Suspension

Just got a call from my sister - she's on the way up to the school to meet with the principal at my niece's school. Apparently my niece is getting suspended for 2 days for an "altercation" from the band trip this past weekend.

Last school year she was dating this loser - A. And when I say loser, I really mean it (I love my niece but she has horrible taste in boys). He dumped her because of all sorts of reasons that were completely her fault, according to him. He wasn't allowed to do anything and could barely see her since his mom is a bit freaky, but even that was her fault. And stupid boy - he did this when they were on the band trip to Busch Gardens. And this was a week before prom, and he knew she had gone out shopping for a prom dress. Great place to do this, right?? Anyway, she was coping, but then he would text her and imply that if she made all these changes, then he would take her back. She finally realized that he wasn't good for her and asked him to stop talking to her. My sister even talked to his mom and asked that A not talk to my niece anymore.

At the beginning of the school year, she started dating M (another total psycho). I don't think A was too thrilled with that and he started texting her again. And he started spreading lies about her, that was causing all sorts of problems with their mutual friends. Again my sister stepped in and he finally stopped.

Well, they were in Boston for this band trip and apparently he kept goading her until she finally pushed him up against a wall. Someone had to pull her off of him. The band teacher wasn't in school yesterday, so the principal didn't find out about it until today. They were going to make it a 5-day suspension but because of her behavior and grades, dropped it to a 2-day suspension. If it was a 5-day suspension, she would have to miss prom, so thankfully she can go this time and A hopefully won't ruin it for her again.

And A - well, he got nothing. No detention or anything.

So my sister is pissed off, and she and her DH are heading to the school. I told my sister to find out why she was not told until today that something happened. The chaperone should have called her as soon as this happened (it was either Friday or Saturday). Not wait until today. And that A needs to be punished as well, since he did start it. My niece has been going out of her way not to have any contact with A, and she wouldn't be so violent with anyone unless extremely provoked. She goes to counseling on a weekly basis to deal with her issues with A (and M), so it's not like she's not trying to get away from this mess.

My sister looked into having a restraining order put against A, but since he's not 18, they can't do that. They can send a letter to the sheriff, school and his family that states that if he comes near my niece, my sister will call the police. But my sister if afraid if they do that, then A will sue my niece for this stupid altercation.

I think my sister is going to pull my niece out of band for the rest of the year. There are too many issues that the band director won't deal with. And he won't talk to my sister - he will only deal with men (how archaic is that!).

I asked my sister to see if they can do an in-school suspension instead - maybe that won't get put on her record. So she's going to check into that as well.

At least they won't report this to the colleges.

Disney Vacation Club

So I think I'm going to do this, if I can swing it financially. It really does seem like it's worth it, especially with of the trips that I do there. We'll see what happens when I get more information on it.

And we're trying to plan our cruise for next year - should be fun!

Motivation

I'm lacking motivation this week. Last week I was doing pretty good - dropped 3 pounds (from barely eating). Started off doing a lot of exercise - both cardio and strength training. And I saw myself gaining weight again. And of course the first thing my mind thinks is "work out, gain weight." So what does that make me do? Want to eat more junk. And I don't want to do that. I was hoping that losing those 3 pounds, combined with more exercise would be the jumpstart that I needed, but apparently it's not.

Of course, if it would quit raining so I could get outside, I might feel different about this. I was so looking forward to bike riding yesterday, and the rain ruined that. I couldn't even go for a run when I got back into town since it was pouring! Ugh!

1 Year Ago

A year ago was one of the worst days of my life, and it kept getting worse. A year ago was the worst school shooting in US history, and it took place at my college. It was weird to see Virginia Tech all over the news for something like this. And as the day progressed, more people were pronounced as dead. It was a horrible situation and it's one I hope to never see again.

Today was very somber. It was very sad to read about those who were taken from us. Most of them were so young. But on another hand, I was glad that my friends were safe. Selfish, yes, because it could have been anyone of my fraternity brothers sitting in the room. Most of them knew someone who was killed.

But the amazing thing about Tech? How the whole came together as one. Not just the university, but the town as well. For this, it wasn't the townies against the college students. Everyone became a Hokie. And it was unbelievable to see how strong they were/are. I love my Hokies, and I am so proud that I went to that awesome school, but it was made stronger after that day.

So when someone asks me what is a Hokie, I proudly respond, "I am."

We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.... We will prevail....

-- Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

What Color is Your Soul?

Saw this quiz on S's blog - it was pretty interesting:

Blue

Your soul is painted the color blue, which embodies the characteristics of peace, patience, understanding, health, tranquility, protection, spiritual awareness, unity, harmony, calmness, coolness, confidence, dependability, loyalty, idealism, tackiness, and wisdom. Blue is the color of the element Water, and is symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky.

Happy Monday

Today was interestsing. First of all, I sent an e-mail to MB#3 to see if he got my e-mail from last night. The only reason I did that was he never responded to my last e-mail from quite some time ago. He wrote back: "Yes. I just haven't had time yet to explain myself to you yet." I'm not really sure what that means.

Then, MB#1 and I were writing back and forth today about when we first met and when we first hooked up. It was just fun - he thought we knew each other 1 more year than we had. I don't know what his deal is at times.

But the best part - there might be a chance that I can get backstage passes to see Bruce in either Greensboro or Charlottesville, yippee!! Tony I. (one of the partners) is buds with the guy who owns the Green Turtle. The Green Turtle guy is very good friends with the head of security for guess who - Bruce!!! The Green Turtle guy is going to the two shows in Florida (Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale). And this guy isn't really a Springsteen fan. Man, I wish I could take his place. So Tony called this guy up to see if he could get me backstage passes for either the Greensboro or Charlottesville show. How amazing would that be?? Oh my, I would be in seventh heaven! Fingers are crossed!

Hello Spring

So I'm finally starting to feel better. My allergies have stopped and I've almost stopped coughing. It's only been 3 weeks! But now I have to start working out again. I joined a challenge on Spark People and I know it's going to kick my butt. I also am trying to get 1600 minutes of exercise in this month. And not doing anything the first 5 days didn't help! But I can do it. I really want to lose this weight, especially in time for Ashley's wedding. I need to - the dress will look horrible otherwise.

So I spent most of the day cleaning and getting my new desktop hooked up. It's almost done, except I need to find the drivers for the printer. Once I do that I'm golden. And I have it ready to give to Kristina. So she'll be happy about that.

Now I need to go find some presents for the little man. I can't believe he's going to be 8 in a few days. And I need to get cards for him and Bonnie. I'll add that to my list.

So Friday, MB#1 and I were e-mailing. He can't go to C'ville for the show - he'll still be in Florida for a family wedding. I'm bummed about that. He called me last week as he was driving home. I don't know why he's doing that, but it's messing with me. And he knows it. Oh, well. He's supposed to get me the cd's that he has of the shows, but he never commits to meeting me somewhere. I don't know what's up with that.

And today I get an e-mail from MB#3. I haven't heard from him in quite some time. I replied - we'll see if he answers. It's not like anything will start up again with that. I'm totally over it.

But it would be nice to meet someone nice one of these days. Time to get out there.