Sergio and I often go an entire week without speaking to anyone outside of work or class. Which means that our weekend social circle consists of one another and Eliot. And maybe the people at Noah's Bagels who know us by name. This is completely our fault as there are lots of great people around here who invite us to many things. We just don't always go. Or ever go, really. Once you are inside the antisocial pattern, it is sooo easy to stay there.
Yesterday, though, resembled our weekends in Arkansas where hardly a day passed that we didn't see someone we knew (and liked) on purpose. First we went golfing. Strange, I know. This is something we have been trying lately. Anyway, we went with real live people. Two of them, in fact. And it was a lot of fun, though we are really quite pitiful at the game.
But hang onto your hats folks, because that's not all! After we got back home we went to a house with even more people and played Trivial Pursuit: Pop Culture for the rest of the evening. We were pretty terrible at that too. Sergio and I both yelled out "Jim Carrey" when a picture of Peter Gabriel came on the screen. Oops.
Conclusion: Hanging out with people is actually more fun that sitting on the couch...unless Eliot is being particularly cute and goofy. Then it's a draw.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Fun with Parody
I know we said we no politics, but you have seen in the past that we ignore that rule if it makes us laugh.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Happy Birthday, Amanda
I hope you have as much fun today as you appear to be having in this picture.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Abstinence Education Leads to Banana Shaped Water Balloons
Who is ready for the weekly post? I feel like if I don't write at least one per week, then I am not really blogging anymore at all, so here you go. Hopefully I will get things under control sooner or later and post TWICE a week. How crazy would that be?
I am actually sitting here planning lessons for the coming week. I have taken over one class at the middle school. I am the teacher of record now, which means I am responsible for their grades, talking to parents, and planning. It also brings with it some things I didn't expect. First of all, students have the most amazingly detailed and mundane excuses I have ever heard. I can get a five minute monologue about how, "I left my lunch at home and I need to go to the office to call my mom so I can eat in sixth period or else my blood sugar will go nuts, but I also left my notebook in my locker so can I go by there on the way back from the office or else I'll have to put my journal entry on a sheet of paper and I might lose that like I lost that map, did you find that by the way, and I need a note to the office, please, and I really like your shoes Ms. B." Not really excuses so much as it is the complete chaos that is a 12 year olds life. I relate really well to it, actually. Secondly, I am mostly accepted into the teacher group as well, which means that I sang karaoke on a Nintendo Wii after school one day, and later one of my fellow teachers sought me out to tell me they had just found a condom wrapped around the water fountain spout. Officially, that is bad. Unofficially, awesome. Anyway, I am trying to plan a lesson that will go all week and includes a detailed role play, negotiations, and presentations on the Berlin Conference. If anyone has any great stuff on that topic lying around just send it my way.
I got observed on Friday for a grade. Yikes. Turns out I might be okay at this. Yay!
In other news...well, I don't know that there is other news. Sergio and I signed up for a free online calorie counter out of curiosity last night. It has been quite the eye opener already. Yesterday I didn't have breakfast, and by the time I finished lunch I had eaten 200 more calories that I am supposed to have in a day. Lame.
In congratulatory news...congratulations Keith and Erin. We wish we could have been there and we hope the wedding was great. (I don't know that they read this, so someone who does just tell them we said that!)
And congrats Sara and Iggy on the news that It's a Boy. We are so excited.
And finally, to Dan and Amanda, for making us Uncle Sergio and Aunt Dawn for a third time. THREE!!!
I am actually sitting here planning lessons for the coming week. I have taken over one class at the middle school. I am the teacher of record now, which means I am responsible for their grades, talking to parents, and planning. It also brings with it some things I didn't expect. First of all, students have the most amazingly detailed and mundane excuses I have ever heard. I can get a five minute monologue about how, "I left my lunch at home and I need to go to the office to call my mom so I can eat in sixth period or else my blood sugar will go nuts, but I also left my notebook in my locker so can I go by there on the way back from the office or else I'll have to put my journal entry on a sheet of paper and I might lose that like I lost that map, did you find that by the way, and I need a note to the office, please, and I really like your shoes Ms. B." Not really excuses so much as it is the complete chaos that is a 12 year olds life. I relate really well to it, actually. Secondly, I am mostly accepted into the teacher group as well, which means that I sang karaoke on a Nintendo Wii after school one day, and later one of my fellow teachers sought me out to tell me they had just found a condom wrapped around the water fountain spout. Officially, that is bad. Unofficially, awesome. Anyway, I am trying to plan a lesson that will go all week and includes a detailed role play, negotiations, and presentations on the Berlin Conference. If anyone has any great stuff on that topic lying around just send it my way.
