New Look and Updates!

My blog has been so in need of a new look. Despite the fact the old layout was still a Christmas one, I also couldn't get the font color to show and it just didn't look good. I enjoyed using Blogger's own template designer. It was a lot more fun than getting a blog code because you actually can make it your own! However, I'm still using my school computer so I won't be able to add fun pictures for a while. I need to start saving for a new laptop of my own. Anyway...I'll enjoy this Valentine's themed blog layout for now!

I can't believe January is almost over. Jnauary usually seems like the longest month of the entire year to me, but this year, it's gone by so quickly. My trip to Connecticut was SO much fun! We even went to New York City for a day. I enjoyed shopping there, but didn't go too crazy! There were some flurries while we were in Times Square and then the last night of my trip, it snowed at my aunt's house. But it didn't begin to snow 'til midnight and I was the only one awake...so I wasn't able to go outside and fully enjoy the snow-bummer! Of course as soon as we left, a few days later, they had another big snow storm. Just my luck! I look forward to posting pictures of my trip on my blog as soon as I'm able to!

In order to fulfill my "snow fix" this winter, some friends and I are planning a trip to Colorado for our Spring Break in March. I CANNOT WAIT!!! Apparently, March is the snowiest month of the year for CO. YES!! That's perfect news for me! We're finding that this trip is going to be expensive, but well worth it. Hey, when you're single and don't have children...you should travel, right?!

School has been going well. I had an observation this week, different than the normal observation the teachers at my school are used to having! A teacher and principal from another school came to watch me teach a Science lesson and observe how Science can (and should be) taught using a hands-on approach. It was a big compliment to me and their e-mails sent to me following the observation were a big encouragement. It's always good to know the things you are doing right! My students were engaged making models of the Solar System. They're turning out really cool! Grades were due this week and we're beginning our 3rd quarter! It's going by fast!

Last night, Dayna and I had all our friends over for pizza and dessert, while we watched some episodes of My Big Redneck Wedding! Hahaha! Have you ever seen that show? It's something else! It's definitely fun to watch and laugh in amazement of all of the things I've never dreamed to be part of a wedding! I took pictures, but once again, can't upload them. Someday I'll get them on here though!

Today was an extremely relaxing day. I didn't go anywhere and stayed in my pajamas most of the day, which is highly unusual for me. I just don't like doing that. But today, I just didn't care. My hair looked gross and I didn't put on any makeup. I just enjoyed bummin' it! I didn't do any schoolwork. I did a lot of research for the trip to CO. Most Saturdays I go out shopping or meet up with friends, but it was a nice change to not even go anywhere. I also haven't been paid since before Christmas, so the funds are running low and it was best I didn't leave today. Haha!

Clearly, it's been awhile since I posted considering this post is 7 paragraphs long! Congratulations if you're still reading! I hate the fact that I can't put pictures on the blog because I know it makes it so boring. At least there's a new blog look though!:) Goodnight!

Off to See Some Snow!

It's been a while since I've posted. I'm still without a working personal laptop, so I've been using my school laptop. I don't want to upload pictures on my school computer. So, until I get it fixed, fun blogging will have to wait. Darn!

Anyway...I am off to see some snow tomorrow in Connecticut and New York! I can't WAIT! I'm so excited to see some snow and spend some time away! I've been looking forward to it all week, but that goes without saying. We had Parent Night tonight at school, plus I still had to write 2 days worth of lesson plans, so it's been a long day to say the least.

I've got to be up REALLY early though. Our flight leaves at 7 a.m. out of Orlando, and I live an hour from there. I'll be waking up at 3:15 to leave by 4. Ahhh! It's all worth it, though, all worth it! I'm going up there with my mom and sister, Korinne, and my Aunt Cathy and cousin Katrina. It shall be a fun girls weekend!

I've got to finish packing and go to bed! Hoping to get my computer fixed soon!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, 2011! Can the days, weeks, months, years be flying by any faster?!

Needless to say, I have been a terrible blogger lately. I know there aren't many people dying to read my blog daily, but, I still feel like a bad blogger. I'll get caught up soon. However, if you've been following my blog for some time-you know my laptop fell over the summer and the screen is forever damaged. So Dayna has willingly let me use hers. Well, the other night it just shut off. It won't turn on any way we try it. So....I'm using my school computer and can't load all of my photos on there. It may be a while before I get some fun posts up. I have pictures of different Christmas activities, etc., but they'll just have to wait. Darn!

