New Beginnings...

I can't believe it but it is almost back to school time. I am feeling a little like a child about to start a new school. As a teacher I know how scary it can be to be in a new and unknown place and as a recent transplant to an eastern Washington town (some might call it the Inland Empire and some might call it a city) I know how scary that can be too. I no longer have television. There goes my career as a Gossip Girl blogger. Now I am going to resign myself to blogging about something really boring, something like my life. If you were one of my "many" followers that was interested in my commentary on television I am sorry to disappoint. I have recently relocated, unfortunately it is not out of the country, so expat doesn't really describe me. However, I think I will stick with the name, perhaps the tv will come later.

Since moving approximately 21 days ago I am mostly settled in my house (which is about three times as large as my old place. Thank you cost of living). I am in transition. This means that you are confused, in a new place and wondering how the hell you got here. My answer being: I am a supportive wife. I have been spending time doing a lot of activities including spending time setting up my new classroom, reading, working out, and watching instant Netflix. My husband (who I am already exceedingly proud of) is already busy with law school. He is a committed studier even though school has not started and will not for a few more days but I foresee a lot of time alone and have a vested interested in being settled and finding things to do that make me happy. Here are some suggestions about what to do if you find yourself in a similar transitional phase.

Recommended reading, viewing, and activities for people who are in transition like me:
My Life in France by Julia Child - read this book and be inspired to eat, cook, and try new things. Be careful, you will be hungry the entire time. I love how in love with each other Julia and Paul are. It is beautiful. I love how adventurous she is and I also want to bake French bread.
Julie and Julia- the perfect companion to reading My Life in France.
Away We Go- John Krasinzky and Maya Rudolph are lost and looking for the place they should settle. Written by Dave Eggers and Vendela Veda
TRX- a new workout class I am taking at the YMCA. You use your body weight and straps from the ceiling. I was sore only hours after completing my first class.
Spokane Indians Game-pretty fun if you don't get rained out. Most shocking thing that I saw was a sign that said "stop Obama." I also overheard a man talking about asians. "Some type of asian, Japanese or something." Especially offensive to me because I am some type of Asian. Where am I? I am chalking these two things up to anomaly and moving on.
Wii - with Wii fit and Netflix instant viewing. Beware of the Wii fit board who will tell you about your weight...whether or not you want to hear it.
Weeds- I love it. Nancy Botwin starts
to get a big annoying towards the end of season 3 but everyone is quirky and makes me laugh.
Arrested Development- what fool decided that this show should no longer exist. A fool. I laughed hysterically, out loud, alone, on a number of occasions while watching this.
Pinot Grigio- it's hot here so a nice light white wine is ideal.
Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner- interesting read and without an agenda...not a self-help book but helps you to take a step back and reevaluate the way you look at it.

Any other suggestions of reading or viewing for people in transition (aka people who are lost or starting over)? I would love to hear them.

Upcoming things to do:
Find artwork/something to put up on the walls of our apartment
Find new recipes to try
Steal my mother in law's copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Find the perfect chair to sit and read in the bedroom, outdoor furniture, side table and lamps
Make friends
Bake french bread

Okay friends here is your assignment. Please offer my suggestions about anything that will make things helpful or more enjoyable. I will really appreciate it especially if you have book suggestion (only upbeat...nothing depressing).

THE FINALE- I can't believe this is really goodbye.

