Move '16

I honestly don't think I have ever had so much fun helping someone MOVE. My friend, Mirek, is moving back to New York (yet again). He reached out for a little assistance and being the kind person that I am...I decided to lend a helping hand.

What started as me coming over to load up a few boxes turned into two solid days of excitement: a few lessons on hoarding, delicious lunches in historic Bluffton, sweating through many sets of clothing, countless water breaks, weeding through Realtors, finding naughty magazines that had been stashed away in boxes (the roommates'...not his), losing the keys to the Penske truck, his Hyundai sounding like a Lamborghini due to the faulty muffler, a popcorn ceiling gone bad, extreme laughter, trouble backing the Penske -with the car attached- into the driveway, giving up on backing into the driveway, and multiple trips to the dump where the "cardboard only" section gained some glass...among other non-cardboard items.

The difference in this experience compared to other moves I've made was Mirek's attitude. Instead of complaining about packing all of his belongings into a stifling hot truck in the 98 degree blazing sun and making multiple trips to the dump, he told me, "Its not everyday you get to drive a Penske truck & unload trash at the dump." He even made me take the Penske for a spin, just for the hell of it.

He repaid me with lunches and miscellaneous items from his garage, but in reality he paid me with the gift of not taking your days for granted. He reminded me that each day is what you make it. Thanks for being such a refreshing soul amidst the needless negativity in the world.

Coffee Shop Musings

I came to Starbucks to play on the computer and I ended up doing something that Josh fusses at me for all the time: eavesdropping. I know how terrible that sounds, but really I'm just curious. I intend no harm! I can people watch or people "listen" (in this case), all day.

Anyway, my entry into Starbucks was interesting. Before I made it in the door, I had a guy who claimed to be a chef at the Pink House stop me and tell me that he ran out of gas and needs a couple dollars. He also claimed that he had his son in the car. As I kept walking up to Starbucks, I told him I was sorry...no money.  Of course, he seemed a little put-out with me. On the off chance that he was actually telling the truth, I do feel bad about it, but I'm a girl...in a parking lot...by myself. Had to keep my distance.

Once I made it in safely, I witnessed the poor new cashier getting mildly reamed by her boss for making someone else's drink before taking my order. I always feel sorry for people in training who are getting corrected in front of the customer. In the boss' defense, I know its annoying to have to train someone. It just sucks all the way around. The new lady slapped a smile on her face, apologized to her boss, and took my order. Good for her. I probably would've had tears in my eyes. **super-sensitive**

One of my favorite things to do when I have extra time (ex: summertime) is to chillax at a coffee shop & chat with friends. I feel like some of the best conversations are born here. Tonight, I decided to come here solo, which is also fine by me. As I mentioned before, its a people watching mecca. Besides, the music here is my favorite. I had a gift card to Starbucks from one of my students and I decided tonight would be a good time to use it. Grande S'mores Frappucino. Yes, please. I can see myself coming back here doing much of the same thing until my gift card runs dry.

Until next time!

And So It Begins....Summertime

This is weird. How is it that I already miss my students? Who misses hormonal pre-teens with horrible attitudes? I suppose they aren't like that all the time. I'm going to miss watching them Whip and Nae-Nae, Dab, and sponge their hair into twists. I am going to miss all their sayings... such as in the note below.


Shoes are a big, big deal. I've learned this year that "turnt" means you're having a good time, for lack of a better way to put it. Or they can "turn up" on the weekend, aka, get rowdy. All the boys call each other Lil Bro and they are learning to have their own gangster lean when they walk. They love to "try" (cut/diss) each other about their tapelines (a straight hairline). Needless to say- I sound so white right now. They've taught me lots.

I'm going to miss them asking me about my boyfriend and hearing their love life drama. Every now and then there are tears of innocence. They still cry when they have a tummy ache or because their feelings get hurt. Its that weird in between age when they're figuring everything out. An age that I don't ever want to go back to, but I'm glad I got to experience it with them.

For now, time for rejuvenation. I will be happy to see their faces next year and I hope they aren't too cool to come give me a hug or at least acknowledge my existence :)

Tis the Wedding Season (for my sister)

Cathlin's bridesmaids threw her the sweetest wedding shower yesterday. I was blown away by the decorations and the spread of food. The shower was held at her childhood best friend's grandmother's home where they grew up together and added to their circle of friends. It was so nice to see all of her friends there in one place, as well as most of her friends' mothers. Lots of love to go around.

Kristin (childhood bestie) needs to quit her day job and go into party planning because every nook and cranny had the most perfect touch. Walking into the house felt like a great big 'Welcome!"

Some of my personal favorite touches were the table decorations. She had different kitchen bowls and gadgets on each table acting as vases, filled with spring flowers. I also loved that everyone got their own wooden spoon to take home as a party favor: Cathlin and Ryan are "a perfect mix!"

