My first year.

I'm sitting at my computer and doing 4th quarter report cards on a Sunday afternoon. Normal people might be annoyed and upset having to waste their Sunday afternoon, but I'm sitting here smiling. I did it. I survived (almost!) my first year of teaching. I finally got a job doing what I love. So when most people would cringe about doing report cards on the weekend, I'm smiling and enjoying it.


Good things come to those who wait.


:)

May the fourth be with you...

Me: May the fourth be with you.
Sister: Yeah, I saw it all over Facebook.
(a good 2 minutes later)
Sister: Oh I get it! May the "force" be with you!


Wow.

Love you?

If I told my family I loved them, and they actually responded back with "I love you too", I'd think something was wrong.

Here are the responses I got from my family after I texted them, "Love you".

Sister: "Why are you saying that? haha"
(does there have to be a reason!? ha)

Dad: "Are you watching the news?"
(he completely ignored what I said)

Mom: "Ditto."
(because apparently "Love you too" would take too long to type back? I just don't know...)

And there it is...ha!

Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies

I'm not normally a baker (trust me when I say that), but I love making these cake batter cookies! They are easy and delicious! You can't go wrong with this recipe; I know you'll enjoy them as much as I do!

1 Funfetti Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Oil
1 cup of M&Ms (or chocolate chips, sprinkles...whatever you want to add!)

1. Turn your oven on to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Place cookies on baking sheet.
4. Bake cookies for about 11-13 minutes.

The recipe makes about 2-3 dozen cookies. The Funfetti cake mix adds fun colors to the cookies, but I've also used a yellow cake mix with chocolate chips. It's fun to experiment different recipes; all are good!

ENJOY!

Kids are hilarious.

So one of my students today was talking about new teachers, and goes, "A new teacher is when she looks like a noodle." I looked at him like he was crazy. I then asked, "Am I a noodle?", and he immediately replies with, "Yes". I had no idea what he was talking about so I asked, "Well, what makes me a noodle?" 

And he goes (all serious), "Well, you're skinny, and noodles are skinny." 

I started cracking up!! First, it makes no sense. Second, I don't consider myself skinny BY ANY MEANS. It was the best thing I'd heard all day.

This kid will be getting all A's on his report card! Haha JK, but seriously, he called me skinny. He should get something haha ;)

Current favorite things.

• The Following
• Ordering phone cases
• Candles
• Grimm

ALL MOVED IN!

I moved into my apartment yesterday!! I love it! Packing and unpacking has been exhausting, but I'm finally all moved in! :)

New favorite song.

"A Thousand Years" by Glee Cast 

(original by Christina Perri)

Marley:
The day we met,
Frozen I held my breath
Right from the start
I knew that I'd found a home for my heart...
...beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone?
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

Marley and Jake:
One step closer

Marley:
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Jake:
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is

Marley and Jake:
I will be brave
I will not let anything take 

Jake:
away
What's standing in front 

Marley and Jake:
of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Oooo, Oooo, 
I'll love you for a thousand more
Oooo, Oooo, Oooo
One step closer

Marley:
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you 

Jake and Marley:
for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
I will love you 
thousand years
Mmmm, Mmmm

Kids say the funniest things!

My friend and I created a Quotes by Kids Twitter account a couple years ago, but I might be deleting it so I wanted to post what we had on here. We worked at a Before and Aftercare program with grades K-5.

They're pretty funny, not gonna lie.

1. "I am thankful for my Mom because she borned me." - 1st grader
2. "I want rocks for Christmas so I can throw them at teenagers." - 1st grader
3. "I am thankful for my family and friends and ants." - 1st grader
4. "One day my Mom got a speeding ticket. I don't know what for. I was still in her tummy." - Kindergartener
5. "My first true love was my Mommy." - 1st grader
6. "My Mom tried to make a cookie, but it turned into a brownie!" - 1st grader
7. "Once I heard Santa land on my roof. But I was asleep." - 1st grader
8. "His haircut only looks good on him when he wears jeans." - 3rd grader
9. "Ow, my nuts." - 1st grader
10. "If I was stranded on a desert island, I would take a shell, a very pretty shell, and a very beautiful shell." - 1st grader
11. "I don't know how to play free play." - 1st grader
12. "That was a long day ago. Like when I was 4 or 3." - Kindergartener
13. "Mommy's turning 32, but she's going back to 29." - Kindergartener
14. "Randall's here. He's my Mom's friend. He's homeless." - 2nd grader
15. "In preschool, she knew about me being her boyfriend so I don't have to tell her." - Kindergartener
16. "Love is icky, red, slimy stuff." - 3rd grader
17. "She's a big trouble maker. Actually, we're taking her to the Doctor and a therapist." - 3rd grader
18. "When you smile, that means you're lying." - 1st grader
19. "I have the same bladder as my Mom." - 2nd grader
20. "My Mom had to put make-up on that's why I'm late." - Kindergartener
21. "Today's tomorrow right?" - Kindergartener

A new...mattress??

I'm moving out (did I mention that?) so I need a new bed/mattress. I had no idea how expensive mattresses can be! For all that money I'm spending, you'd think I would be sleeping on gold.

Oh well, I made the purchase! New bed and mattress...here I come!

An actual conversation.

I am a huge Patriots fan. My sister, on the other hand, doesn't really watch football or follow a specific team...

I swear we're not related.

I'm still mad about the Patriots losing to the Ravens.

:(

A guy noticed my earrings?

Guys compliment women on many different things, but today was a first for me. My family and I went to lunch at Ram's Head Tavern in Savage, MD. The host had a Patriots tie on so I decided to compliment him on my way out of the restaurant. He then responded, "I like your [Wes Welker] shirt and your [Patriots] earrings." Um, he noticed my earrings?? I don't think that's ever happened before? My hair is long, and 80% of the time it covers my earrings. It pretty much made my day. 

I'm happy to see that nice/cute Patriots fans exist in Maryland ;)


Oh, and LET'S GO PATRIOTS! BEAT THOSE RAVENS!

Stephanie Plum series.

I'm really liking the Stephanie Plum series by Jane Evanovich. I saw "One For the Money" with my Mom so I decided to read the series; I'm almost done with the first book.


Good stuff.

Dream casting for Fifty Shades of Grey.

I don't even know if they're making it into a movie, but I started reading Fifty Shades of Grey so of course I have some dream castings in mind.

Christian Grey --> Matt Bomer
Anastasia Steele --> Melissa Benoist
Katherine Kavanagh --> Dianna Agron or Blake Lively
Elliot Grey --> Alex Pettyfer
Jose Rodriguez --> Diego Luna?
Ray --> Josh Hopkins



And there it is. My dream casting for a movie that may or may not exist in time.

You're welcome world.

2013 New Year's Resolutions.

1. Lose more weight. I lost [about] 30 pounds last year! I actually did it! Better look at your window...I think I see pigs flying! Last year was the FIRST TIME EVER I can say I did that New Year's Resolution. Go me!
2. Workout just a little more. Ever since starting my new job (holla!), I've been too tired to workout. I need to do it more.
3. Learn chess. This one's back for the 3rd year in a row, or 4th or 5th. Who knows. I should probably learn chess.
4. Learn how to use chopsticks. Another resolution that's back.
5. Travel. I really do want to travel.
6. Find [and keep] a boyfriend. I had one for about 7 months. Bad timing I think. I might do Match.com; I'm not opposed.
7. Move out. Maybe.
8. Eat more apples. A little random? Yes.
9. Write in my blog more. I'm not avoiding you, I swear. I've just been busy.
10. Take more pictures. Sorry camera, I've been neglecting you!