Post-Novel Depression

I have finished reading the book. I finished yesterday or the day before actually, and I'm still recovering. I ached to find out the mystery, to complete the novel, and finally, I did. It took some skimming and some skipping, but I successfully arrived at the end after a couple days. Well, I wish I hadn't tried quite so hard, because now I have nothing to do.

This sort of thing has been happening to me for years. I get addicted to a book, its characters, its plot, and I can't get away from it. I stay up till all hours of the morning reading it, and when I'm not reading it, I'm thinking about it. Well, now it's over. And when it's over, I go into this post-partum phase. I mope around the house because I have nothing to read. I don't even WANT to read anything because what I want to read has already been read. But I'm not ready to move in to a new plot with new characters. I'm not ready to get to know a new protagonist.

So, that is how today was. I mean, I went out to eat with the family and I went shopping, but other than that, I felt at a loss. I have been reading a bit of John's old pharmacology book. It's actually pretty interesting. I try to take notes so that I can remember what I'm learning and maybe be smarter than John someday. But I really just want Robert Langdon back, along with Vatican City. And the pope.

I never thought I'd ache for anything Catholic :)

"Thank you, Father. I'll take the wine. You can keep the wafer."

I don't know what to write about....

I've spent the past few days reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. It's a good book and I keep thinking about Vatican City and popes. Everything lately reminds me of Vatican City and popes.

I got to see Sarah lastnight, who, in case you don't know, is a friend from high school and Muskingum, my roommate for my freshman year of college, who I've actually known since fourth grade. She's one of my bridesmaids, of course. She also likes the dress I want my bridesmaids to wear so that's good, definitely a relief.

Today I met Kari and Tony at Panera in Canton, which of course was an experience. We sat and talked (and ate) for four hours. We had lunch and potentially could have eaten dinner there, too, except Tony had to leave. Boo. I went and spent my gift card at my favorite store, Victoria's Secret, which will now be my very very very favorite store since I'll be getting married soon :) (Hey, if you don't want to hear about that stuff, don't read my diary!).

Kari showed us pictures of her entire extended family, her sister's beautiful engagement ring (congratulations, Kati!), and Tony showed us pictures of his new place of residence...Princeton! It was neato. He had funny stories too, like about Santa Claus being on the Princeton Seminary's Christmas tree and how some of the students got really mad about it. Hahahaha. I don't like Santa, but I think that might be something fun to do, just to see how people react.

I think tomorrow I will see Lindsay, one of my most favorite people, so that I can get fitted for my bridesmaid (maid of honor, actually, thank you very much) dress.

I'm a little uneasy about the 6 bridesmaids thing. Bridal parties run into these sorts of issues because women are very catty, and because they are all MY friends, but not necessarily friends with each other. So, it's kind of interesting, this wedding thing. It's a little cruel, actually. I feel sort of bad already that I'm making them fly down there and buy a dress and throw me parties. I mean, who really wants to do all that, even if they do love me?

Hmmm. Just something to think about.

I'll Never Be Warm Again

I am eternally cold! It's freezing here! Snow! Eck!!!!

Lovin' these Lyrics...

Bless The Broken Road
by Rascal Flatts

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Cloud Nine :)

WELL if John didn't know it before, he knows it now--I am the planning queen. The queen of planning. I set a date, picked a place, and tomorrow pick a dress. I have scheduled appointments with where I want the wedding and reception and rehearsal dinner. I NEED to meet with my bridesmaids and maid of honor (I need to put that on my URGENT list), and schedule a time to get engagement pictures taken (John, you better smile!). I have no idea how we're going to pay for it, but right now I just don't care--I've been waiting my whole life for this and we ARE cutting a LOT of corners. I think we'll be saving beaucoup on flowers and alcohol--who knows about my dress, because everyone knows that when I find a dress that looks good, I don't care about the price tag......

And I picked out invitations and practically have them ordered...I just need to make sure we get the place we want. We have our guest list mostly complete and sorta kinda know where we're going to register. We have our bridesmaids and almost our groomsmen lined up and in order, outfits pretty much figured out. At this rate, all will be done by February.

