Elizabeth Ann

Oh, what a year!

2012-01-01T14:42:00.001-06:00

[Writer's Note: Sing the title of the blog like the opening lyric of The Four Seasons, "December, 1963"]
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2011 was good for you. As I do most years, I'm going to take a few moments to reflect on this past year. Even though most of you reading this don't blog, I hope you all take some time to do the same. I'm not sure who said it but "if you don't know where you've been, you can't know where you're going." I'm also including some of the music that really truly shaped this year. Every year, I've said how important music is to me, but this year that was so very true! So press play and read on. :) And don't worry, it's not ALL Hanson. :)

So 2011 meant a great many things for me this year. One of the most noticeable, fun and hopefully long-lasting things was TRAVEL! I traveled more miles this year than I have I'm going to say my entire life. Being the math nerd that I am, I've figured it up for you. This is in no particular order and includes travel by Plane, car and bus and in some cases just the total distance away from home. I'll do a list so I don't ramble...

Austin, Tx (3X) = 3,000 miles
Lubbock, Tx (2X) = 500 miles
Dallas, Tx (3X) = 2,100 miles
Tulsa, OK = 700 miles
Niagara Falls, Canada = 3,000 miles
Albuquerque, NM = 600 miles
Houston, Tx = 1,200 miles
Corpus Christi/San Antonio, TX = 1,400 miles
Paris, France = 10,000 miles
TOTAL= 22,500 MILES

That's alot of stinking miles and it's REALLY STINKING COOL!! Most of you know that a few years ago, I had aspirations to join the Air Force. I don't know that I really wanted to join the air force. I wanted to get in shape, travel and get my master's degree. This year will bring almost as much travel as last year with my academic competitions and my spring break trip to Italy & Greece! Here's hoping 2012 brings my travels to wherever you happen to be!

The next thing that comes to mind is my workout regiment. Thanks to my new workout buddy, Kristi, I joined a gym last January and worked out regularly for about 4 or 5 months. Now unfortunately, the fall semester did not bring me to the gym too often, but I think having done it regularly like I did will make it easier to go back. Looking back on where I was 3 years ago, I've lost 40 pounds! I'm hoping this year brings significant changes to my health goals. For one thing, I want to be proud of the pictures I take with my kids in Italy & Greece. Also, CRAZINESS- this year is my 10 year high school reunion. So I've started the year off right so far. I haven't had a soda since Tuesday and I'm hoping I can kick that awful habit this year. If I could go back to my 13 year old self and tell her to never drink a Dr. Pepper, I would do it in a New York Minute.

The next thing that was dominant through out the year was MUSIC! Most of you know about my rediscovery of Hanson. I'm still so blown away on the effect seeing that music video on VH1 in a hotel in Austin has had in my life. There may be people reading this that I only know now because of Hanson. I've had a very interesting reaction from lots of people to it. I've brought some people along with me. I mean, I saw Hanson 3 times this year!! I even got to meet them twice! I have to say that they were some of the nicest celebrities I've met, and yes I've met a few. I was able to go back and discover all of the music that they've been making the last 15 years and realized that I really liked it. I've also become more sure of the fact that I do not like listening to Amarillo Radio. I'm happy with my iPhone playing the music I want to hear, not what other people say I should want to hear. I also discovered new talent, Meiko, thanks to Hanson. In fact some of her stuff is playing on my playlist.

This year has also brought me to my 5th summer of being Assistant Camp Director. I'm in the middle of my 5th year of teaching! I can't believe that I've been doing it this long- either of those things! This year also found me back home with my family. It's been odd timing, cause I've been able to bring Bobby to school with me everyday. That has been an adventure as well! You know they say it takes a village...Oh, I've also spent this year tutoring one of the hardest working students I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She's a senior and is looking forward to graduating this May! We worked hard all summer and got through all of her TAKS tests! I look forward to working with her cause I know she'll do great things!

I spent a few minutes reading some old blogs, some from this blog and from myspace blog. I started blogging 6 years ago! Reading a blog from 3 years ago, I was lost and confused and had no clue where my life was going. Something has happened in the past 3 years so that I'm no longer worried about where my life is going to be. I only focus on where my life is right now. That doesn't mean that I'm not making plans for the future. One reason I've been home this semester is to gain control of my finances. I'm so close to paying my credit card off that I can smell it. Now, sure it's a light smell, but it's better than nothing. One thing I do want to say, so it doesn't seem like I'm living with a blindfold is that I realize that life has not been great all year long. I'm just not sharing those things cause I think I'm still learning some things from them. One of those things is dating. 2011 was the year I gave dating a try. I'm not so great at it. Mostly cause I'm an awkward kind of person and I just need to find someone that finds the awkwardness charming. hahaha. But I did learn some things from it. One thing I learned this year, and I can't tell you exactly when it happened, is that even though things aren't always great, you can't focus on the bad. I'll give you an analogy, you know I love those! I'm terrified of the dark, it's one of those irrational fears that I've held on to from childhood. But I've learned to deal with it over the years, as long as I don't focus on the darkness. You have to focus on those small bits of light that help show you that the scary monster in the corner is actually just a coat rack and the man trying to grab you is just the window curtain.

Alright, that's what I got for my end of the year breakdown. I look forward to sharing what 2012 brings! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Make sure and listen/watch all of the videos on my playlist! You won't be dissappointed! :)

I'm allergic

2011-10-24T21:22:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had a day where too much happened for ONE status update? Well, I did and instead of writing a novel for a status, I decided to write a blog! I have to warn you that I have all these ideas swarming around my head and I'm not so sure how well I can put them down.
      So first let me start with one of the highlights of my day that was spent with my brother. We all know that my taste in music isn't just, well, shall we say, NORMAL. Anyways this afternoon, and morning, I was listening to some of my new favorites, Meiko and Adele. I think it was during one of Meiko's songs that Bobby started singing along with me, but since the singers are both female, he changed it up. So he was singing in this low, twangy sort of voice that made it sound like a 1980s country duet. It was QUITE amusing!
      So then, onto my new personal challenge to "TRY NEW THINGS" this evening I went for an open audition for a play at the ALT. They are only casting ONE female role and one of the people auditioning was my HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE TEACHER, and the part is actually THREE different characters with THREE different accents. But I auditioned, I gave it a go. It was TONS OF FUN. I'll try it again sometime, besides the spring/summer.
       So then, on my way home, I got stuck by a train and decided to check facebook. I was glad that I had, cause a friend that I had actually been thinking on my way to the audition, had written something that just about made me cry. Let's just say that sometimes it's a bummer when people live far away.
     Let me just say that I'm really enjoying my challenge to "TRY NEW THINGS" It certainly has led me to many new adventures. Some of them have been short-lived, others long. Fortunately, I think I have learned something, either about me or other people, with each new thing I have tried. Oh and one final thought, kind of like Jerry Springer (swooooosh), ONLY 4 WEEKS UNTIL I GET TO GO TO PARIS, FRANCE!!! WHA-WHAT!! Okay, I'm done....Peace out
Until next time...
Oh wait, I forgot to mention that I finished "The Son of Neptune" the 2nd book in the second Percy Jackson series. If you haven't read those, you should. And yes, I finished it over the weekend....what a spinster, eh?

irony

2011-10-15T11:18:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a short post as I need to get ready very soon. I've been "writing" this blog in my head for the past week and I would be sad if I didn't actually "put it on paper." Today, one of my oldest friends is getting married. It's so cool in a crazy kind of way. Most of you may know that we moved when I was in middle school to the other side of what I always thought was a small little town. We left our church and many of the friends that we had grown up with. Looking back on it now, I realize that we moved away and didn't really look back. Growing up, if my sister and I were not at our house, we were at the Gabel's house, or their grandma Olga's house. I remember when I was little that I could never really say her name correctly. Jenna, Marissa and Kalin were close to the same age as Cassi and I and we always had a GREAT time together. The older brothers, Phillip, Kurt and Brian, we never knew quite as well but I was always fascinated that they had older brothers, maybe a little jealous too. Often times, Cassi and I would leave our parents in mass to go sit with the Gabels. If family came into town, we were always there too. We went on camping trips together. We were really almost like family. In January of 2010, we all suffered a loss, Grandma Olga passed away. I took off from school and my part time job to attend the Rosary and funeral. The night of the funeral we went to the old Knights of Columbus Hall near St. Laurence for a dinner and I swear I was transported to a time when we didn't move across town and we were all still friends. We talked about lots of things. I hope this next section makes sense and comes out like I mean it. Understand that I would give anything to have my own grandmother(s) back to share in the good times we used to have. I also think that Olga brought us all back together in a really fantastic way that makes me miss her just as I do my own Nanny. I look forward to celebrating tonight with Kalin and I know that Olga, or Ouaga as I used to say, is going to be with us tonight as well. Enjoying the friends- no, family that she has brought back together!
Until next time.

The Devil's Ice Skates

2011-09-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

Don't you hate it when you have a really great or at least decent idea but you're in the car?! It never fails that when that happens to me, I forget by the time I've reached my destination! This afternoon on my way to tutor, I had a moment of "blog-spiration" But by the time I got home, it was gone. I remember that I thought "The Devil's Bicycle" was a great title, but that's all I got...
[Note: I actually wrote this on paper on Wednesday evening and I'm now typing it on Friday afternoon.]
I do know this is my first blog in a LONG time. Lots has happened: Camp ended. I went to Niagara Falls, Canada, with my Aunt Mary and Matthew. I gave up Student Council, became Junior Class Sponsor and for those non-educators- that MEANS PROM! I gave up PR then got it right back. Needless to say, I'm still busy. However, I've also found time for some fun!! September is my "On the Road" month. The first weekend found the family and I in Keller for Aunt LouAnn's birthday. Miraculously, this lined up with a cheap (YET AWESOME) concert in Bedford featuring Jonny Lang. Then a few weekends ago, thanks to my wonderful friends Janet and Jennifer, we took a road trip to Albuquerque for my first REAL HANSON CONCERT. I signed up for a Meet and Greet, not even thinking that I would win! BUT I DID! I'm hoping I have that picture soon.....THEN thanks to my equally-awesome friends, Teresa and Emily, I took a little trip to Houston for Teresa and Emily's first HANSON EXPERIENCE. I'm going to try and include a few pictures at the end, or you can just check facebook...
The two adventures were very different. I will say the Houston trip is the trip that my 13 year old self ALWAYS wanted to take, but never did! There's also a way Awesome Video, that may possibly be kept under wraps for a LONG TIME. HAHAHA!
Ok, this school year has also had some other personal, everyday adventures. I think it's a pretty well known fact that I've moved back home, but my brother is also now going to my school. Bobby and I have always been pretty close, but this is bringing on a new dimension to our friendship/relationship. We've also RECENTLY (as in today [Wednesday]) started getting up at 5 AM to go to the gym. I've gone sporadically since school started, but between tutoring and games and living in the middle of nowhere, it hasn't happened as much as it should. I'm hoping that I get in a routine of that shortly.....UGH! Have I ever mentioned that I hate mornings? I am also looking forward to Basketball Season!
In other news, I regret to announce that I will not be participating in the Breast Cancer 3 day walk. I have been unsuccessful at raising money and I also can't afford to have to pay the balance. So if any of you were planning on donating to me, please donate to my mother instead. The walk is about a month a way so ANY support you can give is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
I'm sure I had more to say, but for now that's all I got. Thanks for reading!
Until next time.
PS I'll have to work on the pictures for next time....It may just be a separate post...

Be optimistic

2011-07-05T01:03:00.000-05:00

Well, as I type this it's still the 4th day of July, so Happy Independence Day!! Which also means that my birthday is only 3 weeks away!!! This year is kind of odd. First of all, according to the latest news report, we have recieved only 1.4 inches of precipitation this year and about half of that was SNOW! There have been MANY fires this spring/summer and the entire Texas Panhandle is under a burn ban and most counties have made it illegal to even have fireworks in your possession! I totally get why they did that, but it's still a bummer. It's a double whammy too, since our fundraiser for next year's Italy/Greece Trip was a firework stand. :( So we still have to come up with a new fundraiser and the city put on a Laser Light show....After hearing the feedback, I'm glad that I didn't go. So, tomorrow I go back to camp for the last half of the summer camp season. This weekend has been nice; also quite busy, but nice. Long weekends are always nice. I spent this weekend moving back into my parents house. :) I sold my couch and the rest of my furniture is being stored in the basement for an undetermined amount of time. My unofficial plan is to pay off my credit card so I can actually afford a one bedroom apartment that doesn't suck. I have just made too many hasty decisions so I need to make sure that whatever I do next is in a positive direction. No more steps just for the sake of making a step.
Also with the previous school year finished, I'm more excited about the things that this next school year brings. I'll get to see my brother everyday at school!! I'm really excited about him transferring to Holy Cross. I also get to be in charge of a couple of things, I think. I think I still have my Academic Competition stuff- which I LOVE!! There's a chance of Student council, still. I know I have my Dual Credit class again. And a couple of other things that I KNOW I'll have. Like THANKSGIVING IN PARIS! YES PARIS, FRANCE. The closer the school year, the more excited I get about that!! Then for Spring Break- ITALY AND GREECE!! Of course, with the Academic competitions also comes all those trips in the spring, so don't plan on me attending any weekend event in March or April....haha. Oh, and also in November, I'm doing the 3 day Breast Cancer walk with my mom. (Click HERE to donate- I have to raise $2300 by November 4th :) ) I'm sure I am forgetting something else..I'm already excited about Basketball season, since my brother will be a Mustang this year. :) I'm still tutoring. It almost sounds like it's going to be another crazy year. :) The best part about it is that I work with some completely Awesome people that I get to call friends. You know, when I left Midland, that was my biggest concern. My friends in Midland will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart, they were my first school family and they were fantastic friends, Mentors and coworkers. I wasn't sure that I would ever find another group of people like that and while the two groups are definitely different, I still feel blessed to actually WANT to go to work....most days. On the plus side (sort of), this year we have 12 personal days, for sickness or personal days, so I'll be able to take more days off. The sort of comes from the fact that they don't roll over, so I either use them or lose them. Guess which one I'll be doing? :)
One last thing. In case you were wondering, my Hanson Obsession has not been cured yet. So in honor of that obsession and spreading the disease to other soon-to-be Hanson fans, here's my video of the month that I'm sharing. Unless you're reading this on facebook, then you need to click "View Original Post" cause it only shows up on the actually blog. :) ENJOY. Until next time.

guilt-free pleasure

2011-05-16T21:51:00.000-05:00

First of all, I promise not to talk about Hanson. Well, except to say that I got to see a free concert this weekend AND MEET THEM and it WAS AMAZING. but surely you've all seen the video by now, so you know what a hopeless NERD I AM.. if not, send me a message. I'll send you a link...it's worth seeing.

Ok, so I just had to write a blog about HOW MUCH I LOVE TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL! I NEVER, EVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SAY THAT. And it always seemed like an accident that I even got the job at Holy Cross. I mean, the main reason that I thought it was a good idea to move back to Amarillo in the first place was because Canyon was opening all of those new schools. After an amazing student teaching experience at Canyon, I REALLY WANTED TO WORK FOR CANYON ISD. But THAT just didn't happen. Then when the Holy Cross job opened and I went in for the interview, as I drove back to camp afterwards, I just had this feeling of, "I want to be here." Anyways, even then, when he told me I would teach Algebra 2, I was TERRIFIED. I was probably terrified of the high schoolers for at least the whole first week. Thankfully, I don't think they realized it. Then, this year when I had to teach seniors and dual credit- another challenge and more terror. But gratefully, when you work for someone that you know respects you and understands you, you have faith in what that person assigns you to do. I was also afraid that I was taking on too much, between the dual credit, PR, Student council, Academic competition, and "normal" teaching duties, I didn't think I could do it. Honestly, there may have been a few days when my classes didn't have a fantastic teacher everyday this spring, but luckily I had them "trained" and they knew what to do. Anyways, now here I am, next year will be my THIRD year at Holy Cross. Today, I shared my "weekend" experience with two of my high school classes. Next year, as of now at least, I believe that I'll be teaching my two geometry classes again (YEA), my dual credit class again (also YEA) and then 6th and 7th Math, I also believe that I'll be doing Student council and Academic Competitions, along with coordinating that trip to Italy and Greece. But I'm really excited. I hate the end of the year, but I LOVE THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR. It's odd how just talking about it, is making me excited. But we've already established the fact that I'm a nerd!!

Well, one thing that being at this school has done is encourage my organization, which has gone to Hell recently. I normally have my Semester Exams finished by the second week in May...I currently do not have them remotely close to being finished- and they are due in a week...so I need to get to work on that. Exciting news, family is taking a vacation after school's out, going to San Antonio and Port Aransas. Even MY SISTER IS GOING!!! I'm so excited!! I just hope that I have all my stuffed packed up before then so I can come back and focus on camp and not on moving or something else! Another consequence of my ......distractions......but hey, at least my distraction is somewhat healthy..it's not drugs or alcohol or something else that you can't come back from....although my behavior on Saturday may be difficult to come back from, it's not impossible. :)

ENJOY THE LAST 9 DAYS OF SCHOOL!!! (at least in this neck of the woods)

Until next time!

Does it move you?

2011-05-11T22:31:00.000-05:00

Ok, it's been a long time since I've written a blog. I'm sure some of you have been wondering what the deal was. Unless you have a facebook, in which you case you know everything that I do. :)

Here is a playlist that I'm actually listening to right now. It is not 100% Hanson songs so never fear.. but it does include a few of my favorites. The people who have actually listened to their music without judging me for being lame have (I think) enjoyed listening to it. So push play, it should just keep playing the whole time you are reading the rest of my blog.

The last blog was written over Spring Break so just for the sake of record keeping, here's a cliff's note version of the past almost two months:

Drove to Austin 3 weekends in a row for state competitions, students earned a 3rd place in Art, 3rd place in Spelling, 6th place in Persuasive Speaking and in Current Events, and 3 students earned a 1st division at State Music contest. Flew to Fort Worth for another state competition- which we participated in!! My workout buddy left, which has been a bummer. I've been able to go like once a week since she left...maybe. Totally my fault not hers. I still have a job! I became completely obsessed with a really phenomenal band.

That's really the only part that I can "summarize" the rest will need explanation.

Okay, so first my obsession with Hanson. I'll try not to talk about this too much, mostly cause I feel a tad bit crazy. If I were talking to Betsy, she would tell me to "rein in the psycho Ted" and I'm going to do my best. So a BIG perk of traveling on all of those trips was the HOTEL ROOMS! King Size Beds all to myself and VH1 playing as loud as I want in the mornings. One of those days the video for "Give a Little" came on and I was FLOORED that it was Hanson, like the MMBop boys from junior high! Intrigued and having nothing else to do at all of these competitions, I started investigating whether this was a come back or just something I didn't know about. It turns out these guys have been making music for like the past 18 years, which considering they are like MY age, is NUTS! (Side note: I think that's Bobby's fascination, I mean they were six writing and playing their own music!!) Anyways, I slowly spiraled into the "HANSON VORTEX" bringing a few victims or guests with me along the way. My students are totally not having it though. Anyways, you should go check out some more of their stuff if you have any interest in the stuff I have posted. To pique your interest let me just say that they now have EIGHT KIDS between the three of them! NUTS!

So the reason I had to post my Hanson obsession is because there is actually a tangent that has sprung off this obsession. After a few days of listening to their music and interviews, I started thinking about stuff, like why I was so obsessed, on my way to school one day. And here's what I came up with:
Some of you should know that I'm a sucker for music. I really don't know where it comes from, Nanny, mom, dad, or if it's just me. I started feeling like I was 13 years old again, and for a long time I thought it was because I was obsessed with a boy band from when I was 13, but then I realized that it was something else. It was the actual music that I was listening to and oddly enough that kind of made me sad. Now, granted I'm not really THAT old, but there have been TONS of changes in short 26 years I've been alive. Just look at computers and phones! But Hanson's music is not about going to the club or drugs or whatever. And I think, honestly kids are so bombarded with that stuff that it's just NUTS! I'm not trying to sound all preachy or whatever, but occassionally I get a little freaked out. I mean it is on my radar that someday, in the future, I may have offspring. I would like for those offspring to have some sort of childhood, that includes hopefully at least hints of innocence and happiness. As a kid, I was not aware of celebrities and all of their issues and problems. But instead of getting off on a tangent, I'll just say that Hanson's music is just that: music. Music that I'm not ashamed to play in my classroom, that I would probably play for Nanny and I honestly think she would enjoy. It's got good beats, rhythms and then when you actually listen to the words, there's some really nice stories that go along with them and the HARMONIES!! Now, as you can tell if you are listening to the playlist, I'm still a sucker for some good beats. But for now, my Hanson obsession is here to stay and now it's out there in cyberspace for all to know and read about.

