At last a break....

From all the teachings...

Last Friday marked the beginning of a glorious 2 weeks off. I gave exams to 73 students, gathered all my wonderful teacher prizes (I got a Coach keychain!!! numerous candies, cookies, chocolates, breads, etc, a Jonas Brothers CD- how I love 8th grade girls, candles, Christmas ornaments... ahh glorious stuff to crowd my kitchen and dining room table), and went home.

Since then... my apartment has exploded with clothing. I spent Friday afternoon at the movies and then that night I hung out with my most favorite teacher friend PR. She is more than twice my age, and she is my former professor, but I owe my job and where I'm at in life to her. So we hung out for a long time, and then we were joined by other teacher pals. Good times with the Latin teachers. 

Saturday was cool. I got a pedicure and manicure and that night went to the Nutcracker ballet with my mom, brother and his gf. I have NEVER seen a ballet before, so I was super excited. We had aaaammmmmaaaazing seats in a box. Box A, just to the left of the stage. 

I am going to try to embed pictures, but they never go where I want them to. So, we will see

Self-Portrait

Brother's gf and I

My toga dress. Thanks for making me buy it last February whore.

 Our view of the stage

Mom and I.  She usually smiles bigger than that. 

When I got home,  I proceeded to stay up till 3am changing out picture frames with CB and I's engagement pictures. Here is a random sampling- there are hundreds- I will choose 3 or 5. 

I spent Sunday doing a lot of last minute Christmas shopping. I am done with everyone except a whore in Florida, a hook in Paris, and PR.  Sunday night was CHRISTMAS with Dad. This year my dad has opted out of regular Christmas, as he is very stressed out with his job, etc. So he is going golfing in California instead. Thus, brother and I had Christmas together with him last night. He got me an Ipod touch. I was so so sososososososo excited. I LOVE the ipod touch. 

Today, I had planned on cleaning my apt because it is such a disaster. Instead I went out and finished one last Christmas shopping detail. Then I found out that Neiman Marcus REALLY doesn't sell their amazing gingerbread cookies anymore. WTF? Those were the best gingerbread cookies ever... remember CD? When we went on our search? I had to do it alone this yer, and I was unfruitful. : (

After grocery shopping with the masses... I came home and watched NCIS, passed out for an hour, then finished wrapping prizes. 

And that is how I have spent the past 3 days of being off. 

Nevermind the 4 inch stack of exams on my desk. And the bag full of papers from the semester to grade.

I might not elope after all

Things resolved today:

My dad AND mom will walk me down the aisle on Dec. 19, 2009.

I know it sounds unusual... but anything to appease my mom.

I will have a father-daughter dance.

And then I will have a step-father daughter dance.

And my dad is perfectly okay with all of this.

And (for now) so is my mom.

My dad has been wonderful throughout this whole thing- reiterating that it is my wedding and therefore whatever I want or need to do, he is okay with it.

Annnnd....

(drumroll please)

I have a very very likely (dad says 100% if if I want it) reception venue.

The Tower Club. 48th floor of Thanksgiving Tower in Downtown.

Bargain deal.

Beautiful view. 3 sides are floor to ceiling windows. Chandeliers. OMG OMG OMG.

Now, no contract has been signed yet, so I am trying not to get my hopes up too high- because for all I know it could come crashing down next week, but I swear if this comes together I will thank God as much as I did when He provided for me staying at my (highly expensive) university all four years. Either way, I will thank God for letting me get married to such an incredible man, and regardless of my familial issues, I will thank God for both my parents being around for my wedding. 

But seriously- I have had nightmares about what I was going to do about the reception...

The economy is horrible. Dad is in danger of losing his job at all times. If dad loses his job, a large chunk of the funding for my wedding would disappear. In turn, this would cause a huge uproar between me and my mom. Mom would insist that if dad doesn't pay, he can't participate in the wedding, etc (I know this sounds wretched, and it really sucks, but you kind of have to know the extensive and nasty background of my family and parents and thier divorce/life after divorce). I was starting to think that I might not have a reception at all.  

Anyways, so I am so so thankful that God has, in part thus far, answered my prayers. Dad could still lose his job, but if we lock into this contract soon, it will be a done deal hopefully. I am just not getting too attached to the idea in case it all falls apart. So you should pray too, that God provides and holds my family- both sides- together. Not just for my wedding, but just in general. And perhaps, as long as you're praying, pray that mom learns to let go of that past. 

Other things I have been considering:

Since my wedding and reception will be in the afternoon, and end relatively early (around 6:15ish pm), CB and I are considering having an after party at some cool bar/dance place/restaurant that has bar and dancing in the city... CB and I leave reception- people throw crap at us... we get into limo and arrive at hotel... go upstairs... change... do married stuff... then go to party, where we aren't paying for the drinks. And everyone dances and has a raging good time. We leave party and return to hotel. Sleep. Leave for honeymoon ASAP in the morning. Good idea, no? 

Update

engagement pictures coming soon. when i feel like uploading some here.

Organized?

In the past week, I have been told on three or four separate occasions that I am organized.

Those of you who know me are probably choking on your spit right now.

Yea. Me. Organized.

First it was the photographer I was meeting with, whom I am hiring. As I was sitting there chatting with him about my wedding and how I envision it and where things are/what I want to do, SANS pen and paper to take notes on him and his style, he says to me, "You are so organized!"

What, sir? I am meeting with a potential photographer and I couldn't even bring a pen to write anything down? I didn't bring anything. Just my purse.

