I know you want to see the new place, right?

Jackie's ready to move! She did this while I was packing up some kitchen stuff today.

Today was the big day! ...sort of. We got the keys. Our bathtub is being redone tomorrow and we can't use it for 3 days. That's okay because we're not getting our truck until the 3rd and not moving the "big stuff" until the 4th. We dropped off some books, CDs and DVDs, though, to get them out of the way.

View from the door.

Living room/dining room rooms.

Back living room/dining room. I'm pretty sure this will have a couch and tv and whatnot.

First bedroom by the door. This will probably be our computer room/study/whatever.

Second bedroom, closer to the back. This will probably be our bedroom because it's larger and doesn't get full on sun, so it keeps nice and cool.

Bathroom, in between two bedrooms.

View from the back of the apartment to the front.


The kitchen. That wooden thing attached to the wall is a table that folds up and down.

The pantry.

Front porch. We have a back porch, too, but I didn't take a picture of it.

my kalamazoo

So, Leanne and Diana both did this, and I thought it looked fun. I did mine on my home town Kalamazoo because even though I could probably fill a lot of this out about Williamburg, I only lived here two years and don't really feel like an "insider". Plus, not a lot of people outside of Kalamazoo know about it and a lot of people that read this blog are from (or spent a good chunk of their 18-30 year old years) there and could add to anything I forgot. Now, for those of you still living in Kzoo, I understand that some things may no longer be there, but I'm basing this on what was there when I lived there.

My Kalamazoo: Alison

My age: 25

Occupation: Teacher

I lived here for: 23 years

I lived here because: I was born there and then went to college there.

My neighborhood: Westnedge Hill, then Vine (aka, the Student Ghetto, but I hate when people refer to it that way because there are not only students there.)

My favorite restaurant: So many! Saffron for Indian food, Big Burrito for Mexican (especially late at night), Crow's Nest for breakfast, Shawarma King for Arabic food, Food Dance for organic/farmer-friendly food.

If you go to this restaurant, be sure to order: Saffron: saffron rice and garlic naan. Big Burrito: their nachos and tacos. Crow's Nest: The Old Standby. Shawarma King: anything!! Food Dance: anything they have on special, anything off their breakfast menu and do not miss their desserts!

My favorite museum: I'm pretty sure there's only one major museum in town, and it's pretty cool. Does anyone remember when the museum was above the library? That was awesome except that I was always so freaked out by the mummy (For those of you that have never been to Kzoo: our museum has a mummy and she was featured on Reading Rainbow. I know! We're so famous, right?)

My favorite tourist destination: For that,you'd have to go outside of Kalamazoo and go to some of the amazing campgrounds, some of the millions of smaller lakes or cities/towns on Lake Michigan. I always liked South Haven because it was the closest and least like a big yacht club. Plus, there's this one bakery we always went to... oh, I miss that bakery.

Best insider spot: The bars and coffeeshops. Bell's for Bell's beer (duh! and their outside area--beautiful!), Green Top for cheap beer and amazing bartenders (it's like being served by your grandparents!), O'Duffy's for lambic and the BEST margaritas EVER for a good price, Metro for a gay friendly, diverse atmosphere where the non-dance floor area is nice & quiet, Kraftbrau (I don't think it's open anymore, but whatever) for good beer, sangria, wine, and a show, Shakespeare's for trivia while you're drinking. I'm probably forgetting one. I'm leaving Bilbo's off of this cause I haven't been to the new one yet, and I loved the old one, where you had to drink in the basement. Anyway, the coffeeshop scene in Kzoo is ridiculous. Screw Starbucks, we have Fourth Coast (best coffee and Crow's Nest right upstairs), Water Street (best desserts!) and, of course, Rocket Star (I just love it because I worked there for so long).

My favorite area: The Vine neighborhood, downtown.

Best place to go shopping: Downtown in the "pedestrian" mall.

When you visit, don’t forget to pack: At least one thing you can use for any type of weather: a sweater, snow boots, umbrella, swim suit. It can switch on you, don't be fooled.

But leave room in your suitcase for: Great vintage clothes from Poly & Ester's and retro candy and sodapop from Tommy's, Bell's beer, and TONS of used books from Kazoo Books I & II (I have not found another used book store like it).

The one local cuisine you should try when you’re in town is: Food from Shawarma King. Michigan is lucky enough to have one of the largest Arabic populations in the U.S., Kalmazoo has a good international student population and I miss the food soo much.

The best way to get around: Moped, bicycle or feet!

If I had to describe this city in one word, it would be: Surprising.

