I've been down with a nasty case of bronchitis complicated by asthma for the past week. I've been stuck at home during the entire week, which has led to massive cabin fever. Well, the silver lining is that I've lost more than 6 pounds this past week as a result of being sick. Appetite was just non-existent for most of the week though I drank water like the oceans were disappearing.
So yay for the upside of being sick!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My baby
When I went to Texas for Christmas break, I had to leave my 17-year-old kitty Megan in the dependable hands of friends since she takes meds 2X a day. In all the years I've had her, I've never taken her to someone else's house to be watched, never mind a house with a large dog. Here is what happens when you place a small 5-pound kitty in front of a big black Lab.
That's my girl!
That's my girl!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Setting Goals
I've decided to set some personal and professional goals for 2010. On this list are the usual: lose weight, be a better person, make it to the end of the school year without getting injured by a student. This year, however, I'm adding: get certified to teach in Texas, get a job teaching in the DFW area of Texas, and moving to Texas this summer. The big goal is to finally grow up a bit more and become more financially responsible. Let's face it - that's long overdue. One of the reasons I want to move back to Texas is so I can actually save money while still enjoying life, two things that are mutually exclusive here in New England on my salary. I could always get another job, but after 2 1/2 years of working up to 5 PT jobs at a time without any benefits, I kind of like only having one job with benefits right now.
To help me with these goals, I've already spent (in my mind anyway) part of my tax refund on the $177 fee to get the State of Texas just to review my current teaching credentials and say "yes, you qualify for a certificate here too!" That's a lot of money to look over a few papers to see if you meet some criteria. I think $50 would be reasonable - $177 is just plain robbery. But those are the rules.
To help me with these goals, I've already spent (in my mind anyway) part of my tax refund on the $177 fee to get the State of Texas just to review my current teaching credentials and say "yes, you qualify for a certificate here too!" That's a lot of money to look over a few papers to see if you meet some criteria. I think $50 would be reasonable - $177 is just plain robbery. But those are the rules.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Holiday Travels
Yea, I know. It's been months. I'm going to try this again. I figured a post about my often notorious travels would be just the thing to kickstart this thing. Again.
I have had odd experiences when it comes to travel, including both planes and trains. It seems like everytime I take the night train back from NYC, something happens. And, the last couple of times I've travelled through DFW airport, something happens. This time, it happened on Christmas Eve.
When I flew into DFW on Christmas Eve day, it was snowing outside. Right away I knew there would be a problem. Snow in Texas, even northern Texas, is never a good thing for travel. They simply aren't prepared for it. They cancelled my first flight out then kept delaying the next flight on which I was booked. I made friends with others in the waiting room and we contemplated taking a chance on driving. Airline employees kept telling me they didn't have anything to tell me. Finally I asked the pilot his personal opinion, not the official company line. He said he would get the hell out and drive. 'Nuff said.
So, myself and 4 1/2 strangers (one was 5 months pregnant) set out in a rented SUV on the slippery roads of the Dallas area. Very Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I was very lucky to get stuck with people with personalities as we laughed about our predicament. It was either the road or a cot in the airport, as they finally cancelled our flight about an hour after we left and more than 2 hours after we should have flown out. We even hit a drive-thru liquor store (welcome to Texas!) but we only got soda. I finally made it to my destination at 12:30 a.m. Christmas, only 9 hours after I was scheduled.
It could have been worse. Trust me, it has been worse. At least I have a cool story to tell.
I have had odd experiences when it comes to travel, including both planes and trains. It seems like everytime I take the night train back from NYC, something happens. And, the last couple of times I've travelled through DFW airport, something happens. This time, it happened on Christmas Eve.
When I flew into DFW on Christmas Eve day, it was snowing outside. Right away I knew there would be a problem. Snow in Texas, even northern Texas, is never a good thing for travel. They simply aren't prepared for it. They cancelled my first flight out then kept delaying the next flight on which I was booked. I made friends with others in the waiting room and we contemplated taking a chance on driving. Airline employees kept telling me they didn't have anything to tell me. Finally I asked the pilot his personal opinion, not the official company line. He said he would get the hell out and drive. 'Nuff said.
So, myself and 4 1/2 strangers (one was 5 months pregnant) set out in a rented SUV on the slippery roads of the Dallas area. Very Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I was very lucky to get stuck with people with personalities as we laughed about our predicament. It was either the road or a cot in the airport, as they finally cancelled our flight about an hour after we left and more than 2 hours after we should have flown out. We even hit a drive-thru liquor store (welcome to Texas!) but we only got soda. I finally made it to my destination at 12:30 a.m. Christmas, only 9 hours after I was scheduled.
It could have been worse. Trust me, it has been worse. At least I have a cool story to tell.
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