What I Say is Important

When I started blogging those years ago, I went into things with the wrong intentions. I saw these people with these popular blogs - posting recipes, fashion, and whatever else - followed by numbers of readers. I wanted that. I wanted to feel like what I had to say was important to people. Which people? I didn't care. Just some people.

Over the course of this past nine months I have felt every emotion you can imagine. Happiness, fear, sadness, grief... and having felt those emotions I have come to realize that it only matters what I think is important. What I have to say is important.

I'm not sure if I will come back to polka-dot chronicles. I'm not sure if I will start a new, private blog for me. I'm not sure. All I know is, I need to express myself for my own benefit - sharing it can come later if I choose.

I am breathing!

I'm alive and well contrary to what my absence may have suggested. As it happens, I'm in th e midst of the busiest month if the year for MU fellows - end of course exams and wrapping our research and data up with a nice little bow for our capstone paper. Thankfully, although it has been a long, grueling process, all of the pieces are coming together and I may even graduate.

I'm still on the hunt for a job of some sort for next year. I've  had a couple interviews and have even been a finalist, but nothing has panned out. I ask you all to keep your eyes/ears open for me.

In other news, the chiefs schedule just came out and it looks like we will be venturing to San Francisco for the game there this October. I'm very excited.

WIWW

Job interview garb!

Dress + scarf: H&M, Sweater: Old Navy, Watch: Charming Charlie's, Boots: Gifts, Tights: Walmart

Royal's home opener!

Royals pull-over: Team store, Jeans + tank: Old Navy, Shoes: Puma, Watch: Betsey Johnson

Jeans: Old Navy, Sweater: Gap, Shoes: TOMS, Scarf: NY&C, Watch: Walmart

Skirt: Groupon, Yellow shirt + tank + chambray button-up: Old Navy, Scarf: Italy

Jeans: Old Navy, Hoodie: Gift, Shoes: Sperry, Watch: Groupon

Walk for MS!

Over the past weekend I walked my first 5K! It was one of my goals this semester to participate in one, so this worked out in my favor to the max! My store (Old Navy) put together a team to participate in the MS walk in KC in honor of two of our employees' moms who are living with MS. It was a great morning with great people for a great cause!

Chilli, Opening Day, & more.

Well guys, things have been pretty busy around here. Here's a few snap shots of what's been going on over the past few weeks or so!

I decorated my classroom for Easter! I love having a little color going on! :)

I was the #1 Chaperone at CHS' Springfest dance.

I also worked my very first track meet!

Spring cleaning hit. I cleaned out my closet and such. These are the t-shirts I kept in Chillicothe. The stack on the right consists of only Chiefs shirts, while the right is everything else...

I PASSED MY PRAXIS! HOLLA!!! Officially certified to teach the high school kiddos. Alli and I drove to KC to celebrate!

And finally, baseball season has finally started!!

 

Driving M(r)s. Duvall

What is the last thing you watched on TV? Honestly, I haven't been much of a TV bug the past week. I think on Wednesday I watched a DVD (Hairspray), but as far as actual TV it would be "Ink Master" on Tuesday night...

When did you last step outside? What were you doing? The last time I was outside was this morning when I was getting out of my car to walk inside to work. It was a bit brisk - I'm looking forward to this warmer weather that people speak of.

What is on the walls of the room you are in? I'm currently sitting in my classroom [yay, blogging during your plan period] and I have quite a bit on the wall: posters conveying word parts, writing processes, inspirational quotes; as well as pictures, character study student work, etc. I like to keep it busy in here. More warm and inviting.

If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?  New cars for my close fam bam and friends! Plus a house. Plus some fun stuff that Ben and I want, but can't afford right now. Probably a vacation...

Tell me something about you that most people don’t know.  I have FIVE skin diseases, but I don't let it run my life. Because not only do I have five skin diseases, but I am a teacher, a wife, a friend, a scrapbooker, a writer, a blogger, and so much more. Plus, I don't eat anything blue.

Who made the last incoming call on your phone?  My specialty pharmacy, dealing with one of my medication refills.

If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do? I don't have a home... I currently live in a house that isn't mine with three other females rather than my husband. I share a room, bathroom, kitchen, laundry facilities, and I park on the street... I think I would just buy my own place! :)

What was the last thing you bought? Yesterday I bought a Dr. Pepper and gas from the shell station in Kearney on my way back from my job interview.

Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? II like to say that I would have the guts, but I think it would take major convincing once the moment actually arrived.

If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be? Ellie Weisel. Studying him with my kids this year in our English II class, all of our eyes were opened to the grave circumstances that we will never understand.

Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Ironically, the place I've come to find has the best clothes for my body is Old Navy (or other brands owned by Gap Inc.), so I'd stick with those few chains. 

Is the glass half empty or half full?  I’m working my hardest to be a half full person, but all my life I've been a [gangster] half empty kind of gal...

What’s the farthest-away place you’ve been? I've studied in both France and Italy in my life thanks to a couple amazing opportunities.

What’s under your bed? I have one of those beds that has drawers and cabinets underneath it - so, I have shoes and a cabinet full of misc. junk!

What is your favorite time of the day? I like the afternoon.

What Inspires you? Kids. Being a teacher this year has changed my life. Getting to know these kids and their goals, dreams, and lives has opened me up to so many things I never thought I'd know. Watching them pursue/live their dreams... that's the stuff, man.

High-Five Friday

It's been a busy, interesting week! A lot going on, a ton more to come - just trying to keep my head on straight! So it's that time... time to high five!

1. Our principal let us have an additional casual/jeans day on Monday thanks to MLB opening day! Sported my Royals t-shirt!
2. I got to have an impromptu pizza/TV night with Ben on Tuesday - always welcome extra time.
3. I had not one, but TWO job interviews this week.
4. Class was "via skype" last night, but our professors didn't make us Skype so Alli and I went to the CHS track meet instead.
5. I get to go home this weekend and do a bunch of fun things: babysit Izzy, walk in a 5K for MS, go to a Royals game... can't complain!

Hope y'all have had an amazing week!

March Care Package

Living apart has to be the worst part of this semester for me in regard to my marriage. I'm counting the days until Ben and I get to live together, wherever that may be.

As you know, I've been putting together monthly care packages for him. March's theme was obviously "green." I tried to think outside of the box, but when it comes down to it, I'm usually drawn to getting him candy.

Do you send care packages to anyone? Have any tips for keeping them interesting??

Back in Action?

I do apologize for this long break over the past week or so. While I enjoy updating good ol' PDC, I often times find myself overwhelmed or lacking information to share. I'd love to be a dedicated, known blogger, but for now... I will continue to update when I have time and grow it when I can later.

Today I will present to you my life as of late via bullet points. Prepare, as they are in no order.

- I finally saw the movie Frozen. 

- I made my first official car payment on my Ford Escape.

- I had a job interview with a high school.

- I got asked for a second interview with the same high school.

- I worked at Old Navy for the first time since Christmas break.

- I signed up to walk my first 5K!

- I passed my secondary English praxis!!

- I spring cleaned my closet in Chillicothe & sent half of my clothes back to KC.

- Stacey & Megan came to visit me over the weekend.

- I started the #100happydays challenge on Instagram.

Overall, I can't complain. I'm 2 months away from being donezo with this 2013-2014 school year & 100 days away from having my Master's degree. I've got good, supportive friends & family, my husband rocks, & my skin is pretty darn clear. Just need to land a job & all will be golden.

Until next time! XXO

WIWW

Sorry for the delay on WIWW, friends. I've been really quite bad at getting picture sof my outfits taken to show off to you guys! Here are a few from recent weeks.

Tan jeans + chambray + long tank: Old Navy, Shoes: Sperry's, Watch: Charming Charlie's

While not my entire outfit, you can catch the idea; what I wore for my Skype interview last week.

Cardigan: Old Navy, Red top: Sam's Club, Scarf: Charlotte Russe

Black dress pants + cardigan + coral tank: Old Navy, Shoes: Macy's

Watch: Groupon, Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Grey jeans + tank + cardi + shoes: Old Navy, Scarf: NY&C, Watch: Charming Charlie's

In honor of opening day of the MLB this week we were able to wear Royals gear (and jeans) on Monday!

Jeans + Royals shirt + cardi: Old Navy, Shoes: Sperry's, Watch: Betsey Johnson

Baseball lace braclet: KC Royals pro shop

Dress pants + black tank + chambray: Old Navy, Shoes: TOMS, Scarf: NY&C, Watch: Charming Charlie's