This has been a banner weekend. For one thing, Rich and I finally got to meet our incredibly sweet and adorable niece, Lucy. She's two, so Rich and I officially win the worst aunt and uncle ever award. I did my best to convince her that I was her Aunt Richard and that Richard was her Uncle Sarah, but no dice--she mostly seemed confused about that. She did mention the bunny I made her for Christmas last year, so that was cool.

Rich and I also finally went hiking on the trail nearest our house- maybe a 5 minute drive? And holy crap. This is where we live.

This was taken on my camera phone, so really, it was about fifty times better in real life. The whole time we were hiking, I couldn't stop asking myself why we haven't bothered to go up there before.

And, my friends, that's where priorities come into play. Having limited time, resources, and energy means we are constantly making decisions on where to put that which we have. And sometimes, we make crappy decisions (like not meeting our awesome niece until she was two years old) and miss out on awesome things (like seeing this amazing view and enjoying how awesome the place we live is). So yeah. Once somebody (wise) told me that you can have anything, but you can't have everything. I think they were talking about money, but how true is that of the rest of life as well?

Today a girl in my class looked at me and said, "Miss! You forgot to put your earrings on today!"

It totally cracked me up. The things kids do and don't notice. For example, I can put the same exact problem on a warm up, a worksheet, a quiz, and a test. And still no one will notice (except maybe one kid). But I don't wear pearls in my ears? BAM! Instant observers. I part my hair slightly differently? WOW! They all make comments. I wear a new pair of shoes? KAZOW! 25 compliments.

New Year's Resolutions

This year I made one overarching resolution (to create more balance in my life) made up of several sub-resolutions. So here's an update on my sub-resolutions.

-Cook dinner at least once a week.

Pathetic, I know. But baby steps, people. This resolution has been successful so far. I have not only cooked at least once a week in the two weeks since returning from school, but THREE times a week. The plan is that I don't cook on Mondays (since my night class keeps me out until about 9:00). I cook a hunk of meat in the crock pot on Tuesday. I love the crock pot. When I get home on Tuesdays, dinner is already done! Wednesdays I make something that is pretty quick (like tacos, pasta, hummus...). Thursdays, I use the leftovers from Tuesdays hunk-o-meat to make something in the crock pot (soup, a casserole, whatever). Friday nights, either Richard cooks something or we go out to eat. So I've managed to maintain this for two whole weeks! Hooray!

-Incorporate more exercise in my life.

I've had to really force myself here because I am a naturally sedentary person. I really loathe exercise, with the exception of water aerobics (which, let's face it, isn't exactly physically challenging). So I've been doing the couch to 5k program, and it's going well! I try to run at least twice during the week (Tuesday night and Thursday/Friday nights) and then once or twice on the weekends (Saturday and/or Sundays). And hey, I'm doing it, and I have a lot more energy lately. Running is stress relieving- I sometimes picture smashing my feet into a particular night class or class I teach- and it's not too painful. Rich and I are registered for a 5k on April 9, so that's giving us something concrete to work toward.

-Spend less time working on the weekends.

I've changed the way I grade this semester, and it has seriously cut the amount of time required to get all my student's work graded (at least in half). So yeah, this is working well. I still have the eighty-bajillion hours of work required for my night class. Sigh. April 2012, you cannot get here soon enough.

-Read more.

I've started listening to books on tape on my way to work, which is pleasant. Since I am home more during the week (after quitting my part-time job), I have more time to read. And since Rich is back at school and reading approximately 800 books per week, it's much easier to read than turn on the TV. I've been finishing about 2 books per week (plus one book on CD) which is awesome!

-Be less anti-social, and make it a point to see people I don't work with.

Last weekend, Rich and I went to a party AND hosted a party. So, yeah. This is good.

The end. How are YOUR New Year's Resolutions working out.

You know what I hate?

Have you even been in this situation: You are on a freeway for a long time. Suddenly, you see a sign telling you that to stay on the road you're on, you actually have to exit the current road. WHA!?! If you're on one road, you shouldn't have to LEAVE that road to stay on the exact same road. Just saying.

This happens to me all the time, maybe because I drive in LA, but it happens in one place specifically on my way home from the class I take on Monday nights. And just thinking about that stupid exit and how I'm going to have to switch lanes and get over really fast- just to maintain the status quo- really irks me.

Five Things

1- I think about this video at school all the time. That's right- I'm a nice white lady. I can do anything.

