Life Update: Part Deux

No pictures, this time. It's late (12:11 AM) and I just don't have the motivation to get up and find something interesting to show you.

But I still wanted to update the blog because my life has been a whirlwind for the past week.

As I said on Monday (I think?) I was offered a job at a school about 20 minutes away from my new place (which I am moving into a week from today. Really?).  It happened crazy fast. I interviewed on Friday morning and was offered a job that same afternoon... I am so super excited to announce that I'll be teaching 7th grade Reading. The school at which I am teaching is putting students through a Math and Reading program along with their regular Language Art classes so that they can spend extra time with literature and critical thinking. This is what I have assumed based on my interview, and I find out more on Wednesday at a meeting with the head of the English department. Can I just stop and talk about the fact that I have a meeting? Because I am an adult with a job. Also, it's a breakfast meeting. We are having breakfast while meeting. That is very strange to me, for some reason.

Anyhow, I find out my curriculum-ish then. In the meantime, I have been given three books to read on classroom management, the writing program that the district uses, and classroom instruction. I have already started putting together my classroom MO according to these books. I guess I didn't realize just how much work goes into planning that stuff when you're all on your own... this is going to be very different from student teaching... (obviously.)

Enough about that! I have rented a U-Haul trailer so that I can move on Tuesday. This is really scary and exciting for me because as some of you know, this is my first move out of my parents house. YIKES. While I haven't really been living there for about 2 years now, I have never actually had my own place. Until now! I'm very excited.

Also, on Saturday, Nick and I will be celebrating 3 years together! We have plans for dinner and to see a comedy show. I'm really excited, especially because I got him something pretty awesome :)

That's my midnight ramblings for you all. Have a great night! <3 S

A Very Harry Potter Giveaway

You guys HAVE TO go check out this giveaway on Mary Rebecca's blog. AMAZING STUFF. I can't wait to find out if I won!!

<3 s

In Which I GOT A JOB. [omg]

You read it correctly. Yesterday morning I interviewed for a middle school position and got a phone call four hours later with a job offer.

I cannot tell you how BEYOND excited and blessed I feel for being able to work in Cincinnati where SO many people are having struggles finding a job. I am not taking a single second of this for granted, and I am going to savor every second of it. Even the stressful, I-am-going-to-give-up, extremely difficult first year of teaching moments.

I am 22 years old, and signing a contract. This doesn't seem like it fits. I will have a salary. Am I old enough for a salary? This is all so crazy to me!

I am SO, SO SO SO thankful, though.

I'll have more details on Monday after I meet with the superintendent of the district.

Thank you all for all of your support here at on Twitter!!

You rock :)

xo, S

One Tiny Little Thing

So, Kate, over at Kate's Irrelevant, posted this Tuesday. I wanted to participate, so I am. All you have to do is post an entry that tells:

Perhaps I'm an over achiever. Perhaps I just like to hear myself talk. Or.. something.

But, I'm going to list more than one.

1. Storms. Duh. 

2. When Guillermo begs to be picked up when I get home from work.

3. Notes from Nick on the refrigerator. 

4. Furry babies. Of any kind.

5. Sappy movies.

6. Anticipation.

7. Sweet tea, and vegetarian chili cheese fries.

8. A clean, nice smelling room.

9. The color red.

10. Success.

I'd love to hear yours! Link back here, and over at Kate's blog if you decide to participate :) 

Storms

photo taken with Vignette for Android

I just thought you guys should know that I really love storms. I got caught in this last week. I had just left the house to get food and graduation necessities. Of course, as I got into my car, it was still sunny and a little cloudy. I got about a mile away and it started pouring. As in, can't-see-out-of-the-windsheild, drenched-like-I-just-got-out-of-the-shower, kind of torrential downpour. There were people stuck inside Target just waiting for it to calm down so they could head back to their cars.

It was awesome. When I got home, I snuggled up with my puppies and a blanket and turned all the lights off and opened all the blinds so we could watch the lightening. We watched a silly movie and it was, again, awesome. I love storms. I love being outside, but on my days off, when I really just want to be lazy, a storm is the perfect excuse. I'm off today and tomorrow and the forecast says thunder and lightening, a 50 to 60 per cent chance. Let's hope it happens.

It's the small things.

Father's Day [a day late]

This is the best picture that I have of my Dad and I right now, so you'll have to bear with me until I can get my little paws on my graduation pictures. This is from the night my dad took me to see Wicked in NYC. Srsly. He's the best.

This weekend was crazy busy with work and sleep and fun with family. I haven't had any time to put towards this blog until today, my Friday. So, here's me posting about how amazing my dad is on the Monday after Father's Day. Let's just consider this Father's Monday. Because, well, why not?

