Day 12

Day 12 - How you found out about Blogger and why you have one.

Here is your answer. My friend Larissa Cook started to blog and she said BLOG BLOG BLOG. Basically just like that. I started and that is that.

Anyway. Over that day. LOGAN COMES HOME TOMORROW! I could not tell you how excited I am. Extremely. <3 I am going to give him the biggest wettest kiss ever and he better love it. On a more sad and somber note...I have to work tomorrow night and work a split New Year's day. That is ridiculous. I can't wait to never ever work at that job again, because then I can have a life. Next New Years we are going to Big Sky. It is already set in stone. Weekend away. Mmm...lovelovelove. Even if I still work at OG I will not even show up. Also...we are planning a Bozeman trip soon and let me tell you HOW excited I am to see my friends...the best of them. :)

I am OUT.

Day 11

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends. This is all I have!

:-) 

Day 10

Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyper, or mad.

Let us see. Here is a list of some of my all time favs.

Nelly - Just a Dream
This new one...it has the words party...rockstar...idk. Fun.
Anything by The Spill Canvas.
Um...I don't think I can do this. I like a lot of music. End of story. So many songs have so many meanings. Lots of songs remind me of my Bozeman girls. Songs remind me of everything! :)

Now Logan and I are creating fun song memories! Woohoo.

Day 9

Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days.

Well...here are some of my wonderful...things I have COMPLETED! School district 2 app...except for one letter of rec...aka...I will submit it super soon. I am sending all my stuff to Independent today...um...I bought the Praxis book and am going to start studying for that. I am a champion. I loooove everything that I have done. So proud. :)

Day 8

Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why...

Well there are only like 7 more days left in December, so here are my goals. :)

1. Finish substitute application for School District 2. HOLY 98908235235 miles long. Do not ever fill this out. Not even worth it. 
2. Send my resume and letter of interest to Independent. Ugh.
3. Get my last letter of rec from Juli. E-MAIL.
4. STUDY FOR THE PRAXIS.
5. Make cookies/nuts/yummy meals and play lots of games. :)
6. Oh, and have a fantastic New Years with Logan. Given.

Day 7

Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

My Family. <3.

Day 6

Day 6 - Favorite Super Hero and Why.

I am sorry, I am completely opting out of this post. I do not enjoy Superman, Spiderman, Captain Underpants, the Incredible Hulk. Etc.

On a better note...maybe not...I spent my day yesterday carting my brother around. He had a little accident rock climbing and let's just say his fingers, yes 4, were cut so deep that he had to get stitches. First, I got the call...so I had to rush out of my house...not showered...not ready for my game that night...go pick him up take him...then hang out at the stupid clinic forever. When I say forever I literally mean 25235235 hours. Ok. Maybe 3 hours. STILL! 20 stitches later...and a hand that looks like the Incredible Hulk if dyed green, he was better. I don't know about better, he has this huge baseball camp with scouts to do, and he can't do it because...obviously his hand is out of service. Also, the pictures below DO NOT look half as bad as it did in person. I wish I could explain that better. You could see so deep into his hand...and it STUNK, like blood. I stomached the entire thing. Be proud. 

Day 5

Day 5 - A Picture of Somewhere You've Been

I have been to SO many places. I drive across the country every single year with my family. Well back East, but I have also been West. I have seen so many different places and so many different states it is incredible. There is probably something exciting in each state I have seen. This is my vacation of '09. '10 is just not findable at the moment, though I would have LOVED to show you Yankee Stadium, etc, etc. This will have to do!

Day 4

Day 4 - A Habit You Wish You Didn't Have.

Well. Today's 'about me' is horrible. A habit I wish I didn't have. Well...I wish I wasn't lazy. I literally laid in bed ALL DAY. I watched Grey's Anatomy, which let me tell you, I love. I told myself...it is your first week after Student Teaching and you are allowed. So there is my excuse. On a more sad, somber, and uh oh type note...I need to study for my Praxis...which I registered for today. I paid 130 dollars for a stupid test...plus I couldn't take the reading one at the same time...well the same day. I am literally screwed. They are getting a piece of my mind tomorrow. ANYWAY. On a better note...we had practice today and those kids literally drive me nuts or make me want to kidnap all of them. Which means I love those few. Before practice...probably the most productive thing I did all day was...I made a protein shake...check it out. Yum...with vanilla soy milk...can't get better than this!

