As nice as it is to be on vacation, I can't help but feel a bit restless.  I'm actually glad that July is almost over because that means I get to start school stuff soon.  Ahhh, something to do!  My contract will be written up and signed next Wednesday; next Thursday I will be doing some informal orientation with my new principal.  Hopefully I can finish up wedding stuff mid-month and then formal orientation begins towards the end of the month.  Woo hoo!  I love a full calendar.  And I'm really excited about my job.  It's just too good to be true.

 

Tonight is our Engagement/Housewarming party.  I'm pretty excited.  It will be a GU reunion of sorts, which should be tons of fun.  I'll try to take photos and post 'em.  Hopefully I can stick to munching on fruit and avoid catastrophe at my weigh-in tomorrow morning.

I've posted two pictures of me in recently purchased shoes.  The first picture shows off my new heeled sandals and the Ann Taylor dress I'm gonna wear to the shower.  The second one features my new red heels.  Check out the pointy toes!

I never used to be a big shopper.  I didn't enjoy shopping for clothes because I didn't like the way I looked.  I didn't enjoy shopping for shoes because they never fit.  And for some reason I was never really that interested in handbags or jewelry.  But now that I've lost weight and gained employment, all I want to do is shop.  I bought two purses and two pairs of shoes this weekend.  And none of which are black!

 

I think "What Not to Wear" is also a contributing factor...

My life was forever changed in 2002 when I moved to Providence, Rhode Island.  I had just graduated from college and wanted to do something that involved "making the world a better place" and art.  Luckily, I discovered AmeriCorps and, more specifically, the International Gallery for Heritage and Culture.  By the end of my year of service, I was completely convinced that I wanted to become an art teacher.  However, after being turned down by Rhode Island College's art educator program, I decided to widen my scope.  Maybe being a kindergarten teacher would be just as wonderful as being an art teacher?...  So, I got my elementary education degree (making sure to add on supporting endorsements in art and drama) and became a kindergarten teacher.  It was good.  I genuinely liked it.  And then something happened that I never would have predicted:  I applied for a multi-arts specialist position at Maple Elementary in Seattle and got the job!

 

Things I can check off the To Do List:

A job for Brandon

Move to Seattle

Set up new apartment

A job for me

 

All that's left on the To Do List:

Plan wedding

Get married 

Since we moved back to the west coast, I have been on a non-stop tour of fun.  I went back down to Portland last weekend (with Brandon this time) and had a great time with Ella, Ashley, Dan and my family.  And yesterday I spent some quality time with all of my "teacher friends". 

 

Amidst all of this visiting, Brandon and I are trying to get some wedding stuff done.  We started on invitations while we were down in Portland.  I had a vision of red, sparkly tri-folds made of cardstock, and that's exactly what we found at the Paper Zone.  And they're pre-made!  I don't have to build them myself with an exacto knife and glue!  We've also been thinking about the whole honeymoon thing.  We want to go to Paris, but I think it would be better to go in the spring when we're rested up and ready to make the most of it.  So, after talking about spas, cruises and taking the clipper to Victoria, we somehow came up with Vegas.  For me, it's got everything a cruise has to offer, sans motion-sickness, for less money.  I can shop, get spa treatments, eat really good food, and lounge in an uber classy room.  Not to mention all of the shows!  Heaven! 

I am only 10 lbs away from my lowest weight (as an adult).  The last time I weighed this much, I was always hungry and cranky - a bad combination.  Today I feel very satisfied (after a turkey sandwich and yogurt), energized and happy. 

 

Now we are off to get tickets for Superman Returns.  I owe Brandon because he took me to see "The Lake House."  (Hey, I liked it, and I don't care what anyone else says!)  After that we are going to Whole Foods so that I can pick up some food for a picnic-style lunch with Kerry tomorrow at the airport!  I haven't seen Kerry since last summer when she, Brandon and I got our hair cut en mass at the Greenwood Academy of Hair.  Good times!