we can swim any day in november

check out the link to see pics of me and pete at the beach!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2171691&l=4dd68&id=18400916

speaking of pete, click on his blog's link at the bottom of my page to read very important information!

so far, november has been nice. Yay Obama! I am seriously excited that we elected an African American president. that is awesome. last week i went to a bbq at lisa's. it was a lot of fun and she made delicious food. the next day was veterans day so we were able to party during the week which rarely happens. on veterans day pete and i bought a wii! we are so excited and have been playing mario party a lot.

also a week ago yesterday, peter and i got (non-matching) tattoos. mine is of my nieces names and peter's is of the state of maryland. check out below for some blurry pics. we both love them a lot. this week will be pretty chill and then over the weekend, peter and i are going to visit my grandparents in san diego. after that, i have 1 1/2 days of school then i'm off for thanksgiving break. over the break peter and i will celebrate our 3 year anniversary and go to chicago to spend thanksgiving with his family. we're both siced for both. after that it will be december and i will be coming home!

can't wait to visit, its going to be a great 2 weeks.

in case you were wondering peter and i are safe; regarding the wildfires. we're pretty much surrounded by them but none are really close. the fires make the skies look really crazy/pretty but it smells. i kind of like how it smells; like great bbq but at the same time it can be overwhelming. yesterday when we were leaving the beach is was snowing ashes...so weird. anyhow, we'll keep you posted.

love you all

ash




my left wrist




peter's right forearm, near his "Cheverly" tattoo





the picture collage in my room. needs more pics though.













the LA letters kel gave me for graduation





black and green

october

october is over and i rarely posted. sorries! after working all day i never really want to sit down and write about what is going on. if you notice that i haven't been updating you should definitely check Pete's Blog because we do almost everything together and he is better about blogging than me.

in october i...

• went to the doctors a lot for checkups and i'm healthy yay!
• went to a few parties
• had picture day
• started BTSA - the program that will give me my "full" california teaching credential and help me get my masters
• paid a bunch of bills
• hung out with erica (writer on the oc, and currently criminal minds - family friend) and her husband kenny. peter and i visited the set because a friend i made on the show was getting his episode produced. (his name is mark) we hung out for a while and met a bunch of people including shemar moore (who i met before) and joe mantegna. we also had dinner one time and went to the movies together another.
• saw a bunch of movies including SAW, ROLE MODELS, W., SCHENECTADY NEW YORK, BODY OF LIES, and ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO. probably some more in theatres and definitely a bunch on dvd
• celebrated my 2 years and 11 month anniversary with pete
• ate a bunch of wings at "Big Wangs"
• started going to a dance class at my gym with a fellow first grade teacher, lisa. its a hip hop class and so much fun!!!! i hate going to the gym so doing this class helps me want to work out
• volunteered at church in the kids club with peter so we could help out and also just play with babies. (that was actually today which is november but whatev.)
• celebrated halloween! carved pumpkins, made treats, had a halloween parade at school, made pumpkin seeds, and dressed as tinkerbell to go with my peter pan.

so it was a busy but fun october. i'm planning on doing something supercool soon and i will let you know about it later. also peter and i are attempting to buy a wii after selling some old video games and systems. tuesday is election day but i'm not sure if peter and i are going to be able to vote because we are not 100% sure how to do it absentee and we def don't have an absentee ballot if we needed one. so everyone else, go out and vote on our behalf!

in november, i am going to a few more parties for coworkers, doing a lot more BTSA stuff, paying more bills, celebrating 3 years with peter (officially, but its really like 3 years and 9 months) and going to chicago for thanksgiving. then it will be almost december and I will be going home december 20th!

i can't wait to go home. i miss my family so much; especially my nieces. they are growing up so fast. elisa can read and she lost her first tooth, mia is teething, zoe can talk like a grownup and they are all getting so big!

i promised some pictures and here are a few!

until november....

farmer shelton

farmer shelton and chef ishaq

first grade!

first grade teachers

girls only pumpkin carving party

the second pumpkin i carved

halloween!

some semi-recent pictures of mia, elisa, and mom <3

yay!

read pete's blog...best one yet! pics too. i'll update soon.

promise!

not too much

There doesn't seem to be a lot going on that is new right now. But, here's a list of whats up in no particular order.

