I just love the smell of a new car's interior....I have been getting a few good whiffs of that wonderful scent because I just bought 2009 Nissan Altima! Last Saturday I went out to test drive a few cars and lo and behold I made a purchase. I figured I might as well get it out of the way...Lindsey's car (the Sunfire I drove all through high school) is on its' last leg and it is just a matter of time before it bites the dust. I really am in love with my new car it just feels so luxurious, such a smooth ride, everything works like it should...just all around heavenly. I took a picture but due to the ridiculous amounts of snow St. Louis has been receiving lately it looks quite dirty, so here is a stock picture.

My first snow day of the year was today and I am thankful. However after only going to school for two days it wasn't really needed but hey no complaints here. I slept in, ate a nice breakfast, snuggled with the puppy, just relaxing before heading out into the blistering cold for a dr.'s appointment. I thought about rescheduling but I figured I needed to get my arthritis meds in because right hand swelled up a bit last night and it hurts pretty bad.

I should be grading a mountain of papers but I just can't get myself to do it...and I need to plan tomorrow's lesson. I should feel more motivated after coming back from a week and half break but I feel more sluggish than ever. Winter is a difficult season for me to get through, I really have to work to get myself to do just about anything. But I do try...I am in charge of my school's Biggest Loser competition this year and I am taking a workout break until Monday so I can make some progress during that actual competition. I have been working out with EA Sports Active for the Wii and let me tell you it is amazing! I keep calling it a game but it is an f'ing personal trainer kicking my ass. After the first workout my legs were so sore, but I always think that is a good feeling, makes me feel like I have a accomplished something.

New Year's Eve was a lot of fun, we went to our friends, Natalie and Joel's house for some low-key entertainment. It was nice not to have to battle any crowds or get all gussied up to go out and spend a bajillion dollars on warm beer and watered down drinks. However, the New Year's Eve tv shows were a huge letdown...they were so boring! Whatever happened to Dick Clarke's New Year's Rockin' Eve? Carson Daly was about as entertaining as dry toast. Can you spot the blooper in the picture above? Chris' mom had some leftover party hats from years past and so we totally rung in 2002 instead of 2010, hah!

Where in the world have I been? In a blink four months has flown by and I can't believe it. I want to say so much has happened in the past four months but really it has been pretty routine. I started my new job at West Middle and I loooooove it! It was a little bumpy at first but I got the kinks worked out pretty quick. I am amazed at how much I am learning while working in this district, they really do value their teachers and it shows. However with the start of the new year it also means ANOTHER job hunt. I knew going into this school year that I would have to look but I am really feeling downtrodden...I mean I love my job. It sucks that things like one-year contracts even exists but it got me some great experience to add to my resume. Here's hoping that another middle school in the district has a place for me. I am even adding another certification (Elementary....yikes!) just to widen some possibilities.

Chris and I are doing great, slowly but surely trying to make some progress in starting a life together. Hopefully he will finish school this May, even though it is just a piece of paper I will feel so much better once he is done. He only has 6 more hours and he will have his Bachelor's, he can not give up now. I am officially tired of being asked when we're getting engaged...it is a lovely thought but just because two people have been together for a somewhat lengthy amount of time does not mean they need to put a ring on it. My mantra simply is, "Slow and steady wins the race."

I am off work for the next week so I will try to get back in this swing of writing somewhat regularly because I really do enjoy it. I can't believe I have had this blog for a year...wow! It's going to be 2010...does anyone ever stop and think, "Where is my flying car?"

This is going to be short but I will surely write more later, this has been the fastest two weeks EVER! I am officially a 6th grade teacher at PWMS, contract signed and everything and school starts tomorrow! My classroom is set and I have met some of my students already and I think it is going to be an awesome year. I will add pictures when I get the chance. Also today was my 24th birthday...I almost don't believe it. Me? Twenty-four YEARS old? 24 used to be my scary age...but as my life has progressed I realize that at 24 I am right where I want to be, with an amazing man (who's birthday card brought me to tears because it was so sweet), in a good job, with a supportive family and great friends who are right there along with me, in the great (but sometimes scary) twenties.

Summer vacation that is. My first summer break is in its last week and I am getting really excited about starting my new position as a 6th grade teacher at Parkway West Middle School. Yes, everything is almost official, I have filled out all the paperwork and I am just waiting for a few more "I"s to be dotted and "T"s crossed before I am officially official with a contract and everything. And so far everyone has been so welcoming and nice, I got three phone calls this week just welcoming to the team and the school and how happy they were to have me. I don't think I talked to anyone at Warrenton until the first week of school. I know Parkway is going to be a big change from Warrenton and I am very excited to be in a school district that has its' stuff together. I went and picked up some things I left in my classroom out in Warrenton yesterday and while I was sad to be leaving my friend Leslie and my new Promethean Board, I know that this change is definitely for the best, it means a closer commute, more money, and better resources.

Tomorrow I get to go out to school and see my classroom and run around the school a bit, hopefully I can move some of the crap that I took from Warrenton in so I don't have to cart it around in the back of my car.

Before I know it the first day of school will be here and those bright, shiny, 6th graders will be in my hands...oh goodness. I have a lot planned for this year and some changes that I would like to make in order to make my classroom run a lot smoother. For example, every kid is getting a number (that corresponds to alphabetical order) that they have to put on every piece of paper so I can put things in order in two seconds as opposed to ten minutes. That is just one minor thing but something to change nonetheless.

I can't wait to go school supply shopping! I can seriously spend hours in the teacher store looking at posters, stickers, markers, and pens...if only I had an unlimited budget for decorating...ahh, one can dream.

I have got to get some laundry done, we've been home from Flordia for a week and I still haven't gotten things all the way unpacked. Sometimes these arms just do not want to do chores. :)

Harry the Heron at our beautiful pool at the Gulf Tides Inn

We did a variety of things while we were there, we went to the beach, rode the awesome roller coasters at Busch Garden and felt like little kids playing on the all the water slides at Adventure Island. We also ate like kings! There was the best meat market really close to where we were staying and we got the most delicious filet mignon and twice baked potatoes. Not to mention all the great seafood we ate while on the beach. We couldn't believe how fast the time went, we felt like we had just unpacked when it was already time to come home again. I know the memories from this vacation will definitely get me through the upcoming months ahead...I don't even want to think about winter! Here are some pictures from the trip.

Chris and I at Adventure Island

Sunset on Upham Beach

If you want to see all the pictures, check out my Facebook album.