Long time no post...

I haven't posted in a bazillion years... this school year has be CRAZY! My life consists of sleeping, working, working some more, doing my grad classes, and paying bills. I am glad Joey and I live together because if we didn't I am sure I would never see him. We got to go to Michigan last week for Thanksgiving... It was AWESOME to see my whole family and all of my friends, but we ran around constantly when we were there, so both of us were pretty exhausted when we got back to Georgia. Plus, the drive SUCKED. I am definitely going to try to scam a buddy pass from his parents for Christmas.

I am two weeks from being half way done with the school year. I have to say, overall, I am happier this year, even though I am working probably triple the amount I did last year. I want to move back to Michigan SO BAD. I like Georgia, especially the weather... but working here really sucks. My friends in MI that teach have NO CLUE how lucky they are. I'm not sure if I am ever going to be able to get a job back home, but Joey said he would come with me if I did! I want to buy my grandpa's house, but I'm not sure if it can sit vacant for a year and a half more... we will see.

I will blog again when I have something interesting to say. I might start blogging on MySpace just because I am on there so much! It has replaced the telephone for me which I LOVE because I hate talking on the phone. It's the only way I communicate consistently with most of my friends!

Merry Christmas Season! We put up our tree last night... it was very awesome.

A New Teacher's Interview

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospect said, "Let me see if I've got this right:

"You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.

"You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.

"You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.

"You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the state exams.

"You want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

"You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.

"You want me to do all this and then you tell me...

"I CAN'T PRAY?"

I'm a genius!

So... working full time, and part time, and going to school full time = Shauna's a busy girl. I've never been so busy in my life! My grad program is really demanding, but I like it so far. I got scared this week when I went to my discussion post and saw that my prof had RIPPED apart almost every essay everyone had written on the post. So I was a little hesitant on looking what he wrote about mine... until I just checked and saw that he thinks I'm a genius! Now everyone hates people that brag about themselves, but I figure everyone is entitled to some bragging rights a few times a year! This is the post from my prof about my essay:

Yahoo Shauna! Look at this post!!! You neatly tucked in each of these key words! Those key words are triggers - Teaching therapy tools to access deep regions of experience. Look at your insights! "Although it has been this, I find myself reflecting on my beliefs, actions and feelings more deeply than anticipated. I am surprised as to the correlation of these beliefs with the results I see from my students, both good and bad." You got the point of this entire process... :) Thank you!

Whoo hoo for me! I love school :) For now...

Crikey

The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, died yesterday. I, like so many of you even if you don't want to admit it, was a huge fan. :(

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060905/NEWS/609050328/1007

I haven't posted in a week! What is wrong with me? Could it be that I've been at school from 7 to 7 almost everyday? Maybe, maybe... School is my second home, but I am still loving it... as much as you can love work that is. I figured out that next year is going to be CAKE because I will have everything done from this year. Now this year on the other hand... I basically do not have anything from last year because my job SUCKED and it was crazy (as most of you know).

I did absolutely nothing yesterday. I woke up at 9 and laid on the couch watching movies all day... it wasn't as fabulous as I would have thought. I've been pretty bored on the weekends lately. Joey works from 7am - 8pm every Saturday and Sunday, so it's not like we really do anything cool together on the weekends anymore. I am hoping that this doesn't last too long and in a month or two he gets to give up one of his weekend days. I DID get to go see some of my long lost APS friends last night. I went to Holley's for her birthday and got to spend some time with her and Shawn. It was awesome to see them. EVERYONE has left APS from last year. Obviously, I left, but I didn't think everyone else did too. Well, Jennifer is still there, but she's now out of the classroom as a Technology specialist. Lavasia and Holley are still teaching the same class as last year... but Shawn left to work for a language arts company, Lake left and went back to Gwinett county, Kiaunna left and went back to Clayton county, and Terrance quit at the beginning of last year because it pretty much sucked. So, I'm glad to know that I am not the only one who was MISERABLE last year.

I have about 58 and a half hours of teacher work to do today, so I better get to it. Next weekend I believe I am going to Tallahassee to see Sara. She's been sick, so we will see... if she still isn't feeling great I might go surprise Kimmy in Louisville for the 3 day weekend... but she reads this, so it's probably not much of a surprise. :)

Thought of the day

ok, so two of my ex boyfriends are getting married in the next 7 months, and another is already married. Who's ribs do I have to elbow to cut in line???

Quote of the day

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it' s you.

Peter, we have to talk about your TPS reports

Week 1 down, 40 some more to go... or 30 some... I don't count down this early in the year, it probably would depress me. I'm so exhausted! Back to school time is rough, but this week is already better than last week. I'm actually planning on leaving today before 6pm. I love love love my new job. I even signed up to work After School Program... which is crazy of me considering I start MY school in less than a month, but being busy can have it's benefits... Joey misses me :) and the extra cash doesn't hurt, considering I'm broke. I mean broke, broke, broke. Joey had to give me $50 to go to Panama City this weekend just so I could get gas! We had one of the huge limbs of our tree that's in the front yard fall on the neighbors house last week after a wind storm, so I spent my last $200 getting that taken care of. AND we have to call an exterminator ASAP because we have roaches all over the place :( YUK YUK YUK, I started crying yesterday morning about it because I'm grossly petrified of them. icky. Oh the fun of domesticity...

Joey and I are planning a trip for my February break. I'm very excited. I think we're going to Mexico. We haven't been anywhere together on a "real" vacation. No, Michigan does NOT count. Although, I love when he comes home with me :) Speaking of... we decided to do Thanksgiving in Michigan this year. Christmas is still sketchy. We are going to have to figure out how we can do both. I think he wants to stay here for Christmas Eve. (my sister is going to kill me...) That's when my family does everything at home. BUT if he gets this year, I definitely get next year :)

I'm VERY excited for my sissy and Natalie and my mommy to come visit! I cannot wait! I'm mommy/Rachel/Natalie sick!

