Vroom Vroom....

Over a week ago, I got an invitation in the mail from my dear friends at Jeep. They invited me to come to "Camp Jeep NY" at the New York International Auto Show... for free! So I picked a day, rsvp'd, and went - last night.

Picked up Matt at work (the ticket being for "you and a guest") and drove to the ferry. The terminal is conveniently accross the street from where we needed to be, so we crossed over and walked to the big building that said "JEEP" on it. We were directed where to sign in, received light-up-magnet pins, and went in. The Camp Jeep Pavillion was incredible! There was live music, a rock wall, remote-controlled Jeeps, video games, an area for kids to ride the little power-wheel Jeeps, and the most amazing thing.... an indoor off-road course!!!!! Of course, we immediately got on line to wait our turn.

Obviously (and unfortunately!) you were only able to be passangers on the ride - but we hopped into a Wrangler and set off. They showed off how they handle on uneven terrain, inclines/declines (45 degrees!), water, etc. It was amazingly fun! :)

Other highlights of the show (once we stopped playing with the Jeeps, that is!) included:
* getting little pen holders in the shape of a VW bug convertable
* finding out that I am a "Passionate Investigative Pioneer" from Land Rover (What are you? Check here to find out!)
* a Volvo driving safety simulator
* getting golf umbrellas and waterbottles from Suzuki after the 1st bottle broke!

* getting another manual-driving-lesson.... including freaking out on a real road and not being able to get the car to start moving again!

I'm sure I'm forgetting things, so I may edit later!

Coolness

I got a present today... a shirt. Now, normally a shirt does not warrant such excitement, but this shirt isn't normal! :) Go and check out the website of the designers - David and Goliath. The site is pretty cool... but one that makes my sad dial-up connection spaz out. (I'll just have to rebel and check it out at work!)

The one I received says something bound to make college roommates and friends laugh...

Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them!

Thanks, Matt. :) I love it!

Vacation woes...

Being how I feel, this post is going to be appropriately green... with envy.

I am tremendously jealous of several friends and acquaintances right now. People all around me are away, going away, or planning to go away. One is in Myrtle Beach as we speak. Two are going to Russia at the end of April. Others are going to a veterinary conference in Aruba next month. My brother and father are leaving on the 1st to fly to Nice and cruise in the Mediterranean for a week.

I want to go away! I want a vacation! Where's my trip? :c/

Stamp! stamp! stamp! NO FAIR!!

One Year

One year ago today, my poor little Jeep and I were in an accident. The stupid %$@*&! that hit me claimed no responsibility for it and his insurance company refused to pay for my claim. So my insurance company sued him. (Extra info: He got booted from his insurance after our accident... especially since it was his third accident at age 21 and the previous one was just a few days before...) I ended up being without my baby for 6 weeks while insurance companies duked it out - but at least I got a Jaguar to drive for a week (woo hoo! Talk about posh!) and then a TrailBlazer as a replacement rental while I waited. All in all, I am certainly thankful that only cars got hurt, not any people. But I was still angry about it!

So after a long wait, I finally got word the other day (Monday, I think) that it was finally settled. The stupidhead's insurance company finally agreed to pay, after lawyer intervention. I got a check from my insurance company for my deductable... minus $175+ in lawyer costs.

... I consider that a small price to pay for my insurance not going up. :) I'm just happy that it's over.

"Do trees have sex?"

...this was the question of an eighth grader today at our middle school. From what I know, he/she asked the question of their science teacher during class. I overheard a follow-up conversation on the subject during choir. One person said the answer was yes, another thought trees were asexual. Not a tremendously surprising question for an eighth grader, but random nonetheless.



BTW, I think the teacher's answer was yes. (strange mental pictures!)

Randomness of the day

1. LIVING ARRANGEMENT? back at home
2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW: The Inner Voice by Renee Flemming
3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD: enlarged water droplets
4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BOARD GAME: Monopoly
5. YOUR FAVOURITE MAGAZINE: InStyle
6. FAVOURITE SMELLS: baking, vanilla, lavender, the ocean
7. FAVOURITE SOUND: certain voices, ocean sounds, laughing
8. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD: feeling that your life has completely fallen apart!
9. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING: Do I have time to hit the snooze alarm?
10. FAVOURITE COLOURS? Pink, red, lighter blues
11. HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE? usually four, I think... if it's a phone that rings.
12. NAME OF FUTURE CHILDREN: I keep changing my mind. Currently, I'm liking Sven, Giovanni, Neville, Petunia, Stella.... ;)
13. MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE: Finding your calling and your soulmate
14. FAVOURITE FOODS: oh, too many. Triscuts, Nutella, gilato.....
15. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?: sometimes
16. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? I'll admit that there is one rather well-loved old friend lying around
17. STORMS ARE: usually wonderful, unless I'm stuck driving in them!
18. WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?: a 1991 Toyota Tercel named Bing
19. IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE WHO WOULD IT BE?: tough question. Don't know.
20. FAVOURITE DRINK?: Polar Seltzer, but if you're talking alcohol, Amaretto Sour
21. ZODIAC SIGN?: Gemini
22. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?: of course
23. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE? when I figure it out, I'll get back to you!
24. EVER BEEN IN LOVE?: Yes
25. IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?: There's a glass? And there's stuff in it??
26. FAVOURITE BOOK: Don't know, I've done a bit of reading
27. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED: Dust, a keyboard (piano, not computer) and maybe a rogue sock
28. FAVOURITE NUMBER: um, maybe 14?
29. LEAST FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH: most of them!

