One More Week
Mood:  on fire
Topic: health
It's only the first week at school, yet I feel like taking a short break or vacation, just to get away from the city, from the noise, from all the conflict and stress. Maybe I can convince some girlfriends to go on a cruise with me. R would be fine taking care of the baby for awhile.

I'm imagining a soothing, relaxing trip down through the Gulf of Mexico, stopping at a Carribean island, and sunbathing on the deck. Don't get me wrong, I am really enjoying the school year so far. I guess I'm just really tired like everyone else probably is and wishing I had one more week of summer.

Like a Car Loan
Mood:  sharp
Topic: random

You know how when you're at the car dealership and you pick out the car you want, that you've been dreaming about and researching online. The test drive is awesome - the ride is smooth, the engine is almost silent, and the leather is so soft against your thights. Then you go inside with the car salesman. And then the real ride begins.

You wait and wait, as the guy dissects your entire credit and job history. You answer about 40 questions and the salesman has had little meetings with the manager about 4 times at least. Who knows, maybe they're talking about where to go to dinner or what they watched on tv the night before. He finally comes back with you with the quote, the car loan information, and the monthly payments. With technology these days, you can get approved online very quickly. Sometimes the decision might happen too quickly, especially if you get rejected. But then again, there are loans out there for you too. Crazy interest rates, but you gotta roll with the shiny rims, right?

Well, I finally got my 2nd tattoo tonight. I'm sure R thought the whole thing was like that wait at the car dealership, especially the part when we left and he didn't have anything to show for it. Also, I was in a lot of pain. I can't wait to show you some pics, but I kinda have to wait for the pain to subside and the redness to go away, until the tattoo is like a pair of shiny rims. Then, I'll reveal the tattoo goodness.

Ouch
Mood:  mischievious
Topic: work

No more pencils, no more books,
No more teacher's dirty looks.
Kick the table, kick the chairs
Kick the teacher down the stairs!

Well, that's a rhyme probably for the lasst day of school. But the first week of school has left me feeling pretty much kicked around.

For a Hamburger Today
Mood:  hungry
Topic: money

Remember the Popeye cartoons and the character Wimpy would say, "I will gladly pay on Tuesday for a hamburger today." I feel like that some days!

Have you ever wondered about those programs that claim to be able to "fix your bad credit"? I do. Because I have bad credit. My creidt score is probably like the temperature on a hot day, not someone's score on an SAT section. A high score, that is. Anyway, R has considered out a big personal loan to help me and for those tough times, a payday loan sounds like a good remedy. So far, I've managed to scrape by, and my summer camp money and blog money have really come in handy. I look forward to my new and improved paycheck at the end of the month. Weee!

What a great Izea!
Mood:  lucky
Topic: blogness

Awesome! I learned a few days ago that I was named July Postie of the Month for Izea. They operate two of the websites I write for sometimes. I'm so flattered! I do take a lot of pride in my blogging, whether I'm writing about personal crap or reflecting on the state of our world or just writing about random stuff. I often flux between well-crafted prose and just everyday language that any 6th grader could understand. I've been blogging for about 4 years, and I hope to keep blogging for a long time. Baba is just growing and growing, so there'll always be something to write about! Thanks to everyone for reading!

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.