Now for just a few notes to finish it out. Congratulations go out to my roommate Paula who got engaged since my last blog too! Very happy for her and Eric. Her news actually brings more news, cause the house I live in currently is Paula's......So, my plan is to "move in" with my parents for the summer, I mean I'm at camp for 90% of the summer so HOPEFULLY I can handle it. The tentative and hopefully actual plan after that is to find an apartment with the other roommate, Teresa, sometime around August. Also, I recently announced that I will be walking with my mom in the 3 day walk this November. The only catch is that I have to raise $2,300 before November. Don't let that overwhelm you being a math teacher, I crunched the numbers : There are about 353 of you reading this on facebook, if each of you donated just $6.50 I would reach my goal. So donate however much you can. Tell your friends to donate by clicking here and sharing the website with anyone you know. THANKS A BUNCH!
Now, I would like to tell you when I plan to blog again, but I just don't see that happening. I've got Student Council Elections next week, Mustang Fun Day the same week as finals, PLUS I'VE GOT TO MOVE MY CRAP out of here so I can go on vacation with my family! So until next time. If you ever feel like talking Hanson with me, just let me know. This blog just scratched the surface... :)

OUT WITH THE OLD

2011-03-15T00:10:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Spring Break here in Texas!! YEEHAW! (Not really, but it seemed like the right thing to say at the time...) My brother is on his 8th grade trip to Washington, DC. It's turned into quite an ordeal. He left Amarillo Saturday night at about 11:30 and he's only been in DC for a couple of hours now. Poor kid got stuck in Dallas. But he's there now and I hope the rest of his trip goes great, he's missing out on the smithsonian, but i've always wanted to go back there since you only spend like 4 hours total to see the whole thing. So maybe we will go back one day as a family or something. After a two week hiatus, I finally made it back to the gym too. It was pretty great. I'm once again quite grateful for Kristi, cause I've wanted to go back to the gym, but I haven't actually wanted to go to the gym, you know what I mean. But having her to keep me accountable is pretty great; once I got to the gym and on the elliptical, I felt A MILLION TIMES BETTER. Great news, thanks to an "anonymous" comment on a previous blog (I'm fairly certan I know who it was...) I've joined Weight Watchers and I've been doing a good job of keeping track of my points. I even bought some healthy stuff on my last grocery trip, which I think shocked my roommates a little bit. I also am completed uninterested in drinking cokes at this point. I have been drinking lots of iced tea, water, milk- I actually bought this "almond milk" that's dark chocolate flavored, it's delicious and super healthy. So thanks to whomever suggested weight watchers, even though I haven't gone to the gym, I've still lost weight. If I were on the TV show, "The Biggest Loser" I would have, however, gone home a long time ago. I'm not shedding the pounds like they do, but I'm also afraid that if I don't transition this period of my life, it will be a diet and not a change. I don't tell people that I'm on a diet, cause I don't see it that way. I'm realizing and acknowledging that I've lived an unhealthy lifestyle, not only because of my diet, but also financially. In fact, I've decided that I will not take any "personal" trips until I've gotten my self into a healthy place, that includes my debt paid off and my body in shape. So if you live somewhere besides Amarillo and you want to see me, then unfortunately for quite some time, you're going to have to come here. It's just not smart to not do something about it. If I want to have any kind of future, I have to stop living the way that I am.
One thing I was thinking about on the way home from the gym is growing. When I graduated from college, I had a "what you see is what you get" kind of attitude. I didn't feel like I was going to change who I was. Now, I realize that I'm still changing and growing and becoming a better person- who would have thought THAT was possible?!?! HAHAHAHA, I kid, I kid. But really, it's kind of cool the transition that I'm making. For example, two years ago, I was living in Midland and I was a "regular" at a restaurant, so much so that I didn't have to order, they just asked me if I wanted Tea or Dr. Pepper. (Yes, I really am THAT predictable.) Now, after returning to the gym after a two-week hiatus, the gym employee who usually works when I go in, remembered me and my gym number. How cool is that?!? I mean, out of who knows how many members, he remembered me, and I haven't been there in two weeks!! I just think that's a big difference!! One that I'm proud of!
Now for an update in other news:
We had 7 kids qualify for TAPPS STATE ACADEMIC & ART COMPETITION this last weekend in Dallas. For only having two weeks to prepare, our kids did WONDERFULLY!! We also came in third place!! Two 3rd place finishes for middle school and high school!! That's pretty great for our first year to compete in this things! Truthfully, I had so much fun organizing and coordinating it!! I wasn't a fan of the comments and "negative" feedback that I got from some of the staff, including one teacher telling me I was a "sucker" for volunteering for so much stuff. But I didn't do it for them, I honestly didn't even do it for me. I did it for the kids, to make sure that are getting more of a learning experience than I did. I'm also discovering that I really am NOT A PROCRASTINATOR!! Not at all, whatsoever!! I like having things done in advance, very far in advance!!
Well, I just bought "Blast from the Past" on iTunes so I guess I'm going to head to bed and watch it. I was thinking of it after watching "My Fair Lady." Hope everyone has a GREAT SPRING BREAK! I'll let you know how STATE competition goes, it's April 1st & 2nd in Austin! Thanks for reading! Love you guys!

Until next time....

The Wonder Years

2011-03-03T23:00:00.000-06:00

I spent this evening reading a Koala book with my nephews, Andrew and Jakob. It was exactly what I needed this week. I've been so stressed with PSIA, TAPPS, well you guys have heard it all, but I just needed an hour or two to be Aunt Lizzy. On my way home, I started thinking about why I had so much fun just reading this Koala book with the boys. I think, partly, it reminded me of being a kid. I then started thinking about why I didn't remember how much I loved to learn things when I was younger. Then I thought this, "Teenage Years are spent forgetting good things about your childhood so you can have something to complain about and hate your parents for. So growing up must be the process of undoing your teenage years." I don't know if that's true or not, but that's my theory for the day. Of course, I don't really think I was your typical teenager. With Cassi a little nuts and Bobby just a baby, I immediately jumped into the middle child role, trying to make sure everyone was happy and keep the peace, well mostly at least. I never really hated mom like most teenage girls say they do, did I mom? I did however block out alot of the happy memories. Fighting with my sister, building Lego Land with my sister. We built a park one time out of miniature lego's that was really more like a mini-festival. We used our California Raisins and other "little people" to have a full attendance, including music and entertainment. I have a picture of it somewhere. I remember one of the BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENTS I EVER RECIEVED. I hope you understand cause I can only describe it. I remember it was my fifth birthday, maybe sixth. It was a present that I got to open before everyone got there for some reason. But it was a book that had an electronic pen with it. I don't remember if the pen read the words or did something like that but I remember the feeling of excitement I had for that gift. So, I'm watching the kiddos for two days over spring Break and I talked to Cassi about taking the kids to the Science Spectrum in Lubbock. She said yes, so I told the kids before I left and I think they were excited. I mean those kids LOVE SCIENCE and this place has "over 200 exhibits on three floors" which caused Jakob to pretend to faint, haha. I remember Aunt Mary took Cassi and I to a couple of places like that down in Houston; we saw the butterfly exhibit and a dinosaur IMAX movie. So hopefully I get to take them to an IMAX movie too, but we'll have to see. So Tuesday I have a District Student Council Convention and Thursday and Friday we are driving a bus full of high school kids to the Dallas Cambridge School for District TAPPS competition. I'm really hoping our kids do AWESOME! OH, I also got news that Holy Cross came in THIRD AT PSIA THIS LAST WEEKEND!! There were about 7 schools participating so that's pretty GREAT!! For our first year, to get third place behind the two Lubbock schools that host these competitions every year. We beat St. Andrew's in Amarillo!! YEAH!!! Well, I now need to go grocery shopping. So I better wrap it up. Thanks for reading! HAVE A GREAT SPRING BREAK. LENT IS NEXT WEEK, SO BLESSINGS FOR A GOOD (??) LENTEN SEASON.

Until next time!

Chasing Ducks

2011-02-25T23:25:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I've blogged, mostly cause I've been super busy. Don't get me wrong, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE being busy!! There's some saying about idle hands, and I'm not sure what it says, but that's me! My list of the school year has grown so just to recap: Student Council Sponsor, Public Relations Coordinator (I get a stipend for that), PSIA Campus Coordinator, served on the Open House Committee, and now I'm TAPPS Academic Campus coordinator; plus I'm teaching 3 Geometry classes (one of which is a chapter behind the other two), 7th Math, 8th PreAlgebra and Dual Credit Math (Trig this semester). Plus I am tutoring a Junior from another school for about three times a week, I am enrolled in an eight week Advanced Archery class at AC on Tuesday nights. I am a girl scout troop leader of a newly formed troop. We actually just recruited two new girls this week!! I've also been working out for more than a month now!! Anywho, I think it's interesting as I keep learning more about my self as I get older. I've always wanted to make good grades and get involved in lots of things when I was younger, but I also felt unorganized and disheveled. Even though I've spent a large portion of my life as a procrastinator, I've learned that in reality, I'm not a procrastinator. Many of you who know me, that either haven't worked with me in a while, are probably reading this thinking that I'm trying to make myself sound better off....but after this week, I know this to be true. Some things happened with the TAPPS Academic competition so I've sort of taken over it this week. Let me just say I like to keep my "ducks in a row" cause I'm not very good at chasing ducks! hahahaha! (I came up with that on my way to Lubbock this evening) Alright well, I was going to blog about more, but I'm going to go ahead and call this one finished cause I need to get up early in the morning. Thanks for reading!!

Would you like bacon with that?

2011-02-04T00:38:00.000-06:00

From the looks of it, 2011 is going to be the year of the blog, even though it has nothing to do with my resolution this year. But I can't help it, I'm feeling inspired and need to blog so that when I lose my workout buddy I can come back and read this and stay pumped, or even the next cold front that comes in....
So, I'm sure most of you remember when I committed to losing weight and get in shape about a year and a half ago. At the time it was all to complete the main goal of joining the Air Force and becoming an officer. I don't think that I have completely discounted that option, it just isn't the main focus of my life right now, the Air Force not the weight loss. First of all, I'm hoping that those of you who count yourself as my "loyal readers," I'm hoping that you're reading this without judgement or disdain. I'm going to share some facts that at the current moment, only like 3 people know. I'm not sure where the inspiration is coming from, but I feel like withholding the information is only giving it power and I have to take back the power in order to become a better version of myself. Before I started my "weight loss journey" back in the fall of 2009, I never thought about calories, especially when I lived by myself in Midland and had to fend for myself and found the most fabulous Mexican Food restaurant that ever lived. I believe that the Spring of 09 was when I was my heaviest and I weighed 276 pounds. I'm thankful that I moved home when I did, it brought me out of the "whole"- so to speak. Last summer, at the beginning of camp I weighed in at 235, which is not a bad chunk of weight loss, if I do say so myself. After a summer of not working out like I planned and going on a cruise and then a fall without motivation, and of course the dreaded holidays, I have to say I'm not terribly upset that my current weight is 244. I'm not really proud of these numbers, in fact I'm ashamed of them, but like I said, the shame was giving my weight more power than it needed. Being the fat girl doesn't define who I am, as I discussed in the last blog- I have no definition. :) Anyway, I skipped going to the gym on Monday and Tuesday cause of the crazy cold we have here. THANK GOD FOR KRISTI! A snow storm at the end of last January is exactly what derailed my workouts last January. I just left the gym and it felt great. When we first started, about 3 weeks ago, I HATED THE ELLIPTICAL, in fact I convinced Kristi to use the treadmill for our warm up for the first week and a half. Now, I do 30 minutes every night and tonight I made my best time!! I made it to a mile in under 18 minutes! I know that doesn't sound super exciting, especially to you runners out there who run 18 miles in like 4 hours...but this whole time I've made it to a mile at 20, 19 and even made it exactly at 18 minutes once, but tonight I was kicking ass and I made it to 17:45 (I know it was just 15 seconds shy, but it was EPIC, well not epic but eventful! lol) I don't know if it's the gym, my super happy workout buddy or WHAT but this time feels even better than last time. I think last year I just expected things to be so much easier and when they weren't, I got disappointed and quit. But, not to sound all "cheesy" on you, but it's a journey. It really is. I've given myself "free days," one day a week where I don't think about calories, or the gym or anything so that I don't become overloaded with the concept of a DIET! I make sure not to like empty the pantrys on this day cause I know that it takes 30 minutes to burn 300 calories on the elliptical and that shit is hard. Anyway, I know it's just three weeks, but I'm feeling really positive about my outcomes. I think also it comes from a revelation I had this week while watching the Biggest Loser. Thank GOD that I did not get into the 3- or 4-hundred pound range!!! I told Kristi the other day that even if working out only results in me NOT GETTING fatter, I am going to be ok with it.
Oh before I forget, I have to explain my blog title. It's something I sometimes leave open for the reader to interpret as they wish, however this one warrants a story, which may not actually be as funny as is in my head, but it's a good story. (yes, I know that was a HORRIBLE run-on sentence) Tonight at Young Adults, Bryan was talking about the difference between being Involved and Dedicated. He said "A chicken is involved in breakfast, however a pig is dedicated because there's sacrifice involved." My immediate reply to this was "Is he asking us to eat bacon?" That got a nice little chuckle. I kept bringing up bacon during the night. Now I think it actually really fits cause you don't want to be a chicken and invest an hour a day at the gym you have to BE DEDICATED and give up time, energy and food to become a better version of yourself!!!
I think I have to call it quits now. I have early morning duty and it's getting closer to one am. Okay, I'm having a hard time hitting publish cause this is kind of a vulnerable post but I have to stop giving my weight too much credit for being the person that I am, good or bad. So, until NEXT TIME :)

Payment Pending

2011-01-27T21:36:00.000-06:00

Before I forget- this is my 50TH BLOG POST!! Whoa! That's kind of crazy, right? I'm starting on year number three and I'm already on blog post number fifty! I would like to say that I didn't really expect to make it to fifty, but I didn't really have any expectations when I started this blog! I kind of feel like having a party in honor of number 50, kinda like TV shows and they're 100th episode....

So this blog is going to be part insight, part update. I think I'm going to go with insightful first, just so I don't lose any of them...and I think they are pretty good insights, so I hope you'll read them :)

Let the insightfulness begin!
This past weekend I finished a book titled "New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance," by Elna Baker. I saw the book over the holidays while I was shopping, but I wasn't shopping for myself. When I picked it up, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I started the book at 10 o'clock or so on Saturday night and after sleeping a couple of hours or so and going to the gym on Sunday morning, I was finished with the book by Sunday afternoon. I will say that I've never related to a character, real or fictional as much as I did to Elna Baker, a chubby Mormon girl who had spent most of her childhood being the funny girl. I don't want you to think this is some sentimental journey of a "fat girl" losing weight, it was REALLY FUNNY. Just to give you an example of the book's humor, when Elna was preparing to go to college at NYU, her very conservative mother gave her some advice to prepare her for life in the liberal and asked her what she would do "if a lesbian asked her to make out?" Elna responded, "I'd say.....no thank you, lesbian.." hahaha. There are many stories like this in the book, and I would highly recommend it, but don't take my word for it. So now for the insights. There's a part in the book where she is discussing soul mates with a friend and her friend says, "I don't believe in fate. You just find someone who likes the same things as you. You just don't know what you like. (or that you like too many things)" I had to paraphrase. This part of the book really hit home with me. I declared several years ago, although it was an internal declaration, that as a youth I was a "people-pleaser." I came to this conclusion when I started to think about the music I liked as a youth, basically sixth grade and younger, was the music choice of those around me. I don't know if it was out of fear or lack of self confidence, but I was never willing to express my opinion around my friends. Working at Girl Scout Camp was the catalyst that brought me out of my shell, although sometimes I feel like I'm just playing a part. I've always found it odd that I can't choose a favorite type of music, color, type of movie, nothing. I also don't have that ONE PASSION. I don't know if having a passion is a myth, but I've never been able to say, "If I could do one thing the rest of my life, it would be...." I like trying new things, learning new things, listening to new types of music. I'm very open-minded about my experiences I guess you could say. I've also never felt that you could "classify" me or "group" me with people. You know, I'm a nerd, but I'm not a nerd that sits around and "dreams about a faster computer" (to quote a friend). I'm wild and crazy, but I'm not one of those wild and crazy people that you always assume is either on something or off medication. I like listening to Rock music, but I'm not about to apply for "Rock of Love." I like watching/playing sports, but I'm not really a "sports fanatic." I could come up with more examples, but hopefully at this point you have caught my drift. For most of my life, I've compared myself to others and thought how do some of these people find their "soul mate." One thing that hasn't changed, I still find it odd that I'm 26 (and 1/2) and have never had a boyfriend or dated anyone. But I've never really felt like the dating type. They say opposites attract, and I don't know that you could have the "opposite of me." I guess some would say that I need to define myself, but I think giving myself a definition is boring. I don't want to be stuck in one category. The problem is that I'm either in all of them or none of them. I'm not really sure what that means for me. I guess the only thing I can do is be happy with the way my life is, single or not, defined or not. Or decide that it's not the right way to life and give my life "definition" or "classification." I just don't feel like that's something I should have to do. I mean it's not like choosing a cereal brand or what kind of car you want to drive. In some ways, this book has almost made me more confused with who I am, yet utterly content with the person that I've become!!

Now for a news update in the ridiculous life of Lizzy. First, I made the official announcement today, but since I'm leading a group with EF tours, they have international training tours for first time leaders in Paris, Rome, Beijing and Madrid. I've chosen, and signed up for, the training in Paris over the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm really excited about it. Second, this week I "officially" became a girl scout leader, now I just have to get enough girls to sign up. My niece and sister are both pretty excited about it. I think that's about it for right now. I've been working out for almost two weeks and I'm really enjoying it!! In fact, it's time to go to the gym now. So I better sign off. Thanks for reading.

Legolas does everything right

2011-01-13T17:21:00.000-06:00

Well, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, but I'm feeling much better now. We have a Student Council function this Friday and Saturday and our PSIA campus competition is next weekend. I've been panicking on having enought people for it, but luckily I've guilted some of my students in to helping and some of the teachers and parents have come through. I was standing in the office this afternoon with my two main administrators. They asked if I was in charge of tomorrow night's function and then asked if I was in charge of Saturday night's function, of course this was after I had asked a couple of questions about PSIA. So then one of them said, "Is there something you're not in charge of?" We all kind of laughed, and I said "I would say that I'm going to stop saying yes to things, but that's just not going to happen." The response I got to that made all of the stuff I've been doing worth it, "No, you're not going to stop saying yes. You're a good person and a hard work and we appreciate it." It's nice to know that people notice my hard work, of course, that's not why I do it. I couldn't tell you why, but I just do. I'm also really excited about starting to work out again. I couldn't tell you what happened but I just lost it. I've got a workout buddy now and I'm joining the new gym in town "Planet Fitness." I've got a Tuesday night class starting this next week that I'm really excited about. It's the "Traditional Archery II" class at Amarillo College taught by Ken, the same guy that taught me like 6 or 7 years ago. Also, for anyone interested, I will be hosting the first "Dance Party" next Saturday night after PSIA campus competition is finished. I've got to start putting my playlist together, so if you think you're coming you better put in your requests early. No limits- as long as it has a good beat!! Alright, I'm done for now, gotta get ready for Young Adults. Can't believe you got two blogs in one week!!
Until next time :)
PS I don't feel like proofreading so, sorry about the mistakes. :)

Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

2011-01-09T23:10:00.000-06:00

I know, I know! It's been 2011 for a whole week and I haven't blogged yet. I decided to take a week "reflecting" on my resolutions, goals and plans for 2011. This year, I think my resolutions will be different from years past, but instead of comparing them for you, I'll just share them with you now. (As you know making them public puts more pressure on me to actually fulfill them and 2010 was year number 3 of 3 (I think) to follow my new year's resolution!) Also let me say that these aren't in any particular order, mostly.

I resolve to help those around me each day. I acknowledge that this may mean something different each day, but whether it means being a listener, an advocate, a friend, a court jester, a lunch date or a movie date, I will do my best to improve the lives of those around me. For it is by those around me that my life is improved or detoriated.

I resolve to maintain the recommended visits with all health professionals, eye doctor, general doctor and anyone else that is recommended to me. For without my health I have nothing.

I resolve to participate in the sacrament of confession on a regular basis. Cleansing of the soul is just as important as cleansing of the body. Plus, I think there are some bad spiritual habits that I need to break and confessing them on a regular basis may help me break them.

I resolve to be less dependent on technology. I've already begun by turning my phone OFF, not just on silent, during meetings and church. I'm hoping as the year progresses I start to spend full DAYS with my phone completely OFF. This also includes no texting while driving, no one I know, including myself, is THAT important.

