A Look Back on 2009

2009.....

A lot happened this year! Changes in my life made me stronger and more appreciative of just how blessed I really am. I saw joy and heartache. No, the heartache wasn't gut wrenching, but emotional heartache is what I felt. I experience the end of some relationships and the strengthing of some others. Family bonds have gotten stronger and I have a deeper sense of just how important my family really is.

It's kind of odd, but I was chatting with my sister the other day and I stated that I didn't have friends. I do have friends, but doing things with my friends is limited. I am not as extroverted as I once was, but I am completely fine with that. I have felt that over that past 9-10 years since college I have grown inward a bit, but in a good way. I'm not always seeking the attention like I once used to. I'm happy with myself in so many ways. I love my life. Yes, there are some things that need improving, but hey I'm not perfect.

2009 was a decent year. I changed jobs, not occupation, but positions actually. I am happier in my occupation because of the change in position. I am learning again, which I believe had been put on hold for the past three years. I am challenged daily, but I am becoming stronger as a result of it.

Resolutions are really my thing so choose to make gradual changes throughout the year. Besides no one really sticks to their resolutions anyway. Haha! Probably the one thing that I really want to do this next year is start my master's. I will and in due time will have my master's degree. So with that being said....2009 was a year of good change in just about every part of my life. I am truly thankful for what has happened.

Two mottos I have been living by this past year and will continue remember:

It's not about what happens to me, It's about how I choose to respond.

I doesn't matter what people think about me, it's none of my business anyway.

Thanksgiving Blessings

I have A LOT to be thankful for. I don't always voice my blessings or make them known, but I am truly thankful for what I have been blessed with. I may not have had too many problems in my life which is another thing I am thankful for. I have problems and I am working on them, but the blessings are what make my life worthwhile. I have the basic necessities, food, shelter, water, etc, but I have so much more. Crazy thing is I am always trying to get rid of stuff...go figure! Haha! Anyway, I thank God for what I have and my experiences, but during this time of Thanksgiving I want to express it verbally. I am truly blessed and thankful for.............

1. My family who I love dearly. I don't get to see some of them very much, but I love them just the same.


2. My friends....my friendship circle has changed so much in the past few years, its crazy. I don't see some of them as much as I like, but I still do consider them friends. I also have friends from other states I have never met before that are very special to me. Someday I will meet them and I look forward to that day.


3. My job....that I have one and that it is an environment that I can be myself. It's not home quite yet, but it's going well. I really do love teaching and I hope that shows.


4. God.....for loving me through everything and for providing me with needs and wants.

Whoever reads this, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

My Birthday!!!

I have now officially turned 33!!!!!!!!!!!!! My birthday this year was celebrated a few different ways.......

1. My small group at church wished me Happy Birthday with yummy brownies and banana

bread. No, I do not like bananas, but I do love banana bread. Yes, odd, but who cares!

2. I treated myself to a facial.....so relaxing...pumpkin latte. Haha!

3. I spent my actual birthday at Disney's Magic Kingdom!!! This was my favorite celebration.

My mother, my good friend(who is now my best friend) Maggie, her daughter Hannah and my cousin Travis were all in attendence for the day of celebration for me!!!!!!! Yes, I played hooky, haha, but I had permission so who cares. I got into Disney for free of course. My cousin Travis works for Disney to he got tickets for my mother and Maggie. Hannah is 1 yr old so of course she was free. We had so much fun. It was hot, but that didn't ruin our fun. Haunted Mansion, Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Buzz Lightyear were the rides we rode. Birthday lunch was the The Liberty Tavern restaurant, they sang to me, I got a birthday cupcake which was chocolate and we ended the day watching the Celebrate Today parade! I got my caramel apple as well. I took lots of pictures of course. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a photo nut. It was a very good way to celebrate my birthday and any other birthday for that matter. I would definitely suggest to anyone who is celebrating anything to celebrate at Disney. Oh, I forgot....they gave me a birthday button so all day everyone wished me a Happy Birthday! Okay yes, kids get birthday buttons, but I don't care...it made me feel special. It was one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time.

Lots of changes

Yes, it has been awhile since my last post. I'm completely aware of that, but I've been busy, very busy. I went on another vacation, went back to work and at a new location. New environments can be quite a big adjustment. I am doing very well though.

