Day 31: Vivid Memory

Today is the last day of May...so it is the last day of the Blog Every Day in May challenge. I have enjoyed doing this challenge...I was glad to find out about it after A-Z Challenge because I was worried about coming up with my own posts again.  For June, I am going to try to go back to some of my own stuff.  However, on those days that I can't think of anything to write I might pop into some of the June challenges for inspiration.

Today's prompt is about a vivid memory.  And I am having a lot of trouble coming up with one. My husband suggested my scar story....but already did that for favorite childhood memory ....he also suggested the night he broke up with me.  That was a very painful night so I don't remember a lot of it enough to consider it a vivid memory---I blocked a lot of it. But that made me think that I could tell the story of how we met in general, because I don't think that's on here.

It was my sophomore year in college, and I actually had a different blog at the time.  It served more as a whiny journal (which might be why I don't want this one to become that).  I was able to track what fellow bloggers visited my site if they were logged in.  I saw an unknown log-in, but the profile picture looked familiar. He was in Provo, so I wondered if we had a class together.  After messaging a question to figure out how I knew him, I found out I actually didn't.  We did develop a relationship in the community and he let me know one time when he and his friends were going bowling that night. I vividly remember that night, meeting all of his friends (who I now know very well) and meeting Brian.  After bowling, we went out for ice cream at Leatherby's (our now favorite restaurant).

One of our engagement pictures

After that night, Brian and I became friends--I don't remember this, but Brian claims by my doing.  Shortly after that we started dating.....and that first day was a great vivid memory.

Day 30: Letting Go...

When I saw this prompt yesterday of writing about what comes to mind about letting go...I was a little bit of uh oh.  This challenge has really prompted me to open up a little bit more about myself on my blog (good for readers I hope?) but I shy away from making it super personal because who wants to read me whine everyday?  Which seriously, I could probably do for like ever!  But as I reminded myself today of the prompt and what I could write my mind went back to a conversation I had with co-workers today.

The past few days I have been realizing that last June was when my current professional life COMPLETELY changed.  To save company embarrassment and some good friends of mine's personal business all over this blog the reader's digest version is I lost a lot of good friends to work with, I increased my work load considerably (one job title to two then three).  I have had to learn to work with a boss that I do not get along with.  I have had to decide how invested I will be in my job (which as any teacher can attest to varies from day to day).  I have revamped a lot of how I teach, how I grade, and my relationship with students.  I have been apart of decisions in the company that I never thought that I would be apart of and some I wish I wasn't.  We have done our big social networking push this year and I have been glad to be apart of that. I just can't believe its been a year.

So bringing it around to letting go....over this year I have gotten less bitter about the causes of the changes and forgiven a lot of the root causes.  But I still miss certain people (and I hope they know who they are) on a regular basis.  One in particular often comes to mind when I don't know what decision to make--my brain does a WWCD? Sometimes I think I should just move on, still be friends, but let go of hoping to see them come around the corner.  But other days its nice to think that some day we will all work together again.  I love you guys!

I thought of the perfect picture for this post, but then I realized it is at school on a CD. So if I remember this picture will hopefully change

Day 29: My Life in Music

Today's prompt for the Blog Every day in May challenge asks me to share five songs that bring back memories or speak to me. My two sisters do a lot of song stuff on their blogs..it is a lot of fun to do this so here we go!

My number one favorite song right now is Kelly Clarkson's What Doesn't Kill You.  Yes it is a lot of people's favorite song but it speaks to me in a variety of ways each day--I can survive work, I can survive this mystery illness, etc.




Number two on the song list is Don't Forget Me from Smash...I love this song--I can't really put my finger on it but it is just really speaking to me just now.




Number three is a memory: Over My Head from The Fray.  This always reminds me of sophomore year of college...at that time was the first time I felt in over my head in my life....if only I could go tell myself that its nothing--it will get worse :P




Number four is another memory...our first dance song, the Luckiest from Ben Folds.



Last song...At Last by Etta James.  This was the prom theme my Senior Year and this song always takes me back to high school

Day 28: A Picture of a Teacher

Being a teacher is to a certain extent my life.  As I woke up this morning in A LOT of pain, tears, and exhaustion...I pulled myself together and went to work. It ended up being an ok day with an opportunity to teach some students things about social studies and English.  So with today's prompt being a picture I went back to the Cedar Ridge Academy Facebook page (we would love it if you went and liked us :P) and found this picture.

Yep...that's me on the ground!

We had an assembly a few months ago.  They talked about physics with skateboards and showed the kids a lot of things. They thought it was SO cool....but they needed audience participation.  He jumped over me without the board first, then just holding the board, and then actually on the board.  I wish we had a video of the last one...apparently I did an involuntary scream.  Yep this is what I end up doing as a teacher...and I love it!

