Thursday, September 22, 2011

7 Wants



Continuing on with a few days lapse with the 10 Day "You Challenge"...

7 Wants

7. An iPhone

I've only had my current cell phone for almost a year, but it's not the best phone I've ever had. It doesn't get the best service and it drops calls often. I used to say I didn't need a high-tech phone with all the bells and whistles, but now, I think I do. I found out I'm eligible for an upgrade right around my birthday. Perfect timing. :)

6. To see the season of Fall in a place other than Florida


Yes please!!!

5. Rick Scott to be governor in Florida NO LONGER! I don't even want his picture on my blog. The changes he's made in our state and his major lack of appreciation for teachers is sickening!

4. To move to one of the following states: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina or Tennessee. One of the reasons why? See Want #6 above. I just want seasons!!! I figure while I'm single and without children, now would be the time to do it. I'm considering it a lot lately. I need to begin fervently praying about it, too.

3. A matching bedroom furiture suite, similar to this one.

2. To go to Colorado in the wintertime again! That trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!


1. A husband and children, most of all!

These wants, as you can tell, are among many different categories and realities, but nonetheless, they're wants! :)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Labor Day at Picasso's Cup

With the day off we had on Labor Day, Dayna and I went to Picasso's Cup to paint. I love, love, love going to this place. It takes me forever to pick out what I'm going to paint, and even longer to decide how I'm going to design it. I'd rather spend a while deciding though and end up pleased with the finished product. I guess you could say I'm a perfectionist.

Dayna is working on making each one of her initials. She already did a "D" with a paisley stencil with colors that match her bedroom decor. This time, she was working on her "R" and did a zebra stencil, with the same exact colors. They have both turned out really good! Now she just needs an "S" and her set will be complete!


This time I decorated a plate with a Fall theme. I love to decorate for Fall and I especially love fall colors.




Dayna makes fun of me (in a good way) for how many times I get up when I'm painting. But it's true. I'm constantly getting up while I'm painting. I go back and forth to the paint section making sure the colors are the perfect color blend. Then I get back up to go see how they made a certain design on an example plate. Then I decide I need a smaller paintbrush. I'm just up and down a lot, being my perfectionist self. Ha!

Here are our finished products:



We spent nearly 4 hours painting these small-scale pieces of pottery, but it was a fun day off from the typical day-to-day routine. Last year, my big group of girlfriends and I got together at Picasso's Cup for my birthday. I'm thinking we may need to do that again...and my birthday is right around the corner!

Monday, September 12, 2011

8 fears

I'm not in the mood to grade papers tonight, or be an over-achiever with school stuff. I tutored after school so I feel like I've gone my "extra mile" for today. ;)
I'm exhausted. But....blogging is my therapy/release/wind down moment of the day.



So, because I'm not in the mood to grade, I'm continuing on with the 10 Day "You" Challenge.

8 fears.

8. Roaches. I HATE THOSE NASTY CREATURES. 'Nuff said.

7. Break-ins/robberies. Since I was young, I can remember many a night that I wandered over to my mom and dad's bedroom with my sleeping bag in tow to sleep on their floor. I even had to have my bedroom switched with my younger sisters; my parents' attempt to calm my fears since I was "right next to their room." It really was an issue back then. As soon as I'd hear my dad turn off the living room fan or lights, I'd run out crying. Of course now I look back and think of how pathetic I was. It got better over time thankfully, but I think that came with age. I've slept at my apartment many nights without my roommate here and I'm fine. Thankfully, I've never had to experience living alone.

6. The economy as it relates to my retirement. Starting last month, teachers in the county I work in (and other counties in FL as well) took a 3% pay cut (in addition to our regular retirement) to put more toward retirement. Taking away from teachers, (who already make less than what we should for the hours put in), just isn't right.

5. The path education is heading, with testing being the main focus. Testing is a way to measure what a student has learned and what they are able to do at an independent level. One test, such as FCAT, is not the SOLE indicator of a student's capability. It's just not. Is testing important? Absolutely! Is it everything? Absolutely not. There's something fiercly wrong with the fact that teachers are losing their jobs over a test score, not their actual ability to teach. {I could go on...and on...and on...but I'll stop here.}

4. Not finding "the one" 'til really late in life. As I say this, though, I do believe I'm still young, only almost-25, and have time to make all those dreams come true. But, I think this is a fear many single girls have at least during some point in their life....me being one of them. I 100% believe God has a specific plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and that he wants to grant me the desires of my heart(Psalm 37:4).

3. Infertility. I've always worried that I'll be that woman who struggles to get pregnant or carry full-term. Of course, me getting pregnant is a long way away, but it is one of my fears. I shouldn't worry about these things, though, because of Who my faith is in.

2. Losing my parents when they're still young. I feel like this fear is justifiable 1) because they're my parents and I love them so much and 2) because my mom lost her mom and dad when they were only 69. That's so young. I just want so badly for them to live well into their 90s and meet their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. :)

1. Hydroplaning. When the roads are really wet during or after its rained, I always get nervous that I'll hydroplane. It happened to my brother once (among many other crazy things that have happened to that kid) but that made it all the more scary for me.

