Fire Trucks, Karate, and Lego Building

It's crazy how time flies.

This time last year I was in a car with my two roommates on our way to Frankie's Fun Park, counting to 10, and screaming in the car, $100 or $30 on a Sigma Nu boy at the pledge auction, studying for exams/doing projects, and rocking my tacky Christmas sweater. This year.. none of that. I am writing lesson plans, stringing jingle bells with 4yr olds, going to 7yr old's karate parties, and preparing to have my tonsils taken out.

This weekend, Mom and I went to NC for my cousin's 7th birthday party. This reminded me of why I should not have children for a very very very very long time. With 11 kids doing karate, I was just fine when I left alone. I mastered 2 lego ships, 2 monster trucks, and beat a 7 yr old with my monster truck. I'd call the trip a success. Especially because it included fire alarms, cops, and an ambulance all at once. Let me explain. Mom and I were curled up in our hotel beds (don't worry, mom checked for bed bugs), watching a little SVU (Criminal Minds wasn't on..), and ERRR ERRR ERRRR. (Insert fire alarm here) We get our shoes on and head into the hall. The 17 yr old looking front desk girl was running up the stairs and she told us to go outside because "I don't know where it's coming from!" We go down the stairs, people peeking out their rooms and going back into them, and head outside. To our amazement, with the fire alarm blaring, there is not a fire truck as you would have thought, but an ambulance and 2 cop cars. As a few hotel customers gather, in walk the paramedics. One looks to the other and says "Why are these alarms going off?" hmmm. You're there for a reason unrelated to the fire alarm? Interesting.

In closing, I will leave you with a picture.

Not Fair!!

Well, the big news of my day: I got a reimbursement check from school today. Spent it all on itunes. Glee to be exact.

It had been a while since I had updated and I had some complaints from my faithful readers (mom) so I thought I would write today.

Last week, I was asked by one of my kids, "Miss Skowski(can't pronounce it correctly!), is Santa real?" Well, of course I said yes. So, I guess feeling that my answered hadn't satisfied, another kid said to him, "DUH! you can go see him at the mall!" Whew, got away with that one. But then, I got to thinking. Why do parents lie about Santa, the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy, etc? Why would you spend hundreds of dollars a year and lie and pretend it wasn't you who bought it. Your kids think Santa is cooler than you. That just doesn't work for me. Santa isn't paying for your new drum set. Santa didn't buy you that Easy Bake Oven. Santa didn't put your new bike together. (or in Chrissy's case, your new treadmill) So, why do people do it? Santa didn't work a day in his life, and here I'll be slaving for my teaching salary to give the credit to a fat creeper in a red suit. In the words of my class, "NOT FAIR!"

Do You Have a Real Name?

After a recent girl-talk session with Hillary (hey, Hill), I came to a conclusion about guys that I am attracted to. After talking about the recent males in my life, I realized that they all have nicknames.

How do you trust a guy that doesn't even go by his real name? Not even his last name either. Just some sort of an abbreviation of it. Your mother named you something for a reason. Your father gave you a last name for a reason.

It is one thing for your friends, teammates, or frat brothers to call you something funny/dumb/embarrassing/shorter than your real name, but for a girl that you are trying to impress? Lets stick with your birth name (unless it is something completely dumb).

So, these boys with nicknames haven't worked for me yet. Now, as I continue with my life, if you are a Tric, Dubb, or PrettyNose turn around. But, if you are a Christopher, Brayden, or Robert then Hello, My name is Juliane.

Recap.

By golly. First, I must apologize to all of my devoted blog readers.. I have neglected you, and I am sorry. I won't promise to not do it again, because I am never good with promises. But, I can do my best to not go 20 days without writing.

I'll start from 20 days ago. The last time I wrote, I had just gotten back from PC's recruitment. After that, I was back to PC for homecoming. This was something I hadn't experienced since my junior year because senior year homecoming was literally that. I was home in Greenville. However, luckily for me and my friends, this year's celebration included no knifes, holes in walls, doors being busted in, screaming, futon throwing, neighbors calling, and cops coming. This year included 4 Loko (please don't ban it, SC), Senor Garcias, rashes, air mattresses, A1 crammed into Molly's dorm room, break-ups, make-ups, KFC chicken legs, and another PC loss. Also, there was a beautiful explosion of BLUE.

