Monday

I realized that I rarely ever able to simply write about the contents of my day. Other than a weekend, my days are typical of a college student, filled with books, pencils, tests, naps, and late bedtimes. Unless a student falls in the middle of the cafeteria, hurling food everywhere, there is not much worth sharing. To prove my point...here is my today, my normal Monday.
I woke up at 5:45 am, and hearing the calm of a gentle thunderstorm, I did not want to get out of bed. After forcing myself to have a morning workout, I showered, caught some Saved By the Bell re-runs while getting ready, and rushed to my practicum. Upon returning from my practicum, I tied up some loose ends on homework assignments, straightened my room and then met my man for lunch. After a less-than-satisfying "gourmet" meal from the Joust, I headed off the work at 1pm. As I sit here typing while I'm supposed to be "on the job," all I can think about is the rest of my Monday! When I get back from work at 4:30, I will have about 30 minutes of Oprah to catch and then will head off for a floor dinner at 5:15. Trying to be the most supportive RA, I'll then go straight to my floor's intramural play-off game to cheer them on. The day as an RA and student is not over yet. My other job, as a fiance, kicks in when I head to JP's play-off game at 8. Then at 9:30 I reverse back into my RA shoes and head to a meeting at 9:30. Finally, I'll make it back to my room for some homework just before hitting the sack for some R&R...which will be interrupted by the alarm clock at 6am on Tuesday morning! WHEW! What a day!

OUCH!

My head hurts! All I've done for the past week is study! You'd think it was finals time, with the amount of time my books have been open. That doesn't happen much. I have two tests tomorrow. One I'm not all too concerned about, the other that I'm dreading. While at work today, I studied for 3 hours! My head hurts. I keep seeing numbers and vocabulary banks floating around my brain. It's swollen from the number crunching and graphing. I've realized that our family is not blessed in analyzing and dealing with numbers.
I'm supposed to be an Education major, which is why I question the reason for having to deal with statistics. I don't get it. What the heck is a Z-score? What am I supposed to graph? We Mangialardi women have a way with words, not numbers. I don't even balance my checkbook. If it takes explanation, I'm the expert, but as far as handling numerical values....give me a few days.

Giddy-up

JP and I went horse-backing today, with his best man and his best man's girlfriend. It was a blast! The last time I can remember going horseback riding was during our Griswold Family trip to Montana, on a trail ride...which I'm told is not true horseback riding. My horse's name was Spider. He didn't seem to like me very much. I got on him and nothing I did would make him move. I was told he can be very stubborn with certain riders...just my luck. My uneasiness was obvious to even a four-legged friend. Needless to say, I survived a near-death, so it seemed, experience when my Spider got a little excited. Often, I found myself as giddy as a child. Each time the horse looked at me or ate out of my hand, I chuckled an innocent little laugh that kept JP smiling all day. It was an experience that reminds me we are never too old to revisit the emotions of a child...where simplicity, nature, and a little giggle can make your day.

"Gimme Five!"

So, one of my most interesting students in the 3rd grade class I'll be student teaching, brought tears to my eyes today. We sat in a small group trying to finish a math packet they had been assigned. William just sat there, uninvolved and unmotivated for a solid 20 minutes. I asked him what was wrong and he replied with tears rolling down his cheeks, "I just can't get out of my head that I was the laughing stock in the the cafeteria." He proceeded to tell me that the entire cafeteria was making fun of his shoes that some boys in his class had pointed out. They called them girl shoes apparently. I have to admit, I wouldn't buy my son a pair of the black heeled boots William sported, but there's more shame for a child in what others think. I realized for the first time how truely cruel kids can be and how aware children are at this young age, of their image and acceptance by peers. I can understand how at such an early age, kids can start with a memory such as this, and begin to take the wrong path. William and I talked for a little while and I told him that because I think he is so cool, I want a high five from him for every problem he finishes. I said that because he is such a strong boy, I bet he could make my hand beat red by the time he is done with the worksheet. A huge grin covered his chubby cheeks from ear to ear and he began to work through the 5-page packet. By the end of the hour....my hand was beat red!

I missed the 80's

I realized today how disappointed I am that I missed the 80's. Today at brunch I wore my tribute to the 80's, cut off sweatshirt. I sat at the table and the first thing my friends said to me was, "Goodmorning Kelly Kapowski." I actually took it as a compliment. I mean who wouldn't. They claimed my ponytail sitting on top of my head and sweatshirt, gave me a strong resemblence to the Saved By the Bell beauty queen. I have no problem being compared to an 80's heartthrob. Talking about Saved by the Bell and Full House put me in the mood for musica! I went straight to my room and am currently listening to the 13 Going on 30 Soundtrack, which if you are familiar, features solely hits of the 80's. I LOVE IT! Tainted Love is running through my head and just a minute ago I was basically rapping with Ice, Ice Baby. I vaguely remember when Vanilla Ice was big. I remember having a crush on the hot guy rapping in his wife-beater, and I was only like 5. How is it that even though I barely grew up in that fantastic decade, that I have so much infatuation with its music, shows, and the like? I mean, I know that Saved By the Bell and Full House took place laregly in the early 90's, but to me that meshes closely with the 80's. I wish I could have been a part of that decade more than just to be birthed during its course. For now, I'll live vicariously through its music, shows, and of course the now fashionable return of its fashion. I'm going to wear my Kelly gear around town today....its the most I can do to fullfill the craving...Spandex and all!!!! (although i don't have her legs)

7 Unknown facts

Seven Unknown Facts About Me

1) I'm afraid of the dark. I sleep with my sink light on in my dorm room!

2) I get ready in the morning....in my birthday suit! Thank God I have my own room (for now)!

3) I'll skip any meal, but breakfast! (even a granola bar is important)

4) I can't manage time.

5) I've never broken a bone.

6) I had my first kiss at the movie, "Never Been Kissed." (unfortunately, it wasn't JP)

7) I pop a hershey's kiss into my mouth when I have a bad monthly cramp! (It really works)

This weekend flew by! Fall break seemed more like a day. In one weekend I saw my an aunt, my grandma, grandpa, papa, visited my sister's classroom, spent a day with Bethany, Erik, and the boys for her birthday, ordered my wedding dress, had dinner with JP's grandparents, had a "meet the parents" dinner with JP's Dad, stepmom and Vern & Rosie, got to see mi hermano, and took engagement photos! If that sentence seems hard to say in one breath, then you understand how crazy busy this Fall Break has been. I always seem to feel like a chicken with its head cut off when running around from one responsibility to the next, but when all is said and done, there's not better feeling than that of accomplishing everything on your "to do" list...and more!
My wedding dress is absolutely perfect! My mom was so right when she first saw it on me and said, "This is nothing like what she had originally wanted." It was one of those moments when it looks awkward on the hanger but fits like a glove! It doesn't come in until March and I can't wait to try it on again! I didn't want to take it off! It was so special to have my grandma, my mom, JP's grandma, mom and sister there. The best surprise was that Sharon and Kimberly showed up! I felt like an absolute princess...and for once, my mom and I agreed on something...that the dress was perfect! I can't wait to walk down the aisle and see JP's face on our wedding day! I keep toying with his mind asking, "what do you think it looks like?" I tell him it's super poofy and nothing like what i'd pick out. His facial expressions in reaction to my comments are priceless! He never can describe what he thinks it will look like, for two reasons...he knows how unpredictable my taste can be and because MEN have NO clue when it comes to fashion or clothing. If it's not a football play, they can't explain much of the abstract taking place in their mind!