The Sesquipedalian

"'Well,' said Pooh, 'what I like best...' and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called."
--Winnie-the-Pooh

I'm a pretty big fan of words. I always had fun with vocabulary tests and spelling bees. In fact, I'm still bitter about misspelling the word "porpoise" in the fourth grade. I looked forward to getting new vocabulary books throughout high school.

But when I got to college, the vocabulary quizzes came to a halt. So I did what I always do in times of boredom and stress: I started a list.

The internet is a fantastic thing, isn't it? I just started googling fun words with crazy definitions and before I knew it I had filled a couple of pages in my notebook o' lists.

And now, a vocabulary lesson.

Sesquipedalian: Given to using long words

Phantasmagoria: A shifting series of phantasms, illusions, or deceptive appearances, as in a dream or as created by the imagination.

Discombobulate: To confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate

Flibbertigibbet: A chattering or flighty, light-headed person

Twitterpated: Confused by affection or infatuation

Tintinnabulation: The ringing or sound of bells

Defenestrate: Throw through or out of the window

Brouhaha: Excited public interest, discussion, or the like

Syzygy: An alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and either the moon or a planet


Save an endangered word and use one of these in a sentence today! Let's bring them into casual colloquy!

Patience

"A new tree had grown from the stump and its trunk had grown along the ground until it reached a place where there were no wash lines above it. Then it had started to grow toward the sky again. Annie, the fir tree that the Nolans had cherished with waterings and manurings, had long since sickened and died. But this tree in the yard--this tree that men chopped down...this tree that they built a bonfire around, trying to burn up its stump--this tree had lived!"
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

On my first day at the Boys and Girls Club, I distinctly remember thinking, "Well, I can cross elementary school teacher off my list of potential career options, because there's no way I'm going to be able to handle this for long."

That was a week ago. And I don't feel that way anymore. I've been working with second and third graders every day. And every day I come home feeling worn out, frustrated, and, somehow, ready to go back.

It's hard to explain how I feel about working with these kids. I'm really enjoying it, and I love building relationships with them. And at the same time, I'm frustrated.

This is a school that was on academic watch just a few years ago, and now has the rating of "continuous improvement." It's not in the best neighborhood. A good number of the kids have behavioral issues, most likely caused by an unstable home environment. I'm guessing that during the school day, their teachers have to spend most of their time on a few unruly students while the other kids are forced to wait. Therefore, most of the school is really far behind. It's really unfair.

I wish I had more time to work with them on their homework. There are 15 kids trying to get my attention at once, all claiming to need help. And I don't think they've ever really learned to try to work out the problems themselves. They get frustrated so easily, and they just start shouting out numbers without really trying.

A typical tutoring session with a second-grader:

Me: Okay, what is 9-6?
Student: One.
Me: Why do you think it's one?
Student: Two.
Me: No, but it's okay. Just take your time and think it thro-
Student: Seven.

It seems to go like that for a lot of the kids. They don't really care how to get the answer, they just want the result. Which is kind of ironic, because that's exactly what standardized testing is training them to do.

Le sigh.

Personal note 1: According to Couch to 5k, I'm running for 20 minutes straight tomorrow. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Personal note 2: Leaving for Europe in FREAKING. 11. DAYS. WOO!

Personal note 3: There is a new trailer out for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. Just FYI.

Personal note 4: DID YOU WATCH THE PREMIERE OF DEXTER? WASN'T IT AMAZING?!

The Boys and Girls Club

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
--Leo Buscaglia
Yesterday was my first day with the Boys and Girls Club, and the only word I can think of to describe it is "chaotic."

I worked with Miss Catherine and the second and third graders all day, and it was pretty hectic. Kids were running around like maniacs (or like kids who had just gotten out of school) and it was hard to keep them all straight. There are a few who just refused to settle down and listen, but you get that with any group of more than 10 children.

