Stanger danger!

Oh, hi! You guys still here?

Clearly, I am still saying "you guys" :/

This was another sorta crazy week... Let's do this quick and dirty. Heart bullet style.

♥ Wednesday was my dad and my little sister's birthday, yep they have the same birthday. My dad got a nice, little bundle of joy on his birthday 25 years ago! We all went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, which is my dad's favorite place. It's sort of a tradition to go to dinner for birthdays, my sister and I and our parents. I really look forward to those dinner because there are lots of laughs!!

♥ My sis got a great birthday present... A present that I am benefiting from quite a bit. She has been talking about wanting a Wii for quite awhile now so we could play old school Nintendo games and transport ourselves back to 1989. I was completely blown away when her boyfriend and best friend contacted me to tell me that they are getting her a Wii and to not tell anyone because it's a surprise. Of course I told my mom and we went in on a Wii Fit for her. So now we are my sister is the proud new owner of a Wii and a Wii Fit! We played a couple Super Mario Bros games on Wednesday night, but since then I have been very good and resisted the temptation of plopping myself in front of the t.v. and letting that glazed look spread over my face. (I have way too much stuff to do).

♥ Speaking of stuff to do... My goodness, the next 30 days are hectic. I have a huge research paper to do and a visual to organize to go with it. I'm excited about the subject - how the arts can have positive effects on special needs children, but I want something more interesting for the visual than a PowerPoint. Slides are boring, I want something more like a brochure/pamphlet to hand out, like at the doctor's office? I could set it up like a new drug - but this drug is the arts! No pills required! (Am I a nerd? Ok, don't answer that). Anyone know of a free site or program that I can do that on. Is it on Word?

♥ Thursday night I spent two hours driving a friend of mine around because her car broke down. It really got me thinking... Would they do this for me? I know this friend of mine would, but I got to thinking about other people. I know, this is negative, but it just happened! I know it's not worth wondering... but maybe it is? I'm more concerned about if I was in a jam and really needed help would my friends rearrange their schedule, like I did, to help me? I can only think of a couple...

♥ Wednesday and Thursday I subbed in a 6th grade reading intervention room. I was super nervous accepting the job at first because it was called an "academic resource lab." It makes perfect sense now why it's called that, but at first I didn't know what it was! What if it was ISS? (in school suspension). What if it was BD kids? What if, what if, what if? I accepted because it was a Wednesday job and I it's so hard to get Wednesday jobs because DMPS gets out early every Wednesday and Waukee gets out early every other Wednesday. Well, long story short, I loved it. If that is (sort of) what special ed is going to look like, which so far what I have seen that it is, I am going to love it.

♥ I co-taught with another teacher and she was fantastic! She gave me feedback and complimented my teaching style. She said she had never seen someone so intent on making sure everyone was taken care of and I distributed my time between all the kids to make sure everyone was okay and taken care of. It was so nice! She said she would absolutely write me any letters I may need - and this was after knowing me TWO DAYS! It made my heart soar and that rewarding feel come over me. I have had more rewarding feelings in five weeks of subbing than in two years of managing a top volume retail store. That is huge.

♥ Ok, one more subbing story. Yesterday while I was subbing at Waukee South (which, omg, is a brand new middle school and it is beyond gorgeous. Seriously, these kids have no idea how good they have it) I got a call from the principal at the school I was at the two days before (the reading intervention group). I kind of freaked and was so nervous I did something wrong. Did I sign out? Did I leave something there? Did I say something wrong to one of the students? But, nope, none of those things were it. She had heard about me and wanted me to come back for a long term assignment! Whhheeeeeee! My heart was pounding so hard, I was so excited! Unfortunately, my class schedule didn't work with their schedule and ultimately it wouldn't have been beneficial to the kids so it wouldn't work. But, we had a nice chat and she said that the district needed to get me in there. That felt amazing! DMPS is the biggest district around here (and probably in the state?) and also where I went to school. I am so flattered and happy to be noticed!

♥ I have a coffee date with a guy next week. We've been emailing quite a bit and he seems pretty great! Hopefully we have the same chemistry in person that we do over email - it's so hard to tell sometimes.

