tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60516805379623126752024-02-19T15:49:56.443-08:005 Pages on a PencilCarrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-83910864391845325432012-11-06T18:14:00.000-08:002012-11-07T06:40:14.578-08:00Brooklyn, Brooklyn Take Me InThis past weekend Brooklyn (or any other NYC borough for that matter) did not want to take me in. Or my running friends. Or our supportive families. Or thousands of other runners from around the world. Little Texas said it best when they sang “there’s a first time for everything”. I just finished unpacking suitcases for a trip I never went on…for the first time. This weekend I was supposed to be in one of my favorite places on earth, New York City, running a marathon that ended up being canceled…for the first time…ever... It really is a surreal feeling. I write this not to get in to the debate over the decision to cancel, as I fully understand both sides (if you want it though, simply put, I feel it was the RIGHT decision, POORLY handled by NYRR and Mayor Bloomberg, made FAR too late in the game). Rather, I write this to get out the emotions I have experienced because of what happened this weekend.
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It is really unbelievable to feel so many different things at one time. I will probably never forget watching my friend Yolanda get the phone call from our friend Jamie that the marathon had been canceled while we were sitting in the airport restaurant making plans for our exciting weekend ahead. My initial reaction to the news was shock, which quickly turned to anger over why that decision couldn’t have been made sooner, and then I was in “go mode” to get things in order and waste as little money as possible. Within the hour our flight was canceled, our hotel rooms were canceled, our bags were traced to return home (at least something got to go to NYC…), and our rides were on their way to come get us. While we waited, I sat with Yo as tears streamed down her face realizing this thing we dreamed about for months was not actually going to happen. I sat, still trying to wrap my head around what had actually occurred. We got out the verses we had picked to recite during our 26 miles and tried to remind ourselves of the things that really matter. We, along with our fellow marathoners, are smart enough and caring enough to realize why the city needed to cancel, but it doesn’t lessen the heartbreak. We grieve for the losses the people of New York suffered and cannot imagine the things some of those families have gone through. Nor do we want to do anything to cause them further harm. We are compassionate, sensitive, empathetic people. At the same time, within our group we have overcome stress fractures and knee surgeries to get to that starting line. We have put in months of training, many in the 90-degree Texas mornings. We have given up endless Friday nights to go to bed at 9:00 so we can get up and run early. We put the hours in on the pavement and on the trails. We poured money into training programs, registration fees, shoes, endurance gels, matching marathon shirts, etc. Those things don’t just go away. When you fight so hard for something it can be difficult to let go, no matter how insignificant it might seem to others.<br />
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My personal low came Saturday night. As I was driving to meet my boyfriend’s family for dinner (grateful to being doing so because it is something I have wanted to do for some time and they are as wonderful as I figured they would be) I thought about the fact that I should have been sitting in a hotel room in New York, getting ready for bed, and being nervous for a race. The tears streamed down my face and continued to do so because my sadness turned to shame thinking I was selfish about wanting to run a race when there are people in this country who faced real tragedy this week. I felt guilty because my amazing friends and family took time and money to give me gifts of encouragement for a race that wasn’t going to happen. I hurt because I have read over and over again about what “awful” people the runners are for wanting to go on with their race. I was saddened by the hatred towards the runners, and even about the way some runners reacted towards the city and those who made the decision to cancel. This weekend opened my eyes to how much negativity there is in our society, and it made me question why people can’t focus their energy more positively. It pains me to see how insensitive people are and feel that they can say whatever they think. Even people I know couldn’t help but share their two cents on Facebook as if they could really know how my heart and how my friends’ hearts truly felt this weekend. I’m disheartened that the city I cherish so much issued such hatred towards a community I feel is full of amazing, caring, thoughtful people. That night Yo reminded me that this dream would happen when it was supposed to and this year simply wasn’t the year. I believe that to be true and I am okay with that because the 2012 NYC Marathon is not the reason I run.<br />
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I run because it gives me a healthier life. I run because it allows me to spend time with some of my best friends. I run because it brings me JOY. I run because it has taught me I am not the one in control. I run because the Lord gives me the strength to run. I run for the journey, not the finish line. I run for the feeling of accomplishment that crossing finish lines brings (I mean that feeling IS hard to beat!). I run because it clears my head. I run because it lessens my anxiety and stress from life. I run because of ALL the faces that will be up to meet me so we can run together. I run so I don’t feel quite so guilty about that trip to Sweet Sammies. I run because I have gotten to see dozens of BEAUTIFUL sunrises over the city I love and the stadium of my Alma Mater. I run because I have learned about the generosity of others in more ways than I could begin to describe. I run because it gives me goals to achieve. I run because it allows me to do things I never imagined I would do. I run because I am accepted by people who are just like me and also by those who are total opposites. I run because there is chocolate milk at the end. I run to escape the worries that teaching 19 8-year-olds can bring. I run because it makes me stronger, physical and mentally. I run because I am stubborn and determined. I run because I am a runner.<br />
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So, this weekend I chose to look at the good that came from this “bad”. While I should have been running the race on Sunday, I was at the park with my boyfriend and his niece. While it may not have been CENTRAL Park, I cherish that time and feel like it was an equally great way to spend my day. It brought me joy, laughter, friendship, etc. I got to know his family better. I got to watch an AMAZING TCU win with two of my favorite Horned Frogs. I was able to rest instead of exhausting my body further than it already was in the weeks of preparing for my trip. I had good food prepared by someone who cares about me instead of off a cart in NYC (although I do love a good falafel – don’t get me wrong). I was reminded of the true reasons I run. I was given the opportunity to remember what a great community I have around me. My friends and family reached out to me in a time that they knew would be a disappointment, and made me feel so loved. So, this weekend may not have been the weekend I got to see my dreams of my redo NYC marathon come true, but in a lot of ways this weekend will be one full of happy memories that I will remember for a long time for different reasons than I had originally envisioned. I can’t be too upset about that.<br />
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Oh, and NYC marathon, don’t think I’m not coming for you eventually. I will cross your finish line without limping across it. Our story isn’t over. Boston Qualifier in New York?? There’s a first time for everything…
Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-66357263126676168142011-11-16T18:22:00.000-08:002011-11-16T18:34:21.129-08:00Wind Beneath My WingsI had to find the cheesiest song lyrics possible for titling this blog. SUCCESS!!! Now that I can go on feeling satisfied with that life accomplishment, let's get to the point.<br /><br />There is so much that I want to write about the experience that was the New York City Marathon. In short, it was the most challenging, most incredible, most indescribable experience of my entire life. Definitely more on that to come…but the thing that must come first is a blog of gratitude. Never in my entire life have I felt so loved and cared for as I did in the days before and after the race. I’m definitely one of those people who has days where I feel like the song “nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worms” (anybody out there remember that one from their childhood? Shout out 1988!?!?!) applies to my life. While I know this is silly and I know I have awesome people that I can call my “community”, I guess it’s just sometimes easy to forget that people care as much about you as you do about them. Here’s a look at the “short” list of things that touched my heart throughout “marathon week”.