The world according to...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
8:51PM - argmar
I am having a very, very grumpy few days. Pregnancy hormones, anyone?
Monday, August 16, 2010
5:53PM - First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
All of this talk about the mosque at ground zero is so ridiculous. Our country was founded on freedom of religion. It's the first amendment, if that says anything about its importance!! The right to peacefully assemble, regardless of location, exists in this country.
Real estate is expensive in NYC. There's a large Muslim population in NYC. If this spot was suitable to the needs of the community and availability of real estate-- what's wrong with it? There's a huge difference between Muslims (generally a peaceful, charitable religion) and fundamentalist Al-Quieda Islam.
This is no less than a case of snowballing yellow journalism that is making such a huge deal about this.
You know what would be fantastic? How about instead of rebuilding a skyscraper at Ground Zero we make an interfaith center that respects all religions? I understand, it wouldn't bring in the big bucks, but at least it would be representative of the Constitution which news organizations like Fox news love to hide behind when it's convenient for them.
Monday, July 5, 2010
10:15AM - DR
End of school! Dominican vacation! Oh my!
Those exclamations sum up my last week or so. The end of school for me this year was a disappointed unmonumental decrescendo. The high school kids left when exams started... and the sixth graders I teach were pretty much done with their work for the year and in field trip mode, so everything was kind of wrapped up and boring. I helped grade lots of tests... I read so many essays I think my I need stronger glasses.
And now is the start of summer. To make some extra cashish, I've decided to teach summer school. It starts tomorrow. I know I'll get to work with small groups of kids and basically just teach study skills... so I think it will be fine and fun.
I spent the last five days with Becky in the Dominican Republic. I really missed Tom, and I don't know if I would go on vacation without Tom again. It was weird being in a place and not being able have birds instantly identified for me!
We stayed at a place called the Blue Bay Villas Doradas. It was in a tourist complex that is guarded so that only tourists can enter. DR really wants to boost up their tourism appeal to foreigners, and I guess that's one way to make people feel more comfortable in their country. There were tons of tourists from the United Kingdom there. Talking to them, everything was just brilliant.
It was an all inclusive adults only resort. So, all of the food was included AND all of the drinks. There were some extra perks like free Scuba lessons (in the pool) and other daily activities like sushi making and painting. The staff definitely encouraged people to be involved in the activities... so because of this encouragement I got to play water polo and I even scored a goal. I also tried wind surfing, which was quite the flop. I was skilled enough to be able to stand up on the board, but I couldn't make myself go anywhere which was really annoying. It was really nice just to be able to stay in one place and not be stressed about driving anywhere. All of the excursions and anything I could possibly need was right there at the resort.
The biggest decision we had to make in the morning was where to hang out; the beach or the pool. In the pool area it was more of a "party" atmosphere. There was a swim-up bar and a volleyball net set up, and by 1 p.m. people were happily drunk and hanging out. The downside to hanging out in this area is that you would be gently persuaded by vacation club people to go to their presentation. The other option for hanging out was the beach. If you arrived early enough you could get a chair or two under this shade made out of palms. It worked well for Becky and I, because she would just pull her chair to be in the sun, and I was content in the shade. The negative part about being in this area is that there were tons of beach vendors. The first day we arrived everyone stopped and wanted us to buy something from them. Some were more pushy than others. Both Becky and I did end up buying all the souvenirs from the beach vendors... but it was annoying that I either had to be laying down with my iPod in my ears or have my face down in a book to avoid shooing them off.
So, the decision to go to the beach or pool was not that grim of a decision. The beach also had a convenient bar to get drinks from, which was nice.
The only excursion we ended up going to was horseback riding. I haven't ridden horses since I was very young, so I was excited to see the countryside this way. There were a bunch of 20 somethings from our resort that also went riding and did not dress the way Becky and I did. We made sure to bring jeans to ward off mosquitoes when we were more in the interior. We also wore closed-toed shoes. The other group of people came with flip flops and tank tops and no bras... it just seemed like they were not prepared to ride at all. They were also told by the beach vendors that we were going to ride on the beach... when in fact we were going up the mountain... so they were generally an unhappy bunch to contend with. Becky also was really afraid of the horse, and so I felt for the whole time that I was the only person on the excursion that was happy to be doing what I was doing. We got to see a great view of the city and the beach. We also got to see pretty intense poverty on the mountain. None of the houses had electricity and there were just kids running around everywhere. Kids and dogs. The kids just seemed like they were trying to keep cool. Some of the dogs seemed to belong to families, but a lot of them just seem to be wandering around scavenging and didn't seem to be anyone's pet.
Overall, it was a really beautiful place. I would go back to the same resort with Tom or a bigger group of people. It was nice not having to contend with children for the trip. Oh! I can't believe I almost forgot to write this! Because it is adults only, many of the adults decided to sun themselves without their tops on. I would say 50% of women were topless... which was interesting!
Considering I did not have a male counterpart, I felt that it was only appropriate to leave my top on.
So, that was my vacation. I'm not sure what else the summer will bring, but I'm happy that I have gotten out of NYC for a bit, and I'm happy to be home to Tom.
Monday, June 14, 2010
5:39PM - Review Rap I wrote for my 10th graders on the train today Performed in Class
This song is dedicated
To the Global History Class of 2010
Rock the Regents
--By DJ Elizabeth Kerr
Humans started in Africa in the Great Rift Valley
After figuring out agriculture, to civilizations people rallied
The Neolithic Revolution people domesticated animals
Written language, social class no one was in shambles
Eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Hammurabi's Code, let’s raise the roof
Golden Ages developed in Rome and Greece
A golden age prospers because of Peace
Greece had Socrates, sculptures and Olympics
If Plato had an idea he could think it
To conquer Europe, Rome built roads
I understand all of this is a heavy load
At the end of Rome, there is a big schism
The Byzantine Empire carries Eastern orthodoxism
Western Europe falls in the dark ages
Lords, serfs, knights, priests, peasants and pages
Peeps lived on manors—for land they had protection
Trade helped the plague spread like an infection
Let us not forget the crusades
Lots of exchanges of ideas—definitely trade
All for this town with lots of religion
Jews, Christians, Muslims want Jerusalem
Back in Europe, monarchies get tight
Kings like Louis XIV had divine right
But hold up! Wait! The Renaissance begins
People go against the church, some say it’s a sin
DaVinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael
Some secular painters I do smell.
The telescope led to the heliocentric theory
This move away from the church makes me weary
Scientific Revolution leads to lots of inventions
Global History class, do I have your attention?
