KONY 2012

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just for me

In my life, so often, there are stretches of time that pass in a blur. I spend each moment focused only on "getting it done" in order to move on to the next task before me. It leaves me unfulfilled and, quite frankly, miserable. I dread what is, in all reality, the things that make up my life. And it is no way to live.

Today, the past several days, really, have been "one of those days". I've felt unsettled and downright depressed. A colorless grey seems to fill me up inside. It has been something more than a simple case of the winter blues, I've felt myself trudging--merely surviving each day with some small hope that it would pass.

Today, however, something nudged me to watch some Mormon Messages on youtube instead of grading as I ate my lunch. Oh, how glad I am to have come across this:



Life is worth enjoying. Life is good. Life is made of moments. It is so important for me to remember that. I felt like, today, this message was just for me. I hope you watch it and feel that way too.

Delightful

I'm glad this won an Oscar.

Tag. I'm "IT"

This is Adele. I love her. Find out one of the reasons below.

Here's what you do:
1. Post the rules
2. Share 11 random things about myself
3. Answer the 11 questions from the post in which I was tagged
4. Create 11 new questions for my tag-ees to answer
5. Tag 11 people

11 Random Things About Me:
1. I have a sick enjoyment in watching my students make fools of themselves during class activities (dancing the "iambic pentameter" dressing up for "Greek Mythterpiece Theater", etc.). It gets them out of their insecure little shells and is a slightly sadistic kind of payback for their misdeeds.

2. I'm addicted to Pinterest, chocolate, Diet Coke, and sleeping in.

3. One day I'm going to finish writing a book. Maybe I'll even publish it. Maybe.

4. I average about 65-70 hours a week between my two jobs: teaching adolescents to read and write fluently (my real gig) and as a hospital telephone operator (my extra gig).

5. Adele is my middle name (and my mommy's name). Naturally, I love Adele the brilliant recording artist.

6. I have a running record of unbelievably awful dates. They usually ask me out again. This sometimes makes me wonder if it is all in my head.

7. Scarves and cardigans keep me clothed. I adore each equally. Summer is, understandably, a tough time of year for me.

8. I love the movie Amelie. I feel like I have a similar inner-life of whimsy and playfulness.

9. I love that, though I don't have children of my own, I have countless opportunities to nurture and mother. My students, nieces, and nephews provide me with ample moments to "mommy" the little ones (even teenagers need nurturing--shhh, don't tell them I let slip that they're not as bratty and tough as they like to front).

10. I like food. It is great to chat and chew with people you love. I love healthy food. I love junk food. I love cooking food. (As evidence, I'm sitting here at job #2 munching on popcorn, carrots and licorice.) Because of this I think it is totally gobsmacking-mind-boggling-crazy when people say stuff like: "I'm not really a dessert person" or "I forget to eat lunch sometimes." How is that even possible? My body tells me when it is lunch time before it is lunch time.

11. I frequently hold solo dance sessions in my living room, private concerts in my car, and stand-up comedy routines in front of my classes. I am a dork through-and-through. I embrace it.

11 Questions Asked of Me:
1. What are you naturally talented at? I am good at teaching. Honestly, I'm far better at it all now than I was when I started. But I am lucky to have a natural presence that says, "you better listen to me or else!" It kind of helps me in the classroom.

2. What is the most embarrassing song you have on your iPod? Oooh, probably something from a cheesy musical or some good ol' NKOTB.

3. What book have you read over and over? Anything I teach. Two I never grow tired of: My Antonia by Willa Cather and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

4. Who is your hero, and why? My best friend. She puts everyone before herself. She is good and selfless. I kind of like her, frankly.

5. What song represents you? "Clair de Lune" by Debussy.

6. What is something that can always make you laugh? Potty humor. Always.

7. Who do you consider your best friend? Miss Alice.

8. What would you choose for your last meal? La Ferrovia anything.

9. What movie makes you cry, every time? Steel Magnolias or Beaches.

10.What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time? Go on a study abroad trip during college. Even if you have to put it on a credit card, it will be entirely worth it.

11.What question do you wish I asked, and how would you answer it? "What past job did you enjoy the most?" Probably when I was at The Standard-Examiner as a "Classified AD-visor". Yes, yes I will toot my own horn: I was killer at creating classified ads, upselling, and using my "soxy voice" with the male customers to make more on commission. Plus, it was kind of fun typing all the time.


And finally, the 11 Lucky People I choose to tag are:
1. Alice
2. Stephanie R-to the-idge
3. Stephanie R-to the-ipley
4. Kim
5. Shannon B.
6. Spoons
7. Amber
8. Stine
9. Rowena's Rants
10. Nic
11. Wemdu

(And if you don't do it--no worries. You won't have 11 years of bad luck or anything. I promise. Really. Don't blame me if your life starts to suck.)

These Two Kids

...want some kids. They're in the hoping-for-an-adoption business at the moment. And I couldn't be more excited for them! Give them a looksy here, here, or here. And, if you know of anybody who wants a loving LDS home for their bebe, I cannot recommend these two enough.

I met Shannon in a poetry class during college. We hit it off immediately because I'm pretty sure Shannon hits it off with everyone immediately (she is even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside--is that even possible--and furthermore, how is that fair?). I still remember sitting in freeway pile-up traffic trying to get to her wedding reception with the fella pictured above before the gig ended (I made it, thankfully). She is one of the most genuine, good, kind, beautiful people I know. If anybody would make a great mommy, it's her. She also has some mad dancin' skillz.

So, there you go. Please check them out, recommend, and send good vibes, prayers, and juju their way during this process. I know these two will grow their family. I just hope it is sooner than later!

In which I whine as an excuse for my extended absence.

Yes, I still exist. I'm still here.

All I really wanted to drop by for is to let whoever is still reading know that there are days I'd rather stay at home all day and read and make collages and look around on pinterest and blog and go for a walk in the park and take naps and cook and do anything but work two jobs at once. I'd like to catch up on my overwhelming laundry. I'd like my house to look like I do something besides wrinkle the bed, diminish the toothpaste supply, leave dirty clothing piles in the bedroom and used tupperware in the kitchen sink. I'd like my life back.

But, as of this moment, I'm putting on my big girl panties and becoming a grown up who pays off her debt.

This will all be worth it one day, right? Right?

let this be a lesson to you

This is why you should always choose the nerd:

He eventually grows up.

Now, can the same really be said for the one you oogled over at 14?

I didn't think so.