Thursday, April 8, 2010

Ashley and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day


We've all had a few. Days when nothing goes catastrophically wrong, but nothing seems to go right either. Days when we start to wonder if it was really worth getting out of bed for this. Well today was one of those days for me.

After a restless night of trying to sleep, I stumbled out of bed and tripped over my cat who then proceeded to bite my ankle in retaliation. (She is still giving me the cold shoulder.) I jumped in the shower and the hot water ran out just as I was massaging in my conditioner (Herbal Essences Lavender Fusion in case you were wondering. It is delightful!) I hurried through my morning routine and ended up spilling tea on my new skirt that I was planning on wearing to work, and had to quickly iron another. I should have guessed by this point what kind of day lay ahead of me, but I still had high hopes.

Breakfast duty went relatively smoothly until the last five minutes. Now you see there are these two boys who enjoy toeing the line when it comes to rules. Lets call them Bosey and Jrent. We have had a few confrontations, but they have always eventually backed down. Today they decided that they were going to sit in the restricted section of the cafeteria. When I asked them to move they asked me why. When I explained to them that this was the rules they said no, and were very disrespectful. I had no choice but to write them up and give them after school detention. Part of this process is calling their parents and asking when a good time to serve would be. During this phone call I got to hear very graphically what the parents thought of me and the school. That was just bushels of fun.

The rest of the morning consisted of me getting cursed at, my face being spat on by someone who obviously chews, cursed at again, and being told just what an eighth grade boy would do to me if he could have an hour with me. Lovely. I know. I am used to these things happening but not so frequently in one morning. By the time lunch rolled around I was a bit fed up. I was looking forward to sixth hour where I go to help a student of mine. We were going to watch "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" because we just finished our Roald Dahl unit. As I was getting up to leave the teacher I work with, Mr. Swisher, asked if I could go with our newly assigned student to "help control him in his science class." When he used the world control I knew I was in for trouble. This student was awful! He was angry that I was shadowing him and let the entire eighth grade hall know with his shouting and locker hitting. He was so disruptive and derogatory. I was informed by his teacher that this was one of his good days. I truly fail to understand why this boy is in regular classes, but that is a whole 'nother story.

Finally seventh hour comes along. We were preparing for the breakfast burritos that the boys sell on Fridays to raise money for behavior awards. I am usually in charge of the potatoes. (My potatoes are pretty delicious by the way.) I start doing my thing when two of the boys get in a brawl, and the other four decide to join in. Mr. Swisher has to take them in the gym to cool off, and I am left by myself cooking the potatoes, green chili, sausage, bacon, and eggs. The last of those three ingredients literally do make me nauseated when I am around of excessive amounts (I will have my burrito with just potatoes, cheese and green chili thank-you-very-much!) I thought I was doing rather well all things considering, but the boys come back and one of them blows up at me because I let the green chili get too thick. *Sigh* All of them refused to help clean up the kitchen so Mr. Swisher and I were left to do it alone. After what seemed like an eternity, the dismissal bell finally rang.

Now I hope you don't think I'm complaining. I really don't mean it in that way. I know I signed up for this. This was merely a way to vent. I'm happy to report that my day brightened 100% when I drove home with the windows down, the music blaring, and the sunshine warming my body and my mood. It is nice to know that we don't always have to wait for the sun to come out tomorrow- we may just have to wait until the bell rings.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Bucket List


I think a bucket list is something everyone should have. I actually really enjoyed making mine. I am sure I am going to think of many more in the years to come, but I think this is a pretty good start.

