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)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Chalk dust
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!! :)
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!! :)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Supersillious Spring
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!!
www.marchforbabies.org/teddyzzil
thank you!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
To be Decided....
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. :)
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. :)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Two-for-one!
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!
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!
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