2- MLK Day was awesome. Every weekend should be a three day weekend. Today I laid by the pool- that's right in JANUARY. Southern California is a nice place to live. Did I mention I could see a mountain topped with snow while laying by said pool?

3- Have I mentioned how ready for summer I am? Only six months to go!

4- Yesterday I bought some alcoholic apple cider at Trader Joe's. I mainly bought it because it is called Newton's Folly and I thought that would be HILARIOUS at a get-together Richard had today with some friends (it was). Anyway, at the store, I did not get carded. I am officially a grown up.

5- I've started listening to books on CD from the library during my commute. I love NPR, but man, it can be depressing. So instead, last week, I listened to the incredibly uplifting book Marley and Me and bawled my eyes out on the 10.

A blog post two days in a row! Clearly, I'm not back at work yet.

I took a Calculus test today. If someone had told me even a year ago (much less when I was in high school) that I would ever be using Calculus again, I would have laughed in that person's face. Isn't life crazy?

But hey, really, calculus is much easier as an adult. In high school, I always thought it was stupid and just memorizing a bunch of formulas. And I still think that a little bit, but now I understand why these formulas work and what they actually mean.

I think when I was younger, I thought I was as smart as I would ever be. But now I know I am SO much smarter than I was back then. More than anything, I have learned how to think critically better. And so, learning calculus (again) hasn't exactly been fun, but it also hasn't been as miserable as one might think.

A year in review

I recently went to Houston for Christmas (so fun) and nearly everyone I saw commented on the dearth of blog posts as of late. Sadly, everything in my life has died since becoming a teacher, including this blog. But hey, whatever. Here's a post just for you! Buckle in, because it's long.

1) What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

Spring: I took two math tests (after a ridiculous amount of time without math in my life) and passed! Hey-o!

Summer: I spent many, many days at this summer at the beach. I also wore a dress almost every day.

Fall: Uh, I became a teacher! Also, I spent Thanksgiving with someone other than my family. Bittersweet, that one.

Winter: I let my dog influence my Christmas travel plans. I am one of THOSE people.

2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make any for this year?

I honestly don't remember my New Year's resolutions from last year, but maybe that Room-a-Month thing? So, no. FAIL.

This year, my New Year's resolution is to maintain some semblance of balance in my life (as teaching has taken over a bit).

To that end, I quit my tutoring job to free up one night a week.

I also plan to cook at least one night a week (you read that right), not kill any more plants, and to get back on the exercise wagon.

3) Did anyone you are close with give birth?

Yes! About a jillion people I know had babies in 2010. At the top of that list is my sister, who gave birth to my niece, the standard by which all babies are judged.

4) Did anyone close to you die?

No one close to me died this year.

5) What countries did you visit?

Sadly, I didn't visit any other countries this year. Unless you count Texas. And if you do, I don't know if we can be friends anymore.

6) What would you like in 2010 that you lacked in 2011?

Again, with the BALANCE thing.

7) What dates from 2010 will remain etched on your memory, and why?

April 5- my niece's birthday

September 13- my first day as a teacher (As I went to write this one down, I put the wrong date down. So, maybe not after all).

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?

My biggest set of achievements culminated in finally signing my contract with LAUSD. That was a saga I would not soon relive.

Also, learning all 250 of my student's names.

9) What was your biggest failure?

Letting my plants, relationships, and cooking habits die when I started working full time. Being a grownup is hard! I did manage to keep my dog alive, though! (Probably only because Richard was around, though.)

10) Did you suffer illness or injury?

I was sick TWICE at the beginning of the school year, which for me is the equivalent of having the Black Plague. I am NEVER sick.

11) What was the best thing you bought?

I'd have to say a lap desk (given to me for Christmas by Richard). It has increased my productivity immensely.

12) Whose behavior merited celebration?

Richard's. Richard has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and he was right there with me as a struggled with facing up to what some of those dreams really are. He let me know it was okay to do what I want- regardless of what others might think or that it meant doing something I swore I'd NEVER do. He's listened to me gripe and complain; he's picked up slack as I became sucked into work and he's never once complained. AND he's sooo smart and successful in his own work. Richard ROCKS, people.

13) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Exhibits 1 and 2: My fourth and sixth period Algebra 1 classes. It turns out, 9th graders are rowdy (to put it nicely).

And of course, my own at times.

14) Where did most of your money go?

