Weddings, trips, and other things

Ya'll. What has happened to me? I have neglected my blog and look what happens. I have a book to write. First off, let me tell you about my latest book. I guess I should say books since it's a trilology.

They are so good! The best young adult series I've read in a while, and I highly recommend them. I also read The Splendor of Silence and let me tell ya. It stunk. This is the second book in my whole entire existence that I've not finished. It was so very boring. I DO NOT recommend.

So onto my life...my job is getting a wee bit more stressful as of tomorrow. One of the Spanish teachers is out for the rest of the year with a very sick child. I've posted her blog on here before. The long-term substitute they hired came for a week and left. She said it was medical problems, but it was probably those lovely angels she was hired to teach. With all of that said, the other two Spanish teachers and I will be carrying the load. I will get 14 students in my first period class which will put me at 27 crazies in one period. Lord be with me and give me the strength not to run away. It could happen, ya'll. It could. I'm preparing myself for the worst and hoping the worser of the worst won't happen.

Other than that, things have been running smoothly. I learn so much from my kids. I learned they are called Generation Rx for prescription drug abuse. Sometimes they tell me more than I really need to know, and I want to keep my innocence. Yesterday was "Free Hugs from Ms. Jamison" day. My 11th and 12th graders loved that day! I would make it everyday but that would take the fun out of it, ya know? As hard-headed and lazy as they are sometimes, I sure do love them. I love to see them do well on a test when they've been failing all the other ones, and I love to see their faces when they know a Spanish word without looking it up in their dictionary. Pure and simple love for these kiddos. Now don't let my love fool you...it's often mingled with frustration and a very tight weave :). My kids tell me my weave is too tight when I'm not in the best of moods.

April 29th is the day when all grad school assignments have to be turned in, yes sir. Rejoice in the Lord. That is a day I will remember forever. I hope to get done before then but who knows. At my rate of slower than nothing that might not happen. Graduation is May 7, and no, I'm not walking. That's my one day off from my students. I'm not giving it up to go sit in a gym fanning myself in my cap and gown. A N and an O spell NO.

Let's talk about spring break and how it was fun! YES! I kicked off spring break with a wedding. Say what? Not mine sillies. Harding friends Britton and Kaitlin tied the knot in Monroe, LA on March 19. Julie, Jill and I roadtripped down and made it a fun day trip. An awesome college reunion! I saw so many friends I haven't seen in five years, so it was nice to catch up with everyone. Of course the best part was spending time with Meredith and Chandler. Any time I have with my niece is a blessing!

The Bryans: Jonathan, Meredith and sweet Chandler.

Jules and me. Wat up roadie?!

Buggy and me

Jillian and her crazy friend that is ADD because she gets easily distracted and doesn't look at the camera.

Erin's daughter Sullivan meets Chandler for the first time. Future Harding cutie pies!

My best friend Meredith and me

The newlyweds: Britton and Kaitlin Burton.

I bought 27 new books at McKay's. I know. I am so bad, but I couldn't help myself. I think I have an addiction. Truly. I get a high when I'm in there smelling all that yummy paper smell and holding the words of goodness in my hands. I'm so glad I'm literate because I feel I would be extremely lonely without my books to fill my imagination.

Nashville, TN was rainy and cold, but that didn't stop the fun. I got to meet Blake for the first time. She is such a joy to be around--such a happy baby. Each time I looked at her, she smiled. She smiles all the time and is constantly on the go like her momma. It was great to be back with Cali and Audra and to spend some quality time with them. It makes me thankful for wonderful, Christian friends!

Blake and me on our first meeting :)

Audra, Beau, and me on our walk that quickly turned into a rainy sprint.

Friends together again!



Lauren and me before dinner at Mafiaoza's and Tin Roof. So great to see her!

