25 Things...

...you may not know about me.  I found this on another blog I "stalk" and thought it might be fun to see if I can come up with a list of little known facts about myself.  So here goes...

1. I have never been out of the country...anyone up for Europe??

2. I cannot wink with my right eye.  Apparently my face got squished in-utero and now the muscles in my right eye won't work.  It twitches when I get really tired, but other than that, it's pretty much just for looks (no pun intended)!

3. I love Jolly Rancher jelly beans, but I only eat them two at a time of the same color.  And I hate the red ones!

4. I know all the counties in Alabama by the number that appears on car tags.

5. I have an Alpha Gam sweatshirt that I got during pledgeship and I never, ever go anywhere without it (except maybe home to Mom and Dad's).  I usually wear it every day, except lately when it's been 100+ degrees.  Lord willing, I will never part with it.  My friends make fun of it and it has all kinds of holes in it, but it's just the perfect shirt!

6. I wore the same shirt every Saturday during football season last fall.  It was a new Auburn shirt that my sweet Alabama fan Lindsey brought me, so we'll see what kind of luck the shirt brings this year!

7. I drink between 3 or 4 Diet Cokes a day.  Please don't judge...I'm trying really hard to work in some more water, but DC is just so addicting.

8. I really, really dislike reading fiction books.  There is so much "fake" about this life, I'd just much rather read something real.  Currently, it's Radical Together by David Platt, but this summer I've also finished PDub's book, From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, Radical, and Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  In the que: The Kennedy Tapes and Forgotten God.

9. I could eat LaBamba every day.  If you live in the Birmingham vicinity and have not discovered this little gem, let me tell you, they have the BEST homemade guacamole this side of Mexico City.  It's a tiny little hole in the wall in Edgewood, but it's hands down my fave (cheap) Mexican in town.  They might or might not recognize me and know what I want to drink when I go in!

10. I could live in Nike shorts and a tshirt and be happy.  Don't get me wrong, I love getting dressed up and certainly love me some clothes from the Crew, but there's a lot to be said for shorts and a tshirt.

11. I'm on my third pair of Rainbow flip flops in the last seven years.  I discovered these babies my freshman year at Auburn and wore the first pair every.single.day to the point that the soles wore off.  My mother made me throw the second pair away because they smelled so terrible.

12. I know every word to Father of the Bride.  Cheesy movie, I know...but my very favorite nonetheless.

13. It's on my bucket list to stay at every Ritz Carlton in the country.  A lofty goal, I'm aware, but attainable just the same.  Check out their website and tell me you don't want in on this!

14. I shave my legs every.single.day.  No questions asked.

15. I require (at least) eight hours of sleep every night.  Anything less and it could be bad.

16. It's also best to not mess with me first thing in the morning.  I'll be happy to talk to you after I've had the first Diet Coke (see #7).

17. If I could be any character from t.v., I know for sure who I would be--Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls.  She was smart, quirky, and had the quickest wit ever.  Not to mention the crazy number of cheeseburgers she ate at Luke's...

18. New schools supplies thrill me...pencils, pens, markers, index cards, paper... it all makes me endlessly happy!

19. I never delete emails from my personal inbox; however I am non-functional if there are unread/un-attended to items in my inbox at work.

20. I make my bed every day.  I used to be annoyed when my mama made me do it as a kid, but now it's one of the first things I do when I wake up.

21. I do not find running or exercise fun in the least.  Despite my best efforts, I have yet to experience a runner's high.  That doesn't mean I've quit trying, but it for sure hasn't happened yet.

22. In that same vein, I completed my first 5K last spring.  I did not train one single time and finished in 38 minutes--pretty decent.  Even funnier...I forgot to take my running shoes, so I ran in a borrowed pair.  I'm planning to employ that same strategy this year and see how it turns out!

23. I'd choose the beach over the mountains for sure, but the lake over either any day!  Once a lake girl, always a lake girl!  Wonder if I can still get up on the skis?

