365x2=a LOT of stress, fun, and frustration....but mostly fun.

So...today I got to know someone's true character-and I did not like it. This was to be expected based on this person's in-and-out 'friendship' style, of course, however I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I won't mention anything further, as that would put me close to the moral level that they themself reached. I WILL remind you...think before you speak and be true to your friends. Karma is a...well, you know...and it's already proved true in this case. (Not that I wish it upon them...)

James and I have been together 2 years today. I don't really see it as anything big. I guess that's due to the fact that I already knew-unless tragedy occured-we'd make it. So, the day is here. We at Wendy's, both felt very sick (stomach bug...WATCHOUT!) and watch American Idol with his mom (not necessarily by choice, mind you...) But it's okay. Our first Broadway show is coming up on the 7th!!! Legally Blonde:The Musical! Can't wait! Just wish I could have seen Laura Bell in the original...but then again, I'd give so much to see Kristin and Idena in Wicked! Oh well...I'll keep an open mind!

Something else on my plate is my annual trip to Austin to see Ludo and night-after show in Houston! It's something I've been doing with friends for quite a while now and we've only had one bad experience, but it turned out all okay in the end! (Well, I think so, at least!) I'm curious to hear Marshall's replacement and to catch up. These boys are just...man...no words... GO SEE THEM! (please?!) :D That's in March. Then, the NEXT weekend, it's back to Austin for Spamalot! and to see Ha Ha Tonka and maybe Cruiserweight at SXSW!

These so much to do this spring! Everyone's always allowed in on the fun!-AS LONG AS YOU HELP WITH THE EXPENSES!!!

My class is going on a field trip to H.E.B. on friday. Joy. "...and here is the milk..." :(

My favorite boy's birthday was today...BIG 5! And he told his mom, "When I grow up, I want a girlfriend just like Ms. Jennifer!" :) I love it! So cute!

I am moving to Vermont.

Not really.

Sorry, my fellow Vermont-ians? Vermont-ans? Hm.....

Duck, duck.......
JENN!

How many times...

...Do you let someone hurt you before you let them go? I realized today that there are so many people in my life who seem to hurt me over and over and over again. But, I'm the fool who lets them. When do you draw the line? When do you change your number and move away and start all over alone? I thought I had done all of that a few times now, but I was an idiot and listened to people who only come around when they want something, so now things are back to their usual suck-ish ways. My lease is up in a month or so and I want to move, only I can't find cheap rent anywhere but here. I want to move out of state to somewhere with mild weather. Somewhere big enough that no one's in your business, but small enough that someone will stop and help if you get a flat. Somewhere no one knows me. Somewhere far, far away.

If I let someone have my trust, it's saying something. I'm very hesitant to trust anyone, really. But, when I do let go, I give my all. I guess this is why some people take and take and take and never realize what a selfish and hurtful person they've become-at least around me. Then, if I dare speak up, I'm made out to be the bad guy. Typical. I just don't know when to stop letting everything be 'okay.'

Oh and the one thing I CANNOT stand-cussing. You cuss me out, you might as well forget I ever existed. I can't take that crap.

I'm not looking for advice, because no one knows what's going on-again, because I don't have anyone I can trust. So, read and think 'Is it me?' Yes, probably.

I have no constant.

Surprises, Waffles, Messy Apt., Blockbuster, Crabs

Surprises- I got a wonderful surprise visit from an old student of mine yesterday! It TOTALLY made my day! That little girl is sweet as can be, silly as can be, and already loosing TEETH! Time flies... I wish I could have spent alllll day with her! She saved me so many times. Her spirit is so loving, giving, and foriving. She's one of the reasons I think I am where I am today. LOVE YOU, SILLY GIRL! :)

Waffles-It's 8:30. Time for breakfast! But see, I'm in a pickle. I have my favorite waffles in the freezer, but off-brand syrup. I'm picky-so I only eat Mrs. Butterworth's Extra Butter Syrup. (I know, it's terrible for you, but it's my secret vice.) I think I'll give the cheap stuff a try. If all else fails, I still have peanutbutter crackers...