I resolve to not be afraid to say "NO." In the first week of the new semester I've volunteered for TWO committees, in addition to the FOUR extracurricular activities I already assist with and I've also taken on another class. I realize that I do not have to be in charge of EVERYTHING and that (for the most part) there are other capable people out there that can do the job just as well (almost) as I can. This also includes saying no to go spending money when I don't have it.

I resolve to host a Dance Party in my living room at least once a month. Nothing feeds the soul or self confidence like listening to some great, and maybe not-so-great, music while looking like a fool. "You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth." — William W. Purkey. You are invited if you promise to participate without judgement. :)

I resolve to stick with my past new year's resolutions throughout this year. I will be maintaining this blog as a way of staying in contact with those of you that I've deemed important to my life for whatever reason. I will be reading at least one new book a month, and not just the equivalent of one book a month. Reading should help put me to sleep and if I'm not finding time to read even one chapter every other day, then I need to reassess my priorities.

Even though I said these were in no particular order, this last one is my favorite and the one I look forward to reflecting on at the end of this year:

I resolve to become the BEST possible version of myself that I can be every day and taking steps to ensure that nothing is prohibiting me from becoming that version of myself. This includes my health, happiness, relationships and the legacy that I will leave behind one day, if I don't want it shared at my funeral one day, then I shouldn't be doing it. This also includes overcoming failures and missteps that could cause me to give up completely. I will not allow anything to stop me from being the BEST "Elizabeth/Lizzy/Aunt Lizzy/Teddy" that I KNOW I CAN BE.

Well, there's my resolutions and goals for the year of 2011. I look forward to sharing with you the plans and progress throughout the year. I feel blessed to have a group of friends and family as fantastic as all of you reading this now. When I started this blog two years ago I didn't think I would ever have anything to write about, and then when I found things to right about, I didn't think anyone would actually read this. And even though I'm LONG WAY from becoming a Blockbuster movie, you should all start thinking about who should play you in a made for TV movie. Of course my life isn't cheesy enough for Lifetime, I don't live on a farm so there goes Hallmark channel and I'm certainly not hip enough for MTV, so we'll have to wait until we find the right market. :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR (a little late...)

The music that brings harmony

2010-12-26T15:00:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas! Being the second day of Christmas, I hope you are enjoying your two turtle doves and a new partridge in a pear tree :) I guess partridges have a short life, I'm not sure what anyone would do with 12 partridges....at least they'd all have their own home. Ok, this is so not the point of my blog, I got distracted. :)
I've been sitting at my parent's kitchen table since we came home from mass/ grocery store this morning. I ate lunch with mom and we listened to some great music together. Then I decided to get some work done ( I KNOW, DON'T BE SHOCKED). But last semester the college Algebra class required some extra work on my part, so I'm getting a head start on the Dual Credit Trigonometry class for next semester. I even bought a new spiral notebook. :) Then I got distracted by my mom and my sleepiness. I posted on my facebook a few days ago that I was looking to start acting at the local little theatre. I however am rethinking this. A few weeks ago, I noticed that Amarillo College is offering a "Traditional Archery II" class on Tuesday nights. It's taught by the same person that taught me back in the day at Camp K, and it's an advanced class for people "looking to further their skills with the traditional bow and arrow." Its dates are January through March. So I think I'm going to use a portion of my Christmas money, which includes extra money for house-sitting and baby-sitting, to take this class on Tuesday nights. I've wanted to take it FOR A LONG TIME. Plus, the play that I was looking to audition for only has like 3 male parts and 3 female parts, and while I think I'm fantastic :), there's a lot of other really great people out there. Of course, this also means I may have to wait until next season to audition cause the other play this season is a musical. While I enjoy music, I generally enjoy music in my car or house when no one is watching. I don't think anyone wants to hear me sing or watch me dance on stage, hahaha. Which is okay again, cause I have quite a few things to do with school this spring semester; PSIA is happening SUPER FAST after the break, which if you're in Amarillo or the surrounding area and would like to judge at our campus competition, it's Saturday Jan. 22nd, and I do not feel ready for it at all. Plus, my new year's resolution is to go to Confession/Reconcilliation at least twice a month, I'm going to aim for every week, but I'm a busy person :/ Oh, and don't worry, I will be continuing my blog :) I know you're ALL SUPER PSYCHED ABOUT THAT :)
I'm going to end the blog asking about your Christmas, it can't always be about me. Share your stories in the comments section so we can all get to know each other a little better :) How is your holiday season? What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? What are your plans for New Years? The last question is a selfish one, I don't have plans yet ;)

Merry Christmas!

Can you guess what languages these are without using google?

I'll post the answer in the comment section sometime this week. :)

1.Feliz navidad.

2. Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo.

3. QISmaS botIvjaj 'ej DIS chu' botIvjaj

4.Ya'at'eeh Keshmish

5. Feliz Natal

6. Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito

What Christmas Means to Me

2010-12-17T17:59:00.000-06:00

Warning! IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF LIKE 13, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ IT. IN FACT, I DON'T WANT YOU TO READ IT. SO STOP NOW AND GO WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA...
As promised here is my Christmas blog, I honestly wasn't expecting it to come so soon either, but I was inspired. Any of you writers out there can testify that when the inspiration comes, you must let it flow. So let me just give you some background info, in case you don't actually know me, or don't know me as well as you should. I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC. When I was a kid, I remember listening to a Christmas tape of my mom's in like August! I still listen to the same music I did when I was 7 and I know every single word. I love our family's CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS! First the Nativity Scene: we usually set it up near the Christmas tree, with the Baby Jesus hiding of course until after Christmas Eve Mass. The wise men are also separated from the rest of the scene and they get moved closer each day until the Epiphany. We always going to mass on Christmas Eve, whether the Children's liturgy or the Midnight Mass, my personal favorite is the Midnight service. Usually either before or after mass, we open our "Christmas Eve Gift," which coincidentally is also how your greet people on Christmas eve. Nine times out of ten the Christmas Eve Gift is cutesy matching pajamas. For the past 18 years or so, I, along with my brother, will watch "Muppet's Christmas Carol" on Christmas Eve. For as long as I can remember, I have never been able to sleep on Christmas Eve. I have ALWAYS BEEN the first one up on Christmas day. In fact, Harry Connick, Jr. sings a song "I'm Gonna Be The First One" that he wrote just for me. :) FYI: WE from now includes Cassi and I as children and Bobby and I for the last 13 years. :) So WE get up and go through our stockings that we strategically placed the night before so that Santa could fill them up with all kinds of goodies. I would like to say this is my favorite, but the WHOLE HOLIDAY is my favorite! So "WE" go through our stocking bit by bit, usually with one or two big-ish presents sitting outside of our stocking. WE of course are super quiet during this time, cause mom and dad are still asleep, seeing as how it's like 5 am. Around 6:30- 7, we finally get brave enough (hungry enough/excited enough, take your pick) to go wake up mom and dad, usually showing them one of the gifts that Santa got for us. Next all of us, go through our stockings, children dumping it all out now that we don't have to be quiet. Then, the parade or something gets turned on the TV, WE play with something new that we just got, while mom and dad start to cook us pancakes (occasionally waffles) for breakfast. After breakfast, we pass out all of the presents to the members of the immediate family. Once all presents are passed out, the opening bananza begins. You can usually tell when you're opening something good cause mom will stop and watch and have her camera ready to take a picture, this is true even to this day. Then the rest of the family comes out, which is normally Bernetta, perhaps Genece, nowadays Cassi, Josh and the kids. And the present process happens again. I'm sure very similar things happen, or happened at your house, but I'm not sure if I would be ok with something just similar. haha. Which brings me to my point... (I know that was a lot of background info, but I think this next part is going to good so stay with me)
So, I was about Bobby's age when Bobby came around and I'm fairly certain if he hadn't come around, I would have had this brainblock then, but as I said getting up early and seeing the Santa gifts is one of my favorite things to do at Christmas, in fact there were a couple of years where I was more excited than bobby, so I took a Tylenol PM before bed so I could actually SLEEP on Christmas morning. So Bobby has overtaken my joy for Santa and christmas and until this year, at least as far as we know, still believed in Santa. Most people may mock him for such a thing, I however applaud him. I also think it comes from having me as a big sister and from watching "The Santa Clause" too many times as a kid. So this year he found out, which means no more Santa. I shamefully admit that I was saddened by the discovery of this fact. I started wondering what I had to look forward to on Christmas Day. Coupled with the fact that I don't really make a lot of money and wasn't really sure that my gifts wouldn't just be a dissappointment, I just completely lost the Christmas Spirit. I stopped listening to Christmas Music, I didn't go shopping at all, I just wasn't interested. It was my students, actually I think that changed my mood. Our school newspaper had an editorial about Christmas by one of the students. She said something close to the following: Christmas isn't about buying gifts or getting up at 4 am. Christmas is about showing love, we buy gifts to see our loved ones reaction knowing that we put effort into it. God showed us his love by giving us his son, so we show love to one another with our gifts.
I think this is where it gets tricky, cause our love is not measured by the amount of money we spend on each other. Rather, our love is shown by the time we spend with our loved ones.
One day, I hope to carry on the traditions with my own family, of course combining with those of my husband's. I'm also plan to challenge myself, as I challenge you, the reader, now, to add other acts of love to your Christmas traditions: serving those less fortunate, helping salvation army, the Angel Tree, or be creative and find some other act of love or kindness. So that when the "magic" of Christmas fades away, the meaning is there as a reminder of the "Reason for the Season."
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Here is My Christmas Gift to you all :)

2010-12-13T21:43:00.002-06:00

Hello family and friends and random blog readers. I'm not sure how many people actually just read this that I don't shove it down their throats...lol. Anywho...I'm still on Michael Buble euphoria and so I'm going to start this blog with a list. Here are the concerts I have attended in somewhat of an order...we'll see how well my memory is:

New Kids on the Block- Lubbock, TX
Tim McGraw, Black Hawk Down, Little Texas
Wade Hayes (and some other people)
The Beach Boys
Clay Walker
there was another random high school concert...
K-Ci & Jo-jo
Breaking Benjamin & Three Doors Down
Blake Shelton
Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Chesney
Willie Nelson & Pat Green
Big & Rich
WT's 2007 Homecoming concert (I don't remember who it was)
Blue Man Group
Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd and Finger Eleven
Miranda Lambert
Toadies
Jack Ingram
Honeybrowne
Justin Cooper (i think that's right....)
New Kids on the Block- Reunion Tour in Dallas
Michael Buble- Oklahoma City, OK

I feel like that's it, but I also feel like I'm missing someone...
So Michael Buble was on my bucket list and so now to complete my concert bucket list I just need to see Jason Mraz and Harry Connick Jr. Oh, and a show on Vegas! Well that's my blog for now. I have more to blog but I am getting sleepy right now so. I'll have to blog again after the vacation has started, which is just 20 school hours away :) be jealous...very jealous :)

A family that....

2010-11-29T21:05:00.000-06:00

I hope this blog finds you all safe and healthy. You're probably all recovering from the return back to work. like myself. So how was my holiday, you ask. FANTASTIC, actually!! I think it was one of the BEST of all times. There were a total of 29 people at our house at any given time, that includes, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, second cousins, first cousins once removed, nieces, nephews, and Bernetta, our "adopted Grandmother", who also happens to be my dad's Godmother. As most of you probably heard, I was really excited for this family gathering and I was not disappointed. So the festivities really began on Wednesday, I didn't make it out to mom and dad's as soon as I would have liked, but I didn't get my stuff done early enough. So some of the highlights of the holiday weekend would be Pictionary game that lasted until 3 AM, Scattegories, "Gluten-Free Baking", my dad losing the Scrabble game, laughing to the point of tears, the Pace Family Video, Cowgirl Birthday Party, Trampoline Jumping, Boys and the Four Wheelers, the Hula-Hoop competition, Bingo, the Estimation Jar, and Thanksgiving in the New millennium- aka everyone playing on their iPhones/iPads/iPods. Of course, the Aggies won the football game against UT, the Cowboys lost to the Saints, two more highlights of the weekend. I didn't go shopping on Black Friday nor did I end up in the paper, also highlights. My cousin Kim got us all addicted to new apps on the iPhone, "We Doodle" which was free and is basically pictionary, and "Train Conductor" which was .99 but is so addicting. I've mastered the day shift, and I think I just mastered the night shift this evening. All the little second cousins are bonding which is super cute. There are four little girls that are pals: Renee, 8, Aubrey, 8, Sarah, 6, and Rylee, 4. The boys are a little more spread out: Josh, 11, Andrew, 10, Jakob, 6, and Cedric, 4. My brother is becoming a typical teenager, unfortunately. He's almost 14 and spent just about the ENTIRE weekend playing video games. On Saturday morning, he looked awful, so now I'm anxious for him to outgrow that phase. My pictures are all on facebook and shutterfly so you should check them all out. Unfortunately the weekend wasn't ALL fun and games. My mom's aunt Betty (my grandpa's sister) passed away on Thanksgiving Day and her uncle Jay ( Nanny's brother) passed away on Sunday morning. Betty I didn't know very well cause they used to live in Fritch but moved to Oklahoma when I was a kid. Uncle Jay though I did know quite well. Jay lived a sort of gypsy life in that he moved around alot. He also was a very good storyteller. He always used accents and his stories always had lots of details. My mom was able to drive to Oklahoma today for Betty's funeral though and I'm glad she got to see some of her family. I love you MOM!
Well, I would like to end the blog on a brighter note though. As of publication time, I had 8 paying travelers on my trip to Italy & Greece which means that my trip is now paid for and I'm only 4 away from the next free chaperon place. And on another happy note, our school's raffle was a very successful fundraiser. We sold over 2000 tickets! Oh and my principal told me today that people are noticing how much the school's been in the news lately! We were in the paper 3 times just last week alone!! Someone told Father that "someone must be doing their job right" ahhh, that's ME! Well, I think my new laptop is about to die so I better wrap it up and get this thing on the World Wide Web! Eight more regular school days until Semester Tests start! By the way I have half-days that whole last week of exams!! Isn't that neat?
Have a GREAT WEEK! Thanks for reading.
Until next time~

I don't do emotions...

2010-11-02T08:25:00.000-05:00

Notable November to you all! I have a couple of neat things to blog about. First, my roommates and I just hosted our first gathering in celebration of Halloween and Teresa's birthday. Not going to lie, it was pretty great. My costume was alot of fun, for me at least. Haha. I was Antoine Dodson and if you don't know who that is you should go look him up on YouTube. I won apples to apples and it was the first time I had ever played. They say that the cards you get are supposed to describe you and my five cards were Easy, Cool, Tough, Sensual and Stunning. I'm not really sure I have an opinion on that.... If any of my friends are reading this though, THANKS so much for coming!!! Also thanks to Neon, without whom I would have never had such a great costume.

Red Ribbon Week was last week and while I was completely stressed most of the week, I really think that it was a great week! I got to go around to each homeroom and show an anti drug video that focused on pain killers and I had some really good discussions. I had never really thought that my ex-friendships (just one really) would come out to be helpful, at least in this manner. It was kind of sad talking about someone that used to be my best friend. I have started to just accept the fact that she just isn't the same person that was my friend, not really sure she ever will be..

I told you all last week that I'm going on the trip to Italy & Greece with some students from school. We started telling the students about it, set up a meeting. So, one of the 10th graders asked the other sponsor if this was an "academic trip" and of course he answered yes. The student seemed dissappointed but he explained that this was not a trip for him to find an Italian girlfriend. Well, we were saying this in front of my principal, who looked at him and said "Isn't that why you're going?" HAHA, anyway. She then went on to say that Italian women and men are very emotional and dramatic. My response to that was the inspiration to the title, I don't do emotions. Then someone was saying that you wouldn't be able to understand them anyway, which made me think that he could be throwing a fit and I would just be staring at him saying "oh, how cute." Well, I better wrap this up. Only 16 more school days until Thanksgiving BREAK!! Yeah!!

Until next time...

Rocktober

2010-10-20T23:27:00.000-05:00

So, I guess I'm running a little short on creativity, cause "Rocktober" was the best that I could come up with tonight. I decided to blog "midbook" because there's something about this book that I REALLY, REALLY LIKE and it's better to blog while, well, I should just start my blog now.
So, I'm curently reading "The Lost Hero" by Rick Riordan and I've really enjoyed it so far. As I'm reading, I find myself thinking of all the reasons that I like reading. One reason I enjoy reading so much is because I find it very similar to solving a puzzle, which I guess it is. I like predicting what's going to happen and changing the prediction as I continue reading. I like BEING RIGHT! I mean, who doesn't right? Same reason I like Math. For example, I've been tutoring someone fo Trig and tonight there was one problem that had me stumped so I came home and drew one picture, and when that didn't work I drew another picture. I just kept adjusting my picture until it made sense and was something you could work with and I finally got it. I'm not sure where one gets the desire to figure things out like that. I'm not sure if it's from childhood, genetics, school. I don't know, but however you get bitten by the bug, I've been bitten. It seems as though being a teacher has sparked my interest in learning.
Something else being a teacher has sparked, my interest in travel. I never realized before how connected it was to learning but it really is. Which brings me to another announcement that isn't new to those of you that already read it on facebook. I will be traveling with a group of students from Holy Cross to Italy & Greece duing Spring Break of 2012. I'm REALLY excited about this!! Í'm planning it with another of the younger teachers from Holy Cross and I've talked to a couple of the students about it and they seem really stoked about it. So let this be my first plea for help fundraising. We will be doing LOTS of fundraisers cause we have so long until the trip. I'm hoping to do some really fun, creative fundraisers, instead of the same old boring ones.
Another thing I've decided to try and take on is a Girl Scout Troop. My wonderful niece Aubrey has been involved every year until now and she says she doesn't want to do it anymore. When I asked her if she would join if I were her leader she said yes. At the time, I was just kind of saying it. Then I was asked to lead a troop last weekend at Camp Kiwanis through an overnight. Even though I didn't know any of the girls, I had such a FANTASTIC TIME, so noooww, I'm looking into becoming a real leader for Aubrey, with my wonderful sister as the Assistant Troop leader of course. :) My roommate says I'm crazy, and I'm sure she's right, but WHATEVER. I'm only young once, right? I mean, some day, I'll have a family and what not and won't have the time to do ALL OF THIS STUFF. Well, maybe I'll find a way, haha. Anyway.
It's late. I have a workshop with my Senior High Student council tomorrow and next week is Red Ribbon Week, so needless to say, I'm ready for October to be over. Plus, NOVEMBER MEANS THANKSGIVING. Pace Family, I have an email in my "Draft" Box that I will send out immediately after finishing this. So, it should have already made it to your inbox. :) Have a great rest of the week!
Until next time!

almost missed it!

2010-09-29T22:15:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that almost all of September has gone by and I haven't blogged. I think part of is cause I've BEEN RIDICULOUSLY BUSY! I quickly want to say that I've finished another book, "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks, not the most depressing book he's ever written..you should check it out. I don't guess I've told you everything that I've gotten myself into this school year. I know I told you at the end of last year that I would be taking a Public Relations Coordinator at my school, as a way to make extra money. I found out when I got back from my trip that I'm also the Student Council Sponsor, which I'm really excited about. Then at the first staff meeting they asked for volunteers for PSIA coordinator, which is basically Private School UIL for 1st-8th grades. Again, I'm REALLY excited about that. I LOVED taking my Advance Science class to that competition at Tech last year! It was GREAT! So I'm excited to get to do that some more!! Then a few weeks ago, I volunteered (sort of ) to take over the 6th grade homeroom! The teacher who had them, also had them for like 3 other classes in the morning which is too much for ANYONE! Which if anyone from Jones is reading this, you probably know how STINKING EXCITED I AM ABOUT HAVING A HOMEROOM!! My 4th grade homeroom a few years ago, was my homeroom soul mate!! They LOVED COMPETING and I'm fairly certain we won (or at least tied) every competition that year!! So I'm hoping to work my magic and bring this sixth grade class to life! They're a little immature and have been a challenge, but I've had worse :) Oh and I'm currently planning something else, that if you have a facebook you've read about my super secret project :) I'm a little hesitant to announce it just yet since it's not completely official but hopefully in a matter of weeks it will be OFFICIAL! Plus, since I'm not working another job, well at least not one somewhere else, I have been able to participate in the Young Adult activities at St. Thomas which has been a lot of FUN! I've also made it to several volleyball games, middle school and high school. Oh- I'm also teaching (facilitating) a Dual Credit College Algebra, which has been a challenge. I've enjoyed having the seniors in class, but I have to spent time the night before going over what I'm supposed to teach them....I'm hoping it's one of those things I get to do again, so I can do it better....Oh, I also attended my last wedding of the past year. From October 2009-October 2010, I attended SEVEN, yes 7, weddings. Apparently this is something that happens to everyone at some point in their life, and at least I had a really awesome black dress that I was able to wear and uniquely accessorize for each occasion! Well, I've got a trip this weekend. I'm going to Irving for a PSIA workshop on Saturday until 2, then I'm heading South for AUSTIN! It's Betsy's Birthday!! So I'm really excited about that!!!!! So I guess I better start putting things together so I can leave after school on Friday! So until then....
Thanks for reading.

