Matthew and Michael

My nephew Matthew is quite the character. He's a free spirit and doesn't care much about what others think. His brother, Michael, is the complete opposite. He is always worried about what people say and think of him. Michael loves sports. He tries really hard to be good at them. He's also a smart kid and works very hard to get good grades. Matthew is also good at sports but excells at them with little or no effort. His grades are good too but he doesn't really care.

Yesterday I was decorating my students' Halloween bags. Since I had the clever idea to make the bags myself I was trying to draw various Halloween pictures. Matthew asked to make a bag, which I allowed because I always give them a goody bag. He drew the cutest vampire I had ever seen. Then it clicked and I asked him if he would help me make my bags. He agreed. Here are Matthew's masterpieces. They are so adorable. I almost didn't want to give them away, but then I would have to make more bags.

Dracula

Frankenstein

Headless Horseman

Witch

: (

My Spurs lost to the Suns in their first, regular season game. It was a great game. Manu didn't play due to his injury. I have to say that I'm impressed with the other talent on the team. Some players that didn't get much playing time last season did really well. I will miss Brent Barry but I suppose live goes on.

The Spurs

On Wednesday, October 29th the Spurs are back against the stupid Suns. It will be showing on ESPN so I'll get to watch it. GO SPURS GO!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Horacio!!!

On this day one year ago my baby boy was born. He's not my baby, but my baby's baby. I'm his great aunt and godmother. He's a pretty special guy. He's the most happy baby I've ever met and you can't help but fall in love with him when you see him. Right, Jen? And not to mention that he's the most adorable and beautiful baby I've seen. I've mentioned this before but his name is actually Ezekiel but I call him Horacio.

Happy Birthday, Horacio! I absolutely love and adore you.
Love,
Your Nina

That's me holding him the day we baptized him.

Romance

At this moment I am watching the movie Hope Floats. And it made me wonder...do women really want romance? I know that many "chick flicks" are written or directed by women for the purpose of making money off of women. But Hope Floats is not only romantic but it teaches a powerful lesson. Sandra Bullock's character (Oh and I've been to her restaurant in Austin, good but pricey. I'll save my stand on expensive things for another time.) gets cheated on by her husband. Although not everyone has experienced this kind of betrayal I'm sure we've experienced it in some way. It takes Bullock's character almost the entire movie to realize that her fear of losing her husband made her change who she was. She was a strong, opinionated, and captivating person but somewhere along the way she became whatever she thought her husband wanted. She became complacent, clingy, and a push over. She is sad and broken and it takes Harry Connick Jr.'s character to have her believe in herself. I'm not a big fan of the man (or woman) that saves the day, but I do believe that sometimes it takes another person to mend us. I think this person can be a family member or a really great friend, or every once in a while it is a romantic companion.
I have to admit that I'm the kind of girl that likes a sweet man. I do want a guy that can be romantic but not to the point that he would be considered more girlie than me. I guess that's the girlie girl tomboy in me. I LOVE tomboy things like watching sports, eating pizza and chicken wings, going to movies with violence (hello 300 and Sin City), to girlie stuff like watching romantic movies in bed and baking. I love romance. But it's not what you can give me that shows romance. It's what you say and do. I've talked to many a women who agree. What's the saying? Flowers say I'm sorry, chocolate says I love you. I rather hear the words I'm sorry or I love you. But...every one in a while some flowers wouldn't hurt. So all you fellas out there...send your wife or girlfriends some flowers to work. Not for their birthday or Valentine's. Send them just because.

It's the holiday season and it usually puts people in a really good mood.

Depressed

Everyone that knows me knows that I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. If such a place as Christmas Town existed I would move there. I don't love it because of any one particular thing but a combination of things. First, I love the fact that it's cold and I can drink hot coffee whenever I want without getting hot. I love to bundle up in my scarf, beenie, and gloves. Some would argue that it doesn't get that cold here, but it does. Next, I love the smell in the air. It's a combination of baked goods, vanilla, firewood, and the cold. (Is that a smell? I seem to think so.) And not to mention the fact that I LOVE to decorate for the occasion. Actually, I used to decorate my house in San Antonio for all holidays but due to currentl living conditions I don't right now. I love to put up my tree decked out in whatever the theme for the year is. One year I did blue, white, and silver. The next year I did a...hmm...not sure what you would call it but it had pillow-like reindeer, santas, and gingerbread men. The third year I did a candyland theme full of sweets and color. Lastly, I love to go driving around the city looking at decorated and lit houses. I did it in San Antonio, too. Here at home I usually drive to a well-known neighborhood to gaze at their decorations. We also have our own version of the "Budweiser Christmas House". And we always take a stroll around downtown and our university. The university has something called the Season of Lights. All the trees and buildings are lit with white lights. Sadly this year there will be no Season of Lights. After 16 years it is cancelled. Damn economy!

My 25 Favorite Things

Many people do their 100 favorite things. I figure I can add to it later. For now it's 25 and in no particular order.

