J'Layne's Blog

I'm not "that girl"

2011-08-01T15:43:00.002-05:00

I just have to get something off my chest real quick:

I am not a "nice Christian girl".

I never will be.

In addition to being a Believer, I love talking, thinking, learning, understanding, questioning, and hearing other points of view as well as sharing mine.

^&^ SO sorry if this freaks you out, men of the world ^&^. Really. I'm sorry you can't deal with me being who I am.

I'm never going to just sit and stare blankly, smile and nod, and flip my hair behind my shoulders, a la "nice Christian girl" - all of which are married with 4 babies already.

I am worth more than that.

If you can't handle the level of intelligence I have and aren't willing to engage me in conversation in that regard, then I will just continue to be single.

That's what intimacy before marriage is- CONVERSATION. Look it up.

J'Layne

^&^ dentoes sarcasm - in case you couldn't tell.

Side Business...

2011-05-09T22:10:00.005-05:00

Okay, it's official. I have an Etsy. I want to make some extra cash, but also make it doing something I like and enjoy- something crafty. It took me awhile to figure out what I could produce and sell that I could make relatively quickly- obviously knitting baby blankets isn't my fastest method of turn out.

Then, I thought about when I had so much fun a few years ago learning how to make greeting cards. My friend Cheryl had her mom come and teach a bunch of us girls how to make some really cute cards! Then, about 2 months ago, my friend Michelle had a stampin' up card making party. I went, and had a great time yet again making my own cards. I bought some fun stamp sets, and began toying with different designs.

I have given away about 20 of the cards I've made, all to rave reviews. I also posted some on facebook to see if people would like them enough to buy them. I found that many people do like them. We'll see if it really takes off or not, but for now, I'm diving in. I have made the committment to work on cards for an hour each day. I can usually make 3 coordinating cards in that time. I think that's partly because I'm coming up with all new designs and ideas, and I'm also trying to use all of the paper goods that I have before purchasing more. This is proving to be quite the task. I hope that in the summer, I'll really be able to build it up so that I can keep it going during the next school year.

Now, time for the shameless plug: jlayne.etsy.com

Go check it out. If you like what you see....let me know!

J'Layne

Marathon Runner

2011-05-05T20:37:00.004-05:00

It's official. I finished a marathon. I had a great time running, and aside from a bit of blubbering and tears at mile 9 (more on that in a minute), I was in great spirits.

Let's begin with our place ride into Cincy. I wasn't paying much attention when I booked the flight- all I cared about was getting two seats together and saving cash money. Well...our plane was a tad on the small side. As in one seat one one side of the aisle, and two on the other. This made a very interesting journey. That and our travelling comedian flight attendant, who insisted on rambling over the loudspeaker random facts and stupid jokes. He also loved to say something meaningless and then murmur, "Mmmmmm- hmmmmmm"- like the way black girls say it. It. Was. Awesome. At one point, he tried to tell me a story, so I turned away from him and stared out the window, hoping my inattention would make him go away. He just kept right on talking, searching out anyone who would politely make eye contact with him so he could tell his story about a condo in Florida that was hit by a hurricane. Ugh.

Anyway, onto the expo. It was pretty big, and we got some sweet gear. We got our tech shirts, a poster, and a backpack! All Lissa and I could wonder is "How the heck are we gonna squeeze this mess into that teensy plane?" Lissa spun the Wheel O Fortune for Dick's Sporting Goods and won a $5 gift certificate! I got a pen. But it's okay. No really, I wanted a pen. Ask Lissa. She was actually aiming for a water bottle, but lucked out!

After the Expo, we wanted to go to Chipotle. The line was out the door by about 20 people. No way. We decided to drive around and see a little bit of the city. I also had a groupon (addicted, remember?) for a little Cafe in a cool artsy neighborhood, so we decided to eat there. Now, our rental car was a Nissan Cube. It was legit. Legitimately awkward and trying too hard. The ceiling looked like a pond rippling. Seriously, Nissan? And how about all those windows? They were reflective, so when you looked out the window, you saw yourself and the dashboard and the person sitting next to you. The one redeeming quality about the Cube was that is has amazing U turn capabilities. We know this, because we made about 7,459 U turns throughout the weekend. Getting to the Cafe was no exception. We had to reverse onto the sidewalk, U turn to get to the parking meter, and make sure we were close enough to the curb. It was super hard! The Cube's blind spots almost proved too much for us- but in the end, our hunger for victory- and some sweet cuisine- prevailed.

I couldn't eat, I think because I was super nervous. I tried ordering something that sounded good and fresh and grand: a pork sandwich with fresh baked bread, spinach, tomatoes, onions, and cheese (the only questionable pre-race food: dairy). When I got the sandwich, it was a steaming hot pile of wilted, melted goop in between two slices of toasted buttery bread. It was NOT what I was expecting or really interested in eating. Usually, I'm all in for a panini or toasted type sandwich- but not on nervous barf stomach day. I ended up eating some of the hot meat, and some of the buttery bread.

And now for race day. We got up at 4 am, since the race started at 6:30 am (5:30 am Dallas time). It was pouring rain at the start, so Lissa and I tugged some ponchos on. Only the wind kept blowing them over our faces, suffocating us and generally making us look like incompetent fools. I was pretty nervous starting out, but it got better as time went on. Miles 5-8 were the hilliest of the entire course. I was thrilled that I didn't have to do that part by myself- Lissa suffered through it with me. The beginning of the race seemed to fly by. When we came up to our split, at mile 9, I went into total panic mode. So many people were running the half, and it felt like 4 people were doing the full. I started to cry a little, thinking to myself that I had to do another 17 miles all alone in a random town. I was seriously doubting if I could do it. But after a minute, I recovered and got my composure back. I waved goodbye to my best friend, and set off alone.

The rest of the race went by kind of fast too. I walked through water stops, since I can't drink from a paper cup and run at the same time (hey, I'm not Kenyan!). When we got to mile 13, there were two huge (steep, not long) hills one right after the other. I basically got by because I was talking to myself and listening to music. There was this one part during mile 18 or 19 that we went through the projects. There was one family outside cheering- the rest of the neighborhood was a ghost town. When We hit about mile 20, we got to run up the on-ramp and run on an actual highway. They closed it down so we could run on it. That was a different experience! I was really looking for Riverside Drive. That was my last turn, the street I would finish my marathon on. The turn was at mile 22, so once I got to Riverside, I just had to run it to the finish. I could do that- I thought. Amazingly enough, my knees didn't start bothering me until mile 21, so I didn't have that much farther to go with irritation. I don't remember much about the last few miles, except the powerwalking lady who told a bunch of girls dressed up as burlesque dancers that they were skanks. That was hilarious. I also remember a gross hipster guy (that's for you Amanda) playing the bongo while his gross hipster bellydancing girlfriend bewitched us with her belly. That was not hilarious. It made me want to die. As I hit Mile 25, I saw a hill approaching. I couldn't believe it. Seriously? A hill in the last mile? One of the course monitors saw the look on my face (or heard my moans of agony, not sure which one I was doing at this point) and said, "Hey, as soon as you get to the top of the hill, you'll see the finish line." That gave me plenty of motivation!!! When I reached the top, I did see the finish...the "Finish Swine"! As I approached, I was smiling and happy. Lissa popped out to take some pics and run with me for a second. I crossed that finish line, and felt so in awe of what I had just done. I walked over to get my medal, and as I turned away, I felt a little pang of sadness that it was already over. I trained for 5 months to accomplish something that took 5 hours.