Day 27: A Letter to You

Dear Readers,

Today's prompt from Blog Everyday in May Challenge is a letter to my readers (yes I think I just stated the obvious).  As a brand new blogger, I am grateful for every page view and for every follower.  When I very first started each follower was cheered for and each pageview was applauded.  Then I had the great opportunity to participate and survive the April A to Z Challenge.  This challenge put me on the map even more.  My followers more than doubled! I had waaay more page views! I loved it.

I love being able to participate in a great online community of fellow bloggers.  I love getting comments, and hearing what people say to my blog.  I know I need to be better about responding....but don't let that stop you from responding.  I read each one and appreciate each one!

Have a great Memorial Day and stop by anytime!
Kimberly @ Inspirefly

P.S. One of these days I might add those quick comments spots maybe. You click a button as a like/love/etc.  But I don't know if they just discourage comments.  Do other bloggers use those and like them? Hate them? Got them and got rid of them? Have them? Any thoughts would be great!

Day 26: Critical Thinking v. Analytical Thinking

So today's prompt is actually a lot of what I have done on this blog before

Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.

So totally stole this from the article!

Because I do a lot with my LessonCloud about teaching....lesson plans, education policy etc.  You know where I find most of my articles that I read about is actually Twitter.  A lot of people retweet articles or tweet their own articles that they have written.  The key to a good article to tweet?  A good title! (Feel free to follow me on Twitter here)

This article is called Teaching Students to Dig Deeper (very catchy I think).  It actually turns out to be a blog post about this guy's book....which he actually convinces me that I should maybe look into buying it. He talks about how a lot of people mix up critical thinking with analytical thinking or give them the exact same definition. This article asserts that in order to "dig deep" or thinking critically....students have to do analyze it first.  Once they understand their subject then they can think critically about it.

My question for my fellow teachers...which is why this guy wants you to read his book...is how do you give students the opportunity to follow these steps?  What real-world scenarios can we give them that they can solve and think critically about?

P.S. I really should update my tabs!

Day 25: Words

Today's prompt:

 Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)

Words can heal, hurt, and/or bring someone up. We are familiar with the phrase that the pen is mightier than  the sword.  This phrase should expand to even include lips moving to form words. Today I am going to tell you a story about when I was in fourth grade.  I had moved to St. Louis with my family and was attending a new school.  A new LDS temple was being built in the area, so the fact that I was LDS was very known everywhere.  I had quite a few friends that were Baptist.  I'm not sure how to explain this because I have never understood it, but some Baptists are prejudice against LDS people.  And I am not saying that all are...but you will find some--just like you will find very not nice LDS people.

One of these Baptist friends toward the end of the year was sitting with me at the cafeteria, and I am not sure how we got on this but she told me that she had grown up her whole life thinking that Mormons were these horrible people.  She then basically told me that I was the nicest Mormon she had ever met. This has always stuck with me. The biggest reason that this affected me was that I really didn't think I could have that big of an influence on someone.  To this day, I hope that her opinion of LDS people has evolved.

You never know the influence you have on people...and it is always cool when they tell you that you have.  Who have you had an influence on or who has had an influence on you?

Day 24: Three Worst Traits

I don't like this prompt!!

Your top 3 worst traits

And the real reason why is probably trait number one....

1. Critical of myself- I am definitely my worst critic.  Anytime I have to do evaluations etc. I am not giving myself enough credit...hence why I hate this post :P

2. Guilt- This ties into the critical thing...but I feel guilty for more than just what I don't do good enough.  I feel guilty for what I haven't done for other people.

3. Procrastination- You would think that the guilt and critical stuff would get rid of this but no....if I don't have to do it now, I don't!

What are your worst traits?

Day 23: What Has Life Taught Me?

So today's prompt....

 Things you've learned that school won't teach you

Honestly the first thing I thought of is what school lied to me about...so I think I am going to go with that.  As teenagers/children, we are really taught that college is the goal.  Do your schoolwork, get good grades, so you can get into a good school. For some students this is hard to get behind, for me I was just fine because I wanted to go to college.

I got good grades in high school...applied to nine schools and got into all (though one was a wait list). I picked BYU because of the money and it just made sense.  I wanted to be a teacher, and going to college is required for that.  However, what NOBODY told me is that with the amount of money that you spend on college tuition, books, housing, food etc., if you just pick certain careers you could actually not go to college and make more than I do.

You know how I know this...my husband works at a credit union.  If he went full time plus his current typical bonus, he makes more than me! And he doesn't have a bachelor's degree (yet)...how come I went to college?! Because everyone said that was how you got a decent job to make a decent amount of money...lies!

Now, I want to be clear.  I am glad I went to college--I learned SO much and LOVED the experience. I encourage my students to go to college if they have the desire...and for some careers you don't have a choice.  But I hope that we stop telling people that college is EVERYTHING.   I just really wonder if I had known earlier on if I would have changed careers.  Today, I really can't see myself doing anything else because I have wanted to be a teacher for SO long!

