Five Years Ago Today

my best friend called me his girlfriend for the first time.  

In 2006 I had the biggest crush on C, like ever. Look how little we were at my Sweet 16! 

 Less than a year later I was at his Junior Prom and was officially his "girlfriend." 

 Senior year we spent as much time together as two high schoolers going to different schools possibly could. 

I was heart broken when he had to leave me to go to college in August of 2008. 

Still in love in 2009.

 ... And 2010. 

... And 2011.

 And I never thought I could love anyone more than I did last year or the year before that, but here I am five years later, with my high school sweetheart and I wouldn't have it any other way.  

M.I.A

I've been slightly missing in action lately, and for that I apologize.  Sixth grade is in full gear and there's no time for slowing down. 

However, I have found some time to do some blog-worthy things, and luckily I found about 2 minutes to actually blog about them.  Without further adieu, here is a collection of my most recent happenings:

Aunt Doe gets married! My family and I were ecstatic to see the youngest of my mom's sisters get married last week.  

Mr. and Mrs. 

The Sisterhood

The Bride and her nieces :)






 I celebrated Loverboy's 22nd birthday. 

His traditional over-sized handmade card (and a present hidden back there too) 

Me and the one that I adore :)

A sixth grader made me a beautiful drawing at the end of the week.  

Boy:"Ms Y this is for you. Hatars love 'em. Peace."

Me: Oh! Well, thank you .. uh, it's beautiful!

I contributed to "raisin" test scores during a week of standardized testing at Hollywood ;)

(I can't wait for round two to be over this week!)

My week has been long, but far from boring.  I am excited for the week ahead as it brings me closer to our Public School Spring break in less than THIRTEEN DAYS!!! But who's counting?

Happy week xo 

It's OK...

It's OK...

… that I’m not home to celebrate Loverboy’s birthday today.  It’s almost Friday and that means as soon as the dismissal bell rings I will be on my way to NJ to spoil the boy who spoils me all the other 364 days of the year. 

… that it doesn’t feel like 5 whole years ago I was reserving “shotgun” of C’s brand new car on his 17^th birthday.  Time flies when you’re having fun, right?

… that I have not opened my school bag at home even once this week. My laptop has remained closed and I haven’t even looked at my planner past 3:15pm.  For the past three days. It’s one of those weeks so much is getting on during the day that I just want to leave work behind.

… to admit to drinking, um, a lot of glasses of wine this past Monday night.

… that a late night Bananagrams game with my roomies ensued from said wine drinking.  All on a school night! Watch out guys, Ms. Alensis is gettin’ wild. 

… that I have been writing checks to my friends for them to cash for me because I lost my bank  card on a grimy bar floor.  2 weeks ago. This issue needs to be solved, like, yesterday.    

… that I’m not writing a sappy post to Loverboy, because I did that last year (here). And I’m sure a lot of my readers are sick of it. However, I will not contain my excitement for seeing him this weekend! It’s been four weeks and I miss my old (22 year old!) man.

So. Happy Thursday, loves. And happy birthday, Christopher.  I hope you feel as loved and celebrated as I have felt since we were 17. 

Weeeeekeeenddd

You guys, this has been a very long week.

But it is finally Friday and I am so thankful because THIS GUY is coming to visit-

:) :) :) :) 

Oh yeah, as well as three of his teammates. So, I will be hosting four defensive linemen in my tiny apartment this weekend. Somehow I don't think the relaxing weekend I so desperately need will be making an appearance until this week. Oh well. 

Happy Weekend everyone! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love being a teacher on holidays. Especially holidays that can be incorporated into a grammar lesson. 

Like Valentine's Day.  I'd be lying to myself if I didn't say the best part about Valentine's Day is identifying "Valentine's" as a singular possessive noun. 

Coming in close second in all things great about Cupid's Holiday are all the ways we remind the people we love exactly that.

And if you tell me that face isn't the sign of total adoration, I have been celebrating Valentine's Day completely wrong for the past five years....

(ha. just kidding. I swear he loves me...)

Seriously, though.

My momma is always thinking of me. Thanks to her, I have sweet new "jewels" (as my preschoolers would say) to wear to school on V-Day. Plus, some pretty sweet heart socks (who doesn't love corny holiday themed socks?) and a delicious mini heart box of chocolates that, I can assure you, will be gone by the end of the day. 

Hollywood Elementary sent all the teachers heart shaped "suckers" :-)

My handsome, handsome Loverboy sent me the most beautiful note to accompany a brand new MK scent. Even more perfect? It's called "Very Hollywood." I foresee this box doubling as a container for Post-Its or paperclips sometime in the near future. 

