Butterflies and Car Pooling
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: work

I was excited about the first day of school and now I'm just really anxious about it. Of course, it's just the natural butterflies most teachers (and students) get before the first day of school. I even have my first day outfit picked out. Nothing new, but I hope it's cute. If I had the doe-ray-me, maybe I could buy myself some new digs. I did buy some new jeans, a pair of pants, and a nice shirt, so it's not all bad. I just won't waste it all the first day of school.

I recently came across Freedomdebtrelief.com, while perusing other debt relief websites. They have some great advice and I learned a lot reading their different articles. They offer a variety of options for debt relief, including debt consolidation, credit counseling, and budgeting. We could use all the advice and help we can get these days.

Another thing I'm excited about with the first day of school is carpooling. I'm ride sharing with another teacher at my school, three days a week, on the days I don't have to drive the baby to daycare. I still have to pick him up everyday, so I have to be the one to drive. I've been wanting to carpool for a long time. Pregnancy and doctor's appointments were kind of a hindrance in the past. So I'm really excited now. Any relief from gas prices is welcome relief.

Where There's a Dollar Tree...
Mood:  lucky
Topic: money

Ya know it's back to school time when you spend nearly $30 at the dollar store. But I came out with some good finds (90% for school).

Berber welcome mat

packs of 12 mechanical pencils

packs of lead refills

scrapbook worthy paper trimmer

assorted supplies for "welcome basket" for new team member (who is also a first year teacher! ouch!), including a nice lighthouse figurine (our school's theme)

perfectly sized baskets for the car

sturdy composition notebooks in various colors

painter's tape (preferred by our custodian for wall hangings)

pencil cases

batteries

assorted candies

I still have a few more items I want for my classroom. I went to a local thrift store this afternoon in search of a shower caddy (obviously for another purpose). No luck, but I found the perfect basket and a digital alarm clock that I wanted. I've mentioned before how my students sometimes have difficulties with standard clocks. I thought I'd try to help all of us keep track of time. I also found the most random and neat vintage item - an eight-track cassette tape adapter. So, if your car has an 8-track player, this device will help you listen to your coveted mixed tapes. Weird, eh? I will look for the shower caddy tomorrow perhaps. My room is nearly ready for the school year. I know I'll be exhausted that first week. And missing Baba all day.

Ni Hao
Mood:  energetic
Topic: random
Opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. No words.

Politics aside, I love the Olympics and can't wait to see what happens. I remember my mom rooting for South Korea every time. My dad was able to get us some souvenirs during his last tour in Seoul, right before the Summer Olympics there. I'll be thinking of her the next few weeks too.

Web Savvy
Mood:  incredulous
Topic: work

I'm glad I took 2 computer classes when I was in college. We learned basic html, because back then you needed it to build your own website. But the things people can do on the internet nowadays is just amazing. Even back then, we would just copy and paste javascript, since our professor thought it was just too complicated for us to do from scratch. You would probably need Cisco certification to design sites and compete with other IT professionals. Careers in this field definitely pay adequately, too, as one of my college friends can attest. Her fiance does something with computers and he'll be able to support her while she finishes her PhD. She could also be a stay at home mom no problem. Sigh.

I'm lucky I even took a typing class when I was in the 6th grade. Computers, at least the ones at school, were so simple, I remember playing a game where you actually typed out directions to the player, like "walk left." Oregon Trail, which always took forever to load, was an amazing graphic adventure at that time. My students don't know how to type unless they learn by playing a game online. I can't wait to see the office personnel of the future, typing out memos with one finger, writing in a sort of hybrid text messaging/misspelled language, and talking on their cell phones at the same time.

I always thought my brother should go into computers, but really, he's just into gadgets. He always has to have the latest gadgets, whether it's a flat-screen plasma tv, the newest Iphone, or the fastest laptop. He's not into programming or software design. I do always tell my students that they could translate their drawing skills and love of video games into a career. It could happen.

88 Tofu House
Mood:  hungry
Topic: health

Towards our weight loss goal and looking for good eats, we ate at one of R's favorite restaurants, called 88 Tofu House. It's one of the best Korean restaurants in town, serving simple, delicious, and real Korean food. No fancy sauces or processed flavors here. Just wholesome tastiness. Don't let the restaurant's name fool you. It's not exactly vegetarian. There are really only a few veggie options, while most of the soups have beef, pork, or seafood. Eating Korean food is just good for my soul. It's good for the waistline too, since you have to drink so much water after eating the spicy food.

