Fascinating Friday finds

Now that I have some time to look around the net, some amazing things caught my eye so here's a mix of it all!

• Jiffy Greenhouse seems like a good idea 'cause I can't garden. Ask my roommate about all the things I've managed to kill. (via This Young House)
• Spell It Out Designs large chalkboard for $28
• I want vintage luggage too.
• Bold colors from the 70s and today. (via Poppytalk)
• After seeing this adventure, I want to go digging for clams.
• I absolutely love The Mid-Century Modernist blog. This is me in a nutshell.
• Mm, I want a vintage phone in my house! Russell Johnson Imports has them and more, except they're too expensive.
  
• I want pancakes especially after watching "Hell's Kitchen," French toast, or soft sandwiches.
  
  
  (via Made by Girl)
• This tutorial inspired me to want to learn to sew, woodwork!
• I have 7 regular pillows on my bed. One of them is this baby nursing pillow that my mom made me, but since they no longer have the template, I need a new one like this "Hug Me Pillow" for $30. :)
  
• An ode to the lost taco truck on Leicester Hwy: types of taco trucks.
• I stumbled upon Home Rejuvenation and loved what they did with this stark contemporary place! From horrendous to a place I would want to live in!
  
• I am super excited. If I get my work done, I can play here (mydeco.com)!
  

I want to buy school supplies.

I totally KILLED on my lesson plan presentation. Okay, maybe not totally but not too shabby. I was kind of ticked off because someone asked me in a very interrogation-kind-of-way why I don't want to be at my very country school. Uh, it's the country and I'm not really country DUH. I AM getting used to it and I will like it (I know this), but as for now, I'm still torn especially when I see my lovely kids.

The HR from my kids' school system was talking to them about becoming teachers. I was there all day, I had a good tutoring session with my 11th grade algebra 2 group, and, when I went to visit my 10th graders, they were super receptive towards me so... give me a job HR lady!

It's Friday, which means I got to sleep in! I actually woke up a little earlier, but I forced myself back into bed. I had gone out last night for some food and a couple of LITs. Oh, they had this burrito with potatoes in it like the California burrito! When I came home, I was OUT. I fell asleep on the couch and my tired body was very happy. :)

1. I'm rested, I'm getting ready, I eat, sleep, and breathe - school and my kids... and pretty things.

2. Why do I have be there and not here? This is the ultimate question.

3. How does this semester work, anyway?

4. Every morning, I put my pants on my shoulder so I can change into them for yoga.

5. I consider myself lucky because I've had it pretty easy and I live with a cool roomie.

6. One day we’ll see if I realize my dreams of a sweet teaching job and a pretty house. Maybe someone in my life too, but that's up in the air. How about everyone stop being taken or married? Haha.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing work, tomorrow my plans include getting stuff done, and Sunday, I want to not be bogged down in things I didn't get done!

*Wow, I'm pretty nerdy. I need other hobbies... only if I had time for such things.

I'm going to meet my boss and some of my ex-students for lunch today then maybe I'll get to do some work. I want to do other stuff instead like read books I have, get going on pacing guides for next semester (haha), and other nerdy things JUST to avoid my homework. Maybe I can buy some school supplies for teaching next semester... I know that sounds crazy 'cause it's February and I don't student teach until August. Actually that's really only 5-6 months away (it's already the end of February).

FRIDAY

• Watch "A Man for All Seasons" and write a summary.
• Write down info for EDUC380 about my placement.
• Journal about this week's observations.
  

SATURDAY

• Send my EDUC396 prof my research question.
• Read stuff for EDUC380 that he sent us.

SUNDAY

• Read Eng chapter 8 and docs.
• Answer soc study guide questions.

MONDAY/TUESDAY

• Study for soc.

More will be added later... this is a light load this weekend so I should get it done! Wait, maybe I should clean huh? Good idea. I'm going to gather all the books I borrowed but no longer need to return to school right now! Let's get going and get things done!

That's my cousin!