I am super excited that I actually finished, had a great time, and enjoyed some laughs along the way. The rest of the weekend was filled with sleep, Mob Wives, Sprite, and Waffle House. I am extra grateful to Lissa for coming with me and helping me out after the race. And also for risking her life driving us around in that damn Cube. What can I say? We are survivors.

J'Layne

Over it.

2011-04-26T21:50:00.002-05:00

My knees/legs hurt. I am afraid I won't be able to finish my marathon.

I am super excited to get out of Dallas this weekend with Lissa! Although I may be crawling by the time the weekend is over, I will have a break, and I will be able to say that I did it!

Work is a straight up beating. I literally cannot wait for each weekend to get here.

I am planning a poetry unit with my class, which I'm really excited about, because I've always wanted to teach poetry but it's never been in my curriculum.

Dave Ramsey's plan is so super hard. I am seriously afraid that I will never be able to spend money ever again. Now that I know how to eat healthy (and spend a million dollars doing it), I am trying (pretty successfully) to make it healthy and cost-effective. I was super proud the other week when I planned a menu, using many spices and non-perishables that I alredy had, and only spent $30 for 3 weeks worth of dinners! (I get free breakfast at work, and I drink meal replacement shakes for lunch).

I think that by August, I will be on Step 3(b)- according to Dave- that is where one who rents should start saving to buy a house. After debt is paid off, after 3-6 months of income is saved. Fingers crossed. Then he says the mortgage should be 1/4 of my monthly income, on a 15 year fixed rate mortgage. That means for a $150,000 house, I will have to save up $72,000 to put down. That will take me 55 months, or about 4.5 years. Really?!?!?!

Oh Lordy.

Enough. I'm just trying to make it to the weekend.

Here's hope for the big picture, and an attempt to refuse to let the details overwhelm me:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Eph 3:14-21

eh.

2011-03-30T22:53:00.005-05:00

i've been a tad hermit-y over the last week. a few fun plans have fallen through, i had a major test to take, and i am on financial shutdown. makes a person a little nutty.

did have some bright spots: got to have dinner with Cheryl, which was great. I haven't gotten to hang out with her since my birthday, so it had been awhile. i also had a great run on sunday at the rock n roll half marathon. i saw a bunch of my coppell running peeps, who i never see anymore. that was nice. i also got to have a nice long conversation with my friend Casey last night. I actually enjoyed talking on the phone. it's a miracle. i might try it more often.

i was really tired today, but i forced myself to go to small group. it's sometimes easier to just avoid people when you're kind of in that "what am i doing with my life" mindset. i went, i shared, i came home. it was good.

hazel jumped into blinker's food bag tonight and had a total feast. i don't even know how she reached the opening... i hope she doesn't poop in my bed.

nothing special. but this is what happens when you don't watch TV for 40 days. dealing with crap becomes a daily ritual, instead of numbing it with shows about fake people's lives. or real people who are trashy, like the housewives of ANY TOWN or teem moms or really fat people who want to be called losers.

i miss my trashy peeps. hope they're okay out there in TV world.

j'layne

Weekend: Camping, Running, Photography

2011-03-20T21:48:00.008-05:00

On Friday, me and Rachel went camping. It was.... fun? We made it a good time by bringing margaritas and Oreos into our tent and talking and laughing until we went to bed. We were pretty tired, because we set up the tent all by ourselves. This isn't that big of a deal- Lissa and I set that mug up about 6 times when we went on "Wild West" Vacation. What made it kind of sucky was that there were 4-count them- 4 men who were camping in the same group as us. They did not offer to help. at. all. we lugged the giant silver bin loaded with tent supplies down a hill and set up the tent in btween a couple of trees. When there was a stump in the way- I sawed it down. I once again blew up my air mattress- simply because I didn't want to bother asking for the air pump from the group at the top of the hill.

On Saturday, we sat around and read books and talked. It was nice. I was a little mad because I didn't bring sunscreen so I got a little burn on my face and arms. All week in Miami, and no sunburn. A few flippin hours in the Texas heat, and I'm pink. Geez.

This morning, I went on my longest run ever. 20 miles. I was sort of scared that I wouldn't be able to make it- but we started out really easy, and kept with it. One nice thing was that part of our route was around most of White Rock Lake, which I don't think I've ever completely looped before. Not so good parts: the swarms of gnats following us along the lake. Flashbacks of Mosquito Invasion of Palm Harbor, FL. Goo! Also, the bird poop covered trees smelled so bad! I almost barfed, but if I had, I would have lost all my hydration. So I followed the classic mantra: "Breathe through your mouth!" I also had to use the men's restroom at the lake, because the women's was locked. Super smelly and pee everywhere. No toilet paper. Glurg. All in all, Once I got to about mile 16, it felt better to run than walk. Walking hurts my hips, groin, and arches. Running numbed everything. So I finished alone. Which was kind of sad. But I was happy to be finished.

This afternoon, Rachel and I went to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens to practice our photography skills. We had fun getting great shots of flowers, playing with manual settings, and making the sunlight dance. I basically told her everything that Ericka has taught me about taking great pictures. Here are a few of my faves from today:

Miami Beach

2011-03-19T19:46:00.006-05:00

To say that my Spring Break was relaxing and awe inspiring would be an understatement. I seriously had a wonderful time in Miami Beach with Missy. To begin, I had an adventure at DFW when I realized that my gate had changed and it was about 30 minutes before my flight was going to depart- which meant that it was boarding already when I'm peeing in the bathroom, looking at my watch. Whoops! I had to hustle over there to make it on time. As I was speed walking up to the counter, they were announcing over the intercom, "...Last call for passenger Sundberg..." Oh man. I barely made it.

Once I got to New Orleans, I was busy eating some chicken and andouille gumbo whilst playing Rebecca from work on Words with Friends. She just so happens to be a Katrina evacuee who never went back to New Orleans. I definitely rubbed it in that I was eating some good home cooking!

When I got to Miami, Missy picked me up, and took me to her quaint art deco apartment building to get settled in. It had just the right amount of space! She had even gotten me breakfast foods and some delicious cream for my morning coffee. That was super thoughtful. She is a great hostess. Then we went to Yogurbella for some delish fro yo. (No, there's not supposed to be a "t" in Yougurbella.) I had the very hip coconut yogurt with mango bubbles- like what you would have in bubble tea. I knew Amy would be proud of me. Missy, on the other hand, got strawberry yogurt with cap'n crunch and chocolate chips. She's so grown up! ha! She really liked it though, so that's all that matters.

Missy ane Me at the Dog Beach on Key Biscayne.

I knew from that moment when I made fun of her about her yogurt and she popped right back that our relationship hadn't changed a bit. We spent the week going out to eat, going to the beach, having wonderful conversations, and updating each other on life. It was so relaxing to have absolutely no schedule. We just talked about a few things that we might like to do the next day as we were winding down over dinner or drinks. It was awesome!

Me and Missy jumping for joy at Spring Break finally being here!

We got to go to some cool places that Missy had never been to since living in Miami, which was fun for both of us. I spent some time solo, doing my own exploring up and down Miami Beach. I also got to take some great ocean-view runs in the mornings! It was quite beautiful and relaxing. I will leave you with a final view of the beautiful Miami Beach Coastline.

View of the beach right off Lincoln Drive.

2011: The Year of Groupon and Traveling

2011-03-02T23:19:00.003-06:00

I am officially addicted to Groupon. I have been a fan for awhile, and have purchased and used a few Groupons in the months since having an iPhone and using the app frequently. However, over the last month or so- yikes. It's a little scary. There are just so many things to buy on Groupon that are really useful! Cheap dinners, frozen yogurt, fun outings, movie tickets, half off pricing to stores (Barnes and Noble, RunOn)...the list goes on.

