Ahhh.. Sunday

I am in my happy place today!! I have today off from my part time job. I have had to work the last 4 Sundays in a row. BOO HOO ! I woke up and went to my sculpt class at the gym. Then I came home to watch the pre-game show for FOOTBALL!! WOOHOO !

It is a great day. I get to watch my JETS at 1:00 and then my BILLS at 4:15. It is a good day when I am able to watch two of my favorite teams. I love NY! I will also get to have some homemade pizza and some wings today.

You have to love Sunday ! I sure do when I have days like this. Yet another reason why I love FALL !

Possibilities... Well, Maybe Not !

I worked yesterday. It was busy and went rather quickly, which is always a perk! I came home to find an odd message on my answering machine. The called was from the place I had interviewed the previous day. The message said, " Hello. I am calling to thank you for taking the time to come in and discuss the job position, mumble, mumble, however she has decided to... " Then CLICK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sat back and thought to myself, well I guess that means I am not going in for round two. I am fine with the outcome. I go on interviews for practice, to see if I want the job, and to get to the next level if I do want the job. After all, as I spoke to the person I would have been replacing, I had this overwhelming feeling. I guess my instincts were trying to tell me something. There is a different plan for me!

Well, as I thought about that message this AM.. I began to ask myself, "What kind of place leaves a rejection on an answering machine? First of all, who would ask a secretary to call and give a rejection over the phone? Better yet, who would call an answering machine and leave half a message?

The whole experience seems very odd. I guess this means another door somewhere is suppose to open for me. I am ready for that possibility. whatever that may be.........

Oh The Possibilities.......

Just a short post! I had an interview today. The call came out of the blue. It was totally unexpected. I have no clue how I feel about it!

The first part went quite well. Typical questions. After my formal interview I was taken by the person who I would be replacing. She talked to me about how she did things and what I would be doing. As she was talking, I had this overwhelming feeling. She was telling me all this information, and I do not even know if I have made it to the second round! She wanted to know if I had any questions and my head was so scrambled I just said "not at this time" and walked out.

I love a challenge and I thrive on learning new things. However, I came home and tried not to think about the interview. I guess if the time comes for a second interview, I will have to listen to my instincts and go from there.

Until next time...........

WOO HOO... Bragging Rights !!

I wrote a post a little over a month ago about having test anxiety. I was preparing to take a huge test to advance myself professionally. Well I received my results in the mail today and I am here to brag!

I said in my previous post that I was never one to do well on tests. I guess all those test taking skills I shared with my students internally rubbed of on me. I ended up passing with flying colors. I scored the highest in a series of tests I have taken in my professional career... which just happens to be the 5th test I have taken!

I even have the bragging rights in regards to the PERFECT score I received on my essay. I thought I did well, but a perfect score! I am quite pleased with myself. YAY... ME !!

I get a gold star!

Gossip Girl.... You SHOCK Me !!

Jaw Dropping is how I describe the third episode of Gossip Girl. I am shocked on so many levels. Who knew Chuck was the man behind the plan? I guess he really wants to hurt Blair the way she hurt him. He is not very nice! (Don't worry, I still love him.. LOL)

The behavior of Serena, Dan, Nate, & Chuck was shocking. Why in the world does Serna want to be Queen Bee? Is she really filled with that much anger towards Dan? She was made out to be a reformed girl. I can't believe the way it all ended!! Once a queen bee... always a queen bee. Where this is all going? As someone who works in schools, I am not sure I approve of the bullying aspect of the plot. Poor Dan, he is caught in the crossfire of a woman scorned. He was stupid to let that other girl take him out. Why do men always make such stupid choices? As far as Nate is concerned, I think he was a brat! Never mess with a married woman! Shame on You!!

I have to hand it to Blair. She is pretty clever. I like how she manages to get her way! Too bad Vanessa screwed things up! Also, I am not happy with Serena for treating Blair the way she did at the end of the episode. It is reminding me of the books. I am not sure if I like that!

Until next week..................

