What to do... What to do...

I'm heading a few hours north to Minneapolis today to attend another Jodi Picoult book signing and hear her speak! This will be my third time seeing her and I am just as excited as a the first time. The first time I went up there I met my first blog friend, Lesli. Ever since we have become great friends. Today I will be meeting Lisa for the first time! I just love meeting blog friends! It's like meeting up with a long lost friend that you haven't seen in a long time.

So, next week is spring break and I am less than excited. Crazy, right? Well, I have absolutely nothing to do. This may sound like heaven to most all of you but I am going to go nuts if I don't get something planned asap.

All of the districts that I am subbing for are also on spring break, so it's not like I can work and I no longer have a part time job to pick up any extra hours.

Here is what I have planned so far to keep myself busy.

1. Work on semester long projects - I have four of them. This ALONE should keep me busy.

2. Organize the pantry (it is out of control)

3. Borrow my parents steam cleaner and clean our carpets

4. Fill the three empty walls in my apartment that are currently bare. (i.e. go shopping!)

5. Give the dogs a much needed bath

6. Deep clean my car

7. Organize all the tupperware tops and bottoms (they're out. of. control.)

8. Go through my crammed closet and donate clothes that I haven't worn in the past year

9. Just noticed another wall in my apartment that needs something - ha...

10. Try the new Thai restaurant downtown

This is all I've got. Clearly, I could get all this done in one day.

What are you favorite projects go to projects when you come across extra time on your hands?

It was bound to happen...

Running into an ex that is.

My city is not small by any means, but it functions like a small town. Everyone is separated by just one person and it's hard to get the dirt on just about anyone. For this reason, running into an ex is bound to happen when you both live here.

Remember Cy from last year? If you've been reading awhile you know what a jerk he turned out to be, if not go back to the end of 2009 and early 2010 and prepare to gag. I was disgustingly head over heels and gushed non-stop on here.

I had yet to run into him since our break up (via text) last March. I knew it was bound to happen so I was always prepared. I like to look my best as much as possible, but I don't make it a point to have a full face of makeup every time I go out. Every time I did though, I thought, "what if?"

I didn't have to worry though, the day came and I was prepared.

Last Friday two of my friends and I were out our favorite happy hour spot. It's semi-new to us, but we have made it ours. We are there every Friday and almost always at the same table. It's our spot. So, Friday when we're sitting at our table and Cy's best friend walks in, my heart plummets. At first I don't say anything to my friends and I just pretend I didn't notice him.

A few minutes later his fiance walks in. She's the one that I thought hated me while Cy and I were dating, but conveniently after we broke up she decided to like everything I did on Facebook. (annoying.)

I told my friends they where they were and we all pretty much shrugged our shoulders and blew it off. Nothing was ruining our happy hour place!

A little while after that my friend says she thinks she's Cy. I wasn't surprised. Where his BFF and his BFF's fiance were at, Cy wasn't usually far behind. He's a follower like that. When the time was right I looked over and it was indeed him. With his new fiance. (gag me.)

I'm so glad I was dressed up. That day was my first subbing job, so I was wearing nice dress pants and a sweater and full accessories. My hair was straightened and perfect makeup. I know I looked pretty.

Shortly after that the girls left and it was just Cy and his friend. We stayed and continued having a good time. My friends said he had definitely noticed me and had positioned himself so that he could see our table better. They said he looked like he was working up the courage to come over and say hi.

Thank goodness that didn't happen. I was prepared for it did, but I was really hoping it didn't. This went on for about an hour and it seemed both groups were playing the "this is our spot, you leave first" game which, we were clearly going to win.

Win, we did.

We ended up being at the bar for 7 hours (!!) and a good half of it he was there too.

I'm glad this moment is over. I'm glad he saw me and I looked pretty. I'm glad he saw what he is definitely missing.

Have you ever had an awkward run in with an ex?

Finally on the payroll!

I have been holding out on you guys big time!! It's been almost 4 days since my first subbing job and I haven't blogged about it! Shame on me...

Well, everything happened so fast last week, all in one day I was added onto the payroll in two major districts in my area and later that night got a call for jobs in both. I took the first call I got because I was terrified there wouldn't be another one (little did I know there would be another one directly after it). I'm really glad I did, because it was for a smaller suburban middle school in a 6th grade Language Arts class. This was perfect for me! I'm sure I had two offers right away because it was a Friday, but still...