Day 3

Day 3- A Picture of you and your Friends.

There is no way I can pick just one. So. I will give you multiple pictures! Here are my wonderful friends!

Larissa and Jamie

Kels, Chloe, Julia, Me (Big Sky)

Please observe how ridic I look. <3

Aly and I

A Hike in MT Wilderness

Happy Birthday Julia

Oh how I miss this crazy.

I thought, and YES, I consider Adam a great friend!

Finally, Logan. Havre!

Day 2 Extended

I know...I know...Day 2 is basically over, but I just had to show you this wonderful coffee mug one of my students got me. How could you not have compassion and love for these terrific students! :)

'You can't scare me, I'm a teacher.'

Day 2

Day 2- The Meaning Behind Your Blog Name.

This is quite the question.  I took forever...contemplating what to make my blog name...when one day...I stumbled upon...Compassion Meets Love. Teaching is all about compassion. Compassion for those poor children who don't get enough to eat at home, enough hugs, enough love period. I think that every child needs compassion and love in their life. Though many of those children WILL never receive that. I will help. Also. In life in general...I want to show compassion to more than just children. I give off a very cold vibe...and I need to learn to care. Plus, love is what every girl needs. <3

That is really the story behind my name. My creativity lacks.

Day 1

Day 1 - Recent Picture of You and 15 Interesting Facts about Yourself.

Here is me. I look retarded, but let me tell you...I am great at driving 4-wheelers.

1.  I have just finished Student Teaching...which means, I am a college grad...who needs to find a job.
2. I am missing 3 permanent teeth.
3. I have never ever in my life been camping.
4. I am probably one of the most OCD people you will ever meet. 
5. I absolutely adore my family. 
6. When I was little I used to love to eat mayo on my potato chips. Let me tell you how unhealthy that is. I hope I don't have a heart attack at age 30. 
7. I have a paranoia of licking envelopes. I think I am going to get a cockroach laying eggs in my tongue. 
8. I am half Italian.
9. I someday will have visited every single baseball stadium.
10. I am obsessed with black and white cows. I love them.
11. I love candles.
12. I have never been in a tanning bed. Or tanned at all.
13. Basically none of my family lives in MT, they all live on the East Coast.
14. I have recently discovered I am lactose intolerant. I believe this is because of my intense antibiotics when I had my disgusting tonsils taken out of my mouth. So, I am pumpin' in the Pro-Biotics so I can chug yummy glasses of milk.
15. My vision is worse than anyone in my family and basically all of my friends. What is the deal. Not enough carrots.

Ok. This was harder than I thought. I have nothing interesting about me. So. These are random little facts...or basically information you don't care about. I promise things will get more exciting.

That's all for now.

Here I Come.

 Jamie. First I want you to know...I had to go through about 23235 pages of your blog to find this one POST. :) Although, after refreshing myself on your life and re-reading all of your blog posts...I found it. Thanks!

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you and your friends
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn't have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been to
day 6- favorite super hero and why
day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
day 8- short term goals for this month and why
day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days
day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyper, mad
day 11- another picture of you and your friends
day 12- how you found out about blogger and why you have one
day 13- a letter to someone who has hurt you recently
day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
day 16- another picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them
day 20- someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- something you crave for a lot
day 24- a letter to your parents
day 25- what i would find in your bag
day 26- what do you think about your friends
day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge
day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?
day 29- in the past month, what have you learned
day 30- your favorite song

Second, I will be beautifying my blog. I need to figure out what to do. Super excited. 

Saying Goodbye.

Last Friday was a sad day. I said goodbye to my kids that I have been Student Teaching in the classroom for. It was so stinking sad to leave. They ALL made me absolutely adorable cards. I got gifts from my teacher and the kids even got me gifts. My fav was this ornament from Jessie...it is a little snowman and has my name on it. I will remember those kids forever and ever. <3 Oh. I also LOVE LOVE my coffee mug. Which says, 'You can't scare me. I'm a teacher.'


