8/31/09

The Day Before Going Back To Work!


I am bored. Way bored. It is only 8:30 and I was thinking I should just go to bed. That is weird for me. Usually, I do NOT want to go to bed.

I haven't done much the last week except lay on my couch and watch TV or play on the Internet. I decided to take a pic of me on the couch to demonstrate. The flowers are from the people at work. They are good to me.

Sometimes we all think we need a break and would love to have a few days on the couch. I would say two would be tops for that dream. I have been very bored after that.

I graded some papers today. Man, I had a lot of work to catch up on. I still have a few days worth to do, but I didn't bring the stuff home from work. It will be nice to go back to work and see the kids. I really have missed them. It will also be nice to have something to do besides sit around. I hope I am not too tired after tomorrow.

I am not having any pain. I think that is a very good thing. Maybe I should knock on wood!

I don't have much else to say. I am addicted to Guitar Hero already. That isn't much of a surprise is it? I like having it right here at my house. It is nice.

Well, that's all I've got today.

8/29/09

Guitar Hero Rocks!



Well, surgery went well. It is funny how anesthetic and painkillers make time warp. The past few days have flown by.

I was nervous when I went to the hospital but was lucky enough to have a very nice check in nurse who totally made me feel okay about everything. Then the anesthesiologist was hilarious which totally helped me be at ease too. He told me what to expect in surgery and walked me back to the O.R. When he had to get my cute hat to wear, he told me that if they all had to look funny, I had to, too. In the O.R., he kept telling jokes and asking me about stuff and before I was even aware, he had knocked me out. Next thing I knew, I awoke and thought: "Wow, it feels like I just slept for eight hours, but this is not my bedroom. Oh yeah! I am in the hospital." I was a little weird coming out of the drugs and didn't say much (I didn't want to say anything stupid, I guess.) I then was taken to a different "room", where my friend, Heidi was waiting for me. I was so grateful to have her to drive me back and to take care of me for a few hours. The nurse there was very nice too, which made all the difference. I don't remember a whole lot except thing that time was going very fast. I didn't spend too much time in the hospital. I arrived at 9:30 and left at about 2.

I was also lucky enough to have a real live nurse stay with me my first night home from the hospital. Anjai, my favorite nurse, stayed the night. We watched lots of TV and I actually went to be much too late, but I slept lots the next day!

The recoup has been ok. I really don't like being on pain pills. In fact, I found out today that I feel a whole lot better NOT on them. Unfortunately, there are still times that I need them. My friend, Megan, came up for the weekend and we actually went shopping for a few hours today and I felt pretty good without pain pills. Earlier this evening, I started to feel a bit of pain and decided to take another pill. Now, I feel very tired, groggy and nauseated. Too bad!

While on adventures today, I bought Guitar Hero III and Guitar Hero World Tour(which has the whole band, including drums and a mic to sing). I figured I deserved a post-op present. I am having a blast playing. I did not buy a Wii, but Megan gave me her Playstation 2. That was awfully nice of her. Thanks Megan! Enjoy the picture of me rocking. I actually was so excited to go buy the games today that I almost wore my "I Rock!" Guitar Hero t-shirt. I really am a nerd.

IF this post makes no sense, I apologize. I operated the keyboard under the use of narcotics.

8/26/09

Prayers and Thoughts Please!

Hi all. I did not make it into work today or yesterday. All I could muster was laying on the couch again. I am pretty much done with my couch, unfortunately, I will probably be charting some more couch time in the next few days.

If you would, remember me in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow, Thursday the 27th. I am a little nervous and really feel that all the prayers would help. I guess I don't have to go completely under but will have the same stuff they give people who have colonoscopies. Hopefully, I will remember nothing. I know with the laughing gas I didn't remember much but I did remember some!

I am thankful to have a friend picking me up at 8 am tomorrow and then bringing me back afterwards. Hopefully she will also be willing to stay with me until my friend, Anjai (a nurse) will come and spend the night with me. I don't think I want to be alone much that first day!

Well, I must go and get ready for bed and mentally prepare for the procedure. It is at 9:30 MST, if you wanted to know.
Later,
Alice

8/24/09

So, Your Proctologist Called....

....he found your head!

