Thursday, February 26, 2009

To: Baby


To: Baby,


Because The Office is a rerun, I’ve got a little time to type out some thoughts. Now that I’m closing a chapter in my formal education (73 days until graduation), I’m often reminded that, yes, I am indeed a single white female. I got a text today from an old friend and roommate from out on the island. She is having her SECOND baby in a few weeks…boy. This got me thinking, if I were to stay caught up to my older sibs I would be getting married in the next couple months…good thing I’ve never much cared for sibling rivalry.


My new favorite game is to make my mom think everything she says makes me think she’s insinuating that I should be getting married. Miranda likes to make jokes about it too…and Mindy…and Brad occasionally tries to hook me up…well, maybe just once. I called my house the other day and in the background dad asks “Is that Mallory? Does she have a boyfriend yet?!”


My Top 5 Reasons for Thinking About Marriage:

#5 Portion control. It is impossible for me to cook servings for a single person, and I have that disorder where I have to eat everything on my plate (I’m assuming). I can share the love.

#4 To have an excuse my family would accept for me skipping to another country (for the honeymoon).

#3 $$$: Mom always said “Marry for money. You can learn to love’em later”

#2 To get surprises like that cake! (Referring to above photo)

#1 I can NOT wait for the day I can say “sorry dude, I’m married” to the guys who can’t take a hint. (No offense Mr. touchy, or Mr. B.O., or Mr. Sharing a hymn book means true love, or Mr. she’s only playing hard to get, because we are so meant to have babies together)

All said in light hearted fun

Don’t worry folks. I am far from being in the desperate zone. I just think it’s funny. I figured I would either be on a mission or married by now. So, now I’m just living another fun and crazy life I didn’t anticipate. Surprises are the best (honestly said without sarcasm).


Blog ya later :)

From: Your Lover


Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Smile!

Sunday I got one of the most exciting phone calls of the year! My niece lost her first tooth!!! I tried to get the voice message on here, but I'm not that smooth. Let me give you the gist:
"Hello, I just wanted to tell you that I had a llllooooossse toooooth, and I ate a hoooogggie....and the tooooth came out. So, that tooth is actually gone. I hope you're excited. Bye.....Bye-bye-bye!" Not sure why she drug out her words so much, but it made it that much more entertaining. CONGRATS ELLA!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Cookies Anyone?


As ALWAYS, instead of doing dreaded homework and lesson plans I can't help but...not. Today I spent my time adapting sugar cookie recipes into all natural cookies of love. They aren't too bad! I used whole wheat flour, evaporated sugar cane, real butter...you get the picture (cause it's right above :)

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Heart

This is something I've wanted to post for a long time. I grew up in a nice small town in Ohio. The further I'd drive into the Appalachian hills another world would emerge. I've gained a huge love and an understanding for this area since I moved here. Where stereotypes and judgment once were, now are desires to help these children reach the potential they have. Not change them, but help them gain the quality of life to have safety, security, health and education; things all people deserve.

I honestly and truly love it here. I'm a country girl, and there is no absence of country. I've learned a lot about communication. I've learned that words mean little. Peopl
e emanate love that is hard to recognize through the tough exteriors and harsh voices. But when that love is seen there is no choice but to recognize their standing as children of God. There is no difference between them or any other human, other than these children were raised in a different environment. The children here often have a look in their eyes that they have seen too much. By the time they reach adulthood they have found ways to board up their souls from hurt, and their pride can make them bitter. These experiences are common throughout all society, but are ever so prevalent and common throughout these hills. There is a better way. A happier way. One of joy.

I'm not quite sure what I can do to help other than be an example, and teach my students what I can. I've started a notebook a while back of ideas to help this area, and I have hopes to someday do a greater work. Also, I listen. Everyone has a story they want to be heard. This documentary was so great. I couldn't stop watching it. It reminded me of so many families here, and even of some of my own extended family. It’s long, but true to life. This is 1 of 10, so you’ll have to click on the next ones at end. Let me know what you think!


Saturday, February 21, 2009

Let's Get Something Straight Here

As you all know, I have long, curly red hair. I sometimes enjoy something new, and will straighten my hair from time to time. Without fail, someone always asks "why did you straighten your hair?!" as if I had betrayed the curly hair gods. I have an addiction to change, and going straight is just a little way to get my fix. Another reason for straightening my hair?

I can pretend I went SHORT!
I've only cut my hair twice (only up to my shoulders) to donate it to Locks of Love, and each time I felt my mojo get thrown off. Until the next time I get the guts to chop off my locks, I'll just have to pretend. At least I can always turn my straight hair back to curly with one wash...Not so much short to long...

P.S.- When I do decide to cut my hair I'll send it over to my aunt Diane. I know you've always wanted it! (And it's fun to hear you read my silly blog:)

Friday, February 13, 2009

Home Brings Smiles

I love visiting back home. I was planning on getting tons of assignments and lesson plans done. In actuality I'm spending the time doing what is REALLY important to me.

