My weekend, ETC

I spent all weekend at school. Literally. Like, I slept there, in the library. You see, there was a retreat over the weekend called ETC (Encounter Towards Christ) that I've been helping out with for the past 6 weeks or so, attending weekly meetings with Lancelot.

Everything came together perfectly and, even though it was chaotic and stressful at times, the retreat went really well. The kids who were leaders did a great job with their small groups, as well as cooking and doing other tasks at the retreat. The participants, although there were not that many, all had very spiritual and amazing experience. Overall, I think it was a huge success.

Even today, I'm still thinking about it. I'm still trying to process some of what happened. It really bolsters me when I see the kids outside of school, acting like human beings instead of annoying, whiny, needy creatures. It's why I do things like SALTT camp and this retreat, so I can have some faith in humanity restored. It makes me proud to teach these kids. It makes me think that maybe, just maybe, the world will be okay in the future, instead of doomed.

The weekend was exhausting but well worth it. And I'll have a long weekend to recover. Woot!

Okay, here's a group photo of ETC #57. I'm in the back, next to the light green shirt. On the left. Yeah... tiny, I know. Still, the ETC #57 family was great.

I didn't get to go see the Twilight movie yet because of the retreat. I'm dealing. I'm planning to go see it Wednesday, provided I get paid tomorrow. I'm okay with it because I'll probably miss the throngs of squealing girls. Still, I kind of can't wait to see it.

In other news, Thanksgiving is on Thursday and and I'm bummed that I'll be here. But I really, really can't afford to go home so here is where I'll stay. I've got four Thanksgiving dinners planned, though, so I'll just eat my feelings. One was at ETC (THE most amazing turkey I've EVER had), and then one every night from Thursday to Saturday. I'm about to = a big fat fatty.

Much love!

Another check on the "Things You Must Do Before You Die" list

Friday night, Tiffany and I planned a classy evening out, complete with dinner and a French movie. Turns out, though, that the French movie festival was over, so that plan went kaput. We decided instead to hang out in the Grove and see what the night brought us.

What it brought us was cheese fondue at Le Petit Paris, and a lovely waiter whom we enjoyed thoroughly. He even took these cute Quince pictures of us. It's all about faux Quince pictures down here, not senior pictures. The chairs (and the $3 "Happy Wine" too, no doubt) inspired us.

A classic Quince pose...

After fondue (or, if you're us, FUNdue) we headed to Mr. Moe's where we thoroughly enjoyed the bartender. He was actually a great conversationalist, and semi-interesting as well. And a homo, which I loved. Anyway, after one beer there, dude shows up with a mechanical bull.

Now, I've never ridden a mechanical bull before, but it's one of those things you just need to try in life. It helped, I suppose, that there were about 6 people in the bar besides us, and these two old dudes couldn't WAIT for T and I to get on the bull. Whatever, I ain't above givin' a couple old dudes a thrill. So... I got on.

I can't say it's my calling in life by any means, but I gave it three good gos and I'm quite satisfied with the results. But of course, three times means three falls.

And three attempts to get on again.

All said and done, it was another check off on the list, and all I ended up with was a bruise on my right knee, thighs that still hurt from squeezing the bull, two new old guy friends, and a new boyfriend, a total bear of a guy...

And the bruise? Yeah, it's pretty. Here, I took a picture of it...

It's all sorts of blue and purple and pink. And big. The photo really doesn't do it justice!!

Post bull riding, we decided to leave but ran into Ali and Bree-Anna and had a drink (and some AMAZING hummus) with them at Greenstreet Tavern. It was a beautiful night out, and we sat outside and watched the guys pulling stunts and ladies in tuck-tucks (or whatever they're stinkin' called around here!). Good times.

Nothing else too exciting to report for the weekend, except that I went to Merrick Park (read: EXPENSIVE stores like Gucci, Dianne Von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, and Nordstrom's to name a few) and lamented the fact that I'm a teacher and make practically nothing. It's SUPER awesome.

Anyway, I've got a long week ahead of me, so I better get to bed.

Much love!

Things started off slowly... but ended up in Heaven!

Halloween weekend was... epic.

Since Halloween fell on a Friday, I really wanted to make the most of the night and live it up, but I feel I misjudged. I ended up hanging out with Ali and a couple other teachers from school, and heading to parties all night. Not particularily what I wanted to do, but I made the most of it. I experienced Halloween in Miami and I never need to do it again. I'm not a big fan in general, but I gave it the old college try so whatever.

I come from a tradition of choosing a costume based upon how many layers of clothing can be worn underneath, to prevent frostbite on a cold October night. In Miami, costumes seem to be based upon how little one can wear and still be in public without being arrested. Let's be honest here, a white bra and panties with red crosses on the boobs and butt is NOT a nurse costume. It's just not. Am I too literal for Halloween or have I just lost my sense of fun?

Either way, no me gusta once and for all. Next year, I'm all about handing out some candy and watching Rocky Horror (note to self, PURCHASE Rocky Horror...). This year, however, I put on my party pants and dressed up like a flight attendant. Observe...

LaSalle teachers are a little bit awesome.

There are SOME aspects of Halloween I enjoy, namely carving pumpkins (and eating the roasted seeds YUMMMM) and dressing up Lancelot. These were celebrated with style this year.
Can you guess which one is mine? And seriously, how good does it look?

