rewards of gentleness

Yesterday afternoon, I was putting Bo down for his nap.

As sometimes happens, he was more interested in squirming all over than closing his eyes and resting.

I sat in the rocking chair in his room, watching as he pulled his socks off and 

wriggled around until his head was at the foot of the bed.

Eventually, I decided to lie down next to him and see if that would help him calm down.

I plopped my head on "Pudge", my old stuffed bear that has been passed on to Bo.

Bo snuggled up next to me, and proceeded to kick at the bed frame and wiggle around.

I felt frustration building and swallowed the urge to tell him strongly to lie still.

Instead, I whispered, "I love you, Bo."

He popped his head up and whispered, "I love you, too," and planted a kiss on my cheek.

And fell asleep about two minutes later.

I need to cling to little moments like that as a reminder that gentleness can produce great rewards.

If I want my son to be "kind and gentle" - a phrase we're saying a lot these days - 

then I need to model that for him. 

I'm grateful for a little boy who is so full of grace toward his mama as we learn together.

bonsa-isms

Yep, totally mommy blog material here. 

These are just some snapshots of Bo these days for my own recollection.

1

During a moment of exasperation, I told Bo he was driving me nuts. 

He misheard me, and the next day we made the healthy choice of McDonalds for lunch.

As I offered him a chicken nugget, he exclaimed, "Driving me nuggets!"

2

We just visited Zach and Michele in NJ to see their new baby, Riley. 

We stayed in a hotel room and Bo got a queen bed all to himself.

We arrived pretty late Friday night, so he was out of it when we laid him down.

When he woke up the next morning, he sat up in bed and asked, "Whose big house is this?"

3

Bo is learning to assert his opinions... which basically means he's telling us "no" a lot,

or telling us when he does and does not want to do things.

For example, if I ask him to say his full name, he now says,

"Don't want to say Bonsa Douglas Parton."

Or I'll ask, "How old are you?" and he responds, "Don't want to say two."

The other day I said, "I love you, Bo!" and he sweetly replied,

"Stop saying that, Mommy!"

Oh, okay.

4
However, when we make a suggestion that is pleasing to Bo,
he will exclaim, "Sounds a good idea, Mommy!"

5
We haven't been able to pinpoint the exact cause of this particular exclamation,
but I think it happens when we're busy with something else and Bo wants our full attention.
Regardless, the most recent occurrence was when I was doing dishes and Bo told me,
"Mommy, wake up!"

6
Bo loves the animated Disney movies Aristocats and Robin Hood.
He also loves watching Curious George.
Often, when we're in the car, he'll pipe up a memory of one of those 3 shows
and laugh, "That part is so funny!"
..

Ah, the fun and frustration of a 2-and-a-half-year old!

the bills make me wanna... shout.

This past Sunday, my dad treated my sisters & me and took us to the Bills' season opener!

Dad & I, getting pumped for the game:

This was my 2nd Bills game. 

The last game I went to, the Bills were beat the much-hated Dallas Cowboys... 10-7...

And the stadium was still called "Rich Stadium"...

... And my favorite player, Bruce Smith, was still playing. 

Soooo yeah - it had been awhile.

It was a beautiful afternoon with amazing company.

And pretty decent seats - thanks, Dad!

And although the outcome of the game made us do this:

We still had an awesome time together.

And we're foolishly cautiously optimistic about the Bills this year... 

Although other terms, such as "in denial" or "perpetually masochistic" are also applicable.

if we had coffee

A couple blogs that I read have a series they call "If We Had Coffee"

in which they just "chat" on their blog. 

I love the idea & so I'm stealing it for this post.

If we had coffee...

... I'd have hot chocolate. Because I don't really like coffee.

Unless we're meeting at Starbucks. There's lots of sugary drinks I like there.

... I'd have to get up from our chat often to intervene in my son's adventures.

Like trying to tip over one of our lamps, which seems to be his most recent fascination.

... I'd tell you a lot of annoying mom stories about Bo.

How he's accomplishing new things almost daily. And learning so much.

... I'd tell you that I'm also learning so much in this season of life.

The heartache of seeing my father in pain and the overwhelming joy of seeing my boy grow.

It's a strange place to be in.

... I'd tell you that I'm kind of struggling right now.

I'm holding onto a lot of anger. 

At people who deserve it and people who don't.

People who make assumptions about me when they hardly know me.

People who haven't reached out to offer support when I thought they would.

People that I'm wrongly making assumptions about.

... I'd have to yell at my dog a couple times.

Because she feels the need to bark at ev.er.y.thing.

... I'd try to make sure we had cookies to eat with coffee/hot cocoa.

Because I have an unabashed sweet tooth. 

And I believe in sharing tasty treats with people you love.

... I hope you'd feel comfortable enough to share your triumphs and tears.

Because I love to listen to the stories of others.

... I'd probably make a joke about something and later overanalyze its reception.

And worry that I should have said something differently.

... And when our coffee date was over, I'd try to get you to take some cookies with you.

