Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas! Again!

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a lovely day!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve! It has taken me a while to recover from writing 46 total pages of papers in about a week. Plus a 26 page lesson plan (although I only wrote about five of those pages--the rest was just worksheets that I had thankfully received from my cooperating teacher).

By now, everyone is done with finals, and hopefully chilling with family, eating cookies, drinking hot chocolate by a Christmas tree, and awaiting Santa.

Since today is Christmas Eve, I opened my last Lego Advent Calendar door today. It was exciting. I got some neat stuff and I've truly enjoyed playing with these Legos, but mostly the Lego items just made me go, "really?" or "yep" or "huh?"




Everyone in Legoland put aside their differences to gather around the chimney and share a mug of cocoa with Santa. A Christmas miracle. Beautiful.
Thank you Lego! Thank you for a lovely countdown...I can't believe Christmas is already here! I've spent the past several days buying presents, making presents, and wrapping presents. I've also spent the past four mornings selling gift cards at the theater. This morning was the busiest. People are such last minute shoppers. How silly.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Don't worry, I'll be back.

So sorry to anyone who actually looks forward to these posts, but I have to take a break for a little while to focus on these papers. I've had enough distractions to last...all week. And they have. But don't worry, I will be back before Christmas, so I will fill you in on what the Lego Calendar brings then. In the meantime, check out Dan Bergstein's blog at laserfarm.com. It's really funny and it'll keep you updated on the important things in life, like the fact that today's Lego item included a tiny, working magnifying glass. The police theme has somehow turned down the CSI road and I'm now a little worried about the remaining items. Why is Johnny a criminal? There's probably a good reason we haven't asked ourselves this question before.

Good luck to anyone else taking finals! Thanks for understanding. Peace, Internet.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Almost forgot!

Let's not mention that I almost went to bed without blogging the 13th day of Lego Advent...Crap, already titled the blog about it. Well, too late now.

So it's been quite the day of stuff. Met with my professor about my paper, and she gave me permission to take an extension if necessary. Have I mentioned I love this professor? It didn't hurt that this meeting took place at 10:30 am, a mere forty five minutes after I crawled pathetically out of bed, so I didn't have much of a voice. Sounded a lot worse than I feel. Though I feel pretty crappy. I will feel much, much better with these papers done.

Soooo after my meeting I went to health services and got the secretary to let me sign in for walk in hours even though they had just ended. (Always say you might have something that needs antibiotics, which almost turned out to be true.)

Forty five minutes later and I was unofficially diagnosed with a viral sinus infection and a prescription for nasal spray. Woot.

I spent the rest of the afternoon finishing my education paper (it's SENT IN! TWO CLASSES DOWN!), and also receiving and eating delicious, homemade chicken noodle sick soup. THANKS MUM! Best mom ever. Bringing me soup. In a thermos. Still hot from home. How I can't wait to be home.

Also, it's TAYLOR SWIFT'S BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday to her! She's secretly my best friend, and it's a secret because she doesn't know this yet. If you haven't yet watched her newest video, "Ours," go do so now. It's just adorbs. I'd give you the link, but I'm sick, so leave me alone!

So today the Lego Calendar gave us..................

Steve. Officer Steve. He don't mess around. And that radio is literally half the size of his body.

Stan is thrilled to have a new cop friend...and a walkie talkie! And a cop friend to talk to over the walkie talkies! And a new white hat! It really is Christmas!

Now when Johnny tries to escape via bed ladder (he doesn't trust the doorway), Stan the Man can use his radio powers...

And call in the necessary backup. And you know Steve doesn't have time for petty criminals climbing out of jail. Neither does the Tank and his fish, but even they're a little worried that the power of the radio has gone to Steve's angry looking head.

Even when Stan tries to share a cup of friendship cocoa around the fire with Steve, the guy cannot give up his radio. I sure hope something crazy happens in this town to warrant such serious security.

Monday, December 12, 2011

So many papers. So many germs.

Nope. Didn't check everything off the list. Fail. But I did have a pretty productive day yesterday. Unfortunately more time than expected was spent putting together my lesson plan for my education class, which I'm now in the process of writing a ten page reflection paper on. 2.5 pages in about an hour. That's pretty good right? So I should be done in...three hours? Hm. We'll see.

In other news, I can't breathe. Somehow my lingering, two week cough has transformed into a raging cold. I either got a new virus and it attacked before the first virus had even gone away, or whatever I've had for the past two weeks is crazy and mean. Whatever the case, I woke up with a headache, a fever, and a very congested nose. Perfect for finals. Maybe I should reconsider teaching...kids are too germy.

