Obsession With My Obsessions

I realized this morning that I have an obsession with obsessions. When I decide I like something, it’s game over. Whether it’s a new style or a new brand of M&Ms, once I love it, I’ve gotta have it.

Latest obsessions:

English muffins. It’s not even funny how many of these suckers I can put down in a week. I just love them to death! They are the perfect size. You can make them sweet by adding jam, or savory with some butter and turkey. What’s not to love?

Sixlets. Dare I say this is my new favorite candy? I don’t think M&Ms will ever leave that category, but these little nuggets just melt in my mouth. Fun fact: they are also gluten free.

Dawson’s Creek. After purchasing the entire series, I don’t need to say much more beyond the fact that this has taken up most of my Sunday afternoons. I’m starting to get a little crush on Pacey Witter.

Rihanna ft. Drake “Take Care.” This past weekend, my friend introduced me to this song. It’s been on my radar ever since. The catchy beat makes me bounce in my seat as I sing along in the car. Good stuff.

Who’s to say what my next obsession will be? Perhaps it will be a little more healthful that chocolate; however, let’s get real. Chocolate is my life.

Someone Special

Today is my little sister's 18th birthday! She has grown into a beautiful young woman right before my eyes. I remember the day she was born, and then parading her around my 2nd grade class. She was a gorgeous baby with a mouth on her, which is not much different from today :-)

I try to remember back to my 18th birthday. I know it is just another day, but there is a sense of responsibility that goes along with this title. Growing up is about learning to make more independent decisions. Without a doubt, Sarah is an independent thinker. She has a incredibly creative mind and is not afraid to share her ideas and thoughts. I am proud to be her sister for many reasons, but here are a few that stick out:

1. Unrevealed sensitivity. Sarah is one tough cookie. As her sister, I am very close to her, so I have seen a side of her that she does not reveal to just anyone. I have seen her break down and talk about emotions and feelings. When she opens up to me, she is much more than a sister; she is a best friend. It's incredible how much she has grown up.

2. Laugher. Sarah has a contagious sense of humor, and she makes me laugh. People underestimate the importance of being goofy every once in a while. Sarah allows me to be silly, and I love that.

3. Witt and charm. There is something magnetic about Sarah. This charm that she holds is hard to find, and I get a sense of it each day.

4. Caring. Sarah believes in me; she loves and cares about me and everyone she comes in contact with. This genuine trait is something to be proud of.

Happy birthday to my legal little sister! She will forever be my someone special. Love you, Sarah Ann!

Bust Out The Flannels

It never fails. After a long night of work, my co-workers and I sit, count out our money, and talk about how sore and tired we are. It gets to be a little extreme, which is why I love it so much. It’s also fun to mix in stories about crazy customers or strange run-ins with the regulars. Ahh… the life of a server.

The other night, we started fantasizing about the moment our heads could hit the pillow. As we discussed our nightly routines, someone mentioned how excited he was about his flannel sheets. Of course, a few of us had to giggle. Do people really still put flannel sheets on their beds? I remember my mom changing my sheets as the weather grew colder. There was nothing better than nestling in to a warm bed.  

I currently have the best sheets in the world. They are organic, bamboo sheets from Target. I have been wanting to replace them, but I know nothing will compare to these pistachio colored ones that stretch across my double bed. As soon as sink into these sheets, I am able to get my dream on.

Even though my co-worker made flannel sheets seem overwhelmingly appealing, I don’t think they will be a purchase I will make any time soon. I’m sticking to my comfy bamboo babies. 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s time to put away your turkeys and cornucopias, and bust out your sparkly garland and evergreen trees. That’s right, it is officially the most wonderful time of the year. The hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and holiday meals is upon us. So much for rest and relaxation.

As the weather begins to turn colder and the lights are being hung, I’m reminded once again how annoying Christmas music really is. I am not trying to be a Scrooge, but it is really necessary to be hearing “Jingle Bell Rock” when I shop from new jeans at the Buckle? I don’t care if it is a ‘rap version,’ I am just not quite ready for these beats. I really don’t mind a little “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by ‘N Sync; however, I could really go without the high-pitched Chipmunk going on about what they want for Christmas.

