This one's for Tatiana...

Top Ten Signs Your Facebook Status is TOO LONG:
10. You have more than 5 punctuation marks and/or emoticons. Yes, commas count... you don't need a list longer than 5 on your darn facebook.
9. Before you click "share," try reading your facebook status in ONE breath. If you can't do it, it's too long.
8. Unless you are in labor and dilating VERY quickly, there's no need to update your facebook status more than 3 times per day. Statuses posted within 1 hour of each other should be counted as ONE, and all other rules apply. (amendment - why are you on facebook if you are in labor?)
7. If you have to click "read more..." to view your whole status... IT IS TOO LONG! It should be noted that this should apply to all COMMENTS left on people's facebook statuses... that's what MESSAGES are for people!
6. At no point in time should you be describing more than 3 daily activities in one status.. no one cares that much.
5. If you are mentioning things like bathroom breaks, showers, or brushing your teeth in your facebook status... you are out of control. We all know you are clean. Scratch that - if you are broadcasting your cleansing regimine on facebook, you are probably lying.
4. You aren't in English class... there are no minimum amount of sentences required in your status. It is a statement, not a THESIS.
3. It should not take longer to read your status than to complete the activity described in said status.
2. Do not type your facebook status as if you are having a conversation with yourself. For example "I wonder what I should do today? Maybe I will go to the mall! Then again, I shouldn't spend the money... hmmmm..." Try keeping that convo in your HEAD and when you decide what the eff you are doing, THEN post your status!
1. If at any point in time during this list you felt the need to check your facebook statuses of past, you probably have posted some doozies, so wake up! NO ONE IS THAT INTERESTED!!!!

We MAY have a Tony spotting!!!!

After months of obsessively checking the Bataan website for pictures or updates on my babe... This picture is from the PT on the boat... Tony (I THINK) is second from the left in the front row... he DOES have a watch like that, he IS right handed, he DOES have shoes like that, and that just looks like the top of his head to me... I think I MIGHT have spotted him!!! For those of you that know Tony... tell me what you think!? Is it him???

Halfway Day!!!

Today marks the halfway point in Tony's deployment! Now I can start counting DOWN instead of counting up!!! Lucky girl I am I got a nice long phone call today, too! I asked him if half of his Hershey Kisses I gave him were gone (I gave him a jar with kisses... 1 for each day we'd be apart). He admitted he had eaten pretty much all his kisses in the first month of deployment... well at least he's honest!!! Regardless, we are halfway done and I am so excited to have him home! Let's hope the next half flies by!!! Below are some pictures from the saddest day EVER!!! The day he left...

One and DONE!

Week one was a success!!!! I survived! Though at times, just barely! All of my former Psych students can hopefully tell you that it takes a long time to get your Reticular Activating System whipped into shape after a summer of sleeping in and mid-day naps! New Teacher Orientation was inspiring and I am all ready for go this school year. Also, I went to the school to pick up my official schedule and meet up with the other new folks, and I found out I do NOT have to teach Economics this year! Oh happy day!!!! Other fabulous things I discovered this week:
- All the teachers get free laptops (woot woot)
- My department is considered the "young & fun" department :)
- We don't use textbooks... hollaaaa!
- I can wear jeans on Fridays
- Did I mention I don't have to teach econ?????
- I have a full week off before I have to start back on the 31st
- I only have ONE prep this year!!!!!!!!! SCORE!!!!!!

Add to this fabulousness the fact that Tony has been able to call me almost every day this week and has somehow strategically planned his calls to correspond with all of my breaks in meetings! Gosh what a great week it has been :)

My Last Day of Peace..... ish....

Today is my last day of "summer break" I suppose... though this summer has been a lot of chaos and not much rest! I have "new teacher" orientation tomorrow, which to me just sounds funny, seeing as this is my sixth year teaching. So starting tomorrow I can officially say I am working THREE jobs! Yipes! The online class I teach through Class.com started up last Wednesday, I'll be teaching dance 2 nights a week, and then my normal teacher duties and designing government and economics (barf) curriculum! I am going to be one busy gal! Hopefully the next 3.5 months will FLY BY and then my babe will be home with me and all will be right in the world :)

So here's how I intend to spend my last day of peace: SLEEPING!

