I'm still out here!

HI!  I'm still around!  Still out here living my best life.

Here's the thing.  Last year is a complete blur for me, for a lot of reasons.  I probably over committed myself.  BUT, I accomplished my goals and the dust is finally settling.

I earned my English Language Learner endorsement and it's officially on my teaching credentials.  It was 24 credits from October-June on top of my full time job.  I also did two 1 credit book studies, I took a 1 credit Abuse course for my certification, I retook part of my test for National Board certification, and led my usual extra responsibilities at work.  Then I took 12 more credits over the summer.  I have transcripts flying at me like crazy, but everything is turned in, 45 credits accomplished in one year.  My daily teaching felt more like daily classroom management, which is not my favorite part of the job.

I told my mom this new school year is my Year of No.  Can you help with this?  No.  Can you do this project?  No.  Can you lead this group?  No.

This school year is totally different already.  I feel like I'm actually teaching.  I'm a better teacher (we'll say that's because of the additional 45 credits or something).  I leave after school, and I'm not in a big rush to get to class or a meeting.  It's amazing.


But I didn't ONLY work.  So here's a few OTHER highlights from the past few months...

I went to Disneyland.  It was my second time there, but Disney is always fun.  I took SO MANY pictures, but here's a taste of the fun.  We got the 3 day pass for Disneyland & California Adventure, including breakfast with all of Mickey's friends.  The only way to do Disney is to go all in.  We got the ears and the shirts and wore our walking shoes.  Plus I gained the Disney 20 or something.

  

We took the drawing class, met the princesses, sat by the pool, rode Guardians of the Galaxy 3+ times (my favorite!), sang with Chip & Dale, ate at the Pirates of the Caribbean Blue Bayou restaurant, rode in the front with the monorail driver, ate the Mickey shaped caramel apples (and pancakes, and waffles, and cupcakes, churros, and the sausage corn dogs- oh my gosh the corn dogs!). 

Serving up some attitude here ^^

We stayed for the brand new Pixarfest fireworks and light show, and then found a place to eat dessert until midnight while the crowd made their way home.  It was a full few days.  Then we flew home and I had to get homework done.

Then I buried my head in work and studies until the end of the school year when I spent the time that I wasn't doing homework outside enjoying a few sunny June days (and eating fish on the water). 

The last day of school came and I threw everything in cabinets and ran out as fast as I could.  I was ready to be DONE.  I took my endorsement test the Monday after school was out.  I spent a few days being a tourist before my summer classes started up. 

I did the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square again.  It was still interesting and it has been a few years since I went so I enjoyed it all over again. 

I went on the Theo Chocolate tour!  I was very excited about this one since it has been on my list since I moved out here.  It was not as much factory touring as I expected/wanted (it really never is, though, is it?), BUT I learned a little and got a new cookbook with a new chicken mole recipe, so I was a happy camper.  Plus, I found a new plant store across the street so it was a winner of a day.

I trained this summer for a half marathon because I clearly didn't have enough things to do and had plenty of time for 1-2 hour long runs.  I don't know what I was thinking.  But after I did my first ever 6 mile training run with a couple friends, another friend picked me up as I finished my run and I hopped in the car and went out to pick some raspberries and it was the most painful squatting I have ever done.  But, I got a million pounds of fresh delicious raspberries afterwards so it was worth it.

Do I look as exhausted as I feel at 10am?!?!

I did some grocery shopping at the market and then cooked dinner.  Best grocery shopping ever.

Then summer tried to end quickly, but I managed to squeeze in a day outside at Seahawks training camp with a couple coworker friends before I hit the air to go meet my BRAND NEW (2 month old) NEPHEW! 

He did not disappoint.  He is chunky and smiley and full of wiggles (not in this particular picture, however).

While in KC, we went to Donutology to check out the latest mini donut decorating craze and I got my local coffee fix. 

Cake for breakfast is always a good choice.  I got to hang out with my little, very chatty, Squish.  She performed as Elsa in Frozen a number of times and cheesed it up for me.

And she is only a tiny bit protective of this new little brother of hers.  Why does she look so concerned here??

I love him and all of his chins and smiles.

