Good bye old, hello new!

What will the New Year bring you?

What will you let go of from 2011?

Source: google.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I typically do a very long winded post every December 31st about what I liked from the previous year and what I will do differently in the coming year.

I'm not going to do that this year, for several reasons.

1. I don't have any resolutions.
2. Last year wasn't all that bad to me. I did get to visit a whole new country, and culture, after all!
3. I want to concentrate on making small changes to accomplish not-so grand things, and don't want to put the pressure on myself to make grand changes.
4. Blogs are places to celebrate, so enjoy my pictures.

Source: a-whole-lottalove.blogspot.com via Chastity on Pinterest

I'll probably have something up sometime soon about smaller changes, but I'm hiding out in Gainesville, Florida (no, I don't know how to spell that) and helping the grandparents move into a retirement community. Currently I'm not drinking, not partying, and not living it up. I am in Starbucks, downloading podcasts so that I can listen to people talking to me that aren't my relatives before I fall asleep. Do I sound old yet?

Source: memorableeventsbymichelle.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

But seriously, I couldn't think of any better way to spend a New Year, could you? I'm being half serious too. :)

Source: afemmeduncertainage.blogspot.com via Barbara on Pinterest

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that this year brings you many rewards.

I really like this poster. I need it for my wall.

Source: imgfave.com via Ellen on Pinterest

Somehow, I relate

Don't ask me for an explanation, but I check postsecret at least once a week and I can strangely relate to this one. Sadly.

Ain't that the truth

Source: go4prophotos.com via Laura on Pinterest

My zen moment of the day...

Source: designscouting.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Hahahahaha!

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Darci on Pinterest

I just donated to the Heart Walk

And when I was finished entering my info, I was directed to this video. For some reason, I find it pretty funny. Although I know heart attacks are serious as well, a heart attack. LOLs.

And these are some words to live by:

Source: strataflora.com via Christine on Pinterest

Also, I just wanted to note that it is November, and I am wearing short sleeves and sandals, something I could never do when I was living in Minnesota. Which is another reason to stay in Atlanta. As much as it sucks.

Work update

Well, the new job that I thought I had will be a few more months in the future. It was a research project sponsored by the federal government, and as with any federal government project, things move slowly. They had all of us classroom observers ready to start work in November, and then the project manager pulled the plug and said there were a few more "kinks" to work out in the study. They said we would start in December, but now they're saying it will look more like January or February. I was kind of counting on that income to boost my savings account now that I'm living at home and looking to move out, but now I'm not counting on anything. So there's that. I don't want to look for another job, because this is a really exciting opportunity to be apart of early education research, but I think I will keep putting resumes out there and just see what comes my way. It's part of the luxury of living at home I suppose, and I'm really glad I wasn't dependent on that income. I guess we are all struggling in this economy and we just have to be thankful for what we DO have.

Wow, I could have written this secret from post secret!

Me too, me too.

Source: someecards.com via Carlee on Pinterest

Even though I adore a good LOL.

Love it. Live it. Learn it. Share it.

Source: 1000notes.com via Beth on Pinterest

Beautiful!

Source: jenniverre.com via Carla on Pinterest

Idle time...

It seems so rare to have a weekend where I'm not working these days, that I don't know what to do with myself on the free ends of the weeks. I do love my job, but it is emotionally exhausting and I am finding more and more that I have trouble "unwinding" when I'm not at work. Like, I am always fearing that phone call that I did something wrong, or made a wrong decision, or didn't write something down, heaven forbid. I just feel that I can never quite relax. If I'm not thinking about work, then it's school, and what the next big step is. That's the problem with transitions. They take twice as much effort as the period before the transition. I just hope the effort is worth it. Lately I've been in quite the rut. What have you done to bust out of your ruts? How do you deal with stress at work?

Big Bang Theory rules!

Source: google.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Pinterest IS my crack

Source: mimmist.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

I love it!

Source: iobad.com via Sarah on Pinterest

It's OK

...to eat popcorn for lunch, right?

Linked from this blog.

YOGA (and life)!

I have been practicing yoga faithfully for the last six months, and not the hot sweaty torture yoga but the calm gentle breathing and stretching yoga that heals the mind and body. I found this while blog surfing here today and thought I'd share.

And these are some words to live by:

Source: georgeandlola.tumblr.com via Christine on Pinterest

Love this!

Source: jossandmain.com via Christine on Pinterest

More goodness

Source: weheartit.com via Gift on Pinterest

Source: avintageposter.com via Gift on Pinterest

Source: bitsotruth.blogspot.com via Gift on Pinterest

I'm having fun with Pinterest tonight, can you tell?

Source: kblog.lunchboxbunch.com via Jane on Pinterest

I really want to make this soon. The recipe is here and looks so easy!

Firmly believe this

Source: signsoflaughter.com via palindromeda on Pinterest

So true

Stole this from this blog, but thought it was very fitting! :)

Fill in the Blank Monday

Never too late, according to STORY OF A GIRL, so here ya go!


1. You should always take time to enjoy the little things and read a good book.

2. ice cream make(s) the day better, always.

3. I can hardly wait for 2012 to start already. 2011 needs to be over, and I need to start my 30th year already. 30, flirty, and thriving here we come. Bring it.

4. Thursday is tap dance class day for me. Fun stuff.


5. Something totally dumb and ridiculous that I love is CHEERS re-runs on Netflix instant view. I don't know why, but I watch at least one a night now.

6. If I could, I would travel around the world for a living.

7. I rather like blogging, and yoga.

Getting to Know You

It's that time of year folks, first days of school. Time to get to know me (and you) a little better. Play a long. From this blog.