I guess it’s time for me to make copy some music the stack of blank CDs, because radio music is limited. The day after Thanksgiving, too many stations decide to change all of their music to Christmas jingles. I need some variety! If this is truly the most wonderful time, couldn’t these stations cater to everyone’s needs? Perhaps they should play Christmas music sporadically throughout the year, so they don’t feel the need to jam it all into one month. I’m going crazy already.

My most wonderful time of the year: driving in silence and steering clear of the mall all in hopes of avoiding Mariah Carey singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”

Those Three Things

Recently, a motivational speaker came to deliver a message to the students. He was a former girls basketball coach at the collegiate level, making it easy to relate to his stories pertaining to sports. Team building and self-motivating is important to everyone.

The three things that stuck out to me in his speech were:

1. Attitude. We hear this time and time again; however, are we really listening to what that means. There are quotes upon quotes about having a “good attitude.” Parents, teacher, mentors all preach about the importance of attitude. When it comes down to it, we are in control of how we approach a situation, how we act towards other, and how we react to each moment. It really is all about our attitude; we are able to make each day what we want it to be.

2. Work Ethic. Boy does this get underestimated. It’s so easy to take the easy way out. There are very few people that are truly dedicated to having good work ethic.

3. Passion. This is a hefty one. It is easy to think that a young person is unable to seek passion; however, the speaker was very adamant about clearing this up. We should never underestimate young people. They are clever, insightful, smart people. Their passions are just as important as anyone’s.

Overall, I was pleased with what I heard. It’s always encouraging to listen to a speaker that believes in the words he is saying. Lastly, he mentioned that everyone should be his or her own hero. We have the power to make decisions that lead us to be our very own hero. And with those three things, we are able to change. 

Ringing in My Ears

Another successful Thanksgiving. After a long (but good) day with my family, I nestled into bed around 10:30 last night. It didn't take me longer than 2 minutes to drift into sleep. This morning, as I turned on The Today Show and opened up my MacBook, I realized that I had a slight ringing in my ears. That would be strange; however, this is what my Thanksgiving consisted of:

Kids. A whole slug of 'em. They were all excited to see each other, so the screaming was a bit unbearable at times. I appreciate how much the cousins love being together. It was overwhelming, but fun to watch everyone enjoy one another.

Loud men. I understand that dudes think they need to discuss football all day and night; however, why must they be so loud? And who really cares? Every man has an opinion about football players, plays, teams... and they need it heard, no matter how loud their voices may be.

Wii Just Dance. If you want a reason to feel like an idiot without rhythm, turn on that Wii. I was in my aunt's basement, sweating from shaking my "thang" to Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado. And, might I add, the kids love this too.

Being around a large group of people can be overwhelming. It is also a great way to spend Thanksgiving. Each year I leave feeling a sense of renewal. It's always good to feel connected to my family, even if that means getting roughed up in our annual backyard football game. While my ears are still ringing, my heart is very happy :-)

Turkey Time

It’s that time of year again. Time to shovel turkey ‘n taters into our mouths. Time for backyard football games. Time for board games and Wii dance-offs. Yes, my friends, it’s Thanksgiving.

I really do love this time of year. It’s a great chance to see family and hear about how everyone is doing. I love the overabundance of noise and people; the laughter and smiles that fill the room.

Until we get crabby. It’s bound to happen. The festivities get to be too much for the little kiddos, which means bring on the tears and screaming matches. People get tired from being stuffed with buns and pies (nice visual, huh?). Pretty soon I want to through the buzzer from the Taboo game at my sister’s head. The nice part is, we are able to silently ride home; we are all too tired to discuss anything of importance.

All in all, this holiday is about remember what we are thankful for.

...teaching. I love waking up excited for the day, and knowing that each day will bring about new challenges and triumphs. It is such a humbling career, and I am thankful to be a part of it.

Happy Turkey Time!!

Ode to 'Ichael

Yesterday, my big brother turned 28. Brothers are special people, and growing up 'Ichael never let me forget it. As I was unable to get the phonetics of Michael down, I chased him around like any little sister would. I really did want to "be like Mike."

