the weekend of bookshelf

On Friday my latent nesting instinct kicked in 6 months after moving.  I hung some of my pictures, and started going through some stuff. I even found a bookshelf on Craig's List Friday afternoon.  I emailed the dude and arranged a pick up that night: I borrowed a truck, gently coerced a neighbor into helping me unload it and bring it upstairs, and got the guy I bought it from with one of his neighbors to help me load it.

It was a bit daunting because the sucker was heavy.  In some ways it was nice to be a single woman because people were more willing to help me.  It was a little frustrating because I had to do it on everybody else's terms (I wanted to do it Sunday, the seller wanted to do it Friday; the neighbor helped me move it upstairs at 10 pm, etc.).  But, I ended up with what I wanted at a price I could afford-- I got a $100 check in the mail earlier this week that more than covered all the associated costs.

I unpacked all my boxes of books-- at least 12.  Bibliophiles, you know how great that feels.  I found some ones that I'd really missed: Wendell Berry's Collected Poems, NT Wright's Jesus.  And, in my 3 ring binders, I found my transcripts for my Master's.  I through away a lot of paper, and have a box of books to donate.  I'm a natural born pack rat. 

I love the bookshelf because one square is devoted to Russian novels, one square to poetry, etc.  And the shelves are deep-- so I have two rows to them.  I'm sure it'd cause an anal person a panic attack, but I love it!

The whole experience was empowering and humbling.  Friday night was full of tedium, but I organized three aspects (truck, pickup and drop off) with relative ease.  It was humbling that people were so willing to help for nothing in return.  Having my books was a little emotional because they reflect different periods in my past and bring back memories.  I unpacked Latin, Greek, Spanish, and English Lexicons.  Books I bought in Japan and Peru.  My Jonathan Edwards biography, which is surprisingly good.

I figured out a class I want to teach on writing spiritual autobiography, and two books I'd use as texts.  I found my personal training text books I need to come up with a strength workout for myself.

Much like training for a marathon, I feel like I was handed another key piece of my identity.

whatever... libraries are expensive

I went to the library in Charlotte to check on my fines: $26.50.  That's a hard back at Barnes and Noble. I had several books that moved with me.  I finally remembered to turn them in a couple of months later. (Fines max out at $10; librarians do have some heart.)

The fines are bad enough, but the librarian's snarky attitude.  I probably should have suggested she whisper; instead, I got her to print them out.  I have the printout in my purse just in case.

Goodwill, Value Village, Salvation Army... these are the best places to shop for books.

Don't worry: I have two library cards.  Take that, uptight library lady! I'm still in business.

baby mop

Baby Mop link
So, I didn't end up making edible bread today. However, I did make some metaphorical bread when my aunt said, "I really like your purse." I immediately asked, "Enough to buy it?" And, a deal was struck. She said she had the cash on her, and I said she could have the bag then and there. I learned my lesson-- one must seize a transaction when one notice's it. Strike while the iron is hot. This looking for a job stint is really transforming my relationship to stuff. I'm getting far less emotionally attached. It's stuff. It helps that my Bible study last night was on Ecclesiastes 6, which is about stuff.

Happy stuff: Doesn't that baby mop do your heart glad on so many levels? I found this on pinterest, which is yet another online black hole to suck your life force. So, of course, I like it. My sister contends that pinterest is the dumbed down (i.e. "feminized" version) of digg. She may be right. However, the baby mop reminds me of dogs carrying packs on hikes. I swear the dog and the baby are psyched about pitching in for the greater good!
dog carrier link

adhd episode leads to entrepreneurial venture

Today was designated for collecting, sifting, organizing, all my stuff from my old apartment into my new room. My apartment was small, but the room is smaller. It's a study of conspicuous consumption to have duplicates and a plethora of random crap. I have a hard time getting rid of stuff. I have to take advantage of a moment of crisis such as this.

