Evaluation

Yesterday, I had my mid-year evaluation. Basically, this is done so that my supervisor can recommend to the School Board that my contract be renewed. I got a good evaluation and wanted to share some of the comments:

-Always creates a positive learning environment

-Seeks to improve the overall process

-Works well with others

-Maintains a positive morale

-Uses funds effectively

-Is cooperative and receptive to suggestions and works well as a member of the administrative team

-Casey has had to adjust and grow into learning a new position this year and she had done a good job. She is quick to respond to identified needs and has a great professional attitude.

I guess all of my stress is paying off :-)

A Free Breakfast?

Yes, it's true! Today from 6:00am to 2:00pm you can get a FREE Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny's (an ad ran during the Super Bowl)! Meg and I decided that this would be worth getting up early...we both love breakfast. We agreed to meet at Denny's on Maurine at 6:30am...which meant that I had to get up at 5:30am! I can't tell you the last time I have been up at such an ungodly hour! Usually, I am just going to bed at that time.

So anyway, we met at 6:30 and the place was hopping! We were seated quickly and our food was delivered shortly after that. It was delicious! I usually don't eat such a heavy meal for breakfast so I am sure that I will be feeling the effects later. By the way, the waitstaff was wonderful...all had smiles on their faces and seemed to enjoy being there (and you know that they are going to have to deal with all kinds of people today).

We got in and out of there in around 30 minutes; I got to work at 7:30...too bad that I have to work until 6:30 tonight!

Get out there and enjoy a FREE breakfast and don't forget to tip your waiter/waitress :-)

http://dennys.com

Week In Review

Man, finding time to blog is not easy! I have had many things happen to me this week so instead of creating a blog for each event, I will just give you the highlights!

I am in love! Ok, I am not in a relationship (and to those of you that are close to me, you would be first to know...I think the whole town of WF would probably know straightaway). Anyway, I am in love with a new gadget! My assistant and I bought itouches (iphones without the phone) recently to test them out in the hopes of using them with administrators and students. In the process of testing it out, I have found that I can't live without it! It's my internet, email, calendar, music, pictures all rolled into one! Plus, I have all these cool little apps (all free of course). There were several times this weekend when the girls and I needed to know some trivial piece of information and ta-da the itouch delivered. Who needs to be smart when you have an itouch? All of of the universe's answers are inside a two-pound magic device.

PS--Know of any cool apps that I should download?

Friday night, Meg and I went to see, "The Reader." This movie has a great story and I can see why it's up for five Oscars. Kate Winslet did an amazing job! However, I am very disappointed with the amount of nudity in this film. I don't think it added to the film in any way...definitely not a film you want to see with your parents. On Wednesday, I hope to see "MILK". I am trying to see all of the films nominated for Best Picture. The only ones left to see are "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" and "Frost/Nixon." I should be done in plenty of time before the Oscars which are being held on February 22nd (by the way, Meg and I are hosting an Oscar party and black tie is optional...more details coming soon!).

After the movie, we met Julie and Jessi at Starbucks and were accosted by a homeless man. He wanted to talk to us, but we just ignored him. He kept asking Jessi how he managed to end up with three ladies. Jessi told him to leave us alone and almost threatened him...I must admit, I was a little scared (I tend to think that most Texans carry concealed weapons). The man finally stood up to leave and said in passing, "I have had more pleasures in this life than you guys will ever experience." To which Julie replied, "Have a nice life, sir." The creepy thing is that Meg ran into him the next day while she was heading into work.

So on Saturday we headed to the Annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival. We went for a late lunch, but there were still TONS of people there! Meg really wanted to eat sausage, but hasn't eaten meat in over two years (she is a pescatarian). We had to calmly talk her out of it...it was a mini-intervention. Surprisingly, Julie was able eat and not get sick. We each ate three pancakes (some of them in the shape of Mickey Mouse) and were miserably full. After eating, Meg went to see MILK with our friend Roma and I went home and took some medicine and went to bed (as I had a head cold...still do).