I'm sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy

Well, it's day 4 of the school year and things have been going great! I've been here everyday until AT LEAST 5, and I'm adjusting to a new school, and I'm so INCREDIBLY TIRED of waking up at 5:00 am, but things are going great. I really really really like it here much much much better. My class is awesome. I'm sure there are going to be some challenges, but I can already tell how much happier I'm going to be.

I start school in a few weeks which I'm a bit nervous about considering I feel I have no spare time right now, so I don't know how I'm going to fit school in. Everything will hopefully have calmed down by then, and I can stop putting in the 12 hours at work everyday from the "back to school" stuff.

I'm going to Panama City tomorrow for the weekend! I'm very excited. I'll be there for basically only Saturday, but it will be good to get away. Allison get's her family's condo every year, and Sunday is her birthday, so it should be a good time. Hopefully I get a chance to actually sleep in!

Hopefully I will post some pictures soon... if I ever go home... I feel like I live in my classroom. I'm not switching schools any more!!!

I like being a teacher???

Whoa. I don't want to jinx it, but let's just say I am incredibly happy at my job thus far. Yesterday was meet and greet and I met all the parents and students except two. We do this thing here called the Giving Tree. It's crazy, like Christmas. You make a tree on your board and put a bunch of apples on it with ANYTHING you want for your classroom. Crazy stuff, like an 8 foot area rug, the whole listening center, bean bag chairs, etc. It's voluntary, but parents can take apples off and buy them for you to have. I didn't believe everyone when they told me that all my apples would get taken so put anything I want... but they were right. One parent asked me what color rug I wanted, and after I told her I didn't care she whispered to me "You let me know if you have any apples left at the end of the day because I'll get the rest". I had another parent take my Starbucks order because she says she'll get it for me a couple times a week, and I already have ANOTHER parent making my classroom curtains and getting fabric to put all around the room because she works for an interior designer and "would love" to decorate my room. CRAZY!!!! It makes a difference when you actually teach in an area that has money. This parent involvment stuff isn't so bad!

After I left school yesterday around 6:30 I went and spent my Georgia gift card on a ton of fun games and flashcards for my classroom, then went home and Joey was so pumped I had such a great day that he took me out to dinner to celebrate. So all in all, yesterday rocked. :) We start school on Monday, so hopefully things go smoothly... I'm not even remotely prepared, so I will probably be at school all weekend as well, but it's SO WORTH IT to be ready ready ready.

It's not that I'm lazy Bob...

Today is "Meet and Greet" at my school. Where all the parents and kids come to see who their teacher is and where their classroom is before school starts. This is a HUGE deal at my school. I've been working 12 hours+ everyday this week trying to get my room ready. Already, I can tell the VAST difference from this school to my experience last year. I think I'm going to be A LOT happier this year.

I'm at school, so I can't upload pictures of my classroom yet, but next week I will. I love posting before and after pics! Monday, Joey came to school with me and helped me punch out, hang up, and organize things. He's the best!

Georgia's Governor gave every teacher a $100 gift card for anything we need for school, and is not charging any sales tax this weekend for school stuff. Although I think this is great, I've already spent around $400 in the past month on school stuff alone, so $100 is really not making much of a dent... but at least I can go buy fun games and stuff I probably wouldn't have bought on my own. :)

I'm thinking of moving my blog to MySpace... although this one is prettier and I can upload pictures, more people are reading my MySpace instead... hmmmm... what to do...

Back to school, and other exciting news...

It's that time of the year every teacher starts having 3am panic attacks... back to school time. Just kidding on the panic attacks, although I'm a tid bit stressed out considering this is my 4th new classroom, 4 years in a row... I need to stop this. I swear my life would be A LOT easier if I just stayed in the same place for a few years. I have a feeling I've found the place.

Joey and I went up to my new school yesterday to check out my room. I knew already that I would be in one of the portables (trailors for a classroom because the school is so huge and they can't fit all the kids), but I didn't know it would be so small. It's very clean and looks new, but I have NO CLUE how I'm going to set up my classroom in it. I was way upset until I started thinking about last year and all the tremendous hell I went through... so if this is what I have to deal with this year, I'm cool with it. I will make it work, no biggie.

This past week I've been a BIG TIME lazy bum not getting much accomplished other than being a lazy bum... BUT I did manage to get my application out for grad school which if everything goes smoothly with that and financial aid, I should be starting September 5th. New teacher orientation starts Monday, but I'm allowed to go to my class this week and set up. Considering I don't know what is going on yet and I'm not quite sure what I am and am not allowed to do, I've decided to wait on all that. I'll move all my stuff up there sometime this week just to get it all out of Joey's basement, but the whole set up process I'm going to wait on... It shouldn't take too much, if you recall, last year I had to deal with a disgusting classroom filled with a TON of junk and roaches, which this year I do not. Kick ass.

Anyway, for the fun news I've wanted to tell everyone... Aimee's pregnant!!!!! She made me wait a whole 3 or 4 days before I could say anything and that was torturous... so here ya go! I'm so excited for her and Matt, they are going to be wonderful parents! I'm just bummed a bit that I can't be there with her every step of the way, BUT she knows how much I love her and if she ever needs me, I'm just a phone call (or a 10 hour car drive) away. RIGHT AIMEE?!?!?! :)

I suck... sorry dudes

Ok, I haven't posted in 5 bazillion years... I feel like such a slacker, especially because SO MUCH has happened in the past month.

Let's start at the beginning... I finally moved out of my apartment and moved to Kennesaw, GA with Joey. The move SUCKED and I never want to do it again. Josie came to visit the 2nd weekend in June and it was the BEST time! I'm so happy she came. Joey's house was a disaster considering I moved in the day before, but we had a great time and she even helped me clean!!! (or I should say, I helped her). I went to Michigan in the middle of June for 2 and a half weeks and had the BEST time! I went for Michelle and Ray's and Kimberley and Mike's wedding. Being in Michelle's wedding was the best time EVER! I had to sing, and it went ok... I was WAY too nervous and I don't know why? I didn't feel nervous! But when I got up there I started shaking... stupid adrenaline. But, I'm glad she asked me to do it, I was very honored.