I need to get rid of clothes, books and things miscellaneous. While weeding through my books picking out the ones I haven't read in ten years, it occurred to me that I could try to sell them on Amazon. So, I set up a seller's account and posted some books. A lot of my books wouldn't be worth selling because Amazon charges $1 plus 15% per book. But, several of my books are worth over one-hundred dollars and couple over fifty! I told my brother about it, and he said I should go through the books at Mom's. I told my sister, and she said she couldn't sell her books.

Well... I haven't sold any yet, but I'm excited about the prospect. One part of me is in total agreement with my sister and feels like a jerk for selling my books. Another part of me knows I like to buy new books. Another part of me justifies it by thinking about my high school crush Thomas Jefferson. He sold his library. Desperate times lead to desperate internet selling schemes. It's not like a ponzy scheme; it's actually making the world a better place. A book case is a treasure chest in more ways than one!

I might try to sell some of my clothes on eBay. The worst case scenario is they don't sell... or I somehow lose money on the proposition. But, selling stuff is in my blood. Lots of my family own their own businesses.

cell phone gone mobile: a cautionary tale

Last night I went on a ten mile run. It was after seven, so Grace asked me to take my cell phone with me in case it got too dark. ( Or, if I'd bitten off more than I could chew.) So, I tucked my blackberry into the back of my jog bra between my shoulder blades where I thought it'd be least noticeable. I was afraid that it might fall out of the bottom while crossing a busy road and I wouldn't hear or feel it. Turns out, that was the wrong fear.

About 2.5 miles into the run, I came across a toilet on the side walk that reminded me of Skeeter's stunt in The Help. Plus, it belonged more in my hometown than in front of this posh address: juxtaposition. I pulled out my phone to take a picture. My phone had little drops of sweat over it. So, when I put it back in it's slot, I put the back to my back and the phone to the material, thinking that would prevent any dampness problems.

My loop was proving to be eminently doable: it was neither hot nor hilly, and I was well rested having been slack earlier in the week. I got to around mile eight and realized it was dark. I got out my (now drenched) phone to alert Grace I was going to finish the run even though it was dark--that I was almost back. I hit the call button. Nothing happened. So, I hit the power button. Nothing. My brain sighed, "I should have seen this coming." Then, I was glad I wasn't whipping out the phone because I'd pulled a hammie. Then, I was nervous that it would. never. work. again. Eek. I don't have insurance on it.

I woke up in the middle of night, stretched my back and played with my phone. Again, nothing. Then, my alarm went off. Relief! Then, I went to hit "dismiss". I pressed the button multiple times. Nothing. Yet, the alarm kept alarming. There was no five minute snooze. I stuffed in socks in my sock drawer to let it wear itself out. Tonight it's semi-responsive. I have hope it will go back to normal.

Moral of the story: put your phone in a ziplock before you put it next to your sweaty flesh in a workout!

a long time

Everyone needs a 5 month hiatus every now and again. Mine was put to good use: 3 weeks on the Vineyard, a month in Latin America (Peru (Macchu Pichu), Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)), a weekend get-away to Boston, and I moved about 20 miles in distance, but it feels a lot further.

Update:
- I'm taking Spanish lessons on Wednesdays. There are 3 students in my class; our teacher is from Columbia. I've been to one class, and I'm thinking Level 3 might be a little ambitious. But, it will be fun. Why my sudden interest in Espanol? Embarrassment when I was in Latin America-- everybody I met was multi-lingual except for other Americans. Next, I want to take Hebrew at the Jewish Center. But, I know my limitations... one language at a time.

- I'm loving my classes this year. Let me tell you: good students make all the difference! I actually am kind of excited to go into work. It's as the Chief says it's good to give and receive... you're getting fed too; it makes a difference. And, I am. My emotional climate classroom is much warmer this year. I have about ten readers-- it's so fun to talk books with them. Plus, it's freeing to know that I won't be back next year. I need to get on the process of getting a job lined up.

