This is your fair warning that at any moment I could have a nervous breakdown caused by extreme stress.
Life is SO busy this time of year. And during this time of year who has time to sit down and write a 30 page research paper that is worth 80% of a course grade.
NOT I!
:(
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
NYC
After seeing my beau only once in a 6 week time span, we decided to take a nice day trip and get away. We were planning on Cape Cod (would have been the whole weekend) but that fell through because he had a job interview so it would have been too late to leave, etc. So we picked NYC.
It turns out that you pay a lot to get there (if you don't drive) and then you just walk around. There is so much to "do" that there is nothing to do...I know that sounds like it doesn't make sense but it does. You don't have time to do everything so you end up just walking around and seeing things. But, it's fun all the same.
Our weather was AMAZING for a mid-November day. It was so warm that I was too hot in my coat and had to carry it all day. And it was warm enough that we could eat dinner outside!! With no coat on at 7:30 PM!
Our agenda/highlights:
-We started at Fordham because Corey wanted to visit his alma mater. We walked around the beautiful campus and then ate lunch in the caf. It was cool being a college kid for the day. Being Saturday around noon, they were still serving hot breakfast and everyone walks in in their sweats hungover and looking like freaks from the night before. It was supposed to be 11.00 per person if you were not a student, but Corey asked about an alumni deal and the lady let us in for 5.00 a piece. NICE! So we had an endless buffet for 5 bucks. They have pretty good food. Their oatmeal cookies are to die for. I used to have Corey bring them home for me on breaks when he was there. This time, since you can't carry food out, he got me a "to-go" cup of coffee, but the coffee cup was filled with cookies. ;) It was sweet.
-Then we went to Columbus Circle and looked at all of the stores that we can't afford to shop in. I tried on 100.00 leather gloves and we pretended to be rich as we shopped with people that brought their dressed-up puppies with them. Weird. Corey took me to Williams Sonoma, but wouldn't let me make a wedding registry. Whatever. I say "it's never too early to plan ahead." Apparently, it is.
-Then we sat outside of Central Park and met up with my cousin, Jim, who is awesome, BTW. :)
With Jim, we walked thru Times Square, saw Rock. Center and the tree (not lit up yet), and the ice skaters. It was nice that we got the cool "Christmas-y" feel but it was like 65 degrees!
Then we saw a wedding at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
-We went to Jim's place and saw the Statue of Liberty.
- I saw a movie being filmed. Very neat.
-Then we went back to Times Square and Corey and I ate dinner at Junior's Cheesecake Place, which I had been wanting to try. Super healthy meal. 10 oz. cheeseburgers, fries, 2 onion rings that were like donuts, and a ridiculously amazing piece of strawberry shortcake cheesecake. All for less than 40 bucks!!!! In Times Square! We definitely did New York on a budget! Getting there was the most expensive part. Then we went into Toys R Us so I could check on dad's store. It looked busy! :) That's good!
It was a great day and it was so nice to see Corey for a whole day.
It turns out that you pay a lot to get there (if you don't drive) and then you just walk around. There is so much to "do" that there is nothing to do...I know that sounds like it doesn't make sense but it does. You don't have time to do everything so you end up just walking around and seeing things. But, it's fun all the same.
Our weather was AMAZING for a mid-November day. It was so warm that I was too hot in my coat and had to carry it all day. And it was warm enough that we could eat dinner outside!! With no coat on at 7:30 PM!
Our agenda/highlights:
-We started at Fordham because Corey wanted to visit his alma mater. We walked around the beautiful campus and then ate lunch in the caf. It was cool being a college kid for the day. Being Saturday around noon, they were still serving hot breakfast and everyone walks in in their sweats hungover and looking like freaks from the night before. It was supposed to be 11.00 per person if you were not a student, but Corey asked about an alumni deal and the lady let us in for 5.00 a piece. NICE! So we had an endless buffet for 5 bucks. They have pretty good food. Their oatmeal cookies are to die for. I used to have Corey bring them home for me on breaks when he was there. This time, since you can't carry food out, he got me a "to-go" cup of coffee, but the coffee cup was filled with cookies. ;) It was sweet.
-Then we went to Columbus Circle and looked at all of the stores that we can't afford to shop in. I tried on 100.00 leather gloves and we pretended to be rich as we shopped with people that brought their dressed-up puppies with them. Weird. Corey took me to Williams Sonoma, but wouldn't let me make a wedding registry. Whatever. I say "it's never too early to plan ahead." Apparently, it is.