I got to see everyone while I was home and it was incredibly fabulous! I was pretty busy the first week I was home with Michelle wedding stuff, but after the wedding, I got to spend some time with Kim before hers. I also spent a lot of time with Aimee and Josie who I miss SO MUCH already! It was awesome to have all of my friends around. I spent a lot of time with my aunt and my mom which was equally great. And it wouldn't have been an awesome trip home without seeing Rachel, Steve, and Natalie. She's SO tall!!! I can't believe she's going to be 3 in September!

Although I had so much fun at home, it's great to be back in GA. I missed Joey like crazy. Saturday we went to the Tim McGraw Faith Hill concert and it was AWESOME! Tomorrow I have a meeting to go to for my new job, which I signed my contract for at the beginning of this week. I start work again July 24th which I'm mildly excited about. So I have a week and a half to get done a ton of stuff I wanted to do this summer that I have yet to do... Six Flags, Aquarium, Ikea, stuff into storage... I am determined to get this done! :)

Last night Joey and I went out with Billy and David who live two doors down from us. They are awesome. I'm so glad we have another couple to hang out with! I'm hoping to meet a bunch of new people at my new school. This school is WAY bigger than my last one and has a lot of young single people that are hopefully awesome. My principal even told me when I got hired that everybody likes to go out and party together... sign me up!

September 5th I'm starting my grad program pending my financial aid... I'll keep you posted.

My mom, Rachel, and Natalie are coming to visit in October which will be great, but I don't know if I can go 3 months without seeing my mom! That's going to suck! The next time I get to go back to MI is at Thanksgiving time... so hopefully that goes by fast.

Here's some pics from everything going on lately! I PROMISE to start blogging again on a regular basis for two reasons: 1. I'm scared of Missy 2. I refuse to let MySpace take over my life :)

Me, Brent, Billy, and David

Me and Josie at Bahama Breeze when she came to visit

Me and Michelle after her wedding :)

Me and Josie at Kim's wedding

Kimberley and Michael

I love Aimee!

I missed my baby!

My girl Natalie!!

I got a job! I got a job! I got a job!

Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am teaching 2nd grade again next year at Shelton Elementary School in Dallas, Georgia. It's not exactly where I wanted to be, but after going to my interview and meeting with the principal I saw what an awesome school it is and how laid back she was! Perfect. Hopefully I fall in love with it... This weekend and next week I'm moving all of my stuff over Joey's. I'm going to be staying there until I figure out where I am moving to and also to save money. He's great to let me do that :) Next weekend Josie comes to visit!! I'm so excited, we're going to have a blast I'm sure. Anyway, short update, but I gotta run, lots to do. Here are some pics from my mommy's visit!

Mom, Kathy, Me and my white legs at Atlanta's Botanical Gardens

Me, Mom, Joey and his family visiting from Florida :)

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER

WHOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! The kids just left a few minutes ago. I'm excited! I will really miss 1 or 2 of them, but overall, I'm happy to be through. I still have to come back to school next Tuesday and Wednesday for teacher stuff and packing up my room, but no biggie. This weekend my Mom and Kathy are here visiting, I'm applying for my masters program that starts a month from today, and I am RESTING! I move in less than 2 weeks and have also not packed anything, and next Friday I have two interviews. I'm a busy girl. Josie's coming to visit June 9th, and I'm going home the following week for Michelle's bachelorette party, her wedding, Kim's wedding, and to spend as much time as possible with my family! Busy busy busy

Keep 'em coming

I now have two job interviews for next Friday... this one for elementary and the principal sounds like a sweety! :) whoo hoo!

I got an interview!!!

Next Friday I have an interview for a middle school science teaching job. I'm very excited. I'm not too thrilled on middle school, (high school is better), but I love life science and earth science and that's what I'd be teaching. Two classes, whoo hoo! I'd be taking a paycut, and it's not exactly where I wanted, but whatever, I'd have medical insurance and wouldn't live on the street. Anyway, my first interview this year, wish me luck.

Awesomeness

I went to see WICKED Wednesday night with Allison and some of her friends, and I have to say it was the most AWESOME show I've ever seen. Better than Phantom, Lion King, etc... in my opinion. The music was fantastic, it was super hilarious, and I even cried a bit at the end (shocker). The girl that played the wicked witch had the most amazing voice, I was jealous :) I already bought the cd and can't wait for it to get here!!! So 18 thumbs up, everyone has to see it.

Also, here's a promo for Ian's band. I ordered their CD too, just haven't gotten it yet... I'll let you know what I think when I do.

As you may or may not know the re-release of Crackjaw's record "Giants From The Stereo" is being released worldwide this Tuesday May 16th, 2006!!! It would be nasty if we had your support and you went out to Best Buy, Sam Goody, f.y.e. Tower Records, VH1.com or Borders and picked up a copy. If its out of stock please order it or you can also purchase it at any of the above stores at their official web sites

Thanks for listening to me ramble and try to be a salesman. We just really need everybody's support this time. This all went from a dream to being our careers with all of your help...thank you!!!Keep Crackjaw alive!!!

Online Stores: www.bestbuy.com, www.samgoody.com, www.fye.com, www.towerrecords.com, www.amazon.com, www.VH1.com

Thanx, Crackjaw

Bummer

So, I never made it to Louisville last weekend. I got a call late Thursday night that my Grandpa had stomach cancer and didn't have too much time left. So, Friday morning me and the best boyfriend anyone could ever even dream of having, drove up to Michigan. We didn't get there until late, but Rachel and Steve and Natalie were already there.

