In This City

You came in to my life 

You cannot separate yourself 

You came in to my life 

You cannot separate yourself 

And I found that round here 

In this city 

That I wont disappear 

In this city 

I got nothing to fear 

In this city, 

In this city 

Close those doors 

Close those doors now 

Now, now, just keep em open 

Keep em open 

Yea, keep em open 

Ill keep on, keep keep on going 

Taking it in so, so heavy 

Take it easy son, this aint so deadly 

Got keep on, gotta go on, gotta go on 

Take it all with what weve done 

Gotta push it push it push it 

To the top of the building 

Even when no one is feeling 

It might bother you 

Dont let it 

If these people just dont get it 

They cant express it 

They wont accept it 

She said its okay that they may never give you that credit. 

And I found that round here 

In this city 

That I wont disappear 

In this city 

I got nothing to fear 

In this city, 

In this city 

Ive been down here 

Down these roads 

People pass through 

Some stay some go 

Standing here broke 

Not a penny to my name 

But she says she loves me all the same 

I try my best 

And you do to 

And all you want is something you can move to 

Everybodys gotta get their kicks somewhere 

Everybody gotta fit in somewhere 

Theres, an open road 

And Im traveling down 

Dont know where to go 

But I lock and load 

Shoot that sky till the moon explode 

Moon explode 

Now were laying in a field 

White flowers on our backs 

Talking bout home 

But we cant go back 

I guess thats why we left 

So we could take a step 

Keep moving and forget the rest. 

You came in to my life 

You cannot separate yourself 

You came in to my life 

You cannot separate yourself 

And I found that round here 

In this city 

That I wont disappear 

In this city 

I got nothing to fear 

In this city, 

In this city

(Iglu and Hartley)

Just returned from a fantastic trip to Chicago. Love to visit the city. Would not want to live there. Anyways...it was a great little (short) vacation.

The Gay Debate

I try not to use this blog as a platform for my personal views on political issues.  However, this is one that makes my blood boil so I need to vent.  I haven't heard much of this debate in a while (since the Prop 8 debate in California).  One show has managed to bring it back: American Idol.  My dad and I duked it out last night while watching Adam, the supposedly homosexual dramatic performer, and Kris, the Christian church boy, duked it out on the show.  My dad was saying that he saw a piece on Fox News about the two Idol finalists.  He said they were talking about the gay vs. Christian vote.  Apparently, according to the right wing Christian news network (SHOCKER!), people are voting for Kris because they want to vote against the "GAY guy." I say...Bullshit.

I totally didn't believe him at first...but now? I can honestly say that maybe people in this country are really that moronic. Hold on a second while I jump on my soapbox. OK...as someone who grew up in church and considers themself a CHRISTIAN who will go to heaven someday, I firmly believe that people who are gay are PEOPLE just like me and you and Bill O' effing Reilly. Do they deserve to NOT have their dreams come true simply because they are attracted to someone of the same sex?!?! NONONONONONO. The answer is no. It's ridiculous really that people would even consider this notion.  On a show which is about singing and performing and TALENT, shouldn't those things be the deciding factor? It's sad and frustrating and demoralizing to me to even have to think about this. It gives me knots in my stomach to think that someone would be denied their dream because of their lifestyle. 

Wake up people. I pray for a day where equality really means equality. Where Christians and homosexuals can get along. Where people are people no matter what their sexual orientation. I am stepping down now. Thank You.

When we had white presidents...

Ellen DeGeneres is awesome.  I wish she would have spoken at my common-cement ceremony. Watch this...you won't be sorry. 

Oh, the Places You'll Go

Dr. Seuss was a brilliant man. He penned one of my all time favorite books...Oh, the Places You'll Go.  It is a very appropriate book for this new chapter in my life.  This is an adorable video of a 4 year old who memorized the entire book. Love it.

So on this graduation eve, I am thinking of the future and what it might hold.  The future is unknown.  The future scares the crap out of me.  But it also excites me. I am a person who has to have a plan for today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. I like to have all my ducks in a row so I can avoid unexpected things.  I have a plan for my future but there are still so many questions.  I can't predict what will happen in five years.  Where will I be? Colorado? Chicago? Married? Teaching? These unanswered questions are what scare me the most. I want to live my life though. There is too much world to see and experience for me to stay in one place my whole life.  One of my favorite parts of the Dr. Seuss classic is about waiting.

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

There is way too much to see in the world to waste my time waiting on life to happen.  I know one thing for sure. I control my destiny.  I have to make life happen. Fearlessly. I want to find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing. 

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

To the class of 2009: Here's to not waiting for life to happen. Here's to making life happen.

Sick.

How does one go through the entire semester without getting sick when working with children...only to get sick two days later?!?! This is a mystery I will never understand. This latest bout with snot, coughing, and sneezing has only been eased by one thing. These little gems.

Puffs Plus lotion with Vicks.  They have the delicious menthol scent baked right in. I have found myself simply sniffing them more than anything. What a great invention. One million points to the person who thought these up. I should get paid for this free advertising. Somebody hook me up with the number for Puffs. 

I Love You Mom.

Today is Mother's Day. I am convinced that I have the BEST mom ever. I know everyone says this...but I really do. She could kick any other mom's ass. I am so lucky and blessed to have her in my life. Happy Mother's Day Mama!

Top Ten Favorite Things about my Mom:

10. Her eyes. I got them.

9. The pies she makes. I blame them for my relentless gut.

8. Her patience with my father.

7. She always tells me I'm beautiful. Even in the morning.

6. Her fake teeth. She would kill me if she knew I exposed that little secret. Shhh.

5. She saved every piece of school work, artwork, and grade card from preschool through about sixth grade.

4. She always says she doesn't want a gift for mother's day, then says, "But I really do need a new watch."

3. She cries when I cry.

2. Pictures of her when she was in high school. Could've been a model I say.

1. Her heart. See Number 3. 

Microwave Camping.

I have had the urge to go camping recently.  Probably because the weather is getting nicer and giving me the itch.  Since I can't fit a camping trip into my schedule (or my budget), I decided that I could bring the BEST part of camping to my microwave. SMORES!!!   Surprisingly enough...they are almost as delicious in the microwave as they are over the campfire.  I took some photos. Enjoy...and don't salivate on your keyboard. :)

Happy Camping!

Cinco de May-o.

Cinco de Mayo.  Or as I like to say Cinco de May-O. Today the kiddos got to have a celebration with a pinata and all. It was really cute because we were paired up with a class of first graders.  There are about 4 Mexican children in the first grade class.  They all had their little sombreros and Mexican outfits on.  They were singing and dancing to the mariachi music.  It was really nice to let loose and have fun with the kids instead of being their teacher.  I hope I can create more moments like this one in my future classroom.

iPod Schizophrenia.

I have an equal number of Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Dave Matthews Band, and John Mayer songs on my iPod. What does this say about me?