Memorable Movies and Memorial Day

This picture is completely random and has nothing to do with my blog. Ashton is just 1 of the cutest kids ever (AKA D's son) and he just highlights my fear that my kids will be hideously ugly because everyone around me has gorgeous children. i.e. Ashton pictured above :)

First things first: Sex and the City 2 did not let me down. It was pure happiness for me! Was it as amazing as the first? Absolutely not, but there was no way that was going to happen, and I didn't expect that. Of course I laughed, I cried. It was awesome!

Speaking of movies, the movie Avatar and I have been playing this little cat and mouse game. I have refused to watch it, and it constantly haunts me via allusions and reference. Last night I finally gave in. Holy crap that movie is phenomenal! I may like vampires, but I am not a sci-fi kind of girl, but this movie pretty much rocked my world.

This Memorial Day weekend has consisted of countless hours of family and friend time. I did a little shopping and bought new patio furniture for my back deck. My house is obviously still a work in progress. My list seems to be growing longer and longer. Necessities needed: kitchen table, 2 bathroom light fixtures, bookshelves, doorknobs (because these tacky gold ones are driving me nuts,) and a hall tree (I didn't even know that's what these were called.) I try not to even drive by Lowe's because it has some sort of control over me, and I am tired of them taking all my money. I can remember hating going to Lowe's. What happened? Regardless, I am in no hurry and perfectly content with the way the crib is right now.

This weekend was also a holiday weekend because it was Fal's birthday. Celebrations were definitely in order. A day by the pool and a night out at Big Bang and Paradise Park was just what the birthday doctor ordered. Family time was yesterday and will also be today at the mom's. I am feeling very patriotic, blessed and appreciative this Memorial Day. I am extremely happy to be celebrating those that make me feel this way.

Bittersweetness

It's been awhile so prepare for a doozy (oh yeah. it's a word. google it.) of a blog. Recent updates: #1. graduation was great. Emotional but great. Jordan got all of her hair cut off, so she looks more like me now. Just like old times. #2. last week of school=depressing b/c I get too attached. #3. got my tax return FINALLY. #4. Sex and the City 2 premiere is this week!

Further explanations follow:

I am now celebrating the end of the school year with my Literature counterpart Candy (calling her this is way more fun than her real name anyways.) Mexican food, episodes of The Big Bang Theory, along with each other and Jose's company is a pretty sweet closing of work for the next 2 months. We finished out the school year with students ALL day yesterday at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Not a bad trip I must say. Holiday World is SO clean and economically pleasing. Stations with free drinks and free sunscreen AND lunch and dinner combined was only $10. The majority of us old folk were serious fans of the water park which is where we spent the majority of our time. I am sad to see these kids go on, and I have enjoyed them so much, but I am also happy for them to begin their high school journey.

Not only are they leaving but so am I. This time last year I was absolutely devastated to be leaving DCHS. I began my teaching career surrounded by teachers I had admired so much in high school. Not only are they great teachers, but they're even better colleagues and friends. Due to schedule changes and all the craziness that was the DC school system this year, I was placed at Dickson Middle School 8th grade Language Arts. I was determined to make the best of it. Little did I know it would introduce me to my "mammasita," a new best friend, and an amazing group of 8th grade kids. I have learned so much about myself as a person and a teacher. I know this year has made me better at being both. Basically lost my mind emotionally during lunch Monday when Candy gave me a notebook of letters (pictured above) that our kids wrote to me. Tear? Oh to say the least. She also made me a picture book from pictures throughout the year. Awesome.

3 years teaching=2 different schools and 3 different classes, so it's only natural that I will be heading back to the hill next year to teach 11th grade English. I'm a little nervous to say the least. I plan on spending the majority of my 2 week vacay at Rosemary Beach working on lesson plans and trying to be as prepared as possible. We'll see if that actually happens. Regardless of the stress involved, I feel like this is the best thing for me right now.

Absolutely obsessed with the new B.O.B and Hayley Williams (Paramore) song "Airplanes."

Random Wednesday

I have yet to completely grasp the fact that my oldest niece is graduating high school on Friday. Not flippin' possible. Jordan has been my mini-me since I was six. Now that she's gotten older, she doesn't look as much like me, but we definitely can't deny each other. Also, "mini-me" doesn't really apply anymore considering she's 5'11. She has been a volleyball and basketball star throughout high school, and I'm ridiculously proud to call her 1 of mine. Nevertheless, she is heading off to UT Martin in the fall, and I think I am taking it harder than her parents. I'm a sucker for tradition, so I'm excited for Jordo to make her walk down the hill. We will all be celebrating Friday pre-graduation ceremony as a family, the big family that we are of course. I'll be an emotional wreck pretty sure, but I'll manage.

Everyone around me is so tired of hearing me talk about Sex and the City 2 coming out, but I can hardly contain my excitement! The BFF and I watched movie numero uno last night, and it never disappoints no matter how many times I watch it. I laugh, I cry, it's a roller coaster of emotion, and I love it. I can't wait to see what's in store with #2. I will probably be one of "those people" that go to see it at midnight, and I'm not a bit ashamed. What can I say? A story of true, hardcore friendship and love gets me every time.

New obsession: an Amazon Kindle electronic reader. I did not buy the first model because it doesn't have a backlight. However, the newest model does have a backlight and is new and improved. Thousands and thousands of books, magazines, and newspapers downloading in 60 seconds right at my fingertips. It gives me chills. Me+my new Kindle+ the beach for 2 weeks= absolute perfection. The Kindle part=doubtful, but wishful thinking is a strong suit of mine. Why is it doubtful? See blog titled Miss. Independent.