Waiting until the last minute

My boyfriend has THE worst habit.  He puts everything off to the last possible moment.  Every time we plan a weekend trip, he books the room the night before we planned to leave.  Every time we have a wedding to go to he books the hotel room no more than a week before.  It drives me insane!  Last summer we had a wedding out east in Greenport.  The condos reserved for the wedding were located right on the water and filled up very quickly.  He and another roommate never booked the room, so the week before they were scrambling to find suitable accommodations.  Days before the wedding, rooms opened up, and we were able to stay where everyone else was.  After this situation happened, I decided I would be in charge of all hotel bookings from now on.  Next Saturday, we have another wedding and I called to book the room weeks ago.  Both reserved hotels were fully booked.  Not being too familiar with that area of New Jersey, I had to let him back in charge.  He kept ignoring the situation, saying everything would work itself out.  That is extremely frustrating!  Things just do not work themselves out!  Lo and behold, he called me yesterday saying that the reserved hotel had an open room and we were all set.  I couldn't even find any words to say to him.  I got so annoyed that yet again, things worked themselves out.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm glad we booked the room.  I am glad we get to stay over with all of his roommates.  Just once, though, just once, I would love for things to not work out.  I would love for him to see that he needs to plan things in advance.  Until that one time things don't work out, we will be finalizing all our plans within days of every vacation. 

This is a great example of what happens when he waits until the last minute to book our trips...we stayed at this hotel

Vocabulary
habit-noun-a recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition
insane-adjective- Characteristic of or associated with persons afflicted with insanity
scrambling-verb-To struggle or contend frantically in order to get something
suitable-adjective-appropriate; proper; fit
accommodations-noun-Room and board; lodgings
reserved-adjective-set aside for use by a particular person or people
frustrating-verb-To cause feelings of discouragement or bafflement in
finalizing-verb-To put into final form; complete or conclude

Exercise-
I wrote about something that annoys me greatly.  Write about something that bothers or frustrates you.  Be sure to include plenty of verbs and adjectives when doing so.

Grammar Point- -ing forms of verbs
-ing forms are used:

• to add information to what is expressed in certain verbs and verb + object combinations
• when we want to use a verb after a preposition
• as subjects and complements
• to list activities
• to add information to what is expressed in a clause
• in continuous tenses

Soap Opera Cancellations

Today I found out that one of my favorite soap operas, One Life To Live, has been cancelled.  The last showing is January of 2012.  That is too soon!!  I could not believe it when I read the post on Facebook.  I have been watching it since I was little and I do not want to see it go!  It makes me sad to see all of these soap operas being shut down.  I just never thought the ABC soaps would go.  All My Children is cancelled as well, but I stopped watching that a couple years ago because the story lines grew tiresome.  Thankfully, General Hospital is safe.  For now, at least.  I cannot even process how many people are going to be out of work because of this.  The good thing about daytime is that soaps that are still in existence normally write in new characters to make room for laid off actors.  With all the soaps ending, there will not be enough room for everyone unfortunately.  It's always sad when a long-lasting show comes to an end.  I just was not expecting it!  As disappointed as I am, I cannot wait to see how the show will come to a close. 

All My Children and One Life to Live Cancelled

Vocabulary
soap operas-noun-television series depicting the interconnected lives of many characters often in a sentimental, melodramatic way
cancelled-verb-to decide or announce that a planned event will not take place; call off
tiresome-adjective-causing or liable to cause a person to tire; wearisome
thankfully-adjective-feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative
existence-noun-the state or fact of existing; being
unfortunately-adjective-lamentable; sad
expecting-verb-to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of
disappointed-adjective-depressed or discouraged by the failure of one's hopes or expectations

Exercise-I wrote about something that saddens me.  Write about something that has made you sad, that you were not expecting, or that you wish did not happen.  Include at least 4 reasons why you feel this way.

Grammar Point-Writing in the Present Tense
The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that is regular, true or normal.
We use the present tense:
1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.
I take the train to the office.
The train to Berlin leaves every hour.
John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.

2. For facts.
The President of The USA lives in The White House.
A dog has four legs.
We come from Switzerland.

3. For habits.
I get up early every day.
Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.
They travel to their country house every weekend.

4. For things that are always / generally true.
It rains a lot in winter.
The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.
They speak English at work.

Weddings Galore!

I absolutely love weddings.  I love the beautiful ceremonies filled with joy and tears.  I love the enormous amounts of delicious food.  I love dressing up and dancing the entire night away.  I love the open bar.  Ever since I started dating my boyfriend, I have attended a ridiculous amount of weddings.  It seems as if all of his friends are getting engaged, married, and having babies every other day.  This past year has been so jam packed with all of these happy occasions.  His friends from high school just had twins, making them a 27-year-old and a 26-year-old with three kids under the age of 2.  We just attended a wedding this past March, have another wedding in two weeks, another in June, and my college roommate is getting married in July.  All of the weddings, luckily, are New Jersey natives.  The June wedding is down the shore, which is a bit of a drive from where my boyfriend lives in Central Jersey.  The July wedding is a destination wedding in Stuart, Florida July 3rd.  At first, we were not too thrilled with that situation since it was a holiday weekend and since it would be extremely expensive.  We have considered not attending that wedding, but it is my closest friend from college and I must go.  The past two summers, we have vacationed in Myrtle Beach and the thought of not being able to this summer saddens me greatly.  Ken's parents rent out their condo during the winter months so the summer is really our only time to visit.  They are selling the condo and just bought a house, however!  So next winter break (while his job is off-season), we plan on making a little trip.  Instead of moping around because we have to wait an extra six months to see our future city of residence, we have decided to embrace our Florida vacation.  Orlando is only an hour away from Stuart, so we are going to spend 3-4 days there, visiting Universal Studios and Disney World.  I cannot be more excited!!  I haven't been to Disney since I was little and cannot wait!!  If not for this destination wedding, we would not be visiting the happiest place on earth!!  Once our summer weddings are finished, we have a nice lull until February, when another one of Ken's college roommates gets married.  As much as I love weddings, I do not love all the money that leaves my bank account, but it is all worth it because there is no greater feeling than seeing two people commit to a life together. 