<br /><br />*every single positive thought, prayer, word of encouragement that came my way the weeks leading up to the race when it came to my knee injury (see previous blog)<br />*my roommate creating a goodie bag for my trip (yes I’ve mentioned this before but it was just that awesome)<br />*my fellow running friends in the “core four” that wrote me the sweetest letters, loaned me their race belts, gave me sayings and verses that I literally read every night before I went to bed the entire time I was in NYC, and put up with my moments of panic<br />*my principal, and friend, who gave me a card with a sticky note for every day she wouldn’t see me – I can’t say how much I looked forward to every morning where I would get to see the sweet words for that day<br />*my two BFF’s who came to NYC, ran with me before the race to decide if it was even going to happen, gave me a tshirt and card, trudged down to the basement and stole a cart to bring me bags of ice for a post race ice bath, hauled PVC pipe on an airplane so I could have a TCU flag at the race (glad every other Horned Frog racing in NY got to enjoy it – as I missed it), and even dried my hair after the race b/c I couldn’t move<br />*my cousins who came and spent their entire day watching stinky people run by for five hours so they could cheer me on for a whole 34.2 seconds<br />*EVERY SINGLE comment on facebook, like of a picture or post, text message, and phone call. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seriously<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>, I wish I could go into detail of what that meant to me, and thank the people who sent them, but it would take too long to thank 80+ people (I didn’t even know I KNEW 80+ people) who probably won’t ever actually read this blog. But, even if just one of you does – THANK YOU. It was those comments more than any that went through my mind as I limped through mile 10 – 26.2. I dedicated my miles to y’all, remembered your sweet words, and let that positive thinking keep me going.<br />*My kiddos who wrote me notes to let me know how much they wanted me to win – yes WIN the NYC marathon – they don’t get it clearly, but the Flat Stephanie/Jakus/Stanley (we never could quite decide a name for the girl Stanley designed to look like me) who was, literally, by my side (pinned to my belt) the whole race, reminded me of the 20 little people who “get” to spend 8 hours a day with me 5 days a week and that I just adore – they helped me through that race too<br />*the kids who high fived me in the hall when I came back to work and continued to ask me if I had won – must be what it feels like to be a celebrity<br />*the poster and flowers that were waiting for me on my desk, courtesy of my roommate once again, when I got home at 1am, exhausted, slightly defeated, and hardly able to move. Not much was making me smile at that time, but that sure did<br />*the marathon celebration dinner my sweet friends had for me when I got back to FW where I got to run through a sign – dream come true!<br />*the cards of congratulations from friends and family close and far<br />*my sweet 2005 Tremont girls that sent me flowers and a pedicure gift card to work my first day back – one of the sweetest surprises of my whole life <br />*the letter my aunt wrote me congratulating me on my accomplishment<br />*last, and saved for last for a reason, my parents love, pride, and encouragement. A whole post could be dedicated to their involvement and dedication to this thing that meant so much to me – so maybe I’ll do just that. For now, Mom, Dad, without you guys this would not have been possible. At all.<br />*Finally, I guess this is really the last one, the knowledge that the race was only possible b/c of a God who loves me, gives me legs that work, even if only partly ☺ and makes 26.2 miles possible. With as bad as my knee/leg hurt the day before, there is NO WAY I could have raced without some divine intervention. Pretty darn sure of that.<br /><br />My heart is overwhelmed just writing that list. I don’t have any idea why so many people would care that much about me, I certainly am undeserving of it, but at the same time, I am forever grateful for it. I venture to say that the outpouring of love I received these past few weeks was better than the race. Equal at least. THANK YOU for every little bit of it.Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-856194982532528652011-11-01T20:51:00.000-07:002011-11-01T21:03:03.167-07:00Ready, Ready, Ready. Ready to RUN!Disclaimer: The follow was written in an extreme rush. I just wanted to get my thoughts out tonight so I can remember this feeling after.<br /><br />Tomorrow night I leave for New York to run in the New York City Marathon. Yes, THE New York City Marathon. Yes, the same marathon I have talked about and tried to get in to for four years. The same marathon I have trained for the past six months. The same marathon that has kept me in and put me to bed on Friday nights for over 20 weeks. The same marathon that allowed me to meet new friends and realize how wonderful the ones I already had are. The same marathon that taught me I am not one of those lucky runners who doesn’t get injuries. The same marathon I have dreamed of for so long.<br /><br />While I should be in bed right now and not restarting my entry into the blog world (more later on why I left), I can’t sleep from anxiety, excitement about being in my favorite city and thinking of <span style="font-weight:bold;">crossing<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> that finish line, curiosity over what this experience will be like, and my mind going 60 miles an hour wondering if I have remembered everything. I’m hoping my running outfit will be okay, I’m hoping the throw away clothes I’m bringing will keep me warm enough on my four hour wait at the starting line (or will attract the running man of my dreams to run the race with and fall in love with me). More than anything I am hoping that my knee will be all right come race day. As most of you know, during my last long run I had to stop early from extreme knee pain and was diagnosed with runners knee (inflammation under the knee mainly from tight muscles). I have diligently been doing my rolling, icing, stretching, RESTING, etc. every morning and night. I have bruises all over my thighs from my massage therapy. I’ve even gotten a steroid shot. Now all I can do is wait, PRAY, and HOPE that this will happen this year. <br /><br />These past few weeks have been so trying, so frustrating, and so amazing. Yes, amazing. I have never felt so much love and never understood how blessed I am with the community I have surrounding me as I have these past few weeks. The encouraging words, the prayers, the advice, the positive thoughts when I had none, ETC. have touched my heart more than I can ever express. For example… My coworkers who have constantly asked about my training and my knee. My teammates who have helped me get ready for my four days out and listened to me talk about this to no end. My sweet friend who works in the hallway in the morning and gives me the best hugs and prays for me at the exact time of my shot. My bosses who have prayed for me along this journey and put it on our school calendar. My roommate who made me a goodie bag of the perfect items before the race and has told me so many times it WILL happen. My friends who have listened to my panic. My friends who have told me to stop being negative Nancy. My running friends who have let me vent, prepared me better than I ever would have been before meeting them, gave me verses to run through the race with. My best friends and family who are coming to New York to stand five hours in the cold to cheer me on. My parents who have made this day more possible than anyone else. I could keep going, but those are just some of the things that have brought tears to my eyes nearly every day the past three weeks when I think of them, because I am so undeserving of such love, generosity, and kindness. The Lord has me in His perfect hands and it is because of all of those people, you people, that I can see that. I hope will all my heart this is my year – FINALLY – but if it isn’t I will rest assured that those same people will be my support as I grieve the loss of not running it this year and gear up for next year. <br /><br />THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart if you are reading this and have in any way been a part of this journey. I wish I could tell every one of you, in the million words it would take me to do so, what you mean to me. Instead know I am grateful for you and I love you. Please keep praying, please keep positively thinking, and please keep hoping for me!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-50900785719967066912010-05-03T15:52:00.000-07:002010-05-03T16:59:50.249-07:00To Hate or Not to HateBeen quite awhile since I've put anything on here. Mainly because I didn't have much I thought was important to say. After all this time, this is going to be amazing then - obvi. Or really just something to help you waste time...<br /><br />So anyway, lately I have been listening to different music than I usually do. I've gone back to my middle school days and decided I like the music of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Weezer, etc. I have not however gone back to wearing umbros, sambas, and No Fear shirts, as cool as that would be. So with my new found musical interests I heard this song the other day. Blue October's - Hate Me. I've probably heard it a million times but never paid much attention to it. For some reason it has really hit me though, so after downloading it and listening to it repeatedly, it has made me come up with a few thoughts. <br /><br />Here's the video: <br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dDxgSvJINlU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dDxgSvJINlU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Here are the lyrics as well:<br /><br />I have to block out thoughts of you, so I don't lose my head<br />They crawl in like a cockroach leaving babies in my bed<br />Dropping little reels of tape, to remind me that I'm alone<br />Playing movies in my head that make a porno feel like home<br />There's a burning in my pride, and a nervous bleeding in my brain<br />An ounce of peace is all I want for you, will you never call again?