Day 22: The Rant!

It's really too bad that this wasn't yesterday's prompt...I did a pretty good one all about work yesterday.

Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)

But since my work is a good place and I try not to trash-talk it on here. I do a lot of work for our SEO with Google through work things and supplement it on here....my "boss" and co-workers actually know quite a bit about my blog and are always proud when my Cedar Ridge Academy posts make it into high parts on Google!

So.....I have an idea.  My good blogger friend Elise does Dear Boys on Wednesdays....they are a great way too get rants out and leave them relatively anonymous (people can just try to guess). I do these occasionally...the nice thing is that you just assign them a name.  My sister does this sometimes and sometimes I know the boy that is flirting with her or she likes by their blog name not their real name! Check Elise out with her buttons and my sister on the side (SillyWorld)!

Dear "I Would Sue" Obsessed,
Hmm....you have a tendency to say that so-and-so should sue...or I would sue if that happened to me.  Well...I'm getting sick of you not doing your job, leaving it for me to do, and not respecting me.  So maybe I should just sue you.
Sincerely, I Have Had Enough!
Dear Barely Old Enough to Be On Facebook,
Don't add me on Facebook two days after you basically call me a B**ch....that makes zero sense!
Sincerely, Twice Your Age
Dear Sweetheart,
I love that you take care of me with this ridiculousness going on....I couldn't do this without you!
Love, Your Sweetheart
Dear Slow-Poke (who appeared here too),
So you bug me to give you the chance to take your quiz a third time...and then get made when I take you back an assignment because that's why you are failing your quiz.  Surprisingly it is because you are not asking questions when the story doesn't make sense! You are trying to go fast...but you should go a lot slower because that is your name! Amazing how you and I going over the story together you finally got it...
Sincerely, Losing Patience

Day 21: My Favorite Blog Posts

So...my blog is actually quite young--less than a year old.  Technically, it is only five months old since I started my 365 project at the beginning of this year...though it was "birthed" before that.  I have really enjoyed writing everyday...though sometimes it is hard to come up with what to write with.  The prompt today is your favorite blog posts...and as I was going through what I've written this year I have a lot of favorites for different reasons.

Sentimental Value
Of course my first blog post to start off the year
This book review got a comment from the author!

A to Z Challenge-- The hardest thing for me with this challenge was I didn't have a plan, I made the posts up as I went along.  These were my favorite posts because I was proud of my cleverness with relating the letter.
J is for Joel, Billy Joel--this one is a great lesson plan idea to "We Didn't Start the Fire"
Q is for Quite a Week--this one was written the week of the Boston Marathon...but that was the only tragedy that happened that week in history

Memorable Views--I know that page views aren't everything....but to me when I get in the 100s it is a huge deal!! And I didn't even know until I was going back into the archives! And I'm actually proud that these are the two that have the most views on my blog.....
Seed Stitch Blanket---my first blanket to be posted on this blog!
Inspired by a Quote with a Teaching Strategy--the funny thing to me with this is that I really just read the quote and thought of sharing this strategy....wow I love the response with all the reading!

P.S. To my newer readers, I do a recap every month of the highest viewed posts..so to see other archives click on the label "top posts of the month" below

Day 20: Laziness...Or Not?

Today's post is:

Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

So...when I saw this prompt I was like--goodness, I could talk about so much.  I could talk (again) about how I'm struggling with this stupid pain thing--is it something? is it nothing? is it all in my head? why I am so tired? I could talk (again) about how I am struggling with grading, keeping up at work, dealing with the daily stress that work throws at me, the feeling of lack of respect...etc. I could talk about how I so struggled with Bout of Books this past week!! I was going to finish The DaVinci Code.  As of writing this post, I am only 16% through (according to my Kindle). I watched so much TV this weekend...I could have read instead! But I dozed/rested my eyes quite a bit through all of that TV watching....which is why I didn't end up reading...but still!

So....I decided to talk about the overall theme that all of these issues have.  Laziness!! I just barely read Jenni's post for today too--and I feel like I could say yes, yes to everything that she was saying.  I am always kicking myself for not getting things done.  Like today, I was actually it a lot less pain but I was still tired today.  I decided when I got home that I wanted to try to catch up on the house cleaning since the pain was a lot less and because of it I haven't been up to doing a lot recently.  So because I was a bit tired, I decided to sit down and rest for a bit...you know get back up again in like a half an hour and get something done.  Nope!! I have been sitting here for about an hour and a half....so I blog about it :P

How do you motivate yourself to get stuff done everyday?

Only 10 days left...and I'm loving having something to write every day!

So sad its over because I didn't come close to finishing my goal...but I should be glad that I read-I can go through a week without reading for fun.  So that is a success!