Saturday evening, Meg and I ushered for Backdoor Theatre's show, "Pete-n-Keely." The only perk of ushering is that you get to see the show for free. The show was very campy, but cute.

After the show, we met Jules at Parkway for a shake and some trivia...crazy times on a Saturday night.

Sunday, I stayed in bed most of the day. I did call and wish my mother a Happy Birthday though. Around 5:00, I decided to get dressed as I was going over to Julie's to watch the Super Bowl. I am not a huge football fan (unless we are talking about OU). However, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and eating snacks. During most of the game, I worked on school stuff on my laptop (boy, I really am the life of the party). I really didn't care who won, but was really hoping the Steelers wouldn't win...oh well. I really enjoyed the wearing of the 3-D glasses during the Disney movie trailer. I think the E-trade Baby Commercial was my favorite...which one did you most enjoy?

By the way, did you know that cacti do not like snow?!? My friends, Dennis and Jason, left this cute little cactus for me to tend to...little did they know that would kill it! I didn't mean to...they said to leave it outside and let it be. Well, I am sure that they didn't mean when it was freezing! I went to get my mail on one of my days off and found it covered in snow. I raced to grab it off the table (it was frozen to the table) and brought it in the house. I talked to it and apologized profusely in hopes that it would revive. It's been a week and it still looks brown and pathetic. Maybe I am not ready for a pet or a baby!

So this week, I am going to Zumba. Zumba is an aerobics class with lots of dance moves. I have had to miss a few sessions due to technology training and hope this won't hinder me. I am not coordinated at all, but hope to have fun and burn a few calories.

Well, it's 10:00pm and I am ready to go and hang-0ut with my boyfriend, the DVR.

It's sad really...

Productive!

Today, I had the day off due to bad weather (which in North Texas means ice). I was very productive and made good use of my time. Here is what I accomplished:

1. Finished reading Malcolm Gladwell's, "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking."

2. Cleaned out my hall closet and am getting rid of 35 dresses and 11 purses/bags! I have been meaning to get to this closet, but have not found the time. Tomorrow I am tackling the kitchen...wish me luck!

3. Organized my Itunes library...which is an ongoing project.

4. Answered TONS of emails (personal and professional).

5. Talked to my friends and family on the phone.

6. Blogged three times!!!

I even had some time to watch a few shows and take a nap!

I am off tomorrow as well and hope to do some heavy-duty cleaning, laundry, bills...how much fun can one girl have???

Which One?

As you may (or may not) know, my best friends are Julie and Meg. I met Julie in London in March of 2005; Meg and I did a show at Backdoor Theatre back in 2001 (maybe it was 2002). We are all very close, but very different (from our lifestyles, hobbies, taste in men, etc). We couldn't be any more different (which sometimes causes some GREAT drama) ! I am going to pose 10 questions and we will see which one is best described in the scenario:

1. You have two tickets to the Monster Truck Show that's in town. Whom would you NEVER invite? Julie...Julie would absolutely HATE this type of event and would never even agree to go! Now for Meg and I, this would be right up our alley. We are all about new experiences and meeting people through those experiences.

2. Whose diary would you most want to read? Meg...before I met her, Meg lead a very exciting life. I bet that girl has some stories :-)

3. Felix Unger was the neat freak in "The Odd Couple." Who is the Felix Unger of this group? Me...I have OCD. I like order and cleanliness. Julie is never home to worry about cleaning (she travels for work) and Meg is living in a house that she inherited from her father...with all of his things (Don is now married and living in a different house). Plus, Meg is so busy working three jobs that she is never home.

4. You dare one person to "moon" a tour bus for a dollar. Who would do it? Meg and I doubt it would be her first time...

5. Who is most likely to do something totally out of character if she could remain anonymous? Me. I am "Cautious Casey" most of the time, but would love to let my hair down every once in a while (especially if there were no repercussions to my actions).

