comic relief

Wow, it has been way too long since my last post, but with good reason. I have been taking teacher certification classes for the past week to get my certification in 4th-8th to teach this fall at Yellowstone Academy!

I will have a fourth grade class and most likely move up with them to 5th grade the following year.

There is a long check list of things that must occur before handed a certificate. At the moment it consists of taking these classes, taking additional classes online, and studying to take a content exam that needs to happen soon, but realistically will not.

Needless to say, this past week and the ones to follow have not left me much room to do anything but be a student again!

Though, a fun fact of this whole process has been that a guy that sits at my table has such a familiar voice. I couldn't place it until early this week. And then it hit me, he sounds EXACTLY like Eddie Murphy in the Nutty Professor, very deep and matter of fact like. YES!

Oh, the little things in life...

kickball

Yes, that is right. Kickball is in and I am a part of it! Who knew that Houston would hold such a thing as cool as a kickball league? Well, they figured something out because our team is massive! I mean really, during these summer days, who in Houston wouldn't want to be a part of it?!

Our team name is Kick in a Box and we have a BLAST! If you're in Houston and want to see the magic happen come to Memorial Park Monday nights.

house sitting

Starting yesterday and going through August 1, I will be house sitting a rather sizable house along with 3 dogs, a cat, and a fish.

If any interesting stories come of it, I will be sure to pass it on.

1-1=2

So, the inevitable has come.

I have inherited the bad genes from both parents.

Which gene is that you ask?

Gray hair.

The occasional strand has popped out, terrifying me to no end, but a quick pull and it disappears. However, I have noticed several more. Ahh!

I guess the old saying is true that if you pull a gray hair, two grow back in its place.

Not fun.

I have come to the conclusion though that a few strands of gray is better than a lot. Gray hair is also better than no hair at all. So now I guess the only thing to do is embrace it.

What else is a 25 year old to do?

child's play

Last week a couple of co-workers asked if I wanted to go to the children's museum with them as I was leaving work. They had free passes, and Houston has one of the best museum districts in the country, so I went.

Upon arriving, the front desk if there were any children with us. You might wonder why they would ask that, curiosity I guess, I mean it is a CHILDREN'S museum. No. We had to leave a picture ID at the counter to pick up as we exit because we were 3 adults with no children. What?!

Yes, that is correct. The pedophiles have entered the building. Parents beware!

I starting laughing. It is a funny thought to go to a children's museum without children (Though I must say the two teachers I went with were very excited!)

In the grand scheme of things I am glad they have that system in place.

Way to go Children's Museum, even if it was at our expense!

music

Tuesday night I went with a few friends to hear Pete Yorn play. He was fabulous live! My friend Jessica and I got a sweet parking spot next to the tour bus and as we were walking in, we passed Pete talking on his cell. Pretty cool.

The venue wasn't sold out, which was surprising, until I realized that I was in Houston, not Austin. I guess that is a good thing, not having to worry about getting tickets to see different artists.

If you are not familiar with Pete Yorn, listen to him on Pandora and you will also hear the likes of Coldplay, Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, Ryan Adams, and The Killers.

42nd street

Last night Meredith and I went to see the musical 42nd Street at Miller Outdoor Theater. The theater is also known as Theater Under the Stars, it is an outdoor theater in Herman Park that puts on free shows to the Houston public.

I hadn't been there since I was a kid, but it hasn't changed at all in the 42 years that it has been open. (Only fitting that 42nd Street is the musical playing during the theater's 42nd year).

Like I said, all seats are free. There are covered seats at the front, where a ticket is required (and can be picked up the morning of the performance), behind the seating area is a large hill where everyone else sits to enjoy the show.

I am continually amazed at all the things that are in Houston to do; it's really fun discovering it all. This was a great weekend to say the least, but today is Monday and it's now time for work.

saturday

My friend Alex is in town from Turkey for the summer and had people over to her house so that she could tell us about her time there and show pictures. It was really great to see her and hear more about what all she did. It made me want to go back and visit the DR even more so than I already do.

That night I met up with a few friends at this place called the Gallant Knight. I had never heard of the place before, but come to find out that it used to be THE place to go in Houston, but shut down several years ago. It (re)opened about 3 weeks ago at a new location, which is conveniently located 5 minutes from my house.

I cannot tell how cool this place was! I walk along the patio outside and go in, only to hear a live band playing Proud Mary by Tina Turner and see everyone out on the dance floor. Yes, this place has live jazz music and everyone was really into it. Saturday was like a tribute to Motown, every song they played kept getting better and better! Oh I had so much fun!

chicago and earth wind and fire

Friday night I went with a group of friends to see Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire play at the Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands (which by the way is a really cool venue, I had no idea!)

We sat out on the lawn with our blankets and had such a blast. The weather believe it or not was perfect! So exciting!

My sister Meredith came too which made it that much better!

food inc.

I saw the movie Food, Inc. with my step dad and step brother, Andrew, Monday night. It had such an impact and was so moving. I wish I had the time (or perhaps even the intellect) to convey to you from a political, ethical, nutritional, moral, and financial standpoint how important the principals of this movie are. Please go and see it.

Attached is the link to the website where you can watch the trailer and find out more info, but I really do recommend everyone to go and see it.

Food Inc.

operations

This summer at Yellowstone I have been working as the interim Operations Manager, attempting to keep this organization running and learning more about how a school operates. Man, it is an enormous production!

I have been so grateful for the opportunity, not only for the experience, but the exposure. Just today I worked with this guy from a gate company to fix our automated gate and get it set on a timer. There is such power in knowledge! I now fully know everything about our gates. I also got off the phone with a fire company a few minutes ago who agreed to lower their prices in order to get our business. That was a good feeling.

I fully know now that this is not a career that I see myself doing long term, it is not my skill set whatsoever which is okay, I have enough friends in the business world! I certainly do feel much more like a businesswoman though!