Political Revolutions had a lot of terror
Bourgeois overthrew the king; did poor leadership a favor
The French Revolution; things became democratic
From here on out the world cannot be static
Bolivar revolted against mother country Spain
The proletariat in Russia ends the Czar’s reign
Communism triumphs in Russia and China
Mao Ze Dong and Stalin; What dictator could finer?
Let’s go back to the Industrial Revolution
Because it also led to Imperialism
Little island England in their hunt for resources
Takes over China and India with their forces
They sphere their influence until WWII
When their whole army is broken; sing the blues
Hold up! Wait! We forgot trenches, WWI
Murdering the archduke led to 4 years of no fun
Treaty of Versailles ended it; Germany is blamed
That allowed for Hitler to rise in fame.
Appeasing Hitler led the whole world to war number 2
Holocaust, nuclear weapons, how could all this be true?
Nuclear weapons led to the Cold War
US vs. Russia; the space race keeps score
Lots of technology develops; Russia gets to space
A simpler time we cannot replace
The brings us to modern issues
It’s almost over someone bring me a tissue
In this global world we are interdependent
Getting oil, warming the globe; humans not transcendent
That’s pretty much it; you know the rest
Now it’s time for you to rock that test
50 multiple choice and two essays you WILL chart
Just remember that you know it all in your heart.
Faber and Kerr love you, and if there’s any confusion
Remember there will be a question on cultural diffusion
We hope we have prepared you to do your best
It’s time now! Go! You can ROCK THIS TEST!
Monday, January 4, 2010
9:47PM - Resolution #2
Last year at school we were taught to make SMART goals for our students. I don't remember the whole acronym, but one of the criteria that it had to be measurable. So, here is my goal.
In the New Year I will not have dishes in my sink 5 out of 7 days of the week.
It can't be that hard, can it?
In other news I tried my new popcorn popper today when I got home from work. I resolve to make popcorn at least once a week. Next time I need to use a little less popcorn and a little less vegetable oil. It was pretty delicious corn.
That is all for now.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
10:45AM - Resolve
Whether it's long train rides, the lack of a thesis to obsess about, or the fact that it's just that time of year, I have been contemplating why I don't chronicle my life in some way shape or form lately. The least I can do is keep up this journal a little better.
I've just returned from a week off in Buffalo. It was as expected: busy with friends and family. Luckily, the snow slowed Tom and I down for a couple days and we just got to hang out with each other and play our new Mario game for a couple of hours and scrounge around looking at old photographs. I also spent a lot of time with Mollie and Frank, and even though I know they are moving on to bigger and better things leaving Buffalo for Texas, I know the fact that they are leaving isn't going to hit me until next time I am home and they aren't there. When you move away you have this unrealistic expectation that lives are just going to be frozen until the next time you get back, but children grow up, friends lives move on with out you there.
I've come to this realization lately that I have trouble with commitment, and most of the time I have one foot in and one foot out of the door. I see this most currently with my job situation. There's never a job that I've had that I've felt "Wow, I can see doing this for another 20 years." Even within my job, I put myself in situations like this year where I'm divided between teaching 6th and 10th grade, and can't really give my all to either of them. As my age scarily approaches 30, I think this is something I really have to work on with my career. New York City is unsustainable for me. Because I can't buy a house and have a yard here, I couldn't imagine staying here for the rest of my life. I can't commit fully to a job here, because I can't commit to the city. I know that for some people owning a one bedroom apartment in a developing area, or renting out a great place in a posh area is optimal in their life and a great achievement. I can't see myself paying rent for the rest of my life.
I hope that 2010 is a great turning point of a year. I finish my master's degree this year. I'd like to actively search for jobs in Western New York. The only problem is that Tom might have difficulty finding a job that he likes and wants to do. Like everywhere else, the economy is not great in Erie County or in most parts of New York State. Jobs that he would want to do aren't necessities for the public, and generally are not the best funded in recession times. He talks about going back to school and getting his teaching degree, and maybe that's what will allow him to teach science. Even then, getting the degree does not ensure he would like the profession or be able to get a job in it.
So, this year I pose that my resolution will be committing to something for real. I want to actively find a place I want to live and stay in long term. I want to do less, but get involved more in what I do.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
11:37PM - To Steve
You were never my friend, but really my brother's friend. I can't remember when you started hanging out, but my first memory of you is when you went to the mall with my brother in the Christmas season. He was given $20 to buy presents for the family, and instead you not only convinced him to buy one bracelet for his girlfriend (6th grade girlfriend), but also lent him the money that he needed. My mom was furious.
You always spent your money like you didn't need to save it for anything, like you knew you wouldn't have a mortgage to pay or a retirement to save for. What 20 year old does? Whether it was your exotic fish, or the latest HD TV, you had all of the material things around you that you wanted.
Out of all the friends my brother could have picked to come on our yearly vacations to Allegheny with us, you were always the one chosen. Year after year you sat at our campfire, slept on the cots, went on hikes, and joined our family. You put up with my singing, bad jokes, and the name Stew.
I know that my brother wasn't as close to you in your adulthood as in your childhood, but you were the kind of blood friends. The friend that you had forever, and you grew up wanting different things and circling in different crowds, but you had that early friendship bond. You weren't friends because you grew up on the same block; you chose to be friends because of your love of street hockey, madden, and jokes. Although your adult needs and wants were different, you were always fantastic friends.
I'll always remember that when Josh broke his leg, even though you were scared, you helped. You went to your house, and called my mom. The line was busy so you rode your bike and carefully explained that Josh was hurt, and he needed help.
I haven't seen you or spoken to you since Josh graduated from high school apart from friending you on social networking sites and maybe an AIM conversation or two.
The last jokes I remember talking to you about was your conversion project with the lesbian. I don't even remember what the outcome was. I hope that you found romantic love somewhere in your life.
I know that you had a good heart, a good soul, and a terrible disease that attacked at the height of your possibility. When most kids were going to college, you were figuring out how to combat the tumors inside of you that the doctors explained would never go away.
You refused to accept a terminal diagnosis. You promised to be the exception to the rule. You searched for second and third opinions and developed a treatment plan. Your body became bloated and your muscles weak. I know Josh didn't mind when you asked him to help change the water in your exotic fish tank because you couldn't lift the water. It's such a silly thing to think about, but I wonder who's going to take care of your fish now.
I wish that Josh got to spend that one final day with you before you went into the hospital for the last time. I guess we don't always get a goodbye like on made-for-TV-movies. Maybe it's better that your last memories together were just a common "see you later."
