A Very Perry Christmas

Christmas is awesome. I love seeing my family members because seeing them always make for good stories later. Some stories are better left for private conversations with close friends because only then can I express my opinions without stepping on any toes. I will say that putting every one of my family members together is like putting a bunch of feral cats in a shoe box and taping it shut. It's only a matter of time before someone gets scratched. I try, with all of my might, to be a silent bystander, but I often find myself in the middle of the cat fights. What ever happened to respecting your elders? Common courtesy? Tact?

Despite the inevitable drama, I had a wonderful Christmas.I got many wondeful gifts and I hope that everyone enjoyed the gifts that Aaron and I gave. Among other things, I got a wool coat, dress shoes, a pendant light for my dining room, jewelry, and kitchen stuff.

I miss all of my friends, especially my husband.I stayed behind in Monrovia while Aaron went back to Muncie for work. I'll see him on New Years Eve. Speaking of New Years, I have a few resoultions in mind. Here is my list:

1. Be nicer to Aaron
2. Finish the kitchen
3. Limit selfish decisions
4. Tone up arms

Check ya later.

New Friends are SUPER-COOL!

Sam comes home today from his glorious trip around the world. Aaron and drove down to Monrovia last night so that we could surprise Sam at the airport. It's been a strange year being the only one of my siblings at home. Once suffering from middle-child syndrome, I experienced being the only child for a little while except now that I'm married, my parents feel like Aaron is another one of their children. Last night, my Mom hugged us both and said, "I love it when my kids are home" (cue AAWWs). Anyways, I'm excited that Sam is coming back. I missed the little bugger.

So, in response to being featured on Tyler Gobble's blog (please hold your applause until I'm finished), I was thrilled when I read it. Tyler and I have become close friends over the past month and I hope that it continues. It's hard to find another married person my age who I enjoy being around. Most young, married couples are either freakishly religious or wealthy, spoiled brats. Don't get me wrong, Tyler and I became friends for different reasons as well. Among many other things, he has great taste in music, he's extremely creative, and it is easy to talk to him I feel like I've known him for years. It's sad that we will not see each other in the hallways as much next semester but I'm sure we'll make up for that with double dates and dinner nights. Thanks Tyler for your super-cool blog! It feels good to have a new friend. I can't wait to get to know Sara better. She is also super-cool. I foresee us sharing money-saving meal recipes in the future. I just realized that I say super-cool a lot which brings me to my next topic...

Please, Tyler, don't edit my blogs. I know that I am supposed to be an English teacher but we are all humans, and we make mistakes. Do not think I'm a failed English major because my blogs fail to be grammatically correct.

The zombies are getting closer...

It didn't used to be this hard to keep up with my blog. I guess life just gets the better of you sometimes and you feel guilty about spending valuable time sitting at a computer. I feel like I should be working on homework or cleaning my house but I know that Sam will appreciate reading about life at home.

Life here definitely isn't as exciting as Sam's semester at sea. I take time almost everyday to check his blog and check to see if the new slideshow has been posted. I guess you could say I'm participating in my own "vicarious voyage". I loved watching the "Literature and Lions" slideshow. It was a combination of two of my favorite things: literature and animals. I really hope that Sam was able to feed the baby lions or at least had the chance to be near a lion. Do you remember that video of Christian the lion? I wonder if they talked about that during the excursion.

Anyways, tomorrow is the start of my fall break and I plan to visit the 'rents. I don't know what we will do but I could use a break from "adulthood" and Aries could use the exercise. I guess Cash has been terrorizing everything and I believe it is the result of boredom so I think my visiting will help. Aaron has a second interview next week for a much better job. He will get a $20,000 pay raise, a company car, and travel expenses paid (including car insurance). If he gets this job, a lot could change for us. I'm trying not to get my hopes up but after my unemployment and the sacrifices we have had to make, its hard not to be excited. I am tutoring now but it doesn't pay much. I'm just happy that I'm getting some teaching experience in before I student teach in the spring.

Two Mondays from now, I'm going to Monrovia High School to observe Mrs. James' class all day. I had to call Mr. Hagist for his official permission but he seemed excited to hear from me. I was surprised that he remembered me at all. Mrs. James is pretty much thrilled that I'm coming to see her. I'm excited that I'll be sitting in on Lydia's class. I'm starting to get to know her so much better lately and really enjoy talking to her.

Well, that's about it except that everyone around me is getting sick. It reminds me of some low-budget zombie movie where everyone is dragging their feet and groaning all over the place and when you touch them, you turn in to a zombie as well. I feel like the last living human surrounded by the living dead. I don't know why I haven't gotten sick yet. I guess I have an extra-strong immune system.