I was incredibly overwhelmed yesterday. I was basically thrown into a throng of students and told "good luck!" It's one of those jobs that I'm going to have to take one day at a time and learn as I go. I know this because today was a lot easier. I'm starting to build relationships with some of the kids, and becoming more familiar with how to handle certain things. I swear, kids have to go to the bathroom every two minutes.

It will be even better when I know their names and I don't have to shout "Hey! Red shirt!" whenever someone tries to run down the wrong hallway.

So basically, so far so good. The first week of a new job is never easy, and I don't think I'll ever use the word "easy" to describe my work with this program. But I do think I'm going to really learn to love it.

Today a little boy said to me "I like to help other people. Do you know why? Because I get an allowance."

You've gotta give him points for honesty.

Jobs and Things

"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
'Pooh,' he whispered.
'Yes, Piglet?'
'Nothing,' said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, 'I just wanted to be sure of you.'"
--Winnie-the-Pooh

Well kids, I've landed myself a job. It's only part-time, but I think I'm really going to love it. It's with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, and I'll be working with kids (K-8) after school. Which means helping them with their homework, doing crafts with them, and running around outside. I start on Monday, and I'm really excited about it!

I graduated from college with a degree in journalism, but I did take a few education classes. I've always gone back and forth between journalism and teaching, so maybe this job will further help my decision. If I love working with the BGCGC, maybe I could go back to school and get my teaching certificate. Plus, now I can ease up on all the job applications and cover letters unless it's a job I really, really want.

In other news, I'm on week 4 of Couch to 5K. Today went as follows:

Run 3 minutes
Walk 1.5 minutes
Run 5 minutes
Walk 2.5 minutes
REPEAT

I was really dreading this one. But I was completely surprised that I was able to do it without wanting to kill myself. It was hard, but it's not like I expected it to be easy! So I'm moving right along with that.

Also, HUGE shout-out to my cousin Jason, who saved me several hundred dollars by putting new brake pads and rotors in my car, Dexter. My brakes no longer squeak, and my steering wheel doesn't feel like it's about to fall off every time I slow down. I'm incredibly lucky to have a cousin who knows cars, and who is always willing to help me out.

And I got to watch his little boy, Logan, while he was working on my car. Logan is a freaking adorable and stubborn three-year-old. He kept making me smell his socks to gauge my reaction. So I asked him what my hair smelled like, and he said "Frisch's" without having to think about it.

I have no idea. I haven't eaten at Frisch's in ages.

Dinner Party

"'First of all,' he said, 'if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'"
--Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

I have a small obsession with making lists. Top 10 movies, favorite books, favorite smells, most memorable high school moments, etc. I even have a journal dedicated to lists.

I'm not sure what this says about me. But I am tickled to share a list with you today--the most fantastic dinner party one can imagine.

So here it is. My top 5 dinner party guests (note: this is my fictional list. Maybe if you ask nicely I'll share the non-fiction one)

1. Dexter Morgan
First of all, if you have no idea who this is, then SHAME. ON. YOU. Dexter is a drama series on Showtime. Michael C. Hall plays Dexter, a likable serial killer working as a blood analyst in Miami. It is crazy how you start dreading the day this guy gets caught. Watch this show. You'll thank me.

2. Homer Simpson
Okay, need I say more? Homer is nothing if not entertaining. I'm been a Simpsons fan since before I can remember, and Homer has always been a favorite. It was hard to decide among Homer, Bart, Mr. Burns and Ralph Wiggum. But I don't think I could resist the shenanigans Homer would surely bring to my dinner party.
3. Harry Potter
Yes, Harry Potter. There's my inner nerd shining through again. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I'm one of those people who sees the Tuesday midnight showing every time a new film is released, and the one who stands in line at Barnes and Noble from 7:30 p.m. until 12:01 a.m. Nope, not at all ashamed. They're fantastic books.

4. Atticus Finch
Imagine the conversation you could have flowing with this suave father/lawyer from To Kill a Mockingbird. I don't think I need to explain my choice with this one. The quote of the day says it all.

5. Samwise Gamgee
Did anyone else bawl like a baby in the theater every time Sam proved his loyalty to Frodo? It seemed like the tears were flowing every time he was in a scene. Sam is by far my favorite Lord of the Rings character. It's his story, after all.

