yeah...

Tom Cruise = scary



Jerry O'Connell = fabulous






Also, I heart Ikea, if you were previously unaware.


And apparently, THIS is about me.

never been kissed

So I am watching Never Been Kissed. It is a really cute movie and I actually really like Drew Barrymore, no matter what anyone says.


However, I do have a fundamental issue with the movie...


The teacher falls in love with Drew as she is posing as a high school student. How screwed up is that? I mean, I guess, shes not really a high school student... but I think its really good toward the end where the teacher guy is pissed off and blows her off. It should have ended that way. I mean, it would totally mess up my mind!

So that is my short little rant today.



Oh wait, I feel another short one coming on... but this is more personal.


Why am I attracted to cheerleading movies? WHY?! It is a curse, I swear. Bring It On: In It To Win It has been playing over and over again on tv. And I am just insatiably drawn to watching it. Why?!?!?! I mean, Bring It On was a fun movie. Bring It On Again was horrible... and I am sure this newest one is the worst of the troika. But I still want to watch it... I need cheerleaders anonymous or something. Pathetic!




Okay, done. I promise.

oh and

by the way...


I got my hair cut.

I donated 10 inches to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.

She then proceeded to chop off another 2 inches.



I do not really have any good pictures of it yet, but when I do, I will post one! :)

first date

Wow!

I think I just got asked out on my first date!



Now, I know this is like, a completely common occurrence for normal people... but truthfully, I have never been asked out on a random real date. I mean, classically, I guess, people meet at a bar or wherever, you chat, someone asks for the others number, and they go out on a date or something. That is the way it works, right? At least, I have been told it works that way...

and yeah - NEVER has that happened to me.


I attribute it to the aura of "leave me the bleep alone, I am not interested" that I unintentionally exude. At least, I think I do.



Anyway, I was at the bank, and I was endorsing my checks, and there was a guy in front of me doing the same. He got in line to be waited on. I searched for a lollipop. I wanted root beer and I kept finding chocolate. He commented that he had a hard time too. I laughed. Some other guy came in and stood behind me, and the guy who was in front of me said hi to him because apparently they knew each other.

We wait in line. He opens with "man, it is cold out today". I agree. He says then he was hoping for a snow storm earlier in the week. I replied that I felt the same. In my head I am thinking, please stop talking to me. I hate small talk with a burning passion.

Jon calls, I am thankful. We talk for a minute or two. Jon goes to get off the phone. We always say I love you.... but this time he just said bye!!! Ack! I was hoping to use that so that I could respond with a very loud "Aww sweetie I love you too!!!!!!" But no. Instead it just came off as a phone call.

It is his turn, he goes the counter. It is then my turn at the counter next to him. I say silently to the teller, please go slow, please go slow, please go slow. She does. SCORE! Double score because he is done way before me.

He lingers. He talks to the guy who was behind me. Again, in my head I tell the teller to go slows. She obeys. They finish and walk out. YES!

She finishes with me, and I walk out... only to realize that his car is parked opposite mine across a bunch of bushes.... and he has not gotten into his car yet. Crud.


He then says something akin to, "Come here often?"

I fight the urge to look at the very local bank and say no, I am actually from out of state but I just heard so many things about this bank.

I say yes, I live around here. He asks how close. I point. He says oh, I also live around here. He points (thankfully) in the opposite direction. He asks how long I have lived here. I smile and say 22 years. He says oh, then you are 22. I say no, I am actually 27.

I am not 27. I am 26. I have no idea why I said I was 27 except that I was in duress.

He excitedly says that he is 26. He asks me if I went to school around here, I said yes, and explained. He asked where I teach. I said in West Chester.

He then introduces himself as Justin. I say hi, I am Ericka. He goes to shake my hand and realizes the bushes are in the way. I laugh and tell him he probably should not jump over the bushes just to shake my hand.


He then asks me if I want to go to a movie some time.

I say, "I do not think my boyfriend would like that very much."


Sorry, sucka.