♥ A woman in West Des Moines was shot last week and the entire city is still pretty shook up about it. She was 27 years old and a realtor for Iowa Realty. She was working in a model home here in WDSM and someone came in and shot her twice. Nobody knows why, there are no leads. I know this stuff happens in bigger cities all the time, but it doesn't in WDSM. I'm already skeptical of just about everyone I meet, but this makes me even more skeptical. You could say "stranger danger" really stuck with me as a kid.

♥ My Saturday morning scene is picture perfect right now... I am still in bed, glasses on, coffee cup full, laptop in my lap, newspaper sitting next to me and a pile of books (mostly textbooks) with Libby curled in a ball sleeping. Ahhhhhh, blissdom.

Well, that wasn't really quick and dirty, but oh well! I had to get you all caught up! ;)

What does your typical Saturday morning look like?

Kids say the darndest things...

I have been substitute teaching and working on my practicum hours for the past couple months and I think it's safe to say I have... stories. Lots of them.

My practicum is in second grade and my substitute teaching license permits me to sub in middle and high school. Both age groups give me looooooots of stories and things to talk about with my friends and family. There is never a day that goes by that I don't want to burst out laughing at something one of the kids have said!

For example, a couple weeks ago we had some drama in the second grade. Drama, I tell you! For the sake of privacy, let's nickname these little sweethearts... we have little girl E and little boy S.

S decided he liked E and kissed her on the playground. E did not like that and she retaliated. During their second recess in the afternoon E drew a picture of S. This picture was... not so nice, and it was quite... naughty.

She drew a stick figure with a boy's private part. You can guess which private part that was.

When S saw it, you can guess he was pretty upset. Both of them came inside crying and very unhappy. The teacher pulled them both out into the hall to sort it out and made them apologize to each other. Here is how that conversation went...

Teacher: S, please apologize to E.

S: I am sorry.

Teacher: What are you sorry for?

S: I am sorry I kissed you.

Teacher: E, please apologize to S.

E: I am sorry.

Teacher: What are you sorry for?

E: I'm sorry I drew you with a weener.

Oh man, soooooo funny! I have been telling that story for weeks now! Stuff like this makes me love the second grade! They are so cute, so funny and, for the most, so eager to learn. I'm thinking I might need to turn this into a weekly feature because I have tons of stories I want to tell!!

Ten on Tuesday!

Good morning, everyone! It's Tuesday again which means it's Ten on Tuesday time again. Thank you Chelsea for hosting such a great weekly meme (and giving me something to blog about...) ;)

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
I drive. I admire people that take public transportation, but in Des Moines I think it would be a little hard. If I lived in a big city I would definitely consider it or give it a try.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
I'm horrible at getting regular trims! I just got one on Saturday, but I probably only go two or three times a year. I was just complaining about this to my stylist, she needs to get on me! She just laughs though...

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
Yes, I read the hardcopy because the comments online make me so mad sometimes.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?
Definitely The Help. GREAT BOOK! I can't wait for the movie.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
I really loved No Strings Attached. I walked out of that movie thinking, "I'm definitely buying that one on dvd."

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
Usually salty. I love me some salt...

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
Usually! I always have coffee and I tend to eat a piece of fruit for breakfast, usually a banana.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
I know most people hate them, but I love cadbury eggs... I think they're delicious! ;) I have resisted so far this year and not eaten one... I will cave at some point though.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
9 or 10 is sleeping in, although I cannot remember the last time I did that or if I could even do it anymore...

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
We are going to Niagra Falls in a month! I cannot wait, road trips are the best!!

Lately, I have been taking notice of how many times I say "you guys." Considering I am in front of a class almost five days a week and they have short attention spans I say it a lot... I annoy myself every time I say it, too.

I don't know what else to say!

I don't say "y'all" so, what else is there? Do you say "you guys"? I'm just curious... I'm thinking I am going to have to try to completely quit saying it and clap my hands instead for attention, or something along those lines.

Anyway, let me know what you say. I'm really curious now.

Getting to know you...

Hey everyone!

It's been awhile, I apologize. Last week got the best of me. Enough said.

