Last Week of School!!!

As I finish the last full week of school with my 8th graders (I still have a full 7 days with my 6th graders)it is hard to believe I just finished my 5th year of teaching. I have come such a long way since college and grad school. I hope to continue growing as a teacher and will be taking a few courses this summer for my 30 credits above my Masters! But all that aside first and foremost I am super excited to start my summer journey in Ibiza and Barcelona. I am going with my very best childhood friend and a few other girlfriends. I hear it's a beautiful place and I am looking forward to this getaway! If anyone has tips or suggestions on what to see and where to go I would welcome that! But more importantly I am so happy to have some quality time to spend with my sister and niece Molly Eileen. Check this cutie out at This little life ! I just can't get enough of this little bundle of joy! I get to babysit for the very first time tomorrow and I am so excited!! I will be posting pictures of my trip so stay tuned!

My one little word...present

So after reading my sister's blog about her one word for the year, I started to think about doing the same. I like the idea that you can live with a focus, just one word to remind you of what is important to you or bring you back to where you want to be. So my word for this year is present. I'm the kind of person who is always wondering what is going to happen next, what is my plan for tomorrow/next week, or where am I going to be in 5 years? I am always so focused on the future that I forget to live my life in the present moment, which makes me miss out on the joy that the present has to offer. I want to take full advantage of the present and do all that I can to focus on the here and now so my life doesn't just fly by me. This also ties in to one of my goals for the new year which is to stop procrastinating and do the things I need to do now instead of putting everything off until later. So what do you think about my word: present. Thoughts??

One of my favorite poems...

O Me! O Life!

By Walt Whitman

1819-1892

---

O me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill'd with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I,
and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the
struggle ever renew'd,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see
around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring--What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.
That you are here--that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

Beautiful Bridal Shower

I attended my sister's best friend's bridal shower at mima vinoteca today and it was spectacular. The food, service, and ambiance are unmatched. There was a simple, yet splendid decor of sunflowers in wine bottles and minimal, but appropriate games! Not once was my wine glass (or my stomach) empty! hors d'oeuvres consisted of piave cheese, mini meatballs, fried calamari, and bruschetta crostini, followed by a delicious gorgonzola and cherry salad and pasta. WOW! A great meal but most of all great to spend this beautiful day with my mom and sister (and the other guests of course)! I will definitely go back to this fantastic establishment to enjoy all of its eminence. Hopefully I can share it with all my loved ones for my birthday in a few months!
The best part of the weekend though has to be the pajama party with my mom and sis. It's such a treat when they come to visit me because I know its not an easy commute out here. But it makes it that much sweeter when they do come!

Don't stop to surrender

sweet disposition
never too soon
oh reckless abandon
like no one's
watching you

a moment, a love
a dream, a laugh
a kiss, a cry
our rights, our wrongs
a moment, a love
a dream, a laugh
a moment, a love
a dream, a laugh

chorus
just stay there
cause i'll be comin over
and while our bloods still young
it's so young
it runs
and we won't stop til it's over
won't stop to surrender

Lyrics to The Temper Trap, Sweet Disposition..

LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

I'm back!

It has been 2 weeks since my last blog post and up until last night (dare I say) 2 months since my last yoga class!  So with all the business I've seemed to neglect the things that bring me peace. So with this realization I took a vinyasa yoga class last night and boy what a difference! I feel so refreshed and renewed today. I thought after being out of practice for nearly 2 months it would be hard to get back into yoga, but the instructor was so calming and her class really gave me guidance. My body was so sore the day before last and the stretching and breathing helped to make me feel like a new person today! I slept like a log and woke up awake (and before my alarm went off to boot!) I am convinced it is my return to yoga that has helped me achieve this balance and inspiration to start writing again.
And I thought I'd imitate my sister's blog  and leave you with a question to ponder...
What brings you peace and makes you balanced? I'd like to know!
Evaluate what you do to make you feel like your best self and spend more time doing that in your daily life!

Spring Vacation

So it's 5:07 a.m. Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight at 6. Paul is at dunkin donuts getting me breakfast while I sit and wait for one of 2 flights to Florida. Yes you heard right, we have a layover in Atlanta. Well I can't really complain because we still get to our destination by noon which means a full beach day! Only a few hours away... We are going to visit my grandparents in Ft. Lauderdale and also going to spend a few days in South Beach Miami. I'm looking forward to a relaxing couple of days, pool, beach, margaritas, the whole bit. I plan on taking a lot of pictures and coming back with a good tan to keep me going through the rest of the school year (and that's the last time I will talk about work for the week). I will update about my trip along the way and post pictures as soon as I get back! Let's hope for good weather and good times! Until next time xoxo