Recognized.
I was recognized by a student tonight at the grocery store. She was very friendly and asked when I was scheduled to sub again. When I told her that I'd be there on Monday and the teacher that I was there for, she was very excited. *grin* It's nice to have a job that I'm a) good at and b) appreciated for. (Even if they do only like me because I let the high school students get away with a lot.) In any case, I was glad that the student, who is one of the "cool girls," wasn't a witness to me crashing my basket into the end of an aisle about 10 minutes before.
Tales of Fashion Disasters
On the first day of first grade, my beloved teacher, Mrs. Ivey, told us that we would be having PE the next day and that, if we wanted to, we could bring gym clothes to change into. Being new at the whole PE experience, and wanting to make Mrs. Ivey proud, I went home that afternoon and insisted that we go right out and get a "gymsuit." In my mind this included a leotard, like the girls on TV. (It was the 80's!) My parents questioned this, but I insisted that for PE the next day I would need a gymsuit.
We headed out to get what I wanted and brought it home. The next day, I absolutely could not wait for PE (if you can believe that), so that I could change into my new clothes. It wasn't until we got to the gym that I realized I was the only student who had brought anything, and the PE teacher was surprised at my request to change. Apparently, in elementary school, there is no changing for gym. She finally gave in, and led me to a locker room, which had gone unused for years, and let me change.
Now, before I tell you what I emerged wearing, I must insist that you not laugh quite as long and hard as Justin did when I told him this story. I realize that, in retrospect, it's funny, but I thought the part where he was laughing so hard he was unable to breathe and fell out of bed was overdoing it a bit. This was traumatic for me! Ready? Ok, then.
My gymsuit, which I was so proud of, was a black leotard with straps, like a bathing suit. The black part had all sorts of brightly colored designs on it and the straps went over a bright pink, capped-sleeved t-shirt, which was sewn into the leotard. It looked something like this:
Except with a layered look because of the skinny straps and pretend t-shirt. I'm pretty sure that I was also wearing it over shiny, pink-spandex bike shorts. With a headband. JANE FONDA WAS VERY POPULAR!
Are you all done laughing at me now? Shall we continue? Oh you need more time. Fine......
Obviously, no other 7 year olds were channeling Olivia Newton John, and I was mortified to walk out into the gym and see them there, sans spandex. Unwilling to admit exactly how wrong I was about all of this, I continued the PE class in my jazzersize getup and then changed again before heading back to class. By the time I got home, I was in an absolute tizzy. Crying and completely freaked out, I could not believe how wrong I had been. To make things worse, my parents scolded me for insisting on the gymsuit to begin with. But how was I to know? I had no point of reference, other than Buns of Steel, for what gym clothes were. They never believed me after this, any time I came home from school telling them that I needed this or that. And not just for the rest of first grade, or elementary school either. They were non-believers while I was in HIGH SCHOOL too. Oh, the shame!
You can clearly see that this experience scarred me for life. I never leave the house unless I'm really, really sure that my clothes are right.
Also, you may or may not be surprised to discover that this isn't my only embarrassing moment that revolves around a leotard. Perhaps if you're lucky, some day I'll tell you about the "Naked Eve" costume that I had to wear once for a church choir performance. Yes. Naked. Or more accurately, I suppose, "naked."
We headed out to get what I wanted and brought it home. The next day, I absolutely could not wait for PE (if you can believe that), so that I could change into my new clothes. It wasn't until we got to the gym that I realized I was the only student who had brought anything, and the PE teacher was surprised at my request to change. Apparently, in elementary school, there is no changing for gym. She finally gave in, and led me to a locker room, which had gone unused for years, and let me change.
Now, before I tell you what I emerged wearing, I must insist that you not laugh quite as long and hard as Justin did when I told him this story. I realize that, in retrospect, it's funny, but I thought the part where he was laughing so hard he was unable to breathe and fell out of bed was overdoing it a bit. This was traumatic for me! Ready? Ok, then.
