Absent pics

Sadly, there are no photos from last weekend. We were having such a great time that we just forgot to pull out the camera. After we came back to the real world, we both realized that was a sad mistake, both wishing we had taken the time to capture our memories on film.

However, there is sure to be more in the future, so next time we'll be more diligent.

As it happens, we both are already keeping scrapbooks of all of the other momentos that we've given each other already, everything from the notes to each other to the fortunes in the fortune cookies we had when we went to lunch at a local Chinese place!

This has been a really long week, but having him nearby has made it a lot easier than it would have been without him.

Details

Okay, now I have a little more time.

I met him at the school Friday night, where we got into his Jeep and drove into the City. We checked into our room, which overlooked the harbor and had a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty.

While he ordered room service, I got dressed up for dinner. (I had been shopping for a few hours at Macy's earlier that day, and decided on a green shimmery silk top and a black skirt with piping that matched the shirt.) He looked very polished, in a starched white shirt and tan slacks. We had dinner, which was probably the best meal I'd had in months. Those Ritz chefs really do a great job!

After dinner we turned on music ....

The next morning we had room service again and lounged around in the Ritz-Carlton bathrobes that come for use with the room. I decided to take a bath in their luxurious tub while he hung out and basically waited around for me. (Such a sweetie!)

Then, it was time to go, so I went around and took just about everything that wasn't nailed down. I now have a cute little collection of Ritz toiletries, pens, pencils, notepads, stationery and even the "Do Not Disturb" sign! At this, he just laughed and told me to take whatever made me happy. He claims that he's outgrown the desire to pilfer hotel rooms and stay until the very last second before checking out, but I don't think I'll ever get over it!

After checking out, we went for a walk around Battery Park then headed down to the South Street Seaport. On the way, we stopped into St. Paul's, which is always open to the public. We walked down the aisle together and found a pew, where we sat and prayed for several minutes, then examined the marriage vows in the Book of Common Prayer. The church was getting ready for Easter services and it was really interesting to see all of the action going on but still feel so completely at peace.

We strolled through the cemetary, looking at stones from roughly the time of the American Revolution, then headed down to the South Street Seaport, where we did some window shopping and had lunch.

After catching a cab to go back to the hotel to retrieve our bags and the Jeep, he drove me home. It was amazing to me how much I missed him during the day Sunday. I couldn't wait to get to work this morning.

Now it's time to go again...he's already taken me out to lunch today, but now we're going to dinner as well. Scary how much I care for him already. I hope I did something to deserve this.

Wow

Okay, I have to make this short, because I've got sooo much work to do, but I wanted to let everybody know that my weekend was, in a word, magical.

From the moment we walked in until he dropped me off at home, everything was just incredible.

We're going out tonight for an impromtu celebration for our anniversary (we don't usually go out during the week) but I have to do some school stuff before I can head out.

Promise there will be details a little later.

Ritzy

Okay, so I've found out the biggest part of my surprise weekend. We are going to the Ritz-Carlton hotel overlooking the harbor at Battery Park. I'll have to tell you more when I am no longer speechless.

As for Stephanie's questions....

Yes, I love him. Absolutely. I actually almost blurted that out a few times before he gave me the card, and I had to hold myself back. I just thought it couldn't be happening so soon, but I guess it was!

Do I think he's going to propose this weekend...? No, I don't think so, but I'm learning rather quickly that anything is possible with this man! (Yesterday he told me that he wished we were married already...)

And the big one...how did I get over not initially being physically attracted to him...? I admit, I did have to do a little self-talk...my typical "type" is lean and medium height, with dark hair and dark eyes. And the last guy I was in a relationship with was really physically beautiful. But then, I was describing Michael to a friend (blonde hair, blue eyes, and built like a tank) and she said that was her "ulitmate" type. And I realized that it was stupid to hold onto preconceptions like what hair color is more attractive or which body type is more desirable. And, since he's 20 years older, I finally figured out that I had to decide what I wanted and what was best for me, rather than thinking about what my parents might have said or how my brother is going to be such a jerk about it. And I really believe that Michael and I are what's best for each other, based on how things have been so far. Besides that, I found out that he is a fantastic kisser and any residual twinges I had disappeared. It's actually really hard to hold on to any typical conventions when he's as wonderful to me as he is.

