Thing #42: Sushi

Until about 2 months ago, I was an avowed sushi hater. All I could think was, "Raw fish and seaweed? Double ick." I decided to give it another go at dinner with friends, and shock of all shocks, I like it. I even like the sushi with shrimp, white fish, AND salmon. That's right folks, BIG steps here. We're talking moon leaps for seafood, sushi hating Katie. But under those slimy pieces of fish wrapped in seaweed and ride, it's just delightful, really. So many flavors are there in one bite, and it's acceptable to stuff your face with all of them at once. Not to mention the silent joy I get out of being able to FINALLY use my chopsticks with something akin to skill and, dare I say it, grace. I have to say I'm shocked that this has entered my "things to be happy about" countdown, but because it's a bit out there, I decided to include it.

Especially since my belly is full of California roll and a delightful concoction called the "honey honey roll." Mmmm.

Thing #41: Coffee

I have NO idea how I managed to have a list with things to be happy about and NOT list coffee. This is sad, and it must be remedied (as must my month+ long absence. Tsk tsk, Katie).

So here's the deal: it's summer (wow! big, earth-shattering news right there), and I've become world-class lazy. I wake up somewhere from 9:30 to 10:30, proceed to find some food and sit around some more. In this laziness, I have failed to make my requisite morning cup of joe. Instead, I languish in a state of near confusion until a headache or exhaustion forces me to caffeinate myself. Yesterday, I did this at 3 PM with a cup of Starbucks coffee from my coffee maker. And I realized, I need to do this more often and earlier in the day, because I. Love. Coffee.

From the smell of the grounds to the noise of the percolating deliciousness to the warm comfort as it slides down my throat, I love it all. The best part of waking up, you know, is coffee after all. Shame on me for forgetting early childhood indoctrination. Shame.

Thing #40: Wedding Dresses

No, I don't have "the" dress picked out. However, I did have a fabulous time trying 6 or 7 of them on this Saturday. There were several that were definitely out - one was just too low (yikes!) and the other weighed about 10 pounds. There was one contender... but I'll leave that out of the blog for privacy's sake.

But here's what's really fun - wedding dresses are awesome to look at, to feel, and to put on. It's okay to be that little girl inside that loves to dress up. There are the sparkles, the flowers, the lace, and the taffeta are all pretty fabulous.

Even better? I get to wear one :-)

Thing #39: Mechanical Pencils

I LOVE office supplies. I am a fan of pens, pencils, and all organizational tools, especially if they come in some array of bright colors.

Today, I have been using an old school pencil that requires a pencil sharpener, and I now realize that I am spoiled by mechanical pencils. The point on this pencil simply becomes dull too quickly. With a mechanical pencil, I am able to write continuously with the mere click of the erasered end. The writing remains uniformly narrow and is legible even after 30 minutes of pencil use. I could never understand why they were not allowed in parts of elementary school and middle school. The no-sharpener-required pencil should be the glimmer of hope in any younger-grade teacher's life (and I have heard this is true from one, not so stingy, 4th grade teacher).

So. There you have it. Mechanical pencils are where it's at, and while old school pencils that require a sharpener may have a certain charm, they are nowhere near the caliber of writing utensil that one finds in the Bic 7mm pencil.


Also, Drew, I will try to write less about the beach and the sun. I think it's the Vitamin D that makes me so "happy" about them...

Thing #38: Sun tan lines

At my last check-up, my doctor said, "Oh no. We don't like to see tan lines. That means you haven't been wearing enough sunscreen." Yeah yeah. I get it. I'll be wrinkly and spotted when I'm older. It's bad for my skin. Tan is technically damage. Yeah.

But I love the sun. And I love that my skin is brown and smells of sunscreen for days at a time (because I DO wear it...just a low SPF). I love that I can wade into the water, come out, and let the sun dry the droplets seemingly instantaneously. The lines mean that I can wear my swimsuit. They mean that my summer dresses no longer need sweaters. They mean that winter woes are a memory.

They mean summer is almost here. Beach days (my happy days) aren't far away.

YAY!

Thing #37: Three Day Weekends

Without explanation or apology, I am back. (thanks for the inspiration, Drew)

There is something sweet about waking up on Sunday and thinking, "What do I need to get done today before going back to the grind?" and realizing that you have two days rather than one to finish things. This three day weekend came at a particularly wonderful time, following a student calling me "unprofessional" and lying to me at the end of 3rd block on Friday. It's good to get away from those kinds of situations for a longer-than-normal amount of time.

It's also nice to think that I can go to church today, enjoy lunch with the fam as usual, hit the beach, and still hang out late and get papers graded or even grab a drink with a willing friend. I like the possibilities today affords as a result of tomorrow's freedom from the grind.

Also surprising is the weather - once calling for thunderstorms, it appears calm and sunny outside. What a fabulous way to continue the three day hiatus from reality.

Thing #36: Reading until I sleep

I have become unfortunately fond of watching TV until I fall asleep. I vowed not to move my TV into my bedroom, yet I did during the unfortunate moments of early fall without proper heat. And there the TV has stayed throughout the winter and well into the spring. However, I have vowed to actually read for my own personal growth this break, and I have finished the book I began over winter break (Beautiful Boy -a heartbreaking work about a family's struggle with an addicted son). I finished the book last night. I stayed up through tired and into exhausted. I read until 1 AM and every last word was devoured.

That is the way to fall asleep. It's like leaving the day with a bigger brain, more to think about, and the satisfaction of having completed something worthwhile instead of frivolous.

And off I am to read the second book (The Help, read for a book group at OLHS). I'm excited to be back to reading. I feel more like myself. Why do I go so long without putting down the remote and picking up a book?