It's OK...

It's OK ... 

... To think everyone is completely overreacting over the Earthquake, yet still be ridiculously outraged your school isn't one of the 32 in the county that has a day off.

... To want to put Chocolate and Peanut Butter in your Oatmeal. It's a real thing.

... To be slightly excited for a natural disaster. But only when you're in college because College is the only place that being locked in your home (apartment/dorm/frat house/dive-bar) for hours on end is fun. 

... To be excited it's Thursday because that means it's also Jersday.

... And that Jersey Shore is your not so-guilty pleasure. 

... To work out hardcore Jillian Michaels Style and reward yourself with a Chipwich. 

... To be a vegetarian... just for a week... just to see if you can do it. 

(I can!)


... That you cringe and want to scream and maybe even sweat a little bit every time someone writes "a lot" as one word. 

....I think

Did I ever mention...

...I have the best boyfriend in the world? 

Because indeed, I do. 

I mentioned earlier that due to yesterday's natural disaster, the public schools in the county were closed. Ergo, Ms. Y had a day off.  Of course I spent the day sunning with the girls at the Pool, and of course it was perfect. 

Later, as I was in line at the check out counter of our local Target, right before my credit card was declined and I walked out merchandise-less and ashamed, I got a phone call from the front desk of my apartment building.  

"Hi Maggie, this is Alice from the desk, you have a perishable package waiting for you that you should probably pick up as soon as possible."

No problem, Alice, as I can't bring home the cart-full of items I spent an hour and a half in Target shopping for, so I need not waste any time unloading a car or putting things away.  I'll be there in 10 minutes. 

I was somewhat curious what could be waiting for me that was perishable. All I hoped was that it wasn't something awful like an uncalled for prank in which someone sent me stinky cheese or bottles of ranch dressing. Because that is my worst nightmare. Because those things are dreadful, and who wants them being delivered to their apartment? I only hope that I don't have any enemies that would think to send me rank food products.*

Luckily, when I returned from Target with nothing, I was greeted by Alice and a pink vase of short stemmed roses. From Loverboy, of course :) 

Let me just take this time to remind myself how much I love this boy. Long distance relationships can be difficult for most people, but for three years now I've lived two states away from my boyfriend and have never been more sure of anything in my life. I'm not saying it's always easy; I find myself getting foolishly selfish when I don't get to spend as much time as I want with him. But times like this remind me that even through football camp, classes, school work, lifting, meetings, work, and personal chores, my C is always thinking of me.  

He spoils me to death and I hope he knows how thankful I am. I don't only** receive flowers on traditional flower-giving days (i.e. birthday, Valentines Day, etc.) ... can any other girls say they received a "Happy Move-In-Day-of-Second-Semester-Sophomore-Year" bouquet? Or how about a "Good-Luck-In-Student-Teaching" heart shaped display of roses? 

I think I've done enough gloating for one post, but let me just say that after a surprise day off from School, a fabulous pool day with the girls, and a Target Shopping mishap, flowers from my boy made this day an A+ in my book.

Thanks bebe! 

*By the way, JK about the cheese delivery. Of course I knew it wasn't white food (I detest) waiting for me. That would be unfathomable.
**I appreciate my flowers any day of the year!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm Loving...

...That PGC Public Schools are closed today. Apparently our Rock 'n Rollin Earthquake did enough damage to the internal structure of the buildings to give us a day off. While it was a scary 20 seconds of my life, and while I hope I never have to experience an earthquake again, I am thankful for the day of reprieve! I plan on running this morning, laying out at the pool, and catching up on some reading. Love love love. 

... that post-workout sore my quads are feeling today. Jillie and I did Day 1 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred yesterday (followed by a hilly campus jog) and it felt great! Call me crazy but I just love the feeling of soreness - it's a reminder of the hard work you did the day before. 

... the delicious smoothie I had this morning. 

-blueberries

-1/2 a frozen banana

-6 oz plain non-fat greek yogurt

- 1/4 cup skim milk

-1 tsp honey

yumm.o. 

... Ray LaMontagne Radio on Pandora. 

... my sixth graders and my new role at the fabulous Hollywood Elementary School! I'm feeling incredibly mature with my new responsibilities, and although I'm apprehensive about the work load for the remainder of the year, I think I'm more thankful to have been placed in such a great classroom/school. 

Rock N Roll @ Hollywood

Of all the unexpected things that could happen within the limits of a PG County School Day with 40 hormonal sixth graders, a 5.9 level earthquake was probably one of the least expected.  

Among some of the other unexpected events at Hollywood Elementary today:

- I discovered the inner-Jersey Boy in one of my little guys. He admitted his favorite song was "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. When asked why, he stated "Because when I'm down it cheers me up." =] 

I also caught him fist pumping during an ice breaker yesterday:

 "You know who I am Ms Y? ....The Solution."

I think you mean The Situation, bud. 

"Yeah. Whatever, you know. But this is how he dances."

As unexpected as it was to find a Jersey Boy in PG County, I do not hate it. 

- A student confessed her favorite color to be purple because it is "mysterious and vicious."

(Remind me to stay away from you, girlfriend.)

- Desk throwing a la Jersey Housewives over an allegedly stolen sticker. 

- A wall in the main hallway is now cracked as a result of the afternoon's earthquake.  And we were in "evacuation mode." Oh, lawdy.

Hollywood's school-wide theme this year is "Rock 'n Roll." I'm beginning to think this school takes their themes a little bit too seriously. And that was Day 2. Can't wait to see what Day 3 of Student Teaching has to offer. 

Ten on Tuesday

1. Do you listen to the radio in your car?  If so, what type of station do you like?
All the time. Almost my entire drive from MD to NJ is country radio. 

