Wednesday. The past couple of days have been hectic & the next couple are going to be even more so. This whole working full-time & being enrolled in grad school is no joke! That’s why, despite how insanely busy I’ve been, I’ve carved out a little ‘me time’ in the last couple days. Yesterday’s ‘me-time’ came in the form of yoga. Today was for a run. It was my first run in a good couple months. It felt amazing. Even though I’ve been stressed out with everything going on, I’m so glad I’ve made it a priority to set aside that time the past couple of days. I needed it. My kids would tell you I needed it. If I’m being honest, I was a tad bit snappy with my kiddos today [not that they didn’t deserve it, but still] & I hate when I get like that with them. A good run always helps me clear my head & let go of all the stress & tension. Now I’m off to do some homework… it never ends.
Being Responsible. I’ve come to a point in my life where I really need to get with the whole responsible adult thing. I need to start making wiser decisions both financially & personally. The thing is, being responsible is usually the less fun option. It sucks, but it has to be done. This next weekend I’m making a responsible choice. I’m extremely bummed about missing out on a trip that I really want to go on, but I know that right now the responsible thing to do is save the money rather than blow it on a weekend trip. So, here’s to being responsible…
Weekend Happenings. Gorgeous weather. Crawfish & clams on the water. Waking up to the cutest puppy face. Spending some necessary time on homework. How I Met Your Mother [I’m slightly extremely obsessed and can’t believe I just now gave this show a shot!]. Tookie’s Burgers. The Beyonce concert, I mean Super Bowl. Country Music. Sundresses & sandals. Enjoying Springtime in February.
The AFSP Out of the Darkness Overnight walk will be held in Washington, DC this year and I wish more than anything I could go! Two years ago, mama, baby sister, my cousin, and I all walked in honor of my dad. It was the most incredible experience. Being surrounded by so many people who have experienced the same kind of loss that we have was indescribable. I definitely plan on doing it again in the future, but unfortunately, this year just won’t be happening. If you are interested in the Overnight, and what it’s all about, here’s a letter from AFSP’s Executive Director:
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to announce that AFSP will be holding its 2013 national walk for suicide prevention—the Out of the Darkness Overnight—in Washington, DC, on June 1–2.
The Overnight is like no other walk. It’s a 16-mile journey through the night, from dusk until dawn. This powerful walk brings together people who have lost a loved one to suicide, people who struggle with depression or suicidal behavior, and their family and friends, as well as advocates, mental health professionals and others who care deeply about preventing this tragic loss of life. They all join together to raise awareness, raise funds for research and programs, and to break the silence.
If you walked in the Overnight before, I hope you will return and walk in Washington. If you haven’t walked in the Overnight, I hope you will consider joining us in June in the nation’s capital. What an important statement it will make to have thousands walk in Washington, DC, the site of the very first Overnight in 2002, and to bring national attention to our cause. Join us on June 1.
If you register by February 26 you will receive a special $25 registration fee (a 50% savings). To receive this special offer, use the promotional code AFSP13 online at TheOvernight.org or call 1-888-843-6837.
In the not so distant past suicide was poorly understood and rarely talked about. Then, suicide was a secret; now suicide is seen as a major public health problem—and its prevention is becoming a priority for our nation. Your involvement is making this possible. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Robert Gebbia
AFSP Executive Director
Friday. This week has been a busy one. Between grad school & work, I’ve been go, go, go. Last night I decided to take a night off from school work, and meet a friend for sushi, wine, & girl talk. It was exactly what I needed. And although this week was a hectic one, there were little things throughout the week that made it enjoyable: treating myself to fresh flowers, a sweet drawing from one of my students, Mason willing me to be done with my homework so I could give him attention, & coming in this morning to find out that I got “Exceeds Expectations” on my annual appraisal!! What a perfect way to start my Friday!
Thursday. The picture above gives you an idea of what I’m in store for today. Bins full of rhythm instruments [woodblocks, triangles, guiros, maracas, and sound shapes] that will be handed out to my little ones throughout the day. I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’ll have a massive headache by the time I head home today. And guess what I’ll be doing tomorrow? The exact same lesson with different kids. These are the pitfalls of being an elementary music teacher. Weekend, please get here quickly!
