Literary characters I love...

Today on the NPR website I saw the article "Fictional Beings Bella Swan Should Fall Madly In Love With." This inspired me to make a list of fictional beings that I am completely, madly, utterly in love with. I don't love all of the characters on this list in the same way. Some, like Rhett Butler and Atticus Finch, I want to marry. Others I just want to protect. I think the mark of a good book/movie/TV show is caring about the characters and what happens to them. Here are some of the characters that I absolutely adore.
1. Rhett Butler: I have had a crazy mad crush on Rhett Bulter ever since the first time I saw Gone With the Wind when I was a child. Not only is Clark Gable possibly the sexiest man to ever live, but the character is also so wonderful. There is no way in the world that Scarlett deserves him but he loves her unconditionally anyway. I love Rhett in the movie and I love him even more in the book. In addition, he has one of the greatest lines in movie history: "You need to be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how." Yes, please.
2. Atticus Finch: Atticus Finch is a close second behind Rhett Butler. I'm not sure many people would agree with me, but I believe that Atticus and Rhett are similar in many ways. It's true that on the outside Rhett is a scoundrel, but when it comes right down to it he is a good man who does what is right. That's what I love most about Atticus Finch. He is kind and loving and wise and always does the right thing. I've often said that I hope one day to marry a cross between Rhett Butler and Atticus Finch. (If you haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird shame on you. Stop reading this blog and go buy a copy as fast as you can and read it immediately.)
3. Edward Rochester: He's grouchy and set in his ways and hid his crazy first attic (I hope I didn't ruin it for anyone who hasn't read Jane Eyre.) but I love him anyway. He is a good man who is afraid to let others get close to him but once he does he loves them wholly.
4. Jay Gatsby: The Great Gatsby gets better every time I read it and I fall more in love with Jay Gatsby every time I do, too. He is blinded by love and makes terrible choices but he is persistent and willing to do anything for Daisy, even though she doesn't deserve him. (Do I see a pattern here?) He's one of my favorites, old sport.
5. Mr. Darcy: Who doesn't love him? He is madly in love with Elizabeth Bennet but can't show it. She loves him too and doesn't know it. (When did I slip into verse?) Like Edward Rochester, he's grumpy and difficult to get along with, but I love him. (Another pattern?)
All of these characters are wonderful and the books they are in are truly amazing reads. While I did enjoy reading the Twilight series and am on Team Edward, those books and that character can never live up to these truly great literary men. Now tell me, which fictional characters are you in love with?

Songs for Summer

It seems that now that I've started writing again I just can't stop! I was driving in my car today thinking about the songs that just scream SUMMER IS HERE! Here's a list of my songs of summer.
1. California Gurls- Katy Perry: I wasn't sure if I like this song at first, but after hearing a couple times it has grown on me. I just downloaded it from iTunes and find myself listening and singing along.
2. Summertime- Will Smith: As a child of the 80's and 90's, I don't think there is a song that reminds me more of summer than this one. It's a little cheesy but boy do I love it!
3. Soak Up the Sun- Sheryl Crow: I don't know if this song actually came out during the summer (one would assume that it did), but it makes me happy during the summer. Soaking up the sun is one of my favorite summer pastimes.
4. Waterfalls- TLC: Who from my generation doesn't remember riding around in their first car on a summer night, hearing this song come on the radio and turning it way up and singing along?
5. Under the Bridge- Red Hot Chili Peppers: I remember turning 13 the summer this song came out and listening to it in the car with my parents. My friends and I liked to sing along. My poor parents were horrified, both by the song and by the singing.
6. Kiss From a Rose- Seal: Who doesn't love this song? And Val Kilmer's lips under that Batman mask?
7. School's Out- Alice Cooper: As a teacher, I have to admit that this is one of my favorites.
8. Summer Lovin'- Olivia Newton John & John Travolta: I love musicals and I love this song!
9. Kokomo- The Beach Boys: Again, I don't know if this song came out during the summer, but who doesn't want to make their way through the destinations of this song: Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montiego, Kokomo...Sounds good to me!
10. Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffet: Let's go!
Which songs always remind you of summer?