Me, Sarah, Mike

Growing up, Mike and I fought like normal siblings do. He was mean to me, locking me in the playroom and pretending to be E.T. It never failed though, we always worked it out. With an older brother, I could acceptably play with G.I. Joe and Legos. Hours of our childhood was spent building Lego towns. And, might I add, they were quite impressive.

What I love about my brother:

1. His sense of humor. It's hard to find a sense of humor quite like ours. There is a mixture of sarcasm and seriousness rolled together to create ongoing laughter. We appreciate each other's humor and enjoy a good jab every once in a while.

2. He's a kid at heart. All I need to say is, Mike's dog is named after Nala the lion from The Lion's King.

3. He's a smartie. As a kid, Mike tended to goof off and not fully apply himself. Now that he is older, it's easy to see that he really is one smart cookie!

4. We share a love of pop culture. Michael and I both tend to love great music and movies. From Glee to Dawson's Creek all the way to acoustic videos on YouTube.

My brother has come a long way; he has grown up incredibly over the past few years. I enjoy his company and laughs. In this ode to 'Ichael, I must say that I'm a lucky sister :-)

Suck It Up

I have unintentionally stopped drinking pop. I still enjoy a cold can of Diet Coke or a soothing Diet Dr. Pepper from Kwik Star’s fountain every now and again; however, the excessive amounts have gone to the wayside. Thank goodness, because I feel a million times better. I realized that soda really wears me down. I feel heavy and bloated; two things I cannot stand.

Introducing the Camelbak.

Of course it's a Panther one :-)

These water bottles are amazing. I find myself drinking large quantities of water without even realizing it. Health experts say we should follow the “8 by 8” rule, which is 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water per day. Some benefits of adding more water to your diet are looking younger and boosting immunity. Overall, people feel more productive and hydrated. There is just an overall sense of mental and physical well being.

 What makes these water bottles so amazing? You just bite and suck. The cushiony mouthpiece makes this an enjoyable way to ensure people are following the “8 by 8” rule. So bite your tongue, buy a Camelbak, and suck up some H2O.

Pull Me Off My Feet

A couple of weekends ago I went to “Footloose,” and oh… my… gosh. Love, love, love. I spent the entire movie doing a few things: smiling ear to ear, wishing I could dance, and admiring Julianne Hough.

I truly don’t mind movie remakes. I actually purchased “Dirty Dancing Havana Nights” because of the Cuban dancing. Before you start judging me, I clearly understand that Patrick Swayze’s rendition of “Dirty Dancing” in the 80’s is irreplaceable. I mean, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” and I’m not about to. Both films caught my attention and got me jiving in my seat.

Not only were the dance scenes in the 2011 release of “Footloose” completely intriguing, but Blake Shelton’s country twist on the classic is extremely catchy. I left the theatre with an extra swing in my step… wishing I could shake it like Julianne. She’s just plain hot in the movie.

Who wouldn’t want to join the party?

What an amazing cast of lookers. Kenny Wormald, please come and pull me off my knees.

Sad Sundays

Sundays are for resting, spending time with family, and getting prepared for the upcoming week. I appreciate the laziness that comes along with them. After church, it's a great time to relax with a good book or become immersed in a predictable Lifetime movie.

Lately I have found Sundays to be full of way to much "think time." If I don't have enough activities to fill my day, I am left with a brain working in overtime. As I sit here this afternoon, I find myself having a sad Sunday. I love spending time alone, but sometimes it gets overwhelming and lonely. Today is one of those days. What to do, what to do?

My plan for getting out of this sad Sunday slump:

1. Read. Not for school, but read for fun.

2. Laundry. I know this doesn't sound fun, but it keeps me busy. I also love the sense of accomplishment and productivity. Plus, I have a weird obsession with folding towels.

3. Work on my resume. It's so close to being finished, and I would be happy to cross that off of my to-do list.

4. Stop thinking. This is the tricky one. Dear brain, shut off. Thank you.

If all else fails, I will go to sleep early in my clean sheets. Off to the dryer. Happy Sunday folks!

I Can't Breathe!!!

My parents generously gave me a $100 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret for my birthday. After meeting a friend for coffee this morning, I thought I would swing by the mall and burn that baby. I can never keep a gift card for very long; I mean, it's free money to my favorite places!

