Music Makes the People Come Together

I always see these celebrity playlists on I-Tunes, and so being the celebrity that I am (to my mom), I decided to create my own list. I am a huge music fan; it is probably one of my most favorite things (next to rain drops on roses). Lately, I have been listening to a playlist I created a couple of weeks ago entitled "Current Addictions". These are songs off this playlist. I've also included brief explanations as to why you should immediately download all of them.

1. "The Winner Is" by Devotchka (Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack)-- I love this movie, I love this soundtrack. This song, in particular, is beautiful. I love the string arrangement.

2. "Beach Chair" by Jay-Z--I'm not really a fan of rap (minus the Lil' Kim poster hanging in my bedroom), but I am a fan of Jay-Z. I mean you can't go wrong with lyrics like, "Ladies is pimps too." He's a modern day Shakespeare. This song features Chris Martin from Coldplay. Fun to play when life is feeling like anything but a beach chair.

3. "Holy, Holy, Holy" sung by Sufjan Stevens--I heart Sufjan, I heart this hymn. The combination is perfection. I can't help but smile throughout the whole song. (Thanks, Rachel!)

4. "Into Dust" & "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star--her voice is haunting. I love the acoustic on "Into Dust" and the Felicity-like sound in "Fade Into You". Added Bonus: "Into Dust" featured in Tijuana OC episode.

5. "Rain" by Priscilla Ahn--New take on old "Rain, rain go away" rhyme. It makes me smile and dream of spring.

6. "I Feel It All" by Feist--I first heard this song in The Gap. I started dancing. By myself. Nothing of the Flashdance variety, but there was some shaking of the booty going on. I heart Feist.

7. "Reasons to Love You" by Meiko--I think one of the best songs I've heard in a while. Sweet melody, sweet lyrics. I want to learn how to play the guitar just so I can play this song in a coffee house (preferably Central Perk) or Radio City Music Hall.

8. "To Build a Home" by Cinematic Orchestra--The song elicits a sort of peaceful melancholy. The piano part in this song is amazing. Perfect song for a drive down a long, hilly road (in Hillsdale County).

9. "My Moon My Man" by Feist--Can't help but dance when I hear this song. I heart Feist.

10. "Breathe Me" by Sia--If you go to download this song, you might encounter the interesting art for her new cd. The album cover has a picture of her coloring her face a la Miss Lippey from Billy Madison. Her songs are not as weird as she is. This song has yet another moving piano melody. Good driving song.

11. "Falling Awake" by Gary Jules--I love Gary Jules (who doesn't love "Mad World"). This song has a moving acoustic accompaniment. His voice is completely mellifluous.

12. "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles--Think Fiona Apple meets Natasha Bedingfield. It's the song I have currently been singing at the top of my lungs (several times in a row) as I drive home from work. Good chick song.

13. "Reckoner" by Radiohead--The song is from recent Rainbows album. It's hypnotic. I love the whole album, and this song is my favorite.

14. "Happy Everafter in Your Eyes" by Ben Harper--I fell in love with Ben Harper when I heard his song "Forever" when I was in college. "Forever" is probably a song every girl wants to have sung to her....followed by this song. It makes me starry-eyed.

15. "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding--This is the song I play when I dance around the apartment. It never gets old.

16. "Breakable" by Ingrid Michaelson--I imagine this song was recorded on a playground...it's a playful, sweet song.

Happy listening.

I wish free time was really free...

As I've driven home this week, I've tried to keep myself from veering into a tree due to falling asleep at the wheel by thinking of things I would like to learn how to do or start doing again with any free time that may grace my life....in June. These are things I've come up with so far.

1. Learn how to knit

2. Learn how to crochet

3. Take more photographs (oh...and buy a camera)

4. Read Moby Dick and Crime and Punishment (b/c I feel it's my duty as an English teacher)

5. Run 4 miles without going into cardiac arrest

6. Learn to love cooking

7. Learn how to play piano (for realsies)

8. Write more

9. Have an Audrey Hepburn marathon

10. Have a Molly Ringwald marathon

11. sleep

Sounds like fun.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

"Mrs. Parker, Nathan wants to know if you're pregnant."