I hope that you weren't in pain mentally or physically in your last waking moments. I hope that you are at peace.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
10:42PM - Week Three
Although Tom isn't thrilled about having Friday, Saturday days off, I really like it.
I really need Saturday to relax and not do school work and sleep. That's what I did last Saturday, and it was nice to be able to hang out with Tom whilst doing so. This weekend we did exciting activities like go to Target and buy toilet paper, have lunch with awful service at the Olive Garden, and complain about Brooklyn traffic.
Because I was so well rested, and Tom was at work today, I was able to do all of my homework for the week... and now I don't have anything to worry about until Wednesday. It's good being done with grad work.
This semester is going so much better, now that I have my thesis off my shoulders. It seems like my tough professor is going soft, too. Less reading, the assignments seem less complicated. It almost seems like a regular grad class. I don't know if this is because I'm used to having obscene amounts of work, or if my professor indeed has gone soft, but I'm enjoying the lessened workload.
And school is still going well. I'm spending one more week of map work with my students... and probably giving them a really "hard" quiz this week. I'll have to lead another training on Friday. I'm having fun with my co-teacher this year. We continue to be a dream team.
I'm starting to get more and more excited about my vacation too! I have no idea what I'm going to do in each port. We have four days in very different paradises... and I don't know what to do in each. Swim with dolphins? Snorkel in the second largest reef system? See Mayan Ruins? Go cave tubing? Hang out at a beach? Go on rum tours? Each port has such fun things to do, and I want to do them all. Not to mention Tom probably wouldn't mind getting his birder on somewhere. We also have to book our airfare and decide how much time we're going to spend in Tampa. I feel like I booked the airfare to Seattle too soon for our honeymoon cruise, so I'm not going to jump right away, but I don't want to miss good deals, either. Right now there appears to be a direct flight that leaves from LGA and will get us to Tampa around 10:30 the morning before the cruise, which would be plenty of time to explore Tampa a bit and get settled in a hotel for a night. So many decisions! Tom leaves all these decisions up to me. I suggest something and he agrees. So stressful! Maybe someday he'll surprise me by planning a vacation himself :)
So, life is good. I'm going to try to get to bed, even though I woke up 12 and a half hours ago. I can work five days for a three day weekend!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2:54PM - and the LAST paragraph of my thesis reads...
What I have come to realize most through my thesis work is that teaching is not a science. I cannot use a series of recipes and formulas and insert them in my classroom where students will be motivated to learn and do well. What I have learned from this project is that teaching is an art of interconnected systems and a balance between these systems. As I continue with my teaching career I will never have a class again exactly like I had during this study; however, this project has given me the tools to investigate, collect data, reflect, and take action. I can never be simply a teacher again; I will always be a teacher-researcher.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
10:44AM
How is Lady Gaga allowed to have a song with the lyrics:
"Hold me and love me. Just want to touch you for a minute"
"I want to take a ride on your disco stick"
First of all, what exactly is a disco stick? I mean, I get the sexual reference... but I've heard of disco balls, I've just never heard of disco sticks. I swear I heard this song on the radio and I remember the lyrics "pogo stick."
I can picture my students coming back in the fall singing this song.
So, I'm watching the VH1 top 20 countdown this morning. I'll admit, I'm kind of separated from pop culture and pop music. I love that they play the whole Lady Gaga video, which is in position number 3, that is sultry and steamy and ridiculous. It has girl on girl kissing, Lady Gaga getting felt up... a whole lot of sultry-ness. However, the Rob Thomas video that is in position number 2 is not played! Obviously Rob Thomas needs to make some more sultry videos.
I remember watching this top 20 countdown with my mom when I was young... If video killed the radio star, did reality shows kill the video star? That seems to be mostly what's on Vh1 and MTV now. Was there ever a video star, or just radio stars that made cool videos?
Friday, July 31, 2009
1:21AM - Am I falling, or flying?
Okay... so I know it happened a while ago, but it seems prudent that I should get down some words about my skydiving adventure.
It started on a Saturday or Sunday... my friend Sandra sent out a mass text to her friends, or those who she thought would be brave enough to participate, asking if we were interested in going skydiving. Amazingly enough, I had JUST made a facebook quiz... and one question asked which of the following would I NOT do. I put answers like: Ride a roller coaster, go bungee jumping, go skydiving, or I WOULD DO ANY OF THESE. The answer in all capitals was the correct-a-moondo one... so I felt that to support that assertion I had made days before, I couldn't let the integrity of the facebook quiz down... and I responded that I was interested.
Naturally, I needed to do more research. How much did it cost? Was I jumping in tandem with a professional skydiver? Was the place reputable... and after doing some research, watching some videos, and deciding that I didn't have any other friends that would ever be interested in doing something like this, I decided to say yes.
Of course, I talked to Tom about it, and he was not very happy. He didn't (and doesn't) understand why I would want to risk my life to experience something like that. No matter how much research I found on the relative safety of skydiving (some websites assert that the drive to go skydiving is more dangerous than skydiving itself)... nothing would convince him that I wasn't crazy. I asserted that I strongly feel that we are put on this planet for however many years, and we should experience as many things as we can while we are here. I rationalized my decision, to both Tom and myself, that it's an activity that is not new... people have been doing it almost as long as there have been planes flying in the air, and going to a reputable place was the best way to do it. Regardless, Tom never gave me his blessing to go forward, but I went anyway. My grandma later told me that I should be ashamed of myself.
So, we went skydiving on a Saturday. Our appointment was for 10 a.m. I took the bus to Sandra's house in the morning, and left the house around 7 in the morning. We left her house by 8, and traveled about 2 hours to Freefall adventures in southern New Jersey. Sandra's friends had organized the outing, and someone pulled out the week before, which is why she called me. Dawn, Sandra's girlfriend, drove us in her SUV that was pimped out with TV screens on the back of the seats.
We were the first ones to arrive at Freefall Adventures. It basically looked like a small airport. There were several planes, a runway, a small restaurant, pavilion, and a large hanger. We walked into the area where people were standing, and a spunky blonde asked us if we were skydiving, and she gave us the appropriate paperwork to fill out.
The paperwork was intense. The packet was at least 10 pages worth of legal jargon, not only requiring signatures and initials, but descriptions of my body, identifying marks, and the words "SKYDIVING IS DANGEROUS" "YOU ARE RISKING YOU LIFE" in several places. In fact, in one place it listed the statistics that 1/20,000 people die from skydiving. I thought those were pretty good odds, so I signed all the paperwork, and handed it to the spunky blonde.
