I've been feeling like blah lately. My school year has started off kind of rocky. I just feel so overwhelmed and disappointed at the same time. Luckily, my kids are great so that helps me get through each day. I feel like each day I come home with more to complain about to Murad. I'm sure he's sick of hearing it, but he's very supportive. He keeps telling me that I need to roll with the punches and be creative, but it's hard. I guess I'm just feeling that teacher burn-out everyone talks about. I just need to get out of the funk. I need to get my groove back, or as Tish calls it, her kiwi.
I don't know how to end this blog effectively (Geez, I sound like my students when they write essays "I don't know how to end this, so that's all for now.").
Blah.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Evolution of a Bridesmaid Dress and other musings
Isn't it ironic that when I decide to give up on wedding planning, that it beckons me to it? Why, why must you call me? I just want to go to work, spend time with my fiance and "kids", hang out with my friends, and talk to my family without having a conversation about "the wedding." However, that is impossible.
"Ashlea, how's wedding planning going?"
"Ashlea, did you go to Michael's and get some ribbon with the 50% off coupon?" MY MOM
"Ashlea, did anyone warn you NOT to order dresses from David's Bridal and that they SUCK!"
Well, I had started out with a beautiful Bill Levkoff dress that I was going to have my bridesmaids order off the internet. However, even with the discount, the shipping and everything was still more than I was comfortable having my bridesmaids spend ( I didn't want them to spend over $150). Plus, they had really weird sizing. So, I found an identical dress at David's Bridal. I set up an account at one of their stores and told my bridesmaids to order it by September 16th. Katie and Amber both got theirs ordered, but Amber called me and told me that it was being discontinued. I immediately got on the phone and checked into sizes for my remainig bridesmaids and they were out and were not making anymore! DAMN! David's Bridal is not flexible at all and they only do exchanges even though it was totally their fault. So, I kept picking new dresses and a bunch of them were being discontinued. I found out why, it was the color...Champagne! Then, I decided okay I'll just have them wear Periwinkle dresses....no, no, it was a discontinued color as well. "They're spring colors," said the saleslady, "Why don't you pick something from our fall collection?" My wedding is March 21st. WHY THE HELL would I order a "fall" colored gown! I eventually found a dress that works perfectly for my bridesmaids. It's totally different than what I wanted, but I love it and I think my girls will look stunning in it. My mom and matron of honor (Katie) both like it better than the original dress, so I think that is a good sign. So, I'm posting pictures of the three bridesmaid dresses. The first one is the NEW dress. The 2nd one is the original dress (Bill Levkoff) and the 3rd dress is the discontinued dress. Imagine it with a periwinkle ribbon tied around the waist. I still need to pick that up!
On another note, not to bitch about the hurricane, but damn, it's really cramping my style. How, you may ask? Because, I haven't recieved the scores of the test I took almost two weeks ago. I'm pretty sure I failed it, but I just want a confirmation. It was by far the hardest exam I've taken for this program. The test is modeled after the TeXes Administrator's Exam. Guess I shouldn't be a principal. On another note, I need to start on my internship. Basically, I just need to start recording everything I've done that can count as internship hours. Luckily, I've done a lot. Unfortunately, I'm not very organized, so it will take a long time to straighten out!
Sorry this blog post has turned into a bitch fest, but just one last thing. SAMPSON! Sam is turning into such a pest. He's so mean to other dogs. At first I thought it was just big dogs, but he's even mean to little dogs. I'm just so embarrassed when we go on walks because every dog is scared of him. Then if he doesn't get his fill of attacking other dogs, he just turns and attacks his sister. He does this way too many times a day. I tried taking them running in the mornings, but I had to start bringing Sam back because he hated running so much that he started attacking Maya. Plus, Sam has been chewing parts of the linoleum in our kitchen (can't wait to see if our pet deposit covers it). I keep trying all the behavioral tricks that our trainer taught us, but he's just a little butt! Then last night, Murad was trying to get Sam off the bed and he started growling at Murad. Murad was pissed! We do not handle disrespect well, even from animals. I used to expect this kind of behavior out of Maya just because she's kind of wild and a free spirit, but she is so awesome now. I wish her brother could be. It's weird because people like Sampson better because he's real chill and for some reason people think he's better looking. However, Maya doesn't warm up to people well, but she's so friendly with other dogs. They're just two totally different dogs!
