dressy

I love it. Absolutely love it. Dressing up is oh so fun and usually limited to Halloween, BUT thanks to this new gig I have the option to dress up quite a bit. There was one event, the 1st grade Trick-or-Treat, I didn't catch on cam (I was a clown) - bummer.

PBS's Arthur @ the Storybook Parade

It's 50s day at school....hope they don't make me drink outta the colored fountain

Halloween '11 as Captain Kiss-A-Lot (minus all the smooching)

Lasy year when I was MIA, I was also mime-ingit up

Hoping I can pull something outta my ear for Thanksgiving!

Just Wait

It's only a matter of time. Illness is a given when you're teaching. You are bound to get some sort of funky cold until you've "built-up" a germ-y resilience to the precious little creeps.

My darlings are hard fucking core.

Last week lice, ring worm this week.

Slow Going

Hey, hey!

I'm back and not only have I returned, but I've heaps of free time, which you'd think all of the newly available time would allow me to blog manically- Not so! I've come without my usual wit and charm. See, I considered moving again, going completely anonymous, but does it really matter? Yeah, so I'm sticking around and willing myself to be regular even if my mojo is in a funk.

Without further delay here's what's up:

Below is a picture of me eating at Keller's (of course I grossly throw in photos of me) in DLC's car, the day I got the "friend" introduction at the Dallas British Car Show. Yes, things have fizzled. Golf was/is way more of priority to him which indicated he clearly wasn't that into me. After speaking with a *hold your breath* nice man I met on match.com, I came to my senses and split! By the way, the nice man has been a permanent fixture, however not of the romantic sort.



I'm still without any job prospects. I've been told to exercise patience because they will begin to scramble as the summer progresses and the whole thing is a waiting game, but we're talking about me here; patient, I am not! On the other hand, the big deal is I did FINALLY take the stage to graduate! Oh boy, what a joyous occasion! I was on pins and needles and riddled with anxiety the entire day, until I set foot on that stage.





Other stuff has happened, as well, but we're going to have to put it on hold because this blog has been primarily based around my love life and that's what I will get into next!

quickie

It’s nearly official, I’m done with school. I had a few rough patches filled with sentiment and reflection during my last day of classes this past Thursday. Naturally, I was able to hold it together, that’s how I’ve always managed to get through this life, even when I didn’t want to be bothered with it anymore.

I left home a late bloomer in some respects, yet world-weary with a sketchy plan, broken heart and fragile state of mind, but managed to grow exponentially in these past few years.

I’ve never been fair to myself, never saw me as being enough of whatever I was supposed to be, always lived with an incurable sadness, but fought and fought these feelings because I knew I had to be strong; I had to hold it together.

Because I’ve managed to hold all the shit together, I’m finally graduating with all A’s next Friday, as I set out to do when I left home. I almost want to squeal, I’m so proud of myself, of everything!

Ultimately, attitude and perseverance determine where you’ll end up and I’m completely honored to be able to share this with all of the little maniacs I’ll be working with in the near future.

In typical Steph fashion though, I must say (complain) I’m so pissed the actual graduation ceremony is costing an arm and leg. Assholes trying to milk me for everything they can before I’m gone.

Stay tuned for pics!

bleh, meh, sheh

I'm bummed I have nothing exciting to write about, so I'm just going to go ahead with this anyway.

I feel incredibly frustrated I have no job; not a teaching job, just any old job to get my broke ass through the summer. Life with The Moms has been okay, but I'm ready to bounce. They're major cock blocks...not that the love life has been all that hot to begin with.

By the way, this weekend I was introduced something like so: "This is my friend, Stephanie", which nearly killed me. Well not really killed, just a tad hurt. Why couldn't I be "This is Stephanie", instead of "friend, Stephanie". Thanks, DLC :/

Oh, I'm such a liar, I did have some excitement recently! I had an interview!
I don't know what to make of the situation. It was a pre-screening interview, which will hopefully lead to "the real deal, let's give Steph a job in the fall" sorta thing. Good Lord, one can only hope.

On a sour note, The Mom's are headed to Florida and then cruising to the Bahamas...lucky cock blocks!

Crunch, Crunch, Cram

Graduation is just, just around the corner!

Exhausted and mentally checked out, I'm trudging through my final project.

I need a summer job ASAP because moolah is tight.

Had my 1st, yes my very 1st, intereview as a teacher, which was way more painless than anticipated.

I feel so excited to see what these next few weeks and months bring :)

Welcome To My Sad Little Blog

This picture is incredibly perfecto! Okay, almost. I'm sure you've already establish I look nothing like the girl photographed, nor does my line of work have anything to do with large snakes and God knows I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a belly chain, but all that's irrelevant.



