I read this on my friend Casey's blog. I thought it was great so I reposted it here.
Stars
by Freya Manfred
What matters most? It's a foolish question because I'm hanging on, just like you. No, I'm past hanging on. It's after midnight and I'm falling toward four a.m., the best time for ghosts, terror, and lost hopes.
No one says anything of significance to me. I don't care if the President's a two year old, and the Vice President's four. I don't care if you're cashing in your stocks or building homes for the homeless.
I was a caring person. I would make soup and grow you many flowers. I would enter your world, my hands open to catch your tears, my lips on your lips in case we both went deaf and blind.
But I don't care about your birthday, or Christmas, or lover's lane, or even you, not as much as I pretend. Ah, I was about to say,
"I don't care about the stars" -- but I had to stop my pen.
Sometimes, out in the silent black Wisconsin countryside
I glance up and see everything that's not on earth, glowing, pulsing, each star so close to the next and yet so far away.
Oh, the stars. In lines and curves, with fainter, more mysterious designs beyond, and again, beyond. The longer I look, the more I see, and the more I see, the deeper the universe grows.
I have a long way to go, and I'm starting now --
out in the silent black Wisconsin countryside.
"Stars" by Freya Manfred, from Swimming with a Hundred Year Old Snapping Turtle. © Red Dragonfly Press, 2008
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December Videos
I haven't done this in so long but my sister showed me this guy and we watched every one of his videos (there are 49 of them). It was awesomely funny.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Insomnia Part Dos
Remember how this happened right before school started? It happened again, last night.
So here's what happened. We had a second Thanksgiving on Sunday afternoon. After watching a movie with my sisters, I got home around 7:30. Due to the enormous headache and being this close to dozing off during the movie, I decided to go to bed at 8:00. The first hour and a half was glorious. Then I woke up with an even worse headache and a growling stomach saying, "Hey! It's Thanksgiving Miss J! I'm used to eating large quantities only hours apart and it's been 8 hours! FEED ME! FEED ME! Or I will eat your insides!" So I agreed and ate two pieces toast...followed by another piece of toast. So if you're not a math whiz, that's three pieces of toast plus two Tylenol.
With a happy belly and head, I went back to sleep...or, I tried.
My brain likes to do this really annoying thing when I'm trying to sleep. It's called thinking. My brain does its' best (and most annoying) thinking when I'm trying to sleep.
Here is the thing that my brain kept going over: a boy at church. Ugh! Brain, you're so obsessive and annoying! Stop it! Here's the back story to church boy:
My downstairs neighbor come to introduce herself two Saturdays ago. So, being the nice girl I am, I went to the family ward (oh, gosh! Don't get me started on how distracted I was with all the yelling kiddos and super cute babies.). Anyway, I arrived late that day and sat in the back, alone.
About half way through the meeting, my neighbor sees me and waves (kinda weird but appreciated). After the meeting, she comes up to me and tells me there is a singles class and introduces me to the boy who I share a bedroom wall with (oooo!). Let's call him T. T. takes me to the class and being me, obviously I'm super awkward and don't notice any flirting of any kind. Bye, T. see ya next week.
Fast forward to this week: Same class, same T. We're waiting for Relief Society and Priesthood to start (it was combined) and talking in the hall. He asks me about high school and sports or something and so again I'm awkward and drop my purse and run into a small child. Whatever. Apparently it was really funny because the whole hall full of people about peed their pants. Great. Now I'm the awkwardly funny new girl. Wow. Love it. So, just as we're about to go into class, he says something like,
"Hey we should do something sometime."
Very vague. Great. So I say, "Sure. You should come over because no one ever does."
"What? You don't have friends?"
"I do they're just all married and hate me." (I know you don't really but I'm dramatic.)
"Ha."
"Ok."
We go to class. We don't sit together. Class gets over. He waits for me because I was trapped between a table and a bunch of old ladies talking. We walk out together. He doesn't ask for my number or say anything really. Geeze. Boys. Ugh. I say goodbye.
Fast forward to Sunday night as I'm trying to sleep:
Brain: "Why would you say those things? Ugh. You're a dummy."
Me: "No. It was just weird. He was weird. It's never me!"
Brain: "It's always you being weird."
Me: "Nu-uh!"
Brain: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Nu-uh!"
Brain: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Nu-uh!"
Brain: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Fine. But maybe be likes that I'm the awkwardly funny new girl."
Brain: "Does anyone like that?"
Me: "Probably."
Brain: "No they don't."
Me: "Whatever. What if we get married one day...blah...blah...blah."
Brain: "Really? You're serious?"
Me: "Why not?"
Brain: "Do you not remember church?"
