Viva Las Vegas?



I landed in Las Vegas this afternoon, and after only a few hours here, I feel so dumbfounded by the indulgence and excessive everything-ness. Not sure if it was the flight & being over-stimulated, but I was happy to come back and gain composure in my room for the night. Our room is the most decadent accomodation I've seen (except for in the movies...but this is like in the movies...he-hyuk!)

I was hoping that maybe Las Vegas woulda been like this! Ya know, Elvis & Ann Margaret! Bouffant babes in button-up swimwear!

After my recent (read: two days ago) visit to Minnesota, where so much was focused on the inner/heart/loving experience, this seems like the exact opposite. My goal here is to (duh) learn a lot for my classroom, but to also practice maintaining inner calm and balance in a place that (upon first glance), seems extreme.

This is seriously inside. Gondolas @ the Venetian.

Our room!

I'm excited for tomorrow. Anything fun to do in Vegas that I should try? :D


Whirlwinds, family & changing biznazz

So I haven't posted in forever (12 days). I've just been blowin' around at the speed of light, or maybe more like 70 mph. Let's not be too dramatic.

My dad and sister were visiting me this past week, which overlapped the end of the school year.

I was so happy they were there to distract me from being overly emotional and anxious, because I felt like a maniac at the end of the year. We did SO much stuff...horseback riding, day trip to San Antonio, nights out, attempt at swimming, etc.

But you know what one of those weeks are like, right? Although completely awesome, I have been doing, thinking, and eating whatever. Back to structure, which I pathetically love. Back to to-do lists, workouts, and bedtimes. Ok, I don't love those things. Oh well.

Also, I got a new job teaching 8th grade ELA (only...not ESL sheltered anymore). I'm really excited to be starting something new and FRESH! Oh, and we're moving into a new house on the 15th.

I LOVE NEW BEGINNINGS!

Ah, commitments. I love teaching although it makes me crazy. Sounds like all of my familial relationships!

Blurry love pic
Me & pa
Evin & I jamming en route to San Antone

Dad, Evin, and their bebidas tropicales!

Ok, I'm a little bit bummed that my fam is gone...never enough time. I miss them already :(

WAHHH! OK, more updates, more regularly...Next up, summer school!

Dishing, etc.

Finally an update! So here is the big 3 that's been changing in my life:

1. Leaving my school, finding a new one. I'm getting certified in art & elementary (general). I think these are good moves! I am embracing the future!

2. I have been changing my diet to be as full as whole foods and as low on grains & carbohydrates as possible. Seemingly insignificant, this has a huge impact on my well-being & outlook on my circumstances (more on that later...)

3. I am putting stress-management on the table as a priority (see #1). I need to seek peace and be better to myself.

I have done some soul-seeking & I really do think I am meant to be a teacher. I just need to find a happy place between all parts of me, know that I've finally familiarized them to myself at age 26! Oh yay!

A post-work de-brief...

I'm going to tell you directly about my professional life, while leaving troublemaking details aside.

1. Picked up a co-worker sans car at 6:45am at my local Starbucks; grabbed a soy latte for a change (change from never getting coffee ever).

2. Had a perfectly professional first 4 periods of reading.

3. I now have a T.A. for English. Thanks! I seriously had the best 5/6 period I've ever had! Plz make this a trend. PLZ PLZ PLZ! How was I blessed with this? Oh wait. Thanks!

4. Spent my off periods interviewing children for the yearbook....'twas fun.

5. Wrapped up and came home feeling excellent!

7. Got home to lovey/needy cat, got my first Auto Finance bill (BOO) & this bogus note from our new property management company that said:

"Hello, I have left messages and text messages. I am walking the property tomorrow at 11am. I had planned to give you more notice, but due to the weather turning bad on Wednesday, was not able to."

PHONES DON'T WORK WHEN IT'S COLD?! Biggest load du jour! Hahahaha!

Are you my "type"?

I sneakily admire many of my co-workers. They possess interesting hobbies, experiences, and cute little quirks!

They probably have no idea that I notice the things that I do, but I am fascinated by the study of people (anthropology, no? Hehe).

One of the women I work with is incredibly beautiful, but she doesn't really know it (or at least it doesn't seem that way). She is calm, hard-working, and never speaks negatively about ANYTHING. She is also insanely fit, and has the cutest bod ever!

I noted the other day that she had mention this "Eat right for your type" diet, to which she had attributed her physique of dreams.

I have been meaning to look it up, and I finally did.

The type refers not to your body type (apple, pear, esoteric, whatever), but to your blood type.

Anyway, I'm sorta intrigued. However, I saw that my blood type--B--does not respond well to corn, wheat or chicken. These just happen to be 3 of my core foods...

Besides dairy. I can go wild on dairy, which I already do.

Has anyone heard whether there is any legitimacy to this?

Update & Overdue List!

Just like smells, sounds, and tastes can be comforting, I feel times of day can be comforting. Today I woke up at 6:30 am because I had to be to work by 8, and it just felt comfortable. You know, besides being early.

I worked at A for 5 hours today, and loved it. We got to do some special things, but I don't want to talk about it, which stinks for a blog, but good for me keeping my job!

After that, I went home, grabbed my teaching supplies and headed over to my school for the 2 classes. The little bitty kids did a lot better, although we were rushed. We did a watercolor horse painting, using our shoe as a stencil for the head shape. The older gals 3rd-5th grade are just a bunch of peaches. I really enjoy them and I feel blessed just to be around them, because they treat me so sweetly and are so lovely.

Tonight I am meeting Anna at the Barton Springs Saloon for some dollar beers...but really I just feel like snuggling in a mountain of blankets...it's been a rainy 65 today, which is totally BRRRRRR for Austin.

MY TOP COMFORTS:

1. Inside of new sweatshirt.

2. Nestling under H's arm.

3. High Quality fluffy comforter.

4. Warm, fluffy towel after a shower.

5. Hugs with a little back squeeze at the end.

6. A mug of warm apple cider with ginger snaps.

MMM! What are yours?

Austin & Jobs

So I'm back in Austin now, and started 2 new jobs yesterday. It's truly been a whirlwind seeing H again, mapquesting schools, and more so learning schedule than anything else.

A seems far more than I'd ever imagined. Yes, it's technically a store, but it is so ME. I feel in good company, not only with the people but the environment...

And teaching? It went really well. I guess I wasn't expecting 2 crying kindergarteners right away (they couldn't tie their aprons!), but I feel really cool knowing that I can teach the little kids & the big kids equally well. So far...

I'm having a private art lesson at my home today (the mom is trading lessons for a massage!), 1 art lesson at a school, and then some advertising for the program...

I love working. I never want to complain about working again. I hope the economy bounces back soon. Parents without jobs, recent college grads, and people doing less than they ever thought they would, layoffs....heartbreaking.

Pitter patter, jitter....jatter?

In the Denver airport, about to hit the sky back to my baby (H).

Gettin' the jitters. Tomorrow's the first day at my 2 new jobs!

Oh yeah!

Getting back at 10:12. If we get delayed, I will die.