Heya Kiddies,
The three of us went, somewhat spontaneosly, to Portsmouth, on the seacoast this weekend because I had a revelation that if we didn't take a free weekend in nice weather and go somewhere new we never would. I've always regretted not visiting San Francisco when I lived in Seattle. It was so close, but I never chose a weekend to just do it.
So, early Saturday morn we set off. Portsmouth was a nice town. There were good shops, a nice park with stuff going on, and we had fab weather too. It made me miss having coffee shops a lot though! We all had success shopping too: N got a Ghostface Killah album on CD because he is the last person on earth actually building up his music collection with actual, in-your-hands CDs, I desperately need new pants, but got two "new" sweaters at a great consignment shop, and Bean got her first ever baby doll from an amazing toy store that I'm happy is not in our town because I would spend too much money there. I think we got suckered into buying the doll because there's really not much cuter than a toddler saying "baby." We walked all around Portsmouth and got to see some cool boats, nice gardens, an amazing bubble machine, and even some fairies! The only bummer of the trip was the food. We were hoping for fresh amd tasty seafood, but it didn't happen. We chose Thai for dinner because the one Thai place near us is awful, but so was the place we chose. The Bean's tofu and veggies were delish though. And she got to discover the wonderfullness that is undiluted pineapple juice.
Speaking of pineapple juice, to celebrate our weekend on the coast, Missy B slept in till 6:15 the next morning. N and I could hardly believe it cuz she's been waking at 5:15ish for the past hellish six weeks of so. We were so happy we promptly gave her a banana and the rest of her pineapple juice right in the king sized bed. Horray for lots of pillows!
We went to a fun, quirky place for breakfast because its open 24-hours on weekends and it's exciting to go out to breakfast at 6:45 AM! After another walk through town, we drove up the coast to York, Maine! We made the right decision not to go to the Children's Museum because there was really low-tide so the Bean could scamper to her heart's delight along on the beautiful beach. Plus, there were dozens of wonderful dogs running every which way that were more than happy to play with her. The water was even warm enough for me and Bean to put our toes in.
After checking out an incredible playground with slides YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO WALK UP, we had our last touristy meal and drove back to NH because, as the Bean likes to say, as nice as it is to get away,it's even nicer to come home even if your town doesn't have any coffee shops, heavenly toy stores, or walk-up slides.
September 21, 2009
September 15, 2009
That Time of Year
It's crazy how one day you notice a few red leaves in a single tree. Those leaves seem like an aberration since you're still in summer mode, running around outside most of the day and cooling off at night with a fresh squeezed lemonade at the Farmer's Market. But then, it feels like hours later, every other tree's leaves is changing and nights and mornings are downright cold.
Here we go with NH Fall #2. I'm trying to be positive. The leaves are so pretty, but it seems like every day more of them change from green to red and yellow and even more of them are on the ground. Today Missy Bean and I spent a lot of time in the house and we both felt a little nutty. But we have a membership to the science museum and even when it's cold we can take short walks to the library and art gallery. We can go out to lunch, look at books and toys at Borders, go to the pet store, grocery shopping, etc. We also have music on Fridays and we know a lot more people than we did a year ago and hopefully we'll know even more by the time the weather is downright dreadful.
Yes, I've used "downright" twice in this post. I have no idea why.
Anyway, teaching has been pretty good. The students seem pretty alert for such an early class although this could change in a few weeks. While I miss the diversity of my old school, the new has some nice things. At my old school, I worked, often taught, and took all my graduate classes on the same floor as the president. But he was in an office within an office with a door that was always closed. I saw him maybe three times in six years and two of those times were at functions. At the new school, the president's door is open and he sent a campus-wide email saying he had office hours for faculty and staff and there were even monthly brown bag lunches with him. As a lowly adjunct who needs to get home to watch the kiddo, I won't be partaking in these, but it still creates a nice vibe.
Even nicer than the pres' lunching? They let the faculty use the copy machine! Without having it under lock and key. It's in a room across from the department office and you can use it (assuming you know the code) without feeling like a criminal. At my old school, if you wanted to make your own copies (because maybe you needed the copies quickly) there would be 3-4 secretaries right next to you just waiting for you to go over the alloted number. It was pretty stressful and although I'm sure there were profs who would abuse the copier for their own use, I believe that most people wanted to make copies for the students. To uh, teach them. So that's nice.