Because I've already eaten too many, in all honesty.

prepare ye the way...

Here's a picture of Bonsa pointing to heaven.

Probably because his mom made her bed today 

AND dusted yesterday.

So Bo wants people to get right with the Lord,

because surely He is returning shortly.

confessions

I've been composing a "confession" post in my head for a couple weeks,
because I think, like everyone, a lot of times I want to look like I've got it all together.
I want to focus on my strengths. My achievements.
But I fall short so often.

So - real talk. Here are some confessions.

**EDIT: I am not looking for affirmation or for anyone to console me here. Just stating some facts.**

1. I compare myself to others... a LOT. And often jealous.
As much as I like to think that I'm confident, content and don't care what others think... it's not true. I think this is a big danger of blogging, which is why I have to take breaks so often. I really, really struggle with house and decor envy. I love this Teddy Roosevelt quote (props to Bailey for being the one I heard it from) that has helped me a little bit!

2. I dust like, 2 times a year.

And when I do dust, I usually cheat and just hit the spots that people will see.

3. Almost every night, there are dirty dishes in my sink... and often the counter as well.
I have to let a lot of things "soak" overnight.

4. I can be a pretty mean person.
I'm way too sarcastic. I'm impatient, especially with my husband. I make fun of people a lot.
I'm proud. I'm hard-headed. I like to be right.
I'm working on this.

5. I do not read my Bible often.
I know that this doesn't make me "less" of a Christian. But as someone who professes to love Christ and wants to desire God above all, my actions sure don't back that up a lot of the time.

6. I touch up almost every picture that I post of myself.
My skin has been horrible for the past couple years. I dread mirrors. Almost every picture of me that isn't instagram has been photoshopped to erase blemishes and make my skin more even.

7. I'm doing a terrible job using cloth diapers. 
I use one or two every other day or so. Bo wets through them so quickly that it gets exhausting trying to keep up. I wanted to do cloth diapers to save money (and because, let's be honest, they're super cute). But, um, we're going through a LOT of disposable diapers.

8. I'm lazy.
I have a really cool old window frame that I put pictures in, and it would look so awesome hanging on the wall in our family room. The problem is, the window needs mounting hardware. Which isn't difficult. And should not have deterred me from hanging it for TWO YEARS. I'm constantly asking Doug to get stuff for me so I don't have to get up. I already fessed up about my dusting laziness.

9. I'm forgetful.
When we compiled all our adoption paperwork, I had to take two pieces of paper to Lansing to get them notarized at the state level. Lansing is an hour and a half drive. My dear friend Patti accompanied me... and when we got to the Secretary of State, I realized that I had brought all of our paperwork EXCEPT the two pieces of paper I needed. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I'd get to school in the morning and have to call Doug to have him bring me something I left.

10. I almost never make my bed. 
Actually... the only times I make it are when I change the sheets.

Okay, I'm going to stop there for now.
I know these are pretty moderate confessions.
There are many more where these are coming from.
I am so thankful for friends and family who love me despite my many flaws.
And for the grace of Christ, which is the only reason I ever do anything right.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

things that have occurred within the past week

... some cool, some weird, some inappropriate, some random & some downright embarrassing.

- My little bro turned 24! I feel bad because I haven't been doing birthday posts this year, much to some of my siblings' chagrin. Sorry guys.

- I read the word "seaman" aloud in one of my classes and nearly giggled. NEARLY.

- I worked out twice on MLKj Day?

- I'm having trouble walking as a result.

- We talked about pole dancing in my small group. My adult small group, people! Yeah... that doesn't really sound much better, considering the context.

- A class made fun of me because I had hiccups.

- Doug & I got to spend time with our beloved friends, Dave & Sara.

- Sara and I helped a 21-year old boy decorate his condo with "homey, yet masculine" decor.

- My leg was attacked by a vicious and potentially demon-possessed cat. This might be an overexaggeration. See picture below, in which Sara is refusing to come any closer to psychotic cat.

And my favorite...

- I almost peed with the bathroom door open in the teacher's lounge. NBD, as the kids say... N.B.D.

So, what's been happening in YOUR life lately?

today...

... I posted a new onesie (already sold, sorry!).

... I picked up my friends from the airport, returning home from Paris.

... I had some of the best chocolate I have ever had in my life (thanks, Ellie!).

... I mailed our application to CHI! Hooray!

... I cried in excitement, realizing that every day we are a day closer to our baby.

... I cried in pain, thinking what our baby's birth mama is going to sacrifice.

... I prayed for our baby's birth mama.

... I prayed for our baby.

... I prayed for us as parents.

... I snapped this picture of these amazing trees in our back alley.
    Little glimpses of God's beauty.

