Babies and Storms and Friends, oh my!

As I mentioned in my previous post, probably the highlight of picking up my visa in Atlanta was getting to see my good friend Jessica. Not only did I get to see her but also her 2 year old, E, and her husband Bert; I also got to meet the sweetest little 8 week old I have ever had my hands on, baby C.

Jessica and I met almost 8 years ago, when we were both teachers at Page. She was the football cheerleading coach, while I was coaching the basketball cheerleaders. When I moved back to Nashville, I didn't know many people as I had lost touch with high school friends(I mean this was pre-facebook people). Jessica introduced me to her some of her friends and

before I knew it I was involved in book club, bunko, supper club and pretty much any club our organizer, Christy, could conjure up! As the years have grown, so has our friendship, whether it has been one of our clubs, bachelorette party weekends, weddings/wedding showers, or just hanging out, it is always fun. I love and admire Jessica in many ways. She is a kind and generous person who is open and honest and loves her friends and family. I'm lucky to be part of that group.

I got to Atlanta in the afternoon and was greeted by Jessica, E and C. E was so adorable. She was so excited. She showed me everything she can do now a days and even counted some of her numbers for me. She is getting to be a big girl. I also got to meet C. OH MY GOSH! She was just the most precious thing I had laid eyes on. She was so calm and mellow. I pretty much picked her up anytime her Momma put her down. Soon after I arrived in Atlanta a huge storm arrived too. What can I say, I bring only the best for my friends.

We had made plans with Melissa to go out to dinner while I was in town. It had been a while since I had seen her and I was so glad we were able to catch up before I leave. Anything you do with Melissa is always fun, she is a wonderful, warm, and happy person.

We fought the storms and headed to the old mill pub in Acworth. It was a really neat restaurant and the food was delish! The three of us talked about everything: Brazil, jobs, husbands, trips, family, funny stories, sad stories etc. It was the type of dinner that not only did we order dessert, they basically asked us to leave. All of this and the power went out twice!

Jessica, Me, and Melissa at Dinner. Sorry about the blurry picture. :)

The picture below is one I found when I got home of the three of us at Steeplechase many years ago.

We ended up staying up till midnight, which for two old broads like us, is pretty late! The next morning after eating breakfast, I said my good-byes and in true Katie fashion started to cry. It is hard to know that the next time I see them will be Christmas! Luckily for me, there is facebook, email, and Ichat!

1,000 miles, 5 days, 4 kids, 3 friends, 2 husbands, and 1 tired Katie... Part 1.

On Wednesday, I began the big journey to Atlanta to visit the Consulate and pick up my visa. Originally, I was going to drive to Atlanta in the wee-hours of Thursday morning and head straight to my 10:45 appointment. Luckily, I have friends that are smarter than me AND live in Atlanta! Jessica, told me to come on down Wednesday instead. What a good friend, especially considering her plate is kind of full right now, oh you know, she and her husband, Bert, are moving in less than 2 weeks, she has a beautiful and silly 2 year old, the most precious 8 WEEK OLD and a 31 year old friend who is more than happy to stay with her whenever she offers! I'll blog about my visit with them on a different post.

I started my journey by heading to the travel clinic and getting my yellow fever vaccine. The school said they reccomended it and my first response was "There is no way that I am spending $150 on a shot." A couple of days later, I got curious about it and googled, yellow fever. Needless to say, the next day I had scheduled an appointment. If you would like to know what it involves click this link.

On the way down, I stopped off in my old stomping grounds, Chattanooga. While I was there I made a trip to my alma mater. Even though I graduated only 8 years ago, it looks like a completely different campus. There are more buildings, new buildings, and the college enrollment is double of what it was when I went there. The narcissist in me, likes to think that this is mainly because of me and my work in the Admissions office. Yes, I was the person who gave the campus tours! ;) And, yes, I can still walk backwards while talking like a rock star. Now, walking forward while talking is a completely different story. However, I am pretty sure that I cannot take credit for the growth of campus, physically or enrollment wise.

