What a Monday

Got up at 4:30 due to a nightmare. Strange thing was, that wasn't the only time I had gotten up that night. In fact, I think I woke up a couple of times. One of my favorites was around 2:30/3:30ish thinking I had to teach my friend's swtor character A Heart Full of Love from Les Mis. 

Work today was a lot of fun because I really like the kids at the Tutor Time I go to. Because I was up at 4:30, I had a nice morning laying in bed trying to get feeling back in my fingers and toes in the aftermath of jumping awake. Since Tara didn't have school today I was able to take a long, hot shower. A wonderful, but increasingly rare occurrence. 

The point to that whole story was that I arrived at work super early. I was excited about arriving early, instead of getting there just in time to grab what I need and run. The only issue I had, though, was that I walked in and everything in the building was gone. It was an empty shell. 

My boss had told me that she was moving, but that there would be an email giving the new location's adress. 

After many frantic calls and a trip back to the old building, I finally got that adress but was now running late. Good thing my boss called ahead of me.

The day went really well once I had finally got there. The kids are always a lot fun and I feel like I get better with each lesson. The only thing I wish were different was that the kids weren't sick with colds. I'm always so paranoid when they cough.

Oh well! I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm determined not get sick until summer. I have a feeling that this year is going to be that year. I'm super overdue for a major illness. 

Anyway, I came home and took a nap. It was only supposed to be a half hour, but it lasted way past French class and into the evening. Gretchen woke me up and almost ushered me to bed. That's probably the smart thing to do, but I have a feeling I'll be up at 4:30 again if I went to bed now. 

ON a different note, college of ed applications are due by the end of this week!! It's so nerve wracking but really exciting at the same time. Part of me is really nervous because there is so much that had to be done, but then another part of me (the more logical side) reminds me that this has been done before. Over and over again. 

It'll all work out fine. I'm sure of it. Mostly sure. 

The rest of this week will be nice and normal I think. I hope.

Well, I'm off to do reading and finally watch... ugh... Doctor Who with the Roomies. 

Love and Peace

Elie

Snow

Looks like the time has finally come for me to break out all those Vitamin D pills I bought last year. I'm getting more use out of my knee high winter boots than I have ever before, and I find myself scraping my car off at night so there's less to do in the morning. That shovel I bought years ago is finally scraping ice and concrete away from tires of small cars so they can pull out of their parking spots.

Yes, my friends, winter has arrived in Allendale. That means my thoughts enter an emotional roller coaster, I want to drive as little as possible, and working out becomes something of the bane of my existence for the single reason of actually having to bundle up, go to the gym, undress, then bundle up again. So now, you'll find me in front of the TV doing jumping jacks and sit ups instead of running my ass off at the gym.

As for school, it is getting fairly busy. We are now at the point in my capstone where we must have some idea of where we want to go with our project. Instead of examining the relationships of the characters and the untraditional idea of power that Stroud writes about, I see my theme changing into what constitutes good and evil as examined by Stroud in his novel Amulet of Samarakand.

Honestly, I'm not sure that's even a good topic.

Maybe I should just do a complete analysis of the themes of Moby Dick and then run with that. I have a feeling it might be a little easier.

Work is going well too. There's a director at one of the places who terrifies the snot out of me, but that's alright. I'm learning her ways and she's learning mine. I love the little kids most of the time, but I realize that I need to do a little bit more planning with my lessons so they're more interesting for my kids. That way, I can spend the whole time with them instead of spending half of the lesson telling them to get back to the learning area because we're doing music class and not fuck-around-with-everything-else-in-the-room class.

Campus dining is going really well too! I don't have much to do and my hours are spectacular. Even though, between my two jobs, I'm making roughly the same amount I had been before, I find I like this schedule a lot better.

Actually, I'm thinking of picking up voice lessons for the remainder of the semester before I return home and find an actual teacher. I figure, I have the money to do all this, I might as well start on it now so I have a head start for the summer. That way, I can find something and do something that I actually like doing instead of just school and work.

However, I don't know how well this plan will go. So I guess I'll keep you updated on whether or not I gather up the courage to email the voice professor who gives out lessons.

I guess that's all I have to say for now. I'm sure you'll be hearing from me in the meantime.

Love and Peace
Elie

Another slightly depressing post, and then I'm done... probably

Last night I had a dream that Midnight had woken up and that everything was alright. So waking up this morning was really pleasant.

However, like all dreams do, it faded away like the shadows of my room and I found myself going through my morning routine in a daze. It wasn't like a normal morning daze, I felt too heavy for that.

I realized I had to learn to function properly today and for the rest of this week, so I did the one thing I knew that would stop me from crying: I put on make up. Because I won't have time to fix it if I get emotional, this has been a smart idea.

Today, after my classes, I have work, which is fine because I'm riding the bus all over the place.

Tomorrow, I have work on beltline and if the weather doesn't clear up, I need to contact my boss. I'm really scared of driving out in the mess that is the roads and I don't want to risk anything by making my way out there. I'd hate to end up in a ditch due to snow, or worse and not make it to my schools.