I just finished practicing my lesson plan by yelling at Yancey for about 23 minutes. He answered, but probably not as much as my group will so I'll have to cut some things. This is good because even though I talk fast, it still came in at 20 minutes. Also, I was pretty darn excited hence all my yelling. :)

I'm having more hope during my observations. Except for one or two students who look kind of mean at me, the others are quite nice. I talk to them when I get there early. Also, the best thing was when one kid came up to me and asked me if I knew someone at my school. "YEAH! He's one of my favorites! He's your cousin and lives with you?!" I was super excited and went to tutoring excited. I'm helping that favorite on his senior paper and went to the library to grab some books.

Now I look back at what happened and I almost hit myself. I was in the library, getting some books on jazz, and saw a guy who tutors with me, an older one that may even be married since EVERYONE is married. He's not THAT old though; he's Yancey old. Haha. Well, he smiled and waved and I did too, but normally, I would've chatted with him... except, I'm so BUSY and RUNNING AROUND.

It's not only that I don't have time to talk to people. I feel so disconnected from everything especially tutoring. I feel so far off. My kids still know me, get excited or whatever other reaction, but I feel like I haven't been able to put my all into it like help them with projects as much as I had before. :( These are such amazing kids too!

Anyways, the little thread from MY SCHOOL to my observation school really makes me happy and feel more connected to my kids.

Oh yeah, I got a nap and my book in the mail today! I can't wait for my Moo cards!

Despite that, as I was working on my lesson plan, I saw this comment/message that I got... apparently this morning when I wasn't looking. I just got it and it really pissed me off. Some annoying little pest of a person sent me an idiotic message that was kind of racist. I know if anyone else had done it, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but it was like he/she added "an insult to injury" to my feelings towards him/her.

Alex made me feel better when I told her about the story of the library. She asked for his name and said his name was like a father's name. I told her, I wouldn't mind if he was my baby daddy. :) I love Alex because she always makes me think of the most ridiculous things. We have a lunch date tomorrow for noodles! Then, I'll hang out with Jess at night and others too if they want to come out! Yay!

I just have to finish presenting... Now for a shower, sleep, wake up at 9 or 10, tutor, lunch, practice lesson again, present, some work, hang out with Jess! :)

Megan Auman jewelry and sculptures are fabulous. I love this and wish it wasn't so expensive. This is the type of the wall art I want.

Past and future

MadeByGirl is not just one of my favorites, it is in my top 3. :) Check out this awesome DIY and the gorgeous frame!

I am not getting much sleep. :( I have observations tomorrow at 7am so I should probably get my 6+ hours of sleep soon. :/

Today wasn't too shabby. I met with my prof to talk about my 20-minute lesson on "Politics of the 1920s." It's pretty darn good. I met with him for like 45 minutes! I hope he's in for next semester when I start student teaching 1 1/2 hour lessons! Haha.

I'm going last on Thursday and we started today. I watched lesson on Latin nouns, which was the best of the three, emotional vocabulary, and France's three estates. Despite my 20-minute lesson, I'm actually going to be doing my 3-day unit on American Imperialism including the Spanish-American War. Uh, I need ideas.

Good thing I have this amazing group to work with in my research class! I love love them! Oh yeah, I was going to go grab drinks if I did poorly on my British history paper, but guess what?! I pulled an A! :) Instead, I got myself some Chinese food to celebrate. Haha. Aw, I'm out of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies! I like the minty freshness!

But the sad news for today is that I found out someone I met freshman year in college moved away this semester! Aw, he was such a cutie and super nice too! :/ I didn't notice or anything, but I loved seeing him randomly. Speaking of seeing people randomly, I also see another person sometimes when I go to the gym, he'll open the door for me, and smile. :) Aw, cute boys who are nice are the best CLEARLY.

I'm thinking about skipping yoga and aerobics tomorrow, if I can find my syllabi to clarify how problematic that would be. I need to rest and do my microteaching. I promise to be more on top of things later so I won't have to miss class. (Update: I can miss 3 and 2 respectively.)

Coach is launching their new Poppy line of cheaper items! You see anything you like? I like the shoes. Check them out at Trash Bag Aesthetics.

2009 Award Season fashion favorites

Marisa Tomei at the BAFTA/LA Tea Party


America Ferrera at the SAG Awards


Dev Patel at the Oscar Awards - she's gorgeous


Penelope Cruz at the Oscar Awards in a vintage dress


Vanessa Hudgens at the Oscar Awards


Alicia Keys at the Oscar Awards


Diane Lane at the Oscar Awards - always gorgeous


Maria Menuonos at the Oscar Awards


Zooey Deschanel

The Oscars are coming on...

