Teatopia

Asian-Inspired Prints

My mom and I are planning on visiting the World Market in the next couple of weeks. It's about an hour and a half away and its merchandise represents over fifty countries. I especially love these asian-inspired prints. Our house doesn't really have an Asian theme, but we do have some pieces. It is, after all, a continent near and dear to our hearts. James used to work there a lot and we do have family there. Not that any of that matters-- I'm sure I'd still have the same adoration for all things Asian!

Cool Moisture Bar

I love Dove soap. Even when I was a little girl, I loved staying with my grandma every Saturday night because she had Dove soap and I loved the way it felt on my skin. Luckily, I married a Dove fan, so we are eager to try this new Dove with green tea.

Movies, Movies, and More Movies!

I did something I've almost never done. I've seen three movies in 24 hours! It started last night with "Constantine" which was pretty weird. Then this afternoon I saw "Hotel Rwanda." I haven't seen all the academy award contenders, but if this film doesn't win something there's is no justice in the world. What an incredible film! GO SEE IT! Then tonight we saw "Cursed." Ok, let me just say that tonight there was the rudest audience I have ever seen. I was sexually harrassed by these high ghetto guys sitting next to us and I called one of them a "jackass" before decided it probably wasn't the safest thing to do. People were yelling at other people to shut up only be be told "f off" and other pleasant things. It was BAD. Why pay money to see a movie when you're going to get up 50 times, miss half the movie, and then talk on your cell phone? Stay home!

But on a better note, I am completely floored after seeing "Hotel Rwanda." I watched a special about the genocide about a month ago-- before hearing about this movie and now I want to learn more. I think I may try to find a book on this. Why didn't anyone help? If you want a good read about people who do help those affected by genocide and massacres, read Angelina's Jolie's notes about her travels. All I can say is WOW!

Luggage

Our trip is months away and I'm already thinking luggage. My mom bought a couple pieces from Atlantic and she's really happy with them. Personally, I was first drawn to it because of the cute, little seahorse logo (silly me), until I realized that it really is a great brand. I was thinking of getting something other than black so my luggage stands out. I have a fantastic HUGE suitacse I took to England when I went to school a few years ago, and the truth is we don't really need more luggage, but I may splurge on a piece or two.

A Dream Confirmed

When I booked our trip to South Africa today it felt like a dream. It did my heart good to have something to smile about when lately I've been feeling a little down. You can check out the itinerary here.

Good and Bad

Ok,the bad: I have had a bad reaction to one of the medications I've been on. Literally, it can make people feel nuts and I have been NUTS. I went to work yesterday and left an hour later. I just wasn't strong enough. My doctor has releaased me to return tomorrow. I don't even want to know how much I've been docked because I didn't have enough sick leave acquired to cover all these days. I feel a little better today, but I've barely eaten in 3. I have lost so much weight.

Here's the good: We are booking our South African tour today! More about that later. Thank God I can do it online because I'm still so tired.

Big Baby

Today I just haven't been myself. I took off one last day in the hopes of getting my strength back, but I'm not even sure it worked. I have felt so odd today. It could be the mix of medications or even my monthly friend who always comes at just the right time. It could be the fact that I hadn't seen the sunlight in days. Who knows, but I found myself crying when I had to leave the house this afternoon to go to a meeting for work. And it's not that I wanted to saty home because I found my house depressing as well. I found myself sobbing like a baby and wanting my mom, grandma, and James -- all the people who are so good at comforting me. I made myself tea and sat on my patio, trying to get it together before I had to leave, but nothing seemed to work. Everything I tried made me more and more sad. This just isn't like me. I feel like a clingy child, wanting attention and love. I better get it together because tomorrow I face reality, aka hell.

Even now, as I write, home from my meeting, I still feel "off." Someone please put me back "on." This is the worst feeling ever!

New Toy!

Although I'm still recovering (I slept most of the day), I do have something to smile about. James got me a new laptop. It's an HP and it has a DVD player. I'm excited and I can't wait to play with it more when I feel better. Right now we're going to grab some dinner. This will be my first time out in 5 days!

