After coming back from the honeymoon I think we were both looking forward to settling into something of a 'normal routine'... you know, working Mon-Fri and relaxing in the evenings and on weekends... Well, this hasn't exactly happened as of yet, but we're getting there!
So when we got back to Denver our house became an instant disaster and since both of us had to get back to work without much time to unwind, our house remained in disarray for several weeks. Slowly but surely we began tackling one room at a time, starting with the kitchen of course (we both love to eat, and boy do we eat well!). We have now organized ourselves to the point of need to have a garage sale! So if we can get our act together amidst our strange schedules and lack of time for anything remotely social, we will be having a garage sale next weekend :)
I'm slowly settling into my new job and am loving the new challenge. When I got to the high school, I found out I was taking over from an older lady who left me a decorated class and many resources. This was both a blessing and a curse as I was told that I could develop the program however I wanted. I didn't realize when I took the job that I AM the French department (aside from the French International Baccalaureate teacher who pretty much lives in another world with the IB program), but I am grateful to have fallen into a fantastic network of foreign language teachers in the district, including my fellow Spanish teaching neighbors. I joke around with Amanda that they're a cult (since they're not only passionate about what they do and how they do it, but they're also somewhat elitist and exclusive!), but they are extremely supportive and a very like-able group of people. I'll write more on the chaos of making up a curriculum as I go later - meaning, once I'm out of the smoke and in the clearing... so maybe by next June? :)
Anyway, jury duty round one came and went unceremoniously for team Vyn. Amanda reported for duty this past Wednesday (on her only day off, might I add) and came prepared with a good book. The Denver Post hasn't given the official count on the number of pages she read that day, but rumor has it it was nearly 1000 pages. She waited patiently while dozens upon dozens of others were called, and then at about 12noon she was released. We're betting this was because none of her current information (new last name, new address etc.) matched what was printed on the jury summons. While she was excited to be let go, she was also feeling well prepared to analyze and deliberate the local court proceedings, having just finished the first two books in the series by Stieg Larsson. Well, I'm next up to bat on Sept. 14th, and somehow I'm suspecting I won't have the same fate as my bride (nor will I break her record of 1000 pages read).
Well, I'm off to work another valet shift at the country club where I'll again be driving cars that are potentially worth more than my own house! A bientot.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Amanda got a hair cut and I got a new job... and we both got jury duty!!
Wow, where do I begin... First, I should tell you about the wedding and honeymoon (I'll give you the skinny on the title a little further down the page. Just trying to keep a captive audience all the way through the post!).
The wedding went off without a hitch. I remembered my lines and put Amanda's ring on the right hand, eventually :) Honestly, it was a very smooth and memorable service - many thanks to Amanda for being so meticulous with the program, Dave and Tom for the touching sermon and reading respectively, and of course to the musicians who did a fabulous job! Thanks to our wedding party for standing behind us (and a little to the right or left, depending on the gender), and enduring the picture parade through downtown La Crosse. Thanks also to Megan our photographer - the pics we've seen so far look amazing! I feel like I'm writing an acceptance speech for receiving a Grammy award...
On to the honeymoon... We stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It felt a little strange at first to be served hand and foot, but we got used to it! We quickly assimilated to a life of luxury and relaxation where our most difficult decision was whether to sit by the pool or lay out on the beach (that, and "should I order a pina colada or a margarita?"). We did venture out one day to visit a natural aquarium and tour some old Mayan ruins, but otherwise we were quite content to stay at the resort and make sure we ate at every restaurant at every possible meal.
Now, for the lead stories:
Amanda had been growing her hair out for the wedding, and it certainly paid off - with help from our sister-in-law, Sarah, her hair looked great! Nevertheless, she was very excited to get it chopped off to a more manageable length now that the wedding is over. She waited till we got back to Denver (we didn't want to pay 5000 pesos at the spa in Mexico!), and is quite happy with the new do.
