27

i am now 27 years old. i don't feel old, but 27 sounds old. i think this is a good age to stop getting older. i wonder if people would notice if i just say im 27 from now on? i guess i could try it.

it is nice being a teacher on your birthday. i got so many wonderful gifts from my class. they are sweet little ones. i did get a good laugh out of all the names i was called in birthday cards. of course, this was from the parents, not the kids. i made a list:

Mrs. Feeve
Mrs. Frick
Mrs. Fear
Mrs. Fierce
Mrs. Freerer
Mrs. Fircce
Mrs. Feeree

Some of them were pretty close to my actual name, but Feeve and Frick? Seriously? At least I had something to laugh at all day.

Oh My.

We have been so incredibly busy lately. I started my new job about a month ago, and I have had absolutely no time to write or anything else. I feel like a first year teacher. I taught for two years in NYC, but I guess moving to a new district and teaching a new grade really messed me up. It's tough, but I am so thankful for the job!

We also got a new apartment. We love it. It's a little bit empty and the solid white walls are driving me crazy, but I'm hoping once we hang up some pictures and art it will look more cozy. It is so nice to have room and space to spread out though. We aren't quite used to it yet.

Thank You, Lord!

I got a job! I was actually hired one week ago, but I've been way too busy to post. We went to Abilene last weekend for Ben and Hannahs party/shower...it was wonderful. It was so great to see old friends and sweet little West. He's adorable.

I started working on Monday. I nearly cried about 5 times, just because I had no idea where to start or what to do next. The other first grade teachers are so helpful and sweet to me though. I definitely would not have made it through the week without them. I had meet-the-teacher night last night and it was exhausting! All of my little First graders seem great...I'm sure that will change in a week or two, but for now I love them.

I Love/Hate You.

I have always been a fan and loyal shopper at Urban Outfitters, but they're beginning to piss me off. Back in December I bought some beautiful and very unique place mats at a little boutique in Brooklyn. I was so excited about them and the fact that nobody else would have them. Then several months later, I walk into Urban, and guess what they're selling (for about twice the price that I paid)...my place mats. I was mad, but decided to get over it. It was only only thing, and a small thing that I'd most likely forget about within a few days. Well yesterday I was reminded of it when I walked in there again. This time it wasn't the place mats, it was art. Ryan and I began collecting art when we were in New York because we had a lot of friends that were artists. We once again were excited that we would have unique pieces to display. We bought 5 prints at the Brooklyn Flea Market, and couldn't wait to hang them on the wall when we got home. So yesterday as I was browsing the sale section (because I can't afford the regular-priced items), guess what I saw hanging on the wall in very ornate frames...2 of the 5 prints that we purchased in Brooklyn! I stood there with my mouth wide open for at least 3 minutes. Somebody finally said "Excuse Me", so I had to move. As I turned to leave the store (because I was so mad) I ran into another little arrangement of soap and candles on a table. Once again, I saw something they stole. There on the table of soap and candles, I saw Dr. Bronners Peppermint Soap. My brother introduced me to this soap at least 5 years ago. We have both loved it and used it since. We have taken pride in the fact that we smell like peppermints and that we found a soap that can not only be used as body wash, but also as toothpaste, car washing soap, laundry detergent, and even household cleaner. Now it can be purchased at Urban Outfitters. Of course you'll be paying around $10 for bottle of it, and if you buy it at Drug Emporium in Abilene, Tx it will only cost you a couple of dollars.

As much as I hate the fact that Urban keeps taking my ideas and selling them for much more than they deserve, I'm considering applying to be a buyer.

I'm Getting Desperate

I'm so tired of looking for a job. I thought it was supposed to be easy for teachers to find jobs. Everyone needs an education, right? I read an article yesterday about people just giving up when searching for jobs. That's what I feel like doing.

Ryan got a job though! I'm proud of him. He will be teaching a couple of college classes on design. He's a professor now!! He's awesome. If you're thinking of getting a degree in graphic design, he's the best teacher you could have. Just keep it in mind!

