Over and Out

hair

Tomorrow (Thursday) I’ll finally be done with my National Board test around noon.  Do something for me, will you?

Cheer, shout, dance and say yahoo!!

I’ll get up bright and early, pick up T-Diddy, and hit the road to the Testing Center.  I’ve had a few people feel bad for not knowing that tomorrow is T-Day, but, frankly, I’m quite fond of the idea of people forgetting about this whole experience.  There’s really not much to say about it, except that I’ve learned a lot about myself as a teacher and a person. The process has made me recognize my strengths and weaknesses.

The very, very best part about doing National Boards has been becoming better friends with Tamara. We have spent hours upon hours discussing our roles inside and outside the classroom; venting, laughing and even crying together.  Oh, friendship.

So, tomorrow morning around 8 o’clock sharp, I’ll have finally checked in, signed my identity away and become a number. I’ll be cozy in my cubicle with noise-blocking headphones (As if I really need those, given the current state of my ears…)wearing layers and tapping my forehead saying “I know this, I know this, I know this….” over and over to myself. That’s what my mom said I should do and she’s a smart cookie.

Will you think of Tamara and me?

Our brains will be working hard in a silent, sterile environment, trying to write about our jobs that certainly aren’t silent and probably not too sterile.  (Seriously, kids = boogers. I love ’em (kids, not boogers) and they’ve got boogs like you’d never believe.) SO, think of us.

When that noon whistle blows, I want you to do your happy dance for us because we’ll probably be crying tears of pride and joy.

Doing Nothing

Reading the PaperLast weekend we had nothing planned. It was wonderful. It seems that this year our weekends have been full of me studying for the stinky National Boards or jumping from one event to another, which isn’t so bad because we really, really like our friends and family.

The weather was incredible and we spent our days gardenbasking in the sun, working in the yard and eating yummy food.  I now have an awesome sunburn of stripes on my shoulders of the areas I missed. I spent some time whacking back a few bushes/trees and now we have a bush/tree in our front yard that looks kind of bald. I have learned that I tend to get carried away when using the whack-back tool.

SydneyThe best part of my weekend was Sunday morning, as it finally felt like a Summer weekend. Typically we walk to the grocery store to get the paper and anything that might enhance our breakfast experience. As the sun was starting to bake the moisture out of the grass, I headed to the store to pick up the necessary items.

Barry The majority of the morning was spent reading the paper outside, wacking more things back and making delicious banana bread. We’ve been living in our house for a little more than a year and we both find it so easy to be at home doing nothing.

Friday Face: Lara Knowles

For today’s Friday Face we have somebody super special: Lara Knowles (formerly Braski). I’ve known Lara for decades. We met in 3rd grade when Lara started school at Fidalgo Elementary. Almost instantly we became friends and she joined our tribe of girls that continues today.

Palace Gals

Lara is a friend that always makes me laugh. My parents always could tell I was talking on the phone with her because I’d cackle and laugh, laugh, laugh. Hours were spent on the phone dissecting our lives.  We practiced slow dancing together  before our first dance in 7th grade.   We were locker partners and eventually roommates at The Palace. Oh, the stories we have from our years together.

Lara has many nicknames, a love of music and a caring nature that makes you love being her friend!

I present to you Lara!!!!

Name: Lara Knowles
Date of Birth: May 10, 1980
Job: 4th grade Teacher

What are you really good at?

I think I’m a really good dancer. I’ve also been known to be pretty good at spelling backwards, billiards, and pumpkin art.

Do you have Favorite book?

I’m not a huge reader, but once in a while I get into a really good book. I loved Memoirs of a Geisha.

What is the most attractive thing about your husband?
Aside from how hot he is, I love his laugh. It’s one of those laughs that you just start laughing with even if what your laughing at is not funny. I just love it.

larc

Favorite childhood memory?
Spending summers in Crescent Bar with my family and friends.

crescent-bar

What is one thing you will never understand?
How to do a Rubik’s Cube. My husband could probably do them blindfolded. I’ve tried, but then my brain started to hurt, so I stopped.

What is on your current playlist?
I’m really diggin’ the Robert Plant Raising Sand album. Also, The Kings of Leon, Verve Remixed, Adele, The Police, with a little Beyonce and Flo Rida mixed in.

If you had to live somewhere for the rest of your life where would it be?
I can’t imagine living anywhere else than where I’m at right now. I love the PNW, and I love the house we’re living in. I’d like to just stay put, moving stresses me out anyway.

snow-house

Best vacation destination?
Cabo San Lucas! Marc and I went to Cabo on our honeymoon, and we loved it!

At 5:00 Lara is: usually getting home from work and unwinding with the dogs or making dinner.

cabo

Describe yourself in one word:
caring