I know, I'm ahead of my time.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
My Attempt at (a) Meme
Hello Bloggers!
Yes, I am still alive. What with the finishing my Master's, starting a new job, etc., I've been overwhelmed. But I still think of you often. :)
So, as I have been lurking around interesting grammar-related blogs, I stumbled across a meme that I wanted to perpetuate (in the nature of memes). I found this one from Lynn at 2 Girls & Plastic who took it from someone else...
(I am sick right now and this is subject to editing when I am feeling normal again.)
Here goes:
1. My uncle once: Let me drive his boat, which was steered by a tiller. And being the beautifully coordinated person that I am, I couldn't master the steer-left-turn-right concept, and I almost crashed us into a boathouse. BTW, I was 13-ish, not 5.
2. Never in my life: have I done pot or any other illegal drug. I'm going to brag about that one, because I'd like to believe that's an elite group. And while I didn't have the exposure that many other kids have, I still had the opportunity. (My first college roommate always told me she was "packing the next bowl" for me.)
3. When I was five: I was going through some major dethronement issues with the birth of my sister. Little did I know then, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me.
4. High school was: Wonderfully awful. I had all of the normal "I-hate-my-life-I hate-my parents-I-hate-the world" teen angst, but I also had a really amazing best friend with whom I can still laugh about all of our adventures.
5. I will never forget: the feeling that washed over me when my now-husband was baptized. I literally fell to my knees. I can't describe the amazing feeling of peace and joy that I experienced at that moment. It was the most heavenly moment of my life thus far.
6. Once I met: Carrot Top. I know, that's super lame. I've sighted several other celebrities (e.g. Richard Belzer, Robin Williams, Rebecca Romijn), but CT's the only one I've actually met. He was wandering around our local airport (alone!) waiting for his luggage. I guess (hope) he was doing a gig here.
7. There’s this girl I know: I just don't know how to answer this one! I know lots of great gals.
8. Once, at a bar: I have nothing for this one, sorry. I've been to a bar, like, six times, and nothing unusual happened. I'm not a bar kind of person.
9. By noon, I’m usually: debating on whether or not I should eat the lunch I brought with me and write some reports, or go out and get something. zzzzzz, I know.
10. Last night: My sweet husband got chinese food and medicine for me, of which I consumed both and crashed early. I still believe I will be miraculously well by this afternoon.
11. If only I had: the true desire and money to afford a raw vegan lifestyle. I'd be soooo much healthier. I know they say you can eat vegan cheaply, but apparently not where I'm from. Not with any variety, anyway.
12. Next time I go to church: will be this Sunday. I'm a regular attendee, and I believe in God's plan for a church family, even though I am struggling with mine right now. Prayers, please.
13. What worries me most: is bringing a child into a country/world that I believe is increasingly morally/physically dangerous. It's one thing to worry about that when you've already got a child, and something else when you desperately want a child, but don't want to have it only to have it be damaged in any way. Sometimes I feel selfish for wanting children. And I hate that feeling.
14. When I turn my head left I see: the 2-foot Eiffel Tower that brings je ne se qua to the kitchen.
15. When I turn my head right I see: The Geico commercial reference that my brother in-law left on the chalkboard several months ago.
16. You know I’m lying when: I give you WAY WAY too much information. The only catch is, you'll have to differentiate between that and the WAY too much information I normally give any other time I'm talking. Luckily, I don't lie often, or I'd never shut up.
17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: my weight. And maybe the Smurfs, but that's it.
18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: any one of the melodramatic ingenues that grace his pages.
19. By this time next year: I hope to have finished my certification for speech pathology, gotten a bit healthier, and be pregnant.
20. A better name for me would be: I'm not sure, but I've never been completely comfortable in my own name or its variations. I would prefer to go by my initials, or my last name (without the Mrs. stuff), or simply, "Word Girl."
21. I have a hard time understanding: American (media) culture's tolerance for anything but Christianity. Absolutely anything else is defended and protected, but let someone say they're a Christian, and the eye-rolling begins. This is really a larger issue than can be squeezed into this kind of format, but I'm just saying...
22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: kill myself. JUST KIDDING! That's a bad question to ask me right after I've been "released." But I do think about it, and I'd like to either get a doctorate in Reading, or maybe some sort of degree in clinical pathology where you slice up organs and stuff. But I'm probably not smart enough for that. Oh! Music! I'd also like to get a degree in music.
