Broadway + Doogie = Golden

It has to be said that SNL's skits can be up and down like the tides in terms of humor. I know others might not agree with that statement, but that's how I feel. Well, this past week Neil Patrick Harris, AKA Barney from How I Met Your Mother, hosted the show. I have to say it was pretty funny. Two skits in particular struck my fancy.

First of all, everyone who knows me knows I pretty much love musicals. It's a surprising thing to find out about me, but I love them. I mean Cats was my favorite CD when I was 5 (and I never saw the show until I was 16, that's what is even sadder), I loved Rent way before I saw it live or it was made into a movie, Dominique and I experienced a Christmas miracle by getting seat upgrades when we saw Avenue Q which was great, I mean I could go on. Pretty much any chance to see a musical, that is good, I am pretty much going to take. MOST people want to go to New York to shop, see the sights; I just want to go to see a show ON Broadway. (Side note, Wicked is coming to the BJCC in April and I could NOT be more excited...another great soundtrack. Seriously, I'll stop.) Anywho, with the recent economic crisis, shows are closing down all over Broadway. As a result, this skit was made. I feel there is no need to explain. Hilarious.




This second skit marks the uprise of SNL. Digital Shorts were probably the best thing SNL ever thought to do. They're genius. And the fact that NPH isn't afraid to make fun of the fact that he played a teen doctor named Doogie is completely awesome to me. Hope you enjoy.

Back packs. Busses. BANNED.

All right, so this was too good (to me anyway) NOT to share. So today was a pretty good day in my class. I exercised patience and self-control and my kids tried their best not to grate on my nerves. Well, during snack today, I was reading Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants. Great books, BTDubb, however, disclaimer, if Junie B. were in my class, that girl might have a black eye, but kids LOVE it.

ANYWHO, you all remember "Dylan," the little girl who spelled we W-i-i? (Which, by the way, she got one for Christmas and every thing she's written about since then has been about the Wii...which I can kind of appreciate) Well, she got called to the office, and, because it was her, I knew chances were she was probably in trouble. Most of the time my kids go to the office for misbehaving on the bus and they usually get suspended from the bus for 1 day WHICH usually means they don't show up that day...I won't lie and say I don't love it. Well, she left and then when she came back I asked her what they wanted and this is what she said.

Me: So, what'd they want in the office?
"Dylan": Oh, I was in trouble.
Me: Oh, well, what'd you do?
"Dylan": Oh, we can't sit together anymore.
Me: Who? What?
"Dylan": My sister and me.
Me: OH! On the bus? Did y'all fight?
"Dylan": Oh, yeah. Yesterday she threw my back pack off the bus. They got pretty mad.
Me: What?! While it was moving.
"Dylan": Yeah. They had to stop and get it. But it's ok, but if she does it again, we're in more trouble.
Me: Uhm, yeah. Finish your snack.

So yeah, I mean I thought that was hilarious. Then again, I think everything they say is funny. Hoped you enjoyed.

I'm sorry, did someone order a crap sandwich? Wait, that's me.

Now I'm not going to be so negative as to say that 2009 is the equivalent to that of a "crap sandwich." (A phrase I can thank Dominique for and one I'm sure my mother is clucking her tongue and shaking her head at, but oh well. Sorry moms. :) ) No, 2009 hasn't been long enough to reach that status. However, the past week 1/2 back at school CAN reach that status. Allow me, if I possibly can, to elaborate.

• I was called to testify in court for reasons legally I can't get into, but know that I did not partake in some sort of B&E with any local hooligans, (that's breaking and entering for the "un-hip") but it had to do with one of my kids in my class. No big deal, I just had to plan to possibly be out of my room between this Monday and Wednesday (today); they said they'd let me know an hour before. I know most of you are probably thinking, "What? Why is that bad? Just suck it up and go," but you can't just "go" when you have 20 1st graders. You have to plan something for them to do, something for them to do when they've finished the other thing you planned for them, a detailed list of rules and procedures, another detailed list regarding who can't stand/sit with who in line/on the carpet, etc. (And that's just for being gone 1, maybe 1 1/2 hours. Just imagine a whole day). So yeah, I was not stoked. Plus there are other things to the situation that just made me feel like a craptastic teacher and like I was getting put right in the middle of something I did NOT want to be put in, but anywho. Well, they did give me a little notice, a whole 2 days notice, so I planned to be gone at 11 am today and return soon after I gave my little testimonial. WELL, I am about 15 minutes down the road (11:15. I testify at 11:30) when the school calls to tell me that the lawyer just called and said they don't need me afterall. Are. You. Kidding. Me. I mean, it is a blessing, don't get me wrong, but 15 minutes before?! Nobody has any respect for my time, I tell ya. So yeah, I planned and worried and lost sleep (truly I did) over NOTHING. Nothing.
  
• I have had to plan double time for my class because I found out I have not 1 but 5 kids who are below where they need to be in 1st grade. Awesome. 5 out of 20. 1/4 of my students. I am the best and most awesome teacher ev-er. So I had to fill out 5 sets of paperwork to take them through testing, plan extra lessons plans to do extra work with them, schedule 2-3 more hours into my school day to fit all that schiesse in, and then turn average yarn into gold to be spun before the nights end.
  
• I have a paper due for my 1st year evaluation coming up. SERIOUSLY, who has to write a paper after they graduate?? TEACHERS, that's who, because we always have homework, we are never not supposed to be doing something (though I quite frequently choose to ignore whatever it is).
• I had to start making payments on my student loans. Thank you, Sallie Mae, for truly being a life ruiner. I am seriously forever endebted to you and all I get is a job where I am underpaid and underappreciated, but I love it. Catch damn 22.
• Pro-freakin-ration. Apparently I picked the wrong year to become a teacher because apparently the government is out of money. I tell you, they say, be a teacher, they need you, there's a shortage, and there is, but we have the hardest time finding/keeping jobs. Lord, please don't let me loose my job. I'm too unmotivated to start that process all over again.
• I spilled my Diet Coke all on the floor in front of my classroom yesterday. I went to turn my hand to unlock my door and as I turned that wrist, I idiocally turned the other and poured my DC all on my floor AND on my new lunch box (but don't worry, I got that crap out). Really put a damper to the start of my day.

