'So this is the new year...'

The past week or so the UK has been in a complete state of frenzy; SNOW! Much like the southern part of the US, the UK is not equipped with the proper equipment to deal with anything over 1/2 an inch of the white stuff. Now, as amusing as this is for me to sit back and watch, it still makes life incredibly difficult, not only for those in cars, but those of us who do most of our traveling by foot. For those in vehicles, reckless driving, poorly salted and plowed (if you even want to call it that) side roads, lack of snow tires and Anti-lock breaks leaves for very dangerous traveling. And for those of us who find other means to move from point A to point B, a serious lack of salting on the RedWays (what they call sidewalks here in the land of Milton Keynes) leaves room for falling on our bums, backs, wrists, and/or sides. What should be an easy 5 minute walk to school took me 10 minutes today as I went slipping and sliding up (or in this case, back down as it seemed to be two steps forward one slide back) the hill that leads to school from my apartment. Schools have also closed last Wednesday and Thursday. It's amazing how teachers revert back to days of being in school; we were looking forward to a snow day as much as the students (if not to simply play out in the snow, then to certainly catch up on any work we may have fallen behind/not accomplished over the holiday the week prior). I can only imagine the incredible material British Comedians are getting from these past two weeks! To be honest, looking at last year and comparing it this year, it seems as though it's getting worse. One can only hope that the country will decide to be a bit more prepared for this come the 2010/2011 snow season.

Okay rant about snow is over...

...Oxford application is complete, with the exception of my Towson transcript (which is currently in transit); this is all too exciting!

Next month is Adam's and my one year! I can't believe how quickly the past year has flown by. How wonderful it truly has been these past 12 (almost) months. I believe we're heading to a resort type place that his parents got for us as a Christmas/Channukah present (how nice!). Should be a good way to start my February break (though, to be honest, the amount of work I have to do before that is unbelievable--to the point I want to cry a bit...).

Alright, I've been procrastinating on marking my three year 10 books that I took home with me this evening (I just find it difficult to actually do work outside of school--after a full teaching day--these days...).

'A disco ball is just hanging by a thread'

*Today was a Murphy's Law day; what ever COULD happen, DID happen. To begin my day, I found myself half way through a shower only to find that my hot water stopped working. Being my 'green' self, I try to save energy by only turning on the heat when I need it; with this said, I was not in need of it this morning, which left me frantically, and freezing, attempting to figure out why in God's name I could not get the hot water heater to work all the while trying to rinse the conditioner out of my hair with the tea kettle (I assure you, it was quite a sight). After semi-fixing the situation, I managed to get myself to school (still with semi conditioned hair and a dry face from not being able to properly wash my soap off--needless to say, I felt gross for most of the day...). I managed to reach my property manager who assured me that someone would be by in the afternoon. Much to my surprise, he was (the system isn't entirely flawed after all). Moments later, we figured out that it was partially due to the boiler switch having gone off in the circuit breaker box; I felt rather foolish as I had forgotten WHERE the box was in the first place, and second, hadn't thought about doing that to begin with. The guy then figured out that, while my heater was working properly, my pipe under my tub, the one that heats up my water in my electric shower, had frozen solid due to leaving my heater off the entire time I was in the US. Once again, attempting to save money and be green only made more problems for me. Fine. That was, more or less, fixed (I'm taking baths until the pipe de-thaws). I then ran off, back to school, to get a bit more work done and take my first guitar lesson (yes, I'm actually taking proper guitar lessons, which was actually quite informative. Only problem was that the guy looked like he was younger than me, which was a bit odd. Other than that, he really knew what he was doing!). Upon leaving the school, I rummaged through my purse to find my keys, only to find I had left them in my house. Without a spare to let me into my apartment. After almost having a complete breakdown in the hallway of my school, I pulled myself together and asked the people behind the desk what to do. We decided to look up emergency locksmiths; they only charged 80 pounds...). Seeing as it's -3 C, I had no choice but to cough up the money and pay for a locksmith.

Now, still feeling rather gross, 80 pounds shorter, and rather stressed, I'm looking out my window, fingers crossed, as the snow falls steadily on the Milton Keynes area. It seems as though the salt shortage we have here in the UK may pay off for those of us who do not wish to head to work tomorrow; I don't believe teachers ever fully grow out of that 'excitement' they felt, while in school, about a potential snow day.