And this lovely conversation goes on for 6 more hours. And that is the story of why Ashley is exhausted and why she watched the entire second season of How I Met Your Mother in one night. I love being exhausted. If you can't tell, that was sarcastic. I really think a sarcastic font should be invented. It would be bold, italic, sarcastic all at the top of your document. So much better!
If you made it through this long, exhausted rant, you're a true friend or a true stalker. Either way, I thank you for reading and being awesome...just like me!
So here's what happened. We had a second Thanksgiving on Sunday afternoon. After watching a movie with my sisters, I got home around 7:30. Due to the enormous headache and being this close to dozing off during the movie, I decided to go to bed at 8:00. The first hour and a half was glorious. Then I woke up with an even worse headache and a growling stomach saying, "Hey! It's Thanksgiving Miss J! I'm used to eating large quantities only hours apart and it's been 8 hours! FEED ME! FEED ME! Or I will eat your insides!" So I agreed and ate two pieces toast...followed by another piece of toast. So if you're not a math whiz, that's three pieces of toast plus two Tylenol.
With a happy belly and head, I went back to sleep...or, I tried.
My brain likes to do this really annoying thing when I'm trying to sleep. It's called thinking. My brain does its' best (and most annoying) thinking when I'm trying to sleep.
Here is the thing that my brain kept going over: a boy at church. Ugh! Brain, you're so obsessive and annoying! Stop it! Here's the back story to church boy:
My downstairs neighbor come to introduce herself two Saturdays ago. So, being the nice girl I am, I went to the family ward (oh, gosh! Don't get me started on how distracted I was with all the yelling kiddos and super cute babies.). Anyway, I arrived late that day and sat in the back, alone.
About half way through the meeting, my neighbor sees me and waves (kinda weird but appreciated). After the meeting, she comes up to me and tells me there is a singles class and introduces me to the boy who I share a bedroom wall with (oooo!). Let's call him T. T. takes me to the class and being me, obviously I'm super awkward and don't notice any flirting of any kind. Bye, T. see ya next week.
Fast forward to this week: Same class, same T. We're waiting for Relief Society and Priesthood to start (it was combined) and talking in the hall. He asks me about high school and sports or something and so again I'm awkward and drop my purse and run into a small child. Whatever. Apparently it was really funny because the whole hall full of people about peed their pants. Great. Now I'm the awkwardly funny new girl. Wow. Love it. So, just as we're about to go into class, he says something like,
"Hey we should do something sometime."
Very vague. Great. So I say, "Sure. You should come over because no one ever does."
"What? You don't have friends?"
"I do they're just all married and hate me." (I know you don't really but I'm dramatic.)
"Ha."
"Ok."
We go to class. We don't sit together. Class gets over. He waits for me because I was trapped between a table and a bunch of old ladies talking. We walk out together. He doesn't ask for my number or say anything really. Geeze. Boys. Ugh. I say goodbye.
Fast forward to Sunday night as I'm trying to sleep:
Brain: "Why would you say those things? Ugh. You're a dummy."
Me: "No. It was just weird. He was weird. It's never me!"
Brain: "It's always you being weird."
Me: "Nu-uh!"
Brain: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Nu-uh!"
Brain: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Nu-uh!"
Brain: "Uh-huh!"
Me: "Fine. But maybe be likes that I'm the awkwardly funny new girl."
Brain: "Does anyone like that?"
Me: "Probably."
Brain: "No they don't."
Me: "Whatever. What if we get married one day...blah...blah...blah."
Brain: "Really? You're serious?"
Me: "Why not?"
Brain: "Do you not remember church?"
And this lovely conversation goes on for 6 more hours. And that is the story of why Ashley is exhausted and why she watched the entire second season of How I Met Your Mother in one night. I love being exhausted. If you can't tell, that was sarcastic. I really think a sarcastic font should be invented. It would be bold, italic, sarcastic all at the top of your document. So much better!
If you made it through this long, exhausted rant, you're a true friend or a true stalker. Either way, I thank you for reading and being awesome...just like me!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
It's Coming...
By "it" I mean the internet...to my house. I've made an appointment to get it set up at my house. Bloggy friends, this means I will write more often...soon.
I've also decided I'm spending my next off track time painting my whole house...anyone up for helping? I'll buy you lunch when we're done!
I've also decided I'm spending my next off track time painting my whole house...anyone up for helping? I'll buy you lunch when we're done!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
MapQuest
I really think MapQuest should begin their directions with number 3. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
After the Couch, I'm Getting Internet Access
Seriously, I might as well have moved into a cave. I have no idea what is going on with any of you and you have no idea what is going on with me. Geeze! The nerve!
Here's a short and sweet version of what's been happening in my neck of the woods (after moving, I've also taken to using really out dated terms like "neck of the woods". It's something that happens without TV and Internet. Really. Go look it up.):
I moved in (which super sucked) and got a refrigerator, washer and dryer and a couch (for 2.5 seconds).
