My first Red Sox game...

I know what you're thinking..."She has a test in less than a week, what the heck was she doing going to a baseball game?!" Actually, if you know me well enough, you're probably thinking "Yep, that totally sounds like something she would do...put off studying and go to a baseball game!"

Well, I'd been planning for that day for over three months. Seriously. Three months. I bought the tickets back in March, before I even realized that it was three days before my test. I was so excited that the Red Sox were going to be in the area and that I would finally have an opportunity to see them live and in person!!

So, yes, I probably could have used the extra time off to study. But in all reality, I think I have been studying so much these past few weeks that I really needed the break too. :-)

My seats were in row 28, field level. Great seats, if you ask me. Of course they weren't as good as say, the 6th row, and I would have preferred them to be a bit closer to home (I was out by first base), but still, I'm not complaining! I was in the midst of the Red Sox cheering section (with the exception of the obnoxious A's fan sitting directly in front of me who, for some reason, felt compelled to stand up on every single play causing me to miss just about half the game)...it was beautiful. Just beautiful.

Well, it turned out to be an interesting game...my BoSox were losing 9-0 already in the second inning. Figures, eh? But oh well. It was still super-fun! The final score (I left at the 7th inning stretch so I could get home and study) was 13-6, A's. Boston's pitcher Wells gave up 7 runs in the first two innings (you'd think they would have pulled him after 4 or 5 runs...), Veritek and Bellhorn hit home runs, and I'm not sure how those last four runs were scored...that'll teach me to leave early!

My friend Matt tells me that Boston will be back in California later this year...in Anaheim. I'm thinking about heading down there for a game. :-) Of course! (I'm already so excited!!)

CSET

Soo...in exactly six days I will be walking up to the classroom at Alta Sierra and signing in to take the CSET. I have 144 hours left, and I'm cramming like crazy. You'd think I would have learned from all of the "this is what happens when you cram for a test" lessons in college...but I guess not. :-) So this week, everything takes a back seat to my test prep. Family, friends...sorry, but I'll call you all Saturday night at 5pm when my test is over! ;-) That sounds terrible, I know. But I absolutely have to pass this test!!

Really though, this test is gonna be super-difficult for me...I don't even think I learned half of the concepts in my math classes in school. So over the last two months I have had to literally teach myself Linear Algebra and Number Theory. Let me just tell you that it has not been the least bit enjoyable. Okay, so part of it was fun--I love elementary row operations. But the rest of it has just been one big bunch of yuck. Oh well. I keep telling myself "Learn it for the test, then it'll be over and you never have to deal with it again." I know it sounds terrible. In fact, it's exactly the opposite of what I encourage my own students to do...I want them to remember the information for their finals. There's a huge difference though...this IS my final! I won't ever use this math while I'm teaching in the classroom--but I have to know it for the test. Ah...well. It's just one more political barrier I have to break through on my way to becoming a credentialled teacher! :-)

Okay...feeling the pressure...off to study some more.

Pray that my week goes smoothly and that I keep my priorities in order!!

the City yesterday, in-between downpours 

my last mini-vacation

My parents had a show in Alameda this weekend, so I went along just for fun. I knew this would be my last opportunity to get out of town for a while, so I wanted to make sure every single minute was spent doing something enjoyable...and I think it was. :-)

I drove up after work on Friday and checked in to my hotel, which was right across the street from the beach. I spent a lot of time on the beach Friday night and Saturday, and I would have on Sunday too, if it hadn't rained. Not tanning--it's not really that kind of a beach this time of year. Just walking along the water, playing in the sand with my toes (okay, so I'm 4), and enjoying the views. :-) I also was able to spend a few hours walking around mom and dad's show on Saturday--there were some nice booths there with some fun products, but I didn't find anything that I couldn't live without. Sunday the show was rained out, so mom and dad packed up early and headed home. I however, wanted to make the most of my visit, so I met an old friend and we caught up over lunch (at Tilly's again!), and then I headed into the City for a bit.

You know, I never have to remind myself of why I enjoy it up there...so many great things to do and see in and around that little town. If I had any good reason to move there, I would do it without hesitation. Ah, maybe someday. :-)

Sunset