Santa Can You Hear Me?

Well, I want to be a brat and make a Christmas list on here. Hopefully Santa reads this.

1.

My number one thing I want this year is a nook. how cool do these things look? I mean, I love to read, but this takes reading to a whole new level! Once I get the Nook, I want to buy "Mockingjay" to complete The Hunger Games series that I've been reading. I also want Snookie's book. Yeah, you read that right.

2.

Yessss! So, I know these shoes look kind of fugly in this picture, but when I was working at Bath and Body Works, I saw

a girl wearing these exact same shoes and I just HAD to go up to her and ask about them. So cute, so sparkly, and OMG so comfortable. I'mpretty excited about them.

3.

I know, it's another pair of shoes. I got a pair of these 2 years ago for Christmas and well,they have just seen better days. I get SO much use out of these sandals, literally wearing them

EVERYday. Fantastic

4. This next spot was where I was going to put a picture of a pair of Uggs I want. Whoa. I don't think I could live with buying $200 bootsthat I could wear for MAYBE 2 months. South Carolina is just not the place for Uggs. Maybe one day.

5. I'm absolutely obsessed with this make up. I don't think I could ever have enough of it. Ever.

6.

Don't judge me. It's one of my traditions.

7.These are probably the most comfortable tshirts ever. They're Victoria's Secret-- so they have really pretty and vibrant colors and a sexy v-neck. Love love LOVE!

8.

I haven't even SMELLED this yet. I just feel like I should have it.

9.

Oh man, I just want to go here. I can pick out my own stuff. This store is tooooooo cute.

There's plenty more that I want, but I don't want my viewers to think I'm a brat. (Most of you already know I am). I am seriously THE EASIEST person to shop for. There yah go, Santa!

Updates and Empty Promises

Well, I think this is probably the 3rd time I've said "I'm going to find more time to blog on here..." but I MEAN IT THIS TIME (I think). I was re-reading my post from May... the last time I wrote... and I had posed the question "How do I maintain some of my 'New York'?" Well, I think I solved that problem. While I was home for a fabulous 3 weeks this summer, I actually got my 4th tattoo that is perfect to keep this 'New York-ness'.

I cannot believe that it is November (well, December tomorrow). This school year has gone by SO fast. I sincerely LOVE my students this year, which is awesome because I loved my kids last year too. Hopefully this trend will stay the same for the next 30 or so years that I do this... ha! My students this year are so intelligent and entertaining, it makes going to work an enjoyable thing. I have so many students that I look forward to seeing everyday and they make my day by being their goofy self. I also love seeing my students from last year, even though they are "big, bad 7th graders". Kids that were obsessed with me last year won't even look at me this year... now I know how parents of teenagers feel. So... being the annoying person I am, I usually yell their name, wave frantically, and embarrass them in front of their friends.

UPDATES:

Summer:

This summer I was in Greenville for the month of June and then went home to New York for a whole THREE WEEKS. Although it was a long... (at times boring) three weeks, it was necessary and definitely a good time.

Let's see, what else has happened since May? One of my best friends, Lindsay, was married in August. It was a BEAUTIFUL ceremony and a fun reception. Lindsay looked drop dead gorgeous and I was so happy to be a part of her special day. I can't believe we're at that stage in life where my friends and I are thinking about marriage... engagements... and all those scary topics. Oh well, the perks of being a grown up! Two of my co-workers, Katie and Gaby, were also married this summer. So, for those of you keeping score, yes... I am one of the only people in South Carolina not married. Just kidding. Sort of.

In July I met a guy named Justyn :) He makes me smile. Those of you that know me know how happy I am these days and a lot has to do with him. I mean, I'm a happy person in general, but he is so vivacious and energetic that it's something you try to keep up with. It's hard to not have a great time when I'm with him. We've been dating for about 5 months and it's been fantastic. He has introduced me to a lot of people in Greenville, so I am thankful for that. I don't want to keep talking about my love life... if you want to hear more, you know where to reach me :)

In October, my friend Sara moved into my apartment! So far we're having a good time and despite broken vacuums, messed up dinners, broken beds, and falling ceilings, we are surviving. She got a job as a 5th grade teacher that feeds into my middle school, so it's possible that I could have some of her students next year!

