blogging

weekend!

March 30, 2012

Do you ever just get a feeling that it’s going to be a good weekend? You know that feeling, right?

I have that feeling today. Like nothing can get me down.

I think it’s partially because this week is finally over, partially because of the sunshine, and partially because of this song I discovered:

It’s a good weekend song. I’ve been snapping my fingers and doing my nanner dance to it all week.

Love love love.

“Cause If she wanna rock she rocks, if she wanna roll she rolls… oh na na na na na na na na naaaaaa.”

Yeah, that’s a good happy song. Give it a listen!

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HOW precious is he??

I bought my tickets to Charlotte this week!

Little Luke will be just about 5 weeks when I meet him.

!!!!!!!!!!

My heart is still bursting with joy for my friend. And this little guy just MELTS my heart.

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I am constantly in awe by all the amazing blogs out there in this world wide web. I keep finding new ones I love and people I connect with and I just can’t get enough. I recently found Nicole and The Neesby Lookbook and she’s hosting a girl party Monday to meet and greet with kindred spirits. Kindred spirits, you say? Sounds like my kind of party!

If you want to join to here’s a link to all the details!

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And in some final news, I stayed late last night at school because our Spring Open House is coming real soon and my perfectionism is coming into full swing. This is just something that I’ve accepted about myself and in the teaching sense, I’ve actually decided it’s a good thing. These parent events can be really stressful, but also really exciting because you get to show off all the awesome stuff your class is doing. And it’s worth it, you know?

Anyways, I came up with this ridiculous poem for Open House and I thought I’d share it here. The kids will be coming in with their parents and walking them around the room/showing their best work on display so I came up with this little ditty for fun:

Welcome to our 1st grade classroom where there’s so much to show and tell!

Use these clues to show your families the things you’ve learned so well!

The first stop is the place we meet to greet our friends each day.

We say “good morning”, give high fives, and POP! is a game we play.

The next stop is the board that tells the month and day of the year.

You record the days in school here too– are we far from the end or near?

Next show the box that is filled with books of stories that are “just-right” for you.

Explain the steps of the Daily 5 and show them word work too!

And just in case you want to show how good you are at math

Walk on over to the morning message board and help fill out our graph.

And science too! A table filled with things we’ve learned and done.

Check out your plants, there’s magnets too, and books about clouds and the sun.

There’s so much more! Our walls are filled! So take a look around.

Show off your hard work at your desk, your families should be proud!

BOOM. Well aren’t I just a real live Shel Silverstein. I worked a whole hour on it so I hope it’s a hit.

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HAPPY WEEKEND, my dear friends. For certain, I am wishing you the happiest. ♥

9 Comments · Filed Under: blogging, friends, life, music, teaching ·

night at the museum

March 22, 2012

Boston Bloggers at the Museum!

It all started over a tweet and ended at the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Seaport District. And I have to say, this blogger’s night out was one of my favorites yet. I loved how it was low key and having a small group made it really easy to talk to some of my favorite Boston Bloggers and get to know them each a little better. I arrived at the museum a few minutes early, and just after a rain shower, which filled the sky with wispy, eerie, cotton candy-like clouds. It was cold, but bearable, and I was able to snap a few photos of the museum from afar. The architecture is amazing and I love how the museum is right on the waterfront with views of the Boston Harbor and the airport—

And on a night like this? I easily felt like I was looking at a painting.

I can only imagine what a great place this would be to come in the summertime and enjoy the few restaurants around the seaport that have seating outside. Drinks and dinner on the waterfront in the summertime?? Be still my heart, we will just have to come back.

On the crazy cool building, from ICAboston.org:

“The ICA’s visionary building captures the stimulation of contemporary culture and the excitement of a revitalized waterfront area. Award-winning architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed the ICA, conceiving the building both “from the sky down,” as a contemplative space for experiencing contemporary art, and “from the ground up,” providing dynamic areas for public enjoyment. The design weaves together interior and exterior space, producing shifting perspectives of the waterfront throughout the museum’s galleries and public spaces.”

