Tuesday, September 28, 2010
It's Coming!
My Kindle! Dave got me this for my birthday, and it is scheduled to arrive TOMORROW! I can hardly wait!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
That was then, this is now
When I would tell people that I was turning 29, almost everyone said, "Utoh, one more year until you're 30!" Of course I responded with a "Ohhhh don't remind me!" but I was really thinking "What's wrong with 29??" I really try not to be one of those people who is obsessed with how "old" they are and just enjoy life. I can honestly say that my life is infinitely better than it was when I was 19. It is funny how a decade can really change a person.
On September 24, 2000, I was a sophomore at SUNY Oneonta. I was studying English and had just discovered my love for Communications Studies. I would later declare that as my second major. Anyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised that a large part of my happiness comes from interacting with others, and the thought of a career where that would be the norm seemed so appealing. I was also deeply involved with my sorority. Sometimes I still question why I joined one. In hindsight, I know I was looking for a place to belong. It was an emotional survival technique that I felt would help me. My college years were a time of intense emotional turmoil as I struggled with my infertility diagnosis, and all the fallout that would come with it. I needed to be a star. I needed to not just be good, but to be the best. I needed to be someone people sought out, and the sorority did that for me. I was (and in some ways still am) afraid to be alone. I needed to drown myself in others so that I could ignore the underlying feelings of emptiness. To add to this, I began one of the most dysfunctional relationships of my life in 2000. It would hurt me for the next 3 years, and I would beat myself up over that for a few more years after it ended. Was I happy in 2000? I think I looked happy. I tried to act happy. In all honesty, I always felt like I was I acting. The answer to the question is NO, I was not happy. I remember so vividly thinking that I did not deserve to BE HAPPY.
Am I happy in 2010? Yes. I know I am happy because my life is real. I feel content in my heart with who I am and with the relationships I have. My husband has changed my life is inmeasurable ways. I feel lucky everyday to have someone who cares about me so deeply and who has created such a beautiful life with me. Some days, I actually pinch myself because it is hard to believe that this is my REAL life. I know I have written posts before about how grateful I am for the life I have, but I cannot say it enough. From a girl who thought happiness was not in the cards for her, I am deliriously happy that I was wrong.
On September 24, 2000, I was a sophomore at SUNY Oneonta. I was studying English and had just discovered my love for Communications Studies. I would later declare that as my second major. Anyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised that a large part of my happiness comes from interacting with others, and the thought of a career where that would be the norm seemed so appealing. I was also deeply involved with my sorority. Sometimes I still question why I joined one. In hindsight, I know I was looking for a place to belong. It was an emotional survival technique that I felt would help me. My college years were a time of intense emotional turmoil as I struggled with my infertility diagnosis, and all the fallout that would come with it. I needed to be a star. I needed to not just be good, but to be the best. I needed to be someone people sought out, and the sorority did that for me. I was (and in some ways still am) afraid to be alone. I needed to drown myself in others so that I could ignore the underlying feelings of emptiness. To add to this, I began one of the most dysfunctional relationships of my life in 2000. It would hurt me for the next 3 years, and I would beat myself up over that for a few more years after it ended. Was I happy in 2000? I think I looked happy. I tried to act happy. In all honesty, I always felt like I was I acting. The answer to the question is NO, I was not happy. I remember so vividly thinking that I did not deserve to BE HAPPY.
Am I happy in 2010? Yes. I know I am happy because my life is real. I feel content in my heart with who I am and with the relationships I have. My husband has changed my life is inmeasurable ways. I feel lucky everyday to have someone who cares about me so deeply and who has created such a beautiful life with me. Some days, I actually pinch myself because it is hard to believe that this is my REAL life. I know I have written posts before about how grateful I am for the life I have, but I cannot say it enough. From a girl who thought happiness was not in the cards for her, I am deliriously happy that I was wrong.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Hey
I knew once I was back to school my blog would suffer. I am REALLY going to try to post 3 times each week with at least one of those 3 posts being writing rather than photos or links.
I have had several conversations lately with people about blogging. It is funny how writing online is cooler and more efficient than writing by hand. While I do love to write in notebooks, I am a much faster typist. Plus I like being able to incorporate different graphics. While my blog is nowhere near as personal as an actual journal would be, it does let me express myself in different ways. Since I do not know who might read this, there is definitely a sense of being detached from my true and inner most thoughts. Why? Well, it is on the internet.
