The End of an Era

Well friends...the time has come for me to say goodbye. I have passed all of my technology classes and have applied for my clear credential.

I do not feel the need to blog anymore. I was using this blog to inform my friends and family of things happening in my life here in LA. But I realized that most of you keep up with me through email or the occasional phone call, so there is no need to tell you what's going on here.

For those of you that DO know what is coming up in my life in the next few months, you know I'm busy preparing for the upcoming changes. For those of you who DON'T know what's going on, feel free to send me an email or better yet, give me a call.

I wish the best for all of you.

T

If the House is a Rockin'.....

...then find the smallest room or closet nearest you and take cover.

Yesterday I experienced another earthquake. The last two were not that impressive so I really don't count them in the whole experience, but last night's earthquake was both a little disturbing and a lot exciting.

At first, I thought the neighbors just slammed their door too hard but when the rattling turned to shaking, I figured out what was going on. It only lasted about 5-7 seconds and nothing fell off the wall or got broken, but it was a neat experience. And being the geeky Earth science teacher that I am, you know I got online as soon as it was over to find out all the details of my experience. This one was a 3.4 and located less than a mile from my house. Since it wasn't very deep, I'm sure we felt more shaking here than anywhere else.

So there you have it, earthquakes in LA. Now, if only I could be here when the big one happens....

Plan to Make Plans

Why is it that you can plan make plans to "celebrate" Valentine's Day with someone and they decide they would rather grab a date and hang out with their married best friend? It's not that I was not invited to tag along, because I was, it's just that I would rather spend Valentine's Day with just the girls remembering the boys we have serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

If that makes me shallow or selfish, so be it.

Here's to the New Year - *Clink*

I'm not sure what to put here today. I will tell you that my New Year's Eve celebration happened at 2:30 in the afternoon yesterday over the internet to Afghanistan. It was not exactly what I had planned, but it was still a lot of fun. Given the situation, I couldn't have asked for a better New Year's Eve.

I hope everyone reading this has a great 2009...I think it's going to be a good year.

So Many Captains

Today, Steve pins on his new rank of Captain. Congrats!! In fact, in the past few days Steve as well as 3 of our friends have been promoted to Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Congratulations to Amy, Gaby, Chris and, of course, Steve.

So, I was trying to come up with a silly nickname for Steve now that he is a Captain. This made me stop and think.....how many other Captains are there...Hmmmm. I can think of a few, in no particular order....

Captain Crunch

Captain Awesome
Captain Morgan

Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kirk

Captain Hook
Captain America

Captain and Tenille
Captain D's

Captain Underpants
Captain Jack Sparrow

Captain Caveman
Captain Planet and the Planeteers

Can you think of any others? And while you're at it, can you help me with a nickname for Steve?!?

It's the Little Things....

...that make me feel special. Lately, I have been feeling a little down, not depressed, just down. I realized that it's the small things that make me smile and keep me going.

1. Like sending a package or a letter half way around the world just to make someone's day.

2. Buying Christmas gifts for people I love.

3. Getting a text message in the middle of the night letting me know that I have a new email waiting for me.

4. Having my students tell me I look good in "my" designer jeans.

5. Wearing winter sweaters on a cold day in Los Angeles. No, really, it's freakin' cold here these days.

6. Getting Christmas gifts from my students because no matter how tough I am on them, they still like me, they really like me.

7. And lastly, knowing that no matter how alone I feel at times, there is someone on the other side of the world that cares about me who I look forward to talking to every chance I get.

Sometimes It's Ok to Cry

Here are a few songs that every time I hear them, I cry. No, really, everytime.

"I Miss You" by Incubus

"I Loved Her First" by Heartland

"Love Without End, Amen" by George Strait

"I Miss My Friend" by Darrel Worley (For Steve)

"My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen Foster (For obvious reasons)

"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

I am sure there are others but these are the ones I've heard on the radio (with the exception of My Old Kentucky Home) within the last few days. If you know these songs, and you know me, then you know why I cry every time I hear them.