I heart Plants

I also heart my Nikon D40. Now I'm still shaky on the aperture/shutter speed/ anything technical in photography- I was really good with my simple Pentax SLR- but I think I have a great eye for composition. Always have in just about anything- it's why I was good in theatre too. Great sense of the overall picture. During intersession Mike's family came down for a weekend. We did many things but one of my favorite is the NC Botanical Gardens right down the road in Chapel Hill. It's such a lovely place and it's still in bloom- thanks North Carolina! Well I took along my trusty and loved D40 to just wander and get lost in the beauty that God has given us. Excepting for the mosquitoes, I loved wandering by myself. I enjoy and realize nature's potential best this way. I want to share some of my pictures. Just a few of my favorites!

Intersession was nice.

Intersession was a nice break from school life. I had two weeks off and two work days. So much was accomplished and I had a relaxing time with myself. Waking up when the sun was shining was a novel idea. Reading became a priority during these two weeks. I was able to read the Lost City of Z by David Grann. Grann is a writer for the New Yorker and his book comes out this February. It is the story of Col. Percy Fawcett- Amazonian explorer extraordinaire. Truly a remarkable story with seamless writing that shifts reader from past to present. I highly recommend this book about the wild and life changing adventures of a man who sought to map the dense jungles of the Amazon. Exploration was his love and ultimately his downfall. Classic history-lovers book. I absolutely consumed this book! (A picture of Col. Fawcett to the right)

I also recently finished the white corridor by C. Fowler. It is part of the Bryant and May detective series. Its end was unexpected and closed neatly but it was tedious to wade through, a very complex and convoluted plot. Not my favorite read thus far. I just began reading Vanished Smile: the Mysterious Theft of the Mona Lisa by R.A. Scotti. Excellent and vivid thus far!

In addition to reading I was able to travel home to see my family. I enjoyed a day visit with Molly, baked the boys cookies and cupcakes, watched my brother in a Rugby game at the academy, and visited Sarah in Pasadena. Very busy and very fulfilling trip. Lots of miles driven!
I always love going to the Naval Academy. Quite beautiful and lush but slightly magical. Very few people know the hardships encountered just to earn qualification to apply. I am so proud of my brother and I think, alright I know, I become overwhelmed when I go. His opportunities in life will overshadow mine. I know this. I've been a couple times this fall and I hope to be going to the Army/Navy game in Philly this year. So some pictures from the yard.

Home for the holiday

Yesterday was the start of my two-week mini break. Our intersession is a much needed break from everything at school. Mike can not leave his responsibility of the store so a much needed trip to Pittsburgh is out. Instead I am heading to DC today. I will be staying for several days and will be seeing lots of lovely people. I've already got a busy schedule, but let me know if you'd like to see me. Yay holidays!

Blog, blog, blog

I hardly have time for email, let along sharing my personal world with you, my friends. I'm into my eighth week of school and i'm still trying to adjust to everything i have going on right now. Just a few things to keep ya'll up-to-date!

I auditioned for the Choral Society of Durham last week and made it! I get to sing with Mike again for the first time in about three years. It's really exciting that now I don't have to sit in the audience alone. We'll be spread out on risers, but sweating in the lights of Duke Chapel, together. Isn't that what's important.

I have fifty things going on right now between home and school and it's been getting to me lately. I'm feeling a little miserable and unsupported at school. I don't see my friends often and I have to deal with the folks who anger me most more than I would like. I know this is just a changing moment, but man it's awful to be in the middle of it. I will never get away from people I can't get along with, this I am fully aware of, but I have never been so disrespected for being young, being white, and for just being the "art teacher". Luckily I love my kids!

Speaking of my kids, I have begun posting their artwork on this awesome site called Artsonia.com. Please take a look and search for Haw River. These are the things I'm teaching. I'm hoping for this to be a way to get more parents involved in their kids artwork and to see the necessity of having more of this stuff at home. Great creations. Let me know what you think!

Did I mention I'm finally sick from the little ones. It's been a few days already and I can tell I'm getting better but wow, not a fan of the aches and cough. Not at all!

One refreshing thing in my life right now, other than my husband, is yoga. I'm taking some yoga and pilates classes right now and I feel wonderful. I've lost some weight from my stressful spring and summer and am so limber now. It's wonderful for my long days at school and now for the choir since I'm singing for the first time in a year.

