me... old?

Today I felt it... old. I am so behind technologically it is embarrassing. I am going out of town tomorrow and I have to leave so many instructions and set up a movie etc for my classes and one would think I was asked to cure cancer. So many wires, ahh, so lost. I began thinking of all that I miss out on because it is "too much". For example, I have not even fooled with the new facebook because the thought of a new online profile exhausts me, itunes it too complicated and putting ink cartridges in my printer at school.. ha. I am more likely to succeed at open heart surgery. How did I become so out of date? Oh now I remember... grad school. During all those classes concerning Renaissance music I totally checked out of the technological renaissance that continues to leave me farther and farther behind. What should I do about it? I am so intimidated I just want to continue living with what I know. Sure my 2001 desktop will no longer play youtube videos and my 1987 bmw sounds more like a tin car made for neighborhood races than a "grown up" car but at least I know how to use it! Is there any hope for me? Who knows. But at least my friends in the top left look like they still have fun!

In other news I am going to Nashville today right after school. The car is fully packed and once I drop my carpool buddies off I am off to my hometown! Not only to I get to sleep in (me pictured right) but I get to skip out on a day at the old grind and forget all about being in charge. Pure Heaven. Unfortunately this means I will miss the anticipated monthly meeting of the Network but I know their meeting will go off with much fun and success. Wish I could attend. This weekend is crammed pack of exciting events for the Andrews/Shirley wedding and squeezing in time to see my wonderful family! So excited to go home!



I hope everyone has a wonderful and exciting weekend! Hopefully I'll be able to update from Music City! For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

its our time of the month again

That's right, the network is here again. Every second Thursday of every month the Network of Oxford meets to socialize with new folks. There are far more young people who are not students in Oxford than one might think and this organization is a perfect opportunity to meet fellow hipsters. This month The Network will meet at Parrish's pub off the square (square pictured on left) on Jackson Ave at 6pm. Anyone young professional who wants to meet new people should make plans to attend. The gathering will be fun and casual and only provides one thing...an opportunity to socialize. Hope you can come!


I stand corrected!! Ms. Tiffany Gammel's new blog is Tiffandatypewriter.blogspot.com (really Tiff and a type writer but when you type it in your browser to read it it is all one word). Ms. Gammell is very witty and quick and I am positive her blog will be entertaining and another perfect opportunity to escape from work.



In other news, I am so luck to have wonderful friends. A huge special thanks and shout out are due to Dana, Tiffany and Claire. The other day I had such a rough day and these wonderful girls brought me a huge back of sweets from Holli's Sweet tooth from off the square! So sweet in so many ways; thanks ladies!

Well I need to go back to influencing minds of tomorrow's leaders... BIG OL YIKES. For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

no more milk

Yesterday was one of the most challenging days of my life. My last period class is.. well lets just say difficult in so many ways. After a hair pulling session I began hanging out with college friends (college friends pictured right.. not my college friends but just so you have a visual) . They are so fun and carefree, I am so jealous of their easy happiness and ability to sleep in. Hearing their plans of 9am yoga classes and going shopping made me cry on the inside. Being around these friends almost makes me forget that I have to get up at 5:15 am (who knew there was such a thing!) and that I am in charge of students (eek!). After such a challenging day I thought why not? What could it hurt? My head, that's what. This morning has painfully reminded me that I am an adult with a real big girl job. What happened?

In other news, I am now have my health insurance card, so I guess I have health insurance. This means as teaching continues and the breakdown follows I will be covered for my treatment of "exhaustion" YAY!

Weekend Wedding!
This weekend is the wedding of singers Ms. Caitlin Andrews and Mr. Daniel Shirley. I am so excited to be a bridesmaid and a reader at their wedding. The weekend extravaganza begins this Thursday with a wine and cheese party at the Andrews estate and is followed by a bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal dinner, girly spa time, and finally the wedding! The ceremony will take place at the Scarett Bennett chapel on the Vanderbilt campus and the reception will be at Union Station in Downtown Nashville. I am so excited to be a part of this wedding and to see my family! The rest of the family are at home and I am eager to join them on Thursday!

Well I should go back to work, everyone have a wonderful week. Oh be sure to check out Tiffany Gammel's new blog, Tiffany's typewriter. For Natalie's news this has been Natalie-Corinne.

lazzzy weekend.

