Sorry I'm a little late, but at least I didn't take another month. My most recent affliction is a sinus infection, so I've been feeling a little crappier than usual. It's also been snowing quite consistently up here and I'm beginning to think we've become New Greenland instead of New England. Apparently we've already surpassed the blizzard of '78 in regard to total accumulation. I will most likely need a Tauntaun to get anywhere tomorrow. I've been enjoying my time off from doing anything, but I think it's about time I left the house and actually did something productive. If only I could learn how to not panic driving in the snow... You'd think after living here my whole life I would be used to it by now, but unfortunately I still get anxious. Luckily, my job allows me to relieve that stress by making staying home during a storm mandatory. However, there's only so much Netflix I can watch before I get cabin fever. I do have some good news, another Bachelor review as well as another book review on my Reviews page.
The good news is that I finally found a middle school placement! The extra good news is that it's in my own town, which means it's super close and convenient for me to get there. I also have more connections there, which might work in my favor. The teacher I'm supposedly working with is younger, male and very good with technology, which are all great. He also spent his sabbatical last year researching and doing a case study on the flipped classroom model, which is a model of teaching centered around providing students with lectures and other content online to watch from home and doing supplemental work and discussion in class. I've always been curious about this method of teaching and it looks like I'll get a front row seat to this concept when I start my internship again this week. I'm hoping that with my extended background in technology I'll be able to integrate seamlessly into his classroom and work well with him. We'll see how it goes, but I'm looking forward to meeting him and getting back in the classroom with some middle schoolers!
As for The Bachelor, I'm still sticking with my Top 3 of Kaitlin, Jade and Whitney. Mainly because they are probably the only genuine people left in the house, besides maybe Casey. I actually didn't even watch the whole episode last week because I got bored halfway through and didn't really feel like watching Kelsey's "panic attack" for the fifth time, (because they showed it so often in clips of the previews). It's only week six and I'm already sick of the unnecessary drama that's been happening. I'm usually ok with it, because that's what this show thrives on, but this time it's just sad. Like they're all trying way too hard to be THAT dramatic, it doesn't even feel real. I know that show is at least partially not real to begin with, but still. I'm hoping tonight's episode and the two-on-one date will shed some light on what Chris thinks about all this. I feel like we've barely heard him talk this entire time. If it were me, I'd send both Ashley AND Kelsey home, but we'll see.
That's all I have for this week. It's short, sweet and to the point. I'd probably have more if I actually did anything with my life these days, but sadly I haven't. I don't mind being an introvert, but sometimes, if you get stuck in a rut of being home all the time, it gets harder to leave when you actually have to. I'm going to try to make more plans with friends and see if that helps. I've already planned my spring break vacation, which is unusual because I've never gone anywhere for spring break while I've been in college. I'll be visiting my best friend in Colorado and I'm really excited about it! I've never been and I can't wait to see the mountains and hang out with her again because it's been way too long. I wish it were April now:( While I've been shut in, I also managed to read Looking for Alaska by John Green, which is another book I got for Christmas. I'll be putting the review for that on my Reviews page later today. In the meantime, I'm going to go cue up my LOTR marathon and bake another batch of chocolate chip cookies. Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.
Hey everyone! I feel like absolutely no time has passed since Tuesday, but here we are. Obviously everyone has shut down because of this nor'easter, so I'm once again stuck inside. Although it sucks that my interview and open house today had to be rescheduled for next week, I'm glad I don't have an excuse to go outside in this weather. I'm better off going into hermit mode for a day.
As many of you may be aware, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Most people deem this to be an unnecessary Hallmark holiday in which men buy pointless gifts for the women in their lives. I'd like to think of it as more of a tradition passed down through generations of stupid people, but I'm not en expert. Obviously I love chocolate; I am a female after all. I also love flowers, possibly more than chocolate, (but really, who am I kidding?) These would both be nice every once in awhile, but I don't think we need a day devoted to them, or him for that matter. I see him every day!
