I bet you thought I'd NEVER post again. . .

. . .but you were wrong! Let's face it - most of the time I just do status updates on Facebook, but I thought I would get back on here.

It has been a fall filled with the unexpected including a car accident and surprisingly good feelings about work. With Christmas a week away, it seems hard to believe 2010 is on the brink. I'm thankful for another good year with blessings that outnumbered worries and look forward to whatever comes next.

Yesteday I got to be a part of one of the most incredible experiences of my life. A dad returning from Iraq early surprised his daughter during my class. She had no idea he would be home for Christmas - being a part of that moment was truly special. Of course I was crying - thank God the kids brought in tons of tissues for my room this year! I feel so thankful that this father could come home safely FOR GOOD in time to spend Christmas with his wife and kids.

Maybe I'll be a little more consistent with the blog in 2010 - stay tuned!

A little stroll through the library

I stopped off this afternoon at the library to grab a new book to read. I just finished "Rhett Butler's People," which tells Rhett's side of the "Gone with the Wind" story. Needless to say, I loved it.

Today I went in looking for only one book and came out with four. There is something so soothing about walking through the fiction section reading the summaries until I find stories that pique my interest. Today I picked up "Waiting for Teddy Williams" (which I swear I have checked out before but never got around to reading), "Stardust," "The Lovely Bones," and "Sushi For Beginners." With summer coming, I cannot think of better ways to spend the quiet nights than curled up in bed reading until the late hours.

A week from today Tim starts his new adventure in Grosse Pointe and I start getting prepared for the Ireland adventure. Time flies!

Yeah, I know I hardly ever write anymore. . .

But I thought I'd do a quick update. May was a good month - I finished my Masters degree, my kids took their High School Assessment tests, we squeezed in a weekend at Busch Gardens, and my parents drove in for a long weekend.

I also had to get reading glasses because apparently I have the eyes of a forty year old. So much for my amazing eyesight. Moments like this make me feel old.

Now it is June - school is almost done and I am counting down the days until Ireland (24 in case you were wondering). But first - Tim graduates! On Friday we will be up in NYC to watch Dr. Romanoski recieve his degree. I could not be more proud of him right now. We should have a blast catching up with his med school friends (or in my case, meeting many for the first time) and celebrating with the family. Four years have gone by surprisingly fast. . .

. . .and it dawned on me last month that I graduated college five years ago. Wow.

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.

Super Productive Afternoon of Power

School got out 3 hours early today due to snow. The drive home was livable and I decided to spend the afternoon tearing through my curriculum and creating some new review lessons. All we have been doing lately is review, and thankfully the kids take their big test very soon. . .although I hope we don't have school tomorrow so the girls and I can go see "Bride Wars." If we do have school, I am sure there will be many bitter students and staff. Nothing can describe the joy of getting that phonecall and knowing you get to sleep in as late as you want!

Tim and I hit up trivia with Maggie and Ken last evening for the first time in a long time. We have decided to make trivia a monthly thing - trivia girl is still the most annoying know-it-all on the planet. We lost by 2 points but felt proud of our solid showing and totally obscure pick for next week's grab bag. I almost didn't go because I felt so drained from the day, but some nights you have to drag your butt out for a good laugh to get yourself out of a funk.

Here's hoping for a funk-free rest of the week . . .

Long time, no post.

Well, it's a new year and it's a whole new ballgame here at my house. New table, new drapes, new tricks for cleaning efficiently, and a new roomie! Sarah is living with me while she attends community college, and so far we are loving it. We have the house looking absolutely adorable, I am getting in to one of my favorite shows, "Flight of the Conchords," and we opened a Netflix account together so we can watch movies on nights at home. I also FINALLY started watching "Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother" - both shows are fantastic. James and Megan were completely right about them. . .

. . .and some things never change. That dang squirrel (I have now named is Houdini because he comes and goes mysteriously) should be vacating the attic this week if the contractor can finally figure out exactly how he is sneaking in to party all night. Work is still as crazy as ever, with drama mounting each day. At least the gym is also a constant - nothing blows off frustration like a good workout and a little tv at the end of the school day.

And I have decided that since my Patriots are out of it this year, I am changing up the usual chant. For all of my friends and neighbors here, I am now saying "Go Ravens!" Don't worry, it is only temporary. . .