By the time were were done filling out paperwork, the rest of our group had arrived. Sandra didn't know all of them, but we were all there to do the same thing. The spunky blonde asked us to break up into groups of 2-3 people that wanted to be in the same plane together, and I felt better that I was going to be with Dawn and Sandra going up into the air together.
After our paperwork was in, we were instructed to watch a 7 minute video that basically read the paperwork to us, reiterating that skydiving is dangerous and that we were in fact, risking our lives. The video did have a cool clip of the first George Bush skydiving at their site, so that was pretty nifty.
After we watched the non-instructional, not very informative video, we paid. I opted to get the video and picture package. I thought that this was really going to be a one-time thing for me. I absolutely couldn't make Tom worry about me so much another time... so I figured that I get the video to prove that I did it, and so I could remember it when I'm old and senile. Also, I told my students that I was going to do it, and I wanted to prove to them that their teacher was in fact cool enough to skydive.
By the time we paid, we realized that we were going to wait. There was a low cloud cover, and even though it was sunny outside, they wouldn't let people jump from planes without a higher cloud ceiling.
So we waited.
And waited.
And waited.
The spunky blonde eventually came over to us, and said that if the clouds didn't break up, they would just cancel the day, but we could get our money refunded. If the cloud cover lifted, the situation was still grim. Even though we were scheduled to fly at 10, everyone that came before us got to go first.
I can't remember the time, but we decided that we would wait for one more hour, and if it still didn't break up, we would get our money refunded and go home. After the realization that I was actually going to do it, I was nervous, and thought to myself that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to go home without skydiving.
Of course, you know the end of the story, and the clouds broke up, and they started to call groups of people over the loudspeaker to put equipment on and prepare to fly. Energy rose through everyone who was waiting. The weather was clearing and we were going to jump from a plane.
Everyone who was waiting to jump was so different. There was everything from frat boys and sorority girls, families of parents and their children, to a a father with young babies (and a wife that was not jumping), to men and women who must have at least been in their 60s. Everyone watched them pile into the plane, the "professional" jumpers who were video and taking pictures were interviewing the first fly skydivers, and everyone was excited.
There were three planes that went up in the air. Two of them had a large door in the side that was about the width of a wingspan and the height of a four year old child. The other plane was called "the bus" and had a large opening in the back where people boarded and of course jumped out. On the bus, the width was probably about the same, but you could easily stand up walking onto the plane.
It must have been about 15 minutes between the plane went off and we started seeing little tiny drops of parachutes come from the sky. At one time we saw about 16 chutes floating in the air. The majority of people on a Saturday were skydiving tandem with instructors who were trained, but those people went out of the plane last. The order went: people going solo, people going with an instructor at their side, and people jumping tandem. So, the first parachutes we saw were those single jumpers. The way the wind was blowing, when they landed, they would fly right over us, and zoom into the ground. I should mention that while a parachute significantly slows your fall, you still fall relatively fast.
After the first divers had landed, everything seemed to go in fast motion. People were getting called left and right, and before long, we were asked to come in the hanger.
The hanger was a place only for people who were skydiving. Freefall Adventures is the largest flyzone on the East Coast, and the hanger was a pretty busy place on a Saturday. Hundreds of people had lockers with parachuting equipment inside. On the floor, those solo jumpers who had already jumped were packing up their chutes for the next jump. There were second hand couches everywhere with people lounging around. Facing one couch was a large screen TV where you could watch the videos from people who had already jumped... which definitely made me pumped to jump myself. I should mention that after I saw dozens of people fall safely onto the ground, I felt that I was going to be okay. The spunky girl that was directing traffic told us that the only people that ever get into accidents are solo jumpers who are trying new things or goofing around. The worst injury on a tandem jump she'd ever seen was a broken ankle.
Our group was gathered together in the back of the hanger... it was time for our lesson. The guy that was giving us the lesson was probably about 20, and looked frazzled because he was rushing to get everyone in the air after a morning where no one jumped. He explained the equipment that we were using, which basically consisted of goggles and and altimeter that measured our altitude. We were told at 5000 feet, we were to pull the cord on our chute. Pretty much that was the only thing we had to remember, and our instructor would remind us if we forgot. He also explained a little more in detail the process of jumping... the times and altitudes. I got a pair of white goggles that fit snugly over my glasses. Halfway through the talk, my instructor, Range, came in and I was introduced to him. He introduced himself in a snarky, sarcastic, but funny way... and left so we could finish our lesson.
We were told the most complicated thing would be the landing. To land we had to keep our feet together as close as possible and listen to our instructor's instructions. Simple enough. To prove that we were paying attention, we were asked to get on top of a table and do a 'practice run.' The guy went through all of the stages... oh... I forgot about the stance. We had to remember that, too. To get the most wind resistance during our freefall, we had to fall in this S position. You've seen it on TV. You fall belly side down with your arms outstretched, and knees bent behind you. We had to practice this on the table. So, all of us lied belly up on the table, demonstrated that we understood the falling position, and practiced pulling the fake cord. Then, we were instructed to stand on top of the table, and land with our feet as close together as possible.
Immediately after our brief lesson we were whisked onto the smiley face just outside the hanger. One of the people in our group asked that we pray, and I thought it was a good idea. He spoke some good words, and it did set my mind at ease for what I was about to do.
While on the smiley face I was introduced to my videographer and photographer (it was the same person). I can't remember his name, but he was goofy and I thought that I was going to get what I paid for. His goofiness was an interesting contrast to my stoic, sarcastic, German instructor, Range.
Range is the guy who was on my back when I fell through the sky, my instructor. Range wore the parachute in our short-lived relationship. He had a cool German accent, and was funny, but serious when necessary. He was experienced, jumping out of a plane almost 5000 times... so I felt secure with this guy.
After our prayer, we were all led to the pavilion for the people about to board the plane. Our plane was one that had the opening in the side, which meant that we were going to have to do a lot of squatting inside.
We were packed inside like sardines. Of course, there were no seats in the plane. We were instructed to sit on the floor and lean back into the person behind us, and keep our legs open so that the next person could sit in front of us. After quickly being packed in, we took off, with the side door still opened. After we got up in the air, the solo jumpers who were the first to jump out closed the door. The plane was noisy, and the closing of the door quelled the noise a little.
