Nothing Special

What a week. I've been battling a cold for nearly two weeks, so today I decided it was time to go to the doctor. I was kind of bummed because tonight was our last home football game, but I realize the importance of taking care of myself. It turned out to be a necessary visit. I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend, so I can go back to school next week full force.

I've had way too much time to think over the past week (I spent two days home). It's hard not to get down and throw a pity party, but you get to the point where you're just ready to feel like yourself again. Anyway, my saving graces this week have been my sister, my students, and a few kind words from friends.

My sister knows how to make me laugh. Yesterday, she had me in tears as we chatted on the phone. There are so many inside jokes between the two of us. Aside from her silly side, she also has a way to comfort me. She is often able to put things into perspective. Sometimes you just need someone to wake you up, and that is one thing my sister does for me.

My students unknowingly uplifted me this week. When you are away from the classroom, they tend to appreciate you a little more. I could sense this when I returned after being gone. There are other times when I just think about something they said or did, and I am instantly smiling. I guess I'm lucky to have such a rewarding profession.

I have a lot of really great friends. For this, I am extremely blessed. This week, along with every other time, they reached out when I was feeling low. They encouraged and listened. I really couldn't ask for much more.

This post was really nothing special, but sometimes it just feels good to write a little. I hope my creative juices return when all of the drainage leaves my head ;-)

Break it Down

I'm a Pinterest addict. It's so cliche and slightly embarrassing to admit, but I'm honest by nature. I genuinely use it for inspiration, lesson plans, work out ideas, and even recipes (yea, I've actually been cooking... but that's for another post). This morning, I read this:

What initially caught my attention was the quotation by Albert Einstein. "The world as we have created, it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be created without changing our thinking." Wow. I wonder what it would be like to swim around in his brain. 

I've been thinking a lot about the processes we go through. Not just the daily routines, but our thought processes. I often have students ask the inevitable question, "Why do I need to know this?" I have adopted the saying, "It's about creating a learning process. You are learning how to think." I realize that many of them do not love literature and writing, and, to be frank, they won't need to know literary elements in their daily lives. What they do need to know is the process of how to think and make decisions. Literature and the writing process are great tools in attaining these skills. 

Number eight on this list says, "The impossible looking aerial view of a big project. Break it down into smaller parts, a bunch of little, achievable ones." This is exactly what we need to do each day. We all want to know the big picture. We all want to know why we "need to learn this." The fact is, that we don't know the big picture, and we never will. What we can see are the little, attainable goals that we set throughout the day. Those steps help take us to where we need to be; they are each important. We all need to learn how to break it down. 

My Exciting 28th Birthday

That's right, folks... I'm the big 2-8! I thought I would share with y'all how I celebrated this monumental milestone.

Got together with a huge group of friends and raged all day and night.  Just kiddin' ;-) My day looked a lot more like this:

-- I hopped out of bed at 4:32 and hit up the treadmill for a quick 3 miles... I sniffled my way to and from, careful not to leave any snot on the gym equipment.

-- Turned on my pot of coffee as I headed to the shower and began my normal morning routine. I threw on my striped maxi skirt and trusty jean jacket. I was still feeling droggy from my weekend cold, so my hair was neatly placed in a low pony tail.

-- I drove my normal route to school and tried my best not to get distracted by the numerous "pings" that notified me of birthday Facebook posts. I silently thought through my classes and the lessons that were to unfold throughout the day.

-- School started just like every other morning. Kids were coming in my room saying, "Do we need our books?" and "I'm tired." My answers: "What are we doing? (blank stare) We're still reading 'The Pit and the Pendulum,' so the answer is 'yes,'" and "Maybe you should go to bed earlier... Just a thought." For some reason, they would rather slam seven Mt. Dews throughout the day. Sick.

-- School was pretty typical. No one really knew it was my birthday, and the head-cold I have been dealing with made me feel a little crabby. The things that I normally find funny were just slightly annoying. Oh well... that's life :-)

-- After school, I jetted to the tanning bed, followed by a quick trip to the drugstore for some Airborne.

-- Birthday dinner? Oh, you know... just some meatballs and peas. Of course, there may be some dark chocolate in my freezer that might sneak into my belly. I'm painting my nails a deep navy blue and thinking about that bottle of wine in my fridge. The only reason I haven't popped 'er open yet is that I might dip into some cold meds later that happen to contain codeine. Something tells me I shouldn't mix the two of them.