I'm sure you've all heard that men are sexually attracted to the body (and therefore have sex to help form the emotional bond) and women are attracted to the personality (and so sex is saved for after the emotional connection is made.) The last man I was with was gorgeous, but I was in a situation where I was continually getting hurt and made to feel that I was unimportant. (Not that it was all his fault...no one was forcing me to stay.) But with Michael, he treats me with kid gloves. I don't have to fight for his attention, and he is always doing those things that girls wish their boyfriends would do. His ultimate desire with me is to make sure that I'm happy and safe. I don't think anything could be more attractive than that!

I promise I will give updates ASAP!

freight train

okay, first i have to apologize for the lack of punctuation and capital letters today...i'm at qc on a keyboard that sux, but i am compelled to write anyway...

things with michael are going fast. super fast. i'm still thinking that's a good thing, but, as always, i am overthinking. we went out again on friday, and it was absolutely fantastic. we are talking about things that i would normally think would wait a while longer, like getting engaged and what it might be like living together, but really, it doesn't seem so far-fetched when i talk about those things with him. maybe because he's the only man i've ever been with that really had the means to walk out this second and put all of that in motion if he decided to.

anyway, i am quite excited to say that this weekend we are going "away." technically, we're only going into manhattan, but after our amazing first date at The View, i am overwhelmed at what might be in store for me. he won't tell me a damn thing, except to bring an overnight bag and be prepared to go "somewhere nice."

i admit, i am a little nervous, as things are progressing as rapidly as they are. we talked about engagement rings again today, and already he is whisking me away for a weekend.

to make it even better, he told me he loved me today, and did so in writing through a beautiful card.

to top it off, technically, monday will be our one month anniversary.

i have not been so happy in a very long time.

From morn til night

This has been the busiest week!

Class monday and wednesday, like always, but I also stayed at school tuesday for yearbook until 6 pm, then I stayed last night until 6 to work with drama club AND chaperone another dance.

I went home, exhausted, then, at 4 in the morning, some idiot was ringing the buzzer to get into the building. She rang for about on and off for about 10 minutes-just long enough to fully wake me and convince myself I couldn't be dreaming. I heard the super open the door and talk to her (that's how I know it was a "her") and finally let her in. Apparently, she "needed some air" and locked herself out. Anyway....

So, it's Friday. And I have another date. Things are going well. We had a 3-hour long conversation the other night and really sorted out some issues and things got instantly better-it's so great to be with someone who not only listens, but then actually does work to make me happy. I even told him that I still feel the need to date other people for a while (seeing as how I was trapped in a self-made limbo for the last 4 years, having some freedom is a beautiful thing!) And Michael, bless him, is disappointed but also understanding and supportive. ("Okay, go out with all of those 30-somethings for a while, and when you're done with them, I'll propose and then treat you like a goddess for the rest of your life." Really, who can argue with that?!?) Okay, so with that comment, things are still going a little faster than I would have expected, but it's still great. We have a three-day weekend next week, so I'm excited to find out if he's got ideas for us spending some time together. Right now, we both are working so much, we only get to hang out for real on Friday nights.

Besides that, I am still just trying to hold on to my sanity until the end of the next month. Yearbook is due the March 31st, I have another TWO papers to write, plus all the regular prep for school and doing drama club. Spring Break is my light at the end of the tunnel!!

By request...

Hi Stephanie! I am surprised to see that someone besides my few friends are reading this, but it's very nice to know that you're visiting!

So, by request...here is the (in)famous red dress and tattoo. (Okay, so the picture of the tattoo isn't that great, but it's on my back, so under the circumstances, I think it's okay.)

Yes, I realize that it's a little funny to post the dress without me in it, but I feel it would be wrong to post me in the dress without being all fixed up, and I'm just not in that kind of mood right now. I wish I had a photo of me with Michael at the Marriot, but we just didn't think that far ahead. Oh well.

