Friday, August 26, 2005

quick again

I am so sorry. I am here again, but just for a second. I am alive and classes start Monday 8/29 and yes, I am nervous as hell. I now have a lot of the "stuff" that I need because Sue came and helped me. I love her, BTW, she's great and without her I don't think there would have been anyway I would have been even close to ready for my first day of class.

I am busy as hell but I am still alive and I am still thinking about each and every one of you. I miss and love you very much. If there is anyway that I can help or support you at all PLEASE call me.

I love you.
Ali

posted by Ali @ 10:00 PM 1 comments

Thursday, August 25, 2005

still short

I now have 2 drills and half a lesson plan. Puls, 1.35 syallabi (I have 2 classes - "geometry" and "explorations" so I need 2 different syallabus-es and 2 grades). I am still freaking out and I am still going into work tomorrow even though they are not paying me to. I am beginning to know why teachers bitch about not being paid...

I will be back and I miss talking to you all. If you get a chance and have my number give me a call - I'll appreciate it and I miss you.

posted by Ali @ 9:59 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

2 seconds...

I am here & I am alive. I have ZERO time to myself right now so I have even less to play on the internet. For that I am sorry.

The students come to school Monday and I have not seen the book I am going to be teaching from yet. Do you see this as a problem???

posted by Ali @ 6:58 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Interesting...

FSM

Just trust me on this one. It made me "lol" (and yes, apparently I am in a very strange mood right now, sorry)

In other "news" I had my first day of training. It was interesting to say the least. I am so overwhelmed right now with all the stuff I'm supposed to remember I can't think so I'm going to have to talk about it later, once the knowledge has had a chance to marinate in my brain. See, I have just written one of the world's longest (at least unofficially) run-on sentences and I don't even have the energy or wherewithall to fix it (and why is it that I feel like that is one word anyway?).

No spell check. Deal.

(Also, I am apparently working on my "teacher no tolderance" thing... man, I'm going to be a bitch.)

This Thursday is the last day at hell. It is a very good thing and will be followed with much rejoycing. From 4-6 that same day I will be at the board of education doing some sort of something related to the teaching experience (I think it has to do with my benefits and such). And when that's over I'll pick up Cammi and The BIG Dog and we'll be off to the beach for the OC Classic lacrosse tournament (the good thing is that I do not schedule that one).

Then next week I officially report to school to begin teaching (I'm so going to have to learn geomerty this weekend so I don't look like a giant dumbass.) Wish me luck!

posted by Ali @ 7:01 PM 2 comments

Monday, August 15, 2005

Nicole

Your Musical Tastes Match: Nicole Kidman


See her whole playlist here (iTunes required)
What Celebrity Matches Your Taste in Music?

posted by Ali @ 9:39 AM 0 comments

Friday, August 12, 2005

Quick adgenda

I am working today until, well, I decide to leave. I have 4 hours of "use or lose" time and I'm using it now...

Today
1230 - be finger printed
after - possibly run by the school for a brief tour then go home eat & pack for the beach!
4 - meet w/ Todd & Liz to go to the ocean!

tomorrow & Sunday
be at the beach! at some point we'll discuss when we're coming home but since both Todd and I have to work Monday it'll probably be a reasonable time Sunday afternoon/evening.

(For some reason I am seeing a lot of traffic in my near future, but strangely I don't seem to care)

Monday -
730ish - work at hell
8pm - coffee w/ Arleigh!

Tuesday -
745 - training
1045 - dentist
? - back to training

Wednesday -
745 - training

Thursday -
730 ish - last day at hell
7pm - leave for the beach

Friday -
Beach for the OC Classic Lax tourney!

Ok, so now you know how/where to find me! Back later for more interesting updates when available...

posted by Ali @ 11:11 AM 2 comments

Thursday, August 11, 2005

All set

So I have completely cleaned up everything that is mine here at work. I am going to leave my cd player and cd's until my last day because I can't live here without them, you understand.

Arleigh has put some of the Monday coffee pictures up. I took the ones of her (duh) as well as the fun rain one with the blurry drops (I like it a lot). The gratituous butt shot was for Jeannie. She was supposed to note that, but I'm not sure if she did so I figured I would...

I'm ready to be done now.

posted by Ali @ 11:41 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

It's Official

I am no longer an employee of the state of Maryland as of August 18th and on the 22nd I will be employeed by Anne Arundel county as a geometry teacher.

I am very excited!!! That you for all the well wishing and good (fast) advise.

Onto a new adventure that I still like to call my life...

posted by Ali @ 1:16 PM 1 comments

nervous much?

So I was going to not say anything about it until it was a done deal and all, but the time is going by so slowly and I can't stop thinking about it and I am making myself sick.

Let me back up a little. (oh and my Mom is fine - the lasik surgery went well)

Monday night she was reading the local paper and noticed a big article about the severe lack of teachers in the county, especially math teachers. (You'll remember that was something I was thinking about for a while now but was for whatever reason unable to actually make myself act on) At the end of the article there was a note that the schools in the area were having an open job fair Tuesday night at 530 at the board of education.