<br />And will you never say that you loved me, just to put it in my face?<br />And will you never try to reach me, it is I that wanted space<br /><br />Hate me today<br />Hate me tomorrow<br />Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you<br />Hate me in ways, yeah ways hard to swallow<br />Hate me so you can finally see what's good for you<br /><br />I'm sober now for 3 whole months, it's one accomplishment that you helped me with<br />The one thing that always tore us apart is the one thing I won't touch again<br />In a sick way I want to thank you for holding my head up late at night<br />While I was busy waging wars on myself, you were trying to stop the fight<br />You never doubted my warped opinions on things like suicidal hate<br />You made me compliment myself when it was way too hard to take<br />So I'll drive so f***ing far away that I'll never cross your mind<br />And do whatever it takes in your heart to leave me behind<br /><br />Hate me today<br />Hate me tomorrow<br />Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you<br />Hate me in ways, yeah ways hard to swallow<br />Hate me so you can finally see what's good for you<br /><br />And with a sad heart I say bye to you and wave<br />Kicking shadows on the street for every mistake that I had made<br />And like a baby boy I never was a man<br />Until I saw your blue eyes cry and I held your face in my hand<br />And then I fell down yelling, "Make it go away," just make a smile<br />Come back and shine just like it used to be<br />And then she whispered, "How can you do this to me?"<br /><br />Hate me today<br />Hate me tomorrow<br />Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you<br />Hate me in ways, yeah ways hard to swallow<br />Hate me so you can finally see whats good for you.<br />For You<br />For You<br />For You<br /><br /><br />Here are my thoughts - b/c I know that's what you're here for:<br /><br />I wanted to know what exactly the band was trying to get across with this song so being the cool person I am, I investigated. There seems to be some debate as to whether it was written for his mother or for a girlfriend, but either way it is about how his mistakes (seemingly drug or alcohol abuse - or maybe just that awful eye makeup) have effected someone he cares for deeply. So, because of how much he "loves" that person he has decided to exit their life and desires them to hate him and move on with life because it will be better for them in the long run. I guess I just don't understand that. I realize it is horrible to hurt someone you care about. We've all done it and it's one of the worst feelings ever. But what I don't get is not being able to accept the love and forgiveness of those who care the most about you. Why would you want to push that person away? Why is it so hard to let someone else accept you, flaws and all? I know I'm incredibly flawed but I hope that the people in my life will continue to love me despite that. How painful it would be to not accept their forgiveness of the times I have hurt them. This song is just so sad to me. Probably most for the person that has been asked/forced to hate the singer. When you care about someone, love them so deeply (like the love of a mother for their child) the worst pain would have to be not having them. I imagine anyway. The line where he says she should do whatever it takes to leave him behind really gets me b/c what if that's just impossible for her? Sure, it is hard when you are hurt by the people in your life and it is hard to see them make choices that you realize will be painful, but it's harder to not have them at all. Why is it so hard to trust that person's love to be stronger than the pain you've caused them? Personally, I believe that people are capable of amazing forgiveness. Seems to me that it's worth giving them the chance to do it. I would even say it's selfish to decide FOR them that they are better off without you. Okay, I realize I've put WAY too much thought into this but this is one of the many things that I LOVE about music. Lyrics that make you think. Just my two cents.Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-70107648669433085882010-01-30T08:16:00.000-08:002010-01-30T08:22:38.407-08:00PerfectionObviously one of the greatest moments of television.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fX7iwwB9zQ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fX7iwwB9zQ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Pretty much how weddings should be in my opinion...both parts...personally I think I would go for the boat too.Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-2064543219700664722010-01-24T18:59:00.000-08:002010-01-24T19:18:58.391-08:00Music of the MomentBeen quite a while since I've shared any songs, here are a few songs off my "recently added" playlist this week. (Yes just this week, I spend entirely too much money on music)<br /><br />FM Static - "Tonight" (really loving this discovery, guy wrote the song for his girlfriend who was killed in one of the towers on 9/11) Thinking this could be my favorite musical discovery this month...<br />PS - Since they are nobody big they have no official videos..<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LT-CcHE1MNY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LT-CcHE1MNY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Oasis - "Champagne Supernova" (yes, about 15 years later I own this song, however was reminded of it when I saw a clip from the OC when Summer kisses Seth when he's hanging upside down as spiderman - ahh such a good moment, can Seth come back in to all our lives?? but I digress - and it made me want to have it. The song on the show was a cover but I went with the original.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XkavkCrHYvM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XkavkCrHYvM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Jimmy Ruffin- "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (such a good question)<br />This intro. to this video made it the winner<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2vf3ZE7CLg0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2vf3ZE7CLg0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Ray LaMontagne - "You Are the Best Thing" (actually downloaded quite a few of Ray's and just picked one to share...discovered him years ago but really exploring his music these days and loving it)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KJFGCrMplq4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KJFGCrMplq4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Joey Turner - "Why Don't We Just Dance" (always going to have my love of country AND a song about dancing? absolutely - duh)<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DTxo1CkMwBI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DTxo1CkMwBI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-3197507977698288862010-01-12T17:06:00.000-08:002010-01-12T17:25:08.462-08:00Month 6 of 12 - "Wake Up In The Morning Feeling Like P Diddy"What in the world? It is my half birthday. How did this happen? If the way I feel today is any indication of how I will feel in 6 months then I might need the Bachelor's ABC therapist to come pay me a visit (have to read <a href="http://www.ihategreenbeans.com/">ihategreenbeans.com</a> to get this). Anyway, month 6 covered the holidays. Always a good time, new lessons learned. Now just trucking along to the later half of 26...<br /><br />*Class parties are easier in third grade – I’m sensing a pattern<br />*I’m (so far unsuccessfully) devising a way to make it possible not to miss people, I don’t like it<br />*I don’t think it’s possible to ever be organized enough that the holidays won’t be stressful<br />*Running marathons as a relay team is super fun, not so sure I will feel the same about running one by myself<br />*The Lovely Bones has been added to my favorite books list<br />*Favorite Musical discovery – Red Jumpsuit Apparatus<br />*Holding your childhood best friend’s baby in your arms for the first time is probably one of the neatest and coolest things in all the world<br />*I am an “aunt” to the CUTEST, most PRECIOUS, baby boy on the planet <br />*I absolutely love and adore my family, each and every person in it.<br />*Christmases with a large family are super fun<br />*There’s something so cool about watching kids’ excitement on Christmas Eve and also seeing them run down stairs to see if Santa has come, even if it is before 7 in the morning <br />*I appreciate the advice I get from my cousins and their spouses<br />*Listen to those who have already been through the things you are going through, they might have something good to share<br />*It is sad to miss a white Christmas in TX even when you are getting your own<br />*Being asked to be a bridesmaid for the 7th time is just as special as the 1st <br />*I’m interested in learning more about soccer (as if I don’t pay too much attention to sports for a girl as it is)<br />*It has been way too long since I have experienced the excitement of a Cowboys “playoff run”<br />*No team will ever be as good as the Aikman/Emmitt days<br />*Enjoy when your team is on a championship run, it might be a while before you get one again (like over 10 years if you're the Stars)<br />*Girl talk + mellow mushroom = great night<br />*Avatar 3D will, to quote a certain superhero, “blow your mind” <br />*I’m patient with people but about as impatient as you can be when it comes to time and waiting for things<br />*Watching your college football team blow their undefeated season is one of the most heartbreaking things in the world<br />*I am still SO PROUD to be a Frog<br />*The world must be coming to an end as I am considering teaching summer school for the first time ever<br />*The Bachelor just gets better every season…seriously…On The Wings of Love, what’s not awesome about that?