stirring old interests!!!

So, I should be thankful to Carrie for stirring an old interest that has been dormant for the better part of two years, at least. As you may know, her and a couple of friends chipped in and bought me a digital camera for my birthday. It isn't one of those fancy Cannon or Nikon cameras with a million settings that professionals use, it's simple and perfect for me at the moment. Carrie, Scott and I were out at Penn State College Campus because I wanted to take pictures. I haven't just gone out to take pictures in a very long time, though I did was down in April, but it didn't stir anything then. We were walking around campus and I was finding shots that I wasn't sure would come out well, but regardless I took the shot and hoped for the best. And so we continued to walk around campus and I was taking pictures of the old building I saw through the branches of trees that hung down over them. And I was taking pictures of flowers, the way I used when I would go to Portsmouth when the gardens were in full-bloom! It was when I was taking pictures of some blooms at the O.H. Smith Botanical Gardens at Penn State, that I remembered how much I really did enjoy taking pictures of nature, and some people, especially people I'm with that know I'm taking their picture. Somehow, this part of me was lost and buried since that awful break-up two years ago. And now you may ask what has happened. I am thanking my best friend and favorite roommate in whole world for this new stirring of an old interest that's been waiting, apparently, for the right opportunity to shine again. I never took photography classes, so it is completely a hobby and one that I have realized that I find true solice in. Even though I don't own a fancy digital camera, I have one that is doing a good enough job for me at this present time and if I feel like this interest can go anywhere, I will save the money to purchase a "fancy" digital camera, though sometimes I miss the 35mm with exchangeable lenses that I first started with. Today, Carrie and I returned to the Botanical Gardens so she could get some shots of the water lilies that are bloomed only during the day. I found some shots that I thought were interesting enough for me, and so I joined Carrie in sitting around the little pond and thoroughly enjoying what I was doing for the first time in a long time. I found shots that I was hesitant about, but took them anyway. When the day was over, or Carrie's battery died, we came back to the apartment and I let her look what I had taken over the last few days. And to my surprise she was impressed by some of them. She even gave me a couple of suggestions on post-editing for a couple of the shots I took. Listening to her and hearing what she thought was important to me and I realized then, that I have truly and regrettfully missed just going out and taking pictures of what I see in nature. So, my mission when I return home is: to go out as often as I can and just take pictures. Take pictures of whatever I see and am inspired by regardless of if I think it's going to make a good shot or not. That, to me, is the fun and joy of photography and what I have missed for far too long. So, here's to new adventures with an old interest!!!

life

Well, it looks like I will be moving back to New Hampshire on Saturday! I had an interview at one school in the State College Area School District, I ended up not getting that job, but the pay was less then what I would make at home even though they include benefits. I need to go back home for me. I wish I had a good reason why, but I don't. I told Carrie, and I know she's a little disappointed, but she's alright with my decision. I will be back down to visit as much as I can. And hopefully back down next summer before my sister's wedding. My computer, I think, as shit the bed!!!!! I'm hoping that when I get home, I can figure out what's wrong with it. Tuesday, Carrie, Scott, and I will be walking around Penn State Campus so I can get some pictures, just in case my computer's gone. And then Thursday we are going to celebrate her birthday before I leave with a trip to G-Man to see Emily's ToyBox. It should be a lot of fun and hope a lot of her friends and co-workers show up. So long, for now.

