A Different Summer

July. The one month that is truly summer.

If I had my way, seasons would not follow the moon. They would follow months. Calm down, I don't think the world is 200 years old and that it was created with January-December. I am fully aware that the modern calendar is just that- modern. But I digress. In my perfect world, Spring would begin on March 1st. March through May, the entire months, would be Spring. When May is over, it's summer! Summer would begin on June 1st, giving us a true June-July-August Summer. September, the month depicted on calendars with schoolhouses, apples, and orange leaves, would be the start of (you called it) Fall (or Autumn for you fancy people). Winter? December through February, of course.

With these simple seasons, college Spring breaks would be in the actual springtime. Christmas decorating would occur at the start of Winter. Memorial Day would be the true "start of Summer", and Labor Day would be the true "end of Summer". Don't you want to begin and end the Summer with patriotic- one remembering fallen soldiers and one celebrating America's love/hate relationship with Capitalism- Bar-b-ques? (Side note- where on earth did that name come from?) People, it only makes sense.

If I were in charge, that would probably be my number 2 frivolous change. My first would be creating a national/ international database of fingerprints so that educators and volunteers don't need to be re-fingerprinted at each organization. Everyone who has gotten their fingerprints would be in the same database- teachers, police officers, criminals, etc.- then the people on CSI would only need to check one database for everyone. Also teachers wouldn't need to get rechecked in every district. They would just figure out how to scan people on the spot to see if you're in the system for something bad.

Clearly I have gotten off-topic. My topic was supposed to be Summer.

I've written about Summer before. I wrote how it's all about big things and changes. I wrote about traveling, getting married, and moving to new and exciting places. Summer has been fairly wonderful to us.

Because Summer has been wonderful to us, I've had a bit of a quarter-life crisis (thanks for the term, John Mayer) this Summer. No, these past weeks haven't been terrible. In fact, they have been mostly normal.

But that's just it! Summers aren't normal. Summers are crazy and exciting and unknown! Summer is when I stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon. Summer is when I pack up everything I own to move 386 miles. Summer is when I get unexpected jobs. Summer is when I marry a fantastic person! Summer is... when I reorganize my closet?

That's right, this summer has been full of activities like reorganizing my closet. And removing the scuffs under our bar with a magic eraser. And finally getting matching bath mats that also match towels that cost more than $2 each. Summer has been, in a word, boring. No exciting new changes, no moving, no reasons to make a big deal.

Well, this is a big deal:

Yep, from scratch. 

I'm getting off track again. I'll talk about that awesome project in another post.

So I'm left with two choices.

1. Admit that Summer has been coincidentally filled with wonderful events largely due to a typical educational schedule. 

or

2. Hold fast to the notion that Summer is a time when wonderful things can happen, but change my view of "wonderful things."

I'll give you one guess on what the "right answer" would be.

In order to change my view on what is considered wonderful, or exciting, or noteworthy, or any other adjective I have used to describe my previous Summers, I feel I must start from scratch, and view each day as a chapter in a book. Does this sound weird? Narcissistic? Creepy? I don't care. This is my epiphany, not yours. (Unless it is also yours, then just think of this as some sort of antagonist-type event in your book). As I tell my students, only boring people get bored. Only boring people have boring days. Do I want to read a boring book? No, I finished Gen. Ed. years ago.

Each day has meaning. Each day is filled with blessings. Each day's events, no matter how trivial, are leading to something. Maybe they are leading to something big, maybe they aren't. Either way, why prematurely judge how crucial each day is?

Jake and I recently went camping. We love to camp, but in this case we had just returned from a road trip one week prior. I pushed for the camping trip (to which he happily obliged) because I knew it would be a good time to get away and think about how I want to spend my days. I needed to re-focus on what is important and wonderful about each day. I'm a list- maker, so I decided to write out a schedule like a list.

BAM! Everything was solved and I have wonderfully productive and exciting days now! What you don't believe me?

Okay, it hasn't been perfect. I've been trying to follow my daily lists, but I sleep in, I get distracted, I get lazy. The difference is that I am prioritizing and reflecting- two things that weren't typical of me. After making my bed (Jake spewed some psychobabble mumbo-jumbo at me about making your bed first thing in the morning and being more motivated and I OF COURSE ate it up) I start each morning reading the Bible and journaling while eating breakfast. I also use this time to pray and plan out what I want to accomplish in the day. It has become a nice routine (does 4 days count as a routine?) for me.

The set-up looks a bit like this:

Vitamins! 

I almost think the organization and repetition of this makes me look forward to it- look how the paper towel is even lined up with the seam on the counter! Or, it's starting my day by being spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy that makes me look forward to it. Either way, if I can start my day this way, each day has the makings of a great chapter in a book. Picture it: 

"As Sybra unfurled the drapes to let the light stream in, she looked at the duvet crumpled in the middle of the bed. She began to straighten sheet, and thought about the ingredients she needed for breakfast. Was there enough milk for cream of wheat? Should she pick something with more protein? She held up the mattress while she tucked the sheet in. No, if she was strong enough to hold up the king- size mattress with one hand, protein could wait until lunch. She mentally set her spot as she straightened the duvet and fluffed the pillows in their spots. 

While standing back to gaze at the crisp bed, her eyes glanced the clock, which read "later than it should be" in her mind. She set out to the kitchen, simultaneously adding ingredients to her breakfast while locating her Bible, journal, and favorite purple pen. Grabbing her vitamins was unusually easy, as she had organized the pantry during the previous afternoon, easy enough to grab all three instead of just one.  

Finally time to sit and eat, she prayed a quick prayer that her heart would be open to the words today, and that she would have enough thoughts to fill a page in her journal. It was, and she did."

I would for sure read that book. I should write that book! Oh, I see what I did there.

What's so bad about a different Summer? That's all it is, a different Summer. It's still new and wonderful and exciting, I just need to recognize it.

And since I am a teacher, I can't let this be without a lesson. I want you to recognize it too. As I strain to see the wonderful things in each day for the rest of the summer, I hope that you, too, start to see the wonderful where you haven't seen it before. It's there. 

I Think I Leveled Up in Pinterest

I Think I finally feel like a true 24-year-old woman in 2013. Meaning, of course, I did something amazing I saw on Pinterest.

Now, I've baked cookies, cooked burgers, changed up my ab workout, efficiently cleaned my house, and made decorations for a party, but that was all small beans compared to the real stuff you see on Pinterest.

But I'm not small beans anymore.

I give you, this:

That's right, I turned an out-dated old dresser into a bomb.com TV stand. I don't always gloat, but I'll gloat a tiny bit about this one, only because I am so proud! 

It started out simply. Simply ugly, that is. 

We took it apart. 

Filled in parts of the doors to they didn't have drastic crevices in them. 

Primed with a special primer- 1-2-3 Bulls Eye for glossy surfaces. Worked great! 

We painted it a nice shade of cream- a color I hope to paint more pieces of furniture. 

Added new hardware- thanks Home Depot! 

And moved it in our apartment! 

BAM! TV Stand. I think I leveled up in Pinterest. 

A Fresh Start

The last time I updated this blog, I was counting the days until our move up north. Clearly, I have been too busy to even update this blog- it's been crazy!

Let's start with the move. I believe I will go into detail of the move in another post, but just know that due to my Type-A personality, it went incredibly smooth. We were packed up sooner than planned, and headed out a half-day early, giving us a night at my Grandma's house. Who doesn't love a night at Grandma's house?!

Once we made it up north, Jake started his new job. Like the day after we moved he started working. No wiggle room there, but I was on summer vacation and had time to do whatever was needed. As any new job goes, he was the quiet observer learning the ropes. He has since fit in quite nicely there! He enjoys his coworkers, and really does like the work he has to do. He's looking forward to moving up with the company!

While we were settling in, I was looking into subbing in the District where I grew up- a step in the direction of getting a contract there. This, of course, was the original reason we decided to move up north, and it was seeming to come along nicely. Meanwhile, our living situation wasn't exactly what we thought it would be, and we were getting restless (and uncomfortable).

After a crazy series of events, we were suddenly unpacking (again) in a new apartment (emphasis on the new) with my brother, Daniel. Turns out he needed a place to live and some roommates, and Jake wanted a particular apartment with a fantastic kitchen that just happened to be 2 bedrooms and slightly out of our price range. But, more unpacking... boo.

While unpacking, a funny thing happened. I got a call from the School District. Was I still interested in getting hired? Of course! I wanted to sub every day if I could! Interview 3 days from now? No problem, I could handle that. I said I would be there, and they started to explain the job... the full-year job. What was I interviewing for now? Oh, I was sure I'd get clarification on the interview.

And that I did. The job is for the whole year, they said. I had a fantastic interview, thanks to my extensive practice during grad school. Or was it because I was clicking well with the interviewers? No matter, I thought, I'm sure there are a dozen people interviewing. I thought I was a long shot, and that I would have a week or so to think about it.

I was wrong.

I got a call the next morning offering me the job, in too many words. I accepted. Then I freaked out for accepting. What was I getting myself into? I wasn't ready! School had already started without me!

Well, it's been 10 weeks and they haven't given me the boot yet. I'm enjoying myself, as much work as it is, and I'm fitting in well. My apartment may take a year to fully come together, but I am a real teacher. And you know what? Every doubt I have had in the past 10 years about becoming a teacher has faded. No matter how much my kids misbehave, roll their eyes, or fail their tests, I know that I am where I'm supposed to be.

It may not be a glamorous job, but it's my calling. I amy never become rich, but I bet I will have more funny work stories that most rich people out there.

Now I get to act like a teacher and count down the days until Christmas Break.

49 days you say? I'll take it.

Summer Time is Mighty Fine

Oh, how I love summertime (and Kayla's awesome art skills).

The weather is nice, the fruit is wonderful, and it always brings about incredible changes.

Last summer, Jake and I moved from Huntington Beach to Irvine- a change we wish had come sooner.

The summer before that- our favorite one- we got married. Jake finished his BA, and we both celebrated graduating with our families here in So Cal.

In 2010 I got to travel the western United States while Jake worked at his favorite job to date.


Clearly summer means big things. This summer isn't much different... as we are making our biggest change since we started college in 2007.

Moving to Northern California, now that it is so certain, has brought so many emotions up in Jake and in me. We are so happy, but at the same time, our hearts ache so much for our home. But, I've written of that.

It's summertime! The time to tan, swim, nap, and get back to my roots.

I will always love a good mango.

It's time to get on with changes, because they always turn out for the better- to quote one of my highly embarrassing songs written when I was younger.

To look on this summer in the best light, I've decided to make myself a Summer To-Do List! 

1. Move 

This one is easy... this one will happen in 18 days, whether we are ready for it or not.

2. Run a 5K

To many this is only a goal because they must sign up for one. For me (and I suspect more than a few others) this is a steep physical goal to wrap my mind, let along my lungs, around. You see, I have fake asthma... better known as Exercise Induced Asthma. Essentially, prolonged aerobic exercise can cause asthma attacks. Though I've only ever had one major attack (thanks late night VU games), it makes cardio exercise a bit difficult. Running any more than a mile at an easy pace gives me shortness of breath, chest tightening, and wheezing.
But there is hope!
Fake asthma won't be able to match a gradual 8-week training, courtesy of the Couch to 5K free App. Free! (I'm cheap.)
My hope is that at the end of the 8 weeks, I can regularly run 5 Kilometers, without asthmatic symptoms. I presume it will be to my advantage (long-term) that these 8-weeks will be in hot weather.

3. Develop Healthy Eating Habits

They say it takes 21 days to build a habit. Who? Well, I suppose word got out about the 70's self-help book, Psycho-Cybernetics. There may be some dispute about the actual number of days, but 21 is pretty convincing becuase there's a website dedicated to it. That makes it true, right?
Well, after we move we are committing to healthy eating habits for at least 21 days. It will likely resemble the Paleo diet- based on the diet of people before the agricultural revolution. Cutting out grains, refined sugars, and dairy will hopefully help out our often-compromised immune systems.

4. Save Money

One day, Jake and I want to own a house, replace our cars, and become debt-free. Clearly, this isn't a summer goal. This summer, however, it is my goal to examine our every expense, and put all we can partly in savings, and partly towards student loans.
For this I have no specific plan or tips to give. I can only point you to my Saving Money board on Pinterest.

5. Finish Chronologically Reading the Bible

It saddens me that I have not completed this yet. But as change comes this summer, I hope the completion of goal will also come. Spending time in God's word is one of the most important things I can be doing to prepare my heart for the big changes awaiting my little 2-person family.

Because, after all, it's summer. And summer means big changes.

But don't worry. It also means tanning, swimming, and napping.

It's Really Happening

Today, our Disneyland passes expired.

Though this is always a sad event, today it is especially sad. It's especially sad because we aren't going to renew. Ever.

I guess this makes it really real. We're moving.

It's not like we didn't see this coming. We have been talking about this for the better part of a year. It has been semi- decided since about February. We picked a date to move earlier this month.

It's not like we've packed. It's not like we've reserved a moving truck. It's not like we are prepared to move in 27 days.

But this meager 2 1/2- hour trip to Disneyland marked the beginning of what I expect it extreme emotions for Jake and me. As I posted on Instagram when we left, "It is finished." Not to be sacrilegious or anything... but it's kind of a big deal.

Southern California has been our home for the past 6 years, and the only home Jake and I have known together. This is where we met, date, and have been spending our newlywed years.

As our newlywed years come to a close (according to some), so is our time in Southern California. After our 2nd anniversary we will official make the trek up to the Bay Area. It's the most bittersweet decision we have ever made.

We are of course excited to move; there is ultimately a reason we have decided to. We will be close to family, on both sides. We will have a handful of solid ling-term friends. We will work our way into our dream jobs. We will find a home church we love, a Trader Joe's where they know our names, and will be on a co-ed church softball team. We will one day purchase a home and have kids who can grow up knowing the same families until they go off to college. It's perfect.

But... there's always a but. We are leaving every single friend we have made as a couple. We are leaving our Alma Mater, where I currently love my job. We will leave a couple who has unknowingly mentored us through our dating, engaged, and married years- as well as their kids whom we adore. We will leave a comfortable apartment, Jake's comfortable job, our comfortable well-established church, and a comfortable almost-always-75-degrees. And we will leave the beach.

Oh, the beach.

But I was never promised a comfortable life. Comfortable so often can lead to lukewarm. Jake and I aren't called to be lukewarm. We are called to honor our families, our callings, and His plan for us. So, we are packing up (one day I really will start packing) and moving, uncomfortable as it is, to San Jose. In doing so, we hope that God will continue to reveal what he has in store for us as a family, whatever that may be.






On a logistical note, if you aren't doing anything in 27 days I am willing to bribe you with Chick-fil-A breakfast to help us pack a moving truck.

(:

Patience

Ever want to practice being patient?

Watch as a 16 month old feeds himself cereal and bananas. Very slowly. Also while dropping some on the floor- that he will eat later if you don't throw them away.

30 minutes and counting.

It's a good thing he's so darn cute!

The Joys of Pinterest

Sometimes people get all riled up because someone bashes their favorite sports team (Go Giants!). Sometimes they get flustered because a stranger has given them the evil eye for they way they parent. Some, too, get outright angry when the toilet paper roll is on the wrong way.

I have to say that I am pretty good at keeping my cool. Except, apparently, when people tell me they "don't see the point of Pinterest". OH NO YOU DI-INT. I love Pinterest. It's magical.

No, I understand that some bloggers and photographers think that Pinterest is Illegal and their ideas and/or images get stolen, but I'm not going to get into that.

I am here to convince the average person (read: my husband) that Pinterest is amazing.

Their arguments, and why I won't accept them:

"Pinterest is just a enjoyable way for some people to waste time, like when I play video games."
The worst word in this argument is the word just. Just a way to waste time? Comparing it to video games? Now, us on Pinterest have our rebuttle- becuase it's true, hilarious, and found on Pinterest. When is the last time your Xbox made us delicious enchiladas?!
Case in point: Pinterest, when used (read: actually try the stuff you find) has wonderful effects on your life. Be it dinner, a cleaner house, wedding decorations, or kick-A abs, Pinterest can get you there in an easier way. I am way too lazy to look this stuff up on Google, and why should I, when I am following people that pin the very stuff I like?! Ah, to the next argument.

"Why would I find things on Pinterest when I can search them on Google?"
Google is cool. I've used it to find answers to questions, figure out a company's website, and occasionally learn how to remove the barrel from a nerf gun.
But Pinterest isn't a search engine.
When I open Firefox and type "P" into the address bar, (and Pinterest is obviously the first link that shows up) I have a homepage feed that shows me what has been pinned by the people I follow. I follow people I know in real life, as well as bloggers I've found (on Pinterest) whose content I enjoy. I can see a recipe my mom pinned, a killer glutes workout my old roommate pinned, or an awesome way to save money while shopping at Target. I never would have thought of making a pumpkin cake out of two bundt cakes, but now I know what I'm doing next fall. I never would have known that Women's clothing goes on sale on Tuesdays at Target, but housewares are on Thursday. I never would have found a way to work out my abs WHILE STANDING UP.
Stumbling upon things (catch that Jake?) may not do me well when I'm in Target (or any store), but it's great when I'm in no danger of spending money! I can find things I didn't even know existed, but make any party I throw that much better.
Also, Pinterest has a search bar. To search anything on Pinterest. It's how I found my sweet calendar printables! Best of both worlds.

"Just because people pin things doesn't mean they do them."
That sounds like a personal problem.
Maybe it inspires them, maybe they are waiting until they aren't as busy, or maybe they just don't know that you can click the picture and it takes you to a link. In any case, I'm rooting for people to actually use Pinterest, not just look at it.

Enough persuading, Jake?

Pinterest is a great tool to cook better, entertain classier, dress trendier, clean more efficiently, and one day have the most amazing classroom students have ever seen.

But, as most users are still women, Jake will probably continue to look at the gardening section with me instead of creating his own Pinterest.

I'll count it as a win.