-Then we sat outside of Central Park and met up with my cousin, Jim, who is awesome, BTW. :)
With Jim, we walked thru Times Square, saw Rock. Center and the tree (not lit up yet), and the ice skaters. It was nice that we got the cool "Christmas-y" feel but it was like 65 degrees!
Then we saw a wedding at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
-We went to Jim's place and saw the Statue of Liberty.
- I saw a movie being filmed. Very neat.
-Then we went back to Times Square and Corey and I ate dinner at Junior's Cheesecake Place, which I had been wanting to try. Super healthy meal. 10 oz. cheeseburgers, fries, 2 onion rings that were like donuts, and a ridiculously amazing piece of strawberry shortcake cheesecake. All for less than 40 bucks!!!! In Times Square! We definitely did New York on a budget! Getting there was the most expensive part. Then we went into Toys R Us so I could check on dad's store. It looked busy! :) That's good!
It was a great day and it was so nice to see Corey for a whole day.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Faith in Humanity
There are still nice people in the world! People that will take time out of their day to help a random person...ahh, how refreshing. Also a good reminder of how important it is that you try to do at least one nice random act of kindness each day.
I was running late for work today- but at least I looked good ;-)- and was running out the door with my baggy of banana bread and my cold Starbucks mocha drink to indulge in at work, so my hands were full. I get down to my car and notice it is covered in stupid ice. Grrrr. So I start scraping the ice furiously so I can get on the road and this man that works at the law office next to my building gets out of his car and (in his suit) offers to use his icescraper to help me get the job done faster. How sweet is that!?!?! So he scraped the back and I did the front and he did the left side and I did the right and then we both went to work. :)
This made me happy. Help someone out today!! It feels good!
I was running late for work today- but at least I looked good ;-)- and was running out the door with my baggy of banana bread and my cold Starbucks mocha drink to indulge in at work, so my hands were full. I get down to my car and notice it is covered in stupid ice. Grrrr. So I start scraping the ice furiously so I can get on the road and this man that works at the law office next to my building gets out of his car and (in his suit) offers to use his icescraper to help me get the job done faster. How sweet is that!?!?! So he scraped the back and I did the front and he did the left side and I did the right and then we both went to work. :)
This made me happy. Help someone out today!! It feels good!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Connected Again
I haven't had the Internet at my apartment since April. It's a long story but anyway- not having the internet means having to pay my online bills at work, wait to go to my parents house on the weekend to post pictures, and let's say it makes it hard to do your school work and research. So I am back now! It feels so good!!
I had my iPhone so that I could keep up with e-mail and FB but now everything will be easier. That tiny phone screen gets old.
So first- a Seoul update:
I put my pictures (most of them) up on Facebook.
Here are some of the things I did/saw:
-When I first got to Korea I hated it. HATED it. Partially because I was on a cramped plane ride for 18 hours next to some girl who was sobbing because she was leaving home for the military for a year, I bought a ridiculously expensive egg sandwich (which was so small) and then dropped it on the plane floor; I stepped on my glasses because I fell asleep and they came off; I got on the wrong bus at the airport to go to my house for the week; I couldn't find the guy I was supposed to meet up with....yeah, everything sucked. On Monday I just got on the metro alone and wandered the streets lost and scared. BUT THEN...
- I met amazing people. The people on this trip were so fun to be around. And once the conference started I was surrounded by people that do what I do- teach ESL or EFL. That was SO nice, since where I work I am the ONLY one and I am isolated like a little island. :(
Monday night I ended up meeting up with a girl from PA over there- Sara- and this guy from Alabama who is living in Tokyo teaching English-Josh. We met up at this HUGE mall and then went exploring together. Josh had lived in Seoul for a year, so he knew where to go and a bit of the language. So I spent the first couple days touring with them.
-I toured palaces, secret gardens, temples, went up in the tower and saw the changing of the guards. I went shopping and tried new foods. The food was not my favorite and it made it difficult that I am allergic to shellfish since they put that in everything. But the good thing was that Josh was craving American cuisine since in Tokyo it is too expensive, so we got to eat Western food a few times. And once we ate Mexican! :) Yum!
