note to self: remember this

Photo by me; text added with PicMonkey

goodbye, 2011 -- welcome, 2012!

remember: anything is possible

2011

Biggest changes

•  Taking a year of unpaid leave to pursue the degree that will allow me to do my "dream job." 
• Supporting my mom by taking on more responsibilities in regards to grandma.

Successes

• I truly loved teaching fourth grade!
• I finished my second year of classroom teaching and used my difficult first year to plant the seeds of success for the second. 

Going out on a limb

• Shy, awkward me get up in front of classmates or strangers and tell a STORY? Never! Well, that's what I thought before I met NFB, my storytelling professor. Her unflagging positivity, passion and firm belief that storytelling is an essential skill for a librarian worked their magic on me. 

2012

Upcoming challenges

• I need to focus on and prepare for my aikido test in February.
• I need to take a look at my finances and decide whether I can afford to extend my unpaid leave for an additional half-year.

 I will

• Manage my time better when it comes to schoolwork.
• Make organization a part of everyday life. 
• Break the bad habit of leisure time = Internet surfing/blog reading. I'd like to use that time to read, journal, sew, draw ... 

      Lindsay of From the Aisle to Aloha wrote a lovely little post about choosing a word to guide her year.
     I've chosen my own word as well -- C R E A T E!
     It's my choice to create a life full of happiness and peace. I choose to create an organized home, a healthy lifestyle, and close, caring relationships with people important to me. I choose to create a life of abundance that distinguishes between want and need, that values time and experience over material possessions.
     I'd like to weave my word of the year into my blog. Looking forward to seeing how that happens!

king of regifting

    The Mr. jokingly said I am "off" girlfriend duty this week, as sis is in town. I did drop by his house, however, last night to deliver some gift bags, tags and ribbons, and to help him wrap and package gifts.
    When I got there, there was a ripped-open present on the sofa. The box contained several items, which were speedily divvied up for regifting. It always amuses me to watch the Mr. regift. He is not particularly sentimental, so he doesn't dither over the issue of regifting. At one point he even inspected our meager DVD collection to see whether any were regiftable!
   Speaking of gifts ... I did brave the mall with my mom this week, and we did surprisingly well, both in the acquisition of presents and in the acquisition of parking stalls. We scored double free samples at See's and some great sale items at Macy's. I even picked up a little something for me (review to come!). :)

diary of a (gummy) worm

     No one ever tells you this, but if you're going into elementary education, you should have some crafting skills -- or at least the potential to develop some skills. Because this was the last week of our fall afterschool program, I wanted to do something fun with each class. The third-graders decorated plastic photo frames with foam letters and stickers; the second-graders made bookmarks with cords and beads, and I made "dirt" cups with the first-graders.
     I'm not sure where people got their crafty ideas before the Internet, but thank goodness there are so many great ideas out there. I did have to brave the holiday crowds to hit Wal-Mart for last-minute supplies, but the kids had fun. :)

dwelling on my blessings

   While I try hard to be grateful everyday, there's nothing like dwelling on my blessings in honor of Thanksgiving. So here's a (short) list:

• My family. It's been tough taking on more caretaking responsibilities, but ultimately it is an honor to be able to help. I hope to do my duties with a more cheerful heart.
• The Mr. He's brought a lot of laughter into my life. He's also patient, kind, witty, a good cook, and a goofball. 
• The opportunity to pursue my degree. While I grumble about tuition, the crushing workload, the crazy parking, and everything else, I realize that I am fortunate. I belong to the (small) group of people in this world who can choose to not work for a time and focus on education.   
• A blog that has let me start searching for my personal style. I appreciate all the kind and thoughtful comments and have discovered so many awesome, inspiring bloggers. 
• Aikido. It keeps me balanced (and humble). 
• A life of abundance. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

lovely links: boo-ks

    For one of my library science classes, our final project is to design a database. We got to choose the topic. I decided to do something fun: gingerbread house recipes and patterns.
    I've always wanted to make a real old-fashioned gingerbread house. My mom used to subscribe to Ladies Home Journal and I always admired the intricate house they'd showcase on the magazine cover.
   It seems people use gingerbread to build everything from Hogwarts, to the Empire State Building, to the Eiffel Tower. But this one made me smile.
   My list of "fun things to do when the semester's finished" is rapidly filling up, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to squeeze in a very simple gingerbread house project. That is, when I'm not taking photos, or trying to dye some previously loved clothing, or reading all those books I never get to read during the school year ...