Day 19: Favorite Blogs

So today's prompt

 Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

So this reminded me a lot of Day 5's post....I love the two bloggers that I talked about there too.  Like Jenni mentioned in her post, I really bad about looking at other people's blogs.  I follow a lot of people and I have a general idea of what they talk about but sometimes I just don't take the time to really read.  I get behind! I also get tired at the end of the day from reading on my computer screen, so sometimes I have zero patience for reading more on my screen.  So I am going to count the two I already did toward my five and spotlight three more here.

Paula's Place--I have just recently gotten to know Paula.  We both did the A to Z Challenge in April and are now doing this Blog Everyday in May challenge together too.  Paula is always so good about commenting on my posts...she's awesome!

Little Moments-- I met Jessica on A to Z Challenge as well.  She has a sweet spirit, and being LDS and living in Utah like me I feel a certain kinship with her.

Avid Reader's Musings-- I met Melissa when she and Trish were doing a Vanity Fair Read-a-thon back in March I think.  Melissa has a great personality about her and I love reading her posts which are usually something to do with books!



Bout of Books Update from Day 6....yeah went to bed early--did a little bit of reading but still not very far in The DaVinci Code.  Hey, at least I'm trying right?

Day 18: Childhood

Today's prompt is:

Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

I'm glad it doesn't have to be your favorite memory...because I think that would be hard to pick a favorite. Never mind that the one that I thought of doesn't exactly scream favorite.  I have been thinking about this experience today actually.  Brian and I are thinking about buying a house in our neighborhood that has base-board heating vents....which because of this experience I hate!

So I am 5 years old, it is the second day of kindergarten, and I am home after school playing with my sister (who is almost 4 at the time).  We have a basement in our house that worked as our playroom. We had a small toy trampoline, probably two feet off the ground if that.  But to my little self it was a great toy.  We decided to play lifeguard and the trampoline served as our lifeguard stand.  We got our dollies and they were swimming in the pool.  The pool was our carpet.  I think I was even wearing a bell around my neck from Christmas as a whistle.

So, I ran from my stand to save my baby doll and came running back to my trampoline.  I tripped over the trampoline and my forehead hit the base-board heating vents.  The interesting thing was that I knew I shouldn't move. My sister came over and saw the blood I think.  I told her to go get mom....in a perfectly calm voice (at least to me).  This part is my favorite...but naturally I wasn't there so this is what she told me afterward.  My sister apparently went upstairs, while my mom was on the phone with my dad and said that I was broken.  Mom quickly told my dad that she would call him back and she came downstairs.  I don't remember how but I ended up upstairs with my mom attaching a pad to my forehead and my dad coming home to take me to the hospital.

After that I remember being in a hospital room with my dad, a doctor (I think) came by and checked out my forehead.  He was pretty nice.  Then I remember the nurses coming in with a shot.  But I never heard them say anything and they just grabbed my ankle. I didn't like shots (still don't) so I was screaming, crying, and wriggling away. I remember Dad asking them what they were trying to do because he could help.  They were trying to give me anesthesia through a shot in my butt. Dad told me what was going on and helped them turn me--I don't think I ever really calmed down but I stopped fighting.  I woke up with something like 15 stitches...though it might have been a few less than that....and a permanent scar.  To this day I still get questions :P

See it?

Bout of Books Day 4 Update....Still trying to get at least halfway through The DaVinci Code now.  I don't think I am going to make my goal of finishing it so I am at least shooting for halfway through! I really wish I wasn't so tired all the time with fighting whatever is wrong with me.

Day 17: Favorite Photo

This is a fun prompt today

A favorite photo of yourself and why

So...if I have a favorite photo it is a miracle.  As I am sure many other women can relate to, I am very critical of my pictures.  Though not usually because I think I should have done my hair differently or any of those other body image type things. I am always wanting pictures to look natural!  Around Thanksgiving, I got Brian to do some family photos with me.  We had had pictures of us in about four years since we had wedding and engagement photos.  I honestly didn't think I would like this one because I don't do the "kissy" pictures.  But this one isn't gross and it is a great natural photo of us!

So I couldn't find the original digital copy.
So I took a picture of the frame that we have the photo in.

And just as a bonus...this was my favorite engagement of us--again it just looks like we're having fun!

Bout of Books Day 4 Update.....Still just trying to read more each day.  I went to bed early and probably will tonight so maybe I will get more reading in tomorrow!

Day 16: Day in the Life of ME!

So...as promised since I was going to take some pictures today to do yesterday's prompt which was:

A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

So today I set out to take pictures and tell you about my day.  I will warn you I was better in the morning...it got busy as the day went on!

So...I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30 this morning....well that's when the alarm went off. I took this at about 5:45

Yeah...I'm really tired

Got ready for the day....and went to work

I suppose since I'm about ready to drive its good that I look more awake

After having breakfast with the students I taught an English class...

We talked about how to combine sentences today!

All throughout my day...I am looking at work on the computer...

