Another month has pretty much slipped by and I haven't written. I don't do much other than work. This class is proving to be rather challenging. Not so much the kids, but just the general situation. There really need to be three adults in the room, but it's just me and another...both of us are exhausted...and bruised.

Anyway, only 3 weeks to Thanksgiving break! And then just 3 weeks after that until Christmas break! For Christmas me, Dad, and William are going to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I love it there. The holidays are probably doing to be rather rough this year...it's hard for me to really think about them without feeling that familiar lump in the back of my throat....

Upcoming dates: Nov 12-parents would-be 30 year anniversary; Nov 18-my Mema's (mom's mom) birthday; Nov 23-Thanksgiving-one of my Mom's favorite holidays, she collected turkeys (I'm taking over the collection, BTW); Nov 25-would have been Mom's 51st birthday.

This was Mom's favorite time of the year. She called November "her month." She loved the weather, fall leaves and the pumpkins. Summer was my favorite season growing up, but the older I've gotten the more I agree with Mom. Mostly because I love it being cooler--there's nothing better than a cool breeze blowing around some crispy leaves. But I also love the anticipation of the holiday season...and winter clothes, I like them so much better than summer clothes--all the rich colors!

It's rained all day here today--so peaceful! Ok, lots of love...yall update!!!

The year 1961 can be written both upside down and right side up, and still appear the same; this won't be possible again until 6009. That's so cool!

I'm going to take pictures of my classroom very soon...as I finally have it all together (only 7 weeks into the year :))!!! I have fun stuff like Dr. Suess numbers and pink poodley stuff around my desk! But I am ready for Thanksgiving break...I think William, Dad and I are going to NYC to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We agreed even before Mom's funeral that we would make a point to make the holidays enjoyable and be together...so we are plannin' a trip :)!!

The 4th week of school ends tomorrow. I feel like we just started...but at the same time, I feel like I've been working with these kids forever. The new population of kids that I'm teaching is COMPLETELY different than anything I've ever been exposed to. I've learned so much so quickly that I'm having a hard time processing it all before taking in the next piece of new info. But I'm happy. I'm really enjoying the challenge of each day. Right now I'm really focusing on some behavior issues that I feel come from the inability to communicate effectively; meaning that the kids are frustrated by not being able to speak in a way that people understand....so they act out. But there are lots of possibilities for them!

I didn't go to work today though, seems an evil poop disease attached me vengefully. Also yacked a few times yesterday. I picked it up in Houston last weekend. I'm better tonight though, but not well. Ode to Imodium.

I think it's funny that Paris Hilton got arrested. I wonder if they put her in the drunk tank???

This was the quote on my teacher calendar yesterday, the first day of school. It seem so fitting to how my year is starting off...

"Is it progress if a cannibal learns to use a knife and fork?"
-Stanislaw J. Lee

I sat in a long long long staff development about technology today. Carson the Wonder Cat seems to have had the same kind of day...he was obviously very busy.

So I've been thinking about the definitions of "vacation" and "traveling." I have traveled some this summer, went to Hobbs to the HHS reunion; went to Austin to Derek's wedding; going to Midland for Jason's wedding. I went to Vegas in March, but that was an escape...nothing fun about it. Before that, I went to Vegas last September for William's 21st birthday, which was fun...but it was fast and hot. SO here are the technical definitions according to dictionary.com:

Vacation: 1. A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.
2. A holiday.
3. A fixed period of holidays, especially one during which a school, court, or business suspends activities

Traveling: To go from one place to another, as on a trip; journey.

You see, today was my last official day of class, I still have some assignments due for my online class...but I don't actually have to sit in a seat and listen to jibber jabber again. But I start work a week from today. So there is no time for a vacation because I have to go work on my classroom and finish the online class, etc. I do know that I am going to Monterey, CA next March for my 10 year Catalina reunion...I didn't graduate from there, but I lived there a year and I want to go see everyone. And I'm going to New Orleans next June for sweet Whitney White's wedding. But those a so far away, and both places have an agenda.

So the point is: I'm in need of a VACATION, because my TRAVELING wasn't enough. I need a vacation that I can just chill. Lay on a beach, tour a museum, and eat weird food. So I am going to start planning something. Don't know where, when, or how I'm going...but just starting the planning process might make me feel better. Thought I'd share.

***Disclaimer***
I, Amanda, am completely aware of how spoiled this sounds and I completely don't care. Thanks.

My 10 year reunion was this past weekend and I had so much fun! Everyone was exactly the same, with only a few exceptions. One big difference was that more people were friendlier...which isn't even a word, but they were. I guess people growing up and not being as insecure makes a big difference. HHS class of 1996 wears the 10 years since graduation nicely.

I heard that a few people didn't come for reasons like they got fat or they didn't think they had done enough with their lives...that is ridiculous! People didn't care at all...and there were so many people to catch up w/, that you really didn't even have time to think about those kinds of things! Anyway, I'm already looking forward to the next one...some people were talking about doing a 15 year one and I really hope they do!

I am extremely tired though, I didn't get to bed until 3 friday night and we didn't even get home until 5ish sat night!

As if I wasn't feeling old already (Happy Birthday to me!), then I find this article:

High Pitched Cell Phone Ringers for Teenagers

Apparently, teenagers are downloading this high pitched ring for their phones because adults can't hear it. There is a nice little chart of how we naturally loose our hearing with age. There is also a link to listen to the ring. I can't hear it. Not at all. Vic can. He's 31...I'm just 28. So sad.

So if there has ever been a perfect wedding, I was in it last weekend. From the moment Jamey and Doug met, which is an amazing story that involves Doug being in a coma and Jamey recognizing him from the cover of the Baylor hospital magazine, to the very last bubble at the reception, there has been something magical about the two of them together! The whole thing is better than anything I've seen on A Wedding Story!

My weekend began when I checked into the Doubletree on Friday evening and the festivities began. Brunch was held at the Mansion at Turtle Creek on Saturday morning, and of course we were escorted in a limo to and from, manicures at the Red Door Salon were next, and then the most picture perfect wedding and reception anyone could ever imagine.

Anyway, congrats to my dearest Jamey and welcome to the family to Mr. Doug...who are in St. Lucia as I type. I love you both!

Anyway, here are a few pics on the photographer's site: Jamey and Doug's wedding

And just as a note, one of the last pics is Bryan sliding Avery (the flower girl) through his legs as they were dancing away on the dance floor. Avery is quite the little leg shaker...she didn't leave the floor the entire night!

Look at the pretty earrings! We had an awesome time...and we realized that night (May 20th) that our graduation was EXACTLY 10 years before!

By the way, it's:

Me, Jamey (Bride-to-be!), Lindsey, Jennifer, Kim, and Leasha