New Job

I thought this picture would be appropriate since Luis is probably dreaming of this week way back a year ago when I took this picture in our old apartment with Simon taking my 1/2 of the bed.

This is Luis's last week at his job. He gave his 2 week notice last weekend and we were sure that one of two things would happen: 1) Hank would whine and throw and tantrum OR 2) Hank would be thankful for all of the hard work and dedication from Luis. Any guesses? Well, surprisingly Hank decided to save his whining for a rainy day and he actually tried to see what he could do to get Luis to stay.

Unfortunately, being a small company he was not nearly able to offer what this other company is offering as far as benefits and money are concerned and Luis does need a good window of time to study his aviation that he cannot get at this job. SO... needless to say this last week cannot pass quickly enough for us so that he can get going on working for a company that is actually able to adequately compensate him for his great work ethic.

Don't be surprised if you hear fireworks and loud whistles coming from the Velasquez house oh around 6:30 on Friday evening... that'll be the Colombian celebrating!

Track Change

I found out for sure that I will be switching tracks next year to track 4. For those of you who do not speak year-round that means that I'll still be teaching 9 weeks and taking off 3 weeks and then back again but just different blocks of 9/3 weeks than I did this year. Kindergarten is a strangely autonomous grade level and the most disjointed of any I have worked on, but it came as a surprise that a few wanted to change their tracks. In order to accomodate, my TA and I chose track 4 which is the calendar closest to the traditional school year. We're flexible. We like to say that we're easy ... easy like Sunday morning.

What this information boils down to is that we will get 3 weeks off at the end of our school year and then 3 weeks off at the beginning of next school year (which starts in July) as we pick up the new track. Sounds like some pool time to me. That was one thing that I missed about starting year round right out of traditional -- I had only about 2 weeks to breathe in between letting the old kids go and meeting the new ones.

Luis will be happy b/c when I'm not working I get to be Suzy homemaker and clean and have food ready whereas we kind of eat what we can fix fast with whoever gets home first and play clean up catch up on the weekends. Maybe I should get an apron monogramed!!!

Top Cruise Book

My friend and fellow scholar of the western culture that is Hollywood and I saw the Unauthorized Biography of Tom Cruise on a recent outing to Barnes and Noble. She (ever the voice of reason in our relationship) noted that is was more of a library book than a buying book so I went and got my name on the list so that I could see what secrets of Tom Cruise I needed to be aware of. Here are the major points and my impressions of the book so that you can decide if it is worth your time or not.

1. Scientology is dark and it really affected me in a weird way when I was reading about the details of it. According to the book, they target people for recruitment based on the demographic they can influence not as individuals (a la Beckhams and Lopez).

2. Nicole Kidman was an ice queen in the marriage and Tom was the one essentially chasing her. She also liked to find tiny details in the housekeepers jobs to complain about instead of noticing how well everything ran for her.

3. Tom Cruise was with that Colombian actress (I know more Colombians taking over the world :) weeks before proclaiming his love like an idiot on Oprah.

4. He has full custody of the kids and Nicole has only a webcam and phone relationship with them... when it was time for her to have them last time he sent them to a Scientology camp. The pic of them at the Lakers game was extremely uncommon.

5. The dislexia he claims to have been cured from by scientology has a couple of alternate stories -- one being that he was helped extensively in elementary school and was fine by middle school and the other being that his mom worked at home with him.

6. Scientology really is about aliens and stuff like that. They believe that there are Thetans on your body that make you unable to know what is really religious truth or not and that they have to be removed in a session where you are in room with your e-meter and you are talking to things asking them to identify themselves.

And last but never least 7. Tom appears a smiley and agreeable until he gets away from the camera then he is either blank or demanding and controlling...

Those are some highlights. Katie Holms info was not new but still sad how it seems like she got duped. And for the Ryan-ish readers I will add something of substance after all of this fluff... e=mc-squared.

Preach it Jamie!!!

My intellectually divine friend Jamie just posted a wonderful writeup on peace. I can't really sum it up well enough to do it justice so here is the link: http://mccollumsincharlotte.blogspot.com/
Read and enjoy. I know that I crave calm and relaxation, but I dive into the drama pool often. She gives us a good reminder. Props, James!