The night before was probably hilarious because I was flying around the apartment trying to get my outfit ready... get my lunch ready and I was just giddy in general! My sister thinks I'm nuts. She thought all my rushing around to get everything "ready" was pointless because I wasn't going to be able to sleep. Well... she was wrong. I got 5 full hours of shuteye. ;)

I arrived at the school 10 minutes early the next day. At first I was a little annoyed at my own punctuality, but later I was really glad I did that because it gave me a chance to really look around the room and quadruple triple double check the lesson plans that were left for me.

Due to it being a Friday and a Language Arts class there was a lot of downtime with independent reading time or writing time. I could have kicked myself because the only thing I brought to read was the newspaper. Thank goodness the classes were visiting the library that day. I was able to borrow a book so that I could read with everyone else. I have learned my lesson and I will always bring something to entertain myself with! A few times... okay, a lot of time, I checked my phone and I am feeling a little guilty about that. I would hate for the students to tell their teacher that their sub was on her iPhone all day. I wasn't texting, but was more playing Words with Friends. It was very accepted in this classroom to use iPods, iPads, and other electronic devices for writing, but I still feel bad. I'm going to avoid my phone from now on.

Overall I really enjoyed my first day subbing and I can't wait to do it again! For the rest of the semester I should be subbing every Wednesday through Friday. My only complaint is on nights like last night when I didn't know if I would be subbing or not, but definitely wanted to be.

On Monday and Tuesday morning I got calls around 6am, but couldn't take the job because I had class both days. So, I figured this morning I would get a call around that time. I set my alarm for 6am and hoped I would get something. Last night there was a subbing job available online for a 9th grade PE class but something about that scared me, so I didn't take it.

I didn't get any other offers either, so in hindsight I should have taken the PE job.

I'm really bummed, there are only a few more days until spring break next week, and I already have plans for Friday so I can't work that day. I just have Thursday to work another day! I hope I get called!! For my budget to get me through the summer I need to substitute 30 days before the end of the year. That is the bare minimum and I'm really hoping to get in more than that.

I'm sure I'm going to have be persistent about it and check the website religiously to try and get a job. Once I get a few more under my belt I will be opened up to more positions.

That's my theory anyway. Fingers crossed... I'm off to find something to do for the day!

Btw, Lent starts today! Did you give up anything?

Ten on Tuesday

I am feeling a little better today. I slept for a little over 10 hours and it was glorious. Last night I took a melatonin vitamin, and it helped me get to sleep a little earlier. I'm going to take them for a week or two and see if that will help me get on a more structured sleep plan. I don't want to take them for too long, because I hate taking pills.

Today will have to be quick, so I am participating in Ten on Tuesday!

1. How did your parents decide on your name?

I think they just liked the name Amber. I wasn't named after anyone or anything like that.

2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?

Nope, it's ALJ. When I was little I used to think it would be funny if it was Alf. I loved that show...

3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)

I plan on taking my husbands last name. I don't think I could ever not... I would never take my maiden name as my middle name... that would be weird. If you know my last name you would know why. I'm talking to a guy right now that has the same last name as me (don't worry it's a VERY common name and there is NO relation), it's just spelled one letter different and it just cracks me up! I mean, WHAT IF?! Ha!

4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)

I might... I used to say I wanted twin girls and name them Summer and Autumn. Cheesy, right?! I was also in high school and was really weird. I honestly haven't really thought about it, besides just thinking of names I like. I love the name Daisy, Elise and Bella. (clearly, I'm only having girls).

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?

Yep, I've always liked the names Daisy, Summer and Autumn since I was a little girl. I also loved the name Samantha and used to wish that was my name... anyone guess why? I loved the character in some very special and beloved books that I'm sure many of us read as little girls...

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?

Nope.

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?

I would look at the name itself first and then the meaning. If the meaning is something I hate, I would change it. But, I doubt that it's possible I would hate it!

8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?

Yep... two of my pets have human names, Lexie and Libby. My parents ALWAYS give human names. They have a Nick and a Parker and they used to have a Jake.

9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?

I totally think that people can ruin a name for you! I'm not a fan of many names and I would list them on here but I'm worried about who could possibly read this... just trust me that they're very common names. Ha!

10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?

See above! :) (Note: no boy names, mwhahahaha) (I am so jinxing myself right now)

Happy Mardi Gras Day! :)

My really lame-o post.