He looks a bit crestfallen and not sure how to escape. I was hoping Jon would call again. He doesn't. I say that it was really nice to meet him and thanked him for asking and maybe I will see him around. We say goodbye.


AWKWARD!



Now, I should say, this guy was reasonably cute, very friendly and nice, and there was nothing all that wrong with him except that he probably did not go to college. I assume this because he was wearing a sweatshirt from a local furniture store. I am guessing that he probably moves around furniture. Not that this is bad. Please do not take it as a bad thing. Just something I noticed.

Also, anyone who is that genuinely friendly and outgoing is also a little.... umm... this sounds terrible, but also tends to be on the bit dimmer side. I dont know why! It is just that way. I am not sure if it is less awareness of the cruel harsh world.... but usually the nicest, kindest, and most loving people in the world are a bit on the dim side. I feel like a JERK for thinking that, especially thinking that about someone I do not know, but it was just the impression that I got.

I mean, he was being so incredibly nice to me, but he did not seem to notice that I was intentionally not engaging him in conversation. Though I answered his questions, I never asked them back. And I really think this is something that guys should learn to read. If a girl is merely answering your questions and not asking them back, she is either a) not interested, b) extremely self-absorbed, or c) not bright enough to engage in conversation. Yeah.


However, I would like to say it was flattering that he asked me out based on 2 minutes of small talk. I blame the pheromones. I really do.

And Justin, if you ever come across this for some reason, you seem like a cool guy and I am confident some nice girl WILL take you up on that offer if you keep it up. And I think you were a model of how to ask a random girl out without meeting in a skanky bar. Kudos to you! You left a very good impression, despite the fact that I was a bit freaked out! Seriously!




Overall , it was an interesting and surprising experience, and a first time experience. So congrats, random guy in the bank, you were the first person to ask me out on a date. And I am 26 (not 27). Pathetic, perhaps? I don't know.

Rain - The Beatles Experience

My mom and I went into Philly to see Rain last night.

She got us some pretty sweet balcony box seats at the Academy of Music...



And it was awesome.




I admit it, I do not know much about the Beatles. I grew up on them, and I know pretty much every word to their hits. I remember my mom quizzing me about what band was on the radio, even as a little kid. I still do not quite understand what was so enthralling about them... but I got a glimpse of it last night.

It is pretty incredible to me that one band can have that much staying power... but also that they changed with the times and STILL had a bazillion hits. Very cool. Plus I like the hair for some reason. shrug.

Anyway, the show was really amazing, and they are in town all week, so if you get a chance, you should definitely go. I should warn you though, its a concert... not a play, not like that one about ABBA or anything like that. Its a tribute band that, for all intensive purposes, sounds exactly like the Beatles... even down to the accent. The show is also sprinkled with historical anecdotes, my favorite being the Marlboro cigarette commercial featuring The Flintstones. My Lord, how did they get away with that?!

It was really fun and we were up dancing and clapping and singing, just a good time overall.




The night took a pretty awful turn, so here I must ask you to say some prayers for my family, if you are willing and into that sort of thing. I am not able to talk about it just yet, and we will see what happens... but if you can, just pray for peace and strength for my family. I would really appreciate it. I know prayers make a difference.





And, so as not to leave on a sour note...


Happy Birthday Jon! You make me smile. :)

update

Just so you know, the lighting for project over the summer... phenomenal. :)







Well, it has been awhile since an update... and here it is....


I spent the last week at war at work. Literally knee deep in politics, petty words, and out and out turf war.


And it was utterly ridiculous.


The basic summary is that I am (as you should know by now!) planning a trip to Costa Rica. (BTW, if you know me, place a bulk order for organic coffee with me, and if you do not know me enough to ask me to get you some coffee, go to www.tortugacoffee.com and order some coffee with my school name as the beneficiary. For every bag sold, we get $4 towards our trip)

Anyway, this trip to Costa Rica apparently has ruffled many feathers around the office. Not only is everyone amazed that I have the balls to go through with this... but that I got it approved, and that I am intentionally NOT working with a certain department.

