If Only...

Sorry I've been M.I.A. lately. So much has been going on lately, I'm a bit overwhelmed, to sat the least.

First off, I wanna say that I got my crock pot that I ordered from CSN over spring break. For those of you who forgot...I WON a $30 CSN store gift care, from Mrs. H blog give away. Tonight I made my first meal in it and OH-MY-GOODNESS, it was scrumptious.

I made my boyfriend's Mom's famous crock-pot lasagna! I don't know what I was thinking making this all for myself, because I have a whole BIG bowl of extras. But that's ok, I can eat this everyday...and I might just have to before it goes bad :)

No more food talking for me, I'm getting hungry again. 

I started my last spring quarter of college on Monday and let me tell you, I might not make it til June. I am taking 5 courses, which I did last quarter and wasn't bad at all. I actually got a 3.45 last quarter! (GO ME!) But, I can tell this quarter is going to be different. It's going to be a LONG 10 weeks! 

I also nanny a precious baby girl a couple times a week. Her mommy was planning to start her at daycare sometime in the near future. But, I just got news that the daycare pushed her start date to June 1st. Her Mommy wants to start back part-time at her job. I scheduled my classes in case she needed me this quarter and I'm glad I did because I'll be making money, it's just going to be a busy, busy, BUSY quarter for me. Take a look yourself.

Think I have enough on my plate for the next couple weeks?

Since I'm an elementary ed major, the majority of my classes require clinical/observational hours. I have 2 night classes this quarter and BOTH of them require 10 hours of clinical work, that is 20 extra hours I have to find in my schedule to go to a school and observe. Times like these is when I wish I had a twin, or even better, an instant transporter. I have been struggling this week just getting everything organized, put in the right folder, getting project due dates written in my planner and readings done. 

Hopefully, next week I'll be less stressed. I'm just taking it day by day. Anyone have any time saving strategies for a schedule like mine? Or how I can feel more organized day-to-day? I have been looking online at different daily planners, but not sure if it's worth it. Any suggestions on day-to-day planner with a to-do list included. 

On the bright side of things...

And the only thing getting me through this quarter...

is.....

123 days until Punta Cana in the fabulous, gorgeous, Dominican Republic.... that is if only I survive this quarter

My run-in with a reality star

I'm on spring break this week and let me tell you, I definitely needed a break! I went to Cleveland to visit my Grandparents with my Mom for a few days. We flew this time because it would be faster getting there and we were sick of driving from Chicago to Cleveland every few months.

Anyways, Sunday morning we get to O'Hare Airport and I sit down by the gate while my Mom goes to get coffee. Sitting across from me are these two heavier set people; 1 female and 1 male. The woman was probably over 50, she had short beach blonde hair, with tattoos all over her arms and back with a bottom lip piercing right in the middle. The man looked younger than her, probably mid 30's, with tattoos and very tall.

About 5 minutes after I sat down, this guy behind me turns around and says to the 2 people sitting across from me, "I'm sorry to bother you guys, but I just have to tell you what a huge fan I am of your show. I just love it!" This is when my ears perked up. The woman replied, "Oh...Thanks so much! We really have fun taping as a family. We're actually starting to tape season 2 in a couple weeks. We're trying to work with the network to switch our shows to Wednesday night, so we'll see how that goes." The guys sitting behind me said,"That's awesome. I definitely can't wait to watch season 2. My favorite episode is the one where you guys all go jet skiing", I can assume the 2 were brother and sister. The duo and the man sitting behind me exchanged some more words that I couldn't really pick out. The only other bit of information that helped me with my google search was that the woman said she and her brother were going to a car show in Cleveland. Yup, I even google-ed 'guest appearances at Cleveland car show March 2011'.... NOTTA! 

As I sit, pretending to read a magazine, I listen and occasionally stare at this bro/sis duo. I get on my new and wonderful iPhone (before we boarded) and start google-ing different things. I typed about 10 different sentences along the lines of 'Family reality show, jet skii episode'....got nothing. I gave my Mom the insider and she went on her iPhone to try looking as well. She got nothing either. 

I'M SO MAD!

Now, being a reality TV junkie (to put it lightly), I am obviously so mad at myself that I had absolutely NO idea who these people were. To make it worse, when we got off the plane in Cleveland, these 2 girls who looked a little older than me, were whispering and giggling, while I wait for my Mom. I sat our stuff down and the 'TV dude' was across from me again. The girls were next to me, as I wait. They go over to him and in a soft voice say, "Hi, we don't want to make a big scene, but we love your show can we take a picture with you?", of course he said yes and they started chatting away right when my Mom and I were leaving. UGH!

