back on track

1st week of classes = done. I love the craziness, business, and overwhelming-ness of the first week. I tend to start out being a little bit overwhelmed in the beginning, but then things slowly start to become more manageable, week by week. There definitely is a "buzz" in the hall, people happy to be back with their friends.

Blocks seems like it's going to be good, I will be getting TONS of great experience in the schools and with kids, literally half a semester. That's super exciting! I find out next week where and with what age I will be placed in Stillwater, I requested 2nd or 3rd grade. We'll see... The days so far have seemed long, but I'm thinking it's because it's the first week, the syllabus-type orientation structure of classes, getting used to a different schedule, etc. It's nice to finally be getting to the fun stuff, so it seems. Enough of the gen ed's and boring readings from textbooks.

It's my first weekend of duty for the semester. Nice and relaxing... Way to ease into the semester.

The Japan interview is February 23rd, so that'll be coming up quickly! I discovered kickboxing this week too, man did it kick my booty! My arms were a bit sore this morning. I will be participating in Yoga, Zumba, and Kickboxing this semester. Sounds pretty intense, but lots of fun. Also went to a Self Defense program last night. Learned a lot, it's not at all about strength, it's all about being smart. Very informational and fun!

Tang update: all is well, I sort of accidentally starved the poor fish the first day or so. (Story behind it, Angie told me that if fish are overfed they will eat and eat and eat, and eventually die. I was way scared that this would happen, so I just gave him a tiny little pinch, the size of his eye, or so they say.) Well, I learned that he needs to eat a little bit more than that, but he's doing great now. Happy fish, he even followed my finger around the tank yesterday, awesome! I feel like a proud mom :)

The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.
- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Here we go...

Spring semester starts tomorrow. Tomorrow! Can't believe it. It's always that same feeling, the excitement, anticipation, what to wear the first day, who is in your classes, "getting organized" again, etc. All that jazz. I'm sure I'll be way tired the rest of the week, but I like getting back into the swing of things and having a "normal" routine again. Had a fairly productive day today, I guess you could say. Bought a goldfish, named him Tang, organized my folders, notebooks, planners, and hung up pictures. Happy first day of class to whoever starts tomorrow!

as J-term comes to an end...

So I've been thinking about society and money lately. Today, embarrassing enough to say, I watched Jersey Shore. Very dumb, but I watched it. Probably lost a few brain cells, but you know... It shocks me beyond belief that these people on this ridiculous show get millions of dollars to be told what to do and make fools of them selves for it. Yep, if they quit their jobs tomorrow, they'll be set for life, and get publicity and attention for it! Completely set for life.. I understand that there are always things behind the scenes that are unknown, or provoke "so and so," or maybe being a TV star really is "harder than it looks," but really!?! Things are the way they are because it's what society wants and is interested in, at least some of it.

Of course there are some shows that others think are pointless, but I like. (The Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, Next Food Network Star, etc.) Yeah, it's all opinion I guess, but I wouldn't mind going without some shows.

Besides my little rant, this week has been great! Had lunch/dinner dates with a few friends, the cousins, and grandma, did a little bit of shopping, ran a few errands (eye appointment, etc.) and have done some cooking, baking, and cleaning around the house for Morgan's high school dance. Cuddled with the dogs, and have gotten my fix of the Food Network (we don't get it at school, so it's pretty much what I watch when I'm home).

P.S.- I wish airfares weren't so high! UGH! Seriously! I was hoping to be going to Florida for Spring Break, but prices are like $400-$450 without extra costs, baggage, etc added in. Man oh man, cannot afford that. Bummer :( What to do now...? Oh, the options... fun stuff around the cities, wait and look at airfares like the week before and hope they're way cheaper, Wisconsin Dells, Chicago, chill and do nothing, duty, hmmm, we'll see about that?

I love the snow, but having a compact car isn't always the best with the winter. Pretty much spun out today, luckily nobody was around. I am a pretty cautious driver, so I was just a tiny bit startled, but it was fine. I don't think I could count how many times my dad tells me "It's icy, driver very slowly!" every week. What can you do... fathers know best!

"When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels."

sleep tight!

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

I think that I have just begun to realize how lucky and greatful I am for what I have. I am happy with where I am and what I have to look forward to. To be in college, have fabulous friends and family, have the opportunities, and experiences that I have to learn from. The list goes on and on.

I get to observe in a 1st grade classroom tomorrow, and I can't even begin to explain how excited I am! Love it :) I'm going to see Little Fockers and half-off apps tonight. Should be a good time with the girls! Also, I might work on my scrapbook. Yep, for those of you who are curious, it still is my "Senior Scrapbook." Yikes! It's time to finish that darn thing and move on to something else! Cross your fingers that I finish it sometime soon. Goodness! Friday, we're going out for the anniversary of my mom donating her kidney to my grandpa ha. Northland Inn, delicious, you should try it sometime ;) I think it's been 3 years? Wow, time flies!

Some "New Years Resolutions," I guess you could call them... A new chance to start fresh and set some goals...

1. Take more pictures!
2. Not worry about the "little things," life goes on and it always ends up working out in the end .
3. Appreciate the "little things," don't assume you know someone's "story," the only way you find out is by asking :)
4. Do some more cooking and baking. Try to get over my fear of touching raw meat. Better get over that soon, or I'll end up being a vegetarian some day, which is not necessarily what I want. Being on a meal plan, it doesn't give you much of an excuse to cook, but it's lots of fun.
5. Pay more attention to the news. In the summers and in High School, I would watch the news or read the paper nearly every day. I feel somewhat "out of the loop" at school because I just don't make the time for it I guess? We'll work on that.
6. Chill, relax, and have fun!

I'm hoping to go on this 6 week Japan trip this summer! I will find out more information once spring semester starts. http://www.uwrf.edu/GlobalConnections/GuyHealyJapan.cfm How cool of an experience would that be, seriously!?

Have a good chilly rest of the day, warm up with some cocoa or tea, yum!