Chrono Trigger Blanket!

I rarely finish projects, so I am super excited that I have actually finished this blanket that I had decided to make for Al for his birthday! I drew the patterns for the characters based off of incredibly small icons, but I think they came out ok. =) The top says I heart Albort

The blanket: (sorry, this was the best picture I could get of the whole thing)

And now a closer look at the characters:

Robo, and Froggy

Magus and Lucca

Chrono and Marle

Spekkio, Ayla

Nu

My next project: Austin Powers costumes for Halloween =)

Also....yes I do have a lot of time on my hands thanks to being unemployed. =P

New York Adventures

Yes! We are in the city! Al and I have only been here for two weeks now, and we still have so much more exploring to do. I thought I would relate two adventures, though, just because of their awesome-ness.

The day after we officially moved to New York, Al and I were watching Food Network. (what else is new?) On Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Bobby Flay competed against these two women who bake amazing chocolate chip cookies. They own a bakery in NYC, and so I was like--DUDE! We're here, we totally have to go! So on Monday, Al and I took our first trip on the subway to try to make our way to W 74th St. We learned what an express train is, and we learned that I need to look at the subway maps a lot more carefully.

Basically, after re-tracing our route on the subway TWICE, we finally made it our stop and found Levain Bakery. I was grumpy, tired, and hungry--but the reward was a HUGE and delicious chocolate chip cookie!

Next stop--the best place for a cheap cheap cheap cheap dinner--Wah Fung.

You can get a box FILLED with roast pork, duck, and rice for only 3.75!! I just had to show you the picture so you can see how much food it is. Al and I ate like kings for 7.50 last week. =) WIN!

I guess that's all for now! =) Come and visit us!

Megan Fox is Foxy

Scenario:

Maureen, Mynoi, Al, and I were eating dinner over at our place and watching Transformers. (Dinner was pasta and delicious mini-pizzas). Al and I have made it no secret that we both think Megan Fox is super hot. Then comes the scene in the movie when Megan Fox is checking out the engine and seductively leaning over the hood of the car. Al, staring at the TV with his mouth hanging open, drops his pizza as he tries to eat it.

Now that's stop eating hot. =P

Dear Law School in NYC,

Please please please please please let me into your law school.  I'll be your best friend.

Love,

Eileen

Chick Flicks

Why girls like chick flicks.  Or at least why I think they do.  It's easy--you want to see that same predictable storyline over and over again because in the end, you really just hope that if it could happen to all those girls in the movies it can happen to you, too!

My favorite chicken flicks: (a typo, but funny so I kepy it)

- ever after

- the wedding singer

- legally blond

- love actually

- pride and prejudice

- 27 dresses

...ahhh and the list can go on and on and on

And side note--I think that I ended up with a pretty happy ending to my chick flick.  That's you, Al!

Never Say Never

In high school, I said that after graduation, I would never stay in Virginia.  But then I went to UVA and moved back up to NoVA.

Growing up, I said that I would never become a teacher.  Or a lawyer.  And now I have already taught for a year and I'm in law school.

In college, I said that I would never go back to school after I finished my degree.  But now I am in law school for another advanced degree.

Hmmm....

I used to say that all I wanted to do was be in a band and move out to California.  Neither of those things ever happened.

Today:

I will never get a great job as a lawyer and get to move to New York next year with Al.  *crosses fingers* =P

I think I can

When I first started taking education classes for my teaching degree, I had a lot of exposure to the problems of the education system and ever-increasing achievement gap between kids of different races and socieo-economic backgrounds.  There is something about helping people in need, people who can't help themsevles, that has always tugged at my heart.  When I read a story about kids of immigrant parents who feel that they can't make it in this world, I can almost sense the possibility that if I did...something...I could make a real difference and help them.  The only problem is actually knowing what that something is--and after a year of teaching in a school full of at-risk children, I am definitely far from finding out the answer.

But I do believe that a lot of helping these kinds of kids has to do with helping them find their confidence and their motivation.  If they can just believe in themselves and realize that they can achieve their goals if they put their minds to it, then they can reach their dreams.  I know it's idealistic--but all it takes is to have one person believe in you and really encourage you, because soon that encouragement turns into self-confidence and the ability to motivate yourself.

