a new adventure

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new adventure. I will be heading out to SUNY Fredonia for the New York State Summer School of the Arts, where I will be both the supply coordinator and a teacher's assistant. It's been about six months since I've even stepped into a classroom, and even longer since I've stepped in one that has high school students in it. Apparently student teaching wore me out, burned me even, so I'm ready for the embers of my teaching passion to burn brightly again. I have no doubt that God has opened this opportunity up for me because I've been so wishy washy about my current job. I love working with kids and teenagers, that I know without a doubt, even ones with disabilities. So it's not so much the people I serve every day, but it's the part time work that I'm doing. To be able to work full time for the first time in a really long time would be both a relief on the finances, and fulfilling as someone who actually likes keeping busy with life.

Tomorrow I go. I invest. I create. Challenges will come, but nothing can swing it's hand at me. I will, however, miss my friends and boyfriend, but I would not pass this opportunity up for anything. Bye Rochester, see ya when I get back!

a boyfriend and a nine-year-old

So in my previous post I wrote an entry about one of my favorite nine-year-olds T. Today he was back at my work house, and I love it every time he's there. I was in charge of getting him up this morning, and he again was inquiring about why I didn't have a boyfriend. The last time I saw him, this was the reality of my life, and today I had the pleasure of telling him I had a boyfriend. I wish you all could see his face, it was priceless. His eyes got huge, his face broke with the largest grin, and he gave me the biggest hug. Then he asked me if I had taken his advice?! lol This was the greatest question I could have gotten this morning. I told him of course I did, though really I didn't do much of anything. My glasses stayed on, and I didn't met him in a bar, but boy am I glad he's my guy.

Dating advice from a nine-year-old

Over the last few months that I have worked at my job, I have had the pleasure of meeting one of my favorite nine-year-olds ever! I shall call him Tee for the sake of confidentiality. It all began a while ago, the dating advice from Tee. I couldn't help but laugh, and therefore I hope you will join in the laugh with me. The first time he gave me advice, I believe one of the other staff had been questioned whether or not she had a boyfriend. When she answered that she did, he was satisfied with that and proceeded to ask me whether I had one. I had to admit, I did not and that I was ok with that. He looked at me with a very serious look on his face and said, " Yeah, that makes sense." In my curiosity of why that would make sense to a nine-year-old, I had to ask him why. His response was classic, "Because boys don't date girls that wear glasses. Also they don't date girls that wear glasses and braces." How could I not laugh, and smile and give him a huge hug. This kid was brilliant.

It was a few weeks later, when he came to stay at the house that I got my second dose of advice. We were getting him ready for the day, and he said to me, "I still don't understand why you don't have a boyfriend." In which I replied, " Well, I'm ok with not having one." He said, "But you need one." Of course I had to ask him why again, because I knew something profound was going to come out of his mouth. His response, "You need a boyfriend so you can have someone take care of you." What an insightful kid, and though I agreed with him... I again just smiled and hugged him and said, "Thanks for the advice."

The last time I saw him, he brought up my singleness one last time. This time with what I think was the best advice. He told me that I should be out at the bars having my friends asking boys if they like me, and hooking me up with them. :D I mean, who is this kid?? My guess is that his mom is a single mom, and he learns some of these things from her. He is one of the guests that comes to our house, that I may say that he really is my favorite. If I could adopt him, I would. Don't knock kids, because they really do bring insight and joy to life!

Some time of reminiscing

Alright friends, it's time to pull out those flannels, grow your hair long, and enjoy some Excellent Adventures. It's been fun these last couple of weeks reminiscing with my friends John, Levi, and Dana about their favorite 90's bands. In the spirit of reminiscing I've been looking up some of my favorite bands from the 90's with the help Top 100 lists. Honestly as I look through, I realized that a lot of what I loved wasn't really Top 100, yet I managed to enjoy it any way! :D Below I will list some of my favorite bands of the 90's and a few of the songs that Rock my face off!

