December 2025 Dump featuring Model UN and the Holidays

Listen, it's that indeterminate time that we in the education world call Winter Break. I kind of know when I have to go back to work, but that'a problem for three or four days from now. And I really don't remember much from the last month.

I do remember Model UN at the beginning of the month, because our students did a great job. ezCater and Subway almost made me pay for the same lunch order three times, but the conference itself went smoothly. We didn't lose a kid, and we had two groups get outstanding resolution and one student win outstanding delegate. Their work in Model UN always amazes me, in large part to the public speaking aspect. Many adults are afraid of public speaking, and these kids are doing it. 10/10.

Thanks to Mrs. Brooks for chaperoning with me!

Other than that, December has been a bit of a blur. I went to the Enchanted Forest twice (good times). I started doing InstaCart to fill time over break and make some money.

We drove to North Carolina for Christmas, but I was locked in watching the Eras Tour documentary. Then we drove back? I don't remember day that was. I read like three books.

Her first trip to Buc-ee's!

OH! I had a wart on my foot, which temporarily paused Turkey Trot Training (it's a bit, that's just exercise). That's mostly better now.

And anyway, new year, not really new me. I have goals for 2026 (cook more, start the path to home ownership, travel), but mostly I'm just going to continue being the angelic, soft-spoken, docile individual you all know and love.

And I'm ending the year the same way I started it: with my kitty baby, Coco. 100% would not change.

Have a wonderful New Year! Enjoy these other pics.

Stormy

Duck Genetic Diversity

He's 30, flirty, and thriving.

November 2025 (the Rest) Dump featuring Thanksgiving

Between our trip to Martin and the week of Thanksgiving, I worked (like many people). It was not very exciting. It was busy.

The week of Thanksgiving was exciting. Let's discuss.

1. It was my birthday. Yay. I am now 34, which means I only have more more year before I age out of EF Ultimate Break and Contiki Trips, which are for 18-35 year olds.

Taylor Merch that I got myself for my birthday.

More merch

Merch

Also merch

Merch

2. I saw & Juliet at the Orpheum with my mother. It is a jukebox musical retelling of the end of Romeo and Juliet with the music of producer Max Martin (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, etc). I thoroughly enjoyed it. The music was fantastic and it was hilarious. There was a non-binary character, and my mother was confused. She liked the character and their storyline, but she was definitely confused.

3. We went to the UT vs. Vandy game. Unfortunately, UT lost, but the first half was pretty competitive. I enjoy seeing the band's performances, but I think American football is incredibly inefficient. It was also cold, and it is supposed to continue to be cold. Ew.

I have also booked and started planning for summer 2026! I'm starting in Malaysia/Singapore (https://www.contiki.com/en-us/tours/malaysia-and-singapore-highlights?optionId=1649) and then going to Bali (https://www.goddessretreats.com/goddess-packages/bali-wellness-retreat-holistic-healing/). I am more than ready.

Anyway, I hope you have a great week. Stay warm and stay sane until the holidays. Please enjoy these cat pictures.

October 2025 (the Rest) and November 2025 (the Beginning) Dump featuring the State of Tennessee

It's been less than a month since I returned from my Fall Break Scandinavian adventure, yet I feel like I have taken another overseas trip though I haven't left state. I am that tired.

It has been a busy few weeks, and the weeks leading up to the holidays are just as packed. It's been packed packed with fun stuff, but packed nonetheless.

Fun Stuff #1

I had my 15 year high school reunion, which was both humbling and enjoyable. I do not wish to comment on the idea that it has been 15 years since I graduated high school, as my achy breaky body provides plenty of commentary on that fact. It was nice to see people I have not seen in a while and 10/10 would do it again with the St. Agnes Academy class of 2010.

Fun Stuff #2

Fun stuff #1 took place in Memphis, and Fun Stuff #2 took me to Nashville. The first thing we must acknowledge is that 901 > 615. Duh, no contest. Broadway is overwhelming and consists of boot stores and tourist traps. Unlike Broadway, Beale Street has been blocked off as pedestrian only and has more than just country bars. The Parthenon and Centennial Park were pretty, but our parks and art museums don't need to rip off ancient Greece to be nice (the ancient Egyptian themes of the Pyramid and the zoo are purposeful because of the connection to Memphis, Egypt, so that doesn't count). Also, the 901 still has soul.