I saw this picture on Flickr and absolutely fell in love with it. What a beautiful statue.

My Christmas List

So Christmas is almost here and children everywhere are mailing their wish lists off to Santa. I've decided to write one of my own. Here's what I want for Christmas.
1. Peace and quiet in my classroom. I love teaching and I like my students and they're not bad kids. I just wish they would be quiet. I really believe that they don't know what to do with silence. They are constantly making noise. If they aren't talking, they're rustling paper, clicking pens, tapping their feet...the noise just never ends. I'd like just a few minutes a day of absolute silence in my classroom.
2. SYTYCD to never end. I am so in love with this show. It makes me smile. I am always so sad when the season is over. Please don't go away, So You Think You Can Dance!
3. The laundry fairy to come and do my laundry. My least favorite chore in the world is washing clothes. I know it's not labor intensive, I just hate it. I wish it would just wash itself. A girl can dream, right?
4. UNC to win the national chapionship. I LOVE Carolina basketball. I always want the Heels to win.
Please Santa, I've been a good girl. Please bring me these things for Christmas!

Cake Decorating

My mom and I took a cake decorating class. These are some of our creations.

Howdy Stranger

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I'd give you the highlights of what has been going on lately. School is back in full force. This semester I'm teaching 3 composition classes. I enjoy teaching composition. Some of the classes are better than others, but all in all, they're not bad kids. The flu and a ton of other sicknesses are making their ways through the school and so far I've not been too successful at keeping away from them. So far I've had 2 colds and strep throat. All in under 10 weeks. I am currently reading Julia Childs' My Life in France and really enjoying it. I loved Julie and Julia and wanted to know more about her life. I'm hoping to get Mastering the Art of French Cooking for Christmas. (If I do, I'll keep you all updated on the progress, or lack of.) I am currently taking a cake decorating class with my mom. I'm having a lot of fun. I'm not terribly talented, but I'm enjoying eating the cake and spending time with my mom. Overall, life is good.

Trying some new things and retrying some old...

One of the goals of this blog was to chronicle all the new things I was going to try this year. Well, I've tried some new stuff and I've tried some stuff that I used to do all over again. Some things have been successful, others have not. I've enjoyed going to baseball games and bowling (although I'm really bad at it). I played putt putt for the first time in over a decade and had a great time. I went roller skating and that didn't go so well. It was a much better idea in my mind than in reality. It seems I forgot that I actually needed some sort of physical coordination to roller skate. Funny how much more worried you are about breaking an arm or a leg or your skull at 30 than you were at 13. This weekend I'm going to try to play tennis. I've only played tennis once in my life, at camp when I was 11 years old. I don't know if I'll be any good, but I'm going to give it a shot. Either way, I know I'll have a good time.

Absolute joy

As usual, I am spending my Friday night lounging on my couch and watching a movie. Today I decided I wanted to watch one that would make me laugh and cry so I chose Love Actually which is one of my favorite movies of all time. There are so many great scenes in this movie. One of my favorites is when Laura Linney's character is brought home by the cute guy she's been in love with forever. She is so excited that she has to excuse herself to jump up and down. I absolutely love that. It reminds me of the scene in Sense & Sensibility when Emma Thompson finds out that Hugh Grant isn't married. She is so overcome with joy that she breaks into a crying jag. And so do I. Both of these scenes make me so happy that I cry and smile at the same time. They are moments of absolute, pure joy and it can't be contained. How often do moments like that come along in our lives? Not nearly often enough. I've come as close as I ever have to experiencing pure joy this year, a year that I hadn't expected to be so amazing. Here's to hoping we all get to experience these moments, and that we get to do it soon.

My new obsession with orange and my old obsession with fall...

