Ozzie & Harriet Take a Trip

For those who don't know, I have never flown further than Los Angeles (and boy were my arms tired!), so a cross-country flight, to visit meet CSB's family, was intimidating in more than just one or two ways. But, adventure is adventure, and as anxious as I was, it was brilliant, and I was very excited.

If you didn’t hear the whining (via Twitter or Facebook), I started off this trip by tossing a mirror into my suitcase, and breaking it. I’m really not all that superstitious, but sometimes omens reach out and smack you in the face. CSB even said it was a “SIGN!” …ok, he actually said it was a,“sign you need to pay attention to what you are doing.” (complete with eye roll at my over-dramatic “ooohhhhh we’re all dooooooooooomed!”)

But, I have news for you fate…. All of your obstacles and inconveniences so far… bah… pish-posh…

Wednesday morning my alarm didn’t go off, and I woke up an hour late (apparently they work better if you actually turn them on after setting them… who knew?)… no matter, our flight wasn’t until 11:20, I just wanted to get there a bit early so we could sit down and have breakfast. Jet Blue doesn’t serve meals on their flights… so I thought we’d have a nice big breakfast, and bring some snacks. So, over sleeping means I got a Starbucks muffin instead of an omelette… no big. And, we ended up leaving only about 30 minutes behind schedule, not too shabby.

We had a problem printing our boarding passes on Tuesday night because the website was screaming about canceled and delayed flights due to weather systems on the east coast, but when CSB called Jet Blue, they said both our flights were fine so far, no worries. And, we had no problem finally printing the boarding passes in the morning before we left for the airport. So, we hurry along, arrive at the airport, check in, and the woman who checks our bags tells us that our flight is delayed about an hour. All I really heard was, “now you have time for that bloody mary.”

Because of the inclement weather, the flight delays were back and forth. First an hour delay, then no delay, then an hour and a half, then 45 minutes, then two hours, then the pilot is saying, “we’re hoping we’ll be able to leave by 1:00, why don’t we get on the plane, and sit on the runway and hope for the best…maybe they’ll let us go earlier!” And the terminal rejoices… and I think, “Really? You people would rather sit on the plane than in here? Really?” At least there was WiFi in the terminal.

So yes, long boring story short, we go sit on the plane around 12:15 or so, and they finally clear us for take off and let us get moving at 2:25. Let me say that again… 2:25. If we had left on time, we would have been over half way there… instead, well… we were still in Oakland.

We were quite late arriving in Boston, and missed our connecting flight to Buffalo. The next flight available ended up being on Friday morning, and so we decided a day playing tourist in Boston wasn't so bad.

Here's where I give mad props to Jet Blue: The weather was not their fault, the delays, not their fault... they didn't have to do anything for us... but they did. Not only did they provide free movies and libations on the flight from Oakland to Boston, but once we got there, rescheduled our flight from Boston to Buffalo without any extra charge, and even put us up in the Hyatt for a night.

We had a great day in Boston, I'm pretty sure we saw the whole city. We bought day passes for the subway ($9... BART could learn something), and traveled throughout the town seeing the sights. It was a great day, and a nice break from the anxiety and anticipation.

Finally, we board an on-time flight, and actually make it to our final destination, where CSB's parents were waiting to pick us up. They were kind, warm, and very accommodating.

Even though I knew that CSB and I would be sleeping in separate beds while staying in their home, I felt fortunate that he had somehow worked it out so that we would be able to share the same room. I was still slightly shocked when I was shown our room and saw the two twin beds... with three feet of space and a night stand between them (see above photo).

Sometimes, even when you expect something, you aren't really prepared for the reality of it. And, honestly, it was rough spending all day with family, on my very best behavior, on that slightly uncomfortable edge where you watch and analyze everything you say and do... only to fall into bed every night wanting to curl up with the man I love and relax in the comfort of his arms, missing his smell and his warmth. Even the sound of his breathing was too far away.

Even with all that, there were other moments which never would have happened without the Ozzie and Harriet beds. Holding hands from three feet apart as we were falling asleep; the lingering good night kisses; the drive-in movie date we escaped to on Sunday night, mostly so we could have some quality cuddle time; the sleepy gazes and 'good morning' smiles across the distance first thing in the morning.

I think CSB summed it up in the best and sweetest way once we were home, falling asleep in our own bed, "it was like having a sleep-over... with my best friend."

Frickin' Magical

There is a darn good reason my full nickname includes "Frickin' Magical." For those who don't know, I am: Frickin' Magical Giddy Chicken Pickles... but you can call me "Giddy". Actually, the last time I checked, there were several other things added, but for the life of me, I can't remember what they were.

The "Frickin' Magical" part was added (I believe by Mr. Nanning) during the first "Formal Drew Day at Disneyland." All I really remember is standing in line for some ride, and Mr. Nanning asking something along the lines of, "but how is that possible?" (yes, it must have been a great comment, to have a rocket scientist ask how something is possible), and my response was, "because I'm frickin' magical... duh." And, lo it came to pass... Frickin' Magical Giddy was born.

Don't ask me about the Chicken, or Pickles parts... some stories aren't worth the telling. Suffice it to say, they are there... whether I like it or not. I do know that at some point, "we" decided it would be Teh Funny to forever add words to my nickname, and maybe in the future, after I retire, I can submit it to Guinness as the longest nickname ever. No really, I have witnesses.

So yes, the Frickin' Magical part...

I have recently realized that my life really is "frickin' magical." Yes, part of it may be the way I look at life, and my tendency to take things in stride. But, I really feel like I am so very fortunate... not only now, but time and time again I seem to manage to pull a rabbit out of whatever hat is presented to me.