Aren't they the best

2010-08-29T16:01:00.000-05:00

So I just wanted to type a quick blog this wonderful Sunday afternoon. I'm just hoping I can actually keep it quick. First, I finished reading Mockingjay in like record time- it was ridiculous, there's nothing to even blog about cause I don't want to give anything away. So just READ THEM. Second, 2010-2011 School Year is off to a great start. I think I'm going to be really busy, but that's good, maybe I will actually save money this year! Which brings me to three, I've moved in with Paula and Teresa and so far things are going pretty great! It's been a couple of weeks and there's been no bloody noses or slammed doors, so I'm optimistic. Next, this weekend was pretty fantastic. I LOVE BEING AN AUNT! I love that Aubrey, Andrew and Jakob are becoming their own little person with their own little personality. I was supposed to go see Eclipse with Cassi last night, before you judge- it's been out two whole months and I'm just now seeing it for the FIRST time. But things didn't work out, so I asked Aubrey if she wanted to come, we were all hanging out at "Grandma & Grandpa's" and she of course said yes, but then surprisingly, so did Jakob! So off to the movies for our birthday movie date. It was fun. Aubrey and I had fun dancing to my new album on the way to the theater (Justin Bieber....feel free to judge me for that, but the songs are catchy...) So now I'm about to head off to mom and dad's again. Then it's week 3 of school. This weekend one of my wonderful friends from Midland is getting married in Dallas and I can't wait to help her celebrate. Cool thing is that I will also get to be in Dallas to celebrate Aunt Lou Ann's Birthday!! Then hopefully between school, student council, public relations, workshops, weddings, homecoming, football games and birthdays....I'll get to do something else that will inspire me to write a blog. Until then!
Thanks for Reading!
Also I don't feel like proofreading this so sorry for any mistakes....

What I learned in Alaska...

2010-08-19T13:16:00.000-05:00

This list is in no particular order, just typing as they come to mind, which may be random since I've been back for almost 2 weeks...

There are a few ideal situations for maximizing your cruise enjoyment, that does not include a single 26 year old going with a 13 year old brother and parents that go to bed at 9 o'clock...
...it could include going with a group of friends, family reunion, or honeymoon/couple. (HINT! HINT! FAMILY....)
If your dad says he will pay for you to go fishing in Ketchikan, THEN GO FISHING IN KETCHIKAN!!! No matter who goes with you!!
Don't pack sweaters or jackets cause you'll end up buying three of them that say Alaska and then won't have room to pack them in your suitcase.
Bring along plenty of games that your group can play together. Things that include cards, dice, etc.
Sign up for at least ONE WHALE WATCHING excursion, hearing someone tell about thier experience just isn't quite the same.
Make sure the camera gets turned off every time it's used, unless you want to spend 25 minutes in Juneau finding a spare battery and/or charger.
There is no "Redneck Night" on the ship...no matter how much your dad wants there to be...
Head to the bow of the ship early for the glacier stop, unless you just want to remember what the back of every one's head looks like after you get home.
Go to the gym on the FIRST DAY you're on the ship, otherwise, you never will....
Participating in the trivia with your cruise director Anthony and making a group with other single people will win you prizes, especially if one of you shouts "I want a coffee mug!" :)
Have someone in your group that can act as a moderator for at least MOST of the trip...no one can be THAT patient for 11 days...
Listen for people shouting "OOooh!" pretty much anytime you're on the ship, it means there's probably a whale or other sea life outside the ship
UNDER PACK! I know that sounds crazy but the ship has a washing machine, and you'll wear the clothes you buy.
If you're shoving things in a bag, buy a $20 carry-on so you don't end up having to pay $50 for the 5 extra pounds you "shoved"...
If someone in your group likes to go to bed early, make them stay up at least ONE night on the ship for a program or activity. Even if they act like they don't want to, you will all end up having a blast!
Order the milk & cookies every night for room service. Holland has the BEST DAMN chocolate chip cookies I've ever had, EVER!
Send the postcards you buy as soon as you buy them, otherwise half of them will end up coming home with you...
Go to every dining room (the free ones at least) and try all the different kinds of foods they have to offer...
If someone is offering a food you REALLY want to try, don't pass it up, there aren't repeats on a cruise ship's menu.
Convince as many people as you can that they need to go back with you on your next cruise.
Have someone in your group that knows how to work cameras and other electronics...
.....And make sure they're willing to help you figure out how to work them.
Keep your phone OFF until you are on land
ALASKA IS AWESOME!!!

Yesterday was my first day of school, and I've spent a whole week at my new place now, so hopefully in the next few weeks I will have an opportunity to upload all of the pictures and videos on the computer so that you can all see what a blast we had...at least most of the time :)
Thanks for reading!

North to the future

2010-07-21T21:25:00.002-05:00

I'm sure that as an informed citizen of the USA, many people would assume that I've researched everything there is to know about Seattle and the various stops in Alaska. And in truth, I have at least read the information given to me by the cruise line and the few things that Uncle Don sent to us. But I think that sometimes, the best things to see in a place are the ones that aren't advertised or promoted a whole lot. My plan is to get off the boat at every shop and just walk around the different towns, do some shopping, eat some food or drink some drinks. The only thing that I HAVE TO SEE in Alaska is the Totem Pole collection!! I've always had a slight fascination with totem poles, not one that is very dominant or anything. I don't like research them or know a lot about them, but if one's in front of me, I will look at it. And of course, I'm hoping to see LOTS of Wildlife!! A few weeks ago, I purchased an 8 GB SD card, and with mom's camera, I can take up to 4000 pictures!! I'm sure you're saying "YOU are taking pictures with your mom's camera??" Well, you're only saying that if you haven't seen mother try to take pictures....HAHAHA! sorry mom, there's lots of things that you do much better than me, but we all know that photography is not your strength! My 5Th grade pictures include absolutely NO HEADS, it's like I went to an alien school where everyone was headless that year.... anyway- I'm sure like everyone I've told this to before you're thinking "FOUR THOUSAND PICTURES?!? IS THAT A TYPO?" or "I'm not sure that I want to look at 4,000 pictures..." And don't worry, I don't really plan on taking that many pictures, but the girl scout in me would rather be over prepared for this situation. I mean what happens if I can only take 400 and the 401st picture is like a whale or bear or something bad ass like that....I mean WOULDN'T THAT SUCK!! OH, something else that I'm looking forward to is Seattle, maybe it's because we're going to be there for several days so we're actually making plans, but we're going to a Seattle Mariners game, the only disappointment is that a week or two before we're going, they're playing the Yankees!! But that can't be helped. So I'm missing a few things on this trip. I'm missing Staff Party at Camp, which I'm kind of sad about, but when you compare it to Alaska- I mean...sorry camp staff, but it just doesn't compare. so enough about the trip already....
I've moved out of my apartment!! YEAH!!!! I'm so glad for several reasons: 1) I HATED those apartments, sure they were close, but ugh- I HATED THEM! 2) I know have TWO FANTASTIC ROOMMATES!! (of course, I'm sure some of you are laughing at me, especially since I've never had roommates that weren't related to me, or that were temporary (camp) but I'm pretty pumped about it.) 3) I just feel like living alone was not good for me, it's not good for most people, but if I find room for all of my crap I'll really like it- I may have to sell most of it...
I'm also missing some school stuff, but my principal knows about it and is cool with it. One thing I'm nervous about missing is a meeting at Amarillo College, cause instead of teaching Calculus as originally planned, it looks like I'm going to be teaching Dual Credit College Algebra. I'm unsure of this. Honestly though, I was unsure about pretty much everything this year and I made it through that, so I'm going to work really hard to make sure I do well this year. You can't screw up a thing like college Algebra, but maybe since it's through the college, it'll be better than I thought. Well, I will more than likely NOT post a blog before the trip. I may write one during the trip and post it afterwards but you know for a fact that there will be one at the conclusion of the trip!
9 days until the cruise
3 days until my birthday
Thanks for reading guys! Happy summertime!

Look what I can do!

2010-07-06T22:57:00.004-05:00

Ok, so to start of, if you've never seen my Stewart impression, then I'm very sad for you. In case you don't know who "Stewart" is, he is a character from MadTV, and in high school/early college I did a pretty good impression, haven't done one lately, so I'm not so sure how great it would be these days....

On with the blog now, I'm sorry it's been more than a whole month since my last blog. School ended and camp started with a whirlwind. Camp is busy, but I really couldn't imagine not spending my summer out here. First I have some cool/good news. You guys all now that I've been working to get in shape, and I'm still working on it. I haven't been as dilligent as I would like to be, but I'm still trying and working and NOT GIVING UP! So looking on my camp computer, I found last year's staff picture and I happened (ugh) to be in the front row.... so the "Salmon" shirt is me in last year's X-Large staff shirt. And I've worked really hard to get the size I am now. First of all, when I put on last year's staff shirt a few weeks ago, it did not fit- it was way too big!! So a picture of me in this year's yellow shirt (which is a Large...) is also attached. I think you can tell that there's been process, mostly in my legs...so let me first say a big thank you to everyone who motivated, encouraged, pushed me to work hard this year. Also to those of you who called/texted/invited me to work out with you. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!! A LOT!!

I need to say a few things before I forget. I have a new address now, well I will very soon at least. I'm in the process of moving, but I'd rather not post that on the internet, so send me an email, text, letter (at camp) or carrier-pigeon and I will let you have my new address. In case you don't have the camp address (hint, hint. cough, cough)

802 N. Girl Scout Road

Amarillo, Tx 79124

for those of you who have written me, this week is a shorter week so HOPEFULLY I will get a chance to write you back this week! Some other cool news, Speedo and I looked at our numbers for camp this season SO FAR and we are at 498!! So CLOSE TO 500, WITH ROOM TO GROW AND 3 MORE WEEKS OF CAMP!! :) We are all a little excited around here!! If you have daughters, nieces, granddaughters, friends, cousins that are going into the 3rd grade and up, send them to camp!! :)

so I have to cut this short, cause it's late and I HAVE TO GET UP IN THE MORNING- but I'll close with this 25 days until the cruise, 18 days until my birthday!!

I'm sorry I went past my 10 minutes, Speedo! :) I have more to blog about.....but it'll have to wait, keep you all in suspense for the next edition :) thanks guys!

Something to Write Home About....

2010-05-14T20:11:00.001-05:00

I’ve noticed that the last few blogs have been a little lengthy so I will try to not be so verbose this blog around. Sorry for the length, but lots happened! This week alone, I thought I was going to Vegas for a workshop and that my school was paying, then I found out that I don’t get to go to Vegas. I’m really okay about not going. It will be much more fun to go to Vegas with a group of people for a weekend or something than by myself to a workshop. Plus it would have been a short trip and I would have missed part of pre-camp. So I’m currently investigating another opportunity for a make-up workshop that could involve a nice Fall trip to South Texas! So stay tuned South Texas Residents!
I guess I can say this next thing out loud now, but I signed my contract today for the 2010-2011 school year to be a teacher at
Holy Cross Catholic Academy! Sorry I had to drag it out a little bit! I was looking for some other opportunities to make more money and I thought that meant going to a public school. Well I was kindly reminded that I don’t make the plans!! Fortunately, I am being taken care of in other ways. Not only will I save more money moving in with 2 amazing friends, I will also be taking on more responsibilities at school which means more money, at least enough to replace my current second job. Now that I know what my plans are for next year, I can focus a little easier. I’ve started to get excited about next year, which is CRAZY, I KNOW! But I’ll be teaching a group of kids that I taught or at least saw everyday! And I’ll know what the heck I’m doing, so it will go much, much smoother- which can’t be a bad thing cause this year was pretty dang smooth! I also requested this week to teach GEOMETRY next year, which I’m excited about. My Geometry teacher was one of my LEAST FAVORITE MATH TEACHERS! I had the most fun but it was the lowest math grade I’ve ever had! So this will be like my second chance at Geometry!
Well, there’s not much more going on! I put in my notice at the Funeral Home which means camp is getting closer!! There are only 5 regular school days left, a Mustang Fun Day and then 4 half-days of Semester Tests! You’ll probably get one more blog from me before camp starts, but I hope all the teachers out there have a wonderful end of school year festivities and such! IT’S ALMOST SUMMERTIME!!

Car full of laughs

2010-05-02T15:40:00.003-05:00

Alright, so we are currently in route back home from Michigan. I think we are a few hours away from saint Louis, where hopefully we will be staying near a casino and the arch....not sure yet. It'll mean a little longer driving tomorrow but we all have Monday off from work. And the only thing I would like to be in town for is too early in the afternoon for me to be able to make it at all. Which actually brings me to some sad news before I get onto this weekend. My school was saddened to learn this week that a student passed away. Unfortunately this is the second student that I will have buried in my short teaching career. Deann Campos was a bright happy 7Th grader whom I rarely saw without a smile on her face. She was out all of last week and on Wednesday we learned of her death. The autopsy came back on Friday and it turns out she had a fast growing tumor that even if it had been detected, a surgery would have been unlikely and could have possibly caused permanent brain damage. So I am thankful that she did not have to suffer through the pain of surgery or the fear of death. She will be deeply missed but she has a wonderful school community that is praying for her and I appreciate everyone keeping Holy Cross in your prayers as we close out our school year. Unfortunately the rosary is this evening (Sunday) and the services Monday at 3. I think that my school will be having a memorial service at some point though. Plus I think staying home from this trip to go would have been a mistake. So let me tell you about it. We, being me, mom, Bobby and dad, left Thursday evening around 6.30; we stopped somewhere in Oklahoma for dinner and then drove on through stopping for breakfast in Saint Louis, Illinois :) then the next like 9 hours were SOOO long. It seemed like we were close but it was like waiting for water to boil, it just didn't seem that we would ever make it to Grand Rapids!! But we finally did. After washing off the previous 20 hours and getting all dolled up we made our way to the rehearsal dinner, where I got to see my cousins whom I haven't seen in 8 years!! Which after making this trip, I can't blame them. It's a looong drive!! We got to catch up a little. I got to meet my like second cousins, at least I think- they're my cousins children. I had met Caleb before, seeing as how mom and dad are his godparents, but Nicholas I had never met, along with Hailee, Ty and Amy whom I met the next day at the wedding. Along with a whole slew of people that if I listed here you would get bored, but if any of you happen to read this, know that it was great to meet you so please don't feel slided. Also know that I hope to see you again soon. I can't wait until I get to post all of my pictures up on facebook. One cool thing, there were a few so this is just one, is that at the reception, someone put together a slide show that had pictures of Katie and pictures of Duke and then pictures together and I was in one of Duke's pictures! It was us hanging out at nanny's house when I was about 9 or 10. It was really a cool moment for me but also the moment that I lost control of my emotions. After this week of school and then being around family, I knew I would lose it if I ever got close to the edge of my emotions. A part of that, too, is that I couldn't help thinking right before the wedding that nanny was there, enjoying the moment, sharing her own stories and memories with whomever she wanted up in heaven. Sorry. I know I was going somewhere else with that but I got a little emotional and had to take a minute to compose myself. The reception last night was a blast, I had some of the best dance partners there and took LOTS of pictures!!! Oh, and this morning we all met for breakfast at Big Boy, even the newlyweds, which was great!!! All I know is that we have to find ways to get together more often. Maybe we can meet somewhere in between that way our round trips are the same instead of one person taking like two days vacation to travel. So, if you're reading this aunt Dee, which I know you are, let's think of some place we can meet in the middle and have a goal of meeting there sometime in the next year or two. Maybe Saint Louis or I don't know where, but I'll do some research. Anyway, let's make it happen!! :) oh, and some of you asked about the big decision I asked for prayers for, and they worked! Lol, so I'm just going to say for now that MY mind is made up, so I'm going to ask you to keep praying that some important people make the right decision :) hopefully, I'll have an announcement to make soon. Sorry to be so mysterious, I just don't want to jinx it, but if You're really curious you can send me an email and I may tell you :) well I can't decide if I want to end this blog for now or just pause and finish the rest on Tuesday at school. I think I'll finish it later....

So that was all written on Sunday afternoon in the midst of a road trip. It's now Tuesday evening and it's been edited, but now you meed to hear the rest of the story. So we ended up staying the night at Hotel Lumiere that is connected to a Casino. I have to say that I haven't seen Bobby THAT excited in a LONG time! At one point when Mom and Dad were trying to decide where to stay, Bobby sent Mom this text "just make up your dang mind please before you have [two] dead bodys in the backseat from anxiety" which made us ALL laugh, which actually happened ALOT of the time in the car! We may have been cramped, crowded and exhausted, but we had fun. It's another family memory that I'm grateful to have. There may not be pictures or specific stores to share but I have lots of memories of laughter. So back to St. Louis- None of us had ever been there before so after we checked in to the hotel, we walked to the Arch, which I knew was known as the "Gateway to the West" but didn't know why it was in ST. Louis. Well, luckily for us, my dad knew and educated us on the background of the arch. Then we went back to the hotel and ate in the nice Italian Restaurant. On our way back to the room, Bobby said "Well, this trip has not only been fun, but also educational" HAHAHAHA! That kid! We drove by Busch Stadium, unfortunately they had an afternoon game so we didn't get to see the Cardinals play. BUT I'm okay with that CAUSE..... I'm going BACK! In our hotel, our suite had 2 Queen Beds, a pullout Sofa in the living area, 2 TVs, a Pool, a Gym and it's connected to the Casino. That room cost $140 for the night. With 5 people in a room that's less than $30 a night!! You don't need a cab cause it's close enough to walk to alot of the bars and even the stadium. Buy yourself some baseball tickets, bring some gambling money and you're good to go! So when this trip happens depends on a few things, but I know I'm going to need to at least recover from my trip to Alaska first. It needs to be during baseball season, sometime. So anyway if you're reading this- know that you're invited to come along, in fact I hope you do. The more, the merrier, right? In case you couldn't tell, I think I've been bitten by the travel bug! I'm really motivated right now! I really had a FANTASTIC, PHENOMENAL, AMAZING, SUPER weekend! (couldn't decide on just one cheesy adjective) A BIG THANK YOU AND A BIG HUG TO ALL INVOLVED- especially Dad for driving the majority of the time! Oh and Duke and Katie for getting married! :) Be sure to check out the pictures on facebook :)

the final (not really) countdown

2010-04-21T19:11:00.003-05:00

Alright so first things first, WITH SEMESTER TESTS, I only have 23 school days left!!!! I'M PRETTY PSYCHED ABOUT THAT!!! It would be 25 if it weren't for item #2...
I'm also pretty stoked about next weekend! My cousin Duke is getting married!! It's been WAY TOO LONG since I've seen them, so I'm very excited to get to spend a couple of days up there in Michigan....not excited about the 18 hour-both ways-road trip with my mom, brother and dad...but I'm assigning a vocabulary project so I should have some grading to do. :) plus I've got the iPhone and a portable DVD player so I should survive...hopefully. If not, this could be my last blog..just kidding :) So some of you may have read from facebook or heard it from me, but I'm moving out of my apartment this summer!! No, not back to mom and dad's...(ugh- love you guys)... a friend of mine has a house and two empty bedrooms, so Teresa and I are moving in! I'm pretty stoked about this as well. I've never really had roommates, with the exception of girl scout camp, but that doesn't really count cause we had to share a living space. The other thing that this has inspired is a case of puppy fever!! I can't currently have a dog in my apartment, so it has even been on my radar, but when Teresa brought it up with Paula the other day- something sparked. Then I went to Midland to visit my wonderful friends (I'll come back to that) and my wonderful hosts, Karrie and Jason, had the cutest little Maltese dog, Grace, that completely stole my heart. So once we get moved in and everything, I anticipate having a conversation about a getting a puppy/dog :) So as I said, last weekend I drove down to Midland to visit my amazing, wonderful teacher friends! Friends really isn't the right word. They really were my second family. They took me to the doctor, they brought me food when I was sick, they laughed, talked, shared pretty much everything with me! They're really the most amazing group of teachers EVER! I was a little disappointed that some of them couldn't make it, some of them already had plans or children to be responsible for, or..something. But at least we have Facebook! Is it weird that part of me is worried that after a year, they're not going to want to be my friends anymore? Just like a year after college, I started talking to most of my friends from college less, I'm worried that's going to happen. It was a very bittersweet drive home. If you're reading this Midlanders, know that I'm truly blessed to know all of you and I thank you for a wonderful evening last week.
I don't remember what number we're on, but there are only 45 MORE days until CAMP STARTS!! (I'm sorry if that freaks you out Natalie, but I'm stoked and let me know if I can help do anything else..) This is a pretty big year for me- this summer will be my TENTH SUMMER to be on Staff at Girl Scout Camp Kiwanis!! That's pretty dang cool, don't ya think? Sure that only adds up to like 20 months or something, but still TEN SUMMERS!!
I actually think that's just about it, except don't forget to donate to my March of Dimes Walk this weekend! www.marchforbabies.org/teddyzzil
Every little bit counts and I'm getting closer to my goal! Thanks to those who've donated- and if you know anyone that wants to donate, just send them my link! It'll be much appreciated! Also, sorry for the 1990's surfer dude vocabulary, I guess I need to look up a couple of synonyms for "stoked" and "psyched." Well, I'll hopefully I'll get to see you all someplace other than the Cyber-world, but until then! HAVE A GREAT DAY!
--DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT :)
(Kudos to my sister for getting that reference a couple of blogs ago)

My march of dimes Card!

