Last Day

Maybe later I'll write a post that is really insightful, and talk about all the ways that teaching in Baltimore City has shaped me as a person, and the people I've met, etc.

Today, I will simply talk about what a great day it was.
1. I woke up and thought "I never have to wake up and teach in BCPSS again. This is awesome."

2. Then I went to work. Pretty dysfunctional, as usual, but the kids were great. I used the Rizo machine for the first time since March, (something kind of like a copy machine...but not) and was chastised for doing so. It didn't break my heart to count down the hours at this point. I was gone by 12:30.

3. I came home, and hung up a picture in the bathroom. The beginning of doing things that I want done. There are pictures all over the house that need to be hung. But it took measuring twice, and still punching three holes, before this picture was hung to satisfaction. I thought I should start in places no one goes. My bathroom. My office.

4. Then Andrew came home. We went for Ice Cream at Rita's and sat by the water, and just basked in the beginning of Summer. All sorts of new things. New life with no teaching. New Summer. We each got our OWN ice-cream (this NEVER happens) and we both tried new flavors. He bought me flowers. I like him.

5. When we got home from our afternoon date, I checked the mail. Lo and behold, Allie and Zac had sent me a celebration package! I love fun mail. Almost as much as I love those Coopers!

6. I worked at REI tonight. Vernon was there, he's the outreach coordinator. He's about 65. He got me all the sleeping bags the 4th years are going to use on their back-packing trip for YW camp next week. Utah is his favorite place in all the world. He's going there next month for 17 days. So for now, I'm his favorite person at REI. We ate s'mores tonight and talked about Utah while we waited for the Car Camping Clinic to finish. I have a great job.

7. When I got home, we checked on the garden. The zucchini (which there are about 20 of) are getting to be pretty good sized. Not boat sized, but I think edible. I'm hesitant because my gut tells me that home-grown zucchini should be huge. But we picked ONE to try it out and see how "store sized" zukes taste.

8. And now I'm going to bed. With excitement for yoga, the farmers market, girls camp planning,  REI, and all the magic that lies ahead tomorrow.

Good Bye BCPSS. If nothing else, you have given me so much joy in being done. :)

Saturday Morning

Chase flew out this morning at 7. This means we took him to the airport before 6.

We thought while we were up, it would be a good time to go down to the temple. We thought it opened at 7. Nope, try 8.

So we grocery shopped until then. Talk about the perfect time to grocery shop if you're looking to  miss the crowds.

Went to the temple. Where we met a couple that had also been at the grocery store. They also thought it opened at 7. We found instant camaraderie. I think when you do common things with people early in the morning, you just like them. Think: morning joggers...so much friendlier than night-time joggers.

Stopped for one last Christmas present at the Outlets on our way home.

Met a friend back at our house for breakfast before 10:30 am.

Talk about productivity.

Random

*I just drove into the city tonight. It's late. But I love driving in late at night. It's such a pretty city all lit up.

*Andrew surprised me with Fall decorations, and Benn and Jerry's waiting for me. Love him.

*My kids have been really good. The sixth grade used to be holy terrors, with their other teachers. But since coming under my rule, they have reformed. The DARE officers called me after-school today to thank me for casting a spell on them. Thank you officers, for thinking I'm good at my job. And thank you kiddo's, for being the kids you should be.

*I love my YW Counselors. Really, I do. They are incredible.

*Tomorrow is the last teaching day this week. I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that I get four days at home. With my husband. And yummy food and movies. And cleaning out our basement. I just like being with that man I married.

Monday List

1. Today Andrew told me, "Just wait until I die. Then I'll pay attention to you." In his defense we were playing this game for our FHE activity, but I might just remind him of this when he's ignoring me.
2. I'm grading portfolios. Which is much less painful than creating one. But I'm still eating like I'm creating one. Maybe it's just the portfolio that causes the munchies...no matter it's form.
3. I only had 8 kids today. The rest went on a field trip with the librarian. It was bliss. When the librarian returned with her shirt untucked and disheveled she informed me that I had used up all my favors for the year.
4. I applied for my first job today outside the classroom. Just on the fly, but it was good to start. Although nothing will likely come of it, it's good to start thinking.
5. Soccer begins this month! Hard to believe it with all the snow still on the ground.
6. I love gingersnaps with lemon curd. Refer to Number 2.
7. NEXT month, I will be a homeowner. :)
8. Spring Break is THIS month!
9. Now I'm just avoiding grading.
10. I'm ALMOST done with The Book Thief. But I can't read until all my grading is done. It's always so bittersweet to end a good book.

Friday Night

My computer didn't like our internet a few minutes ago. My tech husband was sitting fixing it while I was telling him how happy I was a this very moment.

When he turned to me and said, "When I fix your computer you can blog about it."

And so I am.

I'm sitting in my kitchen on a friday night with lots of things I love.

*It's Friday.

*Night. Friday nights are always the best.

*I'm reading.

*A cookbook. What a great combo.

*Just ate a yummy dinner.

*Listening to Ray LaMontagne.

*Snacking on tasty brownies.

*While my tech husband sits next to me.

*Telling me jokes.

*While fixing my computer.

It's a good day.

8 years

Beth and I have been friends for eight years.

Weird.

Was it really that long ago that we lived together?

But another successful day in the life of Ann and Beth. :)

*Another stellar run along the lake.

*Yummy smoothies.

*Lounging. Talking. Napping.

*Ultimate Frisbee.

*Jamaican Food.

*Ice Cream.

Chicago Is...