-Once Thursday rolled around and I knew I had to get up early for "school" I was bummed. BUT it turned out that "school" was awesome. Apparently people came from all over to hear my professors speak. They are the top in the field and I was so happy to be able to meet them. The first 2 days of the conference it was only my University classmates, then they opened it up to the public. I met people from all over the world and the sessions were informative and interactive. NOT BORING! :) There was this panel discussion and we had to submit questions to be answered and they selected the questions for the next day and mine was one of the 5 questions they chose and there were like 60 people there! So I was so thrilled they picked my question!
-Every night after "class" we went out- there was about 40 of us? But we usually split into 2/3/ or 4 groups. We went out for dinner and drinks and had a great time. Friday night we went to this rooftop bar where they had music playing and a bonfire. We thought the place was going to burn down, but we had a great time. And a great view of the city at night!
-Saturday night we had a big farewell party at a pub and we surprised our Prof. with a birthday cake. He was the President of TESOL and awesome! He kissed me on the cheek! :) haha. Then since it was our last night, everyone went off to do something and I headed off with a group of 6 to go to a dance club. Best. time. ever. Seriously, I felt so far removed from my work life and I could just relax and have fun and dance!!! Since there were 6 of us, 3 guys/3 girls, we all had a dance partner. We stayed out til about 3 and then I took a cab home. I got in at about 4 AM and then had to pack for the airport and be up at 6 for class. HAH. What a joke. No amount of coffee could have helped.
-Despite being sleep deprived, the trip was worth it. Getting back was rough- flights delayed and got in at about 3 AM and was at work by 7. Also a joke- I was a zombie all week.
I felt so independent on this trip. I had to navigate subways and walked all around this huge city every night (after I left my friends) alone so I felt free and adventurous. I cried on the plane coming home. I didn't want to leave my friends. Since we are all spread out, I don't know if I will ever see them again. :(
There is something incredibly freeing and eye-opening when you experience a trip alone like this. I was able to think about so much and really have a time of self-discovery, as cheesy as that sounds.
So here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:
Sorry that I don't know how to format the pictures so they look nice on a blog. These are some of my favorites, but you can check out facebook for more!
Also, I hope everyone went out to vote today! I made sure I voted to cancel out my boyfriend's vote. ;) Haha.
Hope to be blogging more now that I have all-access to the web!
I had my iPhone so that I could keep up with e-mail and FB but now everything will be easier. That tiny phone screen gets old.
So first- a Seoul update:
I put my pictures (most of them) up on Facebook.
Here are some of the things I did/saw:
-When I first got to Korea I hated it. HATED it. Partially because I was on a cramped plane ride for 18 hours next to some girl who was sobbing because she was leaving home for the military for a year, I bought a ridiculously expensive egg sandwich (which was so small) and then dropped it on the plane floor; I stepped on my glasses because I fell asleep and they came off; I got on the wrong bus at the airport to go to my house for the week; I couldn't find the guy I was supposed to meet up with....yeah, everything sucked. On Monday I just got on the metro alone and wandered the streets lost and scared. BUT THEN...
- I met amazing people. The people on this trip were so fun to be around. And once the conference started I was surrounded by people that do what I do- teach ESL or EFL. That was SO nice, since where I work I am the ONLY one and I am isolated like a little island. :(
Monday night I ended up meeting up with a girl from PA over there- Sara- and this guy from Alabama who is living in Tokyo teaching English-Josh. We met up at this HUGE mall and then went exploring together. Josh had lived in Seoul for a year, so he knew where to go and a bit of the language. So I spent the first couple days touring with them.
-I toured palaces, secret gardens, temples, went up in the tower and saw the changing of the guards. I went shopping and tried new foods. The food was not my favorite and it made it difficult that I am allergic to shellfish since they put that in everything. But the good thing was that Josh was craving American cuisine since in Tokyo it is too expensive, so we got to eat Western food a few times. And once we ate Mexican! :) Yum!
-Once Thursday rolled around and I knew I had to get up early for "school" I was bummed. BUT it turned out that "school" was awesome. Apparently people came from all over to hear my professors speak. They are the top in the field and I was so happy to be able to meet them. The first 2 days of the conference it was only my University classmates, then they opened it up to the public. I met people from all over the world and the sessions were informative and interactive. NOT BORING! :) There was this panel discussion and we had to submit questions to be answered and they selected the questions for the next day and mine was one of the 5 questions they chose and there were like 60 people there! So I was so thrilled they picked my question!