And there you have it! Who wouldn't want to come to this dinner party?

If anyone else wants to share their Top 5 Fiction Dinner Party guests, please feel free to leave it in a comment. I'm curious to see what everyone else thinks!

And seriously, watch Dexter.

Wine

"How is 'education' supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home wine-making course and I forgot how to drive?"
--Homer Simpson

Something I may not have mentioned about my family--we're a bunch of wine freaks.

I never liked wine when I was younger, but I'm starting to get into it now. When I was growing up, we went on a lot of family vacations. And there were plenty of times we'd be driving along and see a sign for a winery, and of course we'd have to stop.

That was about the time I would sit on a random bench outside until the rest of my family was finished trying various reds and whites.

My attitude toward wineries changed completely about two years ago. I didn't think I'd have to explain to my parents that this was due to the fact that I turned 21 and was finally able to participate. But I did.

Anyway, this afternoon Vinoklet Winery was having a festival, so I went there with my parents, grandma and uncle Bo.

I took a lot of artsy pictures. The place is absolutely gorgeous.

My mom, me, my dad, my uncle Bo and my grandma Mimi
(or as I call her, "Gangsta Meems")

We all split a bottle of their famous Traminette (Mmmmm) and checked out all the crafty booths. It was an enjoyable atmosphere.

If you're at all into wine, I highly recommend making a trip out here. And get their traminette. And then you may thank me.

When we got home, it was to find my cat Albert all tuckered out. I couldn't resist including a picture of him:

I Wish I Could Go Back to College

"I wish I could go back to college.
Life was so simple back then.
What would I give to go back and live in a dorm with a meal plan again!"
--From "Avenue Q"


*Warning* This post was written with a small dose of pessimism!


It seems incredibly unfair that I graduated from college in one of the worst economic climates possible.

I've been unemployed for about three weeks now, and I've been to a few job interviews. I have had two people comment on the fact that I am a college graduate, and not in a good way. They were wondering why I was applying for a dead-end job.

I would love to respond with, "Oh, I completely agree with you. It is complete bullshit that a college degree doesn't get you anywhere right now. But those are the breaks."

I don't mean to complain. It's just frustrating that instead of finding a job I would really like, I'm forced to broaden my search to "ANYTHING."

Let's move on.

Running update: I'm on week 3 of my Couch to 5k adventure. This was my routine today, times two:
Run 1.5 minutes
Walk 1.5 minutes
Run 3 minutes
Walk 3 minutes

I am not going to lie. It did not feel good. It was not easy. My last 3-minute run happened to start at the bottom of a humongous hill, which is just bad timing on my part. But I did it.

Apparently in two weeks, I'll be able to run 20 minutes without stopping.

Haha. These people are crazy.

Autumn

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
--George Eliot

We got a little taste of autumn this weekend, and the highs were only in the low 70s. This is my kind of weather.

My favorite season growing up was summer, but it kind of lost its appeal when I realized I was no longer getting a three-month vacation. Fall is by far my favorite season now. The weather is crisp and cool, the trees are colorful and gorgeous, and Halloween is a great opportunity to get crafty.

I took this picture last year at Pyramid Hill, a sculpture park in Hamilton, Ohio.

It's supposed to be back in the 90s for the rest of the week, so I'm enjoying this weather while I can. My friend Amanda and I went to Miami Whitewater Park Saturday for an 8-mile bike ride, and last weekend Kyle and I went raspberry picking with my brother and sister-in-law (which Zach and Mandi turned into homemade raspberry ice cream!).

I hope everyone else out there is ready to get out there for fall! There are so many fun options this season. Tons of festivals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes AND!! The Ohio Renaissance Festival. (I'm definitely, definitely going here sometime soon. You can expect a post of me embracing my inner nerd).

Running update: I'm in week 2 of my "Couch to 5k" running program, so I'm running 1.5 minutes at a time instead of just one. It feels pretty great!