However, 2009 has not been filled completely with crap sandwiches and all it's tasty fillings. There have been some very fantastic things happen.

• The Wii. Which is video game-ese for awesome. My sister Leigh and her husband got a Wii from my mom, Amber, and me for Christmas and I tell you, I don't know what I did before it! It is seriously the most addicting thing ever. EVER. It. Is. Awesome.
• 24 and American Idol have returned. Two of my loves (one I have been without for almost 2 years) have returned from the dead and are now filling up 3 of my otherwise lackluster nights of television. Fantastic
• Two of my best friends are engaged, which I could have put on the crap sandwich list because I am not, but let's be honest, right now, I would be an unfit wife. I would probably be get charged with verbal domestic abuse, if that's possible, I have no idea. So yay Eva. Yay Jillian.
  
• I have Monday off school. No elaboration needed.
• Cadburry Mini Eggs are being sold in the individual packages at CVS which only tells me the family size bags are soon to follow. Things are looking up! (One of those will soon be my weight)
• I got some a new digital camera, new jeans, new school pants, a new cardigan, new lip gloss, new Mineral Viel (make up, and this one has SHIMMER, it's amazing), AND a birthday present from Sephora. And 4 of those purchases were made using gift cards, including the camera, which makes them even better. Ah, the simple things.
• Leigh got a new shipment of Omaha steaks from her mother in law, which means I got the box of gourmet franks that go with it. Gourmet franks...also known as fancy hot dogs...also known as the best hot dog Lucy Burrett and myself have ever eaten. Leigh and Matt are sick of them, so they give them to me. Bless their souls.

So, as you can see the good outweighs the bad. As yes, I still know the Lord is good and He loves me and wants me to prosper, but that doesn't prohibit me from telling everyone about my crap sandwhich of a week and a 1/2. Let's hope the month of January doesn't turn into a crap salad, then I'd really be disappointed.


**Credit to Dominique Grant for all crap food references made.**

Hardcandy Christmas in Dixie

I just thought I would combine 2 delightful Christmas songs to create one awesome title. So, yes, Christmas break is coming to a close. I had a good first grown up Christmas break. Christmas is different when you're an adult. I mean, don't get me wrong, it is still wonderful and great and will always be my favorite holiday, but it's just different. You get excited about getting plates and robes and pajama pants (all of which I looooove, especially the robe).

Anyway, we did have some childlike moments on Christmas. My sister Leigh and her husband got a Wii (which is awesome and my arms are officially sore from playing it for 4 days in a row). My mom also got a bike (found by my sweet and kind brother in law). A beautiful baby blue old school bike. And she loves it. However, we forbid her to ride it until she went up the road to the Super Secret Wal Mart and bought a helmet. She says it's one of her favorite gifts ever.

We didn't get to stay and play with all our toys long because My mom, my two sisters Amber and Leigh, and myself had to drive to Harlingen, TX the next day at 5:30 in the AM. We were going to see my brother Sheldon, his very pregnant wife Kristin and my two nieces Karissa and Kamryn. In case you didn't know that is a 12.5 hour drive. A very long drive across 3 very ugly states. Sorry for the residents of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, but there is not much scenery to see along it's lovely coasts.

Throughout our journey we learned some interesting things. For example, Amber thought that when an exit off the interstate said EXIT ONLY, that meant you can only exit there and you cannot get back on the interstate from that location. True story. We also realized you cannot steal others wireless internet while going 75 mph through the city of Houston. We also realized it's important to not sing inappropriate songs while your mother is trying to navigate through the hustle and bustle of Houston. It may result in you being "cussed." In fact, this conversation followed after making it safely through Houston.

Mom: See, Leigh, we made it. You were a fine navigator And I did NOT cuss you.
Leigh: Um, you said you were going to bitch slap me.
Mom: Oh...well...hmm.

We did safely make it to Texas and had lots of fun. I taught my niece Kamryn some lines from Pearl the Landlord (non of the bad words...I'm not that bad of an aunt. However, I did teach her how to say, "I need to get my drink on" which I know is bad, but come on, it was funny). I had a great birthday and my brother grilled out steaks and we had cake and I got presents and it was awesome. We had so much fun together and I hated to leave...mainly because I didn't want to spend another 13+ hours in the car (yes, the ride home was longer than the ride there). There are some stories I could tell from it, but for the sake of my family and their reputation, I will keep them to myself.

And now I must get back to the real world of 1st grade, but before I go, I leave you with some pictures from our trip. Enjooooy.


How we spent most of our trip...well...how I spent most of mine. Watching friends and various movies.



Kamryn and Karissa helping me open my presents...they're so thoughtful. I think they thought the presents were theirs.



Brother and sisters. Amber, Sheldon, Leigh, and me.



Sisters. Karissa and Kamryn. They're the cutest.



We went to the park on my birthday. Kamryn loooves the slide.



Apparently Karissa gets in trouble frequently in her Pre-K class for this act. Well, since she was with us, we didn't care. However, when her dad got there and saw her doing this, he was not pleased. Whoops.



Karissa being silly at the dinner table. I just think this picture is so cute and funny.



Kamryn had no idea I was taking a picture. This is just her natural eating face. I have never seen a child love sweets more than me, but she does. I have met my match.