Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Wednesday

Our house is full of sleeping friends, so this will be very short and sweet. I'm excited to make a super big, proper update tomorrow night, full of words and photos and flipcam videos and 2010 goals and answers to questions and so much more! Tonight was a perfect evening full of fun and silliness, and laughing until my cheeks hurt. I'd love to say more, but I need to get some sleep so I can get to the gym tomorrow morning before brunch!

Goodnight friends!

Usher in the Year of the Tiger with a New Tattoo!

2010 Looks to be a great year and I am looking forward to ringing in the new decade on January 2nd by visiting a new tattoo shop of the Lower East Side called Thicker Than Water Tattoo Studios.

From Noon to 10:00 PM, artists in the shop, which just opened on December 1, 2009, will be inking Year of the Tiger tattoo specials for $50.00 apiece. It's first-come, first-served, folks, so don't show up too late.

In case you were wondering what kind of tattoo this deal will get you, we here at Tattoosday were thrilled to get a sneak peak of the flash from which customers can choose, and got the blessing from Shon Lindauer, designer, tattooer and shop manager, to share the designs with our readers:



So, come on down to Thicker Than Water and start the new decade with an appropriate Tiger tattoo to ring in the year!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Good morning!

I'm not sure what it was, but last night I got into a bit of a blue mood, which I don't mind because they're far and few between my happy moods...but still a bummer. Hank goes to bed early these days because he has to be up for work at 7am, so I'm usually up a lot later. It's funny how the roles have switched. I will be back at school on Monday though, and I will be up at 5am each morning for the gym! I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I do make goals (essentially the same thing but a different name, haha), and one of my goals is to get to the gym at 5am four out of five work mornings. I used to go all the time bright and early, but it's easier to put it off and go late at night when it's empty. I do best when I get it out of the way, and now that Hank is a member of the gym, I can go again with him at night and focus on lifting. So that's one goal I am setting for the new year. But back to my blue mood, I'm unsure where it came from, and I even woke up in poor spirits. I'm feeling one hundred percent better now though, and when I finish this post I'm going to go on a run, do a power clean of the house and then get ready for this evening. Tonight is Hank's company holiday party and I'm looking forward to meeting his coworkers. I've met some of them just due to it being his mom's company, but the majority of people will be new, which is always fun.

I should mention that I added a formspring over there on the left side of my blog. I'm still working on the last questions from that old Q&A post, but if you ever want to know anything, feel free to formspring it to me. It's totally anonymous, and I will answer your question or address your comment in my very next post!

Additionally, thank you all SO much for all of your sweet comments and supportive words when I was feeling so weird about this public blog last night. I really appreciated all of them, and you all definitely helped me feel okay about it. I texted with my friend Jenn about it last night too- she is also a teacher who blogs, and that made me feel a lot better as well. So thanks!

Awhile back I also somehow forgot to mention in the craziness of the holiday that I won a giveaway! Stephanie let me know that I was the winner of her Winter White giveaway and I am so excited to receive the adorable prizes in the mail and post all about them. So thanks again, Stephanie, you are too sweet! <3

And one more blog-related item: if you are in the mood for a blog makeover in the new year, don't hesitate to visit Lindsay's blog. She designed my adorable layout and she can do yours too! Here's her link.

OH and as I was writing this, I got my very first formspring question! YAY. I'm excited.

It says: "Do you ever miss being untattooed? I'm getting ready to get my first and I'm nervous that I'll miss the 'naked' me."

To be honest, there are times when yes, I will see an old photo of me with that pretty skin and think, wow, look how different I look. It's not that I miss that, it's just different and so interesting to me. Before I got tattooed I would see girls with chest pieces and think that was literally the most insane thing I'd ever seen. Now I am one of those girls! It makes me laugh. But as far as missing being untattooed...no. The only thing I miss is being able to wear whatever I want without people giving me weird looks. That gets old. And the constant questions get really old too. And I don't mean on here...I mean some random guy grabbing my arm in a store to ask me questions. It's weird. I know what I was getting into when I chose to become heavily tattooed, and I went through similar things that you're going through. I have a hard time committing to one outfit in a day...so it's interesting I was able to commit to having the same thing on my body for life. Just be sure whatever you get you love, and will love forever and ever. I'm sure you will go through a phase where you're like "Oh my goodness, what have I done," but this is normal. I had a little stage like that when my family initially gave me a hard time. It passed quickly though, and I realized that I only get one shot at this life, and I'm going to enjoy it and do whatever I please with my body. I love tattoos and I'd actually prefer to have a lot more than I do now, including my hands and sides of my neck. Until we have kids though I am working, so a teacher with hand and neck tattoos probably isn't ideal for the public school system. I hope I answered your question- I have a tendency to ramble on a bit!

