Happy Birthday, Mama!

Today is my Mother's birthday. It's also the 2 year anniversary of her funeral. 2 years ago today friends and family packed my Mom's church and celebrated her life! I keep saying how hard it is to believe that it's been 2 years. I think about her all the time, and miss her more. Lately she has been even more on my mind because of the baby we're expecting this winter. I still have the urge to pick up the phone and speed dial her whenever I have news to share.

This is a pic of Ma and Savannah at my last birthday party she attended. She was already on the oxygen but she tried not to let that slow her down! She was a tough lady!

In other news, the new job is going well but the adjustment has been difficult, particularly, financially speaking. It will all even out in the long run, hopefully, but money continues to be tight. As I get down on myself for yet another stumble, and try to figure out a way to bring in some extra money - I'm applying for part time work locally - I often get down on myself. Today I got some advise from Dad. He thinks I should try a more positive mental attitude and in the best case adopt a "Every day is a pretty day" outlook and in the worst case say, "I think this positively sucks!" Thanks, Pops!

How Should I Feel?

You tell me.

Today is the 2 year anniversary of my Mother's passing. It's amazing to think that it has been that long since I hugged my Mom, or heard her laugh. I don't know how all of that time has past since I last stood by her bedside in the ICU Ward but it has. Her birthday is on Sunday. So July has been and probably will continue to be a hard month for me.

Then on the other hand I did find out today that Sara and I are having, %90 sure, a baby girl! I guess nothing's a sure thing, but the ultrasound technician and the doctor agreed that it appears to be a female baby. The baby was rather uncooperative with the whole procedure and kept turning away from the ultrasound, so we didn't even get a good look at the face either.

SO it's kinda a mixed bag today. Missing my mother, of course, but super excited for the daughter that she would have spoiled and loved unfailingly. That's not to say that she wouldn't have loved another grandson, she would've been just as please. But I believe that I could hear my mother's laugh as Sara and I opened the envelope and unfolded the note that read, "Congratulations, You're Having A Baby Girl!" She'd get a kick out of me raising a daughter!

How Goes it?

It's going well. I've been at the new job for over a week now. As previously stated I am enjoying the shortened commute in both the morning and the afternoon.

The school is run differently than what I am used to but it isn't necessarily a bad different. I definitely feel like much more of a teacher, as opposed to a babysitter, than I did in my last position. That isn't entirely fair - the last student needed one to one assistance and attention getting him through his daily routine, and help him achieve his goals. This job I am responsible for the instruction of many students in subject of Science. I will actually be teaching.

I miss some of my old coworkers, of course. I miss some of the students. However, I have met new students of whom I am already fond, and I will develop relationships with my new coworkers. In the long run I am sure that changing schools, and choosing to work closer to home will end up being a wise decision.

A slightly uninteresting side note - once again students, and also a staff member have found making fun of my last name amusing. 'Corn on The Cobb' has been a name that has followed me around since preschool, I believe, but people always think that they're the 1st person to come up with such a clever title for me. It doesn't bother me anymore, but I'm always entertained by the smirk that crosses over a student's face as they say, "Good Morning, Mr. 'Corn On The Cobb!'" No points for originality.

Happy 4th!

It's July again and once again, we celebrate our country's independence with fireworks. Saturday night our neighborhood had a fireworks show. Sunday we drove down to North Beach to enjoy a day on the Bay, stood on the dock and watched the fireworks compete with the thunderstorm that was blowing through. Tonight we're off to visit some friends who're throwing a little 4th of July get together - I'm not sure if there will be fireworks but I kinda expect a few.

Ummm... okay I have to interrupt, and rework this post to report that we just got home from our friends' house and the fireworks were amazing. Amateur fireworks but holy crap they were impressive tonight in Londontowne. It was just people shooting off from their docks, public beaches or sailboats but there were fireworks everywhere for over 45 minutes. 3 guys seemed to be in contention for master of ceremonies but there were at least 3 times as many people firing off fireworks of all sizes and descriptions.