Fall is almost here and I'm feeling very autumny lately. I can't wait for cool crisp days, jeans, sweaters, and jackets. Because of this (I think) I've been drawn to things that are orange lately. It all started with with the Brita water pitcher that Curt gave me for my birthday. Today at Target I bought a bowl with on orange border. You may have also noticed that I changed the template of my blog. I'm feeling very orange lately! I can't wait for fall and my new orange items are helping me feel like it's getting here faster!

Update: Julia Child

Before leaving for Ocracoke, I made dinner for Steve and me. While the dinner itself wasn't that impressive (bbq chicken & corn on the cob), my dessert was. I made from scratch a chocolate meringue pie. I mixed the chocolate pie filling and even whipped the meringue myself. It turned out wonderfully and was soooooo delicious! I was also quite proud of myself. I like cooking, I really do, I just have to stop being so lazy, get off my ass, into the kitchen, and do it! Look out kitchen, here I come!

Ode to School Supplies

I have to go back to school in one week. My favorite part of going back to work after a 10 week vacation? School supplies!
My school supply shopping list:
colored ink pens
board markers
3 ring binders
paper clips
mechanical pencils
clorox hard surface cleaner
kleenex
colored paper
post-it notes in all shapes, colors, & sizes
hilighters
Is there anything better than going back to school shopping?

My summer vacation

If I were to have to write an essay about my summer vacation, I'm afraid it wouldn't be very exciting to anyone other than me, and that's the way I like it. My adventures have been limited but the good times have not. Does that make me sad? No. I prefer quiet good times to loud ones. I prefer a small group of close friends to a large group of acquaintances. I prefer staying in to going out. Does that make me a boring person? I'm sure to some it does, but it's just fine with me. I've gotten to do a lot of great things this summer.
I visited my friend Nancy in Asheville. It was my first real trip to Asheville. I got to see the drum circle (oh my!) and hike (almost) all the way to the top of a mountain. I also hitchhiked for the first time and watched Cats. All in all, it was a fantastic weekend!
I've read lots of books. I didn't enjoy them all, but I do always enjoy the act of reading. I know everyone else really enjoyed Wicked but I just couldn't get into it. I love to read and love that summer vacation gives me time to do that.
I've watched lots of crappy tv (my favorite kind) and lots of movies I've never seen before. I became addicted to The Real Housewives of New Jersey and am very sad that The Fashion Show ended last night (although Project Runway starts in just a few weeks!). I've also been making my way through classic movies according to Steve. So far I've seen Bull Durham, Caddyshack and Fletch.
I've spent quite a bit of time lounging and sunning myself at the pool. I am working on a decent tan and it's coming along nicely so far. I even played Marco Polo with a 5 year old.
I've had breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with my friends. I love getting to spend time with them. During the school year we are all so busy and it's nice to get to see them and share a good meal.
I'm sure to a lot of people, this sounds like a horrendous waste of time. I have however, recharged my batteries and spent a lot of time doing things that I like to do. Once the school year starts I won't have nearly as much time to do all of these things so it's nice to take a few weeks and do them now.

Up....

