April 30, 2004
Change
Usually when I blog, I'll try not to talk about depressing things, but today was a sad day for me. Today was my last day of student teaching and it was so hard to say goodbye. I have been teaching these 8th graders since January and this was my last day with them. It was also hard to say goodbye to my mentor-- one of the most amazing women I know. They gave me a beautiful gift-- a Nine West watch. There was also a cake and many cards. The messages from the kids touched my heart. One girl told me that I've been like a mother to her because she was taken away from her own mom. Probably the hardest person to say goodbye to was Cathy, my mentor and cooperating teacher. We cried as we said goodbye and she said I've been like a daughter to her. It seems silly to be so upset when I'll almost definitely be teaching there next year, but things won't be the same. I've always hated change. Never again will things be as they are right now. I know I had to complete student teaching to graduate and I will have my very own class of kids to bond with next year, but next Monday won't seem right.
I told myself I wouldn't cry, but I did. I knew I would. And then I drove away from the school, tears running down my face, it began to rain. How perfect. I decided there was only one thing to keep me from going nuts, a project! So I drove to Michaels and decided I wasn't in a crafty mood, so I bought a new painting for my living room and then went to buy a lamp. Tonight I'm going to buy pillows for my couch. I called my husband at work and told him that I was sad and needed to re-do the living room. He understood and said to get what I wanted. He's taking me out tonight to "celebrate" but I don't feel like this is a happy time. I miss everyone at school.
I have successfully completed student teaching with a perfect evaluation, I'm graduating, and I'm going to Korea in 2 weeks. Why do I feel so crappy?
April 28, 2004
I Taste Like Bread
I taste like Bread.
I am a staple in almost everyone's diet. Friends like me are a complement to any other friends I get on with almost everyone, remaining mostly in the background, but providing substance when it would otherwise be lacking.
I took a quiz online to find out what I taste like. I found it on Bethanie's blog. I expected to be something a little more exciting. Bread is so plain and boring. Don't get me wrong, I like bread, but I don't want to be bread. Oh well. It said if I wasn't bread, I would be vanilla. Vanilla is good. Tea would've been better. :-)
Life
Lately I have felt overwhelmed when I should be feeling happy. The moment I have been waiting for for five long years is finally coming May 15- my college graduation! I will finally be free-- almost. I have been through a lot sice I began college: a rigorous scholar's program, a summer semester abroad at Cambridge in England, a move from Washington, D.C. to Georgia, and a wedding to a wonderful man. We have bought a house and adopted two wonderful dogs. My life is wonderful, but I am terrified. I am currently looking for a job for next fall and it's looking good. I'm also going to have a nice break this summer, but somehow life seems frightening. I have always dreaded change. I am at a crossroads . . .
April 26, 2004
Oriental Markets
Lately, I have been hunting for some unusual items that are hard to find here in boring old Columbus. At lunch today, I visited a Korean grocery store and got some neat items. Most importantly, I bought more tea. :-) I got some some Japanese Sencha and Genmaicha. Genmaicha is a wonderful Japanese green tea with toasted, brown rice. It has an earthy taste and is great plain or with a little sugar. I also bought some fish sauce (a staple in Thai cooking), hot sauce, wonton wrappers, and ramen soup.
This week-end we are meeting our friends Stef and Mike in an Asian market in Atlanta so I can finally get the ingredients I need to make Tom Kha Gai. The recipe can be found here on my friend Stef's blog. I also want to buy some Black Lychee tea.
April 25, 2004
Saturday Fun!
Yesterday we went to Peachtree City and Fayetteville with Stef and Mike. First we visited Starbucks along the way and then we went to the World Market. I bought some Moroccan Tea Glasses while I was there. I have been wanting some for a while.
The guys spent some time looking at electronics while the girls shopped at the World Market. I was in heaven there. Next we went to Peachtree City and shopped around. We visited Williams-Sonoma before eating a wonderful dinner at Thai Spice. Pictures of our yummy dinner can be found on Stef's blog. It was a wonderul day full of great company, fun shopping, and lots of yummies!
April 23, 2004
Sarah Brightman
I was listening to Sarah Brightman's latest CD today and I was remembering when my mom and I went to see her in Atlanta in January. I have been to quite a few concerts and this was by far one of the best ever (Yanni is definitely at the top of my list as well). The effects were amazing and she sings beautifully-- sometimes strong and powerful, other times quiet and sweet. I love her music because it is a mix of many styles and I have a wide range of tastes. Her latest album "Harem" has a Middle Eastern theme. If you haven't heard it yet, be sure to check it out. It'll have you dancing to a Middle Eastern beat in no time!
April 22, 2004
For the Love of Tea
Click here to find out more about it!
I have been wanting to buy some of this tea for the longest time. I've sampled it a few times in Aveda stores. We had one when I lived in Washington, D.C. and I've also been to one in Atlanta. I am thinking of ordering some. I've only tried it hot, but I bet it would be good iced too. It's so tasty it doesn't even need sugar!
April 21, 2004
Red Chicken Curry
Tonight I made a red curry with chicken, potatoes, and carrots. I served it over Basmati rice. It was nice and spicy.
Now that I know how to post pics, I'm going to get camera happy. :-) Below is a picture of my two babies, Wrigley and Gracie. Wrigley is the male poodle and Gracie is a female Rat Terrier. Aren't they cute? (I'm not biased, really)
Tea flowers
I have wanted some blossoming tea for a while. I started thinking about buying some again recently when I went to my friend Stef's house this past weekend. She made us some ice tea with a beautiful tea flower. When they unfold and start to spread out it's simply beautiful. Check out Adagio.com to see all the kinds you can order.
Thank You, Starbucks!
Thank you Starbucks for the delicious, new Frappuccinos! Down here in Columbus we do not have a real Starbucks, but we do have a Barnes and Noble serving Starbucks coffee. It'll do. Anyway, they took away our favorite Frappuccinos a few weeks ago and finally have some great new ones: Strawberry & Cream, Java Chip, and Vanilla. (I'd post a pic but they haven't updated the drink listings on their website) I tried the Java Chip after bailing out of work early. :-) Bad Hannah!
April 20, 2004
Still more to do . . .
My new blog is certainly coming along but there is still much to do. I hate not knowing how to program it myself and having to depend on James for everything. He's done a great job so far, but I'm afraid there are still a few more things:
a Teaswap link
thumbnail pics under my 'Currently' section
finding out how to include pics when I post
It's late and time to take a break from working on this blog. Besides, I have tons to do at work tomorrow. More later. :-)
It's Up and Running
Well my page is finally up and running. It's not completely finished but will be soon. Hope you all like this.