10 Things That Irritate Me: Traffic Edition

1. When a person cuts in front of you, and then drives 10 mph. Because you weren't in a rush.

2. When a person cuts in front of you, and there was NO ONE behind you. Because waiting 5 more seconds was too much to ask.

3. When a person cuts in front of you, and then comes to a stop to take the next turn off. Because they were in such a rush to slow down and pull over.

4. When someone blocks the intersection so you miss your green light.

5. When someone at a red light blocks you from exiting the parking lot or side street.

6. When someone in front of you is waiting to cross traffic to turn down a side street, and does not pull over enough to let traffic flow around them. Because the center of the lane is the BEST place to stop.

7. When someone parks too close to you, so you can't get back into your car.

8. When someone takes up multiple parking spots, forcing you to park farther away from the building. Because you drove, even though you really wanted to walk.

9. When people don't wait their turn at stop signs.

10. When people don't stop at stop signs or red lights.

Letters to Myself

Reading through one of my journals recently, I found this letter I had to respond to.  Below is the letter and my response.

November 3, 2008

Dear Katie 2018,

Hello. How are you today? I just know you have succeeded in so much since my time. How's your job? Did you decide what you want to teach yet? Where are you working? Where did you go to college? (That would help me so much so I don't waste applying elsewhere.) How did treatment go? How was your Make-A-Wish? Have you visited your favorite teacher since you graduated high school, or has he successfully avoided you?

Who is President of the a United States? Wow. Whoever wins tomorrow will be out of office by 2018!

So, how is life going? I'd hope you are still close with your family and holding true to the same wacky traditions! What has your brother been up to? He must be doing well by now. I hope you are still involved with the community and are raising awareness for cancer.

Whatever you are doing I hope you are positively affecting people's lives. See you soon!

Love,

Your 17-year-old shadow

June 26, 2014

Dear Katie 2008,

Well, I sort of intercepted this letter a bit early.  But I can answer many of your questions, so I hope you will not mind!

Today, I am fine. We are teaching chemistry at a high school in New England. It is close to home, without being in the same town. You went to a great school in Connecticut, but I will let you figure that one out for yourself (you're not applying to many anyway).

Treatments went fine, and ended right on time. You are doing well today (*knocks on wood*). You have visited your favorite teacher...you more of have not left him alone! I'm just going to say, that you will REALLY enjoy and get a lot out of student teaching!

Our Make-A-Wish was AWESOME!!! You met the man of our dreams, and it was PERFECT! Do not lose hope! Keep believing that when it is meant to be, it will work itself out.

I can't answer who will be President. But tomorrow will be a pleasant surprise for you.

We're still close with the family (but the bro and you might get a house in the near future). He us teaching! Kindergarten! In a city! 

You do what you can to raise awareness, but are trying to get more involved to leave a bigger impact. Baby steps.

After your first year of teaching, I can honestly say that you are positively changing lives. I hope we continue to, and never lose faith in our dreams!

Best of luck to you,

Katie 2014

British Food from my Bucket List

There are certain foods I just had to have when I went to England.  When in London, you might as well try the classics!

Tea Time: (a wonderful experience)

A full English Breakfast:

Fish and Chips:

Sticky Toffee Pudding (with vanilla ice cream):

Sweeney Todd London Experience

If you do not know the story of Sweeney Todd, you should watch the movie or the musical.  I experienced his stomping grounds in London.

The building to the right is where his barber shop was located. The church to the left, covers the tunnels Todd would use to carry his victims to Mrs. Lovett's pie shop on the corner of the adjacent street.

The Old Bank of England is next to the church, and is now a pub...

Which serves meat pies. Of course I had one!

And they are not ashamed of their history. This is posted outside:

London 2013 Photo Diary...A Bit Delayed

I have been a tad busy since last January, when I began student teaching and then found a full time job as a teacher (and have been trying to survive my first year since).  So I have been meaning to post about last summer since it happened...

Since summer 2012, I have decided every summer should be awesome. (Especially since as a teacher I get them "off".). In 2012 I studied abroad (and had the best material for posts.)  In 2013, I traveled around with my friend (including going to London). So my next posts will be what I should have posted about months ago.

Here is my photo diary of London 2013. We spent about 2 weeks here.

The Tube celebrated it's 150th anniversary:

I finally got to Abby Road:

We saw Daniel Radcliffe in his play (and a lot of Harry Potter fans waiting to meet him):

Leicester Square was getting a face lift, and the most perfect quote to sum up my feelings of my favorite place on Earth was posted around the Shakespeare fountain:

I walked the area Jack the Ripper hit, and found The Ten Bells pub (one of the last remaining structures that have remained unchanged since):

And found this fittingly named barbar shop in the area:

And we absolutely fell in love with out neighborhood pub, The Rocket:

It was a nice trip. So glad I was able to return so soon.