I was just offered a job today as a French teacher at a local high school in Denver, and guess what - I start tomorrow! This was a long story with about as much drama as your local theatre company - don't worry, I'll spare you the details. I applied for the position about a week before the wedding, and when I called to follow up, the Assistant Principal said they would like to interview me. My two options for interviews were either Friday (the day of our wedding) or Tuesday (while on our honeymoon). I chose Tuesday and purchased a Mexican calling card. The phone interview went well, and after a few days I heard back that I was a finalist. I then had an interview with the principal the morning after we returned to Denver, and that also went well. This is where things got a little sticky though, because I was still under contract with the elementary school in Colorado Springs and teacher work days began Wednesday. Well, after several phone calls and e-mails with licensing programs, the department of Ed., and HR folk, I was finally offered the job today. I said my goodbyes to the staff, turned in my letter of resignation to the principal and drove back up to Denver for the last time. It is a great relief not to have to commute that distance anymore. My new high school is within 5 miles, so I may even be able to bike to work :)
Oh, and upon our triumphant return home, we both opened our mail and found out that we've been summoned for jury duty - what a nice way for the state of Colorado to welcome us home! I thought jury duty was a random selection... I think it's less than a coincidence that we're both summoned at the same time, and we both got our driver's licenses on the same day... Anyway, I'll fulfill my duty as a citizen of this nation - but I won't do it with a smile on my face, unless of course Joe Pesci happens to be representing the defendant!
The wedding went off without a hitch. I remembered my lines and put Amanda's ring on the right hand, eventually :) Honestly, it was a very smooth and memorable service - many thanks to Amanda for being so meticulous with the program, Dave and Tom for the touching sermon and reading respectively, and of course to the musicians who did a fabulous job! Thanks to our wedding party for standing behind us (and a little to the right or left, depending on the gender), and enduring the picture parade through downtown La Crosse. Thanks also to Megan our photographer - the pics we've seen so far look amazing! I feel like I'm writing an acceptance speech for receiving a Grammy award...
On to the honeymoon... We stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It felt a little strange at first to be served hand and foot, but we got used to it! We quickly assimilated to a life of luxury and relaxation where our most difficult decision was whether to sit by the pool or lay out on the beach (that, and "should I order a pina colada or a margarita?"). We did venture out one day to visit a natural aquarium and tour some old Mayan ruins, but otherwise we were quite content to stay at the resort and make sure we ate at every restaurant at every possible meal.
Now, for the lead stories:
Amanda had been growing her hair out for the wedding, and it certainly paid off - with help from our sister-in-law, Sarah, her hair looked great! Nevertheless, she was very excited to get it chopped off to a more manageable length now that the wedding is over. She waited till we got back to Denver (we didn't want to pay 5000 pesos at the spa in Mexico!), and is quite happy with the new do.
I was just offered a job today as a French teacher at a local high school in Denver, and guess what - I start tomorrow! This was a long story with about as much drama as your local theatre company - don't worry, I'll spare you the details. I applied for the position about a week before the wedding, and when I called to follow up, the Assistant Principal said they would like to interview me. My two options for interviews were either Friday (the day of our wedding) or Tuesday (while on our honeymoon). I chose Tuesday and purchased a Mexican calling card. The phone interview went well, and after a few days I heard back that I was a finalist. I then had an interview with the principal the morning after we returned to Denver, and that also went well. This is where things got a little sticky though, because I was still under contract with the elementary school in Colorado Springs and teacher work days began Wednesday. Well, after several phone calls and e-mails with licensing programs, the department of Ed., and HR folk, I was finally offered the job today. I said my goodbyes to the staff, turned in my letter of resignation to the principal and drove back up to Denver for the last time. It is a great relief not to have to commute that distance anymore. My new high school is within 5 miles, so I may even be able to bike to work :)
Oh, and upon our triumphant return home, we both opened our mail and found out that we've been summoned for jury duty - what a nice way for the state of Colorado to welcome us home! I thought jury duty was a random selection... I think it's less than a coincidence that we're both summoned at the same time, and we both got our driver's licenses on the same day... Anyway, I'll fulfill my duty as a citizen of this nation - but I won't do it with a smile on my face, unless of course Joe Pesci happens to be representing the defendant!
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