-Every night after "class" we went out- there was about 40 of us? But we usually split into 2/3/ or 4 groups. We went out for dinner and drinks and had a great time. Friday night we went to this rooftop bar where they had music playing and a bonfire. We thought the place was going to burn down, but we had a great time. And a great view of the city at night!
-Saturday night we had a big farewell party at a pub and we surprised our Prof. with a birthday cake. He was the President of TESOL and awesome! He kissed me on the cheek! :) haha. Then since it was our last night, everyone went off to do something and I headed off with a group of 6 to go to a dance club. Best. time. ever. Seriously, I felt so far removed from my work life and I could just relax and have fun and dance!!! Since there were 6 of us, 3 guys/3 girls, we all had a dance partner. We stayed out til about 3 and then I took a cab home. I got in at about 4 AM and then had to pack for the airport and be up at 6 for class. HAH. What a joke. No amount of coffee could have helped.
-Despite being sleep deprived, the trip was worth it. Getting back was rough- flights delayed and got in at about 3 AM and was at work by 7. Also a joke- I was a zombie all week.
I felt so independent on this trip. I had to navigate subways and walked all around this huge city every night (after I left my friends) alone so I felt free and adventurous. I cried on the plane coming home. I didn't want to leave my friends. Since we are all spread out, I don't know if I will ever see them again. :(
There is something incredibly freeing and eye-opening when you experience a trip alone like this. I was able to think about so much and really have a time of self-discovery, as cheesy as that sounds.
So here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:
Sorry that I don't know how to format the pictures so they look nice on a blog. These are some of my favorites, but you can check out facebook for more!
Also, I hope everyone went out to vote today! I made sure I voted to cancel out my boyfriend's vote. ;) Haha.
Hope to be blogging more now that I have all-access to the web!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Seoul
I have been absent from the blog world. I apologize. I am planning on doing a catch up post soon. But I am just popping in to say that my week/8 days in Seoul, Korea, was most likely the best week of my entire life up to this point. I felt amazing and enjoyed it to the fullest. I will update with pictures this weekend. :)
Let's just say...it is rough to be back. Responsibility- what's that?
Let's just say...it is rough to be back. Responsibility- what's that?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
What's New
Greetings Blog World! I realize it's been a few weeks...
Here is what's new-
Work is going pretty well. I got three new students within the first 3 weeks of school- one from Puerto Rico and two from India. That has been exciting.
School is going well- my school, not work-school. I have almost completed my fourth grad. class towards the Masters program. It has been challenging, but I am learning SO much.
Perhaps the biggest news is that in 9 days I will be departing for Seoul, South Korea. I am going to a very big conference over there that will count towards my Masters degree. Basically, I attend all these seminars with the people that "write the books" on ESL, so I am really, really excited to meet the professors. I will also meet all of my fellow classmates that I have been working with "online" since January. That will be fun, too. I am going a bit earlier than the conference dates, because my work is off on Columbus day so I figured I might as well get there and do some touristy things, since it will be my 1st time to Asia! I am not staying in a hotel (too much $) so I am "couchsurfing" as it is called. The guy's couch that I will sleep on is actually from Pen Argyl/Bangor, so that is weird! He teaches English over there. A few things to pray for- safe travels (never done a 17-18 hr. plane ride before) also safety while I am there- do I have an itinerary? Nope. Just heading over by myself, walking off the plane, and trying to navigate my way thru a HUGE city until I hop on a bus to try to get to the couch I am staying on. Also pray that I do not get sick. I am so afraid of getting a cold before I go- my mom and sister are both sick. :( And I have to go to my parents this weekend to pack and do some errands. I am also worried I will get sick while there. So please keep me in your prayers! Finally, pray that I get all of my work done before leaving- I have to prepare lesson plans for the sub for a week which is so challenging in my field since it is very varied and also I have to write a paper for my grad class this week...all while packing! :)
Also, one prayer that was answered...my school is graciously giving me a few days to attend the conference, so that I don't have to use ALL of my personal days. It is also a blessing that my boss and the superintendent talked and felt that they would pay for the conference in full- not the plane ticket, etc. but still...this is a HUGE blessing. God is faithful.
So, even though I stink at photography, I will try to take lots of pictures (quality may be poor) and then post away when I get back.
Here is what's new-
Work is going pretty well. I got three new students within the first 3 weeks of school- one from Puerto Rico and two from India. That has been exciting.
