Category: around here

  • talent show

    My mom teaches 5th grade and my youngest brother Barry teaches theater, both at the same small charter school. On Friday night the school had a talent show and Barry asked me, my fiance David, and my brother David to be judges. This was SO much fun and I highly recommend it if you get the chance.

    There were really only 5 or so acts out of 27 that were much good, but it was all so entertaining. We had some Hannah Montana, some High School Musical, a lot of sort-of dancing and sort-of singing to songs I’ve never heard going on. I had to be told MULTIPLE times that I was not allowed to give points based on cuteness.

    But as you can see from the above not-posed-at-all picture, we deliberated very hard and took it very seriously. We came up with our own rating scale and were completely impartial, and at the end there were some clear winners, or so we thought. Apparently some people were surprised with our choices, but that’s the life of a judge. You have to deal with that kind of thing when you’re famous.

  • at the pun-off

    Here we are relaxing at the pun off. There’s a little hint in David’s expression that maybe – just maybe – he’d rather be fishing.

  • my friend is a world champion punner

    On Saturday David and I went to Austin to see my good friend and former roommate, Carmen, compete in the O. Henry World Championship Pun Competition. It’s always quite an experience, one which I have actually come to enjoy. I love visiting Austin, seeing Carmen and her family, and the pun competition can be pretty dang funny.

    Although David wasn’t completely convinced he would like it, I did catch him making a pun at one point. There was some reverb from the microphones, and someone in the crowd sarcastically yelled, “Can we get some more feedback?” Then David whispers under his breath, “Feedbag.” I made him repeat it to me, and he admitted that he was trying to pun off the word “feedback.” Too bad the pun didn’t have to do with anything…but I thought it was really cute.

    Anyway, I would like to proudly say that my friend Carmen won first place in the event “Punniest of Show.” This is where the contestants perform a prepared monologue under two minutes long. I’m so proud! For your enjoyment:

  • me and lauren

    Here I am with my one friend from nursing school, Lauren. We met on the very first day when we saw each other walking from the train to the building, and then when we got there she asked if she could sit with me. Neither of us knew anyone, and we were inseparable after that. Both of us made other acquaintances, but she is the only one I really care to stay in touch with. She’s the only one I introduced my family to. My parents always taught me that it’s about quality, not quantity!

  • family at graduation

    I love this picture of my family, old and new! Also, graduation caps are just silly.