Today I am participating in Keely's Getting To Know You Sunday. :)

1. do you watch/read the news?
Both! I get the newspaper everyday on my doorstep and do my best to take 10 minutes every morning to read it. My favorite section growing up, and still is, Your 2 cents worth. I love reading what other people have to say and who they say it's from.

2. how would you describe your "look"?
I would say my look is pretty classic, I try to choose clothes that are timeless and will last a long time. For hair, my hair is almost always long and more on the blonde side and my makeup is getting more and more minimal as I am getting older - I can't go without mascara though! :)

3. did you play sports in high school or college?
Yes, I played soccer and was a football and basketball cheerleader in high school. Just intramurals in college.

4. would you rather give up lipstick/gloss or high heels?
I would totally give up lipstick/gloss. I'm a shorty that likes her heels! Especially wedges!

5. what's your favorite show to watch on tv?
My favorite show is The Bachelor -- it's my guilty pleasure. I wish it was on all the time.

6. would you rather bake or cook?
I cook more often, I have probably only tried baking a handful of times. I really need to try it more!

7. shorts or skirts?
Skirts! I love skirts and wear them all the time in the spring, summer, and fall!

8. what's your favorite scary movie?
I can't stand scary movies! They give me nightmares.

Hope everyone is having fantastic spring weather and enjoying some time outside!! :)

What I'm loving Wednesday!

Hey, Des Moines area teachers... Why don't I get called to sub on Wednesdays? I'm trying to figure out if this is just a coincidence or there is a reason not many jobs are available on this day. I'm only available to sub Wednesday-Friday because Monday's I am in my practicum and Tuesdays I have a day class. The rest of the week is free. I considered changing my practicum to Wednesdays so I would be able to sub on Mondays, but I'm a little nervous to make a change in my practicum teacher's room.

I really need to sub at least three days a week to keep my budget on track for the summer, but I only have two more weeks left in my practicum so I am wondering if I should just stick it out. Decisions, decisions... Finals are the second week of May and after that I should have two full weeks to sub and make some money. Fingers crossed I am able to do that!

The semester is winding down and traditionally the last month of classes is a whirlwind of papers due, projects due and presentations. I am trying to alleviate some of the stress that I know is headed my way, but I am also a natural procrastinator, so it's a battle against nature. ;)

Well, today I am linking up with Jamie for her lovely weekly meme, What I'm loving Wednesday!
This week I am loving lots of things, as always! I am trying NOT to shop, because A. I don't need anything clothing related and B. I am saving for our trip to Niagra Falls!! But, as you will see, there is one clothing related item below...

So, this week...

I am loving... The Kennedy's.
The Kennedy's is an eight-part mini series on the Reelz channel. I had to add this channel (which only came in a digital package) so that I could watch this show. I am a big fan of Katie Holmes and also very intrigued by Jackie Kennedy, and the entire Kennedy administration, so I am enjoying this movie very much! Last night was the 2nd episode and it has everything you could want! There's political mistakes, fashion, scandal...

The History channel produced this mini series, but decided at the last minute to drop it because it was too controversial. Katie Holmes said on Ellen the other day that she has no idea why they dropped it and that there was nothing controversial in it... I have to disagree. Clearly, she has to support the movie she made, but so far in just the first two episodes Jack's infidelity is playing a major role. I'm honestly glad it is because it's shining light on his negative traits, while he was a GREAT president and did many wonderful things in office, he was also still very flawed. Obviously, you would not teach any age in the classroom that John F. Kennedy and his father repeatedly cheated on their devoted wives but it is important to know because it is an important characteristic of their personality. What this mini-series is doing for me is only reinforcing the sacrifice that Jackie made for our country. Ignorance is bliss and she let the American people continue to be ignorant during this time. She knew that to stand up for herself would only hurt the country, so I don't see it as her not standing up for herself, she was protecting an entire country.

I am loving... Substitute teaching!
It is so much fun! I am not naive, though. I know that sometime something is going to happen and I have to be mentally prepared for that. It's not going to be a bed of roses all the time. Obviously, I cannot be prepared for what could happen, because it could be anything.