I also stopped to see my old sorority house. I couldn't go in but it was still nice to see that she was still there and lookin' goood! This house helped me form some of my most fond memories in college. It is funny how as I look back on college that I cannot imagine not being a part of that group of girls. They were my friends, roommates, and secret keepers. And I love that I am still close with many of them to this day.

I spent many a days at this house and many a Monday nights on this swing (however, I don't know why we never put cute pillows on it like they do now).

On Thursday I barely made it to the consulate in time. I left Jessica's house at 9 am and arrived a little after my 10:45 (mind you without traffic it should take you 30 minutes). Luckily, that is kind of the Brazilian way, but it did make me very happy I didn't try to drive in to Atlanta that morning. After a quick meeting where I dropped off my documents and my money order. I was told to come
back at 3pm. The consulate is located in the Lenox area of town; if you know anything about Atlanta, you know that this area is where the best malls are! So, I spent most of my down-time doing just that. I headed back to the consulate and picked up my visa at 3 but in Brazilian fashion, it was ready at 3:30. haha! But, I've got it and now can get my airplane ticket for my departure date of July 21st!!!

To a deluxe apartment in the skyyyyy...

Life has been a little busy around here lately. Between finishing up my lists, moving my bedroom to the small guest bedroom, and the general day to day that is life, things have been busy, busy, busy.

However, one exciting thing that has happened is that I recieved my address in Brasilia. Now, being the super-slueth google stalker that I am, I decided to google my address and see what was out there. I assumed nothing, but to my surprise, there it was a full listing of my apartment complete with pictures. Those of you who know me would agree that I have, um, high standards. Well fear not, the apartment is beautiful and I am super excited. I'm going to hold off on pictures for now, so I can show you all when I get down there. But, I will show you a picture of the buildings exterior. So, here it is:

You may be wondering why the bottom floor is empty. In Brasilia, homes don't have air conditioning. As a southerner, I question this decision immensely. However, I also know that the weather there is different and the "AC" is not a necessity the way it is here. Because your windows are open at night, no one lives on the first floor for safety purposes. I'm on the third floor of the building.

On the moving front, I am pretty much finished getting all of my items for my new place. The other day I purchased my new bedding and today my new IPod Alarm clock arrived! I have a busy week ahead. On Wednesday, I am getting my yellow fever vaccine, Thursday I am heading to Atlanta to pick up my visa, visit with the Kelly girls, and grab supper with my friends Jessica and Melissa. Then to top it off, Friday Im heading to Indiana to spend the weekend with my friends Holly and Andy as well as their kiddos!! These busy weeks are really making the time I have left here fly by.

And in other news, I'm not a criminal!

Yesterday, I went to the Criminal Justice Center, or as people in Nashvegas call it, the CJC. I went to pick up my "Rap Sheet." The Brazilian Consulate refers to this as your "negative criminal record report" but saying I got my "Rap Sheet" is much more fun!!! Surprisingly, it said I wasn't a hardened criminal. It must have been my lucky day because I was also able to find a parking spot downtown, and on James Robertson Parkway none the less. If you are not familiar with Nashville, or this area of town, it impossible to find spots here.

I don't know what I was expecting to find at the records office, but I wasn't expecting what I found. There were people there with their lawyers filling out paperwork, people who had just been released from jail picking up the arrest records, and people trying to find out why they were the suspect in investigations. Needless to say, I wasn't with Nashville's most upstanding citizens. :)

After paying my fee and getting my finger prints done, I headed back down to pick up my forms. All is well and I have one more thing off my to do list. Yesterday, I was also able to fill out my application with the Consulate and schedule an appointment to meet with them and pick up my visa!!

However, I have decided that I'm in over my unorganized head. I have too many papers, forms, documents, and receipts to keep track of. Between Sophie and myself, I just don't have the luxury to leave it all to chance, or my best of intentions. So, in order to keep everything in one spot I headed to Target' to buy an accordion folder.