life

Well, it's August now and things are still going pretty good. I have an interview on the 11th at Easterly Parkway Elementary School. Fingers are crossed, but I'm not putting everything into getting this job. It's important for me to make more than what I would at home because I'll be paying for rent plus all my other bills. Everyone has been really supportive of me and it makes me feel good and that this is a good decision for me. I'm still nervous about moving down here, but I know I'll be fine in the end. I have friends here that will help with the transition and are being supportive whether or not I get to stay here! I'm looking forward to the up-coming planning of Sara's wedding events! I know there's still a year left, but there's a bridal shower to plan and a bachelorette party to take place! Dress shopping for the girls is the next big thing on the list! Not sure what's going to happen with that because Katie and I will be in burghundy dresses, while the bridesmaids will be in black dresses! Black is a little easier to shop for, because the shade isn't going to change from fabric to fabric! We'll see what happens. Sara's gown is ready to be picked up at the shop and brought to mom and dad's for safe-keeping! She is going to be an absolutely beautiful bride and the dress she pickd is totally my sister. It shows her personality amazingly. I realize that my thoughts are kind of scrambled together, but right now that's what's going on in my head. I do apologize for those who have a hard time following the thoughts here, but to me, a blog is like a diary and I should be aloud to ramble. My heart is not breaking so much now for my friends who lost their son! It's getting a little easier every day to think about them without wanting to cry! They received my letter and told my dad that they were very happy to have received such a heart-felt letter from me. I thought that a sympathy card was just not enough, so I sat down and wrote them something special while choosing the right words that I wanted to use! My parents are going to stop by their place to go out on the boat, for a little while. I believe this will be good for both my parents and the Stimsons. They still haven't buried their son yet, but I believe it's because of the arrangements that have to be made at Arlington! I am so glad that his final resting place will be in such a place of honor! I know that it may not help his family heal thinking about it that way, but who knows, it just might! Anyways, I got a call from my friend Sultan at about eleven o'clock this morning. It was nice to wake up to his voice on the other end of the phone! I haven't talked to him in quite a few weeks, so it gave us a chance to catch up wtih each other. He's doing well and is glad that I'm doing well. I haven't seen him in about a year, but we keep in touch with phone calls and emails, so I guess it's alright! Carrie and I have been looking for apartments on the internet with the hopes that I'll get the job here. We've found a couple that we really like, though have to wait and see if I'll be able to afford the move. It's been interesting looking for apartments and thinking that Carrie will be my roommate! I don't mind the idea, it doesn't scare me, it baffles me to think that I will be sharing a place with a person whom I hve known for the better part of twenty years! And, I do believe that it may just excite me a little to think that I will be leaving the town that I have spent the last twenty-seven years living in with my parents! I know that I will miss my family and friends back home, but I also know that this will be one of the best things to happen in my life!


Well, I guess that's it for now. Gotta eat dinner and get ready to go to Champs for Matt's birthday!!!! GOOD NIGHT Y'ALL!!!!

