Earth Day Story

Earth Day 2011

Today I attempted productivity and one of my tasks was to address and stuff 40 graduation announcements so that they could be sent out tomorrow.

Very important stuff here, people.

About two weeks ago I had a very fabulous photo shoot (Alexa Villavicencio) so that I could have the perfect graduation photo to send out.

So, I set out today to print out 40 copies of the perfect photo and go to none other than your friendly neighborhood Walmart

to accomplish the task.

It was a big fail. F-A-I-L.

I print out my 40 pictures and low and behold the crazy blond lady with the accent and the other snooty woman behind the counter just assume that my photo was done by a professional and rudely refused to let me have them because I didn't have the rights on me.

They only way they knew it was done professionally (besides the quality of work) was because I chose not to lie to them and told them I paid for the disc.

I felt the blood rush to my face, the look of death creep into my eyes, that crazed "I will cut you!" (-Bonquiqui) feeling in my chest.

They were quite rude so of course I wasn't exactly polite back.

(I even called the manager, sent a nasty e-mail, and Tweeted about it).

 Mistake.

I'll choose not to lie and tell you that I paid for that, too.

Several hours later I have the rights and I drag my 2 friends with me to go anywhere BUT Walmart because I am so vehemently refusing to spend my money at the Walmart photo center ever again.

Never again, I tell you!!! Never!

***Side note: I'm quite a conservationist, a noted recycler,

insistent on reduce, reuse, recycle

 blah blah blah

In the process of finding a place to print my pictures elsewhere I find that every machine is broken. E-ver-y machine.

500 Drug Store's Later my friends learn that there are 40 prints waiting for me to pick them up that I am refusing to attain because I'm going to

 "stick it to the man!".

My friends, finding this ridiculous, offered a gentle reminder that it is Earth Day and I'm wasting paper.

It immediately sets in how absurd I reacted so I shuffle back to Walmart with the rights and pay for my pictures.

 Really proved my point well, huh?

Long story short:

Thank you, Earth Day, for reminding me to not waste.

And thank you, Jesus, for humbling me of my outlandishness and

reminding me to

represent your love 

in all of my interactions...

even with Walmart employee's that upset me.

And you should check out Alexa for photography needs...she's amazing.

Thanks, Alexa for my beautiful photos!!

Happy Earth Day

You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffala Trees are what everyone needs. Plant a new Truffala. Treat it with care. Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back.

-Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

Farewell, 2nd grade. Hello, graduation!

Hello, 2011. I'm finally here!

Student teaching is over and so it's back to "real life"...

back to blogging,

social life,

sleeping past 5:30 am,

seeing sunshine,

learning to play the guitar.

I'm not so sure what I'll do with myself.

To bring my life up to date

here is what the past 12 weeks of my life has held...

Absolute insanity.

Student teaching has been a wonderful experience that I'll never forget.

The "get it" moments when the light bulb just clicks.

They make the most beautiful piece of art you've ever seen

(which qualifies as anything a child gives you).

I've had some of the most heart breaking moments when I've looked into a child's eyes who had seen more than I've ever seen in my 23 years...

more than a child should ever have to feel.

Hilarious insults: "so and so is a Barbie girl!!!!!"

Really, what does that even mean?

When a kid is just passionate about what they love. And then you think,

 "he'll be famous..and I'll say I knew him when."

And there are always the ever so funny compliments...

"Miss Whitehorn!! You always dress soooooooo fancy!!"

 (this became my favorite compliment of course)

On picture day: "Miss Whitehorn, did you bring a brush? It's picture day...you can't wear your hair like that."

They write the best cards...

ever,

ever,

ever.

You're welcome for teaching.

(that is me, the Mardi Gras Queen, and my ballroom dancer child)

And I even found time to get married somewhere in all that craziness!

Fashion advice from a second grader....

They do know how to throw a good party and give a good farewell.

They talked about the "wine" and "champagne" for quite a while after this...

yes, that IS sparkling grape juice.

I sure will miss those little boogers....

but it's on to the next thing.


May 7th, 10:00 am

Underwater "Adventure"

I picked up a new hobby today.

It's too bad "Scuba Kels"
isn't nearly as catchy as
"Scuba Steve".

Both of my parents are certified scuba divers

and Dad thinks it's time I up my

"coolness level".

About ten minutes of strategic maneuvering to get into a 7mm wet suit

(aka the underwater unitard of torture which is equally as hard to get out of)

and Mom suiting me up in her gear,

I was able to jump in the pool...

the 60 degree pool, might I add.

And I ended upside down with my feet sticking

straight out of the water.

There was a whole lot of thrashing involved in this.

I'm spastic as it is so just imagine the extra troubles of the
weights, the wet suit, flippers, and a rather large tank.

Might take some time to get used to all this!

