So. . .does anyone still read this thing?

Let's face it, I don't blog much anymore and I wouldn't blame the world for giving up on this thing. But tonight it's raining and I have nothing on the "to-do" list, so here goes. . .

It has been a crazy few weeks. I officially finished up all of my graduate coursework last week so now all I need to do is walk at graduation. It feels so good to have my master's degree finished! My job, on the other hand, is as busy as ever.

My students take their high school assessment test in twelve days (but who is counting?!) and the next few days are very me-intensive as I review the entire year with them. One thing that scares me about public education in this state is that we all but take the tests for our students. We feed them questions and answers without taking the time to develop critical thinking and learner self-sufficiency. I'm getting to a point where I am becoming more and more disgusted with HOW we educate in this country. If you aren't feeling the dangers of it yet, just wait a few years until the "No Child Left Behind" generation fully hits the workforce.

At least the townhouse is looking super great these days. Sarah and I have been doing some serious spring cleaning and minor redecorating to get ready for the next few weeks. My place finally looks less like the post-college collection and more like a homey space. I love coming home and just sitting in my tv room relaxing. All the room needs is a nice big flatscreen, but that will have to wait for a while longer.

Tim graduates in less than a month, and I'm done work in five weeks. While part of me wants the school year to rush to an end, a large part of me wants to slow time down a bit, too. The next few weeks are going to fly by way too fast. . .I guess all you can do is hang on to what you have and roll with the changes to come. . .

Hershey Park, here I come!!!

This weekend we are hitting up the first theme park of the summer. We are heading up to Hershey Park, where much roller coaster riding and chocolate sampling will occur. The weather should be in the 80s, which means perfect tanning weather, too!!!

In other news - I have planted an herb garden. Sarah and I are keeping rosemary, cilantro, oregano, and basil on the deck and I cannot wait to start cooking with all of it! The rains of the last few days are really helping most of the herbs to grow. The jury is out on whether the basil is going to survive the monsoons, however. . .

Sometimes, it's so not worth it.

I HATE my job this week, not because of the kids, but because of the adults. Coming home with headaches that won't go away and cause mind-numbing pain can't be healthy. You want to know what else isn't healthy? Treating adults like they are incapable of independent thought. More on that later. . .my head still hurts and I'm going to bed.

Prayers have been answered!

Tim found out today that he has a one-year residency match. He finds out more on Thursday about where it will be, but for now I am just doing cartwheels knowing he finally gets to live his dream.

Dang.

Tim made amazing, restaurant-quality pan seared wasabi tuna for dinner tonight. I love that my man can cook.

In other news, I am SO glad the weekend is coming. . .and congrats to my favorite (Anna!!!) on her recent engagement!

Nothing like a long weekend.

I had a completely relaxing weekend, complete with bargain shopping, Valentine's Day dinner and homemade dessert, reading a great novel, eating fondue, and tons of laughter. For the first time in weeks, I felt completely refreshed going back to work. Of course the refreshed feeling didn't last long, but I can't complain.

Tim took me to Sakura for dinner Saturday night and then I made us dessert. I have been trying a lot of new ideas lately, and this time I made a chocolate flourless cake dessert. It was VERY rich, and while not the best flourless cake ever, I have to say I did a darn good job.

This week is going to fly by - Tuesday is already over and by Friday I need to be packed for the ski weekend. I can't wait for a little quality time at the Barley home!!!

Sweet!

Sandra Lee now has her own magazine of semi-homemade fun! I bought the premiere issue tonight at the grocery store and I am LOVING it!!!

It doesn't really take much to keep me happy.