These are my fears. It was probably my least favorite category of this 10 day "you" challenge, in case you were wondering. Ha! I don't like to speak (or type?) my fears (the deep ones) because I think it just gives the devil permission to do what he does best, but at the same time, facing your fears and being honest about them helps you better understand yourself, conquer the fears, and have a stronger faith.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering For a Decade: 9/11

I've shed tears today. I actually lost my left contact today while crying at what I was hearing on TV during one of the special ceremonies. I looked around on the carpet for the contact, even tried blinking a few times to see if it was in my eye, but never did find it.

The eye contact I lost today while showing emotion of the 9/11 events is ridiculously miniscule compared to what so many lost on September 11, 2001.

I do not personally know anyone who was killed on that day. I actually didn't know too much about The World Trade Centers before that day. Growing up in FL, and being only 14 years old at the time, I honestly just didn't have much knowledge of their purpose. I soon found out just how important those two buildings were, and more importantly, how many people worked inside of them.

I remember vividly standing at my gray-colored locker in what was known as the "Anchor Area" at my high school. The locker was in the middle of three rows. I was headed to Physical Science with Ms. Erb, which was only a few steps away from where my locker was. Someone, I think my boyfriend at the time, told me "The World Trade Centers have been hit by a plane." We didn't talk much because we both needed to head to class. I walked into Science. The look on my teacher's face helped me understand the severity of this situation. She had the news on and we just sat quietly, watching everything unfold.

The rest of the day was somber. My dad was on medical leave at the time, and he was home when I got home from school. Together we watched the news, and I began to ask him my many questions. He tried to answer as best he could. My mom informed me later that day that President Bush was in my hometown of Sarasota that morning, reading to students at an elementary school to promote his education campaign.

I remember just trying to imagine what it would have been like to be there, in the city that day. What would it have been like to be standing in the street, watching two famous buildings burn, and then one second later, running as fast as you can to escape the smoke as one tower begins its collapse to the ground? What was it like for children to see falling bodies from the tower, bodies of people who decided they couldn't stand to be in the tower any longer, and that their best option was to jump to their death? What was it like to be hoping to get a phone call from that person who you knew was inside of the building and the phone call never came?


I truly cannot imagine. There are many things about that day that I truly cannot imagine. I'm devastated and moved just thinking about the thousands of people who have to face these realities daily.

I shed tears today as I heard the survivors of the victims of 9/11 read the names of their loved ones. I cried harder when it was a child saying the name of their mom or dad, followed by, "I didn't know you because I was in my mom's tummy at the time." Or, "Dad, I wish you could still be here to give me advice." And, "Dad, I wish you were still here so you could watch me play sports."

Heartbreaking.

Today, I saw emotions expressed by relatives of 9/11 victims that show how real their pain still is. How fresh the tragedy still is, ten years later. Emotions that most likely, will always be worn on their sleeves.

I have spent much of today watching coverage of the special ceremonies, highlighting the ten year anniversary of the day that changed America forever. I've spent a lot of time reflecting and thinking of the thousands of innocent lives that were lost within a matter of a few hours.

In one of MSNBC's documentaries tonight, a reporter stated it perfectly. "Even when the fires stopped burning and the smoke went away, even when the debris had stopped flying and Ground Zero was cleared out, 9/11 still lives."

We will never forget September 11, 2001. I will never forget.

{images from Google}

Thursday, September 8, 2011

9 loves

To continue on with the "10 Day You Challenge," today's focus is 9 loves.


Here are nine of my "loves!"

9. Coke. I love, love, love a cold Coke. I spend too much of my paycheck buying drive-thru cokes because they're just so good. I gotta have at least one a day.


8. Snow. Snow is one of my most.favorite.things.ever. I think it's beautiful and nothing compares to its beauty!
{My friend, Audra, and I in Colorado this past March.}

7. Selah. Have you ever heard these people sing?!?! Amazing!!!! If you've never heard them, you need to. They recently came out with a new CD, (as in 2 weeks ago new) and it's all I've been listening to. Their music is moving.


6. Christmas. The memories I have of Christmas growing up are just so special to me! As much as I love being a "grown up," I would love to be able to rewind the days sometimes, especially to be a kid again at Christmas. I love traditions!


5. Traveling. In 2011 so far, I've been to Connecticut in January, Colorado in March, Alabama in July, and went on a cruise in July to Cozumel, Mexico and the Grand Cayman Islands. I just love traveling! It's amazing to have these opportunities before I meet my husband and start a family someday! {The girls and I on the last night of our cruise.}

4. My classroom. This may sound cheesy to some, but I've wanted to be a teacher since I can remember. I played school in my bedroom or in my mom's classroom constantly. My dad could tell you, still to this day, things I used to say to my fake students. It's not embarassing or anything. Ha! But I truthfully love my classroom and enjoy making it into what my students hopefully see as a positive place! {I'll be doing a classroom tour post soon on the blog.}

3. People Magazine. I love a good read of a People Magazine. I'm not a celebrity fanatic at all, but I always like seeing them out in "real life," in pictures of course. I also like the true stories in People, it's not a whole bunch of gossip and rumor type stuff that some of those magazines are.