My gymsuit, which I was so proud of, was a black leotard with straps, like a bathing suit. The black part had all sorts of brightly colored designs on it and the straps went over a bright pink, capped-sleeved t-shirt, which was sewn into the leotard. It looked something like this:
Except with a layered look because of the skinny straps and pretend t-shirt. I'm pretty sure that I was also wearing it over shiny, pink-spandex bike shorts. With a headband. JANE FONDA WAS VERY POPULAR!Are you all done laughing at me now? Shall we continue? Oh you need more time. Fine......
Obviously, no other 7 year olds were channeling Olivia Newton John, and I was mortified to walk out into the gym and see them there, sans spandex. Unwilling to admit exactly how wrong I was about all of this, I continued the PE class in my jazzersize getup and then changed again before heading back to class. By the time I got home, I was in an absolute tizzy. Crying and completely freaked out, I could not believe how wrong I had been. To make things worse, my parents scolded me for insisting on the gymsuit to begin with. But how was I to know? I had no point of reference, other than Buns of Steel, for what gym clothes were. They never believed me after this, any time I came home from school telling them that I needed this or that. And not just for the rest of first grade, or elementary school either. They were non-believers while I was in HIGH SCHOOL too. Oh, the shame!
You can clearly see that this experience scarred me for life. I never leave the house unless I'm really, really sure that my clothes are right.
Also, you may or may not be surprised to discover that this isn't my only embarrassing moment that revolves around a leotard. Perhaps if you're lucky, some day I'll tell you about the "Naked Eve" costume that I had to wear once for a church choir performance. Yes. Naked. Or more accurately, I suppose, "naked."
Because You're Dying to Know
Well, probably not, but I get asked enough either at school or by people on ChaCha or just in general conversation, so I'm posting it here, this way I remember when I'm put on the spot. These are my favorite movies, from oldest to newest. (All plot synopses are from IMDB, because I'm lazy, and not good with the brevity.)
1. The Gorgeous Hussy (1936)
PLOT: President Andrew Jackson's friendship with an innkeeper's daughter spells trouble for them both.
2. Citizen Kane (1941)
PLOT: Following the death of a publishing tycoon, news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final utterance.
3. The Princess Bride (1987)
PLOT: A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather).
3. Chasing Amy (1997)
PLOT: Holden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.
4. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
PLOT: A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.
5. Dogma (1999)
PLOT: An abortion clinic worker with a special heritage is called upon to save the existence of humanity from being negated by two renegade angels trying to exploit a loophole and re-enter Heaven.
1. The Gorgeous Hussy (1936)
PLOT: President Andrew Jackson's friendship with an innkeeper's daughter spells trouble for them both.
2. Citizen Kane (1941)
PLOT: Following the death of a publishing tycoon, news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final utterance.
3. The Princess Bride (1987)
PLOT: A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather).
3. Chasing Amy (1997)
PLOT: Holden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.
4. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
PLOT: A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.
5. Dogma (1999)
PLOT: An abortion clinic worker with a special heritage is called upon to save the existence of humanity from being negated by two renegade angels trying to exploit a loophole and re-enter Heaven.
Assistance Please
Okay, I want to do that thing where only part of each post shows, and then you can click to see the rest of it, but I can't remember how to do it. Any ideas?
Pop 'n' Serve
This is the best snack-related invention ever. It's the Act II Pop 'n' Serve tub. The popcorn tastes exactly like movie theater popcorn and it saves me from digging around to find an acceptable bowl. (I never eat popcorn straight from the bag. Greasy fingers. Yuck.) I realize that it's a little environmentally irresponsible, creates extra waste and all that, but it's not like I'm using a hundred of these a day or anything. And, if you have a recycling center in your community, it's recyclable cardboard.
Jewelry Girls:
Everything on this website is just as cool as the bird's nest necklace over there --->. Go there, buy stuff, and wait for the compliments to roll in.PS: I don't know the owner or designer or anything, I just love the stuff.
