Welcome To My World {it's crazy in here!}

Snow and a bad hair day

Snow.  I hate snow.  Today we woke up to atleast 2-3 inches on the ground.  Yes, it's pretty if you don't have to venture outside.  If you can just view it from the window.  But when you have to actually go outside, scrape your car off, warm it up and then attempt to drive in it..yuck.  And I have this reputation of crazy driver..not sure where I got that from..:)
Two hour delay today..good times.  Again, one more thing to mess up my daily routine.  But that's ok..it's nice not to have to rush outside in this.  Taking my time today.
My chi flatiron died yesterday.  And yeah..let me tell you what.  That may not sound like such a big deal, but my hair, which I had planned on straightening..was somewhere in between curly and straight which equaled big bush.  Yep. And then, to make things worse, yesterday I realized it was our Christmas card picture for our department.  Nevermind that this will go out to every student AND their families.
Yes, enjoy that.
Oh well.  I guess it's fitting for me.  Hopefully nobody looks to closely..although, they probably won't see my face under the bush.:)
Cheers!

Roll on Big Red

And so the season goes...we really enjoyed going to support our cousins Sydney and Jordan Banks..
It was a wonderful experience..
sorry that it ended this way..
But really, it was all worth it..every last freezing moment!  My kids have a new appreciation for football..all of it.  Real football.  With true fans.
They also learned some new words..lol..but it's ok:)  what they remember more is the excitement of it all..yelling and leading cheers.
So thanks Banks Family..for adding some excitement to our Fridays..
We will be back again next year!
Cheers!

And then she's nine...

Yesterday, Carly turned nine..wow.  Not sure how that is even possible, but yes, there she is..one year away from double digits.  And really, I could not be more proud of this child.  She is amazing.  She is above and beyond all my expectations.  She has this wonderful sense of herself..confidence that exudes from her every pore.  She is personality plus and the things that even slightly annoy me about her are only because she is me.  We are so similar in how we deal with things and what we expect of ourselves. 
We spent the day at the in-laws, where I may or may not have offended them by falling asleep after dinner.  But really, is that not expected?:)
We had a wonderful time with friends Brian and Aun at the BGON party the previous night.  It was quit fun hanging with them and the food..wow.  They are fantastic company and we can't wait to do more with them in the future!
Today we are headed to one last football game.. it is way against my religion to be sitting at a football game at the end of November.  The sacrifices I make for my family..ha ha.
Tomorrow we will head to the mall to exchange a birthday gift.. my mom somehow thought Carly had requested the DS game called the Dark Brotherhood.  Really.  Would you even buy something like that for a child, even if they had requested it?  Hey mom..can I have a sharp knife?  sure.  How about a gift certificate to Spencer gifts?  sure.  One last request..how about some cocaine and a small mirror?  absolutely.
We will be getting some pierced ears tomorrow for Carly..something she has just now decided that she would like.  This is in lieu of the hamster (THANK GOD) that she thought she might want.  It will be difficult for me to hold myself back from more piercings..yes..I kind of like them too. 
Hope all of you had a happy day yesterday..
Cheers!

It's just me..