Umm. I thought I would start this post with some humor. I got to see the proctologist today. And no, they were not looking for my head. I am putting it out there that I totally have had some horrible cysts from Satan in my backside. They are not fun. They make it uncomfortable to sit, lay down and stand. I was certain when I went to the doctor today he would just lance them again and all would be good. Oh no, these babies were beyond his lancing powers. So, I was referred to a "specialist" in Salt Lake. Now, why anybody would want to have their speciality be butts I am not certain, but today I am glad they exist. Okay, I take that back, on Thursday, I will be very glad they exist. I have to have a minor surgery on Thursday to remove some grossness from my gross area. This will be done under some anesthetic, which I have never gone under, so I am a little bit nervous about, but just like the laughing gas from my tooth pull this summer, I am probably going to be glad to be "sleeping" through this procedure.

Mom...I am sorry I did not call you today and let you know all about this. I know you worry; I was just not in the mood to talk about this after my appointment. Rather, I called a friend and we went to dinner and watched a movie, which was just what I needed to do to ease my anxiety and upsetness.

I am going to go into work tomorrow and Wednesday. It will be uncomfortable but I know that on Thursday and Friday I am for sure out(maybe even more days depending on my feel) and I can't handle more sub plans than necessary. I really wish somebody would start a business making sub plans for content area teachers. Maybe I will do that someday! Anyway...hopefully, I will be able to get through the day. I guess I can always bail early if life happens.

So, that was my exciting day. I guess it really can get worse. Hmm...oh well. Just some grey clouds before I can be better! :)

8/23/09

It could be worse, I guess.

Tomorrow will mark the third time I have been to the doctor in the past three weeks(and the second year in a row that I have had a substitute teacher in the first week of school. SIGH!). I have had some cysts that have been bothering me. They were lanced last week but seem to have made a comeback this weekend.

I spent my weekend just lounging around, usually in my pjs, in front of the TV. It hurt to do anything else so I just did what made me not hurt. I watched three movies and lots of tv. Not a very exciting weekend and I only left the house to go on a very short walk today and then to go to the Redbox a few times.

School has been going well. Here is my favorite quote of the week: "My alligator hands have crooked teeth." This is in reference to how I explained to them how to catch a frisbee while playing Ultimate Frisbee. The girl who said this had a hard time catching the disc. I found what she said hilarious.

I like my students and the changes at the school have not been all that noticeable. I guess that means they are manageable. Here is to a great week!

Later,
A

8/21/09

Ha...I posted to the wrong blog...I guess that is a hazard of keeping multiple blogs. Enjoy a blast from the past!




Sat on Patio tonight and enjoyed the internet. True nerd!

That hummingbird decoration glows in the dark. It is awesome.

Short but sweet. Must got to bed. Students are at work tomorrow for first day. Exciting. I am glad to be getting back into a routine!

Later!

8/19/09

Made it through Day One!

School went really well today. I do a lot better with my attitude about life as soon as I get to interact with students. I had a fun time today. I really do love what I do and I also love the people I work with. Things are going to be good.

I am tired. I forget how much being "on" all day tires me. I wanted to take a nap as soon as I was done teaching. It is going to be a little hard for me to adjust to having my prep period the last period of the day. I have never had to go, go, go with teaching. I will probably adjust but today I felt so drained.

Traveling around the whole school isn't as bad as I thought it would be either. It is nice to share rooms with two of my friends, Janette and Shule.

Well, off to bed. Not much else to tell you! Later.

8/17/09

Internet that is lightning speed at home...no?



I broke down and actually pay for the internet now. That is crazy huh? Well, it is so fast so it makes the having to let money go each month totally worth it.

I cannot believe that there is only one day left until school starts. That is wacky. Registration was today and I enjoyed seeing my students. It makes it a little easier to go back that is for sure! I think I will survive. I always do. I have no motivation to work while I am there and have no classes to teach. I just want to get the show on the road!

Enjoy the pics of the cats on my porch. They are very cute but they do need to find new homes. I keep forgetting to call animal control. I guess it is hard for me to take care of other people's issues! Oh wait, I teach at-risk teens. Never mind.

Must sleep again. This whole working makes me tired!

8/16/09

Fun times with the Bills Family



I have been in Utah for over ten years and have never made it to The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City. This past weekend I was able to go and it was actually very pleasant. My favorite was seeing a baby giraffe. It was so very cute. It was also fun to be with Henry and Spencer because kids always make places like the zoo much more fun!

