I'm going to run a 5K.
Okay, I haven't decided precisely when this is going to happen, but it will. Perhaps when I'm 30. Ideally it would be before that, though. I've been doing really well with my general workout routine and quite enjoy a good gym visit. Suffice it to say that I am significantly more fit now than I have been in a good long while.
So what's the problem, you ask? Welp...I can currently run about 50 yards. Those 50 yards are shortly followed by overwhelming nausea, dehydration, jelly legs, and debilitating shortness of breath. THAT, you see, is the problem.
If this were a 5K of ellipticalling, I would straight up rock that! (Why hasn't anyone invented that yet?) Unfortunately it's not. I need some pointers on how to begin a running regimen. I've looked some stuff up and talked to my running-savvy friends, but still don't feel like I have any sort of concrete idea of how to begin.
Time for a little less talk and a lot more action. Let's do this.
8.27.2009
8.22.2009
"How much do souls go for in Lexington, anyway?"
During the spring of my senior year at Vandy, I had the opportunity to live the college lifestyle without attending classes for a couple of months. Because I had completed half of my student teaching over the summer, I was finished by Spring Break with almost all of my requirements for my degree (save that pesky little independent study project). So from Spring Break on, it was my mission to go anywhere, do anything, and party like it was 1999. I did just that.
The best part of it all was that my Tigers made it to the Final Four that year. All of the festivities were going to be held in good ole San Antonio, Texas, where my friend Audra is from. As soon as I found out Memphis had won their Elite Eight game, Audra called and we booked our flight.
That Final Four experience was one of the best times of my life. If you're a sports fan, you owe it to yourself to go to a Final Four sometime, particularly if your team is playing. We didn't even have tickets to the actual games, but we ate dinner with Dickie V, had countless coach/player sightings, did Tiger spell-outs through the streets, and saw Taylor Swift perform. We were there.
All of this makes the recent ruling from the NCAA even more frustrating/annoying/disheartening. According to them, one of our star players didn't pass his own SAT. He took it three times, and on the fourth time, miraculously passed. Suspicious? Yes. But the NCAA told the UofM that he was eligible to play. And boy, did he ever! He helped our team win 38 games that year, make a Final Four appearance, and come withing 2 minutes of winning a National Championship (another story for another time).
There were many, many clever articles, tweets, and message board comments about this event, but here's my favorite. Pick 10 Memphians off the street and ask them what they think about John Calipari. I can't guarantee what all 10 of them would say, but I'll venture as far as to guess that at least half of them wouldn't be fit to print. The guy's a lying scumbag. If you're being backed up as an "upstanding guy" by a politician (and since when does the governor comment on things like this?), that's a new low.
The best part of it all was that my Tigers made it to the Final Four that year. All of the festivities were going to be held in good ole San Antonio, Texas, where my friend Audra is from. As soon as I found out Memphis had won their Elite Eight game, Audra called and we booked our flight.
That Final Four experience was one of the best times of my life. If you're a sports fan, you owe it to yourself to go to a Final Four sometime, particularly if your team is playing. We didn't even have tickets to the actual games, but we ate dinner with Dickie V, had countless coach/player sightings, did Tiger spell-outs through the streets, and saw Taylor Swift perform. We were there.
All of this makes the recent ruling from the NCAA even more frustrating/annoying/disheartening. According to them, one of our star players didn't pass his own SAT. He took it three times, and on the fourth time, miraculously passed. Suspicious? Yes. But the NCAA told the UofM that he was eligible to play. And boy, did he ever! He helped our team win 38 games that year, make a Final Four appearance, and come withing 2 minutes of winning a National Championship (another story for another time).
There were many, many clever articles, tweets, and message board comments about this event, but here's my favorite. Pick 10 Memphians off the street and ask them what they think about John Calipari. I can't guarantee what all 10 of them would say, but I'll venture as far as to guess that at least half of them wouldn't be fit to print. The guy's a lying scumbag. If you're being backed up as an "upstanding guy" by a politician (and since when does the governor comment on things like this?), that's a new low.
