I feel bad, taking a picture of my new phone with my old one, it makes me feel guilty, because this phone got me through alot, I drop it at least 4 times a day…lose it about 6 times, once or twice it was flung from a treadmill…I’ll be safer this time I swear! I’ll exercise using this phone not the new one haha.

So, why the switch? I’m not just a lemming jumping off a bridge, intact I would have gotten a replacement of this phone if I could have, but 8gb would not last me a week, ice already nearly filled this phone up, downgrading would be an issue.

But I was willing to let this upgrade pass me by, except, I had one of my….issues. While running the phone fell and chipped a bit of the body, right at the headphone opening and then some of the metal inside the port loosened and came out. It still works, but I use my headphone port daily, and I’m worried about it breaking more.

So I’ll have to start using my phone as a phone, and less as an ipod, boo. But actually this new phone will be more suited to that purpose…it even looks more like a phone and less like a suped up iPod.

I haven’t switched over yet, I’ll do so after my vacation, as I am used to this phone and don’t want to risk dunking a new iPhone into Loch Ness.

With this new phone, I am looking forward to more battery time (I’m at 10% on this one, it will be shutting down any min, I need to type faster!!!) and more space.

I like that this phone fits better in my hand, the dropping of my old phone is due to my child size fingers not being able to grip, but with this new phone my fingers can actually wrap around to the front, plus this stainless steel and glass like casing seem very hard for me to destroy…I hope.

I will miss my white body phone, but as I had it covered by a case all this time you could only tell it was the white phone from looking at the back, so the lack of a white iPhone won’t kill me.

I can’t esoteric until they start rolling out decent cases of this baby, I’m especially excited about what Seidio comes out with, this case I have now feels almost feathery so I hope they make the iPhone 4 one with a similar material….also, I really hope they make this rose color again. Who would I be without a pinkish purple cell phone? ( which is funny because I only like pink tech things, like cell phones and digital cameras, other than that I am not a fan of the color pink)

I got this package in the mail today…my information for my UK trip!!! I’m getting ready so that I have access to my phone (through wireless and skype, not data plan, I’m not THAT insane.)

I’m planning to use my wordpress ap to update the blog with my travels, so expect pictures! And expect short choppy posts, like this one, because blogging via phone isn’t something I really enjoy, my fingers aren’t big fans.

I did review several books at goodreads but one of my reviews vanished so I have to hunt around but I should get some posts up before I go (July 19-30th). I’ve been reading like mad lately to try and get it in before my trip.

I’m taking “Don’t Judge a Girl by her Cover” as my vacation book, as it seems to take place in part in London, but it keeps tempting me to read it earlier…it’s all cute, and pink, and filled with teenage spies and I really want to read it ASAP.

you have probably heard my awesomely sucky story of finding a mouse in my apartment and the three hours it took me to catch it in a tupperwear container and flip it out the door last week. I thought this was the end of my mouse issues. When I came home this weekend from visiting my parents I found a dead mouse under my coffee table. I took me several hours to notice it, uh oops. So I thought AHHH IT GOT BACK IN, AHHHH SADIE GOT IT and I thought THAT was the end of my mouse issues. Until about 4 hour later, while watching the Oscars last night where I noticed Sadie stalking my kitchen stove area. She lunged and walked out of my kitchen with a mouse in her mouth…which she carried into the back room, and promptly let go to play with it.

This caused me to stay up until 1 AM blocking all my doors with cloths and shoving Sadie into the mouse room. She failed at getting the mouse as far as I could see. Today I locked Sadie in the backroom the entire day I was at work. I locked myself out of the apartment and my car so I ended up walking to school, getting picked up by my principal when I got on district property, worked the bookfair, came home (my parents met me to get into the apartment) where I opened the door and found Sadie’s latest kill.

I made my mother dispose of the mouse.
So third mouse.

I know I live in a basement apartment with an empty field behind it, and a door with all wholes underneath it. I also know I have a cat that kills mice but I WANT THEM OUT. AHHHHHHHH.

Oh this just doesn’t need any commentary from me, other than I had the dream castle when I was a kid.

Poll: Scariest thing ever…or Funniest?

I’ve been thinking on this since Valentine’s day. I was never one to go and get all depressed over Singles Awareness Day, and personally when I walked into a restaurant on Feb 14 and saw couple in matching red outfits I thought they just looked silly not out of jealousy…because, they actually looked silly. But I have realized something though, maybe it’s the Facebook I AM ENGAGED!!! LOOK AT MY WEDDING! OOOH MY ULTRASOUND WAS TODAY, WANNAAAA SEEE? notes that keep swirling around me. I realized, I am not 12.

