2010 wrap up

I had a lot of events to blog about, but I don't think it's gonna happen.  So I figured, why not do my end of the year wrap up.  The last few years I have done a blog on the past year.  I would like to successfully say that I was really upset at the end of 2009, I was not happy with where my life was and what I was doing with, I have quite the opposite to say in 2010.
This year was quite possibly a turning point, new chapter, everything coming to fruition.  If you read this blog at all, you understand that I struggle with many things in life.  You also know that I will do whatever I need to do to figure out a solution. 
A few years ago I started a life transformation from a party girl (rather pretty word for alcoholic) to a functioning responsible adult.  I let go of the 12 hour happy hours, I stopped going out 3-5 nights a week, I started exercising, I started paying off my bills, I started feeling better, I even started looking better.  I still was at an unease last year - I was unfulfilled, jealous, and unhappy.  I continued on my journey through 2010, saw some light with the finances (and continue to do so), started playing a lot more active role in my life, gained some new interests, said yes to new and unique experiences, paid a lot more attention to what others could teach me.  I also took the summer to just enjoy being.  My bike had a lot to do with that.  Riding it is a lot like what I think freedom feels like.  Which is how I feel now - free.   I'm in a better place this year all around - emotionally, financially, physically. 
I decided for the next step, I would find adjectives to describe my life and how I want it.  Enjoy. 

sidebar - teaching

I have a list of events to write about, but I keep finding short 'in-the-moment' type things to blog.  I was looking for adjectives to describe the life I have/want tonight and found this. 

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors.  Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

And I thought...this is what I do in my classroom, this is what I'm teaching everyday, this is what I strive to instill in my students, OMG I need this as a poster.  So I'm blogging it in hopes to make it a poster for my classroom.  

Invictus

I received the netflix dvd of Invictus and am currently watching it.  I want the world to know that the poem in which this movie bears the namesake, and Mandela recited while in prison is not by Mandela.  While a great man, a good many organizations, fraternities, individuals look to this poem for inspiration. 
"Invictus" is a short Victorian poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903).  He wrote it while in the hospital being treated for tuberculosis of the bone.  He lived at least another 25 + years after writing it. 
It's a powerful poem and reminds me a great deal of Kappa Kappa Psi, the honorary band fraternity I was in during college.  We recited this without even knowing all the background.  I'm happy to give it to you now. 

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

As a movie, it's all right.  Kind of boring - but that could be the pot of coffee I drank this morning.  I do enjoy watching Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon's biceps.  

Winter Break, it's finally here!

I've never hurried out of work so fast at a long break as I did today.  I packed my car while the kids were at lunch.  I've never done that.  I don't quite feel the release yet, but I am so happy to not have to go to work tomorrow.  I think I'll start feeling the joy and bliss tomorrow.  At least I hope it comes fast and doesn't take all of break to get to that summer place. 
I have very little planned for my break.  Here's what I have done so far and have planned for myself:
12/22 - pay bills, go grocery shopping
12/23 - clean, finish Christmas shopping, wrap, make homemade cinnamon buns
12/24 - clean, watch tv, read, have family over, open presents
12/25 - cook a big Christmas dinner, play games with the family (I will make them dance)
12/26 - read, watch tv, lay around, enjoy the clean house, eat left overs
12/27 - decide if I am getting tires on the car or not
12/28 - lunch with a friend?
12/29 - lunch with a friend?
12/30 - girls movie day
12/31 - Maysville for the annual NYE get together
and nothing.  Of course, there will spontaneous days of stuff or evening get togethers.  As well as naps, and the gym.  Hope to make it to the gym almost everyday. 

I would also like to note in this blog that I've been sick for about 3 weeks.  This last week, my joints started aching - like arthritis.  It's been hard to really move around, lay around or do just about anything with comfort.  I went to the dr. on the 21st and got some antibiotics.  Hopefully it helps, I haven't felt much help since I started them last night.  Maybe tomorrow??  Plus I'm going to go to the gym and I think that will help some.  It really worries me that my body feels like this though.  The dr. said to hit up the rhuematologist if the joint pain doesn't go away after I am through the with antibiotics.  Lots of sleep, water and no stress!!  I think that will cure me more than anything. 

day after thoughts

My best friend, Brian, got married last night.  Here's my thoughts the day after. *disclaimer - this is NOT a blog about his wedding, that will come later with pictures.
-I have the best friends and family in the world.  They care, they love, they show concern, they take care of me, they love me at my worst and at my best - I don't think anyone can ask for anything better.  They fill my life, they are my life.
-I did not cry at this wedding.  I did enjoy it.  I did not get sad.  I did put all my feelings into worrying about what I looked like.  It's a weird realization, but even though I might have been annoying or vain about it - I'm glad that's where my feelings went instead of showing them.
-With no partner in crime or back-up, the need to find a mate becomes more desperate.  I hate desperate.  I also hate being the only single person. 
-I've lost 26 pounds in the last year just by changing my lifestyle.  However in the last few weeks I have eaten little to try and fit better in the dress.  I am very hungry for food.  I will be eating for the next 2 weeks.  I will also work out, but I am not going to watch my calories or amounts.  It will be bliss!!
-on that thought, the eating shall commence!!

ulgggggl

That is kind of the sound I have been making.  I've been so sick and in the house all weekend.  I take care of myself and as a teacher take all the necessary precautions, but it hit me hard this weekend.  I'm not sure if it was a virus or a sinus infection.  But I had a temperature and all my joints hurt.  I'm feeling much better today.  I've been drinking some mocha with dollops of whip cream - delish!  It makes me warm and happy. I've got to get better by next weekend, it's Brian's wedding.  I got the dress zipped that I had my heart set on wearing.  It's a gorgeous Alfred Angelo from Maure's wedding.  It's a little tight in the boobs, but it zipped and that was all I was hoping for.  I've still got 4 days to make it fit better.  I'm looking for a red sash/drape to put over my shoulders.  Anyway - my Bearcats lost in the semifinals.  It was really cold up in Duluth.  It made for some really slow football and 3 interceptions from the other team.  There will be next year. 

Hope everyone has a good week!  7.5 more days of work until my Winter Break!!  (6.5 for me since I had to take off for Brian's wedding) 

Animals of YouTube sing "Deck the Halls"

Thanksgiving 2010 - Plaza Lighting