I'm looking forward to sharing with you all the drama that will certainly follow a group of hormonal sixth graders after a day of celebrating Valentine's Day. And I look even more forward to Friday when Loverboy comes down to MD for a belated Valentine's Day celebration. Yay! 

Enjoy this day and make sure you tell anyone you love, that you do.

Also make sure you say ValentiNe's with an "n" and not an "m."

And don't forget that apostrophe - it's possessive, not plural! ;) 

XOXOXO 

PS - My best Valentine's gift ever? That's a toughie, because C is so, so good at gift giving. However, I've had this hanging in my room for four years because I am so impressed that a 17 year old boy could make something so crafty and cute. Loved it! It takes up about a 4 by 3 foot space on the wall above my bed. Still love it, and will be holding on to it for a very long time. 

Is he not the greatest Loverboy, possibly ever?

:) Love you C! xoxox

Arbitrary Friday Announcements

Yesterday, an unfortunately ill bird decided the entire hood of my car was a good place to get disgustingly sick. Apparently. 

It's days like this that I really miss living in the same town as Loverboy; he would have that car of mine shining like new in no time. 

In other news, it's Friday. The first of many long weeks of the semester was mildly boring at best, yet exhausting nonetheless. I am not especially looking forward to next week, when the work load piles itself upon my already busy schedule. However, tonight I plan on celebrating a very happy hour with my girlfriends to catch up on the life I've missed out on since Student Teaching began.  

Tomorrow, I have to drive back up to Jersey, but I'm not complaining.  I am going bridesmaids dress shopping with my future cousin, followed by dinner with C (fingers crossed) and C's sister's engagement party on Sunday. 

I've been driving the beau a little crazy the past two days with my indecisiveness and constant interrogating about his weekend plans  (consequently, mine). I annoy myself with how much I obsess over scheduling and minor details...I can only imagine how much I frustrate a boy as laid back as C. And you know what? He still likes me.  And I like that. 

Thanks boo xoxo 

Why do today...

... what you can put off until tomorrow? (Or something else entirely. But let's just go with that.) 


Yesterday I was supposed to finish all my Christmas shopping. Instead, I bought super sparkly underwear from VS, for myself. The PINK line has gone absolutely sequin insane and I love it. My first thought when I saw the glittery undies was, "this is awesome." My second thought, "that might actually be border-line uncomfortable." 


But then I came to my senses and decided the glitter/sequins would probably gradually flake off in the drawer/dryer.
HOPEFULLY! Because then everything else these beauties come in contact with will be just a little bit shimmery and glitzy by association. I think we have ourselves a win-win situation.{I have yet to wash or wear my new undergarments, but once I do I will write an immaculately classy and ladylike post. Just do not ask for pictures because pictures of my underwear on the internet just sounds like a bad idea.}


Also, today I was supposed to finish unpacking my car which I haven't completed in the three days that it has been parked in front of my house.  However, C called me on his way home from his last exam with hunger raging, so I opted to go with him for a Chipotle date...  turned fashion show... turned trip to the tailor ... turned two hour gym session.  Oh and before he put on his denim fashion show for me, let me just say that we unloaded his car of all its belongings.  Something isn't right here.  


BUT I did have a fantastic day with my loverboy, and tomorrow is another day, right? Tomorrow I shall unpack my bags and clean and finish all the shopping I have put off until five days before Christmas.  Or something else... who knows. 

It's OK...

It's OK ....

... that C thinks the woman in this video will be me in 50 years... because I can absolutely imagine him behaving exactly the same way as the man (and probably sooner than 50 years.) Gotta love it. 

... if you are guilty of one or more of the items on this list.

... that I am both depressed and ecstatic to have taught my last 6th grade lesson and last fitness class until mid January. I'm going to miss my kiddies, but not the exhausting hours. Going to miss my gym classes, but not planning them.  This chick needs some sleep.

... that there are precisely three things I am looking forward to this winter break:

1. Sleep

2. Christmas

3. Dates with this goofy boy:

 and by dates I probably mean working out, eating, laughing, sleeping, repeating. 

Happy Thursday, Lovas! 

Movie Review: The Muppets

Last weekend I had a hot date with my boo. He washed my car, I watched. We ate pepperoni rolls and did some homework.  I got all dressed up in date clothes, C wore his signature sweat pants, and we made it to a romantic viewing of The Muppets before a late-night outing to Walmart. Nothing says romance like strolling the aisles of your local Walmart for fresh new wiper blades. 