All Work and No Play ... Makes Me Tired!!

Last week was busy for me! I worked both jobs with a total of 36 hours. In all honesty it has been almost 10 years since I was that busy! Let me just say: I miss the energy I had in my twenties!

I have been at my part time retail job for about four weeks. I have moved passed feeling confused when I am working as the desk associate. I have began to work more with customers. I really enjoy helping the women over 40. I do not know if this is because I am closer to that age than I care to admit or because these ladies are just so wonderful! They are grateful when I run around the store grabbing them pants, sweaters, and giving them helpful hints.

I do not like working with the women who take about 30 articles of clothing into the dressing room and ask you for more clothes. They then leave everything piled in a heap and they decide to buy one or two items or better yet... NOTHING!!!! These same women will take all these clothes off the rack and then put them in a totally different area of the store. I must say I am not looking forward to the month of December. I am sure it will be a HUGE CHALLENGE !

A wise person once said, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." I wonder if that person every worked in the service industry. Even with the tried feeling I have tonight and those few bratty customers, I must say I am pretty content with my life today!

Old Friends...Good Conversation

I have a group of friends I go out with every few months. They are busy teachers with husbands, children, and other interests. I am a busy wife working two part time jobs. When a day arrives that we can get together, we go for it!

We went out tonight for dinner and chatted for about four hours. They work in the school I worked in five years ago. I loved that teaching job. We had a great team, we had fun all the time, and it was the best work environment! There are days when I miss it!

I love these ladies! They make me laugh, they like to hear my subbing stories and I like to hear about some of their crazy parent stories. I also want to thank one particular lady for saying she did not recognize me as I walked up the parking lot because of how thin I look!!! We always have a fun time! There is something so nice about getting together with old friends to have a good conversation. The comfortable stories and the female bonding is a wonderful part of these dinners!

So today, I am thankful for old friends and the inner joy they bring to me!

Kids Today..... Whew!!!!

As I have stated before, I work two part time jobs. I love them both for different reasons. Today I went to work in the classroom as a substitute teacher and I just have one thing to say......... "WHEW... Kids today!!"

I was in a second grade classroom. I tend to stay away from primary classrooms in the fall because the kids still do not know routines and they are quite young & needy. Well, I need the work, so off I went. It was not a terrible day for me. I have subbed in far worse classrooms, however, there was one child who was quite the challenge. He was just terrible! He refused to do work, needed constant reminders, and was openly defiant to the teacher assistant in the room. He dragged a recycle can across the room when he was suppose to be working on math! He had a "daily report card" and was not following it at all! This is not even the half of it!

I would have never allowed a child to behave this way. I was quite a hard ass when I did have a classroom! Kids have changed, learning has changed, & well, a lot of classrooms have NO discipline policy!

KIDS today.......... Whew! It is a scary place! What do you think about our youth, or schools, our educational system?

Gossip Girl... Why Do You Torture Me ?

Once again it is Monday night and you know what I have been doing. I have been enjoying my weekly fix of Gossip Girl.

I have been watching those commercials and I thought there would be a reunion between Chuck and Blair! I was DECEIVED ! Chuck went to Blair's party to entice her. If only the blackout had lasted longer, if only that stupid Duke had been on the phone a little longer!! Those tricky ads did me wrong. Chuck is left alone with is thoughts as Blair turns on him! I am so MAD right now.

I predict the next few episodes will have Chuck focus on some soul searching. He is broken hearted and does not know what to do with himself! I am very mad at Blair!! I think she is kidding herself with the Duke. Shame on those writers!

Well, now I must wait another week to see what happens next. Gossip Girl, why must you torture me so?

Do You Tell The Truth ?

I hate when people lie by omission. A lie is a lie in my opinion. I do not like when someone talks to you like you are a clueless idiot and tries to pass a lie off in the same conversation!

What is wrong with people, that they cannot be honest in the first place? I have heard the reasons behind dishonesty and I do not accept them. I do not like it when a person does not tell you something for fear they may hurt your feelings. I do not like it when a person fumbles their way through an explanation trying to save their own arse!