• school is going well
• went to some doctors appointments last week and I like my doctors
• last Sunday I was able to see the Dallas/Skins game and that was awesome
• it finally rained yesterday! (first time since I moved here)
• Peter and I babysat for Kenny and Erica on Saturday and that was easy and fun
• Peter and I are volunteering to help out with the Kids Club at our church so we can play with babies
• Christopher turned 25
• Today I saw Shane Sparks (choreographer, and So you think you can dance judge) accept an award at an outdoor festival in North Hollywood
• This week I have picture day and back to school night
• No school Thursday
• School stuff then party on Saturday for Shira's bday
• I'm coming home for Christmas Dec 20th
• I got my haircut and it looks great

That seems to be it. Still no pictures, sorry! TTYL

Love,

Ash

still no pictures

but I will hopefully have them soon. This week also went well at school. I am trying really hard to get what every student needs to succeed. Its a challenging job and I like it. I see no point in lazy teachers. I get my first full paycheck tomorrow....Yay! It will be enough to pay rent, bills, and hopefully pay my mom back the rest of my rent from last month. Since I am just starting to get paid I am still struggling a little bit but after 6 months I think I will be doing fine and supporting my self 100%.

This weekend Peter, my roomie Kati and I went to see "Burn After Reading." We went to a really late showing and I kept falling asleep but it was good. Like he said on his blog we saw Josh from Drake and Josh in the parking lot so that was cool. I'm guessing he probably lives near me. Peter and I also spent the day at Venice beach yesterday which is always nice. I'm always the happiest at the beach. Today we went to church, the gym, and then hung out by the pool. I'm glad Peter and I still get to see each other even though we are both working so much.

This week I started to really feel homesick. I'm getting fully adjusted to living here, going to work everyday, etc. I wish Mom and Grandma were with me in Venice to go to all of the shops
and I wish Elisa and Zoe were at the beach with me to play in the sand. I also really miss watching football and lounging at home. Yesterday I saw a tree that had fall leaves on it and I was excited. I'm going to miss the trees on 5th street with the varying fall colors. All is well but I will never love a place like MD.

Finally

i'm blogging again. It has been 3+ weeks since I last blogged and I have been very very busy.

School has been going great. I'm getting used to the early mornings and I haven't had to stay too long after school. I end up staying at least an hour each day after the kids leave and one or two days a week I stay really late to plan, prep, etc. I really enjoy that the whole first grade team splits up the prep work - it makes it a lot easier. I've had parent/teacher meetings aka TEAM meetings and more professional development things. I really feel like I am a part of the faculty and that I'm not just a noob. I'm making friends at school and I am having a lot of fun.

Last week I got a flat tire on my way home from work which really sucked but I was so close to my apt that I kept driving on it until I parked in my garage. Luckily Geico came and changed the spare for me. What really sucked was that I had just received my first paycheck two days before and I had to spend it on two new front tires among other things. I'm all set now though so thats good.

Friday night I went out with some of my coworkers and we got pedicures then another group of us went out for dinner/drinks. It was fun and I was happy to get to know them and visa versa outside of the school setting. The rest of the weekend I did a bunch of errands/chores and Peter and I chilled out the rest. All day today we just watched movies. I didn't even change out of my pjs at all.

I was really missing home today. I can't watch the Skins game out here which really blows and I miss being at home with my fam watching the game. Its been a part of my life ever since I was born (seriously) and I never thought I would miss it so much. It'll be just a little over 2 months until I'm back home again and that makes me happy. I'm enjoying my time here but like they say, There's No Place Like Home.

Next week will go by quickly just like every other. I have school all week and I'm picking up a sideview mirror for my car on Tuesday which got broken. I want to go to the beach next weekend. I also need to set up various doctors appointments for checkups, a TB test and other random stuff and I plan on doing that this week too.

Things are going well and hopefully since I am getting settled into a routine I'll be able to blog at least weekly. I'm also going to take some updated pics of my classroom and bedroom and have them up soon. Love you!!

oh the stress

I am starting to feel totally stressed out, now that there is only a week until school starts. I have professional development all week with the whole staff. Before I get into this coming week I'll recap last week (some of which is blogged about on Peter's blog).

Monday I had a planning meeting at CHIME (that's the name of my school btw) where we drafting a plan of the first week of school. Mostly we will be introducing rules, routines, games, etc., but I still have things I need to prepare. Afterwards Peter and I went to a free Gym Class Heroes Concert that was being taped for Walmart. It was short but really intimate and we were able to get all of the members to sign our T-Shirts (pic of Peter's shirt on his blog, mine soon to come.) Then we probably watched a movie or something. (Probably also on Peter's blog.)

Tuesday I got my LiveScan fingerprints done and went shopping for my classroom. I ended up spending $350-$400 total to start my first classroom but CHIME is paying for $200 which is supernice. I seriously thought I was going to have to spend so much more, but my mentor teachers have given me a lot over year to help me start off on the right food. Thanks Beth and Kellie!