Ragin' against the beautiful mind

On Saturday night we went out with our favorite dates Ryan and Cheyney... Che and I are a pretty established couple since we lived through the dramatic 9th and 10th grades together (and had crushes on 2 of the same boys but never were dumb enough to do anything mean about it)but it was fun to have the husbands involved.

We ate at this yum-tastic resturant that Ryan found confusing because of the hype/trendy vibe mixed with plain older customers and the great presentation of food backdropped by the bottle of 401 on the counter. Our waitress, Amelia, had a carefully assembled outfit consisting of a sparkly black bikini top under her barely buttoned blouse. It was a wild thing to behold because her outfit didn't really match her innocent personality so I'm assuming the rest of her buttons popped off of her shirt while bringing our heavy drinks and she was wearing the bikini top because it was laundry day?!

After we ate, we went back to Ryan and Cheyney's love den and played a rematch of RAGE the most fun card game in recent memory that I have absolutely no idea how to score -- that's why I pick smart friends. Above you will see a paper that looks like something that the guy from A Beautiful Mind would've written on the windows, but it is the score paper. As you can see, Luis dominated -- Velasquezes representing!

Why I Keep Him

So as any married one will tell you, there are times when you look at the person lucky enough to spend their life with you and and wonder "why oh why oh why oh why do I bother?". Not a commentary on what you think of the person as a whole, just what you think in that moment. Well, last night was one of the nights that reminds me why I bother.

Yesterday we SUPPOSED to be a big cleaning day and I had an ambitious set of plans for my day that I expected to commence just as soon as I got up noonish-closer-to-one. I began cleaning and even roped Luis into participating since he has more cleaning skill in his right pinky than I do after sleeping all morning to prepare.

We were busily cleaning in our separate parts of the house when Luis came in and said "You're going to kill me, but I invited Andres and Natalia for supper" (cue the "why do I bother" thoughts).There was so much to do and I didn't want the limit of time placed by visitors, but they're always fun so I pulled my life together and kept on scrubbing. Let me clarify that we LOVE Andres and Natalia (especially since Andres grew up with Luis and still speaks to him) and all stupid attitudes were my own inability to veer from the supposed plan de jour.

I took the comforter to the laudramat since it is too big to fit in the washer here and pretty much by the time I got back, this is what that little punk whipped up: pasta with mussles, calamari, shrimp, and mushrooms... if the food wasn't so good I would've beat him up for being such an over achiever.

So, I quit being a whiney wife for a while and thankfully ate the food my husband fixed. Hey, it it were not for his lovely efforts we would've been feasting on the local delights like Taco Bell or KFC (which are lovely in their own time). He enjoys making fancy stuff so the next time he starts dancing the marengue on my nerves (which is a big fat joke if you know how much he hates dancing to spanish music) I'll remember the time he really "rocked the mic" as my darling Che would say and fixed some pretty looking and tasting food.

Jackpot!

Every Sunday on the way to church in Burlington we pass the sign that lets us know what the current lottery jackpot is and almost everytime, Luis and I go through our lists of what we'd do if we won. Not that we've ever had a chance of winning since the only tickets we've ever bought were the time that the jackpot was like 320 million and that was Luis buying.

Since we pass it every Sunday, we have gotten pretty good at shooting through our lists, but I'm curious what your list would be. And seriously? Unless you'd really go running over to Namibia with a pile of money in your hands for water treatment programs don't put it -- I'll already very impressed with you as a person :) I'll admit that I sure haven't thought of that one time passing the sign.

So, leave me a comment telling me your list. I'm not going to let you win or anything, but maybe I'll beef up my own list or maybe I'll get a little insight into you.

Llave por la mona

A few of you might know the tale of the day I got locked out of the house in the cold with flip-flops and wet hair. Hey, just because I remember to make the kids wear their coats at school doesn't mean that I have a lick of sense in my own world!

So, I tried fruitlessly to break into the house even using the credit card trick -- nada. I tried to see if any windows were unlocked -- so much for the virtues of being responsible. I was forced to call Luis (who was working in Raleigh) and have him drive all the way home to let me in.

Lesson: I need a hidden key. Well, almost a month later it is hidden. Of course Luis (with his extensive criminal training that is standard in all elementary curriculum in Colombia) guessed right away where I put it. I don't know whether to chalk that up to me being obvious or us being married so I'm leaving it for the time being.