This may sound like a strange realization to have, since I haven’t been 12 for 15 years now, but I have always felt about 12. That same insecure middle school starting (we Jr. High for use LHS jokes) feeling. Like I am still on edge waiting for some jerk to snap my bra, and for me to trip with a tray of food in front of a room full of people, or have someone  laugh at how my chest size made it impossible for me to do the limbo (yes, thank you, you are so kind.) I’m still in the mode of fear I will do something dumb and everyone will make fun of me —”They’re all going to laugh at you!!”

I know I’m not who I was when I was a teenager, I’ve had so many experiences that have took me in new directions…but I don’t FEEL that different personality wise. The fact that I always look younger than I am doesn’t help in this regard. People assume I am a kid, so I still act like one, it’s an excuse to wear pink hats out in public and pigtails, and not be taken seriously. Apparently my greatest fear is TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, based on how many times I am legitimately upset and turn it into a joke.

I seriously think that if there was a movie ever made about my life I would be the quirky sidekick….yes I WOULD BE THE SIDEKICK IN MY OWN MOVIE. I was always the girl with a good amount of guy friends…who were all interested in one of my other friends, and used me to vent about said girls.

So what does this have to do with Valentine’s day? It’s the famous line mother’s all over the world tell their little girls “You have to love yourself first” and I, as you might have noticed, seem to hate myself with a passion. My mother gave me a link to an online dating site, which I am not taking seriously, but sure, I made an account months ago because if my own mother has given up on me and wants me to date online, I guess I should pretend to make an effort

Every time someone messages me on a site like this and says something complimentary I just assume they are insane, because who would compliment me….okay most of the people on sites like this very well may be insane. Like how I’m pretty sure this 56 year old that messaged me drove my school bus a few times when I was a kid. Also this 47 year old who said “can we chat sometime, maybe meet and do something?” That sounds…like something one should not reply to. And now a 43 year old. This is soooo boosting my self esteem.  Hmm, and this fellow who messaged me several weeks ago and then forgot and sent the same generic message again that he must send to all the girls.

So my experiment is showing interesting results. I should note that I have NOT replied too any of these people.

This leads me to the question of WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME THAT ONLY 56 YEAR OLD BUS DRIVERS want to date me?

I have examined the problem and have come up with the following reasons:

1. My hobbies and interests are just too specific and unique for anyone to connect with me, and feel they have things in common with me. I mean I like strange things like, watching movies, and TV shows, going to the movies, reading emails (typo edit, originally this said EATING EMAILS, which Kat told me might be the reason I am single haha), being online, books and reading…Hey. wait….

2. My look. I’m not sure if these relatively older gentlemen are messaging me because they want to date much younger women, or if they are creepy men who like girls who look like teenagers, because there is not a day in my life so far that I have actually looked 27. I’m 23 on a “I’m going to dress like a grownup day.”  I look at some of my co-workers who are similarly aged and I just feel like I’m the little girl playing dress up compared to them.  Put-together is not a description that matches me very well.

3.) Because of my job. I think I mentioned that a friend of mine was feeling a bit iffy about a guy she went on a few dates with (and was still not sure if she liked or not) hanging out with us at the Casino the other night. He wanted to bring his friends too, and she told him that that was okay, her friends weren’t really into bar hopping with the guys because “One is in a relationship….and the other is a Librarian.” Thanks? Also, when guys think “Librarian” they seem to think shy, mousy and socially awkward on the outside but deep down she is wild!!!  I’ve got that mousy and socially awkward part down perfect, but that’s it. What you see is what you get, there really is no such thing as Naughty Librarians, or School Teachers (okay, yes the Elem Teacher that was fired for being on the bikini boat) but I mean in real life people are just people, they don’t have hidden dark sides…I think. I know I don’t.

4.) Because I have such high standards, no really. Here is what I want in a guy:

a. He should be able to wrap presents, because I am really bad at that.

b. he should also be able to open jars and things for me without making fun of how weak I am, because it is NOT about weakness, i just have child sized hands that make it hard to open things.

c. he should probably be able to cook, since I tend to catch things on fire when I try.

d. He should not be embarrassed if he walks in on me dancing and singing along to the Go Go’s or Operator Please or …Kelly Clarkson…

e. He should know that when I scream “It’s a SPIDER, GET RID OF IT, GET RID OF IT!!!” there is an unspoken (because I am paralized by fear) :”but don’t kill it please, just get it the heck away from me” added to that.

f. It would help if he liked to put things away, especially clothes, because I HATE putting laundry away, it’s my least favorite chore. I am all for scrubbing, cleaning bathrooms, really. Just folding laundry and putting it away is an issue.

g. He should probably like insane Cats, because Sadie is a bit mental.  Right now I swear she is trying to aim her little foam cat toys into the garage can. Is there an NBA for cats?

h. The use of decent grammar is needed, I’m not a grammar Nazi (def not spelling Nazi either since that would be hypocritical…as I had spelled Nazi wrong as pointed out by Chris) but,  really,  ”yous” is not a word here people.

i. He should not be a 56 year old bus driver. Or really over ten years older than me, because that just screams CREEPY.

j. I would say He has to be taller than me (because I need help reaching for things), but really….who isn’t

I think the real issue is, where do 20-something meet people Think about it.  I work in an Elementary school, so work is not an option. How many guy elementary teachers did you have, really? I’m not a bar person, never was, I can’t ever hear what anyone is saying. Through friends, my friends leave the house about as much as I do…maybe less.