*Sigh* I didn't even get to go to indoor this evening to relieve stress and irritation at what has happened over the course of 15 hours. Not to mention Adam is 30 minutes away by train and the snow is headed his way. The idea of not being able to see him this weekend is just not something I want to think about right now. As I said in my last post, not seeing him for two and a half weeks was far too much; another two weeks will not, in short, make me very happy.

In better news, my application is all but one reference before I send it off for review. I'm beyond excited at the thought of even having a shot at this program.

2010 = Notting Hill, Oxford and true happiness

First and foremost, happy 2010 to all!

Another trip back home has once again come and gone in the blink of an eye. It's funny how much of a set schedule I have put in place during my visits: Airport. Philly. NJ/NY. Maryland. Philly. Airport. Repeat. Travel this time around wasn't too bad, especially seeing as I was traveling during the holiday season (with an added terrorist attack or two thrown in there for some extra fun security measures).

It was wonderful to see family; the older I get, the more I appreciate the time spent with them.

My trip to Maryland seemed different this time around. Come to think of it, my trip to Maryland is never the same seeing as we're all in that stage of life where we're making drastic changes. Engagements, moving into new apartments, starting new jobs, looking to start families, it's all rather exciting! I was able to help out a bit more with the Rosenfelder/Schapiro wedding; running around Bed Bath and Beyond with that scanner machine was awesome. Spending time with Anny and Chris, as always, was a blast. I feel like going there is a vacation within itself; even if Anny and I do attract characters every time we go out in public. A special thanks to Anny for letting me use her bridesmaids dress for October; it's simply beautiful! Sarah and I, as always, were able to find something to get up to (even if our adventures this time around weren't as extended as they normally are). New Years was fun, seeing Rebecca and DJ as well, and playing Kings and Moose for the first time since graduating from Towson (I really felt old writing that statement). There were shorter visits thrown in there as well. Mickey, Rella, and Autumn: It was fabulous seeing you all! I hope, next time around, we can spend a bit more time together.

And while I will miss everyone terribly (as I always do when ever I return), I'm even more excited to head back to the UK; not seeing Adam, for over two weeks, has been more difficult than I thought it would be (I never thought I could miss a person so much in such a short period of time). Even though we only get to see one another on the weekends, not being in the same country makes time apart seem much longer.

My battery just informed me that it's about to die so I must head off and make this short. Thanks for a great visit to both family and friends; I'll put pictures up on facebook in a day or so.

Home is where the is...

I've been in Mahwah for the past four days now. It's incredible how much can come streaming back in 93 hours; or, in this case, 24. I've been dodging seeing as many people in this town as possible. Luckily, much of my time has been spent with meeting up with family and my three friends whom I actually have left in this area. Needless to say, I've been quite lucky not to run into people I would rather stay far away from; that is, until this evening. Meeting Erin at Bradey's was, undoubtedly, the worst idea for dodging dodgy characters we knew back in high school. Next time I meet up with her, it should be somewhere more desecrate (or at least not in the heart of Ramsey). It's amazing how people can change from high school; some for the worst, some for the best, and some who simply do not change at all. In the case, of most individuals (not all, though most) I ran into this evening, not much has changed. Yet, I find that I am guilty of changing, and perhaps not for the best either. While I have completed a four year degree in English and Secondary Education, live in ENgland full time teaching at an 'outstanding school' (according to OFSTED), have a wonderful boyfriend, and have traveled more than most adults who live in the in the continental USA, I found myself this evening more driven to gloat at any individual who was rude to me during high school; my most insecure and difficult years. I'm not sure if that makes me worse or better than the people I ran into who have not moved out of Mahwah, but it certainly does not impress me. In fact, I'm a bit embarrassed by my behaviour; in reality, I'm not stuck up, nor am I full of myself (see two posts ago regarding my doubt about making it into the Oxford program); however, I find that the town I grew up in, the place that drew out the worst in me almost 7 years ago, brings out a part of me that I, personally, would be repulsed by, if I were to meet me in public. Then again, I wonder whether or not this happens to a lot of people who had a negative experience in their own home town. I wonder if there are still adults, much older than I, who find they fall into the same pattern, not because they are insecure with what they are, but because they know that some people never change and a defense is required to escape embarrassment. And then, perhaps I'm being too judgmental of myself, and there is a chance I was not nearly as bad as I saw myself tonight; we are, after all, our own worst enemy's, at times.