Green
Please ignore the Sunday hair and complete lack of makeup. focus only on the fabulous shade of green that I've painted my fingernails.
"I think people are perfectly marvelous, I really do, Cliff. Don’t you? I don’t think people should have to explain anything. For example, if I should paint my fingernails green; and it just so happens I do paint them green, well, if anyone should ask me why, I say: 'I think it’s pretty!'”
~~Sally Bowles.
And toenails. :)
Yes, as a matter of fact, we are watching Cabaret (with Liza Minnelli) right this minute.
"I think people are perfectly marvelous, I really do, Cliff. Don’t you? I don’t think people should have to explain anything. For example, if I should paint my fingernails green; and it just so happens I do paint them green, well, if anyone should ask me why, I say: 'I think it’s pretty!'”~~Sally Bowles.
And toenails. :)Yes, as a matter of fact, we are watching Cabaret (with Liza Minnelli) right this minute.
Horoscope
I have an excellent horoscope this week:TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
For week of February 5, 2009
There's one supreme standard by which your progress in the coming weeks should be ultimately measured: Will you understand yourself better at the end of the adventures than you do at the beginning? A new privilege may come your way, or an honor that'll perk up your résumé, and maybe even a breakthrough that'll help dissolve your phobia of success. But they will only manifest a fraction of their potential unless you heed my updated version of Socrates' best soundbite: Know thyself -- or else.
Flashback
This is a picture of the Thespian Society of Levelland High School, circa 1998. That's me, third from the right, second row. I still wear my sunglasses on my head, still color my hair a shade called Ebony Mocha and am still partial to horizontal stripes (even if they aren't flattering). Perhaps I haven't made as much progress since I was 16 as I thought. Hmm. The good news is that I no longer paint my fingernails black or have braces. (That may be changing.)
The guy I'm touching was my best friend. I haven't seen or heard from him in something like 8 years, but I remember exactly how that sweater felt. I'm posting this mostly because I know that Amanda (and probably Whitney) will get a kick out of it. See the guy, bottom left? He was totally in love with Amanda for years. (You did know that, didn't you Amanda?)
The guy I'm touching was my best friend. I haven't seen or heard from him in something like 8 years, but I remember exactly how that sweater felt. I'm posting this mostly because I know that Amanda (and probably Whitney) will get a kick out of it. See the guy, bottom left? He was totally in love with Amanda for years. (You did know that, didn't you Amanda?)25 Random Things
I was tagged with this on Facebook, but it was an awful lot of work to just post it there, so I'm posting it here and not tagging anyone specific.
I love fairy tales, but only the ones that are kind of dark or sad. (Which is most of them, before Disney gets to them.)
I really want a big dog, like a French mastiff, but I worry that it would hurt Marlowe.
I watch House like it's a game show, trying to figure out if I can guess the diagnosis first. Sometimes, I win.
I wear flip-flops all year, even during the winter when my toes turn blue because I think feet should look like feet.
I sing myself to sleep every night.
I always cry in the shower, even when I'm not feeling sad. If I don't cry, I don't feel clean when I get out.
If a song doesn't make me feel happy enough to dance around or sad enough to cry, I don't like it.
My dad dressed in a clown costume and pulled me in a wagon in a parade when I was 18 months old. A picture of it was in the paper.
I know the entire script of Annie by heart, including all the lyrics to every song and every line by every character.
I don't feel like college prepared me, in any way, for an actual career, even though the places that hire me think that I'm qualified.
I seriously hate Jello, especially the green, yellow and orange flavors.
The first nickname I've ever had was from Justin. He calls me Bumblebee.
Speaking of Justin, we have a secret handshake that we do every night before bed, even when we're not together.
The best haircuts I've ever had were ones that I gave myself.
When I talk on the phone with my mother, even if it's not a serious conversation, I get really stressed out and pace around the house like a crazy person.
I am comfortable with the fact that I don't want kids, but it still hurts my feelings when people get offended if I mention it.
I love pictures (paintings or photographs) of trees, especially if they're silhouettes.