Basically, I have the best dad in the entire world. I am pretty sure you all think that about your own dads. But it's true for me, and you should all be jealous. I am really bad at writing sentimental thoughts when it comes time, but I really, really, really love my dad. I know he'd do anything for me [and our family] and we'd return the favor. He's the most compassionate person I've ever met, and the most like me.

So, happy Father's Day, again, Dad. I love you!! <3 <3

Another survey-thingy.

Happy Friday!! I stole this from Amy at Amyschmamey. She is awesome, that is all. Also, it was her birthday yesterday, so go over and give her some belated wishes! 

name: Stephanie
birthday: July 30
sign: Leo
favorite food: I can never pick just one. I am Italian, which means I LOVE FOOD.
favorite drink: Water or tea! 
favorite color: Is red. You probably already know this because I am annoyingly obsessed with it. 
favorite song this week: Well, of course it's every song on Death Cab's new album, Codes and Keys. Don't worry, I plan on doing a Music Monday on it! 
favorite outfit: Tank top + skinnies folded up into capris + TOMS. I am a low maintenance kinda girl.
hobbies: uhhh sleeping? My furry children. Also, reading. And watching ridiculous amounts of stupid television shows streaming on Netflix. Also, crafting. 
guilty pleasures: I'm not sure that I could live without chocolate.
last dream you remember: I think I had a pretty inappropriate nightmare last night that stemmed from the Hoarders episode we watched right before going to bed where the 12 year old son slept in a bed with the mom, and the 8 year old daughter slept in a bed with her dad. Weird, right? The only good part of my dream was I got my Corolla back (magically). It was a manual (that I was in LOVE with) that I totaled on Queen City when I was 19. This is a story for another time. You should know that it had a full tank of gas and a BRAND NEW CLUTCH. fml.
what comes to mind when i say cabbage: My mind thinks of sauerkraut and EW.
have you ever met a celebrity: Nope. 
favorite (new) blog: I CAN NEVER PICK JUST ONE. 
secret celebrity crush: I guess it would be Jake G? I mean that is the only thing coming to my mind because I recently watched him in Love & Other Drugs. Also, Jason Mraz. I won't go into that story, either. 
favorite gadget:  I'm not sure that I could function without my Android phone. For serious
three things you can't live without: My pups. Srsly. 
favorite harry potter character: S This is ridiculously unfair, and it figures that Amy would pick a survey with this question in it!!! I think Kreacher. Or Dobby. 
play any instruments: No.  I wish. I have tried and tried and have never been very musically inclined. best book you've ever read: Harry Potter. This is purposefully ambiguous. 
favorite quotation: "Let me live, love and say it well in good sentences." 
favorite rainy day activity: Reading a book or watching a movie.
what do you do when you're stressed: I clean. Everything. Also, cry. 
favorite time of the year: Fall is the prettiest season ever.  
tattoos: THIS is a loaded question. I have 10. But you'll have to read the post on them to get all the info :) 
favorite animal: Pups, obvs. More specifically, (don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Chihuahuas) pugs. I am a pug girl at heart. Always have been! 
crunchy or smooth peanut butter: I like crunchy... but I don't hate smooth.
foreign countries you've visited: None.  I would love to go to England though... or anywhere in Europe really.
favorite candy: I have no idea. I don't eat a lot of candy... but it would definitely be something chocolate?
cake or pie: Pie. I have never been a huge fan of cake. 
favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. !!!
favorite flower: Tulips are my fave. Also, those ones that I posted about on Wednesay. Ranunculus! So pretty and feminine. 

Wednesday Wonders v.19

I'm home! From Cleveland. From my interview. Which was so-so. I'll tell you guys more when I know more. Because I am weird and feel like if I talk about it at all, it'll jinx it. Ha!

Here's this week's Wednesday Wonders, if a little late!! (Also I have way more than 10 this week, so happy viewing!) Sources are linked in the commentary! ;)

1. My new favorite flower besides tulips. Frealz. Also, I just realized that

I may have posted this picture before. Obvs, it's awesome.

2. Hugs, plz.

3. I seriously do this. Because otherwise, I'd look like and idiot. 

4. I have a thing for mustaches. 

5. At work, my nickname is "MC Grammar." Just saying. 

6. So pretty and clever. 

7. HAHA. Love. 

8. I think I am developing a thing for birds. 

9. Nesting dolls, owls, and coasters. Yes, plz.

10. Pretty graphic. Amirite?

11. Love this design.

12. Love this. I need to add a little more of it into my life!! 

13. Such a good idea! Only wish I had one more sister! :)

14. Tattoo idea?

15. Love! 

What? WHAT?