Daisy

We made the drive from Dallas to Abilene last night and picked up our adorable dog, Daisy!! She is even cuter and funnier than we imagined. We pictured a lazy and fat little dog, but she was all over the place. I think she knew we were her new owners and got really excited...she attacked Ryan and followed me everywhere I went. We love her. Today we took her to Petsmart to get her groomed and pick up supplies and she won over the entire store. Everyone had to tell her "goodbye" and give her hugs before we left...she even got a new bandana for being such a good girl. We're proud.

There's No Place Like Home

I am officially back in Texas. I don't really feel like it's hit me yet though. It feels like a vacation. All I have done is lay in the pool and and relax. Ryan isn't here yet, so I think once he arrives it may feel more real and exciting. I have definitely needed and enjoyed this little break from reality though, its been so nice. I also have a tan now...its not as dark as summers past, but its a tan! I think Ryan will be impressed when he gets here. This is the longest we've been apart since we got married, I don't like it. I feel a little depressed. I also quit drinking caffeine when I got to Texas, so that adds to the depressed feeling. I did have some tea today though, and I feel about 95% better. I haven't decided if I should give up tea, coffee for sure, but I may have to slowly get myself away from tea. We'll see how it goes.

Ryan should be here in less than one hour! I'm so excited to see him...and to get our stuff unloaded. I bet that will help me feel more at home. I also think seeing friends will help....so friends, call me.

we've been busy!

We have been so busy this past week. Last weekend, we took the train out to Long Island to visit our dear friend, Patrick. It was my first time to take a train anywhere, and I loved it! I wish I could take trains everywhere. I much prefer train rides to flying. The weekend was wonderful. We stayed in a beautiful old house on a ranch, took a carriage ride, went to some beautiful beaches (the water was too cold for swimming), ate way too much, and saw a great fireworks show! It was the perfect way to spend our second-to-last weekend in NY.

When we got back into the city (on our 1 year anniversary), I walked into a clean apartment, with flowers and dinner waiting on the table for me. My husband is the best. He really is. He had our friends Dustin and Sunday come over while we were away and set it all up for me. He also made me a poster that I love! It was the perfect ending to the perfect weekend.

This is my first week of unemployment and I've worked harder than I ever did at my job. Packing and cleaning is hard. My back hurts, my whole body is sore, and I'm tired. Manual labor is not for me.

Tyler is coming tonight, so that will give me a break! We're excited/sad. I can't believe its already time to leave NYC.

this is harder than i thought

tomorrow is my last day of work. i have been looking forward to this day for so long, and now im sad. i guess something would be wrong with me if i werent sad at all though, right? ive seen these kids every single day for the past two years. i cried four times today, and im sure it will be even more tomorrow! i should've bought waterproof mascara.

henderson place

So, we went to the park, and discovered that tours of the Gracie Mansion are only given on Wednesdays. Then we walked and walked, in search of the Queen Anne houses...we walked much further than we should have. Turns out, the walking part was the adventure. On our way back to our apartment, we discovered the houses we'd been looking for. We've seen them hundreds of times before, and had no idea they were "adventurous". They're on a private street, so we weren't able to get close enough the actually explore. The houses are beautiful, but we were a little sad that we didn't get the adventure we wanted. The walking was fun though...so it wasn't a total disappointment!

52 adventures in NYC

Ryan and I only have a couple more weeks in New York, so we started the blog in order to record and remember the last moments we have here. Its important to us, and we've loved every minute of our time here...so of course, we never want to forget it. We've been trying to think of all the things we haven't done since we came here so that we can make sure to do them before we leave. We have thought and thought, and have come up with very little. Today a girl in my class brought a deck of cards, but not just regular playing cards...on each card was an "adventure in NYC". I carefully read through the cards and was happy to realize that we had done all but 2 of the adventures listed on the cards. The only 2 that we had not done were:

1. The Gracie Mansion tour
2. Queen Anne Houses at Henderson Place

I did a little more research and discovered that the Gracie Mansion is the huge house in the park that we spend every Saturday afternoon in. I always refer to the house as "the mayors mansion" (which it is), and I assumed it was completely private. I was wrong. We will be going tomorrow. It just so happens that the Queen Anne Houses are just a few blocks south of the park, so we will be exploring them as well.