Things are nut-so, INSANELY busy with graduation and the certification process just around the corner! With that said, it's hard to find and/or narrow topics for your eyeball's consumption. If you have any topic suggestions or questions you'd like answered, I'd love, love, LOVE to hear from you:

nottheoxygen@gmail.com

I'm F-ing Inconsistant *Here's Yet Another Update*

• I, Steph, finally won a give away hosted by Alissa and feel like a total bad ass as a result. However, I lost another contest, an "ugly photo" contest, held by Mel. I guess I should be honored my photo wasn't the worst, but I'm not and to be honest, the winner is much more deserving. I love her ugly mug! -Shout out to the Pro-Steph Voters *WOOT WOOT* :)
• Got a totally rad (and silly) manicure. I typically get phony nails or a French manicure, but not this time around! I got Easter/Birthday nails:

• Had a birthday April 5th, but kind of celebrated on the 3rd @ Pete's Piano in Addison. I complained all last week about having to share the spotlight with Jesus since Easter Sunday fell during Birthday Weekend '10. I can only hope God has a sense of humor.

• Was pulled over by the police for the 2nd time in my 28.99 years while on my way to my university to make a major purchase. Thank you Hurst police for adding to my stress....it's not like I can see my tail light; after all it is behind me. Anyway, my cap and gown has been purchased for graduation and my body is about to shut down in a few weeks. *Graduating Magna Cum Laude bitches* Oh, speaking of bitches I would've been Summa Cum Laude had I not missed one, single, solitary day of class, which lowered my overall grade in that class to a B.
  
• Haven't been on any dates. Yes, my serial dating has come to an end; at least for now. I don't know when or if it's going to pick up again. Gosh, did I really just lose some readers!? I know this is crazy, but I'm still hanging out with DLC. I even ditched the one I was going to hold in my dating queue. Nuts, right?

• Just days away from taking the last test before I can apply to The State Board of Education for teacher certification. I'm a gosh darn wreck, y'all!

Enjoy this short vid-The first stage strutter is a 67 year old lady also celebrating her birth @ Pete's Piano. They paid $100.00 to hear Pussy Control.

Giggle Fits from stephanie on Vimeo.

Break!

My daily routine is anything but routine. Well, that's somewhat of I lie because I routinely get into bed by 5PM. The interning and consequential cold have taken over my life, thus Not the Oxygen suffers. All my wit withers away while I snooze under my electric blanket. Sorry :/

but...

MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY!!!!!

maybe I can catch up?

piss

Today is Monday and I don’t know what to do with myself. With so much to look forward to, I was feeling pretty good and antsy about this week:

Monday: Regular school day, mac n’ cheese in the cafeteria, and 1 month closer to finishing my residency.
Tuesday: Very busy carrying out plans in the classroom and staying for after school tutoring.
Wednesday: Dinner with weekend man number two.
Thursday: Sleeping in, enjoyable breakfast, and spending the day at the university. Night outing is a total possibility.
Friday: 1st grade field trip, Dallas Burlesque Festival with the birthday girl mentioned in this post and those A sisters.
Saturday: Baby shower and whatever the hell else I feel like doing!
Sunday: Continuation of whatever the hell else I feel like doing!

Yeah, sounds good, right? Yeah, that’s what I thought until I ventured to the other side of the school to discuss the upcoming field trip. See, this isn’t just any old field trip; it’s The Field Trip of field trips! It’s the flipping Ft. Worth Stock Show! And, this lady fucking forgot about me tagging along, but says I should still be able to go since I’m faculty. Man, I hope this pans out because I’ve had my little chocolate heart set on this trip. I mean it’s the stock show for Christ’s sake; do you know what that means to me? I’ve already told you folks I want a stinking brown cow. I looove livestock! I also love those little first graders. Boo Hoo!

On the upside, ‘cause there always is one…

You already know, or are in the process of figuring out I’m a bit spaztastic. You long timers know how I feel about the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream & Cake commercial and how I think it’s the greatest. Welp y’all, they’ve got a Valentine’s edition.

BEHOLD, loves!

quick rant

I swear it’s some variation of the H1N1 lying dormant and then ragingly flares up. This battle has been happening since the very beginning of November and continues today. I’m so incredibly tired of feeling like a heap of shit. Stephanie does not get sick! So, why all of a sudden can my body not hold it together!?

Are those sweet faced children really the cause of this germy situation?
I have no idea who these cuties are, but if you look closely this picture is a hoot!