24. I absolutely cannot stand when they say "Let's give the Lord a handclap of praise." at church.  Like, it makes my flesh crawl.  Not that there is anything inherently wrong with it at all, it just wigs me out to hear the worship leader say it.  I believe the Lord desires our authentic worship, not forced applause!

25. I prefer to change seasons not by some lunar calendar but by what sport we're watching/participating in at the time.  Clearly September-January is football season, basketball takes us through late March/early April, and baseball carries us right back around to football season.  Much easier system, don't you think?

So there you have it, 25 things you might not have known about me.  Learn something every day...

Ready or not...

...it's here!  That's right, school has officially started.  Teachers went back last Monday and the kids came on Thursday.  If the beginning is any indication, it's going to be a great year.  Not only do I work with some of the most fun people around, this year's batch of kids seems to be really good as well. 

Such fun people to work with!

I was sort of sad to see summer go last weekend, but it's nice to be back in some kind of routine.  I don't think it matters how many first days of school you have, every one brings with it the same excitement and anticipation.  The only difference in being the teacher instead of the student is learning 145 names as quickly as possible!  I would say I'm halfway there!

We'll see how I do with the blog now that school is back in full swing...hopefully there will still be enough blog-worthy material and enough time to write about it.  This has been a fun summer outlet, so surely with football and other fall fun there will be plenty of carry over in the days to come!

Wrapping up...

...the most fun summer in recent memory!  I can't believe summer vacation is really over, but school starts Monday and the kids will arrive on Thursday.  I have really managed to pack a lot in the past 8 or 9 weeks.  I usually find myself with lots of days with nothing to do, but that has not been the case this summer.

Last Friday night Lindsey and I hosted a little end-of-summer shindig complete with tailgate games and Just Dance.  We had the best time playing ladder golf and corn hole, but by far Just Dance stole the show.  Everyone, and I do mean everyone, participated.  Some of us are clearly better dancers than others.  We finished off the night with a little trip to sing karaoke.  Most of the pictures will remain password protected to maintain the dignity of all those involved!

Robert and me Just Dancing

As soon as we got everyone out the door in the wee hours of Saturday morning, I fell into bed to get a few hours sleep before my big trip!  I flew to Washington early Saturday to spend a long weekend with Chaney and Charlie.  Chaney was my roommate senior year at Auburn and is such a dear friend.  We spent most of our time just catching up and enjoying each other's company, but we did squeeze in some shopping, eating (duh!), and house-hunting for her and Charlie...they are moving back to D.C. from Richmond in May.  Sunday afternoon we shopped in Georgetown and stood in line for a treat at Georgetown Cupcake.  The line moved really quickly and the cupcakes were great, but for all you locals, they don't hold a candle to Dreamcakes!

Standing in line for Georgetown Cupcake

I flew home Tuesday night only for reality to set in that I MUST get myself and my classroom ready for school to start.  I've been working in my room to get things ready and now we're down to the not-so-fun stuff like writing a syllabus, making lesson plans, and mountains of paperwork.  Thursday will be here soon enough and I can't wait to meet these sweet kiddos!

Last night I made a quick trip to Auburn because....MEG IS ENGAGED!  That's right, my sweet Meggie is getting married, and I was so excited to get to be there for her candlelight.  Meg is so very precious to me...the sister I never had to be honest.  I remember when she was born and have loved getting to watch her grow up into such a beautiful, smart, Godly woman.  I like to kid and say I've taught her everything she knows, but in reality, she has taught me so much.  For years she put up with me dressing her up in all kinds of crazy outfits, parading her around like she was my own real-live baby, and constantly telling her what to do.  I am thrilled that she and Jack are getting married and am so looking forward to June 9, 2012!!

Meg's Alpha Gam candlelight

As I celebrate the last weekend of summer, I look back and am so thankful for time well spent and friendships and relationships deepened over the past two months.  The Lord is so faithful to provide, and he has done so "immeasurably more than all I could ask or imagine" here in the 'Ham.  And I have to keep telling myself...just because school is starting doesn't mean the fun is stopping!  I'm looking forward to a fun fall filled with my favorite people (and football)!