I'm random, thanks for asking.

1. How did you choose your LJ/DW username?
At the time I started my LJ, I was newly (less than a year) obsessed with Lord of the Rings, and also working at Starbucks, which was good for my coffee addiction. So, I chose a name that reflected the things I loved. I almost went with javaoliphaunt, but thought it was too out there. So, ringsandcoffee it was.

2. What has been your favorite day this year and why?
Either the days in March when I went to Disneyland, or the last day of work, which meant I would not be getting away from the job that was making me so unhappy.

3. What is your favorite film you've seen in the past year and why?
Funny that I have Pride and Prejudice on as background noise, as that's one of my all-time favorites. Past year as in since January or since last September? Either way, I have not seen that many new movies. I saw Wonder Woman, Guardians of the Galexy 2, and in December, Rogue One. I feel like I'm missing something, either in the theater or on Netflix. Nothing really sticks out as something I LOVED.

4. What is your favorite book you've read in the past year and why?
I've read half of One Thousand Gifts (Ann Voskamp), all of Ragamuffin Gospel (Brennan Manning), and have started A Homemade Life (Molly Wizenberg). My word, I need to read more books. I read too much online.

5. You get to program a half-hour of music videos on MTV. What videos to you pick?
Probably stuff from the 90s, when they actually played music videos. Even now, all I can think of Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much, and that was on VH1. Oh! I'd have it be an episode of Pop-Up Video, so I could read random facts along with hearing the songs.

I miss the millions of coffee shops in London. I miss the abundance of coffee shops in the UK in general. If you think the cities you know of have too many Starbucks or whatever, they've got NOTHING on England. You're never far from somewhere with coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.

I tried to finish my trip journal tonight, but got tired and quit. I have 2.5 days left to write up. After that, it will be all the random memories that keep coming to mind.

I also need to post pictures and decide which I want to print. Oh, and find frames for my post cards and photo. I've looked all over for frames, but I think I might have to go the custom route. Collage frames with 3 openings are harder to find than I thought.

Seriously, I miss the coffee shops.

If you've known me for any length of time (or even just know my lj name), you know I love coffee. The flavor, the scent, and of course that it helps me wake up in the morning. If I don't want to mess with my sleep, I'll drink decaf on occasion. I'd cry if a doctor told me I had to give up coffee.

Or would I?

Friday I had an iced latte, and started a pitcher of cold brew. Saturday I was sick. Sunday I still didn't want any of the cold brew. Monday I met Susan at Lux to work on our letter, but only drank half my iced latte. Tuesday, the pitcher of cold brew was still untouched. Finally poured a cup this morning, but only because I need to wake up before my friends come to help me move furniture. It tastes good, but I'm not gulping it down like I used to. This is so weird for me. Maybe it's a good thing. Don't know how, but maybe.

In other news, last night might have been the last night I slept in this apartment. o_O Today I hope to get all but my desk moved over to the townhouse. My computer stays here until I have internet over there, and I still have to clean this place and repaint the blue wall in my bedroom.

I like my feet. I may not love most of the rest of my body, but I think my feet are attractive. Size 9, right now my toenails are painted for the first time since May '08, and there's just nothing gross about them in general.

I want a brownie or chocolate cake.

I could drink 3-4 Peet's iced lattes a day. Seriously yummy.

Tomorrow my dad and I are going to San Francisco. It's a chance for me to spend time with him, and I miss seeing the ocean. The only definite plan so far is going to the Golden Gate Bridge. I also need to call Alison and see if we can drop by or have lunch or dinner. Short notice, but I'm just not really into seeing everyone I know on this trip.

Speaking of seeing people, I saw my brother and sister-in-law without thinking I was going to. They were over when my mom and I got back from the airport, then we had a Father's Day bbq here. My brother is a step-grandpa, so he got to celebrate too.

Lucky the dog is cute, even if he does poop in the house. He will crawl under the covers with you if you let him. He'll stare at you with this sad face till you throw his ball, but he doesn't bring it back to you. He chases it, plays with it, then comes and sits near you and just looks at you, waiting.

So many things in my life I wish were different, yet those that are in my control I'm often too lazy to change.

I still hope I won't have to teach a 4/5 combo class next school year. Ha, school starts again on July 27th, so it seems absurd to say next year.

Tahoe on Thursday! Yay!

I bought a new dress at H&M today. Maybe I'll post a picture of it, once I take one. I also bought 2 more v-neck shirts on sale at Gap. Now I have 5 different colors. Silly me.

I also like my hair, even if it's flat because of the different water/climate/whatever. I like the color too. Oh, and my hair is way cuter than Kate Gosselin's. Ok, it's just less weird, since I don't have the spiky deal in the back.

I watched maybe my 3rd episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 tonight. I can only watch when I'm at a place with cable, plus the whole "big announcement" we all predicted. I must admit, the kids are adorable, and the show is addicting aside from the whole marital issues. I find the breakup sad, and yet I sat there, analyzing with my mom what went wrong. What went wrong, I don't know, but I agree with what joyfulmelody brought up - what about marriage vows? For better or worse, till death do us part? I don't believe the tabloids, and I wish them the best in this next, very difficult chapter of their lives.