Anyway, today we got the final Lego wall for the police station:

Yep. Just look at that wall. So wall-y. Now the police station is complete. It's cute. I like it. Now I'm excited to see what else we're going to get in the remaining 12 days. Half way to Christmas! Hope everyone is staying healthy and motivated as semesters draw to a close!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

To Do

I was just thinking, that maybe if I published my goals for all to see, it'd put more pressure on me to actually accomplish them. Then again, this is the internet, and I could just lie. But since I didn't get as much work done today as I'd have liked to, I really need to step it up tomorrow. And by tomorrow I mean later today. Someone hold me accountable!

- Go to the library and check out two books.
- Read those books.
- Outline George Eliot paper.
- Listen to Christmas music.
- Finalize my lesson plan.
- Write the half of my education paper on my lesson plan.
- Eat food.
- Add more details to my "passing" outline.
- Watch a Youtube video featuring kittens.
- Shower.
- 20 push ups.
- Rewash my sheets and pillowcases.
- Write the second half of my education paper on my teaching reflection.
- Email my professor.
- Eat more food. And ice cream. Sundae Sunday!
- Check off everything on this list.
- Sleep.

Hopefully my day looks exactly like this tomorrow, although maybe not in that exact order.

If I do not accomplish everything on my list, someone please come and slap me on the face with the fire fish. And/or change my facebook password.

Lastly, before I sleep and before you begin your day (because I'm only assuming that whoever you are, checking this blog is obviously the first thing you do when you wake up), listen to my husband, Darren Criss, singing this adorable song he wrote when he was fifteen. It's called Human. Do it. Click my husband. It'll make you feel better.

I hate people. And finals.

Ten minutes late to take my clothes out of the dryer and now I have blue, sticky detergent on my clean sheets and pillow cases. Because people are stupid. And I hate them. Thank you, whoever took my clean, dry clothes and put them on top of the washing machine. The stress of finals must have made it difficult to see the bright blue detergent spills on the white machine. So I'm sure that seemed like a great place to put my clean clothes at the time. Don't worry about it. I'll just spend another two dollars re-washing and drying my things. You're the best.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Yes. This is good.

Day 10! Whoa! Where's all the time going? More importantly, why do I still have three unwritten final papers? Yikes. Need to get going on that. Is it Friday, yet?

I am in the process of doing laundry though. That counts as productive activity, right? I can't keep wearing the same shirt for a week. Someone might notice. Like my nose. So I just used my last drop of detergent to clean my things...even though that laundry room worries me. Why do public laundry rooms look just as, if not more, disgusting than bathrooms? I die a little inside if a clean sock hits the floor on its way to the dryer. God forbid it's a pair of underwear.

Anyway, time to reveal today's Lego offering:

The FISH! and FISHING POLE! Woot! Also fire. Very primitive. The fish is just as amazing as I'd hoped it would be. I was going to name him, but...

...probably not the best idea.

I didn't know what to do with the extra fire, so I decided to further decorate my tree. Not that I want the tree on fire, but I do want a topping more spectacular than little tree lights. Eternal flame of Christmas spirit.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Yaaaaay!

Another day gone, another late blog post.

BUT...


The fisherman! He's finally here! But without the fishing pole. So the box lied. Successfully threw us off course so I would in no way expect my fisherman to come out with two axes/hatchets (I don't know the difference). Hopefully the fishing pole will come another day, but for now, let's all give a big welcome to our too-cool-for-school, ax wielding, straight from the Arctic wilderness friend, Hank "the Tank" Hunter. He wears those sunglasses year round. And at night.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

I don't know what to say

Yikes, just realized I only have one hour to post about Lego Advent Calendar day 8, but honestly, you don't even want to know what it gave me. It's just...I don't....the sadness...I can't...


It's a bed. A lego bed. Two lego blocks and a lego plank. I probably made five million of these when I was little. I made this bed and then took it apart and made it again just to enjoy the process. It still took me five seconds of construction in total. At least there is a little night stand ledge and a cup. And an extra cup. The cups are cute.


I'm thinking the bed is supposed to go in the prison cell. But really, it's too big. In any case, Johnny is chilling on the roof and could care less what's in his cell. And Stan knows too well now not to fall asleep on the job.


So instead, Stan the Man has filled his cups with coffee, deconstructed the bed, and turned it into a skateboard ramp. Take that, Lego Calendar.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

*Yawn*

So tired. So so tired. Today's Lego Advent Calendar goody was also yawn-worthy. But before I get to that, let me give you a long, drawn out version of my day. It is good to have patience. I'm just teaching you life lessons. Don't scroll past this!!