End of Year Pop Culture Quiz

I found this on IMDB.com today, and I thought it was worth sharing. I DID find one type-o in their questions, and I didn't bother to fix it, so see if you can figure it out. Answers are posted on their site - enjoy!!!

1. What are the names of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's twin babies?

a. Emme and Max

b. Vivienne and Knox

c. Maddox and Shiloh

d. Bill and Ben

2. Who directed Angelina Jolie in Changeling?

a. Sean Penn

b. James Cameron

c. Clint Eastwood

d. Martin Scorsese

3. Which actor did Scarlett Johansson marry in 2008?

a. Ryan Reynolds

b. Ryan O'Neal

c. Josh Hartnett

d. Josh Duhamel

4. Which movie won the 2008 Oscar for Best Motion Picture?

a. Atonement

b. Juno

c. No Country for Old Men

d. There Will Be Blood

5. Which celebrity welcomed a baby boy called Levi?

a. Matthew McConaughey

b. Jessica Alba

c. Nicole Kidman

d. Halle Berry

6. Which teen sensation stars as Hannah Montana?

a. Dakota Fanning

b. Miley Cyrus

c. Hilary Duff

d. Jamie Lynn Spears

7. Which supermodel was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service after spitting at a police officer?

a. Heidi Klum

b. Cindy Crawford

c. Naomi Campbell

d. Tyra Banks

8. Which of the following celebrities have not entered rehab in 2008?

a. Heather Locklear

b. David Duchovny

c. Eva Mendes

d. Ben Affleck

9. Who played Batman in this year's hit movie Batman Returns?

a. George Clooney

b. Christian Bale

c. Heath Ledger

d. Michael Keaton

10. He played an old school American footballer in Leatherheads and an agent in Burn After Reading. Name the actor.

a. Brad Pitt

b. George Clooney

c. Johnny Depp

d. John Malkovich

11. Who leant their voice to an animated Panda?

a. Jack Nicholson

b. Will Smith

c. Jack Black

d. Ben Stiller

12. Who became a new mum and was voted Esquire magazine's Sexiest Woman in 2008?

a. Salma Hayek

b. Jessica Alba

c. Jennifer Lopez

d. Halle Berry

13. Name the Quantum of Solace Bond Girl

a. Olga Kurylenko

b. Izabella Scorupco

c. Famke Janssen

d. Teri Hatcher

14. And what's the name of the new Bond theme song recorded by Jack White and Alicia Keys?

a. Quantum Leap

b. Die Another Day

c. Another Way To Die

d. I Die, You Die

15. She played the Hulk's girlfriend and a victim in The Strangers. Name the actress

a. Liv Tyler

b. Naomi Watts

c. Nicole Kidman

d. Renee Zellweger

16. Name the two stars of Appaloosa

a. George Clooney and Brad Pitt

b. Johnny Depp and Keith Richards

c. The Coen Brothers

d. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen

17. Which actress lost a lucrative modelling contract in the Far East for claiming the devastating earthquake in China was "karma" for the nation's atrocities in Tibet?

a. Renee Zellweger

b. Julia Roberts

c. Angelina Jolie

d. Sharon Stone

18. Name the two stars of Body Of Lies

a. Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio

b. Matthew McConaughey and Owen Wilson

c. Tom Cruise and Will Smith

d. Sean Penn and Clint Eastwood

19. And what was their first film together?

a. Open Range

b. The Quick and the Dead

c. Proof of Life

d. The Island

20. Who won the 2008 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress?

a. Keira Knightley

b. Cate Blanchett

c. Tilda Swinton

d. Ruby Dee

21. Spiderman's arch enemy played a stoner in Pineapple Express. Name the actor

a. James Caan

b. James Marsden

c. James Franco

d. James Gandolfini

22. And who played his sidekick in the hit comedy?

a. Seth Rogen

b. Seth Green

c. Jack Black

d. Jason Segel

23. What's the name of Wall-e's girlfriend?

a. Ava

b. Emily

c. Eva Longoria Parker

d. Eve

24. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro teamed up for the first time since Heat in which cop thriller?