A. Age: 29 for four more months...or the rest of my life, LOL.
B. Bed size: double
C. Chore that you hate: laundry
D. Dogs: none
E. Essential start to your day: caffeine, in any form
F. Favorite color: purple
G. Gold or Silver: silver
H. Height: 5'6''
I. Instruments you play: piano, flute, recorder
J. Job title: support associate
K. Kids: none
L. Live: in Decatur, GA
M. Mother’s name: Laura
N. Nicknames: Jenn, Bubbles
O. Overnight hospital stays: none
P. Pet peeves: bad grammar
Q. Quote from a movie: "Sadness begone, let's be people who deserve to be loved, who are worthy, cause we are worthy." ~HappyThankYouMorePlease
R. Right or left handed: right
S. Siblings: one younger brother
T. Time you wake up: depends on the day
U. Underwear: wouldn't you like to know...
V. Vegetable you hate: not a big fan of brussel sprouts...but who is? Love all others though...
W. What makes you run late: the internet, LOL
X. X-Rays you’ve had: all dental
Y. Yummy food that you make: Spinach goat cheese pizza
Z. Zoo animal: giraffe

Who are you?

Playing along with this blog:
(You should too!)

Please list your..............


Current location: Decatur, GA
Day job: I'm a SUPPORT ASSOCIATE (aka there's nothing I say no to doing) at a group home for adults with disabilities. Right now I'm part cook, maid, journalist, recorder, nutritionist, life coach, and nurse. Ha.

Dream job: If I figured this out do you think I'd be working? LOL. I'd love to be a writer someday, and I'd love to work for any place that sends me to travel the world at their expense. I always said travel writing or blogging was what I'd be doing, but I'm sure I'd find something wrong with that too. I don't really think there's such a thing as a "dream job" and I really need to focus on the mindset that there are little positive things that happen at every job and just be content with where I am.

How you'd describe your style: Really comfortable. But not slob-ish. (At least I hope not!)

Favorite clothing company: Everything I own either comes from Kohl's (love them!) or Target

Favorite TV show: How I Met Your Mother

Favorite way to procrastinate: When I'm not dicking around online (facebook, twitter, message boards, blogs) I'm usually doodling in my sketchbook or playing with yarn/paint. Recently discovered acryllic (sp?) paint. Great stuff!

Something you're looking forward to this week: Melissa Ferrick at Eddie's Attic and going to Helen with the ladies at work. Also, learning a ton of new vocabulary and actually being able to carry on a conversation in ASL class. And contra dancing on Friday!!!

Something on your bucket list: Visiting the five continents I have still yet to set foot on. Living in (ok maybe just visiting!) London, Spain, France, and Germany.

Flashback Tuesday, on a Wednesday early AM

I posted this on my Tumblr site a while ago, while still in Korea and realized I never posted it here, so here goes. I thought it was worth the re-post.

Mix Tape 2011

A message board I post on did this thread and I thought I’d post it here. If you had to make a mix tape for this year, and were limited to 8 songs on each side, what songs would be included. I had a hard time coming up with mine, so I used my “most played” function on iTunes. Here are mine.

What are yours?

Side 1

1. Someone Else’s Life — Joshua Radin

2. Closer to Fine — Indigo Girls

3. Can’t Go Back Now — The Weepies

4. Keep Breathing — Ingrid Michaelson

5. Paperweight — Joshua Radin & Schuyler Fisk (Last Kiss Soundtrack)

6. Sooner or Later — Michael Tolcher

7. I am a Rock — Simon and Garfunkel

8. Shelter from the Storm — Bob Dylan

Side 2

1. Big Yellow Taxi — Joni Mitchell

2. Leaving on a Jet Plane — Peter, Paul, and Mary

3. Electricity — Elton John (from the Billy Elliot musical)

4. Waiting on My Real Life to Begin and Beautiful World — Colin Hay

5. Perfect Girl — Sarah McLachlan

6. Something There — Walt Disney Company (Beauty and the Beast)

7. For Good — From Wicked

8. Two Nobodies in New York —From [Title of Show] musical

Sometimes I underestimate the value of a good support network

I'm reminded tonight who the important people in my life are, and am glad they are there. The good kind of support always does that to you.

The good kind of support listens, and doesn't judge. The good kind of support doesn't give unsolicited advice, unless you ask for an opinion. The good kind of support doesn't tell you what you "should be" doing at this point in your life and make you feel inferior when you aren't there. I do enough of that without anyone's help, thank you very much.

The good kind of support feels safe.

I had forgotten for a while what safe feels like when talking to people. I had forgotten until today. Until I talked to the one person that always felt safe.

At one point in our conversation, she reminded me that "I was always compliant."

Well that's the under statement of the year. And then I was reminded how compliance is evil. Compliance has always been the way I do things, to avoid conflict. It worked until it didn't. I generally worked in school. Being invisible is how I roll. But invisibility and compliance don't work in life.

I was reminded that in a gentle way today. I have been told that by others, but I don't think it sunk in until now.

I don't think I have a point with this post, and it will certainly take much more reflection to get at what can even be considered a point, but sometimes it just takes the right person. To listen. Absorb. And quietly suggest. How can someone know you better than you know yourself? A little scary, but I'm willing to give this a shot...

Photos of the day

I'm trying to make a conscious effort to take more photos everyday. I want to document the exciting moments as well as the not-so-exciting moments. Here, we have the latter. A couple of photos on the train north of Atlanta on the way downtown to class, and then one of a painting in progress the night before. This is my life, folks. Take it or leave it.

HappyThankYouMorePlease

is a movie about happiness, sadness, loving, hurting, confusing, and much more. Seriously one of my new favorite movies about the condition of life's transitions and in particular the state of being a 20something. Doesn't hurt that it's written by Josh Radnor, the co-star of the movie and HIMYM. And it's a Sundance Film, so it has to be good right? I watched this and it blew me away. I have to get the monologue that the Malin (sp?) character performs on the phone to an answering machine in this scene. The speech begins at the 5:14 mark. Seriously worth quoting and putting up on my bathroom mirror as an affirmation.



It's available on Netflix as a DVD. Not sure if it's available as an instant stream.

Favorite Quote of the movie for the moment:

Sadness be gone, let’s be people who deserve to be loved, who are worthy, cause we are worthy.

Bad attitude?

Saw this on the webs, thought I'd share. Some words to live by.

40 THINGS That Happened in the month of JULY

Mainly to convince myself that I really haven't been sitting on my ass the WHOLE time I've been back from Korea...