2010-04-14T15:00:00.001-05:00

Click here to help me reach my goal!

Chalk dust

2010-04-12T17:49:00.003-05:00

First, let's start with some good news!! In case you haven't heard, I passed my high school math certification test!!! YEAH!! I was concerned mostly because it's been a long time since I've taken Calculus but it didn't matter. Second, I don't do this very often, but I may be having to make a decision about something soon and I would very much appreciate your prayers. I'll share more as it happens, but I'd rather not share anything publicly until I know something. Thank you in advance for that. OK, now onto "the blog"
So, it's kind of weird that I was inspired to blog today while at school. I use mostly the chalkboard at school for teaching and such. I was using the overhead at the beginning of the year, but the chalk board is just so much better and fits with my big handwriting. I also learned from my high school Physics teacher, who did the same thing, that a rag or cloth erases the board MUCH better than an eraser. So I bought a pack of washcloths from Walmart and they work GREAT! Unfortunately, I also use colored chalk, which creates more chalk dust while erasing with more ease than the white chalk. I know that's probably alot more than you ever wanted or needed to know about my chalkboard use, but it will help with the story....well at least I think it will. Anyways, on Friday after school, I decided to clean my board because our cleaning people only vacuum the dust from the tray. So I cleaned it with water and a towel. I used the chalkboard in all 6 of my classes today and I have to say that my chalkboard still looks pretty clean. Which made me think "mistakes are easier to fix with a clean start." This sentence has many meanings for me and I'm still pondering it. So, I'm not going to elaborate on my little insight anymore, I'm just going to let you ponder on it.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of my "loyal readers," and even my "unloyal readers" or "occasional readers" I'm very thankful for the Internet and facebook and this blog for allowing me to stay in contact with my family and friends, many of whom live far away. Frankly I think that's pretty cool. Just like in the "old days" when people would write letters to their family members to let them know what was going on. I kind of feel like that, just a modern day version, mostly cause you don't have to wait 2 weeks to get the letter. Any who. Those are my thoughts as they stand today. I hope your April is just AWESOME!! :)

Supersillious Spring

2010-03-27T22:03:00.003-05:00

Um, so I'm pretty sure that 2010 is pretty...(before I finish this sentence, know that I am hesitant about using this word based on the fact that I will sound like a teenager, but it fits..) epic, at least it really has the potential to really be that way!! So first, I really feel like I'm the happiest that I've been since I shouted " I'm trying to study!!" during finals at the student center, which if you don't know that story... It's also classified near the epic category. So far, 2010 has begun with me kicking ass and losing 20 pounds!! Then I've reconnected with some childhood friends. Then I just had a FANTASTIC spring break!! We are approaching April and I have to say I'm psyched. I'm taking a new certification test to be certified for teaching high school Math. I'm going to visit Midland and see all of my wonderful friends!! I'm walking in the March of Dimes walk. In May, my cousin is getting married in Michigan!! I haven't seen them in a looong time so that's AWESOME!! then it's CAMP TIME!!! THEN it's ALASKAN CRUISE TIME!! of course somewhere in there I'll turn 26!!! What happens after that is a little more up in the air, I'm taking that one as it comes....but now hopefully you can see-epic is an appropriate word. I know I blogged about bishop Matt already but his funeral today brought back lots of memories. I remember lots of masses being the altar server at St. Laurence with father pat or Ed or the bishop. I remember his retirement mass!! One of my favorite things was, standing in front of all of the priests as they said the eucharastic prayer in unison!! It happened today and brought me back 13 years. It was an intense moment. Of course now I'm on a mission to find a picture from the mass. Mom and I got out some pictures of dad and looking at them it was the first timethat I REALLY saw how much I look like my dad. People at family reunions or different functions for most of my childhood came up to me and said "are you david's daughter?" I never saw it. Now my brother- yes! They could be twins. Those pictures are on facebook and I may add them here later. Anywho, I think I had more to blog about but I'm watching the third season of grey's anatomy- which is a really good one. So I'm distracted. So in case I don't blog before Easter, have a happy one! Also don't forget to donate to my March of dimes walk.
www.marchforbabies.org/teddyzzil
thank you!!

To be Decided....

2010-03-23T17:52:00.002-05:00

I know this year isn't technically over yet, and when I say year, remember that I'm a teacher, so my years are according to school years and summers! Also, I hope this sounds right, you know how sometimes I say things that don't make sense, this could be one of those times...
Anyway, today in Mass at school, I started thinking. About how all of the things that have happened have gotten me here for a reason. I honestly think that moving to Midland and teaching at Anson Jones was the absolute right thing for me to do. I would not be the teacher that I am today if it weren't for the two years I was there. I also would not have the wonderful friends that I now have from there, at least I think they're still my friends- even though I haven't been able to visit. Also, I wouldn't have the wonderful supply of Math Games that I now have, thanks to EveryDay Math. But other than that, nothing has REALLY happened the past two years. This has been the first year that things have started happening, or that I've started doing them, however you want to look at it. It all started with the passing of my best friend's dad in August. It's weird to say that I was motivated by Death, but I have been. Not long after that, a Girl Scout Friend and Mentor also passed away. A few months ago, Olga Lange, a childhood "friend" and pseudo-grandma, passed away, which I've already blogged about so I won't repeat myself. A few weeks ago, a friend/student's father also passed away, along with a friend's grandmother and fellow teacher's mother and then last night Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen passed away. Now, maybe I'm noticing it more because I'm working in a funeral home or maybe because I was actually able to attend all of these services, where as the past two years, I was unable to attend any, but that's quite a few. Also, I need to add, I've been a little unmotivated about lots of things lately. So this morning in mass, I started to feel like I was just sitting around waiting for life to happen again, when here is this list of people who are no longer around here to live their own life. So as the end of Lent approaches and Easter Season is around the corner, I am rededicating myself to joining the Military. I completely full-heartedly believe that it is the correct place for me to be. I'm having to deal with the fact that it's not happening NOW, because of past mistakes and choices that I've made. But I'm handling it, I'm ready for it, I'm excited for it. I feel like Spring Break was a nice break from everything. I got to shoot some guns. I got to hang out with my best friend, who unfortunately/fortunately reads my mind better than I do sometimes. My nephew spent the night at my apartment also. I was nervous about this, it was his idea and he has a past track record of being kind of "choosy" (one of his birthday parties, he rejected almost every present because it wasn't what he thought it should be). But I realized that even though I don't buy them flashy toys or loud games, my nieces and nephews (and my brother) know that I love them, which is really the most important thing. Andrew was happy just to hang out with me- he didn't care what we did. They also know, that they can be whomever they want to be when they're with me and not suffer any judgement for it, or so I like to think. Those qualities are those that I think every person should have at least one person like this in their life. Along with someone who constantly pushes them to be the best. So there you have it, my life as I see it right now. My life as I see it to be and as it was and WILL BE NO MORE!
I had to blog quickly about the book I just read, cause I think it's possible it's having an effect on my current attitude, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the book was....good...interesting...different. I also just saw the movie Remember Me. And Yes, I saw it because Robert Pattinson was in it, but you know what? It was actually a GOOD movie. I would recommend to anyone...including non-twilight fans. :)

The Final Countdown!

2010-03-04T20:46:00.001-06:00

Just having a little fun at work!! Isn't it exciting?!?

Vacation Countdown Clock Generator

Two-for-one!

2010-02-22T14:13:00.005-06:00

Hello! I have to blog about the newest book, or actually bookS that I've just finished. A friend recommended "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins to me, and since she's a librarian, I figured she should know what she's talking about. AND SHE DID!! It took me a while to get into the first one, but once I did- I could not stop!! I finished the first book on Thursday night at about 2 in the morning cause I COULD NOT STOP READING!! On Saturday, I took Bobby out for his annual birthday meal and movie celebration. We went to Olive Garden for lunch, per his request. Then went and saw Percy Jackson & The Olympians. It was a fun afternoon, we tried to remember all the other movies that we've seen each year, but considering I take him to the movies more than just that one time a year, it wasn't easy. It's weird sometimes sitting in the movie theatre with him. I remember that first year I took him to the movies and he had to sit on the edge of the seat so that it didn't fold up on him. I think he was like 4 that first time. I also took him to the mall that first time and bought him a CD, he picked out New Kids on the Block!! Proof that from an early age, I've had an unfortunate influence on him! HAHAHA!! Anyways, after the movie, I took him to Barnes & Noble so we could get the rest of the books in the Percy Jackson series, along with the second book in the Hunger games series and a few others. I even let him pick something out. So I started reading "Catching Fire," the second book in the series, while waiting for Bobby's basketball game to start that afternoon and I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! I ended up finishing it Sunday around Midnight cause I couldn't put it down. If I hadn't gone out with a friend Saturday night, I probably would have finished it sooner. ANYWAYS- IT'S REALLY GOOD! I'm not going to tell you what it's about, because that's one of the reasons I couldn't put it down, cause I was trying to figure out what they were talking about, or what would happen next. But if anyone has read it, and would like to discuss it, or is reading it and would like to discuss it! I would be GLAD TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU! So now, I'm on to read the second book in Percy Jackson's series. I'll get back to you when I finish that one.
OH AND SOME MORE EXCITING NEWS- WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE TO ALASKA!!! I'm so stoked!! Mom and dad have been talking about going but I thought they would be going in the middle of the summer, and there's no way I would miss a whole week, or more, of girl scout camp. So when they decided on one that would allow me to miss only two days (including staff party) of camp, well I tried to act like it was a hard decision, but ultimately- it wasn't!! So I made it official!! I decided that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and had to go for it! So expect a picture blog in August. We're cruising on Holland cruise ships, taking the inside passage, to include Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C., leaving to and from Seattle, Washington. We'll even be on the ship for dad's 60th Birthday!! I'm sure he's not too happy that I just put that, sorry dad, but IT'S EXCITING!! Plus it's just like a week after my 26th birthday!! I'm currently deciding if I want to buy a new digital camera before we go. I have my iPhone, but what happens if I run out of room? So if anyone has any insight on this, or suggestions for an affordable but better-than-decent camera, bring 'em on.
Well, I decided to order an intense workout series. I ordered Power 90, it's by the same guy who did P90X, but this is more of a beginner's version, or just not the expert version... It just came in the mail yesterday so I haven't had a chance to start it yet, but I also am going to take those awful Before and After pictures, not that anyone besides ME will ever see them, I just think it will be cool to see the difference. It's one of those programs that says, if you stick to the program, in 90 days, things will happen. So let's hope so, cause while I've done really good, getting started, I NEED MORE! More motivation, more intensity, just MORE! So I'll keep you updated on that as well! Well, my lunch break is just about over so I better run. Thanks for reading!

Warning! Blog-explosion ahead!

2010-02-15T22:08:00.005-06:00

To start off, I should say that right now, I'm not really sure where this blog is heading, but we'll find out when we get there, eh?
Today was a nice little school-vacation day for me, we didn't have MLK day off. It was a semi-productive day; I went to the gym at least! Went saw a movie, HORRIBLE, Dear John, sorry if I led you astray before but really the book was terrible and so was the movie. Anyways, I did some thinking earlier as I drove out to mom and dad's house after work (it wasn't a total vacation) and I'm going to share some of the thoughts, mostly cause these days my thoughts run through my brain as blogs, so it's sometimes the only way to figure stuff out...sorry for the really long run-on sentence...
I started thinking about the things I have to be thankful for, after all Thanksgiving should not be reserved for a month in the fall. Here's a list of some stuff I came up with:

I'm thankful that I have a teaching job, many people who took a risk like me ended up with nothing.

I'm thankful that I found a part-time job so close to my apartment that I was also blessed enough to find.

I'm thankful for my family and friends that I can call, text or drive to see so that I complain or vent or just talk.

I'm thankful that when I have a bad day, the most embarrassing thing that I do is blast Perry Como or Rod Stewart or any MUSIC and drink a diet Dr. pepper to improve my mood.

I'm thankful that I have a mission of being commissioned in the Air Force, even though my life has changed directions quite a few times, I've at least always known which direction I was pointing.

There are more things but I'll move on now. For anyone who has ever worked with me or who knows me, you know that I'm a fan of rules and not a fan of change, and that I'm a people pleaser, also known as an ass-kisser. I like to not only do my job, but do it well. Some may call me a "ladder-climber" I think you may call it, I'm not satisfied doing just enough or only what is asked of me. (and if you didn't know that, you do now and now you'll understand why I'm frustrated and needed to take a brief inventory of my life.) You know that I have a part-time job at a funeral home. It's in walking distance to my apartment, not many late nights and only during the week. When I was hired, my manager told me the wardrobe requirements "closed-toe shoes, skirts or pants would be fine, dark clothing- no bright colors, long sleeves like a cardigan or jacket or something. and I don't care if you wear the same thing every night." So I did that. I had some gray pants and a couple of black cardigans with some dark shirts that I wore every night. Until December, I got a new cardigan. It was a dark purple and I loved it so I switched it around with my black cardigan. Well she pulled me aside and told me that I needed to only wear black and it had to be a jacket. I'm not going to lie, I was frustrated, this was not what she told me, however I had a black jacket I bought a few years ago so I started wearing it with my grey pants EVERY NIGHT. It's all I had. Tonight I wore my new pants, that are really a darker grey, almost had black stripes and my black jacket with a purple tank top. Mind you- that I SIT at a desk and answer the phones and tell people where the restroom is...LITERALLY. Well tonight the FIRST thing she says to me is, we really need to get you a skirt. I probably looked like my head was going to explode and I said 'but you said that pants were fine' she said well honestly I don't remember what she said, there were lots of people and too much to do so she walked away after she said something??! I mean I've been wearing pants for FIVE MONTHS!! I don't wear skirts, I told her that when she hired me that it would be pants!! So once I calm down, I'm going to talk to her about whether or not I should continue working there. One of the reasons I moved home was to be closer to family and friends so that work wouldn't stress me out as much, now it's not even my school that's stressing me out. I had a dream last week that I got fired from there and woke up at 4 in the morning! It's a part time job, if anything I should be having bad dreams about dead people or something, but THAT'S NOT EVEN THE PROBLEM! Did I mention that I'm thankful that I have a blog that I can write and get my thoughts out? Well, the other "problem" that this ordeal has brought up, is that if I were teaching at public school, I wouldn't need to get a second job...BUT I'm hopefully going to the Air Force within the next 2 year period. So do I find another job until then even though I'm emphatically happy at my new school, I could see myself teaching there forever and ever if I weren't going into the Air Force? Or do I get over it and try and hope to find a public school job so that I can enjoy my last two years at home with my friends and family? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. Well I'm going to do an exercise tape to unwind and the go to bed so that I can get up and go to the gym in the morning.
Oh, one more thing- I have a deadline! The next non-rated (non-pilot) board is this summer, so my application is due by June 11th, which means my tests, both fitness and AFOQT, have to be done before that (April/May) along with all of my recommendations and every thing else. If I get all of that stuff done and I'm selected than I could be leaving for OTS school as Early as September of 2011!! The next board after that is in December, so the earliest class date I would get would be January 2012! So here's hoping that everything keeps coming into play there, I'm considering buying either the Insanity Workout or P90X, both distributed by the same company and many people on the OTS Forum use them. Plus it would help me over come my BIGGEST (and only) obstacle in applying to OTS.
Well, I think I'm done for tonight. I hope you got something out of that blog, or at least didn't lose anything, hahaha
HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY! Don't Forget- Mardi Gras, aka FAT TUESDAY is tomorrow and Ash Wednesday marking the start of lent the day after that- and no, I have no idea what I'm doing for lent yet...

Blog-Podge

2010-02-05T19:12:00.002-06:00

So I realized that today's date 2-5-10..is MATHEMATICAL!! Okay I'll try not to be a nerd...at least for a few more minutes....
So I forgot to blog last week. Last week was...interesting!! It started out somewhat normal until Tuesday evening. I took off work to go to a Rosary with my mom and dad for someone I hadn't really seen for like 13 years. So at the time I didn't think much about it. Until I got there...and saw all of her family, most of whom for the first 12 years of my life were part of my family! The Gabel's and the Lange's were like cousins to my sister and me. The Gabel's only lived 3 or 4 blocks away so were often at each other's houses, trying to spend the night. I even experienced my first tornado scare in the middle of the night at the Gabel's house. Leon Lange was(and is) dad's best friend so we were always hanging out together too. We all went on camping trips together, sat together at church- at least Cassi and I would sneak over there and sit with them. One thing I remembered last week is that when extended family came to town we were always invited to Grandma Olga's house on Sundays. Well, all of these memories came flooding back as I sat and listened to their stories. I was sad at the memories we didn't get to make after we made the move across town. You know, I can't really find the words still to describe the emotional overload that happened that night. The next day after the funeral we were invited to a dinner that the family hosted in the Knights of Columbus Hall behind St. Laurence-right off the Railroad tracks. It was good and weird- I don't think I've been in that hall since I was probably 11 or 12, and being back there with those same great people- I almost felt like I was 11 or 12 again! I have to thank Olga Lange for all the wonderful memories I was allowed to have because of her AMAZING family!
And then came THURSDAY! and with Thursday came SNOW!! LOTS AND LOTS OF SNOW!! Enough for schools to cancel two days in a row! So with talks of Power outages around town and friends bragging about their family time, my dad came and picked me up Thursday afternoon and I spent the weekend with the family! Watching movies, playing scrabble and Monopoly (we stick with the oldies) and most of all- EATING MOM AND DAD'S COOKING!! Needless to say, I really felt like a kid again after all of last week's events...
This week was my first experience with Catholic Schools Week! Well, most of it at least, I woke up sick on Tuesday, but I'm almost 100% again. It was fun-Catholic Schools Week not me being sick...
Today I'm really excited for several reasons! FIRST OF ALL, SINCE STARTING MY FITNESS QUEST AS OF TODAY- I'VE LOST 20 POUNDS!! I'm super psyched! I know I still have a ways to go, but I'm getting there- I'M GETTING THERE!!
Second of all, tomorrow night is the Catholic Student Center Auction and Dance!! I LOVE GOING to hang out with my Catholic Friends, both new and old! It's my guaranteed once a year time to dance too!!
Well, I've read another book too- Percy Jackson & the Olympians: the Lightning Thief. It's the first book in a 4 book series! It's REALLY GOOD!! I'm sure you've seen the previews for the movie that's coming out. Just in case, if you have ever been interested in Greek Mythology- you should READ this book! It's also really good for teenagers or kids with ADHD or dyslexia!
"But don't take my word for it!"

Keep going and...