Saturday morning my Grandpa was moved to a nursing home, so I didn't get to see him right away. Steve went to visit him before Mom, Joey and I did because he had to get back for church on Sunday. When we got to the nursing home, Steve was walking out from his visit. He said that Grandpa wasn't doing so well. When we got in there, he was doing a lot better. Although he was definitely not happy to be there, and in pain, he was pretty much himself. We talked a bit, and he told Joey to take care of me. We left and I had plans to go get some of his things from home and bring them back a few hours later, but right after we left he got really sick from his feeding tube. I didn't know it at the time because I was visiting at my aunt's but my mom went back up there and signed a DNR and sat with him for an hour or so. He was pretty much out of it by then. She came home for the night and we got a phone call around 2am that my Grandpa passed away. I was shocked because my mom didn't tell us he got sick after we left the nursing home earlier. I thought he was doing well.

A few days later Steve told me that when he was in visiting with Grandpa he almost died right then, but Steve told him that me and my mom were coming to visit soon, and he perked right up. He kept asking Steve to make sure that we were coming. I feel so incredibly happy and blessed that he waited for me. I thank God for giving me such a wonderful grandfather and I cherish all the times we spent together, just me and him. We had a special relationship. I know he loved me very much.

So, the funeral was this past Thursday and I was in Michigan for a little over a week. Joey flew back on Monday because he had to work, but he was so wonderful while he was there. I am so lucky. All my family came in, and it was really awesome to spend so much time with them, even though the circumstances sucked.

Anyway, just an update... I'm feeling better, but it was really really really hard all week. Harder than when my Grandma died. I love my family so much, they are awesome. I also have the best friends in the world. I got to see my best friends on Friday night before I left, and had a wonderful visit. They were all so supportive all last week. I appreciate the cards and phone calls and prayers and everything else. Thank you!

On a lighter note... not only did I get to miss a whole week of school, but next Friday is the last day with the students, AND this week we have a field trip tomorrow AND Thursday! Whoo hoo! Too bad I don't have a job yet... oh well, I'm not worrying about that right now, something will come up, and as I have realized greatly in the past few weeks, there are way more important things in life.

I am the MAN

I passed my computer test today. Whoo hoo! I actually passed it by a lot, so I have no idea what I was thinking the first time I took it...

Tomorrow morning I'm going to go to a school I really want to work at next year and kiss up to the principal, so wish me luck!

Also tomorrow, Joey and I are headed to Louisville! I'm very excited to see Kimmy and to go on a mini vaca. If I get this job we're going to be able to go somewhere awesome in September, so again wish me luck.

P.S.

I totally forgot to write about my zoo trip last Thursday. I took my 2nd graders to Zoo Atlanta and Joey chaperoned. Let me tell ya, I knew kids liked him, but my students were literally attached to him all day. Mr. Joe this and Mr. Joe that... Today I even told them if they placed a book order by Friday I would get them a treat, and this little boy asked if the treat could be Mr. Joe coming to visit our class again. It was one of those "awwwwwww" moments. Joey even said he was BEAT by the end of the day and doesn't know how I do it Monday - Friday. This coming from a super hard working nurse that works 12 hour shifts. Hmmmm... teachers rock!

My students attacking Mr. Joe :)

still on top of him...

Brooke and Michael (Joey's brother) before Brooke's prom on Saturday. I had to add these because Cheryl sent them to me today and they both look gorgeous!

Computer Competency tests suck

So I had to take this test to update my teaching certificate back in February on my computer competency. I failed. oopps. How many 2nd grade teachers use Microsoft Access with their students on a daily basis? Not I. This Thursday is my retake and if I do not pass this time I have to take a $400 class in which I have to pay for out of pocket. Considering I really don't have money to pay my rent this month, I'm thinking I would rather jump off a building than pay $400. So wish me luck.

Some good news is that my sister finally sold her house! I am so excited for her, it was really a burden on her family. So now, she will be able to come visit in October because they won't be crazy broke like they have been for the past few months. I can't wait to see Natalie next month, she's probably doubled in size.

Joey and I are headed to Louisville on Friday. I am very excited to see Kimmy and to meet Matt. I cannot believe I haven't seen her since last April. We've never gone that long without seeing each other, not even when she moved to Missouri. I am very pumped.

Wednesday is Joey's birthday. I'm not quite sure what we're doing yet, but he deserves something special given the year he has had. I already gave him his present 3 weeks ago, but I still want to do something small... any suggestions?

I had a pricipal call me last week from Cherokee county (where I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to work). She was super awesome, but informed me that my teaching certificate is all messed up. I guess Michigan never forwarded my test scores over last JULY like they were suppose to, so now I have to wait up to 4 weeks to get it all straightened out. I am hoping I can sweet talk her into meeting me anyway by promising that I really did take my test 4 years ago and passed it! We will see... big prayers there.

Michelle's wedding shower was yesterday. I'm bummed I couldn't be there, but I'm going home to Michigan June 16th - July 2nd, so I will get to go to her bachelorette party! I'm very excited. I had to miss Aimee's last year because I moved, so I didn't want to miss another best friend's party. Knowing Michelle, it will be crazy :)

I can't believe this school year is almost over. Less than 4 weeks. I remember how miserable I was at the beginning of the year... I'm so glad I got past that. I really really really love my students even though I feel I'm always barking at them. 2nd grade is a great age when they aren't driving you crazy. The teaching position I'm trying to get from the principal previously discussed is for 3rd grade, which would also be fine by me. I actually think I like teaching, but then again, you've caught me on a good day.

I'm going to start atttempting to write in my blog more than once or twice a month, because when I come on I get annoyed having to write 500 pages of stuff that I've done over the past few weeks...

Catch up

So much, so much, I haven't posted in forever...

Savannah was AWESOME! It was so what I needed. It is gorgeous, and probably the most laid back place I've ever been in in my life. I'm so happy we got to go. Mom couldn't stay the whole week because she had to get back and be with Grandpa, who by the way is doing slightly better, but not really. My fam is moving him into a nursing home today :( At least it's 2 seconds from my Mom's house... I just never wanted ANYONE in my family to ever have to go into a nursing home. It's pretty hard to control the situation though 700 miles away.