About once a month I always crave something disgusting like those little wax soda bottles filled with kool-aid or Cadbury crème eggs.
The meanest thing my dad ever did to me was throw my hot pink crayon out the car window on a road trip, but he doesn't remember doing it.
I love Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, and I'm a total Snicket pusher. READ THEM.
My favorite food is strawberry shortcake, Texas style, with angel food cake, not sugar biscuits.
When I was a little girl, I always prayed at bedtime that my bicycle would turn into a unicorn before I woke up.
I think all flowers should be yellow, white, orange or green.
Every time I go anywhere (grocery store, restaurants, clothing shops) for something specific, they are out of whatever it is that I left the house for.
I'm a nice girl. I don't like it, and I always wish that I could be one of the cool mean girls, but it never works out that way.
Obamicon
In an attempt to further delay getting dressed and out of the house, I made myself an Obamicon.
They give you a list of words to choose from, or you can make your own, but I picked 'progress' because that's what I feel like I'm making in my life right now. Okay, now I want to see yours so go do it!
They give you a list of words to choose from, or you can make your own, but I picked 'progress' because that's what I feel like I'm making in my life right now. Okay, now I want to see yours so go do it! Powder Your Nose
Justin and I were at Wal-Mart tonight to purchase razor blades and rice cakes. (Yes, as a matter of fact I do try to keep my shopping trips alliterative.) I was wandering around the cosmetics section, because I'm always on the look out for a miracle makeup that will apply itself to my face without me actually having to get out of bed and do it myself. While I was over there I saw this makeup bag:
Isn't that weird? I mean, did some designer seriously think it would be cool to put a photograph of a not-very-cute-bunny and patchy grass on a makeup case? Has a former 4H-er taken over the design section at Kaboodle? Then I found this one:
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a horse's nose. O--kay. Justin has a thing for animal noses, and he really wanted me to get this one, but I didn't, because I haven't completely lost my mind, yet. Later, on a different aisle, we found this one:
WHO IS DESIGNING THESE BAGS? Are farm animals the new Prada? Come to think of it, I did see a Coach bag with a picture of a horse on it the other day...maybe I missed out on a fabulous new trend? And why is it a horse nose, and a pig nose, but the entire bunny? Aren't bunny noses cute on their own? I'm way more bothered about this than I should be.
Isn't that weird? I mean, did some designer seriously think it would be cool to put a photograph of a not-very-cute-bunny and patchy grass on a makeup case? Has a former 4H-er taken over the design section at Kaboodle? Then I found this one:
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a horse's nose. O--kay. Justin has a thing for animal noses, and he really wanted me to get this one, but I didn't, because I haven't completely lost my mind, yet. Later, on a different aisle, we found this one:
WHO IS DESIGNING THESE BAGS? Are farm animals the new Prada? Come to think of it, I did see a Coach bag with a picture of a horse on it the other day...maybe I missed out on a fabulous new trend? And why is it a horse nose, and a pig nose, but the entire bunny? Aren't bunny noses cute on their own? I'm way more bothered about this than I should be.
Okay, so I didn't get back as quickly as I thought I would. Last weekend was great, lots of hanging out at home and watching mindless tv and sleeping late. Friday, Justin took his TEAS test, and he totally blew it out of the water. He scored in the 99th percentile on the math portion, 85th in reading and 60th in grammar. (Because he has no idea how to use a comma. Oh well, punctuation was never my strength either.) The nursing recruiter told him that he had a higher score than anyone from last year's class, so obviously we have no worries about him getting into nursing school.
Sunday night we went to a concert with my aunt and siblings, which was amazing. Justin and I sat in the second row. I've never been that close at a concert before and it was....well it was loud, but also really, really cool.