Though I should have done a short answer question with this!

....and grading it.

Yep, I invented this idea to keep track because the computer won't

This is my typical work day :)

Bout of Books Day 3 update....I'm still not very far yet.  I might be just failing this challenge :(

Day 15: My Lot in Life

So I'm cheating today....the actual 15 prompt is about a day in the life with a prompt to do photos...hmm needed to know that before my day was over.  I'm really bad about planning ahead.  So....that will be tomorrow's post.  I will post tomorrow's prompt today instead.  Sound like a plan? Good because you don't get a choice :P So the prompt is:

Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

Hmm....I feel like I have a lot of difficult things about my life right now.  I've talked a lot the past month about the mysterious pain in my abdomen that has prompted ER and doctor visits left and right--so I could talk about that.  I also have talked a lot this year about how being a teacher for me right now is really hard---so I could also talk about that. I could also just talk about how hard life is in general....but that seems so negative and rehashing old feelings and just having a poor pity me session.  So lets skip to the how I'm working to overcome both problems!

I am really trying to be patient and positive about everything.  I still have my moments....like last night just breaking down crying because I want the pain to go away.  But I am just trying to take every day as it comes.  Even though I don't feel 100% all the time I can put what I can where I can.  Even though work is really hard right now and being sick is just making it harder I can have a good attitude and do what I can each day. I have to constantly remind myself to not beat myself that it will get done when it gets done....my grading mostly.  Though I have to say that with the house too....cleaning just gets done when it gets done.


Bout of Books Update 2:
Still trying to read.....yesterday was a spend time with the husband day so I didn't get as much in--but I'm definitely reading more than I would during weekdays which was the whole point!

Day 14: Happiness

Today's prompt:

Ten things that make you really happy

I like this because I can make lists! At least one of these is typically required in one day to keep me sane!

1. Spending time with family 
2. Spending time with Brian 
3. Being at home with nothing to do and a good TV show
4. Or a good movie
5. Reading a good book
6. Drinking hot chocolate
7. Eating chocolate
8. Knitting
9. Singing along with a song in the car
10. Sleeping in!

What about you? What little things make you happy during the day and keep you sane?

Throwback picture from freshman year at college...I don't remember what someone said to give me that face or if I was just being silly.  But it was the picture that came to mind when I was thinking of this post---a genuine face instead of the camera kind :P Though I have no idea if I could do this face on command.

So along the same length as #5...this is Bout of Books 7.0 challenge week. As per the challenge I will update  each day this week with the info for the previous day. I started my book for the week...since I don't usually finish one in a week. Decided on The DaVinci Code since I just barely finished Angels and Demons....felt like continuing to hang out with Robert Langdon.  Haven't gotten very far yet but I am impressed that I started!

Day 13: An Apology

Today's prompt:

 Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

Okay I feel like I say this every time....but really this one is the hardest one yet.  I have ZERO ideas in terms of what I could apologize for.  I am probably just really bad at apologizing because I know I'm really bad for saying that I'm wrong...

But when I first started thinking about the prompt my favorite movie came to mind---You've Got Mail.  After Kathleen meets Joe, she tells him that she meet a "bottom dweller" (which has to be said really slow and deliberate)...I feel like that relates to this apology thing.

Joe Fox: [writing to "Shopgirl"] Do you ever feel you've become the worst version of yourself? That a Pandora's box of all the secret, hateful parts - your arrogance, your spite, your condescension - has sprung open? Someone upsets you and instead of smiling and moving on, you zing them. "Hello, it's Mr Nasty." I'm sure you have no idea what I'm talking about. 
Kathleen Kelly: [writing to "NY152"] No, I know what you mean, and I'm completely jealous! What happens to me when I'm provoked is that I get tongue-tied and my mind goes blank. Then I spend all night tossing and turning trying to figure out what I should have said. What should I have said, for example, to a bottom dweller who recently belittled my existence? 
[stops and thinks] 
Kathleen Kelly: [writing] Nothing. Even now, days later, I can't figure it out. 
Joe Fox: [writing] Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could pass all my zingers to you? And then I would never behave badly and you could behave badly all the time, and we'd both be happy. But then, on the other hand, I must warn you that when you finally have the pleasure of saying the thing you mean to say at the moment you mean to say it, remorse inevitably follows. 

Sometimes we end up just saying whatever is on our minds...apologies should follow.  Ironically...she ends up being able to speak her mind to Joe in person later and then later writes:

Kathleen Kelly: [writing to "NY152"] I've been thinking about you. Last night I went to meet you, and you weren't there. I wish I knew why. I felt so foolish. And as I waited, someone else showed up: a man who has made my professional life a misery. And an amazing thing happened. I was able, for the first time in my life to say the exact thing I wanted to say at the exact moment I wanted to say it. And, of course, afterwards, I felt terrible, just as you said I would. I was cruel, and I'm never cruel. And even though I can hardly believe what I said mattered to this man - to him, I am just a bug to be crushed - but what if it did? No matter what he's done to me, there is no excuse for my behavior. Anyway, I so wanted to talk to you. I hope you have a good reason for not being there last night. You don't seem like the kind of person that would do something like that. The odd thing about this form of communication is you're more likely to talk about nothing than something. But I just want to say that all this nothing has meant more to me than so many... somethings. So, thanks. 

