.
I own lots of books. (Does children’s lit count?)
I wear glasses or contact lenses.
I love to play video games.
I've tried marijuana.
I've watched porn movies.
I have been in a threesome.
I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
I curse sometimes.
I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
I'm TOTALLY smart.
I've broken someone's bones.(I think this would be kind of fun to be able to admit. But all I’ve done is squished my brother’s fingers in a teeter totter, which resulted only in some stitches)
I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.
I hate the rain.
I'm paranoid at times.
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
I need money right now.
I love sushi.
I talk really, really fast.
I have fresh breath in the morning.
I have long hair.
I have lost money in Las Vegas.
I was born in a country outside of the U.S.
I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past. (Do Halloween wigs count?)
I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
I like the way that I look.
I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.
I know how to cornrow.
I am usually pessimistic.
I have a lot of mood swings.
I think prostitution should be legalized.
I think Britney Spears is pretty. (sorry kerrin—she’s gone trashy)
I have a hidden talent.
I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
I am currently single.
I have pecked someone of the same sex.
I enjoy talking on the phone.
I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
I love to shop.
I enjoy window shopping.
I would rather shop than eat.
I would classify myself as ghetto.
I'm bourgie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders.
I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal. (or Blog)
I don't hate anyone.
I'm a pretty good dancer.
I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a cell phone.
I believe in (a) God. (eh)
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
I've rejected someone before. (and by reject, I mean just stop answering their phone calls)
I currently like someone.
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I want to have children in the future.
I have changed a diaper before.
I've called the cops on a friend before.
I am a member of the Tom Green fan club.
I'm not allergic to anything.
I have a lot to learn.
I have been with someone at least 10 years older or younger.
I have scared people off with my enthusiasm.
I am shy around the opposite sex.
I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
I have tried alcohol or drugs before.
I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
I own the "South Park" movie.
I have avoided assignments at work to be on Xanga, Live Journal of Blogger.
When I was a kid I played "the birds and the bees" with a neighbour or chum. (charlotte, did you put all the funny british words in here??)
I enjoy some country music.
I would die for my best friends. (I honestly have no idea…am I taking a bullet for someone?)
I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza.
I watch soap operas whenever I can.
I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.
I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
I know all the words to Slick Rick's "Children's Story".
Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.
I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.
I have dated a close friend's ex.
I like surveys/memes.
I am happy at this moment.
I'm obsessed with guys.
I have pajamas with turtles on them.
I am punk rockish.
I am preppy.
I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
I study for tests most of the time.
I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.
I can work on a car.
I love my job.
I am comfortable with who I am right now.
I have more than just my ears pierced.
I walk barefoot wherever I can.
I have jumped off a bridge. (Does falling off a bridge count?)
I love sea turtles.
I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.
I believe in prophetic dreams.
I plan on achieving a major goal/dream.
I'm proficient on a musical instrument.
I worked at McDonald's restaurant.
I hate office jobs. (i've never had one, but I stay away from them for a reason)
I love sci-fi movies.
I think water rules.
I went to college out of state.
I am adopted.
I like sausage.
I am a pyro.
I love the Red Sox.
I have thrown up from crying too much.
I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
I love kisses.
I fall for the worst people.
I adore bright colors.
I love Dear Abby.
I can't live without black eyeliner.
I think school is awesome.
I think pigtails serve a purpose.
I don't know why the hell I just did this stupid thing. (How long is this list?)
I usually like covers better than originals.
I don't like multi-textured ice cream.
I think John Cusack is adorable.
I f**king hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.
I watch Food Network way too much.
I love coaching youth sports.
I can pick up things with my toes.
I can't whistle.
I can move my tongue in waves, much like a snakes slither.
I have ridden/owned a horse.
I still have every journal I've ever written in. (My journal from 2nd grade is my favorite)
I can't stick to a diet. (I need to have a minimum of 2 pieces of candy per day…it’s in my DNA I think)
I talk in my sleep.
I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.
I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.
Climbing trees is a brilliant past-time.
I have jazz in my blood.
I would not be friends if they weren't family.
I wear a toe ring.
I have a tattoo.
I love vaginas.
I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.
I am a caffeine junkie.
I know who Santos L. Halper is.
I read trashy romance novels and I am ashamed.
I love wrestling.
I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all.
If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder.
I cosplay or know what cosplaying is.
I have been to over 15 conventions.
I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.
I have a goal to collect every Johnny Depp movie ever made.
I have an unhealthy Taco Bell obsession.
I have had a crush on a cartoon character when I was a kid.
I have spent more on anime and manga than many spend on computers or other high end products.
I only clean my room when neccesary.
Weight is my enemy!
I'm a serious chocoholic.
I absolutely adore animals.
I love surprises.
I love to be seen.
I often act without feeling for people.
I like arguing for the sake of arguing.
I think most girls look better with spectacles.
My skin is peeling because i had been under the sun.
I want to ORD.
I like men who are much taller than me.
I need a hair cut.
I can speak French. (j’adore le fromage avec le berret)
I'm addicted to My Space.