<br />*Dallas Stars Ice Girl is a “really difficult job” – who knew? Silly me, I thought teaching 22 eight-year olds was hard.<br />*I’m HALF WAY (barf) to 27 and I don’t like it, not one bitCarrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-49113127985071410432010-01-10T19:35:00.000-08:002010-01-10T19:42:56.888-08:00A Little PerspectiveFound this on a friend's blog after a little blog stalking (not ashamed to admit it) and thought I would share it b/c it's got some good stuff, and who doesn't need a little good stuff in their life? Can't say I agree with EVERY point, but a few of them made me think...not that that's saying much...<br /><br />Written By 90-year-old Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."<br /><br />1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.<br />2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.<br />3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.<br />4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.<br />5. Pay off your credit cards every month.<br />6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.<br />7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.<br />8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.<br />9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.<br />10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.<br />11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.<br />12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.<br />13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.<br />14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.<br />15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.<br />16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.<br />17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.<br />18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.<br />19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.<br />20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.<br />21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.<br />22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.<br />23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.<br />24. The most important sex organ is the brain.<br />25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.<br />26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?'<br />27. Always choose life.<br />28. Forgive everyone everything..<br />29. What other people think of you is none of your business.<br />30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. <br />31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.<br />32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.<br />33. Believe in miracles.<br />34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.<br />35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.<br />36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.<br />37. Your children get only one childhood.<br />38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.<br />39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.<br />40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.<br />41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.<br />42. The best is yet to come.<br />43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.<br />44. Yield.<br />45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-33044370764127212702010-01-08T06:27:00.000-08:002010-01-08T06:29:54.981-08:00Still Love My FrogsUntil I have the time to write anything on my own about my feelings for the season and how it ended, here is a great article from Killer Frogs.com that Ashley shared with me and I think it sums it up nicely:<br /><br /><strong> I still wear purple and white, I'm still a Horned Frog, For the trolls . . </strong>.<br /> <br />Up all night, and the sun brings back the world in its reality. The magic is gone, the dream died. It's s a sad day.<br /><br />But, like the sun, I'm still here. I still wear purple and white. I'm still a Horned Frog!<br /><br />Trying to dry his tears last night, I told my son that this is the bad part of being a sports addict -- very seldom do you get to ride your team and see them accomplish the ultimate goal; 99 percent of the time, your held-to-the-heart team falls short.<br /><br />It rips your heart out, and the pain is almost unbearable. It does one of three things to you: (1) it makes you love your team even more, (2) it makes you find another team that has a better chance, or (3) it makes you leave the sport, to spare your heart.<br /><br />For me and my son, the last part is out of the question. We're addicted, and we have to feed it. I told him that if he needed to find a second team it was okay, that even if he decided to root for Texas -- since it has all the advantages to be a perennial contender for the championship -- that it was okay, and he would not hear a bad thing from me.<br /><br />"But, I already hate the Longhorns," he said. That bring tears to my eyes. Ryne roots for who is dad roots for, hates the teams his dad hates. Maybe I do him a disservice by that; I know his pain, and last night I hurt for him more than anybody in the world.<br /><br />However, his dad has no choice but to root for -- and continue to be ever so proud of -- the TCU Horned Frogs!<br /><br />I can't root for the teams/schools that have all the inside tracks to the top. I can't root for the schools in a corrupt system where they have every built-in and built-atop-upon advantage imaginable.<br /><br />I root for the small school. I root for the school that battles the odds. I root for the school that has no right being able to compete with the huge mega state schools, but does anyway. I root for the TCU Horned Frogs, and always will.<br /><br />I have no connection to TCU, other than buying tickets. I didn't go to TCU, and I don't have the means to donate to the program. TCU gets nothing from me other than ticket sales, and the free advertising I proudly sport on my chest, my back or the back of my car. The only connection I have to TCU is that it is my hometown team.<br /><br />But, TCU needs me. And I need the Horned Frogs.<br /><br />As the game kicked off, I realized this one event meant more to me than any sporting event ever. "Son, I want this more than even the Steelers winning the Super Bowl." He asked, "What about the Cubs winning the World Series?" Yeah, this meant even more than that.<br /><br />I was so disappointed last night. But yet, my heart swelled with pride that the Horned Frogs were even there! I remember as a kid TCU being one of the worst programs in the nation -- a bottom five, if not the bottom. I can remember just being proud to see TCU being on the scores at the bottom of the screen, next to the big names of college football. I was proud that they even scored at Nebraska, even though they lost by 50+.<br /><br />If somebody had told me that TCU would be a perennial bowl team three decades later, I would have said they were crazy. Had they told me TCU would be a Top 10 team, and playing for a share of the mythical national championship, I would have said they were craziest person in the world!<br /><br />It's unreal to see from where this program has come!<br /><br />My heart aches today, but I'm as proud of the Horned Frogs as anybody could be. I'm just as proud as the Boise State fan today, which has seen his team just recently join the big-time and has already put itself in elite status amongst the biggest-name programs in the history of college football.<br /><br />And I'm certainly as proud of TCU as any fan of Texas, Alabama or any other big school. In fact, I dare say I'm more proud than most of them.<br /><br />I am not a wagon-jumper. I ride from start to finish. I don't brag about my Horned Frogs to say that "Your team sucks." I brag about my Horned Frogs because I am so proud of what they have done -- against all the odds. I brag about them to pat them on the back, to let people know that the underdog, the disenfranchised can succeed.<br /><br />Because of all the hurdles, the successes of TCU football mean so much more to me in the long run.<br /><br />No, they may not have reached the ultimate goal. They may never reach the top. <br />But like they say, life is a journey, not a destination. And it's been one helluva journey!<br /><br />The trolls will come and gloat. The text from my son this morning indicates there's plenty of them at his school today, making it a miserable day. They troll because it's the only way they can deal with the disappointment of the 99-percent failure factor for their own teams. They can't win it all -- at least not all the time -- and thus they cover their own pain by rubbing it in my face when they can. Sometimes they even jump from bandwagon to bandwagon.<br /><br />But not me. I still wear purple and white. I am still a Horned Frog!<br /><br />Whether or not I ever get to celebrate TCU winning a national championship, I'll die wearing purple and white. I'll die a Horned Frog.