My best friends at the game.

That was 2 weeks ago. Let me tell you, those have been some busy 2 weeks. I found out I am getting my tonsils removed, my dad is moving away for a year, I have to have a fake Christmas tree, I was observed (officially), and so much more.

Some may think it sucks I have to get my tonsils taken out over Christmas break. I actually think it is wonderful. I don't eat the food anyway, so now I get to load up on my addiction, Marble Slab. I get to miss 2 days of work. AND I WON'T GET STREP OR TONSIL STONES ANYMORE!!!!

Also, in the last 20 days, the best thing happened. PC broke its 20 game losing streak!!!!!!!! They defeated Gardner Webb 26-24. Way to go, HOSE.

Now, onto more wonderful tales: (I do teach kindergarten)
1) While playing with plastic dolls (they are dresses as occupations, teacher, mailman, etc.), a boy in my class holds up a girl doll with blond hair. "This is Miss Laskowski." He puts her into the house we built. He then holds up a man, with a tire, and a mustache. "This is Miss Laskowski's husband." He puts the man in my house. He then proceeds to have the 2 dolls make out. Very inappropriate.

2) Halloween is coming very soon. This has been the conversation daily for my kids. Everything goes back to costumes, candy, and craziness. My kids were laying down for rest time and I was working on paper work. Chass looks up at me and she says, "Miss L, I know what I am going to be for Halloween." Knowing she had already told me she was going to be a vampire, I asked her what it was. She said, "I am going to be YOU!" I laughed and said, "oh really, so you want to be a teacher." She said, "No, I just want to be you. I'm not going to work when I grow up." So, I am not sure if she thinks dressing up like me is cool, like dressing up as Snooki is. Or if she thinks dressing up as me is scary, like dressing up as a vampire. I am going with cool.

3) I have been busy doing report cards. Nothing says, Hey Jules, you really did graduate and you really are a teacher, more than report cards do. I never want to do them again. Lucky for me, I get to do them 4 times a year for the rest of my life.

And The World Keeps Spinning Around..

This week has been so long. And crazy. And tiring. And just plain blah. Where to start?

1. I went to PC for recruitment. We got 20 new girls! Amazzzing, new girls. It brought me back to my college days (oh, those were the days) of no sleep, sleepovers, and fast food. I left exhausted, sick to my stomach, sore, and with a cold. I haven't been so happy in a while.
2. I had one child suspended. A four year old. Suspended. Yes. For the 2nd time. This was his 4th write up. You may be asking yourself how we got to this point.. Well, first was poking someone in the eye on purpose to get on the computer. Second, was biting a child through his pants and leaving swelling, blood, and bite marks. Third, biting someone else, not as severely, but still, biting is biting. (insert suspension #1) And fourth, giving a girl an Indian burn on her arm, rubbing it raw. (insert 2 day suspension)
3. My class went to the Peace Center on a field trip. We saw Strega Nona. It was just a bubbling hour of songs and pasta. Exciting.
4. I put a bra on Max. 
5. J Crew told me she wanted to be "Auntie J Crew."
6. I was observed. This was an informal one, just to give me a copy of the evaluation form. Don't worry, I'm an excellent teacher. :) The form said so.
7. A girl in my class brought in a Black and Mild. I don't know what was funniest about this situation. The fact that it happened during religion, the fact that a boy started yelling "I DONT BELIEVE IT!! A CIGAR! A CIGAR!" or hearing my parents aged co-worker call her mom and use the term "a black" because that's what I had called it.
8. Expulsion. Refer back to #2 for back story. He came back to school today, after a 2 day suspension. He punched a child (#5). I found out today that we don't play.

So, now it is Friday night. I am sitting on my couch. Max next to me. House to myself. You may think I am a loser. However, there is nothing I would rather do on a Friday night than what I am doing right now.

Shake It Like a S, Like a Sigma S.

I love recruitment(not like I love sub sandwiches, but close). It was the one week where whether or not you liked all your sisters, you loved them. We all came together this one time a year for the good of Sigma. We laughed together, we cried together. We bitched about the same things together. I tried to explain this feeling to my friends last year, but I would get this feeling inside of me. It's like that feeling you get when fall comes. It just takes over you. You're just excited, nervous, stressed, tired, and happy all in one little sorority girl of a body. You go to class, shove a delicious Springs' sub in your tummy, and go set up for that night's parties.