23. You know I like you if: I stalk you. Not really. I wouldn't do that.
24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: the person who gave it to me! And after that, my husband, 'cause he puts up with alot when I get really involved in something.
25. Take my advice, never: make fun of my dog. It really makes me like you less. We get it, he's small. Ha ha ha.
26. My ideal breakfast is: actual breakfast and not something grabbed hastily out of guilt. Ideally, I would be eating at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg.
27. A song I love but do not have is: "Alfie" by Lily Allen. It's catchy and it makes me laugh every time I listen to it, but I just can't bring myself to buy it.
28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: just visit the person you came to see. There's a few tourist-y things here, but they're overdone and cheesy unless it's something you are particularly into. Other than that, I'd suggest you go hiking. We've got some nice mountain trails.
29. Why won’t people: turn off the "Total Void" (thanks, Islands) and read a bit. The whole small-children-watching-hours-of-tv thing really chafes me. I work with kids who can hardly string a two-word sentence together, but if I show them a picture of a snail they shout, "That's Gary!" (or "Geh-wee", as the case may be.)
30. If you spend a night at my house: you most likely won't get to bed at a decent hour, but we will have some great discussions and possibly even sing a few ukulele tunes.
31. I’d stop my wedding for: this may be selfish, but I can't think of anything I would've stopped my wedding for, and I've thought of both good and bad scenarios. A death in the family, perhaps. Depends on the circumstances. I know that's not witty, but I was pretty determined to get married, so not much would have stopped us.
32. The world could do without: high fructose corn syrup.
33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: ummmm....the booty of a cockroach?
34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: my sister. Who is only technically a blond right now, which I love, because I am all for anything that makes us look more like sisters. And, she makes a really nice brunette, too.
35. Paper clips are more useful than: brads. I guess. I'm not good at office-supply analogies, apparently, and my attempt to think of something concomitantly utterly useless and clever was fruitless.
36. If I do anything well it’s: sing, maybe? This is a self-esteem hit, because I feel like I do lots of things "okay," but "well"? I can't commit to it. Like it'll take my power away or something. I'm glad we're nearing the end here. I'm starting not to make much sense.
37. I can’t help but: stay up late reading even when I'm really tired.
38. I usually cry: frequently. I usually take it as more of a bad sign when I haven't cried in a while. It's worth noting that very happy or sweet things also really make me cry, so my frequent lacrimation is not a sign that I am a sad person.
39. My advice to my child/nephew/niece: Have a sense of humor and the world will be a better place; being a Christian is NOT about a list of do's and don'ts, it is having a real relationship with the Lord and loving Him enough to let Him guide you in love; and be kind. (All things I need to remember all the time as well.)
40. And by the way: I WILL be better by this afternoon.
If you have gotten this far, bless you. I'll get back to posting pictures again soon. Really, I will.
Yes, I am still alive. What with the finishing my Master's, starting a new job, etc., I've been overwhelmed. But I still think of you often. :)
So, as I have been lurking around interesting grammar-related blogs, I stumbled across a meme that I wanted to perpetuate (in the nature of memes). I found this one from Lynn at 2 Girls & Plastic who took it from someone else...
(I am sick right now and this is subject to editing when I am feeling normal again.)
Here goes:
1. My uncle once: Let me drive his boat, which was steered by a tiller. And being the beautifully coordinated person that I am, I couldn't master the steer-left-turn-right concept, and I almost crashed us into a boathouse. BTW, I was 13-ish, not 5.
2. Never in my life: have I done pot or any other illegal drug. I'm going to brag about that one, because I'd like to believe that's an elite group. And while I didn't have the exposure that many other kids have, I still had the opportunity. (My first college roommate always told me she was "packing the next bowl" for me.)
3. When I was five: I was going through some major dethronement issues with the birth of my sister. Little did I know then, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me.
4. High school was: Wonderfully awful. I had all of the normal "I-hate-my-life-I hate-my parents-I-hate-the world" teen angst, but I also had a really amazing best friend with whom I can still laugh about all of our adventures.
5. I will never forget: the feeling that washed over me when my now-husband was baptized. I literally fell to my knees. I can't describe the amazing feeling of peace and joy that I experienced at that moment. It was the most heavenly moment of my life thus far.
