Summer is...

music lessons on Mondays.

swim lessons at Clive Aquatic Center.

popsicles on the porch.

sprinklers with Aunt Rissa.

water table play with my bff.

Book Love, Summer 2014

Full disclosure: This post is more for my students than anyone else.  

This is the first summer, ever, that I haven't worked two or more jobs, taking two more graduate classes, planned a wedding, or any combination of the above.  Instead, I became addicted to reading.

Yes, of course.  I have always loved reading.  Hence my career choice.  But this summer, it was different.  Anytime I picked up a book, I would inhale it.  I quickly learned I better not start one until I had a day to finish it.  I would lay in the sun, on the couch, with the dog, and just lose myself in story after story.  It. Was. Awesome.

In true BuzzFeed fashion, here is a quick look into my summer of reading....

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

This was a short and quick read. The story follows a senior in high school who has been in a terrible car crash. The narrator has to decide "if I stay" as she is the only survivor.  The story flashes back and develops a history for her.  It was a fun lighthearted story and easy read.  Seems like the ending was a little abrupt.  I needed more of a wrap up.  The movie release date is this Friday!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 

One from my list last summer: On their fifth wedding anniversary, a wife goes missing and the husband is the prime suspect.  A well-known premise with a great twists.  It had me hooked all the way through.  Switching points of view give reads so much insight.  However, I didn’t like the ending.  But, to Flynn’s credit, I don’t know how else it could have ended.  Definitely excited for this movie in October.

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Tina Fey, who I love, chronicles her rise in the entertainment word from Saturday Night Live to 30 Rock.  I guess I don’t love her enough.  It seemed like the entire book was an inside joke that I just wasn’t getting.  I ended up skimming it.  Fans of SNL and 30 Rock, I’m sure, will enjoy much more.  In the end, I do admire all that she has done and her success.  

Gregor the Overland by Suzanne Collins

The first series by the famed Hunger Game author, and just as good.  While chasing after of his younger sister, Gregor is transported down to a new Underworld where he is immediately reversed.  He must go on a quest to earn his way out and discovers much along the way.  A great action book, especially for upper elementary and middle school kiddos.  

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

This one has been on my list for years.  Gladwell tries to explain how we “think without thinking.”  One fascinating factoid that will stick with me: within the first six seconds, you can tell if someone is going to be a good teacher.  He discusses how this same instinct is true in so many facets of our lives.  

The Spectaular Now by Tim Tharp

On the plane ride to Key West, I was debating between this book and Sharp Objects.  Casey chose this one.  As I kept reading, he wanted to read it more.  Jimmy Buffett + Seagrams + Parties, it was like I was reading my husband’s teenage life.  A fun read as a partying-teenaged boy takes on a “girl” as a project.  A fun read, sarcastic tone, and not the predictable ending you would expect. (Oh, and it’s a movie, too.)

The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

I was so excited by this premise and so many spoke so highly of it. The story explores what it was like for victims of the Columbine shooting who were “survivors.”  I loved the beginning and seeing the perspectives offered.  Then it tried to do too much with it’s storyline and couldn’t hold my interest.  After 500 out of the 700 pages, Lamb lost me.

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

If you liked Tuesdays with Morrie, you’ll like this.  Albom has been asked by his rabbi to write his eulogy.  As a man who has gone away from his faith, Albom spends time getting to know the rabbi outside of a religious setting.  These encounters spur Albom to other directions where he meets a pastor who had an unconventional journey to where he is now.  Great parallels to make anyone think about faith.  

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

Definitely one of my favorites of the summer.  After his sister tries to commit suicide for the third time, Tom Wingo hopes to shed some light on her, and their families’ history, to her psychiatrist.  Conroy writes in such beautiful way about so many heartbreaking matters.  And you thought your family had problems.  

The Julian Chapter by R.J. Palacio

After reading a few heavy books, I needed some lighthearted, easy reads.  This one is brilliant.  Wonder by R.J. Palacio is, by far, my favorite book of the year.  When I say this was a thing, I had to read it immediately.  Thank goodness for Nooks.  This gives the bully’s perspective.  Fascinating.  Touch.  Wish I could teach both of them.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I loved the premise of this one.  Two twin girls start their freshman year, and they could not be on more different paths.  One of them, Cath, writes fanfiction, while the other one, Wren, finds out what it is like to have independence.  Both of the try to find a balance their freshman year.  I enjoyed the story, but skipped reading most of the fanfiction excerpts included.  Too distracting.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

In true trashy summer reads, I found this book.  A college freshman trying to stay out of trouble finds the bad boy of the university.  You can probably guess where it goes from there.  Predictable Fifty Shades of Gray-esque book with much better writing.  

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

A young journalist returns home to cover the stories of two young girls who have died in eerily similar ways a year apart.  As she digs into their stories, she uncovers more than she can handle about her small town’s history.  Still disturbed by this one.  Must mean the writing was great.  