What's funny, and maybe even ironic, is that I believe that I can do these things for peope who are "in need," but I don't even think that I have mastered it for myself yet.  Yes, I have graduated from college and I was accepted to a good law school, but I feel like I failed so much this year that I really feel like giving up.  Even dropping out.

But right now I feel myself oddly inspired.  I just read a New York Times article about kids of immigrants from Central America, and the struggles that they face here in America, and the world that they are almost stuck in given their family and social status.  While I was reading it, it made me think of my students from last year.  When I think of kids like these--who get stuck in a cycle of dropping out of school, getting involved in gangs, and can't stick with anything long enough to move up in the world--I honestly and passionately feel that I could do something to help them.  I remember the words that I said to my kids last year, and I honestly believe that each and every one of those kids has the ability to really succeed in their education and in whatever it is they decide to do with their lives.

But I don't believe the same things about myself.  And I think that's what needs to change in order to feel happy about this law school decision.  I shouldn't let my grades or class rank affect my confidence or how I feel about myself--because if I do that, I lose almost all motivation and this whole law school process becomes an unbearable chore that I just want to get through to check off my list of things to do.  But I didn't go to law school to check something off my list.  I really want to gain the skills to be able to do more in this world and to have more opportunities.  This IS something that I want to do, and I need to keep that in mind!

So with this motivating blogpost, I go back to writing my final paper for legal writing and to studying for the last three weeks of my first year!  YAYZ!

Work out madness

Ugh, so my attempt to lose weight and get back into shape has now begun!  I like getting to work out again--my left leg definitely needs to build its muscle back up and I like working up a sweat at the gym.  The part that I DON'T like is cutting back calories!!!  but i think i've been pretty good about it--Al and I have been trying to keep track of our calorie intake everyday.  He, of course, is a lot better at sticking to it than I am.  I think I consumed too many calories today--I just feel like I am always in a constant state of hunger.  However, just yesterday I re-discovered popcorn and it has been much more satisfying to munch on that than on carrot sticks!!

So this has been going on for about a week and a half--my goal is to lose at least 5 pounds, but the weight isn't so much an issue as is the flab.  Good-bye donut/muffin top/love handles!!!  It will be motivating, I hope, to see some significant progress soon.

Hmmm if I starve myself all day long, can I just eat one meal at five guys?? =P

On another note, tomorrow will be the first time that al and I have to spend our nights apart!!!! =(  Al is going to go visit Chicago's law school from thursday to saturday.  I can't go because I have classes, so for once I will have our big bed all to myself!  It will be weird to think that he won't be there, but I won't think about it too much or else I'm already going to start crying!  With Al gone, it will be a lot harder to resist the urge to eat some feel-good foods.

ok well...i'm just stalling so that i can just go straight to bed instead of studying for an extra 15 minutes.  i need to stay motivated for just one more month!

hugs and kisses and cookies

Time to Lose the Flub

During the past few months I have been very good at eating my feelings.  I was feeling really down about my knee and not being able to climb, wear jeans, or do anything fun.  So, I figured that until I could run again, I wasn't going to worry about my weight or anything--and delicious donuts, french fries, and hamburgers filled my tummy.  (and expanded my waistline!)

Well, now my doctor just told me that I can start running again!  yay!  well, only on a treadmill for now.  And with the start of the spring season, I can no longer hide behind big, bulky sweatshirts (that are actually bulky because of my bulge.)  So this week starts the week of working out and eating better--and hopefully it will all turn out ok!!!

ALSO exciting was that last Saturday, Al and I got 60 dollars worth of groceries for only 15 bucks!!  YAYYY for Harris Teeter!!! =)

Only a month and a half left for the semester!!!!  I can't wait til it's over!!!!! =)

Al has had chocolate on his chin for the last 4 hours from a heaping scoop of Phish Food ice cream. He then comes out of the bathroom without his shirt on to flex his muscles for me.

Me: Why do you still have chocolate on your chin??

Al: The real question is why am I armed with these guns? (more flexing)

=)

I love my hubby. and all of his muscle-inity.