I got observed on Friday for a grade. Yikes. Turns out I might be okay at this. Yay!
In other news...well, I don't know that there is other news. Sergio and I signed up for a free online calorie counter out of curiosity last night. It has been quite the eye opener already. Yesterday I didn't have breakfast, and by the time I finished lunch I had eaten 200 more calories that I am supposed to have in a day. Lame.
In congratulatory news...congratulations Keith and Erin. We wish we could have been there and we hope the wedding was great. (I don't know that they read this, so someone who does just tell them we said that!)
And congrats Sara and Iggy on the news that It's a Boy. We are so excited.
And finally, to Dan and Amanda, for making us Uncle Sergio and Aunt Dawn for a third time. THREE!!!
Monday, February 04, 2008
Comedy of Errors, Except Not Funny At All
On Thursday evening, I dropped Sergio off at school and then stopped at the store for some laundry detergent. When I got back in the car, it wouldn't start. And that was the beginning of one of the more frustrating four day weekends I have ever had. Four day weekend only because we couldn't get many places, like school or work, while the car was broken. I really want to tell you all about the terrible, awful, no good weekend, but just the idea of going back through the events is exhausting.
Thursday night was particularly bothersome. I was only a mile from home so I walked from the store, however it was spitting snow and raining steadily, and dark, and I was wearing a dress and rain boots. So that was cold. Then I had to think about Sergio, who got out of class at 10 pm and had no way home. I called my neighbor/classmate, whom I consider a pretty good friend, and asked him for a ride later that night to get Sergio from school. He said no. Because he would be asleep by then.
I don't think I have ever felt quite so far from home. Who does that?
When I told Sergio this news, he said he would just walk the three miles home, along a busy road in the dark. And did I mention he has been sick all week? Thankfully, Sergio then found a shuttle that got him pretty close to the house. But the weekend got no better.
We spent most of Friday going up and down the hill to the car stranded at the grocery store while talking to both of our fathers on the phone trying to determine what was wrong with the car.
I take it back. This was when I felt furthest from home. In direct contrast to my sleepy classmate who couldn't be bothered with a 10 minute drive, both of our fathers offered to fly all the way to Portland just to help us with our car. That's love people.
Anyway, we decided it was probably the fuel pump. So we called a mechanic who told us that fixing that problem would be $900, not including the tow or the diagnostic testing. Oh, and we won't be able to pick it up until monday.
Very nice.
I'll stop boring you with the details, but here are the highlights. We decided to buy a car; In Arkansas, because it is cheaper. So we bought tickets to fly out Saturday morning, but then got a full refund at 4 am because there was going to be snow on the drive home and a train hit a bus in downtown Portland. I promise that makes sense.
So then we decided to buy the same car here in Portland. We then spent six hours listening to a 20 year old salesman from Tulsa tell us how he can kick the top of a door frame, and how fast he can drive all his cars. So, a hell of sorts. In the end the deal was ridiculous and we took the train, and then the bus to the law school in order to catch the shuttle. But it doesn't run on weekends. So we ended up doing that three mile walk in the dark, snow, and rain along a busy street together. I was wearing black dress shoes with no socks. I think we were so punch drunk by that time that we were actually able to really enjoy the walk.
On Sunday Sergio biked to the nearest auto parts store and bought a fuel pump, a set of wrenches, and a book that told him how to fix the problem. We (meaning he) then spent the next two days rolling around on the cold wet ground while the car was hiked up on a log, him learning how to repair a fuel pump. There was a lot of cursing. A lot. I know because I sat near him handing him tools. Not terribly helpful really, but I felt I should be there. Solidarity. We missed all but the last quarter of the Super Bowl, but the part we saw was great.
And that brings us to today. After lots more cursing and learning, we finished. It was thrilling. Unfortunately, the battery was dead and we had no way of knowing if the car worked until two hours later when another neighbor/classmate (of Sergio's) came and gave us a jump.
IT STARTED!!!!!
I don't think I can describe the happiness we both felt. And the competence.
So the car runs, our gas gauge works for the first time since we bought the car, and our 4 wheel drive service light went off. On top of all that goodness, we suddenly have internet at the house again. Hallelujah!
Thursday night was particularly bothersome. I was only a mile from home so I walked from the store, however it was spitting snow and raining steadily, and dark, and I was wearing a dress and rain boots. So that was cold. Then I had to think about Sergio, who got out of class at 10 pm and had no way home. I called my neighbor/classmate, whom I consider a pretty good friend, and asked him for a ride later that night to get Sergio from school. He said no. Because he would be asleep by then.
