Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

I've had a beautiful affair with the three-day weekend. And this makes breaking up even harder than usual. The weekend left me alone for hours at a time because the weekend understands that sometimes I just want to be alone. He just quietly sat back, letting me know he was there but didn't stay for hours talking or demand all of my time. Because the weekend understands me. He gets how important it is for me to go see a movie by myself sometimes. And he doesn't think it's strange. The weekend also knows that I need to play so he gave me two boys and the batting cages, five boys and Scera Pools and three boys and The Bad News Bears so I could run and jump and play and laugh. Oh, the weekend is so good to me. He took it particularly hard when I called him last night to say I couldn't see him tomorrow. I have to go to practicum. It's not him. It's me. I'm the one that can't help but put my responsibilities before our love. I wish I could give him my everything right now, but I can't. And even though I know we both shed a little tear when I woke up dutifully to my alarm clock this morning, I know he understands. And I know he'll wait for me until Friday and he'll bring a Coke and some chocolate. Because the weekend is my perfect man. Sigh.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

I've Got Nothin'

Really. Nothing. Nothing at all.

It's only 9:30pm and I'm already ready for bed. I'm exhausted.

I'm turning into my grandma. Crazy, tired and blind.

I need some "happy soup."

And a Coke.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

94

That what I got on my second (and last) observation today. Which means I'm pretty much done. All I have to do is show up and turn my day-to-day stuff and I should get an A. Hurray! I'm the practicum princess!
I Heart NY

I'm moving to New York. I mean, I have to stay in Provo for at least another year to finish up school. And I don't have enough money to move to New York. And I wouldn't even know how. But I got so bored and frustrated while doing my homework yesterday that I started searching for jobs over there. And applied for some.

Availability date: 06/2006.

Monday, July 11, 2005

99

That's how many points out of 100 I got today on my first of two formal evaluations for my practicum. The professor that used to not like me heard about what was happening and came in to observe. She gave me lots of compliments. I think we're friends now. Because I'm a genius!!

Sunday, July 10, 2005

No Reason To Be Alarmed

A few minutes ago a woke up with a start. I reached for my cell phone to see what time it was. But it wasn't in its usual spot. My hand moved around more desperately searching for it. No luck. My eyes widened with alarm. This means I didn't plug my phone in its charger which means I didn't set my alarm which means I'M LATE! I overslept! I sit up and start looking around. My phone is on the other side of my computer. But I don't look at it, already out of bed running to the bathroom to get ready for work. I look at the clock on the wall. It reads 6:30am. 6:30? I'm okay. I have time for a shower. I go back in my bedroom and pick up my cell phone again. Does it say 6:30 too? It does. But it reveals some more important information. It has a little "Sunday 7/10" in front of it. What does it mean??

It means I'm stupid.

I'm going back to bed.

Saturday, July 02, 2005

Salesman, Softball and Son

Today I went to Copeland Sports to buy a softball. I ended up picking out a new softball, a bat bag and a pair of baseball socks with yellow stripes. I went back downstairs to the checkout counter. The kid at the counter had his back to the line, was sitting on a stool with his feet up on the counter, talking on the phone. He was wearing a "Punk Rock" T-shirt and had spikey black hair and torn jeans. I listened for a second as he gave his friend the play by play of the night before...
"Ya... so... we like left the party and got into Mark's crappy car and started heading over to this other crappy party and I was like dude, the party's gonna blow..."
He heard me set my stuff on the counter and turned around with a face that read, "Crap! My mom caught me smoking pot!" A deer caught in headlights.
"Uh... dude? I gotta go! Hold on! Okay? Just hold on!"
He put down his cell on the counter and looked at me. "Uh... sorry!! I'm sorry! I wasn't on the phone! I was uh... just... sorry!"
"It's okay. It's not a big deal."
"Sorry!"
"Really, it's fine. I used to do it at work all the time. No biggie."
"Really? Phew! Wow. That was close."
He started ringing me up. He looks up at me and says, "You got a son that plays softball?"
Stunned silence. Maybe he noticed that the socks were size small and assumed it was for a kid...
"No... I just have small feet."
"What?"
Confused silence.
"No... I play softball."
"Oh, cool... I mean, girls that play sports are cool."
"Uh huh..."
He gave me back my debit card and I quickly walked away in a panic. What was it that made him think I had a son old enough to be playing softball? Am I dressed like an old lady? Do I have a mom voice? WHAT???