Now, no offense to that department, but I have had previous negative experiences with people in that department. And since it comes down to MY butt on the line if something goes wrong during the trip, I prefer to be the one controlling and planning the trip. Makes sense, right? If you know you are responsible for doing something right, then you do it right, you do not trust someone who has been proven untrustworthy to do it for you.

Bottom line, I want to have a fabulous trip, and I do not want to be hindered by anything or anyone.


Yet, the three p's come in to play....

politics, pettiness, power.



My goodness, get over it. I want to take a trip to Costa Rica. I want to save the turtles. I want to salsa, hike in a rainforest, and see a volcano erupt. I want to do this for my students. Why, oh why, do you keep trying to shut me down?


Well, fortunately for me, this war was brewing for awhile, and I happen to have the backing of the entire academic side of our school.

I mean sure, it feels great that everyone agrees with me... but even if they did not, the monopoly this particular department appears to have on international trips at our school is positively unjust. I understand the need to have a central clearing house for trips... but having a resource to use when you have questions or need help is very very different from what this department assumes its power is.




So, I accidentally fell into a war. Oops. And, as I said, I ruffled many feathers, but I feel strongly that it is for the best of the students and for the school. FIGHT THE MAN! :)


Actually, as of Friday, the war is out of my hands, and others have taken up my righteous cause. I am thankful because frankly, I gotta stop losing sleep over this.

You know when you have really strong feelings about something or someone... and you find yourself having conversations (okay, arguments) with them in your head? And then you are like... you stupid idiot. You are talking with yourself, stop it.

Yeah, that was me... allllllll freakin week.



It did not help me that Jon was in Trinidad. It left a large gap in my support structure... and although that was most eagerly filled by my ladies at work... it still was not the same as being able to vent to him.

Yet, again, God is gracious, and has given me some awesome friends... some even more powerful than I imagined. :)



This Sat, I organized a bit of a get-together for Jon and our friends to celebrate his birthday, which is on Wednesday. We (me, Jon, Kris, Josh, Justin, Kelly, James, Nick) went rock climbing and then we (me, Jon, Kris, Josh, James, Nick, Dave) went out to dinner at Carrabbas... then we (me, Jon, Kris, James, Nick, Dave) went back to Jon's and hung out and then they (Jon, Kris, Nick, James) had a bit of a guys night. Whew.

I was a blast, my knees are black and blue, and I am pretty sure James will never have children now due to the fact that I let him freefall for about 30 ft before stopping him about 3 ft from the ground. Oops. I feel wretched about it. I really do. I would have offered to massage him if I did not think Jon would kill me! ;)

I think I did pretty well... if I am able to get pictures, I will definitely post them.



Today I went to church for the first time in about a month. I was glad to go... they finished Revelation and have moved to Luke. I do not think I have ever read Luke, so I am looking forward to it. Hopefully I can make it more regularly now that I am less crazy.


Or am I?


Today I also took my new cell phone back and got another new one...

And then we had Reverb! YAY! First rehearsal back from break, and I have to say it went pretty well. Hopefully I will finish my arr of the wonder woman theme song so that we can start working on that too. :)




That is about all for now... I gotta go grade. I am ridiculously far behind, its shameful. :(

Customer service please?

I am really frustrated. And I mean really frustrated.


I am doing my best to stay calm, but school is just pissing me off. I don't know, maybe it is the depression that naturally results from having to go back to work after vacation. Maybe.


Or maybe it is just the fact that people are unwilling to do what is best for my students. Yeah, that makes me angry.



And here is what I do not understand:

I asked my dept head whether I could have some science dept money to supplement funds for students going on my Costa Rica trip. He said we did not have any money. This was yesterday.

Today, I asked him again. No harm in it, right? Mostly I asked because EVERY DEPT has a budget. Every single one. Why wouldn't ours? Why would we be the only ones that have no money to do anything with? Illogical, right?

Well, he said we really do not have any money, and even if we did, he would be reluctant to use it for this trip because it benefits the least amount of students.