1. Scored a job at EnAble of GA.
2. Discovered Vista Yoga.
3. Lost 10 lbs since returning from Korea.
4. Reconnected with UUCA.
5. Registered for Sign Language @ GSU.
6. Met ladies of the Barrington house, at work. Amazing women.
7. Met Amy, my house lead at work. Amazing woman.
8. Met Gabe, other weekend SA. Another amazing woman.
9. Trained to work with dev. disabled adults, met wonderful staff at training.
10. Told Danielle I wasn't moving to Athens after all.
11. Had another therapy session with amazing woman I stumbled into by chance in Decatur.
12. Came to terms with being in therapy, and what that means.
13. Became slightly more comfortable with myself.
14. Saw Neil Patrick Harris in COMPANY!!!
15. Spent the weekend alone with mom, grandma, grandpa, and the island of CEDAR KEY.
16. Reconnected with Florida cousins and saw the springs.
17. Got my haircut and re-colored and met Beth.
18. Saw Larry Crowne (by myself.)
19. Finished Big Love season 3.
20. Finished Cheers, season 2.

Holy shit, I'm only at 20? I'm really not that interesting, am I?

21. Made miso soup (semi) successfully.
22. Watched Ashley on the Bachelorette get engaged, LOL, on Hulu.com.
23. Listened as Mary Elizabeth told me she got engaged.
24. America got F@#$ed by the debt ceiling.
25. S. Korea flooded (monsoon season.)
26. Norway shot up by crazy dude.
27. U.S.A. lost women's world cup to Japan.
28. I discovered the joy of cupcakes.
29. Decided to start a budget. (Next month.)
30. Decided to stick to a budget. (Next month.)

I can't even come up with 30! Yikes.

31. Discovered Red Mango Frozen Yogurt. LOL. Awesome!
32. Found an amazing facial from Chastain Wellness Studio on LivingSocial.com.
33. Grouponed it at Paint your own pottery studio THE POTTERY PLACE in Suburban Plaza.
34. Rediscovered Cowboy Mouth on the iPod.
35. Rediscovered Billy Joel on the iPod.
36. Discovered new podcasts on iTunes. Shoot me a comment if you're interested in more details.
37. Declared my love for City of Lakes Americorps' new website, launched this month.

(Woo hoo! Almost done!)

38. Discovered BOOK OF MORMON and soundtrack and still can't tell if I love it or hate it. (But listen compulsively.)
39. Saw SPAMALOT. I think that was either late June or early July. Can't remember.
40. Vowed to journal more next month.

That felt good. Done.

Clearly the month of me. July. Good month. Must be more social next month.

I'm on a roll with journal posting tonight

So let me continue outing my feelings for the public to read, because it's kinda cathartic.

From journal, July 30, 2011:

Good Lord. Is all I have to say. Is Whoa. and Good Lord. I have a total new found respect for those that work with this population on a regular basis. I am exhausted after a full day of these ladies, and I need a stiff drink. LOL. I can only imaine how Amy feels after a whole week. And I swear I think L's voice is going to haunt me in my dreams. LOL. It has two volume settings: loud and loudest.

But Jeanette (house manager) was right. This is rewarding. It's the only job that actually give something back and doesn't leave you emotionally drained. The ladies are like the fountain of giving when it comes right down to it, in a way that words don't do justice too. I just look forward to coming back next weekend. And that is something most people can't say about their jobs. I know this, because I've never thought that about any of my other jobs, teaching children included.

Maybe C's mom was right. Maybe I really have found "God's work." Only time will tell.

Flashback Wednesday

From the journal: July 27, 2011

I'm writing names on the board as is my daily ritual, mentally preparing myself for the morning when all of a sudden I hear "TEACHER!" I look up to see a very angry Korean kid. He squinches his nose at me and his eyes close so I can't see the whites. Standing behind the table with his hands on his hips, I realize exactly what I have done for the 47th time that year, and I immediately grab the eraser for the dry erase board. I know my mistake instantly. I look at the names and erase my cursive-style E and replace it with a printed D'nealian stlye E. My elementary teachers know what I'm talking about. Instantly, Eric sits down, still annoyed, but ready to start his English-learning day.

I honestly don't know how these kids do it everyday. Instant English immersion. Only English. Deal with me. Eric eventually grew on me. He was my strongest English brain. He caught on the quickest. Could always count on him and his pal Justin to have their hands in the air and know exactly what I am talking about. I don't know how, maybe it's just genius. Because put me in a classroom with a Korean teacher barking orders at me at age 6 and I would have run for the door and never come back. Once he got over my crazy writing and his name was printed nicely with five stars on the board everyday, he thrived. I honestly miss this kid. I wonder how he's doing now...

For a visual, Eric (English name only) is on the right. He's probably a lot bigger now.

Look at me, I'm Creative!

But not really artistic. I did discover this quaint little studio a few weeks back and decided to give it a second try. I liked this instructor better, she was a little more laid back and willing to break the rules a bit. But I've never really painted before, so I consider this a definite positive step in my journey to artist-ville! Plus, I'm having fun. So there.

Flashback Friday

I was reminded to flashback to 2002 by a Face book friend yesterday and so I thought I'd play along. This one's for you, @Kristin Nemechek aka Wish!

April 22, 2002

Happy Earth Day!!! Well...One more week of classes left and too much to do! while I'm excited about te one week thing, I'm not excited about eh 3 tests, a paper, and a time line project due within the course of a week. The people in my room (Brian, Alisha, Emily) have a sick twisted sense of humor and I don't like it. Oh well. I worked all day today (between classes and meetings) before finally collapsing on the floor at ~ 9. Then there was no more work after hat, a person can only do so much in a day ya' know....and tomorrow is another day! Going to go to Barnes and Noble after my 8 am and The View (no math at 11 am today) and read my ass off..cause I have shit loads of reading to get done. First priority is CHFD 2950 (child development) cause that test is first on Thursday @ 8am. After that, it would be on to Math 1060 cause that is next on Thursday (11 am) and if I'm in the mood, what the hell, I might as well add CHFD 2100 to the reading schedule too, cause lord knows I have to read that test on Friday 4/29/02/. Yuck.

