Harry Potter my love...part1!

 I am currently on book 6 of the Harry Potter Series and I have been kicking my self since I started reading the entire series, why didn't I join the initial hype! (I started the summer of 2011 and hope to have watched and read everything by the end of February)

To say the least,  I am in love with the series of books!! You want to talk about creativity, J.K. Rowling nails it on the head.  So much detail so much excitement, such great characters to fall in love with. I am enthralled and obsessed to say the least!   I thank the students who peaked my interest, and also Mugglenet.com and Pinterest to help it continue!! My creativity is sparked to say the least...especially after watching the above compilation!! (WARNING: if you haven't seen all of the movies, there are spoilers in the clip)

My weekend is now planned to catch up on watching the movies... #winner

A love for reading...

When I was little I loved reading! My Grandma was a Librarian in North Dakota and it was great to be able to spend a week with her and see how many books I could get done; that was at age 10. At age 18-23 for me reading was spent on College Lit, Master's Lit or on a rare occasion Chick lit on my vacation (The few times I was able to read for pleasure). Now at age 28 I have found that being able to read for pleasure is a must for me.

Over the past snow days I read 2 books in one day and I was jazzed about it. My parents surprised me with a Kindle and I was pretty happy about that. I now have 21 books downloaded on it, and it is easy to carry around in my purse. Currently I am reading Chelsea Handler's first book and Soul Identity.  But on top of that, I have a pile of books to be read.

After reading this....all I was thinking was "Cool Story Bro" I am not exactly where I intended to say with the post, but yay reading!

Happy Wednesday.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ5DfWN3fWU

Thank you Evan for making my day.....

Gracias....

Today is Thanksgiving, and after living on this earth for 27 years, this is the first time it seems where I honestly FEEL thankful for everything I have been given. There is literally one month left of 2009 and the time line of this year for me is astonishing, the highs the lows, the plateau's but I never sincerely felt the "thanks" in my heart until this one.
Things I am thankful for in no particular order:
My family~ They are truly amazing, and I have taken them for granted so often, but I could not live with out them. My parents, are such awesome role models, humans, examples, they are honest and loving and giving and most of all inspiring. My brother has never not amazed me, three years of my life have been clouded by manipulations and deceit and jealousy that I never realized what a gift he is in my life. My sister and brother-in-law, have given me their support and encouragement and also a nephew, who has changed a small part of me and my entire immediate family. They are my rocks!
My dog, Bradshaw~ Getting him was exactly what I needed. He makes me laugh, he cuddles, he licks my face when I cry, he frustrates me, but he know he is mine. Although the pretends he talks back, he is a pretty good listener.
My friends~ I have many different friend groups, but all of them support and encourage me. They are sincere and honest and loving and it is so nice to know they exist, and no matter what change I choose to make, they will still stand by me and up for me.
My Job and the Students I see everyday~ I never knew the reward I would have being a teacher, seriously! Everyday is a new day, everyday is a challenge, but there are very few days when I wake up and don't want to go to work. The silly things students say, the activities they do, the joy they have when the realized just how human you are, amazes me. My students are more than words can say, and I am so thankful for them.
This undisclosed person: I am thankful to him, because with out him I would not have seen what my life could be like. He has no idea how thankful I am to him, and he may not ever, but if it wasn't for a trip to Omaha, and Grand Island, I could have never found the courage within myself to make the choice I did. He challenges me and supports me and makes me laugh. There is a connection that I hope he feels and will act on, but even if he doesn't he still is a truly genuine person.
DVR~ I know it seems silly, but without it I would not be able to watch my favorite TV shows, that honestly put a spring in my step and reminded me what laughing is. Glee, the office I sincerly thank your producers for allowing you on TV!
Corrine~ She is an inspiration, she listens guides and challenges me, words can not express the joy I have know she is my best friend. She is my sister from another mother!
Music~ Thank you Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Glee soundtrack, Micheal Buble, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Journey, Guster, Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenowith, The Abstract, Dave Merkel, Buddy Guy, Britney Spears, Mat Kearney, Matt Nathanson, OAR, Dispatch, etc etc...
My faith ~ it seems a little odd to thank my faith, but the fact is I found it again, I found and and I feel it. It is not a religion, but rather a strength that was given back to me. I am amazed and glad I feel it again.
Social Networking things ~ I love communication and being able to communicate with people makes me happy! To all you inventors of these brilliant things, Thank you!