I truly admire bloggers who can really put themselves out there, but I am just not one of them. I should have realized this from the start, seeing as how I intended this to be an adoption blog and that is a topic I almost never write about. Not because it isn't important and certainly not because it isn't on my mind, it just feels too personal. Maybe I will feel different after we become a family of 3, but I am really not sure. Part of me thinks that I might seeing as how I get encouraged reading the blogs of other adoptive mommies, but the other part of me thinks I will cease blogging all together. Or at least that my blog will continue in the same vein as it is currently. Only time will tell!
I have had several conversations lately with people about blogging. It is funny how writing online is cooler and more efficient than writing by hand. While I do love to write in notebooks, I am a much faster typist. Plus I like being able to incorporate different graphics. While my blog is nowhere near as personal as an actual journal would be, it does let me express myself in different ways. Since I do not know who might read this, there is definitely a sense of being detached from my true and inner most thoughts. Why? Well, it is on the internet.
I truly admire bloggers who can really put themselves out there, but I am just not one of them. I should have realized this from the start, seeing as how I intended this to be an adoption blog and that is a topic I almost never write about. Not because it isn't important and certainly not because it isn't on my mind, it just feels too personal. Maybe I will feel different after we become a family of 3, but I am really not sure. Part of me thinks that I might seeing as how I get encouraged reading the blogs of other adoptive mommies, but the other part of me thinks I will cease blogging all together. Or at least that my blog will continue in the same vein as it is currently. Only time will tell!
I want this...
My latest baby obsession is this stroller:
I love the basket look, and I could SO see us walking around downtown with our little one in this!
The catch? It costs $979!! I am going to look around to see if I can find it for less elsewhere, but isn't it sweet?!
http://www.giggle.com/pb/18134/c/557/cl/579/Bugaboo-Cameleon.aspx?&s=2&keyword=579
I love the basket look, and I could SO see us walking around downtown with our little one in this!
The catch? It costs $979!! I am going to look around to see if I can find it for less elsewhere, but isn't it sweet?!
http://www.giggle.com/pb/18134/c/557/cl/579/Bugaboo-Cameleon.aspx?&s=2&keyword=579
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Phew
I am exhausted! School began this week, and while it went really well, I am so tired! The good news is that I only worked 2 days at the golf course during the week, but I am working both weekend days. The season is almost over, but I do not like working 7 days a week.
This year I am teaching 6 classes instead of 5. I was not sure how I would feel about this, but so far it has been OK. One benefit is that I do not have a study hall, which is usually a good thing. I have 3 different preps, and I teach 2 sections of each prep. I like it because it gives me some variety in my day. I would go bonkers if I had to teach the same lesson 6 times every day. I do like the fact that every class period is different and the kids always keep me guessing. I think I will have some challenges this year, but I am up for it! I am always amazed at how much fun I have while teaching. In fact, when people cringe when I tell them that I teach middle school, my response is always that my job (in my opinion) is so much fun. I feel so lucky to have a job that I love and that challenges me everyday. It helps that I am married to an amazing teacher. He is the teacher I hope to be some day. He is a natural whereas I have to work at it every.single.day.
I will write more soon, but my bed is calling. :-) Night!
This year I am teaching 6 classes instead of 5. I was not sure how I would feel about this, but so far it has been OK. One benefit is that I do not have a study hall, which is usually a good thing. I have 3 different preps, and I teach 2 sections of each prep. I like it because it gives me some variety in my day. I would go bonkers if I had to teach the same lesson 6 times every day. I do like the fact that every class period is different and the kids always keep me guessing. I think I will have some challenges this year, but I am up for it! I am always amazed at how much fun I have while teaching. In fact, when people cringe when I tell them that I teach middle school, my response is always that my job (in my opinion) is so much fun. I feel so lucky to have a job that I love and that challenges me everyday. It helps that I am married to an amazing teacher. He is the teacher I hope to be some day. He is a natural whereas I have to work at it every.single.day.
I will write more soon, but my bed is calling. :-) Night!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Boston Trip Day 3
Here is the last day of Boston--a game! The Sox lost, but we still had fun. We started with lunch at the Boston Beer Works.
YUMMMMMM!
YUMMMMMM!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Boston Trip Day 2
Today began with some uncertainty. The Red Sox game was scheduled for tonight at 7, but the weather reports were calling for Hurricane Earl. We planned on the game getting rained out, and it did. We decided to get out on the earlier side and get in as much nice weather as possible.
We grabbed some breakfast at a place I cannot remember and pumpkin lattes from Starbucks!
We enjoyed our breakfast in a small green space between a few buildings.
