Barrister's Ball

Hello!

Last night, Matt and I went to the Barrister's Ball. It was a really good time! I got to wear this pretty dress-unfortunately I don't have any really good photos of it. We ate some food and there was an open bar. Our friends Tim and Katie were there and it is always great to see them! I also got to meet some of Matt's other friends from his classes. Everyone was really nice! We danced for a little and there was also a photobooth there. 

This morning I woke up to breakfast in bed from the hubs. Cheese grits, a fried egg, and biscuits. Butters is now sitting on the couch with me while we watch American Beauty. I haven't seen it before and Matt didn't want to see it again-he is off studying. It is really windy here today but it will be about 60. Only 4 weeks until spring break, I can't believe how fast the time is going. March and April will be long months. 

I have read 5 books this year-staying up with my goal so far. For this month I finished Eragon, Looking for Alaska, and The Fault in Our Stars. Eragon I think I already wrote about. It was good and I think I will read the others, just not for a bit. John Green wrote the other two and they were awesome. I would recommend both, but get ready to cry. I hope all is well with you and hope to hear from you soon. Here is a photo from this morning's cuddle session.

Updates

So it has been awhile since I've written. Just been a bit busy. School has been ok. We are reading Monster and the students like it. I'm always hoping to keep things interesting for them and I find myself always learning new things for next time I teach the same book.

I've been sick this past week. I hate having colds. I had to take the day off on Thursday and slept for much of it. I feel a bit better after the needed rest. I did have a haircut scheduled though so I went ahead and did that. Here is a pic!

Last week I got a sweet card from my mom in the mail. I was able to put it on this awesome card wreath I made! She sent a sticker for my car. I love it! It says "Life is good. Head for the hills." I sure hope I am able to do some hiking if I make it home in March for spring break. Mom and dad are coming up to visit next weekend. No big plans, just visiting and relaxing. I hope to make some muffins I found online. I'll let you know how they turn out!

Matt and I have been watching a lot of good tv. First we watched both seasons of Boardwalk Empire. Now we are onto Downton Abbey. I really like Downton. It caters nicely to my British literature-loving side.  I recommend it if you have the time! I like so many of the characters and really despise others. But I never doubt their motivations. I find it intriguing that I can sympathize with them and still so strongly dislike them.

Tonight I was listening to some good tunes on pandora and the hubs and I started to dance for a bit. It brought tears to my eyes. It is moments like those that I really love. The weather is to be snowy tomorrow. We may luck out with another snow day! If so, the pups and I will have a swell time. Matt was supposed to drive to St. Louis to be making some job connections for the summer. I was worried though about the snowy roads so he postponed the trip.

I've been reading Eragon for the last month or so. The series is one of Matt's favorites so I wanted to give it a try. I am not sure I will continue on with it after I finish this book. Fingers crossed I will get to finish it tomorrow!

Last night Matt and I went to an auction. We didn't buy anything but did have some drinks and enjoyed ourselves. In two weeks we will be going to the Barristers Ball-aka law school prom. I don't have a good dress to wear-what should I do?!

Well that is enough for now. Hope all is well. Anyone have big plans for Valentine's day? Also, here is a shout-out to my good friend Albert. Facetime soon? XO!

Snowy evening

Tonight it started to snow. I love snow. I think it is magical and if it is going to be this cold, it really should snow! Speaking of magical...Matt and I watched Harry potter seven part two tonight. I had a nice day at school, got a sweet surprise from two sweet students, got a cupcake after school with Niki, and dinner with Emily, Matt and some nice boys. All in all, a great way to end the week. Now we are snuggled up watching another episode of Boardwalk Empire. I took a photo with my iPad, but can't get it to load. Maybe next time.

Being Successful

There is a list of things that I feel I need to do in order to feel like an accomplished, successful, functioning adult.

1. Writing letters, emails, texts and calling All the people who are important to me.
2. Being romantic with my hubby.
3. Walking the dogs and throwing the chicken.
4. Keeping my nails clean and trimmed.
5. Wearing a size six, which I don't.
6. Exercising regularly.
7. Reading a lot of books.
8. Crating engaging lessons for my students.
9. Shaving my legs.
10. Keeping the house clean.
11. Trying to support all of the people who need my support, with or without them knowing it.
12. Organizing things and writing in my planner.

On any given day I have all of these things plus more that I need To do. It can get overwhelming. Lately, I don't feel like I am doing a very good job. I want to. I am tired. I feel sad when many of these things go unaccomplished. I want to make an excuse and say it is the weather, but I am not sure it is. I also like to think it is from still adjusting to a new place and new people. It might be. Tomorrow is Friday. I will just keep looking forward to that. I hope you all have not hit the new year/January downs.


Until next time, stay well.

What I've learned from watching Mad Men

Over the past two weeks Matt and I devoured the four seasons of Man Men on Netflix. I am now anxiously awaiting the new season that will come out in March. So many things were great about this series. I know it is really old news at this point, but I am still excited about it! Here are some things I learned from the show.

1. Say less. Be more like Don Draper. I think there is really something to be said about holding in a bit and being mysterious. Don does this almost to a fault, but he is onto the right idea. It is really interesting to watching his character from when he is young to how he acts at the Ad agency.

2. Women did not have to work out back then. Even though all of the women are not gorgeous, and I know it is a tv show, I really think it was not something they did! Only one girl on the show ever does anything-which is running. I have to say I am a bit jealous. There is a lot going on there though-very strict ideas about femininity, which is slightly changing even now, less fatty foods, no take-out yet, etc. I can't decide how I feel about it at this moment.

