Baby Train Booked - Please wait for the next one to pass

As my friends and I near (and some pass) our 30s it seems like we're all on the same track and always have been.  Starting a few years ago, we saw the Marriage Train in the distance and urged our current boyfriends to buy us a ticket, loaded up an entire car, and all headed to the chapel.  We all discussed our futures with one another and began settling into the married life.  We stopped partying EVERY weekend and started having alone time and building a solid relationship with our partners.  Two years later, at the station together once again, we saw the Baby Train.  Ready to hop on for an unforgettable ride, we loaded on two by two into separate cars.  That is to say, everyone else loaded on.  Apparently, the train was booked, because when it left the station Hubby and I were still on the platform waving as all of our friends slowly disappeared.  That was a year ago.

This year, another Baby Train has passed, no ticket purchased, and we're in the distance waving goodbye. 

If any of you reading this have ever tried getting pregnant with no success, you know the heartache that is insued.  At first it seems easy; just like we learned in middle and high school, sex=baby!  Yeah right, it's not that easy.  And thus, the challenge begins.  With anxiety and excitement you begin with the First step: visit BabyCenter.com.  They give you an ovulation calculator to predict WHEN you will ovulate.  Perfect!  I've always wanted scheduled times to have intimate sessions with my husband! And yes, they do turn into sessions.  A few months later you take the Second step: Google "Why can't I get pregnant?".  This of course leads you to several "accredited" websites, I mean they do say Dr. at the top!  You read these and you are given a multitude of reasons as to why you may not have conceived.  Most leading to paranoia as some are life-threatening illnesses. Move on to the Third step, ask pregnant friends how they did it; I mean after all they are pregnant!  They tell you, "I did a handstand" or "You have to do it this way" or you get a sentence that starts "This might sound weird, but you should" and at that point you stop listening!  The funny thing is that you will TRY all of these weird, bizarre tactics and when they don't work, go back to your friends and ask them if you did it right!  Fourth step, cry every time you get your period (okay it's not really a step, more of a symptom, but whatever!).  Fifth  and Final step, you begin wondering what you will do if you can't get pregnant naturally.  Will you just keep trying, will you try IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), will you adopt?  Some of you might find the fifth step to be a big jump, but like all the Doctor websites say, "When you decide you want to get pregnant, you want to get pregnant like yesterday."

So yesterday: it came and went and there was not room on the train.  Another yesterday, another train and we're still sitting at the station waiting for a ticket.  However, I do have faith that there is a train in the distance, maybe I just can't see it through the pregnant women and babies clouding my view; I know it will come with an available spot, and when it does I will welcome the unforgettable ride that awaits!

I'm dating Harry Potter!

Okay, so the title is a little misleading; but after spending the last few months curled up on the couch with Harry Potter books and movies, I think I can officially say that we have a new found relationship. You might ask why I began reading a series that was released over a decade ago and my answer is simple. 
In my Honors English II class earlier this year, my students were responding to a quote up on the board.  I called on a student to discuss his response.  As he began talking about Harry, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron and Hermoine, I can honestly (and sadly) say that I was not following him. Once he finished, awaiting what he thought would be a congratulatory set of comments, I stated, "I'm sorry but I have no idea what you just said or what you're talking about."  Needless to say, the class erupted with statements like, "You've never read Harry Potter?  But you're an ENGLISH TEACHER!" and "What do you mean you've never heard of Dumbledore?"  I suddenly felt ashamed that I didn't know about these characters and events that my students were raving over.  After several more minutes of uproars regarding my lack of knowledge about Hogwarts, the Dark Lord, and "The Boy Who Lived", I promised my students that I would read the Harry Potter series.  My homework assignment began in late November.  Because I promised to finish the series before the end of the semester, I have spent countless nights curled up on my couch reading about the amazing wizard and his friends and as they work together in overcoming Lord Voldemort.
If you know me, you know that I do not watch a movie based on a novel until I have read said novel.  The same applied to all of the releases of Harry Potter movies; I never saw them because I hadn't read the books.  However, this has worked out perfectly for me!  As I have finished each book, I have then watched the movie on a night when the hubby isn't home.  This has allotted me several "date nights" with Harry and his friends. 
As an adult, I must say that I have truly loved reading this series and watching the movies.  And I must say, I will definitely be in line with all of the other crazed fans when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II comes out.  The only downfall is that on this "date" it won't be just me and Harry!

A Lil' Dabb'll Do Ya: Teaching: It's a Love/Hate Relationship

A Lil' Dabb'll Do Ya: Teaching: It's a Love/Hate Relationship: "Currently in my eighth year of teaching high school English, I have come to realize that the teaching profession is a bipolar career. If yo..."

Teaching: It's a Love/Hate Relationship

Currently in my eighth year of teaching high school English, I have come to realize that the teaching profession is a bipolar career.  If you love it one day, week, or month your attitude will rapidly change on a moment's notice.  So I decided to write about the things I love and hate about teaching....