I have always been a honest person. I was raised to tell the truth. In my youth I was too honest at times and it got me into trouble, but at least I learned how to be honest! I am getting better with honesty and tact. I know some people do not like to hear the truth. It can be painful! People like to walk around wearing rose colored glasses. I am not one of those people.

I just feel that if I am going to be honest with another person, I deserve the same respect in return. Do not lie to me, do not avoid me to hide the truth! Just, "man up" and tell the truth!

Blast From The Past

I love it when I am walking along doing something from my everyday life and something random happens. Today was such a day!

As I was leaving Panera with the DH, I turned to get up and saw a gal I have not seen since high school. (Yeah that is almost 20 years... YIKES!!) In the same instant I asked "Did you go to XXX high school?" she said my first and last name. It was pretty comical! We talked for a good 20 minutes about our lives. It was quite fun to hear about the people who had went to high school with me!

What I found the most entertaining aspect of our conversation was about how our former classmates had such big plans for their future. You see, I went to an all girls private school and well, there were some real queen bees there (yeah that is being nice). Both my parents worked two jobs to pay my tuition. I was the quiet, poetry writing, all black wearing oddball! I was not part of the in crowd. These girls were brutal & had such attitudes. They were the original MEAN GIRLS!

We chatted away about how I did not go to the 10 year reunion. I just had no desire to be with the girls who were so snotty! As I have aged, I have run into a few of these girls and have heard how they did not end up being the doctors, lawyers, & famous people they had predicted! Being that I am a woman who believes in the adage "every dog has their day" it is nice to hear it has happened to some!

I love the fact that she did what she had said she was going to do in life. She always beat to her own drum in high school, and was one of the nicest gals I knew. We had the same friends, went to the same parties, and attended the same after prom events! She has travelled all over the world. I envy that. I wish I could travel more! She looked happy and wonderful. She told me I haven't changed since high school. I hear that a lot! She told me, "Hey you look young and that's a good thing!" LOL !

Well, my blast from the past let me know that one girl has three kids, who has gained weight (yes women need to know this), who has had some drama, and who is living large. Funny thing, the quietest gal in our class is the most worldly and successful! I say "GOOD FOR HER!" Isn't that usually what happens, anyway ?

Gossip Girl ... How I Love Thee!

Disclaimer: Yes, I know it is Tuesday and I am writing in the present tense! Get over it!

It is Monday night, I am lucky enough to have the night off from my part time job. This means, I am able to once again, watch my favorite new addiction .... Gossip Girl!

I have a crush on Chuck Bass/Ed Westwick. I really want to know why he can be so bad, and yet so desirable! I think it is that old cliche of his bad boy image, but inside he may be broken and therefore women want to make his inner torment go away. It also could be the fact that I have watched a lot of interviews of Ed and when I hear his British accent, I want to quit my job and follow him around NYC! Crazy, I know!

It was business as usual for Chuck - devising another plan! He wants what he wants and will do whatever he can to get it! He has feelings for Blair and will do what he can to get her back! I also liked how he was trying to help his best friend. I am looking forward to seeing how it all works out.

I must say these writers are good. They really are tapped into a teenage mind! They also keep me hooked from week to week. Plus, I know women of all ages who love this show... and yes some men too!

Are you a Gossip Girl fan? If, not.. you should check it out!
xoxo

Are You Ready For Some Football ?

I love Sundays in September! It is my favorite time of the year because it is the start of FOOTBALL! I love to watch all day long.

When I was 17 I loathed football. All I knew about the sport was men ran down a field with a funny looking ball in order to score points while they tried to avoid a pounding! Then I went to my first game with a huge group of people on a Monday night. There was excitement in the stands . I sat next to a former player who taught me the rules. By the end of the night, I was HOOKED! I have been a fan ever since!

Today I went to my mom's football brunch which she had planned weeks ago. I, however, had to eat and leave my football behind because for the first time in about 15 years, I had to work. Everyone told me if the team won, I would now have to work for the next 15 Sundays (the length of football season). We are very superstitious about our football rituals!