3. Companies could afford to take care of their people. America in the 60s was full of hope. Even though a lot of tragedies occur during this time, as a capitalist society, America is hitting it hard. People could live relatively comfortably and were a special commodity to the company. I feel we have moved far away from this mentality.

4. It was all about who you knew. At one time in the show, a boy is hired because he was the cousin to the bosses wife. I like to think that doesn't happen any more, but I know better than that.

5. Racists were/are everywhere. It is easy to think that the South was where all the racists were, and part of that is true. Growing up in the South, there are endearing and also disgusting habits. I miss it in some ways. But, people in the North were not much better. Also, I am sick of people being racist. Get over yourself.

6. I love women! Women during this time period knew what they had to do. A lot still live the 50s housewife dream, but others were forging a path. Most of the women on the show are secretaries, playing into stereotypes. But the most important one, Peggy, uses her mind to progress in her career. Everyone in the office thinks she slept with Don, and that bothers her, but she continues to strive for more, not letting it distract her. Go women, we rock!!

7. Handle things quietly. Be more like Joan and less like Betty. Part of me loves Betty, don't get me wrong. She represents everything that we as women are supposed to be and supposed to want. But she is childish. I found myself horrified at times when watching her with her children. Joan is strong and when she is upset, she takes it in stride.

8. Push the boundaries. Be like Peggy.  Peggy asks for what she wants and is not afraid to do hard work. She also recognizes the injustice that surrounds her. People in the north talk about civil rights, but  do not seem to extend it to women. I like her drive and determination. We all could take a lesson from her.

9. It is hard to be a good person. We are selfish. Every character has their faults and it is easy to judge them at times. Most notably, Betty seems like an awful person. But, she isn't happy! So I sympathize with her. Don is impulsive and does and says hurtful things. But he has a good heart. It is hard to be the person we think we should be.

What do you think?

What shows do you think we should watch next?

Tis the Season...a few days late

As promised, I wanted to do a blog about my break in Tennessee. It was so great to be home and to see some of my dear friends. The first group I met up with was Kelsey, Katelyn and Nicole. The four of us have been buds for quite some time and are now scattered all over the country. Luckily, our parents all still live in the same place, so we were able to arrange something! It was strange catching up but altogether needed.   

Christmas Eve. Jenny-send us the photos from after church!!

Christmas morn!

Hey, look at that. 

Daddy

I made this wreath for mum

Exploring in black and white

Baby

I can sit all by myself!!

Mean muggin

A few days after Christmas I got to stay at my friends apartment, Jen and Amy. Alyssa came over to hang out as well. I miss my friends so dearly. The time with them was bittersweet because I knew it would soon come to an end. After awhile we fell back into a comfortable feeling. Jen and I stayed up till 2 talking and then got to spend the next day together at the outlets. Alyssa and Matt came along. It was a swell day :) 

Oh, how I've missed you, Jen!!

These are the ornaments I made! Each has different colors for the girls. Also, I gave them homemade hot cocoa--how did that turn out, by the way? I didn't get to try any!

Twins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also ventured to dye part of Alyssa's hair pink. 

The next night I went to a Lady Vols game with my parents, which was fun! Then I went over to a girls house to hang out with some of the interns from last year. I ended up staying there till 1:30 or so having such a good time. I truly miss being able to see all of those talented people in class and to talk about the different difficulties we have in our own classrooms. Sadly, I believe several people plan to move away. Someone took some photos...but I don't have them! 

Now I am back here in Missouri. School has started and I am trying to keep up. We are talking about controversial topics. Matt made a yummy meatball and spaghetti dinner. Last year ended with a bang! Let's hope this year can hold its ground. 

Welcome, 2012!

I greet thee.

I am getting ahead of myself. I really want to do some holiday blogs about being home, but those will have to wait. No fear. I took some photos.

I am sitting at the coffee shop to use the internet and thought it a good time to pop on here and address the new year. I can't believe how fast the fall semester went. It seems like just the other day we were driving our lives up to Missouri. I am not quite ready to go back to school, but will have to make due!

My two new years resolutions from last year: read 24 books-Check, work out three times a week-No Check.

My goals are not changing too much this year. I want to try and read 30 books, lets up the ante a little here. I started a book where I will list all of the books I have read and I wrote down all of the ones from the past two years. I look forward to adding 30 more this year! I am already a third of the way through Thirteen Reasons Why. I find it unrealistic, but altogether intriguing.

I also plan to read Ulysses by James Joyce. That is my book for by the end of the year. I have been wanting to read it for some time and I gratefully got it from my parents for Christmas. Joy of joys!

My other goal is again to work out three times a week, moving to four by March. But! I am better prepared this year. Matt made me a varied workout plan and I intend of following them. I went to the gym yesterday and did my own thing since I didn't have the plan yet. I will let you know how it goes.

Looking at my google reader the past few days-everyone said something about the new year. What is it that makes us want to try new things at the beginning of the year? To claim it will be the best year yet? Around Christmas this overwhelming optimism starts to fill people (minus retail workers) and last for a few weeks into January. I don't ever feel that different.

Matt is away for some more days and it feels weird to be home. It reminds me of my single days-except now I have dogs. It will be nice to have him home.

Here is to a year full of more changes, decisions, hopefully making some new friends, but really holding onto the old ones who count. You know who you are. And of course-growing and loving my family how I know I can.