I don't know when I developed this fear of driving in extreme weather. However, it's there. I'm just scared to talk to my boss about it. If things don't clear up by the time I get home tonight, I think I'll be making a very apologetic phone call.

Hopefully today goes by well. I'm not sure if I want it to go by fast, but I think well is a good way for it to go.

Love and Peace
Elie

Bye Bye Black Dog

Food and Weekend Part one

This weekend has been a lot of fun, if not a little crazy.

I hit the ground running Friday, by booking it home to have lunch with a family friend. We caught up and he signed a reference for my CoE application. Then I headed to the mall where I bought some make up.

I actually wanted to buy some clothes (a feeling that has intensified after seeing a really cute fashion statement on Tumblr), but the make up was a bit more expensive than I had thought it would be. It's a good thing I'm working two jobs so I can afford all this fun stuff!!

Then, right after the mall, I headed over to Megan's apartment in lansing. I got to spend a good three hours with her until Mike came home and we all went out to dinner. To be completely honest, I didn't realize how much I missed that girl until I was sitting with her and chilling on the couch. It was great to let the walls fall down and have a good "girl time." I mean, you can't do that in the connection, although planning houses was a lot of fun with Amanda.

We (megan and I) came up with the brilliant plan that our beloveds are going to become best friends. They are both computer and video game guys so it's one way they can connect with each other! They can bitch about macs and apple computers together while Megan and I hang out in the kitchen.

Today was a little more low key. I had my IUD appointment.

As it turns out, everything is fine. All that spotting that happened when I was overseas was completely normal.

Translation: I didn't get as much sex as I could have. Which sucks.

But it's good to know that everything is alright and probably will be alright from now on. And that's really exciting! It's nice to know that everything I'm putting my body through is normal. I just hope it's all worth it.

Tomorrow should be exciting! I'll be doing laundry, homework, and LEARNING TO MAKE PERFECT CHOCOLATE FROM SCRATCH!

I don't know if you know but that's fucking amazing! You have to had make everything too, which makes it even more special!

Speaking of food, I've been eating way to much since I've gotten home. You see, I haven't been eating large meals lately. I've been eating enough to sustain me and that tastes good. Completely healthy.

However, portion sizes are no where near what I'm eating here. So, whenever I finish my dish, my stomach hurts. Like, not nauseous hurting. It's painful hurting. I can't wait to stop this whole eating out thing.

I'll have better meals tomorrow and at the start of the week.

I suppose food isn't that important to all you who read this. Here's something that might be?

The old dog is old. She hasn't been moving around as much as she was last time I visited, and now she's vomiting all over the place (guess who gets to clean all that stuff up). It sort of makes me worried to see her so tired all the time. Though I guess that's what age does to a person... or in this case, a dog.

The cat, on the other hand, has been a lot more jumpy than normal. She sits at the other end of the room and stares at me, and when I move or shift, she books it out of there like I've sent a fwave of fire after her.

I'm starting to realize that's just her though.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep finding ways to keep myself busy! So there's your update!

Love,
Elie

A short update

Half of me thinks that it'd be better to update after this weekend. That way I'll be able to know if my uterus has been perforated, or there are any other complications with this copper device resting there. If something has happened, it'll make for a much better blog post than this one.

I'll even include gifs that have to do with amusing synonyms for death by IUD.

This week went a lot better than last week. I'm starting to gain my own wings as I go do Gymboree classes by myself. The kids are a little crazy, but I guess I'll have a heads up in my classroom management classes when I get to them.

Today was a bit harder though. I woke up later and had to scramble to go to class. Of course, it was a pep talk to even go to class.

I got to see my wifey though, which was a highlight! We made out floor plans to our perfect houses. Every day, I'm glad I asked her to be facebook official that one night in her dorm room.

Then I went to class and now I still have lots to do.

I think the reason why I like being so busy is because it doesn't let me think. I don't have to think about anything and then I fall into bed too tired to stay up and sink.

This is a good idea. :)

I'm sure you'll hear more after this weekend, but until then I love you!
Elie
P.S. Nick, I do update more than this blog you know.

good, bad, pretty alright.

the good!

I love fountain pens. This was the best idea I've had in a long time, this writing thing! It was hard at first, trying to do what the books told me to. Then I remembered that my handwriting is beautiful. Add pens that make thicks and thins for you and it becomes stunning.

Of course, I'll keep reading the books and trying out new techniques, but I've never done something so wonderful for my head. When I write with this set, concentrating on how to make the letters with these foreign writing utensils, my mind goes blank. Gloriously blank.

It'll be fun to see where this progresses. Hopefully it's not another bottle rocket project.

the bad!

I keep getting this feeling that I'm never going to ride horses again. Like that chapter of my life is over.

Or maybe I'm just thinking that way because it seems so impossible. Especially with the career I've chosen. And let's face it. I'm probably never going to be a good enough pianist to perform solo at weddings. And finding a band? Even harder than perfecting piano... Well I'm not too sure about that, but it seems that way right now.

the pretty alright!

I'm going drinking with some friends tonight! Should be a good time!


I just needed to get those off my chest.
Love
Elie

New poems

Since I have an intellectual class this semester, I've taken up writing poetry again.