Then is the moment you have waited for since last year. You have on your outfit, your pearls, badge, and name tag. You are lined up facing a sister that at that moment you love. You begin singing. Then, whether you are ready or not, in come the potential new members. Your teeth are shining and your voice is shaking. You tell them everything you can about Sigma and why you love it. Then you repeat 3 times that night. And for the next two nights. Some nights are funny. Some are emotional. But they all still gave me that feeling of belonging to something.

I am lucky enough to get to attend our recruitment this year. My grand little planned it. I am sure it will be our best recruitment since I planned it 2 years ago. It runs in the family. I am also lucky enough to tell the PNMs what our philanthropy means to me on Friday night.

I have always really loved Sigma. I may not have always loved everyone or everything about it, but I always loved Sigma.

I'd Like That Toasted, Please.

I love subs. There are a lot of foods that I just LOVE, but I could eat a sub every day. My day could consist of cereal for breakfast, a sub for lunch, and chicken and red sauce for dinner (insert the occasional 4th meal taco or chocolate chip waffle). I don't just love a certain sub, either. Many foods I like have to be made a certain way, like the only eggs I will eat are the ones mom makes with ham or the only steak I'll truly enjoy is from Outback. But, subs, I love them all. Well, all of them except Subway subs. I don't want to smell like that just to eat a sub.

At every sub place I get a different sub. Turkey with oil/vinegar, banana peppers, and lettuce/tomatoes or Chicken Parm at Jersey Mikes. Turkey, pickles, lettuce, and mustard at Publix. The turkey sub at Jimmy Johns that always has too much mayo and just the right amount of sprouts. And last, but certainly not least, the chicken finger sub, toasted, with american cheese, pickles, lettuce/tomatoes, and honey mustard from Springs. Yes, my subs from Springs made my list. I love subs.

I hope Molly made note of my Springs' sub order because I expect one the next time I arrive at PC. I think my favorite part about Springs' subs was you never really knew what you were getting, but it was always wonderful. Sometimes the 'chef' put the sub in the toaster and didn't press the start button. Sometimes halfway through your sub you realized it was cheese only, no turkey. Sometimes you got regular mustard instead of honey. Always you got a pool of sauce, never the right amount. Always, wonderful.

When I stated earlier that I could eat a sub daily, I wasn't kidding. I used to do this. Sometimes, if I was lucky enough, I even got to have 2 subs from Springs (partly due to their deliciousness, partly due to no other food options in Clinton).

Whatever the reason, I love subs. White bread. Wheat bread. 6 inch, but never the foot long (okay, except that one time I didn't eat all day). Turkey or chicken. I cannot get enough. Can you tell I ate a sub tonight? Can you tell I miss Springs?

Bad Romance.

My last post left off with a captivating bloody lip story. Well, it has taken me days to be able to digest what happened on Thursday. I have finally come to terms with it and can now discuss it with you all in written form. Come Thursday morning, being the amazing teacher that I am, brought my class a special snack. We are doing a unit called "Healthy Me" so we are talking about healthy food, safety, and being kind. I brought in a healthy snack of carrots, celery, and ranch dressing. I had a table full of 8 students in front of me and about 3 students at the table next to it. As I stand there scooping ranch onto my celery stalk, I stick it in my mouth, begin to bite down and I look up. I looked up to the most horrific sight. Worse than the bloody massacre that happened on the playground just a day before. Ty was throwing up. I was never sensitive to smells until I had my gallbladder out for some reason. Not only did he throw up, but he continued to throw up all over the room. I immediately started to gag, lined the kids up and went to the patio. I was not going back in until it was gone. About an hour later, I along with 15 kids entered a sparkling, bleach cleaned room.

Now, this has scarred me for a while from eating celery and carrots, which is really a shame seeing as I restarted my diet today. However, it also brought me back to my days in Springs when we raced to get veggie cups. Just this past year, Springs Campus Center started selling fruit cups, veggie cups, and pudding cups. However, they were a hot commodity. The workers would fill the case with them and within minutes they would be gone. Why? I am not exactly sure. The fruit and veggies were never exactly the freshest, just always delicious.