What I didn't realize was how much time I was going to get to study on my own work. Each day I sub I get a good 3-4 hours to read or write papers. This is so nice! Those 3-4 hours are not at all consecutively and I have to look up probably every minute or two to avoid people goofing off, but so far it has helped so much to get my reading done for class. One class I was even able to write notes on two chapters, which I don't normally do, and it helped out a TON because we had a quiz over their chapters last night. :)

I am loving...
My Fitness Pal app. I found this app about a week ago and I am loving it! It is so easy to use and every food I eat and exercise I do has already been loaded in it so I don't have to create new foods. Do you know what I'm talking about with sites likes these? I hate having to go look at the nutrition fact and plug in all that stuff. It's annoying. I just want to log in what I ate and how much I ate. What workout I did and how long it was and go. That is exactly what My Fitness Pal does. I also really like how I can use the app on my phone or on the computer.

I am loving... this pretty dress!
This pretty yellow dress is from Shabby Apple! and isn't it adorable? Yellow is such a perfect color for this time of year and always brightens my mood. It is on sale, but it is still $70... That's still a little steep for what I would prefer to spend on clothes (I'm a total cheapskate!), especially when I don't have an event to wear it to... But, then again I DO have a friends wedding this summer to attend..... Hmmmm.... I can't though, I have to admire from afar -- maybe after our trip!
But, also? I love that this model is not sickeningly thin. It is so nice to see a model in something that I am interested in, and she is not so thin I want to puke.

That is what I am loving this week, what are you loving?

Truth be told...

Mwahahahahaha! My April fools joke WORKED! I'm honestly a little shocked... do you guys really think I couldn't tell that loser to eff off?? I don't get mad too often, but when I do... watch out! I would love to give that guy a piece of my mind.

I have to apologize to Amber... I started my little prank the night before, just so that it would seem real and tweeted some fake tweets...



She replied back and I was seriously considering spilling the beans to just her so that she wouldn't worry. I was worrying over her possibly worrying! Ha!

Yesterday, when I tweeted this...she said I deserved it because I was typing lies. Haha! Ok, ok. Karma came back to bite me. :)

Anyway, I wanted to follow up my little prank to clarify that in this case what psychologists say are wrong... There is ABSOLUTELY no truth to that joke, nor do I wish for that happen. In fact, I wish for quite the opposite. I would love to come face to face with that tool so that I could slam the door in his face. With a big, fat smile. :) :D

I also pulled a great prank on one of the classes in the building I was subbing... they actually thought I had a pop quiz for them... silly kids...

Did you make anyone an April Fool?

When the ex comes back...

Everybody here remembers the famous Cy, right?

The guy that acted so perfect, did everything "right" and seemed like an overall great guy? The guy I fell so hard for that I didn't feel like I could actually date again until eight months after we broke up - longer than we were together? That guy that was legally married the entire time we were together and lied about it?

Yeah, that guy.

Well, he made an appearance yesterday. Around 7pm yesterday evening he called me. I no longer have his number in my phone and I didn't recognize the number calling so I answered. I have been answering a lot of unknown numbers because I don't want to miss a subbing job.

Right away he said he hasn't been able to stop thinking about me since seeing me three weeks ago at happy hour. He said he wants to get together and talk. He said I looked great and so pretty.

I was speechless. I honestly didn't know what to say. Besides **** you.

I didn't say that though.

For a full two minutes I was speechless. Literally, two minutes. I think I was having a hard time processing this... He actually asked if I was still there. He thought I had hung up on him.

You see, I am too nice. I couldn't say **** you. I just don't have it in me. I'm too polite. I'm too much of a pushover. I'm too much of a people pleaser.

He asked if he could see me.

Ok, I know. I know. You all think I'm crazy and am bound to get my heart broken all over again. I can see the comments now...

"Don't do it! Remember how bad he made you feel?"

"Cy's an a**! He doesn't deserve a second of your time!"

"He's so lame. Don't do it, Amber!"

"I'm worried about you, but I understand why you're doing this...."

"What a tool!"

Seriously I can see them all and you all are so sweet. So sweet!

We are going to get together tomorrow afternoon to talk. Apparently he wants to explain a few things and clear some stuff up. He says he needs to do this to, that's it's the right thing to do...

Read the rest here.