Back to School

Just a couple weeks ago, I remember the start of all of the back to school promotions. I was in Target for example thinking about how quickly the summer had passed by and how sorry I felt for all the children dreading the return to school. Little did I know, I would be returning with them. It has only been one week since I was offered a position as Spanish teacher, and I can say, without a doubt, that this week has been the most emotional week of the year so far. I think it is the stress of preparing to teach that is causing me to feel so unstable. I mean, I have accepted a job with a huge amount of responsibility and never in my life have I been so afraid of failing. Maybe it is the fact that I have about 5 bosses that I feel I have to please not to mention all of the teachers in the building, the parents, even the school secretaries.

As I begin this new adventure in life, I am trying my best to keep a positive attitude about everything because I know that simply my attitude can change everything. In the end, I have to remember that the worst thing that could happen is that I could decide I no longer liked the job and resign. But, I would still have everything that matters most to me in life and that is all I really need to think about. In all honesty, despite all the stress and anxiety, I still haven't given up hope. I know in the future, I am going to look back and be so glad I gave this job a chance. :)

Cloud Nine :)

How does it feel to be on cloud nine? Well, I think I now have an idea. Just this morning, I got THE call of the summer. The call was from Loudoun County Public Schools offering me a full-time teaching position with medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, retirement, sick and personal leave plus an awesome annual salary. Of course, I have been so ecstatic all morning, jumping and dancing all over the house. I simply cannot contain my joy right now so acting silly all morning has been my outlet. This just goes to show that at any moment, something can happen that changes everything. Thank God for this wonderful opportunty!

I will post any updates later... :)

The Magic Flute

This last Friday, Dubbie and I joined some of our friends to go to Wolftrap and see The Magic Flute. The Magic Flute is a German opera and our friends Heather Joy and Sam happened to be friends with the person who performed the lead role, Tamino. It was fun to get out and do something out of the ordinary. I had never been to see an opera, so for me, this was very new and exciting. We all got lawn tickets and relaxed and had some snacks before the show. As it got later, the sky was clear and there was a fresh breeze. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect night. The opera was wonderful and I are now anxious to got back to Wolftrap and enjoy another show before the end of the summer.

You collect dolls!!??

Well, this weekend was so much fun! I attended the 2007 Doll and Teddy Bear Expo in Washington DC and was able to see some of my favorite dolls from companies like Ginger Brook Hollow, Pullips, Ellowyne Wilde, Goodreau BJDs, and West Coast Kids in person. And as you can imagine, for someone like me who has always loved my dolls, I was in doll heaven! I took tons of pictures which you can view at www.imagestation.com/members/jessicana

It was a weekend long event so I was there both days admiring all of the beautiful dolls and the cute teddies that were there. So many big names were there but I was so excited to get to meet Cheri from Ginger Brook Hollow and spend some time with her. Without a doubt, she lived up to her reputation as being a very kind and sweet woman. I also was able to meet Maria from http://www.mariasdollhouse.com/. She is a well respected doll collector in the 18" vinyl play doll world. She was also very nice and actually spent a lot of time walking booth to booth with me enjoying the dolls.

Of course, at the end of the event, I ended up bringing home some new dolls. Here is a picture...





















































































Well, even though the event is over, I still can't get the dolls out of my head. I am so excited to have my first Ginger Brook Hollow doll because I have wanted one for a little while and just always thought they were out of my price range. Today I was admiring the great detail and quality of my new Meg and thinking about how I have to stop thinking about quantity, and start thinking about quality as far as my collecting goes. The funny thing is that I think that while I was there at the expo, I was bitten by the Ginger Brook Hollow bug because if tomorrow all the other doll companies disappeared from the face of the earth, I really think I could be happy just collecting Ginger Brook Hollow. I love these dolls!