Last weekend I went to visit Nancy and we saw the movie "Up." This movie really spoke to me. As most of you know, I will be turning 30 in just 10 short days. I'm handling this upcoming milestone much better than I thought I would. There's been no crying, wailing, or gnashing of teeth. I'm not dressing all in black. I haven't retreated from the world and holed myself up in my apartment, eating Ben & Jerry's and never getting out of my pajamas. I'm okay with turning 30. I think it has something to do with the fact that I'm so happy right now. My life isn't what I thought it would be at this point, but it's pretty damn good. "Up" really made me realize that my life may not be the adventure that I had planned, but it's still an adventure and I'd better get with the program and enjoy it.
When I was 18 (was that really so long ago?), I filled out one of those senior memory books that asks you where you want to be in 10 years. I had a plan. I was a girl who knew what she wanted. I would meet the love of my life during college, marry him shortly after graduating, immediately begin having kids, and live somewhere (anywhere) other than Franklin County.
That's not what has happened. I didn't meet Mr. Right in college. I didn't even date all that much. I did, however, make some life-long friends, travel, do lots of fun stuff, and even managed to learn a few things, too. I loved college and had a great time and I wouldn't change anything about it.
I didn't get married right after college, or even yet. I've dated some great guys (and some not so great ones) and I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I have to be myself: that changing to fit what you think someone else wants just doesn't work. I learned that I am more independent and self-reliant than I thought I could be. I still want to get married, but I'm glad that I didn't do it when I was younger. I would have been a terrible wife. I think my chances of having a successful marriage are greater now than they would have been eight years ago.
I don't have kids. That is such a good thing. There are days when it's all I can do to take care of myself and my dog. When I was younger I wanted lots of kids. I also went through a phase when I didn't want any kids. Now I want to have one child (maybe two, but probably just one). I was much too selfish to have kids before this point in my life.
While I don't live in Franklin County, I do work there. I wanted to get out of Franklin County. I thought that was the one thing in my life that I could accomplish, but here I am, making the drive to Louisburg every day. I love teaching at Louisburg High School. My students are challenging but I love them and I think they need me. I love my job and wouldn't change it for anything. I want to make a career there.
Now 30 is here and I've been thinking about how things have turned out. I have friends that are amazing and that I've known since childhood. I have friends that are new that I love so much. I have an amazing job that I know I was meant for. I have a family that is wonderful and loves me. I have an apartment that I've finally finished decorating. I have a dog that is the cutest and sweetest dog in the whole world. I am dating a wonderful man that makes me very happy.
My life isn't what I'd hoped it'd be when I was 18 years old. It's so much better.

Is anyone better than Emily?

To see the Summer Sky by Emily Dickinson

To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie --
True Poems flee --

Summer vacation is finally here!

There were moments when I truly doubted that this day would ever come, but here I am, out of school for summer vacation! This year has been trying at best, and at times down right excruciating. But, as all things do, this, too, passed, and now it's time for some relaxing. I have nearly 10 weeks in which to recharge my batteries and regain my sanity. Is that enough time? I don't know, but I'm going to give it my best shot. There are a few things I'm planning to do to make the summer as enjoyable (and long) as possible. I thought I'd outline a few of them here. In no particular order, they are:
1. READ! I plan to read as many books as I can get my hands on. Reading during the school year is difficult so there are lots of books that I can't wait to get into. I also plan to attend as many book club meetings as possible while I actually have time to read the books.
2. Go to the pool. The pool here at my apartment complex is great, and usually during the week there aren't that many kids there. I plan on staking my claim on a chair, spaying on some sunscreen, and delving into a book. Hopefully, I can go back to school with a nice tan.
3. Spend time with my friends. Most of my friends are teachers so they don't have too much to do during the summer, either. I'm planning to go visit Nancy in a couple weeks, and want to spend a lot of time with my other friends, too.
4. Crochet. I learned to crochet last summer and plan to do more of it this summer. Maybe I can finally finish that blanket I started.
5. Watch crap TV. Let's face it, crap TV gets me through the summer. I have to admit that I'm addicted to The Real Housewives of New Jersey. I'm sure I'll find lots more shows that are truly worthless but endlessly entertaining.
6. Blog. Blogging for me is a cathartic experience. I like to write about my thoughts and feelings. I plan to do a lot of writing this summer.
I'm so exited that summer is here. Summer, please pass slowly!

Because ee knows just what to say...

   i like my body when it is with your
body. It is so quite a new thing.
Muscles better and nerves more.
i like your body. i like what it does,
i like its hows. i like to feel the spine
of your body and its bones, and the trembling
-firm-smooth ness and which i will
again and again and again
kiss, i like kissing this and that of you,
i like,, slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz
of your electric fur, and what-is-it comes
over parting flesh . . . . And eyes big Love-crumbs,

and possibly i like the thrill

of under me you quite so new

Oldies but Goodies

Before I discovered the beauty of Facebook, there was Myspace. I wrote a few blogs while I used MySpace and I thought I'd revive them here. So here's the greatest hits:

