You know you have...when

I know I've lived in Minnesota too long when a 30-degree temperature calls for one less layer and leaving the house without a hat or gloves. It's a sauna out there!

I know I've been in AmeriCorps too long when (I can come up with a dozen of these...give me a few days to narrow it down a little.)

--I feel like I'm going to turn into either a PB&J sandwich, or a a plate of pasta because I've eaten it for two solid years

--TV? What's that?

--Let's see: I attach Ameri-to EVERYTHING

--Cross-country road trip; It's all of a sudden no big deal to drive from the south to the mid-west. Note on that: I still think I'm crazy.

I still can't get over the fact that two people in one week have called me brave, courageous, and other complementary adjectives. It's kind of hard to believe, but something tells me I just need to start believing it. Start thinking a little more positively about myself and what I'm doing.

That being said, I have to go start another week at school. Oh how I love servicing nationally.

This might be fun

Who Should Paint You: Salvador Dali

You're a complex, intense creature who displays many layers. There's no way a traditional portrait could ever capture you!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Random thought

The harder you fall, the higher you bounce.
Doug Horton

If this is the case, when is it my turn to shoot for the moon? I feel as if I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster ever since I walked out on my teaching contract back in 2005. When is it my turn to feel really successful because of something I did?

And don't ask me who Doug Horton is. I don't know. But if you would like to tell me, that would be cool too.

Spellebound by, well, spelling?

After seeing the buzz and conversation generated by students at the school spelling bee a few weeks ago, and having a co-worker recommend this movie to me, I'm curious. Why is spelling so exciting? Is it more of the competition element than the actual spelling? I enjoyed the diverse backgrounds that each of the contestants they chose to highlight came from. I found myself rooting for each of them, if not some a little more than others. I think April was my favorite because she reminds me a little of myself and a little of my 9th grade best friends. Finally, someone that admits to her pessimism at a young age has a head full of realistic expectations on her shoulders. Above all, I believe that this film put a really good spin on the National Spelling Bee and humanity in general. Competitions like this one always get a bad rap for pushing children past their limit, but these children chose to be here and went along with the processes. The parents seemed level-headed, and wanted nothing but the best for their children. When each was eliminated from the competition, no one parent was overly irrational. Disappointed maybe, but always supportive. Life is about learning lessons of hard work, and each of these kids worked extra hard to get where they are today. Life is also about learning that there can only be one winner. If you have to loose to show that, you have to be willing to admit defeat. I think I enjoyed this film because I laughed, cried, and empathized with the characters a little too much. And yes, you need to Netflix this film now.

Strung out

I think have hit that moment at work where I am definitely STRUNG OUT. I love what I do and I love the people that I work with, but I'm exhausted. I'm tired of prepping lessons, I'm tired of correcting behavior, and I'm tired of having to please everybody all the time. I think I'm tired of being "ON" all the time. Is there something wrong with me? Should I look for more introverted work? I figured out yesterday that I felt better when I spent the last hour of my day in the office ALONE, working on my quarter report and figuring out what it is I actually do all day that makes me so tired. I know that I would be unhappy with a job where I couldn't talk to people or work with kids, but I think I have gotten myself a little over my head here. When and how do successful people find the balance between work and play. It's almost as if I'm working too hard, that I don't have the energy to go out and play. I put in my 110% at work, and then I'm supposed to go out and meet people and do fun things? I mean, what's that about? I'm young! I'm supposed to be enjoying life in my twenties, am I not? I am enjoying this part of it, but I have to admit that there are a lot of days when I feel like there has to be something more. There has to be something more than work. Am I going to end up alone? I have to start putting myself out there...what a scary thought! I suppose these are all just questions I have after a very long day (7:30am-8:30pm) of work. I should be better in the morning.

One day, one fine, fine day...

I will have the confidence to get up in front of a very large group of people and sing this. I love Tracy Turnblad! and of course, I *heart* musicals and musical theater. That's why I'm starting an acting class tomorrow with St. Louis Park Community Ed. I'll let you know how it goes. Meanwhile, I'm trying to make myself sing this and insert Minneapolis into the place where she sings the city. Somehow, it just doesn't work. "Good morning, Minneapolis...where there's snow on the ground for miles and miles..." er, just doesn't cut it. I'll keep working on it and I'll let you know how it goes.

Day off, not a day on

My day off has been fabulous so far. Even though I am the teacher that was left behind...I'm here now and I must deal with that. I have no idea what I must do for a quarter report, but that doesn't matter right now. I'm stressing but trying not to worry about it thus far. I'm also not going to bust my ass to make it to any more MLK day events than I really have to today. Which means that I'll be at the movie night at 6pm. So what if today is a "day on not a day off" for AmeriCorps members. I need a day off damn it and I'm sure you can identify with that. I've had it up to here with national service and I'm trying not to be too bitter about it. I love the program and I love the school and I love the kids but I need to start being better about taking time for myself. Which is what I"m doing today. Back to my book.