On the ride up, the butterflies in my stomach really started to fly. The plane went to an altitude of 12,000 feet, more than 2 miles in the air. It was a quick ride up. Throughout the ride the video guy took some video of me, and Range attached me to him securely. He explained that the most difficult thing would be standing up when we got out of the plane. I asked if he had a family, and he said, of course... everyone has to come from somewhere. I told him that my husband was not happy that I was jumping... and he told me that at first, his mother was not happy with his vocation, but she got used to it.
All-to-quickly it was clear the plane had leveled out and the solo jumpers opened up the side door. The air outside was freezing cold... I wish I'd brought I sweatshirt, but I opted for a sleeveless new shirt. Like it was something they do every day, the people in the front of the plane smiled and rolled out. At this point, I thought there was really no backing out now. I was in the center of the plane, so people went out before and after me. I wasn't first but wasn't last, and I liked this position.
My camera guy went out of the plane first, and leaned back on a bar on the plane to capture my picture as I went out of the plane. With Range on my back, there was no choice but to go forward. I've talked to people since who did their first jump solo, and I'm so glad I didn't. Range ripped off the bandaid for me.
Going out of the plane we flipped over once before we leveled out on our bellies. Jumping out of a plane, there is just a wooosh of air in your ears. I couldn't talk to my instructor and my instructor couldn't talk to me. Of course, I didn't exactly remember the way to arch my back and arms right away, but Range, used to poor students like me, helped me out and locked his legs around mine and put my arms out to fly. I didn't have any trouble breathing... and it was an amazing view. It was like a live version of Google Earth. We were above the clouds, but there was no security of an airplane.
I remember feeling my skin move on my cheeks and arms. I wish I were more muscular, but I think most people's skin would probably look like mine going at that speed. Amazingly, when in mid-air, my camera man caught up to us and started snapping photos and taking video of my freefall. It was nice to have him as somewhat of a distraction. I made faces at him, and grabbed his feet and before long Range made me look at my altimeter, and notice it was 5000 feet. Time to pull the chute. We fell for about one minute, and covered 7000 feet.
The chute coming out was an extreme jolt. The harness that was holding me onto the chute, and onto Range pinched my thighs and my armpits. It was really a bad idea to wear a sleeveless shirt because the harness pinched my skin. Of course, I was happy when I felt Range's chute deploy, but it was also very jolting.
We flew in the air for about 7 minutes, and like I said before, it was a quick ride down. At this point, we were all alone... no camera man videoing us.
The scenery was beautiful, of course. Range pointed out Atlantic City and Philadelphia, but I remember that I just smiled and nodded and didn't really see what he was pointing out. I also saw the landing space where were going to land. Some people in my group got to steer the chute, but I did not. I think Range could sense my nerves. It was during this time that I thought to myself that once was enough. I definitely did not have to try that again.
Our landing was quick and relatively smooth. I did fall forward, but it was a gentle stumble. Somehow, my camera guy was waiting for me when we landed with a smile on his face. I really did feel like a celebrity for a day. Generally, there was just an overall exciting mood. I saw my friend Sandra on the ground and we threw our arms around each other. Sandra was relieved when she saw Dawn safely land as well.
We were quickly led off the landing area, providing more space for incoming skydivers. It was an amazing moment of adrenaline.
We all compared experiences. Sandra and Dawn both had trouble breathing in the air, which I guess is quite common. Dawn, illegally, had a camera with her that she planned to pull out and snap some shots with, but in the thrill of the moment decided not to break the rules and pull it out. I guess the important part is that we all landed safely, and all were satisfied with our decision to jump.
The rest of the afternoon was just about winding down. We hung out on the couches, waiting for our videos and pictures to be ready. We all watched ourselves on the big screen before we left. I made sure to call my mom and Tom and inform them of my safety. I had jumped out of plane and survived.
I don't regret jumping at all, which is an easy statement to make in hindsight. I feel it's one of those landmark experiences that I can talk about for the rest of my life. It caused Tom and I to have honest, open, discussions about our feelings, and I'm confident now that even if we don't agree on something, there's a way to find common ground to discuss things. I'm happy that I followed my desires and went through with it.
I flew through the sky and survived.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
10:14AM - Grinding Ma Teeth
Something I do that completely doesn't make sense to me is grinding my teeth. The last time I remember doing it so much that it caused a problem was right after we moved to NYC. This makes sense! That time of my life was stressful with a new, really difficult job, a new city to get used to... stress makes sense.
I'm not sure what's been going on in the past three weeks or so, but it has begun again.
Maybe it's because I've been able to sleep in more? That's the only change in my life since school ended that makes sense. Tom says during the night I move my jaw in a way that is most unnatural, moving it in a circular, slicing motion. The noise is pretty awful too. I don't ever remember any of this.
When I wake up in the morning, I have a slight pain. If I feel my jaw, the right side feels normal, but the joint on the left side is a little inflamed.
It always gets worse and worse during the day. Obviously it's because I use my jaw to eat, talk, whistle, yell, drink... And because I'm using it so much more, the left side gets more and more inflamed until I have trouble opening my mouth to do such simple activities as yawning. It hurts to yawn!
Of course, there's some activities that make it more painful than others. Eating large submarine sandwiches: bad. Chewing gum: bad. Having long, shouting arguments with my mouth open wide: bad.
I don't think that I clench or grind at all during the day whilst daydreaming on the subway or while watching The View. I think just my everyday activities inflame it more.
Inevitably, by the time it is 9, 10, 11 o'clock if I just relax and pay attention to what's happening for about five minutes, my jaw is literally throbbing and shuttering.
So what can I do about it?
I can gently rub the inflamed jaw area. Sometimes it makes it feel a little bit better.
I can take IB Profin... it's an anti-inflamatory drug. It's supposed to keep the swelling down.
The final, and step that I have taken most recently, it the purchase of a mouth night guard. Last night I bought one, deciding that I couldn't face another day of the same.
These mouth guards are pretty interesting contraptions. You can spend anywhere between 17 and 50 dollars on just one, and depending on how hard you grind your teeth, they can last up to around 6 months. Mouth guards are all "customizeable." They're made of heavy plastic, and to make it mold around your teeth is quite a process.
The first thing that must be done is boil some water. This hot jacuzzi bath is meant to soften up the plastic. Once the water is at a rolling boil, you throw the mouth guard in, and it swims around in the bubbles for exactly 50 seconds. At this time you must take a slotted spoon and pick up the softened-plastic-mouth-guard, and let it cool for exactly 20 seconds. Next, is the fun part. You pick up the mouth guard, not touching the parts of it that become sticky, and affix it to the upper row of your teeth. It involves biting down, sucking it up, patting it with your tongue, and getting a good look at it in front of the mirror. All of this is in the instructions, I swear.
