Parentals Visit Pittsburgh

My parents were here last week and I had an absolute blast! It was great to see them and show them all the Pittsburgh stuff that I talk to them about on the phone. Thankfully, the weather cooperated for most of their trip and we had the opportunity to be outside and do some exploring. The moment they pulled out of their parking spot I had a terrible ache in my heart and was incredibly sad. I never feel like that when I leave EC; I think that's because when you're the person who is doing the traveling it's easier because you're going back to your life/stuff/job/routine.

Dad and I wearing our Packers shirts at Heinz Field
My parents at the top of the Duquesne Incline
Mom and Dad at the Carnegie Library

Atonement

I finished reading Atonement on Monday. I really enjoyed the book. Granted, parts of it were really slow and I put the book aside for a while, but I finished and overall, enjoyed it. Briony's character is horrible and fascinating at the same time. She is so self-involved and loves writing plays/stories but when the story returns to her five years later, she is much changed. Reading her account of taking care of wounded men in the hospital was moving and exciting and made me hopeful for Briony's character. Robbie and Cecilia's love for one another is heartbreakingly beautiful. How terrible would it be to have barely seen each other before Robbie had to go off to war and all they had to build their relationship on was letters and Cecilia's constant reminder "I'll wait. Come back to me" I'd give the book 3.5 out of 5 stars. Stick with it to the end and it's a pretty good read:)

St. Patrick's Day

Last Saturday, Matthew and I went to the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade. We had a blast, even though it was a little cold and the parade was a little long. I love everything Irish (well, except black and white pudding...ew) and it was nice to be outside celebrating my heritage. On Thursday we went to PHI bar with some friends from CMU and had a few beers, sadly ours was not died green, but we still had a wonderful time. I talked to Mom and my best friend Emma this week about all the Paddy's Day celebrations they've had in EC and it makes me incredibley homesick. Emma and I have come to realize that Paddy's Day is "our" holiday. I hope that sometime soon, I'll be able to be in EC to celebrate with her.

My parents are coming tomorrow! I can't wait to see them! They're staying until Friday morning and It's going to be a blast to show them around Pittsburgh!





I think Dad should dress up like this next year:)

The King's Speech

Last night, Matthew and I went and saw The King's Speech. It was excellent! The music, cinematography and great acting made for an Oscar-worthy film. While we were watching the movie, I realized how little I know about England's history between the 1930s and 1950s. Everyone knows about Winston Churchill but what about the Prime Minister before him and who led the country as King during WWII. Colin Firth plays King George VI, who suffers from stammering. After exhausting all the doctors in the area, his wife Elizabeth I (played by Helena Bonham Carter, love her too) finds Lionel Logue who helps Bertie (he uses George VI when he becomes king) become a better public speaker. The plot moves along at a good pace and there's clever writing and witty humor. Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth did a wonderful job together! I loved the movie!! I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Community

Matthew and I started watching the NBC show Community and we fell in love with it! I remember watching the pilot in Fall 2009 and only saw the first 10 minutes. I wasn't all that impressed with it, nor did I think it was funny. However, I wish I had stuck with it because the second half of the pilot episode was hilarious! The writers are snarky and clever. Joel McHale is super sexy too:)

I highly recommend the show!! Thanks to Matthew's friend Adam for the suggestion!

Since I'm a substitute teacher, I see a lot of different classes and kids during the week. This past week was especially busy (four days, three of which were in an English class, score!) but I thoroughly enjoyed myself until homeroom on Friday. Students told me "We always leave 30 seconds early, it's tradition. Ms. L always lets us..." One of the worst things about being a substitute is when kids lie like this. I figure if teachers did let kids leave early, they would leave a note for me about it. It's just one of the most frustrating things. That said, I do enjoy subbing and the flexibility of it. I've established myself and teachers want me to sub for them. That feels really good; maybe I can and will be a good classroom teacher! Hopefully, I'll be able to get a full time job in the near future. I know that Shaler is not hiring any English teachers for the 2011-2012 school year. I'll just keep subbing, working at the YMCA and at Old Navy.

For a little humor, here are the most unique names of students I had this past week:
-Mowgli (yes, like The Jungle Book)
-Callum
-Shacoby (pronounced like Jacoby, but with a "sh" sound at the beginning).