Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

-5 airport runs (4 to Texas, 1 to Vegas). I still hate flying.
-Too many cycling races to count.
-3 top 10 finishes.
-2 teaching contracts.
-1 Master of Arts in New Testament Language and Literature scored!
-1 Master of Arts in Educational Leadership begun.
-1 acceptance to Ph.D. program in Ft. Worth, Texas.
-1 health scare with Drew's dad.
-1 health scare with me.
-1 bicycle crash that scared ME more than Drew.
-5, 101, 1: highways to drive up the beautiful California coast to San Luis Obispo.
-1 registration with Central Casting.
-1 background acting job on Cold Case!!
-4 celeb spottings: Rebecca DeMorney, Lauren Conrad, Sean Penn, & Marg Helgenberger (who I sat next to)!
-An estimated 250 cups of coffee...but who's counting, right?
-105 new 6th graders
-1 novel begun.
-5 chapters currently finished.
-1 poem/children's book written.
-1 life-altering discovery of French-pressed coffee.
-2 games of tennis before I got frustrated.
-5: number of rumors about how I fell and was taken to the hospital one day at school (the best one? I tripped over a stray dog in the middle of the quad, breaking my neck and bleeding everywhere).
-2 trips to Las Vegas.
-4 Twilight books read (I finally gave in).
-5: number of times I watched the movie (I really gave in).
-20+ number of times I listened to the soundtrack. (Um, I love it ok)!!
-2 anniversaries under our belt. I still love being married.
-3 Ph.D. program applications: Baylor, Wheaton, Notre Dame
-2 homes. I miss Texas when I'm in California and I miss California when I'm in Texas.
-1 New Year's Eve on the couch with my best friend. :)

Ok, so my numbers don't quite add up to five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred, but I tried. By this time next year we will be living in a new place, although we have no idea where that will be yet. I honestly don't want to think about it right now as it makes me sad and a tad stressed, but God has taken care of us so far and I have no doubt that He plans to continue...something we can ALL agree on (whether Armenian or Calvinist...haha).



"How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets?
In midnights, in cups of coffee?
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes?
How do you measure a year in the life?"

Drew's Favorite English Solecisms

Here are a number of grammar, syntax, meaning, and spelling miscues that I have run into over my years of tutoring non-native English speakers, though some of these are from native speakers!

1. "We should be thankful for church volunteers, because the church runs on sacrificed volunteers."

I'd hope someone would be thankful for such a selfless act.

2. "No one, not even professional race car drivers can drive fast without hitting goats."

Every time you speed God kills a goat.

3. "Jesus scarified himself to seal the new covenant."

Look out for that scary Jesus costume next Halloween!

4. "It was just a simple miss spelling."

Who is this Miss Spelling? I'd like to meet her!

5. "The priest is raping the mummy."

Wrapping the mummy, perhaps?

6. "Send it to me until Thudesday."

And on the eighth day God created...

7. "I know a primary document: the...the...the CONSTIPATION!"

Perhaps the framers of the Constitution needed Ex Lax.



That is all I can remember for now. I will add to this as I remember and discover more.

Another Day, Another Chance

So a few weeks ago I found myself sitting alone in a doctor's office trying to take in the words I'd just heard. I'd gone in for a routine checkup but she found something she was "worried" about. The next minute or so sort of blurred together in my mind as a state of worry and panic began to infiltrate my thinking.

How long had I had that? Two years? That really concerns me. We're going to do a biopsy right now. I need to rule out cancer. What else could it be? I don't know.

She left to go have the nurse prep a room for biopsy and I was left alone, hugging my knees to my chest, not knowing what to do or think. I was numb...in a state of quasi-shock I think. I mean, I'm 25...who just goes into a checkup and 10 minutes later is having a biopsy? It's just so unexpected-seeming.

As I sat there, the only thought that came to mind was that I should pray. I immediatley told myself that I didn't know WHAT to pray...I could hardly THINK. Of course I instantly answered my own question and knew that it was ok to not know what to pray...so I just kept saying "Jesus..." over and over until they came and got me.

The biopsy wasn't so bad.

The waiting was a different story.