Anyway...it's a brand new year! I can hardly believe I've been teaching for a whole year now. It seems like just yesterday I looked into my very own classroom for the first time. And now, it's like my second home. Ha! I am excited for what 2011 will hold. In my mind at this moment in time, I imagine it to be a low-key year but of course mixed in with some fun events. :)

Tomorrow is a full-day of teaching with the kiddos, so I better get to bed! I'll be back soon, hopefully!

Enjoy 2011!

Christmas Home Tour

I wanted to do a "home tour" of what my apartment looks like all decorated for Christmas! The pictures will walk you through!

2 Weeks Off!

It's official! I am on break for 2 WHOLE weeks! Oh, how I've needed this!!!

With that being said, I'll be able to catch up on some blogging. I have some fun pictures to post-I just have had zero free time to post about the recent happenings in my life. This time of year is always so busy for many; between Christmas parties, shopping, more parties, work, writing Christmas cards, baking, and more Christmas parties, the season just flies right by. I can't believe Christmas Eve is a week from now! I am looking forward to the next week or so at "home" in Sarasota with my family. I am ready to just relax and not worry about writing lesson plans or grading papers. That stuff will creep back up all too quickly. :)

I've got a lot of posts to catch up on. I haven't even posted pictures from my road trip to GA and TN yet! Shame on me! I also want to post my "Christmas Home Tour" because I just love how Christmas-spirited our apartment is! Dayna and I had our friends over last week for a Christmas party and there are pictures I want to post from that, too! For now, I'll leave with a "crazy face" picture of all of us!



This is going to be a busy weekend! Tomorrow, my good friend, Whitney (who I met in college) is getting married to her college sweetheart! I am so excited to go! She asked Dayna and I to assist at her reception and I'm glad to be able to take part in her special day. I am also looking forward to seeing a lot of my other college friends who I haven't seen in a while! Then on Sunday, the choir I sing in has its Christmas concert at 6:00 in the evening, and the rehearsal begins at 4. So I'll be busy this weekend, but thankfully will have the entire break to rest!

I'll be back soon to post more, with pictures! Continue to enjoy the season and remember WHO it's about!

Please Excuse the Mess

In an attempt to make my blog festive for Christmas, I've somehow managed to erase some things and am unable to get my new layout to show up...and I don't have time to mess with it now. So, please know that I didn't all of a sudden forget that white doesn't show up on white, or that I'm not color coordinated anymore. I definitely am and it irks me that it'll have to be this way until I fix it...but I must grade these papers! Ahhh!

Is it Christmas break yet?!

Worn Out

I wish I've had more time for blogging lately. School has been really hectic. The total number of hours of sleep I've had this week is less than 20 and I'm exhausted. Thankfully in 2 more weeks, it'll be time for another break and hopefully more restful. I'll need it before beginning the second half of this school year!

I have taken pictures recently- from my road trip, Thanksgiving, a college friend's wedding I went to last weekend and now Christmas decorations, but I don't have the time, or energy, to write those posts out now. Though I don't like blogging without pictures, it'll have to do for now.

I'm excited that the Christmas season is here! I want to really enjoy it, but have been so stressed out this week that I haven't been able to fully decorate the apartment and get the decorations looking classy and festive. I hope to get that done this weekend, including taking pictures so that you can see, too! Dayna and I got an 8-9 ft. tree on Monday night and it was a sight to see getting it in the stand and up a flight of stairs, then in through the apartment to its spot. More on that, later!

We also went to the Lakeland Christmas Parade last night and it was COLD! It was in the 40s which I loved, but FL is barely used to those cold temperatures! It made the parade feel festive since it was so cold! Immediately after the parade was over, Dayna and I headed to RaceTrac to get a hot chocolate; it was a necessity by that point!

Well, I'm going to retire from blogging for the night and go read some of my People Magazine issue that was sitting in my mailbox tonight. That magazine is one of my favorite reads!

I'll post again soon, with pictures!