On a brighter note...Saturday morning I worked at the OG. Surprise. It was slow and retarded as always...anyway...when I got off my wonderful BF and I met and I bought world's cutest North Face gloves and hat. Black of course. Now, you are wondering why I purchased these wonderful things...because we went to the Red Lodge Christmas Stroll with Logan's roomie and his girl. It was so much fun, well Logan and I just peaced out and created our own fun.! They have the cutest little shops...and the most delish coffee...plus I ate a REAL chestnut. On our way back we had the most ridic conversation ever with Larissa and Evan Cook over BBM. Then we met them and played Phase 10. Which I suggest you play. I rocked it. After anger and hitting and some hair pulling.

I am sorry about the HORRIBLE quality. This is me and Log in front of a fire pit in RL!

What else had been going on in my life. Oh today...I literally slept in until 2. I did not have to go student teach. It was amazing. I got my TWS sent to the college...plus thank you cards done and given out, plus a gift run...oh and time sheets sent. Then we ate some yummy dinner at OC before the kids Christmas Concert. Which was adorable. They were all waving at me. Oh my goodness. :( I miss them terribly!

Here are my kids! <3

I have decided I am going to full on blog now. So. I am really excited. I am going to copy BFF Larissa...and Jamie and blog the 30 days of me...because that is the cool thing to do. I think. I will go hunt it down and start it. Wahoo. Here comes a normal person life. Ok. Maybe. I need to figure out my life.

Night. <3 Erin

Thanksgiving.

Yesterday was a wonderful day. This is how it went. My family...went to pick up Logan from his house. We went to church and listened to people give thanks. It was amazing. You realize how much thanks we have to give for the little things in life. Then it was off to the Barrie's house. We had some appetizers...and then a delicious Thanksgiving dinner/lunch/whatever it is called. We took part in some games...telephone  Pictionary....probably one of the funniest games you will ever play. I want to play with my friends. Then lots of yummy dessert. My mom made crem brulee and there was MUCH much more there. Then back to my house to play Cranium and with my fam and Logan. Please let me tell you HOW hilarious this was. Favorite story of the day. Playing Cranium...my mother is not on my team. It is an all play and the word is 'potty train' she had no idea what it was...WHAT IS THAT!?! So...dying of laughter we go into another room and she goes like when women line up to use the bathroom. I am on the floor @ this time. Dying. I go...no you did this to Adam and I. Lightbulb went on and she was like I FEEL SO STUPID. Ahahahaha. You should. Woweeeee. Anyway, overall a great Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my patient parents, my hilarious introverted brother, my big-hearted boyfriend...and much much more.

Logan and I have come to the conclusion that we need more couple friends. We want to have game nights/appetizers/dinner parties and lots of fun!!!! So we are on a hunt, if you find any great friends please tell us. 

PS: No pictures from Thanksgiving and I am a bit pissed. I will work harder on those.

PSS: I am taking Log to the Nutcracker Saturday night. I WILL get pictures for that! Yay...Hunter/Harper two of the little girls I nannied are in it. Excited.

I am out. It is 1:20...I should do something productive, plus I have to work tonight for the first time in like 2 weeks. :) 

This is my life.

I am fairly sure I have never been this stressed in my entire life. Just Kidding. I have. Currently I have the following to do/finish/start/begin/oh wow:

• I finished all of my lesson plans. I hope. I need to print them all.
• Print Unit Overview
• Print Up 2 Date Journals
• Create a Rubric for my Pocket Book
• Hope and Pray to God my students pass the tests I give them. Oh yes, I made them.
• Make Hasty Pudding.
• TWS ALL COMPONENTS. No big deal. Have yet to start. Wooohooo.

 Why does the college make your semester of student teaching ridiculously hard. Anyway, on top of all of that...I am trying to deal with 12 of the craziest fifth graders. They are 'learning' to play basketball. Yay for my boyfriend who is ALWAYS there to help.