Derek and Morgan were in town for the weekend so I spent a lot of time up in Sandy visiting with them. I sure do enjoy their family. I do also have to admit that I LOVE their three boys. Thanks for sharing them with me, Morgan. Sorry that I always have pics of them and never of you!

We celebrated Morgan's birthday on Saturday (it is Wednesday and she was here so we celebrated early!). I got her a ticket to the Kelly Clarkson concert that will be in Vegas on Nov. 6th. I couldn't handle her and Derek going without me, so I bought myself a ticket too. Yes, I am a hopeless Kelly Clarkson fan. Don't judge me!

What else? Only two days without students. Crazy. I will be doing a little preparing the next few days to be the traveling teacher again, seeing I no longer have a Health classroom. All of my stuff in now in a pile in the weight room. I must organize it and put it on a traveling cart for my traveling salesman, I mean teacher, adventures. It will be extremely fun. And yes, that was sarcasm there.

Well, off to bed so I can function tomorrow. I am slowly getting more excited about school and being in Utah. This bad attitude is all normal emotion for me this time of year, I assure you! Have a great day.

8/15/09

The New Movie Blog is Up!!!

I have been spending a lot of time up in Sandy visiting with Morgan and her family. I sure do love them. It is Morgan's Birthday next week and I am stoked to give her her present. IT will be cool.

I survived the first two days of work. They were good. I think the closer we get to school starting the better my attitude gets.

I have also been to many movies. You should click on the Escape to The Movies blog on the left side of the screen to read my post about Julie and Julia. I will also be adding reviews of Night at the Museum 2 and The Time Traveler's Wife very soon. If you are a movie fan, or just want some ideas about what to watch...start following that blog. I will be reviewing any movie I watch, even if it is an old one in my DVD collection or even from the Redbox.

:) Later

8/13/09

Look Who's 40!






As I write this, my sister is sleeping in the Magic Kingdom. She and my mom are celebrating my Seester's birthday(which is today) in Walt Disney World in Florida. How cool is that? She had an awesome birthday and it was fun to hear all about it on the phone tonight. I really wish I could have been there. Stupid work! :)

Andi is an amazing person. She is good at everything she does. I have seen her interact with her students and she is a great teacher. She knows her stuff and acts when needed to. She is also an amazing scrapbooker. I have seen her create books in a single day that have been just amazing and looked as if she worked on it for weeks. She is also an amazing mother. Although it may be very hard for her at times, she has opened her home and her heart to three kids. Two of which are adopted and have special challenges! She has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. She loves and loves and tries to find new ways to deal with the challenges of adoptive mother! I think she will gain automatic sainthood because of her sacrifices. I truly love my sister for so many reasons. It is so fun to be able to catch up with her when I come home and we always have a blast together whether it be picking on our mom together, playing games, traveling, or making desert, these things are always more fun when we do them together. Although we are separated by eight years in age, over the past few years we have become great friends. I am so lucky to have a sister that supports me on all levels. I admire her strength and her many talents. I truly look up to her even if she is a few inches shorter than me!

Sister, Happy 40th! I am so luck to have you in my life. Thanks for all you do and all the love you give. I LOVE you!! Happy Birthday!!!

8/12/09

Getting There

Today was a good day. I slept in(for the last time as an official summer sleep in!) and then headed to a movie. I saw Julie and Julia and will tell you all about it on my new blog. I will let you know when it is up and running. I think writing a movie blog will be a good project for me!

I then had a conversation with my school's Principal on the phone and it was a great thing for me. We were discussing my assignment for the meeting on Friday but really talked a lot about being kinda aggravated by all the change. We vented and cried to each other and it was really a relief to me because when it boils down to it all the complaints we have about change don't matter. What really matters are the students we will have at our school. They are what matters. I am glad I was reminded of that. I have also remembered that I am really blessed and have so many things that make me happy. I am grateful for many things.

I also had a walk, read a bit and of course enjoyed some TV. Of course, I enjoyed that TV with some fabulously chilly air provided to me by my fully functioning swap cooler. A big thing I am thankful for right now!