Our lovely apartment. Housing in CA is expensive. What You Get for the Money don't kid!

Also, gas.

Ironically, our apartment looks NOTHING like this anymore!

15) What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Making my niece's quilt. My niece's birth. Going to Houston in April. Hanging out with Richard at the beach all summer. Getting accepted to the alternative certification program I'm in. Getting a job offer. Signing my contract. The first day of school. Thanksgiving Break and seeing old friends. Christmas break!!!

16) What song will always remind you of 2010?

Probably "Bulletproof" by La Roux. I listened to that song A LOT on the train to downtown.

Also, "California Gurls" by Katy Perry. Did they play that song everywhere else as much as it was played here!?

17) Compared to this time last year are you:

a. Happier or Sadder? Happier.

b. Thinner or fatter? Probably about the same, but slightly fatter.

c. Richer or poorer? Richer. See "getting a full-time job."

18) What do you wish you'd done more of?

Spending time with friends.

Chilling out and believed that everything would work out. (Though if I'd chilled out a little more, maybe it wouldn't have.)

Saving more money.

19) What do you wish you'd done less of?

Freaking out over my job.

Grading.

Killing plants. I am so bummed all of my plants are dead.

20) How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas day was spent with Rich's parents opening presents, napping, eating dinner, and going to see True Grit. I also mastered my impression of Mattie Ross from True Grit. Ask Richard, it is awesome.

"Fake Christmas" was spent with my parents watching the baby open presents (she is slow), eating, and enjoying the chaos that is a full house of people and dogs.

21) Did you fall in love in 2010?

I was already in love going into 2010, but I really do enjoy being married to Richard. I love that man more with every year, and, not to be too schmoopy, I am so glad to be with him.

22) What was your favorite TV program?

2010 was the year of some serious Netflix-ing in the Harville-Newton household. This year we LOVED:

- Dexter

- The West Wing

- Eureka

- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

- The O.C. (sad, but true)

- Friday Night Lights (get Rich to sing you the theme song for this one!)

- The Wire

- Big Bang Theory

- Six Feet Under

- Tudors

- McCleod's Daughters (Man, I was sad when this show got weird)

We watched virtually no TV on the actual television.

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate last year?

Only people I didn't know yet last year. (Kidding!! Sort of.)

24) What was the best book you read?

Not sure what the best book I read was, but the last book I read was The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini. Total blather, but really fun to read!

The worst book I read was Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions. Blech.

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?

Probably Pandora Radio. I know I'm behind the times, but man I love Pandora.

26) What political issue stirred you the most?

This isn't a political blog, but I'll mention a couple.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I still don't understand quite understand why anyone cares about anyone else's sexual preference. I mean I get it, but, really?

The midterm elections in California. I'm so, so glad that money doesn't always buy you an office.

And of course, Prop 19. Just kidding. I could care less about that one.

27) Who did you miss?

This year, I realized how much I miss being close enough to Houston to pop in for a weekend visit. I miss being able to do the small things.

Also, I miss my Dallas knitting group. And our Abrams neighbors. While I hated Dallas, I sure liked living there!

28) Who was the best new person you met?

My team teacher, who is awesome in so many ways. She goes along with my crazy ideas and tells great stories about the men she meets through E-harmony. Also, Richard will forever love her for pointing is toward a fabulous dim-sum restaurant.

I met a lot of awesome new people this year, though!

29) What was a valuable lesson you learned in 2010?

It's okay to do something you swore up and down you'd never do (even if it means you are who your parents said you'd be some day). I promised myself I would NEVER EVER be a teacher- no matter what. I've realized this year that it's okay to have a life that is not "glamorous" to someone on the outside looking in (um, when was my life EVER glamorous?). What really matters is that you are happy with the life you are living. What seemed terrible and boring when I was a teenager is actually a-ok as a semi-adult. And that's alright. I was wrong about most things as a teenager.

Also, breaking into tears often means better service!

30) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Her: Alabama, Arkansas I do love my ma and pa

Not that way that I do love you

Him: Holy moley, me oh my

You're the apple of my eye

Girl, I've never loved one like you

Her: Man, oh man, you're my best friend

I scream it to the nothingness

There ain't nothing that I need

Him: Well, hot and heavy, pumpkin pie

Chocolate candy, Jesus Christ

Ain't nothing please me more than you

Both: Ah, home Let me go home

Home is wherever I'm with you

Ah, home Let me go home

Home is wherever I'm with you