**Edit: Finished editing these senior pics.

vanity, thy name is woman

Subtitled: Confessions of the Sprayed Tan

So, I went spray tanning for the first time yesterday. I've been fake tanning a few times (i.e. the cancer beds), but I hadn't gone at all this winter, and my skin's been looking... pretty pasty. It gets a little old hearing people comment on how "pale" I am (Seriously? I'm fair-skinned. I'm okay with that. You can all shut up with your "pale" comments!), so I mentioned resuming tanning. One of my friends gave me the idea to go spray tanning, as she's been and really enjoyed the results. However, I was not prepared for the trauma that would ensue.

First of all, my friend told me that she went into a little booth/machine thingy that sprayed her automatically. I walked into the room at a local salon, and there was "Vanessa" and a weird tent thing. My suspicions were confirmed when "Vanessa" told me I could wear this flimsy paper bikini or "go commando, if you're comfortable with it." That's when things clicked. Oh. You're going to be spraying me? Awkward.

Well, I donned the paper bikini and got all spray painted. YIKES. "Vanessa" did inform me that there was a bronzer to "give instant color"... but I wasn't prepared for autoJamaican. The whole time, as "Vanessa" was chatting merrily about life and normal topics that seemed completely abnormal considering the situation, I was trying to form coherent responses while my brain kept repeating, "What am I doing? What am I doing?"

I got home and I think Zooey was probably freaked out by the strange Oompa Loompa who let her out of the cage. I immediately texted my friend, asking her if her body was eerily dark right afterward. She called me and tried to still my fears - yes, you look super dark because of the bronzer. No, you may not wash your face because then you will have paid for nothing because everything will wash off. So, I felt a little bit comforted, but still panicked every time I passed a mirror.

Then Doug got home, did a double take and asked, "What happened?!" I spent the next hour asking and re-asking if he hated it, if he was mad, if he wanted me to shower it off, if he was embarrassed to go to church with me, if I looked like a total freak, etc, etc, etc. Because my husband is a saint, he told me he was not embarrassed to be seen with Snooki and he still loved me.

Then we went to church, where everyone immediately asked me a million questions and I almost left right away to go shower and remove all traces. Several sweet girls tried to reassure me that it wasn't bad and it would look fine once the bronzer was off - although, one girl exclaimed, "Wow! You don't look like a white highlighter!" Yep. Thanks for that...

Anyway, I got home, had to go babysit (sorry for the nightmares, kid), came home and showered. I was somewhat relieved by the color of my face, but it was still a very noticeable difference.

Then there was school today.

Now, being a teacher has really taught me how to laugh at myself and be okay with making a fool out of myself (don't test my limits - I'm still overly sensitive and might snap!)... but man, it took a lot for me to walk into school today instead of taking a personal day. Knowing that my students notice if I get so much as an inch trimmed off my hair, I steeled myself for the onslaught.

"Whoa, did you go tanning?"
"SNOOKI!"
"Wow, you're tan."
"Have you been tanning?"
"Oh my word!"
"Mrs. Parton, you're so tan!"
"Jersey Shore called..."
"Are you going clubbing this weekend?"

"Whoa, it's an exchange student from Africa!"

"You're so... tan..."

etc. etc. etc.

Some of my girls did try to be nice about it, and one student even said, "Hey! At least you'll be tan for prom!"

I honestly have no clue why I didn't think about all this sooner. Why I didn't go over the weekend. Why I went at all. Why I couldn't just endure my pale skin for a few weeks longer until summer arrived. Hence the title of this post - vanity, vanity, vanity. Suffice to say, I learned my lesson, and my first experience with spray tanning will indeed be my last experience.

33 days of hope

World Orphans has a project called 33 Days of Hope, in which they are trying to get 300 families to donate $33 per month to support orphans. Each day they send an email to their mailing list with a different story about one of their kids across the globe. Today's email was about Martin. Here's an excerpt.

Martin hopes to use his love for math to become an engineer. His dream is to help build airplanes... But Martin, like the 47 other boys at the Fountain of Life children's home in Kenya, did not always have hope for his future. Martin grew up in the slums of Nairobi. As a child on the streets, he learned to beg, scavenge and even steal for food. Without a family to care for him, Martin had little reason to consider his life valuable until he met the pastor at Fountain of Life. Now Martin has a home, a family, education, consistent emotional support and dreams for his future.

This season, as we enjoy the comforts of our homes and family, let's give just a little so that projects like Fountain of Life can continue to impact children around the world.

Click here to donate to 33 Days of Hope.

Martin, on our 2009 trip.

real life conversations, pt. 10

Radvent Day 4: Forgiveness

Practice forgiving about small, everyday things. Who and what are you ready to let go of resentment toward?

~

Me: Who's someone that I need to forgive? Who am I harboring bitterness toward?

Doug: *someone that rubs me the wrong way* ?

Me: Hm, I don't think I need to forgive her. She just annoys me.

Doug: What about *someone who said something offensive to me* ?

Me: I don't harbor bitterness toward her. I don't really care about her.

Doug: Well. This was an awesome exercise.

~

Soooo.

Clearly I've got some work to do in this arena.