Did you hear it?  That crash?  Yeah, that would be the sound of me hitting the proverbial brick wall.  It happened yesterday about 3:30pm.  Because really, I am officially done with my teaching duties for a few days..now onto that other part of my job..you know, the administrative paperwork stuff.  But really, that's totally ok with me.  I get to meet with some potential students this morning, which is always a pleasure for me.  After my nine hour grading marathon this weekend, I'm pretty caught up for the moment, until the next big rash of assignments get turned into me early next week.  But really, we are almost there.  We come back after Thanksgiving Break and then there is one week of classes, then finals.
Yesterday I took my research class to the cadaver lab. 
Yep.
Checking out the dead bodies that reeked of formaldehyde.
Totally FASCINATING.
Like really..I think I could so handle something like that, in that field. 
Seriously..so interesting.  My students, a few had to leave the room. But for the most part, we walked around and checked them out. 
I laugh when I think about how my students will remember me.  I am the wacky professor that does things like use crazy examples, things like crack whores (I'm sure this will bring some hits to my blog) and children with prosthetic legs.  All in the name of purposive sampling, I assure you.  (aka:  a popular research term!)  I take them to see dead bodies and drive them to Philly to see the homeless.  I had to be taped teaching yesterday..it was weird because I had to step out of my usual style and stand at a podium.  The minute he left, I threw it off the desk and sat down.  That would be my usual style.  Sitting cross-legged, on the table up front..otherwise I drive people crazy roaming around the room like a Ritalin starved child.  I wear crazy tights and sometimes have my hair in ponytails.
It's just me, my style. 
I teach how I learn best..laid back and comfortable.
But I care about them.  Each and every one of them.  I feel this grave sense of responsibility for all of them..I listen to it all..the good and the bad.  From "I love so and so to I'm feeling depressed about this or that".  Why?  Because I want to.  These individuals are all very important to me.  And now I feel like I have an additional 45 children and I am nurturing several more that are coming to me soon.  This is the beautiful part of my job.  Getting the privilege to be a part of all of that.  Yesterday I got a visit from one of my seniors that graduated last year.  It was amazing to see her, she is doing so well..and she was happy to see me.  Which says it all, don't you think?
Ok, this really isn't a pat on the back entry..just one that reflects on and justifies to me that I am where I am supposed to be.  It's worth every last moment of work, all the stress of it, just..all of it.
So, this is my Thanksgiving post..I am so very thankful to be in the job that I am in.
Have a happy day all!
Cheers!

Food Art

Once in a while, I get really creative..
I had a request for some birthday "sushi" from Carly.  Her ninth birthday is this week, and today is her last day of school for this week.  So, with sushi being her favorite food and the fact that she likes to be really different..here we are.  The bad part of this is that is messes with my routine.  I will have to actually deliver this to her school, after I drop everyone off.  But that's ok..if I can be called the "cool" mom once in a while, it's all worth it. 
Yes, she will be nine this week.  So hard for me to imagine it.  Her birthday is actually on Thanksgiving this year, which has only happened twice in her life.  Hard to imagine that it is even Thanksgiving this week. 
On a tragic note..my phone..my lifeline..has bit the dust.  I think I just have finally worn it out in a matter of ten months.  I will be making a trip to Verizon today..because if you know me, you totally understand that the withdrawals have already started. 
On Friday night, we went to my cousins football game, the semi-championship for state..it was the craziest game I have ever been too.  I will post those pictures tomorrow.
It was like sitting in a snowglobe.
And call me crazy..but we will be heading back to the finals on Friday.  Can't resist it. :)
Alright..need to get this day started..running late today because I actually slept in until 6am!
Cheers!

Twilight at Midnight

I have many strange obsessions..but I fully admit to my love of all things vampires.  I'm pretty sure that I would love to be a vampire actually :)  Tonight, I will be attending the premier for the Twilight movie.  Yep.  This 37 year old ALREADY has ticket in hand, anxiously awaiting the time when tonight..at MIDNIGHT I can sit in the theater and relish every moment of Edward and Bella.  Color me happy:)  I know, it's a bit odd..but really, would you expect anything less of me?  I'm totally excited..it's a fantastic end to my not so wonderful week.  So tonight, when you all will be sleeping soundly..I will be all wide eyed and fascinated by a vampire love story.
Cheers!

Just a few things to do...

Really..let's just talk about this crazy, hectic schedule of mine..something every single night of the week.  And really, when did Thanksgiving sneak up on me like this?  We have two work related Christmas parties planned at our house, which entails a good thorough cleaning and some early decorating.  I have a mile high stack of papers to grade..not to mention those nagging grad school applications that are calling my name.  I am trying to write something to get published, this is due in a few short weeks..
oh yes.  But honestly, I'm happy.  I love my job.  I just have to keep saying that outloud sometimes to remind myself :)
Today, some new hair color to brighten up my life and three days until  TWILIGHT.  And yes, I am going to be a real live geek and be in line at midnight to go and watch that.  I won't be able to function Friday, but hey, you only live once.
But this weekend, I will be home..for the first time in a month.  So I am hoping to knock out some of those piles that are accumulating and maybe get a decoration or two out.  Next week is Carly's birthday..and of course Mer's too..although I bet she isn't nearly as excited :)
Ok all..need to get motivated..need to look half-ways like a teacher that hasn't been up since 4:30am..
Cheers!