-- I'm hoping to end this glorious day with a relaxing night in sweatpants and a good book. I know it's pretty thrilling... don't be too jealous :-)

Take Heart

We all have good days. It's easy to rejoice and be thankful when the current flows in our favor; however, our true character is built on those darker days. This weekend, I started to come down with something. To be honest, I think I have just worn myself out. Of course, this happens from time to time. It is just another way of showing us the importance of slowing down. Everyone knows that it's no fun being sick. Feelings of self-pity, loneliness, and frustration take over, even on a beautiful fall day like today. While I am not feeling 100%, I still want to focus on my blessings and share some words. 

It's easy to see people's Facebook profiles and Instagram photos full of travels and exciting life events and feel jealous. It's important to remember that life isn't always like that. In fact, many of the best times are the most simple times. 

The absolute truth. When you feel low, remember who is by your side. 

This week, remember to take heart. Life is good with God. 

Some Encouragement

I have spent the last two days at the Iowa Council for Teachers of English. Overall, I was impressed by the thoughtful ideas and motivating speakers that were provided. I realize that attending these types of conferences can be a gamble. It's also important to realize that your mindset going into the experience can make all the difference in the world. I was ready to learn and get a little break away from the noise (literally and figuratively) of classroom teaching.

Yesterday was full of round table discussions and talks of YA Literature. It's only a matter of time before I make my way to Half Price Books. There are so many awesome titles that both myself and my students really need to read. I realized that my passion for encouraging life-long readers is shared by my colleagues. Reading is such an important part of everyone's lives, so it is essential that we as teachers make reading enjoyable. There really is a book for everyone... or as the speaker, Penny Kittle, said, "Give them a home-run book." Isn't that just the coolest term!?

This morning, I met with a group about bridging the gap between high school to college. In other words, what do teachers need to be doing to make the transition easier? What do college professors expect my students to know when they step into a college writing course? It was a great discussion, and I feel like I heard a lot of insightful ideas. I was hungry for suggestions from seasoned teachers. As we were walking out, one of the college professors looked at me and said, "You need to relax." I laughed nervously and replied, "Can you tell I'm feeling unsure about my senior writing classes?" He went on to say (along with two other teachers) that it gets easier. He said that my first year is behind me, and I survived... that is what matters. He also mentioned that it does get easier; however, as soon as you have one thing figured out, something else changes. I realized as I got into my car that the important part is that I care. If it didn't bother me, then we would have a real problem.

Currently, I am staring at my lesson plans for next week and wanting to change just about all of them. It might be best if I take a step back... and maybe take a step towards the mall :-) Happy weekend!!

In Need of a Hug

Happy Monday, everyone... Or is it? Generally Mondays don't bother me. We've got to start somewhere, right? Well, this Monday in particular was not my favorite. Without going into details, I was disappointed and discouraged. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing the 'two steps forward, three steps back' game. I realize that every day cannot be off the charts, but today I just couldn't seem to catch a break. Yes, I'm throwing a pity party, and yes, you're invited.

I complained a little bit after school. I said a few choice words, but vowed to leave it at the door as soon as I stepped into my apartment. I poured myself a class of wine and made a nice dinner. After catching up on the latest E! News, I realized that I needed to vent just a little bit more... hence, me writing this blog post.

BUT.... I also realize that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I know that the events that unfolded today were nothing more than a few annoying, unnecessary issues. If things went smoothly each day, I wouldn't appreciate the good ones. There are days when I look around my classroom as the kids work diligently on their assignments and think, "Wow... I'm living my dream." Yes, there are good days and there are bad days. All of them are important in one way or another. In fact, I just heard on the radio today that we stress so much about an hour, a day, a year, when in fact, it is all just a glimpse compared to the eternal life that we have been guaranteed.

We are also given the gift of a new day. I am excited to start my Tuesday off fresh. I just really think a big hug would make today much better... or maybe a glass bottle of wine?

Words

I am a words person. I hang on each word; I analyze each phrase. It's really a blessing and a curse. Maybe this is because I am an English teacher, but I believe it's due more to my writing. The construction of a poem, the diction in a short story. The words are delicately placed where the author intends them. They dance across the page suggesting meaning.

My love of words goes beyond my reading and writing. I reflect on conversations, analyzing the words that someone said to me. I remember text messages and emails. I make it a point to express my feelings and share my ideas with others; therefore, it's important to me when others do the same. I listen to their words.

Have you ever looked back and wish you hadn't said something? That's a silly question because we have all been there. We have all exchanged unkind words, said hurtful phrases, and participated in regretful conversations. We all have moments that we replay in our minds, remembering them like yesterday. While this is totally normal, it's also not helpful to live in those moments, those words.

I think about the power of words quite frequently, especially at school. People are so impressionable, and I want to make sure the words that I share are constructive and productive. There are times when my words need to be comforting. When I comment on a paper I've graded or when I talk to my mom on the phone, my words matter... and so do yours.

Be kind.