This is the third time that I've done it, and this is always that part that I'm not quite sure of. It says that you can re-do this part, but I'm always pretty satisfied with the outcome. It seems like my teeth have a different resting position than biting position. I'm supposed to affix it to the resting position, but it's difficult.
So, last night I wore a mouth guard for the first time in probably 2 and a half years. When I wake it smells like my nasty nighttime breath, and my teeth feel all plastic-y. I'm afraid that it'll have the opposite affect of braces, and that it'll move my teeth further apart.
Today the left of my jaw is still inflamed, so I'm expecting it to get progressively worse throughout the day.
This seems like such a strange conditions that appears to happen for unexplained reasons. I've talked to my dentist about it, and he says that the mouth guard I use is fine, and that I'm doing the right things.
This is just one of those things I wish that I could wave a magic wand and stop. Unfortunately, it's not.
Friday, July 17, 2009
6:16PM - Summertime, and the living is easy
It is July! It is my anniversary!
So much has happened this year. Maybe I'll start thinking of my life starting at July 11th instead of January 1st. I'll make my own calendar, thank you very much.
Of course, I haven't chronicled as much of my life as I should via this medium. I'm not sure why I've left it... but, I still check my friend's page all the time.
I ended the school year well... in a drunken party with my coworkers, and soon after my brothers came for a visit.
My brothers visit was interesting. Zach is so normal. Jimmy is so strange. He's 18, and when I think of the position I was in when I was his age... about to leave for college, feeling so grown, I see that he is in such a different place in his life. He's not happy with his home life, and I think I went through some steps the week he was here and when I was home to change that. I hope I did. Zach is such a typical teenager... gearing up for football season and coursing through his first girlfriends. My brothers are all so different.
At home I got a chance to catch up with Honey and Papa a bunch. They are so happy in their new apartment. I feel like I probably miss 130 Rockland more than they do. They're doing activities at the retirement home like exercise class, BINGO, and Wii Bowling! Can you believe it? They didn't really keep touch with many of their friends after their spouses died. I don't know why that is, but it always seemed strange to me. I'm happy that they're involved in this community though.
I have a feeling Josh and Becky will be engaged by Christmas. I hope they will. I didn't think I could ever have so much fun hanging out with my brother's girlfiend. I just hope by the time I move back to Buffalo they will both still be there, although I fear this won't be the case.
After Buffalo, Tom and I headed to Atlantic City for our anniversary and it was surprising romantic. We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel the first night, since it was a Saturday and hotel prices were exorbitant in any of the Casino/Hotels, and after we stayed at the Tropicana. We went shopping, and ate fancy yummy dinners, went on a dolphin watch with no dolphins, and gambled just a little. I probably ended up winning 20 dollars, and Tom won 50 at the poker tables. Take that Casino!
I really need to finish my thesis but I'm afraid that I didn't do enough work during the year to complete it in a real way. I know that it'll be fine, but I just need to get on my game and finish it. It'll probably only take me a matter of only 3 days of really hard work, I just have to do it.
What else? I also mean to connect to so many more friends with the summer than I really have a chance to. I'm so happy that I get to see Mollie and Melanie a lot when I'm home, and I feel like I see Sara in NYC enough, it's just everyone else that feels like they're slipping away.
The world seems so big lately. I feel like I need to make it smaller very soon.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
12:18AM - i am updating this from my blackberry
So, in light of the fact that I recently lost my phone, today tom and I went to the sprint store and got new phones. Blackberries. After feeling somewhat liberated from losing my phone, not being connected all the time, I'm a little nervous about being hyperconnected!
But, there might be good aspects to this. I am updating this for the first time in a couple months.
A few amazing things are happening. Tom and I are going to Costa Rica on VDay. We're staying for six nights, and its going to be fantastic.
Well, updating this via my phone was a fun experiment. If anyone reads this anymore... I hope all is well:)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
9:34PM - Last Chance to Post in November
Of course I have again fallen into the trap of checking this thing almost every day, but never posting. I should really take the time to write more regularly for myself and the greater LJ audience again, it's therapeutic.
I've had a pretty fantastic couple of months. My students seem to be doing well. My observation went without a hitch. I seem to be melding well within my new school. If we could ever earn enough money in this city to buy anything, I'd consider moving up there so I could stay at my school long term-- it's the first time I've ever even thought that way about a job.
I've been spending a lot of time with Tom-- which has been good. Someone once told me that your first year of marriage you have a tendency to close yourself off from the rest of the world, and just kind of focus on each other. Even though Tom and I lived together for so long before this, something is different with our relationship now that we're married-- only good things. I know that I haven't closed myself off completely from everyone, but I think I've kind of taken stock of those who have become really important to me, and make a conscious effort to reach out to those people regularly. I guess the bottom line is at this point I'd rather spend a Saturday night home with Tom, maybe going shopping at Target, buying a DVD, and watching it on our couch than going to a bar in Manhattan. Yup. That's the way it is.
We've had a few notable visitors this fall. My in-laws came up in October and I learned to cook spaghetti and meatballs the right way. I also made my first attempt at pie baking, which I made a second attempt of this Thanksgiving. (My second try was definitely better than my first!) Unz and Ozzie came to stay with us for a week in November. Unz was a bridesmaid in her friend Lindsay's wedding-- and it was good to catch up and hang with her, and get to know Ozzie more.
What else? What else? Grad school is driving me crazy. At this point-- I just want to get it done and over with. I'm not really inspired by any of the classes I'm taking this semester. Maybe next semester will be different. I think I'm going to have to take a class with the most notorious professor in the department, in lieu of being at class until 10 p.m., which would be absolutely unbearable being at class late two nights a week.
So, that's pretty much my life. School. Grad School. Tom. Friends. Not necessarily in that order.
I'm really looking forward to Christmas and going home for the break. I just need to make it through three weeks of class. It'll just be a matter of getting Christmas presents. It seems like a year where everyone will be getting gift certificates. Maybe I'll be more inspired as the season gets closer.
Hope all is well with all those out there in LJ land.
calmSunday, October 5, 2008
8:40AM - RockTober
Thanks to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippor and Columbus Day, I'm having a less-work-than-usual type of week.
School continues to go well. I had a drunken conversation with my coworker Nicole, and we told each other how much we love working together. I'm really a better teacher this year, and a big reason is because of her. The 'worst' day I had was last Thursday, and in context, it would have been one of my best days at Walt Whitman.
