Bored.

It's amazing how many things you can avoid being while still being bored. I am still struggling with vertigo, and so have been in the house for DAYS/WEEKS now, with the exception of the weekly short trip for food/supplies. We'll see what I can find to do. . .

Oh, The Places You'll Go--If You Can Walk a Straight Line

Big news: Husband has been accepted to grad school in IOWA! Hurray! We just got the official letter on Saturday--off to the land of boy bands, corn, and Hawkeyes. We're hoping to find a nice place there and hunker down for the next 6 years until I attempt to drive us back to the Promised Land. In the meantime, I am roaming through the house and trying to picture everything in small, brown boxes. I am not amused. We plan on moving in July/August, so there's plenty of time, but not a ton of energy.

On an entirely different note, I have vertigo. I had always thought that vertigo was just an old Alfred Hitchcock movie, and that I was better off not knowing too much. Unfortunately, 2 weeks ago, I woke up, rolled over, and noticed that the bed continued to roll. Yep, the entire earth was moving around me without actually visually moving. Weird. So, I probably have this thing called labrynthitis which is big word that basically means I have vertigo and can't think to save my life. Husband has become my chauffer and guide to the outside world. I am free to wander the apartment at will, but have a tendency to get sick when I depart from the inner sanctum. Ergh. Who knows how long this will last? In the meantime, I am learning a lot about the top of the ceiling above my bed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I'm beginning to wonder if I should actually post. Most of you have probably given me up for dead, or at least my postings. Yes, I've been a little busy. I started a new job as an eighth-grade teacher this year, and I've been insane.

Christmas was wonderful. I got a gift certificate for a massage, a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast, a blanket with my name on it (one of my favorites, cause it's so warm), and a sinus infection (my least favorite present). The good news is that I'm feeling better, and I can sleep through the night again. Woohoo!

Well, I'm off to go hang out with Clone 1 now, so I'll have to update you all later. If you're still out there.

Good News!

I'm engaged!!!

Friday night, the guy I've been dating since July asked me to marry him! Yep. I'm very excited. (Hence all of the exclamation pts.!!!!!!)

I went to his apartment at 7 p.m. Friday night, knocked on the door, and no one was there. I called him, "I'm here, where exactly are you?" He claimed he was taking a walk, and I could pick him up in front of the fountains (where we went and talked for hours after our first date).

I got to the fountains in just a couple of minutes, but he wasn't there. Another phone call, and I went to the bench we spent our first date on. Nope. Not there either. I begin to call him again when I get a text message (no, it's not what you think, thankfully. He didn't propose with a text.) The message said to follow the candles. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the candles. Another text helped me find the candles. I followed them to a bridge.

When I got to the bridge, no guy--just a poetry book with the engagement ring underneath. I opened to the bookmarked page and began to read. Beautiful, wonderful poem, still no guy. I got to the last line, and hadn't quite finished reading it, when two ducks got startled and flew above me. Guy snuck up behind me (he had been laying (lying?) down flat on a part of the bridge that I couldn't see.

Guy: "You're supposed to say 'Aw' when you finish, so I can know you're done."

Me: "I actually have to finish first."

I finished the poem, and the amazing man knelt down and asked me to marry him. I obviously said yes. (since your reading about this now)

Our date is set for July 7 this summer. I can't wait!!!!

Update II

Still dating boy.
Overworking self (working 2 jobs, not too many hours, but going to and from is insane).

Two Twin Bruises

So, I played knock-out last night (AKA speed, lightning, that basketball game, etc.). I also tried to race a friend up the stairs. The result was 2 big bruises. I have created a song.

Two twin bruises swelling on my knee
H-U-R-T-I-N-G
first comes black, then comes blue, then comes Advil and ice packs, too... well, my creativity just ran out on that one. Your comments are welcome for revisions to my new song.

Gelatinous Jellyfish

Have you ever had a conversation with a jellyfish? These are those people that have the ability to turn a compliment into a stinging barb. One minute, you're thanking them for being thoughtful, the next, you're running into the other room with third-degree burns on your psyche. (As seen in Bridget Jones Diary).

I met one today. We were discussing how a lot of people can only see how similar I am to Clone 1. She remarked that she could see many differences. Jellyfish then proceeded to list all of Clone 1's good points and then get VERY silent. Yep. I apparently am not all of those things that make Clone 1 so amazing. Sniff. Note to self: Always carry around burn cream. Never know when you'll need it.

You Know It's Been Too Long When . . .

You can't even remember what you wrote on your last blog. Yep, as evidenced by yesterday's post, I have no clue what I've already told people. Oops!

Oh well, that just means that I'll have to be better about writing faithfully.

Update

Oh how the days fly.

