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.

Weekend Collection

Friday's dinner involved walking around countless people and food trucks.  "The Battle of the Food Trucks" was in full force, and believe me, the husband and I got around.  Both of us were happy with our respective selections for dinner, but I was even happier with our selection for dessert.  A salted caramel chocolate, mint chocolate, fudge, and orangescicle cupcake each went home to be devoured over the weekend.  They were well worth the calories.

This weekend brought a visitor from Pennsylvania.  A fellow teacher who loves all things English (in both the British sense and the language sense).  And thus, our great adventure began.

On Saturday, we left early in the morning to drive to Montgomery where the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum was waiting for us.  Although not extensive, the museum sits in a lovely house where the Fitzgeralds resided when living close to Zelda's family.  Because of in-law issues and the oppressive summer heat, F. Scott was not particularly fond of living Montgomery, and they were never around for long.  However, it was one of the longest places of residence for the Fitzgeralds, including their daughter.

The museum included pictures and memorabilia from Zelda and Scott's respective families, as well as pictures and letters dating from their courtship and on.  Some of Zelda's artwork was on display, and first editions of all Scott's novels!  The excitement and complete nerd-ing out was overwhelming.

Then we jumped into the car and headed to Monroeville, Harper Lee's hometown.  We had tickets to see a performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the courthouse that inspired the events in the famed novel.  It was breathtaking.  The performance was wonderful, and we wanted Atticus to come home and read us a bedtime story.  He was the perfect performer.  A long drive home and a stop at a Waffle House capped off our long Saturday.

Sunday was a day of BBQ and relaxation and that was alright with me.  It's hard to come back down to earth after such an exciting, fun-filled weekend, but I am so glad that such a dear friend was able to visit.

April Favorites

This month was probably my busiest of all the months thus far.  I was looking for quick and easy fixes to issues I was dealing with at the time.  As the cold months left, my skin was doing crazy things, I was completely depressed by the beautiful but dark colors in every room, and I was looking for a little color in every corner.

West Elm bedding | The first thing I wanted to update was our cranberry-colored bedspread.  These lighter, coastal tones of the duvet cover paired well with slate Pottery Barn pillow covers and a matching throw.

Bella Kettle | This "hot pot" or kettle was the perfect colorful replacement.  It earned its spot on the counter.

Le Pens | The office supply nerd inside of me could not pass up the beauty of these pens.  And the fine tip.

Clarasonic Mia2 | For my crazy skin, Karl bought me this long-coveted face cleansing tool for my birthday.  Dealing with all sorts of sun, dirt, and general track grime deep in my pores, this little beauty has lived up to its reputation.

Underarmour hat | Although I hate hat hair, this has been a necessity as the sun comes out longer and hotter every day.  While the other coaches and kids walk around with sunburned scalps and faces, my head is fairing much better.

An Hour or Two

The state track championship was held in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was three days of sleepiness, watching, and running. And eating, of course.  Karl and I have been meaning to make it to the gulf, but our endeavor was cut short with his work schedule and life.  I am an ardent fan of the beach, and if I wasn't so afraid of storms, I would also be a supporter of coastal living myself.

I was not brave enough to don a swimsuit and jump into the water. But for the hour or so that the kids frolicked and posed for pictures, I dug my feet into the sand and the water.  I let the breeze off the waves tangle my hair.  I thought of big, floppy straw hats to shield my face from the burning sun.  And I imagined coming back to the beach because I do love it so.