Sunday Funday.

So lots has happened.
I've returned from Higher Ground Summer Camp.  That was an interesting experience.  I was the assistant counselor for 4G, 16 teenage girls.  There was lots of tears, drama, and laughter, but all and all, I'm glad I went.  It was hard being there at times, but a great opportunity.  I feel like I learned a lot about myself as a person and about other people.  Specifically, I think the subject of emotions is interesting and how people choose to show their emotions.  For example, I don't really show emotions except for that of happiness.  So at camp other types of emotions such as sadness and anger were extremely challenging for me to relate to.  I think this kind of thing might be a common denominator in my previous "failed" relationships.  I'm just not a vulnerable person, not that that's a bad thing.  But at least I'm aware of this when I'm in contact with people who are. Not that I'm never ever open and vulnerable because surely there are times where I have been and can certainly empathize and have an open and honest discussion with people.  But I think the camp situation was a just a drastically different context being that I was out of my comfort zone.  Everything was new.  I didn't know the environment, the people, or the expectations so I naturally kind of retreated to my "safety" zone.  And there were other circumstances in the camp setting that made me feel uncomfortable as well.  Had I been more comfortable I may have been more ready to be more open with the girls.  

Anyway, I met a really cool girl too, Hannah.  We're not that close in age, but we she is so funny and can laugh about anything together.  I hope she has a great first year in college.

I also got to see two of my closest friends and their kids during my travels so that was a definite bonus, Kelly and Emily.  I met Kelly's little girl, TJ for the first time.  And I bonded with Emily's little boy, Michael.  Sweet kids.  :)

I've been back for about a week now and it's so good to be back in civilization.  I missed AC, my own bed, hot water, a garden tub, etc. I'm such a city girl, I know.

Since I've been back I've been on the go!

*Hung out with Ricky; he took me out to Ruby Tuesday b/c he had a gift card
*Headed to Fayetteville and caught up with Carrissia & Taneisa; we went to Cheddar's for lunch and hung out  at Barnes & Nobles
*Lunch and a movie (This is the End--not that great) with mom
*Had a doctor's appointment, all is well; perfect weight, perfect heigh--had my first xray ever (back xray)
*Lunch with Hyzer, Katie, and Hyzer's sister at Applebee's
*Caught up with Leo before I left
*Back to Chapel Hill to celebrate Corrie's  24th b-day at Carrabba's
*Melissa and I did dinner at Pei Wei and went to a house concert at the Bazer's with Taylor Leopold performing; a very talented 18 (or 19?) year old; I hope she has much success!
*Melissa came to church with me and to the Kids Exchange at the Fairgrounds; we met up with Corrie for lunch at The Farmers Market Restaurant
*Movie (Date Night) and pizza with Martha and much needed girl time

Up next....
-Painting w/ Mrs. Puckett
-Moral Monday
-Lunch w/ Amanda
-Beach w/ Melissa & Corrie
-New Bern
-Hopefully more ESY for J...

I don't even want to think about work yet....

Super Duper Summer.

So life has been fun since I last wrote.  I mean, it's summer and I'm a teacher so I really can't complain!

I got an A+ in my Online class...hooray!  I got a 100 on the WebQuest that I'd been working on and like a 98 on the final paper.  So I really can't complain.  A third of the way there...

I've been spending lots of time with good friends.  Ricky and I hung out a couple of times and frequented Pei Wei and Comedy Worx here and there.

I've been trying to spruce up my apartment some and Mrs. Puckett and I went thrift shopping one weekend and got a lot of neat stuff and tried to bring some color into my place.  She's been more than helpful with helping me find some things for my place on craigslist and in stores.  We spent most of one Saturday together just shopping, rearranging my place, and decorating.

I went to a Play Reading party at Martha's that same day.  As "different" as it sounds, it was quite fun!  Melissa went with me too which was great.  We met some new faces and enjoyed some yummy snacks as well.  Of course we had to play the old staple, Catchphrase...

For Fourth of July, Melissa and I joined Martha and some of her friends at the Koka Booth Ampitheater in Cary for games, snacks, and fireworks.  I successfully got rid of my double stuffed oreos that I did not want.  lol.  We had a good time.

This past weekend was my dad's birthday and I surprised him by driving down to Fayetteville for the weekend.  He insisted I stay in Raleigh and enjoy my weekend. I had no plans and knowing it was his birthday I headed home, stopped and got a handful of balloons, and popped up on the door step.  I think he was pleasantly surprised and felt special.  My aunt and uncle had come down that weekend too so my dad was certainly surrounded by loved ones.  We went out riding, saw The Heat (hilarious!), and ate at Oyster Bar with Mr. Mike and Mrs. Carrie.  We ran into one of our neighbors there who sent over a free appetizer of calamari.  Not only that, my dad left his jacket at the restaurant and she swung by the house later and returned it.  Super nice of her.

While I was home I caught up with Leo and Travis which was fun, especially since I haven't seen Travis in forever!  Oh, and I also saw my little duckling and her fam!  It was super ironic because they happened to be in Fayetteville for the son's baseball games!  hah...small world!  Leo went with me to see her...I'm glad she could come.

In other news, I've started ESY with my little Pillsbury boy and that's going well, but I still can't get a good read on his mom...hm.  I guess only time will tell.  I checked in with them yesterday and today about his appointment.  I'm nervous about this hiatus and her not wanting to continue with ESY.  Hmm.

I had lunch with Brooke Satterwhite last week after ESY with my kiddo.

It looks like my middle schooler is officially going to the deaf school...they had his meeting this Tuesday.

I hung out with Sample and watched Switched at Birth.  That same day I went to Wal Mart and ran into Hayslett and Ms. Dale.  Random, much.

This week I've been taking it easy.  I made my first craigslist purchase and bought some peacock pictures and bulletin board for my room.  I caught up with Ms. Dale and her mom last night after a girls night was canceled.

I caught up with Chanel (from CSI) today and got fro-yo.  She's cool!

Ricky and I got lunch at Cafe Carolina too...friends forevz.

I tried a new place that opened in Wake Forest called PDQ...it was good, but I could live without it.

Had lunch with Corrie and Melissa and had an extremely social waiter.

Oh, and I've started going to a dermatologist and getting a series of skin peels/dermabrasions so lets hope I see some success!

Oh, and my super short term goals have been to finish this book, Smart Women Finish Rich (it's taking me foreverrrr to read it) and to go to the gym consistently this summer.  I've gone about 3 or 4 times this summer and done about 2-3 miles on the equipment in the gym--go my life!

And now I'm getting ready to head off to camp tomorrow so I won't be back for 10 days!  ahh!  While I'm already ready to get back...that means summer will be flying by....Noooo!!


I'm excited to see Kelly and Emily before camp though....prayers that camp is super duper awesome!