First load of laundry. Yeah for being a grown-up. This is the coolest washer and dryer ever though. Don't believe me? Watch the video.
Then when it's done, it sings me a sweet little song. Admit it, you're jealous.
Here's the man installing my mammoth fridge. Really, it looked normal sized at the store. In my condo, it's ridiculous but awesome.
Here's my couch that I had for 2.5 seconds because it was the wrong one. Ugh. Annoying.
Devin is so sad I'm gone:
And that's my life right now...I get excited about appliances, I keep the heat at a very low setting and I go to bed by 9pm. Obviously I've turned into a grandma.
Here's a short and sweet version of what's been happening in my neck of the woods (after moving, I've also taken to using really out dated terms like "neck of the woods". It's something that happens without TV and Internet. Really. Go look it up.):
I moved in (which super sucked) and got a refrigerator, washer and dryer and a couch (for 2.5 seconds).
First load of laundry. Yeah for being a grown-up. This is the coolest washer and dryer ever though. Don't believe me? Watch the video.
Then when it's done, it sings me a sweet little song. Admit it, you're jealous.
Here's the man installing my mammoth fridge. Really, it looked normal sized at the store. In my condo, it's ridiculous but awesome.
Here's my couch that I had for 2.5 seconds because it was the wrong one. Ugh. Annoying.
Devin is so sad I'm gone:
And that's my life right now...I get excited about appliances, I keep the heat at a very low setting and I go to bed by 9pm. Obviously I've turned into a grandma.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Moving In + Huge Snow Storm = Dislike Times One Million
The weather on Friday was amazing. The weather today (Sunday) was amazing. The weather yesterday ruined my life.
I got my keys late Friday evening so my mom and I went over to the condo to vacuum, clean walls, and clean the carpet. We got done about 9, said "Goodbye new home, see you tomorrow" and went home. Little did I know tomorrow would be a horrible day.
I wake up at 7:30 to begin getting things packed into a pick-up truck only to see that it was snowing outside and the snow was sticking to the ground which means the snow was also sticking to the truck outside. Ugh! I don't want wet things. What to do? Call Budget-Rent-A-Truck.
We got lucky and they had one (giant) truck left. I thought it was going to be really expensive but it's actually quite affordable and I didn't have wet things when we arrived. (As a side note, next time don't park so close to the garage. Courtney's collision with the garage door that almost caused a concussion was not fun and it cost me one worker. She thought that just because she was almost concussed she could get out of working. Geeze. The nerve!)
By the time we headed to the condo it was snowing kittens and puppies. Double ugh.
Fast forward 2 hours. We're almost done. My arms are so tired from holding and lifting boxes that I can't raise them above my head any more. My jeans are soaking wet up to my knees. I can't feel my feet any more. I'm sweaty and gross. And I'm starving. I probably wasn't very friendly at this time.
We saved the mattress for last hoping the snow would let up (it didn't). Then my neighbor shows up and offers to help. We jump on his offer. Thank goodness one of the three guys that live next door is a gentleman.
Hallelujah, we're done. To celebrate, we went out to Mexican...looking like white trash. It was great and we got many stares but I didn't care.
All I've done is set up my bed. I was so sick of moving that I couldn't do anything else.
Stay tuned for pictures.
I got my keys late Friday evening so my mom and I went over to the condo to vacuum, clean walls, and clean the carpet. We got done about 9, said "Goodbye new home, see you tomorrow" and went home. Little did I know tomorrow would be a horrible day.
I wake up at 7:30 to begin getting things packed into a pick-up truck only to see that it was snowing outside and the snow was sticking to the ground which means the snow was also sticking to the truck outside. Ugh! I don't want wet things. What to do? Call Budget-Rent-A-Truck.
We got lucky and they had one (giant) truck left. I thought it was going to be really expensive but it's actually quite affordable and I didn't have wet things when we arrived. (As a side note, next time don't park so close to the garage. Courtney's collision with the garage door that almost caused a concussion was not fun and it cost me one worker. She thought that just because she was almost concussed she could get out of working. Geeze. The nerve!)
By the time we headed to the condo it was snowing kittens and puppies. Double ugh.
Fast forward 2 hours. We're almost done. My arms are so tired from holding and lifting boxes that I can't raise them above my head any more. My jeans are soaking wet up to my knees. I can't feel my feet any more. I'm sweaty and gross. And I'm starving. I probably wasn't very friendly at this time.
We saved the mattress for last hoping the snow would let up (it didn't). Then my neighbor shows up and offers to help. We jump on his offer. Thank goodness one of the three guys that live next door is a gentleman.
Hallelujah, we're done. To celebrate, we went out to Mexican...looking like white trash. It was great and we got many stares but I didn't care.
All I've done is set up my bed. I was so sick of moving that I couldn't do anything else.