I tell my friends to stay at: My parents house! :)

The one thing most outsiders don’t know about this city is: even though it seems small, it has an amazing array of things to do. The Art Hop, all the different fests in the summer (Greek, Island, Rib, Blues...), the Doo Dah parade, the different groups of people you can get to know, the dance companies (okay, okay, I'm only referring to one: Ballet Arts!), the different coffee shops, the music scene, the bars, the brewerys, St Julian wine... so much to do! And it is NOT cold all the time.

They say “Virginia is for lovers.” So fill in the blank: This is difficult, I can't really think of something good. Kalamazoo is for people who want to explore what a smaller city can offer?

Did I forget anything?

This made me kinda homesick. I was hoping to find a way to Kalamazoo this summer (because nothing beats a few summer days in Kalamazoo/Michigan), but I'm not sure if it's going to happen because of the move to Richmond. Flying would be way too expensive. I could take a train, which would be pretty cheap, but that's 20 hours by my self. I could drive, but no one to drive that 12-14 hours with, because David would be working. Poop. I guess I'll just have to wait until Christmas.

then why am i their mascot?

Yesterday was my first day with no school, no visitors, no David--just me at home with just the cats. I woke up late, lounged around, finished my small to do list, watched some movies on Netflix's Watch Instantly... not much. When David came home, we talked about how the cats were probably enjoying having one of us home all the time, which somehow brought us to the idea that we needed a cat nanny. I tried to remember the conversation to share it, but I can't even figure out how it came up. I do remember doing an impersonation of how us having cat nanny would be like... but it was that kind of "you had to be there" funny...

It's been weird being on summer vacation again. I have to remember what I learned last summer: how to do little during the day and not become restless. It's difficult because summer nights always makes me want to go out with friends, but the few friends I have here in Virginia are not in Williamsburg--not exactly easy to call them up and say, "hey, let's do something!".
Last night, I got sucked into watching a Jon and Kate Plus 8 mini marathon. I didn't like that show at first, but both Megan and Natalie mentioned it recently, and nothing else was on (it was... uhh... after midnight. Hey! I'm on vacation!), so I gave it another chance. OMG. So addicting.
Today, I've read out on the porch while the cats napped, watched the fluffy clouds go by, gone grocery shopping, ate a salad and drank coffee (bloom has really good coffee! Something I learned while Katy, Mike and AJ were here), made oatmeal toffee bars (LOTS OF THEM!), listening to two episodes of This American Life (I'm so behind with the podcasts!) and StoryCorps and now I'm waiting for David to come home so we can go sign our lease in front of a notary, do our laundry, and finish The Tudors.

I realized that I did forget to mention one thing that Megan and I did while she was here: made TONS of references to one of our favorite YouTube-er, mittymoo. Between the "Come see the treeeee!", "my son is gay. my son is gay?", "he's here! he's gay! get used to it!", and "where you takin meeee? no, don't tell me! i want to be surprised!..... where are you takin meeee?", my parents probably thought we'd both gone batty.
I think I still love this one the most:

it's impossible to be unhappy in a poncho

So, Mom, Dad, Megan, Katy, Mike, and AJ were all here sometime between the 15th and the 21st. Whew!

What we did:
-Ate at Retro's, Blue Talon, the Cheese Shop, Chik-Fil-A (there are none in Michigan), California Pizza Kitchen... I can't remember where else. LOTS of good food.
-Gave dad his Father's Day gift (Tiger Woods Golf for Wii--he loved it)
-Went to the Sunday night movie on Price George St.
-Went to Macarthur Center for Body Shop and H&M goodness (oh my, do I love H&M--that was my bday present from my parents)
-Played mini golf while mom got her Mother's Day massage (she said it was the best ever)
-Went to Jamestown
-Went to Richmond
-Went to Busch Gardens (David and I now have a Fun Pass and we're looking forward to going back again and again and again... and again...), but sadly, the rides were shut down about an hour and a half early due to a storm, so we left.
-Tried out new recipes, made by master chefs Megan and Ruth (mom).
-Drank St Julian wine and lots of good beer. Also, had a pomegranate margarita. Deeelicious.
-Played Things (Dad wanted to know what the Canadians sent me for Xmas-- looove it) and introduced AJ to Apples to Apples
-Played Wii!! OMG. They brought down everything, including Mario Kart and Wii Fit, as well as this other game full of carnival games (difficult, but addicting). David and I have been thinking more and more seriously about getting a Wii, mostly for Mario and Wii Fit.
-Went swimming, scared Megan by floating up beside her in the pool.
-Made lots of Mighty Boosh references and sang many of the songs.
-Laughed until our stomachs and cheeks ached over the Creepy Traveler.
-Counted quilted bags and the amount quilted bag conventions (when 2 or more women in a group of women have a quilted bag).
-Saw The Happening-- HORRIBLE! What the hell M. Night Shamalan?!