Hopefully, this baby will be my life-saver! I figure it can only help, not hurt!

Visa Approved!!

I had a funny feeling this morning when I woke up. After I checked my email and saw there was nothing new I thought, I feel like today's the day! Low and behold, less than 2 hours later, I got the email, my VISA was approved!!! What a relief.

What does this mean?
1. I need to get a police record to prove I've never been in the pokey!
2. Make an appointment with the Brazilian Consulate to turn over my personal doc's.
3. Head to Atlanta to meet with the Consulate (and hopefully see some of my favorite Atlantians...hint, hint!)
4. Book that ticket to Brasilia!

It's getting closer!

All's fair in pranking, Don't be a fool!!

Should have listened to my own advice because man did Dr. L get me back... I headed out to find my car, it was no where to be found(however, a bunch of people were inside watching me desperately search for my car)! What I did find was a sign that said:

Out with the old.
In with the new.

Love, the New Page Prankster

I knew who was paying me back, good ole Dr. L. After a wild goose chase around the school searching for the car, it was discovered. Of course, he had covered it in all the decorations that I used, even the balloons were in there (I should have known something was up when he turned down my offer of helping him clean it up). However, the first rule in pranking is don't prank, unless you're willing to be pranked! This was a first, someone finally got me!

Well played, sir! Well played!

"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."

I know my last blog ended with a little bit of a tease. But, hey a girl has to know when to play and show her cards.
For a long time at work, I, along with my friend, Holly, was part of the dynamic duo known as The Page Prankster. Originally, we started it as a way to give everyone a good laugh and try to help people just have something to look forward to and when you work in education, that is a necessity. As my time at my American work is coming to an end, I decided I should really go out with and bang (and hopefully a laugh). So, I decided to dust off my Pranking Gear and pull ONE LAST PRANK!!! :) Since my partner in crime lives 4 hours North, I knew I'd have to pull this one off with her guidance only. Luckily, Mr. N, the assistant principal, was MORE than happy to help. After all, he did watch us prank people on the video surveilance system at school for years. He supplied me with the appropriate keys that would get me into all the places I would need to get into. Should I be on record that the lending of the keys just goes to show that people obviously trust me, really, what are these people thinking? ;)

I know what your asking, so who did you prank? Well, I did say I was going out with a bang, didn't I? If you work in a school, and you are going out with a bang, the only logical choice is the Principal!

I headed to school late Sunday afternoon and attacked. Luckily, I had my students help me out the Friday before. They did want to know why I was having them blow up 100 balloons after their final. : )

Before:

After:

Whenever the Page Prankster pulls a fast one on an unsuspecting (cough) Dr. L (cough) victim, we always send a message to the staff. Here is the final message from the Page Prankster:


The Page Pranksters back and ready to attack.
I feel all rested like I’ve had a long winters nap.
The choices were endless you see.
I just didn’t know who my victim would be.

I went through the list of teachers new and old
But my eyes set quickly on someone as good as gold.
Dr. L****** is who I chose you see.
The poor thing doesn’t even know about me.

Some might say, that is just cruel.
I say all’s fair in pranking, don’t be a fool.
I thought a beach theme might be the way
But the sand in his office quickly steered me away.

“Go Green” has been his motto this year
So, Dr. L******, be full of fear.
I turned his office as green as could be
I hope others won’t be full of envy.

Whether it was Wilkes space age class or the Smith Gallery of Art
Being the Page Prankster was close to our hearts.
My pranking ways have always been fun
But, Im hanging up my prankster gear since my job here is done.

I’ll miss you all and so does Holly.
We hope today’s prank has left you all jolly.

Until Next time and with all of our love,
The Page Prankster(s)

Everything went great and Dr. Lifsey was a good sport about the whole thing(uh, maybe a little too good...blog to follow)! Who knows, maybe I'll become the EAB Bandit!

Mischief Managed!