Things that I love about teaching, lately:
  1. The opportunity to influence our future - this is a recent revelation of mine.
  2. The reward of past students - the ones who come back and tell you that you were their favorite, and not because you were easy, but because you taught them something.
  3. Laughter - even though I do not teach elementary school, it still warms my heart to hear students laugh and snicker about little jokes or comments that are "school appropriate".
  4.  Aha Moments - the moment when a student, students, or an entire class FINALLY "Get it"
  5.  Literature - I love reading classics over and over again: Romeo & Juliet, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Great Gatsby, Slaughterhouse-Five, The Crucible, etc.
  6. A fresh start every 18 weeks - every teacher has a student and sometimes class who contributes to the demise of the LOVE part of this relationship.  But, the good news is that in 18 weeks you get a fresh new set of students and can start all over again!  Yippy!

Things I don't love about teaching, lately:
 1. Helicopter Parents - Parents who hover over their children so much that there is not a chance for us to impress upon them the importance of responsibility, respect, reliability, etc.  (the list goes on and on).
 2. Trouble students - these students who constantly test our ability to not drop an f-bomb in front of the class because of callus remarks, disrespect, laziness, etc. (this list also goes on and on).
 3. Duh Moments - the moments when students "just don't get it" even though you've taught your butt off for by explaining topics, definitions, questions, and sections severally.
 4. Repeating the past - teaching the literature that you know is important, but it bores you to death: Various short stories and poems, Night, Huckleberry Finn, etc.
 5. An Entire Semester - although we are rid of our classes after 18 weeks, it is a LONG 18 weeks when your class load is in the 90s. 
 6.  Grading - See the above regarding class size.  When you teach 90+ students and have to grade their work, it is a job in itself and we don't get paid overtime.

I understand after reading this you may be thinking, "What is she really trying to say?"  Simply, it is this:
Teachers are underestimated and underpaid regardless of the demands placed on them, because of the "reward" we receive of being an educator.  However, doctors are not paid based on the "reward" they feel when they save a life,  so why treat teachers any differently - aren't we teaching the future doctors who will be saving lives?

Life's Lil' Changes

A few weeks ago, Shannon, Megan and I went to Asheville, NC for Girls Weekend.  Shannon and I arrived fairly early and while walking around downtown Asheville there was a group called Brother Wolf Animal Rescue set up on the sidewalk.  They were adverstising their new additions and asking for homes for these new kittens and puppies.  I fell in love instantly, started taking pictures and texting/calling Barrett to ask if we could get a puppy.
A puppy is something that Barrett and I have talked about for years, but have always talked ourselves out of getting one.  We would debate how much it would cost, how much it would destroy our house, and how much it would ultimately change our lives.  I called Barrett Saturday night after our last night on the town and his response was, "It's your decision."  So Shannon and I went to BWAR and looked at the puppy one more time took pictures and heading on our way back to Concord.  

After several in-depth discussions the following weekend, Barrett and I were on our way to Asheville to adopt the sweetest lil pup we could have ever asked for.  Barrett fell in love the second he met the little guy and we instantly had a name, Captain Swashbuckler Dabbs; he goes by Buckler!
We are so in love with this little guy; we thought we were going to spoil him to pieces, but we were wrong, he is spoiling us! :)


Dog Toys, Leash, and Treats - $120
Adoption Fee (including Neuter and shots) - $100
Dog Bed, Food, Tag, and More Treats - $130
Sweetest Lil' Puppy EVER - PRICELESS

What I Learned in Vegas...

Las Vegas, known to some as Sin City, has a lot to offer.  The hotels are enormous, the Strip is packed, the lights are as glitterful as a bedazzled jean jacket on crack, and the experiences are one in a lifetime.  This is what I learned in Vegas:

1. Nothing is as close as it looks: If a hotel, casino, or restaurant looks like it is 1 block away, think again!  It will be a good 20 minute walk in 100 degree heat and probably further than just a block (take the bus!).

2. Escort services do not care that he is married: You can walk hand in hand with your hubby and they will still snap their cards and HAND him one. But, if you look them in the eye, wave your finger in their faces and with your sweet-southern drawl say "No, no" and they will ignore your husband. :)

3. SheMales: Trannies look the same in Vegas as they do anywhere else in the world, and regardless of how many times I see one, I will always stare. Sorry!

4. Time change: Las Vegas is 3 hours behind NC. If you travel with Barrett, it does not matter what time of day it is in Las Vegas, he will inform you of the NC time also. For instance if you say, "I'm so hungry and it's only 9 o'clock, let's go get breakfast." He will respond, "Well, it's actually noon in North Carolina, so let's just get lunch." - I'm sorry but ordering a Philly Cheesesteak at 9 am is not okay regardless of where you are and what time zone you are from!