I am tired because for some reason (I was being dumb, preoccupied, and in denial about my early morning start), I didn't go to bed until 1 am. Regretted this very very much when my alarm went off at 5 am. Spent the day in sixth grade. Watching the same lesson three times. Chilling with the teachers. Sitting in on a meeting with a parent. Then teaching my first lesson! So frightening and exciting. I literally just mimicked the lesson I had seen three times that day, though looking back there were many things I still forgot to say (don't worry, I don't think I damaged the children permanently, yet). Almost killed the smart board out of nervousness--the touch screen part of it really doesn't need much pressure to work... I also rambled a bit. Stumbled over words. Knew very few student names. BUT I survived. The kids paid attention very well. Volunteered to answer all my questions. And did the assignments well. Success! Basically.

I literally drove straight from school to my LAST CLASS OF THE SEMESTER! I knew I'd be late, so my professor was prepared. (Middle school gets out at 2...class starts at 2:15). But I was also the snack person (yes, my class had a snack rotation...) so when I walked in everyone looked at me excitedly and a whisper of "foooood" went around the room. Since it was the last class I went all out for them: Christmas [store-bought] cookies, grapes, and Munchkins, as well as Coke and Hug drinks (because I'm five). Fun times. Can't believe I'm done class. Time to start writing my research papers! 3 papers, 43 pages, minimum.

But first...

Did I not call the presents after getting the tree?!?! So boring. What am I going to do with these present blocks, and who is going to use the skateboard? Johnny's got the tree hostage on the police station roof and Stan the Man has since woken up and has been trying to regain his pride by shaking his fist forcefully at the out of reach criminal.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

O Christmas *spoiler* O Christmas *spoiler*

Yum yum yum...today I woke up and went to Pinkberry with Mum, who was coming to the area for Christmas shopping at the Natick Mall. And I mean that literally, of course, since I only had enough time after getting out of bed to brush my teeth and get dressed before eating frozen yogurt at 11 am. Lovely way to start the day!

Mine on the right with coconut, strawberries, brownies, and oreos, and Mum's with strawberries, pineapples, and granola. We were also quite boring with original yogurt, although we did try the new mint one they had. Wasn't a big fan of that.

So after my fro-yo excursion I spent the afternoon at preschool, which was a quiet day, and as usual, infinitely amusing. At group time the kids were interested in being "bigger" than each other, but they try to combine age and size and it doesn't work out. So we taught them how to stand back to back with another child to compare heights, and as an example, our teacher had me and another student teacher stand back to back with her. The first girl was much taller than the teacher, but I was much shorter, and alas, had to endure little three year old hands pointed at me and "You're short" comments. Typical.

But now it's time for you to turn up your Christmas music because the Lego calendar has finally given us....

The Christmas tree!! So excited to see this because I was a little worried about the direction LegoLand was headed in. It's nice to see that after six days the Calendar makers got over their initial sense of "let's do a crime theme!" excitement and remembered that we were counting down to Christmas. That said, I don't want the next three days giving me lego squares to put under the tree as presents. Keep the crazy coming, LegoLand! Where's the fisherman!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Surprise, surprise

Happy Monday! I'm a little sleep deprived today, although I just celebrated ending two more classes with Fritos, M&Ms and Sprite, so the eating and the sugar is keeping me awake. Just clogging the arteries, no big deal. I've found that a bag of Fritos lasts much longer than a bag of Doritos or chips. The Fritos just never run out! Though taste wise, well you can't have everything.

So as I said, sleep deprived today, thanks to an unfinished research paper and an unproductive weekend. Sooo my advent calendar opening was a little choppy and frankly, I'm kind of foggy on what happened this morning. Took an afternoon nap that left me more disoriented. What a day. In any case, sorry to have kept you on the edge of your seats all day for a Lego surprise that is only of average excitement. Today's door gave us...

Another wall! For the prison. Only this wall says Police, and has an open window, yet attaches to the jail wall. Stan's quite proud of his growing building, but Johnny's more or less just confused as to where he is, and how tight jail security really is. More walls, yes, but less window bars? Hm.

The best part about this Lego piece was getting to build it. Also it came with two police signs, in case you're a young child prone to swallowing things, or a super awesome adult who wants to make sure her Lego buildings are adequately labeled. (I stuck the second sign on the backside of the wall, just in case Johnny forgets who's in charge.)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Time for some order

Whoops, can't forget to update everyone on the crazy shtuff popping out of the calendar doors. I try to be cool about opening one every day, but I'm often tempted to open a new door as soon as midnight rolls around. But because I'm a mature grown up I make myself wait until morning.

Today's Lego surprise was fun because it involved some serious construction.

It's a jail cell wall! Don't mistake it for the side of a cozy log cabin. There are bars in the windows. It seems as though the Lego gods are trying to force order into this world. Give a cop some handcuffs, and he'll want a jail to go with it.