We had a great idea! Duck Tour! Unfortunately, it costs $31 per person! Can you believe it!? :-( Instead we hung out at Quincy Market and the Boston Harbor. By the time we got to the Harbor, it was about 3 pm, and the weather was turning sour.
We decided not to tempt the fates so we headed back to our hotel. Once we got back, we received official word that they postponed the game until Saturday at 1 pm. We were actually happy to hear that because we were so beat from walking around all day.
Instead of beer and burgers at the game, we got dressed up and went out to an AMAZING dinner at Vlora (http://www.vloraboston.com). We started with hummus and pita, and it was out of this world. For an entree, I had Psaropita, which is haddock wrapped in phyllo dough with a side of couscous. Dave had the Mediterranean Kebabs, one chicken and one steak with a side of rice pilaf and mixed greens. We had wonderful wine to compliment the meal and finished it off with coffee and creme brulee! Our consierge recommended Vlora, and we are looking forward to going back next year. A+++
We grabbed some breakfast at a place I cannot remember and pumpkin lattes from Starbucks!
We enjoyed our breakfast in a small green space between a few buildings.
We had a great idea! Duck Tour! Unfortunately, it costs $31 per person! Can you believe it!? :-( Instead we hung out at Quincy Market and the Boston Harbor. By the time we got to the Harbor, it was about 3 pm, and the weather was turning sour.
We decided not to tempt the fates so we headed back to our hotel. Once we got back, we received official word that they postponed the game until Saturday at 1 pm. We were actually happy to hear that because we were so beat from walking around all day.
Instead of beer and burgers at the game, we got dressed up and went out to an AMAZING dinner at Vlora (http://www.vloraboston.com). We started with hummus and pita, and it was out of this world. For an entree, I had Psaropita, which is haddock wrapped in phyllo dough with a side of couscous. Dave had the Mediterranean Kebabs, one chicken and one steak with a side of rice pilaf and mixed greens. We had wonderful wine to compliment the meal and finished it off with coffee and creme brulee! Our consierge recommended Vlora, and we are looking forward to going back next year. A+++
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Boston Trip Day 1
I am going to tell you about our trip in a few parts, mostly because I lack the focus to do it all at once. Plus, as a blog reader, I mentally check out when I see huge blocks of text. So to keep this short and sweet, here is day one!
We arrived in the city right around 3 pm, and it was a swelteringly hot day. The car thermometer read 97 degrees!
We stayed at the Radisson Hotel, and it was nicer than expected. One of the best features was a balcony. One thing I love about visiting a big city is watching city life. I love the traffic, the people, and all that happens while people are just going about their lives.
We decided not to waste a single minute, and hit the town right away. We didn't really have a destination in mind, and it was fun to just walk and look around. That perhaps was one of the best parts about the trip, being unscheduled. We just did what we wanted, when we wanted. Aside from the Sox game, we were totally free! As mentioned before, it was very hot out. We walked to the ever beautiful Beacon Hill, and we grabbed a bite to eat at Artu (http://www.artuboston.com). It was a cute little place located in the basement. It was pretty good. We were starving so anything would have been good!
After dinner, we headed over to a local sports bar to watch the Sox game. We had a great time and some yummy drinks there. What goes better than cocktails on a hot night? Ice cream! Yup, that was next on the agenda!
The last thing (and one of my favorite parts of the trip) we did was to sit on the roof deck and watch the stars. While we did not see that many due to the city lights, we did see many planes taking off and landing. That was "wicked" cool!
We arrived in the city right around 3 pm, and it was a swelteringly hot day. The car thermometer read 97 degrees!
We stayed at the Radisson Hotel, and it was nicer than expected. One of the best features was a balcony. One thing I love about visiting a big city is watching city life. I love the traffic, the people, and all that happens while people are just going about their lives.
We decided not to waste a single minute, and hit the town right away. We didn't really have a destination in mind, and it was fun to just walk and look around. That perhaps was one of the best parts about the trip, being unscheduled. We just did what we wanted, when we wanted. Aside from the Sox game, we were totally free! As mentioned before, it was very hot out. We walked to the ever beautiful Beacon Hill, and we grabbed a bite to eat at Artu (http://www.artuboston.com). It was a cute little place located in the basement. It was pretty good. We were starving so anything would have been good!
After dinner, we headed over to a local sports bar to watch the Sox game. We had a great time and some yummy drinks there. What goes better than cocktails on a hot night? Ice cream! Yup, that was next on the agenda!
The last thing (and one of my favorite parts of the trip) we did was to sit on the roof deck and watch the stars. While we did not see that many due to the city lights, we did see many planes taking off and landing. That was "wicked" cool!
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