I didn't want to teach, yet, teaching was the best opportunity, and closest match to my degree and experience, so I took the job. Suddenly, a million opportunities opened up, and a path that seemed vastly overwhelming at first is presenting itself as a thousand tiny (relatively easy) steps. Opportunity abounds, and seems to be throwing itself at my very feet. Literally, I got an email yesterday regarding a grant for my education. Yes, I have to go back to school to earn a credential, and yes, the program I have decided on is accelerated thus costs more, but the state and the feds are willing to help me pay for the education that is going to get me that credential.

All the sudden, I'm on a path to have a teaching credential and Master's Degree in Special Education by next fall. Not that it's going to be easy, but suddenly it is the opportunity that is in front of me now. It is the path I am on, and I'm not quite sure how I got here. I never expected to go to a 4-year college, let alone go beyond an undergraduate degree. Hell, I figure it was mere luck and personality that got me through high school.

And, here I am... luck, personality, frickin' magical-ness... whatever it is that has brought me to this point. I have exactly what it is that I told the universe I wanted. I live in a house near my parents. With old growth trees and squirrels. With a man that I am more in love with than I ever thought possible. With a child that is smarter and sweeter than I could have imagined. With friends who are amazing and generous. With a future that is brighter than I could have dreamed.

Teh Happies.
I haz them.

aaaaaaaaaand ...... scene.

I'm actually writing Wednesday night, but have this post scheduled for 1:14 tomorrow afternoon. The exact time the final bell will ring for my last class of my first school year as a teacher.

I'm sure some of you were expecting this. The final summary, the wrap up, the commentary all about what my experience was like. Some kind of insightful, interesting post that might make all the 'not writing' I've (not) done recently worth the wait. I can't promise anything spectacular, but I do have a few things to say.

As much as I started this school year off in shock, scared, and quite confused, I must say that I've really come through the whole thing quite well. I am much less scared of the whole "being a teacher" thing, and my confusion has given way to frustration and a sort of... not apathy... but... you know that feeling where you stop being stressed, and start doing the best you can and let the chips fall where they may? I don't know the word for it, but its pretty much that. Not quite 'meh' not quite 'ZOMG!'

In short, I have impressed myself with what I have accomplished. Not only that, but I enjoyed myself in doing it. Putting it mildly, these last couple of years have been an adventure of immense proportions, and I've learned so much about myself. I am happy with where I am, and who I am, and how I've managed to get here.

From the outside, it may just look like a life. Someone who is living, and doing, and being. But, on the inside, it is quite gratifying to see that I can live outside of the comfort zone I had previously set up, and know for a fact that I am becoming the person I always dreamed I could be. I have set goals, I have achieved them, I have new goals ahead... I will achieve those.

I have a lot of people to thank... and they all know who they are, I hope that I let them know I appreciate them often enough. At the moment though, I think it is time to sit back, take a breath, and appreciate myself. *pat pat pat*

Life is Good

I came home today to find this in the freezer.

Honestly, because I trust CSB, I wasn't going to question it... but I was going to make one guess. Bacon Vodka... version 1. I asked if he was at least keeping a photo diary... only because it looks that gross, and I totally plan to drink that grossness. Eventually. When it doesn't look quite that gross. And, when it is mixed with tomato juice... and maybe horseradish and worcestershire. I promise to let you know how that works out.

I hope to be back to posting regularly in a couple of weeks. This month has been so busy I have barely had enough time to come up with 140 characters for twitter... let alone type them up and post them.

I considered going into the "list" of stuff that has been sucking up my time, but suffice it to say that I definitely got to a point where I thought I couldn't take more, then "more" happened, and I survived. I am ten school days from summer break, and nine days from the end of my first two credential courses (yes, two... they told me one a month, somehow I ended up with two this month).

I have been told that the first two weeks of summer break are "detox" weeks... it takes that long to unwind, and then you relax for a second before getting into a routine. Once you find that routine, you go back to work, and get right back into a different routine. I'm okay with that.

One of the biggest things I've learned this school year (and yes, a "I survived my first school year" post is definitely in the works), is that teachers earn every single second of their summer breaks. I've never met such a hard working group of people. Teachers amaze and impress me, and now, having been immersed in their ranks for a school year, I have only gained more respect for them. I am honored to have joined this group, and am already looking forward to the fall semester.

Oh wait... I suppose I should survive this one first...

Oooooh! Shiny!

As my great friend Cami has recently written about, I too have been going over recent posts that have never quite made it to the interwebz.... trying to see if there is something I've started in the last month that is worth finishing.

I've been so busy with the move, I just haven't had time to sit down and write anything... at least that's what I've been telling myself.

Could it be that I have to get used to a new situation?

Could it be that I'm sitting on the couch updating my blog... with someone sitting next to me?

Could it be that I'm not on my desktop?

Yes, a whole new situation to get used to.

Honestly, I've never actually written anything at all of value with someone else in the room (remember: "of value" is a subjective term). So, to be sitting here, CSB watching TV next to me, laptop in front of me.... well, it's just different.

Bear with me. My situation is new. I'm going to have to find the writing vibe in the new house. It's here... I feel it... I just have to take the time to fine tune it.

BTW: New house is great... CSB and I are loving it... The ShortBus is thoroughly enjoying his new house and back yard (although pushing his limits in a new situation). We are settling in, and attempting to meld two lives into one... I like it.

(photo is our kitchen window & a partial view of the back yard... ignore the clutter, we're still unpacking...)