I still haven't recovered. At least he didn't call me ma'am.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Cruel Awakening

I just want to apologize to my downstairs neighbor (Kat) who most likely was startled awake at 5:30 this morning with a very loud crash and thought, "Sheesh! Did she just fall out of bed?!"

Yes. Yes, I did.

Monday, June 27, 2005

KAFEEN

Somewhere in Provo there is a truck with a license plate that reads KAFEEN. It made me giggle and it made my car take an unplanned turn into the Taco Bell parking lot where I bought a large Mountain Dew.
Butafuco

Never attempt to say the word "orangey" even if you think it might be a cute nickname for a little orange water toy. Especially if you have an obvious speech impediment.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

A Good Day

I got my first 4.0 ever. A- free. A real 4.0.

And Liz had her baby. He's quite handsome.

I don't have to go to New York with my mom.

I'm doing well in practicum since I've given up sleeping.

I got to talk to Heather and Sandy and Julie yesterday. All people I love.

I ate ten little reese's peanut butter cups and chocolate milk for breakfast.

My "crash" apartment has air conditioning, DDR and a my laptop. All I need.

I get to play in the softball game today where I can show off my ability to iron on letters when I wear my new self-made jersey.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Last Call

So my baby brother graduated from High School. He graduated from the Wasthington State School for the Deaf. This is three hours from my parents' home. His graduation ended Thursday night around 8:30. Washington decided to show me exactly what not to miss about my homestate when it decided to dump sheets of rain, starting right before the ceremony started and getting worse and worse as the evening wore on. The car ride back to Seattle was horrible. My sister, an anxious individual, driving her new car drove past an accident on the highway and couldn't see three feet in front of her car. This validated her decision to drive 40mph. Quite frankly, I was okay with this. The rain was pretty bad. But the other drivers didn't think so and we almost got in several accidents ourselves when they had to swerve around our practically still vehicle. We got home at 12:30am.

Then my parents got there with the graduate himself who I hadn't seen for more than a half hour during my whole trip. So we talked until 1:30am. Apparantly I'm allergic to dogs and since dog hair covers everything in my parents' house from the potato salad to my pillow, I didn't have a very restful sleep.

My dad woke me up at 4:20am. We left at 4:45 and I walked through the airport doors at 5:05. It took me exactly 6 minutes to check in with Delta airlines and check my bag. I was on my way. Plane loads in 19 minutes, departing in 49. No problem. But then I ran into the security check.

There were six security gates with two scanners each leading to four terminals. One gate was open creating an excrutiatingly long line that brought flashbacks of previous visits to WalMart. (Tangent: Why on earth did they build 40 check-out lines at WalMart when even during the Christmas rush they refuse to open more than 5? Why?) When I had finally made my way near the front of the line (it was well past loading time) they decided to open up another security gate or two. I threw my bags in the little gray bin and walked through the metal detector. BEEP!
"Go back through please. Do you have any metal on you?"
"No. I really don't have anything!"
"Maybe your shoes."
"They're plastic!" I put my shoes on the belt and walked through again. Nothing.
"See?? Sometimes there are metal supports in shoes. That's why we tell you to take off your shoes!"
"Nobody told me to take off my shoes! Besides I thought we were supposed to take off our shoes because that one guy hid..."
"LAST CALL FOR FLIGHT 1181 TO SALT LAKE CITY!"
"Oh, crap!!" If I miss this flight I miss my mandatory meeting completely which means I'll have no idea what to do with my students on Monday which means my grade goes down a letter.
I dropped my argument with the security guard and ran to the belt, grabbed my bags and quickly slipped on my shoes. My plane was in terminal A. The farthest terminal away. I began to run. I don't mean "airport walk." I mean hundred-yard dash RUN! I ran past terminal D on that moving sidewalk thing, past terminal C, through terminal B and into terminal A. A-1, A-2... I was supposed to be at A-18!!
"WE'RE NOW CLOSING THE GATE FOR FLIGHT 1181 TO SALT LAKE CITY!"
"NO!!!! Wait!!!" I ran! People stopped to stare at the little white girl bolting through the airport. I wasn't wearing make-up. My hair wasn't brushed. My eyes were puffy with allergies and lack of sleep. I hadn't eaten or had anything to drink. This paired with running for a half mile made for quite the line-up for vertigo blackout. "Wait!!"
They waited. "Welcome aboard, Miss Hansen."
Gasp for air. "Thanks."