1) How is it your decision to choose how to use our dept money?
2) Its not like we do anything else!

And the real kicker is that during my tdef (teacher evaluations sort of), he told me that I have $500 to go to a conference somewhere. Anywhere I would like within the continental U.S.


So let me get this straight - our dept has no money to do anything of value... but somehow, I have $500 to go to any b.s. conference I want?

Oh.


Oh, okay. Yeah I get it now.






Another bee in my bonnet is Biology. (Its called alliteration, folks, it helps emphasize a statement)


Let's just summarize what has happened.

1) Ericka comes up with fabulous idea LAST YEAR
2) Ericka proposes it to science teachers - they back her
3) Ericka proposes it to dept head - he says he will pass it up the chain
4) Nothing happens
5) Ericka confronts dept head - he quickly says it was vetoed (BULL!)
6) New school year, newly hired director of student achievement or whatever he is
7) New guy proposes same idea on a broad scale, applying to all classes
8) Magically, dept head wants to do this
9) Ericka re-writes proposal and re-proposes
10) Dept head says he will pass it up the line
11) Dept head sits down with Lead teacher, they come up with entirely different proposal
12) Dept head sits down with me and tells me the new plan
13) Ericka points out every single loophole
14) Dept head tells Ericka that he will talk to Lead again
15) Dept head "talked to him, but could not remember the complaints" and suggests Ericka talk to him
16) Ericka talks to him in depth
17) Dept head walks in on that meeting, all three talk it over


You know what, I am just getting tired of explaining it... so lets cut to the chase:

18) b.s., b.s., and more b.s.... and after being told multiple times that this stuff has to go up the chain and that is a big project, it is all magically dumped on MY head again to take care of, because no one else wants to do it.





ITS UTTER B.S.!

You are lucky that my filter is on, because the string of curse words flying across my head right now... Just imagine times square, then take every word, and make it a bad one. That is how I feel.



So, whatever. I will deal. I care about my students, and even if I have to smile and suck up and go behind enemy lines and be a double agent... that is just what I will have to do. I hate this political b.s.

And you know what I hate about it the most? That I could be so incredibly good at it, but my frickin conscience will not let me work it!

2007 in review

December 06 ~ A chance meeting, putting my foot down, saying good-bye, nyc

January 07 ~ A relationship renewed

February 07 ~ Utah, snow blading, GoodWorks, PAPA

March 07 ~ Laparascopy, pain, answers, disappointment, fear, Flower Show, Turkey Wow II

April 07 ~ A fall from grace, Florida

May 07 ~ A balloon ride, Getting screwed

June 07 ~ Silence, Maine

July 07 ~ Maine, deserted island, being the wedding singer

August 07 ~ Thriller, my first arrangement performed, Montana, getting screwed again

September 07 ~ A proposal, a new cube

October 07 ~ Directorship, missing my bro, Ren Faire, porch

November 07 ~ Saying good bye, bonding with science

December 07 ~ Family, going on the war path, Maine, 3 Christmas'





Its been a full year, with a lot of traveling especially. If you had asked me when I was a junior in college where I thought I would be in 2007, I would have said that I would have been married for about 3 years ish, living in a house, and possibly even trying to get pregnant. I would be working in a lab somewhere full time... perhaps even doing research for GSK or another large pharma company. I would have a cat and maybe a dog.

Out of all that, I only have the cat.

Thus far, life has been surprising. It has not been what I expected it to be at all, and I am thankful for that, certainly. Though I would have said in college that I would be with Jon, I never thought we would break up for a few years and then find each other again.

If you would have asked me 3 years ago where I would be today, I would have again said married, but not to Jon.

Ultimately, I guess you cannot know what will happen until it actually does. You can hope, and you can plan, and you can expect... but it may be totally different in the end.



Anyway, 2007 is over, and its definitely been a year of self-discovery and (maybe?!) maturity for me. I have a lot more to learn, so I suppose we will see what 2008 brings.




Happy New Year!