Why are some people so WEIRD and RUDE?

Ryan and I have just about had our fill of apartment living. We are puzzled and in awe over the fact that we always seem to attract weird neighbors. Every apartment I've had, I've had some kind of issue with a neighbor. No fights or arguing, nothing like that. Just WEIRD people who have no awareness of good conduct. When I lived in my first apartment by the seacoast, I thought I was in heaven. A beautiful area I had always loved, close to the ocean, in a historic old New England town. Perfect.
Yeah, no.
My landlady was nice enough, but seemed to think it was ok for her teenage kids, THEIR kids, and various baby mamas/daddies to run the place like a frat house (and, I have my suspicions, a spot for sketchy people to pick up drugs). My landlady was never there, even though it was her house. I had to call the cops on the kids because some guy was clearly hitting a girl in the house--and this eventually continued out in the middle of the street. I ended up DESPISING living there and couldn't wait to get out.
When I did, I moved to a bigger city but a nicer apartment. Much better. I'd say that was my best apartment experience so far. However, what is it with people in apartments blasting music at near-deafening levels? I don't get it! How could you be that moronic? I had problems with that with both neighbors on either side of me. And above me. I like music just as much as the next person, but I don't feel the need to share my music with an entire building in the middle of the night.
Our new, bigger apartment in the same complex--which we've been living in for over a year now--has had similar issues. Our next door neighbor--a weird, creepy, day-walker like specimen--played video games until about 4 in the morning AT FULL BLAST. I felt like I was in a war zone. And then Ryan would knock on his door and ask him to turn it down, and the guy had been fast asleep throughout the whole thing! How can you sleep in that? Please, enlighten me, I'd love to know. SO I can survive the next sociopath neighbor.
Then the lady below us is OBSESSED with all things Celtic. Now, I am Scottish, and my family and I take pride in that and enjoy the cultural aspects of our heritage....but this is a bit too much. Just last night, I felt like I was on a pirate ship, while a thick, brogue-y voice sounded out the same pub tune OVER AND OVER. I mean, the same little song, over and over, all night long!!!! For hours and hours! We went downstairs and knocked on her door---of course, no answer. But her dog sure knew we were there. Barking away, the music blasting, and she was still asleep. We knew she was asleep because we walked by the building outside earlier to see where it was coming from, and sure enough, she was there in her apartment, fast asleep, with the unmistakable sound shooting out of her window. What an idiot!!!
So, I got worried that she might actually not be...alive. For lack of a better word. But Ryan thinks shes ok. And the music stopped this morning. She and I will be exchanging words. I'm exhausted, I have a huge headache. And I don't ever want to hear that God-foresaken song again.

From reading this, you might take me as a stuck up wench--but I'm not. I have never been rude or unreasonable with any of these people. I have always been polite and only confronted them when the situation warranted it. But this apartment life is getting old real fast. Hopefully by the time we get back from our honeymoon we'll be on our way to home ownership---and a new set of challenges---WITHOUT the ignorant, too close for comfort neighbors. We're scouting out a house whose only neighbor is a cornfield. Sounds good to me.

We Belong Together!

I just wanted to say that I know I belong with Ryan--how do I know? Well, we're the only two people who understand, and find it perfectly normal, to make up annoying jingles about our pet rabbit and sing them all day. Or change the words to well-known songs to include him. For example, NKOTB song "Right Stuff" turns into "Oh-oh-ooo-oh, Ar-ma-ni-oh!" Lame...I know. I'm not apologizing though.

We are insane, I know. But we love our bun-bun and can't help that he inspires our musical intuition. Here is a picture of our bunny baby...and a bag with my initials...yes, they are EEL. And soon they will be EEK!!!

Writing Collaboration with Crystal!

Last weekend, Crystal from Invitation to Understanding and I decided we were going to collaborate on a writing project a la The Postal Service's album "Give Up." Except with writing and no music. Maybe we'll need a soundtrack too? Who knows...

Anyway, we spent the evening writing the first few paragraphs of a short story together...but we don't really know if it's a short story or something bigger yet. When I write creatively, I always use a piece of art as a springboard-sort of like Tracy Chevalier (love her!) with Girl with a Pearl Earring and some of her other books. For example, I based my senior honors thesis in college on John Singer Sargent's "Madame X" and found the prospect of visual art connecting with written expression, and vise versa, so absolutely thrilling! So since then, a lot of what I write is directly inspired by works of art.

"Madame X," -John Singer Sargent

Since last weekend, we've been emailing each other a new paragraph to add to the weaving thread of our story. So far, it's so fun. It's especially exciting not to simply write your own thoughts and actions and descriptions for the life of a character, but to see how another person directs the story as well. I am just about to email my latest bit to Crystal--can't wait to see what she cooks up for our characters next time.

So Crystal, be watching your email! And anyone else reading this---try this out with another creatively-minded pal---you may be surprised just how awesome it is.

