One More Thing to Add to things that I do AWESOMELY

Hi Internet.

Look what I made today! 

All by myself. 

No help from Mom the expert sew-er. And I didn't break the sewing machine!

The last time I sewed something by myself was when I was in 8th grade and I made a purse in a workshop at school, and that was in 1998. I have tried making other projects, BUT my mom usually ends up finishing for me. But not today!

It's a nursing cover/ Hooter Hider for my Sister-in-law and soon to be (End of September) niece!

I feel so domestic!

I followed a tutorial here which was super easy! I would make just a few adjustments to it for next time, like making the strap a little more narrow so it fits in the D rings better and making the "blanket" part more narrow also. I like that it's wide, but 40" wide seemed just a tad too big cause the sides get a bit floppy. But, otherwise I think it's way cute and can't wait to give away!

I LOVE the fabric! I have a little left, I just might have to make a pillow for my room. I think it will match my room quite nicely! :)

Oh, and the BEST part. It took me less than 3 hours from start to finish AND cost less than $8!

Remind me again why I'm not married? :)

If Happiness Had a Smell it Would Be:

Hi Internet.

I am not dead. I just sold my soul to summer school. I keep reminding myself that having a Bachelor's Degree in May 2012 will make all this suffering worth it. 

Unless of course that crazy Harold Camping guy is right this time and the world ends on October 21, 2011 .... But I digress.

So, I've been spending lots of hours on campus and as much time as possible on campus outside because the weather has been GORGEOUS here. (75-85*, no humidity, light breeze. Perfect right? Why have some of you never come to visit me?!?! Bean?? Hoppes?? Merika?? Others who I can't think of off the top of my head. Juuust Saying)

The University Campus is NOT the most beautiful campus I have seen. I might be the ugliest actually. But, it does have one redeeming quality.

Lots of Chokecherry Trees!

I know some people hate them because they are so fragrant.

To them I say, you must hate happiness, because I tell you, Chokecherry blossoms are the smell of happiness. Like if I had to bottle a smell I thought best described happiness, I would choose Chokecherry Blossoms.

They smell fresh, and floral and remind me of spring and the start of summer. What can be better than that?

So, go find a chokecherry tree and take a whiff of happiness. It'll make a crummy day better. Promise!

When I Grow Up....

Hi Internet,

My most sincere apologies for my blogging absence. I am NOT still trapped in the library. Today that is. University ended on May 11th and I've been enjoying the last days with my Kindies.

We went on the Riverboat, watched a Tae-Kwon-Do demonstration which was cool.... but try explaining to 5 year olds that it's OK for THOSE boys and girls to hit and kick but not them. Haha!

And then we had our Kindergarten Graduation Celebration, because apparently saying Graduation about Kindergarten is a dirty word. I don't get it.

But the kids did some songs and a dance for their parents and then each child went up to the microphone and told the audience of 100+ parents and friends what they want to be when they grow up. 

Some of the answers were precious:

When I grow up I want to be a Star! (Haha, all the moms LOVED this one!)

When I grow up I want to be a Hockey Coach.

When I grow up I want to be a Chef.

When I grow up I want to be Dental Floss (She meant to say Dentist, haha!)

When I grow up I want to be a Florist. (Kind of ironic coming from the class Tomboy)

When I grow up I want to be a Nurse. (Said my Albanian student in near perfect English!)

When I grow up I want to be a Cheerleader.

When I grow up I want to be a Police Man (ALL the boys wanted to be Policemen.)

When I grow up I want to be a Cowgirl. (Said the girl who thinks she is a HORSE everyday- Perfect! Haha!)

When I grow up I want to be a Mime.

The mime was a funny story.

The most chatty girl in the class turned to me during rehearsal (trying to think of something original to say because all the girls wanted to be florists after the first girl went and said florist and they all started copying her) and asked "What are those things at the circus that don't talk?" I told her they were called mimes and she was like "Yeah! I'll be a mime!" Haha. Certainly creative, although with how much this little lady likes to talk, probably not realistic. I don't know how much they get paid either. haha

And then it was the last day of Kindergarten.

I cried.

I'm such a baby.

But I've watched those little buggers grow up over the past year. They're READING now! I can't believe how fast the time went.

I was holding strong, partially because I was sick from food poisoning the night before (Yeah, that was LOVELY- NOT!!) until my little Albanian student left. She was getting ready to leave and her mom told her to say goodbye to her teachers and she came and gave me a big hug, and said "Thank you for teaching me English!" I lost it. I was a mess. It has been amazing to watch her progress and learn and become more vocal and interacting with the other students, and they praise her for speaking English, it's pretty adorable.

I made a difference.

I love my job.

But now I have to go to bed cause I have summer school so that in 2 years I can teach my own class of kiddos.

Happy Summer! I'll be in the library all day every day! :)

Banished.

Greetings from the Library Internet,

Yep, I've banished myself to the basement of the school library until my 6 page paper on the role of women in Exile and the Kingdom and Burmese Days is finished. Too bad the school's internet is being so dang slow!

I really hope to be done by the time Biggest Loser comes on! That gives me one hour per page.... probably should quit blogging and get to writing. 

Anyone care to write the paper for me??????

28 by 28 Progress- Month 1 Continued..

Internet!

I did it! I finished my Couch to 5k Program and ran 2, not one but 2, 5k races this week!! Go me! Finishing the race was one of the best feelings in my life. 

6. Finish my Couch to 5k Program

7. Run the Chena River Run

Feels good to cross those off my list. Now for the Midnight Sun Run 10K in June!

28 by 28 Progress- Month 1

My 28 Before 28

9. See a play April 14 & 16 (
It was so good we went twice!)

My baby brother was in his high school production of Hairspray! It was amazing!

He was Mr. Pinkey and basically stole the show. 

We had no clue my brother knew how to shake and shimmy like that. 

(He's on the far left. It's kinda to see him, but his moves are pretty great!)

Well done Aust!

Hold on to Your Ovaries, and Brace Yourself for Cuteness....

Hi Internet.

So, you know what is cuter than the Strawberry Onsie that I made for my future niece?

Yeah, my cousin's ADORABLE 5 month old daughter WEARING the matching Strawberry Onsie I made for her. (Yes, I made the it. Just a plain onsie, some scrap fabric, wonder under and creativity is all it takes.)

Seriously, this will make you want to eat her up. Or have a baby.

Are you ready?

Consider yourself warned.

I KNOW RIGHT?!!?

I'm thinking maybe I'll make a bunch of these and sell them at a bazaar in the winter, I bet could make a billion dollars. (I have other designs too, the possibilities are endless....)

How I Plan to Win....

Happy Weekend Internet,

I'm still pretty worn out from the Royal Wedding, so I got zero homework done... that's gonna be rough on Monday.

BUT, I was pretty crafty...

You see, you maybe didn't know that my brother and his wife are expecting a baby the end of September. This will be the first grandchild on our side of the family and the first granddaughter on both sides of the family. 

I plan on being the favorite Aunt. 

You see, kids are smart and easily recognize my coolness. Also, I am not above bribery and buying love and affection from my niece. Hence why I have been spending time making such adorable items such as this little gem:

 

AWWW! Berry cute huh?

It makes my ovaries cry just looking at it.

So, be prepared other Aunties, I'm in this to win it! ;) 

(Joking, but a little bit serious here)