I rarely ever go to the theater, but sometimes there are movies I'd like to see:
"He's Just Not That Into You"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Barbara Walters is interviewing everyone. It's weird because whenever she's on, she's serious and she's interviewing the Jonas Bros about their loves lives! Haha.

On my Netflix queue:
"The Tudors"
"Grease"
"Whatever It Takes"
"If Only"
"High School Musical 2"
"Call Me: The Rise & Fall of Heidi Fleiss"
"Confessions of American Bride"
"Parenthood"
"Nights in Rodanthe"
"Practical Magic"
"In the Land of Women"
"Alex & Emma"
"Dexter"
"Lipstick Jungle"
"Gossip Girls"
"Mists of Avalon"
"Nim's Island"

Instant queue:
"Sleepless in Seattle"
"Step Up 2"
"My Girl"
"Empire Records"
"Four Weddings & a Funeral"
"One Last Thing"
"My Best Friend's Wedding"
"Roxanne"
"Charles in Charge Season 1"
"Heroes"
"The Secret"
"Notting Hill"
"The Dead Girl"
"Meet the Robinsons"
"Manhattan"
"A League of Their Own"
"Shortcut to Happiness"
"Xena Season 1"
"The Other Boleyn Girl"
"The Shawshank Redemption"
"Nine Lives"
"First Knight"
"Becoming Jane"
"Rebel Without a Cause"
"East of Eden"

Saturday blues...

Hey, I don't mind if Ryan Lochte is the new face of Calvin Klein.

Sorry Phelps, but he's hotter. Actually, Yancey and I both think Michael Phelps is weird looking.

Anyways, let's see how my day panned out. I read those Asheville history books, wrote down notes, and made two types of graphic organizers. Not shabby but not great. I have to organize my information and make it into some type of dialogue as well as scan pictures and probably create a PowerPoint tomorrow. Since I have all my info, I hope it won't be too hard. Oh yeah, I even made a map of Asheville's neighborhoods because I couldn't mind one anywhere.

(Click for a larger view)

Also, I need to read for British history tomorrow (night) as well as write my research question on Monday night... Also LAUNDRY. My laundry is on the floor and everywhere else. Our carpet needs vacuuming, our dishes need washing, and my bed needs to be dressed. :( Maybe later this week? I can't believe it's Sunday already...

I'm trying to get into the 21st century by using Microsoft Entourage and not my little organizer, but let's be honest, I'm a little old school. I even want a phone with the coiled wire (pictures later).

Anyways, before bed, I'm going to probably do a crossword puzzle, look up products I found in an old issue of Domino (the CVS down the street still had the holiday copy), and if time, maybe I'll even look over this psych book I have and think about making a pacing guide. I'm so much more excited about psych than I am about history right now... it's so much fresher in my mind.

Moooove over and let's talk 1920s.

I ordered Moo Mini Text Cards for 100 of my kids. Each has their name on it with my favorite quote from Dr. Seuss and my e-mail on the back. :)

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

I still have one class of seniors to account for - 16 kids because each pack has 100 cards not 116. I thought I could make them something special. Ideas?

Today, I went to the mall to eat with Yance and saw my fave student working! :) Aww, love him. Now I'm sitting with a bunch of books and info on Asheville in the 1920s. HELP ME! I can't organize the ideas! :(

Name list

I know some people who are popping out kids. Jess also claimed the name Urijah after Urijah Faber. :) It's a nice name, but I always was reminded of some type of urinary tract infection... :( So, I looked up some of my own names. (Pink - girl name, blue - boy name, green - unisex)

My name:
Julie (French, youthful, downy)
Ann (Hebrew, gracious, merciful)

Names I like:

First names for girls: Chloe, Brooklyn, Zoe, Mackenzie, Felicity, Penelope
First names for boys: Chase, Garrett, Oliver, Maxwell, Shane
Middle names for girls: Emerson, Shane, Fiona, Beverly, Callie, Lorelai, Lucy/Lucille
Middle names for boys: Sebastian, Brody, Julius

