John 14:1 NASB
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me."

I'm just not sure...
  
                            I'm just not sure...
 
I'm just not sure...

It's so gorgeous here in Reston, VA and I'm having a great time. My flight was smooth, no delays on JetBlue. I had an aisle seat and nobody sat next to me. Yes, I love that! (I like the aisle seats.) I watched the Food Network during the whole time I was on the plane. The weather outside is cold, but it's not totally freezing cold. This morning, the rain actually woke me up from my sleep. Hence, I write this blog.

I've been having lots of "Girl Time" with my old college roommates. My 2 old college roommates and I are hanging out over the weekend. One of them just had a baby girl, so we all flew out just to see her baby. She's our "first baby". The last time we did something like this was back in 2003, when we all flew to Buffalo, NY for one of their weddings. After college, we all scattered to different parts of the United States. We take up any opportunity to spend a weekend together. It's nice being able to catch up and see how much has changed, as well as notice that some things are still the same. There's so much laughter whenever I'm in their company. That hasn't changed, I'm glad.

Jolie is a really good baby, easy to care for. The baby just had her immunization shots, so her sleep pattern is really wacky and she was experiencing a little bit of a fever. But she is being good about it. Never fussy. Last night the baby wanted to play in the middle of the night, after being tired and feverish all afternoon and evening. It would be cruel to force the cute baby to sleep, so I played and fed her. I talked to her and she babbled back to me. I know she understood what I was telling her. She loves to be carried, so I rocked and walked her up and down the house until she fell asleep, this was almost 3am. She was knocked out, finally! Whew!

We're going to go Christmas shopping in a little bit. I'll see how crazy the shopping malls are here in Reston, VA compared to Torrance, CA. I haven't finished shopping for people.

Hmmm, hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows sounds really good right now.

Last day of work.  I don't even count today as a work day because I'm taking the class to a field trip, and we'll be out the whole entire day!  I'm taking the kids to a water recycling facility and then we're visiting Manhattan Beach Pier.  It will be a cold day at the beach.  I hope it's not too windy for the kids.

I plan to leave work right at 2:40pm because I need to finish packing my suitcase for my trip to Virginia and Florida.  I've been looking forward to trip.  I really need to find things to do during the break when I return on December 23rd. 

I've been very busy with working.  Yuck!  I haven't had enough space during the day to just chill and be creative. This year my students suck the energy and creativity out of me.  They wear me out!

It's winter, it's cold and I'm home a lot more.  So I saw my acoustic guitar dormant, just leaning against the wall.  I miss writing my own songs.  I miss sitting down to write poems and ballads.  I miss tinkering around with chords and playing with words.  I think I'll pick up writing sappy love songs again.  That's always a great winter hobby for me.  

Isaiah 42:10
Sing to the LORD a new song...

Round One:
Tonight I'm looking forward to attending the huge Christmas party organized by the Mariners (married couples ministry) at my church.  The location will be held in some fancy golf course banquet room.  These dress-up events are always pretty fun to go to.  For those who don't know me well, I love getting dolled up--hair, makeup and nails.  Analie actually helped me search for a dress, one that I don't have to worry about looking 20lbs. bloated in after eating dinner.    I can't wait to eat good food and dance on the ballroom floor.  I'm going to be singing a Christmas song for all the guests.  May it go well, because I haven't memorized all the lyrics yet!  It would be embarrassing if I blank out in the middle of the performance.  (Take a tablet of Ginko Biloba to spike the memory, Liz??)

I'm here trying to find something meaningful to write for the National Boards.  It's just not really coming out of me right now.  I don't really feel like reflecting on my teaching practices tonight.  I'm sick of work.

Since the start of Thanksgiving Break, I've been feeling like a hamster running in a wheel.  Very chaotic days!  One interruption after another.  One important deadline after another.  It just goes and goes!  But I look forward to Friday.  I can finally relax after tomorrow.

I am almost relieved.  Parent conferences are almost over.  Tomorrow is the final day for me to meet with parents.  I was really lucky this year to be able to schedule all my Spanish parent conference meetings on Thursday and was given a translator.  I didn't have to use my broken Spanish to talk to the parents.  I had a pretty good turnout, with the exception of some flakey parents who I knew would either come late to their meeting time, or just have no interest in going.  It's sad because those flakey parents are usually the one with the most troubled kids.

I'm still working on my Christmas potluck.  I made sure that everyone received a map and directions to the staff holiday potluck.  I also have to make sure that I have the games and prizes prepared.  I can't wait until this Christmas potluck is over!  It will be fun....'cuz I organized it! 

Woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep.  Got this from Julie. 

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? 

Wrapping paper.

 

2. Real tree or artificial? 

Real

3. When do you put up your tree? 

It should've been this week.  I will have to wait until Saturday.

4. When do you take down your tree?  

3 days after January 1st.

 

5. Do you like eggnog?

No, I prefer hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows.  I also like hot apple cider.

 

6. Favorite gift received as a child?  

Any board game.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

No need.  How about just reading the Gospel?

 

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My dad.

 

9. Easiest person to buy for?  

Me.  Trust me.

10.
Worst Christmas gift you've ever received?

I don't remember right now.

 

 

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? 

Mail Christmas cards.  I love doing that.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

It's a Wonderful Life

 

13.
When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I plan on starting this week.

 

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Yes.  No shame in that.

 

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Everything

 

16. White or colored lights?

Colored

 

17.
Favorite Christmas song?

O Little Town of Bethlehem

 

18. Traveling for Christmas or stay home?  

It depends.  This year, I'm traveling.

 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

No.

20. Angel or Star on top of tree?

Star

 

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? 

Christmas Eve (Noche Buena)

 

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Being broke.

 

23.
What I love most about Christmas?

3 weeks of vacation from work

24.
What do you really want for Christmas?

Can't think of anything I really want.