 So even though it is nice to get what we want to off our chest...it isn't great at the same time.  So once again You've Got Mail has taught us a life lesson ;)

Thank you bleubirddiary.blogspot.com 

Day 12: I Miss....

So today's prompt is:

What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)

With it being Mother's Day I have seen a lot of great tributes to moms. I love my mom and my family and miss them lots. But I think I might actually do an I miss story about days past.  We often miss times in our lives because they were some how better than now.  Life continues to change around us.  When the current day to day life is hard for us, we have a tendency to look behind us and wish we could have that back.  However, the problem is when we were there we didn't necessarily want it then either.  It is the perspective that time has given us that we think it is easier.  We have conquered that time--now it is time to conquer the here and now. So I try to not hang out in this missing time....but here is my quick list of the times that I miss.

High school....I learned so much and loved hanging out with my friends then

College (like end of it...last three years)...Again I learned so much and I finally figured out how to survive college!

My second year of teaching....I finally had figured out what I was doing...I was working with great people...the school seemed to be right where it needed to be.

Day 11: 10 Words or Less

Today's prompt:

Sell yourself in 10 words or less

Hmm.....sounds simple enough but then you start to think what are you selling yourself to? You could be selling yourself to an employer or a business associate.  Or you could be on Shark Tank trying to sell what your product/brand that speaks to your personality or a service that you render to/for someone.  Since this is my blog I will sell myself as to why you should read this blog.

For great books, teaching ideas, and the miscellaneous read Inspirefly

Success!! And it only took me three tries :)

Day 10: Embarrassing Moment

Today's prompt:

Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 

Hmm...what should I spill about?  I honestly can't think of a recent embarrassing moment so we are pulling out one from middle school.  We were playing a weird game in P.E. that I can't remember the name of at the moment but it was a mix of soccer, basketball, and flag football.  You could follow all of the rules of those games but there were different point values for what you were doing.  Naturally when you are running holding the ball you can pull the runner's flag to stop them in their tracks just like flag football.  Well...if you remember the 90s the snap pants with elastic were all the rage.  Now picture me running after a boy with the ball headed for his flag.  You can probably predict it now....but I not only got his flag but his pants as well!!! I was absolutely mortified...the whole class was hysterical and I don't think the teacher knew what to do--rescue me or laugh!  At least I had the 13 year old where-with-all too laugh along too!

Though the funny thing about embarrassing moments is that I am probably the only person that remembers that.....

Day 9: One Moment

Today's prompt is:

A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)

I wish I had realized this prompt yesterday because I would have taken a photo earlier today. Today I actually stayed home from work.  Late last night I was woken up by sharp pain in my stomach/abdomen again just like when I went to the E.R. a few weeks ago.  I had a doctor's appointment today and didn't want to go to the E.R. again.  So I did my best with what I had here and called into work this morning.

So my moment today was my appointment with the doctor.  I, for sure, have intestinal blockage--which to a certain extent is what I already expected and a very good possibility as to what is wrong with me. However, my doctor wants to make sure that it is not a secondary symptom to what is really wrong with me.  So I am headed to the lab tomorrow for some more blood tests.  But right now I am just waiting to get un-stuffed up!

I hate being sick so much I stick my tongue out at it!

Day 8: Advice

Today's prompt is:

A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.

So here goes nothing...

Dear Students,

Yep, it's me again--your friendly neighborhood teacher.  I want to offer you some advice as someone who has been there done that relatively recently...treasure your opportunity to learn now and the opportunity to join clubs and learn new things.  I learned so much about leadership in high school and made great friends.

I also learned a lot about myself--what I like, don't like, and what I really believe in.  I know that being in high school is a hard time and there are moments that are really confusing--but stick with it! You will look back on this time and be grateful for what you learned.  And at moments, you will also wish to go back to the simpler times that high school brings.

As high school ends, have a plan.  It is fine if you just want to get a job and work for a little while so you can figure out what you are going to do next.  It is great to go straight off to college too.  But whatever you do make sure that you have taken in all of your high school learning--you're going to want it!  College is a great route, especially if the career you want requires a degree.  Get involved at college. Go to the plays, musicals, etc. because you probably won't have the time/money to go when you get older.  Same with the sports games! Be smart in college--some people think it is just the time to get drunk, have a lot of casual relationships, and there are no consequences.  But there are!

But above all, follow your dreams--high school is a great way to get there!