Messy Apt.-My apartment is ridiculous. Clothes and boxes everywhere. I'm sure that I'm subconciously afraid to make this place home again. Every time I hang something or move furniture, all I can think is 'oh...can i get this out fast if another storm comes?' I know we're still (ideally) months away from hurricane season, but the thought still crosses my mind. Especially when we put my $300 Ikea entertainment center together. It's huge and it took us 3 hours to complete! Then again, when James' dad dropped the box and chipped one of the shelves, I lost 4% of my love for it. But whatever. Things are things. So today I guess I'll clean...but then go find some way to reward myself. I'll REALLY deserve it this time!

Blockbuster-I seriously wonder how this place even exists! Sure, the 3/$20 and $4/20 deals are great, but not when there's nothing good. Why pay $4.99 or whatever it is now to rent a movie you'll watch once when you can go to Redbox and get the same movie for $1 a night? And with Redbox, you can return them to any location! (Idk about B.B.) And the service...terrible. And the location by the mall smells like mold. We scored Medea Goes To Jail ($7.99-haven't seen it before-hope it's good!), From Justin To Kelly ($1.99-yes, the american idol kids-my guilty pleasure) and The Beverly Hillbillies ($1.99-seen it a million times-loved it as a kid). This was so we would spend a 2 year old gift card. It was either that or buy snacks, which would amount to maybe 2 candy bars. That said, GO TO REDBOX!

CRABS-I like weird things, as everyone knows. I've been wanting a 'critter' lately. Maybe a bird, hamster-something funny looking for sure. Well, after going to the Circuit City store closing sale (over-rated!), I insisted on going to Earthbound-the crazy african-esque store that smells funny. The store itself actually freaks me out. It's like the one on The Hot Chick. So I picked up 2 hermit crabs-one in a black shell with colorful flowers, and the other in a giraffe shell. Shaba is HILARIOUS with them! They're named Romy and Michele, respectively. I'll have to post a video of all the kids together! HAA!

Have a greaaaaaaaat weekend b/c I'm sure I won't! :(
jennnnnnnnn

OH! And one more thing.......

Phobia, Shmobia

I haven't written in a few days, mostly because I have nothing to say, and partly because I have TOO much to say.

So, I will say this-I HATE SNAKES!!! They're disgusting, sinful, filthy creatures-and you will NEVER change my mind!

I could never get a tattoo. I'm terrible with pain. Pain intollerant, some may say...

I don't like roller coasters. I've ridden 2.

I love American Idol, Top Model, Hell's Kitchen...that's about it as far as reality goes!

I don't have cable. Or a land-line.

I'm afraid of jellyfish. And the 'cure.'

I'm out of words...so I'm boring tonight...

2 Words: culture shock.

While swimming at the resort, something happened that REALLY bothered me.



James and I were outside in the spa (hot tub) but decided to go in since hot water isn't a good idea for prolonged periods of time. There were probably about 40 other people in the pool-mostly in the shallow end-so James and I stayed in the deep end and out of everyone's way. We were watching a nice black family playing and listening to their mom get onto them. (So funny!) Then we watched a large asian family of 5-6 women and just as many kids. You could tell that it was their first time at the resort and James assumed that the women borrowed their children's swimsuits. (For obvious reasons...ew.) ..And I think he was right! One boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old, stood up with a red innertube around him and he was stark nekkid! I was immediatly horrified and ready to leave. Three tours came into the pool while this kid was in the buff, yet nothing was said! It's clearly against the rules! You're really not even supposed to jump! One woman on a tour just stared. One maintanance guy laughed. I was without words!

the luckiest unlucky day of my life!

Yesterday had potential to be a terrible day-and most of it was. BUT, after James got home from Whataburger, we checked the mail and I jokingly said, "Man, that'd be sweet if I had a free bridal magazine or a government check, or like free samples of something...or whatever." I opened the box to find loads of sales paper, (I hadn't checked my mail in 2 weeks! WHOOPS!) 2 free bridal magazines, a $100 gift card to Helzburg, (where my pink Bulova watch resides...) AND a government check! :) It was amazing. Not to mention seeing Steph and Jen and finally finding 'Mrs. Nelson Is Missing!' I can't wait to tell the kidd-os!