"Brouillard, Avenue de l'Observatoire" -
Brassai (and our current inspiration)

A New Vocation

A few weeks ago, I was offered a teaching position as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher. I am so thrilled, scared, grateful, amazed to be given this opportunity. For pretty much all of my life, I've wanted to be a teacher. There were times where I thought I might want to do something different, but I always came back to the prospect of teaching. I am feeling a lot of emotions pertaining to the fact that I am FINALLY, really, really, going to be a teacher. I am nervous because I have more experience designing units for, and interacting with, high schoolers-I completed my student teaching at a nearby high school. I am about to cross unknown terrain, and being in the leadership position of a teacher, and everything that it entails, is honestly daunting. But wow, it feels great. I have to embrace the unknown. How awesome to be given the opportunity to guide kids in their education, and to hopefully ignite a genuine love for learning.
A professor of mine said it best: "Teaching is not a job. It is a lifestyle."
I say that for the best of them, it's a calling. I hope that is what I will find it to be for me.

In The Depths of Summer

(We love, really love, the out-of-doors).

Finally, we are getting some consistently good summer weather here in New England. Today was one of the first days in awhile Ryan and I got to spend some time just enjoying the fresh air and free time with each other. Although it probably wasn't the best idea to bring my camera along in the kayak, here are some pics from the day. The pics were taken on the lake at Ryan's dad's house.

This was the kind of day that you breathe in and think, life is magical. You know what I'm saying?

We Love Savannah Gumbo!

Recently, I've really started to enjoy cooking. As I've said in previous posts, I really like reading and using the recipes in Taste of Home. I've been making two new recipes a week steadily for the past month and a half or so. Last Sunday, I decided to crack open my Paula Dean cookbook (which had previously been used maybe, 2 times total!) and I ended up making Savannah gumbo with shrimp, sausage, and chicken. Needless to say, it was quite spectacular, according to Ryan. I had to agree it was pretty good myself. I am even more excited about the possibility of getting some new, upgraded small kitchen appliances and tools in the future.

Above are some pictures of the final results!

Wedding errands, Walmart finds, and Bridal Jewelry

Today, R. and I tried to get some more wedding stuff done. We're getting down to the little details now, which surprisingly, is proving to be more challenging than the big stuff. Anyway, R.'s dad got fitted for his tux today, and I decided to walk across the street from the shop to visit Payless to look for shoes. Well, I lucked out and found a pair I like; I'll be getting them dyed to match my dress.
We also picked up some bubbles (100 to a package) at Walmart for 20 bucks! I was both surprised and impressed with the recent improvements made at our local Walmart, one of which was a new wedding and party supply aisle. I love party decorations, favors, cake decorating supplies, etc. anyway, and was extra excited to see these bubbles (which I had wanted to get for awhile) at such a low price. We grabbed a package of 100 and an extra one of 48 just in case we end up needing more. They also carry unity candles, guest books, cake toppers, invitation kits, favors, and more. We'll probably be picking up some of those wedding disposable cameras once they have more in stock, as well.
Later on this afternoon, I was searching for wedding jewelry online. I'm thinking that I want a necklace that will look nice with the square, strapless neckline of my dress. Something kind of vintage is definitely my style...I've found a lot of great things online, but something like this makes me a bit nervous to not see it in person before I buy. Although, we did have great luck with ordering our invitations off David's Bridal. Anyone have any experience buying their bridal jewelry online? What kind of luck did you have?

Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You

Sooo last night, Ryan got called in to work the night shift at the hospital. I spent a couple of hours getting things ready for my job interview today, and then I decided to rent a movie-He's Just Not That Into You. I picked this one because it's not really a movie you'd watch with your boyfriend or husband...although they might like it without admitting it.
One thing I liked about this movie was the cast-it had many of my favorite actors and actresses in it. However, their characters seemed to be kind of newer versions of characters they've played in the past; i.e. Scarlett Johanssen being a sort of homewrecker, Bradley Cooper (hottt...) as a sort of player or sleazbag, take your pick...Drew Barrymore being unlucky in love...you get the point. But, they were still good and funny and entertaining even so.
I think this is a really great movie for all the girls (and guys) out there who just don't think they deserve love as the real thing. It's sad to say that I've witnessed this many times with different people I know; they seem to attract people who just want to treat them badly, or they just hide from dating for fear of rejection, or they obsess over their significant others until they are simply exhausted...all because they lack confidence or they don't like themselves and feel they can't do better and don't deserve to be happy. It's depressing, yet so often true. I know, I've been there too...I think everyone has. So, really, I think mostly everyone can relate to this movie on some kind of personal level...and even laugh at themselves and perhaps learn a new way of looking at the whole love thing.
One thing that bothered me about this movie was, not ALL guys are evil, not all guys try to play women. My husband to be is one of those guys who is who he is, he never has played mind games, and never claimed to be in love when he wasn't. I know there are others out there too. This movie made me a little frustrated at how it portrayed guys as these pigs on a never-ending quest for domination and sex. It also kind of made girls out to be pushovers--which although there are both male (and female) players and weakminded girls (and guys) out there, it just isn't always the case. This movie made me really happy and feel really blessed to have the guy I do. I hope there are more girls out there who can say that as well after seeing He's Just Not Into You.
Maybe that was one goal of the writers/director of this one? Hmmm...

