Saturday afternoon

Due to the gorgeous weather yesterday(SUN!), we hopped on the train and went into the city. I had 2 activities on my agenda that I wanted to do---go to Zara to check out new arrivals and get a sub from the delicious No.7 sub. As always happens when going into the city, there are about a million things going on that you can stumble upon. Here is our day in pictures and video:)

 

 

This random dance parade that we ran into

this was such a cute baby! He was fanning ppl with the leaves

a wedding just finished in park--bride was beautiful

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Prom time!!!

Well, not quite. It's semi formal time in my corner of the world and BOY is everyone in a tizzy. I could actually feel the frisson of excitement in the air today at school. As imagined, many many girls left early for hair, makeup, and nail appointments. I heard several colleagues saying how unnecessary, shallow, ridiculous, etc. this was but I couldn't help feel excited for them. I don't know exactly why but there is something so exciting and magical about getting all dressed up and going to a formal and not knowing exactly what will happen. I also could not get enough of the girls showing me their cameras and phones with pictures of their dresses---I am telling you that this excitement is contagious! Also, it made me realize that dresses have come a LONG way. Here is a small pic of my junior prom dress....Jessica McClintock all the way;)  It is a bit more modest than the dresses that will be worn tonight but, hey, styles change.  Here's to hoping everyone has a fantastic night tonight at SEMI!

Etsy!

I never knew much about Etsy except that it was for sellers/buyers of "crafty" things. I am so not a crafty person so never really checked it out. After discovering pinterest though, I saw this really cool, unique hooded dress and it was linked from etsty. There I found the most amazing, talented designer, Emily Ryan. She has her own line and has really creative, one-of-a-kind pieces. I asked her a few questions and decided to get the hooded tunic dress. It arrived last week and I immediately wore it. I LOVE IT! It is extremely comfortable, flattering and extraordinary in its design. I found the price affordable for a custom made dress and Emily was lovely to deal with throughout the process. Here are some pics:

when it's over, it's over

A happy hour last Friday marked the end of a long term dilemma. I never thought of myself of a person who would willingly defriend people or want to phase them out of my life but there you go. This signifies the culmination of a realization that has been a long time coming. How do you realize that you are not willing to invest time in people any longer? This soundw terrible but, I am finding, inherently necessary. I went to a happy hour last Friday with work friends that I have been friendly with for years---some closer than others but friends nonetheless. It hasn't been comfortable for a while as I suspect we have been growing apart for some time. The point of realization for me came when they were discussing a fight. Apparently, two girls were fighting and a mutual acquaintance jumped in to try to end the fight. In the melee, she got punched in the head. I was pretty horrified to hear this but even more disgusted that my  "friends" found it hilarious. It was pretty uncomfortable to sit there taciturn as they were snickering and saying it couldn't have happened to a better person. It was at that point that I realized that I don't need this type of negativity in my life. It saddened me to acknowledge that these people are toxic but also extremely liberating to realizing "okay, this is it!". I no longer need to make significant attempts to forge ahead with our friendship. I feel so free that, at 34, it is okay to only work on relationships that are worthy of my time and love.
I felt a range of emotions as I was driving home. I felt sad as it marked the end of a long friendship that had started back in 2001; however, I felt a strange bittersweet happiness that I had finally achieved a peace with this that I had not previously felt. It also made me realize how thankful I am to have the WONDERFUL friendships that I do have---so thankful to have considerate people that care and listen to me when I most need them.

I know this sounds extremely overwrought and emotional but it is kind of a big deal. What are your thoughts on friendships and when realizing that enough is enough?

I love my job!

The funniest thing happened today. I was dropping off a prescription at my local CVS and dealt with the harried, annoyed pharmacist; doing this provoked the most unexpected moment of clarity. I kept thinking "that could have been me"---see, I was accepted into pharmacy school and did a summer pharmacy internship. At the end of the summer, I decided it wasn't for me and turned down the acceptance and continued my undergraduate studies. A few times, over the years, I have questioned my decision. Choosing that career path would mean more money, more respect and other benefits. However, I am so thankful that I went with my gut and ended up in a completely different field. I am a teacher---in New Jersey, that means I am public enemy #1 according to the current governor. I work with 8th and 9th graders this year and, believe it or not, I LOVE my job. Each day is different, I am granted an autonomy that isn't so widespread in other careers and I actually feel like I am doing something meaninful. Here are just a few of the reasons I love my job:

1. I know what spacebagging is...do you?

2. This age group really cuts through a lot of bullshit that is probably prevalent in office settings.

3. When a kid remembers to say "thank you", "have a nice weekend", or genuinely ask "how are you", it makes my day.

4. It is the most rewarding feeling ever to see at the end of a year how much kids have learned in my class.

5. I am forced to not take myself too seriously....I teach junior high...need I say more?

What do you love about your job?

Get fit or get out!

I admit it....... I have a celebrity crush on Sean T, the trainer from the insanity workouts. First thing that I love---he actually does the workout with you instead of just shouting commands!  I always associated workout tapes(how old am I?)/dvds with silly, Fonda-type aerobics that would not really work up a sweat. How wrong was I after doing a few workouts with the Insanity DVD with Sean T. I would post a pic of myself afterward completely drenched in sweat if I didn't think you would scream and chase me with a stick;) I was seriously that sweaty and nasty....and it felt great! It's so nice to feel like I got a thorough, pain-inducing workout without leaving the house on a rainy day like today. I have Jesse G. to thank for introducing me to this workout. It is SO hard and rewarding. It's perfect for those days when you can't drag yourself to the gym and don't want to go for a run outdoors. What do you do to sweat and keep fit? No matter what workout I try, sweating heavily is a requirement for me. I know that sounds quite foul but I like to feel that I really challenged myself and made my body work. There is something about a long, hard run or a tough class that is just good for the soul. What are your thoughts?

New love!

I am officially obsessed with Emerson Made! This is a site I discovered because another blogger had one of their items on a wishlist. I checked out the site and immediately ordered the peach silk accordion top and black scalloped skirt. When they arrived, I was super impressed with cute packaging and quality of clothing. Here is a terrible photo of the outfit but you can get an idea of what it is like.

Here are some other items from their site that I am in love with....

Cute babies

My favorite pic! From A Cup of Jo bloghttp://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/

I am becoming obsessed with cute baby pics--they're everywhere! Here are some of my favorites:

from scrapetv.com

from chinatownconnection.com

from joannagoddard.blogspot.com