a. Hancock

b. Righteous Kill

c. Body of Lies

d. No Country For Old Men

25. And which rapper played the movie's bad guy?

a. 50 Cent

b. Lil Wayne

c. Eminem

d. Diddy

26. What's the name of High School Musical 3's basketball team?

a. Cougars

b. Bobcats

c. Titans

d. Wildcats

27. Which former 007 hit the high notes in Mamma Mia!?

a. Sean Connery

b. Timothy Dalton

c. Pierce Brosnan

d. Daniel Craig

28. Who was named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in November?

a. Brad Pitt

b. Johnny Depp

c. Matt Damon

d. Hugh Jackman

29. Who won the 2008 Oscar for Best Actor?

a. Daniel Day-Lewis

b. Johnny Depp

c. Tommy Lee Jones

d. Viggo Mortensen

30. Name the two love-bitten stars of vampire romance Twilight

a. Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

b. Robert Downey Jr. and Kirsten Dunst

c. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens

d. Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep

31. And what's the name of their characters?

a. Edward + Bella

b. Belle + Sebastian

c. Edward + Penelope

d. Rhett + Scarlett

32. Sarah Jessica Parker made her long awaited debut to the big screen as Carrie Bradshaw in which 2008 hit movie?

a. Sex in the City: The Movie

b. Sexy Beast: The Musical

c. Sex in New York

d. Sex and the City: The Movie

33. This Eagle Eye-d star played Indiana Jones' son and almost lost his hand in a car accident. Name the actor

a. Shia Labeouf

b. Leonardo DiCaprio

c. Tobey Maguire

d. Zac Efron

34. Which two actors played onscreen lovers for the third time in Nights in Rodanthe?

a. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

b. Richard Gere and Diane Lane

c. Josh Brolin and Diane Lane

d. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan

35. Which actress announced her pregnancy on a Us late night TV chat show? Her baby, Henry Story, was born on 5 September.

a. Nicole Kidman

b. Halle Berry

c. Jennifer Garner

d. Minnie Driver

36. Which real-life lovers were co-stars in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona?

a. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

b. Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz

c. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

d. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

37. And which newlywed joined them for the quirky film?

a. Scarlett Johansson

b. Jessica Alba

c. Nicole Kidman

d. Julianne Moore

38. Katie Holmes made her Broadway debut in which Arthur Miller play?

a. All My Daughters

b. All My Sons

c. Dawson's Creek

d. Hairspray

39. And who took Holmes' place as Batman's love interest?

a. Chloe Sevigny

b. Zooey Deschanel

c. Maggie Gyllenhaal

d. Rosario Dawson

40. Which lesbian couple exchanged vows in California?

a. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi

b. Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche

c. Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels

d. Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter

Pictures in case you care.

We went to NYC last weekend. Beyond the usual Christmas lights and musical (this year it was "Mary Poppins," which was fantastic!), we stopped at the Charmin bathroom. I promise you there is no potty cleaner in the city.

So I have one more week with my students and their midterm is behind them. The next few days get to be education for the fun of it. I love this time of year!

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Thanksgiving was fantastic - I spent the day with Tim's family, Lisa and Matt, and some old friends. I have a couple of pictures that I will post when my brain is a little more functional. . .

Right after dinner, we hopped in the car and shopped until we almost literally dropped. We started at the Leesburg Outlets at 11, then headed to Macy's at 5 a.m. I then swung by Best Buy on my way home, passed out for a few hours, and just returned from attacking the mall one last time. I snagged some awesome deals and got almost everyone on my list checked off.

Now I am sitting in my den listening to Christmas music. My lights are up, my decorations are all in place, and my tiny little tree is lighting up the front window. Time to drink a Red Bull and get a little grad work done.

. . .and for those who are interested, I HIGHTLY recommend Kristin Chenowith's new Christmas album. Her voice is amazing!

Reasons to give thanks.

In less than three days, I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with dear friends and practically family. As you can probably tell from my lack of blogging, I have been a little stressed lately by work, grad class, and life's uncertainties.

Things have not always gone my way, but even on my worst day of self-pity I have it much better than so many others. I know kids whose parents beat them, women who are facing breast cancer, and families who are making ends meet with two out-of-work parents. I have everyone and everything I need around me, and for that I am overwhelmed and thankful.

The long-awaited Halloween picture.

Enjoy.

One of the many reasons I love my sister.

I don't think it is going to surprise anyone who reads this blog to know I voted for John McCain. Sure, I don't openly argue politics with most of my friends, but those who know me best know that I am a conservative Christian woman with a heart that bleeds Republican work ethic. I appreciate my friends no matter what side of the political line they tow, and we respected each other yesterday. I actually had a very intelligent discussion yesterday with a friend who voted for Obama. We both hope for a better future for this country, and we truly do hope that the next four years are good ones.