*Long runs on Lake Shore Drive
*Breakfast Party in the kitchen
*Neighborhood walks
*Super de-lish Mexican food with homemade guac
*Bocce-ball domination
* Roof-top picnics
*Afternoon naps
*Game night
*Late night talks with geek

And it's only day one.

Why I Teach.

1. I woke up to POUNDING rain this morning. And laid in bed to listen for a solid 45 minutes.
2. Went for a little run at the gym.
3. Roommate going on vacation = roommate cleaning out her food from the fridge = she made me breakfast. Blueberry waffles with mangoes on top. Love, love, love you Kristin.
4. Lunch in DC with one of the many Sarahs.
5. Yoga Studio, where I worked with a special-ed teacher turned dog walker. Best yoga shift ever. New BFF.
6. Friend's wedding.
7. Dinner with the girls.

It really just doesn't get better.

Good Things

1. When I entered the gym today, there were cookies on the counter. You better believe I ate two of them. Visit to the gym negated in about 15 seconds.

2. I ran a 5K PR this weekend. On cobblestone. Who knew that was the magical surface I have needed all these years?!

3. The state of Utah forgave my student loans today! Merry Christmas to me!

4. Christmas Carols around the piano. Rockin'.

5. Good friends. Good laughing.

6. Six kids absent today.

7. A trip to Philly and DC in the same day. Good times, good people, good stories, good food.

Morning Highlights

It's only 8 a.m. and there are already some clear highlights of the day.

-Watching New Kids on the Block (unknowingly) on VH1 while I ate my cereal and thinking things like "Who are these 40 year-olds that are trying to start a boy band? They are actually strangely good, but they are waaaay too old."

-After catching up on all the VH1 gossip, flipping to The Today Show, and watching Weekend Update. Hilarious.

-It's 8 a.m. and I am still at home! No kiddies today for me!

-While still eating my cereal, flipping back to VH1 and watching David Archuleta. I don't even like him all that much and it made my day.

-Waking up from a dream and trying to figure out if it was a reality that I lived with my (nonexistent) boyfriend and two other people who loved dogs. I love when dreams that totally don't make sense almost seem real.

Good Friday

1. I read for over an hour this morning. And I don't think John Adams has a surprise ending.
2. I ate banana pancakes for the third morning in a row.
3. The humidity does my hair for me, everyday.
4. I was blessed by a monk.
5. I went to a school, and saw how blessed I am in Baltimore.
6. I went to another school, and again realized Baltimore is a good place to be.
7. I went running in the rain. Around a rice field.
8. And then jumped in the pool in my running clothes. Much more efficient than laundry.
9. I spent at least two hours in the hammock.
10. Ate at least two pounds of fresh pinneapple.

my mom.

She is always positive.
She always makes me laugh.
One adjective to describe her: f-u-n.
She is the most patient person on this planet.
The number one thing I miss about Utah: her.
She taught me how to work. Hard.
She has a nmemonic for everything I need to remember. I still remember that Lloyd Geroge is from England, because Boy George is from England. This detail is 10 years in storage.
She thinks about me. A lot.
She can answer any question about anything.
She is a super hero in my mind.
She writes me little notes when I need them the most. And when I don't.
She mails me food.
She throws incredible parties.
She believes I can do anything.
She taught me to read, write, cook, sew, drive...basically all skills of any use, I've learned from her.
If I could go on a vacation with anyone I'd choose her. Especially a road trip.
She always teaches by example.
Everytime I go home, we lay in bed and talk until my dad kicks me out of the bed. Those nights are my favorite.
She worries about my students almost as much as I do.
She is super creative.
She has integrity.
She can make almost anything.
She loves me.
She is my best friend.

Solid Seven.

1. Sara invited me to see the National Symphony play tomorrow night at the Kennedy Center.
2. From the President's Box. Amazing.
3. I'm eating BBQ Chicken Pizza for dinner. My favorite.
4. I'm going to a movie. In the middle of the week. Both unheard of.
5. My kids rocked day one of the MSA. They're incredible.
6. Multiple people gave me chocolates today at school. Heavenly.
7. I wore green sequins to teach in. Thanks Mom.

A little bit about me...

This may seem a bit vain, but I think it's a pretty good introdoction to who I am.

I celebrated my birthday last week. For those of you who don't know me, this is the single most important day of the year in my eyes. And this is one of the single best birthday presents I have EVER received.

At about 7:30 am I was awakened to the following text from the wonderful Claire K:

• Twenty-four reasons to love Ann Passey:

And they continued throughout the day as follows (who knows, you might even love me too by the time you're done reading.)

• She has super hero hair.
• She believes that our children are the future. She teaches them well, and lets them lead the way.
• She can rock an outfit of entirely purple! That's hard to do.
• She says words like kiddies.
• She makes friends with her mechanic.
• She makes me laugh...especially during sacrament meeting.
• She's nice to everyone.
• She has secret stashes of friends.
• She used to ski four days a week, but gave it up to live in Baltimore.
• She was almost my roommate for one brief shining moment.
• She actually keeps coming to the new member class, even though she doesn't have to.
• She is going to teach sixth-grade health...and live to tell about it...maybe...
• She runs like the wind.
• She speaks four langauages...
• ...or actually she just lies to her students about speaking four languages, but they believe her so that's even better.
• The baby bangs!
• She single handedly wiped out the terrors of snatchies.
• She eats Goo so she can run better. Gross.
• ...gross but cool.
• She knows what an adverb is! You'd be surprised at how many people don't.
• She's been threatened to have her butt kicked by kids mothers.
• She owns her own bowling shoes.
• She discovered the mystery light in the chapel...which we still dan't figure out...
• She can make anything fun...and she does.
• And the number one reason to love Ann Passey today....It's her Birthday!