Me: "Why?"

Student: "He says you look pregnant."

Me (seriously reconsidering pizza as a diet): "What?!"

Student: "Yeah, he says you've been wearing shirts lately that make your stomach look like it's getting bigger."

Me (seriously reconsidering wearing tube tops to work): "Ummmm....I'm not."

Student: "Oh, okay."

Me: silently weeping over my Dr. Pepper and Dortios

Sit-up regime begins tomorrow...after I finish my 11oz bag of Raisinets.

Claire Daines, You've Stolen My Heart Again.

Remember when Claire Daines had red hair, Doc Martens, and Jordan Catalano? Those were the days. Once again, she has made me a believer in the fanciful. I just finished watching the movie Stardust (at the suggestion of several people whose opinions I don't take lightly), and I LOVED it. It was all that a movie ought to be.

If you are someone who has an imagination and you like to watch movies that aren't political commentaries posing as George Clooney films, then you should consider watching this movie. I plan to buy it when it isn't $20 (or ask for it for my birthday, whichever happens first).

I'm Not Dead Yet

Ladies and Gentlemen...I did it. I survived my first semester of teaching. There were a few times when I felt as if my brain were going to explode or leak out of my ear due to overuse. I actually thought it was once, but it turned out to be earwax. Today marked the end of first semester. I gave my exams, graded a countless number of essays, did more math that I usually allow myself to do, and recorded my grades. I celebrated by filling in my attendance book for next semester (ever the diligent worker).

I remember being given my course documents and feeling like I was the most incompetent person to handle this job. I remember coming home, sitting on the floor in our apartment with these intricate course documents and crying...a lot (I handle stress well). I had no clue how I was going to make it through the first two weeks, let alone the semester. I am completely aware I did not make it to this point on my own (cue Oscar music).

Ben has been wonderful. I haven't been the best wife these last few months and he has yet to serve me with divorce papers (score). He has let me whine and cry and throw tantrums (without the usual fee he has me pay for participating in these activities).

My beloved friends that I've made at WCA (I know that's not a sentence...but it deserves to stand on its own). They are wonderful and I am immensely thankful for them. (This post is becoming sappier by the moment...and by sappy, I mean annoyingly corny.)

Fellow English teachers (aka..Rachel). It has been so helpful to have a friend who understands the complexities and trip-ups of English and high school students.

My family. Thanks for letting me be a negligent daughter for the last several months. I promise I'll call soon (and by soon, I mean June).

I also know that the only possible explanation for my brain not exploding is Jesus.

I was driving home today just thinking about how blessed my life really is, and it made me smile all the way to Spring Arbor (that and the smell of delicious chicken nuggets that I was bringing home...mmmmmmm chicken nuggets.)

Things I Loathe and Abhor

I think it's healthy to update a pet peeves list every now and again. Some things that used to bother me just don't anymore--for example, talk radio...it's off my list. Additionally some things have etched their tedious existence onto the list and deserve mentioning so that others may be encouraged to loathe them as well--for example, wind.

In the spirit of frigid temperatures, I thought it time to share some pet peeves lest you feel the need to start talking in a song in front of me...which brings me to my first item:

1. talking in songs: not to be confused with rapping. The most guilty artist: Shania Twain (not that I listen to Shania Twain). I just don't like it. If I wanted to hear a song with talking in it, I would listen to rap. I find myself getting embarrassed for the artist. I think it's because I picture them getting all into it while recording their talk song.

2. People who use the word "seen" inappropriately. I feel like I'm in a bad Andy Griffith episode around these people.

3. Wal-Mart

4. People who say "that's hilarious" without laughing. Hilarious warrants laughter...If you're not going to laugh just say, "that makes me smile" or "that is mildly amusing".

5. People who drive negative 10 when a snowflake drops to the ground.

6. The incessant gloom that is winter in Michigan.

In other news...I think a FedEx driver flipped me off today whilst I was driving home. I will say it was delivered with the utmost speed. Touche, FedEx, touche.

Just call me Posh Spice

I got my haircut this past week. So here, Internet, start loving my hair.



(Picture in which I look like I have gas)