I have even been buying Groupons for other towns I will be visiting before the expiration date. I have a groupon to a cool looking restaurant in Cincinnati (get ready for a carb-o-load, Lissa). I am going to Cincinnati in May to run my first ever marathon. Lissa is going to be a real champ and go with me to give me a piggyback ride back to the car. And she's also gonna run the half. I am super excited. We are going to feast on bacon, I'm sure, since apparrently Cincinnati is pork town USA.

I also bought two groupons to fun places in Miami. One is for an italian style seafood place, and the other is for a sushi bar. Iam going to visit my friend Missy in Miami for Spring Break. We are going to tan, swim, drink, and feast. I can't wait.

Now, the most recent Groupon is by far the best I have gotten to date. It was $25 for $100 toward a virgin america flight. it's good from DFW to San Fransisco. My new friend and roomie, Rachel, told me about it. So we each bought one today, and have already booked our flights to go to San Fransisco in August! All in all, with the $100 toward the flight, my ticket was $111. Add the $25 I paid for the Groupon, and I'm going to California for $135! I am pumped- it's the weekend before inservice starts. Therefore, it's the last hoorah of summer before the doldrums of teaching begin again (Of course, I love my job- but getting back into the routine after weeks of sweet freedom is tough). Shara, I will only be 58 miles from you! So I hope in August, we can meet up for dinner! Yahoo!

One more trip I will be taking whose date is yet-to-be-determined is my yearly trip with Papa. This year we have decided to go to Washington, D.C. I have not been there, and of course, Papa has and is an expert at what to see and what to skip. We will most likely spend an entire week there. I need some suggestions from the "younger crowd" for things to do. I know I won't be able to do it all, but I don't want to miss any of the really good stuff. For me, the Holocaust Museum is a must. Any other suggestions for things to see in DC?

I am excited about my travel plans so far. If I have money left, I will be trying to go somewhere grand in December.

J'Layne

Goals Update

2011-01-19T21:32:00.002-06:00

I'll make this short and sweet.

Bought plastic envelopes for a new, better budget. Going to cash only system. I will have to WALK into the gas station to pay for my gas. hmph.
Got stood up for date with nice/stable-seeming/cute Match.com guy. I really don't know if I will even go on one date this year. Really. I am seriously doubting it.
To date, I have lost 27 lbs. I have 14 more to go before hitting my goal of 143 lbs.
I hurt my back and have missed like 5 training runs. I feel extra horrible about that, and a little like a failure. I do still have 3 months to train, though. Slow and steady....that's obviously gotta be my motto for this marathon thing.

The end.

J'Layne

New Year and thangs...

2011-01-02T20:32:00.002-06:00

Well. 2001 is here. I had a great night on New Year's Eve with 3 good friends. Cheryl and I had Ericka and Megan over for dinner and games and champagne. We laughed, we talked about lots of things. We shared our resolutions or goals for the New Year.

Mine are:

pay off my credit card-again.
run a marathon.
save up $10,000 toward a house.
go on A date. Just one.

So then last night I was at a going away party for Sarah and Daniel, who are moving to California (sniff, sniff). I was talking to Stephen about good old Dave Ramsey, and our friend Geoff overheard us. He asked me what Baby Step I was on. I told him 2, the Debt Snowball. I mentioned that I was excited to pay off the debt so I could start saving for a house. He then proceeded to school me completely on the Dave Ramsey plan. He goes into how if I don't own a house already, I should skip to step 6. It was a whirlwind! I popped off in a joking/bratty manner, "What, do you have the whole plan memorized?!?!" Geoff was like, "Yeah. I do." Oops. Our conversation continued, and Geoff really knows his stuff. It's one thing to read the book. But talking to a person who is doing it, and it's working- that's awesome. It really challenged my thinking. So, a day later, my new resolution is:

Pay off my credit card. Again. Then pay off my car. Then start saving for a house. Actually complete the plan.

I was laying in bed last night, thinking about what it would be like to get a paycheck and only have to pay for rent, gas, and groceries. That thought thrills me! Can you imagine NOT owing anyone anything? Wow. I would be able to have over half of my paycheck each month to save, invest, or spend.

As far as dating/men go: I am also attempting Match.com. Gag. It's embarrassing, but I might as well put it out there. It one of those weird things because it's like if I'm doing Match am I not trusting God? Or if I'm not doing Match, am I not being active in my own life, and attempting to meet people- simply waiting for God to drop a lover in my lap while I eat cheese and wear sweatpants? Anyway...if I can't even get one date from that.... I might go to the nunnery I saw on Oprah a few weeks ago. They get married. To Jesus. At least I would get a wedding.

J'Layne

Holiday Book Exchange

2010-12-15T23:02:00.001-06:00

Today at school, we had our staff Holiday Party and Book Exchange. I got Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. FML.

Pleasure Seeker, Party of One...

2010-12-14T22:44:00.005-06:00

Okay, so I have been out of grad school for all of 3 1/2 months. I'm bored. I don't care what you believe about humanity, God, the afterlife, etc.- we are Hedonists. Human nature is to seek the "next big thing". I always want to be doing something, accomplishing something, having something on my calendar. Yes, I complain about all the work it takes, the time, blah blah blah. That's all a cover for "Listen to me talk about what I'm doing with my life". I want to feel good about my life, about the things I am doing. Right now, I don't really feel too enthused about what's going on. I think it's because there's a lull in activity.

I am not quite sure where to go from here professionally. I have a M. Ed. degree that I'm not using. I am doing the same job this year that I have for the previous 4 years. The way the economy is, there are not opportunities to do the jobs I'd like to do- they are not the bare bones teacher/principal jobs that are available. I want to be a master teacher, an instructional coach, professional development presenter, a curriculum writer and implementation coach. Are any of those jobs even on the radar? Nope. They were the first to go. So then I thought, "Maybe I'll teach adjunct at a community college for preservice teachers." Uh-oh. No jobs open. Hmmmm. Stand still.

Joined Match.com. Shoot me in the face. all my matches are horrible. I must have the interests that attract shy, spineless, balding men in their late 30's. The ones that are halfway decent don't even email me back. No pleasure there. (Anyone surprised? Anyone?)

I have wanted to have my own home for a couple of years now. I almost bought a house, but I got too nervous and bailed. Shoot, I almost barfed when I got a new car. I can't imagine that nauseous feeling of being responsible for an entire household. Still, it becomes more and more appealing to me as the months pass by. I have been blessed with awesome roommates (shout out Lis! Shout out Cher!) but there's still something about being independent like that. I could maybe be brave enough to have small dinner parties, and host movie nights and things. For some reason, when I share a space with someone else, I don't want to do those things because I don't want to encroach on their personal space. And also, the mood doesn't hit me all that often to have people over. I think if I had my own place, maybe that would change.

I am going to train for a full marathon. I am going to run the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati on May 1. I have run 2 half marathons so far (one for training and one for real). I signed up to run another half in March. I like running. I can't believe that I'm actually doing it. It's kind of awesome. Amanda got me started on it, by telling me how much she liked it, and inviting me to go see her run in Austin. Lissa also decided to run, and we have both been at it since Jan 2009. It's fun to develop a new hobby, make new friends, and have something different to talk about other than teaching, lack of dates, and knitting.

Speaking of knitting...get your hot tea and sweatpants ready. In Feb, I am going on a knitting retreat! I am pumped. A weekend of sitting around in my pajamas, knitting and talking and drinking. Wine. And maybe liquor.

These are the things wafting through my mind. Next Post: Erwin Family Christmas. Get Ready.