So I am of course, floating on cloud nine, and it's sad that I'm in Ohio and John is in Florida, but it's probably in his best interests. :) He doesn't like it so much when I ask a lot of questions and he says "I don't care" and I bug him, you know, just to make sure he really doesn't care. I'd pick what I want anyway.

October 23rd will be the wedding, the very small wedding, at 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon. The reception will follow...one in FL and one here in Ohio for all those who were unable to attend. The Ohio reception will be around my Christmas break, so keep that in mind. It IS only a year away!

John: You HAVE to pick the honeymoon spot! NO SNOW!!!! :)

This is BIG

In more ways than one! Guess who proposed?

John did! Not just any John, my boyfriend John.

My fiance, John.

Yay!

Count 'em!

1, 2. TWO more days of school and then it's home time for me!

In other news...

JOHN is getting baptized in the ocean! Tomorrow or Friday. I hope it isn't freezing like it was today. Brrrrrrr!

SUSAN is picking me up at the airport on Saturday and then we're going to Veronica's.

VERONICA is having a party. I wonder who will be there? I hope I see as many people as possible!

I got a cocoa/latte maker. It's kind of silly because all it really does is mix up your drinks and heats them at the same time...which isn't difficult to do by hand. But hey, this does it 4 servings at a time. I'm diggin it.

the COCOA maker came in handy yesterday when my class and I re-enacted THE POLAR EXPRESS. I served hot cocoa in nifty little Christmas mugs with marshmallows, they had candy with"nougat" centers (like in the book) and they even got Christmas bells (like the children did in the book). We sang Christmas carols (like they...you know). It was way fun.

THE POLAR EXPRESS movie was AWESOME. The movie itself was decent, but my students were by far the most well-behaved, and their little faces were just lit up with awe the entire time. They loved it! AND we had enough money for everyone to have a "Reel Meal," thanks to those of you who made donations :) THANK YOU!!!!

DO TRY Starbucks' white chocolate mocha. It's to die for. Mom, you would like it, too. I promise!

MY COOKIES for our Christmas cookie exchange were the best. AND my mentor teacher's chocolate chip cookies are not nearly as good as the choc. chip cookies I make, and her students' are out of control. I say all this just because she always acts like she's so great and wise and wonderful and perfect and she is always bossing me and my students around. WELL! At least I can make some darn good cookies. So there!

MY GRANDMA CURIE deserves the credit for that, however. Special thanks to Grandma for passing along that tradition, as it's the only thing I really have to remember you by.

Take care all, and goodnight.

GO INDIANS!!!!! and...feeling old...

The Immokalee High School football team has WON the Florida State Championship! Woooohhhhooooo! I am so proud :)

Immokalee is where I teach. It is the most amazing town I have ever experienced. You should see it. Bright and early (well, dark and early) on my way in to work at 6:30, about 100 men are riding bikes to work and 300 others are riding buses to work in the fields (think orange trees...yeah, I guess they haven't come up with a system like they have for corn!). Stray dogs hump each other on the sidewalks (well, it's true!) and more than 50% of the signs are written in Spanish (so I really don't know what stores and things Immokalee has!). Every morning I pass a giant truck that is handing out food to middle aged men (men like our fathers) who are so humble I'm sure they barely think of it any more as a handout. I pass two sets of projects and a small community of what I guess some people call houses but look like large 100 year old outhouses, eaten away by mold. I pass a "Friendship House," an after-school program center, a few houses being built by Habitat for Humanity, and children walking to school before the sun has risen so that they can be there to get help with homework, read with tutors and teachers, and eat breakfast.

So when I had my first graders lined up along the sidewalk to give a farewell to those 14-18 year old young men, you can bet I had tears in my eyes. The football players' faces peered out from the buses, a hundred Hispanic and Black and Native American young men that have figured or have been told since they were 3 that they will spend their lives working in the fields when they grow up. They were not shouting or jumping or hooting and hollering. They were just looking out, watching the little kids and the entire city of Immokalee wish them luck. They seemed stunned.