Love,
Your Teacher :)

Day 7: Things I Am Afraid Of

Here is Day 7's prompt:

The thing(s) you're most afraid of

I was a bit struck with a "What am I going to write about?!" moment.  I am not typically "afraid" like heart racing, palms sweating, completely incapable of moving fear.  I find it pretty irrational and I try not to dwell on odd things like that. Courage helps us to move forward, while fear just holds us back.  However, there are things that worry me that most people would probably call fear.  I try not to dwell on them so that they become fears.

My main one today is my health.  I still do not know what is wrong with me (though I have an appointment on Thursday) and the time not knowing and still being in pain has allowed my imagination to run away with me.  What if it is this or that etc. However, we will cross that bridge when we get there. I am hopeful that isn't that big of a deal. Fingers crossed!


Since today was a short post, I have other blog news to report.  I am going to try out Bout of Books next week.  As part of joining up with this challenge I am to post this explanation:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

My goal with this is to actually try to read more in a week than I usually do.  The amount that I read varies...but I don't usually finish one book in a week so that is my goal for this week! I am looking at either reading an Austen book, The Great Gatsby, or The DaVinci Code...unless something else grabs my attention between now and then. I look forward to this challenge :)

I'm A Teacher....What do I not do?

Feeling less weird and have more of a brain today so it should be a bit more coherent!

Today's prompt:

If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Wow this is such a load question! I am a mom, a sister, and a nurturer on one hand.  On the other hand, I am the instructor, Alex Trebek, and fountain of all knowledge.  On the third hand (because teachers need so many sides!), I am the person who inspires, helps, and listens.  And on the fourth hand (it works better if it is balanced on both sides of me), I am the enforcer, the boundary holder, and the "tough" guy!

As I read this prompt I thought of many little inspirational tidbits that I have found on Pinterest before.  I love how I'm getting to add more to my Pin It Do It list! And these are great for any teacher or supporter of teachers.

Original Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/128915608055956184/
Original Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/venosdale/6902965047/

 I love this because it really lists what I teacher does....we try to do so much every day!

Original Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/128915608054587433/
Original Link: http://i.imgur.com/pPywi.jpg

It would be nice if everyone got this...maybe I'll would get paid more!

Original Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/128915608054464630/
Original Link: http://secondarysolutionsblog.com/2012/02/what-teachers-really-do/

Everybody has seen these memes...I think the best part is unless you have been at "really do" part is what makes it funny.  Because really the stereotypes and mind games we play are so true.  The first frame is why I think many of us become teachers.  The second frame with Einstein is the only one I question.  The society frame sure feels like it as we lead up to summer.  The kids one....yes because they really just see us some times as the people that just don't care about him.  Sometimes I wish that I taught in a movie and just inspired--it is one of the reasons why I became a teacher in the first place. But really...there are moments where I get as overwhelmed as that last picture shows.

This one does not need a response...it speaks for itself.

Original Pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/128915608054464626/
Original Link: http://busyteacher.org/6967-poster-im-so-much-more-than-just-a-teacher.html

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!! Thank a teacher :)

Day 5: Friends

Today's prompt from Jenni is

Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member

Hmm...today I am really not feeling well.  I was about ready to go to bed and try to sleep this off but I realized I hadn't blogged yet so this is going to be super fast and dirty.  And probably promoted tomorrow. I don't really know if I have blogger friends...I have people that I haven't met that I follow pretty closely. So does that make them blogger friends? I am interested in what happens to them and to read their blog posts.  Maybe you will want to look in to them too...

Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity--she blogs about anything and everything and has given me the inspiration to make this blog

Elise's Pieces-- a great inspiration too...she blogs about what is in her heart and on her mind and I love her honesty and wit.

Hopefully feel better tomorrow and do a better post then.

Day 4: Favorite Quote

I have talked about one of my favorite quotes on my blog before (see here). It is from my favorite all-time book The Blue Castle so today I will talk about another favorite quote of mine. I actually found this on Pinterest. I love this post today because it is my first Pinterest post for Pin It and Do It challenge of Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity blog and my day four of the Blog Every day Challenge. So, my favorite quote is:

Pin Link: http://pinterest.com/pin/128915608054264707/ 

The original pin link: http://keephappiness.tumblr.com/post/11944231680

I love this quote because it is SO true.  We often tell ourselves that we can't do something, it is too hard.  It is impossible to get all of this done in one day.  But we won't know if it is actually impossible until we try.  Just like the word says: I'm possible! If we put one foot in front of the other we will make it...some way.  To me it also goes with that quote, "If there's a will, there's a way."  So don't say it is impossible...because it just might be possible!

Day 3: Uncomfortable Moments!

Today's May Challenge post is about uncomfortable moments.  I fully believe that awkward moments are only awkward if you make it that way.  Some moments are harder to not make awkward than others.  So I guess I should talk about one that is hard for me.

