reedy's rambles

You know how all I wanted to do was sleep when I got to my parents' house? Well, there has not been a spare second. I haven't even managed to sleep straight through the night yet. I wake up because I seriously think my skin will crack and fall off. I am not used to the dryness of winter! I am not sure I can manage whole winters in cold weather anymore. I think next year I will long for 75 degree nights and 80 degree days in the middle of February. It is a strange feeling knowing how much you will miss something before it is even gone. It does help you not take anything for granted though.

Christmas went by too fast, as always and now I have time to panic about the job interview on the 5th. I know everything will work out somehow, but I would really like to know when and how. I guess we all do.

First of all, I am so mad. I was just spell checking my entry and my computer froze, so now I have to start over. Grrr. . .

Memoirs of a child . . .

Anyway, only four more days until I go home! I am so ready. The first thing I want to do is sleep. I sleep the best in my parents' house. There is unmatched safety and security there.

Today held one of those moments where you pause, look around, take it all in, and save it for a rainy day. The sky was a beautiful robin's egg blue, the temperature was warm in the sun and cool in the shade, and there was a breeze moving through. I was trying to focus on teaching just as hard as my students were trying to focus on learning. We all kept looking outside with an inexpressible longing.

Then, an act of God happened. The electricity went out. We had no lights, no a/c, not even a fan. Slowly, but surely, all the classes started coming outside. Soon enough, we were all outside playing. I read to some students in the shade. One teacher jumped rope with some students, and other teachers were just around enjoying the moment. It was refreshing.

Even when the electricity came back on, we hesitated and reluctantly went inside. The patio area was silent again and the moment was gone, but it hung in the air. It reminded me of why I love children, they give us excuses to play in the sunshine.

Today was a bad day. A bad day.

Lawyers called me today, apparently my insurance company never paid a bill and I am in big trouble. I have spent a total of 1 hour and 17 minutes on the phone today -- and nothing is solved.

Detective Ortiz will not call me back, and I need him to call AOL so they can track my account and find my computer. Total phone time today: 26 minutes.

A stray cat just crawled in my window.

My computer crashed seconds before I pushed submit on my online resume.

I don't have $20 in my purse I thought I had.

My watch's battery stopped today.

I dripped bleach on my favorite capris.

My Rent CD started skipping.

High Point of today: Two women got into a screaming match at Walmart, ahhhh . . . sweet reminders of home.

I have a sad story for today. I went to Wal-Mart and bought ornaments and lights, thinking I still had a tree in my closet. Alas, no tree. Now, do I buy a tree or take back the ornaments? I could always decorate some other fixture in my apartment. Maybe the floor lamp? My bed? The computer? I told you it was a sad story.

I have exactly 2 weeks before I am home for Christmas! Can you feel the excitement? My body usually goes through a traumatic transition as it is plunged into freezing temperatures. Although, I am excited about a new GAP turtleneck sweater I bought here for $9. I am telling you tropical climates are the best places to shop for winter clothes. They still sell (and wear) scarves here . . . just as accessories instead of necessary survival objects.

I am listening to Dean Martin's Christmas album and procrastinating working on my on-line resumé. I know I am one hell of a teacher, and I know every school district needs me, now it is just about convincing them . . .

I just watched a Discovery Channel special on compulsive people. I am now convinced that I could fall into the compulsive category over several issues in my life. To many, this is not a surprise.

I am compulsive about:
*Deodorant (is that really bad??)
*Painting my toenails (hey, I live in the tropics)
*Taking pictures of the sky (the silly people at Walgreen keep thinking they are mistakes, and I have to ask them to develop them)
*Assigning personalities to inanimate objects or ideas or letters or colors (hmmm . . . that never seemed crazy until now)
*Buying products I see in magazines at Walgreen (I love Intuition . . . the razor, not the song)
*Making sure I can still recite the alphabet backwards (usually, I just do this in my head)
*Counting and finding patterns in everything I see (doesn't everyone do this??-- I think it is a result of too much Tetris)

I am sure others can add a few! Maybe I need medicine? Ooh, there's one I forgot, I love Excedrin. Great little pill.

I have a bitter taste in my mouth today. Like when my sisters and I use to eat the unripe persimmons in our backyard. SoeYun had a whole conversation with the person who has my laptop in their possession today. They signed onto my AIM account and were talking to my friend. I think we both feel violated. I just wish they would get a conscience because now they know it is stolen and have my number. Bitter. I was just starting to "forget" about the break-in and feel ok again, feel safe again.

I wish my apartment had a bathtub. There are two ways to drown your sorrows, and I prefer the bathtub on most occasions. Although a Chambord martini could nurse my injuries too. Chambord is not bitter.