I was giddy. There were so many bright colors and loud explosions that I didn't know where to look or what to say except, "Oooh! Aaaah! Wow, look at that!" Afterward I realized that I had probably just seen several times my annual income in fireworks from people who were just celebrating being American! Must be nice to be so patriotic and have such a large disposable income.

Orientation

7:10 AM - Just finished eating my breakfast. The dog has been walked. Soon, in the next 15 minutes or so I will be heading out the door and driving to my 1st day on the new job! I will let you know how things go later on in the day when I get home from my 'commute'.

3:25 PM - Home from my orientation. Morning commute took 17.5 minutes. I spent the rest of the day being handed forms and packets with the assurance that' "You'll understand everything eventually." I think I am going to enjoy the new job!

The Calm Before The Storm?

Or maybe it's just having a little bit of downtime before starting my new job, and then there is, of course, the impending birth of the baby. Did I mention that we're having a baby? Well, we are!

Sara and I are expecting our firstborn this Winter, and there is a whole helluva a lot to get done before the baby comes! It's still a little surreal at this point! We've had a few doctors appointments, we've heard the heart beat, seen the ultrasounds, but it all seems so foreign.

I've had the last week off from work as I gear up to start at the new school, and figure out my new schedule with, possibly, a 2nd job, and, hopefully, evening classes. Everyone keeps telling us that life as we know it is going to change but we were actually hoping for a change anyway. Time keeps on ticking, and the expectations are growing!

Farewell Washington DC Beltway!

I hope to never have to see you again on a regular basis, and especially not for a daily commute!
Yesterday saw my last 2 Rush Hour Commutes on the Washington Beltway EVER! E V E R!! I signed all the paperwork, received some parting gifts from some coworkers and left Ivymount for the last time as an employee. Starting in just over a week I will be a new employee of the Harbour School here in Annapolis! As I've written before that means I'll have to commute 11 miles to my new job! ELEVEN MILES! When I clocked it I can get to work in less than 20 minutes! That's will save me tons in gas money, and hours of my life stuck in the car going to and from work!

I am excited for this new opportunity! I am sad to leave behind students and staff whom I care about but it was time for me to leave... again. A couple years ago when I quit my drama teacher job it was to, hopefully, move back to Chicago. This time I'm walking away for a chance to better my situation, and further my career, again, hopefully. I am in such a different place nowadays and I hope that this streak of good luck holds out. It's been a rough couple years.

Hush Puppies and Body-Surfing!

Sara and I got back earlier this evening from our most recent trip to North Carolina; this time to the Eastern part! A quick weekend trip, even though traffic did its best to lengthen our journey.


It was a fun time spent with family, both immediate and extended. We chatted, spent some time playing on the beach, ate some good southern foods, and laughed alot! It was another much needed getaway! When people ask me what I did this past weekend I'll say, 'I ate hush puppies and went body-surfing!'

On The Road Again!

Sara and I will be hitting the road once more heading back down to North Carolina for the weekend. This time we'll be on the Eastern side attending a Cobb family reunion with our nearest and dearest! Road tripping down with my little brother and his wife, to join the rest of my family. First I must get through a Friday work day before leaving for our trip.

Speaking of work, I've started counting down the commutes I have left at my current job. Tomorrow morning will mark Number 11! I am not counting the afternoon drive because we're not coming home - don't misunderstand, tomorrow's afternoon rush hour will probably still be torturous but we'll be heading in the opposite direction. Then next week I have 5 more work days which equals 10 more rush hour commutes before I bid farewell to Beltway driving! I cannot wait!

Snatching Opportunities From The Passing Days!

The actual quote from Horace is, "Let us my friends snatch our opportunity from the passing day."

Without revealing too much at this point I would like to say that I have recently snatched an opportunity which will hopefully make life a little more pleasant these days. I have accepted a job, similar to my current job, at a school, similar to my current school, but instead of commuting all the way around the Beltway to Rockville it is here in Annapolis! That means no more nightmare commutes, and spending 3 to 4 hours a day in my car just getting to and from work! I will now be able to get to work in less that 20 minutes, and, hopefully, I will be able to cut way down on fuel costs! I will be starting at the end of June and am looking forward to this new adventure, and appreciative of the potential changes for the better.