"And you told us to decide what we want today/ But I don't know"

Happy New Year! Okay, so I am a little late on that but hey, at least it is still January. I was going to write a post about how I suck at New Year's Resolutions. I think since I was eight years old it has been to stop biting my nails. This year, I lasted about a day. But then I watched a particularly intense episode of Dexter and all hope was lost. Then it was to write a blog post every day for a year. Then before I knew it, it was January 2nd. Fail. Maybe I can try again in February. And my other usual one is the cliched eat better/work out more. Then Snowpocalypse 2011 hit the DAY I was going to start so that meant I couldn't go outside and we only had nonperishables in the house so what can you do?

I worked on the book some today. Still editing. I know. It's a long, tedious process. As I've said, I work at a Preschool. And apparently I like trendy names because the two main characters I have in my book are the names of kids in my class. But that's okay, they are cute kids, I don't feel like I have to change them. But the name of the girl everyone hates in the book is unfortunately the name of one of my girls too. Oh no. At first I thought I would just power through it but now I really feel bad. So the hunt is on for a new name. It's hard picking a name you like but for a "bad" character. I've already said how I have strong connotations to names. Angelina-- Jolie (Did you know that was the 86th most popular name in 2010? Seriously?) Amelia--- Earhart. Mariah-- Carey. And those are just celebrity ones. Throw in the names of kids at work, friends of my nieces, cousins, and it gets tricky. And I can't pick a name I hate because I am still going to be using it. I care way too much about trivial stuff. But it's not trivial in the scheme of things. Or at least that is what I am going to tell myself. So the search continues. I'll let you know what I decide.... maybe.

"Up on the rooftop/ Reindeer pause/ Out jumps good old Santa Claus"

I may have done something awful to my kids today. But I may also be absolutely brilliant.

Between the freezing weather and their specials (spanish, science, music) being cancelled, the kids and I are spending A LOT of time in our room. I understand that Christmas is coming and they are getting a little stir crazy and being in a 16x16 foot room is finally taking its toll. That being said they have been OUT OF CONTROL these past few days. I hit a desperate moment earlier today. And the following ensued:

One of the other teachers walked by the door carrying some jingle bells for a craft. All of my kids backs were turned so they didn't SEE who was the cause of the jingling. And I may have gasped and said "I just saw Santa peek into our room!" All of the kids may have gotten whiplash as they turned to see if he was still there. But unfortunately he wasn't. But then I took it a step further and said I saw him write down on a list the kids who were being nice and listening and sitting criss-cross applesauce and being good. He also wrote down the kids who were being naughty and flopping around on the floor and talking while the teacher was talking and not being on their best behavior. They could hear still the jingling down the hall. I definitely saw some doubt on the kids' faces but there was a glimmer of "What if she is telling the truth and he saw me being naughty?" Let's just say they were all sitting criss-cross applesauce from that point forward.

Brilliant or cruel? I'll let you decide. Then if you vote cruel, I will gladly let you come into my room and take the reins for a few hours and we'll see what tricks you have up your sleeve.

My only regret is not coming up with this in November. Have my assistant jingle some bells outside the door a couple times a week when things were getting rough. I'm a genius.

"I did it/ do you think I've gone too far/ I did it/ Guilty as charged"

I did it! I did it! Thirty days of blogging! DONE! I may have quit ballet, gymnastics, the violin, that one art class I took, majoring in advertising, and trying to run long (really any) distances but I did this!!! Didn't think I could but I did. This gives me new hope and confidence that I can post more often on here even when I'm exhausted from being surrounded by kids all day. So I'll try to post more regularly. Maybe twice a week. A tiny little thought in the back of my mind says try to do it every day for a year but I don't think I have enough to say. I know, hard to believe. But I promise to try to write more often. Thanks for being along for the ride. It was fun slash stress inducing when I realized my bedtime was drawing near and I hadn't written anything that day. Still. Fun times.

P I'm an idiot. It was a month on the 8th. Oh well. Two bonus posts on top for good luck. Or one step closer to the year long goal?! Nahhhh, just don't think I can. But we'll see.

"Baby you gotta know that I'm just out here/ ... I'm taking these chances"

I hate to say it, but the quality of The Office has declined in recent seasons. I don't know if they are just running out of ideas or steam or what but it just has not been the same. I've read people blame the union of Jim and Pam but I don't agree. I LOVED when they finally got together. But it's like the writers no longer knew what to do with them so they just made them unlikeable. Pam... I mean whatever. She was an idiot with the whole not choosing Jim for years thing. I could take her or leave her. But Jim! Jim! I love him. And sometimes I just cringe for what they are making John Krasinski do on the show. Who knows? His movie career is increasing so maybe he wants off. But most certainly Steve Carell does. Especially in tonight's episode (Classy Christmas) I noticed how much older he looks; so drained like he is over this whole deal and can't wait to get out the door.

I'm not saying I am giving up the show. I saw glimpses of the old goodness in tonight's episode. I just want Jim and Pam to likable again. And Andy to be hilarious (talk about an evolution! I hated that guy and now he might be my ultimate favorite). And why are they trying to make everyone hate Oscar all of the sudden? Just find your old stride, Office writers, please. Don't have a good thing go to waste.

PS If you didn't hear the Lil Wayne/Office theme song mash-up that was circulating a few months ago on the internet, you are missing out. Gold-den.

"Why do you do this to me/... Every time I wind up back at your door"

Sometimes I'm awkward. I don't deny it. Sometimes I don't know what to say. Or I say the wrong thing and beat myself up over it for hours afterwards. Or I feel the need to clarify myself which really just involves saying the same thing again and again until I am sure the person understands me.

But there are other ways to be awkward in life than saying stupid stuff. Like holding the door open. Don't you hate it when you pull open a door and you notice someone is behind you but they are just far enough away that you stand there dumbly like a doorman or doorstop until they get there and realize you didn't really need to stand there. Yesterday I had this happen with one of the moms (that I love) at work. She was just far enough away that I felt obligated to hold it open so it didn't smack in her face but then she had to rush cause she felt bad that I was holding it open and all of this freezing cold air was getting inside. We acknowledged that the situation was awkward. Which really just made it more awkward. Good thing she's awesome.

And this seems to happen all too frequently at work and Starbucks. Maybe that's cause those are the main two places I go. And other places like Target have automatic doors. But we all know I am awkward with those too. Sigh.

So yes. Sometimes I'm awkward. Like in this post.

And yes, my boss did have me as her secret santa. She got me a super cute purse that I may or may not have just stared at for five minutes cause I love it. Hint: I did.