I suppose I should get a few more cats and just offically give up haha. But there might still be hope, perhaps 27 is too young to go into Crazy Cat Lady status…I hope.

I’m going to start a new blogging idea tonight. I work with kids from age 5 to about 11 years old, and they are soooo funny. I live my job so much because even in the days where I teach the same exact lesson as the day before the students make the class periods a completely different experience.

My cousin, hi Tara, asked me over Twitter, if my students said anything funny/cute lately so I thought I’d share things like that with a blog topic. No names included and only the things I deem as too amazing to not share will be used lol

I’ll label these as tmss in the blog. There were some cute ones today

First, I had a little boy not looking at me during the story time, I was worried he was crying but I realized he was yawning. Our school doesn’t have room to have full day k classes, so this boy was part of the PM class. They came to school st 1:00 and came to library around 2:15 or so.

When I asked him what was wrong he said “I’m Was almost falling asleep…I’ve been in school FOR HOURS!!” it was too cute.

During the same class, the same boy was lifting himself up on the table and I told him he didn’t need to be any taller, as he was the tallest in the class already.

Little girl: “No, that’s you! You are the tallest in the class, Miss Chrusch!”

…that’s abnormal as I have second and third graders my height and talker and it made my day! But then I noticed that this was only true because my helper mom wasn’t standing up at the time.

I'm going to the UK!!! and...apparently now I am blonde...uh?

It’s official. I just paid for my European Vacation in full today. Other than classes, that is the most I have EVER put on a credit card, and I found it to be physically painful. My dad always said about himself: “I’m not cheap, I’m FRUGAL.” Well, not me, I’m 100% cheap and not afraid to admit it…as long as I am admitting to cheap as in not wanting to part with my money….and not the…other…meaning.

In general it will be about 5 days in London, and then another week of driving around the English and Scottish County-side. I keep hearing wonderful things about about Scotland…I know it’s a tourist trap but I think I HAVE to go to Loch Ness. Yes, I know those photos are admitted fakes, but I spent my childhood taking out Loch Ness Monster Books from the Library (along with Amelia Earhart books….and anything about Kittens.) I loved a great mystery even then. I later convinced myself I would be the person to discover without a doubt who Jack the Ripper was. Wasn’t sure how, since I have no science skills. I also wanted to see Nessie for myself, and find Amelia Earhart alive and well on some deserted island (Amelia being born in 1897 would make that hard, but I never claimed to be good at math. )

My goal in life was always to work for the CDC in Atlanta…which is odd again, since I have no science or math skills. But I just love puzzles, secrets, trying to get to the bottom of something. Suprisingly I don’t read much from the mystery genre though, unless it is a YA book with a mystery in it. But, straight mysteries written for grownups about grownup things *yawn*

I also love European History, War of the Roses type stuff. My favorite class in High School was one where we had to memorize the kings (and queens) of England and list them in order. Again, I know, I’m insane.  As an English major I always took European Lit over American Lit if I was given the option.

Lauren and I are off to the UK in July, which gives me plenty of time to worry about how much of a bad idea it is for ME (who gets lost in parkinglots) to be wandering around Europe.

I stressed myself out for no reason this week. I had an observation that went fine, the only time my observations go poorly is when I FREAK MYSELF OUT BEFORE HAND, but somehow I pulled myself together. Already got my feedback, so I don’t have to fret about this all weekend (and the news was good.)

I had today off, it was an embedded snow makeup that we didn’t have to use, as we only had a delay so far this year. I spent last night playing with the wii until after 1am, then I slept in until 9:30. Lovely.

Today I went on an insane cleaning spree, like pouring comet on the floor and scrubbing like a crazy person. I worked mostly nonstop until 5:30 or so, forgetting to eat, and I’m still not done. I have clothes on my bed and the dryer that need to be put away. I don’t know how one person can have so much stuff.

Speaking of apartments, I finally hung up the paintings I’ve had since this summer (and a few from last Summer) to finish up my decorating. So here are new pictures…dun dun dun!

Look the ROOM IS CLEAN!!