So I rarely break the weekend tradition of blogging on my days off but this has been such a enjoyably lazy weekend I thought it was important to document it. Why you ask? Really for my own sake. In a couple of weeks when I cannot breathe because I am so busy I will enjoy looking back and remembering a nap, an extra blogging section, sex and the city reruns, time for laundry, etc. New roommate, Claire Taylor and I and some other girls are having a girls night tonight complete with pajamas, movies and milk. Earlier in the day I attended the bridal shower for Ms. Brooke Bagley of Forrest, MS. The shower was at St. Peter's Episcopal Church and was thrown by Mrs. Janna Montgomery, Dr. Debra Spurgeon, and Mrs. Carol Trott. The shower was so much fun and was complete with great food, games, gifts and company. Mrs. Janna Montgomery was very sneaky and bought many scandalous gifts (ie bedroom items) and wrapped them up and said they were from other people. Classy Janna.. at a church. Nice.

Focus on the Family
In other news brother Ben has moved back to Tennessee and is loving being in the south. He has been waited on hand and foot by the parents and never wants to return to the dingy Midwest. Uncle Ray Kemper is in San Fransisco for the week doing job stuff and learning the art of detox. After a week of an only vegan diet and constant yoga Ray has either found enlightenment or succumb to starvation, we're not really sure. Whatever the case, I know he is showing the city a great time.

Well that is all for now, everyone enjoy this insanely hot weekend. For Natalie's News this has been Natalie's-Corinne.

Welcome back.

Today was the first day that students came to the Junior High. They are beginning slowly with only the 6th grade today and the 7th and 8th grade tomorrow. I cannot get over how many students are in all of my choirs. Almost every seat was occupied during my beginning choir this morning. I was so nervous and excited when they first arrived. Using my stern teacher voice, I read the handbook and rules aloud and tried to mean all business. Finally after reading sections of the student handbook I looked up and asked,"are there any questions?" Big mistake. "why is it so cold in here?" and "where is my next class?" omg. Well, lesson learned, no more open questions! I was amazed with the amount of boys in my beginning class, wow so many boys are interested in choir, this is great... or so I thought. After the boys began feeling comfortable the sea of questions about how to get into PE rather than music completely overwhelmed me. "Listen I like you but I wanna be in P.E." and similar comments were heard as they were leaving. Finally I just told them they would have to take care of it themselves. I remember hating it when teachers did not have all the answers. Obviously they knew everything and just would not tell students because they were mean. Wow. I feel like karma has come back and hit me across the forehead. So I feel the need to apologize to most of my teachers. Although I was a fairly good student, during middle and high school I would only work hard in the classes I liked and try to get out of the work in the classes I did not like. Many times I concocted ridiculous stories and now I am so sorry to those teachers. Accept my apology and take comfort that the cycle continues and I am getting the taste of my own medicine. Yuck.





In other news, this weekend will be very busy with a very busy social agenda to maintain. Luckily I have made two new teacher friends this week and we carpool together from Oxford. We have decided to hang out Friday night after work on the square. On Saturday Mrs. Janna Montgomery, Dr. Debra Spurgeon, and Mrs. Carol Trott are throwing and shower/party for Ms. Brooke Bagley. The shower will take place at St. Peter's Episcopal Church and I am very excited to see who attends and what goodies Brooke and Michael will get. Finally Sunday will be Ollie Rencher's (pictured far left) last Sunday at a priest at St. Peter's Church. I have loved Ollie since I began attending St. Peter's and am saddened that he is leaving but excited for him that he has a new job in a church he is excited about. Whatever. Mrs. Janna Mongtomery, Ms. Brooke Bagley, and Dr. Debra Spurgeon and myself are singing some special music at the service on Sunday morning. There is a party after church in the Parish hall celebrating Ollie and all his good work for the church. It should be a lot of fun...and will probably be the only place to get wine on a Sunday in Oxford. Well I need to get back to work! I hope everyone has a wonderful day, for Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

music teacher

Today I greet you as novice music teacher (all of my paper work etc says MRS) The first day of employment as an adult has gone fairly well. The lack of air conditioning in my room has been the only setback. Although the 110 degree weather of summers in Mississippi may sound miserable, I'm hoping that all the sweat will make me skinny in one day. I started the day with a meeting in the cafeteria with all of the teachers and staff here at the junior high. The school is large with over 1200 students and 100 teachers. I was somewhat embarrassed when I arrived at school though because I was extremely overdressed. Apparently I missed the casual memo that everyone else received. I wore black slacks, very high heals and a slingy black and blue top. Looking around the sea of t-shirts and shorts made me totally stick out as the new kid but I decided to just go with it and it would be far worse to be under dressed, right? After some coffee the administration introduced themselves and then all of the new teachers. I hate to admit it but I still squirm at the first day of classes during class or this time teacher roll. I truly love my last name but I always have a twinge of fear that others will make fun of me. Of course this was not the case however I expect there to be some reaction on Thursday when students arrive. Somewhat of an odd profession for me to pursue with such an interesting last name! Well that is all for now, I have some weekend update and focus on the family blogging to attend today later, hopefully that will be accomplished today but I need to get back to some work. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