Check it out if you like.
http://poetryunderthesky.blogspot.com/

:)

Some thoughts

Today was an interesting day! I had my first, by myself lessons! What I mean to say is that I taught my classes by myself. The first one of the day, the music class, was a little hard. There isn't much material in the lesson plan and I had trouble with transitions so keeping the kids engaged was a bit difficult.

However, the class right after that went a lot better. Maybe it was the fact that I was late due to a GPS malfunction, or maybe it was because these kids were a lot more responsive and excited, or maybe it was because I felt more confident. Either way, I'm feeling better about taking up that job. However, I'll still be making, roughly, the same amount that I was last year with just Campus Dining.

I suppose that's how these things always work out though.

I did a work out today, which was a lot more fun than I was anticipating. However, I need to buy spandex that doesn't ride up on me when I run, and more shorts and tank tops.

Maybe I'll do that this weekend.

Other things that have been on my mind. When I try to meditate at night, too many voices start talking. Like, it's my brain trying to process all the voices that it's heard earlier that day and so they all start talking at once.

Which is cool... but it makes it really hard to make a quiet place in my mind. I probably should try it in the mornings, but I'm usually waiting in bed until the last second.

Which reminds me! I think I've found a routine that fits in everything I want! I wake up at 7, take a shower and get ready for Gymboree (on the days when I have it), make breakfast (big nice breakfast with tea on the days I don't work in the morning), go throughout my day whatever it holds, and then come home and do homework or work or both. Then go to bed at 1:00.

It's perfect because I get my 6 hours of sleep, get all my stuff done, wake up energized enough in the mornings, aaand have time to talk to the wonderful boyfriend.

I have a feeling this semester is going to be a lot better than the last. Even though a lot of people I love are far away from me, it'll give me an opportunity to get closer to those that are around me.

I have to go get ready for French!
Love and Peace
Elie

Mreh work.

What's super frustrating, is coming back and getting handed a work load that I really should have been given a week ago. 

I understand that I could have gone onto the site and got my materials, but I needed to know which materials to print out and study and what in those that she wanted prepared for tomorrow.

Ugh.

Maybe I'm the one that's underprepared. Either way it's a great way to kick off the semester! 

Excuse me while I get my shit together and eat ice cream. 

Love,

Elie

Legs

Tonight, since I had a lot of time, I tried that leg thing that's been going around. It's where you mix (1 to 1 and1/4 cup) sugar, (about a 1/2 cup) oil, and (3-5 table spoons) citrus together and then go take a bath and soak your legs. After that, you shave your legs like normal. Then you rub the stuff all over the areas that you've just shaved.

You rinse it off and then shave your legs again to scrape off the dead skin. Then rub the stuff on again.

You can repeat the last two steps as much as you want.

Then, when you've rubbed and scraped your legs to your heart's content, you put a final coat on, rinse that off with a mild soap, and then dry your legs.

Finally, you put on lotion to make sure your legs keep all that moisture.

I really liked it. Though, your legs end up a bit oily, so you might have to wait a bit before you rub them against anything... like silk sheets. Don't want to leave grease stains everywhere.

However, as much as the oily afterfeeling bothers me, I can't seem to stop myself from running my hands all over my legs. They're so soft!!

A small update: Relationship Musings with a Hint of Japan

As I lay here on the bed in the LA hotel room, I am slowly coming to the realization that I will never be able to fully write out what happen in Japan. If you want the stories and the pictures, you'll have to see me in person or contact me in some way.

Here, you're just going to get sentimental crap from someone who was on an airplane for almost 9 hours straight.

I must say, I leave Japan a bit different than when I arrived. When the plane touched down, I was on the verge of a panic attack. I was landing in a country where I hardly knew the language (my knowledge has progressed to roughly 5 words now), and would be living with a boyfriend that I hadn't seen in four months.

Don't know why the latter made me as nervous as it did. I guess I was worried that one, or both, of us had changed or drifted away and that the two weeks would be more of an exercise in frustration than a bonding experience.

Turns out I should listen to my mom and my best friends more often when they say it'll be alright.

Japan is a lovely country. It's beautiful, runs smoothly, the people seem quite pleasant, and there's a lot of stuff to do. Most of our time was spent traveling around Tokyo. Actually, that's where most of my money went too.

However, it wasn't just the country and the sights that gave me such a wonderful time. It was the man I saw them with. In fact, I think the memories I'll cherish most are those of us laying around the hotel room playing Vampire Games, or cuddling and talking about whatever comes into our heads.

It was nice to just be close to each other to the point that we could reach out and touch the other one whenever we wanted to.

I think we grew closer during our time together. Two weeks went by quickly; too fast even.

The reality of it all is that I hate this distance thing. And maybe I'm a bit too sensitive, but I guess he matters that much to me if I'm feeling like this.

I really hope two months goes by really fast. Well, really fast on my end in case he's doing a lot of fun things. I suppose the only thing I can do is keep myself busy and then make time when he comes.

That shouldn't be too hard right?

Well I'm off to write a bit and then head to bed so I can get up early and catch a flight to Detroit.

Love and Peace
Elie