As I walked into the store, I knew exactly what I wanted. Of course, the clerk quickly approached me, explaining all of the stores promotions. I understand this is her job, so I politely listened and responded with the ever typical, "I'm just looking. Thank you." I went on my merry way, picking and choosing from assorted colors, styles, and textures.

It wasn't even a minute after being approached by the first blonde, that another one popped up in my face. "Are you looking for any particular style?" I again politely answered, "I'm fine. Thank you." I walked to the other side of the store where my favorites are located and another blonde stepped in. "Do you need help with sizing?" I started to get a wee bit irritated. I just wanted to shop in silence. Because I am so nice, I responded with, "No, thank you." Is it getting stuffy in here?

One more gal stopped me to share that there were mini perfumes for only $10 near the check-out counter. "Thank you," I said to her. I needed to get out! I went up to the counter to pay. After being told about some coupon and giving my email address for the 700th time, I was home free... Or so I thought.

"How did you enjoy your experience today?" Um... What? Fine, I guess. I could have gone without every blonde in the store talking to be fifty times, but whatever. Even though I was having a hard time breathing, I politely smiled and said, "Fine. Thank you." Then, I drove home... In silence.

Are You Noticeable?

First impressions are critical and unavoidable. There are times I catch myself giving someone the up, down, up. You’ve all done it; don’t judge me. Have you ever stopped to think about what people are thinking when they see you?  How about a person of the opposite sex? My palms are getting sweaty just thinking about it. Am I noticeable? If so, do I want to be noticeable?

So what are men looking at when they are looking at women?  Here’s what Cosmo has to say:

How thick your hair is. Great, mine is the thinnest hair imaginable. Maybe I should get some hair extensions shoved in my head. How do you think magenta strands would look against my dark brown hair? I may just have to, assuming men love a full head of a lady’s locks.

Your smile is genuine. I’m not sure how this one is measured, but… Check!

The size of your group. A large group of women is overwhelming for many reasons. We are loud and opinionated. Not to mention, highly judgmental. If I were a man, I would steer clear.

Your hip to waist ratio. Um, get a life boys. If you have time to calculate my curves, then clearly we have some issues. Seriously, Get. A. Life.

Glowiness. I like this. Men should appreciate a balance between mental and physical health. Cheers to the men that sense a woman with a balanced, healthy life.

What’s fake about you. The author of this article is talking about physical fakeness. That’s right, apparently men don’t like fake eyelashes and artificial lips. Thank heavens, because I just don’t have time to glue on nails and lashes as I head out the door.

Your eyes. This may sound cliché, but I have heard that people are more attracted to those that have big eyes. “The eyes are the window to the soul.” Go ahead, stare into those baby blues. 

The question may not be am I noticeable; but rather, do I want to be noticed by these woo-haas. Let’s get real, some people out there are scary. Not come after me with a gun scary, but strange pick-up lines creepy scary. Looks like I’m going to have to start traveling in packs of women, wearing skin tight dresses decorated with hair extensions. Notice this, boys.  

Potty Control

When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. Coming from a person with a very small bladder, I totally understand. If I’m walking along and need to stop… like, now… I find the closest restroom and then I’m on my merry little way. But, what if it’s a Starbucks?

I ran across an article discussing how a few New York Starbucks shops are no longer open for business (pardon the pun, I just couldn’t help myself). That’s right. The bathrooms have been converted into employee-only facilities. This would be a terrible problem for me as I sipped on my skinny vanilla latte. Those babies fly right through me, if you know what I mean.

Their reasoning for closing the bathrooms is due to an overwhelming issue with loitering. The storeowners mention that people come in off the streets just to use the restroom facilities without purchasing anything. This, my friends, is just not right. What is the harm in purchasing a little scone to take on the road? Or how about a bag of fresh coffee beans to grind up the following morning? We can all use a little bit more coffee in our lives.

Perhaps this potty control is working for New Yorkers; however, I am pretty sure this wouldn’t fly with me in the Midwest. Never mind the fact that this seems highly unlawful. Can you really take away a potty from a coffee guzzling girl?