Wednesday and Thursday I had new teacher orientation. There are 7 new teachers at the elementary school and we are all young and most first year teachers. I have met a lot of cool girls who I hope to become really close with over the school year. I am going to Shira's housewarming party on Friday and a lot of other teachers and their significant others are coming too so it should be really fun and an easy way to get to know each other. I need to make sure that I actually try to make girl friends in addition to guy friends since I tend to hang out with guys all the time. It is good to have girls too and I need to keep reminding myself of that.

Also during orientation I learned a lot about CHIME and it is seriously such an awesome school. I am in love with my Principal, Julie, she is so amazing. I am excited that the staff is really 100% about the students and everyone does whatever needs to be done for the kids. If you don't know, I am going to be teaching 1st grade but will also be co-teaching with a special educator and working with paraprofessionals for students with disabilities in my classroom. In addition to that I will also be co-teaching with the music and art teachers and I will be fully in charge of PE and Technology. This is really unusual for public schools (at least ones I know of) but I am up for the challenge. We also have an outdoor classroom where students and teachers plant plants, herbs, fruits, veggies, etc. We also have a weather station that is hooked to some satellite so you can track the weather, make graphs, etc. There is also an awesome place to sit and teach outside. Students also plant tree saplings (is that redundant?) to replant in LA to help with the trees that have been burned by wildfires or uprooted for whatever reason. I could go on forever, but I am just in love with my school! I'm so happy that I am because I didn't know a whole lot about it when I accepted the job.

Friday Madeleine came to visit and Peter, Maddy, and I hung by my pool then met up with Elizabeth's crew in Eagle Rock to go out to this bar/karaoke/bowling place that I have been dying to go to. It was super fun and Peter and I sang karaoke 3 times. We were obviously horrible but it was really fun and we were really into it.

Saturday was kind of a lazy day and Peter and I saw Tropic Thunder which was pretty good. Later we went to Elizabeth's to hang out with her and Maddy and stayed there for just a little bit because everyone was so tired.

Finally, today Peter and I went to church then we met Maddy, Elizabeth, Emma, and Amelia at Venice beach. We had lunch there and basked in the sun. It was a good time and I think I am actually making friends, yay! Then we said bye bye to Madz b/c she is leaving for San Diego tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I begin professional development this week (like I previously mentioned...) and I will finish preparing my classroom and prepping for the first week of school. I will also have my first parent meeting and attend a back-to-school picnic Thursday afternoon. Also on Tuesday Peter and I are going to see my cousin Andy play in his band at some place I can never remember the name. And Friday of course is the apartment warming party. Over Labor Day weekend Peter and I will most likely hang with Elizabeth again and hopefully visit my family friends Erica and Kenny Messer and their 2 kids. (Erica works on Criminal Minds.)

Wow that was a superlong post but I have been really busy. I am so nervous/excited for school to start. Keep me in your prayers and I complete my last stressful week before the big day!

xoxo

this week

I have been working on setting up my classroom some more. It is really coming along. I still need to buy more things, organize my classroom library, label every single thing, and put stuff on my bulletin boards; but it has come a long way.

Here's the link to pictures of my classroom:

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2153452&l=26549&id=18400916

This week Peter and I also partied with Elizabeth Schachter, a friend from Cheverly, and her friends from college. It was a lot of fun both times and I met a lot of really cool, really chill people who I hope to hang out with more often.

Peter and I also went to Malibu. It was beautiful but I think I like Laguna Beach better. Here are some pictures from that trip and other randoms from the summer:

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2141483&l=bbd27&id=18400916

Other than that I've been trying to go to the gym every other day and watch movies and lay out at my pool. Peter and I have been having fun getting acclimated to the area and exploring. On Monday, after my 1st grade team meeting where we'll plan what we are going to teach for the first week (exciting!!!) Peter and I are going to go to a Gym Class Heroes concert video taping in LA so that should also be fun.

Next week I'm going to focus on putting the finishing touches on my classroom and plan. Then I'll have orientation and school Starts Sept 2nd.

Here is my potential nightly schedule after school starts:

Mon - Planning
Tues- Gym
Wed-Hip Hop class @ the Gym
Thurs- TV Night
Fri-Gym/The OC while pregaming and then going out somewhere (Peter and I are going to start rewatching the OC series one episode at a time, like the good ole' college days)
Sat-Yoga @ 11
Sun- Church then gym

Sounds pretty good to me.

Miss you!