The museum houses just a few unique exhibits, and only takes about an hour to walk through. The art is all very contemporary, and from my point of view, very interesting, although I can’t say I connected with any of the exhibits this time around. I’ve visited the museum before, a few years ago, for Shepard Fairey’s Supply and Demand exhibit, which was so very amazing to me because of his street art that was seen all around the streets of Boston back in 2009. He is the mural artist that did the famous Obama “Hope” poster, and the well known OBEY GIANT sticker campaign.

Besides checking out the contemporary art, we did like bloggers do and snapped photos (where allowed), captured reflections, and instagrammed like there was no tomorrow. Which is one of my favorite hobbies (lest you haven’t noticed yet).

This next group of pictures is my favorite from the night…

This hallway overlooks the water and although I’m sure it’s beautiful by day, it is absolutely stunning at night. The lights from the harbor cast a glow that easily makes you pause to admire and appreciate the view.

After the museum, we headed over to Anthony’s Pier 4, which is just steps from the museum and the only place we could find in the immediate area. I’ve never been to Anthony’s before but the experience was very pleasant. I ordered crab cakes and french fries and we spent our time around the bar, drinking wine, champagne, and tea– just talking about all things we have in common, like Boston and blogging, as well as the little details of the in-between, the things that set us apart and make us unique.

Melanie + Emily + Danielle + Sarah + Smita + Clair (and Aubrie was there too!)

These ladies are awesome– they are kind, and friendly, and open to experiencing new places (and old!) around our incredible city. I’m excited about the idea of planning more meet-ups, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next road takes us.

Thanks for the fun, friends!

I left smiling and happy, and especially thankful to have spent a terrific night out with all of you!

{to view more pictures of our night at the museum, visit Hogger & Co. and Hemenway Street}

16 Comments · Filed Under: blogging, boston ·

11 things.

March 13, 2012

Clair tagged me in her 11 things post last month, and I’m just getting around to sharing mine. I’ve been seeing these all over Blogland and I actually think these kinds of things are really fun– but this is coming from a girl that used to love those question/email chain dittys when she was 15. Remember those? Yeah, this is similar. Sorry I’m not sorry.

Here are the “rules”:

Write 11 random things about yourself.

Answer 11 questions.

Ask 11 questions.

Here we go…

11 random things about me:

1. My middle name is Elizabeth. I think it’s one of the prettiest names ever. I love how it’s old fashioned and simple and beautiful.

2. My favorite meal of the day is lunch. I think this is because I LOVE sandwiches. Any kind, really, but BLT and PB&J sandwiches are the bees knees in my eyes. I like breakfast second best, and dinner comes in last in my book.

3. I don’t think there is anything worse in the world than public speaking. Ever since elementary school any time I need to speak in front of a lot of people I get severe anxiety. Also, when I actually start speaking in public my face gets totally hot and red. I hate it more than anything. This does not happen to me with a classroom full of kids, though. With them I feel absolutely comfortable.

4. I NEVER swear. I just don’t. I don’t like the way it sounds coming out of my mouth. I’m not at all offended when other people do it, I just don’t like to do it myself.

5. When I was in middle school I was home sick from school for quite a long stretch of time. During that home-stay I watched the Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan really close to a hundred times. I just kept watching it. Over and over and over and over. And to this day I can still recite every. single. word. Oh, Lindsay, why’d ya gotta go all wacky on me. I really liked you.

6. I have never dyed my hair. Not once. Not ever.

7. My family’s dog is a yellow lab named Tinsley. My sister got her my freshman year of college after our old dog had to be put to sleep. We named her Tinsley after Boyd Tinsley, the violinist/fiddle player from the Dave Matthews Band. I still think that the coolest name for a dog ever.

8. When I was 12 I went to Disney World. Since then I have been back only one other time and I cannot WAIT until the day that I go again. That place is full of real, true magic, I tell ya. This I believe with all my heart.

9. I used to figure skate when I was little, before I decided on to focus solely on ballet. I used to do shows and competitions with fancy costumes with sparkles and sequins and everything. They were really fun times and a huge part of my childhood memories. “TOE PIIIICK.”