- Church. I feel hesitant to make the announcement, but I think I've found one. King of Kings Anglican church. The pastor is a Regent grad. It's a teaching church that's into being Jesus' hands and feet. The service had all three of my must-haves: Nicene Creed, Lord's Prayer and expository preaching (he just plowed on through Psalm 84). They're under the Rwandan bishop-- so their talk about the universal church is more than PC chatter. I saw a woman on Sunday that I met at Well of Mercy and was glad to see because she was incredibly interesting and funny. And, there's a women's Bible study on Genesis-- not weight loss or being a loving wife. I'm a fan of the single-sex without the cloyingly sweet subject material. I'm so not a knitter. (This has made me a little giddy. I had no idea how much it had been weighing on me. My ever-pragmatic sister warned me that it won't be perfect because a church is a bunch of people.)

- I moved. I like my cute, little, old apartment. I think my roommate and I will work well together. I love the running-- the neighborhoods are great with huge trees, and there are parks. It's fantastic! And, I can walk to lots of little independent restaurants and an independent theater. It feels like I live in a city. The apartment is tiny, but I'm referring to it as "European" and seeing it as a growth opportunity. I'm way to American with all the crap I have. I need to pare down. Although 100 things is not a realistic goal at this time, I think I can definitely streamline my stuff and work on my attitude and relationship to buying and owning.

I hope to be more frequent. It dawned on me as I started treating my FB status as self-expression that I needed to get back to blogging! Although I terminated all my readership through the hiatus, I'm back! I'm reading Peterson's Reversed Thunder and Collins' Mockingjay. So, I'll report on that and other belly-button flint as I see fit.

Quotation: "Life is too short to be small." Disraeli

lessons

The weather is cooperating with my spring break. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I'm sunburned. I'm in Richmond, VA, staying with my sister. I've been doing a lot of running and walking in the historic parts. This morning I wandered around Hollywood Cemetary where three presidents and Jefferson Davis are burried. It's enjoyable to be outside just sitting or standing.

I got a Blackberry on Saturday because my brother broke his phone. There was a buy one get one free deal. Yep. I walked into that one. I can see why they're referred to as crackberries. It's hypnotic all the updates you get. And, I like word mole... a lot. My highest score thus far is 57 with "squirrel". And, I'm trying to find a free, easy to use budget application to use on my phone.

I am supposed to hear from the National Writing Project by the end of this week. I'm nervous and excited. I'm reminding myself that it'll be expensive and a pain in the butt-- so it's not all bad if I don't get accepted. But, it will be awesome.

I learned again how poor I am during a conversation with the CPA who does my taxes. Yowsers, I was going to buy a new laptop, a sewing machine, put an extra thousand towards my student loan and the rest in savings. I'm hilarious with a great imagination. I'll get a lesser version of the laptop I want if I getting into the summer institute and I'm looking for a used sewing machine.

So, I learned the difference between a "deduction" and a "credit" are from said CPA-- that's part of the problem. I thought the interest on student loans functioned as a credit-- nope, it's a deduction.

I really need another job. My position is changing a lot with the smaller budget. It'll take a lot of time but without any worthy gains. I don't want to do it.

I'm trying to introspect, but it's hard to unwind enough to get to the good stuff.

Waiting is a difficult task. It requires a lot of faith and hope in God's goodness and power... and observational skills. I'm concerned He's taking me in a different direction than I'm interested in going. This poverty thinking stinks. But, maintaining an eternal perspective in near impossible-- that's where the Bible and prayer come into play, I presume.

My sister has a lot of fantastic cook books. She's been calling me "the monk" as I copy her recipes ino my recipe book.

honesty

When I went to pick up my class in the gym this morning, one of my students came up to me with three pips surrounding her. She says, "Hi, Ms. M. Not to be rude, but that is seriously the worst outfit you've worn all year." So, I've been a little self-conscious all day, but she did have a point. It's kind of out there.