Quick recap of the past little while down at school:

After a full day of teaching, meeting with my professor and a late class the only thing that is ever on my mind is, of course, FOOD. I made one of my favorites; chicken with onions and peppers. I went to add some spice, and things got a little TOO spicy. I opened a brand new thing of fresh ground pepper, went to turn the grinder, and this is what happened:

The top wasn’t screwed on tight. Notice the little bit of pepper left^What could I do? It was late and all I wanted to do was eat and go to bed. I cleaned it up, and smiled that this figures smile and even laughed a little. I picked off as much pepper as I could, and ate it.

Between late nights, dealing with teenager attitudes, parent-teacher conferences (which was fun putting things into showcases and everyone who walked by saying their cute “Hey! Is this performance art?”), freak wind storms and watching the neighbors' transformer blow up I was ready to head home today!

I pulled into the driveway to a familiar sight. Dad had 3 trucks in the driveway. When I walked in mom’s first topic was about how my father bought ANOTHER truck he didn’t need…I looked over and this is something else I saw:
Dad has a habit of bring things home he “doesn’t need”, especially if it’s free. Remember the rooster from last fall?

I soon headed over to my sister’s house to see my much missed nephews. While there we caught up, watched Brennen WALK and looked through old photos. Mindy gave me a bunch of old Polaroids my grandma took. These were my favorite out of the bunch:
I'm the one in red and acid wash bibs . I LOVE MY GRANDMA!!! If you can’t read it, she wrote “me" and "big pineapple"
I love her.

Later tonight I'm heading back over to Mindy's with Miranda and Mom to watch The Secrete Life of Bees (a book we all read, so we've been excited to watch it).

It's good to be home.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Bits

If I had the energy I would dance when the day was over! This all day everyday stuff is a beast.

PS- I’ve chosen to stay free this summer…Maybe take up a small job here or there. Have some time to actually live my life, go kayaking with the family down the Little Miami, spend much needed quality time with my nephews in PA, spend a few intense weeks in DC with a dear friend, visit places that stole little bits of my heart, and find new places to give more little bits away to. Those grow back, right? Or, maybe the little bits morph in with where they are, and your heart just gets bigger and bigger…I’ve been spending too much time with high schoolers…

Monday, February 9, 2009

Sunday, February 8, 2009

antiqui-li-ki

Friday I went to an antique shop that’s going out of business, and everything is 70% off. Most of the good stuff was gone, but I managed to find some things that made me happy. First off: an egotistical montage of me in some smock things I found for under a buck a piece. As an art major these will actually come in handy.

Second: a box thing. This is my new version of a caboodle.

Third: a vase. A dirty vase. It will be well loved. I really realized yesterday what an amazing life I've got going for me. Some how I found a way to get paid for what I love. Granted, I haven't found a job yet (as my mother likes to remind me), but even so, things really couldn't be any better. I've got a 4 day weekend coming up...I think a small dose of excitement is necessary.

Blog ya later...

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Who Says?

Who says Portsmouth doesn’t have character? Just today I saw my neighbor get his newspaper in just a shorty robe, and a man at the grocery store smoking a pipe. Now THAT’S character.

Have any of you walked outside today? It’s beautiful! (well, warm). As soon as my laundery is done I’ll have to show you what I got at the antique store yesterday. I’m excited about it.

Saturdays are the best.

And now it's time for:
Fun memories of being hugged by a spicy Hispanic on your Birthday
May will be the best month of my life this year. I can feel it!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

In Public

Funny story. The girl on the computer next to me is talking on her cell phone and said “It’s over?! So, you’re leaving?!…I mean you’re leaving your class?”…I thought I was going to get to witness one of those awkward public cell phone breakups. Guess it’s just not my lucky day…Oh wait! Her lover just showed up! I’ve been next to this couple in the library before! Time for some aggressive PDA. Maybe today is my lucky day!




Realize my discomfort.

Just Another Day

What a day. After student teaching, I headed over to the art museum for their Memory Project display opening. High school students drew portraits of orphan children for them to have. It is really a wonderful thing. I told my students I would be by the snacks. They assumed it was because I like food. Little did they know I was in charge of protecting the cookie and punch table. It was really nice to see people in the community I haven’t seen in a while, and students I had previously.

I get to wear jeans tomorrow! Every payday. It’s pretty sweet. Only, it makes it harder for my co-op teacher and me to find each other in the classroom, because we both look like one of the students. I’m loving my field placement. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be. I’ve started something I want to keep doing for the rest of my teaching days. It’s a notebook of all the funny things students say or do. It’s a small list right now, but it will grow. A couple of my favorites are:

Teacher: “It’s in the kiln room.”
Student to friend: “Did she just say kill room?”

Student: “Can we watch the inauguration? I heard there’s supposed to be like 800 snipers”