Play Ball

"Anyway"

2010-02-06T20:57:00.001-08:00

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Josh's Visit

2009-04-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

My favorite cousin in the world came to visit me last weekend which was a total surprise. He called a few days prior to let me know he would be coming out for the weekend. That news made my day. He brings out my a side in me that very few people have ever seen. I feel so comfortable around him and we totally play off each other. I had sooooooooo much fun with him I got a little teary eyed when he left. I miss him!!

Great Quote

2009-02-18T08:34:00.000-08:00

“I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best”. –Marilyn Monroe-

Virgin Islands

2009-02-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Virgin Islands is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I loved the white sandy beaches with the clear blue water. My friend Kristin bought a condo there so it made the trip much easier to have a local show us around. She was great about being our tour guide for 5 days and took us places we never would have found on our own.

It had the potential to be extremely romantic. Being there with 3 other girls didn't quite have the same vibe to it as if I had been there with a guy, but hey, who wants to be with a guy in Paradise when you can be with your friends who are girls.

Kids say the darnest things

2008-12-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

I seriously love my job. It is very draining some days, but so fulfilling. I love hearing the unfiltered comments kids make.

5th grade teacher tells her students she is pregnant.
5th grade male: I knew you were pregnant
Teacher: Why didn't you say something
5th grade male: my dad told me to never ask a woman if she is pregnant because they might get upset if they aren't

6th grade female: Miss Todd you look pretty with your hair done and when you wear make up
They are clearly using the positive reinforcement on me

4th grade male: Miss Todd why you in all black?
Miss Todd: I also have red on
4th grader: Why are you wearing such baggy clothes, are you a "homee"
Miss Todd: My clothes aren't that baggy and no, I am not a "homee"

6th grade female and male: Miss Todd, are you married?
Miss Todd: No
Female: Do you have a boyfriend?
Miss Todd: No
Male: Is there somfin wrong wit you?
Miss Todd: Speechless

I had to talk to a 1st grade girl who has been talking about a boyfriend and kissing a lot.
Miss Todd: Who is your boyfriend?
1st grader: The cute boy over there (she points him out)
Miss Todd: Where did you learn about kissing?
1st grader: From my mom and dad. They kiss all the time and my mom likes to kiss my dad at night when she is naked and makes funny noises.

Bacardi Factory in Puerto Rico

2008-11-26T06:10:00.000-08:00

I used to play softball for Bacardi therefore I have heard about "THE Bacardi Factory" for years. I have always wanted to go there ever since I started playing for Bacardi. Spring Break this year some friends and I decided to go to Puerto Rico. I wanted to do a lot of activities while we were there, but the only thing I REALLY wanted to do was go to the Bacardi Factory. After some serious persuasion of my friends who do not drink we finally made our journey to Bacardi Heaven. Apparently all of Puerto Rico celebrates Good Friday. We pull up to the gate only to find it is closed along with everywhere else on the Island.

We finally made it inside the gates the following day. Excitement flowed through me as we toured the factory. I realized I was the only one who was enthralled with the tour but everyone was good about humoring me!

Halloween

2008-11-26T05:40:00.000-08:00

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. This year I went to a party at some friends of mine. They put a lot of time and effort into the decorations which made the party that much better.

Halloween is the one time of the year you can dress how ever you want. This year I was Lady Liberty with my friend, Becca. We got the idea when we were in Boston for the 4th of July. We both love the 4th of July so we had festive accessories to accompany our outfits.

Running in the Rain in White

2008-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I decided to go running on a nice Sunday afternoon. It was warm and sunny outside so I figured I would go about 5 miles. I put on my running shorts, white sports bra, white tank top, Ipod and was on my merry little way. I got about 1 mile from our house and it started to sprinkle which was actually a little refreshing. I got about another mile from home and it started to rain much harder so I decided to cut my run by a mile and head back home.

I was about 2 miles from home at this point and was pretty wet. It then started to pour, not rain, but pour. The rain drops were huge and it felt as though I had jumped in a swimming pool, fully clothed to run. I was running up King St. against traffic and noticed a lot of people honking at me. I figured they either felt sorry for me or were laughing at me. Moments later after I took my ipod off and was trying to protect it, I noticed I had a thin white tank top on over a thin white sports bra. I suddenly felt as though I was in a wet t-shirt contest and was winning. I then knew why I was being honked at and realized I still had 1 mile to go. I then decided to walk the remaining mile trying to keep my tank top pulled out as much as I could or kept my arms crossed attempting to cover as much as I could realizing there wasn't much I could do so I just laughed.

Oh well, it is the little things in life that make us laugh.

Birthday at the Fire Station

2008-11-11T19:24:00.001-08:00

This year for my birthday I got to spend the day at a fire station with my good friend Camille. It was one of the most unique birthdays I have ever had and I loved every minute. The fun men Camille works with made me feel very comfortable and at home. Soon after I arrived many of them started ripping on me, making fun of me and throwing me under the bus which led to"game on". As many of you know, I can usually hold my own when it comes to bantering and ripping on each other. Well this was no different, I felt as though I held my own dishing out as much as I was taking.