So while Johnny Shush was off celebrating his victory as ruler of Lego world, Stan the Man's energy revived at the sight of the jail wall...Johnny never saw him coming.

For now Stan can smirk all he wants at this small victory, but it's only a matter of time before Johnny realizes there's only one wall in his jail cell.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Just saw a swan float by on the lake. Happy birthday to me! Thanks little swan.

Well, before I spend my birthday furiously writing a research paper on cyberbullying and trying not to cough out my left lung (that ones my favorite, don't tell the right one), I just opened my third Lego door! I also ate a pumpkin muffin and listened to Christmas tunes.

Welcome to the world, Officer "Stan the Man" Stanley. He came fully equipped with zippers, a sly smirk, and two handcuffs. TWO OF THEM! Look how he yields them as mighty weapons. Nothing can get by Stan the Man. Don't bother crossing him. He will cuff your hands and your feet. Or your hands again. Cuffed twice, yo.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Who thought it'd be a good idea to arm the criminal?

Just sitting in the dark, in my room, looking out the window at the sunset on the lake. The picture is a pretty crappy representation, but it's a very pretty sight, what with the colors and the water.

Spent another day in sixth grade, trying to learn eighty or so names and attempting to answer questions about plot and theme. Overall pretty good day, despite the exhaustion I felt by about 10am and the fact that I had no idea what the other teachers were talking about 90% of the time. But they're all just so nice and amusing.

But now I'm sure you're all wondering what was behind door number two of the Lego Advent Calendar...

Yay mysterious pieces! The best part of this calendar (and that's a tough call considering how much awesome it's made of in general) is getting to build the pieces. Although finding the head of Johnny Shush's evil, gold toothed, grinning face was a little scary. Anyway, today brought...


...a catapult! (And just so you're aware, I opened this at least an hour ago and couldn't for the life of me think of the word "catapult." It took way too many google searches of variations on "war slingshot?" to finally find it.) AND it's not just a regular catapult...it launches snowballs??!? Lego snowballs?! Have we finally learned what the random white pieces are? I only assume, what with the winter wonderland scene, that these represent white chunks of snow. And now it really worries me that Johnny came equipped with his own snowball.


And this snowball catapult actually works! I won't tell you how long I lay on the floor launching snowballs.

Also, Lego does not condone launching Lego snowballs at peoples' faces. Safety first, people! When I first opened this, I got scared I was somehow going to poke myself in the eye with this Lego contraption.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

HAPPY DECEMBER

First things first: where the heck did November go?!

I still can't believe it's already December...I also can't believe it's already Thursday. All day I kept thinking, I need to memorize my music for choir rehearsal on Thursday...oh no...that's tonight! Too late.

I also had my last education class today (although the seminar with the same people continues next semester), and it feels so strange to be done. The wise parting words my professor left us with: "Don't hit your students. And don't swear at them." Words to live by, people.

I also discovered that my friends have decided what we're doing for my birthday Saturday, but refuse to tell me and then laugh at me. And then criptically state that it'll be fun for me, and for them. And laugh some more. I got scared and left them for choir rehearsal, where we practiced for our Christmas service Sunday. It was kind of disorderly but we did get to practice with real fire! So no complaints. Also I was given alcoholic cider in a tradition known as wassailing (thanks wikipedia) because I am a senior. I did not expect this caroling and giving of cider because of the leaving-mandatory-rehearsal-early-and-angering-the-almighty-choir-director debacle of 2010. I politely took one sip and then poured it down the drain in the bathroom. I'll take my hot cider sans alcohol please. But I liked the gesture.

Anyway, guess that's it....



...KIDDING! We've got a Lego Advent Calendar goodie to check out!! I opened my first box early this morning and reveled in my first Lego buddy, even though I don't trust him...

Meet ex-convict Johnny Shush (I just read a book with a mobster by this name). He's clearly an escaped criminal, as can be seen from the number on his shirt and the evil glint in his eye, but he's also got a pretty nice jacket and a gold tooth. Mobster connections, obviously.

Can't figure out the extra white Lego piece though. In the picture its top is black, but no such black piece could be found. At first I thought perhaps, a Lego thermos? But he's way too badass for a thermos. We probably don't want to know what that white thing is...

Johnny in his lonely lego world, only a mysterious white object, a hobo hat, and a stylish red bandana for company. Hope he enjoys it while it lasts.

I can't wait until tomorrow!

And I don't know about you, but this box promises great things. Great, Christmasy things. The criminals, the cops, the fisherman, preoccupied Santa and his dog...it all really embodies the religious countdown that is an advent calendar.

(Just ignore Lego's age limit of 12...Just because I'm turning 22 in less than 48 hours doesn't mean I don't enjoy good, wholesome Lego fun!)