Done...err, almost

The good news for you is that this is probably the last whiney "I have too much work to do" post you'll get from me for at least a month. Today was my last class, and I handed in all of my final papers/projects today and yesterday.

I feel SO relieved, except I'm not totally on vacation yet. Saturday I have to take my fourth (and final) licensure test...I'm all set with my tests for elementary ed., but this one's for my reading specialist license. But THEN, (assuming it doesn't go horribly wrong and I run out of there screaming that I'll never be allowed to teach), I will be on vacation for a little over a month before I begin my final 7 weeks of my master's degree!!! I'm very excited.


One more of these bad boys and then I'm done for good

I haven't really been looking forward to my upcoming birthday next week mostly because birthdays lately don't seem to be very fun once everyone's in the working world, and is busy, or tired from work, or doesn't live nearby, or is in Sweden or is otherwise occupied. Plus, it's the last birthday before I turn 25, which is a scary thought. But last night when I couldn't sleep I came up with an even better reason to skip my birthday this year. While I've been 23 I could still tell myself I'm in my early 20s...which I think sounds young & fun. But once I'm 24, I really can't fool myself anymore. I'm going to have to admit that I'm in my mid-20s.

I know, I know, you're thinking I'm crazy. But this is what keeps me up at night, so just hang on and I'll try for a better post in another day or so.

Splish splash

I'll admit that I watched the season finale of Gilmore Girls tonight. This season I was forced to watch it enough by one of my lovely roommates that I actually started to like it. But I still am not totally keen on the mother/daughter relationship going on though. I just think it's awkward that they're totally BFFs (yes, I did just use "BFF") and that the daughter is more mature and with it than her mom. It's all a little weird and too unrealistic for my liking. I realize they're close, but Lorelai needs her own grown-up friends.

I was kind of jittery and had trouble falling asleep last night after watch David Blaine almost die before the most attractive medical team/scuba divers that ABC could find and deck out in spandex pulled him out and saved him from his own trick. So, I was not too thrilled when I woke up around 1:00 to hear the glass of crystal light that I leave by my bed at night smash on the floor, sending shards of broken glass on the floor around my bed and pink (kiwi strawberry--one of my personal favorites!) crystal light spraying all over. As soon as I heard the sound, I woke up and realized that my arm was flailing in the air, which leads me to believe that I knocked it over in my sleep. My night table is a decent stretch from my bed, so I pieced together the idea that I fell asleep with my pillow on my head, got too hot, and was trying to throw the pillow off when the unsuspecting glass of pink juice got in the way.



Let me tell you, that was a hoot to clean up during the night...

...And another night goes by when I don't get nearly enough sleep.

Fishy fishy

This has gotta be quick because I need to be in my bed but...

I am so morbidly fascinated yet creeped out by David Blaine's newest stunt. (And by the way, as weird as he is, he has it totally figured out where he can just sit around thinking up new tricks to do to make a living.) I was so excited to watch him try to hold his breath underwater for 9 minutes, and I even tried it along with him for about 30 seconds before I gave up, gasping for air. But, at just after 7 minutes his body started convulsing and air bubbles were coming out (which I learned from the "doctor" and "scientist" who talked for an hour before that those were signs he was about to lose consciousness) I was sort of freaked out. It was like survival of the fittest on our couch as we watched....with Kate retreating to her room before he even went under, and Gillian and I screaming and turning away when his body started to die a little bit. I get a kick out of watching that Japanese show (I can't remember its name) that has the contestants doing really weird games and it's dubbed over with commentators saying stupid things in English...but I laugh at it mostly because I'm thinking, "They have the weirdest things to watch on tv in those other countries!" And then I go and spend an hour watching a man in a fish tank.

Sketch-tastic

It's really nice out today, so I walked down to Harvard Square for their annual "Mayfair," which was really cool, but resulted in me feeling nauseauous. A few blocks were blocked off and PACKED, with people, restaurant booths, vendors, bands, and companies giving away free snacks and stuff that I didn't really want but ate anyway. Two fruit leathers, a bag of chips, and half of a bag of kettle corn popcorn that I bought because I couldn't remember if I liked it, I feel like I should just go lie down and pass out in a food coma.

