random stress

Drama drama drama. Not exactly...but life has been a bit stressful.

-stupid TeXes Teacher certification tests in chem/physics (one test) and pedagogy. Done. Good. Hope to never have to deal with that again.

-I am so not ready for school to start. Was I supposed to do lesson plans or something? I mean, I've been studying physics, but I feel utterly under prepared. And my classroom isn't even set up yet.

-My doctor keeps inspiring me to be better and healthier. I've been doing by best to conform.

Space School this week was amazing. Taiwan. The best group of kids ever. I loved them. They did so well and it was just an amazing week. I'll try to post some videos- I have a cool new video camera with a usb hook up. :) The banquet last night was so fun. I loved Allie- the interpreter they had. Just awesomeness.

Jessica comes to visit me- she arrives next Thursday night. We'll go to Space School that Friday ...and then the Zoo and the Aquarium, a couple museums, Galveston beach, the Galleria (fancy mall), and wherever else we feel like. She'll be with me until the following Thursday morning. Hope we have fun!

until I write again I send you my love

Joshua Radin Concert

So last night Christian, Sam, me (in one car), and Jacob, Magnolia, Rudy, and Brittany (in the other car) drove up to Austin to see Vanessa Carlton and Joshua Radin! It was a sweet concert! We especially loved Joshua Radin! (we, uh, never heard him before...but he rocks.) Sam and I ate at the coolest Thai restaurant (they're going to sell him, maybe, their paintings of New York that Sam loves...hahaha). We didn't get home until 4am! But it was a fun trip! We got a picture with Joshua! how cool is that.

Using My Talents...

SO I am SO glad that I stood up for myself and professionally dealt with Ally about my concerns and inputs about what has happened to Lucki and I this summer...

Today Ally met with me to tell me she apologizes for John's actions. She also told me she wants to keep me around- doing Space School next year (if we find someone good for me to work with...) and also she would like to use my talents for the Video-Casts they do with Australia. This girl is in charge of that and they teach an hour long class live to kids in Australia, so it takes place in the evening on a sparatic basis. It's growing so she said I seem like the type who would be perfect in front of a camera teaching! How neat is that!?! And it's not 'working for John'...haha. She also changed John's schedule so I don't have to work a full week of Space School with him- only a day or two! Sweeeet! Then it's Don. And Don is easy to work with. So with the VideoCast it looks like I'll have stuff to do during the school year, to stick around! Sweeeet. Looks like I've won over Ally, just for communicating professionally!

Miss Girly Enjoys Time Off

I love my life. It's always an adventure!! So I'm definitely learning patience with the stupid NASA job. Apparently, John (our male boss) is a super jerk and is known for that throughout the whole Space Center Houston. I will meet, calmly, with his boss this week to discuss my issues (uh, lack of training and communication!! Instead of saying the screwed us over, which is true as well). I work part time next week (what the heck?) and then the next week I'll be at Rice University for an AP Physics C training! I'm excited for that. I've been studying my physics- I have my teacher test August 2nd. Then Jessica comes the next week! I'm stoked. I need to hide my credit cards till then. haha.

Fun things I did this week because I didn't work---
1. went to the beach with friends, it's like 30 min away. Fabulous warm, yet salty water.
2. Shopping. Duh.
3. Reading a ton. Right now I'm reading PS, I love you. MUCH better than the movie. My other recommendations are anything by Sophie Kinsella- she write the Shopaholic series- Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan and three more in that series. I just found out she has a new book! Can't wait to read it. I relate to her characters very much. Except I'm not in debt like that! haha. They're british authors. awesome.
4. Music! Pandora.com is amazing. My new favorite artist, kinda quirky, is Kate Nash. Such great funny, British songs.
5. Moving things to my classroom. My classroom, the new one, is being used until the 24th, but everything is at least in the store room. So soon I can set up my new room. Can't wait!
6. Uh, studying physics. nerd.
7. Exercising a lot! (hooray!) I'm working on my abs. They are rather soft. haha. Sam thinks it's cute. Like I'm skinny but my abs just don't exist. working on it...
8. Eating tons of veggies and fruits. I'm proud of myself. I am loving this great new habit.
9. Swap Meet with girls from church- we brought all our old clothes and swapped clothes! I got some dang cute stuff and cleaned out my closet!
10. Played with Mac. He loves company and loves playing
11. Got lots of sleep
12. Dates!
13. Contemplating quitting. If things don't go well with Allison this week I totally will.
14. Enjoying not having stresses of work!
15. Getting pulled over. It was just a warning. I was late to my derm. appointment and my doctor said that cop pulls everyone over! haha. Oh well. I got microdermabrasion treatment for my scars on my chin. So my skin is reallllly dry right now, but it'll get better...


So Danielle, Luke, and Danielle's roommate Rory are on this crazy long road trip throughout the country! They called me Thursday morning to say they're in Austin and were headed to Houston! So I got to see them Thursday night! They crashed at my place for a couple days, even though I already had made plans to go to Dallas Friday for the weekend... so random. They had a blast with my Macster, too. I left them fun things/places to do... And at least I got to see them and let them use my apartment! Danielle gave me the prettiest earrings she made! :) How sweet. I hope they had fun!