My Next Big Broadway Conquest

Hopefully...

I'm dying of old age...but not any time soon!

DEAD AT 87

old age

I discovered OKCupid.com, and you should too

The Sonnet Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLD) Romantic, hopeful, and composed. You are the Sonnet. Get it? Composed? Sonnets want Love and have high ideals about it. They're conscientious people, caring & careful. You yourself have deep convictions, and you devote a lot of thought to romance and what it should be. This will frighten away most potential mates, but that's okay, because you're very choosy with your affections anyway. You'd absolutely refuse to date someone dumber than you, for instance. Lovers who share your idealized perspective, or who are at least willing to totally throw themselves into a relationship, will be very, very happy with you. And you with them. You're already selfless and compassionate, and with the right partner, there's no doubt you can be sensual, even adventurously so. You probably have lots of female friends, and they have a special soft spot for you. Babies do, too, at the tippy-top of their baby skulls. Your exact female opposite: Genghis Khunt Random Brutal Sex Master Always avoid: The 5-Night Stand (DBSM), The False Messiah (DBLM), The Hornivore (RBSM), The Last Man on Earth (RBSD) Consider: The Loverboy (RGLM)

Link: The Online Dating Persona Test @ OkCupid - free online dating. My profile name: : recycledartgirl

My future

Funny thought from the DailyGood:

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. --Mary Schmich

Funny t-shirt

Thanks NCCC Mel!!!

Holy Snipes

It's -14 degrees Farenhiet and I am leaving the house.

No, I don't quite know where my mind is. Welcome to Minnesota.

The following is from a letter I wrote earlier today...

I thought it would make a neat life update this week.

...I'm still enjoying the AmeriCorps gig in Minnesota...but I am currently looking for something a little more challenging and, well, I'm a girl of practical means, so PROFITABLE. I've had it (up to here) with national service after nearly two years. I love it, but I just feel like I've done my time. I don't want to loose my ability to explore different careers and regions of the U.S./World, but I think it's time to get serious about life/work.

That requires making a commitment, which requires making a decision. All of these things require confidence. Scary scary scary stuff. I've gotten more, and recouped from that tragic Georgia teaching incident, but something like that sticks with a person. I have learned that I don't really want to work in a school. I needed this experience to tell me that, right? Work with great teachers, and seriously smart, talented, sweet kids. Love the kids, hate the environment. So many other factors involved, in that decision, but I think it's the right one for me right now. So I'm looking elsewhere.

I think I recall telling you I had a non-paid museum internship after my first year of service. I loved that, so I began looking for museum jobs up here. I'm applying for this one:

#2007-2052 TEACHER/INSTRUCTOR , Education. Occasional/Non-Exempt (10-20 hrs/wk). EEO 2. Develop and teach science enrichment classes and camps at the Science Museum. Resumes are currently being accepted for school year and/or summer positions. Responsibilities: Plan, prepare, and present science lessons at the museum. Requirements: BA/BS and teaching license in science or education. Minimum of 25 science credits or related experiences/demonstrated knowledge of science content. Classroom teaching experience. Excellent communication skills, creativity, resourcefulness, and professional attitude. Pay rate: $13.00/hr. Application deadline: Open


If I get it and like it, I might go for a masters in MUSEUM EDUCATION. Who knows. That's about all for now. I'm really scared but excited at the same time. As usual, I hope all is well with you. Have I mentioned it's cold here? -4F today. Yikes!


Ideas, opinions, sharing welcome. I always enjoy your feedback!

My search for a purpose continues

Of course I can't forget how much fun I had at my UNPAID internship at the Children's Museum in Charleston last summer. So I started looking for museum jobs last night. I came across the American Association for Museums website last night! It's an amazing site for job searching anywhere in the country and has just about anything you want to know about museums as well. I'm going to explore some more.

My Circle of Hell

I could have written this article, because I lived it. It's a dangerous problem and deserves more attention than it receives. Or, shall I say, it's sufferers deserve more attention than they receive. But it's also a tricky subject to approach with someone with an eating disorder as well. Never-the-less, I'm glad someone is finally coming out with some kind of press on the issue, and in my home town as well.

I'm back!!!

From the frozen wasteland/wilderness/Camp Menogyn having slept in a quincy hut/igloo and having jumped in a hole in a frozen lake. Yikes. This makes me sound crazy, but I had tons of fun while doing it, I promise. I haven't lost all my marbles...yet! Because on our way home I saw not one, but TWO moose on the side of the road and an eagle later on closer to home. I love holidays.

And, I found out that I just got 5/6 on my writing section of the GRE. Worst essay I've ever written too. Weird. I'll take it and go apply to schools now. Sweet.