April 7 -- I really hope that Monica never reads this. More than likely, she never will. First of all, she is a lot younger than me, she listens to music I would never listen to unless I was forced to and, she doesn't know me. So how do I know her? ANd more importantly, why am I afraid of her?
She is my spinning teacher at the gym. And really. I am afraid of her.
It's not like I am afraid she will beat me up. And she is about average in how hard she works us. (Terry is much, much worse and I am not afraid of her!) No, I just recognized that she is one of those people I am afraid to say anything contradictory to. Even when she asks us to.
Monica: Tell me if the music is too loud. (She puts her thumb down to show that we want her to lower the music.)
Me: (sweating like crazy during a "climb.") Cricket, cricket chirp, chirp. (And all the while I am thinking, ouch! The bass in this wild heavy metal song is totally killing my eardrums!!) But I say nothing. Not a sound. (unless you count heavy breathing.)
After the class Monica says again, "if anybody wants me to change the music, let me know!" And she has this sweet, chirpy voice that almost makes you believe she is telling you the truth. But I know better. I saw her shut down the blonde bride-to-be who is clearly spinning so she can fit into her wedding dress come August. She went up to Monica after class last week and asked for Britney Spears. "The new album is soooo awesome!" she cooed. I was walking by to get my paper towel and the cleaning spray to wipe down my bike. I couldn't resist. "You know, they say she doesn't even write her music." The wedding planner pouts. "So what? It's great music!!" Monica, who only seconds before asked for suggestions, cocks her head and looks at the Barbie Bride. She grins widely. And then her face gets totally serious. "Ummmmm, no, " she responds. I looked over at Barbie. She had this frozen smile on her face as though she were totally confused. "Really?" she tried again. And Monica shut her down. Again. "Ummmmm. No. No Britney. Sorry!" She added with a smile.
Yipes. I get the shivers just thinking about another class with wild heavy metal songs. Monica yells out to us, "Listen to the words!! Get pumped! Let the music guide you!!" And I am thinking, are you kidding me?! I can't even tell what they are saying!"
Maybe next week I will get the courage to go up to her after class with some other suggestions. Like Rocky. Or Flashdance. Or...maybe not. Like I said, I am afraid. I am very afraid.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Is Spring ever coming??
April 6 -- The kids are starting their spring sports seasons and omg it still feels like winter. This morning looked promising with its blue sky and sunshine -- a nice change after a bunch of freezing, rainy (and snowy!) grey days. But then the clouds came back in and by the time I left the gym after class tonight, it was raining and freezing. I stood at the gas station pumping (disgustingly) expensive gas into my super cool mini van and I bundled up with the winter jacket I had left in the car. (Thank God!)
This is just stupid. Could Winter please let go??? Even with my awful spider veins, I am actually looking forward to wearing shorts again. But right now, that warmth seems very far away...
This is just stupid. Could Winter please let go??? Even with my awful spider veins, I am actually looking forward to wearing shorts again. But right now, that warmth seems very far away...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sex in Croatia
April 5 -- Okay, this blog is absolutely not about sex. I am saying that in the very first sentence because i want to make it perfectly clear right from the get-go. One of the things that I have noticed about this blog writing adventure is that I get a ton of hits from some of my titles that have national (or international) allure. The Britney Spears one has been quite popular. I don't plan this. It just happens.
And today I noticed that someone read my blog in the Ukraine. And in Croatia. Seriously?? Do they even understand it? How cool is that? I had three hits from Denmark. I love Denmark. (Do they have sex in Denmark? Of course they do.) Oops. I said this blog wasn't about sex. I lied.
Okay I will come clean. I have absolutely nothing of value to write about tonight. I just wrote a really emotional email to someone who is going through a very difficult time with her teenage son. I know a lot about going through tough times with a teenage son. It's not a happy or pretty subject. But she called me today and asked me for advice. So I gave her some for what it is worth. But I can barely keep my own parenting head above water so it wasn't an easy email to write. And when I wrote the email, I used up all of my writing passion and energy. So now I am writing this blog and I have nothing left. I am empty. Naturally, I thought about sex. Who wouldn't?
And today I noticed that someone read my blog in the Ukraine. And in Croatia. Seriously?? Do they even understand it? How cool is that? I had three hits from Denmark. I love Denmark. (Do they have sex in Denmark? Of course they do.) Oops. I said this blog wasn't about sex. I lied.
Okay I will come clean. I have absolutely nothing of value to write about tonight. I just wrote a really emotional email to someone who is going through a very difficult time with her teenage son. I know a lot about going through tough times with a teenage son. It's not a happy or pretty subject. But she called me today and asked me for advice. So I gave her some for what it is worth. But I can barely keep my own parenting head above water so it wasn't an easy email to write. And when I wrote the email, I used up all of my writing passion and energy. So now I am writing this blog and I have nothing left. I am empty. Naturally, I thought about sex. Who wouldn't?