The vacation was absolutely wonderful. I got the chance to see family members I had not seen in awhile. My mother and I took a roadtrip to Indiana to see and visit with her side of the family. Yes, they are crazy, but they are my family and I am very thankful I got the opportunity to visit with them. I love them very much. I took so many pictures. Yes, I'm a photography nut so of course I had to take a bunch of pictures. It was a quick trip, but I am so glad I did. Just wish it didn't take so long to drive to Indiana. I wanted to fly but its all good. Made the road trip part of it as fun as possible so as not to get bored. But I will have to admit, that there were a few times, especially on the way back, I did get bored.

So starting a new job at a new location can be crazy. I'm still a teacher, but now I'm an 8th grade teacher, still in Science and at a new school. I am in the adjustment phase of this process. Adjusting to a new school schedule, a new sleep schedule and a new routine schedule. For the past few years I've had the same routine, same hours and got used to it. Well now it's completely different. I have to get up earlier in the morning, go to bed earlier at night, daily routine is different everyday and busier. Some days I have a break and some days I don't. But surprisingly, it's not that bad. I know it will get easier as time goes by so I am not worrying about it too much. I love the fact that my day ends by 3pm. Wahoo! I still have time to do errands and whatever else because, hello, things are still open. Right now, that's my favorite. Not too excited about having to do lesson plans again, but once I get going and get myself completely organized I will be okay. It's all apart of the adjustment period, right? The new environment is quite different. I'm at a middle/senior high school which is on a block schedule. I don't see my kids everyday and the class periods are longer. Something else I am adjusting too. It's cool because I teach the same stuff for two days, woohoo! That means 3 lesson plans during the week so now the "writing lesson plans" part is not so bad as I thought. But of course I gotta get myself organized on that part and get them written. Haha! That takes determination, which I have, but not quite yet. I am believing I will get it and hopefully this weekend or I am screwed come Monday. LOL! No worries though...they will get done.

So to end this long post....teaching is going well, I am enjoying it, my personal life is good and my mind is in a good state. Wahoo!

Beach Vacation...Part 2

Me, Nate and Jenn

I know Part 2 was delayed. I've been somewhat busy and a tad bit lazy. Haha! So the beach vacation to Clearwater and Anna Maria Island was absolutely wonderful. Jennifer and Nate got married on a boat in Clearwater Beach. A wonderful time for everyone in attendence including myself. I did help out with prewedding prep, a little crazy and really hot. It turned out beautiful, the 3 hour cruise was awesome, lunch was yummy, the ceremony was beautiful and I had a lot of fun. I've got many, many pictures too many to put on here obviously. I will put one though.

Zach, Allie and myself
That's me on the rocks on the intecoastal

Anna Maria Island was absolutely wonderful. The Sunday after Jenn&Nate's wedding I got in the car and drove 2 hours south. I arrived at a beach house to spend a few days in the sand, the sun, and the water with 2 great friends, Allie and Zach. We didn't do much and that was fine with me. Spent the days at the beach, spent the evenings at the beach and hung out at the house. I worked on my tan of course, of which I will say...I look good being brown. Haha! I do have a nice tan going on now. Actually happy about that because before I left my tan I got at Workcamp had starting fading. A few days in the sun was definitely needed and worth it. Organic pedicures are so much fun! I got 3 of em! Haha! We also spent the evenings watching the sunset and Zach fish on the beach. I took so many pictures in Anna Maria...oh my goodness! I hate shopping, but the little boutiques and shops on the island were very cool so I couldn't resist. Bought a few things, but was definitely not extravagent in my purchases. A t-shirt and 2 starfish...Woohoo! Didn't eat out, bought groceries to have at the house, which save a lot of money. Found starfish in the canal behind the house. That was really cool. This was my first time seeing starfish still alive in their habitat. Very cool! It was awesome to just sit on the beach, relax and do nothing. Allie and I chatted about everything. Cadence, her niece spent a few of the beach days with us also. She is just too cute and hilarious. The first night I was there, I got the chance to see dolphins frolicking in the bay. I've seen dolphins swimming around before but this was different. There were about 8 of them swimming, jumping and just having a good ole' time. I was excited and did I take pictures? NOOOOO!!!!! This was just to fun and exciting to bother with a camera. I wanted to watch without having to worry about the camera. I'm glad I did. The last day I was there, I decided to get up early and watch the sunrise. It was wonderful. I haven't done that in a long time and the beach is definitely a good place to watch the sunrise. Of course, once the sun was up I went back to the beach house and went to bed...Haha! Anna Maria is definitely my new favorite beach.