Four Year Old Logic

I was given a Silly Band from a boy about a week ago, it was taken back from me today I will add, but it was a pink car. I wore this Silly Band on my wrist for about a week before any one in K4 noticed. Until, "Miss L, let me get that Silly Band." hm, well no. "But, I got one to trade ya." oh, okay. Now you're talking. What do you have to trade? "it's a straw" (Knowing I wasn't impressed, I did have a car, he continued) "But, it's green, your favorite color." oo, I see. Let me think about it. "Yours glow in the dark?" well, no it doesn't. "Ohhh." That was the end of the conversation. I guess, at 4, having a glow in the dark Silly Band is far better than one that does not.

"I'm gonna tell me mommy on you!" Oh, okay. You do that. I am not worried about it. "But I will tell her! You will be in trouble." I'm going to tell your mommy on you too. "No, you don't tell on me." And that is settled real fast.

If I do not end each day laughing, I will just go insane. Today I was on the play ground, with 16 children, about 10 lined up, 4 still playing refusing to listen and line up, and 2 come running up to me. One of the 2 was pulling the other. The other, well she was holding her mouth, which was gushing blood. HELLO!! So now, I have 10 kids lined up, a gushing lipped child, a bloody handed child, and 4 still on the play ground. Turns out, this split lip was an accident. However, the original story the whole class (that was lined up) told, was that a boy punch her. Once bleeding girl was with the nurse, and the class was in our "class meeting" the story turned to someone accidentally hit her while he was coming down the slide. Next was the story about the truck coming down the slide and hitting her lip. However, my favorite story, and still untrue was when student Y raises his hand "Well, Miss L, if that was what happened, I have to tell you, it was me. I threw the truck down the slide and it hit her on accident." Okay, well that was settled. We went to lunch. I later find out from the nurse that the hurt child said two girls were arguing over the truck and it hit her. I guess student Y figured, the sooner someone just tells her a good story we can get to lunch. I still don't understand why you'd confess to something you didn't do? Strange strange children.

Did I mention today was day 3 of diet days.. I ate a Frosty.

Sandwich Line.

Last night, I sat at the kitchen table with the whole family (yes, Stephen, too) and ate not one, but TWO meals. Yes, my mom is THAT awesome. She made chicken paprika, and knowing it is not my favorite, she also made me a chicken, broccoli casserole. I put a little of this one my plate and then a little of that. Then I added some noodles. I had so many options, I didn't know what to do with myself.

This brought me back to freshman and sophomore year, the days when GDH was actually good. For all of you non-PC people, which isn't many, seeing as my only readers are J.Crew and Molly, GDH is Greenville Dining Hall, the delicious eatery at PC. Back during freshman and sophomore year, GDH had a wide variety of food. My favorites were the quesadillias and perogies. I also greatly enjoyed when they had Thanksgiving dinner. But on any day, I could go to GDH and be greeted by a sandwich line, pasta line, pizza line, grill line, plus whatever the actual meal was. It was wonderful.

5 Things I Wish 4 Year Olds Knew..

1) A line means one behind another. No matter how many times we line up, everyone always rushes to the front. This is mind boggling to me because we have a line leader, yet, when you ask who the line leader is, 10 of them raise their hands. Uh, no. Check the job chart. And, no, Kameron, just because you were line leader last week, doesn't mean you are line leader this week. You have a new job this week, remember, you have been doing it every morning. It's called calendar helper. We lined up shortest to tallest on Thursday. We then proceeded to march around the school with rhythm sticks. Why when we step out of the classroom do I have 5 of the taller boys in front of the shortest kid, Yindy? Why?!

2) Just because someone has something you want, does not mean you can bite, kick, poke, slap, or exchange any sort of physical contact with that child. No, that truck, football, computer, etc. is not yours. Just because you want it, doesn't mean you can have it. I want some Sonic chili cheese tots with onions right now, but that doesn't mean I am going to slap the person in the car next to me to get them.

3) Calling my name 100 times and banging on my thigh is not going to get my attention any faster than just saying "Miss L" once. Do I bang on you to get your attention?! No. So get away from my thigh

4) I do not need kids to be an adult. And just because I am old enough to have 5, I do not have any. I am not sure why kids think that to be an adult that you need to have kids. I would explain to them that I am not married, but that wouldn't work because their parents aren't married. Do these kids not read my blog? I am 22! I am an adult!