First of all - - I know that there are far more people that I should ask for forgiveness, so I'm not trying to be hypocritical in this entry. I have hurt many people in my life - if I haven't asked you for forgiveness and there's something I've done to hurt you, please talk to me about it.

I forgive my former student who told me I'm not a good teacher.

I forgive people who speak without thinking and hurt my feelings.

I forgive my three best friends from freshman year of high school who consistently left me out.

I forgive my best friend from college who stopped hanging out with me after she got a boyfriend.

I forgive Ashley from my kindergarten class for tattling on me for talking while Mrs. Burgio was on the phone and subsequently making me miss 10 minutes of recess.

I forgive the boy who criticized my physical appearance and caused me to be plagued by insecurities for years.

I forgive the man who told me I was laid off from my first teaching job.

I forgive Zooey for chewing up the little apple & peach that Jayne carved for me.

the time i tried to burn our house down

I just walked in the door from a day at school and thought to myself, "Wow! My house smells delectable. I'm so glad I got those Yankee candles."

I checked my email, remembered that I missed an episode of Glee and it would be on Hulu, so I decided to make some popcorn for me & Zooey and snuggle up.

Went over to the microwave, glanced at the candle on the stove... and realized it was still burning. From when I lit it last night.

THAT could have ended poorly...

embarrassing

Found my diary from 4th grade while packing today. I can't pick up a childhood diary without reading part of it. This results in a lot of cringing and laughter, specifically after entries such as February 9, 1995:

"[friend] told me that [boy] wanted me to be his Valentine. Ukk! I'm going to say no and just say I want to be friends. Besides if I EVER go out with a boy, I would never kiss him! GROSS!"

Funny how I forgot that sentiment a mere 4* years later...

*Whoops! Dad, I meant to say 12 years later!

facebook

This past January, Doug & I deleted our Facebook accounts. We had talked about doing it for awhile, going back and forth between the pros & cons, then one day *click!* We just did it. 

We had several reasons for deleting our accounts, with COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME topping the charts. I'm embarrassed to admit how much time I was capable of spending, mindlessly wading through the labyrinth of faces. I would sign on to check "just one thing!" and an hour later be jealously looking at the tropical vacation of some friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend-who-we-met-at-that-one-party-and-remember-we-laughed-about-how-we-both-like-that-one-scene-from-that-one-movie-so-obviously-we'd-be-great-facebook-friends! Which brings up another point - the fact that Facebook fosters these absolutely superficial, stupid "relationships," which I will now trademark as "e-ships." Dumb!

Yeah, so we decided to sever that limb.

The next week I dealt with a barrage of students griping about the fact that I no longer had Facebook. How would I know what was going on in each of their lives? How will I know who's dating whom? (Wait, no, none of my students can use "whom" correctly...) More importantly, how will they be able to ask me useless questions 24/7? After awhile, I stopped explaining myself and just told all of them that I got rid of Facebook because I don't like them. 

I actually didn't miss Facebook. A couple times after hanging out with friends and taking pictures, they'd tell one another to "put them on Facebook!" and I'd feel a twinge of regret, but it was passing. 

When I told my friend Sara that I would be her intern this summer, she mentioned at one point how it would be so much easier for me to organize events with the kids if I had Facebook. I thought about it, realized she was right, talked to Doug & two days ago, we opened our accounts again.

Oh. My. Gosh. People have gotten engaged and married - people have had BABIES - people have broken up and are already dating new people... it's overwhelming. The first few seconds that I logged back in, I thought my brain might explode. If you ever need a slice of humble pie -proof that life moves along without you, delete your Facebook account for 6 months.

The first thing I did was what I like to call "Friend Cleanup." In other words, I deleted a bunch of people that I never talk to. Also, I de-friended all my students, except the seniors who graduated and the girls in my small group or our church youth group. That was 2 days ago, people. I already have 6 pending "friend requests" from students, messages from students and a message from an ex-boyfriend. If you don't know how to contact me outside of Facebook, then we probably shouldn't be in touch anyway. Don't get me wrong - it's fun seeing where old high school friends have ended up, what college buddies are doing, etc... but it's just so, so... ____________ (someone give me a good word - the only thing I can come up with at the moment is "blah"). 

My goal is to delete my account again at the end of summer. A lot of my friends are like, "Why don't you keep the account and just not log in?" Because I CAN'T. It's a disease. I'm like a 4-year old boy and Facebook is a scab on my knee. You try to tell a 4-year old boy not to pick that scab. I know, it's gross on multiple levels. And just to clarify, I'm not trying to guilt trip or convince anyone else to give up Facebook. This is about me and my inability to maintain a healthy balance with social networks.

Anyway - I just felt compelled to go public about my relationship e-ship with Facebook. On my blog. On the Internet. There is some poetic irony somewhere there...

i like to blame it on the blue eyes

Dear Internet,
Alright... I admit it.

I have a problem with taking pictures in sunlight.

Seriously - gorgeous picture of Victoria. Who's the freak next to her, though?!