I finally found out today that all the tests came back clear.

No cancer.

I started to cry.

So now, reflecting back on the past two weeks, here's what I've been reminded of...

There are very few things worth truly getting upset about...very few things.

I love my life and I love my family...the somewhat mundane feeling I'd been having towards everything has been replaced with a sincere gratitude just to get up in the morning.

Despite all the pain and suffering in our world, God is still good...

and, in the words of Nicole Nordeman (b/c she says it best): "we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream, in abundance or in need..."

I'm sure I will need to be reminded of these things again...but for now I'm so thankful that today, everything is ok.

"She Can't Help It, The Girl Can't Help It"*

Today I backhanded a tennis ball across the court to my husband. We'd been playing for almost two hours without incident. Incident meaning me getting hit by a ball.

In fact, he had just commented (the dear) that,

"Hey, you haven't been hit by a ball!"

I merely muttered, "Please don't go saying things like that before we're finished playing."

So I had quite nicely hit the ball over to his side when he whacked it back and it headed straight for my chest. No bounce, just straight towards me. I instintively stuck my hand out, which did, effectively stop the ball. It really hurt though and I wanted to throw the racquet.

Now, I realize that getting hit with a tennis ball (hard) isn't necessarily out of the ordinary, but if you're thinking that, then perhaps you don't know me too well.

I am, for lack of a better word, clumsy. So much so, that Drew the other day whacked his leg against some concrete and thought to himself that he just "Pulled an Adri." Wow. All I can say is that the man is lucky I'm in love with him.

I drop things, a lot. Primarily kitchen utensils (the sharper the better, right?), markers while teaching and Drew's favorite, M&M's while filling up the dispenser.

I hit my shin on the bathtub at least once a week. The bathtub doesn't change, I should know through conditioning to raise my leg higher.

I constantly stub my toes. Walls, table legs, other people's feet. Once I even ran the vacuum cleaner over my big toe.

I get stepped on quite frequently. Yes, stepped on. In line by adults, at school by children. Of course I usually have flip-flops of peep-toes on at these moments.

If something can be slammed shut, I will do it. Not because I actually SLAM it shut, but moreso because it just...seems...to...slip out of my hand...really quickly, making a loud noise.

If I am bent over, picking something up and there is a sharp corner anywhere in the vicinity, my head will find it.

Flip flops + me + any moisture at ALL = recipe for disaster.

And let's not forget that I get hit by flying objects...more than the average person should. Frisbee during a picnic in the park, soccer ball simply walking by, multiple dodge balls to the thigh just passing, tennis ball in the hand, and my personal favorite, a fly ball at an Aggie baseball game. The ball came soaring towards me as I thought, "Surely it won't hit me?" Well, as my, then boyfriend, ducked and covered, I was hit square in the chest, sending my popcorn flying through the air. Upon recovering from having the wind knocked out of me, I picked the ball up out of my lap and received applause from those around me.

I kept the ball.

Is this all because I'm not paying enough attention? Because of some random genetic wiring? Because I'm left handed?

Who knows.

I just know I want to stop getting hit by things.

*The title is pulled from Fergie's song, "Clumsy" off of the album, The Duchess.

Would You Like My ID With That?

Let's talk about looking your age.

It is a general and widely held belief that it is a "bad" thing to look your age. Women everywhere start slapping on eye cream before they even graduate from college and Botox injections coupled with a whole host of surgical procedures are rapidly on the rise.

American women do everything within their power to NOT look their age; to hold on as long as possible to youth and vitality.

So what's a girl to do when she has the opposite problem?

I look much younger than my actual age, and yes, Virginia, that IS a problem.

If I had a dollar for everytime someone said, "Oh, but think how great you'll look when you're 50!" Then I could quit my job now and join the ranks of the independently wealthy.

I'm sure they are right.

I do believe that at some point, I will LOVE looking a good ten years younger than I actually am.

But for now I do not love it.

Maybe it's my imagination (I highly doubt it), but there are all sorts of problems associated with my issue. Namely, lack of respect.

