Moved In.

It's official; I am sharing a bed with someone for the rest of my life. It's a very odd realization. It's absurdly comforting but it's also strangely frightening.

I must say, whenever I think something might not be fun, it ends up being so. Although this week has been a ridiculous week (and last Saturday feels a million miles away...), I cannot believe how much fun the sixth graders, the chaperones (including MD, KB and myself) and I had on the trip to Camp in Wisconsin. Granted, it's hilarious to bring Jewish kids to a Christian camp (we had an astronomy lesson on Thursday night that ended with scripture verses and a quote "How big is his love" which elicited dirty comments from the supervisors. At least all the scripture verses were Old Testament and thus a part of the Torah. Never mind the fact that when someone asked the instructor whether or not SHE believed that there was life on other planets she answered, "No, because I believe that God made the universe special for just us.") and sing Birkat while we're there etc. But, it was amazing. I never got to go on aventures like this until I was in high school and there were several times that I got a little choked up watching my kiddos talking about each other, sing with each other and interact so nicely with each other. They're growing into such amazing human beings; I feel so lucky that I got to watch, and continue to get to.

We did tons of outdoor activites (none of which, except the sunset horseback riding, which was rather cold, was I remotely grumpy about) and I let myself get tackled in the snow. MD, a substitute who is turning out to be one of my favorite people AD, and myself sprinted to test out the Tobaggon Run before we let the kids out on it. I sent children down the tube hill, let them crash into each other and we cross-country skiied. Honestly, it was an awesome time and from letting them knock me with snowballs to me showing them how to use their poles in skiing, to listening to them show off their mythology prowace (yes, they were SO great during the constellation talk), it was totally rocking. Every part of my body hurts now, but I don't even care. It was amazing.

Now, though, I'm looking around, trying to figure out what to pack next in C's apartment and getting a little panicky. I guess it'll be alright. But, I can' thelp but feeling jut a tad bit exhausted. We're moving him tomorrow, and then we'll be all set. I hope...

Extreme Weather.

Today it feels like -25. The brief moments that I was outside today were MISERABLE. It was one of those days that I was exceedingly thankful for my automobile. Fantastic call to move this week, self.
A screen shot, letting you know that I'm not lying. But, at least it's sunny?

Finally the New Year...

Once again, my entire life is in boxes. It's humbling, really when you realize how much/how quickly you can be reduced to simple post-it notes with labels. I must have done a better job at organizing things because this time, there's really only one box labeled "random." Tomorrow is my last day at work and I'll be taking Friday off for me to get things organized for my Saturday move. I realized that when I get there, I'll be able to throw in a load of wash. Little things like that are the most freeing things to think of.

I gave notice of termination today. Basically, because of legal tenant codes, I am able to terminate because of a packet I was not provided with upon the signing of my lease. I know, it's not the nicest thing to do, BUT, it's at least something and as of February 1, I can take care of a lot of other things.

We spent last Saturday celebrating ANR's birthday and also going to Ikea. Ikea has now gone from a fun, exciting place to really, one of the circles of hell. We were there for almost five hours. Amongst the better purchases included a friend for William Howard Taft (he's a baby that we have named Jimbo), an elephant, this great print and a fantastic desk. I have no idea how we're going to put any of these things together or how anything is going to look at all. But, hopefully it'll be alright... S and P offered to help us this Friday and we're really going to need the help.

They came out to my parents' on Sunday where we watched some football (Go Eagles!) and ordered some pizza. C and I also bought a television the size of a small African nation (the one for downstairs is the size of a large African nation...)

This entire week has been a blur, filled with having the sixth graders volunteer at lakeview pantry and working on their legendary figures project. Teaching Christianity is also incredibly interesting (and rattling). Next week, we're heading to Wisconsin for three days of winter fun (and it's supposed to be nearly as cold as it is here... which is freezing let me tell you.)

Either way, I'm still slightly overwhelmed and wishing that I could go back to those two weeks when C and I were both off, and both enjoying just laying around... It was amazing. I'm trying to prep for the amount of grading that's going to come in soon and what that's going to mean. I'm just trying to prepare. It's going to be a wicked month (independent writing piece, biography project, essay, grammar test, history test...) and I need to get situated for it. But then comes February break!
There we are on New Year's Eve. I'm hoping that I can keep that smiple up even as he gets busier (and I know he has to get busier...)

Unfinished...

As Death Cab for Cutie says, "So this is the New Year..." and I have to admit, I'm excited about what CA has deemed the year of us. I don't know what that entails, but I have to admit, I think that it's going to be wonderful. Whenever I think we might be not communicating as well, we find a new way to talk to each other. We spent New Year's with ANR and her man which was more fun than I think I could have anticipated. Moreover, I continue to be reminded of the people that mean the world to me.

I met EPS for breakfast on the Sunday before I went back to work. We went to Vella Cafe in Bucktown, which was absolutely delicious. Then, CA and I went with my dad to work on the house. We accomplished a lot, although it was exhausting, and we'll go back next Sunday to finish things up before MLK weekend and the big move. I have to ask S and P if they'd like to do the couch sometime next week (I'm hoping S will remind me) and I'll spend most of the week packing...