~ Visit all seven continents.
~ Visit all 50 states.
~ Learn to belly dance.
~ Write and publish a children's book.
~ Visit Disney World.
~ Visit the Holy Lands.
~ Tour the White House.
~ Have my experiences make a difference for someone.
~ Take an art class.
~ Take a ballroom dancing class.
~ Take a cooking class.
~ Adopt a child.
~ Learn another language (haven't decided which one yet.)
~ Travel to England.
~ Ride in a hot air balloon at sunrise or sunset.
~ Visit the Grand Canyon.
~ Visit Nicaragua Falls.
~ Travel to New York City.
~ Tour Europe's landmarks.
~ Climb a fourteener.
~ Learn how to sew.
~ Go sky diving.
~ Visit all 28 places on the Smithsonian Magazine Life List.
~ Go bungee diving.
~ Ride in a helicopter.
~ Ride an elephant.
~ Ride a camel.
~ Read the top 100 novels of all time.
~ Grow a productive garden.
~ Visit a Renaissance fair.
~ See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
~ Witness a solar eclipse.
~ Visit San Antonio- the place of my birth.
~ Extensively tour Colorado- get to know my beloved state (even the eastern part.
~ Be in the studio audience of The Colbert Report.
~ See a Broadway show.
~ Join a community theater.
~ Attend a presidential inauguration.
~ Take singing lessons.
~ Cook an authentic Mexican meal..
~ Cook an authentic French meal.
~ Cook an authentic Japanese meal.
~ Cook an authentic Indian meal.
~ Write a song.
~ Find a life-long hobby that I am passionate about.
~ Get married.
~ Run in the Boulder Boulder.
~ Give a speech in front of more than 100 people.
~ Host a Karaoke party.
~ Learn to knit.
~ Ride in a gondola in Venice.
~ Go scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef.
~ Learn skillful digital photography.
~ Visit the Great Wall of China.
~ Go water skiing.
~ Spend a weekend at the Broadmoor.
~ Go to a Josh Groban concert.
~ Visit the seven wonders of the world.
~ Visit the seven modern wonders of the world.
~ Read the entire Bible in a year.
~ Sing a song in front of my church.
~ Go to the Super Bowl.
~ Get teacher of the year at a school I teach at.
~ Make a significant difference in at least one student's life each year I teach.
~ To never loose touch with mt dear friends.
~ Eat as much organic food as I can.
~ Be a life-long learner.
~ Host a fancy Christmas party.
~ Go on an Alaskan cruise.
~ Attend both the Summer and Winter Olympic games.
~ Paint a picture that I would be proud to display on my house.
~ Volunteer consistently for a charity.

Monday, January 18, 2010

A picture is worth a thousand words.

One of my friends, René, is a professional photographer for a living. Her photos are incredible. I love looking at her blog. I want to get married just so she can take my wedding and engagement pictures. She just did a single parent photo shoot that I just have to share. Enjoy!

http://renetatephotography.com/

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Stuff White People Like

I came across a website called stuffwhitepeoplelike.com and I'm not sure whether I should be offended or whether I should laugh. I think I am going to laugh Apparently there is a book too.

* #130 Ray-Ban Wayfarers
* #129 Banksy
* #128 Camping
* #127 Where the Wild Things Are
* #126 Vespa Scooters
* #125 Bob Marley
* #124 Hating People Who Wear Ed Hardy
* #123 Mad Men
* #122 Moleskine Notebooks
* #121 Funny or Ironic Tattoos
* #120 Taking a Year Off
* #119 Sea Salt
* #118 Ugly Sweater Parties
* #117 Political Prisoners
* #116 Black Music that Black People Don’t Listen to Anymore
* #115 Promising to Learn a New Language
* #114 America
* #113 Halloween
* #112 Hummus
* #111 Pea Coats
* #110 Frisbee Sports
* #109 The Onion
* #108 Appearing to Enjoy Classical Music
* #107 Self Aware Hip Hop References
* #106 Facebook
* #105 Unpaid Internships
* #104 Girls with Bangs
* #103 Sweaters
* #102 Children’s Games as Adults
* #101 Being Offended
* #100 Bumper Stickers
* #99 Grammar
* #98 The Ivy League
* #97 Scarves
* #96 New Balance Shoes
* #95 Rugby
* #94 Free Healthcare
* #93 Music Piracy
* #92 Book Deals
* #91 San Francisco
* #90 Dinner Parties
* #89 St. Patrick’s Day
* #88 Having Gay Friends
* #87 Outdoor Performance Clothes
* #86 Shorts
* #85 The Wire
* #84 T-Shirts
* #83 Bad Memories of High School
* #82 Hating Corporations
* #81 Graduate School
* #80 The Idea of Soccer
* #79 Modern Furniture
* #78 Multilingual Children
* #77 Musical Comedy
* #76 Bottles of Water
* #75 Threatening to Move to Canada
* #74 Oscar Parties
* #73 Gentrification
* #72 Study Abroad
* #71 Being the only white person around
* #70 Difficult Breakups
* #69 Mos Def
* #68 Michel Gondry
* #67 Standing Still at Concerts
* #66 Divorce
* #65 Co-Ed Sports
* #64 Recycling
* #63 Expensive Sandwiches
* #62 Knowing What’s Best for Poor People
* #61 Bicycles
* #60 Toyota Prius
* #59 Natural Medicine
* #58 Japan
* #57 Juno
* #56 Lawyers
* #55 Apologies
* #54 Kitchen Gadgets
* #53 Dogs
* #52 Sarah Silverman
* #51 Living by the Water
* #50 Irony
* #49 Vintage
* #48 Whole Foods and Grocery Co-ops
* #47 Arts Degrees
* #46 The Sunday New York Times
* #45 Asian Fusion Food
* #44 Public Radio
* #43 Plays
* #42 Sushi
* #41 Indie Music
* #40 Apple Products
* #39 Netflix
* #38 Arrested Development
* #37 Renovations
* #36 Breakfast Places
* #35 The Daily Show/Colbert Report
* #34 Architecture
* #33 Marijuana
* #32 Vegan/Vegetarianism
* #31 Snowboarding
* #30 Wrigley Field
* #29 80s Night
* #28 Not having a TV
* #27 Marathons
* #26 Manhattan (now Brooklyn too!)
* #25 David Sedaris
* #24 Wine
* #23 Microbreweries
* #22 Having Two Last Names
* #21 Writers Workshops
* #20 Being an expert on YOUR culture
* #19 Traveling
* #18 Awareness
* #17 Hating their Parents
* #16 Gifted Children
* #15 Yoga
* #14 Having Black Friends
* #13 Tea
* #12 Non-Profit Organizations
* #11 Asian Girls
* #10 Wes Anderson Movies
* #9 Making you feel bad about not going outside
* #8 Barack Obama
* #7 Diversity
* #6 Organic Food
* #5 Farmer’s Markets
* #4 Assists
* #3 Film Festivals
* #2 Religions their parents don’t belong to
* #1 Coffee