J'Layne

Summer Blues

2010-07-25T15:12:00.004-05:00

well i'm housesitting this week. and it's the closest thing i've had to a vacation this year. i love coming out to the country and just relaxing. reading books, watching movies, actually making time to cook good food.

grad school is finally almost over. i just submitted my paper today, a week early ( can you tell i'm ready to be done?). All I have left is a beast of a final exam that makes me nauseous just thinking about it. it's on of those where every question is multiple choice, but the answer choices look like this:

A. I and III only

B. II and III only

C. III and IV only

D. I, III, and IV

So yes. I want that to be over too.

My half class starts this week. I'm missing Sun and Tues because I'm housesitting. I'm okay with that. I am doing the building phase first, which starts out with 5 ish miles per run. It's just too hot and horrible to start at 7 and keep going. We'll meet up with the other group eventually, and we'll still all finish at 13.1. I am going to be in Martha's group again, and that makes me happy. She's a great person and fun to run with. Here is a pic of our group during our last running class:

I am the sweaty mess in blue, and Martha is in the red.

That's all I got. Nothing exciting, just trying to update since I haven't in a very long time.

Semester Over!!!

2009-11-29T18:21:00.002-06:00

Ha. I wish. I still have a few more assignments to get done, but now more than ever, I am looking forward to my Christmas Break. I am just beat. The cool thing is that I only have 3 weeks of work school (3rd grade), and I will miss 3 of those days. So really it's 12 days of work, not 15. Is that wrong? I am rejoicing. I'm also very happy for a month break from grad school. it won't start back up until jan 19.

Thanksgiving was fun, if uneventful. I cooked a smorgasbord with my mom. I made homemade mac and cheese and it was delish! I'm going to have to make that mess again. You can get the recipe here. I also made maple pumpkin cheesecake. So good! It is a great recipe. Nice change from pumpkin pie, which I get tired of.

I got some of my christmas shopping done this week. I took advantage of living it up in Dallas (aka watching my two favorite kittens in my life!!!), and went to knox henderson for some crate and barrel goodies. I am still trying to figure out what to get Nathan for Christmas. (that is my brother, not a boy toy so don't even ask). I have mom and dad done. I know what I'm getting amy. still working on a few other people....

Papa is coming for Christmas this year! I am very happy about that. He wasn't going to, but I kept trying to beg him over the summer, and it worked.

Very last note: my pastor, Matt Chandler, had a seizure on Thanksgiving morning. After tests, etc. at the hospital a small mass was discovered on his frontal lobe. No one knows what it is yet, but he has an appointment with a neurologist on Tuesday. If you pray, say a prayer for him.

J'Layne

Headaches gone!

2009-11-16T22:36:00.003-06:00

Okay, today is a miracle..... first day in I don't know how long that I haven't had a headache. Yay! All last week, I had major allergies/sinus going on. Bought a neti pot, and let me tell you...those things are not for the faint of heart. You have got to be one dirty girl to be able to handle that thing. I had all colors, shapes and sizes of snotty slugs dripping from my nostrils. But guess what? No more sneezing, no more running nose, no more ringing ears, no more headache! I didn't have to take a single pill today. I am a believer in the snot tea pot.

I can not wait for New Moon to come out. Stephenie Meyer was on Oprah on Friday, and I was so glad I recorded it! She's basically awesome. If I see the ad with Jacob's giant muscular body one more time, I'm not sure I can be responsible for the behavior that ensues. And I don't even like Jacob! But you can't hate on that body. Not. Even. A. Little. Bit.

Going to have a study session on Wednesday Night for all of you who have things to do in the evening: grad school, grading papers, reading a book while drinking a latte (jealous!). Not sure where I'll have it, but it will be good times. Maybe Dunn Bros in Addison? All I know is I'm going to be there, and I've invited Amy and Cheryl, because I know they have things to do. If you have things to do, bring your things and come hang out!

News, Plans, etc.

2009-11-08T00:04:00.002-06:00

Headaches: MRI came back clean, with the exception of sinus build up in one of the sinus cavities. Doc gave me Midrin for headaches. Bloodwork showed a Vitamin D deficiency, so I am taking pills for that. Still trying to figure out what is causing headaches.

Job news is this: I am teaching in the Dual Language Program next year. This means I will teach 2 sets of students. While I am teaching one group in English, my teammate will be teaching the same material in Spanish. We will trade groups weekly. I will only see my homeroom students half the year, and I will see my teammate's students for half the year.

I had a fun day today. Got to see lots of friends I haven't seen in awhile. I guess I'm at the stage where coworkers are starting to move on, and it becomes more difficult to see them when they're not at work everyday. So it was good to see some old friends today.

I also went to a film festival at the angelika tonight. It was pretty fun/interesting. Some of the films were beyond my comprehension. Some were really great. It was a good time! I also went to Breadwinners for the first time, and it was good. I guess their breakfast is the most popular thing on the menu, so I'll have to go check it out sometime.

Trying to decide what to do in regards to buying a house. I really really really want a place of my own, but my meager little salary won't get me my own place, plus pay for grad school, plus pay for car, plus pay for food, plus retirement fund, plus offering. I'm going to have to start deciding what to do...where I can scrimp, where I can afford to make this thing happen. Just don't want to do it out of compulsion or really rush it. I have just been wanting it for such a long time. I mean, I guess I've waited 2 years longer than I wanted to....I can wait another year. But that thought just makes my skin crawl. It is really hard to live out of one room and feel like I'm "home". I feel more at home in my classroom, or at my parent's. Ah well. It's not a horrible situation, just feels cramped at times. It would be so cool to have another bedroom for an office/craft room. I'm getting dreamy about it now. Time to go a-looking on ebby.com!

J'Layne

next year...already

2009-11-04T17:22:00.003-06:00

So next year I will have a new job. No, I'm not leaving teaching. No, I'm not leaving Peters Colony. But it will be a whole new experience. I am excited and nervous for what this opportunity will bring, and I sort of wish it was happening already. I have not been released to talk about it to anyone yet, so I can't tell you what it is. But when I can, I will.

Before all of that happens though, I have to finish up my master's. Which I'm finding out the details of next semester, and I'm getting excited! It's getting really close to the end....I only have one class next semester, and it's NOT online! I'm not sure if you understand the sheer joy that brings me. I loathe online classes. To the max. Plus, I get to have Dr. Haller for the 3rd time, and she is awesome. I really like her and appreciate the fact that she treats us like adults. Imagine that.

Ok that's all the news I've got so far, gotta finish up an assignment so I can go play! :)

J'Layne

Headaches... and more.

2009-11-01T17:02:00.002-06:00

So, I've been getting headaches. And ringing in my ears. I have tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away. I actually thought the headaches might be because of my 90% organic diet (the other 10% is reserved for emotional eating crap food, like Taco Bell). I thought maybe my body was withdrawing from all the processed shite in the food we eat.

Where I used to get a headache about once a week, I am now having them daily. The ear ringing was every once in awhile, but now it is a signal of the coming headache each day. The doctor says the headahces, sleeplessness, dizzyness, nausea could be stress. Which makes sense, because I feel like I have about a million or so pounds of pressure weighing me down at any given moment.

But the ear-ringing, that is something else. It can be a virus in my inner ear, a result of nerve damage that is happening in my body somewhere, or possibly a tumor. I seriously doubt I have a tumor, but the other two possibilities seem more plausible. The really horrible/creepy thing about that is that I had to shell out unspeakable amounts of money for an MRI of my brain just so the doctor can rule out anything horrifying. I probably won't ever even get to see the MRI. Those kinds of things just up the ante for anxiety, I feel. If i have a freaking virus, is an MRI really necessary? Really?