<br /><br />And nobody, no thing, no amount of facial rub will ever change that. Nor will it cause me to be any less proud of my team.<br /><br />GO FROGS!!!!!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-57295129017572984772009-12-29T15:16:00.000-08:002009-12-29T15:19:55.200-08:00One of the things I would like to witness in my lifetime...If you don't watch Glee already check this out and I'm sure you too will become a fan.<br /><br />What other show causes a random mob of people to break out in dance in the middle of a mall? <br /><br />Yeah didn't think you would be able to come up with with any. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NhbK2bMTRbI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NhbK2bMTRbI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-76127615836771590452009-12-22T10:41:00.001-08:002009-12-22T23:14:28.587-08:00New Best FriendSome of you might not know this but I was once a child performer. True story. By this I DO mean that I dressed up in a red button down, denim skirt and red cowboy boots and sang George Strait songs on my parents' coffee table. Not sure if you will ever be blessed enough to witness that little gem, but in the mean time enjoy this video of my new best friend. My mom shared this with me, telling me I too did not know the words to the songs I sang (mom also likes to lie). Anyway, I'm pretty sure we could have created a good duet back in the day.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ErMWX--UJZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ErMWX--UJZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-14298554069217802052009-12-15T17:28:00.000-08:002009-12-16T09:52:40.584-08:00Month 5 of 12 - Words Fall Through MeIf you've missed what's going on with this blog idea, <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2009/08/month-1-of-12-i-get-by-with-little-help.html">you can find the explanation here</a>. Anyway, another fairly uneventful month. Busy as usual, lots of sports, TONS going on at work, went home for Thanksgiving, threw a Christmas party, and had one of the more emotional sports days of my life (Cinnci.beating Pitt. by 1, then the stupid last second TX win - ugh). Other than that just trying to stay warm and get ready for Christmas!<br /><br />*Even though I believe the past influences us I don’t think I learn much from my own<br />*Seeing Amon Carter Stadium sold out is amazing<br />*Love OT games v the Spurs, particularly when the Mavs win <br />*”So is your face” is my favorite comeback these days, no it doesn’t make any sense<br />*Favorite music discovery: Secrets in Stereo and Augustana (recently REALLY discovered them)<br />*I’m a bit of a teenage girl when it comes to the Twilight series<br />*I like third grade so much that for the first time ever I didn’t mind having to work half of the Thanksgiving week<br />*Every now and then I leave school and stop for a second b/c I feel so lucky that I love my job and that I have such cool kids to come hang out with every day<br />*I really like when friends will talk about and/or share books with me<br />*My Lan = awesome Vietnamese hole in the wall in fort worth<br />*I love the I have parents that will go on adventures with me like driving out to Dallas at 9:30 at night just for some Pinkberry yogurt<br />*I realized that I have only been genuinely surprised like 3 times in my life<br />*I like it when someone is successful in doing so<br />*Every morning should start with breakfast made by mom and time to sit and read the paper<br />*Starting Thanksgiving morning with the turkey trot is probably one of my favorite traditions in life<br />*It’s really nice having someone to hang out with when I come home<br />*I love being with people who remember old school Plano<br />*Sometimes my expectations of something can be totally off<br />*I forgot how much I love Mavs games – I’ve gotten to go to two amazing last second win games this month and it’s reminded me I like basketball too<br />*TAKS being stressful has finally hit…I was naïve to think I was going to escape that feeling<br />*GLEE makes my week a little bit better, does this make me lame?<br />*I’ve recently discovered a love for baking<br />*I’m entirely too emotionally invested in TCU football<br />*I feel actual pain that TCU got so robbed by the BCS<br />*I’ve been reminded of the fact that I would NEVER survived somewhere that was actually cold, considering I have been miserable with the weather and we haven’t gotten bellow 25Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-40073709040865791562009-12-09T16:33:00.000-08:002009-12-09T16:42:22.257-08:00Baby It's Cold OutsideI am not a big fan of winter. This is primarily because I do not enjoy being cold. Hence why I live in Texas. However, since I wrote my 10 favorite things about <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2009/09/now-i-know-why-all-leaves-change-in.html">a season I do love</a>, I figure I should try and be positive and write my 10 favorite things about this season as well. Here’s what I came up with, had to stretch it a bit…<br /><br />10. Downtown Fort Worth at Christmas Time – This is the time of year where Fort Worth puts up a huge beautiful tree in the middle of downtown and Christmas lights are everywhere. The Pier1 Building even lights up its roof with green and red (replacing the perfect purple that previously was there to honor TCU), which makes running on the trail particularly fun at sunset. I have been known to drive out of my way at this time of year just to admire the decorations.<br /><br />9. Scents – I love the smells of winter. Fires burning, pine trees, all Christmas candles, cookies…mmmm.. What’s not to like?<br /><br />8. Coats and Scarves – This is the time of year where the fall coat is put away (some days at least) and the winter coats come out. (Remember I have a slight obsession with coats). Since I spend the majority of the season in this clothing (especially in my classroom where there is no heat), it is extremely important. Still looking to add to my collection this year... <br />I also love scarves. But only if they are soft, itchy just doesn’t make a girl happy. Cuteness is important as well. Warmth follows next.<br /><br />7. Starbucks – This is the time of year I make the switch away from iced coffee. It is the only season where warm drinks get such attention from this customer. Every thing about Starbucks in the winter makes me happy. Special drinks. WARMTH. Christmas cups. Love it.<br /><br />6. Christmas Hockey Song – You will realize why this is so important in number 3, but I’ll explain a little here too. Every year the Stars create a special video montage put to “Carol of The Bells” (rock version of course) to play before games. Just gets you in the spirit of Christmas…and great hockey hits…(side note - the fact that hockey is a part of winter is important as well)<br /><br />5. Tacky Christmas – The Tacky Christmas sweater party I throw yearly with two of my great friends has become one of my favorite traditions. Every year it is fantastically tacky. Just wouldn’t be Christmas anymore without it. <br /><br />4. Bowl Season – While it is quite sad to see the college football season come to an end, the winter ushers in the exciting culmination of all the work done in the fall (even if that work has not been properly appreciated – just saying). <br /><br />3. Music – Christmas music. Enough said. Okay we all know I can’t be that short, but I’ll stop after this - it’s the only time of year you can play it and it makes my life a little better for 4 weeks.<br /><br />2. Giving gifts – I absolutely love giving people gifts. It is so much fun to try and find something that lets someone know how special they are to you. The more meaningful the better. I get so excited about giving people their Christmas presents I can hardly stand it.<br /><br />1. Christmas – It’s the thing that makes this season bearable. Despite not liking winter, it gets major points for containing my absolute FAVORITE holiday. I realize a lot of my numbers already have to do with this holiday but oh well. From decorating the tree, to seeing my kids get excited (even if it is a little too much at times), to the music, to being with family, there’s nothing about this holiday I don’t love. Plus, most importantly, it is a celebration of the Lord I love so much, none of the rest of this matters much in comparison to that. <br /><br />Here's to trying to enjoy this time of year and stay warm! Only 2 1/2 months until Spring...Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-64491891539374729152009-11-29T19:25:00.000-08:002009-12-01T08:29:00.916-08:00ImagineTotally random post...but I love this.<br /><br />If you don't watch the show Glee you are missing out. I don't care if you think I'm lame for watching it b/c it's awesome and believe it is your loss if you don't. :) Also I fully accept my nerdiness when it comes to musicals or musical shows. Anyway this was one of my favorite moments on the show. Maybe b/c I love the song "Imagine" or maybe b/c I like the concept of togetherness in this scene.<br /><br />If you don't watch the show the Glee club is about to have a competition and one of the schools they are going against is a deaf school. They have a practice scrimmage and this is what comes out of it... <br /><br />*Special thanks to John Lennon for bringing this song to our lives.