2. Elf. The movie. This movie is so funny to me! I'm not a person who owns many movies, in fact, Elf is the only movie I own. Period. It's one I can watch again and again, and it never gets old.


1. Fridays! Speaking of Fridays, tomorrow IS Friday! So glad the weekend's here!

Of course, I have many more "loves" than only 9, which definitely include God, my family, and my friends...but you know, that goes without saying! :)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

10 Day "You" Challenge: 10 Secrets

Since summer left me nearly five weeks ago, I haven't taken many pictures lately since my days are busy with kids, lesson plans, and papers to grade (to name a few things among the thousand.)

So I found this "10 Days of You" challenge I thought I would join in on, just for the lack of exciting blog posts fun of it.



Here we go.

10 secrets.

10. I am anal about laundry. I don't like anyone else to do my laundry. I have a certain routine of when I put the detergent in, which happens before the clothes go in.

9. I rarely, rarely, rarely watch movies. I'm not the type to invite someone over and say, "Wanna watch a movie?" I'd much rather converse. :)

8. I still believe in certain things the "old-fashioned" way. One main thing in particular: it's the guy's job to pursue the girl in the beginning. The beginning is not just the first date, but rather the first couple of months. Anything less is just simply unattractive and lazy, in my opinion. Be a man!

7. I am famous for tailgating cars, but really that just means I have a very low tolerance for slow, bad drivers.

6. Agreeing to take a box from the restaurant for my leftovers and then leaving the box to sit in my fridge is something I'm known for. (Thankfully my roommate will make meals out of my leftovers so most of the time it doesn't go to waste!)

5. My greatest desire is to be a wife and mother, but I truly am content in waiting for God's timing and God's best.

4. I still sometimes will find myself thinking, "When did I get to be old enough where when I talk about college, I speak in the past tense?" I swear I was still in high school last week. Oh, reality.

3. When events that I've looked forward to for a long time are over, (holidays, trips, family visiting, etc.) I might shed a tear or two still, just like I've done my whole life I did when I was 7.

2. I over-analyze almost every situation, word, tone, expression, email, text, etc. I'm one of those people, but I don't always share those over-analyzations. Ha!

1. I don't cry in movies...at all!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

I've Been

I've not been a consistent blogger lately.

But lately, I've been focused. I've been motivated. I've been inspired. I've been reminded.

Focused on what? Motivated for what? Inspired by what? Reminded about what?

My job. My calling. My purpose. My students.

{This post is a personal reflection to someday look back on...read for as long as you wish. :) I hope, though, that whatever becomes of this post can somehow inspire, motivate, or remind you of your own purpose and calling.}

This is my 2nd full year of teaching, in addition to the half semester I taught beginning January 2010. I still feel new and fresh, but at the same time, natural at this job called "teacher." It's what I've always wanted to be, even if I did change my major to business for one semester out of my infatuation with weddings desire to become a wedding planner. That was short-lived. (By the way, I'm still incredibly excited to plan my own wedding someday, just planning them for a living wasn't really God's plan. I'm glad it wasn't.)

Anyway. The last year and a half in which I've had my own classroom has been a year and a half of practice so-to-speak. I mean, teachers are always "practicing" I guess, but this school year, I feel like it's time to turn up the notch on what I'm personally capable of. Being the most effective teacher that I possibly can, to better benefit my students. Cliche? Totally. But this is what I mean.

No lag time in the classroom. Using every possible second. Rewarding students more for good choices, thus increasing their desire to perform well. Contacting parents immediately when there is a concern. Grading papers and returning them more quickly. Planning ahead for lessons. Going the extra mile to make sure my "high" kids were pushed, and not just my "low" ones. Having an organizational system for EVERYTHING. Being consistent and firm with consequences. Making sure I'm meeting with reading groups daily. Starting lessons and ending lessons on time, so that we can get to the next thing and not fall behind.

I could write a whole blog post alone, just to add on what I mentioned in the above paragraph. The list goes on and on of the things I could do to make myself the most effective teacher I can be. But being EFFECTIVE is what I most desire out of myself this year, and all of the years in the future. I have essentially promised 21 sets of parents that I am going to provide their child with a year's worth of education this year. And that's what I am determined to do.

We just finished our second week of school and I've not left before 6:00 p.m. one day in those two weeks. I enjoy it, though, if I'm being truly honest. It's relaxing to me, once the kids are gone and I'm alone in my room able to focus on what I need to get done. I can truly say I put my heart into it. I want my classroom to be a memorable place of learning for my students, long into their futures.

So, I've been busy lately. Preoccupied with preparing my classroom to be a place where effective teaching takes place. Busy implementing ideas I've researched or thought of on my own.

Busy loving my job and loving my new class.