Then on to Thursday of this week, when I can breathe again after half of my shit is over, I will attempt to begin my paper for Foundations of Education class. And then there's the time line-- easy yet time-consuming. That will be weekend's work. That and paper. Yuck. and 2100 test. Yuck. Then it's all over. And I pack half of my shit and take it home and study for my first two finals (Bio and 2100 at home cause' it's quieter, come back on Friday morning to take two finals on Fri. morning to take two finals on Friday afternoon, stay the weekend and study for other finals, take hem on Tuesday, pack rest of stuff and get out of here for good, for while. The day will be so beautiful!!! I can't wait!!!

I have to say that reading this is painful! 2002 was my sophomore year at UGA. I was helplessly engrossed in my studies. School helped hide the pain I was in when dealing with the world. I engrossed myself in my studies, but didn't have much of a life going for myself. I hated UGA, but settled in and prepared for my major. It wasn't a happy year, but reading over my journal entries made me realize how far I've come. I realize know how sheltered I was and how far I've come socially. I never want to go back to Athens now that I realize this...I realize how painful that year really was. UGA may have granted me a degree, but I declared my freedom.

Mondays mean nothing to me now

It's bothering me lately that my calendar has so many cross-outs on it. I have written in and penciled out my work schedule so many times, and it's wrong. With people going on vacation and returning and changing their minds, I have just about had it with messing up my schedule. I don't like indecision. Or maybe it's my own confusion. All I know is I need a new calendar. I need to start over. Does any one ever feel like they need a do-over in the great game of life? Does anyone ever feel like rambling? After all what else are blogs for? I know this post makes no sense what so ever, but this is MY little corner of the web and I can do whatever I want with it. In this big wide scary world, that's all the comfort I need right now. OK, off to clean and control the little bit of the world I CAN control. Peace.

Love it

Here.

I need this t-shirt too!

Flashback Tuesday

I'm restarting a trend as I look back at old journals. I have done too much to fall into a pit of depression and anxiety about my past and future. So here goes.

From ~March 2008, AmeriCorps*NCCC, Albany GA I wrote the following:

"How many 25-year-olds start their day by climbing an extension ladder with a hammer and continue to nail shingles to a roof? I can't help but notice I'm a little excited by that fact."

I also can't help but notice how I yearn to do that again, and how monotonous my life is now that I'm living back in the suburbs of Atlanta, working a part time job and getting ready to plunge head on into a grad program that will set me on a path to "financial stability" in the near future. Yes, I know what is best for me. Yes I've done the math. Yes, I've made the pro/con list. But darn it if I still want to dream and live the life? Does this make me forever a rambling hippie?

I can so relate to this

Good God I Need This Sign

Good God I Need This Shirt

Another week drawn to a close

And it brings with it a lot of learning and overall newness and probably some transition. I am not done, as I do even more at the house this weekend. I really do enjoy learning about it so far and it will be interesting in practice. Someone told me that it's all about documentation, and man, that person wasn't kidding. You know who you are. I will be a documentation wizard by the end of this month. I also realized how many people's communication and documentation skills need work, as we had to actually practice writing incident reports today, and then swap them with our training neighbor and have them tell us what to better. Man, people just can't write. My supervisor said she was very pleased with mine and said she'd have no problems if all of my reports came in like that. LOL. I was a teacher (and almost English and Journalism major) here, remember? I guess I'm just worried about practical application now. I know I can do it, but in the real world, there just isn't a whole lot of time to sit down and think about what happened and write a detailed report, but it's all about making the time. I think I will get better at it as time goes on, and I look forward to the weekend and coming month's challenges! I also look forward to getting to know the ladies in the house, as they are known to have quite the "personality" and "a better social life than most of the staff." LOL.

It's not Friday yet...

...but I haven't blogged in a while, and it's time for another Fill in the Blank! Taken from The Little Things We Do.



1. I am a (morning, evening, middle of the day person) I am definitely a night owl. I can do mornings, just from the functionality of being and working as a teacher in a past life. LOL. But I definitely hit a slump where I just need a nap at 4pm (probably a carryover from my teaching days) and I definitely come alive at 11pm and could be up all night if I didn't have to go to work the next morning. I definitely enjoy a good sleep in (10am at the latest, but so luxurious) when I do get that chance.

2. My favorite Pandora stations are my current "Glee" station, Nelly McKay, and my Country/Folk station. I will probably go through a phase in about a week where I clear that out and start a whole new obsession, because I am just that ADHD when it comes to music. I'm all over the place.

3. 3 of my "must-have" songs for a road trip playlist are any of my Broadway musical show tunes albums and any Beatles song. I'm also a big fan of good audio books and talk radio for long road trips or sitting in traffic. Makes the time seriously fly.

4. My favorite pattern is polka-dots, when I do patterns. I'm not really a huge pattern girl though. Much more into solids and abstracts. My comforter is solid on one side and kind of paint splotchy on the other.

5. My favorite perfume is my soap, which is either Dove or Olay's ribbons stuff with shea butter in the purple container. It makes my shower look pretty because it's purple. LOL. I'm not really a big perfume wearer, and never really have been. I also can't see myself being into it anytime soon.

6. Rules are made to keep us safe. What can I say. I guess I always will be a kindergarten teacher at heart.

7. My most overused phrase or punctuation is anything said with a sarcastic overtone or laughter. I laugh way too much to keep myself sane, and mostly at inappropriate times. Working on it though!

Apparantly I was a year too early for these, but funny video!

"I joined AmeriCorps to make a difference, but these decimal points are a pain in the ass!" LOL. Can definitely relate.

Just try to tell me that this is NOT about BAPTISM people...

Funniest thing I've heard from a Broadway musical in a while...

Random Photo Drop

It's Friday, so that means I have to fill in the blanks...

Again, from SOCIAL WORKER MOM, an awesome blog I read.



1. The last movie I saw was COMPANY with Neil Patrick Harris and Patti Lupone among others to feed my musical addiction. Before that, it was BRIDESMAIDS, which was awesomely funny.

2. I want to finally feel at peace with myself and what I am doing with my life. And not feel like I have to be "producing" all the time and can just feel comfortable enough to just "be."

3. Surprises are
nice, or scary, depending on the surprise.

4. The best accessory is a man that is half your age. LOL. J/K. I'm not really an accessory person. I do like a nice pair of earrings or a nice pendant.