I've been working regularly and I'm absolutely loving subbing, even on days when my class is bad or I haven't had enough sleep. It's excellent and I feel like I've found some of the self-confidence that I've been missing for a few years. I returned the fabulous ring that I mentioned in the previous post. I started to feel like I'm not in a place yet where I can wear a giant fancy ring without seeming fake. Instead, I got a new camera. (Justin was adamant that I get something nice for myself.) It's a Nikon S210, it's tiny and plum colored and it makes me really happy. The picture quality is so much better than what my old camera (the one that broke) and the replacement camera were producing. It's actually almost too good...I don't need photographic evidence showing exactly how puffy my face gets the week of my period. (Sorry guys.) Anyway, here are some pictures that we took yesterday.
It was icy and cold all day yesterday and I thought the branches of this weeping willow looked really cool.
Me, in my favorite coat and sunglasses in the cold.
Justin, deciding if he likes the way the camera works when taking a picture of himself.
Sunday night we went to a concert with my aunt and siblings, which was amazing. Justin and I sat in the second row. I've never been that close at a concert before and it was....well it was loud, but also really, really cool.
I've been working regularly and I'm absolutely loving subbing, even on days when my class is bad or I haven't had enough sleep. It's excellent and I feel like I've found some of the self-confidence that I've been missing for a few years. I returned the fabulous ring that I mentioned in the previous post. I started to feel like I'm not in a place yet where I can wear a giant fancy ring without seeming fake. Instead, I got a new camera. (Justin was adamant that I get something nice for myself.) It's a Nikon S210, it's tiny and plum colored and it makes me really happy. The picture quality is so much better than what my old camera (the one that broke) and the replacement camera were producing. It's actually almost too good...I don't need photographic evidence showing exactly how puffy my face gets the week of my period. (Sorry guys.) Anyway, here are some pictures that we took yesterday.
It was icy and cold all day yesterday and I thought the branches of this weeping willow looked really cool.
Me, in my favorite coat and sunglasses in the cold.
Justin, deciding if he likes the way the camera works when taking a picture of himself.Not MIA
Sorry for the lack of posts. I've subbed every day this week and then run errands in Lubbock until late in the evening all the same days. I'm exhausted and cranky and achy and I'm headed to bed. Generally, it's been a good week, but I really need to rest. Hopefully I'll post something more interesting in a few days. Also, Justin got me a FABULOUS ring last night. I can't do it justice in this post right now so stay tuned...
Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in 365 Days of Grace in Small Things.
Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in 365 Days of Grace in Small Things.
Vent Monster
For about a week the heating/air vent in my bedroom has been making a tiny little rattling noise. If I'm reading or talking or doing anything in my bedroom, it's not noticeable at all. However, when I'm trying to go to sleep it drives me crazy. If I actually manage to fall asleep, it wakes me up every 20 minutes, or however often the air comes on. It sounds kind of like someone rolled up the amount of tin foil that covers a Hershey's kiss and put the little foil ball up there. Absolutely maddening. So, I've finally managed to complain about it enough that Justin took the vent off the ceiling to check it out. You know what was there? The tiniest little piece of popcorn ceiling that you could imagine. Like the size of fish tank gravel. I have no idea why it didn't just slip through the vent and stop driving me crazy to begin with, but it's gone now and I'm finally able to sleep. The end.Yes, I know, my life is a series of non-stop thrills and excitement.
Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in 365 Days of Grace in Small Things.
Crayon Physics
I'm totally buying this game. You *must* watch the video, it's really lovely.
Crayon Physics Deluxe trailer 2 from Petri Purho on Vimeo.
Crayon Physics Deluxe trailer 2 from Petri Purho on Vimeo.
Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in 365 Days of Grace in Small Things.
Peep!
G.I.S.T. 45:365
1. This set of pictures is *so* much fun, so go look at it!!
A Day in the Life of a Peep
2. Finding little notes from Justin all over the house that say things like "Hey good lookin'!" Sweet.
3. Sour cream and cheddar flavored snack crackers. Seriously, has there ever been a greater invention than snack crackers? *grin*
3. Sour cream and cheddar flavored snack crackers. Seriously, has there ever been a greater invention than snack crackers? *grin*
Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in 365 Days of Grace in Small Things.
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