Wednesday. Today is going to be another busy day, but I feel much better today than I did yesterday. After running around like a crazy person yesterday, I had a moment to sit back and relax. It was a short moment, but it was better than nothing. In that moment I had some time to really think about the place I’m in right now. I realized that I’m in a really good place. I’m really happy with my life the way it is. Sure, it’s been hard to juggle my work life, school life, and social life, but I’m doing it. I’ve had a few hiccups a long the way, but it’s a learning curve. I’m slowly figuring out how to balance it all. I’m also in a place where I’m not over-thinking anything. If you know me at all, you know that I’m a champion of over-thinking. For me to be able to sit back and just let things happen the way they’re going to happen is a HUGE accomplishment. It’s taken a lot of the stress & worry out of life and lets me just enjoy it. I wouldn’t say that things in my life are exactly how I want them forever, but they’re exactly how I need them for now. It’s a nice feeling.
Little Things. Today might have been [still is, actually] an extremely hectic and stressful day, but a little bit of thoughtful artwork from one of my kids sure brightened my mood. It’s the little things y’all!
Tuesday. Woke up this morning feeling completely overwhelmed. I’m a little behind with my school work (ugh…) and my work-out routine has been non-existent for the past week. I’ve let the dishes pile up in the sink and have a huge pile of clean laundry that needs to be folded and put away. At work, a new second grade teacher was added yesterday because the class sizes were HUGE. We’ve known she was being added since before Christmas, but because of all the technicalities of adding a class mid-year, she was just approved by the board and the classes were divided yesterday. Which means in the middle of the school year my schedules, seating charts, class lists, and such are all changing for that grade level. It’s nothing big, but it’s still extra work that I normally would not have to worry about at this point in the year. So it looks like today is going to be one busy day for me. Lots to do. Hopefully I’ll have enough time to get it all done, so that I can wake up feeling a little lot better tomorrow morning.
Weekend Happenings. Sleeping in. Lunch on the water. 70 degree weather. A little bit of shopping. Karaoke. Excitement for my cousin who found her dream wedding dress. Episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Puppy cuddles.
While it’s snowing in other parts of the country, we’re having a pretty warm day. I may have just heard an ice cream truck… In January?!?
Friday. Every Friday at 3:30, I promptly rip the band-aids off my wrists & put my nose ring back in. For two days, I get to walk around band-aid free with a little bling in my nose, and I love it. I know that part of my dress code is to have all tattoos covered and I can have no visible piercings. I also knew when I got my wrists tattooed that I would have to cover them in professional settings, but that doesn’t stop me from hating it when I have to cover them EVERY SINGLE MORNING. I look like I tried to slit my wrists which is not a good look for anybody. Needless to say, I look forward to the weekends (and summer) because it’s my chance to live free of the band-aids. For that reason alone, 3:30 on a Friday is a highlight of my week. I know that’s probably a little silly, but it’s the truth.
Today. My principal left this on my desk after my appraisal. It’s not the official results, obviously, but still nice to hear. Now I just wait for the official results…
Also, I found out that one of my fourth graders wrote a paper about me. Last week, the fourth graders took a mock STAAR Writing Exam. STAAR is our standardized test here in Texas, and I can’t even begin to explain how much it bugs me that they picked an acronym that is a misspelled word [ugh!!], and I won’t even get into how I feel about said test. Anyway, the kids were asked to write about someone that inspires them and one of my boys wrote about me. I can’t put into words how that makes me feel. When his homeroom teacher told me, I teared up a little bit. It’s an amazing feeling to know that what I do everyday matters to someone. He may not remember my name in ten years, but right now, today, I inspire him and that’s pretty cool.
A Little About Me. I’ve had a burst of new followers this week. I thought I’d tell y’all a few things about me, so that you know who you’re following. Some of it might even be new info to those of you who have been following along for a while, but a lot of it isn’t.
- I have two Boston Terriers, Bailey & Mason, and a cat named Kennedy. They are my furry babies, and I talk to them all the time like they can actually talk back. I think that makes me a crazy animal lady, and I’m okay with that.
- I teach elementary music & most days I love my job. I’m also currently in grad school for educational counseling. It’s been tough juggling work & school and trying to fit a social life in there somewhere, but so far I’m doing okay.
- I am a born & raised Texas girl, but I spent my college years in Lamoni, Iowa. Those years were a wonderful experience for me. I lived a small town life & experienced some of the coldest winters ever. I’m very proud of my Iowa connection and will sing the praises of that state for the rest of my life.