The good news is that I won't have to bother my dear Cheyney the next time I get locked out, the bad news is that being very aware of my absentminded characteristics (or as someone once put it "my mind being on loftier things) I'll probably forget and still have to call her. Che, remind me that I need to give you a spare because as it stands, when I call you it will be to help me break in and that can't be cheap to repair!

**Disclaimer to criminals that often read my blog as a form of recreation: don't bother to look for the key -- I'm so onto you that I've probably chickened out and brought it back inside and put it in my cobra's cage.

Raleigh Snow Days Explained to the Layman

We had a real Raleigh snow day today. For those of you who've never lived in Raleigh I have to tell you that it is a phenomonon like no other. The way is goes down is this:

1. A week out the weather reporters start mentioning the S word (no Thomas, not that S word it's the one that rhymes with Joe).

2. 5 minutes after the first mention people trek to the grocery stores to stock up on storm rations like canned foods and wood and water.

3. The snow trucks put down a few test layers of that magical snow and ice killing stuff that may or may not be salt.

4. The parents tell their kids that they probably won't have school the next day b/c of snow.

5. Everyone hunkers down to watch WRAL to see about the delays and closings.

The station uses hard-hitting graphics to be sure all viewers are aware of the potential dangers on and off of the road.

6. Wake County Public Schools makes sure that it is the absolute last place to make a decision.

7. They give us a 2 hour delay.

8. Nothing happens.

Then the whole thing repeats itself at least once or twice that season.

Oh, and referencing #8, obviously this picture was not from today... but you would know that if you were what I like to call a careful reader!

Jacked up very bad day

My favorite kids book of all time is Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and this day sure had the makings. Here it goes:

7:46- Voicemail from my TA letting me know that she'd be out because she's got a migraine.

10:55- Kids act like like bafoons who've never done a math lesson in their lives... resulted in their papers being tossed in the recycling bin so that they could start over and do a good job.

7:15- Lights in the Honda start acting weird.

7:22- Car starts really getting scary... not wanting to accelerate... radio not working.

7:35- Pull into the driveway... whew... car stops... and Luis can't figure it out.

8:12- Luis was having trouble getting the arrepas to go with our yum Colombian beans separated so I tried and ended up stabbing my hand stigmata-style.

8:30- Have to go to pick up the Jeep since my Honda is not working... sucks.

I think I'll move to Australia...

Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank

I went to the library to return my 1 week loan of T is for Trespass a wonderful book by the lovely Sue Grafton (who I met once because I'm hot stuff) and I happened upon a little hardcover copy of Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank.

Had to check it out. I'm always up for a provocative title.

It is so freaking funny -- especially since the author observes a lot of trends about the 6 year old population that I do. If you are looking for a quickie that will make your stomach hurt (from laughing not concern), I'd go the skanky route... but that's just me.

Oh and yes my parents did pay good money for me to get my degree in English and no I don't often check out the great American classics (ok ever... I don't ever check out the great American classics).

Salud (dinero y amor)

Well, Luis and I had a nice weekend together which is rare (the weekend part not the nice part). Usually he is working or flying and I am being worthless around the house because I'm sleeping until noon and watching episodes of MTV stuff online (since we 86ed the cable).

Not this weekend. We puttered around and ate Chinese one night and Pizza the other... heaven.

There is no one that can get under my skin like my husband, but I think that is b/c there is no one that is more like half of my brain. We are just cheeseball like that.

So, here's to cute husbands to make the rare weekends fun. And here's to the dogs who mostly stayed out of our way this weekend so we could argue and laugh and just generally experience the blessing that is time together. Salud!

Ur on red.

So I have a list of favorite blogs that I like to visit and I noticed that when I checked one that had not been updated since January 1st, I was mentally chanting "update your blog, update your blog". Apparently that would be a case of the kettle and pot and some black cause guess when I updated my blog last... oh yes, it was the 1st. So, here I am updating since I am hoping my favorite bloggers will do the same.

So, what to tell... The one thing that happened today that was kind of funny was a little "love note" that I got from my right hand man Connor today. Preface this story in your mind with the fact that the behavior in my class is by colors: green- good day, yellow- a little note goes home explaining some silliness or talkative behavior, and red (which only 2 people have gotten all year long)- which means the kid him/herself has to call his/her parents and explain what the crap has happened to turn his/her life into this downward spiral of disaster during the day.

