Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in a really long time. It was full of happiness, and good food, and worshipping God. I just felt like my soul had lifted right on up to heaven. But that, as they say, was yesterday.
Today, started out with me running late, then realizing that I had a flat tire. I dropped the car off at the shop (next door) and then had to figure how I was going to get to work. It's times like these that make it really suck to be alone. Thankfully, my friend and school secretary, Jerri, came and picked me up and took me to work. But the hits have just kept on coming. What I know is that this is the devil trying to defeat me. He's trying to steal my joy, but I won't let him. I'm trying my hardest to stay encouraged and to remember who wins the battle in the end!
In other news, while I was waiting for everything to get taken care of this morning, a cat came up and started loving on me. At first, I thought that my house cat had escaped and was outside with me, adding to all the fun. Didn't take me long to figure out that it was not Delilah, namely because this cat was a boy, but they looked almost exactly alike, right down to the super creepy, extra green eyes. He followed me back over to the shop, then back to my yard, and I think he would have gotten in Jerri's car with me and come to work if I had let him. But if he stays around, I will probably feed him, because he's already nicer than the spoiled, psycho brat I let live inside. He'll need a cool name though...
Been a long day already, but I am looking forward to some fun this evening too. More on that later...
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sunrise, Sunrise
On the Friday we left for home, I decided to watch the sunrise. Amber said I was on my own for this one. So I went down to the beach about 6:00, and just hung out for a while. I love the beach in the early morning. It's completely different than it is later in the day. So it was just me and a few other early risers. Here are a few shots of that final vacation sunrise.
It made for the perfect ending. Well, an ending except for that 10 hour car ride home, where we totally GPS'd a Chic-Fil-A. (And Nashville, I have something special for you...)
And, even with that, I can't wait to go back.
Spring--When A Young Man's Heart Turns to Mischief
I don't talk about my job a whole lot for obvious reasons. But I want to take a minute to talk about spring time and junior high kids. It seems that as soon as the weather turns nice outside, I lose them. Not physically. They are all where they are supposed to be. I'm losing them in just about every other way. Now, this is not to say that I don't lose them during other times of the year (like during deer season or when something really exciting is happening out the window or in the hallway), but spring is especially miserable.
I think part of it is that I don't want to be here either. Not to say that I don't love my job, because I love it very much. It's just that it's nice outside and I really want to spend all day doing the things I love even more, like taking pictures.
*****WARNING: SIDE RANT******
By the way, just because you can operate a camera doesn't mean that you are a photographer. That's like saying because I understand how the human body works, I'm a doctor. I like to take pictures. People have commented on the quality of the pictures I take. And while I love this, you will notice that there is no shingle on my door advertising it. I have wonderful friends who are, in fact, amazing photographers. They have what I refer to as "the eye," that innate ability to see what others can't. The ones who can do this amaze me with their talent, and even when I am allowed to follow them around all day, I still can't match them. I'm a person who sometimes gets a nice shot, those people are photographers. Yet, these other people with cameras (I refuse to call them photographers), post their work and people "ooh and aah" over how great they are. I mean, I guess some of that is to be expected because who is going to tell someone "You have no discernable talent." (It's possible that some of those people are just being nice about my work!) But, I tend to think that Americans in general are losing their appreciation for true greatness, and settling for mediocrity. As technology becomes more available to us, we all assume that we too are artists. At some point, we are going to have to be honest with ourselves and realize there are those who are truly talented and those that just like pressing buttons.
*****The rant has ended. Go in peace.******
What was I saying? Oh, yeah distractions. I'm as bad as the next kid. But there's just a certain level of awful that comes with spring. The kids are rowdier. They all want to couple up or fight about who's coupling up or just create chaos and disorder. And it just makes 32 more days seem like a really long time. Can I hear an "Amen," teacher friends?
I think part of it is that I don't want to be here either. Not to say that I don't love my job, because I love it very much. It's just that it's nice outside and I really want to spend all day doing the things I love even more, like taking pictures.
*****WARNING: SIDE RANT******
By the way, just because you can operate a camera doesn't mean that you are a photographer. That's like saying because I understand how the human body works, I'm a doctor. I like to take pictures. People have commented on the quality of the pictures I take. And while I love this, you will notice that there is no shingle on my door advertising it. I have wonderful friends who are, in fact, amazing photographers. They have what I refer to as "the eye," that innate ability to see what others can't. The ones who can do this amaze me with their talent, and even when I am allowed to follow them around all day, I still can't match them. I'm a person who sometimes gets a nice shot, those people are photographers. Yet, these other people with cameras (I refuse to call them photographers), post their work and people "ooh and aah" over how great they are. I mean, I guess some of that is to be expected because who is going to tell someone "You have no discernable talent." (It's possible that some of those people are just being nice about my work!) But, I tend to think that Americans in general are losing their appreciation for true greatness, and settling for mediocrity. As technology becomes more available to us, we all assume that we too are artists. At some point, we are going to have to be honest with ourselves and realize there are those who are truly talented and those that just like pressing buttons.