I don't know why it always seems like when things hit the upswing, crap happens. It's just weird that I was commenting to a friend that I haven't been sick this school year (which is so unusual), and I'm getting my grad school stuff taken care of - boom. I know that we are not guaranteed happiness...but what is really boggling to me is that there is supposed to be some sort of sweetness in our suffering. Right? We're supposed to feel God working in our lives, even in the midst of crappy times. Or at least see him after the fact. I sure haven't felt Him lately, before, during or after situations have happened. I don't really know when the separation happened. It just did. I wish I knew how to want to get back to a place where I felt God and felt him caring.

A friend told me that when you're waiting and waiting and waiting for something, that means God is working on it, because if you want something that badly, He must be readying you for the task. I like the thought of that, but then I'm also scared. Because what if God gives me the things I want and I am so ill-equipped and angry and defiant that I ruin what he is trying to do? (That is, if He is planning on blessing me anytime soon).

I'm doing this Beth Moore study with my small group, and I actually like it. I thought I was going to be beat down by it, but I honestly have enjoyed working through the lessons. In the introduction video, Beth is talking about how she was so afraid of being in a place where she didn't feel near to God. She said that if that happened to her, "it would be a punishment worse than death" to her. I just can't grasp that. There have been other times in my life where I have felt far from God, but never like this. And I'm not saying that I'm giving up in believing in Him, but I'm just having a really hard time trying to feel anything.

I work with the middle school girls. I'm teaching them about God's Love. And I know it's real. But I can't feel it. I don't know how to get there again.

I've been tagged!!!

2009-07-04T23:43:00.002-05:00

8 Things I'm looking forward to...
Vacation to nature.
Getting summer school paycheck.
Getting new car.
Visiting Papa.
Trying out P90X
Taking more classes at LA Fitness
Getting delicious food at the store tomorrow.
Using my West Elm giftcard for something cool.

8 Things I did yesterday...
slept in!
did laundry
used my helmet for the first time.
went shopping with dad.
had lunch with Shelley, Bob, mom and dad.
fixed my broke-down window buttons (with dad's help)
saw Lissa's new place
went to the rangers game

8 Things I wish I could do...
work out every day and like it.
like how I look.
rock climb
go to sweden
go to italy
tell this hot boy named pp that I like him.
not worry about money.
have a more positive attitude. (yeah right. like that's ever gonna happen)

8 Shows I watch...
The Office
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
American Idol
Supernanny. Nanny Jo gives those brats the business.
So You Think You Can Dance
Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Probably will rename it to Jon Minus Kate Remainder Eight.
Will and Grace. anytime there's a rerun, i'm so watching.

8 People I tag...

Okay I don't know 8 people in blogland.
So I choose:

Chelsi
Lissa

You're both teachers, so no excuses. It's summer. Be lame with me and do this survey!

It's been awhile....

2009-07-04T23:31:00.003-05:00

I have just resurfaced from crazyness. Not much going on, just working on my online class, trying not to spend money, and getting back into a workout schedule. Also trying to plan some vacation time.
I just got back from San Francisco, but that was just for a work conference. Didn't see much. Loved the weather! There were protests literally in every section of the town. My favorite moment was when a homeless man tried to help me with my directions. I didn't ask for his help. The other teachers with me were like, "oh it's okay. We know how to find it." The homeless man is like, "You don't know shit, now let me help you!" and then he walked away, mumbling. Such a bright shining moment. I'll post some pics in a couple of days, once i get them off my camera.

Went moto riding today with my parents and my aunt and her husband. (He is technically my uncle, but it's kinda weird calling him that since they've only been married a year, and i'm not really into calling my Aunts and Uncles by their title; "Aunt Shelley". I just call her Shelley now.) I rode on my dad's moto, and it was really fun. It didn't really get hot until around noon, and by then i was pretty much ready to walk home. Never mind the fact that we were riding around Lake Ray Roberts. My butt was totally sore and I was so so hot with my helmet on. I definitely had fun, but I think I'll stick to the shorter, early morning rides or wait until winter.

Countdown begins

2009-04-19T21:12:00.002-05:00

I hate this time of year. It starts to get warmer, all of the TAKS tests are over with...which means we've taught everything. So we have 6 weeks of crap school to fill up the time until the end of the year. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

My grad school classes for summer start up during the last week of school. So that means that I will have class two nights during the last week when I'm supposed to be packing up my classroom.

I also signed up to do summer school. I am excited about that because I will get to help some kiddos, and I will make great money to pay for grad school. the major downside is that there is no break between school being out and summer school starting. The last day of school is Friday, and we have in service on Monday with the kids arriving for summer school on Tuesday. Luckily, it's shorter week-wise this summer: only 4 weeks instead of 8. But the days are longer; more like a regular school day.

I am really just looking forward to July. Grad school class will be over, summer school will be over. Lissa and I are going to find lumberjack mountain men at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and the rest is history! Glorious Summer, get here already!

sigh of relief...

2009-03-01T23:06:00.002-06:00

Today was the day. The stress of everything just melted away. I'm not sure what it was about today. Maybe it's because I'm realizing more and more that I can't do it all on my own. And I don't really want to anymore. Maybe it's because I've been praying more. Maybe it's becuase I can actually see a light at the end of this tunnel. I just feel like today I can breathe. It's great!

Workwise: TAKS is in 2 days. I am nervous, but I've done all I can do. It up to the kiddos now. I have an AWESOME student teacher whose time is almost up. I am sad to see her go, but I have no doubt that she will be a great teacher and get hired soon for next year.

Social Life: .

Spiritaully: I went to SPIN with the middle school kids this weekend, and it was pretty fun. There is this one song that really stuck with me called "Your Love Never Fails" by Chris Quilala. You should totally get it on iTunes. The part that struck me was this:

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night

But joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage

I don’t have to be afraid

Because I know that you love me

And your love never fails

I was talking with a friend and we were both just thinking about how we don't really believe that God loves us all the time, which is why I try to get things accomplished for myself. I feel that if I don't do for myself, who will take care of me? I rarely believe that God's got my back. So this song was comforting.

Okay that's all I got. Oh! One more thing, I think I'm going to be able to get my camera this weekend! So Ericka, Chelsi, you're invited to come help me. I have no idea what things I will need to buy in addition to my Nikon D 60!!!!! I'm excited. okay that's really all.

J'Layne

February is so sad.

2009-02-23T22:05:00.002-06:00

There are a few reasons:

Grad school is getting harder and more time consuming.
TAKS.
Weather is a beatdown. Hot and cold. Allergies abound.
I never get to see the sun!
It's too short of a month and too much to squeeze into it.
Freaking Valentine's Day.

Maybe if I resurface before Spring Break, I will actually write something of more substance. I guess this is my small way of letting you know that I'm still alive (barely) and I haven't abandoned my blog (completely).

Header

2009-02-02T22:54:00.002-06:00

i made that header, stealing the idea of using paint, because i have NO IDEA how to create graphics on the computer. i hope i can learn some things about that this summer. i am also aware that the quote seems cheesy and dumb, but i really liked it. judge if you want to, but i liked how it made me feel when i read it. so i put it up because it's my blog and i can do what i want! SO THERE.

:)

J'Layne

4th week down

2009-02-01T14:48:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I finished my 4th week of running. I am really enjoying it. Not in the "running is so fun and awesome that i really love it" way, but in the "i know i am getting healthier and getting outside more and trying something new" way. I am getting nervous about the upcoming weeks. This week was really hard for me. It was the first week I had to run for 3 minutes without stopping. I know, most of you are laughing right now, but 3 minutes is a lot for me- an out of shape lazy girl. Next week, I'm supposed to do run 3, walk 90 sec, run 5, walk 2.5 min. Twice. Nerve. I am also feeling like I am plateau-ing a little bit this week. It has been a month, and I've lost 7 lbs. I'm not sure what to do next. I am eating a healthy breakfast every morning (except this morning when I got Sonic), eating a reasonable lunch, and a reasonable dinner. It is harder when I don't make the food myself, but I still try when eating out to control my portions (thanks, Amanda for the suggestion/order). So I'm trying to figure out what else will help me get into shape. If you have any suggestions, please, let me have it!