When I went by yesterday morning to drop Cammi off she pointed it out to me. I decided it wouldn't hurt to check it out and went by. I had no resume, no references, and no teaching experience. I spoke with one school. They were so interested they had me speak with the vice principal as well as the department chair and offered me a job on the spot (in so much as they have the power to - I still need to have my transcripts verified, be finger printed and so on).

Wow.

Fast.

School starts for teachers on the 22nd, for the kids the 29th. I was very clear with the "I have never done this before and don't really have a clue what I'm doing" thing but they didn't seem to mind.

I have not officially accepted anything which means that I will not be resigning from my current job. How much would that suck to think you had something, quit, then have to ask for your same old job back because the other fell through?

I'm very nervous and making myself sick with anxiety and anticipation. I don't have any idea how much they will offer to pay me. Right now that's the biggest thing I am worried about because as long as I can make my mortgage I'm so out of hell... I mean here.

I have an appointment to speak with someone, Vicki, at 1 today. Why did I make it at 1? Why not 8 or 9? The time is going by so slowly... tick, tick, tick... and I'm driving myself insane.

If I do the whole teaching thing it's so going to change the way I live my life. First, there is no flex thing when it comes to school. Hum. Interesting. Second, there are so many wonderful and random days off throughout the year it's crazy. But what about the time I've already committed to being not at work? How do you take a day off from school? Are you allowed? How many? I don't know and it's something else I'm thinking about... I guess it won't matter if it falls through, and if it doesn't and I decide to I'll just work it out.

One thing, it will be nice to have off for the snow!

posted by Ali @ 9:46 AM 3 comments

Monday, August 08, 2005

almost forgot

I get to go to the beach this weekend!!! Aren't you excited for me? Because I'm totally excited about it myself... and I'm not going alone. Todd & Liz are coming so it'll be way fun. I think we're going to have a dress up and go out night! They are so much fun because they totally dig the dress up thing as much as I do so it's a good time had by all...

If I am good and inspired and remember (there are a lot of steps here so I make zero promises) I will remember to take the camera and document the fun!

k - that's all for now - sweet dreams

posted by Ali @ 10:02 PM 0 comments

Monday nights with...

Arleigh!

Ok, so we've apparently begun a pattern. It's a good thing. I need structure in my life.

Coffee tonight at B&N, then a quick trip to EMS and the music store. The mean coffee lady was at B&N which is why all the other side trips. It was a good thing though because Ar brought her camera but gave ME possession of it (for a little while at least). You need to go to her site and visit the pictures that I took (they should be up sometime by or before Wednesday I think).

Also I think she may post some of the ones of me that she took - we'll see. It's a little strange but whatever, at least you'll get a better idea what I look like if you actually cared to know... Oh, and if she does post them while you're there check the highlights in my hair. I think they may actually show in one or two of the shots.

While out I picked up a book and a cd. The book is for beginning bikers (so I don't drive her and her co-workers completely insane with all of my really inane questions) and the cd is Beck. The new one. Todd and Liz have it and this weekend I decided I needed it as well. The reason I am even online right now is that I wanted to listen before I went to bed (because sadly I am still living in the 90's and don't have a cd player in my car...)

I also went to the gas station so I wouldn't be stranded on my way in tomorrow. I have decided that wherever I work I want to be reasonably close that I can at least attempt to ride in once a week. (I'm not crazy enough at this point to try and believe I'd do it every day)

First I want to get ok with riding. Then riding with traffic. After that I'll work on actually commuting, so realistically I am still a long way off, but you've got to start somewhere right?

posted by Ali @ 9:33 PM 0 comments

hung over?

I am not, I don't think, because I have not had anything since Saturday night and here it is, Monday evening. So it's not possible for me to be hung over, is it? I'm just asking because I had A LOT of very red wine this weekend and currently I feel like bunk. Complete and utter bunk.

Anyway, so Saturday I went into work (did I tell you that?). I have a whole incredible amount of stuff to do, and there is no way that it'll all get even close to done if I only work 40-45 hours a week. Which is crap because they so don't pay me enough to work extra, which is why typically I don't, but then the Catholic up bringing in my kicks in (I wasn't in it too terribly long, but the residual guilt still have a firm grip) and I feel bad for the poor people who I am supposed to be helping. After all, it's not their fault that people keep quitting, but tptb don't hire any additional workers...

After I was done being there I came home to a nice easy dinner of chicken. Not chicken with something, just chicken. I so had no interest or energy to balance. I was pretty proud I didn't just eat popcorn.

My neighbors came over sometime just before I thought it would be reasonable to put my pjs on. They were having people over, other neighbors, so I decided I should be friendly and hang out. Plus, they had bought some red wine just for me so really, how could I say no?

I don't know what time I got home. I'm not sure it matters. All that really matters is that I had a second night of red wine indulgence. I felt good the next day, just exhausted. At least the dogs let me sleep in until 9.