We had an interesting start to our night last night. Kate, Pete, and I went down to kenmore to get dinner & drinks & watch the sox. But when Kate and I met pete at the bar, pete was talking to an "interesting" guy who claimed to be visiting from las vegas, and had a press box at fenway (with "shrimp, and oysters, and drinks and all sorts of good stuff!") that he got through his work, and that we could go if we wanted, as long as it's after the 5th inning.. His story really sounded good...the only time I stopped to think "huh?" was when I heard him say he was staying at the Hotel Commonwealth around the corner...and his outfit (a jacket that remsembled a smock, some big old shorts, a bunch of necklaces including a huge cross, and hair that hadn't been cut in at least 3 years) didn't quite match my idea of the attire worn by the usual crowd that stays at the hotel commonwealth. So we thought it sounded sort of sketchy, but really, what's possibly going to happen inside fenway? We ate dinner and thought the timing would work out perfectly for us to cross the street & head into the part to catch the second half of the game. During dinner, the guy came over a couple of times to say he was going over soon, but that he also had a horse he was betting on for some horse race (mind you the kentucky derby had already happened about 3 hours ago), and if we wanted to, we could throw down a couple of bucks...we politely declined both times. We finished dinner & went over to the bar to meet the guy and pete's friends who also were going to go...but the guy was no where to be seen, and pete's friends said they couldn't find him after they handed over $45 for the "horse race."
Lesson learned: don't trust the guy hanging around fenway who wears a smock and has long white hair that waves in the wind.

The past 48 hours have been one big stressball blur. Sometimes I wish I had some alcoholic friends who were up for celebrating at a moment's notice now that I can breathe for a day or two before the final homestretch.

Yesterday was probably one of the most stressful (I'm going to see how many times I can say "stress" in this blog) days I've had in a long long time. But, I made it through 3 interviews between today and yesterday. I turned in 2 papers and gave two presentations. I found out that the key to giving presentations that are 30 minutes or more is to schedule 2 interviews right before...by the time I got to the presentation, I was the most calm I've ever been for a presentation. Of course I spent most of yesterday and the day before that thinking how tempting it would be to commit a crime and just chill out in jail & have nothing scary to ever do...I don't know, it just doesn't sound so bad to be locked up for a little while.

And tomorrow's going to be almost 80 degrees and I'll be breaking out the flip flops and capris. Life is good.

I haven't watched tv in 3 days, so I'm going to rot my brain now.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I was excited all day yesterday for the first Red Sox/Yankees game of the season, and even more excited to see Johnny Damon's return to Fenway and what the fans would do to him. But I was even more pleasantly surprised when I found out a few hours before the game that the Sox got Mirabelli back. I read an article about how he landed at Logan about 14 minutes before the start of the game, and got dressed in the car on the way to fenway...and obviously still made it in time to catch in the first inning. There was a funny caption too: "Mirabelli Arrives To Fenway From Logan In 13 Minutes With Police Escort. New Englanders Everywhere Take Notes."



It's totally crunch time now. But the end is in sight, and I'm really excited about having a very very stress free month, with just a little bit of babysitting & some more job hunting. I decided last night that the thought of taking care of a 3 year old and a baby this morning while worrying the whole time about all of the stuff I need to do was just not going to work for me, so I called the family early this morning to say I couldn't babysit because I was sick (like I do). I was pleasantly surprised when they told me that in the past they've given their babysitters 2 paid sick days per semester, so would I like them to mail my check or just wait until I see them next week?

I'm pretty excited about the fact that I'm making money as I write my paper. Well, blog actually. Either way, nice deal. Tomorrow's the big day...I put on a suit & venture out into the real world, which I've been trying to avoid for the past 2 years.

This blog is an amazing procrastination tool.

I'm completely positive that my procrastination has only worsened over time. It probably stems from the fact that somehow I've always gotten everything done (or faked being sick so I could put something off), so I've reinforced my procrastination habits. Now the problem is that I can't do work unless I'm under tight, tight pressure. I had such amazing plans for getting stuff done this weekend, and while I did get SOME things done, I'm way behind schedule, and I can blame this entirely on my being able to find other, better things to do. I went to probably 97% of the websites on the internet today, instead of writing a paper. That's right, 97%. I saw them ALL (almost). I even checked out random sights like the website of the school where I studied abroad, just to see if anything interesting was going on there. Not only did I find information about how they're keeping the students safe from bird flu in Athens, but I also was pleasantly surprised to find my picture on the front page of the website.

There's me in the white t-shirt showing off my bulging biceps. I sadly can't remember exactly where this was (Olympia maybe?) or the names of a few of the people in the picture. I do remember though that my crazy professor was making us put on a play at some archaeological site, and I was completely humiliated because a beautiful human being named Thackston was in my class. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if that picture is what makes some college students decide to study abroad in Greece. Little do they know that the curly-hair girl with the guns is long-since gone.

Oooh, Desperate Housewives is on.