- I love Broadway musicals. It’s not abnormal to hear a song from Rent, Wicked, Les Mis, Mamma Mia… [the list goes on] pop up on my ipod shuffle mix.
- I am extremely close to my mama & baby sister. We have always been a close family, but we became a million times closer when my father passed five years ago. They are the two people I love the most in this world, and I talk about them often here.
- I’m thinking of starting a wedding singing business on the side of my full-time job. That’s really not true, but I have been asked to sing in several weddings, and I joke around about making a living from it with my co-workers.
- My all-time favorite food is a cheeseburger. I could eat them all day, everyday.
- I am a huge Harry Potter nerd, and I have no shame about it. I’ve read the books several times & even have a lightning bolt incorporated into a tattoo.
- I have gone to summer church camps since I was 3, and still go at 28. My church does the typical church camps for kids that start at third grade and go through high school, but they also do a family camp. It’s the best thing ever, and some of my best memories & friendships have come from there.
- I battle with depression. It is a daily struggle, but I’m pretty honest and open about it which I think has been a huge help.
- I truly believe that Disney World is the happiest place on earth and would gladly go now & always!!!
![Wednesday. The past couple of days have been hectic & the next couple are going to be even more so. This whole working full-time & being enrolled in grad school is no joke! That’s why, despite how insanely busy I’ve been, I’ve carved out a little ‘me time’ in the last couple days. Yesterday’s ‘me-time’ came in the form of yoga. Today was for a run. It was my first run in a good couple months. It felt amazing. Even though I’ve been stressed out with everything going on, I’m so glad I’ve made it a priority to set aside that time the past couple of days. I needed it. My kids would tell you I needed it. If I’m being honest, I was a tad bit snappy with my kiddos today [not that they didn’t deserve it, but still] & I hate when I get like that with them. A good run always helps me clear my head & let go of all the stress & tension. Now I’m off to do some homework… it never ends.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/576dcab67ee8426360d7193c1cf0e342/tumblr_mhtneaD13z1qe8l24o1_500.jpg)
![Weekend Happenings. Gorgeous weather. Crawfish & clams on the water. Waking up to the cutest puppy face. Spending some necessary time on homework. How I Met Your Mother [I’m slightly extremely obsessed and can’t believe I just now gave this show a shot!]. Tookie’s Burgers. The Beyonce concert, I mean Super Bowl. Country Music. Sundresses & sandals. Enjoying Springtime in February.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/b82452e130985a605da0bbb6b6ba3d97/tumblr_mhp6rpVTU91qe8l24o1_500.jpg)
![Thursday. The picture above gives you an idea of what I’m in store for today. Bins full of rhythm instruments [woodblocks, triangles, guiros, maracas, and sound shapes] that will be handed out to my little ones throughout the day. I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’ll have a massive headache by the time I head home today. And guess what I’ll be doing tomorrow? The exact same lesson with different kids. These are the pitfalls of being an elementary music teacher. Weekend, please get here quickly!](http://24.media.tumblr.com/c62e6746bbc0425eaa86fb0f0aa1c5a4/tumblr_mhhtglDiFW1qe8l24o1_500.jpg)
![Little Things. Today might have been [still is, actually] an extremely hectic and stressful day, but a little bit of thoughtful artwork from one of my kids sure brightened my mood. It’s the little things y’all!](http://25.media.tumblr.com/b56dfdf05325c9784c5200f8cbbb10e5/tumblr_mheuv9rIT31qe8l24o1_500.jpg)
![Today. My principal left this on my desk after my appraisal. It’s not the official results, obviously, but still nice to hear. Now I just wait for the official results…
Also, I found out that one of my fourth graders wrote a paper about me. Last week, the fourth graders took a mock STAAR Writing Exam. STAAR is our standardized test here in Texas, and I can’t even begin to explain how much it bugs me that they picked an acronym that is a misspelled word [ugh!!], and I won’t even get into how I feel about said test. Anyway, the kids were asked to write about someone that inspires them and one of my boys wrote about me. I can’t put into words how that makes me feel. When his homeroom teacher told me, I teared up a little bit. It’s an amazing feeling to know that what I do everyday matters to someone. He may not remember my name in ten years, but right now, today, I inspire him and that’s pretty cool.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/03849cd4fc9e2a31da8c9a6719aaad51/tumblr_mh5fioFiG31qe8l24o1_500.jpg)