8.19.2009
Reflections
Today I got frustrated. Like really, really frustrated for a large majority of the day. There were a lot of things that went wrong and I allowed them to get to me in a way I don't normally. I made a kid cry yesterday and today (different kids). The one today was the kind of cry where he was so emotional about everything going on that I sent him over the edge. I wasn't any meaner than normal, maybe I was even nicer. But when I told him to come tell me what was wrong, he just wrapped his arms around me and hung on me like kids do to their moms. It was the kind of hug/cry that meant he was truly, deeply upset about something. He said it was because I wouldn't let him have his colored pencils, but I don't know. It shouldn't have happened.
There were also times today when my students apologized to me for things they shouldn't have had to apologize for. They were having trouble opening their lockers, and I managed to make them feel incompetent, which was not at all my intention. I also had them feeling bad about things like sitting at the wrong lunch table, asking me questions, or forgetting which books they needed. My patience wore thin.
After school was over and I was sitting in my classroom trying to keep myself together, I started questioning what I was doing. I didn't do a job today that I'm proud of and may have harmed the egos of some kids in the process. For the first time, I really, truly thought about quitting. I have had bad days at school before, but never have I genuinely thought about what my life would be if I weren't teaching. Thinking about it today scared me. A lot.
It was then that I realized I couldn't stop teaching. I honestly don't know what I would do if I weren't doing this. I feel amazingly lucky to have found my passion so early in my life, and to have known for so long what I was meant to do. When people ask me what my dreams are, I have a hard time answering. For most of my life, one of my dreams was to become a teacher and help children. I have started to see that dream come true, and for that I am proud and grateful.
I have to go into tomorrow knowing that it will be a better day. On the way home tonight, I practiced what I was going to say in the morning. It will be a great day. I got some colored pencils to give back to the kid who was upset, I have a revised plan to deal with the bully in the class, and I have an attack plan for "Operation Work a Locker". The fourth day of school kind of sucked, but the fifth can't get worse!
There were also times today when my students apologized to me for things they shouldn't have had to apologize for. They were having trouble opening their lockers, and I managed to make them feel incompetent, which was not at all my intention. I also had them feeling bad about things like sitting at the wrong lunch table, asking me questions, or forgetting which books they needed. My patience wore thin.
After school was over and I was sitting in my classroom trying to keep myself together, I started questioning what I was doing. I didn't do a job today that I'm proud of and may have harmed the egos of some kids in the process. For the first time, I really, truly thought about quitting. I have had bad days at school before, but never have I genuinely thought about what my life would be if I weren't teaching. Thinking about it today scared me. A lot.
It was then that I realized I couldn't stop teaching. I honestly don't know what I would do if I weren't doing this. I feel amazingly lucky to have found my passion so early in my life, and to have known for so long what I was meant to do. When people ask me what my dreams are, I have a hard time answering. For most of my life, one of my dreams was to become a teacher and help children. I have started to see that dream come true, and for that I am proud and grateful.
I have to go into tomorrow knowing that it will be a better day. On the way home tonight, I practiced what I was going to say in the morning. It will be a great day. I got some colored pencils to give back to the kid who was upset, I have a revised plan to deal with the bully in the class, and I have an attack plan for "Operation Work a Locker". The fourth day of school kind of sucked, but the fifth can't get worse!
8.12.2009
This Girl's Faves
Today, Meghan posted a blog about her five (ahem, six) favorite things right now and challenged me to do the same. There are some things I'm particularly obsessed with right now, mostly including my new planner I just bought at Franklin Covey. I'm feeling lost because I had to order the pages online and they have yet to be shipped. Not that I'm checking the shipping info every two hours or anything.... Anyway, here are five things that I am currently crushing on:
Animal print flats. I have determined that I'm buying a pair as soon as my classroom stops eating my paychecks. (This pair is available at Ann Taylor)
Denim trousers, particularly these from Banana. Not really the best shape for my body type, but, hey, a girl can dream, right?
Monograms in the home. Let's be honest, I always love a good monogram. You can get this wall sticker monogram at threehipchicks.com
Last Friday, we painted most of my classroom with chalkboard paint. I wish I had this idea from Martha Stewart (no, really) before I commenced that project. Super neat!