1. Emanuel Ginobili
   
2. THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS
3. John Dorian
   
4. Tulips
5. Homemade cupcakes
   
6. Edward
   
7. Stephen Colbert/Jon Stewart
8. San Antonio Skyline
9. Mr. Goodbar
10. Mac and cheese
11. Harry Potter
    
12. Yellow
    
13. Hallmark movies
14. Rain
15. Baking
16. Food Network
    
17. Teaching
18. Birthdays
19. Football
20. Presents
21. Music
22. Vitamin Water
23. The sun
24. Dad's pina colada
25. Seafood
    

I Must

This weekend I am going to try a first. I've decided to go watch a movie alone. I've actually wanted to go for a while, just to say I have but never got around to it. Who knows, I may actually like it. I want to watch the movie The Secret Life of Bees. So I'll let you know if I do. I also have to head over to Michael's for party planning supplies.

Shaq, the Idiot

Shaquille O'Neal is really annoying and an idiot.

Fingerprinting

According to state law all Texas school districts are requiring most of their employees to be fingerprinted. I was fortunate enough to get fingerprinted. I'm not sure that is the proper way to say it. Well needless to say that some young guy was doing it. At first he didn't look at all friendly and sometimes I can be so airheadish. I handed him my FastPass, which meant that I didn't have to pay to be fingerprinted. Then we had to fill out all this information about ourselves like eye and hair color, height, and weight (boo hoo). Oh yeah, and they wanted me to write what my skin tone was. WHAT??? Skin tone? I wanted to write pasty or pale, but I knew better. So I waited or the fingerprinting person to help me with that.
Before I continue I have to mention that the fingerprinting was located in my "brother's" class. I say brother because Jen says we pick on each other like brother and sister. So of course he was going to add unpleasantness to my experience. J is also the same guy that I bet the Spurs would be the Suns in April. I won of course.
On with the story. I mentioned I didn't fill out that part and handed him my pink pen. I turned to talk to J and when I turned back to look at the fingerprinting guy he was staring at me holding my pen out to me. Apparently he wanted my ID so he could check it against the FastPass. Ha, what a dork. AND to my horror I didn't fill out the weight part. YIKES!!! Then the whole time he was putting my hand on the machine he kept saying "relax your hand." First of all he's a stranger and secondly this machine can make a mistake and say I'm a delinquent. Everytime the machine scanned my fingers I started at his computer. Oh and then when he was doing my right hand he asked me to stand towards him. Uncomfortably close. And the whole time J is yacking away about how the guy needs to watch out for me because I'm such trouble. The most embarrassing, yet funny part of the whole thing was when he again asked me to relax my hands. I was too worried because some red spots were showing up on my prints. I then asked him what the red spots were. He said not to worry about the spots to worry if the box next to that ever went below 75% then I should worry. So the snappy thinker I am I said, "Oh I always pass everything!" He then went on to take my pinkie finger and sloppily move it against the scanner. Then he said: "I bet you didn't pass that one." Sure enough I didn't. Lucky for me he did it again and I did pass. Hopefully he erased the first score. I'd really like to keep my job.

Officially Official

Today I paid the deposit on the hall for my 30th birthday party. I'm thrilled that I was able to get the hall I wanted. The next step is to make my invitations. I have some great ideas, and I'm optimistic that they will turn out great. I have to make all my invitations for my San Antonio friends first, but all my home folks need not worry and be patient. So party on. It's official.

Extra Bubbly

Today a fellow co-worker made a comment about my recent attitude. In her exact words: "You're extra bubbly today." It kind of took me off guard because I think I'm usually a very bubbly girl so to be extra bubbly might be over the edge. Sometimes when you are around people that are too happy they start to annoy you or seem fake. I just don't want to be annoying or fake. I will admit that I have been rather chipper lately. A huge reason is that I am so happy at work. I have an AMAZING group of kids this year. They are all sweethearts. I've also had some awesome parents this year. I guess I have a lot to be happy about right now. And in a surprising and unexpected way I've made some new friends that are turning out to be fun, interesting, and insightful.
In a way this worries me because this is exactly when as the saying goes "the bottom falls out". I hope I'm worrying about nothing. For now I'm enjoying all the happiness. And who knows, maybe it will rub off on someone. I do feel like the real Little Miss Sunshine.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Hay que frio! I was so cold today. When I left my house I'll admit that I was a bit chilly. However, when I got out of the car at work I was freezing. I live about 30 minutes from work. It was windier and colder. So weird because after school it was not nearly as cold. That's Texas weather for you! I still went to Starbucks to buy me my favorite coffee, White Chocolate Mocha hot coffee. Mmmmm!!!

Poor Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have taken another blow today with the suspension of Adam "Pacman" Jones. Not that this comes as a surprise since Jones does have a history of bad behavior. And owner, Jerry Jones, said that he hates that this is impacting the Cowboys negatively. I'm thinking then why did they even trade for him? He's bad news. Cowboy lovers everywhere were devastated to hear that QB, Tony Romo would be out with a broken pinkie and that the punter (whatever his name is) is out the rest of the season. How will we go on?

