Another New Year!

It seems as though the blogging world has slowed down for many of us, and it's probably because we're experiencing more with each day, and we just don't have time to blog enough about it! I've definitely been devoting even more time to my job and less time to "fun" things like this, which is not necessarily a good thing, but it's making me a better teacher. Once I get the hang of it, I'll be able to relax again.

Speaking of relaxation...that's what I've been trying to do over this Christmas break. I will tell you that I've been successful about three to four days of the week and a half, but that's better than nothing! I started out the break with a nasty cold, right after fighting my TMJ for four days straight. After that, we enjoyed Christmas, and after Christmas J came down with some sort of stomach flu. It's been quite a sickly month!

With that said, the break has been very nice. I've spent much time with the family--both families--and we had a wonderful Christmas meal with each. We also have had time to shop, which hasn't been done in ages, and we didn't have to use our money for most of it! We got some needed clothes and a new bench for our mudroom. J and I have also been so happy to have this house...home...to call our own this holiday. Jan 12th marks the day we closed on it, and we have appreciated it so much over this past year. During this break, we've been able to make our bedroom even nicer, decorate for Christmas, and plan for projects in the future.

I always do a list of things that have happened in the year, and a list of things I plan to do in the future.

First, let's think of year 2012 and its many happenings. There have been many events, good and sad, but I'd like to mostly keep it personal to my life, even though that will be difficult. I will be looking back at my post from last year to update some things, too:

1. Hello, niece #2! You look just like your sister, and I love you just as much.
2. 5/22/12 Rest in Peace, Grandpa. You'll always be my inventor.
3. Rest in Peace, Bud. You were my birthday cat years ago, and you died within a week of my twenty-fifth birthday.
4. Moved into our home. What a blessing.
5. "maybe get a kitten?" from last year's post turned into Henry. Welcome, Henry. You're our little man, you're a menace, and we love you. (see below picture)
6. Jobs. J switched jobs to a school he is much happier in. I kept my job, and this year has been great so far.
7. Photography picked up. I'm new at everything, but it's actually happening. I need to learn so much more, which I hardly have time for, but I've really enjoyed everything so far. It's a ton of work. Oh, and I made a little website--finally.
8. "pay of some debt" from last year has been a success this year!
9. I finally got to see The Big Apple! This is huge for me.
10. Dad found a new job (laid off last year)! This is another huge blessing.
11. In 2012, I visited Savannah, GA and Raleigh, NC, Lake Placid, as well two other parts of NY, and lastly, I went to the beach. I'd say we accomplished our goal of taking some trips--albeit small ones--but that's okay!
12. Healthier living? For a while...I did take on running and eating healthier this past Spring and then again the Fall. To be honest, and I'm not trying to excuse my habits, but traveling really messes me all up.
13. According to last year, I wanted to buy a few lenses. This is just unrealistic with the income we have. I did, however, buy one lens, and I love it. It was well worth it.
14. The bro traveled all over Europe, and now he's a successful scholar once again. What a great experience.

Now, let's look ahead to 2013 and my goals:

1. Run a race. I am signing up for a 6-miler in March.
2. Keep my closet clean. Seriously.
3. Keep my positive energy for 2013. This year has been filled with positivity, especially at work, and I'd like to continue that.
4. Read for fun more. I'm in the middle of The Great Gatsby again, but I'd like to read far more. I own many, but I haven't found time for them. Less internet and more reading?
5. Learn and build my photography hobby. I'd like to learn how to shoot in raw, manual, and more about editing. I'd also like one more lens...
6. Eat more fresh food. I find I have the easiest time with this during the summer. Everything is fresh, it's hot outside, and I don't feel like eating much. I need to work on this throughout the year. Maybe it's just the places I'm shopping!
7. Organize the garage and decide how we're going to rake all of the leaves in a timely way next year (they're still on the ground from the second fall. We did so well when the first big batch fell).
8. Take a trip or two. I'd like to go somewhere a little farther this year...CA, a Caribbean island, Florida, the ideas are endless.
9. In relation to above: take my first flight in a plane. You read that correctly; I've never flown. I'd like to fly before I'm thirty! :)
10. Read The New Testament. And understand it. Justin will help with this!
11. Sing more. I used to sing all the time. I would turn on music, find karaoke youtube videos, and sing for hours. Now I sing in the worship band, which I love, but I rarely sing on my own. I even have my own house for singing extra loud now, and I used to sing in small apartments. It's the perfect opportunity!

That concludes my thoughts so far. The list is long, but it is manageable and unique to me. What are your goals?

Happy New Year, Everyone! Welcome, 2013.

One of the strangest conversations ever (after an eye exam where J had healthier eyes than me):

J: See, honey, I see why you married me. I have the body and immune system of a god.
D: Well, good for you. I'll die when I'm forty, and you can outlive me, along with your second, third, and fourth wife, because you'll live so long.
J: That sounds like a horribly lonely life....ah, well, someone's gotta do it!!

In other news, it's been what seems like forever since I've posted. The Christmas tree is up (and beautiful), along with all of the other decorations. We've been Christmas shopping a couple of times, which has been fun, and we haven't gone crazy with it, which is good!

Other than that, I only have 2.5 weeks left in the first semester, which is hard to believe, and I'm actually kind of sad. I really like my students this semester...sure, we have our bad days, but they are generally fun kids.

