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... :)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Out with the old, in with the new.
2011 has held quite a few life changing events.
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| *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.
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| *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! :)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tomorrow...
funny how tomorrow always comes.
Whether we are not wanting today to end, or the day couldn't have ended fast enough. Tomorrow is always a new day and will always be there. This is something I remind myself of constantly - even when the tomorrows don't seem as though they are going to be great.
This school year has been rough. Really rough. All of the "tomorrows" of this past semester have been rough. Going to bed each night just to peel myself out of bed has at times seemed utterly impossible. However, I have done it. And, I think it's been worth it.
The other day, one of my students asked me, "Miss Stayer, why do you wake up every morning and come to school if you know we are just going to be terrible acting again??" (Quite ironic the student who chose to ask me this...) I had to take this as one of those famous "teachable moments". I replied to this rather attention-needy student, "I tell you every day _______ to never give up and to always focus and do your best. Would I be teaching you anything with my actions if I didn't practice what I preach?" With that he replied, "You're right, Miss Stayer, but we're so stubborn and won't listen!" (**As this conversation is going on, students are running around the classroom rather loudly**) I then replied, "Yes, but what you don't know is that we (the class and I) are perfect for each other because I am MUCH more stubborn than you and that means I will always win!!!"
This conversation reminded me that even though it's hard for me to find the good things in each day, there are students who notice even if they don't say something each day. I started giving my class a compliment at the end of each subject with something they did well together. Most of the time the class doesn't listen/even know I am giving a compliment, but I knew it had made a difference to one student when she asked me about it today. She said, "Miss Stayer, you have been forgetting to give us our compliments!" She didn't say it in a mean, conceited way. Rather, I just believe she is one who thrives on positive feedback and wants to know that her and her classmates good work is not going unnoticed.
Just like my teaching through my actions is not going unnoticed to everyone.
Tomorrow is a new day and quickly on its way!
Whether we are not wanting today to end, or the day couldn't have ended fast enough. Tomorrow is always a new day and will always be there. This is something I remind myself of constantly - even when the tomorrows don't seem as though they are going to be great.
This school year has been rough. Really rough. All of the "tomorrows" of this past semester have been rough. Going to bed each night just to peel myself out of bed has at times seemed utterly impossible. However, I have done it. And, I think it's been worth it.
The other day, one of my students asked me, "Miss Stayer, why do you wake up every morning and come to school if you know we are just going to be terrible acting again??" (Quite ironic the student who chose to ask me this...) I had to take this as one of those famous "teachable moments". I replied to this rather attention-needy student, "I tell you every day _______ to never give up and to always focus and do your best. Would I be teaching you anything with my actions if I didn't practice what I preach?" With that he replied, "You're right, Miss Stayer, but we're so stubborn and won't listen!" (**As this conversation is going on, students are running around the classroom rather loudly**) I then replied, "Yes, but what you don't know is that we (the class and I) are perfect for each other because I am MUCH more stubborn than you and that means I will always win!!!"
This conversation reminded me that even though it's hard for me to find the good things in each day, there are students who notice even if they don't say something each day. I started giving my class a compliment at the end of each subject with something they did well together. Most of the time the class doesn't listen/even know I am giving a compliment, but I knew it had made a difference to one student when she asked me about it today. She said, "Miss Stayer, you have been forgetting to give us our compliments!" She didn't say it in a mean, conceited way. Rather, I just believe she is one who thrives on positive feedback and wants to know that her and her classmates good work is not going unnoticed.
Just like my teaching through my actions is not going unnoticed to everyone.
Tomorrow is a new day and quickly on its way!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Well Hello, Long Lost Friend.
It's been a while. I realize it.
As I've searched my brain weekly for something blog-worthy to share, nothing has really popped up. The most exciting thing I've been doing these past few weeks (besides my well deserved, restful spring break) is soaking in the hoops known as March Madness. I've never been so enthralled with this tournament like I was this year, and I'm pretty sure it's because I actually filled out a bracket.
And WON! (even though it was torn to shreds in the Elite Eight)
Other than that...my spring break has been filled with planning in the classroom in order to finish out these next 9 weeks of school as well as doing some much needed wedding planning. Things are falling into place; flowers, invitations, decorations. You name it, it's at least made it onto my "to do" list. :)
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