Lather Up Baby

The winter months do a number on my body – my skin in particular. It’s only a matter of days before it starts cracking and getting rough like sandpaper. Overall, I have pretty soft skin. I don’t have issues with an oily face or dry patches on my elbows. I remember sitting on the bench during high school volleyball games comparing the differences in skin tones. Some girls have ingrown hairs and blotches all over. Sorry, but that’s gross…. And this post is getting a little graphic (not exactly what I had in mind).

Anyway, as the dry air inches its way into my life, I turn to my favorite lotions.

OPI does it again. These lotions lightly glide onto the skin. They effortlessly take care of any cracks or rough patches on the skin. Not to mention, they smell amazing! I particularly love the scents for the different seasons. I never thought I would want to smell like pumpkin butter, but the spices of nutmeg and cinnamon scents on my fingertips make me so happy. OPI products never fail. In fact, if they are looking for a spokesperson, I’m not too busy.

Winter is upon us; be ware. It’s officially time to stock up on lotions so we can later up all season. 

Silly Siblings

The older I get, the stronger my relationships become. I am able to appreciate time spent with the people that matter the most to me. Phone conversations, lunch dates, and facebook posts make me happy; they make me feel like a balanced banana.

Recently, I have been overjoyed with the connections I have made with my brother and sister. We have always shared a special sense of humor. While we drive each other crazy, we also enjoy each other’s company. How do I know this? Because if I go home and the three of us don’t carve out enough time for each other, feelings get hurt. We pretend like it doesn’t matter, but it does. It took how many years to realize that we actually like hanging out with each other. Who would have thought?

“Siblings, what a tricky bunch. One moment you love them, the other one you seriously question their sanity. But in the end, very few will be there for you as your siblings will. They know where you come from, and why you are the way you are. They know your heart.”

The other day, my goofy brother and sister came up with this:

Silly siblings. Gotta love ‘em. 

Perky Productivity

I had a weird weekend. I couldn't tell you why or how, but it was not normal. I had strange encounters with people, felt out-of-sorts, and got nothing done. Mind you, these are all things I hate!

I began my Monday with this thought: "Every day is a new start." Because guess what? It is. I had a pretty good workout and went on my way to school. The kids were bouncing off the walls, and for some reason, this didn't bother me one bit. I kid of liked the livelihood of the little critters. My student teaching coordinator came to observe a lesson and sit down to reflect. Some people may get nervous about these observations; however, I feel the complete opposite. I actually get excited when she comes. It is a great time for feedback and teacher talk. Both of which I love.

After some productivity during my planning period, I was out the door to head to the career services department on campus. I set up a meeting to have my resume critiqued, and boy am I glad I did. The guy answered all of my questions and offered some great advice. One more thing to check off my to-do list!

As I drove home, I started to smile. I feeling of perkiness came over me as I put my car in park. Why the sudden good feelings? Productivity. I love falling asleep at night feeling good about how I used my day. Yes, productivity makes me perky.

Scenario Game

Should every Sunday be my pet peeve/vent about serving day? It just so happens after two more nights serving and bartending, I am ready to add to my list of annoyances. Let's play the scenario game (you'll catch on real quick).

Scene: You are sitting at the bar and spot your buddy on the other side. You are both watching and discussing the same football game. Key words: And discussing.

Normal person: Walk over to discuss the opposing team's fumble.

Dudes last night at the bar: Shouting so everyone could hear their opinions. First of all, I don't care about your opinion. Secondly, other people are in this establishment too. So, lock it up.

Scene: It's a busy Friday night, and you have your toddler running around the restaurant/bar while you try to have a good time with your buddies.

Normal person: Go home or get a babysitter.

Family two nights ago: Continually apologizing as their daughter ran around, getting in the way of servers and customers. It's Friday night. Getting away from these little critters is the very reason many people were drinking, eating, and socializing. Please don't keep apologizing; just leave... like, now.

Scene: There is a spot where servers pick up their drinks from the bar to deliver them to their tables. It is only about two feet wide; however, much needed to ensure things run smoothly. People stand there ALL THE TIME. I would like to call these people habitual violators, because it's never a one time deal.

Normal person: Doesn't stand there.