LIfe

Well, life has been moving along at a fast pace, that makes me forget that I've already been here for a month. Since I last posted some changes have taken place. I dropped off an application at the State College Area School District, celebrated my 27th birthday, went on some adventures, and received some sad news from back home. Let's start with the application. When I dropped the actual application off at the administrative building, I was given more paperwork to fill out and put in for all my background checks, I just nee to get my fingerprints done and the background checks will be finished on my end. I was then told by one of the nice women in Human Resources that I should visit the building across the street and speak with the Assistant Special Education Director. She didn't have time to speak with me at the moment, but I was able to back at 2:30 and speak with her. That meeting was just the start of a long process, because she needed to send my application, along with all the others, to the various schools and wait for a call to interview with the school prinicpal. And that was just Wednesday! On Thursday I woke up to Carrie singing "Happy Birthday" to me. Carrie, Mel, and Scott chipped in and bought me a digital camera with  memory card to go with it! And then my awesome sister ordered me an Edible Arrangement for me to pick up. It was an arrangement full of chocolate-covered strawberries and a teddy bear! They were delicious and I was so touched that my sister did that for me. The little note attached almost made me cry! Then, Carrie and I went to the G-Man after she got out of work to have a drink! Carrie's friend Matt Brown joined us as well. It was fun and we had a good time. I celebrated my birthday with my parents before I left and they got me a photo album, some rolls of film, and gave me some money as well. They also called me and sang to me over the phone! It made me laugh and was a great way to start my day. So, then came Friday! I was woken up at about 10:30 by a phone call from work. It was to let me know that the son of one of my colleagues and close-friend died that morning. No body I had talked to that day knew exactly what happened. This young man was 30 years old, grew up with my brother, and was a well-decorated Navy Seal! When the news finally came out, it said that he died in a BASE-jumping accident. I couldn't believe it! I still can't believe what happened. It doesn't make it easier to deal with knowing he was stateside and not in Afghanistan or Iraq. It is still a horrible tragedy and my heart breaks every time I think of what parents, sister, and wife must be going through. So, I spent my weekend trying to keep busy, because any time I had to myself was spent in my head trying to figure it out. Carrie and I went into State College to go to a farmers market after getting ready and making sure I was alright. The farmers market was nice, we got some fresh corn and some apples. Then we walked around for a bit and headed back to the apartment for a low-key night at home! Saturday we woke up and headed out with Mel to Curtain Village. Curtain Village was an old coal furnace, iron-producing village. We toured the mansion, buildings on the property and the property itself. It seems like it would have been quite a cute little village back in the day! After our adventure to Curtain Village, Mel treated us to lunch at Twin Kiss, which was delicious. Afterwards, Carrie and I came back home for a couple of hours and then went Sayers to sit in the sun and enjoy the warmth of the water! Sunday, Carrie went fishing with a friend and did stuff around the apartment! The next week brought boating with tubing and chores around the apartment! This last weekend, Carrie had another long three days off. Saturday Carrie and I joined Chris and Dave for a wine-festival in Jim Thorpe. It was great, we went to several different booths and tasted several different wines! The first few booths we went to didn't have any wines that I really cared for. Then we finally got to the good stuff. Found a couple of wineries that we would really like to visit! Franklin Hill had some good wines that were fruity. Yesterday we tried to go boating, but there was trouble with the engine that we couldn't figure out and then it started raining, and raining hard! So, we packed up the boat and came home. After hanging out around here, Carrie and I got cleaned-up and went to Home D for dinner. It was great! Today is just a chillin day. Carrie's had some errands to run and is going out later. I might go get my hair cut, but I'm not sure! So, that's my life for the last couple of weeks. So, let's see what the rest of the summer brings! I know that one of Carrie's friends is coming home to visit and bringing some friends with him! Who knows! :)

Summer news!

So, as it stands so far I will be looking for a new job down here in Pennsylvania so that I can move in with Carrie. It took a lot of tears, talking to each other, and talking to my parents to make the decision. It's not that I never wanted to move, the thought just scares the shit out of me. Carrie has been an awesome friend and understands where my fears come from. My parents support me no matter what my decision is and will always be proud of me. My tears flowed at just thought of leaving my parents back in New Hampshire and I gave Carrie every excuse I could come up with as to why I can't move down here. It's not permanent until I can find a job that pays what I would make for the next school year or more. Tomorrow, Carrie and I will have to jump my car tomorrow so that I can go out and drop off resumes at the School District Offices in the next couple of days. I don't have a whole lot of time, because I need to give the school a two-weeks written notice. And after I talked to mom yesterday, I've talked to her about four times. I know that I will probably be on the phone with her every day once I'm used to being down here without her. I talked to Sara yesterday and I'm not quite sure how she feels about it because I told her I may not be able to get home for dress shopping with Katie. I know she wants me there, but she's going to have understand that I may not be able to make it. I just want her to be happy for me, and the fact that I'm finally taking care of what I want. I told her that I needed a big favor from her, and that was that it was her turn to take care of mom and dad. She said she was passing that baton to Jerome, but she needs to help them out because Jerome isn't always going to be around or in the area to help. I know that I can call Steve, but sometimes he's not good for dad because of the drinking he does. Anyways, that is what's going on at the moment. We have a pretty calm week planned. My birthday is Thursday and we might go to the bar after Carrie gets out of work, but I'm not sure yet! Keep you updated!!!!!!!!

no summer blues!