Well, Murad has officially started the grad school search. (there is one good thing in this post) He talked to a psychologist at his job last night who basically told him that he would be an ideal candidate for a doctoral program. Plus, with his grades and experiences he shouldn't have any trouble getting financial aid. This is such an exciting time in our lives. Not only are we getting married, but things just seem to be falling in place everywhere else. I know that all Murad has ever wanted to do is to get his Ph.D in pyschology. When I first met him he talked of it, but he knew that he would have to go back to school and improve his grades. So, he's back in school, sitting in classes with people who are years younger than him just to get a second degree and get into grad school. I'm just so proud of how far he's come. On another note, as I write this blog the Philadelphia Eagles (Murad's team) and the Dallas Cowboys are playing. This is the last game in Texas Stadium. *tear*
Go Eagles!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Election Central
Well the DNC and RNC have come and gone. I loved watching the DNC. I didn't care too much for the RNC. It was a little boring! I really was excited about John McCain's VP choice. When I first saw her I was like, "Wow! What a beautiful woman. She looks good for five kids." I also really admired that she stood by her daughter through a hard time. Then, I started reading up on her. There are rumors going around that her youngest son (born in April) is actually her daughter's child. While the rumor does seem believable, I really hope that it is not true. And while, I try not to let people's personal choices affect my opinion of them in politics (business or work for that matter too), I have a hard time seperating the two. However, since I'm not voting for McCain/Palin, it doesn't matter, right?
I read that prior to delivering her baby, she leaked fluid. She then got on an airplane and flew 12 hours. Doesn't that seem a little odd? Okay, so that one may have just been a error in judgement. However, after the birth of her son she only took three days of maternity leave! THREE DAYS. I just think as a woman in politics, she needs to stand up for the rights of women. With her taking only three days, it's like saying women don't really need maternity leave. And while I know she probably has a whole team to take care of that baby, it's not the same as a mother's(errr...grandmother's?) care. In addition, the little boy has down syndrome and I feel that three days is not enough time for the mother of any child, let alone the mother of a baby with special needs.
I know that it doesn't really matter in the large scheme of things, but it does matter to me. I know that when I become a mother I will want to take a lot of time off for work to care for my children. I hope and pray each day that Obama gets elected. However, if for some reason McCain wins I worry that he picked a candidate just to get the Hilary vote and not one who would fight for the rights of women.
Okay, that's my soap box and now I'm off!
I read that prior to delivering her baby, she leaked fluid. She then got on an airplane and flew 12 hours. Doesn't that seem a little odd? Okay, so that one may have just been a error in judgement. However, after the birth of her son she only took three days of maternity leave! THREE DAYS. I just think as a woman in politics, she needs to stand up for the rights of women. With her taking only three days, it's like saying women don't really need maternity leave. And while I know she probably has a whole team to take care of that baby, it's not the same as a mother's(errr...grandmother's?) care. In addition, the little boy has down syndrome and I feel that three days is not enough time for the mother of any child, let alone the mother of a baby with special needs.
I know that it doesn't really matter in the large scheme of things, but it does matter to me. I know that when I become a mother I will want to take a lot of time off for work to care for my children. I hope and pray each day that Obama gets elected. However, if for some reason McCain wins I worry that he picked a candidate just to get the Hilary vote and not one who would fight for the rights of women.
Okay, that's my soap box and now I'm off!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Updates!
Wow, it's been so long since I posted. Well my car is driving like usual. No broken windows or stolen satellite radios...thank God!
School is going great. I do feel like I've gotten meaner this year. Not on purpose, maybe just with experience. For example, yesterday in class my student whispered to me, "Miss, your fiance is CUTE!" I just started laughing as I was passing out their papers. Another student across the room goes, "Wow! Miss Woodard actually smiles." Yep. I guess I need to smile a bit more, but I think I'll wait...
Wedding plans are going great! Murad picked out his tuxes although I haven't seen them. He's going to surprise me. We're taking a little break from wedding planning. I was just getting a little stressed out from it all and it was causing stress and chaos between us. Now, I'm starting my wedding day diet. Even though my wedding isn't until March, my mom wants to have my dress done in December. I'm having the hardest time losing the last five pounds. They are just so stubborn! So now it's serious calorie counting and exercise. That's how I lost all of my weight two years ago. I also cut out alcohol..except for "special" occasions! No more wine with dinner...
So now I'm just picking up little things here and there. For example, when I see a 50% off coupon for Michael's I'll go and pick up ribbon and stuff, but nothing major. I also found a lady who is selling me 67 votive candles for $10.00. They're slightly used, but will work perfectly for our wedding. I also ordered my veil today. I was so against having one and then I decided I needed one. However, I was NOT going to spend more than $30...impossible, right? No! I decided to go the nontraditional route and buy a birdcage veil. It's so cute. My mom is going to add rhinestones to it. And, it was only....$15. $15 compared to the $200 veils that some people buy to wear for just the ceremony. Now, I need to find bubbles and bubble guns. I think I'll just buy four or five bubble guns (one for each of the honor attendants and one for each of the flower girls). I think this will be cute for our grand exit! I'm getting excited that it's only six and a half months away!
