winding down

With swim season coming to a close, I can almost taste the delicious bite of afternoon naps again. Its been a long four months, but as of February 10th, I will be done with coaching. It's sad because I actually enjoy the coaching aspect of my job, and those interactions with the kids, more than the discipline and the grading of teaching.


Now for the real reason for this post:

If you get a chance you must see Pan's Labyrinth. It was so good. I think I will have to see it again. It truly is a fairy tale, drenched in sadness, and mystery...full of magic, heroes, villains, mischievous characters and more. It is a beautiful film, and like always, after the first few minutes you don't even notice the subtitles. The movie, to warn you, is no children's movie. My eyes were covered and shielded by Kelly's shoulder for a good 10% of the film. I think I like it because it takes the beauty of Spanish, the magical realism twist of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Horror of Grimm's, the Tragedy of Hans Christian Anderson, and the mystery of a labyrinth, and the innocence of a child and wraps it up into a package of wonderment.

Lately, I have been cooking a lot more. It is really nice to cook. It is so therapeutic, and there is an immediate sense of completion and gratification. Not only does it save money, but it allows for artistic expression, and dietary control. Like everything else though, it makes me wish there were more hours in the day.

Oh, there is so much new music to listen to!

Dare accepted

My good friend Nick dared me to blog about what I am wearing today. There was actually a little thought put into my outfit today. Interestingly enough today I will be wearing three outfits: one for teaching, one for coaching, and one to go out. Since the temperature is hovering around freezing, and the drizzle continues to fall, I needed to dress for warmth. I feel prepared.

1. My teaching outfit: Suede brown knee boots to keep my legs warm, paired with argyle socks. I love argyle socks. These boots annoy me because they are supposed to slouch; however, the left boot slouches significantly lower than my right, leaving my left calf feeling a little incompetent. Who makes defective boots? Brown slacks with pink pinstripes (wool of course). A rose colored, wool, v-neck sweater. I don't even like pink, but I bought this sweater on sale just for work. That is the one things I hate about the workforce. Everyday I feel like I am playing dress up. I don't feel comfortable, or like myself in these conservative, boring work clothes.

2. My coaching outfit: Ugh, I really need new tennis shoes. I have had this old, gray pair of nikes for at least 3 years. Black running pants. Vintage, gray, Mickey mouse sweatshirt.

3. Going out: Tonight I am going to see a show. My friends Pasadena and Nate Nelson (who is Gia's boyfriend) are playing. Both are quite good. I will be wearing my black pirate-esque books. (leather, knee high, flat, buckle...) Levis, and most likely a black turtleneck. I like to look pretentious when going to shows alone so no one will talk to me.


Sporting 3 outfits a day is tiring, and a bit absurd. Hence, probably why I detest laundry. Oh yes....jewelry...VW key ring, drop earrings, and a tree shaped necklace. For outerwear...brown long jacket with big brown buttons, a brown and pink scarf Kelly gave me, and fingerless mittens. I never go anywhere without my fingerless mittens.

On a side note, I am about to teach satire and Swift to my seniors. I am starting with Dr. Seuss, I hope they get it. Does everything we know start with Seuss?

it all becomes new again

I guess I have to post my obligatory New Years post, so here it goes. Already I can sense that this is a year of changes. As cliche as it may seem (aren't changes always happening), I feel like these will be big ones. Change has never really scared me before; actually it has excited me, but this year it is a little intimidating. Mainly because I am, for the first time, unaware of my direction. I will list things in this blog post to make my wanderings more accessible.

Certainties:
1. Love, and he is wonderful.
2. I am finished at my current job.
3. Teaching makes me mean.
4. I will make something mine.
5. I need more sleep, exhaustion has set in.
6. I have renewed my lease for 6 months.
7. I need more time for music, glorious music.

Uncertainties:
1. Where I will be living 6 months from now.
2. What I should do for money.
3. Is there job that will make me happy? Something I am suited for?
4. Why I still get sad.
5. When will I sleep through the night again.
6. Will I write and when?

Sometimes life just gets crazy. You spin and spin, and then in the middle of your whirling the world passes around you, but you are too dizzy to see it. I never want to miss a moment of what it has to offer. I want to continue to be a sponge.

I guess I have resolved to write more, to focus more on recording observations. Even if they are merely snapshots with no real depth or meaning, they should be valued for the representations of the world view. I think.

On our glorious San Francisco trip I...well there is too much to say. I wanted to record he entire trip, but I was too busy living to reflect. It is great to have a travel partner. Simply put, It was perfect.

I read Kite Runner. It was very good, but a little haunting. I am reading The Miracle of Mindfulness. I hope I learn something.

I saw The Departed.It was awesome.

I wish I had the energy to comment on these things, but unfortunately my job is sucking me dry. More frequent and shorter posts...that's my resolution for this year. To make the reflection less ominous.