Not Senioritis

...Someone inadvertently reminded me that it's called Spring Fever. It's when us public educators and health care professionals in the public schools are all burnt out and the kids feel our pain -- they are just as ready for Summer Break, too.

I can't say I have much time this week to kick back, though. By the end of this week, I will have participated/held 7 IEPs in 4 days. Thank goodness I had a really awesome weekend that kicked off this week.

On Saturday, my brother and FBIL hosted a party at their place to announce our getting married/semi-elopement. Many wonderful friends came by -- including those whom we hardly see! The Reunion Award went out to our fabulous friends, John and Kasra -- my bro and I haven't seen them since we first met in 2003! Some of my grad school classmates showed up, including one I met from post-bacc who now has an adorable baby girl. Dear BSILF and Lukey made a fabulous guest appearance, as well. It was sOoOOoO much fun to hang out with our friends.

Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures. The featured item was a bar that Bro picked up for $10 and Lulu dressed up real chic. To complete it, Hubby bartended the whole time. It was awesome! Amongst other cocktails, Hubby made some delicious Surfer on Acid of which I had 2 of and didn't get all woozy. We had quite a yummy BBQ and spread, including Death Dogs! That was our big featured menu item. Ironically, Hubby and I didn't even partake in any after all our hype.

By night-time, I was so exhausted! Earlier in the week, I asked Hubby how old he felt and he said 27. He asked me in return and I said, "I feel like I'm 25." I might have to say I actually feel like 49...It was only like 10 PM or something when I crashed on the sofa while our last two guests, Double D, chatted it up with Hubby!

Hump Day Happy Hour

Bro and I chatted when I was on my way home and he asked me, "What are you doing tonight?" I said in a no-nonsense tone, "Watching America's Next Top Model at 8." He said, "Ai-ya! Come with me to happy hour at the Daily Grill!"

How could I resist? The way he asked me sounded kind of suspicious though so I asked him, "Who else is going?" He said, "My friend Jillian is starting a new job as [bro's former boss'] assistant." So I came home and chillaxed a bit before Bro picked me up.

I had a wild day with the kiddos so I was relieved to be home and excited about happy hour. Crazy DA and CV really tested me today. I had to let my alter-ego, Ms. Chanel, take over and lay the rules down. BF called in the midst of the mayhem b/c, sparing many details, DA had dialed BF's number on my cell. BF called twice, thinking I must have had an emergency, so I had to pick up on the second call. I told him that everything was okay, and then stopped and pointed directly at CV and said, "WORK," and then looked and pointed at DA and said, "WORK." BF was like, "What is going on??" "I'll call you back after." Right when I hung up, DA said with a devilish smile, "You're mad huh?"

If I was a cartoon character, I'd have the steam blowing out of my ears! I also know how DA is, so I couldn't give him the satisfaction of upsetting me. Instead, I looked at him, ignored his question, and took his picture that he had so politely asked me to laminate. [Bro later said, "you should have taken his picture and tore it up right in front of him!" LOL That would have been too cruel, though!] "I will hold onto this until next week." He was stunned and then said, "What! That's messed up. And I told people that we were friends." Friends?!?! LOLOL I couldn't hold a grudge.

Still, he was acting up and not wanting to do work so I ignored him and helped CV. The kid got even crazier. All that kept running through my mind was how I've been using the behavior management strategies that I use with my 320s, with these crazy ones! I even tried a little "Quiet Sitting" stint. DA was at my board screwing around and then he turned around and asked, "Can I go to the bathroom?" Fully suspecting that he was trying to ditch speech, I said, "If you can sit down in your chair for ONE minute, then you can go." He lingered at the board for a few more seconds and then said, "I really need to go!" "Well, as soon as you sit down for one minute, then you can go." He sat down (small victory for me)...for probably 5 seconds and then he got up again. "Oh, I guess you're not going to the bathroom." Somehow, my persistence (and pre-ABA skills) paid off; I plowed through with his craziness and got him to do a page of work!

But before he left, he gave me and my other students a "gift," if you will. He politely asked if he could put this picture up on my board (I put up pictures that my students draw for me). I said, "yes" without really looking at it.
After he put it up, he said, "This is to scare all of your other students." I thought, Great! I doubt it'll scare my other students, but it definitely scares me!!

And that was only my second session of the morning (the first being with J320 who kept kicking me during Quiet Sitting). By the end of the day, I was sure as heck ready for happy hour.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Bro and I got to Daily Grill, he introduced me to the superstar of the evening. I was expecting a girl, but apparently, I had misheard my bro and stood corrected when I introduced myself to a guy.