And because we all know I can't have a list of favorite things without including my beloved Tigers, here's a shirt my sister has promised to buy me for Christmas. It reads "Memphis Basketball 'Our Coach is Hotter Than Your Coach'". Check him out!
Now it's your turn! Dessa? Audra? Favorite away!!
Animal print flats. I have determined that I'm buying a pair as soon as my classroom stops eating my paychecks. (This pair is available at Ann Taylor)
Denim trousers, particularly these from Banana. Not really the best shape for my body type, but, hey, a girl can dream, right?
Monograms in the home. Let's be honest, I always love a good monogram. You can get this wall sticker monogram at threehipchicks.com
Last Friday, we painted most of my classroom with chalkboard paint. I wish I had this idea from Martha Stewart (no, really) before I commenced that project. Super neat!
And because we all know I can't have a list of favorite things without including my beloved Tigers, here's a shirt my sister has promised to buy me for Christmas. It reads "Memphis Basketball 'Our Coach is Hotter Than Your Coach'". Check him out!
Now it's your turn! Dessa? Audra? Favorite away!!
8.10.2009
Summer Lovin
As I was at school today, I was reliving the glory of this summer. It was a quite successful one, if I do say so. Here's a rundown:
Big move from the hood to Kenner (complete with helpful move crew and creepy alien truck)
Trip to Hoover, AL to watch the 8th seeded Dores make their way to the SEC Championship game (where they lost to the eventual National Champs...not too shabby!)
KCrews' bachelorette!
Family trip (without the padre) to Orlando and Disney World
KCrews got hitched (I was there, though I don't personally own any photographic evidence)
A trip to Michigan, which I have determined must happen ASAP
My first Cubs game
Kayela got hitched in a fabulous Kentucky affair
Lots of classroom construction both in my room and in Lauryn's
There were other things that were fabulous, including a Grand Ole Opry trip, Sounds games, trips to Memphis, cookouts, house parties, and much more! I'm excited to be starting a new school year, but also bummed that all of this is over. The planning for next summer has already begun....I'm thinking tropical....
Big move from the hood to Kenner (complete with helpful move crew and creepy alien truck)
Trip to Hoover, AL to watch the 8th seeded Dores make their way to the SEC Championship game (where they lost to the eventual National Champs...not too shabby!)
KCrews' bachelorette!
Family trip (without the padre) to Orlando and Disney World
KCrews got hitched (I was there, though I don't personally own any photographic evidence)
A trip to Michigan, which I have determined must happen ASAP
My first Cubs game
Kayela got hitched in a fabulous Kentucky affair
Lots of classroom construction both in my room and in Lauryn'sThere were other things that were fabulous, including a Grand Ole Opry trip, Sounds games, trips to Memphis, cookouts, house parties, and much more! I'm excited to be starting a new school year, but also bummed that all of this is over. The planning for next summer has already begun....I'm thinking tropical....
8.03.2009
Don't worry....I've found heaven
I've always said that I want to retire on a ranch in Montana (or Wyoming....I don't know enough to know the difference). This place makes retirement sound much too long to wait. The idea of glamorous camping, or "glamping", makes me swoon. I'm not much of one for adventurous, outdoorsy things, but this place makes it seem downright amazing. I love pretty much everything it has to offer. Who's in for a trip to Montana soon?
The Resort at Paws Up
The Resort at Paws Up
8.02.2009
Beale Street Flippers
I had heard some buzz about something the Beale Street Flippers did on America's Got Talent (a show I've never seen). The Flippers perform on Beale Street doing tricks for tips (not that kind of trick....), and also as entertainment at different events around the city. I've seen them several times as halftime entertainment at basketball games, and have always found them incredibly entertaining.
I'm pretty pumped that they made such a great impression on America's Got Talent. They're reppin M-town well!
Here's the link to see the video. (YouTube wouldn't let me embed it here)
I'm pretty pumped that they made such a great impression on America's Got Talent. They're reppin M-town well!
Here's the link to see the video. (YouTube wouldn't let me embed it here)
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