Influence

I don't read Runner's World for its profundity. Nonetheless, I happened upon it in the newbie article, "A Mile in His Shoes". It's a dad chatting about his 6 year-old wanted to run a mile with him. The author goes on to talk about how as herd animals we normalize behavior for each other. I found the article inspiring as a 7th grade teacher. Maybe, I have a bigger impact than subject-verb agreement even as important as good grammar is. And, I gained hope as a Christian: our lifestyle does impact people. Maybe my driving a jalopy of a car so that I have money for other things might normalize a certain thought pattern of generosity and wants vs needs. Who knows?
I agree with the author's thesis because I've experienced it. I have been deeply influenced by those around me for good and bad. My friends affect my interests. I know I read Runner's World to be surrounded by runners while I have no one to run with-- it reminds me that running an hour is completely normal and a good use of time.

forecast sunny

Things got better. Don't know how. Don't know why. My job doesn't feel like a ton imposition on me. I'm slowly getting situated in the sea of students and learning that I get through one fewer activity with a class of 34 then with a class of 28. It has something to do with how many times the same question gets asked. One day, I answered the same question over twenty times. PAY ATTENTION, why dontcha. But, my lesson on Islam went fantastically today. We talked about OT ethics and human rights. One of my biggest punks told me "that was really interesting" after class, which floored me. They kept asking me, "How do you know that?" And, I'd say, "Because I'm a genius" or "I paid attention in school." Plus, we're supposed to get the new teacher Monday. I'll be down to 28 students a class and one prep! More pandemonium, but good pandemonium.

I can tell I'm feeling better because I met the Chief for dinner and, on a whim, decided to go to Charlotte and by a skirt. And I bought some other pieces as well. It felt like illicit fun. The Chief is more fun than a lot of people I know my age. I got some clothes to wear to the Vancouver wedding-- it's a 10 shindig in North Vancouver at a lodge, which is kind of an odd style thing. This marriage makes me happy.

My uncle sent me the playlist for U2 today. No "Cedars of Lebanon" but I'll probably live. Now I need to read a chapter titled "Motivation" in my learning theory. Oh, but if it could teach me how to do that. But, although the path devious keeps winding, there is a light.

new day

The past few school days have run smoothly, which is so relaxing. I don't come home with all my stores depleted-- a hollow shell of a human being. I come home and part of the day's festivities are already humorous. I have plans on how to spend my time after school. I had the energy to grade and work right after school.

Run update: Saturday's long run went brilliantly-- faster and longer than planned. Sunday went for a great 20 minute run when I should have been resting, but the run felt great. The genius runs caught me today. Fifteen minutes out I was really light headed and bodied. I must not have eaten enough today. Running, rowing and swimming function as appetite depressants for me. I needed to eat more snacks... maybe tomorrow. In college, I'd set an extra alarm clock an hour before my real one so that I could drink an Ensure before practice. If I drank it too close, then it would upset my stomach. The only thing worse than a 5am practice is being nauseated during a 5am practice.

I went shopping with my mom yesterday. She got some really cool pieces for my sister's various graduation fetes. It was fun to watch her try on the clothes. She found some pieces that she'll thoroughly enjoy.

I also realized how and gloom and doom I've become as I described my day as "freakishly good". I had a incredibly fun conversation with my brother today; he cracks me up.

flat tire

Yesterday was one of my best teaching days yet! I nipped discipline problems in the bud while remaining chipper. The kids wrote page long journals about their life in 20 years. They engaged in conversation about oxymorons and paradoxes. The classes were quick paced. The students and I were amazed at our efficiency.

Today was okay. I'm learning how to relax in the disfunction and chaos. Things are never as they should be. The copier is always jammed or busy with 10 page packets when I'm working with tight margins. My planning-period ward needed much one on one work with prepositional phrases. Today as we were writing down literary terms to play bingo, I could see the kids get excited about how much they learned. They wouldn't stop spouting terms even though it meant more work. They were having fun. But, the natives are restless with the weather gorgeous.