2010-01-14T11:15:00.002-06:00

Alright. Hello there. The year is officially up and running. I have just finished book #2 of the year. I've changed it a little, my resolution that is, so that I will read at least 25 books this year....that's approximately 2 a month, and I'm off to a good start on that. Anyway to get to the book first. Book #2 is also a movie-based decision. As some of you may know a few years back when they really started turning books into movies, cause lets face it- Hollywood couldn't do much better, I made the decision that if a movie came out that was based on a book, I would read it first. Some of those being Eragon and The Wedding Date. I've been almost sticking with this theme in my choices so far, with Dear John and now- My sister's keeper. I want to start out my saying I hadn't really wanted to read this book. I saw the previews for the movie and just thought- no, not for me. Now, I'm very glad I did. Unfortunately, after discussing it briefly with someone who watched the movie but not the book, I'm not certain if I want to really watch the movie....for reasons that I will not discuss here. Let's just say, I'm tired of being disappointed in "Hollywood." Now, unfortunately, curiosity may still inspire me to watch the movie, but nonetheless...
I enjoyed the book for several reasons. I love reading stories that are not necessarily told from an "omniscient" point of view, like a narrator-type of story. (just for the record I just spent 5 minutes trying to figure out the word "omniscient") I love it when we hear stories from the character's view point, and this book tells different parts of the stories from different character's perspectives, ie., one chapter from Anna, one from her mom, one from her dad and so on. I also really like it when stories you think are completely unrelated end up coming together and it turns out they are actually the same story all along! I won't say anything else about the book, but if you have read and would like to discuss- I'm game, just don't want to give anything away to those that haven't. If you would like to read along with me, my next book I have chosen from our school library and it is Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, author of Poisonwood Bible.
As for other things, I've been pretty good about going to the gym. It gets harder towards the end of the week, but even if I have to take gym clothes to work and go late at night as opposed to early in the morning- that's what I do, as I will have to do tonight cause I stayed up late trying to finish that silly book! I also joined the "Fittest Member" contest at the YMCA. It's a six week competition, and we'll just have to see how I do. Oh, and in case you haven't heard already about my other new current obsession- if you have an iPhone or an iTouch then you should get "Words with friends" It's basically scrabble, but you can play other people on other phones or you can play on one device with people sitting around you. I currently have about 12 games going and I think I'm ahead in about 9 or 10 of them. One game I have is against my dad, whom as most of you relatives know, is a scrabble maniac! He's currently beating me, but not by much- unfortunately the last six letters I was stuck with were consonants, so he's probably going to win THIS game! But there will be more....so if you have it, create a game with "Teddyzzil" if you don't have, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? If you can't have it, well, I'm sorry...how sad. Have a great weekend coming up, most of you probably have a 3 day weekend- I however will have a 3 day weekend in February for President's day instead- which I'm very excited about!
Until next time,
THANKS FOR READING!

an early start

2010-01-02T19:01:00.002-06:00

So I'm pretty sure I told you about my new year's resolution, but just in case. My plan is to read at least one book a month...well I think it's going to be a lot more than one, at least in some months. My thinking on this is because I've already finished the first book I bought. I was going to utilize the Library during this expedition, but I just like the thought of having them all on a shelf and someday telling someone, I read all of those books in 2010. That may sound wierd or whatever, but it's what I want to do...just may have to get a third job in order to afford it, lol.
So my first book to take on was Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. As you may have heard, it's soon to become a major motion picture and I like to read the books before I go see the movie, otherwise I have no motivation to read it, knowing how it will end. It was an interesting book, I'm going back in forth on whether or not I want to see the movie but I will probably end up seeing it anyway- if nothing else, out of pure curiousity. I told you that I wouldn't give anything away about the book, and I will stay true to that. In case you haven't heard of it, well, go watch a preview, cause the book is really about so much more than the preview. Anyways, one of the things I enjoy when reading, is finding a way to relate to the characters or the story or some part of it. I wanted to share an excerpt from the book, that I think expresses my feelings on something that I've never been able to express this way.

"I know it's not as immediate as email, but that's what I like about it," she wrote me. "I like the surprise of finding a letter in the mailbox and the anxious anticipation I feel when I'm getting ready to open it. I like the fact that I can take it with me to read at my leisure.....I like to imagine the way you looked when you wrote it: what you were wearing, your surroundings, the way you held your pen..."

In case you didn't catch it, she's talking about the reason that she prefers to use "snail mail" as opposed to email. And I TOTALLY GET IT! I love getting mail! I took out parts of it that I didn't want to put in there to give anything away, but it's a really good book.
For my next book, I think I will either continue the Harry Potter series or read "My Sister's Keeper." Mostly cause those are the books I have and I need some recovery time after Christmas :) HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

Elvis was right..sort of

2009-12-25T15:37:00.004-06:00

Well, I hadn't planned on blogging again before Christmas-but I'm stuck at work until 9 and I need to do something besides the word searches I got this morning to keep my mind off of it. :) The one thing, besides not wanting to be bankrupt, that keeps me from not quitting this job on a monthly basis is a quote by Dave Ramsey "Live like no one else now, so that you can live like no one else later." I just don't want to lose touch with people to the point that there's not much of a life to live later on in life, you know what I'm saying? Cause Dave's saying (in case you're not familiar with him) you work 3 jobs or whatever you have to do to get out of debt NOW so that when you're older you're not in debt and you have money and you can buy that RV and travel across America. I'm just worried that at this rate, it really is going to be just me, alone in that RV, taking pictures of myself HAHA. So yes, I'm being a little dramatic and exaggerating just a bit, but so what, that's what I do :) I got Pizza a couple of weeks ago, and I realized, after noticing how strange it was to give the name "Lizzy" for the order, that it's been a LONG ass time since I've hung out with someone that I didn't know from work or wasn't related to me. No, I'm not asking you all to start calling me Lizzy. Now, yes I did just get back from an AMAZING trip to Austin. So much fun! I don't know, as I'm sitting here typing this, I feel like I'm being REALLY over dramatic, but you know what- I DON'T CARE. All right, I'm over my little tantrum about having to work today. I'm just partially mad that I didn't sign up for the morning shift, and a little peeved that I couldn't find a public school job so that I wouldn't have to be working a second job right now....Also a little miffed that in about 10 minutes, my family is about to sit down for Christmas dinner, and for the very first time EVER in my whole life, I'm not there.. And I'm also mad in anticipation of the fact that I will stay until 9 for no reason. If I'm staying cause the family HONESTLY can't come in before like 8:30, then sure I get it, but I'm staying just in case they can't make it. Let me also take this opportunity to share my thoughts on this with you, and I would like to begin by saying "Sorry if I offend you" and I know mom and dad already know this cause I told them this morning, but when I die, I do not want you to come visit me in a funeral home. I do not want you to sit around "me" and talk about me. Sure come to the service, but then go away. Go have a drink (or 2 or 4..), Go volunteer, Go to church and say a rosary or some other prayer.

Well, that certainly turned into a big honking, bitch fest. I'm postponing posting this, cause no one needs to read this kind of stuff on Christmas Day. So Happy New Year!

UPDATE (12/29): So I got off work, well technically I closed at like 7:55, but I don't think it really mattered since it was CHRISTMAS day. I made it to mom and dad's in time to watch the nephews, niece and Cassi open their presents from me- they were all hits! :) Then I sat and ate leftovers while my sister talked. I have to say, what I thought was turning out to be a really crappy Christmas, turned into one, where I felt very blessed. For my sister to call me at work, and be like "When are you getting off? When will we see you?" and then, well, I really don't know how to explain it, but I guess maybe I could say that it was nice to be missed.
Plus, I've put some perspective on my previous thoughts. I do have friends, and we do hang out, just not as often as when I first moved back, but that makes me appreciate it more. I'll never forget one day I was at girl scout camp and the weather was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, slight breeze, about 65-70 degrees, blue skies. I was probably wearing jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops :)and a couple was out there and I made the comment, "Isn't this such a beautiful day? I wish EVERYDAY could be like this," and the man said "Yes, but then we wouldn't appreciate it would we?" I don't know that I ever thought of it that way, I mean think about it, if everything was always good or happy, we would take it for granted. Just look at those spoiled kids on "Sweet 16" or whatever. I was thinking about stuff this morning that I was going to add to this blog, but it seems unimportant after this last paragraph. So instead I say to you, Thank you for being a part of my life, even if your only part is reading this blog. I wish you a blessed 2010. While making your resolutions, don't only think of yourself. Instead, think of what you can do to improve your life so that you may help others. - I know, I'm not sure where all these great thoughts are coming from, but I think it has to do with a year of blogging. Are you ready for another year? -

Who knew?!?

2009-12-08T21:20:00.006-06:00

So to start off, lately I've really been missing my "Midland Family." They literally were my family and friends for 2 whole years, and it's been so wierd not seeing them at all! I had really hoped to visit them more, but with only 2 personal days and not a whole lot of cash, it just hasn't been possible. Well, after this evening, I'm reminded of why exactly I decided to move back to Amarillo. My brother had a jr. high christmas concert for band this evening- and I've NEVER made it to one of his concerts! So tonight, it turned out that I was able to go! Even though, they only played 2 songs, it was REALLY GREAT! I even got a button with his picture on it! The fun part really came afterwards when we went out to dinner with some other folks, friends of the family and such (they have kids the same age as Bobby.) Anywho, it was FUN!

Ok, so it's now like a week later and I'm finally coming back to finish the blog...(Sorry Neon)

Unfortunately I've forgotten what else I was going to blog about that day- I know it was good, but the moments passed.

I said I had some lists to blog and so I do. The first is ideas for resolutions for 2010 (FYI- no matter what the resolution- I WILL KEEP BLOGGING ............. ....................... ....................... ................. ...................... ............... okay you can stop cheering now so I can make my lists :)

1. Read at least one NEW BOOK a month and blog about it, without giving any endings away of course. I think this will help add balance to my reading habits, plus help my vocabulary for the AFOQT.

2. Write a letter instead of an email when I think of a friend. I like this one because I've been wanting to get a REAL ADDRESS BOOK [*CHRISTMAS IDEA*] and keep track of people's addresses, phone numbers and birthdays instead of relying on Facebook to do it for me. Plus it's an adult thing to have.

3. Perform at least one Random act of kindness a month and encourage my students to do the same. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing this one regardless of what other idea I choose...

So I had other ideas, but as usual, I've forgotten them. But in brainstorming, I've just gone back to the myspace blog I typed on Monday, Jan 19th of this year. It was what I called "pre-reflections" I will now add my reflections and reflect on my "pre-reflections" (that sentence makes me feel like Mark Reinart...haha)

Excerpt from Myspace Blog "Pre-reflections"

1. Maintain a realistic, stable budget for at least 8 months.
2. Create and Maintain a realistic, healthy, fun fitness plan
3. Have an organized apartment.
4. Have an organized classroom.
5. BE ORGANIZED!!
6. Go on a REAL date (You know the kind where you get all dressed up and the boy picks you up and you eat or watch a movie or play miniature golf or something. Yeah, i've never been on one of those before...)
7. Plan and save money for a REAL vacation (You know with friends/family and sightseeing and a hotel, plane trip and/or cab ride- I don't really care where either. I'd actually consider going alone with some good books and a camera..)
8. Acknowledge and CELEBRATE every birthday of friends, family or strangers!
9. Pay off my Visa Card.
10. Play on a softball team (Anybody down??)
11. Make a difference in at least ONE person's life in some way.
12. Perform at least 8 Random Acts of Kindness.
13. Put together photo albums of ALL of my pictures.
14. Have a Kick-Ass 25th Birthday Party! All of you are invited!!!!
15. Decrease at least 3 Sizes

REFLECTIONS ON "PRE-REFLECTIONS"

I DID IT! YEAH and on my new salary, that's impressive...
Sort of. It's created but my nutrition plan is maintained!!
In PROGRESS
In PROGRESS
In PROGRESS (come on, you can't be surprised by those 3...)
Still No, but really, it's a non-issue for me. A) I don't have time or money B) I'm hopefully going to be moving away in a year or two to join the USAF C)I'm too damn independent
Yeah, that's not going to happen on this salary. Although I will be going to Michigan in May for Duke's wedding AWESOME!
I think I did that, may have slacked during the summer, but I'm back on track now- sorry if I missed you- Happy Belated Birthday!
Hopefully...........someday
This year for sure- Young Adults? ANYONE? haha
I'd like to think so.......
Unfortunately, didn't happen but I've changed it to work this year
Couldn't afford it, have the albums though..
Um, did I? Oh, I was in Keller- that was pretty kick ass! and I did go to a Ranger's game!
Nope, WILL HAPPEN BY MAY OF THIS YEAR!!

The last one actually brings me to my next thought. I'm in need of a little competition. Not to say that I can't do it on my own, I just think it will be more fun if I have someone to compete with as I prepare to join the air Force. So if anyone would like to compete or if you have any ideas on how to set up my own "biggest loser" sort of thing- comment, email, text, write, whatever. Thanks :)

OH, on a personal note, little announcement: my classes are changing next semester to focus solely on Math. I'm trading my Advance Science class for an 8th grade Pre-Algebra class so that I can help more middle school students in my Math Mastery class. I'm not giving myself anytime to think about the stuff that I was planning to do with the science kids cause- well I'm not a robot and I'll get a little Emotional...I am getting excited about the Math Mastery class though! It'll give me a chance to help some struggling students and I already have all KINDS of ideas- thanks partly to the Math intervention we did at Jones last year. Plus, I've had one kid in there and he's gotten a little lazy. Adding kids in there should help that.

So, I'm halfway through Semester Tests- so far so good- which means I'm almost halfway through my first year at the new school. I've got to say while I miss EVERYONE AT JONES A WHOLE, WHOLE LOT, I feel very blessed. So thanks to all of you who have contributed to that blessed feeling this past year. I know it's been tough for a lot of you. I hope I've helped you as much as you have me. I hope shared blessings are continued with all of us. OKay, I think you guys get the point...there, right? "I love you. I'm thankful for you. I hope you're thankful for me" You'll probably get one more blog before the year is over, just cause I'll be sitting at home for like a week and I don't have enough money to do anything else BUT sit at home but I won't be able to blog in the next ten days so .. Merry Christmas!!!!

Nostalgia

2009-12-02T18:30:00.004-06:00

Hello, I'm sorry that it's already the 2nd of December and I haven't blogged yet! I don't want to keep the readers waiting! I have had a very interesting December already! So let me start by telling you about today!

A couple of weeks ago, our school librarian told me she had been looking through an old Alamo Catholic High School yearbook from the 60's and found an "Elizabeth Pace" and wanted to know if I was related to her. Well I knew that I was named after my grandma, but what I didn't know was that she worked there when my dad and aunt went there. Well, I forgot about it for a while, until today I asked her if I could look at it. It turns out it was from 1968, my dad's senior year and aunt's 8th grade year. So I found one picture of my grandma, a couple of my dad- one of which he is hanging off a horse sideways playing baseball, and a few of my Aunt Mary.

Sorry the pictures aren't that great, but I took them with my iPhone, from a yearbook, so...

Well, the fun didn't stop there today! I was hanging out in the office this afternoon and our superintendent, Bernice Noggler, was in there along with another lady, Darla Mueller, who's helping us with our accreditation. I've talked to Darla a couple of times before cause she's often there in the afternoons when I have an off period- but I'm getting sidetracked, that's not the point of this story. So, as Bernice was leaving she asked me which Pace's I belonged to. I hestitated thinking, "Oh goodness, should I just say I'm not Sam's daughter," but before I could answer she said, "Because we used to have some Pace's over at St. Laurence." I said, "Oh yeah, that's us. Donald and Elizabeth are my grandparents. David is my dad." "Oh yes, I knew them." Well she got a little distracted but I don't meet many people who knew grandma and grandpa so I brought it back around and said, "So you knew my grandma and grandpa?" She said, "Oh yes, I even taught a couple of the Pace's." I named my aunts and uncles and just had to look like a big dork cause I had a huge smile the whole time she was talking. So I explained to her why I was so interested, that grandma had passed away 2 weeks before I was born and grandpa when I was just a year and a half, so I always like to hear things about them. She said "Well, I'll tell you something. If you wanted to know who it was that supported that school (ACHS) and did it well back in those days, people would say the Pace's and (she named a bunch of other names, but I don't remember any of them now- sorry). Those people worked hard to support the school and their children. Not many people do that now, but those people did and your grandma and grandpa were some of those people." (!!!!!!!!!!!!) How cool is that? I always love to hear nice things about my family, and most especially the ones that aren't around anymore.

On to other things, Thanksgiving was pretty good, it was my first "official adult Thanksgiving." The last couple of years we've gone to either Dallas or Houston, so even though I lived on my own, it was unofficial. But this year, since we didn't go anywhere, it was official. It was cool. I know it's not really that big of a deal. I didn't have to stay AT my parents' house, but I got to see them. Oh, except, I let my sister talk me into going shopping on Black Friday. We ended up going to Toys R Us at Midnight which was Madness! Left there after standing in line for 1 and 1/2 hours, to go wait in line at Kohl's so we could be there for their 4 am opening! Which was also madness, people were RUNNING through the store! We left there about 6 am and all went home and went to bed! Did I mention that I hadn't taken a nap all day and my sister worked the Thanksgiving day from about 5:30 am to 7:30 pm? Oh yeah, we were exhausted! Well, when I woke up, I decided to go to Target cause that's where I REALLY wanted to go! And I'm glad I did cause I got almost all of my shopping done after that! Plus it wasn't nearly as crazy nor was I quite as tired!

Well, I don't really have much else to say right now. My next blog will be a few lists that I'm going to share, one of which is a list of ideas for NEXT year's resolution! :)

Have a delightful December! I hope you are staying Warm- wherever you may be :)

TBD

2009-11-16T13:01:00.000-06:00

Hello, everyone! I know what you might be thinking, "Another blog? Already? We just got one??" but it's almost the end of the year and I'm super proud that I've had another year of sticking to at least one of my main resolutions ALL YEAR!! I'm also happy that the resolution has meant staying in closer contact with all of the wonderful people that I am blessed to call my friends and family! (Just in case you didn't know last year's was to send an email at least once a month and this year it was to blog at least once a month, and while I haven't been able to blog EVERY month, It's the eleventh month and this is blog #19 or #20 I think so...it averaged out...)
I have to take just a minute to brag on my students. I took my Advance Science class (Seven 7th and 8th graders) to Texas Tech this weekend to compete in the Math & Science Competition and they represented our school very well! As newcomers to the competition, I knew it would be tough, but out of more than 300 middle and high school kids I had 2-Third Place Ribbons, 1-Fourth place ribbon, and one of my students was part of the 2nd place engineering design team!! It was a great day and it even induced an excellent conversation about college today in class!!
A few of you have asked about how things are going with my whole trek to join the Air Force so I thought I'd give you an update on that. I've lost 10 pounds since I've started, unfortunately my workout program is not what I want it to be, but I'm keeping the eating part in check, which for me really has been the biggest struggle. So I'm proud of that! When I don't have papers to grade or a class to substitute, then I go for a walk around the school. On the AFOQT side of things, the part I'm most worried about is the verbal part so I've added a few free apps on my phone that are vocabulary related. I just decided as I was typing this that I should probably also expand my reading library and start reading other things besides the Twilight books--MAYBE!! :) I've also been playing this stupid game on my iPhone that's helping with the Visual Relationships part, unfortunately it's very addictive, but it's a game that I can practice over and over and keep getting better at it, so I am a nerd and I will.
On another note, I'm getting ready for my first set of semester exams. I'm really nervous for me and my students. I also had to sign up to work Christmas night at the funeral home, which is sad, but it's money so I have to buy Christmas presents somehow right? I also have some shifts covered so that I can go to Austin as soon as school's out! Well, that's really all I have for now. Thanks for reading!

November! Nice!

2009-11-08T21:46:00.000-06:00

I just want to start out by saying that it was really hard to pick a title for this blog, I'm really hoping I come up with something better than "November! Nice!" before I finish typing this thing, but I like for it to be, oh what's the word, where the words start with the same letter, like "Super Sunday" or "Terrific Thursday" anyway, November is a hard month to do that with, I was going to choose narly, until I found out it was actually spelled gnarly...so that left nice...ANYWAY!
Well it's been about a month since I've started my "Air Force" diet, starting two new things at the same time became complicated and I was worried I would bail on the whole thing, so I've really been focusing on the diet and nutrtion part the last couple of weeks, but now I'm ready to get back on track with the excercise. I even made out a work out schedule earlier today. I'm going to start using some of those workout videos that I have, using a different workout each day. I'm also really going to make an effort to continue the walks I take during my conference period at school. My excitement about joining the Air Force, though it hasn't been at full force this whole time, is back at a high point after sharing the news with my dad's godmother, whom I might as well call Grandma Bernetta. I took her to the Umbarger Sausage Festival today so we had some time to talk in the car ride, so I told her. It was really nice to see the look of...pride, I think, on her face. I started thinking alot about Nanny after that- as I usually do during the month of November, with it both being the month of remembering the dead and her birthday. I started wondering what her face would look like when I told her and what kind of things we would talk about. How she would encourage me and give me advice the way no one else could, usually ending with us laughing about something. So, my point, which I have, is that in honor of Guinlyn Ann Stanford, aka Nanny, or my mother's mother, I'm going to kick November's ass- in a really positive great way. I'm getting things done, just this afternoon, that I've been putting off for awhile. I even have plans to have my apartment "shindig-ready" in time for a Christmas gathering of the friends, so be thinking of a date friends. Also each Saturday and/or Sunday I will be training with my iPhone app "Couch to 5K" not sure where or when each time, but anyone in the Amarillo Area is more than welcome to come along with me. Teresa and I had a great time the last time we went. Oh- I almost forgot something. So since my last blog and the big annoucement, I've been doing lots of research on Air Force OTS (duh, I'm a nerd that's what we do, right?) Well, I found an Air Force OTS Forum, where people who are applying, have applied or have completed and their families kind of share their thoughts, ideas, whatever. Well, I've found something out that kind of affects my "plan-ish" that I posted last time. I knew that I had to take the AFOQT and the Fitness Test. I found out that I have to submit a packet of stuff to the Selection Boards, either rated (pilots) or non-rated, including test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement and some other stuff. Well, they only have like so many boards a year and I'd probably have to wait until the Fall non-rated board to submit my stuff, and I've found out that sometimes, after being accepted, people wait like 7-10 months before they actually start OTS, so it's going to be a long process, but as Bernetta said today "It'll be worth it!" So I have quite a few great things on the horizon. I'm taking my Advance Science class to Texas Tech this weekend for a Math/Science/Engineering competition, please pray for us, I'm nervous about that. Next week is the St. Mary's Turkey Dinner and the premiere of New Moon- which for anyone who is laughing at this, because you haven't read the books, shut up and read the books! I haven't met anyone, no matter age, gender or occupation, that hasn't read the books and enjoyed them! So why aren't you enjoying them? Then of course it's Thanksgiving, which may be my favorite Holiday! Combine food, family, friends, football and board games- oh Hell yeah! I'm excited about the end of the semester, cause it means I get to go to Austin and see Betsy!! (which may also include a brief stop in Midland to see my wonderful friends that I miss!) Then it's time for a new year! I can't believe how fast this year has gone! I'm really ready to just knock the crap out of the end of this year, and I hope you know that I mean that in a really positive way!
I just want to end 2009 feeling fine!
[Do you see what I did there? you may need to read that last sentence out loud so you can be in on my little joke :) ]
Thanks for reading! I just want to end on this quick little note: I really hope you all have someone like Nanny in your lives. She was quite possibly the most amazing person I've ever known and I'm not sure if I would be me if I hadn't been her granddaughter (not to take any credit away from mom and dad here, of course). So if you do have a Nanny in your life- the kind of person who makes you laugh when you thought you wanted to cry, even if it means that she is laughing at herself, or can give you advice in a way that you know what you should or want to do, without forcing her opinion on you-take her to lunch or coffee and say Thank you! Well, now, that I've got my crying done for the day, I think I'll sign off! Have a great November! I'm sure you'll hear from me again soon!

