Ms. Taylor Says

I once heard a sermon that really stuck with me. It was all about forgiving even when the other person hasn't asked for it...kind of like secret forgiveness. As an adult, I kind of miss the childhood "I'm sorry" situations where an outside party forced those who wronged us to apologize and "mean it." Maybe this was just me, but rarely did adults let me or those who wronged me get away with the gruff and clearly insincere "I'm sorry" followed by an angry smirk. I remember one time my mom decided the best way to get my sister and me to really be sorry was to stick us in the same room until we apologized to each other. She's lucky this worked out as well as it did. It's surprising that we didn't walk out of the room missing chunks of our hair or a tooth. But as a child, I think my sense of justice was formed by this--that when I was hurt, the person was called out and forced to make amends, and I was required to do the same. Of

My sister and brother-in-law are currently in Ethiopia meeting their absolutely beautiful daughter. I just keep looking at the pictures on their blog and thinking, "I can't believe that's my niece." I now know that until I get to meet her, time will feel like it is standing still. If you want to check her out, their blog address is www.alongroadhome.wordpress.com.

So at approximately 1:30 today, I walked out of the school building and began my summer. So what exactly does a hip, young teacher such as myself do to celebrate? Cranks up the Beyonce and begins the process of putting her apartment back together. Be honest...you know you are jealous. Luckily for me, the day/evening got much more exciting. My awesome new friend invited me to join her at the Nats game where they punished the Red Sox. I'm not sure if you could really call it a punishment, but I will, just for dramatic effect. The game was fun, the weather was lovely, and the company was awesome. I did find out early in the game that Michael Jackson had died. It's just so weird to say that. And it continues to prove my theory that celebrities die in groups. So strange. On a completely random note, I think this may be my best summer yet. I can't believe how many cool things are going on in my home area this summer. What is on my social calendar you might ask. Wel

So last Friday night I set off to find a dress for my high school reunion. I know what you are thinking: "How can someone who gets mistaken for a student in the lunch line go to a reunion?" But despite my youthful appearance (ha!), alas, it is time to partake in a tradition as beloved as...hmmm...I got nothin'. All that to say, I set off for the mall with a handful of discount cards (I refuse to call them coupons--I'm not buying cheese in bulk; I'm buying a dress). I thought that, surely with a whole evening and a huge mall at my disposal, I would be able to find something to wear. This is where I should give some background. I've been a bit picky about this purchase, because, if I'm completely honest, I'm not really sure how I am going to feel spending an evening small talking with people I didn't really know that well 10 years ago and really don't know now. I think the line from _The Wedding Date_ captures my mindset best: "I[