last day of freedom

Tonight I write you in the floor of my wonderful new house surrounded by wonderful friends. We decided to enjoy the last day of summer by having a taco party at our new house. Ms. Tiffany Gammell, Mr. Clay Terry, Mr. Ryan Milstead, Mrs. Chelsea Gregg, Mr. Kelly Burns, and myself enjoyed a fun night of tacos and milk. Tomorrow I start the new task of being an adult and am extremely apprehensive about the situation. I know this sounds obvious but we will never get younger or less responsible. Think about it. Luckily tomorrow is our first day of school only for teachers. I will have three days to get used to the school before the students arrive. Since my room is already done (read previous blogs) I feel like I can focus only on organization etc.

The New House: Oh wow, what a weekend! Ms. Claire Taylor and I moved into our adorable new house and we are so excited about the new year. We plan on having numerous cookouts and social events, just you wait! Again I am so thankful to my wonderful friends who helped me move over the weekend. Surprise guest Mr. Kelly Burns graced me with his presence and helped tremendously with the move! He was so sweet to spend so much time helping me put together furniture, computer, tv etc.

So yeah tomorrow is the first day of work and first day of being a real adult, wish me luck. I'll need it. For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.

Movin on up to the east side.. literally.

Moving day is finally here! Ready or not, by sun up everything has to be out of Turtle Creek and into the new house on the east side of lovely Oxford! Yesterday I received the keys from my sweet landlord and Claire and I quickly loaded up trucks and began our move but our goals were halted when the biggest storm of the summer hit Oxford. It rained all night and we were unable to unpack anything else. This morning I got up with the sun and took a load by myself before work and will take another during lunch time. My goal is to have most of the boxes already moved so my wonderful friends only have to move all my furniture. The weather report is somewhat questionable for tonight. There is a 30% chance of rain so please pray, send positive thoughts, meditate, etc for good weather, patience and fun during our move. Ann Marie and I were up much of the night finishing last minute details and I'm sure we will be busy all tonight too.

"Have a little help from my friends" Right on Joe Crocker. I am getting more than a little help from my friends this weekend. Wonderful friends and fellow Episcopalians have graciously offered to help move my belongings tonight after work. Because of "payment complications" (ie I'm broke) I could not afford the high price of movers and am totally dependent on the kindness of my gracious friends. Attorney Kevin Frye (pictured left), choral secretary Janna Montgomery and English P.H.D. student Mr. Travis Montgomery (pictured right with Dr. Trott) are kindly helping me move today after work. We will begin promptly at 5:30 pm and hopefully be finished in time for Mexican and milk (ha Kevin). Seeing the cute colors and details of the new house made me really excited about moving and decorating. But crisis soon reared its ugly head. I realized how dependent on technology I have become because we will be without tv or Internet (ahhh) for several days. What will I do? Also... another low blow. Yesterday I noticed that my cell phone.. my lifeline to the outside world did not receive service at the new house. What in world will I do? I plan to run to the At&t store and beg them to change the coverage, towers, whatever to include me in the joy of communication. With all this being said, if I am mia for a while it is not because I do not enjoy the company of others it is only because I am lost in the black hole of loneliness on Garfield Ave. Okay, so a little dramatic but I may not be around much.



FOCUS ON THE FAMILY!
Uncle and uncle in law of the year, Ray and Robin (pictured left with dog Peanut) attended the George Michael concert (Peanut did not attend) and did me proud singing loudly to every word! We jointly decided that in this economic hardship needed new leadership. Although many people claim that Obama and Hillary are the answer, we decided the real dream team would be Madonna and George...Obviously America's wardrobe would be instantly revived and the South beach diet and yoga would solve our nation's health crisis.
In other news brother Ben (pictured right with Uncle Ray) is FINALLY leaving Kansas City. His team has enjoyed much success which means that the all star shortstop has had to continue residing in the Midwest. The last two games he could possibly plan in are today. If his team loses today he will leave immediately following the game and travel to St. Louis to stay with cousins Lindsay and Carly (pictured left...I suggest stocking up on food girls). If his team wins and they have to play another game he will spend the night and then leave early Saturday morning and make the trip in one day. Ben is so anxious to get back down to Dixie and enjoy being spoiled by his wonderful parents. We all wish him safe travels :)

Well it is time to wrap it up. I am sure this weekend will be full of work, sweat, and tears moving in. Well lets hope not tears. The weekend update will be up as soon as possible as soon as I'm connected with the outside world again. Everyone have a wonderful and safe weekend! For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.