5. When you are playing Roulette, put money down before going to the bathroom: We played Roulette throughout our whole trip - one big winner's advice was to pick a number and play that everytime (this guy had stacks of chips, if I'm going to listen to anyone, it's him). So, I pick my favorite driver's number, Kasey Kahne number 9. I spend well over $75 picking this number over several hours and when does it finally pay off? When I go to the bathroom and don't have any chips sitting on that number, go figure.

6. Finish your drink: Before you try to get on one of the transit buses, be sure to finish that $4 bottle of water that you just bought, because you will not be allowed to bring it on the bus. Needless to say, we continued to make this mistake until the last day.

7. You don't "lose" money in Vegas:  Even though you put money down and may lose a game here and there it does pay off.  No, I don't mean that you will win big!  I mean, count the number of top shelf drinks you had (if you can still count that high at the end of the night), figure up the total, and you probably spent less in the Casino...Ca-Ching!   Which makes me wonder: Drinks are free when you're gambling, so WHY would you order a Bud Light when you can have a Crown and coke?  People never cease to amaze me :)

Vegas Baby!

Our Vegas Experience, in a nutshell:

Monday - Arrive at Charlotte-Douglass Airport at 2pm. Flight is delayed 2 hours due to thunderstorms in Atlanta (our connector flight). We're both thinking, "No worries, if planes can't go in, planes can't go out." This makes sense right? We leave close to 5 and arrive in Atlanta at 5:35; our next flight is scheduled for departure at 5:30, again we don't have to worry because of thunderstorms, right? Wrong. We are running through the airport and as we arrive at our gate I watch as our plane pulls out and sets off for Las Vegas. "You mean you couldn't hold the plane for the passengers who were held up in Charlotte?" the NYFD guy asks. "Half of our flight was connecting here for Las Vegas, this is so f'ed up." Needless to say he was angry for all of us! Our next scheduled departure, 9:45pm. My thoughts, "Hey look on the bright side, we can walk 10 feet to the bar and enjoy ourselves for the next four hours, that should make for an interesting flight!" Plane leaves on time.

Monday Night - Flying into or out of Las Vegas at night is something everyone should witness, it is beautiful! We catch a cab and arrive at the Stratosphere around 11:30pm (which is 2:30am EST, and I know this because my husband reminds me of the EST whenever I ask for the current LV time). Needless to say, because it is so late EST he thinks it's bedtime and crawls onto the king sized mattress - "No no," I say, "you don't come to Vegas to sleep, you can do that at home. Get up, we are going to the casino." Five hours later we stumble back into our hotel room.

Tuesday - After four hours of sleep, we get up, get dressed, and head out onto the strip for lunch and sightseeing. We hit he obvious hotel/casino/resorts - Palazzo, Venetian, Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, and Casino Royale - this takes about 3 1/2 hours and we head back to Stratosphere to see the view from 1,100 feet up, hang out by the pool, and then get ready for dinner. Dinner is at Trevi at Caesar's Palace and I must say, I do not recommend it. The price is outrageous and the portions are tiny, in addition to the marinara sauce tasting like it came straight out of a Ragu bottle, yuk! We gamble a little in Caesar's and Bellagio but head back to Stratosphere where the minimums are much lower.

Wednesday - We head back to the strip, this time the southern part and walk to the famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign which was several miles further than we thought. "Should've gotten that water at McDonald's before we headed this way," but it was totally worth the heat exhaustion to get our picture with the sign. After we get back to the strip, we hit up Planet Hollywood - Barrett's idea - so we could search for Holly Madison in hopes of getting a photo-op with her (she's one of my favs!!!) No luck, oh well. We head up the strip a little further and stop in Bill's Gambling Hall and I win big at the Roulette table! Woohoo! We cash that and head back to the hotel to hang out by the pool for a little bit.

Wednesday Night - We go to the top of the Stratosphere again for some night views and pictures, before heading over to Freemont Street. Freemont Street is the second most famous street in Las Vegas, it is also known as the Freemont Experience, and the street itself is actually "Freemont Experience Street". This is what comes to mind when I think of Vegas-all the lights, the casinos, the live music, and the delicious food all in SHORT walking distance! Red Sushi is our restaurant choice and it is delicious with amazing service, I highly recommend going here! We experienced much of everything on Freemont and at the end of the night, Barrett gave his favorite belt to a Marine Veteran because his pants were falling down :)

Thursday - Recovery day from Freemont. We basically spend the day in the casino (hellooooo, air conditioning) and a little bit of time on the roof-top pool. Our day is cut a little short, because our show, KA by Cirque du Soleil, starts at 7. If ever in Vegas, one MUST see a Cirque du Soleil show; it was incredible! The colossal, 360-degree rotating stage just adds to the outstanding stunts put on by the acrobats. After the show, we head back to our hotel and change and pack so we can go to the casino one last time before leaving for NC.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip! I can honestly say we will be going back to see more of the strip, shows, restaurants, and casinos!

Next blog: What I learned in Vegas!

Love!