PS: I am getting sick...so I have been drinking tea up the kazoo and taking vitamin C, orange juice, chicken noodle soup, and everything else that will heal me like ZAP. 


3 MORE WEEKS. 11 days until Thanksgiving. 41 until Christmas I think? <3 <3 <3 My favorite time of year and it should be yours too!


<3 Erin 


This girl has work to complete.

My Job.

Erin, I appreciate how you say everything I am thinking. Jamie sort of kind of told me this tonight. :) I can't remember how she worded it. Though...this should mean one of two things. Either...I am ballsy...or...I am a bitch. Which one do you think it is? Probably a bitch. Here is a line from someone...'Well...uh...we are OUTTA BREAD PLATES.' My loud response in the middle of the kitchen was...'Why...don't you walk your ass over and get some more.' I can't stand my job. I need a new one bad. I am almost done with student teaching and that means a ton of a lot more subbing and a calm work environment.

Here is me...going to work. Not today, a day I was a little happier. :-)

This is how this morning started. I woke up late feeling horrible...so I was 30 minutes late, which they were find with...I was great the first few hours...then it hit me I was freezing and I was sweating out of control. They kept telling me I was pale and that I should go home, but um...hell no. You think my managers would let me do that, no way. They said...you have to work. See you tonight. So...I went to Logan's house and drank a huge huge huge glass of peppermint tea. Felt like crap. Went back to work, still felt horrible and all night I thought I was going to throw up. I had too many kids at my first big table, the person who transferred tables to me walked out without introducing me, so I was all awkward, then food was at like 40 minute tickets on 3 of my tables and some of the first food was lost. I hated it. I am glad today is over. When I got home my wonderful mother had some organic chicken broth for me and I stomached down some waffles. I then proceeded to watch a few episodes of The Office with my family and sit in the sauna. Oh, and when I walked in the door my lovely brother Adam said, 'Must have been a rough day at work. Look at you hair.' RUDE. Also, we gain an hour of sleep tonight. PRAISE THE LORD!

I am pretty excited about life right now. My entire unit project is ending soon. I have 7 more lesson plans to write up and then I have to finish my entire TWS. Which is going to blow may I add. Pointless work for a pointless reason. Anyway, I am done student teaching December 3rd (ish). I am not positive on the date...because...the college and I figured different days. Also, I start coaching on Monday. First practice...it is going to be interesting yet so fun. Logan and I will have the opportunity to work as a team to freaking make some little ballers'. I love it. I am so thankful I have an athletic, sexy, hilarious, boyfriend who is amazing with kids. Well...I hope these kids...and that he is not just bias towards his nephews and niece.

Anyway. It is officially sleep time. I have to wake up early to go to church and do work.

Night.
<3 <3 <3 Erin

Coaching.

I went shopping, new Head Coach gear HAD to be bought!

Coaching. You will not even believe what has happened to me in the last week. I was approached by the superintendent/principal of the school I am student teaching at and asked if I would be interested in coaching fifth grade boys basketball.


My jaw has dropped. I did not know how to respond. After thought...I have accepted the offer. I am the new fifth grade boys basketball coach at my school!

This will be an amazing opportunity for me. It is a resume builder, a way to get in with the school, I have this super amazing boyfriend who played college basketball who is going to be my assistant, and schools will be excited to see this!


GO BEARS!

Also, 4 weeks left in ST. Scary.

Havre - Hill County

Paint the sky and make it yours...

I pretty much had THE most amazing weekend of my life. I finally, finally got to meet meet Logan's parents. I had met them, but we had never officially sat down and talked. On Friday morning, we embarked on our 4 hour trip up to Havre. When we arrived I got the grand ol' tour. We went all around and I saw all the places from when he was a child and all of his relatives' houses. So much fun. Do you realize how weird it is to see where someone grew up and their history. Then we ventured back to the house where his dad was there. It was time to sit down and chat it up. His dad is SO cute and I basically want to steal him away. Which I may steal, watch out Mama Grant. Ok. So. Saturday...when we finally woke up, we went out to Log's Grandpa's land and hopped on a 4wheeler and took off. We went all over and found some COWS! :) I saw Logan's most favorite point in Havre, where you can see everything. This all happened...while I got to hold on to his beefy self....amazing. Oh wait, and I drove too! Ok...then back to the house where his mother was awaiting us with a delicious spaghetti meal...it was fun to talk to his parents. We went out to his Aunt and Uncle's house the night before and I saw lots of dead African animals. No elephants for my friend Larissa though. :( She was probably happy about that. Sunday. We did church, ate, and drove back. 

