snow and other things about the cold

It is very cold! I am learning that I do not appreciate the cold weather and would love to migrate to a warmer climate, maybe for life. Still there are things about this time of year that are pleasant. I thought it would do my heart good, and maybe yours, to remember a few.

mittens-I will never outgrown them and have quite the collection by now

everything is sparkly, who wouldn't love that!

I enjoy seeing my breath and having my cheeks naturally pink.

drinking hot chocolate is a must this time of year is so much fun, especially with mini marshmallows

knee high socks to keep warm

snow-baseball with my girls, actually tackle-snow-baseball

the campus is gorgeous covered in snow

Please, please add to my list!

life with my ladies

There are many things about my life that are different with my kiddos back, here are just a few:

-The dorm is very active-that is my way of saying loud (I secretly enjoy it though).
-My things are disappearing again-namely my movies, pans and kitchen utensils.
-I get to hone my matchmaking skills (as if I have any sort of license to advise here).
-A warm shower is exciting-hot water is rare and most days it is merely cool.
-I get to converse about 'Twilight', 'American Idol' and 'The Bachelor' often-when I am on my game these conversations turn into very enlightening discussions about life so don't judge!
-My basketball skills or lack of skills are entertainment for all. We have an RD team purely for interaction with our ladies and to entertain. This year we brought in a few ringers and we won a game!

Pretty much the level of fun and intensity in my life increases while my sleep decreases!

movie reviews

Classes were canceled on Friday and we took advantage of it by seeing a matinee 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop'. It was cute and unlike many comedies it did not get raunchy. I enjoy Kevin James, he was great! Many of the funny parts were given away in the preview, but there were still plenty to go around. My favorite line-"...the mind is the only weapon that doesn't need a holster." My favorite part was his tattoo revealed! While I did enjoy the movie I don't give it two thumbs way up, but maybe one and a half.

I also saw 'Defiance'. I seriously give this movie two thumbs way

up! 'Defiance' takes place during World War I in Germany with four Jewish brothers hiding from the Nazi army and the police who killed their parents. I loved watching the main characters evolve. They start the story set on revenge, trying to prove they are free by demonstrating how strong and unafraid they are. As others come to them for help and protection the brothers wrestle with maintaining their humanity, sense of community and faith while still feeling the need to exact revenge and violence. It was humbling to listen to their love and hate of their faith. A teacher cried out "...Lord unchoose us, take away our holiness so that we may survive." during a funeral service. That is just one of several powerful moments that are stuck in my mind. The main characters were flawed and ugly at times, but it was easy to root for them as we got to know their hearts

The movie is based on the book 'Defiance: the Bielski Partisans' by Nechama Tec. I wish I had know that before I saw the movie, but I am certainly reading it! I recommend both to you! Bonus-Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber-two fantastic actors and Ed Zwick the director from 'Blood Diamond'.

adventures in hair cutting

I have been inspired. Yes, my talented sister, Nicki inspired me to take action. If you know Nicki you are surely waiting excitedly to see pictures of what I have sewn or a jewelry item I have created or even a beautiful child that I have birthed. No, no of all of the wonderful things that I could have taken from her I have decided to teach myself to cut hair-my own hair.

I have dabbled with this in the past, but have cut my entire head of hair. I mean after all it is just hair-it'll grow back, no one will notice but me Um not so much on that last one, thank goodness
the first one is true. Short, lopsided bangs are in right? I think that I have better luck with sewing.

I am probably less upset than this boy's mom is about home haircuts!

new fav!

I have decided to pay tribute to my new favorite device-pandora.com! I love it! It is online radio station. I never know who is up and coming in music and I think the radio stations around me don't either. Pandora lets me type in an artist or genre and it creates a radio station for me with songs similar to my request. My new favorite stations were created around Sara Bareilles and another from Missy Higgins. I of course had a sweet Christmas station and some David Phelps (don't judge).
Here are my tips: there are a limited number of songs you can skip through and choose artists not genres. Enjoy and let me know if you have artists I should look up!

they're back...

My students have returned! They began moving in slowly yesterday, but we are in full swing today with classes starting tomorrow. I was returning emails when I heard several ear piercing screams. Some of you may have been alarmed by this, but I sat calmly at my desk to overhear how much a group of girls loved another girl's new haircut. Ahhh yes, my noisy, screaming, running, boy loving ladies are back! The sounds that would drive some crazy are soothing to me now because it means all is well in Shupe and the love continues for another semester.

in sickness and more sickness

For the past week I have had a wretched form of the stomach flu ! I must give thanks to the makers of diet 7-up and to the makers of wheat thins. Those items have been my friends for the past few days, though I hope to never consume them again.

Whilst lying around I was afforded a great opportunity to pay tribute to my sometimes forgotten videotapes. I enjoy technology, but I scoff at the idea of giving up my VCR and replacing my videos with DVDs (at least until I see them in the $5 bin at Wal-mart).

Here are some of my favorite videos that I haven't been able to give up:
Necessary Roughness (was nice to watch after my beloved Colts lost this weekend)
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Far and Away
Never Been Kissed
The Rock
Ever After
Speed
High Crimes
Sleepless in Seattle
Clueless-don't judge it is a classic from my time!

Torn between love and hate

This morning I got up early for one of my most loved and most hated Saturday morning activities-running! My running buddies and I hibernated during the past few freezing weeks; today we strapped on our shoes and got moving! I loved and hated it!
I hate running because it hurts, getting up early to be in pain is craziness an makes me question my sanity. I love running because it is great therapy. Long talks with my buddies while we are pounding the pavement is a good way to start the day. There is nothing better than the rubbery feeling my legs get after a long run. I cut out a page from one of my magazines that says

'I keep running because it lets me be selfish. It is the one thing I do that's just for me, and nobody else. FYI, I never thought this being-selfish-thing could take so much discipline.'

My love for running continues to outweigh everything else at least for now! My next race is the Shamrock Shuffle is Chicago-strap of your shoes and come join us!

Here goes...

My first blog-how exciting! You must have the same thrill and probably have goosebumps raised due to excitement as well. I can hear you now...

'What will she say?'

'How much wisdom will she dispense?'

'Oh we'll learn so much! Glorious Day!'

Ah yes, you are excited! I am so sorry that I will surely disappoint. Yes that is right-I have no clue what to blog about? I do not lead an exciting life, I am not that intelligent and I rarely have things to say that others should listen to. But alas I vow to try! Here goes...