I feel that because of my younger-looking status (coupled with my small frame), that even though people know I'm an adult, there is still a subconscious part of them that simply doesn't view me as one. This makes sense. There is a disparity between what they know and what they see in front of them. Alas, not much I can do about that.

What is one supposed to do, though, when they want to be seen as a professional but are really just seen as someone who looks like a high schooler?

Dressing professionally helps some.

This is the only thing I can think of that has.

Anyone else have this problem?

Personal Anecdote Time:

"I'm going to need to see your ID." Said with a disapproving, "I'm about to bust this chick" look.

"Ok, here's your library card application. And we need parental permission forms for everyone under 18."

"You put your age range as 17-27? Oh, you soo should have started with 14...you're totally a believable 14 year old." Said by random guy when I signed up to be an extra.

"What are you studying in college?"

"Are you here for freshman orientation?"

"What? YOU'RE the teacher? But...you CAN'T be the teacher." Nervous laughter. "You look so YOUNG!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were a student."

"Oh, I thought you were a student. I was going to have to remind you there is NO cutting in line."

"Sweetie, you're gonna need to go back and get your teacher's copier code before we can let you use the copy machine."

"Where's your hall pass?!" Stares at me and sees ID badge. "Oh, um, I'm sorry, nevermind."

"Mrs. Davis? Are you still in high school?" I tell them no. They lean over and whisper, "See, I told you she wasn't still in high school!"

"Are you lost honey?" Gets a good look. "OH, whoa, Ms. Lindsey, I'm sorry...I definitely thought you were a lost kid."

"What I wouldn't give to look ten years younger..."

Arrggg.

What's In A Name?

I love my name. I really do. It's just...been a difficult name to have.

Apparently Adrienne is a guy's name (according to many people).

Apparently Lee (my middle name) is a guy's name (according to many people).

Apparently Lindsey is a first name.

Thankfully Davis has no real issues (except for being spelt David on occasion).

Whenever I meet people they NEVER understand what I say my name is and invariably mispronounce it back to me so many times that by the third or fourth correction I usually get frustrated and/or embarrassed and just nod my head like they got it right.

One of my professors actually argued with me on how to pronounce my own name once. He seemed to think it was Adri-ANNE.

It's not.

Don't even get me started on going to Starbucks & giving them my name for my cup. It's so bad I don't even give them Adrienne anymore. I just say "Lindsey" or "A." It's easier and not really a lie.

Which reminds me...for YEARS before I added Davis onto my last name Lindsey could be quite the problem as well. I have had countless conversations which go something like this:

"Last name please."

"Lindsey."

"No, no, hon. Your last name."

"Lindsey."

"Ma'am, I don't need your first name, I need your last name."

"My last name is Lindsey."

"Your last name is Lindsey?" Asked with a hint of suspicion.

"Yes. Lindsey. L-I-N-D-S-E-Y."

Just once I wanted to say, "Oh, I"m so sorry, you're RIGHT. That's NOT my last name."


This week at a teacher training we all had to do a reflection on our own name after reading a snippet from Sandra Cisneros called "My Name."

Here is mine.

Dear World,

No. My parents were not obssessed with "Rocky."
No. My name isn't Audrey or Adri-ANNE or Audrine.
No. My name isn't two syllables.
No. My name isn't a man's name!

Yes. My mom saw it on a tax form and thought it was pretty.
Yes. It's pronounced AY-dree-uhn. Three syllables. Count 'em third grade reading teacher.
Yes. It is spelled A-D-R-I-E-N-N-E. The "e" is silent and the spelling is feminine and French.

Maybe that's the problem.
A French name pronounced in English.

Please get it right people.

Sincerely,
"Ah-dree-EHN"

http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Adrienne

Link to the English & French pronounciations of my name, the latter being how I signed my letter to the world.

Red Lipstick and Stockings

Since being forced against my will to drive across the Southwestern United States to relocate in California something happened-

I slowly started to move out of my comfort zones.

This summer I not only started my master's degree in administration (something I never thought I would have done), I started writing a novel (something I never thought I would actually try), and I signed up with Central Casting.