6. Who do you think is wearing the sexiest underwear right now? Julie...Julie cares about stuff like that and spends money on the finer things in life. I wear very boring cotton underwear; I have no idea about Meg (perhaps she wore racy things when she led exciting life or maybe she still does). I really don't care to know what either one of them wears :-)

7. Who doesn't act her age? Me...if you have met me, you know this is true. I hope to never grow-up. I think being playful keeps you young. I hope my niece and godchildren think I am the most FUN person ever!

8. Whose baby pictures would produce shrieks of laughter? Julie...and she admits to this. She thinks she was the UGLIEST baby ever. I can't remember if she had a misshapen head or was an ugly color, but she can't believe that her parents took her home. She has improved over the years, however.

9. A very attractive person of the opposite sex is sitting alone in the airport lounge. Who is most likely to sit down in a nearby seat and strike up a conversation? Meg...she is not shy! I have seen this girl in action.

10. If the building were burning, who would run back in to make sure that the lights were turned off? Me...it's the OCD. I need therapy!

Movies

This past week I watched three movies (which is not unusual for me).

First up, it was "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." I liked this movie, but think it would have been easier to follow had I not DVRed it (having to fast forward through the commercials ruined the continuity). I thought the movie was smart, but it had its strange moments. It reminded me of "Being John Malkovich," which I also enjoyed. After the movie, I asked Meg if she would ever erase someone from her past and she said yes. She went on to say that sometimes relationships are not worth the pain. I totally disagree. I think the pain is what makes future relationships better. Sometimes relationships do end badly, but the pain eventually subsides and you move on (apparently, I am the type that moves on quickly...evidenced by the number of people that are "Dead to Me.").


On Martin Luther King Day, Meg and I went to see "Gran Torino." We ended up seeing half the town there! I was very disappointed with this movie and hated the ending. The movie did have a good message about getting rid of past prejudices and helping one's neighbors, but felt that the car had very little to do with storyline. By the way, the acting (other than Clint Eastwood) was TERRIBLE. If you enjoy the, "Go ahead and make my day," Clint Eastwood, then you will probably enjoy this movie. However, I would suggest waiting until it goes to the $2.00 move theater (which should be soon!).



On Saturday, Meg, Roma, Liz, and I went to see "Slumdog Millionaire." I can't even express how wonderful this movie is (it is definitely living up to its hype)! I was worried about having to read subtitles, but it was no big deal (the movie is VERY easy to follow). The visual images in this movie really stay with you. I was shocked to see the slums of Mumbia and to realize that people actually live there. It makes me very appreciative to live in The United States. Compared to those in the movie, we are very lucky. The story is incredible. I had seen very few previews, so I was intrigued at every twist and turn. This movie is an amazing portrait of the human spirit. I urge you to go and see this ASAP, no telling how long this movie will be in WF.

The balcony is now closed...

Am I?

Last night, while hanging out with my friends, Jules pointed out that I have turned into a B since taking this new job. I was appalled! She said that I NEVER return phone calls, check my voicemail, and am now screening calls more than ever. She went on to say that we don't talk daily; now it's more like two to three times a week. Furthermore, when she does actually get to talk to me, I am Debbie Downer :-( She even said that I am no longer fun and/or funny (which hurt more than being called a B).

Maybe she is right. My job is more rigorous than any I have had before. I am busy from the time I enter the building until the time leave (which is usually later than when I am supposed to leave). I don't have time to talk on the phone during the day. When I get home, being on the computer is the LAST thing I want to do at night. I, myself, have noticed that I am not the same "Carefree Casey" that I was while working at Lamar; there are just too many obligations and deadlines!

I think that once I get more experience in this job, I will be more relaxed and my stress level will decrease dramatically (plus, it will help when I have my assistant full-time). So, to adhere to my 2009 goals, I am going to try and be better friend.

Try calling me, see if I answer :-)