1. Pearl Jam: what do I not like of their earlier stuff... Alive, Black, Jeremy and Even Flow...

2. Smashing Pumpkins: even though Dana thinks that Gish is their best, my favorites come from Siamese Dream... Silverfuck, Mayonnaise, Cherub Rock

3. The Cranberries: Dolores O'Riordan rocked it out, and inspired my 3 year stint of a shaved head... Linger, War Child, and Zombie

4. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Under the Bridge, Give it away, and Areoplane

5. Blind Melon: Tones of Home, Change, and No Rain

6. Gin Blossoms: Allison Road, Until I Fall Away, Hey Jealousy

7. Bush: Machinehead, Glycerine, Comedown

8. Metallica: Enter Sandman (one of the best), Until it Sleeps, Hero of the Day

9. Alanis Morissette: Mary Jane, Head over Feet, You Oughta Know

10. Collective Soul: December, The World I Know, Gel

11. Live: Iris, All Over You, Shit Towne... basically loved the entire Throwing Copper CD

12. Toad the Wet Sprocket: Come Back Down, Walk on the Ocean, Hold Her Down

13. Duran Duran: Ordinary world, & Come Undone

14. Green Day: Welcome to Paradise, When I Come Around, Basket Case

15. Beastie boys: Sabotage, Intergalactic, Brass Monkey

16. Nirvana: Smells like Teen Spirit, Heart-Shaped box, Pennyroyal tea

17. Soundgarden: Black hole sun, Fell on Black Days, Spoonman

18. Stone Temple Pilots: Vaseline, Interstate Love Song, Plush

19. Alice in Chains: I Stay Away, No Excuses, Man in the Box

20.Weezer: Sweater Song, Say it Ain't So, Buddy Holly

There are so many more bands, and more songs from each of the artists mentioned above. If you want more inspiration and reminiscing for yourself check out Top 100 Alternative Songs of the 90's! I hope this bring back good memories of skateboards, flannels, and long locks.

A picture montage for my guy friends

This is a tribute to my guys friends! The pictures are in no particular order, as they are all very important to me, and thanks for all your support! Love you guys!
Stephen: playing music is one of his many passions









Dana: a great drummer but more importantly a great husband and father!



Levi: a superb worship leader!










John: He keeps me on my toes when it comes to thought and philosophy










Saurabh: Someone I miss greatly, COME BACK!!!











James: A great man, though he drives me nuts sometimes! :D











Shayne: a new friend, but a whole lot of funny











Jake: incredibly smart, and occasionally tells a good joke! ;D











Ryan: a musical talent you can't miss!











Josh: Always thinking on life, and often has good insight.











Adam: Has a very caring heart!











Ben: A visionary and a great leader!











Mark: a gifted photographer and obviously a goof (sorry Mark this was all I had of you)










Jay: a gift to my roommate, and extremely funny. TOTES!

Spring is on it's way!!

As I walked by the front of my house the crocuses where peeking out of the ground. I was on my way to the park for the first time since winter blew its ugly head into Rochester. It made me realize that I need to get my bike fixed. Right before the end of the Summer I was on an amazing bike ride, on the Canal Trail, with my friend Katie. We headed out around the Pittsford area for what we anticipated to be a long and successful ride, about 3 miles into it my back tire popped and came off it's rim. I am still pretty amateur with the bike excursions, so I did not have a replacement tube, and at the time I did not have the finances to get it fixed. So it's been sitting in the basement of my house, locked to a pipe, calling out to me... fix me... ride me! To me there is always a silver lining in the bad things that happen. In this instance I had my iPhone with me and was able to take some pictures of really awesome things. Below are a few examples of the images I took. Enjoy! I hope to also begin taking some new pictures as Spring roles in.

Katie and her bike

I'd love to curl up with a book HERE!

A sweet barn

The coolest mushroom ever!

Highland Park Diner

Over the last few postings I've been doing a some reviews of some of my favorite local places to eat. If you visit Rochester, you cannot miss Highland Park Diner. There are options for all different kinds of taste buds. If breakfast is your thing, then you have to try one of their many offerings of omelets, including my favorite: Roasted Red Pepper Pesto, it is a combo of veggies wrapped in fluffy eggs and slathered in roasted red pepper pesto, served with your choice of home fries, grits or fruit and toast. For diner coffee, they do a pretty good job as well for a great pick me up. On the lunch or dinner front my recommendation would be the Highland Burger. A delicious 1/4lb beef patty topped with a slice of Canadian bacon, provolone cheese, and a special sauce served on a warm bun, a side of lettuce, tomato and curly fries. To really make your experience authentic you must try one of their shakes. They have your traditional shake flavors such as chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, but they also take pride in their unique flavors such as Nutella, Peanut Butter, and Bailey's Irish Cream. Not only do they give you a glass full of shake, but also the metal cup they mix it in with lots of left over. For a decent cost you can enjoy a meal by yourself, or with a friend. Below are a few pictures I've taken in my many times there.

The inside of the building

Jake enjoying a few shakes :D

The Tuscany Omelet

ENJOY!