I graduated from college!

I got out of the line to take a picture with Aaron!


Mer took a picture of me in line so I took a picture of her. I just can't find her.


Alex came even though she had to work later!


Well, one of my students came and a couple of ex students too, but this was my favorite!


My mom



Roomie Yancey and friends


Kris came on his lunch break! That's a friend!


Pretty picture of me and Mer


Another student joined us for lunch at Papas and Beer (and fried ice cream)!

Mystery girl

I'm pretty excited about getting paid. Somehow, it was more than I expected. Huh... I need to buy floss because I raided the house and couldn't find mine! :/ My home is like a bottomless pit when my mom is here. She tried to throw away my tablet pen because... it didn't work! It's not a real pen mom! Eek!

I fell asleep at 9 P.M. when I came home from my favorite place, my kids' high school. I judged 4 graduation projects. I knew 2 of the students. I had imagined myself judging one of them, a former student of mine, and guess what - he was in the group I got to judge! I almost cried during a presentation because she talked about being an immigrant and the restrictions on her educational opportunities. She made points I had made in my sociology paper.

So now I'm awake. There's a girl on our couch. Why is she on our couch? I don't know because shouldn't she be in my roommate's room? Otherwise, she would be home.

I decided to catch up on some shows. "CSI," the one based on Las Vegas has become my least favorite in the series. I'm watching the episode, "Hog Heaven," and must say, I don't prefer men with motorcycles.

I do think I need a nap though. I have to be up at 8AM to go to the senior breakfast and graduation practice at 8:30AM. Why do they hate us? I guess we have to be up early on Saturday anyways but still... :/

Senior week activities

Last day of classes and grades due for seniors today/yesterday. I got my first B in 3 years. Granted, it was a B+ in a 1 hour class. What a bitch. I hate that woman so much. Anyways, I got an A- in history. :( Sad, but I could care less because I got an A in my big education methods course. I didn't even get the perfect attendance extra credit because I missed for the Atlanta trip. So yay me. I worked my butt off. And of course I got satisfactory grades in yoga and aerobics as well as an A in sociology.

After being able to skip classes (thanks to my profs), I went to a JV baseball game in Waynesville/Tuscola. I went because one of my fave sophomores plays (barely - he's right field though) and asked me to go. I told him I would try. I succeeded. Though I didn't go to the band concert tonight when I really could have. :/ You can see where my priorities are... Anyways, the boys lost, but I had fun and I saw #26 was one of my other students.

Then we went out to Barley's for the senior mixer and free pizza. We met up with Alex and friends at Yacht Club afterwards. Then, Liz thought we should visit Meredi. We did until my mom got lost on her way to Walmart. She didn't get very far.

Jay, me, Mer, and Liz after 4 years...

Pain Killer Mondays at Yacht Club

Jesse and I - I look awesome!

**These were after tutoring so I wore the same thing.

How did I get myself into so many things?

First off, love this song!

G-Love (U Dont Love Me) (ft. LeToya Luckett) - Gucci Mane

My yoga paper and sociology papers can wait until the weekend! Sweet! Both are easy but need to be done.

My goal for the week - finish my British history paper. Well, it's not even a goal. It's a necessity. I will be freaking out about it all week. I have barely started. I wrote down some notes, but I'm still lost. I think I need the class tomorrow to get everything I need. I can answer most of the first part but none of the second part. Instead of doing my paper, I spent an hour or so making one of my faves a birthday card. He's a sophomore who turned 17 today... huh...

Ah, so I know I need to shower right now. Instead, I'm attempting to watch "Samoan Wedding" for the 50th time. Okay, maybe not that much.

Lots of things to do over the next half month:

• April 27 - one of my fave's 17th birthday (writing this down so I will always remember it!)
• April 28 - Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony 7pm (make I can go if I ask my prof, but I need to go to class for the notes)
• April 30 - Financial aid exit meeting 2:15pm
• May 1 - British history paper due!
• May 3 - mom arrives
• May 4 - yoga and soc papers due
• May 5 - grades due for seniors
• May 4, 5 - last day with my kids unless I can figure out something! :(
• May 5 - student teaching orientation at night (not sure what time)
• May 7 - tutoring staff dinner 5pm
• May 8 - surprise party for a pal 8pm
• May 11 - tutoring year end banquet 6-7:30pm
  
• May 14 - judging AHS graduation projects 6-8:30pm
• May 15 - graduation practice and breakfast
• May 16 - commencement 9 AM

This week though, British history paper. I need it to be good so I can maintain my A. :)

Another song I can't help but enjoy:

6 more school days and I need less distractions

Wednesday - tutoring, pick up yoga book, class, EDUC396 work, AVID interviews, aerobics, EDUC396, pack!