Finally hung something up behind the couch, the blank wall was driving me nutty. I really like the French Cafe painting.

Added another painting and a pink chair that came from my grandparent’s house.

New PC

Decorated the back room to inspire me to exercise more. that Russian Theater Poster is from ALA in 2006 lol

1. CHUCK, TOMORROW:

You really have no idea how excited I am that Chuck was not canceled, or was canceled but the folks at NBC were drowning in Subway subs and didn’t want the Chuck fans to kill them, and they renewed Chuck. You know where I’ll be tomorrow night. I’ll have to lesson plan early because my night belongs to Chuck, he is totally the spy I was looking for haha. I just love this show, I miss my Alias so much, so this fit my Spy needs, and yet is so quirky and funny that it fits in with my “Melissa likes TV that doesn’t take itself too seriously” needs as well.

2. Lost: Feb 2

I was never a Lostie, I would watch the big important episodes, and pretend I knew enough to unders

tand, but until last month I ha no idea. I spent about 2 months watching every Lost Episode Season 1-Season 5 in order, and I can’t wait until Season 6. Yeah, late to the party.

3. Parenthood: March First

When I saw this preview about an hour ago I literally laughed out loud. I love Lauren Graham, I wish I WERE Lauren Graham, so there is no way I would not watch her new show. I don’t even care if the first time they tried to turn this into a TV series it didn’t work, it has Lauren Graham, so this will work…because TV isn’t fun without her

4. Happy Town

Supposed to be on ABC around March, and looks really good.

5. Life Unexpected

Shiri looks pretty much the same as she did on Roswell, which is strange since I KNOW I look very different from when I was 15 and watching that show. Her playing a mother is a bit hard for me to handle, as it would have her playing a character who is supposed to be 6 years older than me or so, if she has a 16 year old from senior year of High School. Lauren Graham in Gilmore girls was playing a young mom, but she looked more like a young mom….Shiri looks…like she could be the teen girl herself, haha. It has a bit of a Lifetime feel, but maybe it’s because the last time I saw Shiri in anything it was some Lifetime movie. But I always liked her and this looks like the type of show I could get into, hopefully it will work, as I haven’t really watched the CW since Gilmore Girls. Oh wait…I watch Gossip Girl, did I just admit that out loud?

6. Emma

I don’t care if the ratings were low in the UK because Austen has been done to death, when I saw there was a new adaption of Emma I was so excited. Apparently it is going to be on PBS in late January. I had no idea until I wandered over to Green Bean Teen Queen today, and I am so happy I did. I am SO THERE PBS, count me in.

7. Project Runway Season 7

I need to remember, that even though there is all this great TV, that I do need to do other things, like BLOG, and READ, and LESSON PLAN…and EAT, I always forget to eat…

Haven’t posted in a good chunk of time, as the Christmas Season usually kills me….not that I’m really busy or anything. I am a last min person, and stress myself out by not doing anything I should, when I should.

My last post was about how I was going to make all these wonderful healthy changes in my life, which is funny since all I have been doing lately is watching Lost Seasons 1-5 and eating Candy Canes. The Second to last episode of Lost is actually playing as I type this. LOST, BTW, is freakin insane, in a good way. I watched it often, but not EVERY episode until now, so I knew the major WOA moments, but it’s the smaller connections that is making it exciting to watch. I actually watched most of Season 5 as it aired, but watching it again, now with an understanding of all the other crazy not randomness,  is exciting.

Enough of my Lost babble, my goal of finishing this before Season 6 has killed all my reading time. I had to return three unread Library books, which I am ashamed to admit.  I am reading “The Maze Runner” now which totally fits into my Lost theme right now.

I’ve been having a bit of an issue lately, a kid guessed my age at 55, either he was busting me, or kids really are not skilled at age guessing, since I still get handed Children’s menus at age 27. I went to a Mary Kay party, and was told I have to use Anti-Aging products…Maria was told she was okay to use the young people’s products but I being above 23, am a GONER. THEN a girl told me that I looked like a teenager…except for my skin, which I WANT TO PRETEND meant that I have better skin than a teen…right? That’s what she meant…do I suddenly have wrinkles? AHHHH.

So at the Party I bought some anti-aging face wash, and moisturizing cream, and something for dark circles that I fully expect will not work.

I’ve never been a product, or makeup girl, I use just what I need to get buy, foundation, blush, and lip color. I tend to buy fancy cleansers and such and never use them, so I fully except this to be the case.

Maybe if I actually start using big girl makeup and products I will no longer look 12 to the older folk (I don’t think the 10 year olds thinking I look middle age is a true testament to how I look.)

I’m debating on buying a wii/wii fit for my exercise funk I am in….or winter running gear and just force myself out of the house.