I got a job interview. It's in Cleveland. I don't have much to say other than OMG. And that I am really nervous/excited/anxious/terrified.

The end.

The time I reviewed movies you've probably already seen.

This past weekend was spent working, packing, graduating (!!), and watching a ton of movies. I thought I'd review them for you, even though you've probably seen them all already! Rarely do I watch THREE movies in a row that I love. I have a very cynical view on movies - usually they are crap and not worth the time it takes to watch them. I'm not sure when or why I started feeling that way. Probably when all the writers out there resorted to only vampires (typical), zombies (lame), or aliens (uninteresting). I'm sure you all will probably disagree with me, and that's fine! I am starting to come around...

1. Due Date was the first movie that Nick and I watched this weekend. Pretty sure I laughed the entire time. I have only seen Zach Galifianakis in a couple of other films, and he was pretty hilarious. Also, who doesn't love Robert Downey Jr.? Because, no one. Just saying. I won't give too much away if you haven't seen this one yet, but it's about the hilarious journey across the country (by car) of a soon-to-be father and an aspiring actor who were thrown together after an awkward mishap/meeting at the airport. I highly suggest it if you're looking for something with not much depth but a ton of hilarity.

2. Love & Other Drugs is the part of my weekend where Nick bows out. Because sometimes? He is a baby. And refuses to watch anything girly, ever. And if I do get him to (by trickery), he complains and makes faces and sleeps the entire time. So. I watched this one solo on my computer with headphones, and it was worth not having the boyf making jokes the entire time because this movie IS AMAZING. It's the story of a tortured boy trying to find his place and becomes sucked into the drug rep world who meets a tortured girl who is living with stage 1 Parkinson's. They fall in love. Seriously? Besides the fact that you get to see the gorgeous Jake G. in little to no clothing multiple times during the movie (and also Anne Hathaway, but at this point, who hasn't seen that? Girl's not shy.) it's the love story that evvvverrrryyyone wants a piece of. Also, it's funny sometimes, and heartbreaking, and adorable. So please, watch it. 

3. Blue Valentine was the third flick on my list for the weekend. Another one that I watched solo on my computer without the boyfriend because he would have hated how sad it is. I'm sure you've heard (or witnessed) that this movie is depressing. And it is, but so worth it. Pretty sure that Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling were the best picks to play these parts. Basically, it's the story of a marriage. That begins with love and happiness and amazingness and turns into something less desirable. Basically, it's real life, in a lot of ways. Obviously not for everyone, but I know there are parts of this movie that I could identify with, even though that's a little sad to admit. I won't give too much away about the ending, but this isn't one I'd watch if you need a pick-me-up, but it's so worth it. I loved it. 

The end. I am pretty sure all of these movies are going on my Amazon Wish List because I can't afford to buy them all at once but I really really need them. 

Happy Monday! 

LIFE update.

I feel like it's been a long time since I just... blogged. But I guess it's only been about a week? Right now it is POURING and lightning and thundering like crazy, the perfect time to get some words out. Things have been crazy (but good) in our neck of the woods the last few weeks, and I am just NOW able to sit down and take a breath! And that's even with my graduation ceremony tomorrow morning... at 7:30 am... YIKES.

1. Ella is doing SO MUCH BETTER than last week. Her ear infection is healed up, and after FOUR trips to the vet to keep an eye on her incision, it is completely closed up!! She had to start another round of antibiotics, and even just yesterday, it was still just a bit opened. Today, it's closed up and looking good!! I am so happy that she can finally be normal and say goodbye to that stupid e-collar that she has had to wear to bed and in her crate every single day.

2. Moving is still causing me some major anxiety, but I finally started packing today. And while it's sad to be gathering all my stuff from Nick's place, it is starting to feel a little better since I am getting some of the work done. It's also started to feel a little more real. CRAZY. I think it's going to be really fun, and I actually can't wait. Also, THANK YOU guys for all those tips you gave me, way back when. I seriously took them into consideration, and there was lots I never thought of before that post!

3. Guillermo barks back at thunder. I don't think this is really relevant to my "life update," but considering I am in the business of animals, and he is doing it right now, I think it's hilarious that lots of pets have to be sedated during storms and he barks back... ridiculous!