And it always seems that this... abnormality surfaces at the most inopportune times. Take, for instance, the day I'd want to look better than ever...

Classy.

Trust me, Internet, there are more where these came from - I just don't have time to search through all the various folders on our C: drive.

Even my senior pictures were a bit squinty. When Tom Smith got out that huge golden reflector thing (I'm sure I just made some photographer cringe with my terminology), it was downhill. Tom is a fantastic photographer - he just didn't know what he was up against.

I wish I could say that this is a recent development and, therefore, temporary. Unfortunately, my record would prove otherwise...

High school: Late junior year/early senior year. You know you can see the squint.

First day of junior year.

8th grade.

If I had earlier pictures of myself on the computer, I'd have more material. Just take my word on this one.

lock, stock, and two girls

Disclaimer: Typically, I wouldn’t update my blog while I’m at work, but since it’s Good Friday and I wasn’t given the day off and half our company took the day off anyway, I decided it’s okay!

So, it’s been just over a week since I locked myself out of our apartment. I’m seriously the queen of locking myself out of places. I locked myself out of my car/my parents’ cars countless times – a source of endless frustration to my parents. At the grocery store, at church, at East High School the morning before I started student teaching… then there was the time that my lock was FROZEN at Spring Arbor. Pretty sure Joel Skene was on security that night, and he came and saved me. Additionally, with college dorms that are locked every night, I’ve been locked out more times than I care to share – even as an RA - the person who is responsible for locking the doors! Honestly, knowing my tendencies, they may have been a little more hesitant to give me that job. I even had to crawl in through a lobby window once.

So, I locked myself out of my car last night. My friend Sara and I were spending an evening together, since her husband had a small group and my husband had his last class. Sara and I had decided to take a quick trip to the mall – I wanted to get a cardigan for Easter and she wanted to return a shirt - and then head to my place to decorate Easter eggs. Since Sara typically drives, I offered to drive. First mistake. We completed our various missions in the mall, and as we were walking back to the car, I had a sinking feeling in my gut: I didn’t remember putting my keys in my purse. I casually felt around my purse, hoping and praying to hear the familiar jingle as my fingers brushed the metal teeth that would provide entrance to my vehicle. No such luck. In a faltering voice, I looked at my companion, one hand still lingering in my purse, and said, “Um, Sara…” – at which point she fully understood the meaning behind those timid words and responded, “Are you kidding me?”

I hadn’t realized how subconscious my routine of getting out of a car had become. I always turn of the car, turn off the i-pod, slip my keys into my coat pocket, and get out. In this case, I had done just that – but then I had taken my coat off, not wanting to wear it in the mall.

Thankfully, all this happened about 15 minutes before her husband’s small group started, so he was able to pick us up. Since Doug usually doesn’t get home from class before 9:30, Sara and I decided to get dinner and go to her parents’ house to decorate the eggs (since my house keys were conveniently on the same ring as my car keys! And there is no way we were staying at her place while a dozen bodies of teenage testosterone were running rampant). So, Sara ended up driving, yet again.

Also, adding to the simultaneous humor and frustration of the situation is the fact that Doug and I have one cell phone between the two of us, which I had – so there was no way to get a hold of Doug, so we’d just have to hang out until we were sure he’d be home – around 10:00. But here’s the kicker – Doug had shown up to his last class, only to discover an empty classroom, save for the professor, who announced he was canceling the last class. Oh, sweet irony.

I’m seriously debating between two options: never locking anything ever again or wearing every key I own around my neck at all times.

dreams and doors.

Dreams I've had recently:

-Jeanette & I go to visit the Dooce. She is much older in person than one would expect from her pictures. She thinks Jeanette & I are awesome (duh), and proceeds to invite us to coffee.

-I'm being chased by a child-abductor. I am trying to scream, but my throat is dry, and I can't. I eventually make some sort of noise, and wake up suddenly, and immediately seek the comfort of my husband. "Did I scream?" "No, you just sort of yelped."

-Doug & I take some of the freshman boys on a small group trip to Chicago. We're at a stop sign, when suddenly one of the boys jumps from the vehicle and starts running, and we have to chase him down in the car.

-Doug is gone and I've locked myself out of our apartment. No, wait, that really happened.

Okay, here is the long-awaited story:

As I've mentioned, Doug was living la vida sunshine in Florida last week. I was actually pretty excited about a night to myself - I had the whole night planned out. I was going to go grocery shopping, rent a movie, come home, make pancakes for dinner, and watch the movie while making ornaments. I set about to accomplish that mission - put on my jacket, grabbed my purse, locked the door, closed the door... and looked through the window to see my keys sitting on the counter. I managed to stay relatively calm and called our landlady, who conveniently didn't answer. I left a message, then called my beloved husband to inform him of what happens when he leaves me alone for too long (literally half a day at this point).

