Amazing Race Post

I thought I would create a template for the comments about the Amazing Race. Please comment on tonight's episode.

Where to next?

In looking at this map, Central and South America seem to be shouting the loudest saying, "Visit me!". Then China, followed by Southeast Asia. Oh, how I have the travel bug. I am going to have to come up with a plan to visit some of the 89 percent of countries I haven't visited and to explore the one's I have more in depth.

Not-so-secret post

So, I thought last night that I might be able to post at work today since I didn't have any kids. But then I completely forgot, so I didn't get to do it. In other news, it is really windy and about to rain here.

Pictures to accompany Kristi's stories

Sascha's dad, herself, and her mom showing you the foliage next to the library. There are lots of picturesque places to take graduation pictures ( I'm not sure that this qualifies with the stairs in the background though)

The Student Union and the lawn. Also the prettiest spot on campus to sit and look at the Mill Race.

The Mill Race, the stream flowing through campus

This is an example of the snowy and stormy weather that Kristi spoke of

This sign is, by far, the prettiest part of the school of Education

My Birthday...

...was on Saturday and I had decided to throw a nice picnic party in Balboa Park. Let me tell you, it could not have been any more pleasant of a day. I had invited about two dozen people there, and everybody enjoyed themselves as they listened to relaxing music, flung the frisbee, attempted to fly kites (well, just myself and the 4 year-old Elisa, who fared quite better than me), and threw a softball, a football and water balloons.

The grill was there as usual, as my newly acquired (through a trade!) portable gas grill was on hand to cook the burgers and hot dogs and chicken breasts. Romeo came and helped save the day again as he wore the Grillmaster hat. My roommate Susan was the one responsible for making the yummy Guacamole and French Onion dips, as well as the roasted garlic butter that dressed the grilled corn.

In the end, it felt so nice to have everyone out there celebrating, for me! Here are some memorable moments:

• water balloon exchange between Elisa and me. J: If you throw one at me, I'll have to throw one back at you. E: Noooo! That will get me wet! (She then throws it at my feet.)
  
• Judi and Ayelet pelting me with balloons that refused to break, creating sounds of slap, as they bounced off each of my pectorals, followed by a loud "OWW!"
• Cotton candy
• Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting
  
• Rika met Kenji, then started having a whole conversation in Japanese. It was also my first discovery of his fluency.
• Tan and Danielle (aka Tanielle) showed up 5 minutes before the "official" end of the party, and managed to help extend it by an hour as the spiraly/nerf-ish football given as a gift (I think from Kenji, but I can't remember!) was thrown around. My arm is still sore from playing quaterback.
• The clean-up took well over an hour, partly from said football play, but also due to the neverending banter that occured as nobody made any initiative to go home. I like stalling banter.

It feels really good to be 24.

Weekend?

Happy Belated Birthday JACK!

It seems like everyone had a busy weekend.

Do tell about yours.

(I'll talk about mine soon, but I badly need to do some reading for homework, so I'll post in the comments section in a bit....)

Relay for Life

Hi all!
Some of you already know this, but I am participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event here in Raleigh ( Event Website) The event is designed as a fundraiser to support research and education about all types of cancer. I have had several family members and friends diagnosed with forms of cancer over the last few years and am walking on their behalf. The team from my school, Lynn Road Elementary, has 27 members walking on May 13th and 14th. We are aiming for at least $6000 for the team and we are about halfway there. We held a yard sale today and are collecting pocket change at school for "Dunk the Teacher" so if we get $1000, all 19 participating teachers will have water poured over their heads. My individual goal is at least $100. I'm nearly there, but still looking for interested people to contribute. If you would like to donate money, please check out my donation page .
If you would like to donate and are not comfortable or not able to do it online, email me and I will send you my address so you can send it to me.
I wouldn't normally ask this of you, but this is an important cause and every little bit helps. Please take the time to check it out and consider donating.
Sascha

A big check

Hi guys.
I wanted to show off the big check we were presented from Wells Fargo. Not only was it the most money I've held but it was also physically the biggest check! Not something you see every day, thats for sure.

This week Wednesday = Weekend

HOORAY! I get to start my weekend now. Tomorrow I'm heading down to the OC for Wedding fun.

I am excited about this for many reasons (in no particular order):
1) chance to see family
2) I get to skip class on Friday
3) the boy is coming to town for it
4) I get to have my nails, hair and makeup done, and will maybe get to look pretty!
5) Swing dancing at the reception with a live band
6) this is the beginning of a lifetime of happiness for my brother (awwww)

Summer is almost here (

There are roughly 25 school days left in this year and I am SOOOO excited. August 10th was a long, long, long time ago. I feel like a completely different person.
In case you all were worried about what I would do with 12 weeks off of school, I have good news. I've been offered the Swim Head job at Camp Waukeela ( www.waukeela.com), my old haunt, and will be heading back. Phil's all set to pay for all of my recertifications and I get to boss around other counselors IN ADDITION to the 9-year olds I regularly scream at. Hooray!
Actually, I'm very excited. It will be a chance to do something fun, earn a teeny-tiny bit of money, and not sit around my apartment making myself certifiably insane. Plus, there are always the sexy green and white uniforms. :) And the deluxe living accomodations. In the event you have always wanted to go to camp and be cool, now you can experience Waukeela as if you were an 11 year old girl ( www.waukeela.com/adayinthelife.html). It's ok to be jealous.
Sadly, all this fun may limit my ability to add to Circle Time between June 13th and Aguust 20th, but I'll do my best. I know you are concerned.