Have a beautiful Tuesday everyone! I'm off to go on a run!

good morning- heading off on a run!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Thoughts on being a teacher and blogging

Well, today I was reminded yet again of the fact that what I write is here in a public forum for all eyes to see...including my teenage students and their parents. I was browsing my blog's statistics today and noticed that one of the Google search phrases used to find this site was "Danielle Hampton English teacher." YUCK. I hate thinking about that fact that some of my students and their parents could be reading every little detail about my life. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and enjoy my students...but I definitely don't want them involved in my life in any way outside of the classroom. I livejournaled for many years before I was a teacher, and I have always loved it. I don't think that being a teacher should force me to change what I enjoy doing in my spare time. I don't feel my blog has ANY questionable content, but I am still sitting here, quite uncomfortable knowing that my little life is so out on the table. Granted, it always has been, and it's a given when blogging...but when I'm reminded like this it makes me second-guess my decision to be so public.

You see all those stories in the newspaper- "Teacher loses job over questionable Facebook photo," etc...so it's always a weird feeling to be a teacher and to be on social networking sites and blogs. However, the only thing "questionable" I could even see on this site would be my tattoos- some people just don't agree with them. With that said, tattoos are not a reason to lose a job. You just never know who is reading what you write, and what their perception of the content will be. My blog is hit many times a day with many different blog searches- often my full name is searched for, and I know those could be anyone. But for some reason when I saw the "English teacher" attached it made me incredibly uncomfortable.

So anyway, I just had to share this little burst of unwelcome insecurity about my blog. I'm currently feeling weird about writing, and I really hope this passes in a minute or two. I'm looking forward to the very near future when a simple Google search won't matter to me. Until then, I'm sure my teacher-self will continue to be uncomfortable.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

New week/last week

I love new weeks, and this week is especially wonderful because it marks the end of 2009. I first need to apologize big time for the pretty obnoxious year-in-review heavy image posts. I promise I won't do that again. I miss livejournal cuts, and being able to hide everything so neatly. Thanks for continuing to read my blog, even if all of those photos were a bother! As the maker of those memories though, I have to say how nice it is to be able to look back and see all of those happy things. I'm really, really looking forward to 2010 though- Hank and I have some pretty huge things coming up and 2010 may just shape up to be the best year of our lives so far!

Christmas this year was good to us. I feel very lucky and so incredibly grateful for our generous family members. This evening we celebrated our third Christmas celebration with Hank's Dad and family and one of the presents we received was a Flip Cam! We're so stoked on this little thing and I'm excited to start using it tomorrow. Later in the evening we celebrated Amber's birthday with pizza and a Wii session, and had a great time. I enjoy nights in so much more than going out. Amber and I were discussing how last year we would have been out on the town, but this year is just so much more laid back. I am completely over going out, and I'm unsure if this is just a phase I'm in, or if this is just the way it is. I'm pretty sure it's the latter.

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day- I am literally cleaning every last nook and cranny of our house! Amber's wise mama says that in order to have a great new year, your house must be clean going into that year. SO...organizing, cleaning, dusting, etc. will take place tomorrow. I'm probably going to be cleaning out my closet too, so I may or may not put some things on ebay. If I do, I'll post a link here.

Does anyone else get super excited about fresh starts?!

Stay tuned for a little giveaway (maybe tomorrow), a 2010 post, and a fun video I'm going to start working on tomorrow with the Flip.

I also wanted to add a little note, inspired by Ms. Biscuit's post here, about how much I appreciate each and every one of you. I read every single one of the blogs I follow every single day, but due to time constraints I can't always comment. But I am reading your posts, promise. I also appreciate every single comment that is left in my blog, and each one makes me smile. I wish there was a feature to comment back on each individual comment, but unfortunately there isn't. Just know that I do read them and see them, and love them. I just want to be sure that you all know that I appreciate you, and I am so grateful for your input and interest in my little corner of the internet- thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. :)

<3

Goodnight!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Happy birthday to my darling Amber Joy!


amber joy at yogurtland, originally uploaded by daniellehampton.



Happy birthday bestie! You can go to her blog here and leave her some happy wishes, or you can leave them here in the comments, if you'd like! I love you Ambie. xoxoxo

Year in Review- Part Three (VERY image heavy!)

July 2009



I started the month with two of my dearest, bestest girls visiting, and we had a great time!

at esoji



banger sisters



We went to a rodeo dance to celebrate 4th of July weekend!

so many cowboy hats



paco and me



kris looking good



We ate at Hugo's a million times! (mid-bite! haha)

looking good, me



sarah's bowl 'o goodness



We watched the 4th of July Parade from Hank's Dad's place! They always invite the "old folks" to come from the senior center for these choice seats. It is soo adorable to see them all waving flags and cheering, right in the middle of the action!

cute old people



"i love america, i guess"



beautiful sky



i always feel sad for the horses



love



Suki and me hoola-hooping!

fun!



my world!