Dreams vs. Nightmares

I know this may sound funny at first, but hear me out... why are nightmares given a negative connotation and dreams are considered to be a positive experience? I have found this to be completely backwards!

For example, last night I had the most wonderful, realistic, AMAZING dream about Tony coming home. It was straight out of a Lifetime movie... slow motion running, passionate kiss, all inclusive. However, I woke up (which I suppose is better than the alternative...), rolled over, and saw an empty pillow next to me. It didn't take but seconds for me to remember that the pillow will be empty for months to come. Reality hit, and honestly, I quickly loathed the stupid dream for taunting me with that damn empty pillow.

Nightmares, on the other hand, may be temporary unpleasant hallucinations... but don't you love that warm sense of safety that envelopes you when you wake up? Reality is better in comparison to being chased by vampires, or tales of infidelity or heartbreak, or losing a loved one. I always smile when I wake up from a nightmare because I realize that everything is going to be alright, and whatever misfortune I encountered in my slumber was just a figment of my imagination. Besides, that adrenaline rush you get when you are having a nightmare is increasing your metabolic rate! Umm... ladiessss! That's GREAT right? Less working out while we're awake!

So since we sleep for about 1/3 of our lives, and are awake for the majority, shouldn't we hope to have more frequent nightmares to appreciate the good things in life?? Food for thought.

When you love someone...

You wear their team's jersey (but only if your team isn't playing simultaneously!!!!). To kick off this football season, here's a little proof that love crosses sidelines occasionally! The Redskins picture was taken in the first Redskins/Cowboys game of the 2008 season... which the Redskins won :) The Steelers picture was taken during Super Bowl XLIII where the Steelers became the first team in NFL HISTORY to win 6 Super Bowls!

My worst fear...

Allow me to begin by tooting my own horn for a bit. In just 5 years teaching I have accomplished more than many 10-20-30 year teachers have yet to accomplish or even attempt. I've earned National Board Certification on my first attempt, with only 3 years teaching experience. I've represented SC high school Psychology teachers in Winthrop's Project pSyC. I've coached, tutored, and been nominated for Teacher of the Year. So really, what in the world could inspire such fear in my heart of hearts? ONE WORD rings terror to my core:

Econ.

And I am teaching it next year. Yes, you heard right. Jennifer Smith will be teaching economics next year. I'm choking down vomit as we speak. Lord help me.

Hip Hop Guru

Well I found out yesterday that I got the job teaching hip hop at Energy Level Dance Studio in Virginia Beach. It's just 2 days a week but I can take unlimited classes for free at the studio since I am a teacher there now. Amanda & her friends are already planning to come take my adult hip hop class later this month, which should be freaking hilarious & I can't wait! :) Now I must channel my inner Nappy Tabs... just like the good ol' days of Vybrantz!

The Power of THREE

In my first week as a Virginian - I have come to realize the magic of the number 3....

First off, in any given town, I feel you need to have 3 friends to be socially in "high demand." I was admittedly nervous to move to Virginia while Tony was out to sea, knowing only a handful of his friends and my one friend from high school Amanda. However, after one week, my triumvirate of friends here: Tatiana, Kelley, and Amanda, have provided me with more laughs, dinner dates, and glasses of Riesling than I would have ever expected! Here's a little slice of my weekend pie:

Friday - Went to Tatiana's for steak kabobs with her, Ryan, Kelley, and Brandon. Drank some great white zin. Saw "The Ugly Truth." Great night numero uno.
Saturday - Went to the beach with the girls again. Took pictures with funny statues. Discovered a GREAT restaurant (Catch 31...) and had some great Riesling. People watched & got a tan. Then went out to Paradocks sans boys and had great night numero dos.
Sunday - Lunch with Amanda at Panera. Spent THREE HOURS in Lynnhaven Mall... dear Lord that girl can shop. Heading to Keegans tonight for, I promise you, MORE RIESLING... love it. Great night numero TRES.

With all of this Riesling talk - let me also make note of the fact that in any situation... one should stop after drink, or shot, number THREE. This is the magic number where your psyche knows to stay awake and be social, but not be sloppy drunk and distasteful.

Alas... the power of three.