Finding a Haven at Blue Heaven

If you go to one place in Key West, this has to be it.  

When we were recommended this place by a local bartender at the Key West Pub, we were also warned there would be a long wait, especially for brunch.  If we know that going in -- and they have cocktails -- I can prepare my husband.  (Restaurant waits are one of the only times he is impatient.)  Our friendly bartender used to host here, so we got to hear stories about Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown visiting their favorite Key West place. 

As soon as we approached the restaurant, I knew we'd be fine to wait.  Just off of Duval Street, Blue Heaven is tucked behind gates that lead into an island paradise.  Trees and plants create a canopy over the patio, bar, and outdoor stage.  Even though it was ninety plus degrees and humid, this cover provided some need relief from the unforgiving sun.  Since it was a Sunday morning, we were entertained by a local artist on the stage.  

We ordered cocktails and found a seat at the bar.  Casey got the "Goose Driver" - the best screwdriver he has every had with Grey Goose Vodka and fresh squeezed orange juice.  I chose a Bellini.  Half way through the first round, Casey didn't ever want to leave.  He was plotting and planning to eat at least one meal at Blue Heaven for the rest of our trip.  And this was even before we ordered food.

As we waited, friendly chickens and roosters waddled around patrolling the restaurant.  Seemingly unbothered by the customers, they roamed around, engaging with each other in chatter and babble.

Then, there is the food.  The waiter greeted us and explained the specials.  As soon as Casey heard Lobster Eggs Benedict with Bacon, he was sold.  I ordered my avocado omelette.  The blueberry pancakes sounded too good to pass up, so we opted to split it.  It dawned on Casey as the waiter walked away that he probably just ordered a twenty-five dollar breakfast.  It was worth every penny.  

We couldn't leave without one last drink at the bar.  Our brunch just turned into a two and a half hour ordeal.  Casey truly enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere where his fave artists as played, while soaking up some vodka, too.

Key West Escape (aka Casey's Homage to Jimmy Buffett)

I don't want to be an on the bus tourist, I want to be an in the bar tourist, says my husband as we sit at the Green Parrot for the third time and watch a trolley full of tourists go by.  Every time we saw one he made a point to observe how bored the passengers looked, hence his traveling philosophy.

After he said this, I realized a couple things to be true about this vacation: One, each bar we went to was a museum to him, full of history and stories he has heard in his songs for more than thirty years.  Two, this could quite possibly be the last trip we can run around like drunk twenty-somethings and sleep until noon.  On that note, here are the ones worth mentioning.  

Tour of Bars: The Smittys' Review

The Original Margaritaville

While it has become more commercialized than a lot of the other dives we visited, we most definitely could not go to Key West without at least a drink here.  Had to have this shot when we heard the name: Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw. (For all of you non-Parrotheads, look up the song.)

Green Parrot

One of our faves. And a fave for the locals, too.  We'd fit right in down here listening to live music with a cocktail in hand.  

Blue Heaven 

Probably some of the best drinks we had all trip.  Casey said his Goose Driver made with fresh orange juice and Grey Goose vodka was the best thing he ever had.  He was feeling pretty good as he started the second one.  My Bellini went down pretty easily, too.  We will definitely be returning here next time.  More on this place later.  

Captain Tony's Saloon

The oldest bar in Key West.  As all Parrotheads know, this is the same Captain Tony who was elected Mayor.  Again, look up the song.  This place was a true museum with so much history of Captain Tony, Jimmy Buffett, and all of their friends on the walls.  Photos, newspaper articles, autographs, and bras kept my husband busy.  

Willie T's on Mojito Monday

Best mojitos on the island!  And I'm pretty picky  I had the Parrot Bay Mango and Casey the Cruzan Banana.  This place also had thousands of dollars stapled to the walls.  We had to leave our mark, too.

The last day of our week long trip, we looked at each other and decided we were tired of drinking, tired of eating, tired of sweating, and tired of spending money.  A successful trip.  

Summer is for Teachers

You would think the school calendar allows for a two month break for the students benefit.  As I finished my sixth year of teaching, I can't tell you how wrong that assumption is.  Summer is not for kids, camps, amusement parks.  These are just the convenient side effects needed behind the real purpose of summer. 

Summer is for teachers.  If there wasn't a summer to rejuvenate, reenergize, and refresh, I wouldn't go back in the fall.  

These are the women who help me get through each day, week, and month of teaching.  When I need an idea on how to reteach something, I turn to them.  When I need the tact to reply to a parent email, I turn to them.  When I am emotionally drained and frustrated, I turn to them.  It was my pleasure to host a night where we could gather, giggle, and chat about things other than school.  

My amazing grill master at work.

Coco confused by all the people.  She was wore out the next day and let us sleep in.