I am uncomfortable when I am not respected as a woman.  I know that I am an independent woman and that I have the power to do anything that I set my mind to.  I also will usually throw myself into what I do with my full heart and get very passionate about it. Sometimes this passion is blamed as being too feminine, too emotional, or too witchy (and maybe sometimes with a b).  So I get uncomfortable when I am told I am being too emotional about the situation. And it gets even more uncomfortable when I am the only woman in meetings and the only woman on the faculty....like I am being singled out.

Do other women in the business world ever feel this way?

Day 1: Life Story and Day 2: Education

So, as I mentioned yesterday I am going to do the Blog Every Day in May Challenge.  I am not a big fan of multiple posts on one day so this is a two for one post.

My first prompt is to write the story of my life in 250 words or less.

I was born in the Washington D.C. area and lived a great childhood for nine years there.  When I was nine, my parents moved to the St. Louis area.  I became the oldest of five and I love my four other siblings. I learned to play the violin and piano. I participated in lots of music things, including a great choir throughout my high school  I graduated from high school and went on to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  Moving at eighteen continued my division of thirds in where I lived.  I started my history teaching major early on and then later added an English teaching minor and Political Science teaching minor.  During college, I met my husband Brian.  We were married in 2008 about halfway through my college career. I ended up graduating with honors in 2010 and promptly started looking for a job.  I accepted a position at Cedar Ridge Academy as the Social Studies teacher.  I have since become the English teacher and lead teacher as well.  I have been in Roosevelt for three years now.  I have really gotten use to the smaller town life and I hope to be around this area for a little while longer.  But maybe in 2014 I will be destined to move and keep with my life in thirds.

My second prompt is to:

Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

To be honest, I have no idea what to write about here.  I educate on a regular basis so I should have lots of ideas. I guess that I am plumb out of ideas. I guess people at work would say that I am good at teaching because I explain things well.  So I will talk about that for a minute.  The idea that a concept can be hard to understand is something that students struggle with everyday.  I try to do the basics first--I pull on visuals and audio learning.  Sometimes that works and the problem is solved.  Other times, I pull in examples from their lives or what they are familiar with.  By relating it to something that they already understand it helps them to grasp it a little bit easier.  One thing that helps students too is actually applying what they are learning. They need action! So...relate it to things they know and let them practice!

Top Posts of April Plus A New Challenge

As typical after each month I do a recap of the month before with my 365 project and a reflection of what I have learned about life/writing/blogging etc.  April was my A to Z Challenge adventure.  The cool thing is that this challenge also asks for reflections from participants so I am going to tie that into my own reflection in today's post.

First of I want to say that I am so glad that I followed a blogger that was doing this challenge that lives in another country.  She posted on her April 1st which was still my March 31st so I was able to learn more really quickly, sign up before the deadline was up, and post the very next day.  Because of that I didn't do anything with a theme...I just kind of made it up as I went along.  Some days that was helpful....especially being about to do "Ouch" and "Pain" when I suddenly had to go to the hospital.

I would totally do it again because it was fun to come up with something for each letter everyday.  I loved the letters that Jeremy made...I always try to do a picture with each blog post but that is so hard for me to figure out sometimes.  Having the pre-made, made it so much easier to blog because I just had to put it in. When I do it again next year though I want to come up with a plan and have a theme--I saw other people's themes as I was exploring other blogs and that looked like fun! My favorite was Stephanie Scott's influential women authors...I loved seeing what she came up with for each day.

One thing that was hard for me was going to other people's blogs on my own. I got a lot better about going to the people that commented on my blog and came by and visiting.  I gain so many new followers which is SO cool.  I sometimes struggled commenting on other people's blogs too.  I really wanted to respond not just leave some sort of random "Just visiting from A to Z Challenge".  Maybe next year I will get more brave...but other ideas of what to say would be helpful. And maybe I will get an opportunity to do more hopping around in the next few weeks to other participants that I didn't get a chance to see.

Bottom line...thank you to the A to Z Challenge group  We SURVIVED! :)

Sorry this post is going on for awhile...you are a trooper to keep reading. But I need to do the top three viewed posts really fast...as is tradition.

3. I had a three way tie for this one....F is for Five Favorite Front-Page Features, H is for House, and J is for Joel like Billy Joel....the J one is by far my favorite.

2. Q is for Quite a Week...all about the crazy anniversary that occurred on the same week as the Boston Marathon

1. P is for Pain...this is the most views ever on my blog...which makes sense because it tells the WHOLE story at that point.

And as I always kind of set a "goal" for the coming month....I was trying to figure out what to do now that I was done with A to Z Challenge.  I found out about Jenni's Blog Every Day in May  She has a new post topic for each day of the month.  What I love is that she is very fluid about it...you can catch up and just post when you can etc.  So I will do a combo post tomorrow...since this post is SO LONG!!! Brownie points to you if you read to the end :)