And let the procrastination begin...

There are so many things I should be doing right now, which make it a perfect time for a blog post....

I've been tagged:

I was tagged by: Molly
I am: not looking forward to writing 7 more reports.
I think: I should make the grocery list so we don't starve this week.
I know: that my hubby loves me.
I want: my fish to all be healthy.
I have: not much to complain about.
I dislike: eggnog. I am reminded of this every Christmas season.
I miss: throwing pottery and working with clay.
I fear: calling people on the phone, especially people I don't know very well.
I feel: excited for Christmas!
I hear: Karen Carpenter, and my land lord bumping around upstairs.
I smell: two very ripe bananas.
I crave: pad thai.
I cry: at any sappy movie or t.v. show. It's pretty pathetic.
I search: for good lesson plans! And books that deal with issues of community and power that would be appropriate for 10th graders. Any ideas?
I wonder: when we'll be able to save up enough for a down payment on a house.
I regret: the last five cookies I ate.
I wish: dinner were already made.
I love: listening to NPR on my way to school in the morning.
I care: about doing my job well.
I always: text my husband from work. Or tap my wet toothbrush before I brush my teeth (as he points out).
I worry: about not being good enough at my job or at getting things done around the house.
I am not: tall.
I remember: driving to Utah with my boy and his brother almost two years ago. When they dropped me off at my house, the girls in my family thought he was cute. He is.
I believe: in good people.
I sing: a lot by myself. I used to think I was pretty good, but I've either gotten worse or less delusional.
I don't: have enough time and/or energy to make my own artwork these days.
I argue: on rare occasions, and only when I'm really comfortable.
I write: a lot of comments to my students telling them they need a thesis.
I win: when it's not a competition.
I lose: my keys less often than I used to. Now days it is usually my phone.
I listen: more than I talk in social situations.
I don't understand: how Ben can drink 2%. Ugh!
I can usually be found: no where or only by e-mail. Or so my students think if they haven't made arrangements with me.
I need: to exercise more often.
I forget: things when I get flustered.
I am happy: when I am with my husband.

I'd tag Ben, except his blog is dead. R.I.P.

Home for the Holidays

This morning, while Ben was all snug in the bed, I bundled myself up to head out into the darkness. Coat: check. Gloves: check. Extra long socks: check. I swung open the front door bracing myself for the cold blast of air that accompanies me to work. The snow man on our door clinked lightly on the glass as usual, but the shock did not come. It was 50 degrees when I stepped out the door at 6:30. Crazy. Weather-wise, the Christmas season comes in fits and starts here. Decoration-wise it is here in all its glory.

I'll admit it's glory shines a bit brighter at some houses; a few places on my commute are mighty impressive. I don't mind, however, because our humble abode glows with a comforting homey glow. Some things about growing older aren't so fun (rent and loan payments come to mind), but picking out our Christmas tree definitely compensated for some of the discomfort. We put it up the day after Thanksgiving, and now blue, clear, and frosted lights twinkle in our front room.


Sure, it won't grace the pages of a magazine, but the atmosphere is just right for cuddling up with your honey or chatting with friends. One other thing of note, we got our stockings hung by the chimney with care. My parents-in-law gave those to us last year. Thanks! Our home sweet home is ready for the holidays.

Sunshine, Shark fin, and Submarines

I'm fondly remembering the 70 degree weather in Florida as it was 19 degrees on my way to work; it felt like 11, and I was wearing a skirt. We really need to get some laundry done. Between work and Thanksgiving, the beginning of November seems so long ago. At that time, Ben and I sardined ourselves into airplanes to head down to Mobile, Alabama. From there, we trekked on to Pensacola, Florida, for the wedding of my best friend from high school. We arrived late at night, so it was not until the next day that we were introduced properly to Pensacola. Overall, the trip ended up being filled with good friends, good food, and good fun.

The good friends definitely came as a big surprise. I'm pretty shy, so I had been anticipating an personally awkward wedding where I didn't talk to anyone. I was SO grateful that Ben had come with me; he's my social security blanket. Imagine my astonishment when we roll out of the hotel room, me without my hair or make-up done, and suddenly I see four people in the parking lot turn their attention towards us. My eyesight has gotten a little fuzzy lately, so I did not recognize them immediately. The fuzzy figures quickly focused, and two of my best friends from high school and their wives greeted us enthusiastically. This wedding was definitely going to be even better than I thought!

Either way, though, it really would have been an incredible wedding. It was a lovely combination of Jewish, Chinese, and military traditions that was a heck-of-a-lot more fun and romantic than most weddings I've been to. Annie was a sight in both her white and red gowns; she looked very happy. All in all, it was nothing short of a feast for eyes, hearts, and, of course, stomachs. From the shark fin soup and jellyfish salad to the shrimp and duck, all was thoroughly documented by James and enjoyed by everyone at the Mormon table (it all went nicely with the Martinellis...).

Best of all, I got Ben to dance.

Anyway, the next morning, after we caught a second helping of primary program at a local chapel, Ben and I headed out. Now, what we did highlights what big nerds (and how well-suited) we are. There we were, on a beautiful sunny day, just scant miles from a beach, and what do we want to do? We both wanted to head to a WWII battleship that we had spied lurking in the dark on our way there. The USS Alabama was incredible! We could have stayed for hours longer, but we had to head back to the airport (and to reality). However, to preserve the memory, we did manage to get a disposable camera to document the adventure (as the camerawoman forgot her camera...).
It is amazing how much they fit inside this vessel. It truly was a floating city, with everything from a dentist's, to a cobbler shop, and an ice cream parlor. But they were all very small...A couple of the most interesting were the pharmacy and the photographer's shop. Aren't all these old cameras cool?
They also had the WWII submarine the USS Drum there for people to wander through. We took it at more of a run because of time constraints, but that was all we needed to decide Ben should never have to live on a submarine. He wouldn't fit any of the beds.