Reason No.497

(aka another reason why I can't wait until June 22)

In the world of teaching, as in many other fields, we are expected to accrue professional development hours within the field. This can be done in a number of ways, like taking graduate classes ot through workshops. Being a music teacher, the workshops that are of any use to me are few and far between, making me want to jump at any opportunity when it arises. I went to the state music educator's convention last month to rack up some hours (I think I got 14 or 15?) and while there I saw a thing for a workshop next month, sponsored by the book publisher that I use. The workshop is completely FREE to attend - and they feed you and give you stuff to take home. I was pretty psyched, especially since my district didn't even pay for half of the convention's price. So, I put in the paperwork request to attend.

I got denied. When I asked why, I was told that because I had gone to the 2 day workshop, I was not allowed to use any other professional days this year. Now here's the kicker... the second day of the convention ended up being a snow day at work... so they didn't have school and didn't have to get a substitute, meaning that I only took one professional day instead of 2!! I brought up this fact to the big boss (in a 'second request' note), hoping that the light would go on and they would give me the OK to go.

Nine days later (nice and prompt,eh?), I got a typed response back, dening me yet again and saying I was already had my 2 days. Don't they understand English? Now I am going to get jipped out of my second day because they say I can only have the two due to the budget crunch. And at this point, if I took a sick day on that day, they would know I wasn't sick. And, best of all, that note got sent to my principal and put into my personnel file.

Oh, June, please come quick! It doesn't matter that I don't know what June 23 will bring!

What does it all mean?

I stumbled on this website while pondering things like names and if names suit the people who own them. I think it's bizarrely interesting, and not too far off, really. My name was too long to put in first, middle and last, but I tried several variations of my name and found it all quite intriguing. Try it sometime. Try your own name, see how it works. Try the names of others you know. Try my name and see if what you gets really suits me.

...it could lead to hours of distraction if you let it. :p

History Lesson

On this date in 1887, a man by the name of Chester Greenwood patented a useful winter-wear item.... earmuffs.

Useful and functional... although sometimes a little silly looking. Hurrah for Chester and his earmuffs!

Poetry for a Wednesday

This poem showed up at work last week. Very appropriate for Read Accross America Day (aka Dr. Seuss' birthday) - a holiday among the elementary-school set.

I'm sure that most of you will relate. I certainly did.

Dr. Phil

I'm not a huge fan of Dr. Phil, but I've gotten this test as a forward before, and wonder if those of you who know me well think it's done a good job of figuring my personality. For those of you unfamiliar with the procedure, you answer the 10 questions and then tally up points for each answer. I ended up with a score of 48... so this is what it says about me:

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

Comments? If you want to take it too, just let me know and I'll send it along.

Adventure

I went on a surprise adventure last night. I haven't really been out adventuring in a while, which made me remember just how much fun adventuring can of be.

Here are some highlights:
therapudic nighttime sledding, a broken bike helmet and a snow stick ball game
a mysterious parked car that drove away as it realized it was not alone
someone removing their pants in the parking lot of Trader Joe's
lobster tails and hot chocolate (a good combination, if done correctly!)
technical support questions and brownies
ending up with two sleds and a tie at the end of the evening!

Hurrah for adventures! ;)

Wound tighter than a....

... I don't know! What best fits in that phrase? I forget.

You know that something is terribly wrong with your work environment when it starts stressing you out when you're home on a snow day... which in itself is an amazing gift! I decided to be good and do some catch-up work when all of a sudden this wave of panic came over me about a stupid concert I have to conduct on Thursday - it was thrown at us very last minute and due to the weather we've been having (and other circumstances), I have not seen this choir since February 18!! I have to have an emergency rehearsal tomorrow (which involves so much stupid work - informing all teachers last minute, making sure the room is free, letting a million others know, and providing lesson plans for whomever covers my classes at the other school...) and still I don't know when we are scheduled to leave for this luncheon on Thursday - or if we have transportation - or if the teachers even know about that yet! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I should be relaxing with a book and some hot chocolate, not feeling this deer-in-the-headlights feeling!

... only 8 more paychecks... 8 more paychecks... 8...

My new hero

Wow. This is amazing. Whoever did this deserves a prize. And the fact that it's a Jeep makes it even cooler in my book. (and it makes me and my baby a little jealous, I must say!)

