My Most Friend

Isn't this little girl a cutie.

Hillsong Concert

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a Hillsong United Concert. I have mixed feelings about the concert. So here is what I think/thought.

1. I liked their sound. I don't know how to describe it, but I liked it. ( I'm sure Todd Wright would have great descriptions of their style and such.) Not all the songs were theologically sound, but some of them were o.k.
2. We stood in line for a long time because the concert was free. Right when we go to the overflow room, they said there wasn't any room.
3. We stood in the overflow room until the people guarding the doors were out of sight---then we slipped in (all 24 of us). I'm not quite sure how 24 of us got passed them.
4. For the next 2 hours we stood in chairs at the back of the room so we could see. I am quite amazed at how they are able to dance and run around on stage and sing all at the same time. I would be way out of breath.
5. I love listening to Hillsong United on my ipod and in my car. I don't know if I'll ever go to another concert of theirs. I prefer concerts like Derek Webb where all you have to do is sit and listen. You don't have to stand because everyone in front of you is standing and jumping up and down. I think this may be the sign that I am getting old. Yikes.


Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged, but I've been sooo busy. Last weekend was Weekend 180 and my parents also came. This week I've been trying to catch up on sleep. I've been so tired.

Tonight, Jason and I went to the appreciation ceremony for the Outstanding Teacher Nominees. The student who nominated me came as well and she was so excited about coming.... maybe more excited than me. It was quite ceremonial and I felt I was at my high school end of year assembly or graduation. You gotta love those school sound systems that crackle and are muffled. They called our names and we went on stage, received a certificate, and shook a lot of hands. The best part of the night was the awesome crab dip and brownies. They chose eight finalists which will eventually be narrowed down to one. I was not chosen as one of the eight, but it's quite o.k. by me. Going on stage once was more than enough for me. I'm always scared I'm going to trip or something. Yikes.

Peanut Butter Preference

I'm a huge fan of peanut butter. I just realized that for the past 6 months I've eaten peanut butter almost everyday. Some days I've had peanut butter at every meal. You might say...what does that look like? How could someone eat peanut butter for every meal?

Breakfast: peanut butter and crackers

Snack: Trail mix (o.k. not exactly peanut butter but kind of like it once you chew!)

Lunch: 1/2 peanut butter sandwich

Dinner: peanut butter and graham crackers with fruit

I also realized that I am a peanut butter snob. I don't like Peter Pan peanut butter. I am a Jif fan for sure. What peanut butter is your favorite?

I love to shop!!!!!

Jason and I took my mom to the airport today and then we went to the mall to go shopping. Jason really needed new clothes. We cleaned out his closet this morning so we would know exactly what he needed. We didn't want to buy anything frivolous. After cleaning out the closet, we decided all he really needed was a few pairs of pants. So, after about 3 and a half hours of shopping we had bought 2 new pairs of casual slacks, 1 pair of jeans, 2 shirts, 1 windbreaker, 1 pair of biking shorts, 1 pair of wind pants (Jason loves a good pair of wind pants.), 6 pairs of socks, and a new pair of running shoes for me. I love shopping for Jason.

Good Citizens

Last night about 12:30am, Jason, my mom, and I were returning movies to Blockbuster in Hampstead. As we drove by the other stores in the shopping center, Jason sees that the glass door to Radio Shack was completely shattered. We called the cops and they came. We got to see the cop pull his gun, hide behind his car, call for back up, enter the building, etc.... It was like a real COPS episode. (Except for the fact we weren't able to see any real criminals in cuffs.) The perpetrator had already left the scene. This isn't as exciting as Kristen's story, but for the few moments we thought there might be some action, Jason and I got a pretty good adrenaline rush. However, my mom was in the backseat trying to discuss theology with us. I told her she was going to have to stop because I couldn't focus enough to hear great theological truths and take in all I was seeing.

White Christmas

My mom is visiting us this week and she mailed our Christmas presents before she came. Today I am at home because it is snowing. We had a White Christmas this morning as we opened our presents.

Teacher of the Year

One of my students or parents nominated me for Teacher of the Year. It was kind of cool to get nominated. There's a form I'm supposed to fill out if I want to have the chance to win out of all the teachers in the entire county. I haven't filled it out yet...I've been carrying it around in my purse for a week now. We'll see.

Blogger's Block

In case you haven't noticed, I've not been blogging. It's not because the desire isn't there and it isn't the lack of time---because I've had plenty of it this past week. I don't know what's happening , but I've got nothin'. I go to the computer every night and think, "Mmmm? What could I blog about?"

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of this blogger's block? Let me hear your ideas!

Snow Day!

I got to stay home today because of the snow. I have had such a restful day!!!!!!