If you know C & Me as a couple, none of these events should surprise you. 

We both really enjoyed the movie, and believe it or not, we weren't the only "adults" in the theater.  In fact, there was only one child in the entire room ... sitting two seats away from me, kicking the seat in front of him and taking more bathroom breaks than generally acceptable for the duration of one movie.  Somehow I don't think he was as appreciative of the sentiment or humor of the movie as the more seasoned Muppet fans in the theater.  

The jokes were both extremely silly and cunningly clever. Animal is now in Anger Management and being sponsored by a disgruntled Jack Black, Miss Piggy plays an executive en Vogue in Paris, and Gonzo relinquishes his title as CEO of a very successful used-toilet company, just to name a few of the very fitting new roles for the Muppet gang. Cameo appearances by stars like Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Zach Galifianakis, and Ken Jeong supplemented the humor with familiar faces.  I love Jason Segel, and he was the perfect "Muppet of a Man" for the role.  His goofy grin paired with Amy Adams' delightfully innocent personality made the quintessential couple in Smalltown, USA. 

Gary (Jason Segel) and his muppet brother, Walter, are the Muppet's biggest fans, on a mission to save the Muppet theatre from a villainous oil-barren while also battling the struggles of self-identity and heart break.  Not the most creative story line, but entertaining nonetheless. 

All in all, this was an adorable movie for you and your beau, no matter your age. I recommend you go take your next hot date to the theatre and sing a long to some old Muppet faves. 

Ma-nah-ma-nah. 

PS - Everytime Walter had a close up, C and I couldn't help but laugh.  He looks eerily identical to a real-life human we know. Too funny.

----

PPS - I wanted to link up over at Life of Meg for my first "Mingle Monday!"This week's question? "What's on your Christmas List?"I feel like I've been answering this question far too often, but tis the season, right?
-New Boots!!-Michael Kors perfume-Jillian Michael's Meltdown Yoga DVD-Work out clothes-Some more hot dates with loverboy ;)
20 more days 'til Christmas!! I should probably stop thinking about what I want and start shopping for the fam..AHHH

The End of an Era?

Since sophomore year of high school I have looked forward to the weekends, sitting on cold metal bleachers, sporting #50, or more recently, #49 across my back, cheering on my favorite football player until my throat was sore.  In high school I looked forward to sitting under the Friday night lights, cheering on number 50, all the while praying my high school crush stayed injury-free for the entire night so we could enjoy our weekly post-game trip to the diner.  

Senior Yr HS '08 

C's Groupies @ Snapple Bowl '08 

Freshman year @ MU

Sophomore year @ MU

Junior year @ MU

Senior year @ Villanova


(For the record, we didn't take a picture at the actual last game of the season. He claims we have too many that look exactly the same.  Point taken, but I still don't care how many of these we have!)

Seven years later, a senior in college,  I found myself teary-eyed in the Monmouth University stands as I heard #49 called out onto the field to be recognized as a Senior; hearing his name called over the sound system made the end of an era of collegiate football games that much more real.  

It is not certain that C walked out onto the turf for the last time on Saturday, as he is eligible for a 5th year of representing Monmouth University Athletics.  However, he has not yet made a decision about whether or not he wants to go through another physically tolling season of the sport that has defined the last 16 years of his life with hard work, determination, sweat, teamwork (and concussions.)

Maybe it's the uncertainty of what is to come that has my stomach in knots still... 2 days later.  

I always liked knowing that every Saturday I had something to look forward to, that if one week's game went wrong, there was always next week - or next season. I appreciated knowing that my boyfriend's dedication to the year-round challenges being a student-athlete would inspire me to work hard and motivate me to do my best. I fell in love with the sound of the never perfect, but always spirited, college marching band. I looked forward to the blue and white pom-poms I collected at every game but never remembered to bring the following week. I even stocked my closet in accordance to my beau's team colors. In high school it was red, which was nice as I moved forward into UMD where I could continue to wear red proudly.  Since 2008, however, I've been steadily collecting as much blue and white as I could get my hands on.  Looks like I'll be wearing a lot of blue from now on, even if C won't be.  

It is his decision to make, but I can't help but selfishly think of all the reasons I hope he continues to play. I'm not yet ready to be rid of Saturday games that hold so much meaning. Not to mention the way a pair of tight football pants so wonderfully enhances a defensive end's rear end ;)  (As C would say, "hey, it was lookin at me.")