Classes are going good. It is more manageable than I expected to take 2 classes at the same time. Granted, I'm still busy each night with an activity or with studying, but it's been much easier to handle than I was anticipating. Once my half semester class is over, it will really be smooth sailing. the TAKS test is in 4 weeks. I am getting the anxiety again. I know my students are going to do what they do, pass or fail, whether I stress or not. But I have dreams about the test. It's ridiculous.

I guess I have a life.

2009-01-23T21:31:00.003-06:00

Okay remember that class I was talking about a few posts back? the one that got moved from Tuesday to Wednesday and all of that? Well I got another surprise this week about that class. It is on Wednesday, but instead of being from 4:30 to 7:30, it actually ends at 9:30.That's 5 hours of my life. poof. It does end the week before spring break, which is so great! To be fair, the professor did let us leave this week at 8, which was awesome. I hope that happens more often.

I also have an online class to work on, which has something due every other day.

I'm also doing a discipleship program at church, which is every Saturday morning at 9 am.

I'm also continuing to work at the after school program and tutor a 3rd grader after school once a week.

I'm also a middle school leader at church.

I'm also mentoring 2 student teachers this semester.

I'm also running and doing other exercise 5-6 times per week.

So all of that complaining about not having a life is rearing up to bite me in the ass.

Well done, J'Layne. Well done.

Deep Waters

2009-01-19T17:15:00.007-06:00

I am a deep person. It is annoying to me to have to be surface level. Don't get me wrong, I can do it..I just don't typically enjoy it. This is a problem for me because most people are not deep. They don't want to share and talk about the things that are really going on in their lives and minds and hearts. Today I was feeling like having a deep conversation. I haven't had many lately, and I just felt like I needed to listen and also be heard. Alas, I wasn't with anyone. So I decided to have a deep look into myself. If your life is going great, you have all the things you've waited for. etc. etc. then looking at yourself is not a big deal. You might even find it fun and enjoyable to look back and reflect on things that are very good in your life.

For me, it's a little different. I do have a great life. I have a dependable job that I love (most days), I have a nice place to live, I have people in my life that care for me. I'm definitely not starving or going without. But sometimes I find myself in this dissatisfied place. And I'm not sure why. It's almost as if I don't really know why I'm doing the things I'm doing. Why am I going to grad school? Why am I involved like I am at work? What is the point of me working with the middle school kiddos at church? I'm just not seeing the "so what" behind the actions.

So today I rode my bike 4 miles to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. I took my camera and my Ipod. I decided to just ride over there and walk around, thinking about everything that is going on. I snapped some pictures, and it was very interesting to me how the tree branches and the leaves and the sky just spoke to me. I'm not going all hippie on you, I'm just trying to say that it was nice being out in nature and feeling like there is more than just me in this world. I get so sick of analyzing every move I make so I don't anger someone or make the wrong impression. God forbid if someone doesn't like me! If someone thinks ill of me, I want to talk about it and fix it so that they like me again. However, I am really trying very hard to get myself off the imaginary throne I think I belong on. No one died and made me queen, yet I feel entitled to certain things. Why? I'm just plain selfish. And I'm tired of it. I have been doing a lot of thinking this week about my thoughts and my first reaction to situations and I don't like what I'm seeing.

I don't have any solutions or great plans to change myself. I'm not even capable of changing-God has to do that. I just have to hope that realizing unpleasant things about myself will strengthen my self control. On the other hand, I was reminded of some things that I am pretty good at: I care very deeply about others and what they go through, I am honest, and I'm someone who likes to help out where I can. So even though I am discouraged by my selfishness and entitlement problem, I was encouraged a little when I thought about some of the things I do right.

And on that note, here are some of the pretty pictures I took today.

My very cool purple and orange bike. A hand-me-down from my mom.

My shadow waving at the camera. I swear that was a wave and not a middle finger.

There were a lot of plants at the nature preserve that have thorns on them.

The sky made a nice backdrop.

Just branches and cloudless sky. I really like this one.

This was just a tiny bit of green that was alive amongst all the dead twigs.

Change is coming...

2009-01-16T22:58:00.002-06:00

To my class schedule. I just got an email today from DBU telling me that there weren't enough people to "make" the class I was forced to enroll in, so now they are cancelling the Tuesday night class and adding me to a Wednesday night class that will have enough people. This is all so I can keep my scholarship, by enrolling in classes that are guaranteed to "make". No problem. Except that my sweet friends in my small group have already rearranged their schedules to move small group from Tuesday to Wednesday so I can attend. This was no minor decision, as one of the girls had to move her FCA ministry from Wed. nights to Tues. nights. Now I have class on Wed. Yoikes.

The only thing I can think of is that I am just going to have to miss small group this semester. There is no way I expect everyone to switch everything back. I feel bad, but I know I can't do anything about the change. We'll see what happens.

I also had to order new books, since the ones I already bought are for the class that got cancelled. Oh well. So much for planning ahead. :/

Week 1...Check

2009-01-11T21:49:00.003-06:00

Saturday I finished my first week of running. It felt really good to accomplish that. It was a beatutiful day, sunny and bright. The temperature was another story. It was 32 degrees when I left for my run. When I turned the corner on midway, the high wind hit me square in the face. I couldn't get any air to go into my nostrils because it was blowing by so hard. Then tears started coming out of my eyes because the dry air was slamming into them. FInally, my nose started to run. I had to blow it on my sweatshirt. That was not pleasant. That bad wind only lasted for about 2 mintes, and then I turned the corner again. From then on, it was an enjoyable run. I really didn't want to run on the treadmill because it was such a pretty day outside. I'm glad I went outside.

Week 2 is going to be harder, but I think I'm ready for it. I have been doing other workouts between running days, and so it's been a good mix.

This is also the last week before life gets crazy busy. Classes start back up at DBU. I have to take two classes at once this semester, which is something new to me. I don't want to spend my weekends doing reading and assignments, so I'm going to have to work hard to study on some weeknights.

I'm really lazy. I hope I will be dedicated to working on some weeknights, because when push comes to shove, I will do anything else but study. I'll make an emotional decision rather than a logical one. Then I will use my weekends to do my work, and be mad at myself. I'm just going to have to plug in the headphones, turn up the JAMZ, and get busy even when I want to do other things.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

2009-01-08T22:30:00.002-06:00

Well the dreamland that was Christmas Break is long gone. Work is back in full force. I have so many meetings going on this week and next! I also have 2 student teachers. I'm not sure how I will balance it all. It has been a good week, just lots to do, lots to work on. I am hoping that the time will just fly by until summer. Not that I don't want to work. I am actually really beginning to like my class a whole lot. I just think that this time of year until the TAKS is so stressful. Once the test is over, then the fun begins. I can actually teach fun stuff. That is all.

Couch to 5K...Literally

2009-01-03T13:07:00.004-06:00

Ericka's post about getting organized has prompted me to tell you all about my new exercise plan. I have been working out about 2 to 3 times a week for awhile now. Sometimes I skip a week or two...I'm not as dedicated as I would like to be. I went to the doctor last week, and I asked her about it, because I hadn't been losing much weight, and then I would put it right back on. So I have decided to try a combo of running and swimming. I hate running. Probably because I'm not good at it. at all. In 6th grade gym, one of our grades was based on our ability to run an 8 minute mile. I never made it. And I wasn't even big then! So I'm hoping that with practice, I will be good at running, and ultimately, enjoy it.

