And So It Begins

I almost believed that it would never happen.  That a school would never hire me.  I know people who have put in more time at a school as a substitute than actually going to college to become a teacher.  And here it is.  An offer and an acceptance.

I would be wrong to insinuate that this offer came merely because of my teaching abilities.  I know that they are looking for a person with more to offer (*cough* coaching abilities *cough*).  Most of the teachers are also coaches.  Also, while I was digging, I discovered that ALL the members of the English department have their masters' degrees, if not their doctorates'.  So I guess I can put that on my "immediately to-do" list.  I might have had that backlogged.

And while there is crazy excitement, there is also incredible fear.  I start school in a literal month.  Yay for professional development days.  I do not even know what grades I teach, yet alone, what books.  It is hard to prepare for a classroom you know nothing about.  I was once told that the first three years (at least) feel like you're drowning and the best you can do is tread water.  Fantastic.  I've had some experience with that feeling.

But it's here.  The day when I have my own classroom.  The day I start rehearsing my first day of school speech.  The day that everyone says I need to go in and demand respect or else they'll try to step all over me because I look like a student myself.  Nevertheless, it's here.  And all I can really do is continue to wait.

A Few Firsts

...putting on sunscreen so that I do not get burned.
Using Aloe Vera after I burn anyway.

...two a day track practices this week.
Skipping the coffee and taking an afternoon siesta.

...watching "Silence of the Lambs" on Netflix.
Peeking through my fingers like a child during most of the film.

...planning a Disney trip.
Having no small child to experience the magic of Disney, so taking 20 high schoolers instead.

This week has been nothing short of exhausting. The humidity starts draining me of life at 8 am on the track. I come home to eat, nap, and redress then end up back at the track in the afternoon and evening. But this devotion is paying off in a big way. More to come.

May Favorites

Another month, but this time filled with the promise of warm weather and the bright colors of summer.  I spent lazy afternoons beside the pool, making new friends with other tenants of our apartment complex.  After such gray, rainy days, I still hungered for color and sun.

Citrus Zinger Water Bottle | The bottom of this bottle comes off separately.  It looks to fit half of a small orange and or lemon perfectly.  The bottle came with infusion ideas; for example, lemon/basil/cinnamon sticks/honey or lime/lavender/ginger/cane sugar, as well as organ/mint/chipotle powder/agave nectar.  The possibilities are apparently endless.  I prefer strawberry fizzy water with a half lemon and mint.

Topoxte Dropwaist Tunic | I am obsessed with this tunic from Anthropologie.  A gigantic portion of my envelope money went to this one shirt, but I regret nothing.  The comfort, the color.  I hope this lasts forever.

Kate Spade Tote | This was a gift from the husband, but it was also a bribe.  I do love negotiations.

Emily Ley Simplified Life Binder | I was looking for something a little bit more permanent to keep track of our finances.  I am obsessively stalking Emily Ley's blog already in anticipation of her Simplified Planner (which releases in September).  While I do love my Erin Condren Life Planner, I am thoroughly impressed by Emily Ley's blog and devotion to putting God at the center of her family and her business.  Her preppy style and well-made products are gorgeous, and I look forward to her 2014 collection of inserts for her new binders.

Sun Hat | This hat was a steal.  I have been trying on various hats, not quite sure if I am a "hat person."  There are some people who are destined to look good in hats all the time (Kate Middleton).  And I was seeking a wide-brimmed floppy hat for those grueling days by the pool.  This hat from The Loft works perfectly, is made of neutral colors to match almost everything, and was on sale (thanks to my mother).  Steal.

Week(end) Collection

For a week, Karl was away.  I cleaned, I watched Netflix, I read books, and I went to track practice.  It was odd living the "alone" life, for it was not quite the single life, but I certainly had no one to talk to or bounce ideas off of, or laugh at, or even eat with.  I spent afternoons by the pool, and quite luckily, made some new acquaintances.  But I was very ready to visit Pennsylvania to see friends and family.

While there, I visited with roommates and co-workers, as well as family.  We were forever running (driving).  Although it may not have seemed like we rested, in a way, even though it was for a very short time, it was comforting to be in the arms of family once again.  As I have mentioned before, it still is nice to come back to our own place where I am familiar with my "things" and our habits.  But still, it was calming to see the hills and the greens of Pennsylvania.

Although we had some minor car trouble on our way back (I insisted we fly next time), we made it back in relatively good time.  Thus the unpacking and the laundry has begun.  Our bed has turned into a small desk where I am plotting out dinner and finances, and it is good to wrap myself in my robe once again.