I've been a Slacker.....

I apologize to my Bogger Community (Nicole)! I haven't had the time or inclination to write lately, even though a lot of fun things have happened....

To begin with practical matters: I am now officially a substitute teacher! Today marked my third day of work, and so far I must say it has been quite interesting. My very first experience was at an inner city school with jr. high kids, and I'll admit my patience was sorely tested. By the end of the day my voice was gone simply from trying to speak over the children. I didn't set the necessary precedent at the beginning, but I think I learned from my mistakes. My second experience was as an Art teacher in an elementary school...with no lesson plans....yeah. I'm no artist, and the fun part was I didn't even have a room. I had a cart I wheeled around to different classrooms. The best part of the day, even though I had no idea what I was doing throughout all of it, was definitely working with kindergarten. While I know that is the grade most people hate the most, it's my favorite. They are such dolls, and so friendly and sweet before life screws with them. Sigh. Today was the easiest yet: a half day at a vocational school, where for 3 hours I just sort of babysat. There was a total of 5 girls, and they minded their own business for me. I should have been more of a hardass, becuase one girl slept most of the time...but before class started I heard her telling her friend how she was just about kicked out of her house last night, and to be honest I couldn't bring myself to be a bitch. Most of the kids I've dealt with so far have it farrrr worse than I ever had, so I'm cutting them some slack. Life up here is different than sheltered Hillsdale County. If they have a substitute who can bring them 45 more minutes of sleep, I'm going to keep my mouth shut.

So yes, all in all that's going fantastic.

And on a completely unrelated note....I have a fantastic boyfriend. As I write I'm staring at some beautiful pink tulips who have fully opened up, but we'll get to those in a bit.... To begin, he completely gets my love affair with Broadway. He's aware of it, and although he doesn't share it, he accepts it. In my mind this is almost better. We don't have to love the same things, but we have a mutual respect for the things we appreciate. Because he knows about my feelings though, he jumped at the opportunity to buy some tickets to the Color Purple from a collegue last week! It was fantasssstic. I never planned to put that show on my "Must See" list, but when the opportunity arose there was no way I was turning it down...and I'm seriously so glad I didn't. It far exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect Will to love it, and neither did he frankly. I think he had a better time than he expected though, so that was good. What means more to me is that he will go to things liket his with me, and enjoy my excitement. It's far more sweet than if he had the same extensive background that I did. Anyway, this was last Sunday. This past weekend was Valentines Day. Our first together. It went lovely. I took the Martha Stewart approach and made a kickass card (seriously, I surprised myself...Even Ashley was amazed), and put a sweet little gift basket together. It went over well. As for my gift, I knew that we were going to yet another broadway excursion...because he is fantastic. All on his own he discovered that the Lansing Symphony Orchestra was pairing up with two Broadway stars for a night of "Love Songs of Broadway" and decided that was the perfect gift for me. It was the sweetest, most elegant Valentines Day! We were all dressed up at the Wharton Center, with hundreds of other couples - all dressed up. I loved it! This followed an amazing dinner at a new Italian restraunt we discovered, which we have now decided is "our place". Again, his idea. I don't know how I got so lucky....but yes. On top of all this, there is more. He had something else for me, but I had no idea what it was, just that I had to wait until we got home. I was incredibly surprised when he pulled out a brand new ukilalee (one he purchased specifically for this occasion), and began to play me "I'm Yours" - with singing and everything. I was unbelieveably touched. I've never met another guy comfortable enough to do all the corny and cutesey things I love to do myself. I never feel like I'm going too far, or making him too uncomfortable, because I'm always sure of how he feels. It's a huge relief, and takes so much pressure off. He really is incredible.

I'm gushing, and I need to stop. Life on that end is good. The end. In other news......is there other news??? The semester is starting to fly by. Soon it will be spring break...wowsers...I don't know where time is going, but I'm thrilled that I'm starting to make money. I won't have to be the little "old" lady who lived in her shoe afterall!

I promise to try to start updating again more reguraly. I just got so busy...but with good things.

More soon!