Island

Marriage is like moving to a small island with another person. You can be visited and you can travel, but at the end of the day, you're alone with one person. At the end of the day, at the beginning of the day... probably in chunks in the middle of the day as well. You have jokes about building the house on the island and how ridiculous that was, but now it's done. You have jokes about the tide coming in and ruining the lawn, which is never funny, but it's a fact you decide to treat lightly. People can visit and tell you how nice the house on the lawn seems or how bizarre it seems. They're right, but they'll never experience how nice the house on the lawn is or how bizarre it is. Just you and the one person. The two of you get it. You take sort of a step away from everyone else and a step towards just the one person. You're both more isolated and more connected. That's what marriage is like. At the beginning, this is what you'll feel. I don't know about the middle or the end.

The joys of August

My co-workers now call me "Piles" because I leave stacks of paper everywhere as I work. 

On an ordinary Thursday, Matt and I drove to Ivanhoes to eat ice cream before returning home to make dinner. Dessert first.

It's been raining all day. The summer has officially hidden itself beneath late spring and early fall for three months. I still prefer its mild identity crisis over winter's bone-chilling wrath.

I figured out how to make broccoli cheddar soup and I'm very proud of myself.

Last night I ate strawberries and s'mores.

Lightening bugs.

Dinner time is often peppered with a couple episodes of Seinfeld.

A student lent me an excellent book that I've almost finished. Matt reads about the non-fictional World War II and I read about the fictional Civil War.

Snaps from the past 3 and a half months

Busy!!!!

So looking forward to rest

2 weeks and 2 days

Just over two weeks left in third quarter. Six weeks of school have passed... almost seven. The teacher in me says Every moment counts! Let's get down to business! and the human in me says We're so close! Let's get this over with!

Teachers and humans are different entities. That's a truth. Teachers accomplish amazing feats of patience and flexibility. Humans would snap like a rubber band. Teachers are taffy. 

THIS taffy's tired. I really love my students... I've been having an easier time hanging out with them. The anticipation of break and wedding stuff has definitely worn down my resolve to finish strong. I'll have to fight it!

24th Events

Yesterday was my 24th birthday.
Rachel and Kayla woke me up,
then Rach made crepes,
then Anne, Kayla, Rachel and I played Dutch Blitz and drank coffee.

We then cleaned and baked (brown butter sea salted Nutella cookies) and cooked (taco soup). Rachel and Kayla were dish champs.

I snuck in an episode of Seinfeld while Matt and Roger shoveled out my car.
Matt filled it with gas and replaced my plates. After Snowmageddon, these things were a BIG deal.

Noelle came by and she interviewed me. She will forever be my RD.

Matt came by and we watched a movie. We read and talked together.

Talking to Rachel finished the night. She always puts me at ease.

Nutella on our faces #nutellaslap #selfie

So after a thoughtful meal and a sentimental book reading, I've found myself engaged. I'm simplifying details- like snuck salmon and carefully chosen cranberries. I'm also simplifying background, like secret meetings and book covers. I'm also ALSO simplifying setting, like flowers and candles. 

Matt is wonderful and sentimental and perfect. But that, too, is an oversimplified statement.