Hiatus

I'm back and blogging again. I decided to take a hiatus because I began to view blogging more as an obligation rather than as a fun way to share what's going on in my life. But I'm back, and here are some things that are on my mind as I close out 2010:

1. I'm totally in denial that Christmas break ends at the end of the week. Where have my two weeks gone? I relish having time off from a very stressful job; but the longer the break, the harder it is to go back to work. I'm beginning to miss my students, though, but I don't miss grading their papers.

2. Speaking of Christmas break, the time off has allowed me to start watching Veronica Mars. I was experiencing Dexter withdrawals after the season ended a few weeks ago, but now I have a new TV obsession.

3. Our three-year anniversary is today. We were planning on spending tonight downtown, but thanks to the Alamo Bowl practically every hotel on the river is booked. So, we're going to pretend that our anniversary is tomorrow and stay downtown on Thursday. It kind of makes me sad to think that we're officially out of the newlywed stage, but then I think about all of the wonderful blessings that come with many years of marriage and intimacy. I know it'll get even better.

What's On My Mind

1. I finished my first book of the summer, John Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven. Not what I expected when I first picked it up, but a nuanced and thought-provoking read about the intersections of faith and violence. Book review pending.

2. Brendan and I leave for our Alaskan cruise in ten days. I'm excited to get out of town and have an adventure in a state I've never been to, and poor Brendan's just happy to have 1.5 weeks off work and a break from iPhone 4 madness.

3. All this summer free time has forced me to get creative in order to stave off boredom, so I've gotten into [read: obsessed with] the series Dexter. We have instant streaming with Netflix, making it way too easy to watch several episodes without realizing how long you've been staring at the TV. Although, I think I may have been watching a little too much lately: I think the main character was in my dream the other night.

4. We went to Schlitterbahn last Monday, which was super fun, but got dreadfully sunburned. As in, so sunburned that it hurts to sleep on your back or your side. Owch. Brendan got it worse than I did since I was more diligent with the sunscreen (but obviously not much more). I'm feeling much better now, but I have learned my lesson: re-apply!

5. This past weekend, we went to the Metroplex for wedding double-duty: my college friend (and fellow Fat Tuesday-er) Carolyn got married, and cousin Brittany had her bridal shower. It was a whirlwind weekend -- we left Saturday morning and returned Sunday night -- but I had such a wonderful time. It felt so good to be around some of my closest friends; some people just get you deep down. Those kinds of relationships are what make life worth living.

MIA

I'm here, alive, and still blogging.

My dearth of updates can be blamed on the fact that SCHOOL IS OVER IN TWO WEEKS! I'm unbelievably glad that my first year of teaching is over, and that I'll never have one again. It's been a year of joys, tears, and learning experiences, but I survived and still want to come back in the fall; I count that as a little victory. Bring it on, second year.

So, here are my tentative plans for summer: sleep in, pleasure read, cousin's wedding, Alaska trip with Brendan. More to come as the school year winds down and summer arrives...

Vegas Fun

Our Vegas trip was fun, but quick! We arrived Tuesday morning and left on Friday, which was just enough time to enjoy the city.

We stayed at the Belagio, which was gorgeous. I seriously could have lived in our hotel room. The one thing I never knew about visiting Vegas is that you walk and walk and walk, since visiting the other casinos on the Strip is half the fun. Thankfully, our hotel was centrally located (and fabulous). As far as gambling, I won a few dollars on the penny slots (I know, high roller!), only to lose it again. No worries, though; it's all part of the fun.

Outside the hotel

Inside the lobby
So cute, although I kind of felt like an ant.

As I mentioned in my last post, Vegas shows that aren't burlesque or washed-up oldies singer are hard to come by, but luckily we found ones that fall into neither category. We saw Jersey Boys and Cirque du Soleil: O, which were both fantastic. Jersey Boys told the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and I think we were the youngest patrons in the audience by about forty years. But, hey, the show won the Tony for best musical, so we're not losers! Or at least that's what I said to make myself feel better. Also, Cirque du Soleil: O was fascinating. The show is like a modern-day circus, with acrobats and tight-rope walking, but it was performed partly underwater with a retractable stage that allowed the actors to walk in ankle-deep water, or dive from heights of sixty-plus feet.

Speaking of burlesque shows... I was telling a friend about my trip to Vegas and lamenting the lack of non-naughty shows. He replied, "Oh, come on, everyone has to see a Vegas burlesque show at least once! You're so far away from the stage, you can't really see anything." Hmmm. I think he'll have to convince me of that one.

Partying Vegas-style

Enjoying our "gondola" ride inside the Venetian

Eating on the patio at Olive's

I had a wonderful time on the trip and look forward to going back. Vegas, you saucy minx, I hope to see you again soon.

Vegas

Spring Break is finally here, and boy do I need it! Brendan and I are making the most of it this year by heading to Vegas. We fly out on Tuesday and get back on Friday, which is just enough time to enjoy the city without blowing all our money (just kidding!). We don't have a super-detailed itinerary, since neither of us have been before, but here's what's on the agenda:

We're staying here

The Bellagio

We're seeing these shows

Part of the show is underwater, and I've heard great things about it. But what I really want to know is, will there be a splash zone?

and

Jersey Boys is a broadway musical, and if you know anything about me, you know that I love musicals. The funny thing about Vegas shows is that they typically fall into two categories: washed-up oldies singers and burlesque. Happily, we found two shows that fall into neither category.

Finally, we're spending the weekend with this little doll for her first (!) birthday. She's such a joy, and I hate to admit that we spent an obscene amount on her birthday presents. But your niece only turns one once, right?

Hello Again, Abilene!

We're heading to Abilene this weekend to attend Sing Song and to visit my cousin Brittany, who recently moved there. I'm really excited and am looking forward to seeing friends and family, visiting our old church, and spending time in a city that's close to my heart.

The trip back to Abilene will be bittersweet. We moved to San Antonio almost seven months ago, but it feels much longer; my life has changed so much since the move, and in many ways I feel like a different person. Living in San Antonio is great, though; I love my new job, being in a bigger city, and living close to family. However, a tiny piece of me will always miss Abilene because of those special college, grad school, and newlywed memories.

I miss those local, mom-and-pop places that big cities can't replicate, like McKay's and Cajun Cones. I miss spring-and-summertime walks with Brendan around the ACU jogging track. I miss my Highland family and a church who fit me perfectly. There were also a lot of reasons why I was ready to leave Abilene, but I sure do love the memories I made there and the people I left behind.

Number 27

Brendan turns 27 today! This morning he said he was finally beginning to feel old, but I kindly reminded him that I will always be two years younger than him.

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband!

I'm Alive

Yes, it's been way too long since I've updated, but I'm still here. So many things have happened in the last month that they deserve a brief re-cap. So, my friends, take in a few weeks in the life of Erin, in no particular order.

1. I'm teaching To Kill a Mockingbird, my favorite book ever. Joy.
2. Brendan and I visited the niece in Fort Worth, and I can't believe how fast she's growing up. While there, I was sexually harassed by a five-year-old when we visited the children's museum; as I bent over he declared, "I can see your bottom!" Lovely child.
3. We celebrated our two-year anniversary at a bed-and-breakfast that's on the land of my grandparents' old ranch in Blanco County. Even though they don't live there anymore, it was wonderful to show Brendan a piece of my childhood.
4. Spring Break destination = Vegas! I've never been, and the trip should be the perfect mini-vacation. I could invoke an abundance of Vegas cliches right about now, but I'll spare you. See, I bet you're thinking of them already.
5. I'm officially halfway through the school year, so I count that milestone as a little victory.