Beach Vacation...Part 1

I'm on a beach vacation and absolutely loving it. Started in Clearwater then went down to Anna Maria Island. I have loved every minute of it. I have spent all of it with family and friends. I am truly blessed to be able to have opportunities like this. My "adopted" sister, Jennifer, got married over the weekend. It was wonderful, she looked beautiful and it was a fabulous party. I've got more to tell about this beach vacation, but right now I want to see starfish.

Universal Studios

This past Friday was a fun Friday. I went to Universal Studios with my friend Christy and her son Elvis. Christy and I went to college together and have since reconnected. I am happy about that. We had so much fun. I was able to get in for free. I got a free summer pass because of my employment. There are quite of few perks I can cash in on because of my occupation. I really need to cash in on them more often so hopefully that will change. Well, anyway, it was fun Friday for us. Got into Universal Studios for free...Wahoo! We rode quite a few rides, chatted quite a bit about everything under the sun, it was hot and it was so much fun! It's nice to be in a state where there are so many attractions and I have no problems being a tourist in my own state. I like going to Universal, Disney and what not because its fun. I know I can visit quite a bit so every time I go it is a fun time. I am relaxed for the most part because I know I can come back again multiple times. So "no hurrying to every ride to make sure I do everything" attitude here. Haha! We rode Disaster, Men in Black, E.T. and saw the Shrek 4-D and Animal shows. All the shows and rides at Universal are based off of the movies so the park resembles a back lot or production studio. They actually do have live studios there that movies are filmed in so it's not just an amusement park. I had the fabulous opportunity of playing the part of a "villain" in the disaster ride show. They show you how they make movies, particularly movies that feature some kind of "disaster". Hence the name, haha. It was fun...I wore a white coat, a hard hat and plastic glasses. When the movie was shown at the end of the ride, it looked as though rocks were falling on us, the villains. It was fun. I've always wanted to take part in one of the rides and I finally got my chance. Then Christy's son, Elvis, took part in the Animal show. He was excited. After we left Universal we hung out at her house. I enjoyed just sitting around, chatting, laughing and watching her boys play in the backyard. Wonderful end to a fabulous day.

Summertime Nothing

Okay some of you might think I'm ridiculous, crazy and/or might not know what to think, but honestly it doesn't matter.

Guess What?!?!?!?

I love doing nothing during the summertime! Not going anywhere, waking up at 12 noon or later, staying in my pajamas all day. That all sounds good to me. No, I don't do this everyday, but a few times a week I do it and I love it! It's wonderful. I don't have many things going on lately that I have to do or really want to do. It will all be over soon so I am enjoying it as much as possible bcause in less than a month it's back to work. Summertime...doing whatever, whenever!

Workcamp...A reflection!

For the past nine summers I have been attending a summer workcamp in my town. Honestly, I can't believe I have done it this long and am I not stopping anytime soon. Wahoo! Every summer for two weeks I join other adults, middle school and high school students reroof, repaint, and other jobs in this wonderful town that I call home. I've met some really cool people, reconnected with friends from the past and made some lasting friendships. It's always crazy, always fun, always hot, always hard work and always something I look forward to every summer.

But................this summer, 2009, was different! There is a christian emphasis at this camp. Spreading God's love through service for the community is the focal point. Yes, I'm a Christian, but haven't really been a strong one lately. Well...this summer, that has changed a bit. God and myself had a little discussion, well actually it was him talking more than me. I was doing the listening and boy did I listen. God showed me just how real he really is! I know that's not a grammatically correct sentence but whatever. I was able to see just how important he is in my life. No, I didn't have some tragic injury! Although I did get some scraps...haha! God changed my mind and my heart for the better. I knew all along workcamp was a fabulous thing, but crazy as it seems I didn't fully realize that until this summer. Not only did he change some of the kids at workcamp; he changed me also. I'm an adult, but I am still learning and growing! I am thankful for that. Yes, I am an adult leader there to help the students, but at the same time God was helping me. That makes me happy!

If you have never heard of this workcamp, you should hear about it.

If you have never been to this workcamp, you should go.

Nine years ago...I had never heard of this workcamp nor had I been to this workcamp.

Nine years later...I have heard of this workcamp and I have been.

It's life-changing. It's fabulous. You work your butt off, you sweat, but it's something I do every summer. I love it!