This past weekend I went to the Braves game on Friday night with Joey, which had the potential to be awesome, but it was little league night so there were 5 bazillion kids running around everywhere, and also, we had the worst seats ever. It still would have been ok, but I was super tired being that it was Friday night... I'm always super tired on Fridays.

Saturday we went up to Cleveland Georgia to watch Michael's baseball game. I was so happy that I finally got to see him play. They didn't win even though they killed the team the previous night, but it was still awesome getting to see him play.

Sunday morning Joey and I went to his parents and went to church with the fam. Then we got to go see Joey's sister Mandy and her hubby Josh's new house that they are building. IT IS AWESOME. I'm so jealous. They are both younger than me and building a kick ass house. I still feel like I'm not a grown up, and considering I STILL don't have a job for next year I don't think I will be buying any houses anytime soon. Anyway, after that we went back to his parents and all had dinner together with the whole family. It was awesome. I got an Easter basket with a bunch of candy I so did not need to eat, but did anyway, and I got the Carrie Underwood cd too! :) I love Cheryl, she's the best!

I bought Joey a 55 gallon aquarium for his birthday... it's awesome. I didn't think that an aquarium could be so entertaining, but we've spent a lot of time so far just staring at what the fish are doing... His birthday isn't until May 3rd, but I couldn't wait and he says it's one of the best presents he's ever gotten. Yay for me! I'm pretty sure we're still going to Louisville the weekend after his birthday, so I'll spoil him a bit then as well.

I also am getting a crap load of money back on my taxes. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! Allison did them for me and hooked me up big time. I'm sure I should do something responsible with the money like pay off my credit card, fix my car up, bla bla bla, but instead I'm going on vacation. Not sure where yet, but I'm going. I need it. Joey needs it WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY more than I do, so sometime, somewhere, we'll go somewhere cool. I will let you know when I decide.

Ok, I'm a big nerd, but I love American Idol. I want Elliot to win. I can't believe he's been in the bottom 3 the past 2 weeks! He's awesome. Kelly Picklar and Taylor are pretty cool too. Alrighty, here's some pics...

SUPER old cemetary that I can't remember the name of... but it was awesome, and a bunch of famous people are buried there

The trees are so pretty!

Mom at Paula Dean's restaurant

Our breakfast at the bed and breakfast we stayed at in Savannah... it was awesome

Mom and I in Savannah

Turner Field

Joey at the Braves game

Michael catching

I'm a ESFJ

So, it's Monday morning... 1st official day of spring break... and what time am I awake at? 5:30am. Yes, I'm a crack head. My Grandpa took a turn for the worse yesterday, and I'm positive there is some liability on the hospital's part going on... so basically, I am ready to sue the hell out of Wyandotte Hospital. My mom and I were suppose to go to Savannah today, but now I'm not sure if she's going home or not, bummer :( My Grandpa needs lots of prayer!!

So anyway, I'm stressed, hence the up at 5:30am. Which is actually earlier than I EVER wake up for work! So I looked on Missy's blog and found this personality test to take. It catagorizes people in four ways:

Extrovert or Introvert

Sensing or Intuitive

Thinking or Feeling

Judging or Perceiving

I was an ESFJ, which is a little confusing to me because I have taken this test before (or a similar test just like it) and I scored way on the intuitive side, which I did not here... I think I'm pretty intuitive, oh well. Here's what I got:

78% Extrovert (very expressed extrovert... duh!)

62% Sensing (distinctively expressed sensing personality)

88% Feeling (very expressed feeling personality... again, duh)

1% Judging (slightly expressed judging personality)

It explains your results too. So if you're bored and/or have insomnia... this is pretty interesting:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

8 more weeks!

8 more weeks of school... I am so pumped! I'm a little nervous as well considering I do not yet have a job lined up for next year (bummer). It's starting to freak me out, especially since I got a letter yesterday from my apartment complex telling me I have to be out in June, which would be FINE with me if I knew where I was going!!!! Oh well, I'm sure things will work out. Keep praying for me! :)

My birthday weekend was really nice! Joey and I went down to McDonough to his parents house and stayed for a few days. His mom cooked me dinner and we had cake and ice cream and I got good presents! It was awesome. Last weekend Sara came to visit from Tallahassee. It was a lot of fun! Her friend Caleb, who's a super sweety pie, came too and we all went out and did some partying :) I introuduced them to Cowboys, which is an event in itself. We also got to go to breakfast with Shalini and Meghan who were interns last year at MSU with us. So, it kinda felt like home! I'm so happy she came to visit. The BEST friends ever are: Kimberley, Becky, and Sara because they have come to visit me thus far... I think some others who I won't mention (Aimee, Michelle, Josie, Kimmy...) should step it up! :)

Yesterday was my last day of school for a whole week! I am officially on spring break! My mom is currently an hour away driving here to visit for the week. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to make it down like we planned because my grandpa has been in the hospital for 3 weeks now and isn't doing the greatest, but hopefully my aunt can hold things down at home while mom is visiting. We are heading to Savannah on Monday and I am SO SUPER EXCITED! I really can't wait to go, I've heard so many awesome things about it.

Joey starts work at big Northside on Monday. He's still going to be working as a nurse extern until late May when hopefully he can FINALLY get his license. He did get his NCLEX results back a few weeks ago though and he passed! Which I knew he would because not only is he hot and funny and wonderful, he's also brilliant :) Today we went to the driving range where he showed me how to hit a golf ball. It was actually really fun and I am AWESOME! Well, at least, I think I am awesome, but he did agree with me at the time. It was a lot of fun. Tomorrow I think my mom and I are going to go hike Kennesaw Mountain if we get up early enough because it's suppose to be 85 degrees and I'm not hiking at like 1pm when I probably won't be able to breathe.