But, the highlight of this teaching week has come during Walk and Talk. My 12 and 13 year olds are enthralled by the catepillars. They pick them up and play with them: they have the critters crawl up sticks. So, there are a couple of boys we had to say, "Don't step on them." But, for the most part they're gentle and curious with them. Seeing my little punks play with catepillars makes me appreciate them more. It reminds me that there's more to them than bravado, whining, body humor and sexual innuendo. I got to see them as precious little kids delighting in fuzzy worms.

This afternoon as I was hurrying to meet the Chief in order to meet my sister for dinner, I realized I had a flat. I could hear and feel it. Thankfully, the custodian was out dealing with trash. He fixed it with only a few comments about how dang hot it was. I gave him the towel I had in my gym bag, which helped a little.

I went to the place I bought the tires with the donut. They replaced the tire; whatever metal I ran over tore up the inside of the tire. Yay, for warranties and good customer service. I need to get Triple A for my car. It's common sense when your car has over 254k miles on it one might think.

I finished Jean Ferris's Bad tonight. I felt a large part of the book was about the power of literature in a reader's life. I got a list of books I'd like to read from it (Road to Oz). The protagonist's teacher assigns her books, which she falls in love with in juvie hall. I enjoyed it, and, more importantly, I think my kids will. I now have to create a Reading Guide. Then, I've started Sebestyen's Word by Heart. It's a powerful story, but I wonder if the setting and diction will mess with my kids.

Slated for tomorrow: long run and sewing. Don't I sound like a hip 60 year old-- not to mention I ordered something from Talbot's this week. And, I'm so ready for bed. Note to self: I hang out with the Chief and her sister altogether too much.

splurge

I finally slept last night. The sleep tasted delicious, but it was even harder to get up. Ironic?

I've enjoyed breaking in my new clothes and shoes. My students enjoyed my clothes too.

I got a pedicure and manicure so that I am spiffy enough to wear the snazzy clothes.

My afternoon has been rough. The job is more stressful than ever, but I'm adjusting to it. The shock value has decreased. I'm learning to chant: c'est la vie; God is good.

Last night a friend taught the book of Ruth. He reminded me how important it is how we frame our story.

My favorite church marquis has a great quotation: "Get rich quick: count your blessings." It's a good, cheesy reminder. But, it helps me focus on the miniscule victories-- the positive. The couple of sponges who sit in my class rather than the sea of adversaries.

sidetracked

I had noble plans for today. I went to church, met my mom for lunch and went to Nordstrom's for a pair of sandals that she saw last week. That's where I wander off the black and white ideals of my illustrious plan. Said sandals were nowhere to be found. So, I found two other pairs of shoes: adorable and expensive. Then, we went to find a handbag to keep my shoes company because of the law of consumerism that goes like this Visas in motion tend to stay in motion. Found an awesome over the top bag... and a polka dot dress... and yellow dangle earrings... and a third pair of shoes. I enjoyed the time with my mom, and I felt very patriotic as I spent money in our depressed economy. My Visa is a check card so I'm not paying interest.

And, I love U2's No Line on the Horizon. The lyrics are really good. U2 make aging appear a good thing. They're cranking out new, amazing stuff rather than giving tours reliving their glory days from 20 years ago.

So, tomorrow I will grade the papers and do some of the paperwork I'd slated to do this afternoon. I'm trying to enjoy the time I spent with my mom and the deals I found instead of feeling guilty for not working the six or so hours I normally pull on a weekend. Being a teacher is a lot like being a student-- there's always a little dark rain cloud of work and guilt in your line of sight.

wrong side

I've had a lovely day and managed an awful mood for most of it! It's a talent of mine. Church was good. I took away the need for prayerful reflection of who I really am before God. The priest emphasized that change (ie. improvement) can come only with help from God. It was no Oprah episode.