Hank and his Dad!

i love this photo



the whole family



love her



my hubby



all of us



amazing sky







That night Sarah, Hank and I watched the fireworks- it was such a fun time!

off to get frozen yogurt with hank and sarah



sarah and me, downtown



It was a summer of Amber Joy! She was home all summer and I loved every last bit of it. This picture makes me laugh everytime- it was such a funny moment.

this picture makes me laugh, this moment was too funny



amber and me



We took the new houseboat out for a week, and it was a lot of fun! We go to Lake Powell often, and always have the best time. Hank and I both love the water, and the houseboat literally feels like we're on a house! Hank's mom and step-dad always fly their plane there, but we elected to drive a car so we left a day later and met them.



top level- relaxing on morning one!





good moooorning! :)

1st morning!



so many float toys, YES!

upstairs, soo many float toys! haha



Hank jumping off the top level

stoked Hank



I haaate this part- the machine that puts the waverunners into the water is so scary to me.

ahhh



happy Hamptons



great spot on the beach



speedboat being towed by the houseboat, being followed by the waverunners! What a parade!

on the waverunners following the speedboat, following the houseboat



crazy



Hank and me :)



beautiful Navajo Point



boat breakfast! Always cereal for us!

breakfast time



moon over Lake Powell



In July I had a lot of fun nights out with my girlfriends in Phoenix!

sisters <3



Kelli in 3D!



Suki!



my sister and I got more work done on our sister tattoos!

Teacup tattoo- session two freshly done, one session to go!



Tea for two, tea for two!



cute cute cute



friends since 1994!



two of the most important ladies in my life!



the girls



and of course in Prescott too!

silly



Courthouse



our "tourist" pics at 2am



<3



my love







We spend so much time outside in our beautiful town!

hanging out downtown with the puppies



even our puppies are best friends



Sarah and Andy in Prescott <3



Mid-July I took another trip to NYC to spend time with Emily!



Here I am, fresh off the plane!

first photo, upon my arrival!



outside the speakeasy we had a great time in!

first night...arrived late and so tired!



Oy Vey!

:)



We ate the best food (here is the macro platter at Souen)

delicious lunch at Souen



before heading out to Westchester



Grand Central



love this



shoes on the street



NYC



view from our lounging spot



IMG_6481 edit



leaving the park



Babycakes cupcakes! Stoked!

pumped



of course, who knows



heading out for the night



my heart!



Emily's happy :)





at The Levee



LOOOVE



Salsa and me, I love her so much!



fiances!

cuties



sunnning...with SPF 60!



girls girls girls



heading downtown



oh hey Jesse



pretty girl



trying to get a photo of the vicious Salsa! ;)



me!



red velvet from Magnolia Bakery...SO good.

red velvet from Magnolia



beautiful day



what a night!



When I got home from NYC, Hank and I left for San Diego for Comic Con! We go every year. Hank is a serious Japanese vinyl toy collector. It's always fun to see friends and hang out!



On the road-

hitting the road for San Diego



view from our beautiful room

view from our wonderful hotel



comfiest bed ever



heey



???



SDCC Preview Night '09



Alex and Hank



weird smile



Alex interviewing Hank



Patrick and Hank, Hank is soo happy about this photo



YEAH!



After the convention we came back home to Prescott, so I could start getting ready to start work back up in about 2 weeks.

I look creepy but look at HER!



manicure Wednesday



manicure Wednesday for both of us!



Amber and me



Hour of the Wolf



we always take these silly bathroom photos



Docs and mousies



the same picture again...



ain't she cute



manicures! yeah!



August 2009



Friday night



Amber, walking downtown Saturday night



I started getting my classroom ready-

first day back in my classroom...5 days to get it re-ready for the kids' arrival!



our wedding was featured in magazines!

our feature in this month's Arizona Wedding magazine



Friday night bow



in my classroom on a Sunday!



awesome vintage "Read" posters!



I went back to work! :)

2nd day of school :)



I got stoked on Hank getting back from tour!

HECK YES TGIF!



I went to the movies,

waiting for Julie and Julia to start



We had more girls' nights in Phoenix!

sisters 1



Apples to Apples!



me



Lauren!



Erin and Laur



love these girls so much!



Day 8



my night, Sunday edition



Day 10



Addy and Hank



James and Addison



HOTW



HOTW



annnd for some reason I ate a LOT of tabouli in August, haha!

making homemade tabouli



Happy Friday!



Thanks for sharing part of my 2009 with me! I will be back with the final installment next week! xoxo