Adventures in Dating (Nov. 2007)

ships

If you're 28, single, smart, funny, and pretty cute but hate bars, clubs, and work with mainly women and older, married men, where do you go to find perspective husbands? How about a singles book club at Quail Ridge Books? (For those of you not familiar with Quail Ridge, it's the filthy hippy book store over on Wade Avenue.) I had been thinking about joining this book club for a while and I finally decided it was time to go for it. Surely there would be a cournicopia of single, educated, well read men who had been looking for their entire lives for a slightly geeky, chunky brunette with a great sense of humor and a love of designer handbags, right? Well, I woke up at the butt-crack (a big deal, as you know, since I like to spend my Saturday mornings in bed with the dog reading a good book) and got ready- and I mean date ready. I actually did my hair the way my stylist wants me to every day (who has time for that every morning?), did my make-up and coordinated my jewelry, shoes, and handbag. I was ready. (Man, I sure sound desperate!) I said good-bye to the dog and left my humble apartment to find myself a date, and to talk about a book that I hadn't read. (I didn't have time, but I'm sure I'll get around to it one day. It was The March, by E.L. Doctorow, if you're interested). I drove all the way across town (which I really hate doing) and arrived at Quail Ridge with a few minutes to spare. I stuck the book in the purse that perfectly matched my outfit and shoes, and headed in, sure I was about to meet the man of my dreams. I began to browse around the store, to see who else was there for this meeting. For the life of me I could not find a single person in the entire store under the age of 50. I meandered over to the part of the store where the meetings are held and what, to my wondering eyes should appear, but two men and two women, all over the age of 60, holding copies of The March in their hands. OH NOOOO!! Where was the slightly geeky, cute guy who loved Faulkner and Steinbeck, worked literary allusions into casual conversation and liked chunky brunettes? Where was the quy who was going to find me fascinating, invite me to have lunch at the Bruggers next door, fall in love with me, marry me, and possibly father my child? What the crap was this? THIS was the SINGLES book club? Well, needless to say I didn't hang around. I browsed for a few more minutes, so as to not draw any attention to myself, and then casually left the store. Don't men my age read books? And if they don't, why don't they? Aren't there any guys out there that like chunky brunettes with a good sense of humor? Who knows the answers to these questions. Here's what I have learned from this experience: first, if a book club is meeting at 10 am on a Saturday morning it is probably not a club for people under 30, we are all still asleep, or just rolling groggily out of bed because they dog just won't wait for one more minute. Also, it doesn't hurt to try something new. This book club didn't work out for me but the next thing I try may (not to mention I got a story that Curt has been telling anyone who will listen, so if you've already heard this story from him I apologize and hope mine is more entertaining- if it is, be sure to tell him).

Everything I need to know I learned from watching Poseidon... (June 2006)

Well, I did it. I went to see Poseidon. My fascination with Josh Lucas's bulging biceps and receding hairline got the best of me. There was a preview for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift or Tokyo Crap or something like that, I can't remember. Who really thought we needed another of those movies? Can I get a job coming up with ideas for bad sequels? I'm sure it pays better than teaching. What doesn't pay better than teaching? But, I digress...I learned so much from Poseidon that I felt the need to share it with you all, in case you ever find yourselves in one of these situations.
1. You will need to be able to support not only your own body weight with your upper body but also the body weight of at least two other average size adults. Who knows when you'll find yourself dangling in an elevator shaft with a waiter hanging on your pants? I know if that ever happens to me I want to be prepared. Also, you'll need to be prepared to shake the waiter off your pants to save your own ass. And it wouldn't hurt to spring for some nice pants. You know, the ones that won't rip if a waiter hangs off of them- don't settle for anything less.
2. Whatever you do, don't take a kid on vacation with you. They are nothing but trouble. If you do have to take one on vacation lock it in its room. Or hire a nanny to take care of it. Did I mention that they are nothing but trouble?
3. If you are going on a sea voyage, be sure that either Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, or Richard Dreyfus is booked on your ship. (Heady, you should check on this soon.) I know Richard Dreyfus seems like an odd choice but it turns out that he's pretty handy to have around in a crisis- I mean most guys' heads would have fallen off after being hit in the face with a steel hatch but he just shook it off and kept going. I wouldn't choose him for mouth to mouth but he's not bad to have around. And who knows, maybe he can loan you a Mr. Holland sweater vest if you get cold on deck one night.
4. Never thrown the necklace over the...oh, wait, wrong ocean disaster movie...never mind.
Well, alright, I only learned three things from Titanic, oh I mean Poseidon, but I think these are three lessons will prove to be invaluable. Please take heed and be safe this vacation season. You never know when a rogue wave will strike.