I was supposed to have a day of shopping with Liz, but around 11 or so she called. Apparently she and Todd discovered they needed some something and wanted to head to Ikea or Target or something. Instead of going there I decided to bug Arleigh at the bike store and actually learn about that which I will be purchasing. I now know what a top, down, head, and seat tube are as well as what a crank is. Needless to say I am very proud.

I still don't know what color I want. I do know what colors I don't want. No black, gray, navy, forest green or deep red. Way too boring. I think I would really, really like a safety green color, or orange, but apparently the more fun the color, the way more expensive the bike. I'll probably wind up with pink. It's a very girly color and I am a very girly girl so that works.

I think I am going to get silver shoes but we'll have to see how they feel. I have wide feet and messed up toes so comfort and fit are primary (and man does that make me sound old).

The shoe color will influence the color of the helmet.

I know what you're thinking, so not what you're "supposed" to care about when buying a bike but whatever. I couldn't care less at this point about the material or weight or any other such stuff. I don't ride yet. This is my first bike. I just want it to be pretty.

posted by Ali @ 6:34 PM 1 comments

Sunday, August 07, 2005

kisses

Part Free Love Kisser



Of all the kissing types, you've racked up the most experience Kissing is no big deal to you - you'll kiss anyone you find hot!

It's easy for you to take the plunge and make the first move. And you don't really consider kissing to be cheating!

Part Expert Kisser



You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable


What Kind of Kisser Are You?

So apparently even on a silly internet quiz I am more than one sort of thing. Did I ever mention how I love to kiss? Because right now I totally miss doing it...

posted by Ali @ 9:31 AM 3 comments

Saturday, August 06, 2005

trying again



So we're going to try this again. My connection sucks here and if the picture doesn't take you'll just have to wait until I can get some free time at work to get it up... (and wow, does that sound dirty to me right now. I'm sure it doesn't help that I've been chatting with someone about "interesting" things in or at the workplace...)

posted by Ali @ 8:25 PM 0 comments

Cat got your tongue?

Apparently because I had all this stuff to talk and tell and share and so on, but now nothin. Sorry. Guess it has something to do with last night so I'll give you a brief run down...

Work (boo, hiss). Didn't go to the dentist as scheduled because of a long, drawn out pain in the ass story that no, I do not feel like going over again. Just know that I have written and am in the process of mailing a formal complaint to the dentist HMO group I am with. Then home to feed the dogs and change before yoga.

Class was wonderful aside from the fact that it was my first one in a month. Wow. Completely didn't realize just how much I could lose, that I didn't know I had, in that short of a time... Oh, and we did this new pose (well, new to me at least) and it was a killer on my knee. Had to stop as soon as I got myself into it because it jsut started screaming. It yelled all night, even over the bottle and a half of red wine I'd had. It's still swollen today. Small hint, if your teacher tries to get you into, I think she called it king piegon, pose and you have bad knees don't. Just hang out in child's pose until it's time to move on.

So after class there was a fantastic storm and while I was out going to the wine store I got completely soaked through. It was wonderful. I picked up two bottles of I don't know what and was on my way over to see Todd and Liz. We had dinner and Liz and I split 2+ bottles of red something that was very good. There was much chatting and music listening and playing with hair and so on and it was very good. Eventually I decided I needed to go home and crawled into bed sometime around 3...

Thanks to the girls I was up, up by 8 this morning. Sometimes having a dog is not such a good thing.

So anyway, here is a picture that I took while I was exploring big island. It's at a fantastic little random cafe that made the most wonderful coffee and sandwiches...

posted by Ali @ 8:03 PM 0 comments

my anti-posty status...

Sorry about that. I have actually (if you can believe it) been going OUT and being SOCIAL. I know. It's a shock to me, too.

Work has been crazy.

Between trying to actually accomplish things while I am there, and going out of the house to interact with real people in face-to-face I could touch you if I wanted situations, I have not been posting. I have been thinking about you all though. Maybe tonight I'll get into somethings that I wanted to talk about. And also just the general my life updates. This is going to be it for now though.

Oh, I did pick up some music earlier this week (I don't remember if I was just telling people or if I posted about it but I had an urge to buy music that was driving me crazy Monday and I was actually able to satisfy it which is exciting - wow, that was an exceptionally long comment...). Anyway, so I picked up The Dead 60s. LOVE IT. Not that I'm all musical and you should listen to my recommendation or whatever but seriously it's fantastic.

Ok, gotta go.

posted by Ali @ 10:51 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 01, 2005

Your Birthdate: November 13
Being born on the 13th day of the month should help make you a better manager and organizer, but it may also give you a tendency to dominate people a bit.
You may be more responsible and self-disciplined than you realize.
Sincere and honest, you are a serious, hard working individual.

Your feeling are likely to seem somewhat repressed at times.
You are apt to be much more practical, rational, and conscious of details.
Your intolerance and insistence on complete accuracy can be irritating to some.

Wondering about yours?

posted by Ali @ 10:08 AM 5 comments