*****The rant has ended. Go in peace.******
What was I saying? Oh, yeah distractions. I'm as bad as the next kid. But there's just a certain level of awful that comes with spring. The kids are rowdier. They all want to couple up or fight about who's coupling up or just create chaos and disorder. And it just makes 32 more days seem like a really long time. Can I hear an "Amen," teacher friends?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Coach Purse Thursday
By the time that we got up on Thursday, the Gulf of Mexico was angry. Good thing that we had already decided to go shopping! It was time to hit the local Tanger Outlet for all sorts of shopping goodness. While it rained, we went looking for some thing special. And we found it in the Coach store. Now, I should say that I have never spent a lot of money on purses, and it's possible that I didn't understand my friends who did (Sheena). But I am a changed woman! We found purses in the 50% off section, and had coupons for an additional 20% off that. Which means Amber and I paid nowhere near full price for these...(drumroll, please)...
Aren't they gorgeous?!?!
After we left, we decided to get something to eat in Mobile Bay. I was lucky enough to eat at Felix's when I was in Alabama in November, and it was so good yet again!
On the way home, we decided to go ahead and stop at a farmer's market. Burris' Market was awesome and I have the pictures to prove it! And that's not even mentioning what we had for dessert there! This apple dumpling was absolute heaven (and I promise the last food picture of the trip!)
This deserved an extra big picture!!
When we were done with all of our adventures, we went to the beach to watch the sunset and say goodbye to our vacation. Here were a few of my favorite shots...
Gorgeous, right? So the ocean saved its biggest surprise for the last night. As I was taking pictures, this guy popped up...
This is apparently some kind of ocean duck. He fascinated me and several little kids on the beach. I watched him surf and dive, and just when I thought he'd surely drowned, he popped back up again! And when I called my dad to ask him, he was all "Yeah, there are ducks in the ocean. What's the big deal?" How come no one ever mentioned this before?
Well, since we had a few things to pack before we left on Friday morning, we decided we had to have a luggage cart. So, this is us discreetly sneaking it into our room...the CIA should be calling us anyday...
One more sunrise and it's the end of my vacation. I promise.
Hi, I'm Katie, and I'm a TV addict...
The first of Glee's back 9 premiered last night. It brought me so much happiness! How could you not love an hour of singing that includes Idina Menzel!?! Really excited about her arc on the show, as well as where the storylines seem to be going in general. The "other" New Directions kids are getting to shine more, including "other Asian" Mike Chang's (Harry Shum, Jr.) superb dancing. If you haven't watched yet, I won't spoil it! But you need to hurry over to Hulu and check it out! You can also download the songs on iTunes, and no, this is not a paid endorsement. Just pure and unadulterated fan speak!
Speaking of television shows I love, have you met the Duggars? I have to admit that at first I thought they were a little odd. And while the chances of me wanting to have 19 children are just below the chances that I will be opening a tap-dance centered musical on Broadway, I admire people who are strong in their beliefs. They believe that God has called them to take as many children as He gives them, and they run a home centered on love and Christian values. There's no doubt there is love in that house and that they are raising children who will be responsible, skilled adults. Mostly, I think it's just nice to watch people on television who are Christians that aren't being mocked or ridiculed. I feel like TLC is very fair to them, and portrays them in a positive way, not like weirdos on the fringe of society. Plus, the kids are super funny and cute (especially Jackson and Johannah) and Cousin Amy keeps them from being too sheltered. It's good, wholesome fun.
From that to a discussion of shows that make me question society, which includes pretty much anything on the E! Network. Can anyone explain to me who those people on Pretty Wild are and what in the world they are doing with a TV show? And don't even get me started on the Kardashians. Really, let's just take a minute to look at reality TV in general., because seriously, what reality are most of these people living in? From The Bachelor to The Hills, it's just bad! (Looking at you, Heidi and Spencer!)
And I know that it's supposed to be good fun, and I get sucked in just as much as anyone else to these train wrecks. But, it's no wonder that the rest of the world is kicking our tails in academics. We are too concerned with whether Kim and Reggie are going to stay together (or not) to actually worry about important things. I love TV. I was raised in a home where TV was something we enjoyed and discussed and still is. (My parents are huge Glee fans as I have mentioned before, and in fact, my mom stopped by my room earlier to discuss last night's episode!) But, when being famous at any cost is what we aspire to as a society, what does that say about society? I had been thinking about getting satellite over the summer and still might, but I am really thinking about my lack of self-discipline and how maybe I just need to commit to turning the TV off more. I didn't really mean for this to be a second sermon, it's just where my head is at on these matters. I really want to fill my head (and my body, for that matter) with better stuff. Maybe a TV diet wouldn't be so bad. (Just as long as it's not on Glee night. Or Grey's Anatomy...)