5. My favorite warm drink is PEPPERMINT TEA.

6. My favorite cold drink is

ICED BLACK TEA, unsweetened maybe with a little splenda and a lemon slice.

7. Currently loving the fact that
I am moving back to my college town in August!

I'm sharing. You should to.

From

this blog

.


‎15 year old girl holds hands with her 1 year old son. People call her a slut. No one knows she was raped at 13.

People call a girl fat. No one knows she has a serious disease which causes her to be over weight.


People call an old man ugly. No one knows he had a serious injury to his face while fighting for our country in the war.


Re-post this if you are against bullying and stereotyping. 95% of you wont.

Will someone let the cat out of the bag? Oh wait, already done...

I just received my nomination from the Peace Corps!

Primary Education Teacher Trainer
Departure Date February 2012
Central or South America

This doesn't mean much other than they are sending my file to the DC office and sending me my medical clearances.

Note to self: Brush up on Spanish.

We'll see what happens.

Just watched the doppelganger episode of How I Met Your Mother. I love the line where Ted says the thing about "we all become our own doppelgangers who are completely different people who happen to look just like us."


It fits in this situation, and in my life in general now. If someone had told me even five years ago that I would have been even THINKING about applying to the Peace Corps, I would have looked at them and thought that they were batshit f-ing crazy. Now I couldn't be more thrilled.

Life has strange ways of making us all put life into perspective and look at our selves differently. Not quite sure what I'm trying to say here. But I am going through a completely surreal time in my life right now and I just had to get it out in some form...

That has been my night.

Welcome to my world. Let the roller coaster begin (or continue) on this crazy ride we call life.

Postsecret of the Week

From such a great scene in a not-so-great-anymore show...

Fill in the __________

More blanks about the little things that matter in life, from STORY OF A GIRL this time:



1. I love that it is finally SUMMER!

2. A time that mama knew best was when ...wait...doesn't mama always know best?

3. My first kiss will be amazing, I'm sure, or will be with a really special kitten one day in my house of green gables with many other cats. I am destined for crazy cat woman.

5. My splurge of choice is, well, I've said this before, hair care.

6. My biggest accomplishment is teaching overseas.

7. My dance jam of choice is anything 80s.

Kind of a true story...

but so funny!

Retrospective: My Last 5 Years

I received a message from a dear NCCC teammate and it got me thinking. We spend all of these moments criticizing and judging ourselves for what we don't do it's hard to remember that we are actually DOING important things with our lives. In times of transition I find it hard to keep all of that in perspective. It might help for a minute if I take sometime to list the accomplishments I have achieved since that tremendous year.

So here goes: things I've done since 2007

1. Moved to a new city, in a new region, completed 1700 additional hours of service with City of Lakes AmeriCorps in my field.

2. Managed to land a job in said new town and stay there for two more years.

3. Completed additional license coursework for my Reading Specialist License for K-12.

4. Took the GRE.

5. Survived 3 Minnesota winters

6. Managed to loosen up about making and maintaining friendships, made some excellent friends.

7. Managed to do first six items while battling and managing anxiety and depression.

8. Taught OVERSEAS!!!

9. Started the Peace Corps application

So it may not be an impressive list to some, but it's pretty awesome to me. Just thought I'd share. I need to keep somethings in perspective.


What have you done in the last five years that you are proud of?

Fill in the Blank Friday: Kick off to Summer Blanks

Taken from this blog I read regularly.







1. If I could get away somewhere for the weekend I would go...I actually am going to Savannah, GA this weekend to catch up with some old college girl friends. Can you say, GIRLS WEEKEND? Hell yeah!

2. Something I often rant about is living at home again after being on my own on the other side of the world. I don't mind catching up with the folks, but for my sanity and theirs, this has got to end soon.

3. One item I need to have in my fridge at all times is iced tea. I never used to like it, but lately I have been consuming it by the gallon almost. I make my own and don't brew it as sweet or as strong as the southerners like it, but I do need to have some on hand at all times.

4. My "life-saving" product is my hair straightener, though with summer in the south coming on, I fear it's going to be a frizzy hair day everyday.

5. A friend is someone who lets you know when to stop or start, and listens at all times. She is someone who speaks the truth in a way that no other person can.

6. If I could write my own blank it would be my favorite summer drink is...(alcoholic or not).

7. My favorite kind of art is anything I can make with recycled materials.

I'm journal searching tonight

And I came across these great quotes I copied from other authors. They're not my work, and I'll be the first to admit that, but they inspired me then and I'm hoping they will inspire me now.

"These are the words I want etched n my gravestone: That I was a helper. And that I danced." ~Anne LaMott in Grace, Eventually

June 20, 2007

"Hungover? Like an alcoholic preacher on a Sunday morning." ~John Green, Looking for Alaska

"There's your labyrinth of suffering. we are all going. Find your way out of that maze." ~John Green, Looking for Alaska

"My mouth tasted like a skunk had crawled into my throat and died." ~John Green in Looking for Alaska, describing a hangover

How I Spent the Day

What did I do today?

1) Took the SAT test again, for a C2 Education tutor interview. They are looking for SAT tutors. I sucked at the SAT the first time I took it. As with the last. We'll see what comes of that.

2) Sent a package to my Korea co-workers and friends. I hope that gets there soon. Let me know, friends!

3) Looking for a part for my car. I'm looking for a lens for my headlight, and one out of three auto part stores I went to actually had the part. I ordered it, and it will be in tomorrow. Then I actually have to worry about having the part installed. Oy.

4) I set up an appointment with the woman that runs the program I want to apply to at UGA. We shall see how that goes.

Sharing

Stole this from another blog I follow, but it fits for the time, so I thought I'd share it here.

Just a thought...

This might make me a dork, but I just noticed that on my site monitor I have a visitor from Poplar Bluff, Missouri and it made me think of the town where Jean Smart's character in Designing Women was from. I thought it was a fictional town, but I guess not. It is real. That is all.

Cities I'd Consider Moving To...