Still Here!

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts when I last posted . . .

Ok, so that last time I posted, which was Wednesday, I went to the doctor that afternoon. Turns out I don't have walking pneumonia, but a very bad case of bronchitis. My chest x-ray showed lots of fluid in my chest. By that night I had 102 fever, the next morning (Thursday) it was 103.2 and then yesterday I woke up with 103.8! Lucky me cought the flu in addition to the bronchitis. Everyone was so kind to take care of me, but my mom, dad, and James got the flu yesterday. My wonderful doctor gave us a miracle anti-flu drug and the 3 of them are doing much better. My fever is much lower and I have been left with mostly just the bronchitis. My doctor thinks that I was on the wrong antibiotic this whole time and that's why it kept coming back. This time I'm on 5 medications and I am going to get rid of this once and for all!

Walking Pneumonia

Ok, so I got tired of blogging about how crappy I feel, but the reality is, my bronchitis isn't gone yet. I felt like I was on the mend last week, only to be hit harder this week. I have a dr's appointment today at 3:30 and from what I've heard about walking pneumonia, I bet I've got it. It can be caused from crap in air conditioner vents. Hmmmm.... I think the one in my class could win a prize for containing the mold most and just general crap. Walking pneumonia can be viral and I know mine is. 3 weeks of antitiotics would've taken care of it if it was bacterial!

"Pneumonia simply means inflammation in the lung. It can be caused by microorganisms, viruses, chemical irritants, or foreign bodies. The phrase 'walking pneumonia' refers to a group of pneumonias that, even if untreated, would not confine someone to a hospital, or even to a bed. They can, however, make someone feel miserable with a severe cough, fever, chills, headache, and abdominal pain."

Valentine's Day

I can't post pics until I get home because my moblogging services are down and the pics are on my camera, but I will e-mail them to myself tonight and post.

Anyway, I got gorgeous flowers, which were supposed to be delivered as a surprise to work, but they messed up, so James had them bring them to our house in the evening. I also go a pink bra from Victoria's Secret, 2 shirts, a Valentine's teapot, and a teacup tissue box cover-- the link is under "Enjoying" on the left. (I edited some of my site last night). James got a laser mouse, Godiva Chcolates new headphones that tune out other noises, and an ionizer for this car. We don't usually go all out for Valentine's Day, so I guess it was an unusual year.

Dinner was wonderful. We ate at a Thai restaurant, hoping to escape some of the large crowds. I had Pad Khing (chicken cooked with ginger, scallions, onions, and carrots) and James had crispy duck, which was really good.

I really had a special Valentine's Day. Pictures should be up tonight.

The Love of My Life

On this Valentine's Day, I want to express my adoration for my husband James. Many of you may not know this, but James moved 800 miles to be with me and we weren't even engaged . . . Ours isn't an incredibly unusual story by any means, but it's special to me, so today is a good day to tell it.

I dated a guy named Anthony for more than 3 years (summer before junior year of high school until slightly into sophomore year of college). When we broke up, I promised myself I wouldn't get serious with anyone for at least 6 months. How young to have been with just one guy and not have dated too many other people. I met James within a few weeks. Uh oh.

A friend of mine had been dating a guy named Ryan. It wasn't serious, but they had fun together, until she met someone else she wanted to commit to, so she decided to set me up with Ryan. I reminded her of my rule, but she asured me that Ryan would take me to nice places and treat me well. First of all, I'm not a user and wanted a quality guy for himself, and second of all, I was trying to be on my own. I agreed to one date with Ryan, but when my friend and I arrived at his apartment, it was as if they'd never been apart. I was left out while they danced like freaks in his kitchen. Sensing my boredom, my friend offered to introduce me to Ryan's roommate so I'd have someone to talk to. That's when I met James. Oddly, I didn't feel much at first, except very relaxed and comfortable. The four of us ended up talking in the living room, which translates to Ryan and my friend bragging about the number of people they had slept with and James and I sitting there rolling our eyes at them.