Pretty much every clueless ding-dong: The servers push through kindly saying, "Excuse me," but they continue to stand there. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I in your way?" Ahh... yes, you are very much so in my way. How hard is it to move? Oh, how I wish they would.

Now wasn't that a fun game? Happy Sunday!

Noshember

Men will do anything for attention. They act like women are the crazies that dress provocatively in hopes to cause a few stares. While this may or may not be true, men are just as guilty. 

Exhibit A: "swagger." Have you ever noticed that men walk around like they own the place? It's like saying, "I have a Y chromosome; watch out." Well, I'm not impressed. Take your swagger to another establishment.

Exhibit B: territory issues. Men take up too much space. There is no need to sprawl themselves all over the couch, table, car, bed, etc. Also, just because it's Sunday, Monday night, Thursday night, or all day Saturday doesn't mean the TV has to be on football. There is a life outside of sports. Shocker. 

Exhibit C: "No Shave November." Otherwise known as "Noshember," men (and some disgusting women) decided to give their razor blades a break for an entire month. Yuck. Good luck finding anyone to smooch. 

Apparently, men have no shame in "Noshember." 

The Presentable Me

I really hate being sloppy. I don't like to look like a slob, even when I'm just running to Target. My mom thinks I'm crazy, but I really don't care. It drives me nuts when I go out in public looking like I just rolled out of bed. Short hair takes some extra grooming :-)

When I prepare to leave my house, I must think about a few things.

1. My hair. Even on a lounge day, I always do my hair. I'm telling you, this mane gets out of control; therefore, it is imperative that I use product and a teasing comb each morning.

2. My makeup. Certain days I allow my face to breathe. This may not happen very often, but if I do not have any real plans for the day, my Clinique stays in my makeup bag. However, many times I still apply a base coat :-)

3. My apparel. I just don't like to look like I came out of the wrong decade. I did not just wake up; therefore, I don't want to appear that way. Call me crazy.

I may sound anal. Get used to it. Have a nice weekend :-)

Boobie Bands

All throughout the month of October, we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness by making everything pink. And by everything, I mean everything. The NFL incorporates pink in everything from the kicker’s cleats to the referee’s hat. I’m sorry to digress by bringing up last month’s festivities, but I can’t help but notice all of the boobie bands around school. If you are an 8^th grade boy and don’t have a boobie band, then you are no one.

You may be asking, “What is a boobie band?” Welp, here it is:

Bands with the word “boobie”… how clever.

Teenage boys will use any excuse to have the word “boobie” around their wrist all day long. Why not add another distraction to their already perverted little minds?

If you think I’m being frank, visit a public junior high and just listen to the conversations. You may be surprised that it only takes a little boobie band to gain excitement (excuse the disgusting pun).

Hold Your Hand Up High

There is something very gratifying about seeing the hands of students shooting up left and right. “Pick me! Pick me!” It’s something that only those that teach elementary and junior high (if you’re lucky) ever get to see. Because, trust me, high school students are way too cool to be raising their hands.

However, I’m beginning to think that teenagers have zero control over their bodies (I'm sure you're thinking, "Duh, Anna. Where have you been?). Clearly, their mouths are open 82% of the time. The other 18% they are texting, sleeping, or playing video games. Maybe we should be thankful for technology; it gives the world some peace and quiet.

So, if teenagers have no control over their mouths, then why should their hands be any different? The students' hands are shooting up before their minds have even processed the question. Hence, when I call on the student begging me to “pick him,” the answers often fall short. Does he even realize his arm is about to spring out of socket? 

I’m not saying that I’m teaching a bunch of nimrods. They are delightfully, smart students that need to think before they freak out and jump out of their seats. I love the enthusiasm, but I’m also a little bit frightened by it. Breathe, young children, breathe. Hold your hand up high… and breathe. 

Necessary "Unnecessaries"

No one likes to budget. In a perfect world, we would all have an abundance of needs and wants. Buzz kill time: it’s not a perfect world, and we all must learn to budget. Ugh.

I’ve come to grips with the fact that I will not ever get everything I want. I know that a Range Rover Sport will probably never park itself in my garage. I will never have a closet packed full of Chanel and Gucci. However, there are a few small luxuries that I don’t plan on giving up in the wake of a budget crunch.