Thursday - Atlanta trip, read yoga book with free time

Friday - Atlanta trip, sociology paper

Saturday - ODK bake sale, sociology paper, EDUC380 script (go to library!), EDUC396

Sunday - EDUC396

Monday - EDUC396 due?, paper 3

Tuesday - EDUC396 due?, paper 3

Wednesday - paper 3, sociology paper due?

Thursday - paper 3

Friday - paper 3 due

P.S. I'm graduating with... hopefully magna cum laude, cords for Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership) and NSCS (general), sashes for Phi Alpha Theta (history) and for being Asian (seriously... is this even more separatist or what? But I'm greedy and I want more sashes.)

In the city...

First, links:
I love foreign apartments. [decor8]
City living might not be for me, but I like the apartments. [MadeByGirl]

I slept for 10 hours last night and still came home and fell asleep for 3. :( I wasn't feeling too well today and still don't for some weird reason. I took aspirin, but it didn't help. So after eating some food, I'm watching "Gossip Girls." I might go to the market sometime and walk around soon... after this episode.

Today was my last micro-teaching! :) I'm trying to get a few things done for next week also.

I snapped more pictures of my students. I saw Chris later in the computer lab and he started showing me pictures of his niece and nephew so I started showing him pictures.

Love these guys! Even though one of them has only been here for a semester and so I've only known him for that long, we're tight. That's the difference between my students and the ones I'll have to teach next semester. :( This makes me super sad because I won't get to spend more time with them! :(


I told Tony not to look and actually do work so this is him doing work... hahaha.




He didn't want a picture, but I did. He lost. I love this kid! He's the most hilarious and makes me smile because he's so darn adorable.




This is what we do and John does it well in this picture.

Don't tell me otherwise

I'm depressed. A little. Though I work out in aerobics and yoga, I gained like 5 pounds. It might be muscle but possibly not. I feel like I look better than I guess the rest of the world sees me.

My latest pictures are grotesque. I need braces. I don't want glasses. I have terrible skin. I need to lose weight for real. :( AND I HATE WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME OTHERWISE. Cause you're just being nice.

Case in point, I look like an old lady. My face is all scrunched up. My cheeks are large and sometimes, I have strange cheek dimples. I can't do a big smile cause I blink. I'm not going to modest right about now, but I feel as though your outside should reflect who you are inside. I'd prefer it. Stupid cardigans make me look huge. I need a haircut. I need to sleep more.

I realized I get annoyed of people very soon. Also, I think I'll annoy Yancey with this stuff soon too. We discussed recent pictures in which I look better.

Yancey's pick first (because it's supposed to be goofy) and my pick

Maybe I should either just make goofy faces or not smile with my teeth...

I feel fake (and thus, ugly) in some of the "nice" clothes and a half-assed smile.

Why is this important you ask? Because we all judge people by their pictures. I would like to look good for me, to build my self-confidence. Really, it's not about "other" people because who else is there for me to impress? (Don't even go there. Everyone needs to shut up about guys.)

This is breakdown #2 in 2 days. After the 10-year banquet last night where we started crying, I remembered how much I miss my kids. Today, I took a camera over there and snapped photos of my seniors. :)

My faves and me looking hilarious. I have such a big smile here. I don't love it, but I like it because I look so happy. :)

Graduation invitation designs

I want graduation announcements. Good ones. My roommate is a multimedia arts and science major. I think he should help me. He is lazy. :( Maybe I can make them myself. I was once pretty good at that type of thing. Here are some designs I found:

The next 3 are from Tiny Prints:

I found this and I'm in love with it. Is this fancy enough for you Yance? It's even for a girl I know by some guy who went to our school and majored in the same thing as Yancey. He needs to step his game up.

Finally, gorgeous and very much represents me (not too fancy)...

Architectural history - a reconsideration

Liz, Kris, and Stephen all got into grad programs at Chapel Hill - Liz for bio, Kris for physics, and Stephen for social policy? Kris has decided on Chapel Hill, I'm pretty sure Liz has too, and Stephen is torn between Chapel Hill and UGA. Well, I'm thinking about grad school too... in a year though.

The programs at UT Austin and GA Tech sound amazing. I have yet to rank the others.

1. UT Austin - M.A. Architectural History

"History faculty in the School of Architecture review the applications and recommend admission to the Graduate School. Prerequisites for admission include a baccalaureate degree, 12 hours of architectural history, which may include courses in art history, history, or related subjects, plus design experience satisfied by coursework or by demonstration of prior field or professional architectural experience."