Did I forget something? Probably. I think I got it all though.

My birthday was absolutely wonderful because they were here, there was lots of good food, lots of laughter and lots of new clothes.

tiding you over

75% of the people that read this blog are with me this week, so I've been busy running around with them (and playing the Wii they brought with them. BTW-- Wii Fitness and Mario Kart are AWESOME).
Ohh yeah, AND CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAAAAY, HEEEYYYY! I'm a quarter-century. CRAZY!

So, I'll have pictures and crap when they're gone on Saturday and I'm left to my first full week with no school, no visitors and lots of time to blog, read and do whatever I want.

But in the meantime...
Here are the rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you 5 questions of a very personal nature.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

Cherie gave me these... questions...:
1.) So the South. It's great, right?
It is! I like it. More sun, more smiling people, and history galore!

2.) What is your favorite flower IN THE WORLD? What is your favorite flower that is NOT OF THIS WORLD?
Daisies are my favorite flower in the world. Not of this world? What kind of space age talk is that? Does that mean I can make up my own flower? Or I can say my favorite flower from Jupiter/Saturn?

3.) Tell me about your magics.
My magics are full of everything Harry Potter and nothing that is involved with Twilight. But maybe I just said that cause I'm so tired of hearing about Twilight (don't kill me Twilight fans, nooooo!). But, in all seriousness, my magics come from my two beautiful cats, whom I dedicate all my life and love to. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS BUT MY CATS. What? How did I get here?

4.) What flavors describe your personality?
Mint chocolate chip. That's it. That's all you need, really. Minty coolness with the richness of chocolate.

5.) Name my boobs!
Fred and Gertrude. You get to pick which sides go to which name.

am i 25 already?!

By the way, I forgot to let you know that today, June 7, is "The Pill Kills Day". I mean, did you know the pill kills 9 day old children? I sure didn't. Wow. That's a powerful pill. I guess I should let my parents know that they already missed my birthday by about nine months. What jerks.

It wouldn't be so bad for those kind of pro-lifers (and I say "those kind" because I know there are pro-life people out there who do not oppose the b.c. pill) to protest the pill along with abortion, but a lot of them also just don't seem to care what happens to the child after it's born. For example, there is a Planned Parenthood in Sarasota that wanted to give Habitat for Humanity enough land for 3 houses and charge them only $10. Habitat for Humanity was harassed by pro-life folks, so they end up backing out of the deal. What about those kids? I could rant about this, but what's the point? Most of the people that read this blog (that I know about) know me well enough to know what I'll say.

best ever

"She's a teacher, I'm a genius and you're all tools." --Bryan, on why he figured out my response while we played Things
Earlier, he was asking me, "what if my whole family is murdered and I have no one and I only have your email address?" because I told them I would give them my email address if they felt they needed it for letters of recommendation next year, but not my phone number. I laughed and told him, "I'm pretty sure you can find someone else to take you in besides your English teacher of 2 years that lives 2 hours away."

My 1st and 7th bells are done. They were incredibly excited for the end of the year "party", loved their awards and cards and said thank you about a dozen times each. It all went smoother than I thought, which is great.
Graduation was at 3, so basically right after school. It was hot outside, but thankfully cool inside. They read the names quick and graduation was over in an hour. I gave a lot of my graduates hugs, told them I was proud of them and if they ever needed anything, to let me know.

A lot of my students are excited to now be able to add me on Myspace now. I never really use my myspace anymore, mostly using Facebook, and they use it consistently. For them, it's like having someone's email address. They don't use email, unless it's to see their myspace notifications. They use myspace as a way to contact everyone they've ever met. Before they add me, I remind them that they cannot put or do anything stupid on my page, I can see what they do on theirs (implication: I don't want to see your naked body on your myspace, mmkay?) and they cannot be a current student of mine and try to add me as a friend. I have let students contact me through myspace during the school year to ask questions about work, but not add them as friends if I have them in a class. Like I said, a lot of them don't use email (I gave a few of the students I'm close with and a lot that I've had for 2 years that, too, though), they use myspace to contact people. I never quite realized how dependent some of them are on it before this year. It's amazing how much myspace has changed the way younger kids communicate online.