Today, my friends, is a sad day for the world. The Hills will not continue. This is it.
Here is what has been happening over the last few episodes. Kristin Cavalari is now the central figure in the Hills cast. This entire season has made me long for the days of LC. (whose literary masterpiece I will be reading poolside next week on my Hawaiian vacation). Lo has been more involved, she and Stacy the Bartender (who may no longer be a bartender) move the plot along by asking questions of the more interesting characters at lunches and in bars. They help the viewers to understand the inner feelings and motivations of characters. (I realize I am giving them a lot of credit here. I don't need to hear them say it, they are motivated by fame and immediate gratification, but it is still helpful.) Lo has been dating a boy, Scott, who asks her to move in with him. Stephanie Pratt seems quite rational and responsible (this is not a sarcastic statement), since her DUI, she no longer drinks and is mourning the loss of communication with her crazy brother and sister-in-law. She is looking to find a guy who is okay with the fact that she isn't going to drink and party. Hard to find in LA? Spencer and Heidi have been sporadically on the show. Spencer is totally nuts and loves him some crystals. His spiritual advisor, or the like, has told him the crystals will help him to stay calm, but he has been having some serious rage issues. Heidi has totally cut off her family and looks no longer human.
Audrina has been dating Ryan Cabrera, a musical star (okay he is a musician) but Justin Bobby is still around. JB had a briefly dated Kristin but that didn't work out. She went back to being friends with benefits with Brody. Brody continues to be a source of entertainment and fun on the show. He has a lot of fun dudes (Sleazy T, Frankie, and Charlie) for the girls to hang with and a parade of girlfriends for Kristin to be jealous with and yell at (head shaking back and forth and pointing). The trips this year included a boat outing for Audrina's birthday, a trip to Vegas, and a Costa Rica trip.
Up to Finale there is a red carpet and the most annoying VJ ever. She makes everyone feel really awkward, especially me. The real questions I have as this show begins is about the appearance of Heidi and Spencer will I get one last glimpse of them? They aren't at the red carpet. I guess I will have to buy a tabloid magazine.

On the Finale:
We need to understand that the girls are growing up and moving on. The show begins with a discussion about the mid-twenties life crisis. Lo wants to get married and make babies. Stephanie is really happy. Audrina wants to find herself without a man and Kristin is heartbroken. What can she do to make a change and grow?
Go to Europe of course. (I am quite perplexed by this solution.) She has a really awkward conversation to invite Brody to her going away party. Brody refuses to go and support her going away but shows up in the end. They have a sad tearful goodbye but seem to end on a high note. He also comes again to send her off to the airport. He feels responsible for sending her away. Stephanie is in love with a motocross racer named Josh and they seem really cute together. They make a cute couple and even have a DTR (define the relationship). Lo's boyfriend essentially proposes to her but without the ring. And Audrina moves out of Hollywood and to the beach.
The final thirty seconds is a montage of the girls with pictures of them today and in the past. Then back to Brody staring at the car as Kristin drives away. Then the scenery behind is pushed away to reveal a TV set in the background. What does it all mean? Was it all a lie? Wow! Thanks for blowing my mind MTV.

The best part of the whole evening was the return of the aftershow ( I love those Canadians. What will happen to them? What kind of a job will they get next. Will they get deported back to Canada? I don't hear anyone talking about closing that border or building a fence.)
Other highlights included Justin Bobby and Audrina together one last time, Jessie (Canadian hostess) in a very strange green cutaway dress, and Holly and Stephanie sharing information about Spencer and Heidi. There was also a sad video montage of her before Spencer. Neither sister knew whether or not the rumors about Heidi and Spencer divorcing are true. I totally forgot how they disappeared from the show. Remember how Heidi accused the producer of sexually harassing her. Some snooping around on the TMZ website told me that perhaps they are divorcing/legally separating and that Heidi might have a reality show in the works with Jen Bunney. Kristin and Brody together one more time talking about how happy they are about the ending. And then finally LC. She was proud of her experience on the Hills and all that she learned. I also learned that she has published 4 books, who knew. She is adorable and lovely as ever. The after show wrapped it up with one last montage and a picture in picture of the cast and crew giving hugs ( I really liked this.)

I am now going to indulge in some reminiscing of my own. How strange to think that I have been watching this show for the last 6 seasons (four years). That is quite a commitment on my part. However, I am glad that it is coming to a close now as I am closing in on my thirties. It is probably time for me to stop watching MTV and who knows if I will even have it when I move.

Here is a special treat for sticking with this long post. From NY Magazine: Where will they be in 50 years! What genius came up with this idea?