Central Casting is a company which casts "background actors" in television and movie productions. A friend of mine had done it, so I knew it was legitimate. I mulled over the idea of registering for quite some time but wasn't sure. What if I never actually got to do it? What if I did and got on camera looking stupid? What if?

I decided to just take the plunge and do it anyway. When will I ever be 25, married withOUT children, living in Southern California again?

Never.

So last Monday I drove to Burbank and registered.

The way Central Casting works is you call a phoneline which has prerecorded messages from casting directors telling you what they are looking for. If you fit the profile, you return the call, they look at your picture and then decide if you are, indeed, what they want.

I called, and called, and called, and called for several days and never got more than a busy signal.

Thursday morning I fit a description that I got very excited about.

It was for Cold Case.

It was a 1940's flashback scene.

All I needed was to hear flashback scene and I was calling that number like a madwoman. I really wanted to do extra work at least once before being forced back into the public school system and was running out of time.

I called the number and got a busy signal for ten minutes.

Then, it rang. And rang. And rang.

Then, "First five of your social please."

"Uh,....."

"Hi Adrienne."

"Uh, Hi."

Awkward pause and she looks at my picture in essence sizing me up.

"Ok, Adrienne, let's put you on Cold Case."

Yay!!!

The next Monday I went to Western Costume (apparently THE costume company for all of LA) to get fitted for my 1940's costume.

Then Tuesday night I rolled my hair in a wet set (a whole other blog I assure you) and promptly failed miserably at sleeping that night. After getting not an ounce of sleep, I left the apartment at 3:45 am in order to make it to location for my 5 am call time.

We all got there, rollers and all, sleep deprived and aware that the on location set smelled heavily of cow manure.

We were ushered into wardrobe to get dressed, then on to hair and makeup where we got to listen to a hair lady accost almost all the girls for not setting their hair correctly.

Well, excuse us for not being born in an era where we don't wet set our hair anymore!!! We tried, ok?!

Anyhow, after being rudely cut in front of by several other extras I finally got my hair and makeup done and was off to the holding area near the filming.

There was something surreal about walking up to the set. Almost a hundred guys in air force attire and about 35 women in dresses, seamed stockings, red lipstick and some very vintage hair. There were military tents set up and lots of period jeeps and airplanes. If there hadn't been cameras and extras in costume talking on cell phones it would have really felt like 1944. It was amazing how much detail and planning goes into filming something.

Then began the "hurry up and wait" that is so rampant in the film industry. We were rushed out of hair and makeup only to sit in a sweltering tent for three hours. It wasn't bad actually and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with some of the other girls. It's always nice to meet new people.

When we finally did begin filming our scene it was hot. Really hot. Like 100 degrees hot. I won't give anything away about the episode or the scene we filmed just yet, but I will say it took hours to get one thirty second scene filmed.

We were hot and sweaty and hungry and sleepless and underpaid (minimum wage), but it was such an experience!

I loved dressing up and getting to see exactly how things are done with cameras and direction and props and background and all the behind-the-scenes stuff most people will never see.

I want to do it again.

Preferably on another period piece.

Or CSI.

Yes, CSI would be acceptable.

When Did It Get To Be August?

Wow, summer is almost over and mine has hardly begun. This is the point where I would start complaining about that fact but then I remember that most people in the world don't have a summer vacation at all and it is annoying when people who do get a "hiatus" of any kind gripe about how short it is.

Do I get a little bit of a "le sigh" moment since I simulataneously taught summer school and took six units of grad school? Maybe.

On that note, summer school wrapped up about two weeks ago.



We read "Twilight" and finished up the summer watching it. I was the only girl in the room who was on "Team Jacob" if any of you even know what that means. I certainly hope not since it's horribly embarassing that I have succumbed to an overly advertised, teenage girl crazy trend. Most of my life I've tried to not like things oftentimes because they are popular. "Twilight" being case in point, but by no means the first. In high school there was "Harry Potter," followed by Facebook, blogging (gasp), iphones, and now...dare I say it, I think I'm about to get a Twitter account (even though my better judgement is screaming no). To my better judgement: I say...blah...I'm going to do it anyway.