Nonetheless, I am 'organized.' I must say that it felt really good for someone to say that to me. He even went onto explain that even without pen and paper it was very apparent that I am organized with my wedding planning.

Then I went down to Corsicana the day after Thanksgiving to see CB (yaaaaaaaaaaaay!) and his family. His mom told me not once, but twice, that I am organized. The first time was concerning- surprise surprise-wedding planning. I showed her my book with dividers and what not, which I can't take credit for because my brother's girlfriend gave it to me, AND I have been given another planning book by a friend AND a notebook to cut and paste ideas in by another friend. So basically, I was set up to be organized. I can't help it.

The second time was during Monopoly. No lie. I never knew that separating your monies out and placing them slightly under the board so you can see all the you have was considered organized. Yes, my friends, I too have joined the 'organized' category.

Finally, another teacher called me organized (biggest shocker of them all). I made complete sets of instructions for my substitutes (get to that in a minute), complete with copies made of each assignment to be handed out, a class roster, and all placed in a nicely labeled manilla folder. And I did it 5 days in advance (-ish).

I am proud to say that I can also be organized. Apparently. When I want to.

In other news....

Thanksgiving was good. Seeing CB and his family was even better. I got to be in the family picture. It was good times.

I have to go to the girlie doctor tomorrow- known to my dear whore friend as the 'vag' doctor. I am dreading it. Thus the need for substitute # 1.

On Thursday night, I will be embarking on a spectacular trip to Florida, also known as 'Whore Weekend." My bff SB (WHORE) lives there and we will have a magnificent time going to a Jason Mraz concert, driving all over the peninsula (Latin derivative: 'paene'= almost, 'insula'= island).
Thus the need for substitutes #2, 3, 4, and 5 (once for each class on Friday... I know. Complicated. Good thing I am organized.)

Look forward to many pictures and random crap. My favorite.


Oh, and about that vote:

Options 2 and 3 have been negated due to cost prohibition. Tower Club a distant possibility. Feel free to comment or email me suggestions. Thanks.

I need your votes!

Okay, so, as very apparent by my many posts about getting engaged and wedding planning, I am in the midst of planning a wedding for December 19, 2009 (yayyy!). The ceremony site is booked and paid for, and the next MAJOR thing is the reception site. I have narrowed it down to my top 3 choices (though these could change... maybe), and now I would like to hear your thoughts on them and which one you think is best.

Important information to know before you vote:

My wedding will be around 1:30-1:45ish in the afternoon (siiiigh, I wish it was later).
It is December, and December 19 is three days before the shortest day of the year, which means sunset will probably occur right at the beginning/near beginning of the reception.
I want dancing, heavy hor'deuvres, champagne, cake and delicious catering.
I want people to throw rose petals at CB and I whenever we leave. Which means we have to somehow leave.
The guest list is hovering around 100 people.

Okay, now for your options.

Option #1: The Tower Club

Brief info/why I like:
Tower Club is located on the 48th floor of Thanksgiving Tower in Downtown. It has floor to ceiling windows surrounding the entire thing. My dad ('s company) owns the building, and seeing as how my dad is vice president and deals with the Tower Club's leasing specifically, we think he might be able to swing a deal with them. *OH, and free parking for guests. Since dad's company owns the building and all.

The Website:
http://www.clubcorp.com/club/scripts/library/view_document.asp?S=NAV&DID=14409&GRP=10&NS=PCH&MFCODE=TOWDS&SUBGRP=25

Option #2: The Stoneleigh Hotel

Brief info/why I like:
Stoneleigh Hotel is classic. It is old and full of history, as it was built in 1923. It is gorgeous. I have no lucky connections there whatsoever, but my mom loves it and it is her top choice for this affair. It comes with catering by a magnificent chef.

The Website:
http://www.stoneleighhotel.com/
http://www.stoneleighhotel.com/dallas-weddings/index.html

Option #3: Las Colinas Country Club

Brief info/why I like:
Las Colinas CC is owned by ClubCorp, which also owns Tower Club. My dad has special privileges at all ClubCorp clubs given his relationship with Tower Club. Potential to get a good deal at any ClubCorp club. It is a fair distance away from my ceremony site- which is good- because it allows us time to to take photographs as well as lets more time pass so the ceremony can start later.

The Website:
http://www.clubcorp.com/club/scripts/library/view_document.asp?DN=LD_EVENTS_LCOCC&GRP=10&NS=PCH&MFCODE=LCOCC&SUBGRP=25

Okay, now you tell me, which do you think is the best place for the reception AND, if you were attending this wedding, which place do you think would be the most fun/beautiful/tasty?

: ) Thanks for making all my decisions for me. Bye.

Dear body,

Why do you seem to harbor bacteria in your bladder walls? Thus causing me much pain and discomfort? And costing me a lot of money in doctor's visits and prescriptions?

I would appreciate it if you could just re-work your propensity to catch hold of the bad bacteria.

Thanks,

Lauren

Why is it...

That a teacher can stand at the front of the room, wave their arms around, and talk about exactly how they are planning on testing you over material... and students can still not listen?

And then why is it....

That some students can hang on every word the teacher says, write down every word the teacher says, come in for extra help, and still only score mediocre on the test, or just flat out fail?

Is that the teacher's fault?

I just can't bring myself to say a student is dumb. Especially those that try that hard.

(except those who blatantly ignore the teacher's instruction and flat out tell-all about how the test will be formatted and what students need to pay attention to... that's dumb.)