So. I finally have a job. I'm a gifted teacher's assistant. Honestly, it's not my dream job (only because the pay is low), but it could always end up being a life-changing experience. I am working with the most amazing lady. She exudes sunshine and forthrightness. I love going to work because I'm never quite sure what will happen next, or what I'll be called on to do today.

Also. I've begun dating, kinda randomly, a really great guy. We met a year or two ago, but I've always been on my way in or out of town here. He got my number by calling clone 1. (Kinda cute) Our first date was July 3; we hit it off and have been going on dates since. We went bowling last night spontaneously (I was wearing a skirt, think sock hop, oh yeah). I actually had fun, even though I was CREAMED. My score on the final game was like 54 or something. Maybe lessons are in order.

More than a month . . .

and pretty much no change in my prospects. There are a few differences. (1) I have been rejected a few more times. My favorite part is when they say that you did a fantastic job at the interview, that you deserve your own classroom, but someone else was a better fit for the team (I've heard this twice now, at least.) (2) I now live in a wonderful apartment; one that I wish one day to actually be able to afford. (3) I have started training at a part-time job at a super tutoring center that shall remain nameless. Training was this past week. (4) I have actually been on a few consecutive dates with the same boy. I really like him. We'll see what happens from here.

Sigh.

So. I finally called School 2, since they still hadn't called me back. You guessed it. They've already filled the postition. (A really polite way of saying, we decided to not even interview you after all. Good Luck!)

Sigh.

Waiting . . .

How much of human life is lost in waiting?
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

All things come to him who waits - provided he knows what he is waiting for.
--Woodrow T. Wilson

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.
--Moliere

He that can have patience can have what he will.
--Benjamin Franklin

Everything comes gradually and at its appointed hour.
--Ovid

Can anyone tell me the theme of the day? Oh, yeah, and School 2 still hasn't called back.

One Door Closes . . .

So, I heard back from School 1 today. It turns out that, well, I didn't get the job. The most daunting part was getting the phone call where I felt more like consoling the principal, who was trying to sputter out the fact that they were "going in a different direction" and "not picking up [my] option." That's right. I felt like comforting the woman who was trying to repair the shreds of self-esteem I had left.

Strangely enough, I felt good about this failure. There are times when I'm interviewing that I feel absolutely no connection with the interviewer, that the interview is not showing any of my amazing talents. This was one of those times. I was actually amazed in the first place that I got a second interview for this job. What would I have done if I had gotten the position? Heaven forfend.

[upstage, left, creak of another door opening]

Within an hour, School #2 called to let me know that they still had me in mind for at least an interview. They would call again to schedule next week. Hooray! This was the phone interview that I had actually felt pretty good about. Everyone start praying!

In a Split Second

It started with a wall of cars. Thick, black smoke drifted up. Then, we joined the wall of cars in the biggest parking lot in the world (except perhaps for LA during rush hour). What had started as a drive to Institute turned into random, connective hour.

Melanie and I started early to Institute and ran smack dab into a HUGE eighteen-wheeler-semi accident. Don't worry, we weren't actually in the accident, we were just trapped by it. It shut down the entire highway, both ways. People got out of their cars and walked up and down the highway chatting. Melanie spoke with a french au pair in the minivan next to our car. I watched everyone from inside the car, listening to the radio to find out what had happened. Lights flashed up the highway from us, and we could see the semi across the highway (as in it was across the median into the oncoming traffic lanes).

It was interesting that people who wouldn't talk to each other anywhere else, were helping each other. A few men helped a woman navigate her jeep off the highway, through a break in the fence, onto a side road. Others attempted to get as close as possible to the accident for a better view. (I of course was nestled in the car, still hoping that the whole thing wouldn't blow.) I almost felt guilty for not getting caught up in the carnival-like atmosphere. Almost.

After an hour, the DOT and police vehicles were in place, and we all turned around finally escaped.

Yeah, so that was my night. How was yours?

Conflicting Statements

Quick update: I got a phone call on Monday from a school that would be wonderful to work for (school 1). I then had an interview on Tuesday (school 1, interview 1). I got the equivalent of callbacks and had another interview today (school 1, interview 2).

As she was walking me out, the principal to the school had two main messages:

1. We should have made a decision by about Friday. If you don't hear by then, it doesn't mean that you're out of the running.
2. She had to interview in a lot of places, don't lose hope.

Somehow, those two seem to contradict each other a bit. Don't lose hope, but even she had to interview a lot. HMMM. Confused? I AM!

Also school 2 called yesterday and gave me yet again the equivalent of a phone interview and said they would probably be calling me back for an interview. (They have yet to call back.)

Screening Interview

I now have something else to add to my "gratitude post". I had an interview today. Granted, it was a screening interview, but this is a step in the right direction. The way the first interview goes at this district is that they ask you 10 million "what would you do if . . ." questions. The interview is recorded and done completely over the phone. It is basically nerve racking because they give you no indication during the interview about how you're doing. You could be completely bombing the whole thing and they would say thank you and go onto the next question.