Flowers. Yes, I love a nice bouquet of flowers on my desk. I’m not trying to send some subliminal message asking for everyone to send me a beautiful fall arrangement. I like buying flowers for myself. It's like a little pat on the back with a motivational message. 

M&Ms. I never feel bad about tossing a bag of these babies in my basket at the grocery store. 

Nikes. Every man, woman, and child deserves a clean pair of Nikes. Therefore, I don't mind a splurge on the latest Air Max edition.

Cup of Joe. I love iced coffee. I love it in the morning, afternoon, and evening. I will forever be a patron, enjoying every sip. It just makes me happy :-)

The next time someone tries to tell me that an item is unnecessary, I will snap back at them saying, "I deserve a few unnecessaries every once in a while. Thank you." 

Work It Out

I’ve been paying close attention lately to the fitness lingo that instructors tend to use. For some odd reason, I am intrigued by what pops out of their mouths while everyone is dripping with sweat and grunting (just for the record, I don’t grunt).

The other morning, I was inspired to use the off-white gym towel after being told to “towel off.” Sure, I guess if you put it that way, I would love to brush off this annoying sweat that keeps dripping into my eyes.

During spinning class, the instructor often invites us to keep our “feet to the beat.” I really like this, because I can jive a little as I search for the beat to the song. And, yes, I sing along quietly if I’m enjoying the tune.

Then, I remembered the good ole fitness guru Denise Austin. She is one nutty lady. I tried a few times to get into her videos, but she’s a little too out there for me. Her famous line while doing squats, “If you don’t squeeze it, no one else will!” makes me giggle.

It really doesn’t matter what a fitness instructor is yelling, as long as we can all leave saying that we really worked it out!

Freshen Up

Every once in a while, I have a flat out bad day. Yesterday was one of them. Nothing good. Nothing bad. Just unseen frustrations stemming from lack of sleep and annoyances. Nothing was going my way. My brain was running a mile a minute, mostly about things that I have little or no control over. Even as I share this with you, I'm getting tired and anxious.

Needless to say, I threw a pity party and invited everyone. Luckily not very many people showed up, because it didn't turn out to be very fun. If you received an invite, I'm terribly sorry. Sometimes they get sent out by accident.

In times like this, I turn to these words...

The fact is, I have a wonderful life that shouldn't be overshadowed by bad days. I am able to put yesterday to bed and start fresh. My pity party is over. I have cleaned up the leftover confetti and streamers. It's time to freshen up and take on a new day.

My Favorite Movie Date

I’m coming out of the closet… the movie buff closet, that is. I love movies. I love reading about actors and watching trailers. I love researching soundtracks; IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) is bookmarked on my computer.

The best part of my inner movie addiction? I do it solo. I love going to movies all by my lonesome. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m anti-social. I will never turn down a friend that asks to catch a flick. I’m just not afraid to head to a matinee alone on a lazy Sunday afternoon .

Confession: Sometimes I even put on nice clothes, grab some candy at Target, and savor every sip of the theater’s overpriced Big Gulp (you know if you order the 64 oz. soda for five dollars, you get a refill… and you pee every seventeen minutes).

People often ask me if I feel weird going to movies by myself, especially on Friday or Saturday nights. My response is always, “Heck no!” If I felt weird, I wouldn’t do it. I also add that most people I know aren’t at movies on weekend nights, so it’s not like I run into anyone. Even if I did, it wouldn’t bother me one bit. I’ve learned to be quite independent over the years… and I love it.

As selfish as it sounds, my favorite movie date is me. There are no awkward silences, no arguments, no talking… just peace. And I never have to wonder if I’m going to get a kiss at the end of the night.

Hungry? Pay For a Snack

Last weekend, when I was so patiently serving a couple of nim-rods at the bar, I was asked: “Do you have any snacks back there?” Ahhh… snacks? Like teriyaki beef jerky? Or Funyuns? The answer: “No, we have a menu.”

I realize that certain bars and restaurants offer Gardettos or a mixture of cashews and pecans, but have you ever stopped to consider how much of a pain in the ass for the servers? I worked in a place that served popcorn. Honestly, I should have just thrown a couple bags on the floor, because by the end of the night there were kernels everywhere.