Well, just a few things. Never underestimate the power of venting! Love you guys and MISS you very much.

it's er- lye in the morning

Waking up at 6 is becoming easier for me. It gives me a chance to collect and reflect on the day as well as enjoy the darkness outside. right now it's raining again and I love that atmosphere. It's neither gloomy nor sad because the horizon is beginning to glow. Being one of the few up and out is a fun thing and I'm happy to enjoy that for the time being.

ouch!

Today marked the end of a crazy week. The culmination of which was the signing of our new lease for our new apartment! Yay. We're in the process of moving from Mebane to Durham. Our new address is:
5519 Sunlight Drive #202
Durham, NC 27707

We'll be moving tomorrow with a Budgie and everything. It's hard to believe Mike and I have been in NC together for a year already. I've been here for two years and hope to stay a while. We love our new place and I'll be putting up pictures soon.

Also, I was bitten by a hamster today. BITTEN by a HAMSTER! Elizabeth: 0, Hamster: 1

Where oh where has lima bean?

Since school convened for the summer I have been absent for various reasons. I am not altogether great at even blogging regularly when I have a set schedule. So, here it is, a day and a half from August and I'm writing again. Brilliant.

Friday was the first day of school and I started classes this Monday. I have this crazy schedule I won't even begin to explain but leave you with this. I see six classes a day for three days, six classes for two, skip a week with those two groups and see the other half of the school the following week. Then it switches. Lame, but I'm back and working and happy to be around my children. I really do consider all of these kids my kids. Love them. It's why I'm here.

Today alone I had to physically restrain a kindergartner because he tried to kick at me and attempt to run away. Nothing says success at the end of the day like restraining a child in order to calm them down. Did I mention kindergartner? Oh, I did. My mistake.

So much to say, and eventually blog. Just a sampling:
- moving to Durham/Chapel Hill in two weekends
- One year anniversary is this coming Monday. We're heading to Charleston to celebrate
- I'm considering auditioning for a choir. This is frightening
- My computer has recently begun to make foul sounds which do not give me hope for another year of life
- we have a new car. her name is Pearl.
- Mike and I love Mad Men
- Mike went to Bonnaroo and had a great time
- I hold babies. I do not have babies.
- We spent the 4th in Erie and I have yet to fully load all pictures onto our external drive. Soon, I hope.
- Speaking of pictures, I have a new Digital SLR. I love my SLR but I need to not carry a gift shops' worth of film around.
- My brother is going to be a Second Year at the Academy. Hoping to make it up for Army/Navy. (Fingers crossed)


goodnight. time for some more of those Mad Men!

Lexicon addition numero uno

Be.dread.ed : a person who not only sports dreadlocks but also fully embodies the essence of said dreads.


we need to see this fold in ever so subtly. thoughts?

Go Pens

To be honest, I'm not much of a hockey fan to start with, nothing like molly, but the stanley cup finals are pretty awesome to watch. Two games ago Mike and I stayed up to watch Pittsburgh lose. Mike stayed up for the last game to watch basically two hockey games with the Pens winning in triple overtime. Tonight we sit here watching and the Pens just scored their first goal and it was sweet. What a rush! Hopefully they can come back and hold off the Red Wings for one more night. We'll see :)

What a joke

No, what is shameful Hillary is that you stand here talking to us via CNN and refuse to bow out gracefully and graciously and instead talk your robot talk and say "I'm not making any decisions tonight." please, go right ahead and further divide the democratic party. good job Hill.



*an aside: Tina Turner begins playing. "Tina Turner, really? Well, I guess that's appropriate because you just got beaten by a black man."

My mom actually told me about this today. It is tragic and sorrowful and should remind us to be blessings to one another and love with all of our hearts for God's sake. God knows what's up, we don't. I'm okay with that.

http://www.music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=315536&GT1=7702

to be entertained

Mike left today and is headed up to PA for various reasons. Therefore I am left to fend for myself in good ol' Mebane and the entertainment is scarce on a Wednesday. I have completely cleaned the house- carpets, kitchen, bath, bedroom. I have vacuumed, dusted, made the bed, put things away, done a good amount of dishes, even rearranged things just for fun. I know, i'm a little sad. I tried to play Wii to take up some time but I didn't feel like playing very long. So I'm on my computer and what do I remember...the PAINTING ELEPHANT!!! Great entertainment- long, but worth it! Love it!!!

i hope you do as well.

hey you!