Still Around

My dearest friends, I’m sorry to have neglected you. You’ll forgive me, won’t you? These past few weeks have been some of the happiest, yet completely trying. If we’re friends on Facebook you may have seen this morning’s status update:

slept for 12+ hours....so odd for me

For real, yesterday, I came home, made some Jiffy Pop and then went to bed all before 6pm.

I love being at the school everyday, however being there is actual work, which I haven’t done in years thanks to my former cushy position in the garage door biz. I can tell the kids are beginning to come around, warm up to me- they ask a barrage of questions and share unnecessary information. It’s sweet!

“What kind of car do you drive?” as I return from lunch.
Pointig to the word ‘handyman’ in a book, “This looks like your last name Ms. So&So.”
“Do you live with your mom?”
“Do you really have a dog or did you make that up?”
“Are you going to work here next year?”
“Do you live in a dorm or at home?”
“Are you his mom?”
“Where do you go to school?”
“What’s your first name?”
“Is that your real hair?”

To be fair, I ask them a lot of questions as well. I’m just as nosey.

So, thing have been great at work, but the online love life is another story!

girls

Dear, dear, dear I’m exhausted and it’s only Tuesday! I feel neglectful in not only my reading, but my writing. Here goes:

As you may or may not know, against the many wishes of others I quit my day job, bar it wasn’t for a lounge singing gig, so I may still be okay on this one; I’ve started an internship at the school I’ve been working at since August.

Oh, these kids…

I full heartedly work my hardest to not be judgmental of parents, but some of the things I observe cause night terrors! Okay, that statement became a tad extreme and a slight dramatic. Seriously though, I’m constantly making a mental “Parental Do/Don’t Do List”. Even with this mental list, realistically, I know I’ll fudge up along the way. Shit, I don’t really do lists. I’m more of a “let’s wing it!” sort of person.

Before I go off track, let me make my point quickly before you lose interest, but let me preface this point by saying this first going off topic again…. I’ve returned to the grade 4’s here comes the sappy stuff and I truly think they’re beautiful, fun little people with tons of potential, granted it’s properly fostered. I genuinely want them all to grow into happy, positive minded, productive contributors to society.

It breaks my heart to think and know this guy in the picture was someone’s baby, just like these kids I’m with. Being the sensitive goon I am, this thought makes me cry just thinking about it. Hell, I’m teary now and thanking God, I didn’t go into social work.

Sheesh, why can’t I stay on track? It’s because I don’t blame the kids for what I’m about to say, I blame the parents, but then again try to give Ol’ Mom and Dad the benefit of the doubt. Forgive me, I can’t stay with the point it because I don’t want to be misinterpreted that’s it!

For Pete’s sake, here here's the deal!

It freaks me the flip out to see 4th grade girls in make-up. I’m yucked out beyond belief seeing hot pink zebra striped acrylic nails attached to a little girl. Skinny jeans and 1.5 inch high boots are, in my opinion, not for little girls. Waxed eyebrows are also a no in my book. Temporary tattoos placed behind the ear, another no.

Can’t.Handle.This.

Fa-fa-freezing!

I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

and let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas

and a pillow for it's head.

Then, last night it ran away.

But first

-- it wet the bed.

Shel Silverstein

I detest winter, holidays are the pits, I'm a kind of a Scrooge & don't care. However, enthusiam of 6 and 7 year olds soften you a bit. This is a cute little poem the kids recite in class. It cracks me up!

BTW

I found this image from The Snowy Day on a random blog. If you've got a a minute, check it out here! Somebody made a short 2 minute movie of the story & it's really sweet.

down on the farm!

Sack lunches in hand, we boarded the school bus for a trip to the farm. Gosh, I don't miss the smell of a school bus, but it's fortunate we got the bus that smelled of booty instead of exhaust, we could've all died from inhalation or something (?)- I'm no doctor, who knows.

The farm was great! After we ate our lunches, we met up for an introduction which was followed by a hayride.The hayride was our mode of transportation throughout the farm. It was so lovely watching the excitement on the children's' faces. It's funny how you feel like your heart has expanded beyond the perimeters of your chest and you experience the joy of being Momma, although the kids are virtually strangers. I'm getting soft.

Our first stop was a three story tree house with slides and swings, a tiny village, a labrynth and some other stuff I don't know the names of. I did take a slide and screamed the whole way down!

When we were done playing, we hopped back onto the hayride for a tour of the farm and a stop at the Candy Cane Tree, where we all got a candy cane. Oh, and we also got to see the types of Christmas trees they grow for sale, jump in hay, roast marshmellows (a lot of the kids hadn't done this before) and pet goats and a donkey.






Check out this goats eyes!
<

All in all, we had a really great time and I recommend this farm if you're in the DFW area, even if you don't have children! FUN TIMEs :o)