It was a really neat thing. Today Immokalee fans filled the stadium in Gainesville, Florida, and even Trick Daddy was there to cheer on the Indians. And guess who the Indians defeated?

The Cowboys! Hahaha.

Good job, Immokalee!

Hi!

Amanda Harrington
15093 Top Sail Court
Naples, FL 34119

Clarification: 10 dollars pays for one child's admission, their snacks, and their part of the "bus fee." Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

$10 for a Cause

Okay, so I hate to sound desperate. But, here's the deal.

The first grade teachers and I are taking our students to see "The Polar Express" next Wednesday. The catch is that we have to have loads of lesson plans surrounding the trip and we have to pay for it. That means 450 dollars for 3 buses, packing our own lunches, and paying a $6.00 admission fee for each child (117 of them).

I normally don't support the whole "Santa Claus" thing a whole lot, but I've been stressing to my students that it's important to BELIEVE in something. Most of these children have very little. 2 of my 17 students have been to a movie theater and the other 15 have not. I promise it is a learning experience for them as they have very little experiences, and it is very special to them, and it will make their Christmas one to remember.

Therefore, if you can send ten dollars, or anything you feel obliged to, please do. Anything left over I will use for books for my classroom.

It's just ten dollars! Ten dollars will send one student, pay for their part of the bus, and pay for a lunch. Maybe even some popcorn :)

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!!!!

I feel...

...confused.
...like I might be getting sick.
...exhausted.
...annoyed by my students.
...angry that I can't afford an apartment.
...angry that I will rent an apartment anyway and then I will be poor.
...angry that I did "everything right" (college, waited for marriage/kids, etc.) and I am still a middle class citizen that doesn't qualify for anything, get any special rewards, and therefore I've ended up as probably the most unfortunate class in America.
...angry that my lower-level poverty children are asked all the time to donate money to kids stricken by the hurricane when my students don't have clothes to wear or books to read, either.

But...goodness how thankful I am, still, anyway, despite all that. But it still bothers me sometimes :)

I feel...

...confused.
...like I might be getting sick.
...exhausted.
...annoyed by my students.
...angry that I can't afford an apartment.
...angry that I will rent an apartment anyway and then I will be poor.
...angry that I did "everything right" (college, waited for marriage/kids, etc.) and I am still a middle class citizen that doesn't qualify for anything, get any special rewards, and therefore I've ended up as probably the most unfortunate class in America.
...angry that my lower-level poverty children are asked all the time to donate money to kids stricken by the hurricane when my students don't have clothes to wear or books to read, either.

But...goodness how thankful I am, still, anyway, despite all that. But it still bothers me sometimes :)

Florida Christmas

Wow, do Florida people ever go all out for Christmas! They even have festivals with outdoor snow. What fun :)

It is certainly an experience to go Christmas shopping and have the complaint that "it's too hot to be carrying all these bags around!" After saying that I immediately realized that normally, I would be in Ohio with a huge bulky winter coat and where, oh where, do you put those things when you're on an all day shopping trip at the mall? I think I usually left it in the car and ran into the mall and out again.

And when I do have to run, thank goodness I don't have to watch out for ice, snowpiles that are deeper than they look, and slush-puddles that have more slush that I bargained for.

I don't miss the snow, and I feel like it is "Christmasy" here because shwew, people are crazy about their decorations. Considering a majority of Naples people (Naplinians?) are from "up north," they try to make up for lack of snow with not only lights and blow up snowmen, not just lit up reindeer and wreaths, but serious winter wonderlands in almost every yard. People totally redecorate inside their homes as well.

Lit up palm trees are pretty cool, too.

Budgets

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apartments

I need a place to live. I need a place to live. I need a place to liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!

Check it out...

