a month?

9.9.12

So while in Japan, I let loose to my brother that I thought this blog was the stupidest idea I had ever had.  The photos I love taking, but the writing, while I love to do that as well, is just flat out annoying. 

It has been a month.  How THE HELL did that happen?  I spent some time babysitting the neighbors’ hermit crabs.  Is it bad that now I want one?  My apartment is in shambles, and my dependence on caffeine is going strong.  Year 7, in classroom 6 has begun.  Typical beginning of year exhaustion has set in.  The air con in my new room is bitchin’ and I have instructed the kids to bring sweatshirts. 

I painted the bathroom.  It’s a very small room, I like painting and I wanted a change.  I don’t normally dig change (har har har) so the smallest room possible seemed like a good place to start.  Don’t ever paint anything cabbage green – it’s gross.  Mint Hint has turned out to be a much better choice.

I am doing my darndest to keep a positive spin on this year.  The looming changes that could be rumors but probably aren’t make that tricky…but I’m trying.  The air conditioning helps.

it's been a while. oops.

Yeah so uh…this will be a cheating post.  Things get busy in the summer when you are planning a trip, then on a trip, then recovering from a trip.

Japan is not a place I would go on my own.  Thankfully I am unbelievably lucky and I have family there.  My big brother (the younger of the big brothers) lives there with his wife and their two BEAUTIFUL tiny people.  I have been fortunate enough to see some amazing sites there, as well as spend time with the kick ass family.

This trip was an excellent one.  (Sorry I brought the serious heat Mayumi!)  The highlights are innumerable, but I’ll give you a few…

- Louis is 4, talking up a storm, and totally into Japanese folk tales.  Momotaro and Issun-boshi are his favorites.

- Mana is in that perfect chubby baby stage where she smiles and drools all the time

- Mike still picks his nose.

- The green seats on the Shinkansen are AWESOME

- The food in Japan…shabu-shabu, peppers with cheese and bacon, rice with eggs and chicken and stuff. oh god yum.

- Hiroshima is a heavy place to visit, but is absolutely beautiful

On a separate note, Air Canada is a great way to fly.  Just saying.  You have to drink Molson, but they are free – so whatevo.

For those of you who know me…I am unbelievably sensitive to jetlag.  I know, I’m a wimp.  But I have been fluctuating between falling asleep in the middle of the day, waking up in the middle of the night, or just rising with the sun…because really why not?

I have FINALLY for the past two days been able to sleep until the alarm goes off at 8am.  Progress is a beautiful thing.  Coming back to CT after a few weeks with my brutha and the Lou Man was tough.  Going back to school to unpack the classroom (again) is annoying – but it appears this coming year is starting off on the right foot.

knock on wood.

(ps. here is the cheating part…click on this link for all the pics )

 

pre-trip

7.20.12

in the days leading up to a trip there are lots of things I should be doing.  I should be making sure things around the boulevard are settled.  the place is clean – so when I return the spiders and bugs have not completely taken over.   

7.20.12

I should make sure that the laundry is put away so it is not piled on the bed.  however, it almost always happens the same way. it’s not like I forget that I’m leaving – but that I choose to ignore it.   

7.21.12

why on earth would I want to pack and clean when I could get burgers at tucker’s, watch multiple episodes of gossip girl, go to the beach, or spend large sums of money? 

7.22.12

Again, I procrastinate.  it truly is an art form, and I will do it in any way possible.  prior to this trip my days were absolutely full with things I totally did not have to do.  

including, and not limited to a trip to goodwill, some time at home depot, a massive amount of shredding, and a well timed trip to target. of course the dudes who are replacing the bathroom need bottles of water – it’s just a nice thing to do.

I finally started, and finished packing around 3am on Wednesday morning.   

7.23.12

7.24.12

The car picked me up at 5:15.  thankfully, the second leg of my flight was pretty empty and I got a double seat to myself.   

7.25.12

Dear Air Canada, you rock. lovekate.

 

Thursday

7.19.12

 

7.19.12

sometimes I forget things in NH. woops.

Wednesday

7.18.12

 

7.18.12

grilled cheese board? yes. yes please.

Tuesday

7.17.12

 

7.17.12

apparently the painters didn’t feel like putting these back on. cool.

Monday

                                                                                       7.16.12

7.16.12

on the fence.

flowers...

just breathe.

7.13.12

7.14.12

7.15.12

It's Summer Now

So yeah, it’s summer now.  Frankly, a quippy blog post is pretty low on my list of priorities.  Here you will find some highlights.

1. Stayed on the BLVD longer than I wanted to

2. Drinks with the boys is ALWAYS interesting

3. My hatred of driving in the rain = confirmed and supported

4. Everyone should own a pair of bright pink TOMS

5. Not sure what I got myself into with the whole yard sale plan

6. Pokey – does this even need an explanation?

7. $180 on the first day. Pulled even

8. Rained most of the day today – hopefully tomorrow is better…

9. 3 words. PULLED. IT. OFF!

10. Parties are exhausting

11. Muddy couch + garage door painted shut = awesome

12. Stomach bug + mud cleanup = even better

13. Keeping food down. score.

6.30.12

7.1.12

7.2.12

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7.4.12

7.5.12

7.6.12

7.7.12

7.8.12

7.9.12

7.10.12

7.11.12

7.12.12

Is it Summer Now?

6.29.12

6.29.12

My neighbor is watering the lawn.  Not worrying about the fact that my windows are open, and everything is now soaked. Awesome.