And how about cleanliness? I am not a germaphobe; however, these bowls of snacks are disgusting. You should be especially careful if the snacks are located near a restroom… just saying.

Lastly, mindless eating starts to make me sick. Most likely I’m already eating and drinking enough at a restaurant. There is really no need to shove my face with greasy potato chips or sugared almonds. Completely unnecessary.

Here’s the plan: eat before you come, or pay for dinner. It’s really not that hard. I have a friend that shoves her purse full of snacks. I about died when we were out at the bar, and she busted out string cheese. Beer and cheese; where are the crackers and salami?

Educational F-Word

A couple of weeks ago, at a meeting for student teaching, my supervisor noted that “flexible is the new f-word.” I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself, mostly because of the truth behind the corky statement. Time and time again, lesson plans change; schedules constantly move around throughout the day. Flexible truly is the name of the game in education.

I was reminded of this again as I attended two more meetings this past week. There is no static way to reach students. There is no golden ticket to ensure learning for each individual. The truth is, we all operate differently. Not only do our methods of teaching need to be flexible, but also, our communication with colleagues and administration. Just like our students, these people are different as well. Instead of discounting others’ ideas, we should be flexible and embrace them.

Easier said than done, right? It’s difficult to set aside past conversations; we don’t want to admit that someone else may have a better approach or method. Because teachers are such passionate people, they have a hard time embracing new ideas. They want to be the ones that find the educational diamond in the rough.

I’ve got news for y’all. It’s never going to get figured out. There are always going to be students that don’t get “reached” and never work to their full potential. I’m not trying to be a downer, just a realist. Therefore, as teachers, we need to be flexible as we work to communicate with one another. Always, always remember the educational f-word. 

Late Harvest Waves

Here in Iowa, the farmers are out in full force. There are combines, tractors, plows, you name it all over the county roads and highways. This makes travel seemingly difficult at times. It’s easy to get a bit of road rage as Farmer Joe putts along, traveling from field to field. It just comes with the territory.

I was driving home from school the other day, when I met a big truck on the highway. The man behind the wheel threw up a finger at me… no, not that finger. He passed me saying “hello” with the good ole “farmer’s wave.” Now, if you don’t know what that looks like, it’s just a nod of the head as the index finger leaves the wheel saying, “hey there.” Quite friendly, if you asked me.

This is just one of the perks of living in rural Iowa. Because everybody knows everybody, I suppose it would be rude not to wave. Growing up, I was always waving. I waved at my neighbors, friends, and strangers passing through town. It really didn’t matter; it was just a habit I have become accustomed to.

The farmers are spending late nights in the fields wrapping up this year’s harvest. They are putzing along the highways, waving at every car in sight. Welcome to your average Iowa fall harvest.

I'm Over Being a Hater

Happy Halloween hangover! I hope y’all have tons of sugar in your bellies! I actually had a pretty “normal” amount of candy yesterday. And by normal, I mean way too much. Typical Anna. Some day I may learn; however, I heard yesterday that people with a sweet tooth tend to have much sweeter personalities. Explains it all.

I have a confession. As of yesterday, I was Halloween Hater. I was the girl that glared as I passed Halloween Bootique in the mall. I was the girl that cringed at the sight of scary masks and witch hats. I even found myself hatin’ on little munchkins for dressing up like devils and princesses.

But I’m here to tell you, I’m done be a Halloween Hater. In fact, I’m even done being a costume party hater. I realized that I have no reason to hate Halloween. I have no reason to hate girls that dress up in skimpy outfits parading around the bars. I have no reason to hate guys wearing Scream masks and carrying around fake blood. Honestly, I don’t really care if people decide to dress up. Whatever floats your boat.

But I do have to make one point. Adults need to be very cautious about when they decide to partake in Halloween festivities. Moms: you don’t need to dress up to take your kids trick-or-treating. It’s weird. Teachers: no face paint or masks or weird little headbands. To the remaining adults: just because it’s Halloween doesn’t mean you have free range throw on a witch hat and act “spooky.” Not normal.

So maybe I have a little bit of Halloween hate still in me. I suppose there’s always next year.