After teaching ended, so did my Ed Law class (I just found out I made an "A" yay)! I learned way too much about California law and answered way too many emails from irate parents with silly questions about...everything. I really enjoyed the class, the people in it, and the professor though.

The day after both of my summer schools ended, Drew was a groomsmen in our friends' Cliff and Heather's wedding. It was beautiful and we are so happy for them!



The very next morning we were at LAX to board our flight for Dallas. We had a really good time at home, seeing Rachel off to the Dominican Republic, forcing Drew's family to watch "Twilight" (they LOVED it, by the way), lots of making fun of our families (all in good fun of course), visiting grandparents, smoking cigars (Drew and Glynn), and watching most of the first season of Laguna Beach with my sister. She was not happy that I saw Lauren Conrad at LAX the morning of our flight. I thought it was pretty cool.







I'm off to spend my last few weeks trying desperately to write as much of my book as possible. It has been hard to get motivated though. Emails of forceful encouragement are greatly appreciated.

Did You See Those Mountains....?

Thursday was a good day. Despite going to work at 6:30 to finish up my check-out procedures, getting said check-out hijacked (in my opinion) due to a perceived error on a cumulative record, and getting to finally leave, Drew and I went to our first Dodger game! They beat the Oakland A's 3-2 in a great ballgame.

The stadium was full of character with a gorgeous view of mountains and palm trees behind the scoreboard, and our Dodger dogs and peanuts were the perfect compliment. (Because really, is a baseball game a baseball game without seriously overpriced food that normally is just ok, but seems to be all you can think about when you're there)?

The really cool thing is that when we sat down, a man behind us tapped Drew on the shoulder and asked him what class he was. This, to an Aggie, can only mean one thing and one thing only.......that the person asking the question is ALSO an Aggie. The man, his wife, and son were on a baseball trip across the West and were both Aggie graduates. We had a good conversation with them before the game started and it was nice to talk to some Texas people!

Later, the men sitting next to our Aggie friends stole the show I'm afraid. He asked EVERYONE (and I do mean everyone who could be asked) if they'd seen "the mountains at twilight with all the purple...and....." It became a joke by the end of the game because he repeated every. single. thing. he said at least twice.

So......

Did you see those mountains at twilight?

Summer To-Do List

Well, summer vacation is upon us, although it doesn't feel like it (mentally and weather-wise). Drew will be finished with his summer class by the time I'm finished with regular school, and free completely (in the event he doesn't find a job asap) by the time I'm well under way with teaching summer school (what was I thinking) and taking my own summer school.

So.....on to the list....

1. Teach Migrant Ed summer school. (I tell ya, I'm really looking forward to doing PE with these kids...PE...outside....in the summer.....yay).

2. Take and ace Educational Law. (all while looking cute in my new APU jacket)

3. Update this blog on at least a bi-monthly basis.

4. Read and finish the "Twilight" series. Reread "Redeeming Love." Despite it's overly cheesy cover and the fact that I find romance novels in and of themselves to be "overly cheesy," it's a fantastic book and one of my favorites. Read something else of note......not sure what yet.

5. Do some personal writing on my "book." All I will release at this point is the title: "Queens Don't Use Porta-Potties"

6. Visit Tejas, San Diego, Universal Studios (day trip), and Big Sur/San Francisco.

7. Do at least a little pool lounging.

8. Watch Drew willingly study ancient Greek (just for fun) and teach himself German (for Ph.D. studies, but let's face it....also for fun).

9. Watch Drew be the consumate academic....he studies when he doesn't need to and when he's supposedly "taking a year off." Wow. This is the difference between us. I like to learn, but don't find myself going out of my way to do so.

10. Attempt to get some rest and recharge before rebooting for a new class of sixth-graders and 12 units of grad school in the Fall.

11. Go to a couple Dodger games (our first is this Thursday night).

12. Go to a couple of concerts. Right now we're planning on doing ZZ Top/Aerosmith in Irvine and AC/DC....somewhere I'm not sure where they're playing....

"So It's Been Ten Years and Maybe More..."

Name where that title is from!!! If you do....pictures will be up sooner rather than later.