November... I didn't go home for Thanksgiving, but I had A LOT to be thankful for this year. For lunch, I had the privilege of traveling to ROE ROAD to see Sara and her family. After a huge meal and meeting my new best friend, Petey (her dog), it was time to go home. Afterwards, Justyn, his roommate, and I made a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving meal for dinner. We made turkey, stuffing, potatoes, uhhh and a lot more. After we ate I had to go to work. Yeah, I volunteered to work BLACK FRIDAY at Bath and Body Works. So, after dinner, I went to the mall around 11:30 pm and worked ALLLLLL THEEEE WAAAYYYY until 8am. It was awful. But, I'll be happy when I get my paycheck!

Well this was fun updating my HUGE fan base. More blogs to come. I promise.

Home-ish

I am suddenly feeling incredibly motivated. I've been on a pretty good streak of working out and eating well for a while... but all the sudden I'm just feelin... GOOD! Today I changed my phone number and that also made be breathe a huge sigh of relief. There's something about the fact that only the people I personally contacted now have my number. It's a South Carolina number which also goes along with this new trend I've had. I recently bought a new car... with South Carolina plates AND changed my license to SC. Goodness... there's no traces of New York anywhere. What to do, what to do. I need some Lucio's Pizza or something. OH! I know. I bought a GIANTS decal to put on the back window of my car, that's got to count for something, right? Any ideas on how to hold onto my New York-er-ness (yes, my new word) please leave a comment. I literally have zero NY accent left and probably sound a little Southern to all my New York friends. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MEEEEE!?!??! Y'ALL!!! HELP!!! (Just kidding with the y'all... sort of). I know I called New York "home" in my previous entry, and I probably always will refer to it as "home" ... but it's feeling more and more like my vacation spot everyday. Sorry Mom, that probably made you sad. But anyway, like I've said... I've made myself quite a home down here in the good ol' South. All my college friends are down here and it has a very home-y feeling to it. All I need to complete my home is a furry friend. I really really want a cat. I guess I'll save that for another post.

Oops.

I've never been good at keeping a diary. I guess that's why I suck at keeping a blog... the 21st century diary. Last time I wrote, it was September... just the beginning of the school. Now it's May 15 and I have about two weeks left of school. It's crazy how fast this year has gone. I cannot believe that I'm almost done with my first year of teaching. It has been an amazing experience I thank God everyday that I was able to get a job in this cruddy economy. I have been beyond blessed with the students and co-workers that I have in my life. Although I am far away from my family, I am content with the life I've made for myself here. Do I regret a few things? Sure. Do I wish I was closer to home? Yes. But, life throws you obstacles and this is just one I have to leap over.

I have been tested this whole year with becoming independent. Growing up, I always leaned on my parents. If I didn't know the answer to something, I would just ask Mommy or Daddy. Now with me in the real world... full of insurance and bills and all this other stuff, I am definitely finding myself more independent. I am also more independent in the fact that Jordan moved to Atlanta for work. I am thrilled for him that he has a job he genuinely loves and he can thrive in, but sometimes it's hard not being able to see him whenever I want. I'm used to getting what I want, and I always have, but now it's a little different. His job has crazy hours. He works for the Gwinnett Braves, and when the team has a home stand, (about 7 games in a row) Jordan works 8:30am to 10:30 pm everyday. It's crazy. I definitely could not do that. Anyways, this summer will be great because I'll get to see him every other week, maybe even more.

Well, I'm glad I had a chance to write on here and catch my avid readers up on my life. I am going to make an effort to update this more. Then again, I said that last time... we'll see.