What You Should Ask Yourself Before 2013 Is Over - Part 1

I recently read a blog post over at Everything Happens For a Reason, and she mentioned this article about questions you should ask yourself before the end of the year has come.  Being that it is December, I guess there's no time like the present.  So, here goes - part 1!

1.  What am I most proud of this year?  This one is easy.  I am most proud that I finished my Master's Degree.  I debated many times on whether or not I should keep going on with it or quit.  It was an arduous program, at I can't believe that I can finally say I'm done.  It's done.  And with a 4.0!!

2.  How can I become a better _____________?  Gosh, what couldn't I put here.  I want to be a better friend, wife, fitness freak, scholar...so I am going to go ahead and say that I want to learn how to be a better "me."  Not many people know this, but I'm pretty insecure about all aspects of my life.  I need to learn to have more confidence in myself, and then I can work on all of the other things.

3.  Where am I feeling stuck?  In my career.  While I enjoy what I do, it's not where I pictured myself at this point in my life.  Hopefully now that I'm done with my MA program, I can work on bettering that.

4.  Where do I need to allow myself grace?  In life.  Too broad?  I need to realize it's not ok to be perfect, and that everyone has their faults.

5.  Am I passionate about my career?  Not my current career, but I'm passionate about moving forward and having that career where I am making a difference.
 
6.  What lessons have I learned?  How to accept others (more) for their differences, how to have patience, and how to be less awkward around children.

7.  What did my finances look like?  My finances were comfortable, but a little more tight when I was student teaching.  Now that I am back to a full paycheck, I feel good about my financial state.

8.  How did I spend my free time?  Traveling when I could, going to shows, and being with those I love.
 
9.  How well did I take care of my body, mind, and soul?  Not very well.  I have not been kind to my body with the right foods and exercise, I haven't let my mind be curious and explore (too much schoolwork), and I haven't been in touch with God like I should have.  I'm hoping to work on all of these things soon.
 
10.  How have I been open-minded?  I am trying to be open minded about this upcoming move to Korea.  I loved living in Germany, but Korea is so (excuse the pun) foreign to me, and I don't know what to expect.  I am not excited about this move, but I am trying to stay open minded about the whole thing, rather than just pout and be miserable.

Weekend Update

This weekend was actually a pretty low-key weekend.  Friday officially marked my last day of student teaching.  The most ironic thing happened, and we ended up with a snow day that day and I didn't go in.  I don't understand that call, as there was very little snow and the roads were all clear in the morning.  But, it was nice to get to stay home.  I'm sad, though, that I didn't get to say good-bye to my kiddos!  I'll have to go in one day to see them.  A couple of them let it slip that they made me something, and I know it'll break their hearts if I don't go and pick it up.  But, either way, I am done.  And come 2 January, I will be a fully certified Special Education Teacher.  Hopefully that will help me find employment in Korea.

Saturday was doggy training with the boys.  Since we are probably going to be in an apartment in Korea, some of their behaviors at home won't be as welcomed by our new wall neighbors, so we are trying to work on bringing those behaviors down a notch.  Gomez is the smartest thing ever, but man...he is such a squeaker!  So odd!  And Pugsley just mimics him, so we are trying to quiet our cute little stinkers.

Saturday evening we volunteered to work at a charity event for the Pujols Family Foundation.  I didn't get any pictures of us all dolled up, but it was a wonderful event.  We ended up leaving before it was over because we were just so darn tired and they had a surplus of volunteers.  They always put on such a spectacular evening, and I am still so humbled by their mission.

 

Sunday was a day for errands and football.  And what a crazy Sunday for football it was!  Happy that my Dolphins have a winning record again, and praying that we will be able to make it into the Playoffs this year.  It's been a long, sad time since they've been playoff contenders.   So far, we are only one game back.  Also, you know what I didn't do Sunday?  Any schoolwork of any kind.  Say wha?  I still don't know how I am going to fill my time.  I'm sure I'll find something.  Maybe I should make a goal list for 2014 to help me out.  And, for sure, the gym will be on it.  This year has not been kind to my waistline...

Coming to the year's end...