My sister and I are cut from the same cloth. When she recently posted on Facebook that she was a "Proud Republican," an unprovoked argument was started by a childhood friend whom she has not spoken to in over five years. What I love is that she gave an EDUCATED response that was not based on pure emotion.

I am posting this to remind EVERY American that we are ALL entitled to our views without unfair judgement and irrational attack. To attack someone's conservativism without reason or intellect is just as hateful and ignorant as to attack someone's liberalism on the same grounds. Think before you rant, people. . .you may underestimate the mind on the other side.

CHILDHOOD FRIEND SAYS:

"honestly...it's people like you that make this world so incredibly sad. you can't even recognize what an amazing and significant opportunity barack obama's election truly is. voting for obama was about voting for the possibility of something better for this country instead of clinging to christian/republican ideals that have been shoved in our faces for eight years. and by "our"...i mean those of us who don't actually think george w. bush was a good president! no one said this obama was the f-ing messiah...he's a figure for a potential movement that could bring about legit social change...but it actually has to come from the people and not an election. this election provided the opening and it's our responsibility to make it a reality. i don't think there's a single person that should be sitting around going "boo hoo i'm a republican and the democrats won this election. cry cry cry." but the more that people like you sit in your little apartments with your cool husbands and hate the more stalled the entire process of living in a better world is going to be. progress and change aren't going to come from prayers and pulpits...it's going to come from you physically making it happen. the "long way to go" that everyone is talking about is literally a shout out to your own personal ignorance (along with an additional 46% of this country). if you plan to spend the majority of your young life..a time when you should probably be expanding your mind instead of carrying around the same uninformed bandwagon opinions you've had since you were a child without ever truly challenging something you were told..then wow, you're really really sad. in his victory speech he specifically reached out to the people who didn't vote for him and said that he wanted to be their president too. if that alone doesn't make you at least willing to give this man a chance...then you're truly hopeless and i feel extremely sorry for what your life is going to be like.

MY SISTER RESPONDS:

"just because I said that I was proud to be a republican doesn't make a single thing in this note from you true. I stand firm in my beliefs, and I truly hope for the best from this election. But I really don't need to explain that to you. You know absolutely nothing about my life, a lot has changed since middle school. So I would appreciate it if you would keep the opinions that you have formed about me to yourself. The beauty of living in a country like America is that we have the ability to think for ourselves and to make a stand without fear of punishment. The country is run on a multiple party system for a reason. I did not vote for Barack Obama, and I am proud to say that I cast my vote for John McCain, a conservative man who does share many of the values that I grew up with, and still hold dear. I also appreciate a president who has actual politcal experience, and didn't spend more than half of his elected years running for president, forget even mentioning that i prefer to vote for a candidate with a valid birth certificate. I find it kind of hypocritical that you can say the values that I hold dear are wrong and those that you hold dear are right. Trying to belittle me until I become a liberal? Kind of voids everything in your rant. And please don't worry about my expanding my mind... I attended one of the most liberal schools in MA and was the youngest ever recipient of a masters degree in my program... I am doing alright for myself. Unlike what you may believe I am a highly educated voter, not just a republican stooge. I vote for the candidate that I believe in, not just because he was the one on the republican ticket. If Barack had impressed me I would have voted for him. Never anywhere did I say I wasn't willing to give him a chance. That is the conclusion you came to, not anything that I put out there. But I am not impressed with words, I appreciate action, and I look forward to seeing what Obama does to keep his word regarding the many promises he made.You and I haven't spoken for years, I think it is best we keep it that way. I am not sure why you bothered to send me this note, but next time just keep your opinions to yourself, my "cool husband" and I have better things to do."

Enough said.

Worst pickup attempt EVER.

While at Safeway's checkout line tonight

Guy ringing me up: "Hey this is going to sound random, but you know what time Target closes? I bought weights last night and a press bar to up my workout routine. They overcharged me and I need to get in there for a refund."

SERIOUSLY?!?!?

I can't quite pinpoint why, but the last two weeks have felt like I am just spinning my wheels and getting nowhere. I'm sure it is a combination of all the things going on right now, but I just wish things would feel settled again.

I told my friend Kristin at work today that every time I go to complain about something school related or internship related, I am going to owe her a quarter. . .here's hoping it makes me stop whining. :)