"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Winter Weather!

There is so much snow in Oklahoma City today! It is crazy! As of 5 p.m. there were 11 inches of snow...and it is still snowing! It is a blizzard. The malls are closed, Christmas Eve Church Services are cancelled, even all of the interstates around the metro are closed! What usually takes my mom 30 minutes to get to work, took her 4 hours to get home. It is definetly a White Christmas. Here is my photo journal of my day.










Above: Pictures of the snow, Christmas Tree, and Bradford, the cutest dog in America!
It continues to snow! I continue to take pictures, laugh at Jonathon Condor (the newscaster who has been outside in the snow all day entertaining me), and hope that those in the snow are okay. The boredom was so high at one point that I had cast my family in the Nativity Scene, since we cannot go to the Christmas Eve Service...haha! They weren't crazy about my idea! Welcome White Christmas 2009!

Monday, December 21, 2009

So Much

So much has happened since Morgan Le Fay's death (a.k.a. my last post)! I have finished my first full semester of teaching, and I know that might not seem like anything big. However, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I have learned at an exponential rate for 18 weeks, and it is nice to have a mental vacation from teaching. Well actually a physical vacation, too. A few weeks ago I decided to incorporate an art project with the novel my Juniors were studying, Of Mice and Men. The art project went great, but while I was getting out supplies, I sliced open the back of my hand on a rusty, old nail that was lurking in one of my cabinets. It looked horrific for 2 weeks, but thanks to my mom and grandma and their insistence on pouring hydrogen peroxide on it off-and-on for 2 hours, I think it is getting better! YAY! I guess a forever memory of my first year teaching...haha!

I am loving Christmas Break! It began with a friend's wedding and the fun has continued. My plans for the break are the 3 R's. Running, Reading, and Relaxing! Today I went for a wonderful run in the warm sun. I just love warm weather! Honestly, it would be fine with me if we didn't have a white, snowy Christmas...haha! My reading plans are plentiful. I have taken the bite...I am obsessed with the Twilight Saga. I stood in line for 7 hours to see New Moon for the midnight premier, and it was worth it! I feel somewhat like a 14 year old, but I am addicted to the books. I am reading the 3rd book, but during the break, I also want to read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and Stephen King's Memoir, On Writing.

I have chosen the writing book because I think my students are ruining my grammar and my ability to write...haha...but seriously! Please, please, please tell me if I ever say "I seen," "ain't gonna," or spell a lot "alot." These are battles I face every day (but not for 2 weeks...YAY!), and I do not want their mistakes ingrained in my brain. I go over the proper usage when I see major standard English grammar errors; however, I think I need a new approach. It is hard to compete with the erroneous "language of the land" that is heard in the community and even on the radio stations.

I am also relaxing during the break. I am really looking forward to seeing friends that I haven't seen in quite a while and being with family. I love being in the midst of my mom's beautiful, holiday-spirited house with peppermint scents, comfy couches, warm quilts, and Bradford (the dog), who's warm, 6 pound body sleeps at the foot of my bed. I love laughing at my sister's witty replies; however, I wish she were not able to find a CSI Marathon...everyday! Overall, I am happy to be with loved ones! I hope everyone has a great Holiday Season!