I've cooked a nice dinner for my husband every Valentine's Day for the last four years and it's my favorite part of the holiday. Going out to dinner is overrated; I'd much rather make him something from scratch than wait around and make reservations to spend more money we don't have. I make him the same thing every year, but he loves it, so it's totally worth it. Plus, it's delicious because I'm an awesome cook:) All I want to do tomorrow is cook sauce and drink wine with my mother, make a fabulous dinner for my husband and spend some alone time together. If I can get him to sit next to me on the couch, I've succeeded in my efforts.
(courtesy of: http://www.melgotserved.com/)
Speaking of "love," I got caught up in The Bachelor, so get ready for some spoilers if you haven't seen it already! I still hate Claire and think that she's crazy. I also still think my top three are Renee, Andi and Nikki, but you can never tell with this show. My favorite part, by far, was the group date dinner at Hobbiton. I can't even tell you how much I was fangirling at that moment. I think it's safe to say that was the best group date so far in the shows history. Although I also feel that anyone who would truly appreciate that set wouldn't be caught dead watching The Bachelor, but to each his own. If you want to read a recap of this episode or any other, check out this blog called Mel Got Served. She does various recaps of TV shows and they are most humorous. Check her out for a good laugh!
Unfortunately none of my other shows were on this week due to the Olympics. I can't even comment on them either because I don't have cable and therefore can't watch them until Sunday:( I will say that 15-year-old Russian girl, Yulia, who claimed the gold in the women's figure skating last weekend, was amazing! I've never seen anyone do anything like that before in that event, let alone a teenager. To think of my students pulling off something like that...it makes me cringe just thinking about how uncoordinated they'd be on ice. The laughs I would have! Note to self: arrange field trip to the skating rink asap.
Well, that's about it I'm afraid. I'll be spending the day getting caught up on some reading and some TMNT. I'll also still be having class via Google Hangout, which should be interesting to say the least. I may or may not have a new "Open Letter" up soon. I at least want to get one up by the end of the month. This weekend I'll be pretty busy: Valentine's Day cooking all day tomorrow, my mom's 50th birthday party Saturday and my dad's birthday Sunday, (yeah, I know, I couldn't have planned that any better myself). It's great that I don't have to work, otherwise I would probably be screwed. Here's to the minimal benefits of being unemployed! Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.
*I'd also like to say that I'm super excited that Camp Takota comes out tomorrow as well! You can pre-order the movie here. Watch the extended trailer! Congrats to Grace, Mamrie and Hannah on your success!
Hello again, and welcome to my terrific Tuesday post! (alliteration is key) As you might've guessed, not a whole lot has happened since last week. I saw my nephew again this past Saturday and he's still ADORABLE. Unfortunately that might be the only good thing to happen within the last two weeks.
(Which one is cuter?)
Although I do still feel indifferent over the whole unemployment thing, I'm starting to get antsy, sitting at home all day either reading for class, typing up assignments or looking for jobs. I feel like I started in a good place and now I'm back in a meh state of mind where I definitely don't want to stay. I have a promising interview a week from Thursday, so we'll see how that goes. Right now, that's my only promising lead, having been dropped from the contenders list of the first job I applied for already. Fingers crossed for some good news! Luckily I got called to substitute next week so, baring the inescapable weather conditions, I could be bringing home some bacon, (if only that were really true...)
Speaking of jobs, I had my secondary education intern orientation this afternoon and I feel really good about all the prospective intern sites at my disposal. Number one being my alma mater middle school, with two in close proximity to where I live being close second and third. All of the schools have a lot to offer, and right now I'm thinking I might want to give high school a second go, but for now all I can do is wait and see what happens at the open houses next week, (again, weather permitting). I swear to God, if these blizzards all pile on top of each other the ONE WEEK I have significant life decisions to make about my future, there will be HELL to pay.