Monday, June 13, 2005

Final Exam

Do you ever finish your final way before everybody else does? And so you get worried that you did something wrong? And then look over your test two or three times to see if you could figure out what you did wrong? But can't find anything? So you just sit there pretending you're deep in thought waiting for somebody, anybody to get up before you and turn in their exam?

Ya, me either.

Monday, June 06, 2005

Human Again

I have reclaimed my weekends by quitting Kara's. Elementary school got out and I have regained my mornings. These two giant life-altering events have well... altered my life.

I now do my homework during the day. I get a full night's sleep. I'm getting caught up on a year's worth of backed errands. I know people. I play. I'm kicking trash in school again. And today... I finally convinced the teacher that hates me that I'm smart. The shocked look of a lost battle that crossed her face will forever be a treasured token in my heart.

I feel like I can do anything! And I will... muahahahaha!!

Saturday, May 28, 2005

In a Nutshell

On Saturday I passed another kidney stone. And I went to SL to see the Lunsfords who were in town to drop Sarah off at the MTC. I grew up with Sarah. Her mom, Suzy, was the creator of a great miracle which I like to call "The Miracle of the Needed Clothes." You see, Suzy bought me clothes that I can wear to my practicum which has a strict dress code and starts mid-June. There is no way I would have afforded the wardrobe myself. Bless them for helping me! I stayed there that night and...

On Sunday we went to her aunt's ward. Then we went to the SL cemetary and went to all the graves of the prophets and Sister Hinckley. I stayed there as long as I could. They're good people with good food and friendly smiles. I stayed up late that night doing all the homework I should have done that weekend.

On Monday I went to work and worked very hard tying up loose ends before the end of the school year and trying to calm the students down. Then I went to class and met with my summer advisor who let us go early allowing me to get up to SL in time to eat dinner with the Lunsfords at The Roof at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The whole fam was there. Jeff, Suzy, Sarah, Kelli, Chris, Stacy, Benjamin, Karen, Mark, Janae, Kristin, John, Megan, and three people that Chris baptized while on his mission. Then I drove home late that night and worked on my homework for the following day until the wee hours of the morning.

Tuesday I went to work again. And worked hard. The kids were on crack and I looked like I was on crack too with bloodshot eyes accompanied with a staggared walk. Then I went to class, handed in my project and took a midterm. I wrote quickly and was able to leave early enough to make it to Aunt Karen's before dark. I helped Sarah pack. She was serious about this mission thing. I left around ten, got back to Provo alright and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning doing homework for the next day, and preparing a "Family Presentation" for my first graders.

I didn't sleep well so Wednesday morning was off to a shaky start. I finished up my project and ran to work. I stayed for three hours, then left to meet the Lunsfords at the MTC. I cried like a baby for a few hours as I watched my best friend say goodbye to her baby nephews and walk out the doors. Then I sped back to work where Kat, Liz and Lisa were waiting for me since they would be sitting is as my "Provo Family" for my presentation. I slapped on a smile, performed my monkey tricks for the kids, bragged about how talented and cool my friends are, handed out glow-in-the-dark bracelets and fed them chocolate cookies. I went to class handed in my project and taught my lesson to my group. I spent the evening watching American Idol and putting together thank you gifts for my co-workers since I'm grown quite attached to some of them after three years and because I will not be returning next year. Oh, and I did another project into the wee hours of the morning. (Are you seeing a pattern?) Then Heather called me and gave me a pep talk reminding me that I was okay, that I wasn't addicted to pain and that I really was happier doing this than not. Good point.

Thursday I woke up earlier than needed. I couldn't sleep anyway. I went to work, completed projects and passed out the thank you gifts. I took care of tiny Megan and tantruming Kaiden. Then I went to class and handed in my project. Then I got started on next week's shinanegans.

Friday was the last day of school. I got to work early to play with the children and take pictures. We stayed outside for the Dance Festival. The parents came to collect their children and I said my goodbyes to the children, their parents, Mrs. Ord, my friends in the front office, my co-workers/friends and Wasatch as a whole. Then I dashed off to Quiznos to pick up a sandwich for Liz and I and helped Liz move until late that night.