It's a little rough having to go teach, drive back and take care of the Bean, but overall I guess I'm happy I'm back in school. It's a lot easier to be tired at work than tired with a toddler. But you should probably ask me again in six weeks.
Here we go with NH Fall #2. I'm trying to be positive. The leaves are so pretty, but it seems like every day more of them change from green to red and yellow and even more of them are on the ground. Today Missy Bean and I spent a lot of time in the house and we both felt a little nutty. But we have a membership to the science museum and even when it's cold we can take short walks to the library and art gallery. We can go out to lunch, look at books and toys at Borders, go to the pet store, grocery shopping, etc. We also have music on Fridays and we know a lot more people than we did a year ago and hopefully we'll know even more by the time the weather is downright dreadful.
Yes, I've used "downright" twice in this post. I have no idea why.
Anyway, teaching has been pretty good. The students seem pretty alert for such an early class although this could change in a few weeks. While I miss the diversity of my old school, the new has some nice things. At my old school, I worked, often taught, and took all my graduate classes on the same floor as the president. But he was in an office within an office with a door that was always closed. I saw him maybe three times in six years and two of those times were at functions. At the new school, the president's door is open and he sent a campus-wide email saying he had office hours for faculty and staff and there were even monthly brown bag lunches with him. As a lowly adjunct who needs to get home to watch the kiddo, I won't be partaking in these, but it still creates a nice vibe.
Even nicer than the pres' lunching? They let the faculty use the copy machine! Without having it under lock and key. It's in a room across from the department office and you can use it (assuming you know the code) without feeling like a criminal. At my old school, if you wanted to make your own copies (because maybe you needed the copies quickly) there would be 3-4 secretaries right next to you just waiting for you to go over the alloted number. It was pretty stressful and although I'm sure there were profs who would abuse the copier for their own use, I believe that most people wanted to make copies for the students. To uh, teach them. So that's nice.
It's a little rough having to go teach, drive back and take care of the Bean, but overall I guess I'm happy I'm back in school. It's a lot easier to be tired at work than tired with a toddler. But you should probably ask me again in six weeks.
September 11, 2009
September 9, 2009
September 7, 2009
I Know It's Been Too Long
Sorry, loves, I didn't mean to become one of those people who never updates her blog anymore. I have no excuse but the incarceration, the failed heist, and that quicky stint in rehab.
Or maybe it's my addiction to Scrabble on the iPhone.
(Just kidding, mom. I haven't played in a few weeks. I'm totally okay. Really.)
For reals? I don't know. The summer ran away here. I think it might have to do with Missy Bean and her incessant walking. The girl can't be stopped! So yeah, there's that. And uh, I start teaching tomorrow! I haven't taught a class since May 2008! And I haven't taught freshman comp in years. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Right now I'm feeling kind of zen about it. My syllabi are all made and my darling husband presented me with a lovely attendance book and whole pack of inky pilot pens.
I'm sure I'll be tweaky as beans tomorrow though.
Have I mentioned that the class is at 8:00 AM!?
Anyway....I promise to try to not let so much time go by between posts.
And now I'm off to watch Mad Men! It's so good, you should really consider watching it.
Or maybe it's my addiction to Scrabble on the iPhone.
(Just kidding, mom. I haven't played in a few weeks. I'm totally okay. Really.)
For reals? I don't know. The summer ran away here. I think it might have to do with Missy Bean and her incessant walking. The girl can't be stopped! So yeah, there's that. And uh, I start teaching tomorrow! I haven't taught a class since May 2008! And I haven't taught freshman comp in years. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Right now I'm feeling kind of zen about it. My syllabi are all made and my darling husband presented me with a lovely attendance book and whole pack of inky pilot pens.
I'm sure I'll be tweaky as beans tomorrow though.
Have I mentioned that the class is at 8:00 AM!?
Anyway....I promise to try to not let so much time go by between posts.
And now I'm off to watch Mad Men! It's so good, you should really consider watching it.
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