Meanwhile, back in the states...

The latest news is all about the VMAs. I watched them the night before last like I do every year. I know, its not very high-brow, but I like watching the performances and listening to the speeches. Not surprisingly, it was dedicated to Michael Jackson and all of the speeches mentioned him in some way or another. The best part of the show was when Kanye West walked on to the stage when Taylor Swift was accepting an award and basically said she didn't deserve it and that Beyonce should have won. Poor little Taylor looked like someone had dumped Pig's blood all over her. Later on, Beyonce gave Taylor a chance to say her Thank-yous when she was receiving an award. Oh, Beyonce, you're so noble. Blah, blah, blah.

In other news, it was Aaron's 24th birthday on Sunday. He had a good weekend. We drove down to Mooresville on Friday to spend time with our families. On Friday, we met Mom and Dad at "The Rodeo" and enjoyed some "authentic" Mexican food and afterwards, Aaron and I stayed the night at his brother's. Saturday, I went to Greenwood with Mom for the day while Aaron played a round of golf with his brother, Nathan, Dad, and Uncle Tony. I guess they tied. Saturday night, we went to Aaron's parents' and cooked weenies over the fire pit, drank some beers, and made some s'mores. We did venture in to Monrovia and had a funnel cake but quickly left for fear that we might see someone we knew. On Sunday, Mom made Aaron cheesy, mini-meatloaves (his favorite) and Aaron opened his presents while we watched the LOTR marathon on TV. Overall, I think it was his ideal birthday.

Yesterday, I went in for a job interview at a tutoring center called "Compass" and I start today! I'm really excited about it. I get to tutor an 8th grade student on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A girl in my education class told me about the job. I owe her a hug when I see her tomorrow. This job will be the perfect resume builder and I don't need any training because teaching is what I do and what I love to do. I can also keep this job while I student teach which is a HUGE bonus. Needless to say, I'm loving life right now.

I'm loving love all except for the friggin' vandals who are terrorizing my neighborhood. While we were away this weekend, all of our cars were egg-ed. I called the cops last night and they sent a cop to drive around the neighborhood. I wonder what it takes to get a neighborhood crime watch? I'm sick of these bored little teens destroying our perfect little addition.

I can feel it in the air. Fall is coming. The warmest part of the day was probably 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though my ideal temperature would probably be 80, today was nice. I'm ready for Fall. I'm ready for apple cider, multi-colored leaves, pumpkins, and new fall clothes (considering my lack of funds, the fall clothes might have to wait).

I really don't know what else to talk about...I feel bad because Sam said that he is looking forward to reading this but there hasn't been anything going on since he left. I'm going to a party on Friday for a friend's birthday and then I have a hair appointment on Saturday.

Oh, I did get the chance to go and see Inglorious Bastards. I really enjoyed it. It was pretty graphic - especially the baseball bat scene but it's a Tarantino film. I should have expected to be grossed out at least a little bit. When I mentioned the baseball bat part in my film studies class, this guy told me that the actor who played "The Bear Jew" was actually back in that tunnel with a punching bag and weights getting himself pumped up for the scene. He said that Brad Pitt kept messing up his lines so "The Bear Jew" guy was just back there working out for a super-long time. That explains why, when he was finally able to come out, he went so crazy on the Nazi general. Interesting bit of information, huh?

Well, that's about it from me today. I think I'm going to go to St. Mary's and let Aries run around with his friend Harper, an enormous Chocolate Lab.

Nevel

Aren't blogs fun? Blogs rhyme with frogs which makes for a nice transition to the topic of this blog: My brothers frog, Nevel. Nevel is my brother's beloved pet and while my brother is gone on his little adventure around the world, I am frog-sitting the lil' guy. So far, everything is going well. Nevel stays a consistent green-brown color which means he is content...apparently. The temperature in his cage stays above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and at around 70% relative humidity (I think). I also give him a cricket every time I find one. The crickets around my house are really tiny and so far he has had one every day.

The reason I'm including all of this information about Nevel is so that my brother, Sam, can follow this blog and be reassured that I am in fact taking great care of his little green amigo. How am I doing so far, Sam? Oh, I forgot to mention that I keep his light on during the day and turn it off when the sun is setting. It stays cold and dark in my bedroom for the most part of the day which is where Nevel is living at the moment. I felt like it was necessary to use the light to keep the temperature high and humid.

Well, Sam leaves for his trip on Thursday! Have fun brother!