I bought a cashmere wrap that I'd been thinking about for a long time. But, now that I've bought it, I'm thinking it's not worth the money on my salary. If it represented a smaller proportion of my salary, I'd say yes. But, as it is, I need to prioritize. I already have sweaters, sweatshirts, scarves. As lovely as the wrap is, I can't justify it. It's good to know. And, I'll return it next time I'm in SouthPark. I guess I got a hankering for an elegant shawl while at the Symphony the past couple of times. Ladies look so lovely and gently polished in a shawl. Upon reflection, it'll take more than a shawl for me to attain that level of elegance.

I attended a concert this afternoon. I stayed until the intermission and heard some of Handel's Arias and a section of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto. It was amazing! The musicians played the harpsicord, viola de gambo and all these older (almost obsolete) instruments. Pro Musica joined the Charlotte Civic Orchestra. It was enjoyable.

I cam home and took a nap and awoke to two inches of snow, and it's still snowing hours later. The County has already cancelled school.

lost

I basically got lost all of today. I set out to spend my day one prudent way, and I ended up following rabbit trails all day. Delightful, fruitful rabbit trails, but rabbit trails nonetheless.

Rabbit trail #1: paperbackswap.com It's this awesome way to swap books. You can order books and people mail them to you. You start out with two book credits for joining. Then, you post books you're willing to trade. For each book you mail, you get a credit. This is how I spent several hours. I posted around twenty books and I ordered some. I've mailed two already (you print out the postage and everything. I wrapped the books in plastic grocery bags then wrapped the paper around them, using copious amounts of masking tape. I mailed two books ordered three books. I wish this existed for clothes. I need to go through more of my books. the ones I'll never read again. There are several thousand books in our house. Plus, I really like the idea. And, it stroked my ego that out of the 20 books I posted six of them were queued immediately. I read and swap quality books, yo. (My MBA sister was laughing at me because she made $300 dollars selling her text books on Amazon this weekend. But, I like this grassroots movement better. I might even make some friends out of the deal!) I will keep you "post"ed on this book venture. It shall be fun.

Rabbit trail #2: The mall. I went to return a sweater that's to big, which makes me look a frumpy old school marm. Of course, I am a frumpy old school marm; I simply don't want to dress the part. But, there were awesome sales. I got some work horse clothes that were not frumpy. However, they're not Madison Avenue either. They're colorful (pink, teal, orange), affordable (50-75% off), and easy. And, I got this AMAZING cashmere wrap. It's luxurious and fun. I have a feeling that my students, coworkers, family and friends are going to grow tired of the airy, fuschia wrap/scarf long before I will. HAhahaha. And, I ran into one of my writing group girls. I was bit embarrassed:1) I had all these bags of loot. 2) It was during when we normally meet for group. But, it was good to see her and find out how the retreat went.

I did walk and read, which was part of the plan. I did eat two meals of my hearty, vegetable soup. Now, I'm going to read some more. I enjoyed my day, which is the goal when one is under the weather and on holiday.

zappos.com

I own three pair of Dansko shoes: 2 clogs and 1 heel (Roxy). While I was hanging out with a shoe-store friend, I realized that Dansko makes boots. That rocked my world. I've been looking for a black boot for a while (about 2 years); it's a lot of work to find a tall boot that fits my calf, ankle and foot. Then, there's the comfort factor and the style factor. Comfort is a necessity and with style I wanted classic. I don't want elf shoes or round toes. I want boots I can wear for ten years or more.

After discovering the Dansko boots (Risa), I knew what I wanted, but it was out of my price range. Then came Christmas, and my mother's need to buy me the perfect Christmas present. Voila! (Jackie, this isn't some Wal-Mart crap I'll throw away in a year.) And, I went on zappos.com, which I found out about in Runner's World. I ordered the boots Saturday afternoon, and they arrived Monday morning. This was with free shipping. I'm most pleased. I recommend Zappos.com. The boots were even discounted about twenty percent.