After I got off the phone with Doug, I called the landlady again and there was still no answer. I proceeded to call the landlady every 5 minutes from that point forward. In between my calls, I completed the following:
-I brought the garbage and recycling bins back up to the house.
-I got the mail, and sweet bliss - my Country Living magazine had come! I sat down in the enclosed entryway to our apartment, grabbed one of Doug's big coats and put it over my legs and flipped through Country Living.
-I went to Taco Bell and grabbed something to eat. I brought my food back to the entryway, because there's no way I was going to sit in a restaurant by myself to eat. My pride had not fallen that far yet.
-I called my friend Sara to see what she was up to. She didn't answer, so I left a message, just saying that I was wondering if she wanted to hang out - not telling her that I've locked myself out of my apartment, I'm freezing and can she please rescue me.

By this time, I've been locked out for 2 hours and none of my calls to the landlady have been returned. So, I called Doug and told him I was going to punch through the window and open the door. Doug, shockingly, did not like this idea and decided to call a local locksmith and have him open the door. All in all, I ended up paying to get into my own house. I am good for the locksmith business.The landlady called me the next day to apologize - she had left her cell phone in her car overnight. If only there was a way I could blame her for the whole incident, then I could justify being annoyed with her...

post #100

It's true - this is my 100th post in this particular blog. In honor of this momentous occasion, I've compiled a list of 100 random things about myself. What can I say? I'm as egocentric as they come. I actually didn't start this list with my 100th post in mind, but when I realized this post was approaching, I thought it only fitting to include said list. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit how long it took me to come up with all these (over 2 weeks). I can't believe I'm putting this information out there for the whole world/my mother to read.

Anyway, without further ado, I give you...

100 Random Facts/Braggings/Embarrassing Confessions About Me!

or, everything you wanted to know about yours truly... and then some.