School is going well- my school, not work-school. I have almost completed my fourth grad. class towards the Masters program. It has been challenging, but I am learning SO much.
Perhaps the biggest news is that in 9 days I will be departing for Seoul, South Korea. I am going to a very big conference over there that will count towards my Masters degree. Basically, I attend all these seminars with the people that "write the books" on ESL, so I am really, really excited to meet the professors. I will also meet all of my fellow classmates that I have been working with "online" since January. That will be fun, too. I am going a bit earlier than the conference dates, because my work is off on Columbus day so I figured I might as well get there and do some touristy things, since it will be my 1st time to Asia! I am not staying in a hotel (too much $) so I am "couchsurfing" as it is called. The guy's couch that I will sleep on is actually from Pen Argyl/Bangor, so that is weird! He teaches English over there. A few things to pray for- safe travels (never done a 17-18 hr. plane ride before) also safety while I am there- do I have an itinerary? Nope. Just heading over by myself, walking off the plane, and trying to navigate my way thru a HUGE city until I hop on a bus to try to get to the couch I am staying on. Also pray that I do not get sick. I am so afraid of getting a cold before I go- my mom and sister are both sick. :( And I have to go to my parents this weekend to pack and do some errands. I am also worried I will get sick while there. So please keep me in your prayers! Finally, pray that I get all of my work done before leaving- I have to prepare lesson plans for the sub for a week which is so challenging in my field since it is very varied and also I have to write a paper for my grad class this week...all while packing! :)
Also, one prayer that was answered...my school is graciously giving me a few days to attend the conference, so that I don't have to use ALL of my personal days. It is also a blessing that my boss and the superintendent talked and felt that they would pay for the conference in full- not the plane ticket, etc. but still...this is a HUGE blessing. God is faithful.
So, even though I stink at photography, I will try to take lots of pictures (quality may be poor) and then post away when I get back.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Back to School!
The time is here! I have now had three full school days of the 2010-2011 school year. So far:
-My Middle School students are sooo stinkin cute! One boy comes up to like my hip- he is so tiny!
-I have a student named Honey Dew and she is a doll!!
-2 of the boys (grade 7) called me Mr. Palmer today. Totally innocent.
-I got my first paycheck since June! Woo!
-I LOVE all of my classes!! (A lot of the annoying kids moved or exited the ESL program!)
-Today was free donuts/muffins/coffee at the Middle School
-Free dress down day at the High School -you should have seen the looks I was getting from the MS teachers. They probably hate me now because they thought I was breaking the rules.
-I got back to the gym two out of three days. I haven't really worked out all summer and last night Simon, my trainer, obviously wanted to get revenge. I can barely move now, but it's all good.
I have never been so excited to go to work. I HATE waking up early (that is my only complaint!) and my sleep schedule is wayyyy off- I needed naps after school everyday. But, I really am excited for this year. I know it sounds crazy, and I am sure I will get tired of the routine in due time, but this year I just feel like I know what I am doing and I have such a desire to teach these kids! I will post class pictures soon, I hope.
AND seriously the best part about this time of year: FOOTBALL! Eagles game Sunday and I get to watch it at my parent's house with my dad! :D
-My Middle School students are sooo stinkin cute! One boy comes up to like my hip- he is so tiny!
-I have a student named Honey Dew and she is a doll!!
-2 of the boys (grade 7) called me Mr. Palmer today. Totally innocent.
-I got my first paycheck since June! Woo!
-I LOVE all of my classes!! (A lot of the annoying kids moved or exited the ESL program!)
-Today was free donuts/muffins/coffee at the Middle School
-Free dress down day at the High School -you should have seen the looks I was getting from the MS teachers. They probably hate me now because they thought I was breaking the rules.
-I got back to the gym two out of three days. I haven't really worked out all summer and last night Simon, my trainer, obviously wanted to get revenge. I can barely move now, but it's all good.
I have never been so excited to go to work. I HATE waking up early (that is my only complaint!) and my sleep schedule is wayyyy off- I needed naps after school everyday. But, I really am excited for this year. I know it sounds crazy, and I am sure I will get tired of the routine in due time, but this year I just feel like I know what I am doing and I have such a desire to teach these kids! I will post class pictures soon, I hope.
AND seriously the best part about this time of year: FOOTBALL! Eagles game Sunday and I get to watch it at my parent's house with my dad! :D
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