Monday, April 4, 2011
UConn Huskies are National Champs -- Go UConn!!
April 4 -- I love college sports; I just do. It's such an excellent blend of talent, passion and amazing athletic theater that far surpasses the performances in the professional, highly paid arena of post-NCAA sports. These kids are playing to win, pure and simple. They are not in it for the money, not for the professional glory. They play because they love the game. March Madness never fails to find me sitting on the couch, glued to the tv and cheering on one favored team or another.
I will never forget the winter basketball season after our daughter Brianna died. Watching the UConn Huskies play Big East basketball and head for the Sweet 16 was a bright light in my otherwise grief-stricken days. It gave me something to hope for, to cheer for. As those boys and girls fought for their dream, I gained the courage to reach for mine. It wasn't until 1999, five years after Brianna died in my arms, that Calhoun won his first National basketball championship. But it was during the 1994/95 season that the UConn team finally got the national recognition they deserved.
And now, on the eve of our oldest son's decision to "play" ( learn!) at UConn, it seems only fitting that the boys basketball team would win the National Championship for the third time since 1999. It's all about faith, believing that you have the strength to get back into the game after you have taken a tough hit (of which there are many in life) and going for the win. Playing your best, studying your hardest, being the best you can be -- and, like Emily Dickinson's "hope"... continuously singing the tune without the words and never stopping at all.
Go UConn.
I will never forget the winter basketball season after our daughter Brianna died. Watching the UConn Huskies play Big East basketball and head for the Sweet 16 was a bright light in my otherwise grief-stricken days. It gave me something to hope for, to cheer for. As those boys and girls fought for their dream, I gained the courage to reach for mine. It wasn't until 1999, five years after Brianna died in my arms, that Calhoun won his first National basketball championship. But it was during the 1994/95 season that the UConn team finally got the national recognition they deserved.
And now, on the eve of our oldest son's decision to "play" ( learn!) at UConn, it seems only fitting that the boys basketball team would win the National Championship for the third time since 1999. It's all about faith, believing that you have the strength to get back into the game after you have taken a tough hit (of which there are many in life) and going for the win. Playing your best, studying your hardest, being the best you can be -- and, like Emily Dickinson's "hope"... continuously singing the tune without the words and never stopping at all.
Go UConn.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
"Salt" If it were a guy it would be different.
April 3 -- We just saw the movie, "Salt" with Angelina Jolie. For the first twenty minutes Tessa watched but then she went up to bed. For the rest of the movie it was me and three males watching this action packed thriller where a female CIA agent/Russian spy takes down like 30 guys to save the United States from complete and utter destruction.
Of course it was unrealistic. At first I kept saying to the boys, "hey, stop groaning. If it were a male lead in this movie and he was jumping from the top of a truck to an oil tanker to another truck (on a highway) you would believe it! Just because it's a woman..." But even I got kind of jaded after awhile. As amazing as Angelina Jolie is with all of her children and charitable causes, I just had a hard time when she punched a guy once in the head and whoa...he is out stone cold.
Nonetheless, it was nice to see a woman kick some ass. It's actually quite amazing. Even when she is bloody and has her hair dyed jet black, she just manages to always look so darn pretty! Impressive.
Of course it was unrealistic. At first I kept saying to the boys, "hey, stop groaning. If it were a male lead in this movie and he was jumping from the top of a truck to an oil tanker to another truck (on a highway) you would believe it! Just because it's a woman..." But even I got kind of jaded after awhile. As amazing as Angelina Jolie is with all of her children and charitable causes, I just had a hard time when she punched a guy once in the head and whoa...he is out stone cold.
Nonetheless, it was nice to see a woman kick some ass. It's actually quite amazing. Even when she is bloody and has her hair dyed jet black, she just manages to always look so darn pretty! Impressive.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
One Step Closer to the College Decision...
April 2nd -- It is amazing how much I did not like the college search process this past year. And most parents whom I speak with about this agree. It's just not fun. Maybe if we had unlimited funds, then it would be a cakewalk but we don't, so it isn't.
I was reading an article in the paper today about college rejections. This past week was the target week for all of the responses to students who applied for the January 1st deadline. It talked about how bogus some of the letters to the students are...Georgetown's letter said something like, "we are so sorry you cannot join us..." (As the reporter said in the article, it really does sound like they're talking about an invitation to a social gathering!)
Most articles about college applications cite at least once that the number of college applications have gone up dramatically in the past year or two. This is largely due to the common application which, when done, can go to a vast majority of the colleges throughout the entire country. Because kids don't have to do a completely new application for each school they apply to, they are more likely to apply to more schools. Which leads me to my "aha" moment. The schools are doing the happy dance! They are riding the wave created by all of the parents' intensity and competitiveness as they encourage their kids to apply to many, many schools. (One of Luke's friends applied to like, 14 schools!) So the reason why schools are so happy is because they are making lots and lots of money! Sure, they have to evaluate more applications but at $85 a pop, they are still making a profit. Yale had nearly 28,000 applications. Multiply that by each application fee of $85 and Yale made nearly 2.4 million dollars!! Crazy.