It's Finally Friday!!

2009-10-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

So I've decided that today will be the day that I make my announcement!! I've been trying to think of the right time and way to announce it because I'm not really sure how people are going to react to this news. BUT then I decided that I didn't care how people reacted, well I care, it just isn't going to affect my decision. So I'm on week #3 of counting calories and my NEW and improved weight loss plan. I really think that this is the longest I've ever stuck with one. And I think there's good reason for it. I'm going to be doing something MAJOR sometime in the next year.....
I'M JOINING THE AIR FORCE!!!
Yes, I know it may seem odd, but I've been searching for something and I think I've found it! Since I'm trying to get into shape to meet the physical requirements to join, there's just been this peace about me. I don't feel sad, I feel happy and I'm REALLY ENJOYING GETTING INTO SHAPE! I know it's sick how much I enjoy it. Maybe it's cause I'm using apps that I downloaded on my iPhone, but I LOVE COUNTING CALORIES! I love working on my "Couch to 5K" program! I love pushing myself to run until the little man says "Walk Now." I really have forgotten how much I love being healthy cause I've made so many unhealthy choices in the past couple of years. BUT NOW I'M BACK! Plus, most of you know how much I really enjoy computers and technology and MATH!! And I could put all of those skills to use in the air force. I know I'm putting good use of those skills as a teacher but I just feel like I can do more! And so I AM!! Right now, my semi-plan is to hopefully be able to take the AFOQT and physical test sometime between May and early August, depending on how soon I get in shape. I am going to work at Camp Kiwanis again this summer, mostly cause I can and I love it, but also cause it's my TENTH summer to work out there. That's actually one of the hardest things to leave behind. I LOVE CAMP!
I've discussed this with a few people and I've gotten a few questions. I don't know if I'll be joining for 2 years or 4 years or maybe even longer. I know that if possible I would like to get my master's while in the air force, and if I do that then I'll need to join for a longer period of time. What happens after that, I think is the REALLY exciting part. I'm really looking forward to joining the air force and getting to travel and see and experience new things! I think one reason I am announcing this at such an early time is because I need your prayers, cause this is not going to be easy and I just can't do it alone! AND I'M NOT GIVING UP THIS TIME!! I also wanted to give everyone plenty of time to process this, just cause, especially since I just moved back to Amarillo, no one really expects me to make this kind of announcement. The other reason is cause I'll be studying and preparing, both for the physical test and the AFOQT (which is the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test). And I think it'll be easier to announce this all at one time, rather than over and over and over.
Just so you know, I've probably typed this blog, like 4 times, and as I'm typing this one, I'm skeptical to publish it (I've read it 5 times and still haven't published it...) But the same thing happened when I emailed the recruiter and that turned out well. Which if you're wondering, he emailed me a pre-qualifications sheet and I sent it back to him. His response was that my background info looked good, with the exception of my physical info-which I knew and had already told him that I was working on it. So, he said I should study for the AFOQT and let him know when I feel ready to take the tests. :)
ALSO, for all your skeptics, that have seen me start many new programs or talk about doing this or that, this is not something that I'm just going to lose interest in. I'm NOT just TALKING about it. I trained for 2 weeks before I even contacted any one in the air force. I have not signed any papers or anything, but as of right now, this is a goal that I'm very serious about and I would be honored to have your support.
So as usual, thanks for reading! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Save it for your mama...

2009-09-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

It's the end of my lunch break, so I will have to finish this later, but I just want to start by saying "I'M SO HAPPY TO BE TYPING ON A REAL KEYBOARD!!" Okay, so I've been doing lots of thinking. Unfortunately, it's really brought me no real conclusions... I think this may be my "quarter-life crisis"...and I don't really know what that means, LOL! So I decided to look it up on Wikipedia and this is what I found (my fellow quarter-lifers...read closely):

Characteristics of quarter-life crisis may include:
feeling "not good enough" because one can't find a job that is at one's academic/intellectual level
frustration with the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
confusion of identity
insecurity regarding the near future
insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals
insecurity regarding present accomplishments
re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
lack of friendships or romantic relationships, sexual frustration, and involuntary celibacy
disappointment with one's job
nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
tendency to hold stronger opinions
boredom with social interactions
loss of closeness to high school and college friends
financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipatedly high cost of living, etc.)
loneliness, depression and suicide
desire to have children
a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you
frustration with societal ills

So I would say that I agreed with about 92% of those...hmm. In this same article, there's a book mentioned, that I may now have to read before I read the Twilight series again, or finish Harry Potter: Damian Barr's Get It Together: A Guide to Surviving Your Quarterlife Crisis. Now I'm sure some of you post-quarter-lifers, are rolling your eyes, or maybe not, I really don't know, but I'm sure this may be true for alot of people, no matter their age. But IT'S JUST NOT OKAY with me! So there are some lines that I'm going to quote here from the article and comment on:

Nobody wants to admit to feeling like a 'loser'; this secrecy may intensify the problem.- Yeah, It's never really bothered me to admit to feeling like a loser, but for some reason, it does now....

One does not automatically make progress.- I think this is one that bothers me, I LOVED being a student. In fact, I told someone the other day that if I could be a MATH student FOREVER, I WOULD BE HAPPY! You make progress, here, there's no real definitive progress. Sure there's growth, but not like I'm one step closert to a goal, unless you include retirement, which I'M NOWHERE NEAR!

The era when a professional career meant a life of occupational security – thus allowing an individual to proceed to establish an "inner life" – is coming to an end- NO ONE GAVE ME THAT MEMO IN COLLEGE!!! Did you get that memo?

The few graduates that do land decent jobs after graduation usually have to work 15–20 hours per week at a job during college and, because of this, they may end up missing social events that university life has to offer without implementing adequate time management. These students frequently desire romantic relationships but simply do not have the time in college to gain or sustain them. Thus, they may end up with a job after college but long for a romantic partner and feel as unfulfilled as the graduates who have a partner and no job- AMEN! THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY! Luckily I was able to quit my job my last two semesters of college but...by then...I was me and I also was overbooked with homework and events.
.....(end of Wikipedia article quotes)....

So I guess my question is, what now? I mean how do I go back and make up for those 25-30 hours I worked a week during college. How do I "establish an "inner life"? How can I find ways to satisfy my inner-student and lover of learning? Honestly, I really don't feel like a loser. I have amazing friends, and although I see them sporadically, the amount of laughter and fun that we share somewhat makes up for the time in between. I just feel "____________" there's no word to put there, I don't want to say "lost" or "confused" but it's something that feel likes that. It's such an odd emotion that I don't even know what it's called! So I guess until I figure out "my place in this world" (which I really hate saying cause it just sounds CHEESY) I guess I will continue on my path to help make the future generations better, brighter and more creative, innovative and whatever else is needed to continue a prospering planet! I do know THAT much! That helping,
teaching, counseling and laughing with the younger generations is MY MISSION ON THE PLANET! (haha, I feel uber-cheesy right now...) And I LOVE TEACHING, I'm just not sure it's THE WAY that I want to carry out my mission.......I also want to add that this isn't meant to be a pity party or a whine and cheese feast, just thoughts. :)

Outsiders

2009-09-02T21:01:00.000-05:00

So I can't believe that it's been a whole two months since I've bogged but I've been busy plus I'm typing this from my iPhone, so I'm sure it's going to take me a while. But I wanted to give you an update- just in case you haven't heard. So I got a job (thankfully) at holy cross catholic academy here in Amarillo. The interview wasinteresting cause I knew right after the interview that working at this school wa exactly what I was supposed to be doing. It's different from what I've been doing but I really like it. I teach 7-11th graders. My classes are algebra 2 ( a class of 4 & another of 6), algebra 1 a class of 12, 7th & 8th advanced science (10 students but it's fun and REALLY HARD FOR ME to plan lessons for), 7th math class of 12 and a math mastery class which at the moment has one student. But in some ways it's my favorite class cause if you're a teacher I'm sure at some point you've had at least one student that you just thouht if you could work one on one eith him, he'd get it. Well, the steps this student has taking in just the ten days we've been in school are amazing! Plus, I've been playing some of the games I learned with everyday math with him and I think for the first time possibly ever he's having fun in math! I've even asked my principal to order a games kit for us and he's working on it! Something funny that the actress in me misses about fourth grader is audience participation and reaction. I use the kids facial and body language to test how well the lesson is going and some of the students just dut there. But- one thing I'm really excited about, just wish it were working in practice as well as I thought it would be is my homework incentive. I didn't want to give homework passes cause they need practice, so if all of the class does their homework for acweek then they get one night of free odds or free evens. But I just thought maybe they need something more immediate, but I don't know if I want to let them do half each night, but right now there's only one class that's earned it, the class of six sophomores... So I guess I'll have to work on that.
On other news, I also found a fairly cheap apartment that isn't very far from my school, and they're really pretty nice. But I with the help if my family have my stuff moved in, I still have boxes everywhere cause I'm trying to get done more furniture and arrange rooms how I want. But it's mine and I live like three minutes from school, literally, which is amazing!! As soon as everything is ready we will be having dome dirt of celebration.
Oh, to explain the blog title: I became a fan if needtobreathe after buying the soundtrack to ps I live you, I went on to buy most if their songs. Well last Tuesday they had a new cd come out and it's AMAZING!!! like I want you all to go find it and listen to it!!! But it's title is "the outsiders" it's also a song title, but there aren't any songs that I dont like on it. It's classified as rock but it could br classified as many other things too. They have guitars, drums and a banjo! And a unique awesome lead singer!!! Give em a chance!
Well that was my first official blog as a twenty five year old!!! Just because I'm two months late doesn't mean it's any less special! Well if you're a teacher or parent or student, I wish you s fantastic school year. If you're not any of those then, I Hope your year sucks! Jk not really but I do wish you well and I'm glad to have you as a reader! :)

As the Campfire Fades...

2009-07-16T23:11:00.000-05:00

So this may be the last chance I get for a while to blog this month, so I decided to write it on this the last night with campers here at Camp Kiwanis. I've also been inspired by recent events to write this blog, so feel free to comment with agreements and disagreements. I hope I can remember all of my talking points as I write this...

So to give you what may be a little bit of unneccessary background when I leave Camp Kiwanis this Saturday afternoon I will be completing my 9th summer on staff and 17th overall summer. So needless to say, it's a big part of my life! It's come to a point that even though some of the staff that I worked with have gone and moved, I couldn't imagine doing anything else! I remember feeling that way after maybe my 4th summer on staff! My camping experience has also helped me in all areas of life! The most recent being my move from Midland to Amarillo! I'm not sure how many of you have ever packed up and moved on your own-but it's pretty freaking stressful!! Especially when things don't go according to plan! There were several times during the weekend that I was exhausted and worn out and just didn't care! I just wanted to call my mom and say "I know I said I could handle it, but I can't so come down here and help me RIGHT NOW!" But I would immediately talk myself out of it and gave my self, several, peptalks similar to the ones that I give homesick campers! Yes I threw alot of stuff away, and I was completely exhausted by the time I got my car loaded and was ready to drive away! But the sense of pride and accomplishment at the fact that I DID IT!! ME ALL BY MYSELF!! ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING! Not just because "I had to" not because someone was standing there telling me to, but because I KNEW I COULD!! I thought I would completely just crumble into pieces when I started driving but I didn't- and I honestly think that if it weren't for my many years at camp, I would have been able to honestly say that. So that's my story~

The growth that I've seen in the young girls that come out here is something that there really are no words for. Last summer, for example, a large percentage of the staff were either staff that had worked here before or grew up going to camp here- almost all of whom I was their counselor at some point in time! To see the things these children do without their parents judgements or advice is AMAZING! Talking a child onto a horse, off the diving board, teaching her how to shot a bow and arrow and MAKE A BULLSEYE! Lighting a one match fire, using a knife for the first time, helping other campers! Oh, the list could go on but I'll stop there for I think you've got the point! Now on to my next point~

As hard as we've worked, there have unfortunately been 3 children who've gone home before the departure date! All three of the times, if we, the camp staff, had an opportunity to help the child through the initial homesickness, the camper would have made it. There's a certain gleam a camper gets in her eye after being homesick and you can tell that she's going to make it. Unfortunately, the parents didn't even give their child a chance! As a parent (and yes I realize I'm not one so saying is probably much easier than action) I believe it's your responsibility, partially, to help your child gain confidence in themselves. I know there have been times growing up that I would go and complain to mom and dad about something saying I couldn't do it, or didn't want to, and it wasn't an option! I was going to do it, and now because of that I know that if I think it through, look at all sides, and believe in myself- I CAN DO WHATEVER IT IS! I can make smart decisions. I believe that the 3 campers who went home will always have an underlying thought that their parents don't believe they CAN do something. So even though all of these parents thought that they were doing the right thing- IT WAS WRONG!! I mean if the child calls mom in November of their Freshman year in College and says, "mom I can't do this. it's too hard." even if the mom says to stay, the campers not really going to believe that she can do it! Now, some of you may think that I'm stretching this, but I'M NOT!! Camping can be SUCH an important part of childhood. If you're going to say, camp life may not be for everyone~ you may be right, but you'll never know if you don't even try!!

I'll now put my soapbox away until another parent does something stupid! :)

My bologna has a first name

2009-06-22T20:53:00.000-05:00

Well, June's almost over, so I figured you were all "jonesing" for a new blog from me. And before I go on, will someone please tell me that they've heard that phrase before "jonesing or jonsing" well brilliant me decided to just google it...and it's slang, but here's what "urbandictionary.com" says "jonesing: craving; wanting I'm jonesing for some sushi. " so at least now I know i'm not crazy...well at least not because of that word. ANYWHO! The summer's been pretty good so far. I've realized in the past few days that I'm like a grown up now! That's kinda crazy! It's different this summer for another reason too: my friend Oscar, aka Betsy, isn't here. I've worked at camp since 2001, and Oscar and I have worked together since 2002. Two years ago, Oscar was just here part-time, but she was still at least here part time, and last summer we both stayed in the same cabin. Now, here's the grown up in me talking cause I'm okay with it, I'm not like over emotional or anything like I was when Socks or Neon left. And I'm having a great time at camp. But summer is like the MAIN time of year that I hang out with Oscar, I'm pretty sure we've hung out like EVERY 4th of July since like 2003 or so! AND NOW SHE'S IN AUSTIN! :( I don't know how to explain it, but here's a video from last summer (please excuse the profanity- nobody said we were perfect) When I took this video, we both laughed for about a good 15-20 minutes, and I crack up every time I watch it....but just for all you visual learners out there...

I'm not sure if that really helps explain anything, but I think it's funny!

Oh, on to the next subject! I HAD MY FIRST "REAL" INTERVIEW THIS MORNING!! I know!! IT'S EXCITING!! I went to a regional job fair on the 12th and talked with a local district, Pampa ISD, and gave them my resume and had a nice, short conversation with the recruiter. Well, before I even had a chance to put my application in, the high school principal called me! So I went this morning for a job interview with the math dept head and both of the asst principals, as well as the principal. It wasn't a brilliant interview, but for me it wasn't awful either- and I've had some awful ones! So they have another person to interview like next week or something so they said I should here from them in a couple of weeks or so! For people unfamiliar with Texas Panhandle-Pampa is a town about 45 minutes away from Amarillo. So I'm really glad I have some time to think about it. Yes IT'S MUCH CLOSER THAN MIDLAND, but it's still not in AMARILLO! Or even Canyon...I don't know. I'm just not sure if I want to live in Pampa, yeah I can come to town, but if I come for a weekend or something, I'll still have to stay with my parents......BUT I think it could be a really neat opportunity!! IN CASE YOU CAN'T TELL, I COULD USE A FEW PRAYERS, although I know most of you are already helping me with that! Well, I better get back to work....or playing farkle...haha..anyways! THANKS FOR READING

Until Next Time!

i know, i know...

2009-05-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

So as I'm sure most of you know I'm currently [attempting to] pack up all of my belongings and move on home to Amarillo. And yes in true Lizzy fashion, I'm procrastinating! But considering this morning I only had one box packed and I now have 8 boxes packed-I'd have to say I'm doing pretty good. I have the living room almost completely done, just a few blankets and things. My bedroom is complicated; I'm trying to pack for 2 occassions: Moving and Camp. So I've been a little distracted in there, but I do have 3 boxes of clothes packed. I'm avoiding the dining room, aka the computer room because it's the place that most of my junk has found its home. The kitchen will be easier so I'm saving it for the end. I have more than when I moved down here cause obviously I've purchased quite a bit of stuff in the past 2 years. Plus I'm feeling like an ultra pack rat, I'm afraid that my mind is not in the right place to throw things away so I just haven't thrown anything away, with the exception of actual trash. Of course there's still my classroom, but I have 18 wonderful helpers in my room that get to help me :) And they're actually really excited to help me!

I'm sure many of you are wondering how the job hunt is going and so far I'm an official candidate for Amarillo ISD, so I have a feeling that I'll be sending around some emails or making some phone calls to schools and principals to see what my options are. Please say an extra prayer or two to help me find a job. My goal is to have a job before camp is over, that way I can move out. If I don't have a job, I'll have to stay with mom and dad!!! So maybe say four extra prayers for me, LOL. Well, this will probably be my last blog until after camp starts so I hope you have a wonderful end of the school year (for those in school) and a FABULOUS SUMMER!

Have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Oh, and let me know what's going on with you guys. I talk and talk and talk....so say something, make a comment or send me an email or something-OH

And OF COURSE, there is this neat thing called the "postal system" and people out at Girl Scout Camp are BIG FANS OF IT. So send some mail and help a girl scout-she writes back :)

Teddy Pace

802 N. Girl Scout Road

Amarillo, Tx

79124

I'll be at camp June 1st through July 18th

sum-sum-summertime

2009-05-05T22:20:00.000-05:00

So there are lots of things that are kind of good news/bad news right now. I guess it just depends on who you are, where you live and how much of "me" you can really..tolerate. In a short 24 days, I will be moving out of my apartment and classroom. I ordered some boxes from uhaul and they got here yesterday and I'm excited but also not, because that means that now I have to actually pack cause I have no excuse! I'm not looking forward to it, but I think I also need to make a plan, along with a list or two so I know exactly what I'm packing and where and how and stuff. Mostly cause I have school Saturday morning, I have to be out of my apartment on Saturday and camp starts on Monday morning! Yeah! Fun times right!?! I really wish there was a way that I could teach at my school and not be so far away from my friends and family. I know there's probably a few Jones STARS reading this right now- and YOU'RE AWESOME!! You have been my second family and I hope that we are friends for a VERY LONG time! I expect invitations to all weddings, baptisms and bah mitzvahs. Your attendance is required should there ever be any sort of event that I have...not sure what that might be, but I'll let you know! :)
I don't remember being THIS ready for summer! I was thinking about it earlier this evening and sometimes I just wish I could stay at girl scout camp year round. I really feel like that's where I'm my best, my happiest, my healthiest, the most confident. I mean I guess it's like wanting to stay at a retreat but I guess after 8 years of working at camp, it just becomes a part of you! Of course that's not even including the years I went as a camper. I just really can't believe that more parents today don't send their daughters to camp. There's just something, especially these days, about being around a bunch of girls and not worrying about what boy likes who or who you like or what outfit you're not wearing. It's funny to have parents out at camp with their kids, especially if you've ever had that kid alone at camp. You should see the things the kids do without mom or dad right there, but as soon as mom is in sight-BOOP that's it! They like shutdown. It's one of the most surreal things ever. I don't know, I didn't mean for this to be a lecture about camp, but I just didn't want to write about packing cause that would mean I would have to know what I was talking about!! I know there's a few things this summer that I should see you Amarilloans at, and as for you Midlanders- I will be visiting and facebooking and myspacing, but if you're EVER up North...well :) you know where to find me!