Friday, January 1, 2010

Best of the Decade



Today is the first day of a new decade, and just like last decade I have no clue what the it has in store for me. I started the 2000's as a 12 year old seventh grader with a somewhat sheltered view on life, bangs, and braces. Now I am a 22 year old college graduate that still has bangs (they're cuter now..I hope!), but I would like to think that I am no longer so sheltered to the realities of life. And thanks goodness I still do not have braces! Although I, (along with every person I know) had some difficult times last decade, I also had some wonderful times that I would not trade for the world. So I picked my favorite memory from each year to share. (I may have cheated on a few and shared more than one, but it is my blog so you can deal with it ;) )



2000- I have forgotten a lot of things that happened in 2000, but one of my favorite memories was playing Alice from Alice in Wonderland in our Fall 8th grade drama production. Everything from the pre-practice Subway trips with Ashley to the curtain closing on closing night were just a blast!

2001- There are many favorite memories from 2001, but my absolute favorite memory was in November when my family had just picked up my mom and Kyndal from the airport. We were at home, and Kyndal had just been laid down for a nap. When I heard her crying from my room next door I could not help but sneak in and see if I could comfort her. I took her in my arms and rocked her. She fell asleep holding my finger. It was at that moment that I thought to myself "Wow! This is my new little sister. Like for real!"

2002- By far my favorite memory of 2002 was in late May when I made it into the all women’s show choir, Tiger Ladies! It was at the end of freshmen year and I was SO nervous the day the list was going up. It was all I could think about. I walked to the choir room door and anxiously looked at the list. When I saw my name I squealed. Amanda Kettle, who was completing her sophomore and had been in Tiger Ladies, asked me if I made it, and when I nodded exclaimed to me that she had made Encore!, the higher lever co-ed choir. Even though we hardly knew each other we hugged in our excitement. It was a great moment.

2003- My favorite memory happened at the end of the year when my mother and I went to go see The Nutcracker. It was a complete surprise! My mom told me that she had a work Christmas party in Denver and that I had to go with her since my dad was busy. She said that I needed to dress up for it, so she bought me a really fancy dress. Instead we went to the Denver Performing Arts complex. The Nutcracker was incredible and it enchanted me from the very beginning.

2004- Ok. I have two favorite memories for this year. The first was when I got to go spend time in Michigan with my Aunt Ronda and Uncle Curt. They spoiled me so much, and made my summer great! My other favorite memory from 2004 was when Lauren came to visit. She was my best friend that moved away in the most inopportune time in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. We had kept in contact, but it just wasn’t the same. I can remember driving to the airport to pick her up, and I was literally bouncing in my seat. I knew things were going to be back to our normal humor when she started talking about the guy in the sky with the sty in his eye.

2005- Oh goodness. This year is filled with so many great memories- surprise birthday party, Peer Counselor Elidge Gardens trip, graduating, meeting so many wonderful people all at once at SNU- it is so hard to decide a favorite! I guess I am going to have to go with my Fall Break trip to Killeen with Jessica and Robin. It was during this trip that I knew I was going to make lifelong friends while at SNU, and this proved to be true!

2006- Once again, there are so many great memories to choose from. I am going to choose two again. The first one was when I went to Dallas with Clayton, Danielle, and Marcus! It was my birthday weekend and I had a lot of fun. It may sound silly, but I remember feeling so grown up because I took a weekend out of town trip with just friends and no “adult” supervision. My second favorite memory was getting back to OK after having been gone all summer. I had missed my friends so much, and it was great to be finally reunited! I felt like I was home.

