My husband has informed me that I have neglected this blog for far too long...and I felt it was time for an update. Nothing too exciting, so don't get your hopes up!
While most people think of going somewhere fabulous and sunny over spring break, I have done the opposite.
I am lucky enough to be on a balanced schedule at my school where we get 2 weeks off for spring break. I have seriously spent the last week on my couch only moving to load the dishwasher, get something else to eat, or find the remote to turn it from one lame reality tv show to the next. I am also not ashamed.
Hopefully, some pictures of some pinterest crafts I've been dreaming up will be coming soon...
This next week doesn't contain much more for me than the last. A roadtrip with a good friend for a few days and some time with the family. That's about it.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
WARNING - this post contains ranting!
I am tired.
Literally.
But more than that, I am tired of people constantly having an opinion about my profession.
I am a teacher.
I work HARD.
I work with other teachers who love their students and work just as hard (if not harder).
I spend more time at school than with my own husband.
Nay, I spend more time with my students than with my own husband.
I DO care.
I DO put their needs first.
I have to parent, love, care for, doctor, referee, and discipline children. All while being judged about doing MY job correctly.
Let's live by the saying I am constantly chanting at my children: When you have yourself figured out and perfected, THEN you may worry what anyone else is doing. Until YOU are perfect - you don't get a say.
If you think you can do it better, please, come to room 110 and give it a try.
Literally.
But more than that, I am tired of people constantly having an opinion about my profession.
I am a teacher.
I work HARD.
I work with other teachers who love their students and work just as hard (if not harder).
I spend more time at school than with my own husband.
Nay, I spend more time with my students than with my own husband.
I DO care.
I DO put their needs first.
I have to parent, love, care for, doctor, referee, and discipline children. All while being judged about doing MY job correctly.
Let's live by the saying I am constantly chanting at my children: When you have yourself figured out and perfected, THEN you may worry what anyone else is doing. Until YOU are perfect - you don't get a say.
If you think you can do it better, please, come to room 110 and give it a try.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Let's be realistic, now...
Being realistic, logical, or thinking through my actions entirely are not things that I excel at. Luckily, my financial analyst, always-logical, constantly-thinking-ahead (but also in a band?) husband is the exact opposite of me. If only you knew how many times in the past 5 1/2 months I've heard, "Tara, you didn't quite think that one through did you??"....
I'm not one to set "resolutions" for the new year. I tried one year and by February had completely forgotten what it was I had resolved to do. Therefore, I was not about to hop on the "2012 will be the BEST year EVA" train or the "I'm going to be in the BEST shape of my life" bandwagon. Let's face it: the first time I meet a Hershey's bar this year, that baby's gonna win my soul over.
However, the husband and I have tried to set a goal of accomplishing something this year together that improves our physical fitness. Whether it's going for a walk in the sunshine, playing some ultimate frisbee, or just going for a bike ride on the Monon, it's our goal to spend time together doing something we enjoy.
The inspiration for tonight's blog comes from the fact that yesterday we started just that - togetherness.
January 1: Pilates. We found some free pilates instruction videos on our On Demand portion of Comcast. Needless to say, at one point we were both lying on the living room floor dying of laughter as we watched each other attempt to look like the instructor.
January 2: Gym. Our apartment complex has a gym that I had never been in the presence of....until tonight. Needless to say, the 16 minutes I spend on that treadmill was the most running/fast walking I have done in a looooong time. It felt really good, though, to be up and moving around. We are hoping to set our goals for a 5K walk/run in Indy sometime in the future.
In conclusion, here's to keeping our goals alive and spending the time together... :)
I'm not one to set "resolutions" for the new year. I tried one year and by February had completely forgotten what it was I had resolved to do. Therefore, I was not about to hop on the "2012 will be the BEST year EVA" train or the "I'm going to be in the BEST shape of my life" bandwagon. Let's face it: the first time I meet a Hershey's bar this year, that baby's gonna win my soul over.
However, the husband and I have tried to set a goal of accomplishing something this year together that improves our physical fitness. Whether it's going for a walk in the sunshine, playing some ultimate frisbee, or just going for a bike ride on the Monon, it's our goal to spend time together doing something we enjoy.
The inspiration for tonight's blog comes from the fact that yesterday we started just that - togetherness.
January 1: Pilates. We found some free pilates instruction videos on our On Demand portion of Comcast. Needless to say, at one point we were both lying on the living room floor dying of laughter as we watched each other attempt to look like the instructor.
January 2: Gym. Our apartment complex has a gym that I had never been in the presence of....until tonight. Needless to say, the 16 minutes I spend on that treadmill was the most running/fast walking I have done in a looooong time. It felt really good, though, to be up and moving around. We are hoping to set our goals for a 5K walk/run in Indy sometime in the future.
In conclusion, here's to keeping our goals alive and spending the time together... :)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Out with the old, in with the new.
2011 has held quite a few life changing events.
 |
| *my classroom before I got to decorate* |
I spent the next 6 months preparing for one of the largest events of my life: marrying my best friend.
 |
| *snapshot from our beautiful day* (Marah Grant Photography) |
July 16, 2011 was the best day of my life, and the last 5 1/2 months have been more and more wonderful as each day passes.
August brought the new school year. New strategies for teaching, new friends, and new determination. I feel that I have grown so much as an educator this year. I am so much more confident in myself!
September has made me almost a quarter of a century old. 24. When did this all happen!?
November and December brought me and my husband to our first year of celebrating the holidays together. It was wonderful to be with each of our families and get to spend that time together as a family of 2.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Family...whether you want them or not!