In YouTube news, video footage released on the first of this month by Shay Carl Butler and Corey Vidal announced some new information regarding the popular and much-anticipated documentary feature Vlogumentary, which will hopefully be in theaters this coming summer. Obviously they couldn't say too much without giving stuff away, but we shall see the final product soon, which is more than we could say about a year ago when all this started. To say that I'm excited about this would be a severe understatement. You can view the two video announcements here:
Well that's about it. I'm pretty sure I had more to offer you today, but sadly I left my blogging planner at home and have since forgotten what I had originally planned to do for today. More to add to next week! Thursday I will be talking about the various things that happened in TV this week as well as other stuff, (probably). How's that for a vague description? I will also hopefully be starting observation work in addition to my open houses next week or this week, so stay tuned for more on that! Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.
PS: THIS JUST IN! SNOW DAY TOMORROW!! HUMP DAAAYYEEEEE YEEEAHH:)
This week marks the last week of my vacation. Sadly I didn’t accomplish much of anything,
but I’m hoping to be more productive in the coming weeks, partially due to the
fact that I should have more actual work to do.
I’m excited to start my final two courses: Special Topics in English
Teaching and Teaching Writing in the 21st Century. I’m excited partially because one of my
classes is taught by the same professor I took Digital Literacies with. Should be a good last hurrah before I start
my internship next fall.
In other
news, I got new glasses yesterday!I
have had the same red pair since 2006, with no change in prescription, so I
thought it was finally time to change it up.Plus I’ve been squinting even with my glasses on lately, so for my own
sake I didn’t want to have any more headaches from strain.It was difficult to choose a pair of glasses
because I’ve been so used to my old pair and we’ve been through a lot together,
so I was a little unwilling to change at first.But with a little help from the nice eye guy and my wonderful husband’s
opinion, I decided on a completely different style and I love them!I will miss my signature red, but hopefully
these will be just as good, seeing as I stuck with the pop of color.Here’s to new beginnings and a new style!
This week I
will also be attempting my first online chat sessions.The New England Bloggers Network will be
hosting a blog chat tomorrow night through Twitter which I will be
participating in.Also through Twitter,
there will be a “Digital Learning” chat from the National Council of Teachers
of English, (NCTE), this Sunday night at 8pm if any of my teacher friends want
to join me in that one.This is my first
attempt to participate in one of these digital chats, so wish me luck.Hopefully it will help me better understand
that type of community in the event I’d like to participate more openly in the
future.
For my TV
menu this week Castle returns as well
as How I Met Your Mother, so I’m
looking forward to getting caught up with those episodes which aired yesterday,
(as some of you already know, I do not have cable, so I watch everything the
day after through Hulu and Netflix through my Roku box).Also, premiering tonight is the new season of
Face-Off, which is a show on the SyFy
network about make-up and special effects artists competing for a contract and
cash prize.They are already in their 6th
season and it’s extremely interesting to see what they come up with for various
themes and characters.
Keeping
with my Victorian Era kick, I’ve been thoroughly invested in The Tudors series
on Netflix, (I’m already on season four…after about a week, maybe?).Even though you know what’s going to happen
to some extent, it’s still a very well done series, so I’m interested to see
how they ended it.Since I’ve been
watching Reign as well, this story
line ties directly into it, being that Mary, Queen of Scots is related to the
Tudors line of succession, (Margaret Tudor, sister to King Henry VIII is her
grandmother).I was thinking about
starting The Borgias series after I
finish with The Tudors, so let me
know what you think in the comments.
That’s it
for this week!I can’t post a review of
The Bachelor from this week yet because I haven’t seen it, but I will Thursday,
(maybe), if it still seems relevant.As
for the rest of this week, it’s pretty much wide open.My sister-in-law’s due date is this coming
Saturday, so I could be an aunt as early as this weekend!Fingers crossedJ
I’m hoping we can visit, but we’ll see what happens.Until next time, I remain your faithful
correspondent.
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had fun gorging themselves on Chinese food and binge drinking with friends. Now that the holiday season is officially over, we can now move our focus to the wonderful aspects of winter vacation. Usually this means nothing to adults, but to those select few who do still appreciate winter there are still fun times to be had.