Good Times

There is nothing like a relaxing weekend with my friends, and this weekend was so needed!  I headed up to the cabin on Friday night right after a rousing session of bakery bingo.  That in itself is an experience like no other..hundreds of people in the school gym, yelling and screaming, trying to win a baked good.  Really now.  But I couldn't miss it, it is too much fun! I love watching Carly in action with all friends, running around the school like she owns it.  She is definitely a leader, with a positive force I think, but people are just naturally attracted to her.  She was large and in charge of her little posse.:)
So, late Friday night, I arrived at the cabin..just like a breath of fresh air.  I sat down and just let the stress out..
Thank you friends for a wonderful, much needed time.  I did get some scrapbooking done, but more importantly, I was able to just be me..Robin.  Not the mom, wife, or teacher..just me.  And man, I need to do that every once in awhile.  We missed our other group components, but it was understood why they were absent.  We still had to get a bit crazy, even if you weren't there Mer :) A highpoint for me was when we were all in the same room, chatting on facebook..to each other.  LOL
So..love you Wendy, Julie, Christie..Kim and Kim..it was amazing for me!  I was kind of depressed as I drove home yesterday, thinking about what it ahead for me. So let's do it again..really soon.  Ok? 
Happy Monday All..
Cheers!

Getting perspective...

I have to give a shout out to my hubby today, who turns the big 38!  Glad it is he and not I..:)  We all know how I feel about that..
I have really been struggling these past few weeks, trying to keep it together.  The beginning of the semester starts out really smooth, very organized.  I can maintain a healthy distance between what needs done and when things are due.  Then, things start moving faster.  I am currently on this roller coaster of deadlines that are coming at me so fast, I can barely dodge the next one.  I have lost total control of things, and in the process, things are suffering.  But believe it or not, I am happy, I truly love the chaotic nature of things.  That is where I may be called bizarre..I know what you are thinking.  But I need like a day off from life, just to catch up things.  Like my house, my car..they are a complete disaster.  I have been a crappy mom..yes, I admit it.  Bad friend..yes, that too.  I am really truly sorry all.  You know if I have not even blogged faithfully, there is a problem.:)
But I am good, really, I just need to catch my breath.  It always happens..right about now.  Probably going out of town three weekends in a row, well that may have a little something to do with it.
Trying to imagine how grad school is going to fit into all of this next year.
Somehow, some way...
So, I guess this is my cyber sorry and complete admission that I have needed to just close myself off for awhile..
But I will be back..full force..very soon..
Cheers!

Chicago Goodness

Had a very relaxing, albeit cold, weekend in Chicago.  What an amazing city!  We walked and walked more than you could ever know, therefore, pretty sure we are in the negatives when it comes to calorie intake.    We discovered an amazing little breakfast market where we ate good things like chocolate angel food muffins and quiche lorraine.  We of course, drank our share of Starbucks this weekend, a pumpkin spice latte and white chocolate mocha.  Dinner at a beautiful restaurant with a Latin flair, Del Acosta, finishing off the weekend with a deep dish, chicago style pizza.  Shopping, so amazing, jammed pack full of people.  The Macy windows were dressed for Christmas.  Love that big city feel. 
We went to Dick's Last Resort where we were totally abused and spit on.  We spent Saturday night at Kingston Mines listening to some amazing Jazz music. We stayed at the sexiest hotel on earth, the W..gorgeous, with a dream bed where I slept every day until at least 8:30, which is a minor miracle for me.
So today, back to work, but ready..relaxed and ready to face another week!
Cheers!