Well, I am off to bed. It will be hard to get up for meetings tomorrow. I am used to sleeping in so much! SIGH!
So now I can post from my phone. This could be dangerous.

8/11/09

Fake it 'til You Make It!

There is only one more day of summer before I go back to work. Just thought you should know.

I went into work today and saw a lot of the people that I work with. I really like the people I work with and people are what make me like my job. I just have to remind myself that I have a problem going back to work every year. I also need to remind myself to have a good attitude because it really does make a huge difference. On Monday, when I will see students at registration, I am sure I will get more excited about work too.

Today, I went frisbee golfing for the first time since being back. I totally forgot how much the altitude really makes a difference when I am trying to exercise after coming back from Wisconsin. I had to take a break and go slow lots. After one hole, I actually felt a little faint. Needless to say, I didn't run through the course or actually play all the holes. It was nice to get out there though!

It has been warm here and I am glad that my swamp cooler is now hooked up and working properly. I am a spoiled brat!

I also did a little bbqing tonight. I had some yummy marinated pork chops. I am glad I bought them in spring and they weren't too freezer burnt! A nice surprise in my freezer!

Well, tomorrow I have no plans. I really just want to enjoy the day. Maybe a movie will be in order. By the way, I think I will be starting that movie blog. That will add some spice into my life, right? I will let you know when it is up and running.

8/9/09

"Take me Away, Take me Away, A Sweet Escape..."

I have not blogged in a few days. Have you noticed? I think coming back to Utah was weird this time around. I really cannot explain why but I am so not thrilled to be back here. Usually, I have a hard time leaving Wisconsin, but that usually is made okay once I get to Utah and see a few friends. Maybe I have just not seen enough friends yet, who knows? But just know I am totally having a hard time being back in Provo. Life is hard for me, I guess.

I am very grateful that I have a job, don't get me wrong, but the changes that I will face come next week has made it so I am not excited at all to go to work. Weird. I bet it will be different when I see all the people that I work with, who I adore. I just think we are up against something big this school year.

Since being home, I haven't done much. I have enjoyed the solace that my apartment gives me. It is a great refuge. I have also done a bit of shopping in order to make my patio an awesome place to sit and read or just hang out. Look for pictures to come in the future.

I also went to a movie last night. Angels and Demons was a very good movie with lots of action. I may just go and see some more movies later this week. I really want to see the 2nd Night at the Museum movie as well as the 2nd Transformers movie as well as Julie and Julia. I really do enjoy a good movie. I have been thinking about doing a separate blog all about the movies I watch but then I keep thinking to myself that sometimes there would be a major lack of posts to that blog. I think my mom would enjoy it though. She is always looking for some good movies to watch.

Tonight I watched Last Chance Harvey. It was kinda slow in the beginning but was overall a cute movie. Dustin Hoffman is always stellar and who doesn't love to watch Emma Thompson? I loved that it was set in England. Good stuff.

Well, what do you think about the movie blog idea? Also, any ideas on what internet provider I should go with? I guess Utah readers would be the best to give advice on that but I really would like some advice because I am in need of getting internet this week or I will go crazy!

8/3/09

Getting out of town...

About to catch a cab to JFK but thought I would do one last post from NYC. I thought about staying and becoming a subway driver but my mom wouldn't let me! I really could live here I think even though I have always thought I couldn't. I sure have enjoyed thus trip.

Yesterday, we went to the top of The Empire State Building. We wondered why the lines were so short only to realize that rain had started and visibility was low. DUH. I was ok. We the went to The Public Library to see the lions from Ghostbusters. We also saw Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Plaza, and Radio City Music Hall. Later, mom and I took a tour of Central Park via bike cab. It was way cool. Last night we had a fab dinner at an awesome deli. Be ready for a lot of pics.

Off to the airport now!!!

8/1/09

Wicked is Wicked!!!

Today was so much fun.

We started the day by visiting the conservatory garden in central park. It was so pretty.

We then had some awesome pizza and then got ready for the play

Wicked was an awesome show. I was so in awe by the set alone and then the talented actors started singing and I was in a mesmerized coma! The three hours of show felt like five minutes and when it was done I wanted to watch it all again. So amazing.

We walked The Brooklyn Bridge tonight. That is really one of my favorite memories of the first time I visited New York. It was great.

Well off to bed to go to the Empire State Building in the morning!