Lots of good food and drinks were to be had. Bro's former assistant asked me, "Do you like coming to these things?" I truthfully told her that I kind of do b/c 1) complimentary delicious food (and drinks) and 2) it's very entertaining to chat with people "in the industry" as an outsider. It's easy for me to strike up a conversation with most of the people b/c socializing is practically a pre-requisite skill in the industry. As for me, I can talk anyone's ears off as that is my "specialty."

As I snarfed down delicious appetizers, my bro and I exchanged little laughs in-between our social exchanges with other people. Like when he couldn't remember the name of the girl with a mole. He kept telling me that she had a very diva-ish, celebrity-like name, "like Shakira or something" he said. The funny thing is that the girl came over and was like, "OMG! I haven't seen you in so long!" Bro introduced me so I took that as my cue to ask what her name was. Turns out her name is very similar to Madonna. Then she totally called him out on not remembering her name but he totally tried to play it off. I don't think she was convinced...as I quietly laughed to myself!

Then there was the annoying drunk guy who was crashing every social exchange for a free round. He kept bumping into us, stepping on our feet, and jabbing his fork into our delicious dishes. Thank goodness he didn't ask to sample my hazelnut crusted mahi mahi; I would've had to throw him down!

Afterwards, bro asked if I had fun. Of course I did. I always do with bro!

The "We Made It!" Party

Dude, I cannot say this enough -- summer vacation rules!

Yesterday, my bro brought FBIL and I down to the Del Mar Race Track to see some horsies and have a nice Sunday lunch. We ate at the Veranda Cafe...but it was pretty wild up in there. Apparently, "The highlight of the race season is the 17th running of the $1 million Pacific Classic. This Grade 1 race features the nation's top horses competing for a $1 million purse." I kept hearing talk about a million dollars, but unfortunately, we walked away with nothing but a nice, refreshing lunch. Oh! And an awesome giveaway! We all got a fleece pullover! We said hello to some of my brother's friends (former co-workers) and then made our way back to L.A. (with a brief stop at Ikea for some frames for my bro's rabbit posters. :)

When we got back, we went to Downtown Culver City for some Coldstone Creamery (coffee with Twix. So goooOOoOooood!) Afterwards, we chillaxed a bit back at their apartment and then headed to 3rd Street to watch "Transformers," since FBIL hadn't seen it yet.

BF asked if watching "Transformers" again was just as good as the first time. I still enjoyed it, of course, but when the crowd is not as lively or reactive, it kinda kills the energy. My mind even wandered a little bit during the movie...but the main thoughts were, "summer vacation rules! What an exciting day I had!" Dude, I even got home at 1 A.M. and slept at 3! It is awesome to not be a student any more. :D

This morning, I went to school to get my TB results (negative -- phew!) and complete my Livescan for Calif. licensure. I was a bit perturbed at how long everything took (I get so cranky when it is 100 degrees or more.) What can I say -- I had an important party to attend!

CHK hosted the "We Made It!" party at her lovely home. Their home is truly fabulous -- complete with gorgeous gardens, 2 wonderful doggies, and a beautiful mini-grand piano! Of course the best part was the company (and the decadent lunch). We had a wonderfully relaxing afternoon just chatting and eating. We even played some games!

Which brings me to 2 embarrassments of the day:

1. We played Taboo and dude, I know I suck, but holy snikeys, I didn't know I sucked that much. I was truly embarrassed. When it was my turn to describe "knot," "won ton," and "scenery," I failed at knot and barely helped my classmate get the last two...while people were getting like 7+ points in the same time. How sad! It's things like these that make BF tease, "You embarrass me!" (Truly, it is not meant in a mean way. At least I think...It's just that he knows me all to well!)
2. When we were leaving, I asked CHK how much piano lessons run these days. When she said b/t $30-70/hr, I was astounded at how "cheap" lessons are. I said how mine used to be $125 waaaay back in the day. After 5 minutes of unnecessary confusion, I realized that I paid $125/month. Duh!

I have a theory as to why those embarrassing moments happen. I blame it on the heat. For reals, I think my brain gets fried when I am exposed to 90 degrees + heat. It's like my brain cells get burned and I can't think right. Of course this doesn't explain other "duh" moments, but I definitely feel out of my element when my brain has been overheated.

Thank goodness I don't get heat strokes any more. I just get Fried Brain Syndrome. :(