I could tell James liked me that night-- you know the signs. The way they smile and stare. He told me later that he knew I was the one for him. We all agreed to get together that weekend. When Friday came, we hadn't heard anything from Ryan, so my friend decided to call his cell phone and James answered it. Turns out Ryan had a meeting come up, so James stole his cell phone so he could answer it if we called. James had a meeting also, which he talked his boss out of so he could see me. That night we met James and a few of his friends and left Ryan out. It wasn't a date per se, but James treated it as such-- paying for me, opening all doors, asking about me, etc. until he asked me out on a real date at the end of the night. Five days into our relationship, James was sent to Texas for close to a month. He called every day. I knew then and there that there would be none of this 6 months no boyfriend crap. I had found the one and I wasn't about to mess that up. Most of our relationship was long distance before moving here. A month in Japan, a month in Korea . . . He was always gone, but he always called every day and I knew we wouldn't always be apart.

About 6 months into our relationship, my family decided to move to Georgia and James immeditaly replied, "I'll start looking for a new job." Nevermind that he had just signed a lease on a new apartment days earlier. I am forever indebted to him. :-)

As you can see, my story isn't one of the most incredible you've heard, but I love that James knew the second he saw me that we were meant to be together.

Healthy or Just Plain Sad?

I have a friend who believes that the ultimate female declaration of independence is going to the movies alone. Of course she's single and I'm married, so that makes it different right there. She likes going alone and I just have a husband who won't go-- well he always does, just not to Hotel Rwanda. I want to see it very badly, but no one will go with me. "It's too sad," "I don't think I could bare the violence." Yada yada yada. I understand, but . . . I want to see it!

So I ask you this: By going to the movies alone, are we sending a message that we are independent and confident or will I look akward sitting in such an intense movie completely alone with my tissue box?

Is this something you have done?

The Golden Chopsticks

Tonight we had a very authentic Korean dinner at The Golden Chopsticks. Everything tasted exactly as it did when we were in Korea. I have the feeling this will be a new favorite. We started wtih Kim Bop (Korean sushi) and then we had assorted kimchis, pulgoki, sweet and sour pork, a cabbage and noodle dish, and wantons. And after leaving a restaurant that reminded us of good times in Korea, we called James's family, who were lucky enough to be experiencing the real deal.

Birthday Tulips

A co-worker gave me these lovely tulips today for my birthday. Actually, she is the woman I student taught for last year. I just loved learning from her and it's nice to still be able to see her every day.

A Break After a Break

My friend Rebecca and I are planning to go to New Orleans for Jazz Fest. It'll be after spring break, so I'll still have something to look forward to for the rest of the year. The kids will be nuts after spring break and I know I'll need this weekend get-away! Rebecca is from New Orleans and has wanted to take me for the past couple years and we are FINALLY going this year! The reservations have been made at the Omni Hotel in the French Quarter. I am thinking sidewalk cafes with croissants and coffee . . .

Jackass

Ok, today is crappy already.

Remember that situation I posted about a couple weeks back with the parent upset because I didn't choose his child for the spelling bee? I was only able to pick 2 kids out of ALL the students I teach, so I chose 2 kids that are really good spellers, one of which was the winner of the school spelling bee. He beat out the 8th graders. I obviously have good judgement. Anyway, I had a conference with this parent yesterday and I explained that although his son is bright, he's not one of my top 2. Top 10, yes, but not top 2. What I wanted to say was, "Sir, if your son couldn't even get into my honors class, do you really believe he's my best speller?"

I followed the procedure given to me by the person in charge of the spelling bee and my principal backs me . . . So why is this man going to the Superintendent about me? Because he's a *&%^$# jackass who can't accept that his kid ISN'T THE BEST!

Quirk

I I could change one thing about myself . . .

I wouldn't feel the need to carry so much crap in my purse so I could fit EVERYTHING into this adorable Coach wristlet from my best friend in Maryland. Doesn't she have great taste?

Birthday Goodies

I had the best birthday! James got me a SamSung Portable DVD player. You can check it out here, although he bought it from Best Buy. I also got the teapot purse I blogged about, some CD's (one of which was the new Phantom Soundtrack), some books, a nice carrying case for my DVD player, a tea cozy, socks, and other goodies.