The fall weather, which usually makes me happy, is making me a little depressed this year. I love my new apartment, but I miss being able to walk around Bay Ridge and sneak into all the shops.
This week mine and Tom's schedules have not meshed at all. Friday and Saturday night he did overtime patrol of the park, and on Friday it didn't matter because I came back in a drunken stupor after hanging out with my coworkers, but I spent all yesterday hanging around being lazy.
Last Tuesday I went to go see Ben Folds. I got into his music right after he did his show at Geneseo which I did not go see. Then, he played a free concert in Buffalo when I went to NYC for the summer. He was fantastic, the venue where I saw him was okay. He released a new CD the day I went to see him, and the first half of the show was all of his new songs with a few old ones mixed in, and the second half was the opposite. The best part of the show was Mr. Folds explaining and playing the 'fake' songs from his CD. Basically he and his band mates wrote 'fake' songs with the same titles as those from the CD, and released them onto the internet. The whole fake CD was made over the course of 4 days, but actually has some pretty catchy tunes. It was fun that he played some of both.
So school is awesome. Ben Folds was awesome.
The next few weeks are full of visitors, which is maybe what I need to pull me out of my schlump. Next weekend my inlaws come, and we're going to see Spamalot. The weekend after Melanie is visiting, and maybe I can convince her to go to a show as well.
This school year is going by just as fast as years 1 and 2. Even my periods go by faster. At the end of class, almost always, some kid says, "Class is over already?? That was fast!" That's definitely how I felt about September...
So, overall life continues to be pleasant... I'm okay if it stays this way for a while.
Monday, September 8, 2008
6:45PM - Teacher Girl
So... I guess I'm on the once monthly updating plan.
I've started a new job. I'm teaching 6th grade reading and 7th grade ELA. I teach my reading class with my friend from Grad school, and it's going pretty awesome. My 7th grade classes are going well too. The biggest complaint I have so far is that I had to move my room last Friday, after I had taught in it for a week. Luckily I really didn't post anything there yet-- so I didn't have much to take off the walls... it was basically just my personal stuff.
I work for a really great principal. She is a short Jamaican woman who has formed the school from the ground up (Literally! The school used to occupy the basement of our building, and now we're on the 4th floor!). It's quite obvious that she really utilizes her staff in a way that supports the students, and takes the staff's advice on different programs and things. All of the teachers in the building really care about teaching and the kids. My only complaint is the abundance of teaching fellows and Teach for America people-- they just don't have the educational foundations that others have. Overall, though... the climate of the building is very positive.
And ohmygod my students. I've had a variety of successes (my first homework assignment had 100% completion the first day...) but the biggest wow moment came today. I have my 703 class before and after lunch. The 9th grade students in the building act as leaders, and bring the middle school students up from lunch. When I walked in the room today after lunch-- all of my students were working on the projects that they started before lunch, working quietly in their seats. Without me giving them any direction!! WHAT! It was one of the most amazing feelings I've had as a teacher.
So, overall it's been pretty amazing. I really feel I'll be able to develop my teaching skills instead of focusing on management this year.
I just feel like I'm in a really, really great place.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
10:14AM - Perspectives
Let's flashback to June 30, 2008. I had just finished up... survived... another year at Whitman. I was looking forward to the wedding, but harried with the details (seating charts, gifts for the bridal party... printing out things for the honeymoon). I was perhaps at the point of... should we really have done it this way... why didn't we just elope?
Now, August 9, 2008... many of my perspectives had changed over the past month or so. After having my wedding, the most beautiful day of my life... I am now an advocate for everyone having the wedding that they always dreamed of. Don't get me wrong... I was never the girl that planned out her wedding down from the dress she envisioned to the favors at the tables by the time she was 8. I did however, spend many days while I was getting confirmed, sitting in the pews of Augustana, paging through the Lutheran Book of Worship, reading and rereading the marriage ceremony when I was probably supposed to be listening to the sermon. I envisioned myself up on the alter, with all of my friends and family behind me. I envisioned myself with Pastor Vendor-- the same pastor that baptized me on the same alter-- having me repeat my vows. And while turned out to be the new pastor and perhaps not the crowd behind me that I had always envisioned, it was definitely with the perfect husband-to-be beside me, holding my hand throughout the ceremony.
When I walked down the aisle July 11th, I had five bridesmaids on my side. On June 30th, I thought that bridesmaids were great to have-- just kind of for status and for show. You picked your best friends and family members to hang out with you for the day. Now, I realize that having a great bridal party is a necessity. My five girls gave me reassuring smiles, crawled up my dress to pull down my inner skirts and lift up my panty hose, held my bouquet, signed my marriage license, took the bugs out of my dress that had crawled up during picture taking-- and were some of the best friends to have near me during a time that I was bubbling with anticipation, nervous energy, and happiness. My bridesmaids smiles and presence was a calming force and helped me realize how loved I am.
When I walked down the aisle July 11th, my Papa was by my side. I was happy that he was with me to walk me down the aisle. I knew that if wasn't physically able to, my brother Josh would have taken me down, but I'm so thankful that my Papa could.
Right before the ceremony, my mom and some bridesmaids, and some photographers were in the crying room in the annex of the church. My mom started to tell me how proud she was and started crying. I was so happy with all the people that were around that I hugged her and gave her a look of happiness, no tears. I knew that there wouldn't be any tears from me during the ceremony after this moment.
Right before we were about to walk down the aisle, I pulled Mollie aside. In the rush of getting ready, my veil was put on backwards. Mollie and I just looked at each other and said... oh well! There's nothing we can do about it now. Another reason for good bridesmaids.
As I walked down the aisle, Tom looked very, very nervous. He was breathing heavy... so heavy that his shoulders were going up and down. I knew that he had trepidations about being in front of his whole family, and being the center of attention. After Jimmy and Zach had rolled down the aisle runner, and after it was clear I was going to be the center of attention from this point in my big white dress... he smiled and calmed down. The photographer even got a picture of his smiles after he saw me. When we met and my Papa shook his hand and gave me a way, I gave Tom a big smile... huge. We both had a light in our eyes that assured us that there would be no tears for the rest of the ceremony from either of us.