This joy of gratitude is what I will carry on in 2010, because without it I would not be the person I am. I sincerely hope all who read this have a wonder Thanksgiving and be grateful for what you have, don't be afraid to tell them it either!

Zicam you need to work harder...

I hate being sick, I become very frustrated and annoyed when I am. Zicam failed at protecting me from the plague that is the common cold/sinus infection or whatever. I can handle the sniffles and runny noses, but the pain in my neck and the sore throat and inability to hear as well as a I normally do really drive me nuts. I get it, it is cold season, but it is also the holiday season, they should not go hand in hand. I really just can't handle being sick during this week, i would take 2 weeks from now and be sick, after things have calmed down in my world. but today of all days....not fun.

The only thing I want right now is a huge dose of antibiotics to take away this annoyance. Sleeping all day wouldn't hurt either.

Maybe Zicam will step up sooner or later....

Little People Big World

WARNING: PLEASE SEE THIS AS HUMOR NOT AS INSENSITIVE...
You know on the Steve and Buster's commercial where the people have a "fun" aka "mini me" I decided I want one. Not in the form of Austin Powers and creepy Vern Troyer, but more like a mini me/personal assistant/counselor/who knows. Here is why, I once saw a television show that was discussing the fact that in some areas it is difficult for Little People to find jobs. I could offer a little person a job. Now it may seem odd that a Teacher would need a personal assistant, beings that I am not a fancy shmancy high powered anything, but the amount of questions, issues, bills, receipts, people, emails, etc that I receive in a day, out rivals any fancy shmancy high powered individual. I am amazed at the end of they day the lack of things I get accomplished. Now granted their job would not be just that, they could grade some of the papers, we could go have drinks together, and technically I would be an equal opportunity employer, it just add in a height requirement. Why, may you ask does it need to be a little person, well it seems like they would be less in the way, and sometimes looked beyond so it is almost like they are less noticeable. {that sounds mean, it is not meant to be} there may be some logic to this craziness. Really you should just blame it on Dave and Buster's if they didn't introduce the "fun" i may have not thought of this.

Again, I apologize if this is offensive, this is just how my mind works.

My Summer Reading List

Being a teacher, I have been blessed with free time. I have been using that time catch up on the necessary reading I don't always get during the school year. I also have to admit to another geek moment, I went to the public library this week and came across this 5 page list of necessary reads to be a life long learner, I of course went home and highlighted everything I had read on that list. I was mad fun of later!

My current summer reading list:

1. My Sister's Keeper ~ Jodi Piccoult (really didn't think I would enjoy this book that much)

2. Marshmallow's for Breakfast ~ Dorthy Koomson

3. Montana 1949

4. The Scorpion Room

5. A framework for understanding Poverty ~ Ruby Payne

6. Me 2.0

7. The Freedom Writers Diary

8. Yorkshire Terriers for Dummies (I can do much with out proper research)

9. There are no Bad Dogs

10. Teaching with Love and Logic

On top of all of these books I am reading through a collection of plays to pick out the new and exciting acting adventure I will guide my students on next year. Nothing is really tripping my trigger yet...

Any suggestions?

Geeking Out

I have realized that I have this new/renewed love for reading! I don't know why, nor is it honestly necessary to blog about, but there is something to be said for escaping into your own little world. I think that is why I enjoy teaching creative writing so much. Not only do I spend my free time reading what the future of the world is writing, but the insight that is gained from all types of reading makes me happy. (You are so allowed to make fun of me) I am finding it hard to put books down, and I am currently dreaming of spending my weekends in the Library so that I can catch up on reading.

An example of my nerdiness comes from reading Multiple Blessings by the Gosselin family from the show "Jon and Kate plus 8" after reading I had to check out the website. I just got done looking at the Stephanie Meyer website, because I needed my Twilight fix, and in some cases I can't wait until the movie New Moon comes out. Than there is the Shopaholic series that I read in one summer, and that movie comes out in February as well. I am currently feeling like the quintessential nerd that you see in movies. It seems like a slight obsession, and I know I should spend my time balancing my checkbook, grading papers, working on my homework for my masters, etc. Oh no, I need to geek out and read my books!