Being on the East Coast Proves Useful

Britney Spears is pregnant. I thought you all should know. Finally, the chance to convey news to you before you are even thinking about ending your REM cycle.

Fun with Sharpies

Today at work I spent three hours labeling audiobooks and DVDs with the library branch number and barcodes.

It reminded me of this that I found via the dino comics website.

Fun in the sun

Hi guys,
I wanted to see what you guys are doing to get outside during this gorgeous spring. Some plans I have include going backpacking/hiking in Point Reyes, going on walks at the local park by my apartment, playing soccer, training a soccer team, playing frisbee, getting to the beach, making my way up to the mountains and working at some festivals that are coming up in the next few weeks... I'd like to hear your plans to see if I can get any good ideas.

And the pretty sheets I go to go with it! ( I know that's a pillowcase, but it is part of the set)

Lookie what I bought! It's beautiful and RED and made out of CORD!

MY Saturday

Well, I had NO exciting Saturday plans. Then I found out that I have to watch Discovery Channel's Biker Build-Off tonight at 6pm (ET). I know you all don't normally think of me as a biker girl ( you know, since I'm really not). It turns out that the episode tonight is Arlen Ness vs. Roland Sands (www.rolandsands.com). And Roland Sands is my Dad's cousin's son. I think that means that Roland and I are second cousins. Roland is also the red-head of my generation. He looks a lot like my dad, who was the red-head in his generation. It's a little creepy actually.
Anyway, my great-aunt Dottie's daughter, Nancy, and her husband Perry Sands are the owners/founders of Performance Machine ( www.performancemachine.com), a very well-known motorcycle company. Roland builds bikes, and used to race and he is on the episode tonight with his parents and sister Summer making cameos, supposedly.
Anyway, to make a long story short, someone who has the same great-grandparents as me is on and I have to watch. I know nothing about motorcycles, but I least I can spend the time being weirded out that he is related to me. You are invited to watch as well, though I would check your local TV listings to double check the time. And hey, if you are into motorcycles, now you have something to do today.

Pictures

Old Sign:

New Sign:


I think I prefer the old.

Amazing Race... even if it's not yet Wed.

MAN! I got home for the last three minutes and man that sucked.

A question

Is tonight's AR a clip show? Or is it a new episode? I remember them saying a clip show was coming up, but I think it might not be tonight. I'm hoping it is though, cause I have to go have an MRI and thus cannot watch. Please someone cheer on the brothers for me if it's a new episode.

Tomorrow

I have my first day of work tomorrow. I am a little bit nervous.

A reading list

I wanted to see what you guys are currently reading and to list a couple of the books I have going.
Here is what I am reading these days.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (Book on tape)
Se Habla Espanol:Voces Latinas en USA por Edmundo Paz Soldan

Help Wanted

Ok, I've decided that each of you needs to help me out today. You see, I have a roughly 3 month long period coming up where I will have no employment. And while that is wonderful, it also means I will have no income. Sadly, rent and student loan bills stop for no man. So I'm trying to find something enjoyable and different to do this summer. I've looked into a few things, but I can't find anything that seems like it might work out. So, what do YOU think I should do??

Non-Food Related

Sorry for my non-compliance to the Friday Food Day rule. I really haven't eaten anything worth taking a picture of today at home, and I didn't have my camera for free leftover pizza at school. It was yummy and there was a lot of it.
Really I came here to tell you that there is a show on my local ABC network right now called "Turn it Blue." I seriously thought it was going to be about people trying to get pregnant or something. Maybe even a design show. Nope. A whole hour on why the Carolina Tar Heels should/are going to win the NCAA Championship. These people like them some basketball!

My drink of choice at work

(Here goes my attempt at Friday Food/Drink Show Off Day compliancy)

After purchasing this cup which came with a smoothie in it, I have since used it for water. It's a nice decoration on my desk, though:


This is the gum I chew. And the popsicle stick that once had a Dreyer's Strawberry Fruit Bar on it but now has table dust and is now back in my mouth as I type this:


Several alterior motives at work here:

1. To show off one of my phones' camera-taking ability
2. To give you a sneak peak of my work environment
3. To flaunt the fact that I just finished a yummy popsicle.

No introduction necessary...

Heehee

Happy April Fools Day.

So catchy it hurts

So, does anyone know that song that plays on that Vonage commercial?

The one that goes: Whoohoo whoo hoo hoo...

Is it even a real song? I hope so, cause I like it a lot.