Video: Letter to Lorraine

Hey guys! I wanted to feature this sweet documentary because I think it needs to be seen. It's gone viral in the last week or so -  and what a great real life example of "love of your life." This video is about 9 minutes long, but will have you in tears. It's definitely worth the watch.

Also, you can buy Fred's song on iTunes!

4 Biggest Adjustments

Since moving to Chillicothe, a lot of things are different than what I'm used to. Whether that be having roommates, the fact that everything in town is on one street, or that there isn't a Target for miles. These are the FOUR biggest adjustments I've had to make since moving to Chilli, MO!

1. Not being able to go anywhere I feel like to eat dinner. While the food is good, there is definitely a small number of restaurants to choose from in the first place. I miss Chipotle. I miss Noodles. I miss my local Mexican joint. On the plus side though, all of the restaurants here are priced fairly cheap!
2. Sharing a bathroom with someone else. Since moving back to Columbia in 2009, I've always had my own bathroom. My roommate is great about sharing space and time in there, it's just weird having to share it at all! I guess I should get used to it since Ben and I will be sharing though!
3. Not seeing the people I love any time I want to see them. I'm missing my friends and family something terrible.
4. My bed. I am back to a twin size bed at 25 years old. My bed isn't uncomfortable per say (I put 2 matress pads and an egg crate foam topper on it), but it's small. My bed at home was a Full size bed, and it seems like it's 3 times the size even though I know it's not. I'll be happy when I can spread out when I'm asleep like I used to!

HIGH FIVE FRIDAY

It's Friday! It's time to high five - aka: talk about five great things that happened this week!

1. I taught a lesson on persuasive essay's using this video as a segway. The kids bought it.
2. I got to talk to my friend Ally for 20 minutes on the phone on Wednesday about our lives and jobs! This never happens because we're so busy!
3. I BOMBED my very first lesson in my 6th hour on Tuesday. I learned from it.
4. We got let out of class an hour and a half early last night!
5. I get to see Benjamin TODAY!!!!!!

WHERE I'VE BEEN

Moving to Chillicothe has been an adjustment for me. Not only am I working full time but I'm being thrown back into having to do all things for myself - grocery shopping, medical things, etc. Some things are more difficult than others to handle with the problems I have with my hands, but we're making do! Here are some of the things I've been up to lately!

I ventured to the grocery store for the first time on my own to buy things for my school lunches! I paid about $30 for all of this stuff, which I felt pretty good about! Plus I saved money on Fuel Saver!

I think cooking has been the hardest thing for me so far. The heat and my hands don't mix well, but I'm getting by. I'm learning new ways to make meat in the oven, plus taking advantage of fresh vegetables (like these potatoes) that come in a steamer bag so I can just steam them in the microwave! I did however slice up and sautee this veggies and they were great! I'm learning!

I'm officially official with my name badge for CHS!

My mother is the sweetest and sent me these shoes as a congratulations for my job! Sperry's are good to my feet unlike most other shoes and she did a great job picking out 3 cute pairs for me!! Thanks again, mom!

 I ventured to Hendrick Medical Center here in town to get my blood work done. They have no labs in Chillicothe, so I have to be admitted as an outpatient for my monthly bloodwork. So I got this dandy little medical bracelet! P. Muelleman represent!

Being away from Ben is probably the hardest adjustment for me. Knowing my parents see him all the time and I don't stinks too! I miss him a ton. We've been taking advantage of picture messages to keep things lively, haha. Sorry for posting this picture, B!

 Saturday I also ventured over the Farmer's Market they have downtown. I was really searching for fruit, but ended up paying $1 for these three beauties. I told the woman I was purchasing these zuchinni's from that I like to sautee them, so she gave me this zuchette for FREE so that I could try it! Apparently they're fairly similar to zuchinni, but stay a little more firm when you sautee them. I'm anxious to try it even if it is shaped funny!

Overall, things have just been really busy with school and work! I'm hoping to be able to catch my breath here soon!

SNEAK PEAK

WIWW

This week I don't have a ton of outfit pictures because I didn't manage to snap pictures every day before leaving the house. I did get a few days though!

Last Tuesday we had our district "welcome back" meeting at the high school. Here's what I wore!