I have been feeling like crap since Saturday morning. There is so much I want to blog about, but I just don't have the energy. I'm hoping my lack of energy and general feeling of ick is due to my monthly BFF.

I skipped my practicum this morning and I'm feeling really guilty. I have plenty of time to make up my hours, but I'm sure she was prepared for me and I canceled at the last minute. She hasn't replied to my email and I feel terrible. I'll just come back after spring break ready to kick some butt and do awesome. I emailed the practicum coordinator as well and she said to feel better, but I still have nightmares of my teacher asking for a new student or my grading dropping or something. :/

Anyway. I will be back later this week with news about my first subbing job and my accidental run in with an ex on Friday... Hope everyone is doing well!

See ya'll later!

Two month vacation

It's been two months...two months after working my last day I can finally substitute teach. It has taken two months to get everything in order. TWO MONTHS!

I thought I did the right thing by getting all of my certifications in order, my physical taken, and the application filled out before turning it in. I thought that would speed up the process. Nope, it did just the opposite. I kind of think I slowed it down a tad...

That's not how it works. In addition to having a background check by the BOE, I also had to have a background check done by each of the three districts. One district took three weeks to finish it! Another district required more certifications. The third district legitimately interviewed for substitutes. I aced the interview, but some of those questions were hard to answer.

If I could do it all again I would of turned in the application as soon as the Board of Education handed me my certificate. Online all three districts that I applied for appeared to want all of these things together. So, that is what I did. If I would have turned in my application FIRST they could have gotten my background check sent in and in the meantime I could have worked on the details. Oops. Oh well.

After three weeks I am officially on the payroll and ready to roll. I expected a call last night and got nothing. Around 9pm I texted my friend from class who urged me to do this. She said that calls WILL come in. There's that much of a need. She said not to worry, that I would probably get a call early this morning.

I woke up at six and waited... it's now 8:12 and I still have nothing. I am so bummed!! I hope it's just a fluke. Maybe since tomorrow is Friday I will have more luck.

I'm glad everything is sorted out and I can officially work, but I'm just ready to do it now!! Two months off work and only going to classes is getting boring!!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Ten on Tuesday

Hello, Tuesday. Nice to see you!

1. What type of cell phone do you have and how would you rate it?

I just got the iPhone on Sunday and I don't think I have let it go since. I absolutely love it and don't think I'll ever go back. I'm officially completely Apple endorsed... Macbook, iPod, iPhone - slightly pathetic, no? ;)

2. What has been your most serious injury?

I have been very, very fortunate not to have any injuries - so I would have to say my worst injury (this might be TMI, and it's not an injury per se...) but right after college I moved to Kansas City and was still covered by my parents insurance and wasn't covered if I had to go to the doctor... well I let a UTI infection go, or actually, I didn't know that was what it WAS. That was awful... my roommate took me to the ER because I was doubled over in pain. Yuuuck.

3. What is one movie you hate and why?

I hated Paranormal Activity 1 & 2. HATE THEM. I really regret watching them because it still gives me nightmares (obviously it wasn't my idea to watch them in the first place). I hate scary movies and I especially hate that demon stuff. I don't want to know anything about it.

4. How many email addresses do you have?

Three. Yahoo, Gmail, and my Drake email. I've had the Yahoo one for forever so I use that most regularly - although wish I used my gmail more because it's so convenient. Google Reader is almost always open on my desktop.

5. What website do you waste the most time on?

I hate to say it, but Facebook. It's such a timesuck! I try to limit myself to checking it once a day but that never happens.

6. Which mexican restaurant makes the best salsa?

I had some really great salsa at On The Border the other night! My favorite is Monterrey, which is a little Mexican restaurant here in Des Moines/West Des Moines. I love the chunks of onion in it, it's so good. :)

7. What is your dream car?

I would love a Jetta, a silver one that's fully loaded with black leather seats. Pleaseandthankyou. :)

8. If you could spend up to $100 with no strings or restrictions or guilt, what would you buy?

Ummm, books. Or maybe some new sandals - spring is almost here!

9. What is your favorite board game?

Definitely Scrabble! I can play Scrabble allll day! Which is one of the reasons I am so in love with the iPhone... I can finally play Words With Friends!

10. How often do you change your hairstyle?

All. The. Time. I get bored really easily with my hair and am almost always wanting something new whether it be shorter bangs, shorter overall or a darker color. Inevitably, it almost always goes back to the way it usually is... shoulder length and dirty blonde. :)