I had a blast in Dallas! Tammy lives there with her hubby. And she's in beauty school. So I went and got a pedicure (with cute flower art on my toes) and a french manicure and such! We went and got cute earrings, I bought a really cool hair extension that's all cute and curly...will show pictures...we're such girly girls. And we LOVE laughing about the mission. We were the funniest companions. She's the one who peed her pants, and the one I was with when I ate too many beets and had 'issues', and also when I got my arm stuck in the bus door, or when we had ants all over our valentine cookies and still gave them out....man we were so funny. So it's been priceless girl time together. Totally awesome.

Whew.

cat bandanas, doctors, and dates

I should patent cat bandannas. For around their neck, like a collar. Mac is sporting a japanese one yesterday. As in japanese print. I have a couple other fabrics, too. He's one good-looking cat, if I say so myself.

My new doctor rocks. I'm supposed to work out 1 hr every day and eat tons of fruits and veggies... she's going to get me off of my sleeping medicine! and maybe my anxiety meds, too. She has a real different view of medicine. It's awesome. I really hope I can change my habits for the better! I already feel better...and could take a nap today (that never happens). And I have lots of healthy food to eat!

The fourth of July was a blast! I made burgers for a few of my friends (Stan, Dan, and Matt...yes, all boys I know). Then we headed up to Virginia's apartment downtown to play water games with a bunch of folks. It was a blast. Then we got to watch the downtown fireworks from up top a parking complex. It was a pretty impressive show. Then we went and played games at another gals' super fancy apartment...and stayed out late...(again...)

Today I went to the temple. Gosh it was so amazing. I felt such happiness and peace. I really need to go more! I am excited to fast tonight/tomorrow, too. I am going to make steaks for dinner tomorrow (but I can't find the yoshiba marinade my dad always uses for flank steaks...).

Funny Jenn moments-
At Office Depot I was at the cash register. I apparently was singing along to whatever song was playing in the store because the clerk stated that I must like that song. Gosh, i didn't realize! haha

Sam also noted that I sing to songs I don't even know the words to. He thought it was cute. haha.

I told Sam how clumsy I was, right...and I did totally trip and fall on our date. haha. good laughs!

I watched Milo and Otis today. how silly.

I think I'm going to go to Dallas this next weekend to see Tammy (and get some beauty school pampering...). I have the week off. I'm also going to change my classrooms at the high school and get that all set up for next year. :)

okay, that's all the randomness on my mind.

Houston, we have a problem

A week in India

Well, not actually a week in India, but rather a week with high schoolers from India! This week at Nasa Space School our group was full of 17 kids from Punjab, India. They speak Hindi and Punjabi. About half speak decent english, about half don't speak or understand a word of english. This is their first time in the US- and they came specifically for Space School! well, they are going to Disney World next week...

They are great kids. I've learned a lot about their religions and culture- I didn't realize how much we really DON"T know about other cultures. I want to go to India someday! Most of the kids are Sikhs. All male seeks have the same last name. They took us out to real indian cusine on wednesday night- that was so sweet of them. I really did like it. Still not my preferred choice (thai, chinese...haha). These kiddos took tons of photos! And well, they kind of smell bad. just their culture thing- but man, the b.o. was bad sometimes. They did think Lucki and I were beautiful. haha. And occasionally they would way the S-word. Oh s. Their main chaperone Abhishek is super cool- he's 24 and an entrepreneur of space sorts- he's worth millions with the business he started! He is fun to get to know- he keeps in touch with us! In fact he invited me to
canada this weekend...but gosh I don't know!

Houston, we have a problem.

So Lucki and I work amazingly well together. Unfortunately our bosses think that's a bad thing. They pretty much cut us out of half the summer and we won't be working a space school TOGETHER at all. We now have to be teamed up with one of the 'bosses'. Utterly ridiculous. Which means we get cut out of hours. I didn't know I wasn't going to work this week or next! They told us today! How awful of them! We cried. What they did to us is not fair at all. They are the worst bosses ever. I'd quit except even the two measly weeks of space camp money is needed to achieve my lofty financial goals. It just irks me that they think they can get away with treating us like that.

Meanwhile I got my phone turned back on. It's still 'broken' but at least the numbers are salvaged now. My new phone should come in the next day or two. And I've been having to deal with a canceled payment that still went through on my student loans (super annoying!!!).

So I'm actually kind of bored. I can read a lot. But I hate not having something to do all day! Okay positives- I can study physics, I can get my classroom ready for next year, I can hang out with friends. I have Lucki as a dear dear friend.

Gosh. enough for now.

One Crazy Day

Such is my life. Full of craziness and adventure. Did I ever say my life was boring? Well, I take that back. I guess it NEVER is boring!

