Job

So today, I realized that although my job can be super annoying, I love it anyway. There are many things that I don't love about my job, but all of those reasons really don't matter. At the end of the day it boils down to the fact that I get to spend 7 hours a day with a room full of 2nd graders. Now, you might be thinking...what the heck? This girl is on something! But seriously, it is an experience like no other. Yes they are messy, crazy, wiggly, ditzy, and needy, but somehow the first thing I think of is when describing kids is hilarious. Even though they drive me bananas most of the time, I realize at the end of everyday a part of my heart will always be under the age of 10, because in order to teach 8 year olds, you have to think like 8 year olds. We sometimes say that teachers often act the age they teach, if that is true - I'm happy to be a second grader. For not only are they "messy, crazy, wiggly, ditzy, and needy" they are also funny, poignant, carefree, and just. Now if only we didn't have to deal with all the other stuff..... ;o)

Saving Grace

I accomplished something today that I never thought I could! I ran in my first 10k!! I was pretty nervous because I hadn't been able to run for a week due to a minor knee injury. Last Saturday I did something to my knee and I had decided to stay off of it and take it easy in hopes that it would be better by Thursday morning. Yesterday I got pretty down because after all of that time staying off of it, it was still bothering me and I had no idea if I'd be able to even do a mile of the race. It wasn't that I had been training super hard for this race, but gradually over the last year I have worked really hard to become a runner. Starting from not even being able to run one mile, and working my way up to running in 5k and 4 mile races is something that I'm really proud of. I love the feeling I get during a run. I love that I can put on my sneakers and just see how far I can go. I love that each time I run, I feel stronger and better about myself - both physically and emotionally. Running to me has become such a positive outlet in my life and I finally felt ready to try the next big step! Well, this morning I woke up and said to myself I'm just going to try - if I have to walk it will be okay. My sister and I pull up, park, and head on over. After a rough start (being trapped in a portapotty while hundreds of racers rushed past) we finally set off on the course. The first mile was horrible. I just didn't know if I could do it, but I kept telling myself to push through. The course was extremely hilly and I kept thinking "oh dear!" After the first two miles, I really felt great and at that point I knew that I could at least do the 4 miles I was used to. Well, after what seemed like a hundred hills we finally rounded a corner and saw the 4 mile mark. It was then that I knew I could do it - I could run to the finish line, and I did! What I couldn't have done though is completed it without my sister. She is the most extraordinary person I know. She was so amazing - she ran beside me the whole time and kept encouraging me. If I needed to slow down, she did, and never made me feel like I was holding her back. I still can't believe that I did it, but I'm so glad I did because now I won't feel guilty about that 2nd piece of pumpkin chiffon pie I'm going to have! Happy Thanksgiving!

History

Over the past few months I have had several "WOW" moments. It seems that I have been in the right frame of mind. Growing up, I liked history alright. It wasn't my favorite subject, but I enjoyed thinking about times past and the stories we have. However, I don't think I ever truly grasped some of the real lessons it had to offer. It was so far removed from me. My first moment came this fall on a trip to Charlottesville. I had gotten the Thomas Jefferson bug from a field trip I went on to Poplar Forest with my second graders. I became fascinated by the fact that I was standing on the soil where one of the FATHERS of our country once stood. After that, I decided to go to Monticello since I had never been and it pretty much right around the corner. While visiting, I read something that Thomas Jefferson was a deeply patriotic man. For some reason, it just hit me that he helped start a country. I mean, how crazy is that - him and some other guys just got together and thought up this amazing structure that a country should be built on. It really blows my mind. How can the things that applied back then, still be so relevant today?
I had another moment today while teaching about Native Americans. I was thinking about how incredibly intelligent and resourceful these first americans had to be. To completely live off the land and have total respect for the world around you and your place in it is inspiring to me. Their life in some ways was so much harder than we have today. The majority of the day was spent working, and working hard, just to survive. But, somehow, priorities were straight. They knew what their values were and were unwavering in teaching them to future generations as they taught by example. Life today is hard, but in a much different way. We have more free time, but somehow we make less time for our priorities. We fill up the time with things that are unimportant to avoid what truly matters. We let others tell us what is valuable instead of making up our own minds. Maybe that is our struggle, to realize that each moment is for making the most of, and while we do have the gift of time, it's how we use each one of those moments that matters.

What happened to Thanksgiving?

Friday morning, while on my way home from work it was confirmed that Thanksgiving is no longer a holiday of merit. Several incidents have led me to this conclusion. Number 1 - while shopping with my friend last week, we walked into a store where Christmas music was blaring from the speakers (of course, we immediately had to leave). Number 2 - while driving home through downtown, I saw that all the shops had their windows decorated and all the lamp posts had green wreaths attached. Number 3 - over the weekend, I visited my parents and I spotted not one but TWO trees bright and shining in the windows. Number 4 - on my way home from work Friday I noticed that what was once a normal radio station had turned to "All Christmas All the Time." Now, before you start thinking that I'm the biggest grinch ever, let me explain something. I love Christmas. I might even consider myself a Christmas fanatic. I love decorating, baking, and listening to Christmas tunes as much as the next fool...that is AFTER Thanksgiving has officially ended. Of course, I have occasionally been caught humming a Christmas tune or two around Thanksgiving. BUT, that is my own choice and I refuse to have Christmas rammed down my throat any earlier than the day after Thanksgiving. Doesn't Thanksgiving deserve it's own spotlight? I can just picture Bette Midler (aka Christmas) singing wind beneath my wings to Thanksgiving. It's terrible. I say we take a stand and take back Thanksgiving!

The Accidental Thinker

Almost to the point of distraction, my brain is constantly thinking. It thinks about problems, dinner plans, book ideas, life, and future plans. It takes note of body language, silences among friends, and facial expressions. It has an uncanny ability to glimpse inside another's perspective - even when the perspective isn't offered. It helps me be a better, more understanding person. I'm not claiming to be psychic or overly intelligent. No, I'm neither. I'm just an average girl, whose in tune with her own thoughts. I like my mind. It's not larger than life, but it's complex enough to keep challenging me. I like that I'm able to express my ideas, feelings, and opinions to others. I appreciate the people in my life that can do the same. It is sometimes hard for me to have superficial relationships because I like to connect on a deeper level. I don't like walls between people. I know I can drive my friends and family crazy with my wonderings, but I love that they love me anyway. I enjoy hearing what others think. The best feeling is when someone opens your eyes to a new insight. Left alone with your own thoughts for too long without communicating with others who are different can breed close-mindedness.