Stay tuned for pictures.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Freshness
I just heard a commercial say "Air is the enemy of freshness."
I teach 6th grade in a classroom without a window that opens. I would have to disagree with that commercial. Air is the UPS man of freshness.
I teach 6th grade in a classroom without a window that opens. I would have to disagree with that commercial. Air is the UPS man of freshness.
I don't think I mentioned this but in order to get our kids to really care about the math test they did amazing on, we had a pop party for any kid who got 80% or above or made significant progress.
One kiddo decided to take all the left overs to make this concoction:
Then he drank it while the rest of the class chanted "Chug, chug, chug, chug..." What a great Friday.
One kiddo decided to take all the left overs to make this concoction:
Then he drank it while the rest of the class chanted "Chug, chug, chug, chug..." What a great Friday.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I'm the Best Math Teacher...EVER
Ok, I know the title is a super huge lie but I am on top of the world today after our math test.
Let's preface this story with the fact that I work in a school where most kids get 30-50% on the end of year tests. The kids have not been expected to work really hard in years past. Well, that had to change this year. We became a Title I school and have to prove that we are improving. These kids now work their little bums off.
Even with all the extra time spent on math, the math aides, pull-out and push-in groups, my class still struggles. They consistently get about a 50% average in math. My high scores in math have been about 80%.
Well, this math block we changed things up a bit. We have the resource kids stay with us for math instruction then they get another dose of the same thing in a more individualized setting with the special ed. teacher.
My scores shot up. I about peed my pants when I began correcting. I got 6, count them 6, 100%s and my class average was 80%. And I still have 3 kids that need to take the test and they are all kids who excel at math. Hallelujah! We're getting it!
Today was a happy teaching day.
Let's preface this story with the fact that I work in a school where most kids get 30-50% on the end of year tests. The kids have not been expected to work really hard in years past. Well, that had to change this year. We became a Title I school and have to prove that we are improving. These kids now work their little bums off.
Even with all the extra time spent on math, the math aides, pull-out and push-in groups, my class still struggles. They consistently get about a 50% average in math. My high scores in math have been about 80%.
Well, this math block we changed things up a bit. We have the resource kids stay with us for math instruction then they get another dose of the same thing in a more individualized setting with the special ed. teacher.
My scores shot up. I about peed my pants when I began correcting. I got 6, count them 6, 100%s and my class average was 80%. And I still have 3 kids that need to take the test and they are all kids who excel at math. Hallelujah! We're getting it!
Today was a happy teaching day.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
I Have a Home, Holmes!
I signed my life away today.
I'm officially a home owner...well, almost.
I have to wait for all the money to go through the bank but on Friday (hopefully) I'll officially have a home. Holy crap I'm a freaking grown-up.
Visit this post to remind yourself of the cuteness I'm about to move in to.
P.S. If you'd like to live in this cuteness with me...I need a roommate...call me! (or email, facebook, drop into my classroom, send a carrier pigeon, whatever works for you.)
P.P.S. If you love to paint walls or have some good ideas when it comes to decorating, CALL ME!!
I'm officially a home owner...well, almost.
I have to wait for all the money to go through the bank but on Friday (hopefully) I'll officially have a home. Holy crap I'm a freaking grown-up.
Visit this post to remind yourself of the cuteness I'm about to move in to.
P.S. If you'd like to live in this cuteness with me...I need a roommate...call me! (or email, facebook, drop into my classroom, send a carrier pigeon, whatever works for you.)
P.P.S. If you love to paint walls or have some good ideas when it comes to decorating, CALL ME!!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Response
Dearest Blog,
You're right. I am neglectful. Let me apologize for forgetting about you for so long. Yes, my posts have been boring but I have an excuse.
Here it is: Life. That's it. Life gets in the way. Here's the Cliffs Notes version of my life and why I have been ignoring you:
Sincerely,
Ash J
You're right. I am neglectful. Let me apologize for forgetting about you for so long. Yes, my posts have been boring but I have an excuse.
Here it is: Life. That's it. Life gets in the way. Here's the Cliffs Notes version of my life and why I have been ignoring you:
- Getting ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences kicked my butt
- Parent-Teacher Conferences go really late
- Doing homework
- Getting ready to sign on my condo (What? Ash is a grown-up?)
- Thinking about organizing my crap
- Working...all the time
Sincerely,
Ash J
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Letter From My Blog
Dear Ash J,
You've severely neglected me. Your posts have become monotonous. Remember how people used to say, "I read your blog today, it was hilarious," well, they don't any more. Get with it.
Yours Truly,
Blog
You've severely neglected me. Your posts have become monotonous. Remember how people used to say, "I read your blog today, it was hilarious," well, they don't any more. Get with it.
Yours Truly,
Blog
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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