Today was the first day. I walked 5 minutes, then alternated 1 min running, 90 sec. walking for 20 more minutes. It was hard! I felt like I was going to throw up almost the whole time. I did think the running got more manageable as time went on-but I still felt like throwing up! I have to run this plan 3 times per week, and each week it changes. By the 9th week, I should be able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes. Keyword: SHOULD. We'll see. I signed up for a 5K on April 5th. That's 13 weeks away. So I should be able to do it. There's that key word again....

I am also guilty of over-eating. While we're on the subject of my unhealthy body, I'll just tell you: I eat too much. So I also have to work on my portions. When I eat at home, I eat healthy foods but I eat too much. That doesn't make it healthy.

I know this seems like a New Year's Resolution doomed for failure. The timing is right for that. But this has been a long time coming. I have been trying to figure out what works for me. Last year I did weight watchers but I felt too boxed in. I lost 13 lbs but I gained it all back. I am really trying to make a change. I am making changes in other areas of my life too.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about my plan so you can ask me about it each and every time you see me. And I can tell you that I'm doing well or totally messing it up.

The End.

Christmas

2008-12-26T00:18:00.007-06:00

Christmas was quasi-nice this year. We all got up and showered and got dressed for the 2nd year in a row. It's beginning to be a nice tradition. No one smells, we can talk to each other without worrying about catching a whiff of someone else's morning breath...just purely sweet smells. We ate breakfast around 10:30 and then talked for awhile. We opened up the presents around 11:30. I think that is the latest we've ever waited. Proof positive that no one really cares that much about the presents anymore.

I got my dad a wine chiller with 33 different wines programmed in. You just choose the type of wine (red, white, champagne) and then the type (merlot, pinot noir, etc) and the little machine knows what temperature to chill the wine to! Nathan got Vans from me. Mom got a brown and cream houndstooth scarf and brown leather gloves. She has been wanting a houndstooth scarf for a long time, and I finally found one.

I got new pajamas and slippers. Very comfy! I also got a gift card to Banana Republic, my favorite store. I got diamond earrings from my mom and dad, which I was surprised to get! They are very pretty! I got a cheese grater. Now I know that's kind of a strange gift, but I did ask for one. It's cheaper and tastes better when cheese is grated by hand rather than the bags of pre shredded cheese. I should know-I keep Kraft in business! I also like to cook and bake. So there you have it. Papa and Aunt Shelley both sent me some money, which was very nice.

Finally, I would like to leave you with a few pictures from the day:

Me in the morning before the festivities began.

Nathan in the morning-I was forcing him to pose.

This is Carter, my mom's poodle. He is so good!

Look at those legs! What a sweet puppy!

In the words of my brother Nathan when he was a small lad, "Very Christmas!"

I hope you had a great day with your family and friends today!

J'Layne

Weekend of Holiday Happenings

2008-12-22T13:25:00.008-06:00

School is out! I am taking my break and trying to enjoy it with the people I care about the most. On Friday night, I went out with my coworkers for a holiday dinner party. It was nice! Afterward, the party really got started at Sharon and Dave's with ROCKBAND. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty mean on the fake drums on the easy setting. I had never played it before, so I was excited to try it out.

Saturday, I laid around in sweatpants all day. I cleaned and watched 3 Falalala Lifetime movies. On Saturday night, Cheryl and I went to dinner and a movie. It was really fun! We ate at one of my favorites, Main Street Bakery. I haven't eaten there in a long time, and I used to go to breakfast there all the time when I lived in the Shops. We had wine, appetizers, dinner and dessert. It was lovely. Afterward we walked over to the Angelika to see Doubt. I really enjoyed it. Kind of a dark movie for the Holiday season of Cheer- but that's how I do. I sort of like downers. Makes me feel better about my life - "Hey at least I'm not a nun...yet."

This is Cheryl and I having fun at a friends wedding. We basically act like this anytime we are together.

Then on Sunday, I went to the Nutcracker! It was so fun. Lissa got tickets for me and Amanda for Christmas. We dressed up and went to Bass Hall in Fort Worth to watch the ballet. We had so much fun! The dinner we had beforehand was good, but interesting. We were in the wine room, so waiters kept coming in and leaning over us to get bottles of wine out. We felt weird. Then we had a run in with an elevator wench in the performance hall, which almost made us late for the show. Alas, we prevailed against the wench and were in our seats in plenty of time.

Here we are in the wine room. Eating a smorgasboard of food. except Amanda.

She had a 4 leaf salad that she had to cut all on her own! Poor girl.

All in all, I had an eventful weekend. I don't imagine that the rest of my 2 weeks will be this fun-filled. Therefore I'm pacing the fun. Hopefully I won't get too bored! If I start posting every hour on the hour, someone may want to call me and help me out of my slump...

J'Layne

Ah, Summer...

2008-12-13T23:26:00.000-06:00

I really miss the summer. I forget what a relaxing and peaceful time it is. I know most people think that teachers just teach so they can have the summers off. The truth is that we work soooo hard during each school year, doing much more than lesson plans and grading papers! So we literally NEED the summer to prevent insanity. This past summer, I went with 5 of my friends to South Padre for a week of beach and sun. It was so relaxing! One morning we woke up super early to catch the sunrise from our condo balcony. Here is what we saw:

This was in South Padre in the summer...right before the sun came up.

Then the clouds rolled in, and it got very interesting. I was afraid the sunrise would be blocked...

But it wasn't, and it looked amazing!

And this was the last shot I took before I went back to bed. The rest of this day was spent on the beach. How blissful. I need to go on vacation!

Finally!

2008-12-10T22:23:00.000-06:00

Well, the new layout is not as beautiful as I imagined, but it's much better than what it looked like before. I decided to put my Christmas Tree up on my blog, since I can't really put one up in the apartment. There's not a whole lot of room, and I'm a whole lot of lazy. So there you go!

I was very sad today when I got home. Have you ever had one of those days when all of the small things add up to just overwhelm you? Today was that day. I tried to stay positive, I really did. There's just something about coming home that makes my defenses drop, and then I just let it all out. So after that happened, Lissa and I went shopping. We went for the classy experience and decided to hit Grapevine Mills. We both got some good deals. But not before I yelled at the foreign man who was assaulting women's hands with lotion. I hate those kiosk people. So pushy. And then there was the Starbuck's barista whose name of choice for me was "sweetheart". DEATH. I hate pet names! Gag! When I went back up to the counter to ask for some honey for my tea, she called me "babe". DOUBLE DEATH! I really wanted to tell her how awkward it was for her to call me such names when we were clearly strangers-but I figured I had done enough damage by being mean to kiosk man. But I sure did tell her off vicariously through Lissa, yes I did.

Just getting out of the house and doing something definitely got me out of my funk from the day. I think that was a good plan-to try and get my mind off of the day instead of sitting on the couch in my sweatpants and stewing over it all night. And if you know me, you know how much I love my sweaty sweats and the couch... so I say progress for me.

The end.

God Jul!

2008-12-06T19:04:00.000-06:00

Okay I know I'm supposed to be working on grad school homework, but I wanted to play around with my blog. I'm getting jealous of all of your beautiful blogs, and mine is over here, looking all forlorn and plain. It's not much of an improvement, but I tried. I'll work more on it later. I hope I'll get to take some pictures over Christmas break. I'm embarrassed about how small my camera is compared to my ginormous tripod, complete with carrying case that makes me look like Hiawatha hunting in the forest (thanks dad). But it's a good camera, and I need some new abstract stuff. I also want to finish up some of my cool Christmas gifts, and I need my special photos to do that! Maybe next weekend.