Work was so busy, which was a surprise because when football is on, the streets are silent! I did not even have time to think about the game until I ran in back for a minute. The game was on, we were winning, and I knew my whole family would be cheering and screaming for joy if the game continued in our favor!

Hours after arriving home, well, now I am really worried I may be working every Sunday! Let's hear it for the ALL the NY Teams! WOO HOO !

What September Means to Me

It is Friday evening and I am relaxing! Tonight my thoughts turn to the fact that it is September and what that means to me.

A few years ago, this night would mean I was exhausted. It is the first week for school and for a long time I had my own classroom. I was a full time teacher. I love being a teacher. It is a gift to be in a classroom working with children. No two days are alike, just as no two students are alike. The impact I have had on students is overwhelming, empowering, and very humbling! I miss it!

I currently am a substitute teacher and I also just started a part time job in retail. This new job is exciting, I like working with people and helping them. I love clothes and fashion, so this job is a perfect fit! I am still quite new and I am learning, but I love it!

I have been working as a substitute teacher for the past four years. This will be my 5th year. At times, this is a lonely job! I am rarely in the same school two days in a row, I eat lunch alone, and the students do not realize I am educated with a masters' degree. I have made friends with some staff and other substitute teachers. I am an outgoing person and will talk to anyone, which helps!

What is the point of all this rambling? Expressing my feelings, I suppose! I feel a little sadness that I am not feeling exhausted from a first week back to teaching. Also, a little happy that I was lucky enough to swim today while my teacher friends were stuck in school teaching. I also feel excited that I will be back at my second job tomorrow. I am not so excited about subbing, but I like being in a classroom so I continue

On this first Friday in September, I sit and ponder. Well, I also get to relax! That's is nice!

My MUST SEE T.V.

Disclaimer: T.V. Spoilers Below!!

The past two nights, I have parked myself in front of the t.v. to watch two of the most hyped up premieres for this Fall! Neither disappointed me!

Gossip Girl is my secret addiction (well, not so much anymore). I am a thirty-something woman and I am obsessed with this show. I have a huge crush on Chuck Bass/Ed Westwick and his storyline is my favorite. The character is such a bad boy, and I love it! I waited all summer to see how his choices at the end of last year would play out. A good writer knows how to keeps it's readers/viewers interested and solving Chuck's relationship issues in the first episode would not make for an intriguing storyline. I watched as he struggled to tell Blair what she wanted to hear. I yelled at the t.v. " SAY IT! " However, the cat and mouse chase between Chuck and Blair is what keeps me interested! I can't wait to see how Chuck and Blair play out!

As far as the other storylines, I am not sure about Nate and the cougar. This is going to end badly! I just hope he does not get a fist to the stomach! Dan and Serena appear to end up back together as the episode closes, but I think the writers are toying with us! After all, isn't this show about teenage angst and love !

In my youth, I was addicted to 90210. I wanted to be like Kelly and Brenda! Because I was such a fan as a teen, I had to take a look at the new version. Boy, t.v. and teens sure have changed in 20 years! First, the language is so different. I know that teens use the words: sex, bitch, and penis. I have been in the halls of a middle school and their language is appalling to me. (Am I just getting OLD?) This show sure pushed the envelope with the themes of sex, drugs, cheating, and backstabbing! The storyline did have some parallels to the old show, but those teens sure are more advanced than I EVER was at 16! Would I watch this show with my teenage child and discuss these issues? Honestly, I have no clue. I am not a parent, so I wonder if other parents would talk about the show.

The jury is still out on the characters. I do like the brother/sister characters. As of right now, I do not like the Queen B and I am not sure why! Does a 16 year old really have a birthday party like that? Only in Beverly Hills, I guess!! I must admit, it was great to see Kelly and Brenda at The Peach Pit! Ahh memories. At least, I am getting a little taste of what goes on in the mind of a high schooler in 2008 and I AM SCARED!!