Brushing Teeth

Tonight after brushing my teeth, Jason looks at me and says, "What's all around your mouth." I explained that the new toothpaste we have been using makes the skin (and chin) red for a little while and then it goes away. He then proceeds to laugh at me and try to figure out how I get toothpaste all on my chin. I told him everybody gets toothpaste around their mouth when they are brushing. It's normal. He disagreed and then showed me how to "neatly" brush teeth. I have to say he DID do a great job. He really didn't get any toothpaste on the outside of his mouth. Am I just a messy toothbrusher or is it normal for the toothpaste foam to escape and get on the mouth and chin?

Football

So my entire life I've hated watching football until recently. Now, I am really getting into it. However, the whole time I'm watching it, I feel like I'm doing something bad and shouldn't be enjoying myself since I've hated it for so long. How weird is that?

The Lady in My Shoe

Jason got me a ipod nano for Christmas. I was totally surprised!!!!! He also got me the Nike + for my tennis shoes. It links to my ipod and while I'm running there's a lady inside my shoe that talks to me through my ipod telling me how far I've gone and how many calories I've burned....etc. Also, if I break a personal record, Lance Armstong comes on and congratulates me.

Jason is a great gift giver!!!!!

Gift Cards

Whoever thought of gift cards was a genius. I love getting them. I have received several from my students this past week and have really enjoyed getting them.

So, to you, I pose the question: If you knew someone was going to give you a gift card for $100, from where would you want it to be?

New Blogger

Has anyone switched to the "new blogger". I'm scared it might be like the "New Coke". Wow, that was gross. Let me know what is so cool about the new blogger. I would hate to switch to the "new blogger" and then have to switch back the the "Blogger Classic".

What's Your Magic Number?

As long as I can remember, I've never woken up and thought, "I'm so glad to be awake." I've always wanted to sleep just a little bit more, snooze 10, 20, 30 more minutes. I'm not a fan of waking up.

I've always wondered, what is the magic number of sleep hours I need to wake up and feel great? Well, the last two nights, I've gone to bed at 8:30 and woken up at 5:30. That's it, ladies and gentlemen. 9 hours of sleep and I feel great. I wake up and am ready to get up, eat breakfast, and be productive.

What's your magic number?

Jingle Bell Run

I ran again, however this time I had a head and chest cold. It wasn't quite as much fun because I didn't feel so hot. I had already registered and paid the fee so I went ahead and bit the bullet. Wasn't able to run the entire 3.1 miles due to hacking and coughing.

Despite feeling under the weather, the event was very festive. Santa was there and there was a d.j. playing fun Christmas music. (Robert and Shelly would have loved it!) One of the runners was dressed up like a Christmas tree and another like an elf. Lots of runners had on santa hats which added to the festivities.

If you would like to see pics, click on the link to Suzie L.'s Blog. She has our pictures posted. I've been having trouble posting pictures lately. Not sure why.

I'm a runner.

O.k., so really I'm a jogger. I ran a 5k today in a Turkey Trot in Frederick, MD. I am new to the whole running thing so my time is still really slow. I finished in 41:56. I know this is a lot of time, but I finished it still running and still alive. I also wasn't last which was my main goal. I had a lot of fun and hope to make this a tradition. Here are some before and after pictures. Notice my really red face in the after.

In December, I plan to do a Jingle Bell Run. In this race, everyone wears jingle bells as they run. I love the sound of Jingle Bells.

I feel like traveling.

I'm so wanting to go somewhere!!! We are not planning on going to Texas or Oregon until Summer, but the cool weather and holidays are making me want to be a tourist. I think Jason should take me to Philly. It would be a quick, inexpensive day trip. And besides, I've always wanted to try a Philly steak and cheese sub (never had one). If you think Jason should take me to Philly, then please post a comment on my blog saying so.

Thank you for your support.

Why I Haven't Blogged

5:45am -Wake up and get ready for school.
8:00am to 3:20pm- Teach.
3:20pm to 4:00pm- Attend boring faculty meeting. (They've got great snacks though!)
4:00pm to 4:45pm- Drive to go and tutor.
4:45pm to 4:55pm-Wait for student to show up.
4:55pm to 5:55pm-Tutor.
5:55pm to 6:45pm-Walk with my friend Jodie.
6:45pm to 7:00pm-Drive Home.
7:00pm to 8:45pm-Come home cook, eat, and clean.
9:00pm--Should have graded papers, but went to my friend Suzie's house. Will have to get up at 5:15 tomorrow to make up for not grading tonight.
10:00pm-Shower.
10:45pm-Bed time.

I'm sooooooooo ready for Thanksgiving Break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!