10. I’m not at all a competitive person. I think this is why I was never really into playing sports and why I don’t love playing board games. I do love Cranium though. That game is such a blast. Do you know it? FUN times.

11. I hate cats. HATE. I really don’t understand why anyone would want to own one. And when my best friend Hannah got a cat a few years ago I could not understand for the life of me why she would do that to me. WHY? I have to add here that I am HIGHLY allergic, which is most likely the reason I feel this way. When I am at a house that has cats I can hardly breathe. Not kidding. It’s awful, and so I will forever believe that cats are the WORST.

(I know a lot of my readers out there looooove cats so I hope this doesn’t taint your image of me, but cats ARE the worst and I will never change my mind about it.)

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Clair’s 11 questions for me…

1. What’s your favorite way to take advantage of a sunny day?

This is tough, because there are so many possibilities! But I think the best way, in any situation, any season, is to wake up early, grab your sunglasses, and GET OUTSIDE. Take a walk, take a drive to the beach, take the time to bask in the sun. I never let a sunny day slip away from me– even when I’m teaching I take those kids outside!

2. Do you have a reliable “wing it” meal that you depend on?

Chicken Picatta. SO easy and SO good. Cook some chicken breast in a sauce pan with a little olive oil (I cut it up before I throw it in the pan so it cooks quicker), then once it’s been over the heat for awhile I put in lemon juice (squeezed from 1 lemon) and capers. Then I just throw it over pasta and eat it. Lemony and delicious. YUM.

3. How do you take your coffee?

Warm milk and a little bit of sugar.

4. What is your absolute favorite book from your childhood?

Henry’s Awful Mistake. I remember my dad reading it to me and I remember me loving it. It’s not a literary work of art, but it’s a pretty fun book. Even today I laugh when I read it. (Oh, and I still have the copy that we used to read. It’s worn and loved and sitting on my bookshelf.)

5. When do you feel most at peace?

Saturday mornings, with the whole weekend ahead of me. And in summer. Bliss.

6. Flats or heels?

Flats. Forever.

7. What’s one habit you wish you had?

I wish I liked to empty the dishwasher. But man, is that a chore if I ever knew one.

8. Do you hold on to a lot of guilt? Is there anything that is guaranteed to make you feel guilty?

Hmm. Good question. I really don’t think I do hold onto a lot of guilt. I don’t like talking badly about people behind their backs, though. That always makes me feel crappy.

9. If you had the opportunity to be a professional blogger, would you take it?

Yes, I think I just might. How awesome would that be?

10. Best way to turn around a bad day?

Country music, a trip to the gym, a date with ELLEN, and a HOT shower.

11. What’s the last time you can remember laughing so hard you cried?

My friends from high school really know how to do this well. Laughing to the point of tears is one of our strong points. My friend Danielle especially makes me tear up from cracking up. She is without a doubt the most hilarious person I know and she’s one of those people that doesn’t even try. I think my friends and I must have cried laughing the morning after our high school reunion. It was just one of those recaps that merits a LOT of funny stories.

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And my 11 my questions:

1. What was your favorite childhood TV show?

2. When is your birthday, how old are you, and how do you feel about it?

3. What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?

4. Where did you go to college? Did you have as much fun as I did those 4 years?

5. If you could choose only one candy bar at the checkout line in the grocery store, which one would you choose?

6. Have you ever met someone famous?

7. Do you prefer dresses or pants?

8. Do you have any siblings? Older/younger? Are you close?

9. If you could go back to your younger years and relive one experience, what would you do again?

10. What are your TOP 3 MOST FAVORITE blogs??? (besides mine. JUST KIDDING.)

11. Why do you blog? And if you don’t blog, why the heck not?

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AWESOME. Wasn’t that fun. Also, I’m tagging everyone who reads this post. DO IT. You can answer my questions in the comments section, or write your own post! You’ll have a good time, I promise! (Just be sure to let me know if you join in the party!)

14 Comments · Filed Under: blogging, life ·