who doesn't like Calvin???

an emotional week

I found out really sad news about a really good friend this week. She made some not so wise decisions and they're having huge repercussions. I am still in shock over it all.

But this is what I've decided this week.

You are my friend because you're my friend. Not because you do the right thing all the time.

Maybe I'm wrong in wanting to stand by her in all of this, but I am proud to do it.

It'll be an interesting journey- but she's made me laugh for years now, so I hope that won't stop!

yeah. I teach 7th grade. You're welcome.

Things I've actually told 7th graders today:
1. Writing on bathroom walls is creepy. and weird. and just totally bizarre. Please don't.
2. If you've only been going out for 2 days, you can send a break up text.
3. Boys like to win. They like the chase. And sometimes when they catch you, the fun is over and they're no longer interested.
4. Don't text girls. They just read into everything you say.
5. I'm proud of you for studying for your math test. You're gonna do great.
6. When you're older, you need to read "He's just not that into you".
7. I want to love you- PYT- pretty young thing.


Well, my work here is obviously done. You're welcome, future of America, I've done my part!

what have YOU done!?!?

What you done-- highlight/bold out the things you've done! Are you super cool, popular, and awesome? Yes. Done.


Swam with wild dolphins
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Been inside a Pyramid
Held a tarantula
Taken a candle lit bath
Said I love you and meant it
Hugged a Tree
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightening storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game
Walked the stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars
Changed a baby’s diaper
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Watched a meteor shower
Gotten drunk on champagne
Given more than you can afford to charity
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a food fight
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
Held a lamb
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a rollercoaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool, not caring who watched
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Actually felt happy about your life, even for a moment
Had two hard drives for your computer
Visited all 50 states
Taken care of someone who was too drunk
Had amazing Friends
Danced with a Stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Hitchhiked in Europe
Taken a road-trip
Gone rock climbing
Midnight walk on the beach
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer than you were in love
In a restaurant sat at a stranger’s table and ate with them
Milked a cow
Alphabetized your CDs
Pretended to be a superhero
Sung karaoke
Lounged around in bed all day
Posed nude in front of strangers
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Played in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
Toured ancient sites
Taken a martial arts class
Played a computer game for more than 6 hours straight
Gotten married
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Gotten a tattoo
Rafted the Snake River
Been on television news program as an “expert”
Got flowers for no reason
Performed on a stage
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded Music
Eaten shark
Had a one-night stand
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been in a combat zone
Buried one/both of your parents
Been on a cruise ship
Spoken more than one language fluently
Performed in Rocky Horror
Raised children
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city
Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge
Sang loudly in the car and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
Had plastic surgery
Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have
Wrote articles for a large publication
Lost over 100 lbs
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Piloted an airplane
Petted a stingray
Broken someone’s heart
Helped an animal give birth
Won money on a TV game show
Broken a bone
Gone on an African safari
Had a body part below the neck pierced
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
Eaten mushrooms gathered in the wild
Ridden a horse
Had major surgery
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept for more than 30 hours over 48 consecutive hours
Visited more foreign countries than US States
Visited all 7 continents
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten Kangaroo meat
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the paper
Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
Gone back to school
Parasailed
Petted a cockroach
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read the Illiad
Selected one important author who you missed in school to read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Skipped all of your school reunions
Communicated with someone without sharing a common language
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
Had to put someone you love in hospice care
Build your own PC from parts
Sold your own artwork to someone that didn’t know it was yours
Had a booth in a street fair
Dyed your hair
Been a DJ
Shaved your head
Caused a car accident
Saved someone’s life

but they were tears of joy

I cried for about 3 hours last night.

but, yall, they were tears of joy. and pride. and anticipation. and excitement.

I cried when the stations started to announce that Obama had won. But didn't REALLY start to cry until I saw it on Fox. Then I was done.

Pulled it together.

Then McCain gave his concession speech. I was impressed, humbled, and inspired by his words. He did a great job. I was annoyed with the disrespect coming from the crowd, but I loved that he graciously silenced them with his words, facial expressions, and gestures. I cried through the whole daggum thing. I love seeing unity when we're supposed to be apart. I LOVED that he said something about how sad it was that Obama's grandmother wasn't here for this- but because of THEIR (his and Obama's) beliefs, they knew she was in a better place, watching it going on. Loved that. Cried. and cried and cried. He is a hero. And our country is a better place because he helps lead and defend her.

Pulled it together.

Then my President-Elect Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech in Grant Park. And well, once again, I was inspired, challenged, and motivated to fight for the change I believe our country needs. I cried through the whole thing. I am ready. He is what I've been wanting. I don't want to be criticized for voting with a party; I want people to be excited about the way our nation leads our world. And I want to be proud to be proud. Today. I am. I am grinning. And tearing up. But proud. Of voters. Of our history. Of the history making events of yesterday. Of our leaders. Of our military. Of the different opinions. I am proud. So proud!

But I am excited. joyous. anticipating. proud.