I know I speak for a lot of people when I say snow SUCKS sometimes. For those who haven't had the pleasure of living in a cold-weather climate, driving in it can be extremely dangerous, especially for those people who think they're invincible with four-wheel drive. Schools close, kids emerge and begin construction on their various snow homes and winter weaponry. You can usually see adults shoveling, or more likely snow-blowing their way out of their driveways. As a kid, I was always enlisted to aid my father in shoveling the driveway in order to learn how to do it properly. My sister and I had tiny shovels and we'd start a path from the porch to the driveway and go on from there, (usually in no particular direction). It's a fond memory I have of winter and I plan on teaching my children the same way, (or rather Tom will, seeing as I'm awful at shoveling nowadays and can't seem to stay outside for longer than ten consecutive minutes...).
I have something called "Raynaud's Phenomenon,"in which my extremities lose circulation rapidly in the colder weather. Because of this, my hands and feet will feel a burning sensation whenever it gets too cold outside. This prevents me from grabbing my steering wheel, shoveling, cleaning off my car, etc. Basically just going outside hurts and it's very inconvenient, but I've managed for this long. I'm hoping that, in the future, I will find some gloves that will work to keep my hands warm, but so far, no luck. I'm lucky enough to have a husband who will selflessly clear snow after a hard day's work.
Needless to say winter hasn't always been my favorite time of year due to my medical problems. However, I do enjoy sledding/tubing, skiing and ice skating. My dad used to take us sledding in certain places, as I supposed a lot of people have done. In fact, I think my dad is the reason I enjoy all of these things, seeing as he took us outside the most. I owe him a lot for my love of winter sports and for teaching me to not be afraid or hindered by my medical issues. I love him more for that.
As for now, I enjoy staying indoors, curled up on the couch in my sweatpants with a movie or a good book. Speaking of that, I am officially starting my reading for the month of January. I will only be reading one book seeing as I have less than a month and I need to stop once my spring semester starts up again. I will be reading Divergent by Veronica Roth to start that series. Eventually I would like to read all of them, but until I have the time I will start with the first installment. As I have stated before, on Thursdays I will be talking about my progress in the book as well as my feelings and inferences as well. I am excited to start reading again for leisure:)
Enjoy your snow days if you have them. I will be hanging out in my apartment for the next 48 hours avoiding the outside world as best I can. I see a nice mug of hot cocoa and some home made mac and cheese in my near future, so I will leave you to your various engagements in winter merriment. Tell me about your favorite parts of winter in the comments below! I will be continuing my Harry Potter Marathon. Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.
That's right, I'm officially DONE with my fall semester! One more semester to go before my full-year internship next year. It seems like I still have so much to do, but I also feel like I'm in the home stretch...it's a weird feeling I can't really explain. It doesn't seem like much, but I know that when I'm really done, it'll be for good. Until then, I'll be enjoying my winter vacation as best I can and looking forward to another great semester in January.
(Does this look plowed to you?)
Apparently the weather is against us up here in New Hampshire. Did I mention it's not supposed to get above 20 degrees today?! We had a mild blizzard this past weekend where we got at least a foot of snow in some places and we're expected to get more snow this afternoon, so I might be snowed in again today. I don't mind too much, I just hate clearing off my car... My husband is one of those guys who feels obligated to shovel everyone out so that the other tenants can get to where they need to go. Just based on that, I know I bagged myself a good one. Thanks to the shoddy work the plowing company did on our driveway, (or didn't do). I'm grateful that my own spot is clear, but as for the other two tenants, they have to shovel themselves out I guess. You had one job plow guys.
So far in our decorating endeavors we added a few things to our collection. A nice door mount complete with white poinsettias and pine cones as well as some twinkly icicle lights to hang somewhere in our living room. Unfortunately, we're in desperate need of more outlets and extension cords. Luckily my father hooked us up with an extra power strip, so we might be able to plug our tree and the lights into that, but we'll see when it's all done. I'll be sure to take more pictures!