1. I always use this interesting tidbit whenever I’m in a group of people and have to introduce myself with an interesting or embarrassing fact about myself: In 2nd grade I ate an Oreo off the cafeteria floor. It was not mine.
2. I have an irrational fear of sharks.
3. The Challenger space shuttle blew up on my 1st birthday.
4. My favorite flowers are Johnny Jump-Ups.
5. I do not particularly enjoy going to see movies in the theaters. I’d rather rent a movie (cheaper, more comfortable and cleaner!).
6. I have been to 6 other countries (and Puerto Rico) besides the United States, but I’ve driven through Canada so many times it doesn’t feel like another country.
7. No matter how many times I go to Niagara Falls, I never get sick of it/them.
8. My perfect vacation would be camping in the woods near a beach, with a small town full of boutiques within driving distance.
9. I want to co-own a boutique someday.
10. I’m a registered Republican.
11. I like chocolate chip cookie dough more than the actual cookies.
12. Growing up, I always wanted to marry a rancher in Montana. What I meant was a businessman in Detroit.
13. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher, a writer and a figure skater.
14. My drink of choice is ice water, although I did get addicted to Mountain Dew my freshman year of college.
15. I have been playing piano since I was 6 years old, and I actually miss taking lessons.
16. I have not played my oboe (beyond checking Jayne’s reeds at home to make sure they work) since the end of my sophomore year of college. I haven’t decided if I miss it.
17. I love Amy Grant Christmas music, and I am not ashamed of this.
18. My first kiss was the summer before I started 8th grade, and it was a dare. Little sisters, in the words of Dooce - be ye not so stupid.
19. I think I want to write a book someday. Or co-author a collection of essays or something.
20. In high school, I kissed a boy while I was dating someone else.
21. I have difficulty refraining from constantly comparing myself to others.
22. I do not remember the first cd I bought with my own money.
23. I don’t like the word “niche.”
24. The best concert I have ever been to in my life was the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra with Doc Severinsen.
25. I love the sound of people typing on computer keyboards.
26. My favorite poets are Robert Frost and ee cummings.
27. I am obsessed with the way books smell, especially old books.
28. I cannot count on both hands how many pets I have had die since I was in kindergarten.
29. I have a bad habit of rubbing my lips when they’re chapped.
30. My favorite articles of clothing are jeans and shoes.
31. I hate malls, although I do like stores. I guess I more hate the mall “scene.”
32. Although I love being around people, I would consider myself an introvert.
33. I am a procrastinator.
34. I love taking pictures.
35. My first sentence as a child was, “I like coffee.”
36. I do not, in fact, like coffee, although I love flavored espresso drinks.
37. I pretend to have a Long Island accent with my mother. With the accompanying persona.
38. My favorite musicals are West Side Story and Oklahoma!
39. I know all the lyrics to every song in The Little Mermaid… and most Disney songs, for that matter.
40. I would rather have cds than an I-pod, even though we have an I-pod.
41. I know how to change my own oil.
42. I actually love doing laundry, but not as much right now because our washer broke, and we have to go to the Laundromat.
43. My least favorite household chore is dusting.
44. I think I like Taco Bell tacos more than homemade tacos.
45. The only bones I have ever broken are a toe and my ring finger.
46. I broke my toe doing a cartwheel in the kitchen.
47. Doug broke my ring finger while we were playing catch with a football when we first started dating. I like to say he was just staking his claim on that finger.
48. I adore kittens, but I do not like cats.
49. If I could go on shopping sprees at any four stores, they would be (without a second thought) Michael’s, J. Crew, The Haven and Barnes & Noble. I tried to narrow it down to three stores, but I couldn’t part with any of those.
50. I made a kid throw up in 3rd grade by punching him in the stomach. Come on, he put mayonnaise in my hair! Sorry, Steve.
51. I made the same kid throw up in 3rd grade a few weeks later by waving an egg-salad sandwich under his nose. I didn’t know he hated them that much! Sorry, Steve.
52. I’m pretty sure I have developed road rage. I am amazed at the amount of anger that boils up inside me when someone passes on the right at an intersection just to cut off everyone who stayed in the left lane. SO annoying! It’s astounding how normal people turn into complete jerks during rush hour traffic. News flash: we’re ALL trying to get somewhere on time.
53. I absolutely love thin-point Sharpie markers.
54. Whenever I send letters, I always put stickers on the envelope.
55. Up until I was about 16 years old, I didn’t know that Uncle Tuner’s real name was Robert. I thought it was Tunerville.
56. Sometimes I secretly hate technology, especially cell phones.
57. My first memory is Robert pulling my hair in what used to be the toy room. Isn’t that supposed to speak volumes about my personality?
58. I once choked on one of those round, swirly after-dinner peppermints and was being rushed to the hospital by my dad when I swallowed it. So we turned around and got ice cream instead.
59. I have never been able to decide on one favorite book. I used to just say “Catcher in the Rye,” but I there are books I like more.
60. When I first met Doug, I didn’t want to date him, but I wanted him to have a crush on me. So weird!
61. The first concert I ever went to was the Newsboys at Roberts Wesleyan (Mar & Mand – pretty sure you guys were there!). I went with my dad.
62. I hate reality TV, except the Amazing Race. And I’ve watched the odd episode of America’s Next Top Model, although I am infinitely terrified of Tyra Banks and her creepy eyes. Okay, and I enjoy the occasional episode of American Idol, but only when they’re still weeding out all the crazy singers.
63. I helped row a gondola in Venice.
64. I think I’ve been to NYC 5 times, and I still haven’t seen someone famous. I DID meet Steve Tasker at Roberts Wesleyan, though.
65. I have been on 4 roller coasters my whole life so far. Kind of pathetic, now that I think about it.
66. I loathe raw tomatoes. I love spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, salsa, and even tomato soup, but I cannot stand the suckers in their pure form. I even hate the smell of them, and how it clings to your hands no matter how hard you wash them. True story: my mother once sent me out to the garden to pick tomatoes, and, foreseeing a night of nausea whenever I smelled my hands, I donned her dish-washing gloves… and also tied a bandana around my nose before I was brave enough to go out.
67. My favorite food is ice cream. Then steak.
68. I used to love the name Aden. I thought I made it up, until I realized everyone and their mother was naming their son Aden.
69. I carried the xylophone in marching band, and I’m pretty sure my shoulders are screwed up as a result.
70. I think the sky is prettiest on summer afternoons when it is a murderous shade of gray, but the sun is still shining & illuminating the green leaves of trees against the darkness.
71. I do not think Brad Pitt is hot. Honest.
72. Things I think it’s awesome to be into, but feel people talk too much about: obscure music, politics, going green. Have I been guilty of this? Oh yes.
73. My favorite animals are horses.
74. I hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE snakes.
75. I once memorized the Tigers lineup AND the Pistons starters to impress Doug.
76. I used to collect football cards. My prized possession was a Bruce Smith rookie card.
77. I won a spelling bee in 7th grade.
78. I was in a spelling bee in 5th grade and misspelled “raspberry.” Really, why is there even a ‘p’ in that word?!
79. I really, really want a puppy. But I’m holding off because I’m not ready to devote all that time to training it. And I think that’s kind of important when you have a dog. Also, the fact that our lease clearly states “No pets” may have something to do with it.
80. Top 5 places I want to travel (at least today): Costa Rica, Egypt, Spain, Australia & Zambia.
81. I have only been to 5 funerals my whole life. I am very, very blessed.
82. I bought a Gucci purse in Italy. For 10 euro. Obviously, it is not real.
83. I always made my dad cut my steak for me… even at my wedding. Now I make Doug do it.
84. I think corporal punishment in educational institutions should be legal. At the very least, smacking knuckles with rulers. As this is illegal, potential employers, please know that I have never engaged in any such activities. Except with younger siblings, in which case, they had it coming.
85. I love singing harmony.
86. I do not like running, but I ran cross-country my senior year of high school. Why?
87. My favorite sports are figure skating, soccer and baseball.
88. When I was little and played for the AYSO co-ed soccer teams, I seemed to always be on pretty good teams, so whenever I was in goal, I would get bored and subsequently get in trouble for doing cartwheels and just not paying attention in general.
89. One time I tore a ligament in my foot having a competition with Robert to see who could jump to the bottom of the stairs from a higher step. I won. Another time I strained that same ligament in my foot… getting off the bus.
90. I don’t really have a favorite singer or band. I love pretty much all music (including country & rap!), except for really heavy stuff.
91. I absolutely love living in a place where I get to experience all 4 seasons… I just wish winter didn’t last so long. Although, I’m pretty sure it makes me appreciate the warm months that much more.
92. I’m about 5’4”. I’ve always thought 5’7” would be the perfect height, but I’ve recently come to terms with the fact that, guess what? I’m done growing (vertically, that is).
93. Other foods I do not like: mushrooms, olives, liver… and thanks to the meal that Doug chose off the menu at a restaurant we visited recently, I now know that I do not particularly enjoy duckling.
94. The weirdest food I have ever eaten is probably cow tongue. Also, calamari looks really strange too, but man, that is some tasty stuff!
95. I always used to say that my favorite color was blue, until recently I decided that I absolutely love green.
96. The last time I threw up was after I had my wisdom teeth out (May 2007). Before that, I can’t even remember the last time I threw up. I’m pretty sure it was 8th grade.
97. Knock on wood – I have never had a cavity.
98. While we’re on the topic of teeth, I hate the dentist. I hate that stupid scrapey thing, I hate how violent they are with their dental floss (don’t act surprised that my gums are bleeding when you’re lacerating them!), I hate the gloves, I hate the cardboard they stuff in your mouth for x-rays, I hate the electric brush and the extra gritty toothpaste, and how they always ask you questions while their fingers are in your mouth.
99. My three greatest weaknesses are insecurity, worrying, and a lack of consistency with my devotions.
100. So much pressure – I feel like I should end with a really awesome one. Um, one time when Robert and I got in a fight, he tried to choke me and I pretended to die. I am a terrible sister. I have since apologized and promised to pay any psychological fees incurred as a result. I hope one day he will forgive me.