4. Job hunting is probably going to be news to you guys. A couple of months ago, I shadowed that the vet where we take Guillermo, just to make sure that the vet tech thing was what I really wanted. I loved it. I had a great time, that day, and I learned a LOT. BUT, the experience didn't really make me any more sure than I already was, and that was a little scary for me. Not only that, but ever since I started teaching training classes at work, I really started to miss teaching. I also remembered why I wanted to do it so badly to begin with, and I really got the bug to start applying for jobs. It was perfect timing because I had just gotten my license in the mail, and I have really been trying hard to find something. It's rough, because even though I have applied to, total, about 20 districts and 40 individual schools, I still haven't heard anything back. It can be very discouraging, sometimes, but I am trying to stay positive.

5. Also, it's summertime. Unofficially, but, still. <3

That was a lot of typing and a lot to read.

Wednesday Wonders v.18 Harry Potter Edition

So. I started listening to the books on tape. Because I've never done that before, and well, why not? Anyways, if you guys are tired of reading about my Harry Potter obsession, you might want to skip this post. I have been seeing SO MANY awesome HP themed things on Pinterest, and I wanted to share my favorites.

1. DOING THIS.

2. Love prints. Especially HP ones. 

3. Love Albus. 

4. In general, I think fingernails are gross looking. Especially up close.

But these are pretty neat. 

5. WANT ONE. 

6. I NEED. Seriously? Seriously. Seriously???

7. This is inspiration for my next big tattoo. 

8. So clever.

Happy Wednesday! 

Moving.

This post is pretty much only in existence to put out into the world that I am having HUGE anxiety about moving.

Why? Good question.

I am going to be 23, I have graduated college, and have a full time job.

Why would I be nervous about living on my own?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

But I am.

I am putting off packing up my crap at Nick's apartment (and my parents' house) even though I still have three weeks before moving day because it just feels weird to not live at the same place/with the same people that I have for the last three years.

This is not to say that my new (awesome) roommate is not going to be awesome and fun to live with! Because she is and we will have TONS O FUN.

It just feels weird.

Weird, weird, weird.

The end.

Want to help a kitty in need?

GUYS! Zoe, over at A Giraffe in a Scarf has a sweet little kitty named Daisy who had to have a very expensive, life-saving surgery very recently. In order to raise funds to pay for the surgery, Zoe is hosting a HUGE giveaway/raffle over at her blog. Obviously, I couldn't help but want to be involved. You know how I am about animals.... ridic. :)

ANYWAYS, I donated a $30 shop credit to help raise some money for little Daisy! You can also save 15% on anything in my shop with the coupon code DAISY15 and all proceeds will go to Daisy's surgery fund.

Click HERE to read Daisy's story.
Click HERE to enter the raffle.
Click HERE to visit A Giraffe in a Scarf.

Holy Thursday, Batman.

I can't believe it's already Thursday, and I have hardly posted anything this week. It's gone so fast!! here's a little bit about what I've been up to since last Thursday:

• Obviously you guys know that we got a brand new puppy. Here's a little bit of the background... Every Saturday and Sunday, a program called SAAP (Stray Animal Adoption Program) comes to PetSmart and adopts out pups and kitties (and sometimes bunnies and ferrets and even mini pigs). Two Saturdays ago, a woman and her mother surrendered a carmel colored poodle and Ella. She told the SAAP people that she couldn't care for them anymore, and left. Needless to say, I fell in love with her right away. (Not that this doesn't happen with every dog I see...). I finally talked Nick into letting me bring her home since she'll only be living at his place for a few weeks (more on this later). Ella is doing great so far. Minus the fact that she was spayed a week ago and her incision is pretty infected (we're keeping it very clean and she's on antibiotics) and she has to wear a cone every day and night AND her right ear is infected, she is having the best time with Guillermo. They were instant buddies.

• Also, I got this, which you already read about yesterday. I am in love with it. A HUGE thank you to Lynzie for designing it, and to Steve at Vertigo (in Oxford) for doing it as an amazing graduation gift. 

• And, lastly, I signed the lease on my very first apartment, yesterday morning. It's a two bedroom with an amazing (small) kitchen. Originally, we were going to move in on June 15, which was a little soon for me, but then the apartment we ended up getting became available to move in on July 2. I am SUPER excited to show you guys pictures and to get all moved in. I can't wait :) Guillermo and Ella will be moving in with me for a few reasons: 1. Nick has gotten to have Guillermo for the past two years and it's my turn ;) 2. Nick is moving home when his lease is up in October and will be going back to school!! We don't want to impose anymore on his dad than we already will be. I am super excited for Nick because I know he has been unhappy at his current job for a while and he's been interested in Culinary Arts and I think that's what he's debating on going into. 

It's been a hugely overwhelming and exciting week. I've been flip flopping between overwhelmed, stressed, happy, excited, worried, etc. for the past four days, but things finally seem to be calming down a bit. 

If you got this far, I love you!! 

Happy Thursday! <3 S