1. Georgia Tech - M.S. History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture

Cornell University - M.A. HAUD (History of Architecture and Urban Development)

"Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in architecture, archaeology, history, history of art, anthropology, or an undergraduate degree in any area and appropriate experience in the field. M.A. degree candidates in the History of Architecture and Urban Development are required to have reading proficiency in at least one modern language other than English; Ph.D. degree candidates must have proficiency in two languages other than English before beginning the second year of study."

U Washington - M.S. Architecture (History and Theory Stream)

UCLA - M.A. Architecture (Critical Studies)

UC Berkeley - M.S. Architecture (History of Architecture and Urbanism)

UVA - M.A. Architectural History

"Applicants must hold an approved baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Admission to graduate study will normally require an average of B or better and a command of at least one foreign language. Candidates admitted to the program must, before beginning their work for the degree, have taken the equivalent of AR H 101 and AR H 102 (Intro to Architectural History) and one semester of architectural design studio (ARCH 201). These prerequisites may be satisfied by taking AR H 112 and ARCH 204, or the equivalent, during the school’s summer session."

UCSB - Ph.D. Architectural History

Friday: books, shower, chocolate milk, and rugs

I have a problem finding good rugs, but here are a couple.

Baroque Shearling Area Rug in Mango or Merlot from $789-3675



They look so plush! Speaking of plush, I just took a super cold shower. I know that doesn't appear to be "plush," but the after shower was nice. I take warm/hot showers normally though cold showers are apparently better for my hair and I always feel good coming out of a cold shower.

I can relax now that it's Friday - well somewhat cause I still have a paper! I'm mostly excited because I bought a new book, I'm A Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson, from the used book store, Mr. K's and light chocolate Silk milk. :) Yes yes, I bought the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn last weekend and didn't read it. I even borrowed two books from the library. I'm reading Cliff May but not The Endless City. I want to read it all but I don't really have the time. I'm also supposed to read a book for yoga and write a 1-page summary (that should be easy but I have to do it).

I love Silk milk! To top off all that healthiness, I had a relatively healthy lunch at 12 Bones. It's only open from 11-4 P.M. Mondays-Fridays and the line is always out the door. I had a pulled pork sandwich with corn pudding (darn good!) and mac and cheese. Seriously, I consider that relatively healthy. Oh yeah, will someone buy me the book Skinny Bitch so I can eat healthier?

I had a meeting this morning at 9:30 A.M. for an hour with my advisor. I love him! He asked me what I want to do after I'm done with this whole program. I said the usual, I don't know. Where do I want to live? I don't know. I don't want too many choices! It's freaking me out! He said grad school sounded good but he wants me in the classroom. He's afraid I'll get sucked into a PhD and college teaching. I said, NEVER! My concern is that I'll teach and never go back to school or I'll have to go to night school, which limits my options. I'm young and my brain can still recall information; I think more school might be good. Any suggestions?

While you think, I'll sit down (in that yellow chair I picked up and love so much - best deal ever), read, and drink chocolate milk.

Hush little baby

I fell asleep at 10:30 A.M. and woke up at 4:30 A.M. That was, uh, 6 hours of sleep? I need to shower, but I'm watching "Roxanne," writing my group activity microteaching, and looking for baby gifts (something small) for a random friend who is honest-to-goodness, one of the most amazing people I've met.

My two favorite blogs, I remembered, have some baby inspiration. However, what I picked out from them aren't so much baby ideas... since I myself am not having a baby.

Making It Lovely is reminding me that summer is on the way. Though the weather here in Asheville does not. I woke up to rain and wind. :( I LOVE the even greener outdoors - keeps it simple.


Made by Girl has always had these prints. I thought I'd finally feature them! I love the British flag.

I have a meeting at 9:30 A.M. I would love to get my racial profiling paper started today also.

Up at 10AM NOT 6AM! :)

My roommate made the last videos I posted and I stumbled upon his friend singing "Circus." I think she's pretty good.

I get to wake up a full 4 hours later tomorrow. Also, my week is rather finished. I just have one class tomorrow, but of course, I have work to do:

• Microteaching - preliminary done (I bombed my last one... oh well)
  
• Racial profiling paper
• Watch "Gossip Girl" disc 2 before tomorrow!
  

I don't like when my kids have spring break for the most part. I do like the fact that I get to sleep in a lot because none of my classes start till late. Also, I won't have observations twice a week anymore. Since I finished my 13th day today, I'm only going once a week. Speaking of that, I think I'll update my field journal so I can have it DONE!