I ended my spring break stopping in Memphis on my way back. I had dinner with a very lovely lady: Grandmother. That was the icing on the cake for me. It was a wonderful trip! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Peace and blessings,
Ashley

HUMILIFIED

Ya'll, I sometimes wonder if I'm even here. It's like I'm never where I should be in my mind. I know! That makes no sense but it makes sense to me so just go play by yourself. With all of this weird talk, I am reminded of a quote from the movie My Father the Hero. Remember that one? Gee, I still love that movie. That was back in the young Katherine Heigl days...and that boy was SO FINE. Ok so Andre, the dad, is talking to his girlfriend: "I am not there for you. Where ever I am I am never there, where I am! I wish you would all just leave me alone!"

That's kind of how I have felt the past two days. I think grad school decided to sneak up on me all at once (or maybe I just got lazy). Whichever one it was, I have grounded myself until all assignments are complete. I'm very serious people of blogland. I have grounded myself from LOST. I cannot watch another episode until all grad school work is complete. You better believe dog gone it that I am trying to finish by this weekend. I'm working like a dooooggggg. That's a line from I Love You, Man--my go to movie for a little laughy laugh. 

I had a "I thought I wasn't going to graduate" scare yesterday. I won't go into details because they are long and boring, but let's just say there were tears (but no blood) shed. I guess I worry to much or just over think things in my head. WHATEVER it was, I think it's fine now. Last night was supposed to be devoted to researching my Europe trip, but I was stuck working on this stupid video and paperwork. Even this morning I continued working until 8:00. Yes, I was late to school (we don't have to be there until 8:15), but only by 5 minutes. As I'm driving to school on 630 taking the ramp for I-30, I felt that my toes were exceptionally warm. How nice on this chilly morning! Uh no, not so nice. I look down to find my toes were exceptionally warm because I HAD ON MY STINKING HOUSE SHOES!  I mean, what looney toon planet was I shipped out of this morning? Who does that? I'll tell ya who. Crazies! Those are soon to be in straight jackets.

The Europe trip update: I have no idea. I am frazzled. I need help. I am excited but don't feel it. I don't know. Why can't I feel it? Because I don't know where I'm going after Julie and Brian leave me all alone. That's why. I need Brian to map out my trip for me.

What I'll be singing all alone in Barcelona...by myself...with no one to talk to...but myself.

When you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown. When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry seems to help, I know, downtown. Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city. Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty. How can you lose?  OH BUT YOU CAN BECAUSE I'LL BE ALL ALONE!

But no fear because I have a very good FANTASTIC movie that gets me in brighter spirits. In fact, here's one of my most favorite parts:

Have a good Thursday!!

Mary Christmas and a Wedding

Yes, this is a 10th grader. And no he was not being funny. It was such a good thought though! I was grading essays today (for the semester exam), and one of the essays was about comparing the Day of the Dead or Christmas to the U.S. festivities. One girl answered, "We call mines holiday Christmas, and they call theirs Virgen Mary." aaawwww yes well...not quite so. It amazes me that even if I gave them the exact replica of the test, they still wouldn't study it. I feel things were so much different when I was in school and that wasn't that long ago. I would love your imput friends. Are students different today than they were even a few years ago or was I totally sheltered and oblivious? Be nice now...I know I'm oblivious to a lot of the happenings around me.

Brittany's not a little girl any longer. She's now a married woman! We absolutely love Waylan, and we are so happy for them both. The wedding was a bit chilly, but it was beautiful. It was small (small for our family is large for others) and intimate.

I feel it in my fingers...but not in my toes because it's so COLD! The worst three months of my life have offically begun. I know what you're thinking. It's ironic that a person who hates winter SO much was born in the coldest month of the year, February.

I think congrats are in order for...me! I just finished my last graduate class EVER! I will have freedom now. Instead of leaving school to go to class, I can now stay at school. This excites me because I am so behind in life...TV shows and more importantly books. SO SO SO behind. I'm making up for lost time because I: 1) joined Netflix to catch up on all the TV shows and movies I've missed the last two years of my existence, 2) checked out four books from the library, and 3) joined a book club. WHOA! I know, right? Excitingness is happening right here at the Chalet.