OH! I'm very pumped because Joey and I are heading to Louisville the first weekend in May to visit Kimmy, but also for the Kentucky Derby! I can't wait to see Kimmy and get out of Atlanta!

Here are some pics from the past few weeks. Enjoy!

Sara and Caleb

Sara and I at Cowboys!

I think this picture is funny

My BEAUTIFUL flowers that Allison got me for my birthday

My birthday weekend. Joey's parents have a river that runs throughout their neighborhood, so we took the dogs and got some non-city scenery!

so pretty!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

This week has flown by! Wednesday after school Joey and I drove up to Knoxville for his nursing boards on Thursday morning. When we got there we just went out to dinner and came back to the room and watched the American Idol results show :) but Thursday we were crazy busy.

After his test we checked out and drove up to Chattanoga Tennessee which is right on the boarder of Georgia and TN. It's the cutest town ever! I want to move there. It's in the mountains, and soooo beautiful. We wanted to go do something fun so we went to the Tennessee aquarium which was AWESOME! I took some pictures on my camera, but I forgot my memory card so most of them are on a disposable that I had to buy at the aquarium... I'll have to post those later.

Sunday's my birthday. Tonight we are going out with Brent and a few other of Joey's friends, then tomorrow afternoonish we are heading down to his parents for the rest of the weekend. I think we're suppose to grill out on Sunday, but I'm not sure the weather is gonna be that great. Either way, I'm sure I'll have fun. Nothing too spectacular, but I love it down there and I love to get out of Atlanta even more.

Nothing exciting is going on other than that. I got a job for the summer working in Allison's office. I really didn't want to work this summer, but it will be nice to be making the extra money and actually paying all of my bills and having a little left over. I'm sending out some resumes and cover letters to principals this weekend because the job fair was pretty disappointing. It was basically walking up to a table for 10 seconds, handing them your resume, then going to the next table. I was like "What??? Ask me stuff!!" but they didn't. So now it's time to kiss up to some principals. We will see. The sooner I get a job the sooner I can MOVE which is not soon enough for me!!!!!! :) Anyway, here are a few pics from the aquarium. Happy St. Patricks Day!

Isn't this so pretty! It was inside where the RIVER otters live... they were my favorite!

Playing hookie from school and doing something fun = Happy Shauna

I got to pet a shark! Joey was a big baby and wouldn't do it, so he just took the pictures :)

We are sitting back in a little hole here with the water all around us... but it's hard to tell in this picture

Happy 5 month anniversary to me!

Here is Joey and I yesterday sitting at the Mexican takeout place waiting for our food. Don't we look glamorous! :) We met at a Mexican restaurant 5 months ago, so every month we do dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. The problem last night was that American Idol was on... so we got takeout instead. I'm so lucky to have him in my life!

What cuties!

Joey got an NCLEX date!!!!

THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER! Joey finally got approved to take his NCLEX exam! I'm sooooooooooo incredibly happy for him I can't stand it. His internship at big Northside Hospital in Atlanta was suppose to start this coming Monday and we didn't think he was going to be able to do it because he hasn't gotten a test date, but by the grace of God the internship has been pushed back two weeks and he got a test date for March 16th in Knoxville! I'm playing "sick" from school that day to go with him. Now he needs to study study study.

Thank you to every freaking awesome person that has been praying for us! I know there is a lot of you and I love you so much and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Now all I need to worry about is getting a job for next year. As of now, I am officially unemployed as of 6/1/06. Last week I had to sign my release from contract papers which is SCARY considering I don't have a new job yet. BUT as I have already told my mom and sister, I would rather live in Joey's basement and work at Starbucks than work for APS another year... so we will have to see. I finally got my application out to Cherokee County, and the job fair is next Saturday, so if you could keep the prayers coming that would be fantastic... I surely need them.

I am very excited for this weekend. It's the first weekend that I have been in town/Joey doesn't have to work in about a billion years. Tomorrow we're going down to Conyers GA to see Joey's friend Jason's dad's band (did you get that?). We're staying at his parents that night and on Saturday I think we're driving up to Cleveland (GA, not OH) to see Michael play baseball. I'm very excited! Normal weekend activities!

I won't be in Michigan again until June for Michelle's bachelorette party, followed a week later by her wedding, followed a week later by Kimberley's wedding... whew... I will be busy, but I am getting excited for my girls!! I NEED TO TAKE VOICE LESSONS!!! I'm singing at Michelle's wedding and everytime I attempt a run-through of the song I sound like a dying frog...

I am reading the most fabulous book right now. It's called Jamima J. Someone suggested this book to me about 3 years ago and I bought it when I was in London. I think I read like the first 30 pages and wasn't too impressed for some reason. I picked it up again last week and could not put it down! I read the first 200 pages in about an hour... it's so good! Totally a chick book... but super funny, and awesome, and although I'm not done with it yet, I recommend it to anyone who wants an easy entertaining read.

Hopefully I will take some good pics this weekend and post them up soon!

I have the BEST boyfriend ever! :)

Happy WAY LATE Valentine's Day! Mine was AWESOME!!!! (hence the title of my post). Joey wrote me a poem and made me a cupon book including a weekend roadtrip to wherever I want, a picnic in the park, a entire night of him not bitching about my cats, and a bunch of other SUPER cute and wonderful things... last of all he got me round trip tickets to fly home!!! I was so super excited!!! I left last Thursday and got back yesterday night. I had so much fun at home! The only thing that sucked was that Aimee wasn't there because she went to Disney World for the weekend. But it was great to see all my other friends and family :)

My mommy also bought me an AWESOME camera for my birthday, so I have new pictures!!!

Other than that, nothing new and exciting happening in Atlanta. The Cherokee County job fair is coming up March 11th, and I'm really really praying that I get a job that day! I don't think I could take the suspense much longer. I am super excited to finish this school year and move out of the city!