5) I want to go home just as much as you do. I hear it at least 5 times a day. "Miss L, I wanna go home." So I look at whoever just said it and say, "You know what, so do I." This also works well for the "I want my mom" and the "My head hurts" and the "I have to go to the bathroom" comments.

Let's Go Blue Hose! Let's Go!

Right now, I am watching on ESPN3, my PC Blue Hose take on Wake Forest. Yes, that's right. They are on ESPN!!! They have made 2 touchdowns already and are playing well. They are making good plays and really working hard. It is so exciting to me to have my Hose playing a REAL, big school. Next week, we travel to Clemson. That is going to be the day.

I want nothing more right now then to put on my sundress, Jack Rogers, and face tattoo. I want to walk across the townhouse's lawn to New Bailey Stadium, eat a hot dog, drink a beer, and cheer on the Hose. I always thought it was dumb that we dressed up for football games, and still kinda do, but it is something that is so nostalgic looking back. I cannot wait for Homecoming, to be back in Clinton for a game. Until then, see you next week Clemson.

I Wasn't Kidding..

about my bones hurting. (So, stop asking, Molly.)

When I was student teaching I could literally stay up until 1am or later and get up at 6am, shower, get my lunch together, and face 19 2nd graders for the day. So why am I exhausted the second I wake up, now? I am skipping all my shows that come on at 10pm, which is hard considering one of them is Jersey Shore (I still don't know what Sam and Ronnie fought over last week!). I just want to wake up not tired, but no matter how early I go to sleep I still wake up tired. You may be thinking, 'Well, Juliane, why don't you try going to sleep before 10?' Well, I will tell you. Because I have. I have fallen asleep many times on the couch, only to have mom wake me up and tell me to get into my bed. I wake up the next morning.. still tired. Any suggestions will be accepted on how to not be so tired. I am also taking suggestions on how to not bruise so easily (thanks for the ones submitted already by Jcrew).

Now onto a much more important subject. I don't usually like to grip about things in public, just in private, but I am just so over Max. So, if you know any good doggy psychologists, please send them my way. Mom and dad went out of town for a while, so that leaves just me and Max. Now, I can sensitive to the fact that he just lost his best friend, but heck, so did I, so get over it Max! I tried washing my car yesterday (thanks for the mean messages painted on it from Molly and Savannah), so I tied Max to the basketball hoop thinking he would want to be outside with me. Well, after he had a mental breakdown because he was tied up, I brought him back inside. I continued to scrub the yellow paint off of my windows until I kept hearing very loud banging. Does Max REALLY think that throwing himself up against the garage door is going to help his situation? So, I did what any other teacher with students that act up would do, I ignored him. A little later, we ate dinner (him a little messier than I). He seemed anxious and was barking at anything and everything, so I let him outside and I sat on our porch and watched tv. I was shocked when I heard a howling coyote in my backyard and shot up to look. Oh. My. Gosh. It wasn't a coyote as many of you may have guessed.. just Max. Howling. WTF, Max? I guess he just hates his life (as is shown in the picture below).

Angry Max

Basically, I need help.

Protecting God's Children..

As I sit on the carpet listening to Sister Mary teach religion to my class, I hear "Miss L, Miss L, psss, Miss L," coming from my left. I turn to see a girl in my class with her shirt pulled down, exposing her chest. "Miss L, these are my titties."

Oh. Ok. I couldn't even respond. I just turned and looked back at Sister Mary reading the Bible.

Interesting that this awkward moment happened to be on the same day as my "Protecting God's Children" training session. This is where I learned how to spot a child of abuse or adults who abuse. I am not sure how helpful I want this to be for me. I think if I was to be reporting any abuse, I would be the person calling the 24 hour question hot line about whether or not it is abuse and whether or not it should be reported. Though, I was guaranteed that any good faith report is taken seriously and you cannot get in trouble if it turns out to be false. So, please, don't be a creepy adult around children because according to the law, as a teacher, I am obligated to report you.

I don't feel good. I have worked 42 hours this week already and will work another 10 tomorrow. Times like these I am glad to be home with mom and having someone take care of me. I may be living in the real world, but I am still a big baby. I am sick, tired, and with mom. I do not miss being at PC.

Out With the Old.