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Charleston, South Carolina

3. San Fransisco, California

4. New York City, New York

5. Knoxville, Tennessee

6. Denver, Colorado

7. Washington, DC

8. St. Paul, Minnesota (but only for the summer/fall months!)

9. Seattle, Washington

10. Athens, Georgia



Maybe, I just have a grass is greener attitude and want to get the fuck out of Atlanta! :)

True story, sort of

I surf blogs. This is just what I do. I found this on a blog that I search here. It's hilarious and I thought I'd share. Enjoy!

Wrong E-mail Address
A Minnesota couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with the wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address and without realizing his error, sent the email. Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subj: I’ve Arrived
Date: March 9, 2011

I know you’re surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I’ve just arrived and have been checked in. I’ve seen that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is an uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is hot down here!!!

Fill in the Blank Friday (actually on a Friday this time!)

Now that I'm not half way around the world anymore I can actually do these things as they were meant to be done. Join me!



1. Fridays are divine. Blissful. What I look forward to all week, and a chance to relax and stay in or hang out with friends on the town. Whatever I seem to be in the mood for on that particular Friday.

2. Being home in the United States currently makes me terribly happy.

3. Something that inspires me is a good song, book, or poem.

4. If I had the day off today I would...wait...I do have the day off today. And it feels absolutely grand not to have a plan or care in the world. Ask me that in a week and I will probably have a different answer for you.

5. If I had to put a label on my home decor style, I would say I don't have one. I don't like labels, but I put together pieces that I like and can afford, usually from IKEA and they usually look classic and trendy, but not like a picture from J Crew.
I'm an individual.

6. Concerning politics I would say I'm focused on what's best for the nation and world, and not what's best for the party. I hate party politics and am interested more in helping people.

7. I'd like to go to London so I could finally say I've been there and not just hear about how fabulous it is from others.

Check out The Little Things We Do for some inspiration too!

Well, it happened: I'm officially out of Korea

While it did feel slightly liberating to leave my old workplace less than a week ago knowing I'd never return to see any of those people ever again, part of me is a little sad at the passing of an era. Another chapter of my life closed. Done. Finished. Written. It almost makes me want to start the writing of that book. You know, the one where I write down all of the chapters of my life and retell why they were such a good idea and why they changed my life. Or maybe not.

Fact is, Korea did change me. I know I will never be the same again. I just can't put it exactly into words how it did so. When I get there, I will let it go. I'm not really sure what comes next, hell, I'm not even over the time change. I've been home, in my parents' home, less than a week and already I'm getting restless. Need something new. Not really sure I know what that "new" is. Oh wait, I've said that before.

I need to look for a job. A temporary one. One to keep the cash coming in so the savings doesn't dwindle. I need to apply for grad school. Somewhere. Anywhere. I've narrowed it down to three potential fields I'm not sure I'm ready to share with the world wide InterWebs just yet.

If anyone wants to leave advice for adjusting to "reverse culture shock" leave me a comment. I'm sure I will respond eventually. I'm up for road trips in the state of GA and out, if anyone reading this is up for that, send a comment that way too.

Fill in the Blank Friday

1. Something that makes me a great friend is I'm loyal, always willing to listen, and don't get involved in gossip or drama. I'm also reluctant to take sides and quite often neutral in debates, willing to see both sides.

2. I am fed up with my current workplace and willing to see what the future brings in terms of work and school. I am happy to be leaving Korea in a week and excited to begin a new chapter of my life.

3. I am not willing to put up with bullshit any more in any facet of my life. Too old for that shit. LOL.

4. If I had to describe myself in 3 words they would be creative, introverted, and introspective (three words don't do me justice!)

5. Something I'm really cheap about is entertainment. Not willing to pay for things I don't really enjoy. Haven't paid for cable in six years, but netflix and hulu are so much more worth while. I'm also much more content spending an evening at home relaxing in a bath with a book than doing the nightlife thing.

6. Something I'm willing to splurge on is a good haircut. Not afraid to pay $100 if it's going to be amazing. I have picky hair. LOL.

7. I would trade my adult acne any day of the week!

One More Full Week....

...It's drawing to a close folks. My time in Korea is down to 7 working days and the weekend. It's surreal. I don't have any plans for what comes next and I feel like I'm OK with that right now. I feel like the next few months will be an exercise in rolling with the tide of my life and seeing where it takes me. I will forget about the fact that the last sentence scares me shit less. We just won't talk about that. Now I'm off to bed so that I can have a good last full week at work tomorrow morning.

Cool video I found

Another anthem for my life

Curiousity Killed the Cat

If ever there was a song that expressed every fiber of my very being. This would be it. Seriously. I've found the title song for the soundtrack to the movie of my life.

More Fabulous Top Tens

Top Ten Things To Say in an Interview for an Infant Room Teaching Position That Might Betray the Fact that You Know Crap About Babies


10. "...Will there be feces?"

9. "What would I do at floor time with the rug rats? Crap if I know... HAHAHAHAHA. ...Shoot myself? Wait....was that a trick question?"

8. "Well, if faced with a floor full of babies, I would...dance a jig and hope for the best? Talk about Sesame Street and how awesome it is to be able to talk?"

7. "Well, what do you want me to do with a floor full of babies? Quote Shakespeare?" Discuss Homer and the Odyssey? You can never teach them too early!"

6. "Your Baby Can Read. That's what we would be doing. Your Baby Can Read, Theory of Hegemonic Decline, classic lit--you know, the usual."

5. "What can possibly be so hard about a room full of babies? You pop in a tape and let the music do the rest...right? Um, thank God for Raffi--know what I mean?""

4. "You mean there's a wrong way to slap a diaper on that little fella? Who knew?"

3. "She's so TINY! Are you sure I won't break her? So, how hard could I squeeze her? I mean, theoretically..."

2. "You mean that little munchkin...er...dopey/sleepy/sneezy...I have do what? You are asking me to do what now? I DON'T THINK SO BIOTCH."

1. "What if I run out of formula? Is there a snack machine in this place?"

Top Ten Saturday

Maybe I've posted these before, but they're too good not to post again.

Top 10 Worse Things You Could Have Said About An Activity At Americorps Training Than, "Who wrote this??" When The Creator Was Present In The Room
by Emily

10. "Say, is that the stench of incompetency I smell lingering on the pages describing this activity, or did somebody let one?"

