Monday, November 2, 2009

My quiet Halloween weekend.

Hello, friends! I've missed you all so much since my last post! I'm convinced that my instructors are all plotting a way to remove every interest and hobby from my life other than teaching. And for this week, they've succeeded. My craft desk is looking very lonely, and my etsy shop is in bad need of some TLC. I turn my assignments in on time and I always do my very best work, so it's not like I'm slacking or falling behind. It's just that I've been swamped with all this work and am finding very little time for anything else. I did, however, enjoy a nice cozy weekend and I wanted to share some photos with you before I go catch up on all of your blogs.

I got home from school on Friday after spending all day in the third grade classroom where I'm doing my internship. I've been receiving all kinds of little gifts and pictures from my students, and every single one is a treasure to me. Here you will see an adorable Halloween card that was made for me by what I'm pretty sure is one of the sweetest little girls I've ever met.



Perhaps you noticed that spending my days in an elementary classroom gives me messy hair, sleepy eyes, and terrible posture. But that's okay, because it also provides me with a genuine smile on my face as well as a sense of having found my mission in life. And I wouldn't trade that for all the hairbrushes or straight spines in the world.

We really didn't leave the house very much, other than to stock up on enough junk food to last the weekend and get some gas. While I was at the gas station, I noticed that there were about a billion blackbirds gathered on the power lines above the intersection.



It was interesting to see so many of them hanging out by the light of the moon, talking about whatever it is that birds talk about.



Then we went home and lit a fire. It wasn't really even that cold (I think it was 52 degrees), but it was more about atmosphere.



As the fire crackled, we curled up on the couch to watch one of our favorite scary movies- Alien.



In case you ever questioned the extent of my nerdiness, now you know. I am a full-on, science-fiction-watching nerd. And Lieutenant Ellen Ripley (aka Sigourney Weaver) is my hero.



Because anyone who can wield a machine gun and protect a little girl at the same time is pretty hardcore in my book. I ate junk food and candy as I watched one of my favorite heroines kick some serious extraterrestrial ass, then I passed out in a sugar-induced stupor.

When I woke up on Saturday morning, this little guy was enjoying a nice breakfast on my balcony, courtesy of the DIY squirrel feeder I made.



And tonight, I've got plans to spend some quality time with my craft supplies. That's right, Hello Kitty lunchbox containing my stash of polymer clay, you and I have a date. Taking the time to forget about school and assignments in an effort to tap into my creative side is not only fun, it's also necessary. I just don't feel like myself unless I get at least a small break every once in a while for some "me time".

What do you prefer to do with your free time?

26 comments:

Audrey said...

Wonderful pictures! Love that squirrel :)
If I was in a class with a bunch of kids, I'd be in a mental institute! Have to have respect for people who can do that day after day!
Hat's off to you!!

Brian Burke said...

Love the pics, great shot of the birds, what an eye for composition! Your little friends are cool, wow, a card, looks rewarding.

We vegged out in bed all day Sunday, first time in many years. The cats loved it, dog protested a bit.

Brigid said...

Low-key Halloweens are the best, as are kid gifts. I miss that about working with little ones. I love Alien, too. Such a great, creepy movie.

Grey and I have watched the DVDs of Twin Peaks, and it's a really cool show. You should check them out sometime if you're curious. My character is the sultry bad girl. :)

Ink Obsession Designs said...

I so love that pic of the birds. That is just crazy!

Pili said...

You are amazing Holly! I'm really glad to hear you are enjoying your time with the kids!!

My goodness, such a cute CUTE squirrel!!

I'm glad to hear you had a quiet and crafty weekend!

Raven said...

You will be a great teacher Holly! I love getting handmade things from kids too. :) PS-I'm glad you liked my hip-witch idea!

Melody Sage said...

Fabulous bird pictures! I love candy filled sci fi movie weekends. My husband and I often do the same thing. We're geeky, but happy:)

Wasted Wishes said...

Oh, I love those bird pictures! You're so good at getting amazing shots.

Lemon Shortbread said...

aww how sweet!! those little gifts sure makes one's heart fuzzy! the bird pictures looks surreal I wonder what the birdies are chatting about?

Rose said...

That halloween card is so sweet. I bet the students just love you!
In my free time I usually catch up on everyones blogs-like now. Im pretty much to tired to do anything much else after an early morning at placement.

Rose

Robin Thomas said...

You teaching third grade? Keeping your clay in a Hello Kitty lunch box? Wearing orange to your classroom for Halloween?

This gives me insight into who you are. And I am loving it!

Briana Shepley said...

Aside from a Halloween party Friday night (where I rocked the teabag - trust me, the dirty jokes were aplenty! :), we had a pretty lowkey weekend as well! LOTS of movie watching and jewelry making...my kind of weekend :)

devonrose said...

Hey girl! So happy to hear that your intership is going so well! You look awesome and so happy! I'm sure all the kids just adore you (and I'm sure all the little boys have their first crushes on you too)

Isaac and I watched The Evil Dead on Halloween. Devon was busy playing with books and blocks, but of course started watching right when Ash was chopping up some zombie girl...she's like "UH-OH..OH NO!" Poor thing, I hope she doesn't get nightmares from it.

Totally put us down for a squirrel if you make some more...they are too cute, Devon must have one:)
xx

Rheea said...

It's good to know you've found something you love to do, Holly! I'm sure you feel inspire going to school everyday now. I'm still searching for my soul purpose. Though I love what I'm doing now (selling my art and craft), I need something more fulfilling.

Hehe.. now I discovered one more thing we have in common - we both love JUNK FOOD! Dark chocolate, chips, ice cream. Yummy! :D

Anonymous said...

I so wish we lived closer, I bet we could have a lot of fun together, being home bugs. LOL.

Lovely fire, and I love those pictures of the birds on the power lines... something tells me I need to upgrade to reality and get a camera phone.

alexkeller said...

y'know, we're all still here, and will be whenever you get around to us. hope it's mutual :)

JUST ME said...

I just can't wait Alien. Whenever I do, my stomach hurts for a week.

cabin + cub said...

Love your birds on a wire pic! Beautiful.
Reminds me of this great video someone made, where they correlated the position of real birds on a wire to musical notes... check it out!
http://vodpod.com/watch/2155079-every-good-bird-does-fine-edward-champions-reluctant-habits

Amy Perrotti said...

Glad you are getting in some creative time. Here's a little secret- I love polymer clay too. I make little foods for my daughters playhouse. :)

Heather said...

aw, sorry to hear you've been swamped, hope you'll get some time to breathe. But i know you're having so much fun with those kiddies, you're going to be an awesome teacher!!!

lollywood said...

i loved when i worked with girl scouts and getting pictures and drawings from my kids! they were so cute! i would keep all of them! :)

The Little Miss said...

I’m new here to your blog and wanted to “pop” in to say hi! : )
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Xo
Priscila

Jonesy said...

the bird pics look like sheet music, well to me anyway :P

Lolo Sinclair said...

Love all the pictures Holly! The squirrel is so cute and the birds are amazing. Good shot! :-) When I have free time I love to make some craft with my daughter, I also love to hear good music.

Hugs*

Lolo :-)

Tasha said...

I spend my free time reading my friends' blogs. Obviously. =)

Children of the 90s said...

I love the pictures of the birds! How cool!