There is a fine line between being a pack rat and being a hoarder and I think I am very closely flirting with it. So after a trip to J.Crews new At-lan-TA apartment, clean room, and fancy book shelf, I felt inspired. I told mom that I wanted to get rid of some of the furniture in my room (two book shelves that take up more space than they are helpful), get a book shelf to house all my school books, move my bed, and get rid of EVERYTHING. Well, by everything, I really meant put it in the attic for a rainy day. (I am, like I said before, still flirting with that line.)

I didn't think to take before pictures, but if you could imagine a tornado going through a room, that is what my room looked like. A closet full of clothes, yet clothes all over the floor. Bags, suitcases, shoes thrown about. Lotion here, hair brush there. Trash here, trash there. It was time to move on from the middle school pictures, DMB posters, and pointless trinkets (though I kept a few).

So, here is my new room. That is, until Chrissy and I have time and we paint it a different color.

Walking in through the door.

The floor was completely covered, so was the desk.

That's the new book shelf! I still need to take the rest of the posters down.

I'm Engaged!!

Well.. not really. However, I do have a 5 year old after my heart.

MaKahi: "Miss L(pronounced Mizzz Elllll), that's a beautiful color on you." (I was wearing baby blue)
Me: "Thanks, MaKahi."
MaKahi: "You got a husband (pronounced huuuzzband)?"
Me: "No, MaKahi, I sure don't."
MaKahi: "Well, can I be your husband (pronounced the same)?"
Me: "No, MaKahi. I love you, but you're a little too young for me. We can be friends though."
MaKahi: "But, but, but, Miss L (Mizzz Ellll)! Please!"

Today, everyone moved into PC. Tonight is Shuckin' and Shaggin'. This is where every one puts on their best sundress and preppy attire, listens to beach music, and pretends to know how to shag. I wore a green J.Crew dress last year. This year, I am sitting in sweats watching tv. Oh, how life has changed.

Was Today Your First Day of School?

That was the question I was asked by the cashier at Publix tonight.
Me: "Yes, actually it was. It was my first day teaching."
Cashier: "Oh, really. That's so neat." (insert awkward silence as mom pays for groceries)
Me: "I know. I look 12."
Cashier: "Yeah, well today was my first day of college. I already have 2 quizzes, a paper, and a test." (insert too much information given about her life.)

So, excellent. Not only do I look 12, but I also had to listen to her life story. I understand friendliness, but I obviously looked tired, and 12.

Our house is empty now. Chrissy is back at school. Dad is away. Checks is in doggy-heaven. Stephen, well, I am just never sure about his where-abouts. It is just me, mom, and Max. I guess we should start to get used to that now. The quiet.

For those of you who know me, which I hope if you are reading this you do, I do not enjoy the quiet. I do not enjoy being alone. I like having people around, the tv or radio on, talking, laughing, singing, dancing, playing, etc. This is why the townhouses were such an excellent place to live. Having 5 roommates, and a number of blockmates, there was always someone around, music blasting, and game playing. However, I am proud of how well mom and Max deal with my singing, rapping, yelling, and dancing.

Not only do I look 12, I also act it.

Becoming More Assertive.

I am a first year teacher. You tell me to do something, I am going to do it. I will not argue. I will not question. I will just do it. If it seems impossible, I will find a way to get it done. However, no one will fight for me, but me. So, this is the struggle now. How to do everything, yet not get walked all over.

Today was the first day of school. We have half days today and tomorrow, where half the kids come on each day. I met 7 adorable 4 year olds today. We sang. We danced. We had snack. Hopefully the sitting on the carpet, lining up, and bathroom procedures will come more easily as time goes on. I cannot wait to meet my other 9 babies tomorrow!

I am struggling to get back into a routine. I have shows I need to watch (because Real Housewives is far more important than sleep). I think this is why my friends always told me at school, "Jules, you can sleep when you're dead." So, for now, I am alive and well, and living on few hours of sleep.

As I completed my first day as a REAL teacher, I think the thing I missed most about PC was student teaching. I had so many ups and downs last semester. I laughed, I cried. However, it was the best preparation of the unknown I am walking into now.

When it Rains, it Pours.

This was such a bittersweet weekend. My friends were here. We spent the night at PC. We watched Kmay become Kmay LaForge. We even danced to "Down." It was just like we were back 4 months ago, hanging out at the fraternity houses, and waking up together. The wedding was a blast.

I said to my friends on the way home from the wedding this morning that I had a horrible feeling about going home. Checkers and I had that sort of bond.