Abigail (Hebrew, joy of the father) - 2008 #5
Amelia (Latin, to strive, excel, or rival)
Anderson (English, son of Andrew)
Arielle (Hebrew, lion of God)
Ashton (English, ash tree town)
Audrey (English, noble strength) - 2008 #15
Aundrea

Bernice (French, brings victory)
Beverly (English, from the beaver stream)
Bilal (Arabic, moisture)
Brady (Irish, friend of Bradach)
Brent (English, hill)
Brody (Scottish, name of the Scottish castle) - 2008 #72
Brooklyn (American, NY burrough) - 2008 #80

Cali (American, beautiful) - 2008 #53
Callie (Greek, beautiful) - 2008 #53
Chase (English, hunter) - 2008 #30
Chloe (Greek, verdant and beautiful - 2008 #9

Daisy (American, daisy flower)
Desmond (Irish, man from Desmond)
Devon (Irish, from the tribe Dumnonii)

Elle (French, shorter forms of name beginning with El)
Emerson (English, son of Emery)
Emile (French, to strive, excel, or rival)

Fabricio (Spanish, artisan)
Felicity (Latin, happy)
Felix (Latin, happy and prosperous)
Fiona (Scottish, white and fair)
Flora (Latin, flowering)

Garrett (English, spear rule) - 2008 #93
Gemma (Italian, precious stone)
Gianna (Italian, God is gracious)
Giselle (French, pledge)
Grady (Irish, descendant of the noble one)
Grant (English, great)

Holly (English, plant with red berries)

Isabelle (French, God is my oath) - 2008 #19

Jake (Hebrew, supplanter)
Jamison (English, son of James)
Jasper (English, treasurer) - 2008 #100
Jemma (English, precious stone)
Jensen (Scandinavian, son of Jens)
Jonavon
Julius (Latin, youthful, downy)

Kingston (English, from the king's town)
Kirsten (German, Christian)

Lorelai (German, alluring enchantress)
Lucy (English, light)

Mackenzie (Scottish, son of Kenneth) - 2008 #82
Madeleine (French, woman of Magdala) - 2008 #2
Mali (Arabic, full, rich)
Malia (Hawaiian, calm, peaceful)
Marshall (French, horse keeper)
Matthias (Greek, gift of God)
Maximilian (Latin, greatest) - 2008 #83
Maxwell (English, Maccus' spring) - 2008 #83
Millie (English, form of Milicent or Mildred)
Mitchell (American, who is like God)
Molly (English, sea of bitterness)
Mona (Arabic, desire, wishes)
Myles (Latin, soldier)

Nelly (English, light)
Noelle (French, born on Christmas day)
Norah (English, honor) - 2008 #83

Oliver (English, elf army) - 2008 #20

Penelope (Greek, with a web over her face)

Rachelle (French, ewe)
Reese (Welsh, running)
Roxanne (English, dawn)

Sebastian (Greek, venerable) - 2008 #53
Shane (Irish, God is gracious)
Stacey (Greek, resurrection)
Stella (Latin, star)
Sylvester (English, from the forest)

Violet (French, blue/purple flower) - 2008 #47

Warren (English, guard)
Winnie (English, short from of Winifred)

Zoe (Greek, life) - 2008 #52

Organizing

Dandelion Weekly Organizer $17




Modern Geometry Weekly Organizer $17




Scandinavian Modern Weekly Organizer $17

Sleep wanted.

This was a Valentine's Day idea, but I want to use this idea and adapt it to make good-bye/end-of-the-year cards for my 121 students. I'll have to get started soon if I ever hope to finish. But I never have time...

[via still dottie]

I was supposed to start my microteaching for next week today, but after 12-hours straight of observations, tutoring, and classes, I fell asleep for three hours and am doing more sleeping now. I have one week to finish it and all of the weekend (Friday-Sunday) so I don't see how I won't get it done. I'd like to get an idea by tomorrow night though.

Today was a fine day though. I took roll at my observation site (reminder: write notes about the day) but declined leading a discussion because it was pretty much sprung on me. Though, I need to get in there and be involved ASAP. Tutoring is amazing as always. :) One student I've taught for 3 years told me I should be a tour guide and he can't imagine me as a teacher because I talk so much and I'm so excited... isn't that the criteria for being a teacher?