6. Once I met: Carrot Top. I know, that's super lame. I've sighted several other celebrities (e.g. Richard Belzer, Robin Williams, Rebecca Romijn), but CT's the only one I've actually met. He was wandering around our local airport (alone!) waiting for his luggage. I guess (hope) he was doing a gig here.
7. There’s this girl I know: I just don't know how to answer this one! I know lots of great gals.
8. Once, at a bar: I have nothing for this one, sorry. I've been to a bar, like, six times, and nothing unusual happened. I'm not a bar kind of person.
9. By noon, I’m usually: debating on whether or not I should eat the lunch I brought with me and write some reports, or go out and get something. zzzzzz, I know.
10. Last night: My sweet husband got chinese food and medicine for me, of which I consumed both and crashed early. I still believe I will be miraculously well by this afternoon.
11. If only I had: the true desire and money to afford a raw vegan lifestyle. I'd be soooo much healthier. I know they say you can eat vegan cheaply, but apparently not where I'm from. Not with any variety, anyway.
12. Next time I go to church: will be this Sunday. I'm a regular attendee, and I believe in God's plan for a church family, even though I am struggling with mine right now. Prayers, please.
13. What worries me most: is bringing a child into a country/world that I believe is increasingly morally/physically dangerous. It's one thing to worry about that when you've already got a child, and something else when you desperately want a child, but don't want to have it only to have it be damaged in any way. Sometimes I feel selfish for wanting children. And I hate that feeling.
14. When I turn my head left I see: the 2-foot Eiffel Tower that brings je ne se qua to the kitchen.
15. When I turn my head right I see: The Geico commercial reference that my brother in-law left on the chalkboard several months ago.
16. You know I’m lying when: I give you WAY WAY too much information. The only catch is, you'll have to differentiate between that and the WAY too much information I normally give any other time I'm talking. Luckily, I don't lie often, or I'd never shut up.
17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: my weight. And maybe the Smurfs, but that's it.
18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: any one of the melodramatic ingenues that grace his pages.
19. By this time next year: I hope to have finished my certification for speech pathology, gotten a bit healthier, and be pregnant.
20. A better name for me would be: I'm not sure, but I've never been completely comfortable in my own name or its variations. I would prefer to go by my initials, or my last name (without the Mrs. stuff), or simply, "Word Girl."
21. I have a hard time understanding: American (media) culture's tolerance for anything but Christianity. Absolutely anything else is defended and protected, but let someone say they're a Christian, and the eye-rolling begins. This is really a larger issue than can be squeezed into this kind of format, but I'm just saying...
22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: kill myself. JUST KIDDING! That's a bad question to ask me right after I've been "released." But I do think about it, and I'd like to either get a doctorate in Reading, or maybe some sort of degree in clinical pathology where you slice up organs and stuff. But I'm probably not smart enough for that. Oh! Music! I'd also like to get a degree in music.
23. You know I like you if: I stalk you. Not really. I wouldn't do that.
24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: the person who gave it to me! And after that, my husband, 'cause he puts up with alot when I get really involved in something.
25. Take my advice, never: make fun of my dog. It really makes me like you less. We get it, he's small. Ha ha ha.
26. My ideal breakfast is: actual breakfast and not something grabbed hastily out of guilt. Ideally, I would be eating at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg.
27. A song I love but do not have is: "Alfie" by Lily Allen. It's catchy and it makes me laugh every time I listen to it, but I just can't bring myself to buy it.
28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: just visit the person you came to see. There's a few tourist-y things here, but they're overdone and cheesy unless it's something you are particularly into. Other than that, I'd suggest you go hiking. We've got some nice mountain trails.
29. Why won’t people: turn off the "Total Void" (thanks, Islands) and read a bit. The whole small-children-watching-hours-of-tv thing really chafes me. I work with kids who can hardly string a two-word sentence together, but if I show them a picture of a snail they shout, "That's Gary!" (or "Geh-wee", as the case may be.)
30. If you spend a night at my house: you most likely won't get to bed at a decent hour, but we will have some great discussions and possibly even sing a few ukulele tunes.
31. I’d stop my wedding for: this may be selfish, but I can't think of anything I would've stopped my wedding for, and I've thought of both good and bad scenarios. A death in the family, perhaps. Depends on the circumstances. I know that's not witty, but I was pretty determined to get married, so not much would have stopped us.