I want to get married.

Not sure how I feel about Suliet, though I saw it coming. Surprised by the number of Suliet fans out there.

So much for my plan of doing a little work tonight.

How can I still be tired even after getting a latte on the way home? (The Human Bean is pretty good, I must say)

Did I have to be told things a million times when I was in 4th grade?

Is it strange that I was shocked when a student asked me how I knew the answers to a vocabulary activity without having to look them up?

I forgot what I was going to say.

Hi everyone!

Happy birthday a day early, ewanspotter! *squishles* Keep on being the awesome other Becky, and keep on keepin' on.

I want more chocolate.

Having Hershey's Kisses in my classroom is bad.

I finished reading all my online stuff, and have refreshed flist and Facebook a few times. Maybe I should go read P&P. Or grade math tests. Hmmm.

I must say, I kind of felt like ewanspotter in that tonight felt like dinner on a Tuesday, but cooked at home, and with presents opened before and after. This is sad, since that's not what Christmas is, though the family being together part is big for me. One positive: as much as my sister can drive me insane, she does have some redeeming qualities. I can't remember the exact example at the moment, but something funny did happen today.

Present news: I got my flute! I had asked for one for my birthday, and long story short, didn't think I was getting one after all. Well, my last present felt a little familiar as I started to unwrap it, and sure enough, there it was. Yay! I even remember the scales, though I'm quite rusty. My brother jokingly told me to play Ave Maria, and I was able to figure out the first few notes. I don't know how much practice I'll actually get, since I might be too self conscious to have my neighbors hear me play. That, and I need a practice book.

:D

Note: I did not go out for coffee today! I made some instant stuff at home, to drink with the blueberry muffins I made. Oh, crap, I did go out for coffee, sort of. I had to take my sister somewhere, and we noticed McDonalds was open. People have been telling me their iced coffee is good, so here was my chance to try it. It was a little too sweet for my taste, and I think it's full of non-dairy creamer. Wait, I use n-d creamer all the time at work. Bah, whatever.

I kept saying it would happen, and it did. I am working a few hours this week at the coffee shop because they need the help and I'm still on spring break. I had fun, but I was a little nervous at times. Fortunately, I knew how to make everything that people ordered. If someone wants a hot sandwich, I hope Vonn's around to show me how it's made.

I had the kids do some journal writing as a filler activity one day before the break. I finally got around to reading the papers today, and wouldn't you know, the first one made me depressed. One of the topics was to write whatever was on their mind and the kid wrote how class is boring because "we always have to do work." ^*&(&*((&$#$%^&*(&#@$^&()!!! How dare I expect that? Some of the others wrote cute/thoughtful/funny things, so that made me happy.

All staff memebers got this booklet about why some schools with high Latino populations succeed and others don't. At first, what I read made me frustrated, but then I got hopeful. One thing it said was there had to be strong leadership. Another was to have a strong plan (not in those exact words, but something like that). Results and/or improvement will take a few years, but it can happen. What I would LOVE is for more direction on what the heck I'm suppsoed to be doing to help kids be successful. I know I'm going to face some flack for how my kids do on AIMS this year, but dude, a little more support would be nice. I hope I get it. More direction, support, curriculum training, etc would be great.

I drove up to Sac/Folsom today. Started out by picking up Carrie, then going to two different Starbucks. I was looking for my friend who manages one, but she wasn't there. GORGEOUS store though! Oh man! Went back to my old store, where only 2 people were working, neither of which I knew. I was kind of sad. So, Carrie and I played cards for a while. It was really good to see Carrie, and who knows when I'll see her again, as she's going to YWAM school/mission for 2 years. Hooray for email though!

Drove around Folsom a bit, and went to the outlets. Bought a new wallet, and it's green! I love it. Got some lunch, then went to yet another Starbucks, this time by Carrie's house, to hang out and play cards. Had an iced coffee, since it's the new Terazza (sp?) blend. Wasn't bad, but tasted weaker than I'm used to iced coffee being.

Dinner. Drove back to Folsom and met some friends at Dos Coyotes. Mmmmmmmmm so good! I love their green salsa so much. Hilary was the first one there, and she's so cute and pregnant! Seven months along, and has the best belly. I FINALLY got to feel a baby moving and kicking. I've wanted to feel that my entire life. Before now, I either didn't know anyone pregnant, or the few chances I had to try, the baby would stop moving as soon as I got around. I felt one good punch and some movement, and also saw her whole belly shifting. That was pretty awesome. Saw 5 other friends as well. Man, it was like I'd never left. I was so happy to see all the girls again.

After dinner a few of us went to Jen's (my old roommate) house, where I got to see the dogs and the cats. Munchkin sheds as much as always, and Tigger still attacks himself. The dogs are much better behaved now. I was happy to see everyone, but I wasn't sad to leave. It's good that I can go back and still catch up with them.

Random notes: canned Starbucks iced coffee is gross. Doubleshot Lights are also gross. I drink too much coffee. I need to cut back on the Starbucks. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee