The Big Apple

Warning: Long Post.

We spent the long weekend in NYC, and had the time of our lives! I know many of you have been there, and some of you have even lived there for a period of time, so my feelings won't be hurt if this post is not a novelty to you.

A few months ago - for my birthday, actually - Steve surprised me with the trip. Its original purpose was to serve as a 5-year anniversary trip, and I'm so glad he planned it when he did because, knowing us, we wouldn't have planned it at all after finding out about the baby. Anyway, we had a blast. We arrived in the city on Friday afternoon, checked into our hotel, and then set out to explore. We didn't stop until we were back at the airport on Monday afternoon ... we were sad to leave, but definitely saw all we could see in a few short days.

I won't recap everything, but here are a few highlights --

1. Steve's feet: Let me start by saying that Steve never complains about pain, so this particular situation truly was noteworthy. Steve made the decision (under my influence) to bring his tennis shoes that are slightly more stylish than your average Nikes. Not only would they go with all of his outfits, they would also serve the purpose of a tennis shoe. Wrong. By mid-day Saturday, he was in so much pain that we found ourselves in one of the 37 Footlockers (37 is not a huge exaggeration, by the way) purchasing brand new shoes for Steve's incredibly swollen feet. They were so bad that I took pictures of them when we got back to the hotel much later that night (not included in the photos here because he was embarrassed). I laughed about the situation frequently, even though I know it wasn't super funny to Steve since he was in pain. But, I've never been one to hold off on being entertained, even if it is at another's expense. Steve summed up this experience in a short phrase: "I could never be a woman and choose style over comfort." I sense a hint of appreciation ...

2. RENT: O.M.G. It was ah-may-zing. We had seen it a couple of times before - once in Des Moines and once in St. Paul - but nothing prepared us for the Broadway production. The performance was unparalleled. As I was reading through the playbill, I noticed that a member of the ensemble had been a lead on one of the traveling tours. The traveling tours were awesome, so the fact that that person had been demoted to ensemble for the Broadway production speaks volumes about the caliber of the actors. I will never tire of RENT. Also, they've extended the theater run until September, I think ... still time for some of you to go see it.

3. Confrontation: NY brought out a confrontational side of me that has been rather subdued recently. When we went into the theater for RENT, they were selling concessions that could be brought into the theater. Steve purchased a beer for himself and a water for me (yum). When we got to our seats, the usher told him he had to get rid of his drink, so he proceeded to chug it in the hallway like he was 19. Over the course of the next few minutes, a number of people came into the theater with their beverages. Every time someone new walked past the usher with beer in hand, I grew angrier and angrier with the usher who, Steve claims, just didn't like the way he looked. Rather than sitting and stewing, I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I walked to where the usher was standing, and she and I had a conversation that went like this:
Katie, "Why did you make my husband get rid of his drink?"
Usher, "I didn't know."
Katie, "You didn't know the theater's policy?"
Usher, "No, I'm new here."
Katie, "But I'm only visiting and even I could read the signs regarding drinks."
Usher, "I didn't know."
Katie, "OK. I think what you need to do is find a way to get him a refill."
Usher, "I'll check."
Katie, "Thanks."
Not five minutes later, an older, wiser usher, came and told Steve he was welcome to a new beer on the house. SUCCESS! I know it wasn't much, but the whole experience made me feel like I could hang with the New Yorkers.

4. Food: Papaya Dog. Ray's Famous Original Pizza. The patio on a warm, sunny afternoon at Puglia in Little Italy. Yum, yum, and yum.

5. The view from the top of the Empire State Building: It was breathtaking. I was mesmerized by what appeared to be a very swanky rooftop party happening below. I was dying to know who was on the roof ... someone famous and important, no doubt.

Sadly, we didn't run into any real celebs, but we pretended to do so at Madame Tussaud's. We did tackle the subway and only got on the wrong one once (my fault), and we successfully hailed a cab. Woo-hoo! I could go on and on, but I'll spare you for now. Check out pictures here.

It's Time to Tell ...