For lunch yesterday, we went to Rose Cottage, an English-style tearoom. It was lovely and they brought me a chocolate raspberry torte since it was my birthday. I'll post pictures tonight. Then last night my family ate at Olive Garden before going back to my house for cake and presents. My cake was the cutest-- a teapot cake. I will post pictures of that too. :-)

I had a great birthday, so it kinda sucks to be back into the normal routine, but I have lots of fun things to play with. I sound like a kid. but what can I say? I feel like one! :-)

Karma

Tonight was incredible! When I first read Robert Arnett's India Unveiled, I was amazed by the amazing photographs. They were so real and natural-- completely unplanned. When I first checked it out from the libray, I was living in the D.C. area and it was some years back. Since moving to Georgia, I have since checked it out from our local library, but what I didn't realize until tonight, is that Robert Arnett lives in Columbus only minutes from us! I guess I thought he was traveling to do this presentation tonight at the museum. He is a very honest guy-- honest about his opinions and thoughts on other cultures vs. American culture. He says what he thinks and I admire that.

I had him sign a copy of India Unveiled for me and he wrote a beautiful message about teachers (I told him I was a teacher. Since I teach some classes for the IB program (an International Honors Program), he offered to come speak to my students and he gave me his number. Wow! I told him that I had discovered him before moving to Columbus and how surprised I was to learn he lived where I live. He said it must've been Karma because Karma can mean many different things, one of which is things happening for a reason.

Fabulous Friday

Although my birthday isn't until Sunday, I have had so many warm wishes and surprises at work today. When I came in my room this morning, there was a present waiting for me on my chair. It was a teapot in the shape of a school house with apples and teachery things. Very cute!!! My friend Rebecca sure knows me. :-) Then, during 2nd period, Rebecca sent the cutest 8th grade boy to sing to me. All my girls were dying over him. What a cutie! Then, during 3rd period, she sent another adorable boy to sing to me who is in a national boy's choir. He was really, really good! Then, during 4th period, my friend Ben set up part of his orchestra in the hall and they played "Happy Birthday" to me. They were wonderful!

And tonight James and I are meeting friends for dinner at an Indian restaurant. I still have bronchitis pretty bad, but if anything, the spices will help my nose clear out. Our friends have never had Indian food before, so it should be interesting to see what they think. Indian food is not for everyone.

The compliment of the day: "Hannah, your shoes are so Carrie Bradshaw!" Why, thank you says Hannah in her bright pink ballet strappy shoes.

Sick & Bored

Here I sit at a workshop on reading and writing-- something I love. But I'm hacking my brains out and I'm sure that I'm annoying everyone. I am happy to have a day away from the students. No yelling, no discipline issues, but I was hoping it would be a big workshop, where I could hide out in the back with my tissues and magazine (bad Hannah), but instead, they're making us work. Ugh.

BTW, yes, my wonderful flu, or whatever it was, turned into bronchitis. Lucky me. I've never been sick so long. I 've been pushing myself and I know I need more rest, but I have so many classes and workshops. There's not much time for resting. Ah.... the woes of a first year teacher.

Update: Now they're making us sing. Okaaayyyyyy . . . I seriously doubt anyone wants to hear me sing today.

Across India: Selected Photographs from Robert Arnett's India Unveiled

I am really excited about this weekend. First of all, my birthday's is Sunday, but on Saturday night, my grandma is taking me to see a photography exhibit of Robert Arnett's India Unveiled. I love the photos in his book. They are so real. I am looking forward to seeing them much larger.

The Columbus Museum describes this exhibit as follows: "The exhibition presents more than 40 cibachrome photographs by artist Robert Arnett that present a compelling portrait of India and its rich and complex cultural legacy. The artist's images powerfully document the country's diverse peoples and religions while capturing its spectacular and dramatically varied landscape."

I really enjoy learning about other cultures and India has long been of interest to me. I am also hopeful that the refreshments provided are Indian. :-)