miscellanea

And now, for one of my more hodge-podge conglomerations of a post. Numbered for your convenience.

1. I can't believe that it's already been 6 months!

Sweet, nuptial bliss. :)

2. Returned back to school today... what an absolute mess. Our school on the east side of Detroit is being closed because we can no longer fund two schools, so, needless to say, there have been some "redundancies." We still don't have a principal, and our school administrator was laid off, along with a few teachers. Our students are already talking about the chaos to ensue once the students from the eastside arrive. Apparently, that was what started the real problems last year - riots out in the street, a teacher pushed into oncoming traffic (but not hit), school-wide fights inside the school, and a student getting hit with a bumper that had been pulled off a car... just to name a few that I've heard from staff and students.

3. Of course, the first day back to school, I would have a zit the size of Mt. Helena on my cheek. Mercifully, only two students mentioned it, both students with whom I have established a good relationship (dare I say my two favorites?). The first came in and said, "Aw, you have a zit!" - in the same voice which someone might remark, "Aw, you lost your first tooth!" or perhaps, "Aw, what a cute puppy!" So I said, "Yeeah... too much chocolate over the break, I guess!" But he couldn't just let it go there. Oh no. He added, "It's so cute!" To which I responded: *insert dead-pan expression* "Wha?" But he kept going. "I'm serious! You look like you're running for America's Next Top Model!" ?? More confusing than anything was the fact that he was totally serious. I guess I didn't realize that so many potential models resorted to acne to advance their careers. The second commentator walked into class and said (after commenting on his status as the ONLY student present in his class today), "You got a zit?" To which I responded, "Yeeah... too much chocolate over the break, I guess!" (Note to self: come up with some more pimple material.) This student tried the sympathy approach: "Yeah, I got some too. Usually I just bust mine." ... This would be the point where Robert's fake "I'm puking in my mouth" noise would come in handy. But after we got that out of the way, we had a lovely conversation for the remainder of class, spanning a myriad of topics. A small sample of our conversation follows.
Student: reading journal question aloud "My New Year's Resolution... does that have to be something I'm going to stop doing?"
Me: "Not necessarily. It's basically a change you want to make. For example, my resolutions are to read a new book each month and to work out at least once a week."
Student: "Girls are always making resolutions to watch what they eat and stuff."
Me: "Yeah, at least at the beginning of the year."
Student: "Yeah, they never hold to it."
[... student working quietly on his assignment... then suddenly...]
Student: "What's lust?"
Me: "Lust?"
Student: "Yeah. I know it's not like, love, but..."
Me: "Um. Well, it's when... you're interested in someone for... your own pleasure. Not for, like, a meaningful, committed relationship."
Student: "Oh, like friends with benefits."
Me: "You could say that."

4. Next joyous occasion I am looking forward to: MEGAN is coming to visit over MLK weekend!!! SO excited to see her!

5. Um, I guess that's it! Oh, one more exciting fact: half day tomorrow!