Speaking of television shows I love, have you met the Duggars? I have to admit that at first I thought they were a little odd. And while the chances of me wanting to have 19 children are just below the chances that I will be opening a tap-dance centered musical on Broadway, I admire people who are strong in their beliefs. They believe that God has called them to take as many children as He gives them, and they run a home centered on love and Christian values. There's no doubt there is love in that house and that they are raising children who will be responsible, skilled adults. Mostly, I think it's just nice to watch people on television who are Christians that aren't being mocked or ridiculed. I feel like TLC is very fair to them, and portrays them in a positive way, not like weirdos on the fringe of society. Plus, the kids are super funny and cute (especially Jackson and Johannah) and Cousin Amy keeps them from being too sheltered. It's good, wholesome fun.
From that to a discussion of shows that make me question society, which includes pretty much anything on the E! Network. Can anyone explain to me who those people on Pretty Wild are and what in the world they are doing with a TV show? And don't even get me started on the Kardashians. Really, let's just take a minute to look at reality TV in general., because seriously, what reality are most of these people living in? From The Bachelor to The Hills, it's just bad! (Looking at you, Heidi and Spencer!)
And I know that it's supposed to be good fun, and I get sucked in just as much as anyone else to these train wrecks. But, it's no wonder that the rest of the world is kicking our tails in academics. We are too concerned with whether Kim and Reggie are going to stay together (or not) to actually worry about important things. I love TV. I was raised in a home where TV was something we enjoyed and discussed and still is. (My parents are huge Glee fans as I have mentioned before, and in fact, my mom stopped by my room earlier to discuss last night's episode!) But, when being famous at any cost is what we aspire to as a society, what does that say about society? I had been thinking about getting satellite over the summer and still might, but I am really thinking about my lack of self-discipline and how maybe I just need to commit to turning the TV off more. I didn't really mean for this to be a second sermon, it's just where my head is at on these matters. I really want to fill my head (and my body, for that matter) with better stuff. Maybe a TV diet wouldn't be so bad. (Just as long as it's not on Glee night. Or Grey's Anatomy...)
Aggravation (And I'm not talking about a board game!)
There is a marked difference between being asked to do something and being told to do something. Or even, not being told, but scheduled to do something without your knowledge. I am generally an agreeable person. If I can help you, I will be glad to. If I know enough in advance, I will even rearrange my schedule to accommodate. Just don't wait to the last minute and then pawn it off as someone else's mistake. It's not their job, it's yours! Do your job! This ends today's tirade.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Hangout Wednesday
While we were out and about, we started to get a little cranky, which only means one thing--time to get a snack! We found an old-fashioned soda fountain! I got a sundae that was basically Rocky Road bliss and Amber had an egg cream, which has everything to do with cream, but nothing to do with eggs. They were so yummy and just what we needed to have the strength to wander back to the beach!
After our day in town, we decided to go hang out on the beach. Amber realized that she had never built a sand castle, so armed with the proper tools (thanks, Target!), she set to work. However, what started out as a castle soon became the Colisseum...
...which somehow ended up as this guy! He was really big and pretty awesome if I do say so myself!
After the beach, we got showers and walked down the block to The Hangout. We had no idea how great this place was until we got there! It sits right off the beach and has a great restaurant, play area for kids and open air bar. The food was the best we had the whole trip!
These are fried dill pickles (or frickles, if you will). If you have never had them, or think that this is disgusting, you just don't know what you are missing! We are very picky, and these were SO good! Even better than our beloved Buckner's!
In her goal to experience all of the seafood, Amber had the fish tacos. (I had the chicken quesedillas because I don't eat seafood!) They were so good, but I figured you've already seen enough pictures of food for one post!
Oh, look who it is! You know how much I love David Hasselhoff!!
So, I have to admit that Amber and I are kind of music snobs. While we were eating, there was a band warming up, and we started trash talking them a little bit. After we finished eating, we wandered out to the open-air bar to listen. It wasn't long before we were eating our words. From the moment they started seriously playing, we were just more than just a little bit in love with The Cary Laine Band! Between Cary and Wes, they could sing just about any song they wanted and their orignal stuff was good too!
The front that was coming in made it chilly out, so we walked back to the hotel to get changed, get the car, and headed back to catch to the band's second set! Life doesn't get much better than this!
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