This morning I got a 2 week starter kit of 'good skin.' I've only tried the lotion so far, but I love it! It makes me feel so much better and it leaves the moisture in my skin without taking the deweyness out. Amazing! And I looked it up-It's only $15 or so at Kohls! They have stuff for every skin type you could imagine-EVER red/irratated and aging! You should check it out! :)

So I'm starting to feel some better in general. I tried to do a little painting earlier and I may try some scrapbooking soon. I just kinda lost all motivation and it's taking a while to get it back. Thank GOD I'll have the weekend to relax!

So now I'm going to keep it low key and sort through some hurricane stuff. (I procrastinate. I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to throw it all away.

Peave love and crabs,
J

Cardboard-the OTHER white meat?

Today was probably one of the worst days I've had in quite a while.

It all started when I woke up feeling dizzy and weak. Then there was ice all over my car which nearly made me late. I worked as long as I could before my illness got the best of me. I went home around 12:30 to rest up, but not before talking to my my boss about some issues I'm having. That turned my stomach even more.

So I get home and sleep. James makes chicken and rice and greenbeans, but it all tastes like cardboard to me. We watched American Idol and I tried to eat a few spoonfuls of ice cream. Bad idea. So now I'm back to square one with a very achy back, 102 fever, dizziness, and sore throat. Anyone have a diagnosis? Now I'm restless and can't sleep. I'm going to try to get into a doctor tomorrow. Hopefully.

On the bright side, I was able to reconnect with a family I grew to love during my first year at KRK. The little girl is FULL of attitude, but at the same time, has a heart of gold! I miss her entirely too much! It was soooo wonderful to hear from them!

Additionally, I have come to the point of apathy when it comes to pleasing people. I don't read minds. I've said that before. And don't bark at someone-you never know when they're in the middle of helping you out. GOSH! Anyone else feel underappreciated/lowly/almost depressed?It's like an itch you can't scratch. If you irratate it, it'll get aggitated and fire back worse than before.

However, I realized that my heart is still with kids. I love each kidd-o in my room, no matter how bad I'd like to punt them across the room sometimes! (Though I'd NEVER EVER do such a thing!) I wish I could take some of them home and provide for them. But I'm only one girl. I'm 21. I'm a freespirit. I'm a giver to the point where I sometimes put myself in a bind. But, that's the glory in karma, I guess. If I could have one wish, I'd wish that no child would have to suffer or have fears. When I was growing up close to Greenspoint-yes, THAT Greenspoint-I played outside rain or shine night and day. These days, even children in high-end subdivisions may not be allowed to play in the front yard. It just makes me sick.

Another thing I realized, actually in a Day-Quill-glazed dream, is that I am subconciously afraid of making my apartment home again. I live with constant fear. It may never be the same. I keep my valuables in the closets now. It's not like me. It's a hard habbit to break. My lease is up in March, so I do have some options.

And one thing I have to get off my chest before my siesta-and please, hold me to this-
I don't care how old my children are, if I even have children, where I live, the weather...no matter what the circumstance-I WILL decorate for Christmas every year, find ways to spend time outdoors, travel, and be the person/wife/mother/grandmother...etc that I know I can be. There's someone I know who is everything I don't want to be, so I've got good reason to stick to my guns! Consider it negative reinforcement, if you will.

Goodnight from Jenn, Ny-Quill, Shaba, and the 'Ped-egg!' (Oh TV...)

the cold.

The low in Houston tonight is expected to be somewhere between 28-30 degrees. Kinda a big deal for us southern folks! I had to use an abandoned Wal-Mart gift card to scrape the ice off of my car this morning, so I'm praying that there won't be enough moisture in the air to form ice again. I haven't felt cold like this since I lived in Springfield! It's somewhat exciting and enjoyable-only because I'm not under the weather-but Texas are invalids when it comes to driving on ice/snow. Actually, everywhere. We're terrible drivers. I'd like to exclude myself from this stereotype, however, since my horn's wire decided to disconnect from its fuse, I use frequent dirty looks, hand gestures, (nothing profane, mind you...) and roll down my window when necessary. Yeah. I said roll down the window. When an idiot truck driver takes a short cut out of a gas station into opposite traffic, blocking your right turn to go home after a 10 hour work day with food poisoning, yeah...you get desperate.

American Idol started tonight, so I was in a decent mood and kept the windows up today. However, I have to say just one thing-I AM NOT A MIND-READER!!! That pretty much sums up my day.

