A DC Visit and Cary and Kyle's Wedding

I had another great trip to Washington, D.C., which once again reminded me that I have the greatest friends a human could ask for. I am truly blessed. If only George could have come with me! I feel so much love and caring between the people that I know there that there is no doubt in my mind they are simply the finest bunch of friends! During my week, we had lots of nice meals together, silly late-night antics, touching moments watching two of our bunch tie the knot, and special time with the newest and youngest member of our little patchwork clan, Miss Claire, and her 'rents, Shelly and Andrew. The week was filled with chats to catch up on the news, playing cards, watching the Muppets, being the Muppets, making fruity cocktails, exploring new places, splashing around in the hotel pool, eating pancakes and omelettes, taking the long way home, drinking milkshakes in the country, having beers in the city, and dancing, dancing, dancing. I hardly took any pictures, due to my neglect on charging my camera's batteries, but here are a few. Rita took LOT of nice pictures, although our visits didn't exactly coincide. You can see her pics here. The sets dated 6.12.08 - 6.20.08 are her DC photos.

To think that was only the beginning of a wonderful summer! More soon, including an update on the bathroom remodeling project. :-)

My New Digs: Classroom P-15

Instead of getting all my end-of-year wrap-up tasks completed this week, I spent nearly all of my non-classtime packing and moving. I am moving classrooms from one side of my school's large campus to the other. I was sad to leave the room that contained so many memories of the start of my teaching career and and memories made with my wonderful students who helped make it home. Still, the move was necessary. As I will be teaching mainly 7th graders next year, I needed to be closer to the other intermediate grade teachers.

My new classroom will be very similar to my old one, but it is a bit nicer in a few ways. It is a bit larger and I have more bulletin board space. The location is a bit better, too. I'm closer to the computer lab, the front office, the registrar, and the cafeteria. Maybe I can actually make it to the teacher lunchroom once in a while this year! Anyway, here is a picture of my new room. I have a LONG way to go in terms of unpacking and making it home, but the new school year is nearly 2 months away, so there is time. I'm excited to think of all the things that will happen in my new room.

Little Chinook in the Sky

I see these on my commute home several days each week as I pass Wheeler Army Airfield. Cool chopper! If only I had Rita's camera. :-)

'Cause We are Living in a Material World

But I'm SO tired of it! I saw the new movie Sex and the City this weekend and while overall I really liked the movie, I was really bothered by the excessive materialism in it. A $300 pillow? BLECH!

One of the best lessons I've learned from living in Hawaii and from the students at my school is that "more" isn't always better. Its amazing how focusing on the simple beauties of life (love, family, friendship, nature, laughter, etc.) can really bring a person closer to true happiness. I love how many students at my school don't really care about fashion. For a few students, they're not into fashion because they genuinely can't afford it. Many other students, however, come from families and cultures where most of the time a t-shirt, gym shorts, and the same beat-up pair of "slippahs" (aka flip-flops) that they've worn as long as they've fit is just fine. No need for fancy hair-dos and make-up. And a beat-up backpack or bag will do the job just fine. Really, they have it better. Their wardrobes may be a little older and less fancy, but students still wear clean, functional clothes. And they are free from worry about keeping up with the latest trends. What else does anyone need? Once every year or so, I go through my closet and donate a few large grocery bags of clothes to Goodwill. Its really silly. I don't usually get new stuff because I need it. I get it because it meets some short-lived desire such as "its cute!" or "it minimizes my butt!"


So, inspired by my adopted culture and community, I am declaring "No more!" I am challenging myself to the following and I'd be happy if any of you want to join me:

As of June 1, 2008, I will no longer buy clothes. That's right: NO MORE CLOTHES! (Or bags, or jewelry, or accessories, etc.) And I will avoid accepting gifts of these. I really have enough, so I'm going to stick with what I've got. I am allowing myself a few small exceptions:

1. I will permit myself to replace any garment that is genuinely worn-out (incl. shoes, socks, "slippahs", undies, etc.)
2. I will allow myself to buy new clothes with three unspent gift certificates that I have. I plan on doing this in the near future so I can really begin my "year without clothes shopping."
3. Gifts for OTHERS: I will allow myself to buy clothes as gifts for other people, but I will avoid accepting gifts of clothing. Please support me by NOT buying me gifts of clothing. :-)
4. Precious stones: Seriously, if George (or anyone else!) is wants to buy me fancy jewelry with rubies or diamonds, I'm not passing it up. Is that hypocrisy? I don't care. :-)

Anyway, that's it. That's my challenge. Please wish me luck. I know it will be hard for this occasional shopoholic. On June 1st, I had to drag myself away from the cutest pair of shorts ever. (Yes, ever.) But really...who cares? Will those shorts bring me happiness? Can't I live without them? Yes, I can. And I will.

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." - Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Bathroom Remodeling: Part IV

Hello all! The bathroom is now fully functioning again as a bathroom! That doesn't mean its finished, but it does mean we're getting close. In the past month, George completed the shower and installed the tub. We've tested both out and they are great! I have no doubt I will spend many afternoons after long days at school unwinding in that heavenly tub. Here is one shot of the whole shebang (note the bead board that George has started installing on the right-hand wall). You can see a few more pictures, including the tiles that Rita installed here. For the record, while I did not install any of the shower tiles, I cut gazillions of them with our diamond-bladed tile saw. Hooray for power tools and for George who has taught me how to use them all!