<br />-youtube removed the video, here's the song though<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BUkc0tagdY8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BUkc0tagdY8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-77093016126183408772009-11-27T18:22:00.000-08:002009-11-27T18:47:52.151-08:00Free Music Friday 10 - Where Are You Christmas? Oh that's right, you're here now, how I've missed you!My favorite time of year is upon us!!! Those of us in TX might not have realized this quite yet, considering that it was 70 something degrees out today, but don't worry, I am delighting enough in the start of the CHRISTMAS SEASON for all of us. A big event happened today...wait for it...I GOT MY VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE!!! This brings me one step closer to being a real grown up...hmm...that's a little scary. Anyway, in honor of the event, I wanted to follow through on my tease from <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2009/11/its-my-friday-which-meansfree-music.html">Tuesday</a> and provide Christmas songs for today's FMF. These are just three of my favorites that I play on repeat for about four straight weeks, but don't be shocked to see this become a trend over the next few weeks, combined with a little of whatever I'm loving at the time of course. Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and enjoys their Christmas preparations as much as I am!<br /><br />*Disclaimer - Videos do not always provide as much entertainment as the song. Might I recommend the following...listen to the song and open up another browser. Enjoy my amazing musical taste while you work, or facebook (let's be honest), or whatever it is you do. The end.<br /><br /><br />Garth Brooks - Baby Jesus is Born<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NcMjEI_PHZ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NcMjEI_PHZ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Mariah Carey - Joy to the World<br />Live Version:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iGt4eK9c-5I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iGt4eK9c-5I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Recorded Version: (yes it's good enough to get put on here twice)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X1GaMBQ_R8s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X1GaMBQ_R8s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Baby It's Cold Outside - SO many versions of this song have been done (the one in Elf is a personal fav.) but I decided to go with the original<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/25fUl3NpeBc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/25fUl3NpeBc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Pictures of the tree and Tacky Christmas to come.<br /><br />I FREAKING LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-86740526236318946672009-11-26T11:23:00.000-08:002009-11-26T15:14:14.117-08:00When I Count All My Blessings, I Get a Smile on my Face – 2nd AdditionThis time last year I was brand new to the blogging world and one of my <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-i-count-all-my-blessings-i-get_28.html">very first entries</a> was about what I was thankful for at the time. Looking back at <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-i-count-all-my-blessings-i-get_28.html">that blog</a>, I feel blessed to say I am thankful for those exact same things this year. But just saying that would make for a boring blog, so this year I’m taking a different route. I am going to try and list the big (and some of the little) events or things that happened since last Thanksgiving that have been a blessing…<br /><br />*Christmases at home<br />*A friend who understands that New Year’s Eve on the couch with take out Chinese is perfectly okay<br />*Progressive dinners with my amazing group of friends<br />*Tacky Christmas<br />*Being a Battle of the Books coach, and the kiddos on last years team and this years team who bring me so much joy<br />*Yearly trip to the rodeo<br />*The blisters on my feet and the pain in my legs from running b/c it reminds me that I am able to keep doing what I love<br />*Pedicures<br />*Afternoon Delight softball <br />*Family and friends who encouraged me to do something scary and try a new job this year<br />*Kids that invite me to their birthday parties<br />*Kids that come watch my softball games<br />*My kindergarten class, particularly two kids that I will never forget all my life (A & J)<br />*Cowtown (the race)<br />*Fort Worth (the city)<br />*Hole in the wall restaurants<br />*Friends that are foodies<br />*FW Running Company and their training group that gives me people to run with…finally!<br />*5 stage birthday bashes<br />*Cupcakes<br />*A church that I love<br />*A pastor that I am friends with<br />*People who love, and understand, and will talk about hockey (they are rare!)<br />*Trips to the ranch<br />*Yearly visit to Colonial<br />*Seeing George Straight live<br />*Getting to go to the first event ever at the new Cowboys Stadium<br />*My amazing trip to Europe<br />*Getting to go to Europe with one of my favorite traveling companions and all the happy memories we’ll have forever from those two weeks<br />*Mother/daughter trips<br />*Swimming with dolphins<br />*River trips<br />*Friends who are willing to help me move<br />*The most eventful summer of my life <br />*A support system that got me through the month of August<br />*Being a part of one of my best friend’s weddings<br />*Patience (particularly when it is people being patient with me)<br />*My new job, I love it more than I could ever explain<br />*The people I work with<br />*Seeing Paul McCartney live<br />*Singing Hey Jude at the top of my lungs with my dear friend and PAUL FREAKIN’ McCARTNEY (that is his real name fyi)<br />*New friends<br />*How much my friends make me laugh<br />*Parents who help me out so much and never ask for anything in return<br />*The girls in my small group<br />*Friends that listen to and care about my updates<br />*Forgiveness<br />*Finally getting to sit in a suite at AAC<br />*Stars hockey <br />*Being able to go see the sport I love so much in person, and often<br />*So Is Your Face kickball<br />*Music, especially discovering new bands/songs<br />*Pandora Radio and friends who have introduced me to so much new music<br />*Seeing U2 live<br />*Being able to move around and read and watch tv and get on my computer for however long I want <br />*Weekend breakfasts <br />*TCU’s perfect season that has made fall so much fun<br />*My third grade class that makes me happy to go to work every day<br />*Getting to go to Wisconsin for Christmas with family<br />*That I can make a list like this<br /><br />I could keep going I know, but I will stop there b/c I doubt anyone besides my mom (love you mom) has even made it to this point. But, I will say I live a blessed life and I am most thankful for the people in it that make it so wonderful. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving today and takes some time to think about what it is you are thankful for as well.Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-60998795686696002942009-11-24T08:17:00.000-08:002009-11-24T08:31:35.862-08:00It's my Friday, which means...Free Music Friday 9!Okay so since today is the last day of my work week I decided we needed some music to celebrate the occassion. I'm still going to try and put actual music up Friday (I'm not promising anything but considering it IS the official start of the Christmas season it may or may not be Christmas themed).<br /><br />Anyway, so I discovered a new band this week that I just ADORE. <a href="http://thewindlepair.blogspot.com/">My friend </a>who is having a baby in TWO WEEKS had a video of her maternity photos put to one of their songs so I immediately began searching for who they were and what other music I could find. They are called Secrets in Stereo and I am enjoying their stuff immensily, hope you do too. I'm sure this won't be the last time they appear here.<br /><br />PS - They don't have actual videos so just listen..<br /><br />Happy<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iTjlMhux3sU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iTjlMhux3sU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Not Today (get through the talking b/c I HAD to go with the accoustic version b/c it's too good not to include it this way)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sjn9ZgmihGM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sjn9ZgmihGM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />(In case you don't have patience or time)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OlGIageLIwg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OlGIageLIwg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving!!!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-56104194222259262842009-11-20T14:10:00.000-08:002009-11-20T15:15:35.392-08:00Free Music Friday 8My taste in music is very broad. I will pretty much listen to anything. Some I like a lot more than others but most of it depends on my mood. Here are some songs on my "Recently Added" playlist on my ipod to illustrate my point:<br /><br />Augustana - Twenty Years (loving them right now)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8kkX38QTG7I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8kkX38QTG7I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Breaking Benjamin - I Will Not Bow (hockey music)<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YFHN0gcMUf0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YFHN0gcMUf0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />James Carr - The Dark End of the Street (b/c who doesn't need a little good soul music?)