My List of my Top 5 College Memories:
5. Riding in Alisia's 'tank o' love!' aka her parent's van. (It had curtains.)
4. Going to Skinny because it was free and sometimes funny.
3. Hanging out with Jason, Jenn, and Matt-mostly because they're all so handsome.
2. Laughing sooo hard with Ashley that we got in trouble-alllll over air freshener!
1. My last day in Springfield, shopping with Ashley and eating Fizzoli's and Auntie Anne's.

Honorable Mention:
-Daniel almost killing me in his car.
-Shannon almost killing a motorcyclist on the way home from work at JAM...er...I mean...SCAM!
-Seeing Jess and Kate fight.
-Secret Sister parties.
-Watching people think they're really something. Self-glory is a turn off.

So, before I leave you tonight, I have to come up with some sort of inspirational phrase or quote.....

Eat more chicken???

Really...McDonalds is petitioning to use cows from South America for their beef products since America is not producing enough? There are looser laws and standards, of course, so you could quite possibly have that burger with a side of liver disease. YUMMM-O!

AND...there are talks of taxing owner's of livestock. As if they don't provide enough already! Apparently the gasses released from cows are responsible for global warning. But we'll drive our Hummers and F-350s to vote on that, dagnabit!

Does no one believe in the world coming to an end anymore? I'm all for peace and the three 'R's but really, there's only so much we can do. C'mon now...

tha-tha-tha-thattttt's all folks!

Confessions of a chlorine victim

I can't determine whether this is pink or not, but it's just about the closest thing I can find.

I've decided to become Catholic. Okay, not really. (Nothing personal...) However, I have decided to take on the idea of a confessional for my new blog. I've become a pretty honest and straight-forward person throughout the past few years-which is both a blessing and a curse. In the long run, I can honestly say that I tried my best not to break one of the 'big 10.'

For now, I'll let you in on something that really-and I mean REALLY gets to me. Kids. Now, you're probably thinking to yourself 'Gee, Jenn, aren't you a teacher?' Of course. Which opens my eyes to the difference in up-bringings since I was a kid...not so long ago.

James and I went to our resort for the first time this weekend and went swimming in an indoor pool. At first, we were the only two there-which was fantastic! The water was clear and warm and the hot tub was even more relaxing! About an hour or so into our relaxing dip, a middle aged mother and her 4 year old daughter made their way in. During their stay, the mom kept telling the little girl to 'hush!' and 'be quiet!' At a pool. A PUBLIC pool. THIS is what bothered me.

After a few hours of resting and put-put, James and I took another swim before leaving for the camper. This is when we encountered about 5-6 hispanic young teens horseplaying in one of the hot tubs. I guess they thought I was a teenager-as most people do-and thought they'd show off their 'sweet flips.' Needless to say, they thought wrong. Two younger white boys came our way splashing and breathing down James' neck. After about 5 minutes of torture, I spoke up and said 'Look, you have a whole pool. You don't need to come over here and bother us.' Harsh? Maybe. Effective? Definately. James and I later headed to an outdoor hot tub and the youngest boy followed behind. He'd open the door and say 'brr!' and close it. He finally got the ba...er...nerves to make his way out and, as soon as his toe hit the water, we were out. Poor boy just wants a friend. Sure. Okay.

Later we met a black family. 3 boys and Momma. I felt almost as if I were watching a Tyler Perry movie! Now, please don't mistaken my words for 'racial profiling' or some crap like that. Lemme get to my point. These three boys were scared of their mom-who was busy posing for her 4 year old-who was taking MySpace pictures for her. (Soooo funny!) They had their share of fun, even pushing the limits at times, but Momma kept them in line.

I just have to say-when I was a kid, I feared every adult. I behaved in public. At home, well, that was a different story. But I had this idea that every adult knew every adult and I'd get busted if I even tried to do something stupid. Where has this idea gone? Children aren't afraid of anyone-as evident full-time teaching job.

And, I'm still looking for the book 'Mrs. Nelson is Missing.' I need a scare tactic...Muahaha!

So, to sum it all up, if you have kids-love them. If you love them, you'll make them mind. If you make them mind, delusional, chlorine-burnt insomniacs like me will sleep soundly-even if in part thanks to Advil PM.

Sweetest of dreams,
Barney Rubble