I got to ride along in the Ambulance and on the Fire Engine which was an adrenalin rush. I have to admit that every time I saw the red light flashing for a call, I secretly got excited. Everyone was great about answering all my curious questions and explaining how everything works. I have so much respect for medic's and firemen and am very grateful to those who risk their lives to save others. Camille was kind enough to make me a wonderful birthday dinner followed by delicious Better Than Sex Cake which was the perfect ending to the perfect day. I am so grateful for good friends and good food.

Quotes from Students to boost the self esteem

2008-11-07T12:06:00.000-08:00

I love working with children. I am currently a school counselor in two elementary schools and enjoy my job very much. I have had a few reality checks along the way. Children are very honest and many of them have not developed that cute little filter yet. Here are some of the quotes I have been told in the last week.

1st grade student (male): Miss Todd what do you do?
Miss Todd: I am your school counselor
Student: Oh ya, but do you have a job?
Miss Todd: Being your school counselor is my job
Student: But why don't you want a "real" job?
Miss Todd: I like my pretend job being your school counselor
Student: Oh, maybe one day you will have a "real" job then when you are a grown up.
Miss Todd: Maybe

6th grade male student: Miss Todd, where are your glasses?
Miss Todd: I have my contacts in today
Student: Oh, you look a lot smarter with your glasses on

3rd grade female student: "Miss Todd, you look a lot prettier when you do your hair and wear makeup."

2nd grade male student: Miss Todd, are you married?
Miss Todd: No I am not
Student: Then how do you drive? Only grown ups can drive.
Miss Todd: You don't have to be married to drive and I am a grown up
Student: If you are a grown up why aren't you married?
Miss Todd: Some grown ups like being single
Student: Don't worry Miss Todd, maybe one day you will get married so you don't have to be single forever.

Beach Volleyball

2008-10-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Beach Volleyball is one of my favorite sports to play. Especially when you get to play with guys who are intense and shirtless. These are my three teams for three summers in a row at the Duck Beach Volleyball tournament. There's nothing like playing the best sport on the beach!

Birthday Bowling

2008-10-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

Bowling for the second year in a row for my birthday was just as fun as the first. I love being surrounded by friends with a little competition thrown in. I have an on going competition with a few male friends when it comes to bowling. Thank goodness we usually go back and forth winning. This last time, I won which brought me joy and happiness. I am very grateful for all my friends and will remember their kindness and the memories.

Boston

2008-08-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to go to Boston for the 4th of July. I had the opportunity to go this year and it was one of the most fun trips I have ever gone on. I LOVE the 4th of July as did Becca who came with me. We were very lucky to know such great people who lived there and made our trip wonderful. It is nice to go with someone who has as little inhibitions as I do. We wore headbands with flags and pin wheels on the plane on our way there. On the 3rd of July we happened to find some 4th of July tiara's and earings. We bought them and wore them the rest of that day and all day on the 4th of July. It was so much fun. Initially, the guys who offered to be our tour guides for the day were embarrassed to be with us. After a few hours and several positive comments later, the guys started answering strangers questions as to where we purchased them. They had become proud and realized it broke down some barriers and changed the dynamic of our day.

The next day we couldn't rationalize wearing them, so we decided to go without which made us realize we liked being tourists who stood out more. All in all, it was a wonderful trip and I would recommend Boston for the 4th of July to anyone.

Kanye and Rihanna Concert

2008-05-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

So I wen to the Kanye and Rihanna concert Saturday evening with Warren and Abby. Having gone to Hip Hop concerts previously, I knew we would be thoroughly entertained merely people watching and we were. We witnessed several entertaining forms of people watching which kept us entertained through the evening. Here is a small list of items we witnessed while at the concert.

While we were waiting in traffic on our way to the concert we saw a (I'm assuming drunk) woman on the side of the road peeing. Yes, she was just peeing on the side of the road with a cluster of trees about 30 feet behind her. Apparently that was to far for privacy.
Female being arrested before the concert started for who knows what inside the pavilion
Group sitting in front of us consisted of about 4 girls and 5 boys. One of the girls wore a thong with low rise jeans and consistently moved around allowing the top 1/2 of her thong to show on a consistent basis. The point to wearing a thong is to eliminate the "panty line" but apparently she missed that concept. (Warren was funny trying to avoid looking at her)
Male near our section was on his knees peeing right there on the lawn where every one sits to watch the concert with his junk in one hand eating pizza with his other hand. NASTY!
There was a female who was so drunk she threw up then passed out by us. Her friends had to carry her out of the pavilion.
The group of girls behind us consistently smoked pot the whole concert leaving us with a contact high and wreaking of Marijuana.

Rihanna was wonderful. She and her dancers gave a great concert and I love her and her music. Kanye, who I can't stand but I like his music, is so self absorbed he had not back up dancers to keep ALL the attention on him and talked to a make believe spaceship between songs. At some point I felt like I was on an acid trip watching a concert.

2008-03-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

I love vacations!