It's been two weeks, but it feels like it's been a month and a half at least since my last post, which was before school started. I've heard some clamoring to write the next post, so here goes...
I have to start with Mom and Nick's wedding. It was a weekend full of family and friends; a true celebration of love and new beginnings. Leesa and Todd Sluder hosted a fabulous fete on Friday night as a way to kick off the wedding weekend. Matt and I were able to make it to Charlotte and then drive up to Asheville by 8:30, right as Hal was singing the prayer before dinner. It was NC barbecue, so we got there in the "nick" of time, so to speak. There was food, dancing, lots of catching up and hugging. It was great!
The weather was great on Saturday; it was supposed to be rainy and stormy, but God smiled down on us and gave us blue skies and light breezes. The festivities kicked off with a quick rehearsal for the bridal party in the morning. Many of the women in the family and close family friends met for brunch in downtown Asheville. I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was good. Can anyone help me out? Mom and I whisked off to get our hair done - I loved mine - and then went over to Givens Estates to get ready for the ceremony. Mom looked beautiful in her dress and positively glowed with excitement. Graham walked her down the aisle right after Matt and I walked down. Lelia Lattimore, who played the harp in my wedding, also played for Mom's ceremony so there was an ethereal atmosphere, especially with the afternoon sun shining through the stained glass windows. One of the highlights of the ceremony was having Granddaddy in attendance. He was in great spirits and had a really good day. Grandmommy was also in high spirits and enjoyed herself. They both were able to attend the reception and even did some dancing!
(I don't have a whole lot of pictures right now since I was in most of them. I'll post more later.)
After the ceremony and pictures we went to The Venue near Pack Place for the reception. Since I found the space for them through the internet and on the phone, I was really excited to see it in person. There was lots of exposed brick, natural wood, and candlelight so it gave the reception a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere. I have to say that the food was some of the best wedding food I've had, and the cake was awesome too, made by the Blue Ridge Bakery in Brevard. LOTS of dancing was done, lots of laughter rang out, tears of happiness were shed during toasts, and good memories were made. Mom and Nick have been celebrating their nuptials on their honeymoon in France. From the few messages I've received from them it's been a fabulous and memorable trip for them.
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The wedding weekend was wonderful and we wouldn't have had it any other way, but it wasn't all that restful. We flew in on Friday evening, drove to Charlotte and celebrated until Sunday afternoon when we drove back to Charlotte and flew back to NY. Matt and I have both been working like crazy and making hay while the sun shines and into night (which by the way is coming a lot sooner these days).
School got off to a good start and things are settling it nicely, it seems. I have submitted all of the documentation I need (God willing) to the state for my conditional certification. I hope it will be issued in the next week. Did I mention that I received an email last week from my HR contact basically saying that my original plan of action regarding my certification was correct??? I didn't really have to take those tests, just the workshops. Silly state (said with a lot of sarcasm and repressed anger)! Anyway, things should be worked out and I should get paid soon. 'Should' being the operative word. Keep the prayers coming people, we're not out of the woods yet : /
My class is HIGH energy - with 14 boys and 5 girls how could it not be? They are sweet most of the time and they love to read, so I can work with that. The sub that's been working with me, Amy, is fulfilling another position starting next week, so I will be on my own after this week. It's a short week, so I have some time to mentally prepare for handling everything myself. I've been doing most everything, but having another person in the room helping is always nice. Ernestine, I need you! It's a short week because Rosh Hashanah is Thursday and Friday (I think??). Just in case you didn't know (and I didn't until yesterday), it's the Jewish New Year.
We've been doing lots of community building activities...a LOT of social/emotional work...self portraits...name work and various greetings...play centers...and math. Below is our classroom with everyone's self portrait. Pretty cute, if you ask me.
Something that didn't happen in NC: President Obama did not visit the gathering of most of the world's most powerful and influential leaders 10 blocks north of my school. The UN is having it's annual general conference and there's been lots of traffic, or so I've heard from other teachers. It hasn't really affected me on my walk to work...the perks of not having to drive or ride the subway!
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It's hard to believe that October is next week! The weather has suddenly turned a lot cooler. Eek! I don't know if I'm ready for the cold! Matt and I are committed to taking advantage of the still-nice weather and getting outside to do stuff before it's unbearable. I ran on Saturday and then we rode bikes all the way down the east side of the island and then around the tip of Battery Park and up the west side. On Sunday we went to church and then down to Little Italy for the San Gennaro festival, which was fun. We ate some good Italian food, duh. We heard more really strong New York accents at the festival than we've heard all summer.
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Some things I'd like to do this fall in NY:
*Go apple picking at an orchard nearby
*Use picked apples to make apple butter with Grandmommy's recipe
*Take advantage of some of the beer gardens around town
*Buy snow boots and a parka (I'm taking all recommendations starting now)
*Convince Matt that Charlie needs a coat or vest for the winter (maybe he doesn't actually need it, but c'mon, he'd look so cute!)
If anyone out there knows of other fun things to do in NYC during autumn, let us know! Happy fall, Y'all!
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