April 30, 2004

Hello cyber-world!

It's me, and my life is good. On Tuesday night, I had a slight adventure--not like the NYC/Philly trip last summer (Thank God!). My mom and I had decided to visit Janina at Manzanita Hall at UNR, go out to dinner with the girl, and then attend Janina's concert at the Pioneer Center. Hah! If only things really were that easy!

My mom and I headed up. We had a nice time of conversing and catching up on each other's lives. We stopped at the U.S. Bank prior to stopping at Manzanita Hall because my mother needed money. Right before we turned into the parking lot, we heard a strange noise. We weren't sure what it was, so my mom got the money and got back into the car. We heard the dinging that normally goes along with a door not being closed sufficiently. We tried every door, but it kept going. We did some praying and continued down the street, since it is probably less than a mile away. We started smelling something around the time we hit the Silver Legacy Casino/Circus Circus Casino area. The dinging had stopped. Perhaps the scent was coming from a close by resturant?

We pulled up to Janina's dorm. Some guys were playing hacky sack and being incredibly rude by not moving out of our way. We parked and the guys looked at the car with shocked looks. We got out to see the car smoking and antifreeze leaking out. ACK!!!!!!!!!! Janina popped out just as we decided to go in. My mom was calling various towing services as Janina and I hauled my mom's sewing machine into Janina's room. We had to wait until about 6:45 before the tow truck came, so Janina, her friend (and soon to be roommate), and I walked down to a local deli for dinner. Sad to say this was a far cry to The Olive Garden!

We ate dinner while waiting for the tow truck. Janina's concert began at 7:30. We tried calling my grandparents (who were in Reno for the night), but they didn't answer. My father couldn't help, because he was in Sacramento. Uncle Jack and Aunt Laurie were able to help us out a bit, by coming up and loaning us one of their cars. We got our tickets and sat down. We didn't have to wait long for the concert to start.

I love classical music and concerts! We sat three rows away (meaning we couldn't see Janina) from the stage. The Reno Philharmonic played beautifully. It was great! Ah! Italian music, played by professionals! Truly life is good. Especially since I had a fantastic view of the 3rd chair bass player!!!!!! :) Oh, he was a looker! Sheer gorgeousness!

I went home sick yesterday after 2nd period. I hate being ill, but I'm kind of glad I was sick yesterday. My laptop came! The UPS man woke me up from a nap, but it's here! Now, I'm on it and I feel very powerful! The world is at my fingertips and it is all mine!!! Mwa-ha-ha-ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today's in-service wasn't as dreadful as I had expected. I expected it to be bland, and it wasn't--until after lunch. Then it was just very slow (with very few inspired moments). The world-wide simulcast of Maxim Impact actually had more information that I think I can use for teaching. One can hope, at any rate. I got to sit at the table with the funny teachers, so we cut up and had a laugh fest during the first half. Good times to be had!

April 26, 2004

So, here I am, joining the masses. I have my own blog.

Today has been fairly typical. I hit snooze appoximately 6 times on both my alarm clocks whilst cursing the whole "Monday is the beginning of the work week" theory. You'd think I would have been intelligent and not gone into teaching, since I feel this way, but no. It's a sad testiment to my mental capacities.

I managed to arrive at school at about 7:25. I realized I didn't have our bi-weekly Monday staff meeting! Huzzah! While the elementary side has core group meetings on the off weeks, we in the upper grades do not. I admit this to be slightly ironic, since none of them have the same students and each of us in the upper grades do. However, I'm not willing to point this out and be the one who requires us to be here 15 minutes early on the off-Mondays. I mean, Tuesday-Friday we have devotions at 7:45, so it is nice that I can catch a break once every two weeks--even if it is at the beginning of the week.

I go through the routine of teaching 6th grade, 9-10th grades, breathe for break, 11-12th grades, Drama, breathe for Lunch, 6th grade Bible, 7-8th grades, and finally the glorious prep period. I truly hope that next year I have my prep at the end of the day as well, as I have been spoiled this year.

Well, since this is my first entry, I suppose I should also include what is going on in my non-professional life, which sometimes feels nonexistent. I am singing in the HCC summer choir. I have been recruited to play Farmer McDonald in the Kid's musical at church, provided Sean Howard cannot. He has been Mr. McD, but recently got a new job in which he may have to work the weekend of the musical. Diane Johnson was freaking out, so my roommate, Kristen, suggested that I understudy (after speaking to me) the role. She plays Mrs. McD, and we thought maybe we could make them sisters. We talked to Diane after church on Friday night--it was nice to see her face relax a bit! :)

My cousin Halley is moving to L.A. on Wednesday to join her sister Kelsey. I think I'm gonna miss her a lot. I guess the probability of working at Disneyland with Kelsey, Carlos, Austin, Millie and the others, along with going to FIDM was too enticing. I just have to ask, am I not as fun as Disneyland??????????????????

May 6 and 14 are big days for me at the school. I will be taking a group of 6 (Beth, Nathan, Jon, Lacey, Katie and Megan) students down to Sacramento for the day to see the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie (hence my title!). Sadly, I won't get to see the brilliant Sutton Foster for this third time, but I've heard that Darcie is amazing when singing my favorite song, "Gimme Gimme." May 14 is our final social for Student Council. A luau; how original. I do think it will be fun, though.

So, I shall sign off and wonder just what compelled me to conform to this aspect of pop culture. Perhaps it was my need to enlighten others to my simple life. Perhaps it was my driving need to write anything at all.