Dress + chambray shirt: Old Navy, Belt: JCPenney, Shoes: Walmart, Watch: Charming Charlie's

We also had our first day of school. Here's what I sported:

Dress (w/ belt): H&M, Shoes: Kohl's, Watch: Charming Charlie's

I wore this getup to church on Sunday!

Purple jeans + green tank + black blouse: Old Navy, Shoes: Payless, Watch: Charming Charlie's

My "Monday" outfit for school!

Dress + belt: H&M, Shoes: Payless, Green button up: Old Navy, Watch + Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Flashback: My high school Senior Pictures

   

BACK TO SCHOOL

This week has been kind of a whirlwind in terms of starting my first teaching job as well as starting our courses for the semester.

Wednesday was CHS’ first day of school. I felt like I kind of flat lined in my first couple of hours. Presenting a syllabus is boring for everyone, so I know it wasn’t exactly the most entertaining time spent. I felt like I sort of got them back with my “About Me” power point. They probably know more about me than they ever wanted to know, but at least it was personal rather than educational. We played an ice breaker game in my Comp II class (Unique but Different). They moaned and groaned about that too though, so who knows what is going to happen when they start having real group work. My freshman seemed nervous, but I like that we’re both new to the building. At this point, they feel like allies.

Thursday, we started work in all three courses. My American Lit & Comp. class started their first weekly grammar worksheet, my Comp. II class started writing a (prompted) short story, and my freshmen went to the library to get the presentation on award winning books and check out books to read for AR. My Comp II classes (sophomores) somewhat resisted having to start work already. I had a few boys say they’d never written more than half of a page before even. Once most of them got into writing their creative short story though, they rolled with it and did much more than they thought they could. I’m hoping to use these stories to gage where my sophomores are at with writing mechanics so that I can help them work on things they struggle with this year. We also did a mini introduction ice breaker in my Comp II classes where each person had to say their name, their favorite hobby, and one place they want to visit before they die. They liked this activity because they got to talk about themselves and dream big. I’d say the most stressful part of Thursday came after the final bell rang though. The drive from Chillicothe to Kansas City is daunting when you know you’re going to have to come right back a few hours later. Class itself was fine, the drive back seemed long. Having made that drive a number of times already, I thought I was prepared for it – I was wrong.

Friday, we were in full swing for course work. My juniors graded their grammar worksheet and my sophomores finished up their stories and then we played another ice breaker. I only had three of my six class periods due to class meetings and a pep assembly though. The juniors rolled with the plans to work anyway because they’re used to the rigor and know that they’re in the more advanced course (as opposed to English III). I appreciated that they stepped up to the plate. My sophomores were a bit more reluctant. I’m anxious to dive into real instruction next week as we start our units (mostly short stories).

Redbox Review

I recently sat down with my roommate to (re)watch a movie that she had never seen before: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

This movie is one of the best I’ve seen in the past few years. Ben and I went to see it when it was originally in theatres (one of our few movie dates in the past 3 years), and it was just as good as I remember.

Let’s kick off with giving a virtual high five to this rock star cast. From Sandy Bullock, to Tom Hanks, to the amazing child actor Thomas Horn, the cast is filled with amazing talent whose skills will make you laugh at some points and cry three times as much. Additionally, talk about a heart breaking story line. With my aunt living outside of and working in NYC at the time of the 9/11 attacks, this story hits close to home. It’s heartbreaking to watch Oskar on his journey to try to reconnect with his dead father, and find his way back into the arms of his mother who knew who he was all along. Great “dialogue” takes place between Oskar and his grandfather who ends up riding along on his journey, and all of it just makes you FEEL IT.

This movie was based on a book, which I must admit I’ve never read (it’s on my list!!), so I can’t honestly attest to the character of the book to screen adaptation. Regardless, this tear jerking, heart breaking, movie keeps you on your toes as you go for a ride with Oskar on his search to deal with love, loss, and moving on.

I give it 5 out of 5 movie stubs.

WIWW

Hornets shirts: custom made at a local shop in Chillicothe

Yellow tank + black cami + blue cardi: Old Navy, Gray slacks: Vanity Fair outlet,
Necklace: Charming Charlie's, Shoes: Payless

Denim shorts + green button up: Old Navy, White tennis shoes: Walmart, Rose gold watch: Charming Charlie's

The Kids Won't Like Me

I've been re-reading the memoirs of a bunch of 6th graders lately. Sometimes I forget that they're "little" people and have had life experiences. I know by the time I was 14, I wasn't writing about funerals and loss, I was writing about boyfriends and girls I hated because of boys that I wanted to be my boyfriend. Looking back, none of it really mattered. The boys I dated at 13/14 years old have become not much more than a distant memory. But at least they're remembered, right? The ones since have mostly been willingly forgotten. That's not the point. What is my point?...

Either way, I've spent the last 7 years of my life trying to achieve something, regardless of boys. Something to make me better... successful... happy. I can't tell you the exact moment that I decided to become a teacher. I can't tell you that it was my whole life's goal since I was a child, because like most, I had other dreams. But now that I'm here, and this is my life, I should say that I in NO WAY feel that I am settling.

Every semester before classes start, since I was a young child, I have gotten nervous the night before the first day. I can never sleep well... I'm afraid the kids won't like me. And it's funny because I'm 25 and tomorrow I start my new job as a teacher. And I'm nervous... and I doubt I'll sleep, and I'm afraid the kids won't like me...

First day of a new chapter. First day of forever.

Things that Peeve Me

1. When somebody sends me a text message and I call them immediately after reading (to avoid a lengthy text message conversation) and they DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE. What happened to you in the last 30 seconds that you can't take a phone call? Did you fall asleep? Knock yourself unconcious? Stub your toe? I don't get it.
2. When people ditch out on plans and give the lamest, most transparent excuse in the world as to why they can't make it. I know you're lying, you know you're lying... why can't you just be honest? I may be annoyed, but at least I'm not going to bitch about you to people.
3. When people ask me why I don't just use lotion on my dry skin. Because, really? REALLY!?
4. The sound of plastic or styrofoam rubbing on something else. Ask Ben. If we've got stuff in the car and it's making noise, I make him fix it because it will annoy me to death and make me cranky.
5. Hotel rooms that only give you 2 towels when the room is big enough for 4 people. I'm just saying, you ask for the number of people staying in the room on the reservation... so you should put at least that many towels in the bathroom.
6. Taylor Swift.
7. Red and green together when it's not Christmas. I just can't do it. I get that some things are meant to be that way - lady bugs on grass, watermelon... but I can't. Red pen on green paper, red paper with green border, etc. Nope. Only in December.

What's UP

As you can probably guess, things have been pretty crazy since making the big move up to Chillicothe. I've been super busy with getting things together for school and around the house... so I have some catch up information for all of you! I'm sure you're dying to know! 

My friend Hannah gave me a coupon for Charming Charlie's, so I went over there and to my delight all of their clearance was 50% off too! I ended up getting all of these things for around $30! STEAL.

With the help of my mom I hung some pictures up in my room to remind me of my favorite people's beautiful faces!

Alli and I also decided to take the door off of our closet. Can you imagine two 20-something girls sharing one closet? It is an adjustment for me for sure!

Additionally, last Wednesday was my birthday! I finally turned the big 25 - woot! Ben even came up to Chillicothe to celebrate with me! I got some great gifts from my mom, Ben, Ben's mom, and my new roommates!

 

 PLUS BEN MADE ME B&G FOR MY BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST! YUM!

Additionally, our wonderful Fellows mentors gave us these precious Hornets baskets filled with cute school supplies, snacks, things for our desk, and a custom Hornets shirt for us to wear!

 Lastly, just so everyone knows - I made 6000 copies last week.

Chiefs season is upon us!

If you know me and my family, you know that we are Chiefs fans come what may. With that said, Friday night was the first home pre-season game so we all got together and went out to Arrowhead. The game didn't have the outcome we'd hoped, but it was fun anyway!

Here are a few snaps!

CLASSROOM REVEAL

YAY PICTURES OF MY CLASSROOM

It's definitely a work in progress - I've still got a huge blank wall in the back!

Also, this last picture is what 10 weeks of vocab & grammar for 6 classes looks like!