I don't think I have ever felt quite so far from home. Who does that?
When I told Sergio this news, he said he would just walk the three miles home, along a busy road in the dark. And did I mention he has been sick all week? Thankfully, Sergio then found a shuttle that got him pretty close to the house. But the weekend got no better.
We spent most of Friday going up and down the hill to the car stranded at the grocery store while talking to both of our fathers on the phone trying to determine what was wrong with the car.
I take it back. This was when I felt furthest from home. In direct contrast to my sleepy classmate who couldn't be bothered with a 10 minute drive, both of our fathers offered to fly all the way to Portland just to help us with our car. That's love people.
Anyway, we decided it was probably the fuel pump. So we called a mechanic who told us that fixing that problem would be $900, not including the tow or the diagnostic testing. Oh, and we won't be able to pick it up until monday.
Very nice.
I'll stop boring you with the details, but here are the highlights. We decided to buy a car; In Arkansas, because it is cheaper. So we bought tickets to fly out Saturday morning, but then got a full refund at 4 am because there was going to be snow on the drive home and a train hit a bus in downtown Portland. I promise that makes sense.
So then we decided to buy the same car here in Portland. We then spent six hours listening to a 20 year old salesman from Tulsa tell us how he can kick the top of a door frame, and how fast he can drive all his cars. So, a hell of sorts. In the end the deal was ridiculous and we took the train, and then the bus to the law school in order to catch the shuttle. But it doesn't run on weekends. So we ended up doing that three mile walk in the dark, snow, and rain along a busy street together. I was wearing black dress shoes with no socks. I think we were so punch drunk by that time that we were actually able to really enjoy the walk.
On Sunday Sergio biked to the nearest auto parts store and bought a fuel pump, a set of wrenches, and a book that told him how to fix the problem. We (meaning he) then spent the next two days rolling around on the cold wet ground while the car was hiked up on a log, him learning how to repair a fuel pump. There was a lot of cursing. A lot. I know because I sat near him handing him tools. Not terribly helpful really, but I felt I should be there. Solidarity. We missed all but the last quarter of the Super Bowl, but the part we saw was great.
And that brings us to today. After lots more cursing and learning, we finished. It was thrilling. Unfortunately, the battery was dead and we had no way of knowing if the car worked until two hours later when another neighbor/classmate (of Sergio's) came and gave us a jump.
IT STARTED!!!!!
I don't think I can describe the happiness we both felt. And the competence.
So the car runs, our gas gauge works for the first time since we bought the car, and our 4 wheel drive service light went off. On top of all that goodness, we suddenly have internet at the house again. Hallelujah!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
I'd Like to Buy the World... a Free Wifi Connection
We have no internet at our house right now, which is why we haven't been posting. It is hard to come up with a post while you are sitting in a freezing car in the parking lot of a grocery store using their wifi. Even if we had been posting it would have been boring and full of stories of writing papers and going to class. And I would post more now, but I am getting the stink eye and an occasional not so subtle sigh from Sergio for monopolizing the computer.
Recent thoughts:
It hasn't rained in Portland nearly as much this year, but has been quite cold. We are not equipped for the cold.
Oregon is not part of Super Tuesday. Drat.
Sergio having class until ten three nights a week was dreadful, so he switched a class and will now be teaching law to high schoolers once or twice a week. He just wants to be like me.
The day you tell middle schoolers they will no longer be taught by their regular teacher, but instead by you, they will flip out and become pure evil for at least one day. It was frightening.
Uh oh, another stink eye and drawn out sigh.
Recent thoughts:
It hasn't rained in Portland nearly as much this year, but has been quite cold. We are not equipped for the cold.
Oregon is not part of Super Tuesday. Drat.
Sergio having class until ten three nights a week was dreadful, so he switched a class and will now be teaching law to high schoolers once or twice a week. He just wants to be like me.
The day you tell middle schoolers they will no longer be taught by their regular teacher, but instead by you, they will flip out and become pure evil for at least one day. It was frightening.
Uh oh, another stink eye and drawn out sigh.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
So Nice to Be at a Stage in Life Where We Can Make Light of Teenage Pregnancy
Juno ♣♣♣¾
We liked this movie. That was simple, huh? Furthermore, most of the soundtrack is from Kimya Dawson. I have been listening to her for around three years now, and somehow her being in the movie makes me feel cool, like maybe I made a discovery before other people. That is, if you call a discovery hearing an interview with her on NPR and ordering her CD online.