Oh my goodness, is it December already?  I mean seriously, where has this year gone?  I know where the last 16 weeks have gone.  To finally finishing up this crazy degree of mine.  This is my last week, and then I will officially be a graduate of graduate school.  Seems so unreal.  I have so many thoughts circling my head about what exactly finishing will mean for me and to me, but they deserve their own little post.  But for now, I have four days and counting...

Thanksgiving was (mostly) nice.  I miss my sister so much, so it is always good to see her.  I wish I could steal her away sometimes and keep her with me always, but I'll have to settle for seeing her as much as I can.  My step-dad (the only real dad I have known, so he is "dad") is a simple man of few words, but he is always a pleasure to be around.  He's a big goofball, but such a caring man.  My mother, on the other hand...her and I have always had a bit of a difficult relationship.  Let's just say we are very different people, and she pretty much disagrees with everything I have ever done and will ever do.  So seeing her, as much as I love her, stressed me out.  Anyways...  We had a big, delicious spread of food, but I was too busy trying to enjoy the moment that I didn't snap any photos.  In fact, the only picture I got the whole weekend was of my sister and I at IKEA.  Oh, St. Louis...the rumors better be true about an IKEA coming.  I've missed it.

Hello, Swedish meatballs!

In other news, while we don't have official orders in hand, we got sort of a "heads up" on our next duty assignment.  It looks like we are headed to South Korea this summer, and I am so torn about it.  While I loved my experience in Germany, I am not looking forward to this move.  Joel had ten bases on his wishlist, and suffice it to say this was not one of them.  I had dreamed of every base on that list, but I just can not imagine myself living here.  I'm so taken aback.  I haven't fully digested that we are leaving for Asia yet, and I'm not sure I will until he gets the orders in hand.  But, I can tell you I've cried the ugly cry about it already.  I feel like Joel worked so hard to get a good assignment, and even took a highly coveted crappy assignment here that he didn't want just to improve our chances.  The Air Force laughed and said "too bad, we know what's better for his career," and so everything he did was for nothing.  I am not a happy military wife these days, and I'm just hoping the experience will be better than what I am imagining.  The only thing I can think that it will be good for is curing some of wanderlust.

Sunday Social

Trying to get back in the blogging groove, and what better way than with a link-up!  Follow along, won't you?

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?  My go-to favorite is Cookies N Cream.  Also, anything with pumpkin or white chocolate is a winner.  Starbucks had a pumpkin spiced latte ice cream one year that blew my mind away.

Image found here.

2. What is your favorite smell?  Pumpkin and cinnamon in the winter and fall, and lavender in the spring.  In the summer, it is anything fruity.

3. What is your favorite TV commercial?  Right now, it is the commercials with the AT&T guy and the kids being candid.  Those kids crack me up!

4. What is your favorite day of the week?  Right now, especially, it's Sunday.  And for three reasons:  football, football, and football.  It's also usually a day where more stuff that needs to get done around the house does, and I always like that feeling of being productive.

5. What is your favorite way to waste time?  Catching up on my DVR and Netflix queue.

6. What is your favorite article of clothing?  Do shoes count?  I'm just going to go ahead and say yes, because they are shoes, and shoes always count.  My favorite ones are these boots that were originally $200, but I kept waiting and waiting for them to go on sale at Dillard's, and when they finally did, they were only $44.  I purchased them immediately, and will wear them until they fall apart.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Image found here.

I'll be heading to my parents' house in Indiana, so I'll be off the grid for a few days.  Much to my chagrin, they moved from Indy to the middle of nowhere, and they don't even have Internet.  There's much to update, so I'll make sure I do so once I return to civilization.  Happy Thanksgiving.  Gobble, gobble!!!

You know you want it....a way too late Halloween post.

I'm going to make this quick, but I couldn't not share.  I'm sick as all get out (cough, sore throat, the whole shebang), I just took a four hour exam, and I have a ton of school work to do in the next three weeks before that fateful day comes when I finally get to say "au revoir" to grad school.  Thanks for sticking with me, by the way.  I'll be back to normal blogging shortly.

Anyways, for Halloween, a good friend had a banging karaoke party like she's had in the past, and Joel and I knew we couldn't resist.  She had a costume party, and I love making homemade costumes.  Want to know what we went as?  Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke.  Probably not how you expected, though...

Joel, as Miley

Me, as Robin

The Duo in action

Even the pugs got in on some costume action!