Moving on...

I've written more of my CS Williams story to submit to the Oxford program; I'm hoping that they look at my poetry piece as I feel far more secure about that than I do my prose. Fingers crossed :)

It was so good speaking to you this evening. I know that things went screwy (for the lack of a better term) back in April, but I always enjoy reconnecting with old friends, even if just for a few minutes. I understand what you had to do; in fact, I admire it. I would do the same thing if I were in your position, simply to save what I have. Perhaps, one day, we can resume a friendship. For now, best of luck and happy new year :)

Tomorrow I'm in Maryland until the 1st. If any of you lovely people want to get in contact me my new number is 551 804 8580. I'm a bit tight on a schedule, but please feel free to contact me, even if it's just to chat for a bit :). Seeing everyone is difficult, but I try to make time for as many people as possible.

Night all!

Merry Christmas and happy Chinese food day!

Tomorrow is a bit hectic so I thought I'd post this tonight:

A very warm Merry/Happy (depending on what country you're reading this from) Christmas to those who are celebrating today and tomorrow (a special Happy Christmas to The Lane family :) ).

To those who are celebrating the 25th of December with a movie and Chinese food, also enjoy yourselves!

My next post will be the last of the year, most likely reflecting on 2009 (par usual to my New Years posts...)

Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college.

*Nothing new to really write at the moment. Currently in Philadelphia and have been since Friday. It's been a great time here visiting my mom and grandparents. Tomorrow I head up to Jersey to visit my father and Lori along with Wife and Krause. Then heading back DOWN to Maryland from the 27-1st of December (somewhere between Columbia and Baltimore--catch me if you can kids...).

*Meanwhile, I've been getting my act together and gathering everything I need to apply for this Oxford program by the 22nd of January. References. Check. Application. Almost completed. Personal Statement. Half way done. 25 pound fee. Waiting for pay day. Woop Woop! I'm on my way...to possibly/most definitely being rejected; but hey, at least I can say I tried (and if I get in I may flip metaphorically or literally, I haven't decided quite yet).

*I'm realising how hard it is to spend long periods of time apart from certain people you usually see every 4 days...not fair. With that said, Skype is a wonderful thing :D

*Started running again since I had my surgery almost three weeks ago! Feels good to be up and at it once more (I feel revitalized--well as much as one can regardless of jet lag...)

I won't let you choke, on the noose around your neck...

*A week later, my face has gone down significantly and I'm back at work :) . I managed to track my progress of recovery via pictures; it was amazing to see how much the swelling would go down in the course of one day :) Now I'm just trying to get passed the horrific bruising and random patches of swelling around my face and neck. Hopefully by the time I'm home on Friday evening it will have cleared.

*Adam and I exchanged presents this weekend; of course he outdid my presents by a long shot. I had a feeling this was going to happen, though I wasn't sure to what extent. I think next holiday I'm going to need to be a bit more imaginative. The hat he had been eyeing for quite a while (though I still am not entirely sold on the style all together), typical Chancery Lane umbrella (which can also double as an item to fend off tourists and bums on the street) to replace the sorrily broken pocket sized one he had just binned, black leather gloves that could easily be used to commit murders (hehe) and nifty beard trimmer/shaver kit were no match for what I was given: A signed copy of Richard Dawkin's new book, a random selection of my photography put into a bound book, the three seasons of Black Books, and an iPod (which is currently in the mail).

*Adam and I (being the closeted pretentious couple that we are) have decided to both go for this Oxford Creative Writing program. It only meets once a term for an extensive weekend and the program focuses on the three main creative writing mediums: Poetry, prose, and script writing. While I've never actually composed a play before, I have my C.S. Williams prose that is nearly well past words and plenty of poetry to send off. I had initially decided that I was not to attend any sort of graduate program next school year; however, with the amount of contact hours this particular program requires and a possible change in my money situation for next year, I may retract my previous decision and go ahead for the program part time.

*Friday I'm back in the States; very excited to see everyone! :)

This needs to be a shortened post as I have a few bits to mark before I head in the for the evening.