Here's a photo of R, looking good, and the spread we got. Of course I felt like a nerdy tourist using my camera at the restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, the kimchi was too good. And here's Rahim's favorite part, especially eating the eyeball. At least he didn't eat the brains.

Bill IQ
Mood:  not sure
Topic: money

I've watched a few programs lately, from the news to talk shows, that discuss the current situation with the economy. It's helpful to hear stories about other people in debt, so that I don't feel so alone and stupid. Does that make sense? There was a news program or something that talked about how young people, from their 20s to 30s, are weighted down with student loans. I actually don't have as much as I could, considering all the scholarships I got, but the monthly payments are a bit crazy. I don't see any debt relief anytime soon.

So, I bounced over to this website that measures your "bill IQ." I don't think I'm such a dummy about money, it's just that I've made poor choices, had bad luck, and can't necessarily dig myself out right now. The website also has some good information about debt help I didn't know about credit scores and credit reports. After answering some easy questions, I got to the score. I was surprised that it was a 72% or a C. I feel like it's an F. But I guess, it could be worse. I haven't filed for bankruptcy and I have a stable career. Although my debt is a bit over 10K, it's not insurmountable. With R's help, perhaps debt consolidation, I should be able to dig myself out.

What's your Bill IQ?

What You Are Like
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Radiohead - Kid A
Topic: fiction
You are like a house. You hardly know the stones in the yard. The living tendrils of your urban garden, full of cacti and pebbles. You don't notice the small hills and inclines around you. That you are standing on a slight grade, with a tilted world view.

You are like a house. Each room full of its own joys, comforts, raised and quiet voices. Floorboards creaking and feet padding along thick carpets. You are full of walls, cluttered and watchful. They are solid, unpenetrable.

Somedays you seem scarred by rainstorms, the red clay stains and fallen shutters. Sometimes you are overgrown, lazy, and hidden. You have the windows closed and the curtains drawn.

I am knocking and knocking.

Letting Down My Hair
Mood:  party time!
Topic: random

Next week, I'll be going to the spa, to get the manicure, pedicure, and 1 hour massage Rahim purchased for me. I'm also going to get my hair done, I think. A whole make-over, relaxation day. Add a little lip gloss, Extreme Style by VO5, and some new work clothes I recently purchased, and I'll be hot to trot. I'll know if I have 'Victory Hair,' if my students say I look gangsta. That's the compliment du jour. Back to school, baby! Victory hair is also what happens after a nice "roll in the hay," with my favorite squeeze. You know it's love when a man thinks you're sexy after seeing you in the morning, your hair mussed, your face with pillowcase impressions.

 
Steps for achieving Victory Hair:
1. Meet your appointed guy/girl/partner.
2. Enjoy a nice meal, and perhaps a trip to the local thrift store/flea market.
3. Make sure the a/c is on, or a fan.
4. Light candles.
5. Make whoopee!
6. Either ten or 60 minutes later, look in the mirror. Straighten hair as necessary.
7. Don't forget to cuddle!

If you've got the hair for the job, you might want to check out V05's Ultimate Flirting Championship. Like maybe you have commercial, toss-your-hair-over-your-shoulder hair. Or maybe you want to show off your new Victory Hair from the first haircut you've gotten in 20 years, like an Oprah episode.

Okay, I'm rambling now. Tired. But not from styling my hair.

Up Late
Mood:  energetic
Topic: blogness
Why. Am. I. Still. Blogging? It's very very late, but here I am online. The glow of the computer's screen will probably eat away some brain cells. Must. sleep.

Spreading Like Mold
Mood:  irritated
Topic: family

We're still on the hunt for a house to rent. Of course, we don't want to live in a house with lots of water damage or mold. Unfortunately, a lot of the foreclosures my MIL has been looking at have that issue. Whatever disaster has struck these home owners, that leave them unable to keep up with their homes, is quite sad. Whether it's a matter of fire restoration or repairing water damage, I still believe most houses are worth the investment. I also wish my MIL was more willing to invest in a home with some of these issues, when the house has a good shell or foundation. I know that she would be able to find a good company out there to do the restoration. Some companies, like Water Restoration 911, will respond 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so she can feel assured that Baba will live in a safe environment. We could be living in the new house by the time she finds the "perfect" one.

You know the saying about lemonade. I think it might apply to this situaiton.