I thought it meant important

2009-04-19T22:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I think I have just had one of the best weekends in this apartment that I've EVER had! I think that's fitting considering it's one of my last; well, there's like 6 more but at least 3 of those I won't be here. It started during the school day on Friday. I was just generally in a really fantastic mood AND I still have ALL of my text books!! (Last year a few were misplaced and my intern was not happy with me. So this was A BIG DEAL TO ME)

It continued with Friday night and a new hair color. I've had LOTS of new hair colors, but I like this one. I think it makes me look older, but in a good way. Maybe mature is the right word, I don't know. On to Saturday, where it started with some good old fabulous Saturday school. Okay, so it wasn't really THAT fabulous, but I think it gave us a really good idea of what we still need to work on before the TAKS. I was really tired when I got back from school, but it was SUCH A BEAUTIFUL day outside that I couldn't waste it. So I went for a walk, even jogged a bit, got some sun. Then came back and sat on my patio and read for a few hours, watched some movies. I went to sleep feeling a bit exhausted but also quite content.

Unfortunately this morning I did not accomplish much. I made it up to school this afternoon to do some grading and I brainstormed some review stuff for this week. Then I came home and just HAD to take a walk again. So since it was already on the dark side, I took a different route, staying on Midkiff. I HAD SUCH A FANTASTIC WALK!! I think I have found the PERFECT song to jog/run to: Misery Business by Paramore. OH MY! I just feel so AWESOME! I mean the songs worked out perfect, I ended on two Kris Allen songs!

Anyways- that was my weekend. I'm now going to get ready for bed. Thanks for reading! I hope you all have a FANTASTIC WEEK! If you have students/children that you're getting ready for TAKS then I'm sending you lots of well wishes! Just let them know how AWESOME they are and let them know that YOU KNOW that they can do ANYTHING!

simple times

2009-04-08T22:46:00.000-05:00

So thankfully, this has been a short week, although it has been a pretty long, short week. After Spring Break I went out and got an antenna so I could actually WATCH TV. And it's been fun, although I really only have like 3 channels, its fun. What do I really need with a hundred channels?? But every night at like 9 I think, this show comes on CW that I can't decide if I like or not. I think it's growing on me. It's called "Style By Jury" and I'm not sure how many people actually watch it, but i'll explain so you can at least understand where I'm coming from. It's kinda like "Extreme Makeover" (not HOME) without the heart really. Every episode I have seen has some "youth-challenged, unstylish" woman with LOW self-esteem, who think they're auditioning for a makeover show, and they have a jury hidden behind a mirror. They jury pretty much MURDERALIZE the people, saying the first thing that comes to mind, without any thought for feelings. I've watched it about 3 or 4 times and only the one tonight has NOT cried when hearing what the jury says. I really just don't like that, but today I watched an episode that is changing my mind. This 42 year-old Personal Trainer came on wearing baggy sweats with gray roots. Her makeover was REALLY neat, she had so much confidence at the end that it made me realize that the show had a purpose, however self-serving it is. I just don't like the begining, it's like they want to make sure that you REALLY FEEL LIKE CRAP before the makeover so you can feel REALLY GREAT afterwards. So I'll let you know what my final decision is about the show after a few more episodes.
I'm getting really nervous about the TAKS test. I'm just not sure about so many of them. There's only 12 more class days until the TAKS TEST!!! I mean GEEZ!!! We're taking a practice test tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes. We're going to have a Saturday school next weekend too, plus all the after school tutorials. I just felt ALOT better about my kids last year, of course that didn't turn out as well as it could have so I JUST DON'T KNOW!! The kids just seem so laid back and not concerned, even after they get a low test score back. So just pray for them, and me! Well, I guess i should like pack and clean and stuff so that I can go home tomorrow as soon as tutorials are over... HAVE A HOPPY EASTER WEEKEND!!

beautiful mess

2009-03-28T12:53:00.000-05:00

So, I've been meaning to blog for a while, but I've actually been busy-in a very good, EXCELLENT WAY! And since I'm in SUCH a great mood and my spirits are so high, I decided to blog this way I can come back and read this from time to time to remember this feeling. (wow that's a REALLY long sentence.) Anyway, so I went home for Spring Break and I really think it was just the boost I needed. I didn't get to see ALL of my friends, which was a bummer, but I got to relax and hang out and have fun. I got to go to the zoo with my sister, her husband and their kids! I really like going pretty much anywhere with those kids, seeing things through their eyes is just so..cool! Oh I also bought the Twilight DVD at Midnight with my sister! That was fun, just cause she's way more nerdier than I am-yes it's actually possible! So even though it was a little embarrassing, it's not anything I'm not used to. So I'll have some pictures of spring break coming up pretty soon.

So as most of you know, I bought a bicycle a few weeks ago. Well at the end of the spring break, my mother and I made a pact. We've done this several times, but this feels different; it IS different! For one thing, I've found the perfect solution for my procrastination. well, ok, it's not perfect but it's a solution: I need small goals. I then can use those small goals to find out when the final result will be, but it works for me. For example, my apartment: I hate cleaning which is no secret to pretty much anyone. But this week I set small goals, one room per night and in some cases, parts of that room in one night and the room divided into two nights. And now, yes, I still have a few finishing touches on my apartment- it is definitely MUCH cleaner than before! It's so awesome to come home to a clean apartment. Well, that's what I've done with my mother! I figured it up and there are 4 months until my 25th birthday, which means, 16 weeks (there's actually a little less cause the 25th was this week, but you get the point.) If I lose 2 pounds a week, that's 32 pounds by my birthday! That's not even including the amount of weight that I normally lose in the summer (less stress, less snacks). I think that in the past, I've set very unrealistic expectations and have expected big losses each week and then I get disappointed and have given up! BUT NOT THIS TIME! All I did this week was rode my bike one night, walked one night and only had 2 Dr. pepper's ALL WEEK! And I LOST 3.2 POUNDS!! Plus we got paid today and I made it the WHOLE MONTH on my budget!! AHHH! That's SO AWESOME! I'm not really one to toot my own horn very often, okay maybe that's not completely true, but I try not to. I just had to write this blog so that in a week or month or year or ten years from now, when things aren't going as great as they are right now, I can remember that I CAN DO IT! Also you should take this as inspiration. I mean, if I can clean my apartment then you should be able to do pretty much anything FOR SURE!

I also just wanted to share something else with you guys. My motivation-inspiration got its start when James let me borrow Prince Caspian. Yes I had seen it already, but I don't know, there was something about it along with the music this time that just kicked me into gear. I also have been listening to the new Jason Mraz CD, which if you haven't listened to...well DO IT! It's SOO GOOD! One song has kind of stood out as my favorite, parts of it I can really relate to and it's actually the title of my blog. The other song is the last song from Prince Caspian. So Enjoy the songs! I had to add them, cause sometimes I really do feel like "Music is my boyfriend" Have a Happy WEEKEND!
Only 43 school days left- WOW! THAT'S NOT ALOT!

Beautiful Mess by Jason Mraz-he wrote this about me;)

The Call from Prince Caspian

spring happenings

2009-03-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

So It's a blistery Wednesday evening here in my second floor apartment. Unfortunately, the weather is supposed to be bad and my hopes are rising. I'm hoping for a delay in school, and I don't think it's going to happen. Which I'll get over, it would just be REALLY great if it happened. I'm really excited about a few things happening. Spring Break starts in like 2 days!! WOOHOO! like 42 HOURS LEFT! Plus I have 3 guitar hero's to play now: GH3, World Tour, and Aerosmith. If you haven't played World Tour, OMG!! You can make your own character, I made a rock star that LOOKS LIKE me, or at least sorta. Plus I will get to see ALL of my friends in Amarillo over spring break- AT LEAST I BETTER! THIS IS YOUR WARNING! Which actually brings me to my next piece of news that I've decided to officially announce with bittersweetness. (is that a word?) I have decided that I am going to move back to Amarillo at the end of this school year. My first 2 years of teaching has been such an experience, and I think it's mostly due to the fact that my fellow teachers (and clerk and intern) are SO AMAZING!! So I hope that you're reading this because you guys have been my second family! Unfortunately, my Amarillo family are missing out on the wonderfulness that is ME in their life. I also don't think that you've been able to see the truly wonderful me while away from them. Because you Amarillo family (friends, family and others) have made me who I am and I have to pay you back some how :) THANK GOODNESS FOR THE INTERNET! So all my Midland family is not rid of me completely :) With Canyon opening 2 new elementary schools this Fall, my chances of becoming a Canyon employee have increased from like 2% to maybe like 20%, which is about as good as it's going to get. So please pray for me for that. To my Midland family, well, thank you soo much! I don't know that each of you really realize how important you are to me. If I had ended up anywhere else, I would be typing this from a dark corner curled up in the fetal position, so thanks for keeping my sanity in check and putting up with me when it wasn't :)

you know you would

2009-03-09T00:06:00.001-05:00

Mix CD
I make a mix CD for all occassions: break-ups, birthdays, graduations, random days. I think Music is one of the best ways of expressing emotions!

Dr. Pepper (or other soda of choice)
Often over seas, they don't have drinks like they do here in the states. At least, I know some countries don't have dr. pepper.

Gossip Magazine
Who wouldn't want to hear all the gossip garbage?

cookies
Either homemade or girl scout cookies or other cookies of their choice, cookies just make you feel like your at home again...

pictures
It's nice to have pictures of friends, family while you're away from home.

All for one!

2009-03-01T21:56:00.000-06:00

It's another boring, unproductive, lazy sunday night here in my apartment. Just finished watching "man in the iron mask" and it just reminds me of those early happy days when Leo DiCaprio was the BOMB! Like as long as you were watching a movie with Leo in it, the world was right...or was that just me and my sister!! LOL
So Andrea has talked me into getting a "twitter" account. Luckily it doesn't appear to have a whole lot of stuff to do just status updates, which I REALLY like!! I'm a BIG NERD when it comes to status updates. And apparently, according to neon, they're pretty amusing. So if you have a twitter account or if you make one, come find me: http://twitter.com/teddyzzil (yeah so original I know...)
Last week was....INTERESTING. I got to go home for 3 and 1/2 days. Had lunch with my mom and sister on Friday which was REALLY fun. Took my brother out for our annual birthday tradition thing. OH by the way before that, I bought a bike, new TV, 3 books, 3 movies, A NEW IPOD NANO! and guitar hero aerosmith. It was my little valentine's present to myself...but back to my trip. It didn't really turn out as planned, as most of the things I plan don't, and I didn't get to see one SINGLE friend!! AT ALL!! I missed you guys! But I'll be there for at least the weekend before and after spring break!
Well, the credits to Man in the Iron Mask are almost over so I better figure out what movie I'm going to watch next before going to bed! Tomorrow's college shirt day and Tuesday my kiddos take the Writing TAKS test- be thinking about them!! It's going to be tough!!
10 more days until SPRING BREAK!! WAHOO!!!!

Hey Mr. Postman!

2009-02-13T21:55:00.000-06:00

So here I am on a Friday night, just back from a little "pre-shopping" shopping trip. My tax return was deposited today and I have plans, small-ish plans, but plans nonetheless. I'm going to buy a bicycle, for one thing! I LOVED riding my bike when I was kid. I was furious with my mom when she got rid of mine when I was like 15 or something, even though it was old and not really working. I always talked about getting one, especially when I was at Tech. Riding my bike to class just looked like so much fun. And now that I am READY to get into shape, I think bike riding is going to be AWESOME. I also talked about getting a small digital TV, but a nameless-evil friend has talked me into getting a bigger one and while at Target, I noticed that there was a 32" LCD TV for only $449!! That's not too shabby. So I'll make a list tonight and do some more pre-shopping tomorrow and by Sunday or Monday, I'll have both purchased-I hope. So here I am, drinking my rum and diet dr. pepper (i told you I was trying to get into shape) which also reminds me that while I have some extra money I should go to the liquor store.

Oh so another reason for the Friday-night blog is a thought occured to me today on the drive home and while I was shopping. I have helped many-a-couples with their ups and downs and even just sat back and observed (in a completely not-stalking manner) relationships, successful or unsuccessful. I have given advice, sat and listened, been the buffer or excuse or whatever to quite a few others. Yet nothing for me. It's like being a post-man for 15 years and not receiving a single piece of mail. ( I just made that analogy up, and I have to say it's a pretty damn good one!) I'm baffled as to why, I mean (and I'm going to stick with the postman analogy for a bit, just cause it makes me sound a little less pathetic in my opinion) its not like I'm not writing any letters. I love writing letters! (which I actually do!) Yet all I do is help other people write letters to each other without anyone writing me... so maybe (this is the thought that I had) maybe I'm just supposed to help people write letters. And a part of me is actually okay with that.

Well, hopefully I have a very productive weekend. Have tests to grade (eek) classroom to clean and rearrange, apartment to clean and products to shop for and purchase! So I'm going to enjoy my diet dp and rum and the movies that I just picked up from blockbuster and hopefully have a VERY PRODUCTIVE WEEKEND!!

one down

2009-02-08T18:40:00.000-06:00

Well January is officially over. Yeah, I'm late, whatever. what's new? Just so you realize how much this blog means to me- i wanted you to know that this is the first time that I'm attempting to type with my hurt pinkie. So January was interesting to say the least. I don't know if it's just here, but the kids acted a fool pretty much the whole month! So let me get to the things that I'm likely to forget as I continue to type. I got to go see George W. and Laura Bush in their welcome home party here in Midland! So cool! So I made an unscheduled trip to Amarillo last weekend and surprised the family. That was fun! I got to go to one of Bobby's basketball games before the season ended so that was nice. It was a game at the North Y, and there must be something about that Y, cause just about every game that I've been to over there I have seen Speedo watching Wesley play. About halfway through bobby's game on Saturday, Wesley, Speedo, Mr. Speedo, and Lilly walked in the gym. I got a big hug from Wesley and Lilly. This next part will only mean something to those who know him, but after giving me a hug, Wesley asked me if I would stay and watch his game. So of course I stayed and got to chat, but I just thought it was soo..neat that Wesley asked me to stay and watch! The other neat thing about last weekend was that while I was at my parent's house I was completely inspired and worked LIKE CRAZY! It was nice.
Then February started.....
Monday and Tuesday went by okay, I was really glad to hear that I didn't really miss a lot by not watching the super bowl. Then Wednesday came around! My students earned an extra recess and so I took them outside to play. A few students were playing football and wanted me to toss the ball with them. (is that even the correct terminology?) A ball was thrown short and bounced right into my pinkie, which has happened a few times before, but like 2 hours later it still hurt, especially after coach tried to pop it back into place unsuccessfully!! So now it's like this purple color, but I'm at least able to somewhat use it today. I just hope I don't regret how much I've used it today. Anywho- This weekend was the CSC auction, which, for those of you non-CSCers, is an annual fundraiser-dance-dinner-auction for the Catholic Student Center at WT of which I was an active participant in during my time there. So this is my second one to attend as an alumni and it was quite fantastic. I wasn't sure about it, but my girls were there and we renewed our annual playground-chat-ritual. I got to talk and hang out with people I hadn't seen in a while and some new people that I had never met before. One unfortunate part was that I haven't gone dancing in a while, so I was going a little crazy and I had several people ask how much I'd had to drink-which wasn't a little, but not a lot either. But whatever-dancing is not to look pretty, it's for having fun.
I also think that the auction gave me just the boost that I needed to make it 25 more school days until Spring Break!!! Plus I'll be back for my brother's birthday on the 22nd! He'll be 12 years old! Oh and he sent me this video this afternoon, which I so gladly added to YouTube- you should check it out! Bobby
Thanks for reading and just so you know, i had to stop typing with my pinkie cause it hurt, so this took A WHILE to type-and NO I'm not being dramatic- just informative! :)

Afternoon with Deloris

2009-01-18T16:04:00.000-06:00

So, I'm surprised that I have something to write about today, but I felt inspired to blog! I went to Sonic to get a bite to eat. It's such a nice day so I stayed there to eat my lunch. Then I decided to take a little drive around town, I don't get to just drive a whole lot, unless I'm driving to and from Amarillo. So with my iPod turned up and my window rolled down, I took in the sites of Midland. I'm not really sure what it was about driving around that had me thinking about stuff, but I started thinking. I just started thinking about how my life doesn't really suck that much. So I guess I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who contribute to my life not sucking. I appreciate it and I hope that sometime I have helped or will help your life not suck as much! :)

it's my party

2009-01-11T01:06:00.000-06:00

I officially survived my first week back at a new semester. I was skeptical a few times, but I made it!! YEAA!! I really do love my fourth graders. They're so much fun! This week we were talking about science and some one asked if there was an ozone, and another student said "Well, I know there's an autozone." I couldn't help but laugh, it was so funny!
I woke up this morning with grand intentions of cleaning/reorganizing my apartment. I have a stack of newspapers from my subscription that I just never read. The only day I read the paper is Sunday and all the others from like a month and half are just sitting here. Unfortunately today turned into a very lazy Saturday!! I watched some movies on TV, played around on the internet, met a pizza delivery man from Canyon [we had like an actual conversation it was wierd, but he was old- so whatever you were thinking just stop :)] That's okay though, tomorrow I'll have more to do, which actually increases the chances of more things getting done. I'm moving my computer out of the middle of the room since I'm getting new internet! I'm really excited! I'm cancelling my cable and I'm switching my internet to AT&T! I get all of these rebates, plus GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR for free!! Plus, it has wireless andit plugs into the phone line which is in a place that my computer and it's cords don't have to hang out in the middle of my hallway anymore. And another bonus, I won't be wasting as much money!
Ooh! I almost forgot another piece of cool news. On January 20th, we get an early release date, but that's not even the most exciting part. President Bush is coming to Midland for some sort of something. I don't care what your opinion about the President is, any opportunity to meet him would be pretty cool. I don't know any other information yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I know more.
I'm sure some of you have heard me and my sister and some of my friends and even my MOM talk about our twilight obsession and if you haven't read the books, you absolutely should. Now, I know what you're thinking cause I thought the same thing this summer! There was NO way I was going to read a love story about a vampire??!?? Come on! But at one of our family dinners Cassi would not shut up about it, so for the sake of sister bonding- I read it! Í wasn't that into the first one, but as I kept reading it got better! I ended up reading all four books in a week and a half!! I've since convinced at least 3 or 4 friends to read it, oh and Mom too! So if you haven't read it yet, DO IT NOW!! :) I personally just read the whole series for the third time over this last break :)
Well I've spent alot of time this week thinking about where I went to be this time in 2010 and what kind of things I want to do this year.... Unfortunately I haven't come up with much!! LOL I do know that I want to take some sort of road trip or trip. Now yes I did travel this year, but I also traveled solo and met people there. Plus I didn't really save up and plan and stuff. I want to go on a trip like that some time during this year. I think some of the Pace's are planning a cruise to Alaska, and I hope that I get to go too. :) :) Other than that, I don't have many insights into this new year for me! I guess we'll just have to see what happens. Last year was....interesting. I don't want interesting this year! I want AWESOME!
So here's to an Awesome 2009!
Until next time :)

Away We Go!

2009-01-08T23:17:00.000-06:00

So, I've always been a big fan of the blogging on Myspace. But only Myspacers can read those. so this way everyone will be blessed with awesome stylings of me! Yeah, I know you're excited. That's why you're here! Well, whether you're a friend from facebook, myspace or a friend or family member who just want to know what's going on. Thanks for reading. I'm trying to keep it short for this first entry! My new year's resolution this year is to keep in touch with everyone more, no matter where I live or where you live or how I know you. So I think this is a really good way to do that. Plus I think that this way you can all see what everyone has to say about whatever it is that I have to say.. did that sound kind of redundant to anyone else?? ok. Well. Again, thanks for reading! I'll probably post a longer one later this weekend, just kind of wanted to get started..
Until next time :)