Which leads me to the college luncheon for scholarship recipients that Luke and Brian went to today. He and Brian had an awesome time being wooed by the school hosting the luncheon. One of the speakers put it this way, "a few months ago, we in admissions had all the power. Now all of you have the power. We want you to come here but it's all up to you. We hope you pick us." Seeing as it is an excellent school with a strong academic reputation, and that it costs the least out of all the schools he got accepted to, I think that's where he will end up going. Brian said he was beaming at the luncheon today. Luke hasn't "beamed" a real lot lately. So I have to say, albeit with some trepidation, I am getting excited. Is it the best choice? Who knows? But it's the best one for him at the moment. And that's all anyone can ask for. Including (and especially) Luke.
I was reading an article in the paper today about college rejections. This past week was the target week for all of the responses to students who applied for the January 1st deadline. It talked about how bogus some of the letters to the students are...Georgetown's letter said something like, "we are so sorry you cannot join us..." (As the reporter said in the article, it really does sound like they're talking about an invitation to a social gathering!)
Most articles about college applications cite at least once that the number of college applications have gone up dramatically in the past year or two. This is largely due to the common application which, when done, can go to a vast majority of the colleges throughout the entire country. Because kids don't have to do a completely new application for each school they apply to, they are more likely to apply to more schools. Which leads me to my "aha" moment. The schools are doing the happy dance! They are riding the wave created by all of the parents' intensity and competitiveness as they encourage their kids to apply to many, many schools. (One of Luke's friends applied to like, 14 schools!) So the reason why schools are so happy is because they are making lots and lots of money! Sure, they have to evaluate more applications but at $85 a pop, they are still making a profit. Yale had nearly 28,000 applications. Multiply that by each application fee of $85 and Yale made nearly 2.4 million dollars!! Crazy.
Which leads me to the college luncheon for scholarship recipients that Luke and Brian went to today. He and Brian had an awesome time being wooed by the school hosting the luncheon. One of the speakers put it this way, "a few months ago, we in admissions had all the power. Now all of you have the power. We want you to come here but it's all up to you. We hope you pick us." Seeing as it is an excellent school with a strong academic reputation, and that it costs the least out of all the schools he got accepted to, I think that's where he will end up going. Brian said he was beaming at the luncheon today. Luke hasn't "beamed" a real lot lately. So I have to say, albeit with some trepidation, I am getting excited. Is it the best choice? Who knows? But it's the best one for him at the moment. And that's all anyone can ask for. Including (and especially) Luke.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Smoking Pot in a School Bathroom? Never a Good Idea.
April 1st -- I wish this was an April Fool's joke but it isn't. Sadly, a boy I have known since he was in kindergarten, a boy I like (and still do!) was caught smoking pot in the school bathroom at middle school today. He was with two other boys, one whom I have known since before he was in kindergarten. It just breaks my heart; it really does.
First of all, what were they thinking???! I know that kids go through this period in life where they think they are invisible but seriously, did they not think that the smoke from the pot would like, smell?! That a teacher or innocent student might stumble upon their illegal maneuvers? Of course they were going to get caught! How could they not? They were in the public school bathroom for goodness sake!
What I find most interesting is how upset Tessa and her friends are. Maybe the word I am searching for is "hopeful" instead of "interesting." I am glad they are upset. That they think it's awful and sad. I do too. No 13 year old should be experimenting with drugs. It's just sad. It really is. I couldn't say this to Tessa but honestly? In this day and age, it is a scenario that could have just about anybody's kid playing a role. I do not, for one second, believe that my kids are angels. No way. It's like that expression "there by the grace of God go I..."
But I will pray for that little boy -- he is little! -- and his family. From the sounds of what went down after he and his friends were caught, it doesn't look good. He is going to need all the help he can get.
First of all, what were they thinking???! I know that kids go through this period in life where they think they are invisible but seriously, did they not think that the smoke from the pot would like, smell?! That a teacher or innocent student might stumble upon their illegal maneuvers? Of course they were going to get caught! How could they not? They were in the public school bathroom for goodness sake!
What I find most interesting is how upset Tessa and her friends are. Maybe the word I am searching for is "hopeful" instead of "interesting." I am glad they are upset. That they think it's awful and sad. I do too. No 13 year old should be experimenting with drugs. It's just sad. It really is. I couldn't say this to Tessa but honestly? In this day and age, it is a scenario that could have just about anybody's kid playing a role. I do not, for one second, believe that my kids are angels. No way. It's like that expression "there by the grace of God go I..."
But I will pray for that little boy -- he is little! -- and his family. From the sounds of what went down after he and his friends were caught, it doesn't look good. He is going to need all the help he can get.
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