We've been keeping a secret for a few weeks now, and it's finally time to tell. See, this blog was created for more than what it's been thus far. Our idea was to create a blog in order to keep all of our friends and family in the loop with pictures and postings as we prepare to welcome Baby Brittain into the world. Translation: I'm pregnant!

We went to the doctor today, where we heard a healthy heartbeat (173 beats per minute) and saw a little person complete with arms and legs bouncing around in my uterus. Pleasant thought, right? Needless to say, my first thought was: No wonder I've felt different!

As of today, I'm 10 weeks, 4 days along. Baby is scheduled to arrive on December 12th. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas has always been my favorite time of year (most of you know that I'm the first to turn on the Christmas carols around November 10th and the last to turn them off on December 26th), so I think it's very fitting that we'll be welcoming our baby into the world in the midst of my favorite season.

I've been feeling pretty good. I was very nauseous for a while, but that's subsided. Now I'm just hungry and tired all of the time, but I can deal with both of those things. My clothes are getting a little tight, which is slightly depressing ... so much for my weight loss this fall. I worked so hard to prepare for bikini season, but I can promise you now that my bikini is officially off duty this summer (you'll thank me). However, I get to live in shorts with elastic bands all summer ... ah, the breathing room.

If you'll humor me, I'd like to share a few of my early pregnancy observations:
1. Someone could make a lot of money inventing a comfortable nighttime bra so that getting up in the mornings is not so painful. I'll leave it at that.
2. Life without Diet Coke is no good.
3. The term "morning sickness" is incredibly deceiving. In what universe does morning last from sun up 'til sun down? Let's just scrap the term altogether and just call it "sickness".
4. Patience? Forget it.
5. Whatever doctor said it's only necessary to gain three pounds in the first trimester never had a baby. I would've argued differently before I was the pregnant girl, but now I'm with all the rest of you who say that eating every hour is healthy and entirely necessary.
6. Husbands become so cute and gentle and willing to cater to every whim once they realize that there is a baby on board (yes, I am talking about Steve, for all of you who have stopped breathing out of shock momentarily).

I already see the nose ... Wencks, you know what that could mean!

David Cook

I've never been as into the American Idol finale as I am this season. For the first time, I'm a serious fan (by serious, I don't mean to imply that I actually vote, although I may do so next week). And, for whom am I cheering? Which David do I choose? It HAS TO BE David Cook. Archuleta is a sweet kid, but I don't see the real need for a 17-year-old-"all-I-can-rock-is-a-ballad"-entertainer in the world right now. I just don't understand the obsession with him, but then again, I'm not 16 or 60. Does he have much of an audience in between? Maybe so, and I apologize if it's you and if you're offended. I'm just being honest, I don't care for the guy.

My argument for Cook can be summed up in four words: He sang "Billie Jean" ... end of discussion. I think he's got the X-factor (whatever that is), and he's a nice, mid-western guy (I'm assuming, only because of the KC ties). Regardless, I think he's great, and I think he deserves to win. David Cook can sing "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" to me a-n-y-t-i-m-e...

Go Stars!

Our (North) Stars NEED a win tonight! It's hard to come back from 3-0, and now that they are back home at the AAC, it seems like as good a night as any to lessen the distance between playoffs and finals. This should be "The Year", not "The Almost Year" ...

Watching Saturday night's game was painful. There were multiple missed opportunities and, as a result, the Wings appeared to be playing at a level totally foreign to the Stars. It was the night of too many shots that didn't quite hit the net, passes that didn't quite meet the stick, and hits that didn't quite lead to suspension (ala Ribeiro, thank goodness).

If the Stars can keep the Wings out of their heads and in the penalty box (or at least out of Turco's crease), they've got a chance. We're still cheering ... we still believe! Go Stars!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of the wonderful Mothers reading this -- and especially to my own Mom and Grams -- Happy Mother's Day! You are so loved and appreciated!