This week is special to me not only because finals are over, but because my birthday is on Thursday! I will be 24 and I know that's not a huge deal or anything, but I definitely feel it this time. Because my birthday is in December, I've always been bombarded with storms and winter weather, ruining any real plans. This year it looks like I'll be free from the torment of Father Winter and finally be able to enjoy my birthday. So far I have plans with my father for breakfast and his famous pancakes, finishing up my Christmas shopping, a lovely trip down to Boston for a nice dinner date with my husband and spending some quality time with my mother, whom I haven't actually seen on my birthday in about six years. My birthday memories with her are my fondest; she used to call me out of school and we'd go wherever I wanted all day. I'm really excited to get to spend time with her again. It's been far too long.
So that's my recap for the past few days. I'm really looking forward to all the fun things I'll get to do this week and knowing Christmas is literally right around the corner makes it even sweeter! I'm so excited this year and now I feel like I can finally enjoy the holidays! Christmas cards have been sent, (major wife points right there), and presents have begun to be wrapped, so it's only a matter of time! Our first Christmas as husband and wife has been so rewarding to me thus far, and it'll only get better:) Check out Thursday's Blogmas post where I will list my Top 5 Christmas movies! Until next time, I remain your faithful Christmas correspondent.
Hello all, it is another fine Tuesday here in New Hampshire and boy is it friggin cold... It's been snowing off and on for the last couple days and I don't think it's supposed to get above 35 degrees tomorrow, so that's fantastic. Although I am looking forward to having a few days off from work.
As some of you may know, I had what I hope to be my LAST grammar final tonight. I literally just got home from campus, and I have to say, I'm a lot more optimistic this time around. It helps that the professor is weighing my graduate project heavier than the midterm I basically failed. Even though I'm 80% sure I'll be fine, I'm still playing the waiting game at this point. Send positive vibes, good prayers and happy thoughts my way as I await my imminent future.
Now that I'm done with this final, I can refocus my energy on more important things, including the enjoyment of my winter vacation. So far, I've got a birthday coming up, (more on that next Tuesday), Christmas events as well as more shopping to do before next weekend. I also have to finish my revision for my Digital Literacies project I did on YouTube, which I will share here if you'd like to read my ten-page paper on YouTube celebrity. Let me know in the comments and I'll try to make it happen. I would also like to make time for my friends, (if they still exist at this point), of whom I am severely lacking. I'm already planning a weekend trip to Maine in the coming months, so who knows what else could happen? My social calendar is starting to perk up.
At this point, the plan to decorate the apartment is going slow... We got our own 4' tree, (see above), complete with lights, bobbles and jingling garland. We also grabbed our own personal ornaments from our parents to put on our tree. My husband came up with the idea of picking out only one of our own ornaments while picking nine of each other's ornaments, thus simultaneously creating our own little tradition. It was really great to go through all of his ornaments, some of which I had never seen before, and pick the ones I thought would look great on our tree. It feels great to be able to tap into our history while creating a new history together.
I want to take an opportunity here to tell all of you that one of my favorite TV shows is BACK: The Sing Off!!! I am beyond excited about this and look forward to watching with my husband this season. If you are into A Capella and need a new show to watch, this is it! Check it out here:)
I almost forgot to tell everyone that I joined Bloglovin', which is a site dedicated to bringing bloggers together to share and follow each other. It's a really great community, so if you'd like to start blogging or would like to get your foot in the game to meet new people from all over the world, this is a great place to go! You can check out Bloglovin' and my profile here.
That's all I have for today. Unfortunately I have been devoting most of my time to work and my studies, so I promise my Thursday Blogmas post will be chock full of Christmas stuff. I will be rating and ranking my Top 5 Christmas albums, so if you have a suggestion for one that should make the list, let me know in the comments! I'll be taking a poll on my Tumblr and Facebook, (links are at the top of my page!), so be on the lookout for that! Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.
