I learned a new word the other day by reading Janice's blog: svelte. I don't even know how to pronounce it! But I had to look it up on dictionary.com to find out that it means slim, or thin. I know this embarrasses Danny, the fact that my vocabulary is weak, that I have different ways of pronouncing words, and that I don't know some American idiomatic phrases. Sometimes I'll ask after using a big word - what does that mean? And Danny's like, how can you use the word if you don't know what it means? It's just that I like the word, and guess the meaning by using it the way I think it should be used. Then I clarify. Nine times out of ten I use the word wrong.

About four year ago, I saw a can of soup in Danny's apartment, and I said, "Ooh, minestrone!" But the way I pronounced it was MINE - STRONE, two syllables. Danny gave me an incredulous look, and said, "You're kidding, right?" I said, "What! Whatcha lookin' at?" He replies, "It's MIN-E-STRONE-EE, four syllables." I truly believed that I was right, and we even got a third party involved. I was moded. Faced. Owned. Oh well. Who likes minestrone anyways?

Speaking of getting worked, I went to my first modern dance class tonight. We didn't leap like a deer, like I had imagined. We pranced like a horse. I wasn't sure whether or not to laugh out loud in the middle of class, or just get really into it, and reap the benefits of pure cheeziness. I have to admit, though, it was fun. If you're a cynical person, modern dance is not for you. I have a slightly sarcastic personality, and I was struggling not to let that get in the way of getting in shape and sculpting my body. But if you're full on sarcastic or cynical, you might not get into it. When the instructor yells, "Prance like a horse, turn around, jump, hop, skip, fall, and leap!" you just have to do it. Inhibitions let go...

He made a comment tonight that I liked. There is no rhythm in modern dance. You go to your own inner rhythm. I like that. Danny would hate it. He's all about being on beat and having GOOD rhythm. Modern dance is definitely my style: slightly weird and out of rhythm.

Saturday is our church picnic. Hooray! Danny and I are in charge of bringing a tuna pasta salad and water bottles. I just have to say, the tuna pasta salad is a hit at parties. I'm not sure exactly why, but when I got the recipe from Susan two years ago, I was reluctant to try it at first. Could it be THAT great? But little did I know. It was a star ready to be born. It's my go-to dish now for potlucks. And several people have asked me for the recipe since. So here it is... It is for sure a success at parties, so try it out! Thank you Susan!!!

Tuna Pasta Salad
Serves 5-7 people

1 bag of colored rotelli pasta (the spiral ones)
1 can of tuna (the smaller size)
¼ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup chopped basil
½ red onion – sliced
cherry tomatoes – quartered (as many as you like)
½ bottle Best Food Italian dressing

1. cook pasta

2. while pasta is cooking, chop up parsley and basil and mix with Italian dressing in a separate bowl.

3. mix dressing in with the cooked pasta. **you might want to mix in only half of the dressing to soak into the pasta, and mix the rest in right before you serve it.

4. Then mix the tuna, sliced red onion, and quartered tomatoes

I signed up for Modern Dance class this summer. Should I practice before going? Be a tree. Jump like a deer! I wonder what class is going to be like. I will keep you all posted.

Well, school is done! I'm done with report cards, done with my teacher duties for this year. I'd like to thank all of you who supported me through this whole process, the sympathetic looks, the care package, and many encouraging pep talks. I'd like to thank my students who were the inspiration behind the 4-paragraph comment section. Thank you also to the wonderful parents who have provided me with lovely gifts: flowers, gift certificates to nice restaurants, lotion, and much more. And last but not least, I'd like to thank my husband Danny, who has been a great support throughout the whole process. Without his constant care and partnership, I would not have been available to accomplish all that I did. Thank you!

Status report: 7 more report cards to write. I see a faint light at the end of the tunnel.

A surprise was waiting for me when Danny and I came home last night. Someone had left a care package for me in front of our door! Wow. My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. But the person had left it anonymous. I have no clue who could have given me such a treat. I suspect it's a girl, a teacher, and has a good memory. I say good memory because lo and behold, there were two Krispy Kreme donuts, unglazed and cold. Who would remember that I like unglazed, cold donuts except someone who has good memory?

I have a couple of people in mind, and I can't wait til she reveals herself to me so that I can pour out my thanks. But just in case she remains silent forever, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

When I have a lot to do, and am stressed, I do so many extraneous things to try and avoid doing my work or reward myself for reaching certain goals. So this past week, during report card writing week, I watched like six episodes of 24, I finished a book (The Secret Life of Bees, which is about racism), and I cleaned out the closet in the guest room.

In college, during midterms or finals, I used to put on different shades of lipstick, read about make-up applying tips from different fashion magazines, and catch up on my correspondence. My roommate Patty thought I was weird. She was always a diligent worker who studied normally. BTW, she's getting married this weekend! And I will be co-emceeing with Joe. More stress. But it should be fun.

4 report cards down. 12 more to go. I take almost two hours writing one of these! I didn't quite reach my goal of completing five this weekend, but I'm glad I got started on them. They're due Thursday. So until then, I will be a bit stressed. And then more stress for the weekend because I'm emcee-ing at a wedding. And then comes jury duty for a week. And then my 2nd year wedding anniversary! And then a trip to DC and NYC with girlfriends. And then a trip to Korea! And then relaxing and doing nothing. And then Chinese classes again this summer! And then another wedding in LA. And then back to school.