Can't forget the mimosa bar. I "tasted" a mimosa from each carafe of juice. Didn't want to leave anything out, you know? Grapefruit, Mango-Orange, and Orange. 

 I love some party food and it would've never crossed my mind to do a salmon salad bar for a shower, but it was delicious.  There were tons of other finger foods too. Since I cannot resist taking food pictures, here is the spread!

CHEERS!

21 Day Fix

I have to share my rekindled love for proper nutrition! I started doing the 21 Day Fix through Beachbody and I have been feeling like a human again. It has really given me more energy and made me realize how much sugar I was eating beforehand. I am good at pretending that my diet is fine because I don't eat fast food or drink sodas, but in reality, I can pig out on some granola, peanut butter, and secret stashes of chocolate in my desk at work.

 In a nutshell, the 21 day fix is an eating plan that advocates for the proper portions of WHOLE, REAL foods and 30 minutes of exercise daily. My favorite part is Shakeology.

When I wake up in the mornings, I crave my "milkshake." No lie, it feels like a treat that I should not be having. I've always been a sweets for breakfast kind of person and I would have a DQ Blizzard every morning if I could. I swear Shakeology is the next best thing. The three flavors I'm rotating between right now are Latte, Vanilla, and Chocolate. The  meal plan came with a whole array of recipe ideas for ShakeO combinations & I've been trying a different one daily. This morning I had a Vanilla Chai shake and it may as well have been from Starbucks. YUM. My favorite chocolate shake combination includes: frozen banana, almond milk, peanut butter, and spinach. Might as well add the dose of greens because you can't even taste them when it's all mixed in.

The best part is that I feel better in my clothes, I feel stronger from the workouts, and I have motivation to continue. Right now, my biggest challenge is eating away from home and controlling my portions/choosing the correct options when I have not been able to plan out the entire day's meals Let's face it, its not realistic to plan out every bite, every day, so I can only do the best I can do.

Goal: Lose 12 pounds

I have to stop this madness before it gets out of control. This spring, summer, and fall, I was really doing well & feeling good in my body. Sometime around November I allowed myself to think that I could eat whatever I wanted. I've never been able to eat whatever I want and not pay the consequences. For a month or so I didn't feel it in my clothes or see it in the mirror, but boy once it did catch up with me, I packed it on. I've been steadily gaining a pound a week for about 4 weeks now. It adds up. I've been moping around feeling depressed and knowing that I needed to get back on track but the motivation was lacking. I think that was the worst part...allowing myself to let myself go...(if that makes sense).

My work pants were so tight yesterday that I was practically spilling out of them. You know when you have that red indention line around your waist band? Yeah. Miserable. That was my final straw.

Goals: 1) Get in 10,000 steps everyday 2) Do strength training 2-3x week  3) Eat 1320 calories per day & count then on My Fitness Pal (app). Don't add in extra calories earned for exercising.

THIS IS MY FIGHT SONG!

Today was a good day. I feel hopeful and motivated again. I even made myself a visual on my school computer :) Anything to keep me accountable!

Middle School Dance

It's a hard lesson to learn. I'm sitting outside in the hallway with one of my 6th graders who was just reminded that he was, after all, not allowed to attend the middle school dance. I'm trying to imagine how he feels. I wonder if he's reflecting on his rude and disrespectful behavior which landed him in this predicament or if he is even able to weight consequences. Yes, he is. He has to be because he really turned himself around this week and put on his maturest twelve year old pants and tried to make good choices. But in the end- he did it to himself. If you do good things, you get good things. If you do bad things, you get bad things. That's how its explained in Kindergarten and its true all throughout life.

It has to be hard. At this age, the school Valentine's Dance is a really big deal in a twelve year old's life. Even at my age the Valentines Dance is a big deal and I'm only chaperoning. You can feel the energy in the room when they walk through the door. Its a mix of nerves, hope, curiosity, excitement, wonder, and awkwardness. Mostly awkwardness. I still get the "what do I do with my hands?" feeling when I am in there watching them. It makes me appreciate being an adult and the opportunity to partake in a beverage before and during such an affair. I guess you have to pay your dues in age before you earn the privilege of liquid courage.

Back to him... Poor guy, he was just getting to know the pretty new girl in our class and I know they have a little spark for one another. I bet this was going to be his opportunity to make his move. They were partners on the field trip earlier this week and I could tell he was feeling on top of the world. Most of the paragraphs he has to compose for me during our writing time have to do with how smooth he is with the ladies. The last one was entitled, "Fly Guy."

Tonight I'll be going to the dance and he won't. My hope is that he has learned that behaviors have consequences. And I hope he makes the next one and gets to experience all the magic.