DOing

Reading: Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House; The Endless City; The Twentieth Century by Howard Zinn, given to me by my pal Eddie

Watching: Gossip Girls after a long day at school and an early meeting

Going to bed soon since I have to be up at 6:45 A.M. again. :( I think this will be my last week of going to my observation school twice a week. I'll just go once a week after this week. I can't wait till the students' spring break. I'll miss my own kids, but I won't have to wake up so early. Also, I can get some much needed work done in order to graduate.

Thinking about making things for my kids to celebrate the end of the year and graduation invitations that are chic and cheap.

Ideas?

If I had time, I'd remove our Christmas wreath from the door.

First off, I am reading all the back blogs for a minute while I rest from my final and last day of teaching. So today did not go that well. It still went, but I did not cover the Panama Canal. I suppose that compared to Tuesday and Wednesday, today wasn't the best. In any case, the evaluation of my teaching went superbly. I think I proved something - I suck with adults but somehow, I rock with teenagers! :)

Gah, I feel so bad about not covering the Panama Canal enough! I think I'll make them a note sheet about it and about TDR winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Did you know we still have our wreath? Thus, this article is totally relevant. I love them! Faves:

(As mentioned: Cheerful paper flowers from Wool Paper Sugar and a doily twinkle light wreath as shown in the holiday issue of Martha Stewart Living 2008. You can make this doily wreath: DIY here)

(As mentioned: Cardboard wreaths from Cardboard Safari.)

That is just me catching up on decor8! Ahhh, I still have a paper and to present my research tomorrow. I also have to go back to the high school and give them a quiz (and take up anything else)! Screw this: nap for an hour...

Life is good. Hoping tomorrow is too.

I'm not online much because I'm doing my 3 days of teaching, 1 microteaching, paper, and my spring symposium!

1 day of teaching down, microteaching down. The teaching at the high school went well but the teaching of my peers bombed. You win some, you lose some and I'm happy it went the way it did.

My prof is coming tomorrow and I'm going to kick ass right? Why is it that every time he watches me, I suck? Seriously. :( I hate discussions. I never know what questions to follow-up with. Eh.

I went out with Yance and CeCe and friends against my better judgment tonight. I needed to work but I suppose it's okay since I met some super cool people. :)

Today was a rather good day. Here is why:

• Kicked ass on my first day of teaching.
• Iombed my microteaching but didn't care really even though it was in front of my prof.
• Helped a friend TWICE without his asking... very crucial things.
• Chatted A LOT with everyone and in every class. Seriously.
• Saved someone who was less than 20 minutes in their lesson plan by asking more questions. Though, no one helped me out when I couldn't ask questions... they should've just kept on talking. :/
  
• Someone, out of nowhere, bought me a book, The Twentieth Century. I'm buying him a new stapler. :)
• I love my life.

Also, I volunteered this week to be part of this trip of AVID students from my kids' high school (the ones I tutor), Charlotte, and Greensboro. I'm talking to a few groups of them tomorrow. Then, I'm having lunch with them.

How will I fit in my paper, alterations on my lesson plan, and a birthday/going away party? I think if we leave the party at 9, I can do it. My roomie rocks cause he listens to my lesson plans and helps me staple/make things. :)

BRB (and Dancing with the Stars)

canyouhearmenow: "You know that girl who all the guys like, but they’re too scared to say it because she’s so great? Yeah, I want to be her. She’s not popular because she’s slutty or rude or because she’s drop-dead gorgeous. People like her because she’s one of those people you just like being around. She talks to everyone and tries not to say bad things about people and stands up for people she doesn’t even know. She cares about the world and the environment and she has the most beautiful smile in the world because it’s genuine. She cares about people. She’s friends with all the guys and girls and always seems to know just what to say. She shares her opinions, but never in a hurtful way and she says just enough to still leave people wondering. She makes people smile. She walks with confidence and dresses how she feels that day, sometimes happy and sometimes sad, sometimes classy and sometimes with her hair a mess without any makeup. She has everyone captivated, but she doesn’t notice because she never looks at herself long enough. She’s too busy focusing on important things like the future and her friends and making things better.

That’s the girl I want to be."

Be back soon...

I watch an episode of "CSI: NY" every night before bed even if it's late and I have to be up at 6:30am. Wish me luck for tomorrow - lots of teaching which I'm not too worried about but I am concerned about my less-than-ready 20 minutes microteaching...

My faves in order on "Dancing with the Stars:"

Yance asked me who most of these people were... yeah, I don't know either.