In short

Barack Obama's "infomercial" this evening sold me all over again (even if it was a little disjointed at times). Not on him, necessarily, but on the idea that we can be a better country, that we can not only do well, but also do good in the world, that we can take better care of each other, and that we can be hopeful. It also made me proud to be an American government teacher, to be able to say to my students, "See? Government - and government officials - can be honorable, and measured, and intelligent, and compassionate, and open, and just." And I am hopeful that a week from now the country will be on that better path. And I am even more hopeful that four years from now I can still turn to my students and say those things. That's all. A more personal update will be posted in the next week or so.

Retorts

When I told Brian I'd have to eat without him tonight b/c Yom Kippur started at sunset and he wouldn't be home before then, he replied, "That's very observant of you."

When I told my seniors I was canceling my office hours today b/c I had to do a last minute presentation for bigwig visitors to our school, they said, "Good thing you left your hair down today."

When I told D, one of my favorite students from last year, that I was disappointed to see he was in ISS today, he looked at the ground and said, "I knew you would be. I'm just having a hard time ignoring distractions."

Sometimes, it is the little things that make you smile. And sometimes you need to get more sleep.

Just asking...

Why can't the weekend and the work week be more equal in length? I'm even willing to let the weekend be three days and the work week four. Seriously. I have too much non-work stuff to get done for just two days...probably no one to talk to about that though. ::sigh::

Ahem...

Happy birthday, Elizabeth!

That is all. Happy Friday, everyone.

An early morning thought

On mornings like this, I wish I had a job that allowed me to enter quietly, work independently and ease into the day. No such luck, though.

Things worth mentioning in this moment

1. L'shanah tovah! The Jewish New Year started yesterday, which is a nice reminder that the year is moving on.
2. The White Sox clinched the last playoff berth! HOORAY! And the Cubs made the playoffs too...it is possible that hell is freezing over at this very moment.
3. Does anyone think it's bad that I'm eating potato chips at 10:30 in the morning? I really need to go buy better snacks and lunch food to keep at school - I ran out last week and didn't make time to replenish the supply this weekend.
4. I have been so busy lately that I have yet to deposit my last check from babysitting (nearly two weeks ago), which meant I overdrew my checking account by $1.05 this past weekend. Which means my bank transferred $100 from my savings account and charged me for their automated system's trouble. ::sigh:: I was so angry about this last night - because, really, what twenty-eight year old does that?! Must add bank trips and checkbook balancing to weekly schedule.
5. The purchase that put my account over the edge was a new pair of shoes for work. They are read and shiny and were only $19. I love them and have worn them twice already this week. My students complimented me on them today and then applauded my ability to find a deal when I told them the cost.
6. Yesterday I wore my new $19 shoes with a fun black and white dress I bought this past summer. One of my seniors told me how much he loved my "Diane von Furstenberg" dress. Uhm. Thanks! Because it sure was a Merona dress that I found on Target's clearance rack for about $15. Discount diva these days, folks.
7. Is anyone else breathlessly awaiting the VP debate tomorrow? I am not even that interested in the VPs, what with it being a presidential election and all, but I just cannot wait to see what Biden and Palin will each say next. I think it's going to be awesome - if I can stomach some of the comments enough to sit through the whole thing.
8. On the topic of politics, I am beginning to think that if the House can't suck it up and stop bickering over this bailout we shouldn't re-elect any of them in their next election. I mean, I don't necessarily think this is the absolute best plan, but I also don't see many of them doing anything else to address the issue in a better way. So unless they want to stop complaining and nay-saying and do something productive, I think they might want to vote for the compromise plan and let us all get on with it. Then again, maybe they know something I don't. I don't pretend to fully understand all of the complexities surrounding this mess.
9. I don't know what I did to my neck last week, but it is a wreck. The muscles going from my back up to my ears are sore to the touch and it is hard for me to extend too far in any one direction. I had been asking Brian to try to loosen them up, but after that brought me to tears on Monday night, I figured I should lay off a little and see if it will work itself out.
10. My parents are coming to visit next weekend. We're having dinner with them in Baltimore and then spending Saturday and part of Sunday in Ocean City. Sunday or Monday night we're merging our families and having dinner with my folks, Brian's mom and his sister. I think it will be fun, but I don't want it to be a production for anyone. It will probably be something easy, like going to a local restaurant or something like that. Still, kind of a big deal, I guess.
11. Not teaching middle school has made my life so much more calm. I am overwhelmed by work, it is true, but I don't yell during the day, for the most part students don't call me names or curse me out and I rarely have to redirect for teasing, talking out, etc. It makes me feel like a bit of a sell-out, but I think it was time for me to move on.
12. Grad school continues to drive me insane. Just about every assignment causes me to yell at the computer, at the invisible people in and running my class and, sometimes, at Brian (not AT him, but in his general direction). That being said, I enjoy the readings and am doing well on the assignments. I just don't feel like I'm getting a ton from my classmates and the assignment requirements are still a little confusing and frustrating for me.
13. In the last month or so I have started reminiscing about my first years in DC. I love my life now, wouldn't give it up or change it for anything, but there is something fun about spending your mid-twenties as a single person in a semi-big city. I remember nights when Elizabeth and I would take the train downtown, split up for different nights out and reconvene in our apartment for pizza, a debrief or even just a semi-conscious head nod as we turned in for the night. My college years were filled with work and teaching and organizing, so I don't have as many of those experiences from college. I am glad I got to have them when I first moved here. I am also very glad that they are behind me.
14. Fall has returned to DC, which is awesome. For a while there last week, I thought I might try to convince Brian that we should move to Canada or someplace much further north. It was hot and humid and even when it rained, it stayed hot and humid. Last night huge storms rolled through and now it is clear and cool. This is the weather I enjoy, especially now that it is October (it is October!). Besides, my fall clothes are way better than my summer clothes. Who doesn't love sweaters and boots?!
15. Finally, Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! Here's wishing you another 30+ years of happiness together!

My apologies

I know it has been awhile since I posted (nearly a month, now that I look back) and I do apologize. My responsibilities this year seem to have multiplied exponentially and I am still trying to settle into a routine. So keep checking back, a real blog update is on the to do list - right after babysitting, calling Maggie, grading the last of my Econ papers, posting on my grad school discussion board, emailing Andie and Marcia and Amy and Lindsey, calling the eye doctor and dentist and physical therapist, doing laundry, dropping off dry cleaning and maybe getting some sleep. I really do feel as though my head is going to spin right off my neck one of these days.

...

No time to worry about that now, though, must be off!