Then I was off on a plane spending 4 hours and $8 on in-flight wifi trying to finish a course and get back to the west coast.  Then I got to head BACK to school to prep for a whole new group of kiddos!  The best part of this summer was that I was so busy doing other things that I really didn't feel like I thought about my classroom at all.  It was a true break from school (except for the classes I was taking...).

My first day back to work was a meeting downtown for a technology training, so I got to do lunch with a view and sunshine.

I spent a few days going to trainings, classes, prepping my classroom, and wrapping up my own courses.  Then I hit the road for Carlton, Oregon the weekend before school started to do my first half marathon through wine country.

We ran our 13.1 miles.  My ankle started bothering me around mile 11 when we got to gravel, so I walked a mile, but then ran the last mile.  So really, I did a 12.1 mile run and 1 mile walk, but it still counts.

I started school in September and have thoroughly enjoyed having weekends available for FUN.  I went to the International District | Chinatown in Seattle for the Night Festival.  I ate Korean Fried Chicken and this delicious Banana Nutella Puffle with a friend and enjoyed the street entertainment.

I went to the apple orchard and picked the most delicious honey crisp and gala apples in the rain (true PNW weather...).

And I'm enjoying my Year of No.  Unless it's something fun-  then I'm saying Yes.

It's almost March already....!?

I'm so busy.  Isn't that what people say to feel important?  I read an article about that once.  I'm not that important, but I was a bit ambitious with the amount work I took on this school year and because of that, it's just a year of keeping my head above water.  I think I felt this way last year, too...?  Maybe it's just a regular feeling now.

I started my English Language Learner endorsement.  I think I mentioned this before.  It's through Seattle University (I love to support the Jesuits!) and it's 24 credits.  While I'm only taking it post-baccalaureate (instead of for graduate credit) and therefore each class is pass/fail, I'm still swimming in assignments, papers, reading, and general homework.  Each 3 credit class is 9-10 classes over 5 weeks, so it's an accelerated program and the work turn around is QUICK on top of full time teaching.  The perk here is the whole program is 9 months and then I'm done.  So while there are times this year where I feel like I'm just going one day at a time to get everything done, I will be done with the program by summer and that is fantastic!  I will have a test to take for the state in order to add this endorsement to my license, but I'm hoping that will be no big deal by summer.

I thought I was done spending so much time in coffee shops, but I was wrong.  I'm also in a book study for our district this trimester, so I have lots of text book reading happening.  

In other testing news, I didn't pass my National Boards.  Sad face.  I missed the cut off by one weighted point, which is only .35 of unweighted scores.  I will be retaking two parts of the testing component this spring and then I wait until December again to find out if I pass.  I lucked out and don't have to redo an entire written component again and am only retaking two parts of the testing component, so I'm trying to see this through rose colored glasses.  It really is a best-case-scenario as far as re-take options are concerned.

Otherwise, I've been considerably less adventurous with all this homework to get done (I am really procrastinating by writing this right now...), but I'm trying to be sure to take time to enjoy.  I was home for Christmas and got to squish a Squish.  Lucky me!!! 

I went to south Seattle and walked around Kubota Gardens on a beautiful and rare sunny February day- these Japanese inspired gardens are in the middle of a residential neighborhood and are beautiful, even in the winter months.  

Then I managed to get the flu and it knocked me OUT- probably about 2 weeks until I felt like I had my regular energy back.  It left me feeling super behind with my job, homework, and general life, but I am finally bouncing back.  

Should I dye my hair purple?  Do I need bangs?  How fun is that filter?  This picture was 7:30am at urgent care, feeling like the walking dead so I needed something to make me look more alive.  

Right after the flu, I had mid-winter break and my mom and sister made the flight out here to spend some quality time with me.  I hope all they wanted was quality time, because that's really all I had to give them.  We did no sight-seeing or crazy February adventures... we just sat around, ate out every meal (I didn't even cook), and laughed.  At one point, I made them walk around by themselves while I sat at a coffee shop and wrote a paper and a speech for class.  I swear I'm usually a better hostess...... 

I think they had a good time.  It was fun to have them around for a few days!

What a downer of a blog post.  Things really are great!  Life is good, things are getting done.  Living the good life over here!  It really is, though.  I really can't complain because everything I'm working on is teaching me a ton, and while it's a lot of work, I'm enjoying the process.  

Seriously though, I have two chapters to read and journal entries to complete today, so I better get on it!