I always cry at weddings

Peter and I went to San Diego for a few days to visit his grandparents in Coronado and to attend my Aunt Michelle's wedding. I was a bridesmaid and we both had a blast. I got to meet some cousins who I have never met before and we felt like we have known each other forever. Its funny how things work out like that.

The wedding was beautiful and I posted a couple of pictures that Peter took during the wedding.

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2151769&l=06eac&id=18400916

The real photographers took a million pictures and they will be posted on this site:

http://www.photographybydeshun.com/index2.php?v=v1

the password to view them is "michelle".

The best part of the wedding is that I caught the bouquet and Peter caught the garter!!!! It was really exciting. We didn't do the creepy part with the music where he puts it on my leg, but I still wore it. I left my bouquets and Grandma's house so I don't have pictures of them now but there should be some on the second link I posted.

Today I am going to go to the gym, run some errands, etc. and Peter and I are going to go out to our favorite bar (so far), "Skinny's" in North Hollywood. Tomorrow we will go to church and Monday I have a meeting with the 1st grade team at my school. We will talk about the school day and I will hopefully get money to buy things for my classroom.

I am having a great time in LA but I know things will be less eventful once school starts; although I am very excited for that too. It was great visiting with family this week and it was very very hard to say goodbye to my parents. I won't see them until Christmas, but I guess I'm growing up!

Also remember to check out "Pete's Blog". Since we do a lot of stuff together we end up blogging about different things, so read what he's writing about too!

case of the monday's

This weekend ruled. Read "Pete's Blog" the link at the bottom to see a list of celebs and some pics from the Pineapple Express premiere that we went to. Living in LA is fun, there is so much to do. Even more to do if you have money.

This weekend Peter and I also went to LACMA, LA's Art Museum and that was fun. We didn't get to visit all of the buildings so we are going to go back eventually. We also swam a lot in my pool and I signed up for the gym. I'm successfully sore today so that's good.

Mom and Daddy are coming today to visit!!!! I'm so excited. They are in town for my Aunt Michelle's wedding which is on Thursday and they are taking the train up for the day to see my apartment and my school.

I also get to move into my classroom today. I will probably only bring a little bit of stuff this time since my parents will be here, but I will hopefully bring the rest tomorrow so I know what else I still need to buy. It is seriously going to be so awesome having my own classroom and being a for real teacher...can't wait.

I talked to my 6 year old niece Elisa for 45 minutes on the phone the other day. She is so cute and smart. She told me she is going to Bible school this week so I asked her what is God's sons name and she was like "ummm.....um.......oh yeah...Little God." Supercute.

Altogether I'm doing pretty well adjusting to life out here, it helps having Peter. I do; however, keep having dreams about leaving friends and family and everyone being sad. That's still tough.

Living in LA

Peter and I took a five 1/2 day roadtrip to move me from MD to LA. We arrived Sunday and by Monday afternoon I was completely moved in. I'm in the process of updating my bedroom so that it is more grown up and put together. I really like my apartment, my neighborhood, and my roommates. So far, so good.

Yesterday was very eventful. First off there was an earthquake! It was small where I was but things were shaking and I was scared; mostly because I was so surprised. Peter and I are ok. I also visited the school where I'll be teaching. It's called Chime Institute. There are three campuses and I will be at the elementary campus in Woodland Hills, which is 15 minutes from my apartment. I got a lot of paperwork about insurance (health, eye, dental, life, and even a 401(k)!) It is weird being grown up. I really like my school and the staff seems really nice. I saw a classroom that might be mine and I think its going to work out nicely. I can't wait to decorate it!

Last night Peter and I went to the Upright Citizens Brigade, a small but awesome comedy theatre. We saw Janine Garofalo, Sarah Silverman, and Bob Odenkirk, the director of The Brothers Solomon. There were also some other performers, one guy who performs on Comedy Central and another guy from The Flight of the Conchords (not one of the main guys). The two guys and Sarah Silverman were the best.

Today I have some errands to run and then I'm going to hang out at the pool. I need to get a tan before I'm in my Aunt's wedding next Thursday in San Diego. I am missing everyone back home but I am having fun adjusting to this new and exciting place. So far the only thing I don't like about LA is driving.

Here are the links to the pictures of the roadtrip and my apartment (there are 9 links):



http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149453&l=d8d15&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149455&l=26768&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149461&l=f8b30&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149464&l=1722d&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149468&l=a77d9&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149472&l=d5ab3&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149474&l=5fac5&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149476&l=5346f&id=18400916

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2149479&l=1dd50&id=18400916