Back to the Blog

Well...it had been my intent to blog throughout my student teaching...but obviously that never happened. I think I just got overwhelmingly busy, lost interest int blogging, or maybe a combination of both.

Anyway, student teaching is behind me and I'm now focused on other things. It was a great, tumultous, frustrating, tear-inducing, empowering experience and I'm glad it's over. Although I will miss (some of) my students terribly.

Currently, I'm working part time at a local flower nursery and searching for a teaching job for next year. I have an interview at my old middle school on Thursday and I REALLY hope I get the job...for so many reasons. I really want to start my career, feel like I'm getting somewhere and contributing to the field of education. I also really, really want Ryan and I to start moving toward some of our goals, one of which involves searching for our first house. It's probably a far stretch right now, since even if I get this job, I will have only started working, but it's worth a shot. Just being able to feel more secure financially will be a big plus.

Three months to go before the big day...wedding day! I can't believe it's coming so fast. Most of the main components are planned out...now we're just figuring out some smaller details.

I've had a lot of free time lately to catch up on reading, cooking, cleaning, wedding planning, and other things I've wanted to do the past months of the year. Today, I just finished reading The Watchers, and old book by Dean Koontz. I have only read a couple of his other books at most, but our photographer recommended it to me because she knows I am a fellow pet-lover. I actually really liked it, and had a hard time putting it down. Maybe I'll read more of his books in the future--my dad has a whole collection. Next, I plan on reading The Catcher in the Rye--which I'm ashamed to say, I've never read. *Embarrassed*

I've also been reading a lot of Taste of Home, which my grandmother got me a subscription for awhile back. It's so nice to start collecting recipes that don't involve a lot of crazy ingredients that you can't find easily in the store. My goal is to make two new recipes a week. I've already tried a couple, and both were big hits with the FH.

Back to School

This week, I started student teaching. I can already tell it's going to be an amazing experience and it's only day three! The first day, I felt so overwhelmed because my mentor teacher wasn't even there-I had to follow a sub around all day who spent almost the entire time talking about herself and how she can't get a teaching job. Encouraging, right? I tried to smile and nod and tried to ignore the worry that that would be me in a few months. I keep telling myself that I am fully capable to do this--but I'll be glad when it's my time to get up in front of the kids and get to work. Right now I'm just in the observational phase of things, but I'm grateful that my mentor teacher is already having me help out with some basic stuff, like taking attendence (which is helping me learn everyone's names!), correcting papers, and making trips to the school library for materials. So I don't feel totally useless. I would compare my feelings so far with a little like my feelings about rollercoasters--the worst part is the anticipation waiting for that big plunge! Although I HATE rollercoasters, and I think I'm really going to love this. I have so many great ideas for lessons, and I really hope I can be successful. All this waiting for next semester (which is when I start really teaching them myself) is really getting me stressed, but I know deep-down it's going to be spectacular. It's just an amazing feeling to know I'm finally on my way to this career I've wanted to happen for so long. I am already feeling more at home at the school than I thought I would. Everyone has been really nice so far and my mentor teacher is awesome. Of course it doesn't hurt that he was one of MY favorite teachers in high school. I just can't help but feel really lucky about this entire thing. I am INSANELY nervous and stressed and pretty overwhelmed but...I am SO GLAD to be doing this. Today I was able to go to a faculty meeting which was pretty interesting. I met some more teachers today, one who will be teaching right next door and seems awesome. I also saw a teacher today who I used to work for-I used to babysit his kids all the time. It's great to know some people-it certainly takes some of the edge off.

What else is going on? OH YEAH-I got my WEDDING DRESS last weekend. See picture above! It's not the best shot and it's not me in the dress-I was stupid and didn't bring my camera-but it is AMAZING. I got it at David's Bridal (the pic above is from their website). And talk about LUCK-I was wanting this dress for awhile, and I just had a feeling it was the one. I had found out it was discontinued, but I decided to ask them about it at the store anyway. And lo and behold, they had ONE left in MY SIZE. I tried it on and it fits almost perfectly-they just have to hem it since I'm a bit of a midget, and take in the waist. Amazing! PLUS I got it for an insanely low price since it was discontinued. I was soooo surprised at how well this worked out in my favor. I also tried on some others and almost went with agrecian-style dress, which was just magical, ethereal, and unique...but not quite what I envisioned...Anways, I am SO excited to wear this dress.

Well getting up at five AM is causing me to get sleepy early...that's all for now...