Happy Veteran's Day

Home of the free, because of the brave. Thank you to my husband, my father-in-law, all of the men and women in uniform that I've met along the way, and everyone that risks their life for our freedom. God Bless, and Happy Veterans Day to all those service members past, present and future.

My life, as of late.

Things are pretty busy around our household lately.  I have a love/hate relationship with that.  As much as I enjoy the things we've been doing, when you couple that with my busy school/work life right now (do I sound like a broken record yet?), that I haven't been able to have that relaxing read a book or take a bath time.  Six weeks and counting...

So here is what has been happening in our neck of the woods!

We got our new foster pup, Kosher.  He's a sweet old, blind boy, and is an easy addition to the crew so far.  Although I still hope he gets a permanent home, soon.  Any takers?

We also saw Jimmy Fallon at the Peabody Opera House here in STL.  He brought along some pretty funny comedians, but he had very little time on stage on his own.  That was pretty disappointing, because we definitely paid a price worthy of a little more of his time...

Last weekend, we also went hiking with some friends in Weldon Springs, MO.  Whenever I get bummed about not living near the mountains or ocean, things like a beautiful fall hike make me feel better.

We've also been enjoying the cooler weather that comes along with fall.  The fireplace has had a lot of use lately.  Even the dogs have been enjoying it.

Life's Lessons

So, I'm halfway done with my student teaching.  Half. way.  What?  How did time fly so fast?  I really enjoyed working with my high schoolers, and I had a amazing time visiting our area's transition house (which is the type of environment I would prefer to work in).  But, now?  I'm in an elementary school.  With second graders.  As in, with 8 year olds.  Holy different ball game.  This is definitely different than where I came from, and it takes some skills I haven't acquired yet.  Pray for me that I magically figure it out soon, and fast.  While these kiddos are cute, they are certainly a handful!

And while you're praying...please see an extra special prayer for me.  I applied for a dream position with a non-profit that I would just die to work for.  It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I have a molecule of a chance of getting it, but I just had to try.  It's not in the local area, and I'm not sure how the logistics would work yet (umm..hey, honey!  Love you!), but if it works out, then it will work out.  I just know it.

So, eight weeks, a massive paper, three observed teachings, and a massive state exam to go before I finish my MA in Special Education.  That long awaited degree that I may never use.  Why is that?  Well, I figured out towards the end of this whole process that there are very few special education teaching positions that I really aspire to get.  The whole SPED world is a lot different than I imagined.  While I learned so much and I will never, ever take for granted the knowledge that I gained, I also realized within myself that the passion I feel for these kids is strong.  So strong, that I won't just take any job that's out there. 

My desire in the community is to work with the kids that are called "severe, low incidence," which are kiddos with pretty severe cognitive or physical disabilities.  This community, at least where I am at, is pretty small.  I am so proud of my experiences and what I have accomplished, but I realized that what I really want to do is to develop ways that this group of special people can live as independently as possible.  Foundations out there like The Down Syndrome Association and Transition Centers, that's where the action I want to be is.  Bridging the gap between these guys and the local community is so important.  Not just to them and their families, but to all of us.

So, I'm not closed to the teaching profession.  Not one bit.  There's still a lot of good that needs done in the schools, and the kids need that.  But, I'm also branching out.  Looking at different non-profit perspectives and possibly going back to getting a Master's in Non-Profit Management.  Keeping my options open.  Because despite our current economic situation (hello government shutdown!), I like what I do for the military.  I wouldn't be miserable continuing my civil service.  But, I'm expanding my horizons.  I'm finding my happy.  Which, I guess until recently I didn't know I was allowed to.  So even though it's hard, and I've been stressed, and there were (are) easier routes, I will find my happy.  I have to.  And helping people who need that extra push.  Well, that's my happy.  So, I'm on my way.  Even if it's just volunteering.  I'm on my way. 

Indianapolis (Indy), in pictures

As I may have mentioned, last month I went home to visit Indianapolis, which is where I grew up.  The trip was way too short, but it sure was great being home.  The occasion?  The Miami Dolphins game.  You know the Colts' only lost that season?  Your welcome.

I know blogging has been scarcer than I have intended, so I figured I'd just share some highlights of my trip home.