The redeeming moment of the interview was when the interviewer said at the very end, "I think your interview reflected your positive teaching attitude." That's good, right?

Anyway, the evaluation of how good/bad it was depends on how who actually ends up calling me (if anyone).

Home at Last! Um. Yeah.

So I'm finally home, after hours and hours of driving past seas of grass (complete with waves and all). Unfortunately, I am rediscovering the truth of the adage "you can't go home again." Yeah, well. I have been here two days, and I already feel sixteen again (the point at which I could drive and go on errands for others.)

However, I am trying to look at the bright side of things.

1. I don't have to share a room (yet).
2. I have a phone/screening interview scheduled with an AMAZING school district on Saturday.
3. I begin my job tomorrow.
4. I get to see my family.
5. I have free long distance, so I can call far-away friends.
6. All of my stuff fit in storage.
7. I am alive.
8. I still have the ability to eat large amounts of chocolate, sugar, and fat.
9. Divine Miss A.
10. I have a library card, and I know how to use it.

Okay, I feel better. Really. Well, I'm off to go bury myself in a book.

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere

I move Tuesday. This should explain the state of my life right now, which is basically one big box. Unorganized, stuffed, and quickly running out of time. Boxes have now invaded the kitchen, livingroom, bedroom, and heaven forfend, the bathroom. I am switching to plastic bags since they can at least be swung over one's shoulder in Santa-Claus-like fashion.

I run around from room to room stuffing things in boxes, bags, etc. and meeting spiders. Yes, it seems that I am now every spider's best friend. One tried to introduce itself the other night by crawling over my leg. I killed it immediately with spider spray. Dead. Very dead. (How can something be very dead? Don't ask.) My next encounter came while packing. That spider is also dead. I am becoming very efficient with the spider spray. I almost considered investing in a holster, but I'll hold off for a bit.

Well, more rooms to pack, more spiders to kill.

The Last Week of School

My experience last year as the P.E. teacher in charge of field day (or three of them) in no way prepared me for the enormous waste of time the last week of school is. I have been thinking a lot on this recently. And I realized that there is no way around it. The last week must be a waste of time. If we shortened school a week, there would be a new last week. (Don't think too hard about this, it probably leads to a logical warp hole. Beware, here there be dragons.) Anyway, so the last week is when we cram in field day, dance festival, movies, and cleaning. The teachers especially like the help with cleaning. I know I wish I could personally borrow some of my children to help me pack up my apartment.

So. Today was dance festival and field day. The fifth grade, for ONCE this year did not fall on their face in front of the school or parents. Our dance was wonderful, and Lisa got compliments on it from various parents during field day. Yes, field day. The universal day of sunburn. No matter what precautions I take, I invariably end up looking like a much redder version of myself. (and freckled. I freckle when I tan/burn. Yep. Another blessing.)

Both of these activities ended early, leaving me even more time to entertain the troops. Unfortunately, these little fellas are not entertained by piano playing, singing, or dancing (well, if it comes down to it, I guess I could try those, but I really doubt if it would work.) Okay, so I'm rambling, just blame it on a case of the too-much-to-dos. Speaking of having too much to do, I do. Bye.

Update

First of all, I apologize once again for not posting regularly.

If you're wondering what's happening in my life, you're in good company. I have absolutely no idea. I move a week from yesterday to St. Louis for the summer. Yep. The word of the day is STRESSED: A mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences and capable of affecting physical health, usually characterized by increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, muscular tension, irritability, and depression (dictionary.com).

I am now willing to live in St. Louis or Kansas City, whichever decides to produce a job for me first. I am actively searching in STL now since KC seems to have yielded no results so far.

I told my kids today that I wouldn't be returning. I explained that I had lived away from my family for six years and wanted to be nearer to them. Responses ranged from the demand to make THEM move here for me to the boy who laid down and grabbed my leg (a born actor). Surprisingly, there were now shouts of joy or halleluia.

I think that most of all, after my friends here, I will really miss my students. I didn't realize from my P.E. teaching job last year that I could build such a bond with my students. Everytime I look at my rapidly emptying classroom. I want to cry. Unfortunately, there is not enough time. Tomorrow is dance festival and field day. Thursday, for once, we are watching a movie. The afternoon will be filled with cleaning and I have no idea what else.

Well, I have no more time to spare. I have a course to work on besides moving and getting everything else known to mankind accomplished.

For those of you still actually reading, I apologize for the lack of wit, humor, or basically any type of writing skills. I am on autopilot and humor is out the window for now. (Except for when I rock back and forth and laugh hysterically)