Well, Connor (or Bartchy as I like to call him since his last name is so much more punchy sounding) wrote me a note and folded it hand-arthritis-givingly-small. When I opened it is said "ur on red" translated: this little genius just put his teacher on RED for no reason! Ha - love the moxie. Wish I had it when I was 5!

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Now, my favorite bloggers (and you know who you are) update your blogs and keep my entertained -- or else you will be on RED.

Fun Friends

Oh, and here's a little shout out to our fun friends, Ryan and Cheyney. We had a great time celebrating New Years with them last night and we are so thankful that you guys are in Raleigh!!!

Tracking In

Tomorrow I return to work after a nice extended track-out. This is my second, but since Luis was in Colombia during my first track-out, this one was immeasurably more fun. Here is a list of things that I will miss when I track back into school tomorrow morning:

1. Sleeping until 10 AM, eating some breakfast, reading, then sleeping in a little more.

2. Taking a long bath when I am ready to (instead of a quick shower so that I am not even one second later than I already am).

3. Keeping our house clean and clutter-free.

4. Making (sometimes) fancy suppers for when Luis gets home from work.

5. Staying up reading WAY after Luis falls asleep.

6. Sleeping until 10 AM and repeating the previous day's rigorous schedule.

I am excited to see the kids tomorrow, though. We rearranged the classroom totally on our workdays, so I am almost giddy imagining them finding their new seats and reaquainting themselves with all of their friends. And don't even think that I've forgotten about my class-boyfriend, Jackson -- I'm ready to get back to getting his little lovenotes :)

Wish me luck!!! (Actually, I'm pretty rested up so I should be great fun this week!)

Jools

Here is Jools in her favorite habitat in the entire house. If I can't find her, I know to look under my desk. When I work at my desk, I automatically sit to the side so that my little dingo (not the one that ate the baby) can be comfortable. She survived Katrina, so darnit, she's gonna get spoiled here.

The squeaky belt gets the oil -- then tries to chop your finger off

On the way home from work for his mini-bday celebration, Luis decided to stop and put some oil on a sqeaky belt in the Honda... in his effort to be fast so that he could get home and get showered before my parents got there, he put his finger down to steady the belt. Well, the belt had no regard for the steadying intentions of my poor husband and it took his finger all the way around and through the pulley. Needless to say his finger looks like he should be on the news for a shark attack.

They always say that the squeaky wheel gets the oil -- is this the logical next step: attempted amputation? If so, I am ignoring the parents in the class who make huge deals to get little perks for their kids so that I can protect my digits. And, yes, that is a napkin ring around L's finger -- we like to decorate where we can.

Luis's Bday

Yesterday was Luis's 31st bday. My parents came for supper and we had a low key night with them. Today, though, for his bday we are going on 2 surprises -- one of which Dad accidently spilled the beans to him about. I could have screamed. As hard as it is it to surprise Luis, I was impressed that I kept it going this long. Here is Luis posing in the jacket my parents gave him.

Going off the rails of a crazy train

Tomorrow is the last day of teaching that I have until 2008. Kathryn (my trusty TA) and I are holding onto our sanity by our fingernails and have been for the last 2 weeks. Our normally borderline-genius kids have been acting ... well... like children from the "other" Kindergarten class. We had some high schoolers come down and talk about recycling and my students told them that they really don't like coloring. I think we all just need a break from Kindergarten. But as soon as we are ready to be over it, one of the kids will hand us a "love note" which is their latest craze. They take paper from the the estimation box and write messages on it like "I loe m v" (translated from the original kindergarten this means I love Mrs. Velasquez) or more brazen attempts like "I love Vlascez". We might be going nuts, but at least we'll all go down with love :)

The tree

Luis finally got to do one of his favorite things that involves cursing in spanish a la Ricky Ricardo... he untangled the Christmas lights and put up our tree. It is really nice (of course I'd say that). We also put up the Christmas village. Good thing his cousin Andres was here to remind him the bad words in his native language in case he forgot any of the good ones. So after a bunch of mumbled mal pa-somethings and bestia hijo de pu-somethings, the tree is up and we are filled with Christmas spirit!