Today I had a busy day. I went to UIL and it was fine. It's so neat to see how many kids and teachers we have compared to the other schools. My kiddos finished kind of early, but hopefully thay did a good job.

After that, I went to help my friends Casey and Chris move! They bough a house, and are finally out of apartment land! This couldn't have come at a better time for them, because Casey is pregnant! They sure would have been cramped in their one bedroom apartment! I basically carried all the little stuff- I didn't want to overdo it with my back. Especially since I'm trying to pump up my exercising routine. I assembled their desk. I put their clothes in the closet. I made the bed. Just little stuff that's annoying when you're moving. I hope they are enjoying their first day in their very own home!

After that, I went over to the Wooden Spoon in plano. It's a little Scandinavian shop that Mr. Beck (a friend from school) is always telling me about. We are both very interested in our heritage. He is Norwegian, and I am Swedish. So we usually talk about traditions and whatnot around this time of year. Today at the Wooden Spoon there was a cookie festival. Free cookies? say no more. I'm so there. It was really neat! They had ALL KINDS of cookies from Norway, Sweden, and Finland. They were delicious! I also got some shopping in for my Christmas Around the World Presentation. I bought some Children's books about Christmas in Sweden, and a few ornaments to go on my class tree! I even got some stickers that say "God Jul" (Merry Christmas in Swedish). I hope my class will like them!

Okay, now that I have that out of my system, it's time for homework.

J'Layne

Game Plan

2008-11-29T23:37:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'm finally sitting down to write about some things that are happening in my life. I may have to split this post up into a few installments so my fingers don't fall off. Just a warning.

So I have been in the familiar "lonely place" for a while now. Sure, I go and do things, spend time with friends and family, and laugh a lot. But I'm finding that spending time with friends isn't enough. No offense, gals, but pal-ing around just isn't cuttin' the mustard anymore. I deeply value a few of my girl friendships. But where are all the guy friends I used to have?In high school, college, and even after college I recall having many good guy friends to talk with, hang with, and share advice with. Now I find myself in the land of women. and it is a desolate land. I guess I just miss the variety. Plus there's the whole "How the heck am I going to meet someone when I only hang out with girls all the time?"

I've tried "being emotionally available". "putting myself out there". "having a positive attitude". shoot, i even tried eharmony. and....nothing! Oh wait, there was the one eharmony date with only one lung.

i mean, I'm not crazy am i? i feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I've even tried going out with friends in groups of guys and no dice. when did it become so difficult for me to have a mixture of all types of friends?

I'm about to freaking try speed dating. yes, it has come to this. Lissa has already put the fear in me about my eggs getting old. yikes!

I'm also of the recent opinion (and i know it's true) that there's NOTHING I can do to make Dream Man appear for me. It doesn't matter how skinny I get, or how much money I save, or how highly educated I am. God is God, and I have to surrender to his plan, his timing, and his purpose. Meanwhile, I'm just praying like a damn fool and doing everything I feel called to do because I hate wasting time being out of God's Will. So even though I feel hopeless, I know I am not without hope.

Double edged sword, it is.

More about my work situation later!

J'Layne

coming soon...

2008-11-23T15:37:00.000-06:00

I have not been blogging much. I don't think I'm really into it yet. I do enjoy having two faithful readers (thanks sarah and ericka). I just wanted to say that when Tuesday comes, and i'm off work for 5 glorious days, I will be posting more about what's been going on with me, and where i'm headed in the next few months. this is not a physical place i'm heading to, it's a spiritual place. so. i know you're both dying to know. but you must wait.

until tuesday,

j'layne

Exhaustion

2008-11-06T22:35:00.001-06:00

I think I'm officially getting old. I am so tired this week! Last night, Lissa and I were so ready to go to bed, but it was only 9! Death! There was nothing on TV, I couldn't even think about grading papers, and I had been online for 2 hours. I seriously think I have not adjusted to the time change. Every time I get in bed to read before going to sleep I can only make it through a page or two before I'm out. That NEVER used to happen! I think I can't cope with lack of sleep anymore. Which means less of a social life than ever before. I can't even drag myself out on a Friday night because I am so beat down by the week. And I'm getting plenty of sleep!!! Last night I drank a little glass of wine before bed so I could really sleep. Is that wrong?

I really need Thanksgiving, to remind me of the good, and to get a bit of rest. Two more weeks. If I've made it this far, I know I can make it until then. I think.

J'Layne

Weekend Getaway

2008-11-02T18:00:00.000-06:00

This weekend Lissa and I went to Austin to watch our friend Amanda and her friend Bekah run in the SGK Race of the Cure. It was extremely touching to see 25,000 men, women, children and doggies come together for a cause. To see all of the survivors that were there running and walking was so awesome! I also really enjoyed reading everyone's "In Memory Of..." cards pinned to their backs. When the lady started singing the star spangled banner, I had to fight back tears. Everyone got silent and placed their hands over their hearts. It was a very touching moment. Especially when your life has been affected by someone suffering with cancer-not just breast cancer. It was a very neat moment indeed.

I also enjoyed hanging out in a different environment and trying new places to eat and shop. We ate at the Magnolia Cafe, Hula Hut, and had hot tea at Mozart's. We also ate this delightful pizza somewhere on Guadalupe St. I had a great time. It was just the right amount of time to be gone. I will definitely "do Austin" again...ifyouknowwhatimean. :)

pictures to come.

j'layne

2008-10-25T16:42:00.001-05:00

This is Sharon and I at the LISD Banquet in May. She is on my 3rd grade team, and I just LOVE her!

Well, today I went to a technology conference with one of my teammates. Yeah, it's Saturday. Yeah, it was for work. But guess what? It was awesome!!! I learned how to create podcasts! I am so pumped! I am going to make podcasts for my class! It's going to be great. Then they can upload my podcast from iTunes! How cool is that?

I also saw some great technology that I'd like to have in my classroom! check it out at this link: http://www.mimio.com/products/interactive/index.php
I was blown away! I almost want to purchase this equipment with my own money so I can take it with me wherever I go! So awesome!

Okay, I'm off to the grocery and to buy a microphone so I can get on with the Podcasts!

J'Layne

What a pain in the...

2008-10-19T19:23:00.000-05:00

Back. I have had back trouble for a few years now, and I always get surprised when I have a flare-up. I have been flat on my back all weekend, afraid to move around too much for fear that I will make my back worse. I went to the chiropractor, and she adjusted me. I will definitely go back tomorrow, just to be safe. I am so frustrated with the way things turn out sometimes. I have been exercising pretty regularly now for about a month and a half. Mind you, it's only twice a week, but I didn't want to overdo it. So I was actually planning on upping my workout time starting this week, but now I have to reduce it. It's like when I have the drive and momentum, it just doesn't seem to make it off the ground.

I am looking foward to the week, though. I get to go to CPI training for work, which means I get to learn how to de-escelate tough situations in the classroom, and even how to restrain a child if all else fails and the child is a danger to himself or others. I am looking forward to this because I work with emotionally disturbed students at my school, and this is just one more tool that I can use which will help me process situations with them, earn their trust, and show them that I care. I really love having these kiddos coming to my room. It is frustrating at times, but the aha moments are worth it!

Knitting time is about to kick into high gear, and it's getting cooler, and babies are being made in many of my friend's bellies. I am actually working on my very first garment, a sweater for myself. Maybe Ericka will take my picture when I'm done making it, so I can show it off!