Charlie Wilson's War ♣♣♣½
We also really liked this movie. I think it has Sergio's political juices flowing.
We liked this movie. That was simple, huh? Furthermore, most of the soundtrack is from Kimya Dawson. I have been listening to her for around three years now, and somehow her being in the movie makes me feel cool, like maybe I made a discovery before other people. That is, if you call a discovery hearing an interview with her on NPR and ordering her CD online.
Charlie Wilson's War ♣♣♣½
We also really liked this movie. I think it has Sergio's political juices flowing.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Not Quite the Inner City Experience I Requested
Ms. M: "Everyone have a good weekend, see you Monday."
Student E: "I CAN"T have a good weekend! My dad told me this morning that as soon as I got out of school we were going out to eat and then to the mall. I just want to go home and watch TV."
Me quietly to Ms. M: "I wish someone were taking me to dinner and then shopping."
Ms. M: "No kidding!"
Five minutes later
Student S: "Ms. M I need to you to sign this sheet for me so I can go on my family ski trip. Actually, I wish you wouldn't. I HATE skiing. I wish my parents weren't making me go.
Me quietly to Ms. M: "I wish someone were taking me skiing."
Ms. M: "Me too"
Student S: "I don't want to ski...I just want to stay home with my pony."
And then my eyes crossed and blood started trickling out of my ears.
Student E: "I CAN"T have a good weekend! My dad told me this morning that as soon as I got out of school we were going out to eat and then to the mall. I just want to go home and watch TV."
Me quietly to Ms. M: "I wish someone were taking me to dinner and then shopping."
Ms. M: "No kidding!"
Five minutes later
Student S: "Ms. M I need to you to sign this sheet for me so I can go on my family ski trip. Actually, I wish you wouldn't. I HATE skiing. I wish my parents weren't making me go.
Me quietly to Ms. M: "I wish someone were taking me skiing."
Ms. M: "Me too"
Student S: "I don't want to ski...I just want to stay home with my pony."
And then my eyes crossed and blood started trickling out of my ears.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The End of Days
There was a tornado in Vancouver, Washington this afternoon. I don't think that is supposed to happen. I don't want to hear anymore from anyone about not believing in global warming. Until the world ends though, here is a really funny clip that wraps up many of Sergio's feelings about a certain food.
I Wrote This Post Yesterday, but then I Fell Asleep
We are back in Portland and back to the daily routine. Well, almost. We stuck with the time difference and went to bed at 8:30 last night and woke up just after five this morning without the help of the alarm. The flights were great. No delays anywhere and Eliot was a champ. In fact, after all the worry and preparations, the airline only asked one question. “Did you pay for him?” When they saw we had, they ushered him right through without even a glance. We gave him a slight sedative that didn’t knock him out, but seemed to make him very meditative. We would take him out at airports and he behaved like a little Zen master. My parents can tell you that this is not his normal behavior.
I couldn’t possibly talk about everything we did while we were in Arkansas, but here is a short list.
Toured the Clinton Presidential Library
Played Guitar Hero
Ate everything that wasn’t nailed down, and then ate some more, and when we were through with that we ate even more.
Opened presents
Played with freakishly cute babies
Played with freakishly cute puppies
Rang in the New Year in Fayetteville with some friends and the intoxicated older neighbors
Shopped
Played golf
Played 2 games of Monopoly
Played 2 marathon games of Risk, one in which I totally lost my grip on rational adult behavior
Learned the goofy ways my nephew communicates
Took only about four pictures the whole time
Used a Neti Pot
It was a lovely trip for us. We are terribly sorry if we missed you on this trip, but hopefully we will be close enough this summer to catch everyone. Or, you know, you could come here. I would wait until the spring or summer though. Ok, that is about as far as my brain is taking me today.
I couldn’t possibly talk about everything we did while we were in Arkansas, but here is a short list.
Toured the Clinton Presidential Library
Played Guitar Hero
Ate everything that wasn’t nailed down, and then ate some more, and when we were through with that we ate even more.
Opened presents
Played with freakishly cute babies
Played with freakishly cute puppies
Rang in the New Year in Fayetteville with some friends and the intoxicated older neighbors
Shopped
Played golf
Played 2 games of Monopoly
Played 2 marathon games of Risk, one in which I totally lost my grip on rational adult behavior
Learned the goofy ways my nephew communicates
Took only about four pictures the whole time
Used a Neti Pot
It was a lovely trip for us. We are terribly sorry if we missed you on this trip, but hopefully we will be close enough this summer to catch everyone. Or, you know, you could come here. I would wait until the spring or summer though. Ok, that is about as far as my brain is taking me today.
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