An Exciting Week

It was Teacher Appreciation Week! Our PTA went out of their way to make each day special by providing food ... a number of you reading this will fully appreciate the fact that food is what made this week better than others (think finals week snacks at AGD, all day, everyday). One day as I was grazing, I overheard a substitute who was in the building say, "So, this is why people go into teaching." At first I was a little offended, but then realized that her ignorance was in no way her own fault ... all she witnessed at my school was people like me flocking to the lounge at every available moment.

Thursday night was my district's Teacher of the Year Gala, to which I was invited because I was the nominee from my school. This nomination, made by the building staff, was announced back in December, and since then the process has involved writing an essay and interviewing in front of a district panel (I'm SO OVER interviewing, by the way). Thursday night was dedicated to honoring the nominees from all 65+ schools in the district, and then "crowning" the district TOTY. I didn't win, which was no big surprise, but the night was thrilling nonetheless. I felt honored and humbled to be among so many dedicated, talented, and deserving teachers. The gala was attended by over 1,000 people, including community members, parents, district VIPS, etc. I got to walk across the stage and shake the hands of big wigs, and then was awarded a plaque and a goodie bag (like the Academy Awards SWAG, except with McDonald's coupons and other fine items of that sort instead of diamond watches and cashmere sweaters). I know that many, many teachers pour their hearts and lives into education without ever being recognized in such a way, and I'm thrilled to have had this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Now the countdown is offically on ... summer is so close, I can taste it! Unfortunately, most of the students started "tasting it" a few weeks ago, so I'm trying to find ways to be more entertaining than usual to keep them motivated for the next 17 days. I may soon turn to bribes!

My plaque (and the centerpiece my principal made me keep ... don't worry, I was not the only one who walked out with the centerpiece)!

At the gala, where they actually served steak instead of the rubbery "wedding" chicken we were expecting. We both dislike this picture for different reasons, but it's the only one!

My name in lights (sort of)!

A Request

If there's one thing that I've been amazed by in the blogging world, it's the power of a few posted words to generate prayers, thoughts, and love from people all over the world. I would like to ask you to keep my friend and Alpha Gam sister, Katie D., in your thoughts. She had surgery on Friday after she discovered a cancerous lump, and she will begin chemo within the next few weeks. Please keep Katie on your mind as she undergos chemo and works to heal.

On the job front ...

As many of you know, I'm working to complete my administrative certification. I have to take one class and my exit test in June. The feeling of not being a student ... I can't wait to feel it! Anyway, because I'm so close to completion, I decided to go ahead and start job hunting (just within my district) a bit this winter. After going through a couple rounds of panel interviews - one with district principals, and one with central office admin - I was placed in the district's admin pool, meaning if a position were to become available, I could be considered. Within the last couple of weeks, I have interviewed for two Dean of Students positions - one at my school, and one at another middle school. In middle Schools in my district, the Dean comes under the Principal and the Assistant Principal, and is an active part of the school's administrative team. It's a guaranteed three-year position, and after three (sometimes two) years, Deans are typically placed as APs, as long as the job has been done well.

On Wednesday, I was offered the Dean job at my current school beginning next school year! I did a lot of thinking about what it will mean to move up within my own school - I've heard pros and cons. However, for a million reasons, I think it's the best move for me. I know my administrators well, and I know we can work solidly together. I already share great working relationships with many of my colleagues, as well as with the students and parents of the school. My good friend, Rachael, is part of the administrative team as the special ed department head, and I can't wait to work more closely with her. PLUS, our building is undergoing complete renovation, which means I'll get to start my new job in a brand new office next year. Who can say no to that?!

My job will entail dealing with student management issues, working with the school's master schedule, and teacher appraisals (yikes), among a variety of other tasks. I'm very excited about this new opportunity. I have a lot to learn, of course, but I feel ready to take on the challenge. It does feel sad to know that I won't be returning to the classroom when school starts again in August, and I'll have to find new ways to form relationships with the students. However, the potential for impact in my new position will be just as great as it has been in the classroom ... just in a little different way.

For now I'm going to focus my energy on finishing the year in a positive way, and on making the most of my last weeks in the classroom. This summer, when I really have time to think, I'll turn my attention to the very important issue of how to decorate my new office!