Finding some humor in the situation I've noticed that everytime the Cowboys lose a house down the street flies it's Dallas Cowboy's flag at half staff. I guess they're in mourning about it. I took a picture of it. Today is quite a winding day so it's not the best picture. I'll try again tomorrow.

I Would Love this Cake

This cake is super cute. I would love it. Guess I better have a wedding.

The Party Is On

My party is on. I'm putting a deposit on the hall this week. All peeps need to save the date on January 17, 2009. Remember it is a cupcake theme so keep me in mind whenever y'all are out there shopping.

HERE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the Twilight trailer. I love it and can't wait until it comes out!!!

Basketball is Back

The San Antonio Spurs are back. Today their preseason begins against Houston. Of course most of their bench will get playing time but I'm so excited that they are playing. Their actual season starts on October 29th against the Phoenix Suns. All are back including Ime Udoka. He is so hot. Not to mention that he was an asset to them during the playoffs. They also have some new additions. I'm excited to see what they bring to the team. Of course I will miss my love, Manu. He'll be back in about 2 months. But I'm sure he completely trusts his team as I do.

Final Trailer

Just in case any of you were wondering the final trailer for Twilight will be showing in 2 hours and 12 minutes. All you have to do is download the widget. Or I suppose you can wait until they show it on TV, YouTube, MTV and so forth.

Update

Hey everyone. I just wanted to mention that I did in fact get into the Aspiring Assistant Principal Academy. I can't wait to see what I have to do now.

Oh and my friend, Jen got in too. Yay for us!!! We get to do this together.

My Interview

As I mentioned a while back, I've been waiting for a sign to know whether I need to move forward with my master's degree. It took me all this time to realize that there have been little signs all along and I've been sort of ignoring them.
About a month ago my girlfriend, Jen and I decided we both would apply to the Aspiring Assistant Principals Academy. Both of us were almost discouraged from applying because of how difficult it was to get all the requirements together. It was at this time that I decided it would be a sign from God if we got everything together. What's meant to be will be. Needless to say, at the last minute the final piece came together and we turned in our applications on time.
Then two weekends ago, Jen received an email that she needed to do a ten minute presentation, a five minute interview and respond to an in-basket activity. I didnt' receive that email so I assumed I was rejected. I was relieved to not have to do all that because I was so sick last week and I would have sucked. Thursday was the day of Jen's scheduled presentation and I found out that indeed I also should be presenting on the same day. To make a long story short I was rescheduled for today. I have to say that God had my back again and somehow the fact that I was sick would have made for a poor presentation and interview.
Lastly, when I arrived at the place where all was to occur, I had a missed call from my best friend and practically sister, Edie. It just seemed to make everything fall into place for me. All the signs were there. I immediately called Edie and she was encouraging.
So, I did great on my presentation. The interview was good. You always think of what more you could have said after the fact. I feel positive. Again, if it's meant to be it will.

Ah Crap!

Just look at these odds!!!
Guess I better get packing...

Read on until the bottom of the page.

Good Luck, Jen

A big shout out to Jen.
She has a huge presentation
tomorrow. I'm confident you will
kick ass. No worries.

Personal Day

What a day I had!!!

I should have known better than to take a personal/sick day when my nephew, Matthew, was on vacation. My two nephews go to school in the district with year round school so they were having their fall break.

I was asleep when he arrived at my house. When I woke up he wanted to play Sorry. My brother and I ordered Chinese food for lunch and even though he had eaten he wanted some too. He is a character. I took him with me when I went to pick up my prescriptions from Walgreens. He was sure to ask if we were going inside or staying outside. My sister always goes through the drive -thru to pick up their prescriptions. He was delighted to know we would have to get down. He said he loves to look in the store and right now they have their Halloween stuff. He had fun and he got a giant lollipop out of the trip.

Today I finalized my previous run in with the law. Remember back in June when I received a citation for speeding? Well I finally submitted all paperwork and I'm done with it.

Oh and what's up with the same baby throwing up on me twice? Everyone carried Horacio today and yet when they passed him to me he threw up. TWICE!

I'm happily medicated and I am definitely feeling better. Turns out I have allergies on top of a sinus infection. I'm excited to be on the path to being Little Miss Sunshine again.

I Can't Wait Till December

I just heard today that Manu will be out all of November and possibily half of December. I must say that I am really relieved because I thought he might be out until March. So not I have to count down the days until Manu's return.

On a different note, here is a picture of Manu's 2008-09 bobblehead. I have last year's. I didn't get it until March when I went back to visit my friends in San Antonio. I am expected back in April for a big quince. I often get close to the parents of some of my students. So of course I have been invited to share their daughter's big day. She was never in my class but I had her brother for two years. I hope they don't run out of bobbleheads!