9. "So what was the inspiration for this activity? Someone up at headquarters have a colonic?"

8. "Who threw together this hot mess of a useless exercise?"

7. "Shoulder to shoulder? Bitch, please. Don't make me pop a cap in yo' ass."

6. "I think I speak for all of us when I say, 'What the fuck?'"

5. "We have to touch each other? Well, I just want everyone to know before we begin--I have cooties...hey, don't judge..."

4. "Are we gonna sing Kumbaya, too?"

3. "From what blocked up bureaucratic lower intestine did this activity drop?"

2. "I bet whoever wrote this can't even spell 'bureaucratic.'"

1. "I think this exercise is a prime example of what we on the trainee end would call 'bureau-squeeze.'"

Happy Song!

Maybe, in the Future

I will come back around to myself. Feeling a little like a vision of my former self lately. Anyhow, good song:

Thoughts

Prompt courtesy of THE STORY OF A GIRL. Because sometimes we all need a little help and inspiration...play along with this one too if you wish! I know I am struggling lately with motivation to write anything of substance. Maybe this will help. Maybe not.

currently...stoked from the awesome day with the girls around Seoul
worried about my future and life after Korea
reading Jhumpa Lahiri--Unaccustomed Earth
creating some new blog posts, oragami masterpieces, doodles in my sketchbook, and a few poems, maybe some crocheted pieces later
loving This new Holly Brook song I discovered on the blog mentioned above called CURIOUS. Absolutely beautiful.
hating the fact that my sink is piled with dishes, I have to take the trash out, and do laundry tomorrow. Sometimes being a grownup sucks. LOL.
wondering if I'll ever find a career that makes me truly happy or if I'll settle for the next ten years and also loving my haircut that I got today
craving attention, at the moment and love long term
listening brad paisley "little moments" (same blog playlist, I'm loving it!)
watching true blood on mute this show is visually stimulating!
netflixing the tv shows I've missed when being in Korea over the course of the year when I get back: Dexter, 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, as well as this Year's academy award nominees including True Grit and The King's Speech. Can't wait!

3 Things About Me: Play Along!

3 Things About Me. Please don't break the cycle. It's fun to learn different things about our friends!

Three names I go by:

1. Jennifer Rose (always since elementary school since being a double!)

2. Rosie

3. Bubbles (Girl Scout counselor name, that Girl Scout camp friends still call me, over five years later!)


Three places I've lived:

1. Atlanta, GA

2. Minneapolis, MN

3. Seoul, South Korea


Three places I have worked:

1. Dekalb County Parks and Recreation, Tucker Center (camp counselor)

2. University of Georgia Library

3. Minneapolis Public Schools


Three things I watch:

1. Glee

2. Big Love

3. Sex and the City and Gilmore Girl re-runs


Three places I've been:

1. British Columbia, Canada

2. New York City, New York

3. Mexico City, Mexico


Three people who email me regularly:

1. Emily

2. Mom

3. Groupon.com


Favorite food:

1. Pasta with pesto and shrimp

2. Sushi

3. Lately it has been pizza cravings in Korea


Three people I think will respond:

1. Emily

2. Kathryn

3.Renee if she's not working? LOL


Three things I am looking forward to:

1. Leaving Korea April 15th!

2. Being able to actually know what I am buying (price and nutrition facts and ingredients) at the grocery store

3. Not teaching for a while and being a student again!

Thoughts

March 19, 2011

Dear Diary

I need to write a book. I need to write anything that will let me escape me at the moment. I’m 29 years old, and I’m living in Korea. I won’t be living here for much longer, that much I know. I won’t be teaching for much longer, that much I know. What I will be doing is out of the picture. I have no idea what my future holds. This scares the shit out of me. Why someone chose me to come to Korea I have no idea. I don’t believe in God, so I can’t say that there’s a massive plan for me. I don’t believe in me, so I can’t say what I want to do. I just know I want to make a difference with my time here on the planet. That’s all I know. Is that too much to ask?

Sincerely,

Me

I am a loser, and proud of it

Re-post if this hit a little close to home in a good way. I love this show, and now that they are doing original songs, they totally earn a few more brownie points with me. This week's episode was fantastic.

For Those With Vaginas

Another meme thingy....

From this blog:



1. The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is ..... I don't think I have a phrase I use in speaking very often. I know I use LOL way too much in online communication with people. But when it comes to speaking, if you people reading this can think of something I use all the time, let me know!

2. Today I am thankful for my job and the ability I have to engage children in learning. It's Saturday, so I can say that safely. LOL. Ask me that on a Wednesday (my longest teaching day) and I might have a different answer for you.

3. My best friend is incredible and always there for me, even when I am in Korea. G-chat is amazing stuff.

4. A quirky thing about me is that I LOVE Broadway musicals and will listen to them on repeat to get me through a stressful day at school.

5. This weekend I am relaxing...and working on some online class stuff.

6. Something that worries me is what I will be doing in five years and if I will be happy.

7. On my night stand you would find books, a water bottle, my laptop, and my iPod.

You can't NOT laugh...

...when watching this:



A Minneapolis friend and now blogger buddy posted this on her site and I thought it was too cute NOT to share. LOL. Sometimes you just need a good LAUGH. At the world.

I have to say

Thank goodness for Korean Independence Moving Day. I will go to work Monday and teach two classes. Then I have the entire Tuesday off. When I come back to work on Wednesday, because of the transition, I will have the entire morning to myself, before teaching a mere three classes in the afternoon. Thursday and Friday will be basically the same. The next week is a different story, but I will certainly enjoy the well-deserved "break."

Fill in the Blank Friday...on Saturday

Found this prompt blog surfing this page...I really like her blog!

1. I am passionate about helping people, listening to people, hearing their stories, and generally being a good person.

2. The bravest thing I've ever done was move to South Korea for a year to teach.

3. I feel prettiest when I am wearing make-up, with hair straightened, and wearing some girly clothing. Gloria Steinem would probably hurt me, but hey, that's what I am. Too bad I don't do it that often. LOL.

