Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Countdown to Texas Begins!

I can't believe I only have 2 days left in San Diego before my mom and I start the drive to Houston! I've been so busy since I've been home that I've barely had a chance to soak up any of the amazing San Diego sun! Although I don't think I should be concerned about not getting enough sunlight in the months to come, seeing that it's currently almost 3 AM in Houston and still 77 degrees outside.




My parents and I just got back from a fun night of sushi, the Nike outlet, and gambling at Viejas Casino.  I got a pair of awesome new running shoes that I can't wait to try out, and am really hoping to get my running motivation back soon...although I have a feeling my long days at Institute aren't going to allow me much time or energy to exercise!


Here's to hoping my new pair of running shoes motivate me!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Home Sweet Home!

I'm finally back in San Diego, and nothing feels better than falling asleep in my bed at home!  I've had a great couple of days back at home so far, which have included shopping with my mom, catching up on long overdue phone dates with friends, and getting together with old friends! I spent most of today studying for the TExES exam which I have to pass in order to teach in Texas, and it's definitely reminding me of how much I dislike multiple choice tests! I ordered a book from Barnes and Noble to help me prepare for the exam, and my mom and I will have plenty of time in the car on our roadtrip to go over practice test questions, such as the one below that I did not know the correct answer to until today:

Which of the following technologies had the greatest impact on the environment and the geography of agriculture in the U.S. Great Plains?

A. The cotton gin
B. The steel plow 
C. The telegraph 
D. The prairie schooner

If you're wondering, the answer is B.  I guessed A, and I still don't know what a prairie schooner is.

Tomorrow will be a fun-filled day of friend time...I get to hang out with my college roommate and bestie Jackie during the day, and hang out with my best friends from middle/high school Sierra and Morgan at night! I love being able to come home to San Diego and reunite with old friends, and am so glad we've all kept in touch over the years, despite how different all of our paths have been.

I leave for Texas in 7 days and I'm absolutely terrified, anxious, excited, nervous, and eager all at once.  I'm so thankful that I already know where and what I'm teaching, but not knowing who I'll meet, where I'll live after Institute, and what to expect is definitely nerve wrecking.  Not to mention, I'm not the best test taker and pretty much only have one opportunity to pass the TExES exam...so not passing is not an option!

Knowing my luck, the first question on my test will ask what a prairie schooner is.  And when it does, I'll be glad I googled it.




Thursday, May 17, 2012

Moving

Here's a brief look into what I plan on doing all day:





Moving might be one of my least favorite things ever.  But I think even more so right now because this is the fourth time I will have moved in the past year.  Oregon to California, California to DC, DC to Virginia, Virginia to Texas...crazy to think I will have lived in 5 different places in less than 365 days!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Baking Success!

I hope everyone at Kinkead's has a sweet tooth tomorrow, because I made these delicious mint chocolate chip cookies as a goodbye present for my last day! I'm pretty proud of how well they turned out!


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Ten Things I Love About My Mom

10.  She's incredibly hard working.  Her amazing work ethic has taught me so much about what it takes to succeed in the work place and really go above and beyond at every job you do.

9.  She's very level headed and can remain calm during stressful situations.  I tend to take after my dad more in this sense, which is why we are both very grateful to have her to balance out our strong personalities.

8.  She's incredibly humble.  My mother has done a lot of amazing things in her life, and she never brags about it or asks for credit even though she deserves so much of it.

7.  She knows how to have a good time.  From having one too many free mai tais on our family trip to Hawaii, to playing flip cup during my sorority's moms weekend, my mom knows how to have fun!

6.  She's always supportive of me.  From working to put me through college, to helping me accept my offer with Teach for America, she always has my best interest in mind and supports me through all of life's big and even little decisions. She's even road tripping with me to Texas in a couple of weeks to help me start a new chapter of my life as a teacher!

5. She's an amazing friend.  My mom is always there to listen, give advice, and I love spending time with her.  But despite the fact that she's my friend, she always puts being a mother first, which I really admire.

4.  She's incredibly strong.  She has been through a lot of challenging and difficult times in her life, and she always finds a way to stay optimistic and keep her head up.  Her positive outlook on life always helps to remind me that things find a way of working themselves out.

3.  She always puts others before herself.  My dad and I sometimes have to remind her to do things for herself, because she's always looking out for and helping other people first.

2.  She's forgiving.  Because let's be real, if she wasn't, we would have never gotten past my angsty teenage years.  It also helps that she probably realizes that karma will come back for me if I ever have a teenage daughter.

1.  She's my role model.  If I can grow up to be half as successful, kind, beautiful, smart, caring, and as wonderful of a mother as she is to me, then I will be very happy!

I love you so much mom! Thank you for always being there for me no matter what...you have no idea how much it means to me!  Dad and I are so lucky to have you in our lives, and I can't wait to see you next week when I come home! Happy Mother's Day!!








Saturday, May 5, 2012

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I'm unfortunately stuck at home on one of my favorite holidays with bronchitis. I had it last fall for a month, so I'm loading up on fluids, soup, and cheesy Lifetime movies in hopes that I'll get better soon. Luckily I felt well enough to get margaritas and Mexican food last night with Bri, Shaun, and Steph, and then we saw a live 90's cover band in Clarendon that was amazing! I guess I just had to celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The little things that get you through the week

I have been working like a mad woman this week, going on almost 40 hours in 4 days.  It's hard to believe I only have 13 days left until my last day of work, but I can't say I'm sad to leave...although I will miss all my co-workers!

Here are a few things that have gotten me through this long week:


My new phone case



Our new entertainment center for the living room.  Even though I'll only be able to enjoy it for a couple more weeks, it definitely adds a lot to the apartment.



A late night McFlurry run 



I scheduled my first classroom observation! I will be observing a DC Teach for America corps member teaching 7th grade language arts



Planning for Kate and Mark's wedding with my amazing best friend bridesmaids!