Today was a full day...I found out, completely by accident, that one of my adorable little 8th graders has a kind of a crush on me. This is the first I've heard about it, and it's one of the most flattering things I think I've ever had happen to me. What makes it even cuter is that he's my "birthday twin"--the only child I have out of nearly 70 that shares my birthday!!

I don't know what's happened in the last week, but just over the last couple of days, I have really really come to understand how much I love these kids. Even when they're f-ing brats and I think I hate them. Now that I've started letting them come to my room at lunch, even the lazy, awful ones are starting to say crazy things like, "Good morning, Miss. It's so nice to see you today!"

Last week was picture day for the yearbook, and all of the classes got to have their picture taken as a group. ("Classes" are a little different here...the entire group of 25 or so actually rotates all together from teacher to teacher. They are identified by a number. The teacher they have homeroom with is then "their" teacher for the purposes of handing out memos, picking up permission slips and the like. Since I was not assigned a homeroom class, I am officially "without" a class that identifies themselves with me.) The announcement was made for the number of class had at that particular class period to come to the auditorium for photos. When they found out that I was without a class, they insisted on having me be a part of their class picture. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but this group was my "group from hell" at the beginning of the year, and at that moment, the transformation of our relationship seemed complete.

My next class was already in the auditorium having their pictures taken when the bell rang, so I just kept them there with me. I got to help them get fitted into their caps and gowns (here, we consider 8th grade a "graduation") and watch them have their portraits done. Still high from my invitation from my previous class, I just didn't think it could get better. But it did. After my last student got up from the photographer's chair, I sat down to have my picture done. The children sat, completely quiet and attentive while the photographer tilted my chin and straightened my shoulders. Two seconds later, the flash had gone off and I was done. When I turned around to collect my class, they were standing and....applauding!! After my curtain call, we went back to the classroom, where several kids told me I looked really nice that day, I was such a pretty teacher, and the best, "Miss, you know you hot!" Ahh, from the mouths of babes! Hahaha!!

I am really going to miss them after they graduate!!

Lesbians?

I just returned from the art gallery opening, which was unusual and educational. The exhibit was featuring art from my friend Cynthia's fiance's father, who is Greek. He is from the the isle of Lesbos, making him a Lesbian. (Even though an online dictionary entry I found says this is no longer the case, and the the "modern" name for the island is Lesvos, the man I met tonight is actually from there, and that is not what he says...)

Whilst unknown to most of the gay community, the inhabitants of the isle of Lesbos, who is named for a male legendary figure who brought olive trees to the island and married a maiden named Mithimna. "The word "lesbian" is derived from the island's name. This originates in the poems of Sappho of Lesbos, where love between women was described. Due to this link, Lesbos has often been the destination of cruises and other vacations for lesbians; however, Lesbonian authorities have expressed a dim view of this, with some cruise ships even being denied permission to dock." (from anwers.com)

So, what he really wanted to say through his art is that if you are not from Lesbos, then even if you are a gay woman, you are not, in fact a Lesbian and that the real Lesbians take offense at having their identity used in the sexual manner that we have become used to.

Perhaps "Sapphist" would be a better term?

Sweetness

Okay, it is time...I must be completely gushy for a minute.

I have not been feeling my best the last couple of days, although with almost 70 children going in and out of my space in the course of a day, I feel blessed that it has been a good month since I felt out-of-sorts at all.

Yesterday we had a freak snowstorm. Snow-filled, icy winds we blowing at nearly 40 miles an hour.

What does Michael say to this, since he's working until 8 pm? He says he wants to call a car to take me home. (I didn't let him, although I was a little tempted, but it's still too early to allow him to spend so much on me.)

The last two days, I have gotten beautiful notes in my mailbox.

Today, when I told him I wasn't feeling well, when I stopped at the office to clock out, there were two bottles in my mailbox-one orange juice, one DayQuil. Really, does it get any cuter than that?