Yes, you, devoted reader (and perhaps blog writer). Please update your blog so that i have something to peruse in the evening after checking my email and my trashy gossip online. Thanks so much!

Liz

oh to be friends

Do you ever wish you could just be friends with a certain someone who is famous? There are several stars who evoke "sweet friend" material. One for me is John Mayer. Love him. Love his music. Love his humor. Since I will probably never meet him the closest I can get is the blog world. Coincidence, he blogs! He's hilarious and he's like the guy you just want to hang out with. Not even talk about his music and "celebrity", but other music, and well, youtube. Which leads to my point- both hilarious and scary. I'm sorry and you're welcome:

http://blog.honeyee.com/john/

difficult

I find it difficult to express my true emotions to few beyond Michael and my mom. Quite honestly I'm still scared of judgement by those who i consider great friends. Is it because I know I'm often guilty of judgement. I rarely express my true emotions. Perhaps that's why i connect with music so closely and with such fierce loyalty. Today was a bit of a letdown in my teaching career. It's the end of the year. Attentions are waning and I'm still teaching before the EOG's to a group of kids who only want to run around outside. Who can blame them. It's been raining since Wednesday or Thursday (drought? what drought?) and they need to just release energy. So today it's gloomy, wet, and above all lacking any sort of recess. My temper was shot, and it's only Monday. I was finishing things after a meeting and this song came on. What a wake up call. Good pop on the face. Hard to not give up and know there are better days ahead. I'm taken care of in spite of my best efforts.

Oh, it’s been one of those days

When You walk with me

So close I think
I caught the scent of angels’ wings

And my, oh my unsuspecting heart

Leaps from its place

Begins to race

I finally found the place I never want to leave
Why can’t every day, why can’t every day

Why can’t every day, can’t every day

Be like today

Oh, why do the good days end

Makes me wonder now

With the way I feel

If yesterday was even real

And why, oh why do You seem so far away
Could this mean that I’ve gone too far this time

And can I make You change Your mind, oh...

Why should any day, why should any day

Why should any day, should any day

Be like today

Do I wallow in my insecurities?

Do I trust what my feelings are tellin’ me?

Do I rest in the promise You made me

That You’ll never leave?

Oh, today my heart believes
That the truth remains

You never change

Your love for me is still the same, oh...

Why can’t every day, why can’t every day

Why can’t every day, can’t every day

Be like today?

well, that happened

While wishing my wonderful mum a Happy Mother's Day I got to catch up a bit. Tell her about Jeff's visit, the hail storm with nickle-sized hail, a reimbursement surprise, and everything else you could possibly imagine has happened to me in the last week since we've talked. Therefore it is naturally fitting that she fill me in. My brother this, home that, Dad lost his job, we're enjoying rain in Myrtle Beach.

Two years ago when my dad lost his job with Ford I was worried about my family, our security, why the good Lord would send us this way. Now, in this case, I'm more of an adult and I'm happy. My dad won't have to spend an entire work week in the car anymore, he'll be less angry and stressed over stupid people and things, and he'll be at home. Perhaps he'll finally start his own garage. He's only been talking about it for years. We'll see. All I know is that this is not the end of the world as it was before. And, well, that happened.

family

My brother is here in Mebane visiting Mike and I for a few days. He arrived yesterday evening and he'll leave tomorrow. I feel that it's not enough time, but I'll take what I can get. He'll be 20 soon and he's finished his 2nd year at the Naval Academy already. It's so funny to see him all grown up. I can handle myself becoming an adult, I have to, I live with me. But to see my little brother grow up into a man, well it's overwhelming and emotional. I love that we have a four year difference in age. Any more would be too much I think. We've gotten along for a long time but just don't talk. He's not a talker, I'm an oversharer. We deal. Though, we've talked more this weekend than we have since I lived at home. Now that in and of itself is sad but greatly promising at the same time. I know that we'll have a better relationship than my parents have with their siblings. Maybe it's because there are just two of us. Who knows. All I'm saying is it's good to have my baby brother around to protect. I miss that, you know. A lot.