Well, since the last time I posted a lot has certainly been going on! Carrie and I have been boating again and we helped one of her friends hang some really awesome pictures on the walls of her house. Yesterday we went to New York City. My first trip back there since 8th grade! Carrie and I were on a mission to rescue some friends whose car died on their way into the city for vacation! But along rescuing said friends, we were able to have lunch in Chinatown and we went to Ground Zero where you can watch all the construction going on for the memorial that the city is building. Off to one side of the construction zone is a place where you can see what the memorial will look like when it's finished. And let me tell you, it's going to be wonderful. From what I could tell, there's going to be reflecting pools along with a few new towers that will be put into place. These new towers are going to surpass the buildings that have remained standing since that horrific day in history, just like the World Trade Centers did!! I believe that the new towers will add new dimension to the New York City skyline, that just doesn't look real without the towers to greet you when you drive into the city!!!!!  To continue with what my summer has brought so far. After returning from the city last night, Carrie and I went to the Gingerbread Man or G-Man, to watch the band Emily's Toy Box. They are really good and the guys are super nice!!! Carrie is needless to say, friends with the drummer and lead vocalist, which makes meeting the guys even easier. They played the first set, which started with one of their own songs and went onto "Don't Stop Believin" when the lead singer gave Carrie the microphone to keep the lyrics going! It was awesome! I still don't know why she didn't pursue a career as a singer and even audition to be on Broadway! The set continued and Carrie and decided we wanted to dance, so Scott moved the tables back for us, to give us a little more room to move around! The band took a short break and returned for their second set. They played a couple of songs and then the lead singer pulled me in my chair to the front, because SOMEONE (Carrie) told him my birthday was next week and we weren't going to make it out to the bar the night of my birthday, and she wanted me thoroughly embarrassed. Well it worked, and it was quite funny too. He told everyone it was my birthday and that I shouldn't be buying any more drinks for myself. He continued to ask if I was single, which if you've known me long enough know the answer is yes. So, Mike (the lead singer) told the guys in the bar to buy me drinks! Mike then continued to dance in my lap and then let me return to my friends. It was truly a great night, though after the two shots fo whiskey, I was feeling pretty good. Tomorrow, Carrie and I are headed to the lake for some Navy picnic thing. And then I believe it's movie night at a co-workers place with ice cream and toppings! Not sure what the rest of the week entails. Next Thursday I will officially turn 27, which to some women might freak them out to be that close to 30, but honestly I'm not bothered by it at all! I may not feel the same in another year, but for right now being this close to 30 is not that bad. Maybe it's because I get to share my birthday with my sister and it makes her closer to 30 than me. If only by a few minutes, but still closer. Well, I'll keep you posted as the summer progresses! 

Summer fun!

So, I've been in Pennsylvania for just over a week and it's been great. I know I told you what happened my first few days here, so lets continue. Last night was "Short Skirts & High Heels" out at the bars. It was a ton of fun, and damn did we look good! I'm slowly becoming the girly-girl I was a long time ago. Thanks to my wonderful friend, Carrie! Between eyebrows getting waxed and then getting my nails done, like I used to, I don't think it could be better. When we shop, the rule is that if I can wear it to work I'm not allowed to buy because I need some clothes for just me. Carrie and I chatted the other night and decided that it might be alright if I move down here permanently if I can find a job as a paraprofessional or medical assistant making at least what my contract is for the 2010-2011 school year. I've been having issues with my computer because my anti-virus software has expired and nothing seems to be opening. I'll get it figured out, not too worried about it at the moment. Things are going well for me here in Pennsylvania. I like it down here, and I seem to be getting along alright with Carrie's friends. And that's kind of nice, because then I don't feel left out when we're all hanging out. There shall be more to come as the summer goes on and details worked out for me to stay here. And when we find a bigger place, I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures.