So it is now March...3 months into my 24th year on this Earth. Figured I'd update you on what I have accomplished in the last 90ish days.
1. Rock my student teaching semester. Conquer it. Learn. Become a better teacher.This is definitely happening! I start my next placement on Wednesday but I rocked my first student teaching placement. Both my cooperating teachers agreed I have chosen the right profession. My supervisor even said I am well on her [my] way to having her [my] own classroom." :)
15. Gain a more professional demeanor.
Still in progress, but I have certainly come into my own professional demeanor. This was specifically pointed out to me when I presented at a Social Studies conference this past Friday to veteran teachers. Yes, a student presented to teachers.
On an unprofessional note, I'm totally bad ass & def got sawg.
17. Try 24 new beers, rather than the old standbys
Ok, I haven't gotten to 24 yet, but I'm working on it. What I've tried:
Ithica Smoked Porterhouse- tastes burnt/smoked. No thanks!
Sweetwater Brew 420- ehh it's all right
Sierra Nevada- LT said the draft was old, so I don't think I got the real flavor. Definitely have to try it again.
Brickyard Porter- pretty nice, I'd drink it every once and a while
Sam Adam's Pildsilfjdfj- I can't remember the name, but it's new & I don't like it. Too much after flavor.
Smithwycks- Had this on St. Patty's Day...definitely better than that first Irish beer I had that night!
I know I've tried a few others, but seriously I haven't been impressed. Molson Canadian is still #1 in my book.
22. See Luke, Lady A, and Dierks in concert.
Well I saw one of them- LUKE!! Actually won the concert tickets at the end of January! Freaking awesome experience! Read: Meeting & Greeting Luke Bryan blog post.
24. Bring my 1.5mile time down from 13:30 to 12:00.I have brought my time down at the gym when I time myself on my sweet Ironman 30 Lap watch. Currently running about a 12:05 1.5mile and a 16:25 2 mile. Go me!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Pearl Kind of Girl
Being single has made me realize just what a great woman I am. Most guys like cubic zirconia, but honey I'm a pearl. I'm real & I keep growing more and more fabulous everyday. If you want a fake, cheap girl, you can have her. I'll wait for the man who understands how rare and precious pearls really are. Until then, I'll be growing more fabulous, reaching my goals, creating bigger dreams, and helping the world. Don't worry, her shine will wear off soon. ~ L.G.
Actions > Words...Right?
Every girl loves compliments. We love it when guys we are dating or crushing on are cutesy with us. Girls eat that stuff up. We want to feel special. I am no different, I'll admit it.
However, after dating several guys who would pack on the compliments & the cutesy stuff heavy and from the start...who ended up several weeks later, basically cutting me down with their comments and forgetting they ever thought I was "beautiful," "amazing," "the perfect girl," "exactly what I've been waiting for"... I decided that what I wanted was a guy to be real with me. To not think of me as this special girl to be put on a pedestal [because I kept falling every time I was placed there]. I didn't want anymore cutesy "baby" crap after every sentence uttered to me. No, I wanted to be seen as an equal.
Well ladies & gentlemen, I have finally gotten my wish!
The downside to my wish that I didn't realize when I made it: All that cutesy crap helped me to identify that a guy was into me. Without it I have been struggling to know whether or not a guy is into me. It's not so clear when you are treated like an equal. Now it is all about him showing me, demonstrating to me that he cares. And since I see the good in people, I tend to believe he does these sorts of things for everyone in his life that he doesn't hate. What can I say, sometimes L.G. is a complicated woman!
I'm not saying that cutesy stuff isn't uttered...but it isn't the constant bombardment of those words anymore. Which in my head [somehow] translates now to: << He only likes me sometimes.>>
Although it has caused more complications...more speculation, I think I might be on the right track. As we all know, actions speak louder than words. Often times words are simply the thing we say to get what we want. Actions are what we do to prove, to explain, to declare our true feelings.
However, after dating several guys who would pack on the compliments & the cutesy stuff heavy and from the start...who ended up several weeks later, basically cutting me down with their comments and forgetting they ever thought I was "beautiful," "amazing," "the perfect girl," "exactly what I've been waiting for"... I decided that what I wanted was a guy to be real with me. To not think of me as this special girl to be put on a pedestal [because I kept falling every time I was placed there]. I didn't want anymore cutesy "baby" crap after every sentence uttered to me. No, I wanted to be seen as an equal.
Well ladies & gentlemen, I have finally gotten my wish!
The downside to my wish that I didn't realize when I made it: All that cutesy crap helped me to identify that a guy was into me. Without it I have been struggling to know whether or not a guy is into me. It's not so clear when you are treated like an equal. Now it is all about him showing me, demonstrating to me that he cares. And since I see the good in people, I tend to believe he does these sorts of things for everyone in his life that he doesn't hate. What can I say, sometimes L.G. is a complicated woman!
I'm not saying that cutesy stuff isn't uttered...but it isn't the constant bombardment of those words anymore. Which in my head [somehow] translates now to: << He only likes me sometimes.>>
Although it has caused more complications...more speculation, I think I might be on the right track. As we all know, actions speak louder than words. Often times words are simply the thing we say to get what we want. Actions are what we do to prove, to explain, to declare our true feelings.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Right Where I am Meant to Be
And when you slammed the front door shut, a lot of others opened up
So did my eyes so I could see that you never were the best for me ~Daughtry
I have now become a true believer in "everything happens for a reason." Why you ask? Because finally, when the front door was slammed shut in my face, I ended up right where I know I am meant to be.
If I had gotten married this past October, I would not be student teaching now. I wouldn't have this calm happiness that spills out of my pores.
Am I stressed? A little. Am I busy? Most certainly. But do I feel nervous, do I feel out of place, or do I feel uneasy? Negative. Not one bit.
I feel like I am doing exactly what I was put here in this world to do. I am so happy. I am confident (most moments of the day, anyway). And I wouldn't be in this place if that door wasn't slammed in my face. Other doors have opened up for me, the doors that are directing me to where I am supposed to be and to the woman I am meant to be.
Even though it is what I wanted, it's not what was best for me. I am definitely seeing that now, thankfully.
So did my eyes so I could see that you never were the best for me ~Daughtry
I have now become a true believer in "everything happens for a reason." Why you ask? Because finally, when the front door was slammed shut in my face, I ended up right where I know I am meant to be.
If I had gotten married this past October, I would not be student teaching now. I wouldn't have this calm happiness that spills out of my pores.
Am I stressed? A little. Am I busy? Most certainly. But do I feel nervous, do I feel out of place, or do I feel uneasy? Negative. Not one bit.
I feel like I am doing exactly what I was put here in this world to do. I am so happy. I am confident (most moments of the day, anyway). And I wouldn't be in this place if that door wasn't slammed in my face. Other doors have opened up for me, the doors that are directing me to where I am supposed to be and to the woman I am meant to be.
Even though it is what I wanted, it's not what was best for me. I am definitely seeing that now, thankfully.
I Got Over You
Now that it's all said and done, I can't believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down like an old abandoned house
What you said when you left, just left me cold and out of breath
I felt if I was in way to deep, guess I let you get the best of me
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through
I got over you ~Daughtry
If you have been reading along for the last few months you know that I went through a terrible, messy, and emotional breakup with Maj this September. I was a mess, I'm not going to lie. I felt like I never was going to be able to feel happy or whole again. I felt like everything I had dreamt of, longed for, would always be out of reach.
However, I was able to heal. I feel whole again. I actually think I feel more whole now that I ever did when Maj and I were together. I am not sad. I don't miss him. I don't worry about what's happening in the world constantly. I feel like I can do whatever I want. I can make myself happy, without consulting a soul.
Part of my healing process was certainly the many road trips I took this fall. Partly it was the concerts I went to and sung my heart out at. Part of it was putting my heart into school and learning all I could about how to create effective learning experiences for students. I wanted nothing more than to feel needed by a student. Part of it was spending countless hours with my best friends, laughing, crying, griping about men, and sharing my experiences with them. Part of it was trying to date again so that I didn't end up hating men.
But there was one night, one night I thought I would never get through. One night where I could not shake the lonely feeling that brewed inside of me, despite being surrounded by people all night long.
And that is when I called LT. It was 2am and I have no idea what possessed me to choose him out of all the guy friends I have, but I did. After talking to him on the phone until about 7am, I finally felt happy. The night I thought I'd never get through, I did with LT's help. However, LT has no idea that the night I called him was the night I thought I'd never get through. He could tell I was upset about something and when I told him I didn't want to talk about it, he was all right with it. He didn't pressure me to open up about it.
Then next morning, I felt so much better. I don't know what kind of salve LT put on my wounded heart, but it felt so much better. In the following few days I came to the revelation that it was over. That I was over Maj. I didn't talk about him, I didn't think about him, I didn't care about him. I had had my experience with him, wished perhaps I had used a little better judgment when it came to our whole relationship, but it was over and I was over the saddness and the emotional baggage.
To build me up and tear me down like an old abandoned house
What you said when you left, just left me cold and out of breath
I felt if I was in way to deep, guess I let you get the best of me
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through
I got over you ~Daughtry
If you have been reading along for the last few months you know that I went through a terrible, messy, and emotional breakup with Maj this September. I was a mess, I'm not going to lie. I felt like I never was going to be able to feel happy or whole again. I felt like everything I had dreamt of, longed for, would always be out of reach.
However, I was able to heal. I feel whole again. I actually think I feel more whole now that I ever did when Maj and I were together. I am not sad. I don't miss him. I don't worry about what's happening in the world constantly. I feel like I can do whatever I want. I can make myself happy, without consulting a soul.
Part of my healing process was certainly the many road trips I took this fall. Partly it was the concerts I went to and sung my heart out at. Part of it was putting my heart into school and learning all I could about how to create effective learning experiences for students. I wanted nothing more than to feel needed by a student. Part of it was spending countless hours with my best friends, laughing, crying, griping about men, and sharing my experiences with them. Part of it was trying to date again so that I didn't end up hating men.
But there was one night, one night I thought I would never get through. One night where I could not shake the lonely feeling that brewed inside of me, despite being surrounded by people all night long.
And that is when I called LT. It was 2am and I have no idea what possessed me to choose him out of all the guy friends I have, but I did. After talking to him on the phone until about 7am, I finally felt happy. The night I thought I'd never get through, I did with LT's help. However, LT has no idea that the night I called him was the night I thought I'd never get through. He could tell I was upset about something and when I told him I didn't want to talk about it, he was all right with it. He didn't pressure me to open up about it.
Then next morning, I felt so much better. I don't know what kind of salve LT put on my wounded heart, but it felt so much better. In the following few days I came to the revelation that it was over. That I was over Maj. I didn't talk about him, I didn't think about him, I didn't care about him. I had had my experience with him, wished perhaps I had used a little better judgment when it came to our whole relationship, but it was over and I was over the saddness and the emotional baggage.
Meeting Luke Bryan
Well, it happened. I have met a celebrity. I was lucky enough at the end of January to win not only tickets to the Chris Morgan, Luke Bryan, & Rascal Flatts concert, but I also won tickets to a meet & greet opportunity with none other than LUKE BRYAN!!
I was so excited and shocked that words can not properly describe it. So my best friend Alisha & I drove 6 hours to Dayton, Ohio for the show & meet and greet!!!!
I was estatic, as we were the first girls in line to meet Mr. Bryan! :) He spoke to me in his sweet Southern drawl and I melted on the spot as I told him I had driven from Buffalo to see him that evening (however, I left out the fact that I had driven 14 hours to Carrollton, GA to see him in September & 16 hours to Duluth, GA to see him in November--minor details!!)
So feel free to feel what I want you to feel- jealous of my awesome oppotunity! But the reason I am bragging/sharing my experience is the fact that I can cross off another thing off my Before I'm 30 List. Who knew I'd have the amazing chance to do it so soon after it's creation?! And who knew I'd win this chance off his website?!?!
And if you haven't looked Luke Bryan up yet and listened to some of his stuff, especially his EP special song, you really need to get on it!!! http://www.lukebryan.com/
I was so excited and shocked that words can not properly describe it. So my best friend Alisha & I drove 6 hours to Dayton, Ohio for the show & meet and greet!!!!
I was estatic, as we were the first girls in line to meet Mr. Bryan! :) He spoke to me in his sweet Southern drawl and I melted on the spot as I told him I had driven from Buffalo to see him that evening (however, I left out the fact that I had driven 14 hours to Carrollton, GA to see him in September & 16 hours to Duluth, GA to see him in November--minor details!!)
So feel free to feel what I want you to feel- jealous of my awesome oppotunity! But the reason I am bragging/sharing my experience is the fact that I can cross off another thing off my Before I'm 30 List. Who knew I'd have the amazing chance to do it so soon after it's creation?! And who knew I'd win this chance off his website?!?!
And if you haven't looked Luke Bryan up yet and listened to some of his stuff, especially his EP special song, you really need to get on it!!! http://www.lukebryan.com/
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Recruitment Story
It's that time of year again on the Allegheny College campus-- RECRUITMENT!!! A week of events, major planning throughout much of winter break, skits, singing, cheering, matching outfits, talking & getting to know new women.
Stress levels can run high. You want the right women for your sorority. Women that will believe and be true to the values and the ideas set forth by the sorority way back in the late 1800s.
For me, when I was in college, I loved the planning behind recruitment. For one whole week it was sorority-sorority-sorority over everything else in my life. And I loved it. I loved the late nights of staying in the suite to set up for the next round of parties. The chats with women I will never forget as we created table covers for Philanthropy Round, chair covers for Preference Round.
I liked brushing our feathers and showing to young women what we had to offer them, what we stood for, and who we were as individuals. It is a magical thing when you see all the stress, blood, sweat, and tears you put into creating the perfect night for these prospective women. It all pays off when the women walk in and their eyes light up and they no longer look afraid. When they feel comfortable and you can tell they can imagine themselves being part of this organization full time.
The best part? Handing them a pearl, telling them the story of the girl who was lost in the woods, who dropped her pearl into a pool of water and watched the ripples spread away from the center. As the women leave, hushed singing in the background, they are told to make a wish on the pearl and drop it in our "pool" of water. This is one of the only times I wished I was a fairy godmother and could make every single one of those women's wishes come true. It was in that moment I didn't care which sorority those women wanted to call home. All I wished for was the ability to get them to where they knew they could call home.
Stress levels can run high. You want the right women for your sorority. Women that will believe and be true to the values and the ideas set forth by the sorority way back in the late 1800s.
For me, when I was in college, I loved the planning behind recruitment. For one whole week it was sorority-sorority-sorority over everything else in my life. And I loved it. I loved the late nights of staying in the suite to set up for the next round of parties. The chats with women I will never forget as we created table covers for Philanthropy Round, chair covers for Preference Round.
I liked brushing our feathers and showing to young women what we had to offer them, what we stood for, and who we were as individuals. It is a magical thing when you see all the stress, blood, sweat, and tears you put into creating the perfect night for these prospective women. It all pays off when the women walk in and their eyes light up and they no longer look afraid. When they feel comfortable and you can tell they can imagine themselves being part of this organization full time.
The best part? Handing them a pearl, telling them the story of the girl who was lost in the woods, who dropped her pearl into a pool of water and watched the ripples spread away from the center. As the women leave, hushed singing in the background, they are told to make a wish on the pearl and drop it in our "pool" of water. This is one of the only times I wished I was a fairy godmother and could make every single one of those women's wishes come true. It was in that moment I didn't care which sorority those women wanted to call home. All I wished for was the ability to get them to where they knew they could call home.
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