My dad is suppose to come visit me next month around my birthday and then my mom is suppose to come over Spring Break. We're going to take a roadtrip to Savannah (very excited!) I am really hoping that Natalie and Rachel can tag along as well! I got to spend time with them on Sunday this past weekend when I went up to their new house/church. Steve's church is really awesome and has a lot of room to grow, I'm very happy and excited for them. We took Natalie to Chuck E Cheese's where she didn't want to leave... and then I drove back to Southgate that night.

American Idol is coming on in 10 minutes, so here are my new pics! Enjoy!

KITTY!! After her 2 months living under my grandpa's floor, she's finally happy back at home :)

Michelle and I at RP McMurphy's

Singing kareoke at Prushs'

Natalie at Chuck E Cheese's

Me and Natalie riding in the car to Chuck E Cheese's!

I have the best boyfriend in the world :)

What do Teachers Make?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To corroborate, he said to another guest, You're a teacher, Susan," he said. "Be honest. What do you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied, You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a C+ slap in the face, if the student did not do his or her very best." I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home."

"You want to know what I can make? I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful over and over again until they will never misspell either one of those words again. I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart... and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention."

"You want to know what I make? I make a difference. What about you?"

I FEEL FABULOUS!

WHOO HOO!!!!! Ok people, I've found the cure to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Yesterday evening I fell asleep on my couch at 6:30 watching TV, then woke up at 8:45 and went to bed. I feel GREAT today! Driving to work this morning I was thinking of all the awesome stuff I want to do this summer when I am NOT WORKING for 2 months! Well, I will be working, but it's going to be at Starbucks or some other coffee shop or book store that won't take up too much of my energy or brain power. Anyway, I decided not to start my masters this summer until I'm SURE that teaching is for me. So hopefully after I get a job in Cherokee and work in a normal environment and like teaching, then I will get my masters, but just in case I'm not too thrilled with next year either, I should wait!

Anyway, Anyway, fun stuff I want to do this summer: I want to go hiking at least once a week. Now, this may be difficult considering the summers here are like 95 degrees and super humid, but If I get my butt up at 7:00am and go, I'm thinking it won't be too bad, and it will make me feel even more fabulous. Secondly, I want to take some kind of dance class. Wouldn't that be fun?!? I'm in the hip hop capital of the world, so I might as well take some class to show me how to shake my bootie better than I already do :) Maybe I can talk someone into do this with me... Jennifer... I also want to take a salsa class that I'm hoping I can talk Joey into taking with me... I think he might consider it. I've already mentioned that I want to work in a coffee shop. Wouldn't that be fun??? Maybe not Starbucks but a non-chain would be cool. I would love to work in a book store, but the whole retail thing is annoying... Hmmm... what else... more to come I'm sure, but my kids are here now and I guess I should do my job :) OH YES! AND apparently I was arrested yesterday for mail fraud. Check it out:

I've decided to get my camera fixed even though it costs $250. So hopefully new pics to come soon. I can't wait for Valentines Day!! :)

Yuky

I have not been in the best mood for the past week... some stuff happened at work which has solidified my burning hate for my job. I cannot WAIT for this school year to be over. On a lighter note, the Cherokee County job fair is March 11. So hopefully something wonderful will come from that! I cannot wait to get a normal job and live close to my baby!!!

I've also been cranky because Joey's been working an average of 60 hours for the past few weeks. IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!! I'm lonely. It's not like I don't have friends, but it seriously takes 2 hours to get ANYWHERE around here because of the horrible traffic, so I really have to be motivated to hang out. Thursday I'm going over Joanne's to start up bible study again, and Friday I'm going to Clarkesville to visit Meghann!! I am pumped for that. Hopefully I will get to see Joey at least once this week and then again on Saturday night. I miss him so much!!

President's Day weekend we're going camping. I CANNOT wait! Chrissy is going to come up from Florida and Meghann is coming for a night. We're trying to get a bunch of other people to go as well. It should be so much fun! I can't believe we're going in February. I'm used to February being 30 degrees below zero. You gotta love Georgia for that :) I'm also excited for Valentine's Day! I know Valentine's Day is a cheesy holiday that has been overly marketed by Hallmark, but I don't care. :) This is the first time I've been in love in like 5 years and I'm milking every second of it!!

I finally did get some new pictures, and I am determined to get a new camera in the next few weeks... I still haven't gotten my Christmas pictures from my sister and it's slowly starting to make me go insane. It's not her fault, I just can't live without a camera! Oh yeah, AND I've started to scrapbook again. Very fun. I'm attempting to get my hobbies back up and running. I really need to start working out on a regular basis as well... I'll eventually get to that...

Joey's family! I love these people! This was at Michael's birthday dinner in December :)

Me and Joey at the Red Wings/Thrashers game in December. I was SOOOOOOO sleepy!!!

Me and Joey at his mommy's birthday party last week

Obsessions...

I am OBSESSED with both Dancing with the Stars and MySpace. I can't get enough.

Dancing with the Stars: It's SO AWESOME! I'm in love with Drew Lachey. I also love Lisa Rinna, Jerry Rice, and Tia can't remember her last name... So good...

MySpace: People are talking to me that I haven't talked to in 6+ years! It's CRAZY! I love it, very addicting. People are married and divorced and have BABIES! It's freaking me out... 24 is still young RIGHT?!?!?

Update on me applying to Michigan: So, I'm not doing it now. I went through a few slightly psychotic, hormonal days where I was freaking out for NO REASON. I don't know what I would do without Joey. He's so amazing and understands me better than anyone ever has my entire life. What a blessing God has given me. I'm so in love... Once I get a job in Cherokee my life will be fabulous. I've decided that it's not Georgia that sucks, it's just Atlanta (job wise that is... I love Atlanta other wise). I guess I thought I was a hard ass for working in the GHETTO last year in Detroit and could do it again this year in Atlanta... I'm actually in a way better neighborhood than last year, but the school system itself is terrible... hence, my bitching. I do love Georgia though and don't want to leave. Who could beat this weather? And Joey? And Joey's amazing family that makes me feel so loved? Speaking of Joey's family...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHERYL!!!!!

