Be Mine

I have a "sweet" spot for Valentine's Day as Hallmark continually suckers me in every year. With the right attitude, it can be a warm and fuzzy feeling type of day. After all, it's hard to go wrong on a day dedicated to kissing and chocolate.

Will's valentine treat was an office full of red and pink, a couple sappy crafts, and post it notes. He received nothing of use, but much love. After doing a little snooping on his Amazon account I was convinced I was getting a label maker. I don't know what's worse... my excitement for a label maker or believing that was what he came up with for Valentine's. Either way- my detective skills are apparently lacking as I looked over the stylish yoga mat bag he ordered. I now have all the bells and whistles when going to yoga class, but have yet to touch my toes. I'm now the girl with the cutest mat, tote, and pants, doing all the stretch "modifications". You've got to set yourself up for success though. Am I right?

This year, I reached a new personal best of having 21 Valentines. Although I went home from school sick and missed the Valentine's Day party, I thoroughly enjoyed going through all the kiddos Valentine's later on. They came up with some pretty cute cards and did not disappoint on building up my candy stash.

Like Riding a Bike

Contrary to what I have been told and what seems to be the experience of others, getting back on skis certainly is not similar to getting back on a bike. Unless, of course, getting back on a bike means a couple face plants and tumbling feet over head. You may have already assumed this was my experience last week. It didn't help that while enduring the awkward - public- struggle of getting back up with a wooden plank strapped to one foot, a ten year old helped me retrieve the other ski and both lost poles. So naturally, I was about to pull a "mom" (Dixie) and began trudging up the hill with skis in hand, watery eyes, convinced that I would be parking myself in the Chateau for the day where I was warm and safe, free from humility and danger. However, along comes my 2 year old niece and brother-in-law to reassure me that I can safely spend the day snow plowing and Lissy (Yes, the 2 year old) could show me how. How can I refuse such a sweet offer? It's an auntie's role to sacrifice dignity and hot chocolate after all.
Why did my husband not teach me you ask? There is an understanding of how the Cousins teach things and Will did not disappoint. Their technique is quite simply- after saying "Oh it's easy! Just watch!" They (Will) proceeds to do it perfectly and you are left with no clue as to what is going on, but are left with eyes on you, waiting for a reciprocation. I need it broken down into steps people. Small steps.

So, after some snow plowing lessons and getting a little confidence back, we had a good day on the slopes with our friends Jay and Tess. I may have been a little sub-par, but I kept up with the rest of them either snowplowing or skiing on my butt down the black diamond. Tess tried to convince me that she was terrible, but when her goal turned to the backwards ski...there was no foolin'. I don't think I will wait 6 years before getting back on skis again.

Major #3

Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education have me busy; but my third major has been the most demanding by far. My major in Procrastination has very extensive requirements such as maintaining a 4.0 in time wasting and constant professional development to keep up with the new, more unproductive ways to procrastinate.
Currently, the focus of this field is useless applications on one's ipad or iphone. The latest one that I have been using for the majority of my time wasting practice sessions is the app. "Instagram". It's basically an app. that lets people pretend they are up and coming photographers. I am currently getting an A+ in this form of procrastination. Here are the results of my studies:

To Be a Kid

The first couple weeks of student teaching have entailed some hard reality checks. It turns out that if I plan the way I've have been taught for the last 4 years, I will not sleep, eat, talk, walk, smile, etc. Also, mother nature has thrown a few more curve balls in there by prompting snow days, so it's just all a scheduler's nightmare. While this has been a hard adjustment to make and entails relearning teacher planning, I have had countless chances to be reminded of why I got myself into this spreadsheet-plan mess in the first place. A child's joyous, carefree, honest spirit is something that lasts for only a short period of time and can never again be attained. Isn't that something? I think God had a fantastic plan when making kids. He not only made it a very special, unique time, but added the endearing qualities that are so necessary for helping adults keep their patience when that one kid just won't shut up. :) Of course, sometimes the endearing qualities are simply not enough to remain patient and that's when you have to rewind, and remember what being a 2nd grader was all about. Snow days were like Christmas, time tests instigated panic, recess really should've constituted as a "favorite subject", you were immune to the cold in 5 degree temperature, and you may have confused the bathroom as a playground once or twice. It's both necessary to remember the mentality of a 2nd grader and appreciate it. It's such a sweet time in life and more often than not, I'm jealous of their outlook on things.

Will and I (and friends) were excited little 2nd graders while we went night sledding down the town's old ski slope. We not only remembered to appreciate the child-like spirit, but thoroughly enjoyed feeling like kids again. Of course, you can't fully get that child bravery back so I'm sure when I was 7, I didn't yell "We're going to die" all the way down or opt for a face full of snow just so I could bail early; but I still laughed my head off in a snow bank, forgetting about the snow in my boots and the cold in my hands.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I can see it. I don't always remember that I can see it, and I wish it would shine a little brighter some days. But the light at the end of the long tunnel called "college" has been turned on. Week one of student teaching is nearing the end, and although there's been some panic and moments of overreaction - I think I'm going to make it through. I may bookmark this entry to keep reminding myself the light is on and I will make it there :).

(One of the) first days of student teaching. AKA my very last semester as a student.

Repurposed

Old ties...new lampshade.

Aiden and the Machine

Artist: Florence and the Machine
Track: Dog Days Are Over
Back-up dancer, rocker, air drummer/guitarist featured: Aiden Baby