Something I also miss, and not too many people know about, is my sister. Yep, you read right, a sister. A half-sister whom I haven't seen since I was maybe 10 or so. I'm 24 now. She's four years older I believe. Last I heard she was in Baton Rouge in Grad School. She pops into my mind every once and again. It's hard to imagine what it would be like to actually be involved in her life and vice versa. Things happen for a reason, I know. I still have my brother around. My little miracle brother. I'm glad of that for sure.


Currently, Jeff is playing Zelda with Mike. He still rolls on the ground tossing me back and forth. And he's become my little personal trainer. My arms are killing me right now (YAY!). We recently survived an incredible hail storm in Chapel Hill. V. frightening. We weren't hurt, but I won't be able to check my car until tomorrow. Sigh.

SCRABBLOUS!

For Michael's birthday in January my mom gave him the deluxe version of Scrabble. You know, the awesome kind on a lazy susan with raised edges for more efficient play. I have always hated Scrabble because I think my vocabulary's much smaller than it actually is. So I humor the husband and play. Wouldn't you know, I've won the last few times we've played. My winning word on the last game. I'll let the picture speak for me.

This was a huge blow to his intellect and ego. He still loves me though. Good thing! His initial reaction was similar to the picture below. Aren't we funny. Snark snark. OH scrabble!

there will be a flurry...

of posts! I've been gone and busy and busy and perhaps a little lazy. Hey you teach 120 some students a day and tell me you don't need a break from just about everything. Hopefully I'll be better about updating in the next few weeks. Here's why:

- Art show coming up at the end of the month!
- 23 days of school left
- Field Day
- Brother visit
- oh so many other things

wow, hello April.

I don't know what's happened but everything is flying by so quickly. Where to begin?:

Mike and the Peepyata. Adorable

the Peepyata that I made. The string detached after the first blow. They had to set it on a stool. Sad.

- I have about 45 days left of school. My first year, where did it go?

- Several friends are pregnant and getting bigger every day!

- A little miracle baby has already survived her first surgery and is a healthy nine pounds at eight weeks. Her name is Miranda Yasmin (Me'randa Yaz'meen). Please keep her in your prayers.

- I HAVE to, HAVE to, HAVE TO finish my portfolio this weekend. That's a whole ordeal in and of itself.

- Mike is waiting to hear about a second job- we're anxious but reliant on God.

- I've been having my kids make some totally great projects this week. I'm so excited to see how everything comes out.

- I'm planning my very first art show. When did I become an adult, because I totally missed that part!

- Smash Brother's Brawl has taken over Michael.

Hi, I'm Michael and I am in need of a trim.

- I recently got to see Mo Willems (!) at a book event for his new pigeon book, "The Pigeon Wants A Puppy." He's hilarious and very tall and I could learn so much from him. I didn't get to meet him, but Mike did and we have several books signed for us. Apparently we "ROCK"!

Mo at Market Street!

Puppy! Puppies, puppies, puppies, puppies!

- My school is going year round and I'm all-in. This will be a great thing for our kids.

- Speaking of kids, a kindergartner made a penis out of playdoh the other week and it was accompanied by the quote "Look, it's a wiener." Complete with lisp. Priceless.

- Easter was spent with my dear friends the Brannons. They make my soul happy. They're just that amazing and faithful and always there for me. Immense love for those two.

- Many eggs were dyed- happiness!!!

- I visited my parents and Liz and Becca after Easter- what a great time, minus the hive outbreak. This is the same trip where my tire blew out while I was in the far left lane on 95 in NoVa. That was sweet time.

I had to document this horrific occasion. That's 95 behind me. My mood: shaken, not stirred. Yeah, my tire was a hot mess.

- I'm anxiously awaiting the purchase of a Nikon DSLR. It's more for "just in general", but I am going to Wien next year. Yay!

- I enjoyed a day at the National Gallery. It made my heart and mind happy.

- I just bought several classic children's book. Let me inspire you to do the same:

me being childish. hooray!

• Pretzel
• Ferdinand
• Where the Wild Things Are
• Caps for Sale
• The Story of Ping
• Mouse Paint

this list does not include the Mo Willems books and the, oh, thirty books I've bought since September.

Well, that's it for now. Bedtime. Another day of PBS training tomorrow. Oh the excitement is just oozing from my body.