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5YnHmaYaJpo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5YnHmaYaJpo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Uncle Kracker - Smile (yes, I'm a little embarrased to share this, but oh well, it puts me in a good mood)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BMbZ1yeLcM8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BMbZ1yeLcM8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />PS - I wanted to put up Sublime's "What I Got" just to bring it back a bit but no clean versions available on YouTube, and trying to keep the blog clean people. So, I'll leave you with this "lovin' is what I got, I said remember that.."<br /><br />More to come at a later date. <br /><br />Happy Weekend (or Thanksgiving Break to ever other teacher besides those in my district)!!!<br /><br />TCU 11-0??? Got a good feeling it's our year!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-35874058836805270572009-11-17T19:32:00.000-08:002009-11-18T11:30:40.947-08:00Month 4 of 12 - Simple Life and I'll Be OkaySo this is a little bit late. Mainly because I had written about 5 things prior to tonight on what has gone on this month. This is a combination of being extremely busy but also feeling like I didn't have anything all that significant occur this past month. When I sat down to add some points to my list I remembered a bit more than I expected. However, I still think the biggest thing I have gotten out of this month is a lot of questions. So, guess I'm seeing what's coming up. Here's what I have for now!<br /><br />*Making salt dough maps with 22 third graders makes one huge, but fun, mess<br />*Projects such as these go much better with third graders than Kindergartners<br />*My heart is so happy whenever my old Kinder kiddos come and give me hugs, gosh I miss that<br />*I should have remembered that <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2009/09/now-i-know-why-all-leaves-change-in.html">one of my favorite things about fall </a>is the start of ultimate Frisbee every weekend with my friends<br />*I REALLY like challenging, thought provoking conversations right now. <br />*Hearing someone say what they ACTUALLY think can be really refreshing<br />*Favorite musical discovery – Avettt Brothers<br />*I still hate Halloween<br />*Tacky Christmas planning will never cease to be entertaining and full of laughter<br />*I love simple, yet somehow manage to make things complex<br />*I like the song Smalltown USA and sometimes wish it was how I grew up<br />*Mental Health Days (MHD’s) are definitely needed and I’m thankful for good friends who are willing to share them with me<br />*I love getting to know new friends from work, especially when those new friends appreciate hole in the wall restaurants as much as I do<br />*Bear wrestling is another activity that is not acceptable in public <br />*Love, love, love little league football games, thankful that my kids invite me to them<br />*”Why Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner is really making me think (goes along with the whole challenging conversations thing) – not finished with it yet so can’t say much more right now<br />*Third graders singing in a school program with little practice can quickly turn into a train wreck, but they are still adorable<br />*Diary of a Wimpy Kid is one of the funniest books I have ever read <br />*Shopping for tacky Christmas sweaters is an adventure, a hilarious adventure though<br />*I take for granted being able to do things like go to work, read/watch tv/sit at the computer longer than 10 minutes<br />*Scramble is the most freaking addictive iphone app ever. I'm determined to become good at it. <br />*That should be an interesting challenge for someone who is not good at spelling.<br />*Watching your college football team have the perfect season is pretty awesomeCarrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-55650728017887716042009-11-10T20:40:00.000-08:002009-11-10T20:49:05.641-08:00Free Music Friday ... on a TuesdayMissed a few FMF's ... going to try and make up for it this week, especially because I have found a whole bunch of new songs I love.<br /><br />Here are the two most played right now:<br /><br />Augustana - Fire (live version b/c I think it's always better to have something to watch, but the album version is amazing, so go listen to that too)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EwTnXr3iQbU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EwTnXr3iQbU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Taylor Swift - Jump then Fall (big surprise that I like a Taylor Swift song right? Anyway the girl is a genius and rereleased her album with some new songs, which I quickly purchased, here's my favorite)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2bJ2Q6KYuR8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2bJ2Q6KYuR8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Try to post a few more later...Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-13303581325976800622009-10-29T15:41:00.000-07:002009-10-29T15:45:58.825-07:00If I Can Make It There...New York, New YorkOne of my life dreams is to run the New York City Marathon. I’m sure everyone who actually reads this (or has ever talked to me) already knows this fact, but just in case, there it is again. When I got into the whole running thing I never had ANY desire to run a full marathon. Well, I actually never had any intentions to become a runner, but see how that turned out…. Anyway, when I was training for my first half I really only wanted to do that distance and be content with achieving that goal. Then, race day happened. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life, so I decided I wanted to run a full because how much cooler would that be? However, I knew there was a good chance that I will hate the distance and might only want to run one full marathon. My theory is go big or go home…thus the dream of running New York began. I hear it’s amazing (you get to run through all five boroughs and thousands of people come out to watch) and I love the city to death (I’ll take any reason to go). I can only begin to imagine how great it would be to participate in this race.<br /><br />So, back in 2008 I submitted my first application for lottery admission. The only ways in to the NYC Marathon are to have your name drawn in the lottery, run for a charity, or have a fast enough qualifying time. Well lottery did not work for me, charity required me to raise at least $3000 and I certainly don’t run qualifying times that are tougher than Boston’s! This left me stuck waiting until 2009 to apply. For some reason I really thought I was going to get in this past year. I guess I figured they should know I was a serious runner at this point and I applied like the day they started taking applications, certainly that would count for something?? Sadly, I was mistaken. After waiting for 4 months I signed in to the website to find my rejection notice. I definitely cried when I saw that once again lottery had not worked for me. Why this silly thing matters to me so much I don’t know, but it does. In hindsight I realize that it was for the best as my summer of traveling through Europe and the Caribbean, moving, and changing jobs would not have allowed time for proper training. Still, doesn’t make me wish any less that I was in NY this weekend!<br /><br />Anyway, I got some good news this week: the marathon is taking lottery applications the day after the race this year! That’s THIS Monday!!!! AND, even better, they’re announcing results in MARCH! Basically this means THIS MARCH I will know if I am running NY 2010 or NY 2011. Here’s how the lottery works: If you apply three consecutive years without being admitted you get an automatic entry the fourth year. So, if my name gets drawn this year, obviously I’m in for 2010, if not, then I know 2011 is my year. Hoping that I don’t have to wait that long, but I can be slightly stubborn so I KNOW I can make it to 2011 if I have to. Think of me Monday as begin the waiting game once again!<br /><br />One last thing. Special thanks to all of my friends and family who have supported me in this little adventure…those of you who who’ve crossed your fingers through the application process, at least pretended to be interested in this ordeal and listened to me talk about it ☺, comforted me when I haven’t gotten in, encouraged me to keep pursuing NY when I’ve been frustrated that it’s been such a long wait, researched charities to find me an alternate way in, told me you would be there when I ran the race, and so on. It means the world to me and I know you will be my support system when it FINALLY happens!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-65449604603088699522009-10-23T08:11:00.000-07:002009-10-23T08:24:53.538-07:00Free Music Friday 6Here's my Patty Griffin day that got pushed back by my Garth Brooks excitement...Love me some Patty. Hope this makes my <a href="http://jbarclay.blogspot.com/">favorite freshman roommate </a> happy. :)Also, please share in my excitement that the Frogs are featured this week on ESPN gameday, live from Provo, Utah. Time for us to show why we are ranked #8!!! Happy weekend.