Can you sense my frustration? Especially, because of ALL people who LOVE reality TV, I shoulda been one of those girls going up to him asking for a picture. But how could I if I don't even know who he is or what show he has?

"Hi. I don't know you, but kinda wish I did. Hmmm...what TV show are you on? I watch every reality show there is too watch and you just don't look familiar, so can I just get a picture with you so when I do find out who you are I can tell people I met someone I had no idea existed?"

No, I didn't say that....but I kinda wish I did.

Coincidence? Japan

After the tragic events that happened over in Japan, I cannot even begin to fathom the terror, sorrow and heartache that they are all feeling right now. Every time I watch the news, or pick up a newspaper the Japan tragedy is the top story. My heart goes out to EVERYONE that has been hit by this tragedy. I recently read something about coincidence on the tragic events that happen in the 11th, what do you think?

September 11th- Horrific terror attacks
January 11th- Devastation in Haiti
March 11th- Tragedy struck in Japan

Should I be scared about bad things happening on the 11th? I sure hope not. Also, being from the midwest and particularly from Chicago, I found this picture from Kelly T.'s blog. She put's what Japan went through in perspective for us Chicagoans.

Isn't that crazy? As you can see it expands even North of Wilmette and into Northwest Indiana. For those of you not form Chicago, this is A HUGEEEE coverage of land. The purple blob in the middle is that of the damage from the Chicago Fire that happened in 1871.

I'm sending my thoughts, well-wishes and prayers over to Japan. 

I Entered in My First...

BLOG GIVE AWAY!!!

so... I entered my FIRST ever blog giveaway. I always see so many, but I'm never sure how it works or if people like me, really DO win. So, I thought I would give it a try on Mrs. H blog giveaway. If you want to win a $30 giftcard to (seriously the best) a virtual mall, aka CSN.com. Go link up to her and good luck!! Of course, I hope I win, but if one of my fellow bloggers wins also, I would be happy as well!

GOOD LUCK!!
Go to My Happily Ever After for your chance to win $30!!

ps. if i won i would get...

OR

even though I would have no where to put it...yet. I LOVE IT! so cute!

I know that's not $30, but I can put it towards this! :)

Opportunity for teaching??

I just got this e-mail this morning:


Good morning Winter 2012 student teachers,
This Wednesday there will be a reception for the Winter 2011 student teachers.  One of the speakers at the reception is the Director of the HR Department in Aldine, Texas.  He would like student teachers to student teach in his school district so that he can hire student teachers for his school district after completing student teaching.  If you are interested, please come to the Student Center Room 120 A&B at 3:30 pm to speak with him.


Now, this has opportunity of a life-time written all over it. BUT, that would require me moving like 5 states away. AND since I would have to student teach there first, I would have no income, therefore, no place to live. I did some research on the town. It's right outside Houston, looks like an Independent School District with the 90% of the kids hispanic. This is where I'm kicking myself for not taking spanish at all. I did look at the website and it said they're not just looking for ESL/ELL teachers, so that's a plus. Now, if this was just one or two states away, I would highly consider it. If there is any teacher or soon-to-be teacher looking and willing to move, take a look at the district. 


Now, in a few years, if I'm desperate or just looking for a new change of pace, I will move ANYWHERE to find a good, STEADY job. If Aldine School Districts are still looking, I will definitely be on contact. 

Blondes have more fun!

I had a great weekend! I colored my hair back to blonde! I had too. I tried being brunette and it's just not me. And brunettes don't have as much fun :) Saturday, I went out to visit my cousins and aunt and uncle with my family and the boy! We had so much fun. You know your 22 when you spend Saturday night with your family. But it was actually better than going out!! Shocking... I know! We got home at like 1030 and headed over to our neighbors, who happen to be onenof my best friends. It was fun to see her and her family.
Spring break alert: I will not be going to Spain, but rather Cleveland, Ohio to visit grandpa! I'm excited... But it is no Spain. On a better note, I got invited to Dominican Republic, Punta Cana with my neighbor and hr family in the beginning of August!!! I already started a countdown. Can you tell I'm Excited? I'll post pictures soon on where I'm staying!! Sooooo excited!

I hope everyone has a happy Monday!! It's almost over, thank goodness!