Reflection

I've got a lot of blog ideas floating in my head, some that I think are pretty cool and that I have a lot of pictures for, but I've been working nonstop for the past few days, so I'm stealing something from Lynsey over at her blog, Read. Write. Create.

Lynsey wrote and shared some journaling prompts to reflect on the past year. So, without further ado, here they are:

1. What word best represents the year 2011? Is it a word you chose in advance, like the “One Little Word” project, or did the word “find” you during this past year? Why does this word represent this past year, and what did you learn in relationship to the word during 2011?

2. At the end of 2012, which word would you like to be able to say represented the year for you? Why do you want that word to represent your year? What actions can you take to make that happen?

3. Which 2011 accomplishment are you most proud of? Why are you proud of that accomplishment? Can you build upon that accomplishment in 2012? If so, how will you do so?

4. Did you go anywhere new in 2011? Where was it - a new grocery store, a vacation spot, a new class, a new website? Describe this new place.

5. Where do you want to go in 2012? Is it a vacation spot, a new direction in your work or hobby, a new restaurant, or something else? Describe where you want to go. Tell us why you want to go there. How could you - or your creative life - benefit from going somewhere new?

6. What held you back from achieving your goals in 2011? How can you make sure it doesn’t stop you in 2012?

7. What are your goals for 2012? What are your obligations in 2012? How can you mesh the two of these together?

I work out

Trying to blog on my computer, but it's boycotting me.

This post is to say I've started working out and it actually feels good. Weird, huh?

I've been sick, but have been to the gym every day since returning from Wolf Ridge (post on that later).

My favorite thing about the gym is that it lets me deal with my emotions in a healthy way. For example, today I exercised out of anger. My entire workout was dedicated to this guy who stopped calling and texting me when, after he made a joke, I told him I would not be sleeping with him. Guys kind of suck.

But at least my ass is getting tighter.

For Mature Audiences Only

The other day at work I was looking up craft projects to make with or for the science class I teach when I came across this sweet brain hat.

It looked fairly easy and pretty cheap on the website, but I had never bought caulk before so I had no idea if it was going to be expensive and stop me from creating these sweet hats. Being 22 (almost 23!) means that I don't own a house or anything else that requires purchasing and using caulk, so I decided to ask a real grown-up.

After school, I sought out my supervisor who I have a really good relationship with. She supports me in all of my crazy ideas and lets me grow as an educator in so many ways. KO, my supervisor, was sitting at her desk when I asked her how much cock was....

Yep, I didn't realize that the right way to say caulk is, well, so it doesn't sound like a guy's business. KO stared at me for a minute, started laughing, and told me she's never had to pay for it before, so she didn't know.

Then she graciously pointed out my mistake, and the next 3 people who came in got a chuckle as she retold the story.

I still don't really know how to say caulk properly, so I'm just going to go to Menards and ask for that white stuff you squirt around your bathtub.

Wolf Ridge

Next week I'll be braving a seven-hour drive, in a yellow bus, with roughly 140 seventh graders, to spend a week away from GF. No, I'm not a glutton for punishment, it's just time for Wolf Ridge.

What's Wolf Ridge? Wolfy, as one of my students has so lovingly renamed it, is an Environmental Learning Camp. While away from home, my kids and I will get to learn about nature, do a ropes course, rock climb, learn winter survival, and a bunch of other neat things to expand their minds and comfort zones.

I'm really excited to go, albeit a little nervous. My camera is cracked from an unfortunate dropping on Halloween, so I'm hoping it's up to the task of working and surviving the week with me. I plan on taking a bunch of pictures so it better hold up.

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to the trip is that I remember when I got to go ten years ago, when I was just an overexcited seventh grader. I remember staying up too late with the people I naively thought I'd be best friends forever with. I remember sneaking food to our dorm and having our chaperone look the other way. I remember reaching the top of the rock wall and kissing this stuffed goat (who evidently still resides there and people still kiss him...wonder if he'll remember me?). There are so many fond memories that I'm excited to relive it and be there to support my kids as they make lasting memories on their own.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I'm experimenting a little bit with the background of the blog, along with fonts, and other things that I never really have time to do. I'm going to try and make one, or find a cool one on the internet, but for right now, I'm just messing around with different blogger options, so please be patient.

Season of Giving

So far I've been keeping up with my seasonal generosity. I've bought donuts for my kids, made my kids treats, decorated their door secretly and helped other teacher's with minor things. I've grabbed a name off of the giving tree, but have yet to shop for it. Anyway, know that I'm keeping up with my goal, and my kids seem to like me better. Now here's a picture of their door.

Day 1 of Giving

Today is December 1st, so it's also my first day of giving. I decided to start with something small and do it right way so I could get the ball rolling.

My tiny thing of giving today was purchasing breakfast for the person behind me in line. It was small, quick, and, whatever they ordered, was surprisingly cheap. Maybe it didn't make that much of a difference in their day, or life, but it made me feel good to surprise someone at 7:30am.

My plan for the next few days:

Dec 2- Decorate my kid's door at school without their knowledge so they come in surprised on Monday.

Dec 3- It's my first Christmas party (for all of the Special Ed team at my school), so I'm trying to think of something to do. I know that I have to bring a dish, but I'm thinking about bringing something extra for the woman who's having us at her home.

Dec 4- This one will be tricky. I work at the group home from 7:30-3 and then at the Buckle from 3-7:30, so there isn't a lot of time to do something. Maybe I can bake at the group home. I could also maybe bake on Friday or Saturday and bring those treats to the Buckle.

Dec 5- This is the day my kids will see their door! The first few days of this week are going to be crazy because it's going to be school, and then immediately after, going to the Buckle for a few hours. I think there's a meeting I can attend on this day for volunteering on a "communication" board. I have to listen to my voicemail again, but if it's on this day, I'm counting it.

I'll post more ideas as I plan them out.