Yep, I even took that baby to school one day and my kids didn't belive I'd done it myself. Some of them had never even carved a pumpkin before! That, my friends, is child abuse.

Speaking of abuse...

I'm fairly certain my dog hates me. But doesn't he look SO CUTE?? He's a hot dog! And a dog! Amazing.

So Halloween was not my favorite, but Saturday, November 1st, was perhaps the best day of my life to this point. You see, my 4th grade dreams came true and I MET NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!! Danny Wood (oh yeah, the New Kid) was in the office on Friday (seriously, I turned around from the copy machine and he was just THERE) and I'd been begging EVERYONE for a damn backstage pass, and there was an extra one... and the ladies in the office gave it to me because I practically died once he was gone and I couldn't control myself. The office ladies at ILS are. The. Best.

So I got the pass and freaked out, not even caring that I had to work on Saturday (Open House can suck it). Luckily, Open House got out early so I had plenty of time to drive to Boca to meet the rest of the crew (The Weave Duo and The KG), get ready, and head to Ft. Lauderdale to meet the "Kids" at 5.

So I got there on time, and after they figured out what to do with me, I ended up waiting about an hour to go inside, and then another 20 or so minutes until the guys came out. Joey was first, and then Danny, and Jordan, Joey, and Donny after that. One of my students was actually with them as they walked out. Her life is amazing.

So here's how it went down. I had made friends with the girls in front of me in line, and we all went together to meet them. When it was my turn (we were second, holla!), I went up to Jon first and shook his hand and said hi. Same with Donny. Then, the Holy Grail, Jordan Knight, the love of my life since I was about 9. I go about things the same way.

Me, with my hand out for a shake: Hi
Jordan: Hi. I like your hair.
Me, trying to retain self-control: Thanks.
At this point, I put my hand on Danny's arm (HUGE arms, too) and tell him that I teach at ILS and to thank him for the ticket, but the girl I'd met had hugged him and her necklace was stuck on his shirt and it was HelloAWKWARD! But while I'm talking, Jordan, my love, like, nudges Danny to say, subtly, "Hey man, this hot chick is trying to talk to you." It was awesome.
So then the picture's about to go down and I say to Jordan: I'm gonna stand by you.
Jordan: Damn girl! You're tall!'
Me: Yeah.
Jordan: It's not a bad thing!
Me: I'm a fan.
Jordan, laughing: I'm a fan!
At this point, I think Danny was also totally amused by my hilarity but all I could think was "OMG I MADE JORDAN KNIGHT LAUGH AND HE LIKES MY HAIR I'M GONNA PASS OUT SOON!!!"
At this point, the pictures had been taken and Danny says, "So you teach Anthony and Danny?" To which I replied, "I don't teach them but I know Anthony and he's a really good kid." Danny was happy to hear this, as any parent would be. And let me just take this moment to say that 18 years ago, I thought Danny was a hideous creature, but now, after seeing him up close, and realizing that his children are two decent human beings, I like him a lot more. He might even be my second favorite New Kids. Anyway, then I walked to Joey, who was on the end, shook his hand and said hi, and walked away.

It. Was. AMAZING.


I still can't believe it happened. How am I so lucky? Like, seriously. The starts alligned, and my 4th grade dream came true. If meeting Tori Amos didn't prove to me that dreams are possible, this moment did. It would do me well to remember that in other aspects of my life.

The show itself was great. Lady Ga Ga opened (whatever) followed by Natasha Bedingfield. Let me say one thing: that girl can siiiiiiing. You can't really her it on her songs because they sound really produced and mixed, but she can really sing. I was totally impressed. I was also impressed by the fact that they got that shiz DONE. It was only about 15 minutes between acts--dudes weren't messing around. That, itself, was amazing because at most shows, you have to wait for AGES for the headliner to show. Oh no, not NKOTB.

The guys sang a bunch of old songs and maybe five of the new ones--the perfect mix. At one point, they left the main stage and went to a smaller stage 20 FEET FROM OUR SEATS! I'm certain that Jordan saw me, as I was pretty much towering over everyone near us. My students certainly saw me, as they all couldn't wait to accuse me on Monday. Whatever. They don't even KNOW.

They don't understand what it was like. I've loved Jordan Knight as long as they've been ALIVE. I remember, as clearly as if it was yesterday, when Jordan was on stage alone, in an open white button down shirt, and a fan was blowing, and he was dancing and singing and my 4th grade heart felt something it had never felt before--love. That moment has been etched into my memory since that day, and when Jordan came on stage Saturday, in an open, white, button down shirt, looking as amazing as ever, my life was complete. It was so beautiful I could weep thinking about it.

I mean, look at the pretty... Just LOOK at the pretty.

At one point, during the second encore as NKOTB was singing "Hangin' Tough" I stopped to look around at the audience. During the appropriate time, everyone's--and I mean everyone's--hands were in the air and waving in synchronicity. It was so cool--everyone in that room was having the same moment I was having. I couldn't even watch the song, I just kept watching the audience. To be totally redundant--it was so cool.

After a glorious evening of dreams coming true, we got an extra hour of sleep (hello falling back) and Annie made us breakfast. We also went out to explore Boca, and we took a few pics. Here's what girls whose dreams have come true look like.

I'm telling you, this past weekend was the most fun I've had in a long time.

I so needed it.

Much love.