Ken and I in Greenport for his college roommates wedding last July

Vocabulary-
delicious-adjective-highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell
ridiculous-adjective-causing or worthy of ridicule or derision; absurd; preposterous; laughable
destination-noun-the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent
considered-adjective-thought about or decided upon with care
residence-noun-the place, especially the house, in which a person lives or resides; dwelling place; home
lull-noun-a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness

Exercise-Matching-Match the word to its definition (the numbers with the letters below)

1.residence                                                           
2. destination                                                       
3. considered                                                        
4. lull                                                                  
5. ridiculous                                                         
6. delicious                           
                               
a. a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness          

b. highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell
c. causing or worthy of ridicule; absurd; laughable
d. the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent
e.  the place in which a person lives

f. thought about or decided upon with care

Grammar Point-Proper nouns versus Common Nouns

A proper noun is used with a name of a person, animal, place or organization, for example, James, Snoopy, England, Paris or Motorola. A name is a noun, but a very special noun—a proper noun. We always use capital letter for the first letter of a proper noun.  A common noun is a noun that refers to a person, thing and place.

Examples: dog, house, picture, computer.  Common nouns are represented in the singular and plural form.  Common nouns are represented by lower case letters.

The New York Giants

I am an enormous professional football fan.  I was born and raised a New York Giants fan, specifically.  My family used to have season tickets to the Giants for sixteen years, I have been to two Superbowls, and my family has a Giants themed room in my house.  It has Giants helmet bordered wallpaper, a blue carpet, red leather couch, and more Giants memorabilia that any person could ever need.  Oddly enough, nobody watches the Giants games in that room.  We all pile into our living room dressed from head to toe in our Giants clothes (except for my brother, Brodie, who has been a New England Patriots fan since he was five) and watch the Giants play every weekend.  Like I said, I have been to two Giants Superbowls.  I think any fan of any sport needs to go to the biggest game of the year at least once in their lifetime.  There is truly nothing more exhilarating than seeing your team win a championship game.  I was lucky enough to see my team win both Superbowls I attended.  My parents took my sister, Liz, and I to Superbowl XXV when the Giants played the Buffalo Bills in Tampa Bay, Florida.  I was only seven so I hardly remember a thing about that entire experience.  In 2007, however, when the Giants played the Patriots, I remember as if it were yesterday.  The Patriots had been undefeated all season so everyone knew they were going to make it to the big game.  My brother kept begging my parents to take him.  Only when the Giants were going also, did my parents consider.  Originally, they were only going to take my brother since Liz and I had already been lucky enough to experience such a thing already.  The tickets were too expensive.  The flights across the country to Arizona were too expensive.  My parents decided against it.  Only until the Friday night before the game did they change their mind.  The ticket prices went down so much that they could not pass up this opportunity.  The weekend was such a whirlwind, but the most amazing time of my life.  No one thought the Giants had a chance of winning, of beating an undefeated team.  The Patriots and Tom Brady were unstoppable.  Yet, Eli was in a whole new element that day.  It was the most glorifying thing I have ever witnessed.  Seeing the Giants beat all the odds was remarkable.  I will never ever forget that day.  The day the New Giants made football history.

My mom, sister Liz, and I after the Giants won Superbowl XLII

Vocabulary-

enormous-adjective-exceeding the common size, extent, etc.; huge
professional-adjective-undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain
specifically-adjective-specified, precise, or particular
memorabilia-noun-mementos; souvenirs
exhilarating-verb-to enliven; invigorate; stimulate
whirlwind-adjective-as in speed or forceelement-
element-noun-a natural habitat, sphere of activity, environment
glorifying-verb-to cause to be or treat as being more splendid, excellent, etc., than would normally be remarkable-adjective-notably or conspicuously unusual; extraordinary

Exercise-I wrote about one of my favorite things to do-watch the New York Giants play football.  Write about your favorite sport, team, or activity.  What do you like most about it?  What kinds of feelings do you have when you watch or actually take part in this activity?

Grammar Point-Descriptive Writing Use
By describing the situation rather than simply stating a few facts, you can begin to visualize the circumstances much better. This leaves a little less to the imagination and by doing so, leads your readers closer towards your actual experience versus letting them jump to their own conclusions and possibly not getting the picture you're trying to paint. An action that only took a second in real time will seem to take three minutes by breaking down the feelings, smells, and visuals of that act. And by slowing it down and really describing every minute detail, your readers will begin to put themselves in your shoes.