Friday is going to be pizza and movie night at my place. I am really excited and a little nervous. It's been a long time since I had so many dates in a row, and these are happening at a really rapid pace.

It is kind of scary to like someone so much, so early on. I guess all I can do is hold on and see how it goes. On one hand, we've actually been friends about 7 months now, so it seems like it's been a long time, but then, we've only been dating since last month. There are still lots of things to discover about each other. However, I will reveal that we are we are already talking about the tough issues...spirituality, kids, where we might live (he's from Houston...who wouldathunk I'd've run into him in Bushwick?) and, um, yeah, engagement rings (he said 2 carat, I said I wouldn't be able to carry my hand around that way....hahaha.)

Still, I am only ready for so much. We're still going to just take things one day at a time and hope for the best. If it's meant to be, then it's going to happen in its own time.

Social butterfly

I am so happy to report that I am totally and completely overwhelmed. Sound odd? Well, in explanation, I am really feeling like my school is becoming my community.

Every morning it seems like there are more smiles, hugs, and "how're yous" than there were the day before. I am starting to spend more time socializing outside of school, and while it is exhausting, it is also fantastic!

After I went to dinner with Michael on Friday and stayed out late, I went to school on Saturday to do yearbook stuff and then met up with him to have lunch. From there, he took me into Manhattan to drop me off to meet a friend from school. (That doesn't seem like a big deal, but to hire a car from Brooklyn into Manhattan was about $25, a luxury that I simply can't afford to splurge on right now, but he sweetly assumes is the only way I should travel, and so took care of it for me!)

My friend from school and I had a great time, first getting Starbucks and then sitting on the floor in Penn Station for several hours as she asked me questions about my date. (She is one of the only people at school who is aware of the situation and is wonderfully supportive.) Then, we went back to the apartment she is house-sitting at (why we didn't think to go there earlier, I don't know) and we got pizza and a coupla beers and watched a movie.

Everything seems to be going well with Michael, although there are complications to dating someone who is older and works in the same building, but we are moving forward one day at a time as we establish ground rules for what is uncharted territory for both of us. One of those things is that we are not assuming that we are exclusive, for several reasons.

One of those reasons being that I am going to an art gallery opening that was planned before I first went out with Michael and a couple who are friends of mine have manipulated a "chance" encounter for me and one of their other mutual friends. I haven't felt so popular in a while!

Also, I finalized my plans for Spring Break, which also makes me feel special, to have friends in so many places and know that all of us are anxious to see each other and celebrate the wonderful changes in each other's lives. I am proud to announce that I will be celebrating Holly's upcoming marriage AND helping to choose a furry new addition to Rocio's home (Enrique needs a pal!)

It's rather nice to be a butterfly.

Just in

the door, that is.

I went out with Michael again tonight. I have to tell you, I have never, ever, ever been so overwhelmingly impressed by a man so early on in a relationship.

First, he was wearing a suit. A suit. I have also never been met at the door by a man in a suit.

Wow.

Then, he hired a car and driver for the entire evening.

Wow.

He took me to dinner at The View, which is a very high-end, fancy-schmancy place that is on the 80-somethingth floor of the New York Marriot Marquis (which also hosts a theatre in the bottom showing a Broadway show.) The room rotates and you can see everything!!

I got to wear my new, strapless red dress that I tried out at my cousin's birthday last week.

After dinner, we drove around and he took me here: http://morland.theoretic.org/gallery_bbp/bbp_2.html

And really, even though this photo is fantastic, it's even more amazing in person...the night is all lit up with the lights, and there's actually the other bridge parallel from the Brooklyn bridge, and you can see both framing the park.

Wow.

Overall, I think it was probably one of, if not the best date I've ever been on.

Well, I need to sleep...we both actually have to be at school in the morning. (He's running his gym, I'm choosing yearbook photos.) Good night, everybody!

Not nearly so confused

So, I had my first personal training session yesterday after school.

I didn't get home until 9 pm!

Michael and I went out to dinner, and then he walked me home roughly 3 hours later.

It

was

wonderful.