4. Something that keeps me awake at night is my future, world affairs, and why people are so mean to each other.

5. My favorite meal in the entire world is anything with pasta, a pesto sauce, and some good seafood...

6. The way to my heart is through kindness and Broadway musicals

7. I would like to find a job after Korea that I actually enjoy, go back to school, speak Spanish fluently.

Warning: rant ahead

Sometimes I feel that the world would be much better place if girls would just follow the advice of this song:



And yes, I discovered this song while watching the latest episode of Glee this week. I have been doubting this show for months now, ever since the Christmas episode disappointed me. But the Valentines' Day episode redeemed this show for me. Simply because it took a RULES GIRL approach to dating and relationships. And as much as I hated the RULES when I was 16, the older, wiser me knows that this is the KEY for so many girls these days. The show, overall, sent the message that girls aren't everything once they enter relationships, and that just because Rachel, Mercedes, and yes, Kurt, were single doesn't mean they aren't worthy of one or that a relationship is even the most important part of life at this point. (Or any point in life, for that matter.) For once, I was happy to see this side of romantic love portrayed positively on a TV show geared toward teens. So, way to go Glee, for earning that piece of my trust back.

And yes, I do feel that I should have heard this lyric ten years ago, upon graduating high school:

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

That's all.

This is kind of how I feel this week...

Just sayin'

More English Festival Madness

More of this Festival, since it was my life for a month in Korea, LOL.

More English Festival Madness

I'm pretty sure this is one of Travis's general kindergarten classes. Lots of interview questions, stories, and songs, galore.

English Festival

Just to give my readers an idea of what all of the JM teachers and students had to do this January. Students prepared interview questions about themselves, memorized a not-so-short story with actions, and read their original stories. Younger students sang songs they memorized. The above is a clip from Alex's universe class. My students had to do virtually the same stunts. More videos to come.

Hey Mom!

Aren't you glad I'm in South Korea and not Egypt right now?

Ten Things That Make Me Smile

1. Designing Women on DVD (seasons 1-4)

2. A hot shower after a long day

3. A hot yoga class (god it’s been too long)

4. A glass of wine

5. Chocolate

6. Smiling children

7. My clean apartment

8. Sex and the City re-runs

9. My bed when I’m tired after a long day

10. A fireplace on a cold evening



I’ve been thinking way to negatively lately, so I thought I’d turn it around and put out some positive thoughts here.

Need Some Positive Vibes Sent My Way

I've been way too negative as of late. So I've decided to take the "list one thing that made me happy today" approach to life. Because some days, that's just what one has to do to get through the day.

So here's my one thing: After missing her on g-repeatedly for a two-week span, I finally caught Emily online for forty minutes in between English Festival acts today. It felt great to catch up with a good friend after such a long time...and yes, two weeks without chatting is a long time. It's the little things that get you through this crazy Korea life.

And it's sad, but another thing that made me happy today is the fact that after over a month of repeating the same stories and interviews and drama scripts with kids, I can finally chuck it all in the garb-age and put it all behind me. It might have sucked folks, but ENGLISH FESTIVAL is FINALLY OVER. Maybe now I'll be in a better mood at work. Kids did well, and it's nice to step back and see the whole picture once in a while. I did catch myself thinking at one point, yes, these songs suck, but it's really awesome that kids this age have access to doing all of this in a second language, and felt a little proud to be a part of it.

I guess I have nothing else to say, just that I like to ramble, and I'm going to sign off before I do too much more of it. So much for blogging about things that matter.

Oh, and I did find a home for the rabbit I was fostering for most of my time in Korea. He went to a nice girl who has always wanted to own a rabbit and just moved to Korea. She seemed really eager to take him and I'm relieved I don't have to panic when my contract does end to find a home for him last minute. I loved owning the rabbit, but hated cleaning up after it, and of course, my situation is less than permanent. Maybe one day I'll actually live my dream of owning a few cats. Gosh I'm so old...LOL. Signing off. Leave comments.

Good God I'm Bad at Updating this Thing

It's not that I'm bad at updating; it's just that I don't have a whole lot of substantial things happen to me that merits updating. I promised my friends and family at home that I'd keep a blog of my Korea adventures. I knew it would be exciting. Honestly though, eight months in, I'm getting bogged down in daily routines, schedules, work, and more work. Not that any of that makes for even a remotely interesting post. I promise a more interesting post soon, and I'm a little anxious to deliver. But I just can't bring myself to do any of that.

What can I say? I've just been really consumed in work lately and I can't say that I'm really that good at it. I've lost the mindfulness that good teaching requires. That's what Korea will do to you I suppose. Just get it done. I'm almost "over" it. I suppose that is what eight months of it will do to you.

For those that have traveled and taught abroad, how do you keep that sense of energy and passion you had at the very beginning? How do you keep going? I have found a decent outside of work network of things to do and see, but I just can't seem to break over that that hump. Could it be that I am just "over" Korea? Is there such a thing?

Or am I just whining too much...

Photo of the Day

Another one where I answer some questions...

Saturday 9: Closer to Home

1. Where did you grow up? Where do you consider home?

A little town called Decatur, southeast of Atlanta, GA.

2. If you could paint your car any color with no loss in value, what color would it be?

Either Lilac purple or lime green, LOL

3. What do you think comes after death?

Not really sure. Probably nothing but the ground as far as I'm concerned, but I'd like to believe there is more...

4. Name a TV show that should NOT be renewed for another season.


As much as it pains me to say it, GLEE should quit while it's ahead...

5. If you could have a free subscription to any online service, which would you like to have?

Hmmmm....I loved Netflix when I was living in the states...so a free year of Netflix would be AWESOME!

6. Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?

Ha! I'm 29 as of last Thursday, and when I was younger I did think I'd be in a MUCH different place by now. But no regrets. I'm happy with all that has happened in my life and the choices I have made...

7. What did you want to be when you grew up?


I wanted to be a doctor...

8. If you were to suddenly become famous, and were forced to change names, what would you choose as your stage name?

This one will take some thought...give it a few days...

9. What is the first book that you can remember reading by yourself as a child?

ALL OF THE RAMONA BOOKS!!! (They were awesome!)