Building 429's newest cd is way cool. I highly suggest it to anyone. I LOVE this song:

Above it All

Oh I'm waiting for the answer to the question in my soul
Lord why did you lead me here?
I take a look around and a desperate world surrounds me
I know I'm not of this place, but its here and in my face
All that I am wants to run
God I feel hopeless and undone

Lift me up above it all
I'm feeling broken and alone
Don't let me turn to stone
Lift my heart above it all

I've lost my hope tonight
And I'm praying for the strength to carry on
Lord lift me above it all
Now I'm waiting for a glimpse of hope in an eye
But a flash of sunlight shows a faded gray
Cause these streets are hard and cold
And the alleys burn like coal with a stench of helplessness
And all the life that's been misspent
And all that I am wants to run
God I feel helpless and undone

Maybe I'm not supposed to fly
Maybe you want me here tonight
To lift them up above it all
When they're broken and alone
Don't let me turn to stone
Lift them up above it all
Cause they cannot stand alone
And they're praying for the strength to carry on
Lift us up above it all
When we're broken and alone
Don't let us turn to stone
Lift us up above it all
Because we cannot stand alone
And we're praying for the strength to carry on
Lord, will you lift us up above it all?

I Hear Bells!

Wedding bells, that is! As if everyone doesn't always know, that would be the wedding bells of Timothy Marquis and Lindsay Mast, two of the very best people in the entire world :) And guess who has the honor of being maid of honor?

Why yes, that would be me!

Yikes! Grown up reality real world hits once again. Shoot. Maybe I'll get downgraded to flower girl. Then all I have to be in charge of is rose petals...not a wedding band (Tim would never let me live it down if I lost it), a wedding toast (I'll say something that I'll get made fun of for my entire life, I'm sure of it), and keeping Lindsay sane (she's going to be a basketcase)! Not to mention bridal showers, receptions and bachelorette parties!!!!

Yay! I've already started planning. I have such great ideas. I'm sooooo excited! The other bridesmaids and I will have to get into a private chatroom...considering some are in Ohio, Kendra's in Japan, and I'm in Florida :)

So I was reading all these cool ideas that overachieving maids of honor do and some of them included making slideshows, scrapbooks, etc. and it made me think of all the millions of Lighthouse and Muskie pictures we have of us girls, us girls and guys, the guys, and so many good times.

One year ago we wondered what it would be like to be where we are now, another one of us being married off. It makes me think of Tim when I first knew him. It makes me think of Lindsay's daddy giving her away. It makes me think of Lindsay and I lying on her bottom bunk crying and laughing together.

And now we are all over the country, all over the world, and I'm sitting in front of the computer, alone, wondering if maybe one last time, God would let me look behind me, and there would be Lindsay, at her computer, writing lesson plans for Ed. 330.

Remember how cold our floors were then? Remember how guys used to shout up at our windows, "Hey Lighthouse!" Remember how we'd get up to go to the bathroom, only to find that someone else had just gone in? If I could spend one more day in that house with those five girls, I would in a heartbeat.

But...I am glad where I am today, and I'm glad that Lindsay is where she is. I think we all chose the right paths, and we all did turn out pretty darn well.

Boring Life :)

I haven't been trying to ignore you all or anything, but I just haven't had anything interesting happening. For example, here are the burning questions in my life:

How will I implement Spalding Phonics into my curriculum and when will I have time for Shared Reading?

What will I make for Thanksgiving dinner?

Where is there a store down here that sells chocolate merckens and turkey cookie cutters? Christmas cookie cutters?

Should I start reading a book or get another audiobook from the library?

What book of my Bible should I read next?

What will my doctor be like? Will I have time that day to go to the bank for once? Should I get a car loan from my bank that has a lower interest rate? Well, of course, right?

How am I going to get my Ohio stuff down here when John and I get our own place?



See, I bet you didn't even read all of that it's so boring!

Gracias!

The bell rings.
The children scatter
With their paper hats
And bread crumb boogers.
Today they made butter
For real. They were pilgrims
For make-believe.

Now they are excited for the holiday
Of Thanksgiving.

They will fight with football
For attention from their fathers.
They will eat tamales and torticas.
Perhaps a bit of turkey.
What is a sweet potato? They ask
And laugh when I try to say
“Gracias.”

Bragger Blogger!

Well Ohio friends, I hope you're having fun up there, because tomorrow I'm going to the beach! The weather is SO WONDERFUL here! Yay!