Hurrah for you, whomever you are! That is bloody brilliant!!!

financial genious or just lucky?

Being the nerds that we are in my house, we occasionally like to play board games. One that I grew up playing was Monopoly - although "house rules" (vs. "real" rules) generally apply around here. My parents and I played today and surprisingly I was the winner - usually my financially astute father has that honor, wheeling and dealing his way to the top. But, today was my day. I was ruthless and reckless and it worked... to the tune of having $17,522 in assets at the end! (For those of you experienced Monopoly players, no, we did not start out with the standard amount of cash - we played with quite a bit more - and we did not play until someone went bankrupt... we got tired of playing and cashed in.)

Final tallies:
Me - $17,522 Dad - $13,185 Mom - $3,924

...Oh, the things I would be doing if I actually had that much cash in my hand at this moment... I certainly wouldn't be sitting in this arctic ice palace in front of the computer! :)

fun times

I think it's interesting how things always come in bunches. For example, I've had two weekends in a row of being away with friends - first the fairies and now up to B&P. I tend to see movies in bunches - no, not all in one sitting (usually!), but several fairly quickly and then none for a while. The one problem with this system is that it spoils me, and then I get sad when things quiet down for a while... blast that dumb Mr. Murphy!

This past weekend was fun. There was the party I mentioned a couple of days ago, then a day which found me in the wildest furniture store/playground and another movie (Ocean's 12), then a long long ride in the snow/sleet/yuck home, getting there just in time to go be captured by pirates (literally!) and then hang afterwards - a rarity, since I didn't have to worry about work today! Hurrah! :)

It's nice to go away, but it's also nice to be home.

A State of Weirdness

... a second attempt at this post, since I lost it the first time, due to stupidness...

I've been meaning to post about this for some time. I live in one of the more colorful states in this large country, known by some as "The armpit of America" and other colorful references such as how we are one big oil refinery or how the turnpike smells. Yeah, I live in the picturesque Garden State. So strange is our humble little state that some people got together and started a magazine called Weird NJ about strange phenomena, locations, and other oddities around here. I knew little about this group until this summer, and then in January a work friend gave me the calendar, which is hanging up at school. I find all of the strange things I'm learning about bizarrely fascinating! How interesting, though, that someone I know lives quite close to several of these obscure locations and yet only ever showed me/told me about one... didn't you think I could handle the weirdness???

Glamour shots, Gimp keychains and Napoleon

Greetings from Massachusetts! :) Here I am at la casa de Wood, enjoying a change of scene from the insanity of work and the bleakness of Snobville. Last night was a Napoleon Dynamite party - a postcard came to me in the mail a few weeks ago, inviting me to the shindig - since I hadn't seen the movie, I was unfamiliar with the references until last night. There were tater tots (both regular and in a casserole!), deviled eggs, a "Pedro hearts Summer" cake, and nachos (also candy sushi, but that was just for fun, not tied into the film), we all had our "Glamour Shots by Peter" taken, made gimp keychains , and there was a lot of 80's inspired fashion accessories floating around. It was a really fun evening - aren't you jealous of the fun we had?

Foofie-foofie

Yes, bizarrely enough, my parents have watched several more episodes of Strange Love. I came home last night from rehearsal and found them staring puzzledly at the television - and there, on the screen was the world's most unlikely couple. I think the catalyst for watching comes from the fact that it is so preposterous, so over-the-top. (And I must say I find it amusing that M&D have seen it several times!) Personally, I'm a fan of Flav's Viking hat... and it gives him a little height, next to Brigitte.

Anyway... TGIF, especially since next week I will only be at work one day! Woo hoo! :) Between a conference and the President's Day Holiday, Wednesday will be my only at-school day! (Few people have an idea of how happy that makes me!)

HAPPY WEEKEND! :)

Fairy Reunion and Whatnot

Hopefully quick update:

Friday: Valentine's Tea went well... not without much stress, of course, and stupidness too, but it was fine. And now it's done.

Saturday: the afternoon brought about the commencement of the Fairy Reunion Weekend. We drove down to the shore (Manahauket?) and went to dinner at a Chinese Food buffet (too many choices are overwhelming for me!!) and then back to the house to begin the movie marathon - which only ended up being HP1 and part of HP3, but then talking proceeded to keep us up quite late - or pretty early, depending on how you look at it.

Sunday: after very few hours of sleep (4), we went to IHOP (or IPOD, as I ended up calling it in a pre-coffee state!!) and then over the bridge to LBI to walk for a million miles on the beach and freeze our ears off before going back to the house to hang a little bit. After a stop at the WAWA for sandwiches (and a water... wawa from the WAWA! hehe!), we drove home. It was too short. There is already talk of a sequel, making sure that all 5 young fairies make it down, not just 4. And the movie choices are expanding - HP, LOTR, and Eleni's opera DVDs... but there will be much laughter and rejoicing. :)