Movies

I went to see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Monday night. I saw the first one and wanted to make sure I saw this one also. It was hilarious. Not very many people in the theater...Monday night, 9:45 pm...you do the math. So I was laughing it seemed by myself. Apparently I found different parts of the movie funnier than what the other people though. Course there were maybe 6 people in the theater including me. But anyway, hilarious! I like history and the jokes that were made were hilarious. Ben Stiller is one funny dude! Lots of good actors in this movie. I like movies...wait, I LOVE movies! Most people who know me, know that I like movies. It's a good time for me to get away for 2 hours and not think about what's going on in the world and my world. I get sucked into this fictional world for 2 hours and it's wonderful. Movies are a good invention and whoever had the idea a long time ago...I salute you! I watch movies a lot at home too, probably why I don't go to the theater. Netflix was an incredible idea. Until next time...

Geo Caching part 2

I went Geo Caching with friends yesterday, May 30, 2009. Wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a lot of fun. Definitely want to continue. We found 4 around the Lake Wales area. There are more for me to find and so they will be part of my next Geo Caching journeys. My friends Allie and Zach are definitely Geo caching experts and are very good teachers. This all started when I agreed to be part of Discovery Educator Network's 1st Annual Geo Caching Day. It was just the 3 of us, but it made for a wonderful morning. Our small group was one of over 30 DEN Geo Caching events that day. Cool prizes and lunch was paid for also. Discovery Education definitely rocks. I am such a nerd, but I don't care. I am now no longer a Geo Caching newbie. Wahoo! So now my Geo Caching journeys will be included in my blogs. Until next time...

http://www.geocaching.com/profile/

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/geocaching-day/

GeoCaching

I am going GeoCaching tomorrow...I am newbie at it, but I hoping it should be fun. I am participating in Discovery Educator Network 1st Annual GeoCaching Day. I will add more details after I return. Hope to have some pictures also. Until next time...

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/geocaching-day

Traveling

Well it's winding down...only a few more days left. The last few days are always fun and sad at the same time. I've been to Orlando with the 7th graders. With the 8th graders, we went to Orlando and Tampa. Yes, I am exhausted. All the trips are now completed and so with just a few days left, I will pack up what's left and say goodbyes. Only a few though because like I said earlier, there are some people and somethings I won't miss and some people and somethings I will miss. It's crazy what can be done in one week. Bok Tower on Monday, Sea World on Wednesday and Busch Gardens on Thursday. WOW...what a week! Until next time...

Memorial Day Weekend

I am very fortunate for what I have and very thankful. Yes, I may complain about stuff sometimes and worry about my finances, but for the most part that is all minor. I am able to pay my bills each month, I have a roof over my head, food to eat and family and friends that love me. There are many people in this world that don't have that or may not be able to see their family and friends. For this I am thankful. I am also thankful for an extra day off work. There are people in this world that are giving their lives so that I can have one. For them I am thankful. So everyone else out there in blogger world and beyond be thankful for what you have and those who are in your life. It could be worse.

Sick

Yes, I am sick. I can't even tell you the last time I was this sick. It's been a long time since I threw up. Last night was bad. Throwing up 5-6 times one right after another is crazy. Yuck! I was thinking when is this gonna stop and talk about sweating. Haha. I don't like being sick and honestly I think it's food poisoning. It takes a lot for me to miss a day of work. I usually just go to work sick, but this is another story.

DisneyQuest

I went to DisneyQuest today. If you have never been there, you must try to go there sometime in the near future. So much fun and lots to do. Definitely can spend 3-4 hours there and get everything done. I was able to be a kid again there.

DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park is a one-of-a-kind gaming experience in the Downtown Disney area. Discover 5 floors of cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and 3D encounters fueled by Disney innovation and imagination. Don't miss Pirates of the Caribbean, Virtual Jungle Cruise(did it twice), CyberSpace Mountain(did it twice), Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters, Animation Academy and much more!

I did CyberSpace Mountain twice. That is where you create your own rollercoaster and then ride it. The second time I got a DVD of myself riding it. Woohoo! Now I can laugh at myself. It was a fun day for myself and those I was with.

I learned a lot in the past year...here they are

• Start enjoying what is going on around me.



• How I am as a person is not going to change.



• I am not a morning person so everyone needs to get used to it.



• Talking is overrated.



• Silence really is a wonderful thing.



• I have no problems listening.



• I care about some stuff, but not everything.



• I really like my house.



• I really like my family.



• There are some people I will miss and there are some people I won't miss.



• I like weekends.

That's all for now....It's time for the weekend...Time for me to relax and have fun!

Life

It's crazy...sometimes I don't know what's going on. All I know is that I need to be happy and try to have as much fun as possible.