Age Quiz

Take the age quiz by clicking on the bottom of my post... I scored a 27... I guess I'm mature! :)

You Are 27 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

The reality of jobs, money, and all the other stuff you don't think about when you're 15. I miss being 15.

So my weekend was pretty low-key. It was nice that I had today off work because of MLK day. Aimee called me on Saturday to inform me of 7 job openings for next year in a school district around Ypsilanti. My first thought of course was no way... even though I hate working in Georgia because I'm convinced they HATE teachers here, I was feeling that I couldn't leave Joey. So it would be nice if I could just forget about it and go on with my miserable job here. But I can't, and after a brief 30 second conversation of which my boyfriend told me to apply for it (can you believe it?!?!?), I'm definitely applying to Michigan schools for next year now.

I may not even get anything there, and am still planning on applying here in Cherokee county. So, who knows??? I'm conflicted as to what I should do, but feel I need to once in my life put my own needs as a priority. Whatever, I'm feeling pretty miserable right now. I came home to my entire apartment strongly smelling of paint fumes because they are redoing the apartment below me. This isn't helping my 5 day long migrane that I'm having.

On a lighter note... I actually did do a few fun things this weekend. Saturday night we went to Joey's parents to play Bunko. It was SO MUCH FUN. My mom said that she hasn't heard of that game in 30 years, but I guess it's big down here. People have parties and stuff just to play it. Anyway, I had some killer beginners luck and Joey and I cleaned house :) Sunday was a pretty lazy day because I hung out with Joey at Discount Nutrition, but this morning we woke up early and went hiking at Red Top Mountain. I think we both were in the mood for a more challenging hike than it turned out to be, but it was still really nice to get outside. I'm ready for spring already. I'm so spoiled because it's only January and already in the 50s and 60s and I'm complaining. Maybe I shouldn't move back to Michigan...

Boring...

So, I'm not intentionally ignoring the blogging world... my life has just been extremely boring lately and I have nothing interesting to write. I feel like I did when I moved here, BORED. I had my cable shut off because I can't afford it, and that has really not helped my boredom situation. Joey has also been working more lately, so I haven't been able to lay around all day and stare at him which normally takes up most of my time... hahahaha... just kidding... kinda...

Anyway, I need a hobby, or need to re-take up my hobbies. Such as scrapbooking, working out, etc. I've decided to definitely start my masters this summer. I'm pretty sure I'm going to Kennesaw State for early childhood education. Jennifer says they have a kick ass education program, and Joey says it's pretty cheap, so I'm taking their word on it.

I'm going through withdrawl of new pictures... I have none because I don't have a camera anymore, but that's not really a good excuse because I have stolen Joey's and still have not taken any pictures. Maybe I will go around the apartment later and take pictures of my cats like when Kim was here to visit. :) Oh my Gosh I'm such a loser.

Happy New Year!

I haven't updated in 3 million years because I am a LOSER, so please don't hate me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and belated Merry Christmas. My Christmas vacation was FANTASTIC and just what I needed desperately. I spent about a week and a half in Michigan and it was soooooooooooooooo wonderful. I got to see all of my friends and family and still got a ton of rest.

Joey came to visit the 29th to yesterday when we both drove back to Georgia together. Every single second he was there was wonderful. Thursday when he got in we went to Kim's house and hung out with Aimee & Matt, Josie, Michelle & Ray, and Kim. It was great. All my best buds got to meet him and they totally hit it off. After some interesting conversation (ha ha ladies) we went up to Drinks Saloon... which is a little ghetto for me, but it was $1 beer night, so I was a happy camper :)

Friday was family day and we met up with my Dad, Rachel, Steve and Natalie in Birch Run for lunch. Then we all went to Frankenmuth for a few hours. We headed back home after that and went to my aunt's where Joey got to meet EVERYONE, even the neighbors :) It snowed SO pretty that night and I made Joe go outside with me to watch.

Saturday was New Years Eve... I made Joey go to the mall with me so I could get an outfit for the night, where he didn't complain ONCE even though I went into the same store 3 different times and had a few meltdowns about my outfit... I have the best freaking boyfriend in the world! :) We then started off the evening at Aimee and Matt's for their murder mystery dinner (very fun) then after the ball dropped we went to Barry and Kevin's for a bit then ended up at Michelle and Ray's house.

Sunday we went out to dinner with Aimee & Matt, and Michelle & Ray in Greek Town. After dinner we went to the casino where I won $40 from $1 on the nickel slots!!! I was so excited, I never win anything! Everyone was EXHAUSTED from the previous night's festivities so after an hour of Michelle and I laughing uncontrollably due to exhaustion, we called it an early night. Joey and I ended up playing some of my atari games he got me for Christmas (AWESOME) and trying to beat my sister's high score on Miss PacMan (Which he did, sorry Rach!)

Monday we were very lazy and SUPER tired from all the running around so we just hung out. I ended up going shopping with my mom for a bit, then all three of us went over to visit my Grandpa. I took Joey to Stroh's Ice Cream in Wyandotte and can you believe the man has never heard of Superman or Blue Moon ice cream! What a deprived childhood he must of had. He also had no idea what Vernors is. It's SO FUNNY! I love stuff like that... Anyway, he loved Michigan.

My sister has a bunch of pictures from Christmas eve I need to get from her, and Ray has a bunch of pictures from New Years eve I need to get so you can see how much fun we had! I will post them asap. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I wish I didn't have to go back to work on Friday. Being away from that job for this long has really reiterated how much I HATE it and am miserable working there and living where I am living. I wish I could get a job back home! Oh well, once I get out of this apartment and find another job (please keep praying!) I'm sure I will feel better....

Well, I'm off to pick Joey up and head down to his parents to visit for a bit... I promise to try and update more often!