Mom came to the rescue and put flippers

and several extra pounds of weight on me...

Success!!

So, not the most scenic adventure...

but next thing I know I'll have the ever cheesy and cliche'

"I'd rather be Scuba Diving"

license tag on my Corolla...

just like Mom and Dad.

Next step, get certified!

Terrific Tomorrow

What to do with a surprise

Day-Off.

Somehow I have ended up with little to no commitments on Tuesday

which pretty much never happens....

ever.

So I think I will

Go for a vigorous walk. Maybe during this walk I'll twirl around some, probably skip a little bit. Maybe I'll imagine I'm going on a treasure hunt. Or that I'm on a safari.

Wouldn't this be fun?

I shall do laundry and sing "In My Own Little Corner" from Cinderella.

I find myself singing musical theatre, particularly Idina Menzel and Sutton Foster roles, with great gusto...secretly wishing I had pursued Broadway.

Dream role: Millie

Yoga...oh, yoga. My new found love.

Who knew?

It's pretty much the most relaxing, rejuvenating activity ever.

Hang with Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

I'm getting prepared for The Deathly Hallows by re-reading the book.

So much better the second time around.

And I'm considering dressing up and going to the midnight premiere.

Model some of Sew Cute by Nea's beautiful threads.

My mother makes the most beautiful clothes for children, girls, and ladies.

Pictures of my hand-made items will be posted on her blog in the near future!

Check her out at Sew Cute by Nea 

and on Etsy!

This has been a late night Miscellany Monday.

Kulture Klash

Festivals are the best.



They're just one of the many reasons why this is my favorite time of year.

Meet Kulture Klash...

where several hundred people in strange clothing, many on roller skates and in tutu's, join together to celebrate art in a warehouse.

I almost pitched a tent and stayed there for forever.

3D glasses for the 3D art, of course.

Local musicians, DJ's, techno...

However, Jonathan and I were not in the line-up

though I do think if I played banjo and he had a keytar and a 'fro

we'd be an awesome duo.

Friends.

Hula hoopers...with electric hula hoops.

Silent disco.

Where every one's dancing, but there's no music.

And everyone is wearing silly bands.

All the rage.

Painters.

And break-dancers.

 A lot of interesting moments.

And these kids.

Super night.

Hasta luego, L' !

My good friend L' has been replaced.

A good vehicle to me from my 16th birthday until this September.

I put her through a lot.

I bid my goodbye to my sweet yellow car about 3 weeks ago

and my entire family has yet to see my new ride

(including my wonderful Dad,

who is helping me with the car until I become a

contributing citizen with a real job upon graduation in May)

so consider this a catch-up post.

Meet Shontrelle. 

Classy, huh?

My good friends Jonathan and Andy did the honors of naming my Neon and so Jonathan felt called to name the Corolla S as well (S for Shontrelle).

Gettin' ready to drive'im off the lot!

The Corolla Sport is a little bit of an upgrade for me...

like it has 4 power windows, not just 2 (imagine that)

and auxiliary hookup and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Oh...

and my most favorite feature

The sunroof!

It's really unbelievable how much fresh air I've been getting lately.

And if anyone knows me, and knew my crazy Neon

they also knew what my most prized possession was.

Many times this picture of my beloved Chris Jenkins has baffled people.

Boyfriends have asked me to remove it, my sister laughed at it every time she was banished to the Neon while I had her Jetta,

and Chris insists that it never leave my possession.

It's been taped to the Neon visor since before we graduated high school when Chris decided to spread his glorious face all around the halls of T.C. Roberson high.

It really is a great picture of you, Chris.

So here he is, in his rightful spot.

It wouldn't feel like my car without it.

Fresh Seasons

Thank you fall weather, changing leaves, pumpkin flavored everything, boots and hats.

I'm beyond thrilled for

this season.

So I'm going to celebrate how good life is

as I return to my blog.

...my most beautiful blog.

(courtesies of my wonderful friend Sarah at Sarah Ann's Bon Mot )

There are wonderful things taking place in life.

     

And to celebrate the fall season I took a trip to see my family-away-from-my-real-family in Asheville this weekend. So refreshing to be home.

I think my heart will always be in the mountains.

Great things happen here...

like finding the perfect toaster oven for $4 at a random yard sale

and partaking in family dinners and lots of coffee on back porches.

And a whole shlew of great people in a Dodge Durango

singing...as loud as we can.

And hikes up beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and trees.

Learning survival skills from Mr. Chris.

aka

using an acorn cap as a whistle and almost losing your hearing in the process

Acquiring new friends:

Daniel and Gerica happened to be the ones I picked up this weekend.

Perfecting comedy routines. We're hilarous, can't you tell?

As I'm finishing up this last year of school

 I'm really hoping to have the best season yet.

And I'm super excited to blog about it.