Top Ten Reasons Why We Haven't Updated:

1. Drew made a horrible post where he wrote about himself in the third person. It was weird and I just couldn't get past it for awhile. It ruined my blogging spirit.

2. Drew has placed in the top ten in TWO races (LAX crit and Brea crit)!

3. I turned 25!!! (Drew is still 23......)

4. We went to Las Vegas for my b-day/Spring Break!

5. Drew got accepted into a Ph.D. program at Southwestern in Ft. Worth.

6. I got accepted into a masters program at Azusa Pacific here in SoCal.

7. We made the decision to stay here so I could get my degree in Educational Leadership (administration).

8. We found a new apartment, signed a lease and moved entirely within one week.

9. I forgot about the blog.

10. Oh, and I forgot about the blog.

Pictures to follow!

New Bike!

After months of anticipation Drew finally bought the new bike. It has a 2006 Calfee Tetra Pro carbon frame, Easton EC90 wheels, and all of the components are Shimano Dura-Ace. The bike is not only top notch in quality but it is in top notch condition. The previous owner, another Velocity member, took meticulous care of it and only rode the bike for about a year. This bike is at least 5 lbs lighter than Drew's other bike, making high speeds possible at lower heart rates!

Amgen Tour of California

Saturday after Drew got back from his Velocity ride, we hopped on the 5 and then the 110 towards Pasadena for Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California. We got there with lots of time to spare, so we checked out all the booths and stuff going on. I was also forced to buy a long sleeved t-shirt as it is impossible to have enough. :)

A little later we met up with some guys from Velocity for their tailgate and then headed down to the finish line to secure a good watching spot. The riders went by five times in all and it was exciting to see the top three riders get in sprinting position toward the finish!

After it was over we headed to where all the team buses were parked and got to see Floyd Landis, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, and several other Tour de France riders!

The whole day Drew and I kept high-fiving each other saying, "We win!" (this is just something we do when something good happens........like getting a clutch parking spot OR seeing Lance Armstrong)

On the way home we ended up in front of a race official and a team car all headed south to San Diego for tomorrow's stage, KLOS played "Nightmoves,"** and we got tacos from Taco Rico. Needless to say, there was more high-fiving...

In front of the current standings board.

We were positioned about 300 meters from the finish line.


Us at the race with our Texas flag (thanks Mom & Dad)!

We loved this!

That is definitely Lance Armstrong in the yellow helmet.

George Hincapie signing autographs. He was the nicest guy for letting this kid through and onto the bus to check it out!

Headed to the car and in front of the ASTANA bus.

**Does anyone NOT love Bob Seger's "Nightmoves"?

UCLA Road Race

We got up at 4:45 Saturday morning to drive to Pear Blossom/Palmdale, CA (about 1 hour north of LA) for the UCLA road race. Drew ended up coming in 37 out of 75 category 4 and 5 riders! The ride was at about 3,000 feet, it was 26 degrees and there was snow on the ground and ice on the roads. Thankfully, most of the ice had melted by the time Drew's group left. Before we headed home, we drove up the road a bit to see where the San Andreas ran through the area.

Driving up to the race.

Parking in the middle of nowhere (the race was in the middle of nowhere).

Snowball!

A little bit before the start.

Crossing the finish line.

Oh no! I'm standing ON the actual fault line...

(you can't really see, but it looked like a huge ditch that someone tried to dig)

Valentine's...Week

Us at Seal Beach a couple of weeks ago. It was 90.
The most amazing Valentine's Day cookies ever.

Drew's new team/club uniform for Velocity.

So far this week is going well...

1. Annual Valentine's Day cookies from Drew's Grandmother.

2. Drew is now an official member of Velocity Cycling Club and will ride in a road race on Saturday morning.

http://www.teamvelocity.org/

The only thing I might change is the weather. For the past several weeks it has been hovering in the 70's and 80's, so we got into spring mode. Now it is rainy and cold (this is relative I know....40's/50's) and can be quite chilly in our apartment.** Oh well, an excuse to bundle up under our quilt and watch "The Office"...

**Very few people in SoCal have central heat and air. Since it's almost always temperate and the buildings are built so well, we hardly need it.