I actually spoke many times in my soc class and I think I can manage an A in the class. As for my British history class, I don't know if I can pull an A but I'll try my best. I did my reading (past due) during my break between yoga and aerobics. Oh yes, in yoga, I hurt my knees from jumping around, however, I was helped to do a arm head stand? I'm not sure what it's called, but I did it. :) I guess all that blood rushing to my head helped my amazing performance in aerobics. I had trouble doing the "basic" before and today, I managed to figure out the "around the world" move. Seriously, I'm really proud of it. :)

Too tired. I got home at 7ish, took a "nap" at 8 and hoped to wake up at 9 but slept till 11, showered, sat for a couple of hours, and now I think bed. I hate not having any breaks. I do it anyways like tonight because I really couldn't focus on homework after doing so much stuff today that wasn't restful. Eek, I just saw myself in the mirror and my eyes scared me - so tiny, puffy, and red. :(

How did 13 hours of classes, 13+ hours of tutoring, and 4 hours of observations a week become so hard? Well, really, it's only tough on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Tomorrow, I have tutoring (an extra hour too!) and a late class, but my Brit history prof wants us to watch "A Man for All Seasons" in the library tomorrow from 7-9pm. I'm thinking of going because I like the class a lot A LOT, but I have it as an "instant" on Netflix.

Homeslice

I really want the shower curtains! I wonder where it's from... must ask.

[Meredith's home via AT]

Swiffers never really picked up all the hair or dirt from my floors. Will Shamwow work?

I love these headboards!



Basic and simple dinner table (minus impractical white fabric-covered seats)

Male teachers is where it's at.

[via ohdeedoh]

I have to say, 8am-8:30pm days are kind of horrible. I did 10 research article reviews when I only had to do five. :( I finished up everything and am almost all caught up... except for British history and it's my favorite class. I'll sneak in some reading between classes tomorrow, but my favorite time of day to read it is during the night.

In 5.5 hours, I have to be up and ready to go to my observation school. Hopefully, I can jump in and get involved. No notes because that takes up all my time. Instead, I have to work with the students. First, I will greet them at the door. Yeah? These are my kids so it's weird. The relationship is different because they don't call me Julie and I don't work with them in small groups. *Note: Ask co-op what I'll be teaching for my three day unit so I can start planning or at least getting familiar with the time period.

Afterwards, I'll need to drop by the Cupcake Corner to get another cupcake for my birthday boy! It was his birthday over the weekend and I brought him a cupcake on Thursday but he left before I could give it to him. :( I have fallen in love with all my sophs. We had such an amazing biology discussion. Yes, biology! :)

Food, classes, and then finally, microteaching. I want to get something done to show my prof on Thursday then I'll show him again on Friday and finally, Monday. Maybe I can talk to him about my research because my prof for that class kind of sucks. But I'm getting better at talking in my soc class and I'm pretty good at talking in my research class. :)

So, I wish some of the men in my classes weren't married because they are amazing people. Haha. A little older but really awesome... like three of them! Maybe men who are teachers are great. Why I said "maybe" is unbeknownst to me because I know they are. I met a really cool one today and talked to my old fave also. Though, one of them kind of degraded me today so I just left the dude alone (sorry kids for leaving you with him).

I'm thinking about starting a time intensive project when I don't have time at all for resting or sleeping. For example, I took someone home from class and got food after my night class at 8:30 so I didn't finish those errands till 9ish. I went over to Jessica's for an hour and a half so I could actually talk to someone before I came home, talked to my dad for an hour and a half, and showered. I haven't talked to my daddy in awhile so he demanded some attention. :) Anyways, my project involves making meaningful cards for all 121 of my students and then however many tutors. :/ Crazy thought huh?

Bathtubs

Acrylic Double-Ended 1-piece Pedestal Tub $1300

Zurich Free-Standing Bathtub $1600

Munich Free-Standing Bathtub $1700

Giagni 67"L x 29.5" W White Acrylic Tub $1700

Ventura Apron Tub & Wallmount Faucet Package $2400