25 Random Things

1. I love living in Ohio and having four distinct seasons. There’s always something to look forward to… and it always happens just as soon as you get sick of the current season. I love this about my job, too. Each season brings a new set of sports and a new set of teams. It’s refreshing.

2. In the past year, I’ve probably consumed the same amount of alcohol that I would consume in a weekend in college.

3. I know how to keep the book at baseball games, and really enjoy doing this when I cover games.

4. I sincerely love working with teenagers. I love their energy and humor, and I love watching them grow up and discover who they are. It’s such a cool time in people’s lives.

5. Although my grandmother and many extended family members live in England, I have never been there. I have no explanation for this, but hope to change it soon.

6. I had braces in 7th and 8th grade, but got them again in August because my teeth were shifting back and getting worse. My orthodontist promises I will have them off by August 2009.

7. I take in strays.

8. I believe I have over-developed senses of hearing and smelling, but need glasses to drive.

9. My two best friends are polar opposites, and the three of us complete each other. We’re always 2 and 1. Except that we all have stereotypical Asian girl names and hang out at Caribou coffee.

10. I don’t eat mammals or birds, but sometimes have fish.

11. I am very self-conscious about my height. So don’t state the obvious, asshole.

12. I am a horrible driver, but may be a worse passenger. My anxieties in cars stem from being hit by a drunk driver when I was sixteen.

13. Since graduating college, I have lived with each of my brothers. You try it, then let me know how it worked out for you.

14. I listen to the Howard Stern show every day. Howard reminds me of my father, my uncle Charlie, and my manfriend, Tom.

15. On average, I hear the National Anthem 4 times a week at various athletic events. Sometimes, I am moved to tears. And sometimes, I take calls.

16. I believe the single biggest problem in this country is our lack of age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

17. I have such an irrational fear of chalk, that I usually just tell people I’m allergic.

18. The coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of is winning the national championship in 2005 with the Mount Union Purple Raider football team.

19. I have worked at a high school, bar, hospital, pet store, theater, athletic club, restaurant, batting cage facility, and church...among others.

20. Although I threatened to call Child Protective Services when I didn’t get my way growing up, and frequently told my parents that they needed parenting classes… they were excellent parents and I am proud now to be their daughter and friend.

21. My boyfriend is the funniest human I know.

22. I loved living in a 10x13 dorm for two years in college, and love the remember whens that come with those memories.

23. Taking four years of Latin in high school was one of the best decisions I ever made.

24. I hate Type As and neat freaks. Because they’re annoying and I wish I were one.

25. If I could be on MTV’s MADE… I would want to be made into an acoustic lounge singer like Lisa Loeb.

Snowed in, no reason to go out this weekend. Not with my driving skills. Games canceled, empty house, slowly driving myself crazy. I did clean out my closet, found lots of things to donate to Goodwill. That makes me feel better. Started a new book, haven't read fiction in awhile. That's a joy I have missed.

Thinking of my friends Sunny and Kim, missing them. Need. Human. Interaction. Or dog, if I can get it. Luckily, Sammy and Tommy come tonight. Whew!

Waiting for things to happen. Waiting for words from everywhere. Waiting for my brother and Sammy to come home for Spring Semester. I get too lonely in this big house alone. Grocery shopping for one is depressing.

I'm about to start a new semester and meet a new group of kids. It's unfortunate that my class is only a semester long. I could really get into some good stuff if I had longer. I got to teach them social responsibility through sexuality education, and that's really the #1 most important message I could translate to them. I wish I could teach every sophomore in that school about healthy reproductive decisions. Alas, there are no funds and this state still isn't crazy about comprehensive sexuality education. It's dangerous not to get this information to teenagers. And quite frankly, I get really fired up about it.

I have a lot more waiting to do, as peers do adult things like marry and buy houses and have children (not necessarily in that order). They do their thing, and I enjoy being glad to take things slower. I've got a plan, made an investment, and I feel good about it. I just have to wait a little longer.

New brown hair (to appear older) and grill alignment progress. 8 months left! (Allegedly.)

This is a new post. With updates.

I still love my job, but have been questioning how much. My brother and I acquired a Golden Retriever puppy due to a friend of a friend getting a foreclosure. We named her Sammy, and discovered later that Sammy is a combination of Sally and Tommy. My braces are still on, still annoying, but my teeth are looking much better.

I work all the time, but I also have no friends that live in this corner of the state. So, I need a hobby. I feel like I have a ton of interests, but no real proof of it. I feel boring. My boyfriend's sister made me a scarf for Christmas, and it made me realize I want to have something like that. Something that I say I do in my spare time besides read, watch documentaries, and check things obsessively on the internet. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

I am going to try to update more because I think I can get more traffic through twitter.

Buzzkillers

In the mornings that I don't go into the school until 1, I like to have a cup of coffee slow and sit on the front porch and watch the birds, squirrels, and hood cats. I try not to worry about my friends and family, my students, my athletes, my future, my country, the war, and the planet. I just want to get a slow buzz and feel content. It never happens, though. I let myself start fretting the "what ifs" and have to fight for the peace that starts off every morning. I explain to my students that the stress they feel before a big test or game is positive. It's called "eustress" or good stress. Eustress helps you perform at the best of your abilities. I just want coffee and no stress.

My football team is 5-0, and we play our big rival on Friday. The atmosphere in the school right now is electric. I really do love what I do.

In other news, I had a dream my braces made my teeth fall out. I read somewhere that falling and having your teeth fall out are two of the most-reported dreams... and both can be interpreted to uncover insecurities in one's self-consciousness. Maybe I'm insecure about my braces?

p.s. People are happening upon this site because they search for dog photos and my blog shows up in google images. Interesting?
This is a Briard. One comes to meet me at football practice sometimes. One of the players' dads brings him to watch his son practice. Or maybe it's because the trainer always plays with him and tells him how beautiful he is and what a good boy he is.

My new job goes like this. In the fall, I take care of two football teams, two soccer teams, a volleyball team, a cross-country team, and a pack of cheerleaders. I teach two classes. I organize a faculty weight loss challenge, and head up various other wellness initiatives in the school district. I am very happy, and finally satisfied with what I do for a living.

I am still struggling with missing my manfriend, my best friends, my family, and my dog... but everything could always be so much worse. And I have hopes that soon everything will be so much better.

Braces are awesome.

This is me before braces.
This is the reason why I needed braces again.

I didn't wear my retainer when I had them in 7th and 8th grade. I learned my lesson.

Blue turbos prop my bite open, which makes it very difficult to chew.