Baby Birds!

I have baby birds nesting in the petunias on my porch.

Where have I been?

Dear Reader,
Maybe you've noticed I haven't posted in a while. Maybe you haven't. Maybe you've missed my posts, or maybe you thought "Thank goodness she's finally given it a rest." Whatever the case may be, here I am, making my return to posting. Where have I been? Well, I've been out living my life. I've met a great guy that I am enjoying spending as much time with as possible. We've been doing lots of fun things. In the last two months I've gone bowling (I'm getting better each time), been to a baseball game, been to the prom, and in general, been very happy. I choose not to be more specific here, not because I don't want to talk about him (believe me, I do.), I just choose to keep some things to myself. I will say that he is fabulous and that I'm a very lucky girl. (There's also the fact that I'm afraid of jinxing it by saying these things out loud. Silly, I know, but it concerns me.)
Summer is almost here (14 days, including workdays!) and I plan to do more posting over the summer, so those of you who have missed me, keep checking back, there's more to come. For those of you who are groaning aloud in disgust right now, sorry, but I'll be bored and need something to do.
A.

April is the cruelest month...

This year I have found that T.S. Eliot knew what he was talking about when he said "April is the cruelest month." (It's the first line from "The Waste Land" if anyone is interested.) Now, nothing truly terrible has happened to me this month, just a series of annoying incidents, that combined, make for a month that is, at best, a comedy of errors.
On Sunday the 5th, while driving home from date #2 (which was really fun!) I was rear-ended by a guy who was tailgating and not paying attention. Luckily, Gracie and I were uninjured, but Betsy (by cute little Corolla) didn't fare quite as well. She's been in the shop for over two weeks now getting a new rear. The rental car that I have been driving (a Grand Prix) has been problematic. Today I had to return it to the rental agency because a warning light came on for the second time. And the driver's door locked when I got out to put gas in it. The other doors were unlocked, but I didn't find this out until there was already a patrolman there trying to unlock the door. Talk about feeling like an idiot! The rental agency gave me a new car, which I'm totally in love with (a Toyota 4Runner) and of course, my car is scheduled to be done tomorrow. Just my luck.
On the Sunday after the car accident I awoke in the middle of the night with the most painful acid reflux of my life. The next morning my throat was swollen nearly shut from the irritation and I was in pain every time I swallowed. Luckily, I am fine, but that was an annoying way to start my spring break. Not to mention I spent $50 dollars at the Urgent Care getting a diagnosis: there's nothing we can do for you.
On Monday I was in the middle of teaching my English II class (sophomores) when I sat down on my stool and crack...bam. The stool broke and I came crashing to the floor, hitting my head on the radiator behind me. I opened my eyes to see 20 15 year olds, mouths agape, eyes bulging, waiting to see if I was alive. Luckily, having been clumsy for my entire life, I'm used to these things, so I said "I'm okay, you can laugh." Luckily (again), my sophomores, while a chatty bunch, are great kids. They asked me if I was okay and didn't laugh (too much). Now, two days later, I still have a sore knot on the back of my head, which makes styling my hair every morning a painful experience.
Again, none of these things are horrible, they are just annoying. I guess it's better to have a series slightly annoying incidents than one really huge terrible accident, so I'm trying to be thankful for that. I just want this month (or at least my streak of bad luck) to be over!