At the rehearsal, the pastor told us that it wouldn't matter what he said during his sermon-- we wouldn't remember. And to a certain extent, he was right. From the ceremony I remember looking back at the congregation-- thinking that Tom and I had filled the church up as much as the church congregation had done on some high holidays-- Christmas and Easter. I remember looking at all my Geneseo friends-- all sitting together. I remember that Tom told me that I was rubbing his hand too hard. I remember telling Melanie that I wasn't planning on holding a book, that I would just read from hers. I remember kissing Tom before sharing the peace. I remember that I said my vows much more quietly than I promised myself that I would have. I remember stealing kisses from Tom when the pastor gave communion the congregation. I remember that I dipped the body of Christ cracker out of years of habit, even after I was told to drink from the chalice. I remember that I was happy to stand up after kneeling for a long time. I remember kissing Tom again at the end of the ceremony, and racing to the crying room to kiss some more. I never cried-- but I laughed a lot. Everything during the ceremony was flawless, perfect and beautiful.
I'm so happy that we got a limo. After Will told the congregation to go outside and wait-- we would see everyone there, and after we took some family shots inside, and group shots outside, all 13 of us squeezed into a limo that was somehow supposed to hold 14. We had plenty of champagne for all of us, and I'm sure that the first bottle was opened before we even pulled out of the parking lot.
Going to Niagara Falls for formal pictures was so much fun. I waved at every trolley full of tourists that went by. Tom's boss, Tony, started taking pictures of some Asian tourists after they had hung out, taking pictures of us for a little bit too long. I made my bridesmaids walk a little too far in the new heels that they were wearing for the day-- and I felt bad Dan was asked to carry Katie back to the limo. The weather was warm-- warmer for the guys in their jackets-- but it was sunny. We got some great siblings pictures, and lots of new married couple pictures, and lots of great bridal party pictures. Everything went great-- and our limo driver even got out of the tight parking lot that we made him come pick us up in.
We stopped at a bridge to take some more pictures of just me and Tom, and we arrived at the Holiday Inn for the reception. Tom and I greeted people as they came in, as the DJ that was almost the DJ that did not come, got his stuff ready and played some background music. I have to say the only thing I would change about the day was the DJ. Someone that tells that bride that she's driving him crazy does not earn a good tip at the end of the night.
As people were signing the guest book/ picture frame we greeted everyone. Uncle Jim and Aunt Cindy Kerr apologized for not being able to make the ceremony-- but I didn't even realize that they weren't there. I figured that on a Friday some people just wouldn't be able to get off work.
The appetizers were served butler style, and were delicious. The yummy spring rolls were served with a spicy chili sauce that I didn't get on my dress. There were bacon wrapped scallops that were also delicious.
I think that Tom and I did a good job of mingling with everyone before and after the dinner. There were more people that I didn't know than at any family gathering before our wedding-- but everyone was nice to introduce themselves. People were impressed that I remembered their last names from the guest list.
Dinner was great. The speeches that Mollie and Will gave were both wonderful. Many people have told me since that they have never heard two toasts that were both so well-thought out. I think often one is clearly better than the other-- but both were beautiful.
One of my favorite parts of the whole day was when during the dinner the salad came. First, Tom gave me his olives and cucumbers and tomatoes. Then, my brother Josh came over and gave me his olives, cucumbers and tomatoes. Then, Jimmy and Zach who were sitting right in front of me brought up their olives cucumbers and tomatoes. It was one of my favorite moments of the whole evening, because I didn't expect it-- but it made perfect sense.
After we were done eating, Tom and I visited all the tables-- starting with Tom's family. We got a video message from Susan, the only person that didn't make it to the ceremony, and it was because her newborn had just come down with a bad fever. Out of all those people, I was surprised that only one person couldn't come last minute. When I got to the Kerr table everyone was engaged in happy conversation-- it was like a family reunion for their side of the family. They told me that they were happy that my name wasn't Cindy-- the last two that have married into the name have the same first and middle name. All of the parents thanked us for getting chicken fingers for the kids. Our entre of chicken and beef was yummy-- but it wasn't something an 8 year old would have chose for themselves.
Dinner moved into dancing, and during our first dance of I'll Be by Edwin McCain was the first time that Tom and I really got to talk for the whole day. I held his head, and whispered in his ear, and kissed him some more. At the end of the dance, I realized that there was a whole crowd of people wanting to take pictures of us facing their cameras, and so we obliged and faced the crowd for a bit, and I made Tom dip me at the end. I never realized the importance of a first dance until this point.
My brother Josh was so happy for the whole day. In the limo, he kept professing how much he loved his girlfriend, Becky... and how she was just the perfect girl for him. He hugged me and told me how happy he was for us. He kept asking Tom who exactly he was and why he was marrying his sister. He was drunk. He was happy. It didn't show more than during the family dance to a Beach Boys song. While Tom somberly danced with his mother, Josh and I danced with full force. He spun me around, lifted me up, dipped me on several occasions. It was like a sloppy dancing with the stars. I hope that we didn't ruin the mood for Tom and his mom, but we absolutely had a blast.
The whole bridal party danced to I love you by the Barenaked Ladies-- the first and only song that Tom ever sang to me when he thought that I was asleep.
The rest of the night was filled with dancing. I was on the dance floor for almost the whole rest of the evening. By the end of the night my dress was a mess-- one of the bustles fell out because someone had stepped on it. It had mud on it and lots of footprints-- but looking at my dress at the end of the night made me happy. It told the story of a night of great fun.
Our wedding was 10 years in the making. Our relationship is not a smooth story of true and easy love... but a love of hard work, forgiveness, and choices. On July 11th we had 10 years worth of friends and family with us-- something that will never happen again. It was a beautiful day. It was exactly the way that we had pictured it. It was exactly the way I would have dreamed it.
It was a great party that started our married life.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
1:08AM - Mr. and Mrs. Kerr
Happy August everyone!!!
I had such an amazing July. The wedding was practically flawless-- and such a great day of love, friends, and family. I'll post more details later-- but it was just a wonderful day.
Our honeymoon to Alaska was also amazing. We were definitely on a geriatric cruise-- but I don't think I even noticed until the second week because I was just paying attention to Tom. What says it all is when we rented a car in Vancouver and the rental guy just assumed that we were crew members because of our age. Haha. It was beautiful.
Anyway-- pictures are posted on facebook, and I realize there may be a few people on here that don't have access that I wanted to... give access to! Let me know if the links don't work!
Wedding Day Part 1 (more to come-- this is only 60 of the 1400 pictures we have from the photographer)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2061825&l=fea84&id=16503166
Honeymoon
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2061755&l=7e406&id=16503166
I will most likely be writing thank yous, hanging out with friends, or writing papers in August. And it looks like in September I will be reporting to a new (and functional! school!!).
...more to come!
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