So today I knew Lucki wasn't going to make it to work- she was really sick last night and her hubby called me this morning. So I headed to work just a tad early because I knew I'd have to do a lot to get ready for the day without her. And uhm, so I'm in the turn lane almost to work and I hit something and my tire goes flat. My front left tire, just fyi. I try to call Jamie, my boss, and have to leave a message. I call poor sick Lucki. I call my dad (who thinks I can change a tire on my own...thanks for having faith in me but I'm just not able to do that). I call Geico only to find out it'd cost me $65 for someone to come help me. So I get out of my car and immediately this nice latin dad and son stop their produce truck to help me change my tire muy rapido! They were awesome.

Spares are supposed to get you about 50 miles, right? Well I turn into the parking lot and the spare dies on me. I'm no where even near where I need to, but at least my car is in a parking lot. So I make the trek to work and tell the secretary, Toni, what happened. Mind you, I'm a half hour late and no one has even noticed. Why? Because Jamie is sick, too! And Dave, the other Space School 'boss' is also sick! It's JUST me today. So Toni got my credit card and some nice people who work somewhere in the building towed my car to a safer place, inspected the dead tire, BOUGHT a new tire, and replaced it so I can get home tonight. WOW. That all happened while I was at work this morning.

I had so much to do this morning to prep for space schoolers...I managed all right. Thank goodness for helpful people. And patient kiddos. Too bad it rained on our rocket launch. :(

So we have a graduation banquet for them- and I'm the only one who will be there- so I'm in charge! Crazy. That's about a 12 hour day. Goodness. Luckily I called my friend Ryan and he was free tonight so he can come to the banquet with me. That'll be nice. I'm almost space-schooled-out. But I love these kids, and I've had a smile on my face all day. Life is funny. But I am proud of myself for handling this craziness so well. sigh. We're all ready for next week because of me, too. busy little me. I missed my cat today. Can't wait to see him.

such is the life of Jenn. thanks for being avid readers of mi vida loca. :) I love you all!

ten four?

So Lucki and I are barely getting the walkie-talkie talk. It's quite funny the things we say. Like we know what to do!?!?!

Systems- "What's your 20?"
Lucki- "well we need to get our computers up"
Jenn (whispering to Lucki) "He means what's your location. silly"

Jenn- "Jenn to Lucki"
Lucki- "okay"
Jenn- "so they think it's eleven minutes not eight..."
Lucki- "What?"
Jenn- "so they think it's eleven minutes not eight..."
Lucki- "What?"
Jenn- "Oh, you have no clue what I'm talking about do you?"
Lucki- "no."

everyone can hear us, mind you. they hear our walkie-talkie talk and exclaim, "oh they're so sweet." Then our boss Jamie tried to teach us the proper language. But we still make comments like that of the light....see below. hah.

instead of 10-4 we have been known to say "Thanks!" "oh great!" or other non-10-4 communications.

We needed lights on in the theater area.
Jenn- "Jenn to systems"
no response.
Jenn- "Jenn to information?"
no response.
Jenn- "Jenn to someone who can turn on lights?"
Systems- "What's your twenty"
(ooh I got this one!) Jenn- "the theater area"
Systems- "oh. I can't turn on lights there."
Facilities- "Will be right there."

they thought that was super funny. Who can turn on lights? apparently not many of us.

so much for that

Mac is doing great. He cuddles with me quite often- he'd be a decent boyfriend...haha. I took him to the vet this week. He is relaly healthy and everyone just thought he was the most handsome cat. I felt like I proud parent. I even called Dad and Gail to let them know that their grand-cat had a good vet appointment. haha. He was such a good sport- with his shots and blood-prick. And he travelled all cute in his Nicole Miller Pet Carrier Purse (green and white). haha. He did pee in it on the way home, but I'll forgive him for that, poor thing was scared! He has cat herpes. Which isn't like normal people herpes- it just is why he'd have weepy eyes and sneezes when he's stressed out. But he's all fun around the house- playing cat-soccer with a little pingpong sized ball. So cute. I love Mac!

Chao from the newly single and newly converted cat-lover,

Lucki, Zac, and Mac

Sorry it's been a few weeks!

She's 23, a chemistry teacher at a nearby school near my district, and recently married. She's super awesome. We have a lot of fun together- we've hung out SO much in the week we've known each other! Playing Wii, double dates, and shopping...oh how fun! We are theI am the happiest I've been in a while! Life is wonderful. School got over- I ended fairly strong. haha. I was ready for it to be over. Space school has started. The girl I work with is name Lucki. only to Space School gals so we're very lucky, no pun intended. :)

Another happy thing is that I got a cat! I adopted him last Saturday from the League City Animal Shelter. I named him Mac. He is all black and is about a year old. I fell in love with him at the shelter and took him home the next day. He's so loving! He sleeps in my bed with me, loves the shower (the tub I guess....), eats a lot, knows how to stay clean, and loves to cuddle and be spoiled. I love having him here- it makes me so happy to come home! Oh Mac. What a cat. :)

Church has been great- I'm teaching Relief Society now (the all-ladies class...). I taught today, it was a blast. And now I hang out at FHE longer...my friends tease me because I never stay long to play volleyball or soccer, but I have lately because of a boy...lol.

Photo links! ;)
Lucki, Me, and Space School ( a couple with Zac, too)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2187478&l=20cf9&id=17825146

Mac the cat and Zac
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2187476&l=357fa&id=17825146