That being said, I still enjoyed my trip to the state capital. The capitol building was fascinating, and I highly recommend joining one of the free guided tours. I learned that there are in fact TWO BODIES buried in the walls. You really can't beat that in terms of being a hard core state capitol building. That being said, parking was terrible and the building is practically inaccessible to those with disabilities. That needs to be worked on in case people, you know, want to see their representatives or watch the government in action.

The Country Music Hall of Fame was fine. Listen, I don't particularly care for country music, but I like learning. And I did learn things. Unsurprisingly, my favorite parts were the sections on Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton. 

The main event of Nashville was, of course, the Sabrina Carpenter concert. And I got to give it to Sabrina, she puts on a good show. I really enjoyed the theme of the show and the progression from getting ready for the party, to going to the party, to having an espresso the morning after the party. The dancers, as usual, were excellent and Nicole Kidman was there.

Fun Stuff #3

Fun Stuff #3 took me to Martin with my dad. We have family there and we also attended the Pat Summit Heritage Classic basketball game between the Lady Vols of UTK and the Lady Skyhawks of UTM. Pat Summit, one of the greatest coaches of all time, played at UTM and later coached at UTK. She is an icon. 

Fun Stuff #3 was really only half fun because I was sick and it was cold. In addition, I have learned that I cannot live in a place with less than about 250,000 people. I am not a small town girlie, and the visit helped me understand that. 

Anyway, we have two weeks until my birthday (November 25th) and Thanksgiving Break. Feel free to Venmo me a gift (just kidding, but not really, @Brooke-Terry-14).

For the six or seven of you (IYKYK) who get this far, thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful November.

October 2025 (2/3) Dump featuring Scandanavia

Yes, hello, welcome to my blog about the first two-thirds of October 2025. I went on a Mississippi Dinner Cruise and then I went to two Scandinavian countries.

First, let's start at home. For my grandmother's birthday, my brother and I took her on a cruise on the Mississippi River. I say cruise, but we really just did laps between the bridges. It was still nice through. There was good food and good music. And the bridges are very nicely lit up at night.

Then, after much work and cleaning and preparing, I went to Sweden and Denmark for Fall Break.

I started in Stockholm, and the city was very nice. I stayed with a friend from college and did the usual tourist activities (Old Town Walking Tour, Abba the Museum, etc.). One pleasant surprise was the spa/baths. I wanted to get a Swedish massage because duh, and I was also interested in the Nordic spa culture that I had started learning about in Iceland. So, I booked a massage and a three hour timed entry into a spa with thermal baths, a swimming pool, etc. Honestly, I thought I would get bored, but I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I did the hot baths, I sort of did the cold plunge, I swam. The spa space was beautiful, and the restaurant was quite nice with tasty food (way better and more affordable than the Icelandic spa food). And the massage, though nothing out of the ordinary, was great. Good job, Sweden.

The highlight of Stockholm, of course, was the Lady Gaga concert. It was theatrical and dramatic and amazing. And just like with the Eras tour, I appreciated her commitment to playing her hits from albums past and her commitment to a fully immersive show. The dancers and costuming were especially detailed and awe-inspiring. Good job, Lady Gaga.

Old Town

Old Town

Lady Gaga

Abba the Museum

Vasa Museum

Spa

The Royal Palace

After three days in Stockholm, I took the train to Copenhagen. And listen, I fully enjoyed my time in Denmark. I appreciated learning about their commitment to sustainability and their commitment to combating inequality (though they are really not as diverse as they think they are). But I liked Stockholm better. I think it was the combination of knowing someone in Stockholm, plus the concert, plus the spa. Furthermore, although I figured out Copenhagen's public transportation system easily enough, I thought the "must-see" attractions in Stockholm were closer together and easier to navigate.

Still had a great time in Copenhagen, and I loved seeing Rosenborg Castle with the crown jewels. We love the sparkle. We also loved the abundance of Danish pastries (which are actually Austrian or German in origin). Good job, Denmark.

Made of recycled metal

Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania

SHINY

Also, I should mention that Sweden and Denmark are having a real fall, with the leaves changing colors. And they love a flower shop. I thought these things were very pretty, so I took several pictures. 

And the final note of my lovely trip: America really does live rent free in the minds of many citizens of other places. We are not perfect, but we are important. And powerful. And we create culture. And yes, your country is going to handle certain issues more efficiently when you have less people than my state.

Anyway, visit Scandinavia. Very nice, very interesting, much chilly. Pack a coat if you go in the fall. 

Also, Taylor Swift released her new album and it's 10/10. Fight me.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great week!