<br /><br />My two favorites, live versions were my only options:<br /><br />Heavenly Day-<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8cdnF3NUSCY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8cdnF3NUSCY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Sweet Lorraine-<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f2ybiVGRNl4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f2ybiVGRNl4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-16444985643219128832009-10-21T09:53:00.000-07:002009-10-21T14:10:03.443-07:00Riding Hores in the Lobby...Never a Good IdeaIn case you haven't picked up on this, I LOVE TEACHING THIRD GRADE!!! There are many reasons this is the case, one of which is the fact that they are the source of much laughter in my life (mostly unintentional). Crazy enough we are already done with one six weeks and half way into another. This is a little late but here are a few of the highlights from their work and day to day shenangians during the first six weeks:<br /><br />*Student picture with “I like hores” written across the top (assume she was going for horses)<br />*When writing to the postman about our favorite fairy tales one student said his is “Jack and the Peestop”<br />*One girl told me she wants to learn the following in third grade “What happens in our bodies when we eat” She also wants me to leave for a Tuesday and have a sub then I can come back and we will go bowling. Awesome.<br />*Describe the characteristics of a perfect town: Texas. I think I’ve taught them well don’t you?<br />*One day after recess I had a kid in another class tell me one of my kids was “humping the pole” His teacher told him she didn’t know what that meant, hoping he didn’t know either, but no, he proceeded to demonstrate this for us (we later found out his dad has taught him) and another kid pipes in with “yeah she was pole dancing”<br />*While talking to my kids about our author visit from Dianne Dysalvo I was asking them what her last name was. I started with Dianne and one of my kids yells out “Ross”. Impressed they even know who that is.<br />*My kids are huge Michael Jackson fans. One of them told me her favorite song was PYT, when I responded with oh yeah “Pretty Young Thing” they all just stared at me in shock that I would know what that was.<br />*Advice from third graders: “Don’t buy the Miley Cyrus cd at Walmart, it’s a waste of money, it only has 7 songs” Thank goodness for that b/c I was definitely about to go buy it.<br />*Weekly dance contests at recess in which we have some serious moonwalking, splits, bboxing, and break dancing taking place. <br />*Student writing: “I ride hores in the lobby”. Inspiration for blog title. Generally riding hores anywhere inside besides the rodeo is advised against.<br />*The students were asked to name three things made from steel while talking about magnets and metals…here is one response: shits. Thinking ships was the intended answer, hoping so at least.<br /><br />Already got some good materials from the second six weeks as well. Until then...Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-35915922349629534222009-10-16T06:24:00.000-07:002009-10-16T08:11:36.483-07:00Free Music Friday 5Even though it's totally a Patty Griffin kinda day, that will have to wait for another week, because I can't let a dream come true pass by and not mention it. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091016/ap_en_mu/us_people_garth_brooks"> GARTH BROOKS IS COMING OUT OF RETIREMENT</a>!!! Sure, it's only temporary. Sure, it's in Vegas. Sure, it creates a bit of a challenge. Doesn't matter, I'm still pumped. I simply need to figure out how to get tickets and how get to Vegas in December or January. Surely I have a friend with connections right? I have now seen 2 of my top 5 concert list and Garth would make it 3. I never got to see him before he retired and 2014 (when his daughters are grown and he might start touring again) is too far away. Fingers crossed that I can make this happen!<br /><br />Here are a few Garth songs to help you remember his greatness (as if you could forget). <br /><br />Disclaimer: Official videos not available for the most part (as usual), did my best to try and find some substitutes.<br /><br />The Dance - peronsal favorite<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GBod6aK4wt8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GBod6aK4wt8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) - another personal favorite, he just has so many good ones!!! <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p-YPjGAI0FA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p-YPjGAI0FA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The Red Strokes - Amazing video in the first place, here's the orginal and a remake that, well, just watch it youself...<br /><br />Orginal (bad sound)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t2LY5xRvSws&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t2LY5xRvSws&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Remake (awesome)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HDq-x0Q-7fA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HDq-x0Q-7fA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Standing Outside the Fire - Classic Video, this one has Spanish subtitles...<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YONVyejAqe8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YONVyejAqe8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Enjoy your weekend!Carrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6051680537962312675.post-9746735583248868242009-10-13T17:35:00.000-07:002009-11-08T15:29:20.912-08:00Month 3 of 12 - "Prepare for the Best and the Fastest Ride"This last month went super fast, but was thankfully a little calmer than <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2009/08/month-1-of-12-i-get-by-with-little-help.html">1</a> and <a href="http://carrieleighsramblings.blogspot.com/2009/09/month-2-of-12-say-you-gotta-put-good.html">2</a>. Highlights included some more concerts, the start of fall, the start of Frog Football, good times with friends as always, and maybe most importantly the start of hockey! Here’s what I’ve got this month…<br /><br />*I could spend every night (of the fall and spring anyway) on the porch at Mellow Mushroom catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones better.<br />*I appreciate that so many people in my life put up with my rambling. I realize this might not be by choice, to get a story from me you are just going to get it with details, but I still love that nobody even tries to stop me.<br />*Grading papers stinks and I’m still figuring out the trick to being efficient with the process<br />*I’ve been starting every morning with my radio off and spend a little of my ride to school in quiet and prayer, and it makes my day so much better, imagine that.<br />*Lucille’s has the SECOND best breakfast in town. Sorry I’m an ONG (Old Neighborhood Grill) girl to the core.<br />*Dark Chocolate Almond cupcakes from Sprinkles are awesome. <br />*I thought I could compensate for Sprinkles cupcakes with the local cupcake place, but after my recent experience there really just isn’t any comparison, they are truly the best.<br />*My life doesn’t revolve around cupcakes (contrary to what I make it sound like) but they do play an important role! <br />*I really can’t stand being sick, I go crazy just sitting<br />*Yogolait (new frozen yogurt place) is my favorite discovery this month.<br />*Paul Eason, Cadillac Sky & Angels and Airwaves are my favorite musical discoveries<br />*A suite at American Airlines Center is everything I imagined it would be<br />*A Pink concert can be surprisingly fun…and a little racy<br />*On that note, Pink can actually sing, like for real. When she just sits down with a guitar and goes after it she's pretty good. Who knew?<br />*I am not patient AT ALL when it comes to waiting for hockey<br />*Liking to come to work everyday is possible<br />*Even though I like to joke about my job a lot, my TRUE passion and the REASON I do it is because of how strongly I believe in educating children. I am very serious about every child that comes through my classroom leaving having learned something (hopefully a lot of somethings) new. <br />*It hurts my feelings when people take that lightly or imply that I do my job for any other reason.<br />*I love fall campaign time at my church!<br />*I truly appreciate people who are patient with me<br />*Almost any issue can be talked through<br />*For the first time the sight of the Fort Worth skyline made me feel like I was almost home. This is how I used to feel about the Dallas skyline. <br />*I LOVE getting to know new people. This used to make me nervous but lately it’s one of my favorite things.<br />*My friends are great at listening to (and at least pretending to care about) my “updates”.<br />*Kickball is my new favorite after school activity<br />*I am just as bad at this organized sport as I am at any other<br />*I know nothing about weight lifting but am thankful for a friend stepping in to be my "personal trainer"<br />*It is possible for me to love hockey a little more every October when it starts up again<br />*There’s something surreal about going to the first baby shower for your best friend of 15 years. How did we get there so fast?<br />*Grocery shopping with a friend is much more entertaining than grocery shopping alone.<br />*God perfectly orchestrated the group of girls that I get to meet with every Wednesday. After two weeks it has been the biggest answer to prayer and I am so thankful for them.<br />*Also, it is possible to have an unstructured group of friends become your small group.<br />*It’s not easy being a superhero<br />*Homemade chili on a cold day, enjoyed with a good friend, is a great way to spend an afternoon<br />*U2 puts on a pretty awesome show<br />*I still love the State Fair as much now as I did as a child<br />*Fried oreos are really good, even though I think it sounds disgusting<br />*26 is going too fastCarrie Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532203016788008869noreply@blogger.com0