Clearly, as I battle my feelings of everything that happened today, the thing I miss most about PC is my friends.. However, we all need a mood lift today. The thing I miss the least about PC is late night eating. After far too many glasses of wine, we all successfully reached the level of single girl at a wedding drunk. Luckily for some, unluckily for me, there was a Wendy's two seconds from the hotel. As the bags of hamburgers and fries were passed into the window, the gags started instantly. The smell of grease filled the car and made me wonder why, just 4 months ago, I would have ever thought late night eating was a smart idea. But, for some reason, it always was. Whether it was Waffle House, McDonalds, or Wendys, it was all equally satisfying. However, last night, being trapped in a hotel with burgers surrounding me, I wanted nothing more than to jump out of the window to fresh air.

Tomorrow is the first day of school. I have my lunch packed and clothes laid out. There is no turning back now.

Screams, Hugs, and Twin Beds

After a long day of meetings, planning, and cleaning, it was such a relief for my roommates to be in town. We had many things to celebrate, talk about, and gossip about. This is the first time Mary Helen, Julianne and I have been all together since graduation weekend. As I waited for them to get to Greenville, I sat outside and thought "Jules, what better way to spend the night than at PC?!" So, when Jcrew and MH arrived, I told them the plan. (insert screams here). They were in.

The drive down was full of laughs and screams. As soon as we hit campus, the windows were down and Mary Helen was in tears. We met Molly outside of her dorm, joined in a four person hug, and screamed, alerting everyone in Clinton Dorm that we were back in town.

Today, the thing is miss most about PC is the twin beds. I find them to be so perfectly fit to my 5'4" tall body. There is still room for the wiggles, yet, I am perfectly snug in my little ball. I think people would think I was weird if I downgraded from the full bed at home, to a twin, so it was a nice change to be back.

The Start of the Rest of my Life...

My roommate always told me, "Jules, when you turn 22, all your bones just start to hurt." I always laughed it off until today. I woke up this morning a 22 year old. I had an interview at 9, so I was feeling the 22 blues and was trying to calm the nerves in my stomach (I am sure the birthday cake breakfast didn't help).

I think someone had a master plan for my birthday today. I knew nothing could compare to the 21 lemon drops that was my 21st, but getting my first classroom was really creeping close to it. Being an education major, this is the day I've dreamed about and agonized about all summer during my job hunt. I guess wishes really do come true. I was hired during my interview, met my co-teacher, and was given 3 hours to be in my classroom before parents and students would be arriving for open house.

I feel like this is the job someone made for me. I will be teaching 4K at St. Anthony's. It is a Catholic school in downtown Greenville. My class will follow the High Scope curriculum (kudos to Dr. Lee for teaching me all about it). This means that I will teach until 12. After 12, I will visit my students families at home for home visits. We will set weekly goals and long term goals for their children. It will be an adventure for sure.

I still don't feel ready for this new "real" world yet, as I run home to dad to help me fill out my paperwork. How am I supposed to know what insurance to get? I did just turn 22 a mere few hours ago. But I can't turn back now. I have 16 kids calling me Miss L, a key to a classroom, insurance, and taxes all in one day. As I struggle with my exhaustion, excitement, and nerves, I can't help but think about my friends moving back into PC.

This blog will not only chronicle my first year out of college, my first year of teaching, but also those things I miss most of my beloved Alma Mater.

Today, the thing I miss the most about PC is the CEPs. For those who went to PC, you may be thinking WTF?! and for those of you who didn't, CEPs are cultural events that are required by the school. They usually last an hour and you must get 20 before graduation. Now for those of you thinking WTF?!, let me explain. I didn't necessarily like the speakers or performances (though some weren't horrible), what I loved most is that everyone had to go, so it was a way to see everyone. Sitting with your friends, you could see who other people were sitting with and talking to. You sat by people you may not have known well and listened to their conversations. As creepy as it all sounds, we all do it. We all secretly enjoy when that one person makes a crazy remark or another gets "spoken to" for having their cell phone out. They were entertaining hours, performances aside. I left CEPs feeling like I got my fill of gossip for the week. While you may still think I am crazy, one thing I will miss most about my 4 years at PC, is the CEPs.

So, yes, my bones hurt. Hello, 22. Hello, Real World.