6.28.12

6.28.12

harumpf

Summer?

6.26.12

School was over last week.  Kids were out, room is all packed and we are ready for summer.  Unfortunately due to a hurricane  (ps…that is two streets from my apartment.  I was thankfully camped out with the Hall-greens in Oxford) and a freak October  snowstorm  we are stuck in professional development for a few more days.  I still can’t quite understand how people think that these meetings at the end of the year are beneficial…but if we get to play with ice balloons and do a bunch of cool experiments – it is certainly making the most of a crappy situation.

6.27.12

We hang out with the FBI. What of it?

Can I Kick It?

6.25.12

 6.25.12

I forgot again.  So here you have a dishtowel.  These things happen.

6.24.12

6.24.12

tonight’s long loop was…

1. needed x a billion

2. refreshing

3. annoying

4. full of bugs

5. excellent.

and it ended here.

                                                                                                                                  

6.23.12

6.23.12

Some nights are truly destined for stupidity.  Usually brought on by weeks of grown-up-ness.  I have decided that I’m not really thrilled about being a grown-up.  I don’t like all the politics involved.  What I really don’t like is that how even though we are “grown-ups” most of us still act like idiots.  I am certainly not exempt from acting like an idiot…in fact I would bet I do it on a regular basis.  I did however attempt to leave the high school bullcorn in high school. 

When I act like an idiot, I promise not to say one thing and do the exact opposite.  I will not talk like you aren’t in the room…I will however lose my house keys (again) try to call them (beats me) and wake up the next morning wishing upon all that is holy that I kept massive amounts of Aleve at the ready.

sometimes, me = idiot on so many levels.

6.22.12

6.22.12

On days like this, that are destined to turn into even more eventful nights, it is very important to stay hydrated.  That is all.

Running Late - duh.

  6.21.12

6.21.12

The last day is never a good one.  A whole year with these tiny people, and it is gone in the blink of an eye.  Wasn’t it just September, when I was complaining about the shoe tying and the crying?  Yeah I know what you’re thinking, ‘here we go with Teaching is so rewarding blah blah blah’ – Or ‘the end of year is so stressful blah blah blah’.  Well I mean, it is…and it is.  Seriously, shove your TPS reports, and your stock dividends and your cranky grownups where the sun don’t shine.  Children are irrational.  They cry because their dog died TWO YEARS AGO.  They are cranky, and then they have their cranky parents call you.  They don’t know how to do everyday tasks but then the say something ridiculous, or help the smelly kid, and suddenly all is right with the world. 

On the last day, you rarely remember the crankiness (there ARE exceptions).  You rarely remember the stubborn foot stomping or crying.  You just remember the good stuff, and that makes this day a tough one.  So  you pack an extra cup of coffee or two, and you roll with it.

                                                                   

                                                                   6.20.12

6.20.12

Thanks Kelley for sharing this.  I got her permission prior to snapping the photo.

Seriously.  I don’t think I could possibly explain to you how absolutely hilarious 7 year olds can be.  Not only do they rarely miss a flipping beat, they truly and honestly can crack you up like no other.  I mean are you seeing this?  This kid is a genius.

6.19.12

6.19.12

At this point, when the custodians head down to the basement to bring packing boxes…most of them already have my name on them.  I simply have to change the room number I am heading to.  Next year will be a pretty huge-normous change.  I’m choosing at this point to believe firmly that it will be a good change. (For those of you who know me…let’s be honest, I SUCK at change)  While this sums up my general feeling, here are the top 5 things about this move in no particular order…

1.  I started in NH, it will be cool to be back (NH stands for North House.  NOT New Hampshire, though both are technically true)

2.  Packing up and moving allows me to get rid of an awful lot of junk

3.  I’ve got great “neighbors”

4.  Kids don’t pee on the seat in the adult bathroom

5.  Duh. Air Con.

the groove is in the heart.

6.14.12

6.14.12   Broken Bells - The High Road

Preface: You know how on some days music just needs to be loud?  In the car, in the headset, you name it.  The next two weeks will be set to music.  Mostly loud, upbeat, obnoxiously teeny-bopper type music that allows me to get through the day. 

Moisture rings.  There are multiple modes of hydration happening here tonight as I attempt to work on some progress reports.  I would put large sums of money on the fact that there will eventually be more moisture rings than there are completed reports.  Surprised?  no. no I’m not.

6.15.12  Rise - Eddie Vedder

6.15.12

This stuff makes everything easier.

6.16.12   OMC - How Bizarre

6.16.12

Sometimes in my tiny apartment I have myself a dance party.  Usually it involves some sort of spirit.  However, said spontaneous spurts of movement can also be brought on by sheer boredom, or overwork.  Most times…and by most times I mean EVERY time, dance parties on the BLVD include this tune.  Because honestly, why the hell wouldn’t it?

 

6.17.12  Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise

6.17.12

It has been unbelievably gorgeous for the past 48 hours.  I am thankful that I actually made myself put some miles on my shoes thus enjoying said weather.  However, most of the past two days have been spent inside.  It is approximately 4pm.  Happy Father’s Day Old Man D.  Progress reports are done.   

Awesome + ness.

6.18.12

6.18.19  William Elliott Whitmore - Mutiny

September – well really early August will make year 7.  WHAAAAAAAT!? Yup, year seven.  Seven years, six rooms, pin-balling between grades.  This cleanup, pack-up, purge, and move process screams hoarders.  Not a good feeling about this next one…we’ll see.