All in all, an amazing weekend. Great to 'meet' the family and grow closer to them. As our relationship progresses in many different ways I get more and more excited about life. Here are some pictures from this weekend!!!

He is a MT boy. Fixed this here fence.

SHUT UP. I have never seen cows in the road, and I am FROM MT!

He's cute.

I am THE best photographer.

Cow Balls.

We are silly.

Gas it up.

It's not a bear, nor a moose, it is only a cat.

Tour Guide.

Taking a break, no I did not wear my hair up. Do not judge.

Jail-bate.

Windy.

All by myself, well...for this picture.

Beautiful!

 

If you ever loved somebody put your hands up...

This is mysterious man. Recent Picture. Eating dinner at CJ's.

This is me. Thinking I am smiling for my roomie, when really she and Log were scheming for him to come see me this weekend, can you guess I was ready to party when he arrived? <3

February 6^th, 2010. One amazing night.

This is how it all happened. My roommate, Julia and I were sitting in bed. We were watching Grey’s and being extremely lazy…we had long weeks…and this was our time to relax and bond. At about 6 our other roommate Chloe rolls in and tells us that there are lots of people up at Big Sky and that we should shower up and we should go party the night/morning away. Julia and I were really not digging this idea. We laid in bed and procrastinated. Finally, for some odd reason…we dragged our butts out of my most comfortable bed, showered, and decided we might head up. Chloe tells us she will drive…so we knew she really wanted to go. Here comes an intense night of partying. We start our hour long trek probably around 8 or so…first we had to stop at the gas station. For what you ask? Not gas…booze. Red beer…tall boys. Big ones…and a nice big cold pack of Bud Light. Here we come Big Sky. Along the way…we rocked to some amazing music. I remember ‘The Script – The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ and many other great songs. I counted crosses up one of the most dangerous roads in all of MT. I counted over 54. Scariest time ever. Now, for some odd reason…my roommates are incapable of talking on the phone. I have no idea who we are meeting…so…I am extremely down to chatting with whomever to get directions to where we were going. I didn’t want to sit in the car all night long. Finally, after 2454525.3 million phone calls. 34345.3 U-Turns, and some dare devil moves and miles we rolled into one of the MOST expensive ski resorts in MT. Holy beautiful, I will tell you about that when you hear about my morning. <3

So, there we are. In front of an incredibly beautiful condo. Ready to walk inside and meet whoever it is we are to meet. Now, Chloe knows many of these people, Julia…knew a few, and I, well I had been introduced to maybe 2 before. I was lost. I was ready to party to survive this night. (Oh…Kels and Amber came up to meet us.) We immediately approached the table and began to play king’s cup. All us girls on one side, and some of the boys on the other.

This is where it happened. There was a boy. 6’1”ish...in a red/yellow hat. Delish as ever standing there. He started playing along with me trying to get my roommate to go over and stand by this boy she loved. I thought they were best friends, false, turns out…we have similar…personalities and were down to hook some of our friends up.

Now, let me tell you a little about this mysterious man. He doesn’t talk. He doesn’t approach, but he is probably the best ‘eye tag’ player in the ENTIRE world. Our game of ‘eye tag’ continued for a good hour or so…when finally they decided…we should go to the bar. Now. At this point…Julia and I were thinking lammmmest night ever, so we jumped right on the bar scene. We were off. We sprinted to the car followed by the mysterious boy…while the rest of the party walked to said destination.