2007- This year gets two too! For the first memory- two words. Veronica Mars. I am pretty sure that Niki, Jessica, and I watched two seasons in about a week and a half. It was kind of ridiculous really, but so much fun! We’d race back to the dorms from our classes, and would dance when the theme song came on. It was simple entertainment, but it was a blast! The second was the summer I spent at Covenant Heights! There I had the time of my life and met my kindred spirit- all while getting paid to do it! It was by far the best summer of my life!

2008- Once again I have two favorites. Scratch that. I have three. My first was Clessica's Wedding! I got to hang out with old and dear friends, meet new friends, and witness the union of two of my greatest friends. Plus I got to go to Schlitterbahn with some more friends the day after. It was a very friendly time. My second favorite memory was when I went to China with my mom to pick up my new little sister- Madilynn! I feel so blessed to have been able to be apart of that life changing trip. MJ was a joy from the start. And finally my other favorite memory from 2008 was RA training week. That is when I got really close to the ladies I was going to be working with for a whole school year. That week was filled with so much laughter and sharing. I still laugh to myself when I remember Kendra and I trying to paint a straight black line (never happened), and when the paper that Devon and Blaire were painting blew in the wind and splattered Devon. We were so much more than a staff that year- we were great friends and it was that week that started it all!

2009- My favorite memory from 2009 was a few weeks into my student teaching. I do not remember the exact day, but I remember there being a day when I realized that I can teach. Before student teaching I had been so nervous that I would just be a completely incompetent teacher. When I realized that I can teach, and that I have fun while doing it, a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. After all- it is want I want to do with the rest of my life.

I am sure this list would be different tomorrow if I had posted it then- I have a lot of great memories from the 2000 decade. So here is to 2010 - 2019! Let it be filled with great memories for all of you!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Graduation

My former roommate and I made an impromptu video the night after we graduated. Perfect way to end our life as roommates! And a special thanks to Chris for helping too!

Monday, December 28, 2009

State Mottos


These are funny. And true- whether you admit it or not.

  • Alabama: At Least We're not Mississippi
  • Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can't be Wrong!
  • Arizona: Dehyd-rific!
  • Arkansas: Litterasy Ain't Everthang
  • California: As Seen on TV
  • Colorado: If You Don't Ski, Don't Bother
  • Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only Dirtier and With Less Character
  • Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids
  • Georgia: We Put the "Fun" in Fundamentalist Extremism
  • Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha'ami Leeki Toru
    (Death to Mainland Scum, But Leave Your Money)
  • Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes... Well Okay, We're Not,
  • But The Potatoes Sure Are Real Good
  • Illinois: Gateway to Iow
  • Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free
  • Iowa: Land of James T. Kirk
  • Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States
  • Kentucky: Five Million People; Fifteen Last Names
  • Louisiana: We're Not All Drunk Cajun Wackos, But That's Our Tourism Campaign
  • Maine: Cheap Lobster
  • Maryland: A Thinking Man's Delaware
  • Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden's (For Most Tax Brackets)
  • Michigan: First Line of Defense From the Canadians
  • Minnesota: For Sale
  • Mississippi: Come Feel Better About Your Own State
  • Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars at Work
  • Montana: Land of the Big Sky, the Unabomber, and Very Little Else
  • Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest
  • Nevada: Whores and Poker!
  • New Hampshire: Go Away and Leave Us Alone
  • New Jersey: You Want a ##$%##! Motto? I Got Yer ##$%##! Motto Right Here!
  • New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent Pets
  • New York: You Have the Right to Remain Silent, You Have the Right to an Attorney
  • North Carolina: Tobacco is a Vegetable
  • North Dakota: Um... We've got... Um... Dinosaur Bones? Yeah, Dinosaur Bones!
  • Ohio: Don't Judge Us by Cleveland
  • Oklahoma: Like the Play, Only No Singing
  • Oregon: Spotted Owl, It's What's For Dinner
  • Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal
  • Rhode Island: We're Not REALLY An Island
  • South Carolina: Remember the Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender
  • South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota
  • Tennessee: The Educashun State
  • Texas: Se Hablo Ingles
  • Utah: Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus
  • Vermont: Yep
  • Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs and Slackjaw Yokels Don't Mix?
  • Washington: Help! We're Overrun By Nerds and Slackers!
  • Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?
  • West Virginia: One Big Happy Family -- Really!
  • Wisconsin: Come Cut Our Cheese
  • Wyoming: Wynot?