2. What is the best concert you have ever attended?
Ah that's a tough one. Honestly? Probably Aerosmith with Kiss at MSG. A close runner-up would be Bruce at the closing of the Meadowlands. 

3. What is the most embarrassing concert you have ever attended?
I don't think I'm embarrassed about any of the concerts I have attended.  Although it was slightly embarrassing sitting third row at a Tim McGraw concert...crying....by myself.  But only slightly. The concert was way too good to feel anything other than joy and excitement. 

4. If you could have the singing voice of anyone in the world, who would it be?
Hmm... Probably Martina McBride. 

5. You’re auditioning for American Idol.  What song do you sing?
I have no idea, but I do know it would a song originally sung by a male. Because my singing voice most closely resembles that of a male singer than a female singer. Just ask my sister, she never forgets to remind me of this lovely quality of mine.  

6. If your previous weekend had its own soundtrack, what would be a few of the songs?
Seek Bromance - Avicci (sung live at D'Jais Friday night!!)
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
Give Me Everything - Pitbul
Barefoot Blue Jean Night - Jake Owens
I'm On One -  Lil'Wayne (bc the boys at the shore house wouldn't stop playing it)
You and Tequila - Kenny Chesney ft. Grace Potters 

7. Most annoying television show theme song ever:
Backyardigans. UGHHHH. The worst part about babysitting my girls (Thank goodness they're getting too old to enjoy this show)

8. Are you and your significant other music-compatible?
Very much so. He's my concert companion. Although I will say he can listen to the screaming rock a little more than I can. And I probably enjoy a good R&B song more than him, but most of the time we compromise. 

9. A song that brings me back to middle school:
Holiday Inn - Chingy

10. A song that brings me back to high school:
Forever - Chris Brown

11. A guilty pleasure song (or three):
So Into You - Tamia ft. Fabolous!!!!!!!!!! I can't get enough of this song. Oh well. 
Still Fly - Big Tymers
Show Stopper - Dannity Kane 
#SorryImNotSorry 

Hollywood Glitz n Grammar

Today marked my first day of a year-long internship, Student Teaching in a 6th grade classroom at Hollywood Elementary School.  

Right now it is close to 6:00 PM and I am ready for bed.

I was up before the Sun this morning, and remembered during my half-asleep shower (I nearly drowned) that I didn't iron the dress I wanted to wear for my first day of school.  I had two options: take the time to iron the dress or choose another outfit. I loathe ironing. If I could eliminate one chore from the rest of my life, ironing would be it. The dress I planned to wear was purchased in Barcelona with this precise day in mind; it was a short sleeved, two toned dress - white from the waist up, khaki from the waist down - with a pencil skirt form that hit at just the right spot above my knees. Decently conservative, yet highly fashionable. The perfect dress for a Student Teacher.  


Obviously, I couldn't choose another outfit. I bit the bullet and plugged in our cheap no-name iron and unfolded the miniature ironing board kept in the depths of our laundry cove. 15 minutes and a mildly sweaty brow later, I came close to a victory and ironed out most of the wrinkles. 

Completely dressed, although only partially blow-dried (unforeseen ironing took precious time away from hair-doing), I got in my car to drive the 7 minutes to school. And then I spilled my coffee onto my freshly pressed skirt. 

I remained surprisingly calm and walked into the school with poise and coffee-stained confidence.

Soon enough I was making introductions to 40, that's right, FORTY, sixth graders, half of whom were taller than me. Quite a shift from my small summer class of 18 six-year-olds. 

I'm going to need a Mega-Phone for the other side of the room to hear me. 

Despite my stressful morning, and despite the initial terror that ran through my veins at first sight of the 5'10" eleven-year-old approaching me at 7:35 AM, I was very impressed and pleased with my first day. 

My Desk! Along with the cute teachery gifts my mentor gave me! 

The students were surprisingly well-behaved for sitting in the same seat for 5 out of the 6 and a half hours of the school day while their teacher preached to them rules and expectations and they organized their desks. 

I think my favorite part about 6th grade is going to be the English curriculum (duh). I am so excited for the novels we get to read, and a grammar lesson is required by the county each and every day. Woooo! 

Ms. D (my mentor): "These are your grammar journals. Who can remind me what grammar is?"

Lil' Diva: "It's when you make corrections because you make lotsa mistakes."

Big Guy: "You know like periods and commas and question marks and stuff."

Boyyyy I can't wait to get my hands on these grammar books.  

All in all, it was a great first day. My head may still be aching a little too loudly, my feet may be blistered, and my eyes may be ready to shut, but I am still excited to see what Day 2 of Student Teaching has to bring. I know I'm going to fall in love with these kids.

Bring on the Glitz & Grammar, Hollywood ES! 

Mixed Feelings

This summer is going by altogether quite too fast and I don't know how I feel about it. 

I woke up with conflicting feelings of excitement and depression this Friday of my last weekend at home of the summer. 

Excited because it's Friday and that means a trip down the shore and HH at D'Jais. Not to mention two out of three roomies are visiting me all way from Baltimore to experience the Jersey Shore. Can't wait to see them, pray the weather holds out! 

Depressed because quite frankly I'm not ready to have a schedule again. Not ready to part with the lifestyle I will leave behind in NJ - where my biggest uncertainty is whether I will go to the beach that morning or what Hot Yoga class I'll take that day. Not quite ready for the uncertainty of completing homework assignments and the fickle autumn weather I'll have to trek through to get around campus. 

Today I plan on temporarily pretending like I have nothing to do and having fun with my girlfriends. Tomorrow I will watch C's first intra-squad scrimmage and hopefully grab a bite to eat with him afterwards. Sunday I'll celebrate my Momma's bday and act like I won't be just a three and a half hour drive away from Fall Semester Reality. Who's with me?