This is where it gets confusing. We ordered drinks…for cheapycheap because the bartender loved us. Even though drinks in Big Sky are legitly 426436.3 dollars each. Vodka lems. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be. We sat down at a table and my crazy roommate, Chloe and I decided it would be a brilliant decision to put LOTS of sugar in our 7/8 full vodka 1/8 lems. What a drink. You can’t waste alcohol. Well my friends deserted me and there I sat at this table…with this guy. We finally ‘introduced’ ourselves to each other. His name is Logan. We started talking about school and where we are from and our birthdays. We shared the same birthday, but he is a year older. <3 How cute! Anyway. The night went on and we ran around like drunks. Which was probably true…but I was more lovestruck. Logan asked for my number and I looked at his phone and said…’I don’t understand these.’ I am retarded. Woops. Also, at this said time Logan and Josh had this lady going that they were famous people’s children/nephews and that they had knocked up strippers at the local bar in Bozeman. Oh I went right along with that wonderful story, as well as my wonderful roomies. You can always count us. SHE is a healthy 7 months pregnant. It’s ok. J

Ok. So…after almost fighting this stupid girl with Chloe, comforting Julia, and closing down the bar…we were on our way back to the condo. Still with drinks in our hands. Logan took my cold little hand (it was snowing) and grasped it with his. So…freaking precious. What an amazing moment. We trekked back to the condo and decided to steal everyone’s food. We made fake eggs and a pizza. Logan and I texted. I told him to stop taking downsy pictures of me and that will forever be my fav text to him. He let me and my girlfriends sleep on the couch. FOUR of us. In this FREEZING ass cold condo with no blankets. He slept on the floor. At like 5 in the morning we hear him yelling jackpot…he found blankets…the girls and I peaced out early because we were nervous that they would kill us for eating the food or just crashing there. We walked back to the car on the most beautiful freezing morning you could ever imagine. I was in heels. Dying of coldness, and hungover as ever. Weirdly enough…I felt as happy as could be.

Now…it was SuperBowl Sunday. I wasn’t going to text Logan…because I thought he was drunk and we just talked for fun. He didn’t text me ALL day. I was so incredibly pissed. At about 4 o’clock he FINALLY texted me. I was the happiest girl alive and ready to go party for the SuperBowl. At this point I didn’t care about football, or beer, or food. I wanted to get to know him.

This is how the first 4/5 months of our relationship had to be. Barely saw him in person, and lots and lots of texting/phone conversations. I wouldn’t go back in time and change this. I believe this is why we are where we are today. It was a way to get to know each other without the seeing each other in person all the time. Plus it was a treat when we got to see each other. I was already coming back to Student Teach, so it fell into place…like a puzzle.

Poems.

Next week I start my poetry unit! I pretty much have a sweet 3 day lesson planned for it. We don't have school Thursday and Friday, so I needed a sweet filler. Anyway, one of the days they are writing poems about Halloween...and I wanted to share my example poem with you. I whipped this sucker out in like 10 minutes. More exciting poems by me to come. Note to self. These are for third graders. Watch your judging!

Halloween

Halloween is a scary day, 

It's when all the kids come out to play.

They dress up as animals, witches, ghosts, and goblins,

and sometimes the outfits make my knees go a wobblin'

They knock on doors and yell, 'Trick or Treat!'

All night long they walk on their feet. 

They carry big sacks to collect their candy,

all while feeling mighty fine and dandy.

At the end of the night,

off goes the light.

After treats have been eaten 

and feet have been beaten.

Waiting and wishing for another year,

to yell and scream and show some cheer.

Blog.

I need to figure out a wonderful blog title/name. I have reasons for each of these...all of which deal with my passion, my love, and my life. Here is my brainstorming.

• Change the World.
• Make a Change.
• To Be the Change.
• Teach the World.
• Compassion and Love.
• Compassion Meets Love.
• ???

Cake/Larissa

This is the cutest ever cake that my boyfriend's sister made. I can't figure out how to sent it to facebook to my friend, Larissa P. So. Here it is.  Ok, I could on your wall, but I can't be creepy and show her that I am stalking her? Probably the most adorable thing ever. I want I want to have fun with this. Praise the Lord for free time in 2 months!