Who doesn't love a man in uniform ;) 

Whether C decides to come back for another season or to end on a high note (with the second most tackles on the team against Wagner thank you very much) I will never forget the seven seasons of weekends revolving around football.  I am thankful for the excitement each weekend held, wins and losses, and for the amazingly dedicated man #49 has become in part due to this incredibly demanding sport.  He definitely loves this game more than most things, and I was fine being second to football for seven years; I truly believe it has made him who he is today: strong, motivated, and disciplined. Even if he laced up his cleats for the last time on Saturday, these are qualities that will last a lifetime, and Lord knows I will cherish the memories forever. 

All good things must come to an end, anyway. Right? 

Love this one - all his roommates/ the best of the D-Line :) 

Love you, Chris.  

Discipline in the Eyes of a Catholic School Student

Every night before I get ready for bed I call my boyfriend, and every night he asks me how school was that day and I always give him every last detail. It's always more information than he cares to know, and usually I just get grunts and "uh-huhs" in response. But ever since I started 6th grade I get a little more response.

"I'm tired of hearing about this new school education crap. Go old school Catholic school teacher on them. I swear I thought for the longest time nuns really did have eyes in the back of their head. Act like a nun."

-Sorry you had no fun in grammar school, but us public school kids actually liked the majority of our Elementary school teachers and I want to be one of the likeable ones.

"No, be a bad ass Magg. Just because you're cute doesn't mean you have to be nice. If you need lessons on being a bad ass, let me know."

-Ha! Ok I'll let you know if I need teaching lessons from you, my boyfriend who last week got in a fight with a 10 year old on the Dining Hall lunch line.

"Give them more homework. And tell them it's GRADED. Yeah! Grade their damn homework. No..no..give them POP QUIZZES. Kids f*%$#*n hate pop quizzes!!!! Show 'em your tough Magg, show em who's boss. "

These conversations usually always end in giggle fits on my end of the phone. But don't get me wrong, because I always go to him for advice because I seriously value it. And actually, after today's school day I decided I think I might just grow a pair of eyes in the back of my head.

I love love love my kids, but I don't want to cross that faint line between friend and teacher. Right now the distinction is blurred for some students, which I think is fine, because I believe a teacher can be a confidant. But not necessarily the type of confidant you would consider a peer. 

For days like today that are just a little bit too rowdy, I'll be Sister Margaret. Thanks for the advice, C.

Love this picture of C and my little cousin.
Kids really love him, especially my cousins - can you tell the feeling is mutual? 

Surprise, Surprise!

My close friends can attest to the fact that when I get excited it is nearly impossible to shut me up. It's my nature to want to share good news and enthusiasm with anyone that will listen. 

With that being said, imagine the mere torture it was for me this week to not blog, tweet, nor facebook about my excitment with not one, but THREE thrilling surprises lined up for this weekend! Torture, I tell you. Pure torture. It was probably also tortuous for my close friends at school who had to hear the same thing come out of my mouth over and over again because I had no one else to tell. Sorry guys. 

And now you, my loyal bloggies, can hear what all the pent up excitement was all about:

Saturday I drove up to CT to surprise my Christopher at his football game. The drive up north was totally worth it because not only did he play one of his best games this season, but the Hawks WON and he literally jumped over the fence in front of the bleachers after the game to give me a kiss. It's times like these I wish I had paparazzi following me so someone could have captured that moment... I love surprising that boy. 

---

 Directly from Connecticut we rushed over to Hoboken to celebrate C's sister's engagement!!!!! Her boyfriend of nearly 3 years (whom we all adore) gave her a ring earlier that night in NYC and a group of us surprised her afterwards for tear-filled celebration. I'm so happy for you guys! xoxo

And now I have Wedding Fever, but that's neither here nor there because C already told me I better "go get medicine." Oh well, I'll just have to live vicariously through his sister ;) 

---

On Sunday came Surprise #3: Aunt Boo Boo's surprise 50th!  

        

Success.

And then we celebrated, ate, drank and carved pumpkins. Because what else would you do on a beautifully crisp Autumn Sunday?

My simple heart carving :o)

Hehe, get it? 

And the night was ended with the lighting of some of our pumpkins. How cute are they? 

I decided not to go back to school right away, because I wanted to buy some more time with my loverboy. Surprise, teachers! No Maggie in class today. Instead of driving back to school at the buttcrack of dawn, I let myself sleep in (and made my boyfriend check my tire pressure.) Later C made a pitstop at Nordstrom with me and we treated ourselves to a classy IHOP breakfast! A relaxing ending to our nonstop action-packed weekend.

 Love you, Chris.