32. The world could do without: high fructose corn syrup.
33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: ummmm....the booty of a cockroach?
34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: my sister. Who is only technically a blond right now, which I love, because I am all for anything that makes us look more like sisters. And, she makes a really nice brunette, too.
35. Paper clips are more useful than: brads. I guess. I'm not good at office-supply analogies, apparently, and my attempt to think of something concomitantly utterly useless and clever was fruitless.
36. If I do anything well it’s: sing, maybe? This is a self-esteem hit, because I feel like I do lots of things "okay," but "well"? I can't commit to it. Like it'll take my power away or something. I'm glad we're nearing the end here. I'm starting not to make much sense.
37. I can’t help but: stay up late reading even when I'm really tired.
38. I usually cry: frequently. I usually take it as more of a bad sign when I haven't cried in a while. It's worth noting that very happy or sweet things also really make me cry, so my frequent lacrimation is not a sign that I am a sad person.
39. My advice to my child/nephew/niece: Have a sense of humor and the world will be a better place; being a Christian is NOT about a list of do's and don'ts, it is having a real relationship with the Lord and loving Him enough to let Him guide you in love; and be kind. (All things I need to remember all the time as well.)
40. And by the way: I WILL be better by this afternoon.
If you have gotten this far, bless you. I'll get back to posting pictures again soon. Really, I will.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Breakfast
Just a neat little place to eat. As you can probably see, the L runs right in front of the restaurant. (Hence the name "Off the Tracks." Hee-hee!)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
My New Favorite Tea Shop
Flashing Green Lights
Haute Cuisine
Snack Break!
A View of the Bay...
Looking out towards Navy Pier...
There were three other people on the tour with us besides our tour guide, but it was all good. A tour group of 5 is pretty small. We had a really fun time just cruising around and goofing off with the segways. Our tour guide said new ones cost about $5K, but you can get used older models for about $2500.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
My Silly Nephew
He was smiling so sweetly right before I took this, and then quickly changed to his best American Gladiator pose. I think I like this one even better. I know he's got to have some of me in his little DNA, because he's mercurial enough and cuts up at the drop of a hat. (And he's left handed - ROCK ON, LEFTIES!)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Before the wedding...
Jill and Ashley smile deceptively sweetly before being pampered at the nail salon. What a great day...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
And a suggestive St. Patrick's Day to you!
I realize that this is late in coming, but I've been wanting to post this since before I had this blog. Around St. Patrick's Day, I had a therapy activity for the kids I worked with this past semester that involved decorating a large shamrock. The kids would take turns, and after each turn could choose a different decorative item - one of which included drawing with markers. After completing a session, I hung the shamrock up on the class display board, and noticed something. This particular shamrock had been decorated with balloons. But they reminded me of something distinctly different....
I've gotten at least two other opinions that go along with mine, so I know it's not just because I'm trying to get pregnant.
Do you see it?
I've gotten at least two other opinions that go along with mine, so I know it's not just because I'm trying to get pregnant.
Do you see it?
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Trip of a Lifetime...
Here we are on arrival to the hotel - a little road weary, but ready to go! Our hotel room was shoe-boxed sized, and off by itself in the hallway next to a closet. No wonder it was so affordable!
This is the view from the 14th floor down to the lobby. Even though our room was small, the hotel was still quite posh. And, most importantly, across the street from the Fox Theater. The closer to Dolly the better!
This is Dolly's tour bus! We went hunting for it before eating lunch. There were a long line of unmarked tour buses, and we figured she'd be in one of them, but when we saw the gold one, Lauren remembered: she had just seen a show online about Dolly's brand-new bus. This was the one! We were separated from Dolly by just a couple feet of air space and a thin sheet of metal. Right after I took this picture, a worker (we don't if he was with the Fox or with Dolly) told us to keep moving! Yes! We needed no further proof that Dolly was right there!
I am ready! This is right before we left for the show.
Lauren getting ready. We were both a jumble of nerves - Lauren so much so that she had trouble with her hair.
Here is Herself! I realize you can't see her - she is the whitish glow in the center of the stage. But enough for me to remember her. Truly one of the most exciting nights of my life! The concert was amazing to say the least!