Well in other planning news, after researching a bunch of options, Murad decided that getting a Ph.D in Social Work would not be a good move. It's more of a lateral career move and the amount of student loan debt he would incur would not be worth it. He sort of found out that a Ph.D in Social Work is only good if you want to do research. So, he's going to apply for a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology which would allow him to do research and work as a therapist. So far he's narrowed it to two schools to which he definitely wants to apply: UT and KU. We're also researching options in Dallas, but there aren't really any here. In addition, he'll apply at other schools too. I'm really excited about this change. I think this allows us more security, as a psychologist would make more money than a social worker. I hate to focus on the money, but there is more funding for psychology programs than social work programs. Even though he has some connections to people who know about social work funding, they aren't secure.
He also shows great promise as a psychologist. His first degree was in psychology, he used to run group therapy sessions and his current minor (with his second bachelor's) is in psychology. Whether or not we stay in Dallas, move to Austin or Kansas City, I welcome the change and am excited to see where the Lord takes us. We are so blessed to have found each other and I think that no matter where we are, we'll be happy as long as we're together...with Maya and Sampson, of course! I think ultimately this will allow him to pursue his interests while still doing what's best for our family, which is always his first priority. I'm so happy!
Of course why am I happy...because we have a plan! I'm all about planning. Planning weddings and planning life...but I know the best things do come when I don't plan. That's how I met my wonderful man. I couldn't have "planned" a better man!
School is going great. I do feel like I've gotten meaner this year. Not on purpose, maybe just with experience. For example, yesterday in class my student whispered to me, "Miss, your fiance is CUTE!" I just started laughing as I was passing out their papers. Another student across the room goes, "Wow! Miss Woodard actually smiles." Yep. I guess I need to smile a bit more, but I think I'll wait...
Wedding plans are going great! Murad picked out his tuxes although I haven't seen them. He's going to surprise me. We're taking a little break from wedding planning. I was just getting a little stressed out from it all and it was causing stress and chaos between us. Now, I'm starting my wedding day diet. Even though my wedding isn't until March, my mom wants to have my dress done in December. I'm having the hardest time losing the last five pounds. They are just so stubborn! So now it's serious calorie counting and exercise. That's how I lost all of my weight two years ago. I also cut out alcohol..except for "special" occasions! No more wine with dinner...
So now I'm just picking up little things here and there. For example, when I see a 50% off coupon for Michael's I'll go and pick up ribbon and stuff, but nothing major. I also found a lady who is selling me 67 votive candles for $10.00. They're slightly used, but will work perfectly for our wedding. I also ordered my veil today. I was so against having one and then I decided I needed one. However, I was NOT going to spend more than $30...impossible, right? No! I decided to go the nontraditional route and buy a birdcage veil. It's so cute. My mom is going to add rhinestones to it. And, it was only....$15. $15 compared to the $200 veils that some people buy to wear for just the ceremony. Now, I need to find bubbles and bubble guns. I think I'll just buy four or five bubble guns (one for each of the honor attendants and one for each of the flower girls). I think this will be cute for our grand exit! I'm getting excited that it's only six and a half months away!
Well in other planning news, after researching a bunch of options, Murad decided that getting a Ph.D in Social Work would not be a good move. It's more of a lateral career move and the amount of student loan debt he would incur would not be worth it. He sort of found out that a Ph.D in Social Work is only good if you want to do research. So, he's going to apply for a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology which would allow him to do research and work as a therapist. So far he's narrowed it to two schools to which he definitely wants to apply: UT and KU. We're also researching options in Dallas, but there aren't really any here. In addition, he'll apply at other schools too. I'm really excited about this change. I think this allows us more security, as a psychologist would make more money than a social worker. I hate to focus on the money, but there is more funding for psychology programs than social work programs. Even though he has some connections to people who know about social work funding, they aren't secure.
He also shows great promise as a psychologist. His first degree was in psychology, he used to run group therapy sessions and his current minor (with his second bachelor's) is in psychology. Whether or not we stay in Dallas, move to Austin or Kansas City, I welcome the change and am excited to see where the Lord takes us. We are so blessed to have found each other and I think that no matter where we are, we'll be happy as long as we're together...with Maya and Sampson, of course! I think ultimately this will allow him to pursue his interests while still doing what's best for our family, which is always his first priority. I'm so happy!
Of course why am I happy...because we have a plan! I'm all about planning. Planning weddings and planning life...but I know the best things do come when I don't plan. That's how I met my wonderful man. I couldn't have "planned" a better man!
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