I slept eight full hours Friday night. It felt good. Really, really good.

Today I went to the bank because my bank card still wasn't here and it's been almost a month since I've ordered it. Then I went swimming and played powerball. Then I played softball. Then I went on a walk to get a Slurpee. Then I ran a few errands to buy aloe for my sunburned skin. Then I went to a farewell party. Then I ate dinner and watched a movie with Lisa as we nursed our burns. And now I'm going to bed. Because I'm tired.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Just a Reminder

One of my pet peeves is when somebody gives me a "reminder" when they never told me about it in the first place.

Oh, "remember" you're working tomorrow from 9-5.

Just a "Reminder!" There's a mandatory meeting on the 20th from 4-6pm.

Etc.

It's not a reminder if I was never told. It's a notice. Reminder implies there was a first notice. Which there wasn't.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Boring

I have nothing to say. No real complaints or funny anecdotes. No injuries or great news. Nothing. What does it mean? Does it mean I'm old? It does, doesn't it?! It means I'm old and boring! HELP!! I'm stuck in boring!

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Rain

It's been raining. For days. And yet, I'm feeling kind of sunshiney. Maybe it's because I was born in Seattle and deep inside me is a great appreciation for rain because it makes me feel like a kid again or because I associate it with happy memories and the sound is relaxing to me.

Nah.

Or maybe it's because grades were posted yesterday and mine looked like this...

Winter Semester 2005
CPSE 430..... 002.. Tching Read/LA Dis................. 3.0... A-
CPSE 440..... 002.. C & I Sec Stds Dis................. 2.0... A-
CPSE 442..... 002.. Soc/Beh Strgs M/M.................. 3.0... A
CPSE 446R.... 002.. Prac Sec M/M....................... 1.0... A
IP&T 287. 004.. Inst Tech for EAC,ElEd, & SpEd. 2.0... A-
SEM HR ERN 11.0 HR GRD 11.0 GPA 3.81

...so I did the dance of joy and ran out to get ice cream with Lisa.

Or maybe it's because today Franklin Elementary sent a representative to Wasatch looking for me to offer me a job next year.

Or maybe it's because our little devil child that I've been working so hard with was a complete angel today and his mom sent me a thank you card saying how much she appreciates me since her son has been behaving better at home too.

Or maybe it's because I bought a new grown-up outfit tonight to wear when I'm a teacher.

Maybe. Just maybe.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Proud Parents of Baby Blogs

There are a lot of proud parents out there of baby blogs (some more neglectful than others). Let's celebrate. These are the birthdates of our blogs...

2002 - Year of the Horse
Kat – November 11, 2002

2003 - Year of the Sheep
Carolyn – January 9, 2003
Em – February 3, 2003
Heather – February 6, 2003
Liz – February 16, 2003
Ryan – March 3, 2003
Eddie – March 6, 2003
Steve – March 13, 2003
Jay – May 1, 2003
Jena – August 1, 2003
Patrick – October 6, 2003

2004 - Year of the Monkey
Ry-Ry – May 1, 2004
Jon – May 11, 2004
Chris – May 13, 2004
Rach – June 20, 2004
Corey – June 24, 2004
Tiff – June 25, 2004
Erika – June 29, 2004
Leah – October 10, 2004

2005 - Year of the Rooster
Nama – February 2, 2005
Spencer – February 3, 2005
Jen – February 17, 2005
Kimberly – February 21, 2005
Ann-Marie – April 4, 2005
Jimmy – April 15, 2005
Lisa – April 23, 2005

Saturday, April 23, 2005

Ever

I have the best friends. Ever.

I was freaking out yesterday. My schedule was as follows... Friday: Wasatch 8:30 - 1:30, Kara's 4-9pm. Saturday: Kara's 9-4, apartment Check-out: 6pm. Jay helped me move my stuff inbetween Wasatch and Kara's. I called Kat to ask if maybe she could work for me for a few hours for one of the shifts so I could make my check-out time. She didn't call back.

When I got to apt 69 that night around 9:45, Kat and Lisa were just pulling into the parking lot, with the second to last load of all my stuff. My bedroom and bathroom was already empty. We finished moving by midnight, clean check and everything.

I have the best friends. Ever.