Family.
That has always been a word that has meant a lot to me. I grew up in a town where I was surrounded by my ENTIRE family. Literally. I never missed a birthday of a parent, sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle or grandparent. I never missed that impromptu trip to Fort Wayne for a shopping spree. I was always there when grandma just "popped in" to say hello.
Until I left for college.
Then, slowly but surely, things began to change. I began missing on things due to the fact I was now 2 hours away from home or because I was busy doing schoolwork.
Eventually, I got married and began my own family. Even though I am only 3 hours away - which is completely do-able for a weekend visit - it's just long enough to make the drive a hassle. It's funny how your family can get on your nerves and you want to be far, far away....until they are no longer at a fingertips' length.
In a nutshell....I miss them. While I love my husband and the little life we have made, I miss my other family as well. One thing I can be completely grateful for is the fact that I have married into a wonderful family that I not only consider my "in-laws" but also my FAMILY.
As I was pondering this post, I was thinking what the word "family" actually means. I came to the conclusion that just because someone isn't related to you biologically or by marriage it doesn't mean they aren't FAMILY. My teacher friends at school are my family (most of the time I see them more than my own husband!). My college friends are my family. Family members are the people you love, respect, and can't wait to spend time with - no matter the result of any DNA test you would take.
In conclusion, to all of my family out there - THANK YOU. I love you and the support you continually give to me.
That has always been a word that has meant a lot to me. I grew up in a town where I was surrounded by my ENTIRE family. Literally. I never missed a birthday of a parent, sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle or grandparent. I never missed that impromptu trip to Fort Wayne for a shopping spree. I was always there when grandma just "popped in" to say hello.
Until I left for college.
Then, slowly but surely, things began to change. I began missing on things due to the fact I was now 2 hours away from home or because I was busy doing schoolwork.
Eventually, I got married and began my own family. Even though I am only 3 hours away - which is completely do-able for a weekend visit - it's just long enough to make the drive a hassle. It's funny how your family can get on your nerves and you want to be far, far away....until they are no longer at a fingertips' length.
In a nutshell....I miss them. While I love my husband and the little life we have made, I miss my other family as well. One thing I can be completely grateful for is the fact that I have married into a wonderful family that I not only consider my "in-laws" but also my FAMILY.
As I was pondering this post, I was thinking what the word "family" actually means. I came to the conclusion that just because someone isn't related to you biologically or by marriage it doesn't mean they aren't FAMILY. My teacher friends at school are my family (most of the time I see them more than my own husband!). My college friends are my family. Family members are the people you love, respect, and can't wait to spend time with - no matter the result of any DNA test you would take.
In conclusion, to all of my family out there - THANK YOU. I love you and the support you continually give to me.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Fall Break...
Fall break is something that I am fortunate enough to have last two entire blissful weeks! Just enough time to relax, drive myself nuts from the quietness of my house, read for enjoyment, read professional books and STILL have time to spend time with family and friends!
Here are a few of the things I've been enjoying this week...
How nice to actually have time to read things to improve my classroom and then have the time AND energy to apply them!!
Here are a few of the things I've been enjoying this week...
How nice to actually have time to read things to improve my classroom and then have the time AND energy to apply them!!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Oh the times, they are a changin'...
Wow. So much has happened in the 5 months I have fully neglected this blog.
First of all - marriage. We got MARRIED!! It's been fabulous and he is more understanding, helpful and caring than I ever deserve.
Here's just a snapshot from our beautiful day:
Secondly, I am beginning what I will call my second year of teaching. I am absolutely in love with my class this year. They are the perfect blend of innocent while still questioning the things around them. I have loved getting to know them over the past nine weeks and getting to interact and laugh with them. I can't tell you how many times I've had to stop in the middle of sentences just to break down in laughter. It sure makes the days easier when you know that's what you're walking into each morning. I also love the challenges they present me with. I have been able to stretch myself already so much as an educator and feel like I am (hopefully) making that difference that I strive to make.
I love the people I work with and the bonds and relationships we have formed. I'm not quite sure how I could make it through the long weeks without them there to laugh and cry with!
Finally, after next week I am starting my long awaited 2 week fall break. This week has been absolutely crazy busy and I only anticipate it to get crazier with a whirlwind trip to Cleveland to attend my brother-in-law's wedding. I'm eager to find time to rest, get caught up for the next 9 weeks and just spend some time with the husband! :)
First of all - marriage. We got MARRIED!! It's been fabulous and he is more understanding, helpful and caring than I ever deserve.
Here's just a snapshot from our beautiful day:
Secondly, I am beginning what I will call my second year of teaching. I am absolutely in love with my class this year. They are the perfect blend of innocent while still questioning the things around them. I have loved getting to know them over the past nine weeks and getting to interact and laugh with them. I can't tell you how many times I've had to stop in the middle of sentences just to break down in laughter. It sure makes the days easier when you know that's what you're walking into each morning. I also love the challenges they present me with. I have been able to stretch myself already so much as an educator and feel like I am (hopefully) making that difference that I strive to make.
I love the people I work with and the bonds and relationships we have formed. I'm not quite sure how I could make it through the long weeks without them there to laugh and cry with!
Finally, after next week I am starting my long awaited 2 week fall break. This week has been absolutely crazy busy and I only anticipate it to get crazier with a whirlwind trip to Cleveland to attend my brother-in-law's wedding. I'm eager to find time to rest, get caught up for the next 9 weeks and just spend some time with the husband! :)
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