This is the view from the 14th floor down to the lobby. Even though our room was small, the hotel was still quite posh. And, most importantly, across the street from the Fox Theater. The closer to Dolly the better!
This is Dolly's tour bus! We went hunting for it before eating lunch. There were a long line of unmarked tour buses, and we figured she'd be in one of them, but when we saw the gold one, Lauren remembered: she had just seen a show online about Dolly's brand-new bus. This was the one! We were separated from Dolly by just a couple feet of air space and a thin sheet of metal. Right after I took this picture, a worker (we don't if he was with the Fox or with Dolly) told us to keep moving! Yes! We needed no further proof that Dolly was right there!
I am ready! This is right before we left for the show.
Lauren getting ready. We were both a jumble of nerves - Lauren so much so that she had trouble with her hair.
Here is Herself! I realize you can't see her - she is the whitish glow in the center of the stage. But enough for me to remember her. Truly one of the most exciting nights of my life! The concert was amazing to say the least!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Whatbag?
While recently texting my husband, I lazily tried to get out of writing "what are you" in favor of "whatcha." I was hoping that the word would be familiar enough that the phone's autofill would get it right - when it was just a confusing jumble of letters, I hit the "next" button to see what else it might offer. The result: whatbag. Now maybe I'm just ignorant of this word's important place in the American lexicon, but it made me laugh out loud. I'm trying to see how I can start to work this into conversations. It sounds like a joke that Michael Scott would come up with.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
It's a beautiful day...
My day started with a gorgeous morning- I'm not a morning person, but since I had to be outside with Smoky first thing, I got to see our mountain as it just woke up... breath-taking. It makes me really appreciate our home.
And then on to watch my nephew play t-ball with the other Mudcats! Even Smoky got into it and began cheering. Go #9!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
There they go!
The bus carrying my husband and 40 some-odd middle schoolers departs Huntsville for NYC. Tears for me on the first night apart. Sigh... I wish I was with him, but I know he'll have fun!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Spring Feet!!
I have finally painted my toenails in preparation for my feet's debut into public. Please note that they are painted "Backwoods Barbie" pink in homage to Dolly and my upcoming trip with my sister to see her for the first time!! (Dolly, not my sister) Woo-hoo!
Keep Ukin'
Well, it hurts like the Dickens to type because I spent at least 4 hours (by R's estimation) playing the uke. It was uber fun, though!! I found about 20 songs that I could play, including Margaritaville, which makes me very happy. Ironically, this tee-totaling girl's favorite song is a ballad to a frosty tropical alcoholic drink. (I do love limes, though...) I can't wait for the weather to get a bit more stable so that we can go camping and I can play songs around the campfire.
I will also try to post more pictures, as I realize that just my words are boring.
Andrea
I will also try to post more pictures, as I realize that just my words are boring.
Andrea
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The newest member to my musical family...
My sweet red soprano ukulele!!
My excuse for getting it was that I can use it in therapy with the kids - knowing full well that I probably won't learn enough to play therapy songs before it is time for me to leave my school externship. (But I do plan on using it with some Melodic Intonation Therapy in the future - and that is done with adults as well as children.)
Still, I am having so much fun with it! Tonight I learned a tropical-sounding "Slient Night" AND I can play most of "Wipeout." Fun!
Now I just need a name for her... (or him, I can't tell yet!)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
See! I'm doing better already!!
In an effort to stay true to my word, I am posting TWO DAYS IN A ROW!! I know, shocker. So, I don't have any pictures to add from the day, suffice to say that my Internet connection is being a total pain, and I am having my first allergy attack of the season. So, folks, this is all you get today. I know you are heartbroken. (Especially since there aren't any "folks.")
Andrea
Andrea
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
A New Blog Begins!
Okay, so I admit that I haven't been a very faithful blogger. So WHY ON EARTH would I create another blog just to neglect it? Well, I admit to feeling a bit penned in by that old blog. Besides, I know that only one friend of mine read it, so I was basically just writing to her - not that that wasn't cool, but we use other means of communication besides the blog, so that seemed pointless. I'm rambling, I know...
With a fresh start I hope to also revisit the old blog, but also let this blog become more of a real journal.
I guess we'll see....
Andrea
With a fresh start I hope to also revisit the old blog, but also let this blog become more of a real journal.
I guess we'll see....
Andrea
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