It's probably just my motherly instincts kicking in. I get all crazy sometimes thinking about how much my students mean to me. I mean, really, they are my second family. I'm always there to help them (if they choose to seek out my help), and they (sometimes) are there for me--at least the ones that are interested in getting to know me. I never was interested in knowing teachers personally, so I don't mind if they don't, but I also feel bad that I never really tried. I know now how special it is to have students care! (For instance, I got a hug last year from a couple of students after my cat and grandfather died within only weeks of each other. I meant a lot to me).

Speaking of motherly instincts, I adore my nieces and nephews more than anything. We have a new niece, Alaina, and she's now 5 months old. Wow. Where has the time gone!?

I hope you're having a great holiday season. I'll write more soon.

xo

Hey, NYC, I've waited a long time to see you...

J and I finally made a trip to NYC. I've been wanting to go ever since my aunt lived there for years when I was a kid. I never went, probably because I was too young, and my parents were smart and didn't take us kids! Overall, it was a great experience. We took our friend Laurie, hopped on a bus (no, not a train or a plane), and had a fun, safe trip for ONE day.. yup, one day! That's all we needed I guess. We had to get back for Thanksgiving, so we did a quick trip. Here's what we covered:

1. Battery Park/Statue of Liberty/Ground Zero

2. Empire State Building (to the top!!)

3. Rockefeller Center - we couldn't find the ice park, but we saw some pretty lights!

4. Time's Square! This was so incredibly cool.

5. Macy's

We did exactly what we had planned out on a little piece of paper. It worked out perfectly. On the paper, I had even written: "watch sun fall over city at Empire State Building??" and turns out, we hit the timing perfectly!

Here are some pictures...

Happy 1st Birthday, Parker!

My sweet nephew is not only enjoying cake, but he's also doing No Shave November. 

Happy Anniversary!

...to my dear friends, Dana and Jonathan. I can't believe it has been FIVE years!! That is just unbelievable! Because my old computer died, and I can no longer find pictures from the wedding, here's one I had on my other website--can you believe J and I had only been dating for a year at this point? We were so fresh and new! ;)

I have to say, it sure felt weird to be behind the camera for once. 

I kind of enjoy taking pictures of other people more.

But I enjoyed it while it lasted.

Katherine + Hannah

Cancer and Death. Find the positive.

I want to write about a horrible, silent killer: cancer.

Let's back up. A few years ago, at college, I had a number of people I knew die. Many of them were not close to me, but there were over 10 people, within my family, my friends' families, etc., that died, and it was a tough time. I remember feeling a pit of dread, and I started to think about death a lot. I always questioned it, I worried about when it would happen, and I thought about the people a lot. During my first semester at college, I can only guess I was slightly depressed.

Fast forward to 2012. In the past year, there have been a number of deaths. To name a few: both of my childhood cats (more significant than it sounds), my grandfather, and--oddly enough--a man down our street, which was really sad, but I won't get into that story. Lastly, a high school classmate just recently died from fast-moving cancer. He was diagnosed in May, and he is gone already. It moved so quickly through his body that he had only enough time to marry his fiance while in his hospital bed, and call himself a husband for two weeks before leaving his family behind.

The difference between the first and last groups of sadness mentioned is simply that I am older, and I've been through death a few times now. Am I less sad? No. Do I handle it better? Yes. The other part of me that's different is that I feel God closer now. J and I weren't attending church in college, and as much as I believe that you can experience God on a mountain top by yourself, there's something to be said about experiencing worship with other people each week. You feel surrounded by goodness, and the music and sermon each week somehow strike your life in some way. This helps me remember that God is near, and whatever is going on in peoples' lives is God's plan--good or bad. There's always a meaning for it.

With that said, I want to mention someone to keep in your thoughts. I've known the family for around 15 years, and they are struggling with the sadness of losing a family member. Long story short: the father, a very respectable man, was diagnosed with cancer this past year. It moved so quickly, and they did all they could to help him. He has two children-both in high school- and a wife, who was my worship team leader for years. I always saw this man as a strong, kind, and well-dressed man. As a child, I looked up to this man and his wife. Now, in 2012, he has been through a number of things to help him get better, but nothing is working. He just got the message from his doctor to go home, enjoy life, and call Hospice. This man is only in his 40s, and suddenly, his life is possibly coming to an end right before him. The worst part is that he has the strength in his mind and heart to keep going, but his body just isn't going to let him.

I want you to pray for this family and this man. I know this happens all around us every day, and there are far worse things that happen to people. This man is keeping his mind positive, and he wants to enjoy his last days. Through tears for this family, I can't really imagine what I would do in this position. How can they still be okay right now? How can they even wake up in the morning?

It is clear: God. Not only does this family have a huge support group thinking and praying for them, they have people to help them get through each day -- people help with meals and yard work, to mention just a couple.

The positive thoughts the man has as he writes is obvious evidence of his love for God. What else? His knowledge that when he leaves this Earth, he will be in Heaven. Although none of us can imagine what it's like, that place is going to be unreal. It's going to be awesome. We're going to be so utterly happy, we won't know what to do with ourselves.

I'm not trying to give a speech or a sermon, and I'm also not trying to shove religion down anyone's throat--I really dislike when people do that to me. However, I'm also not going to keep quiet about all of this, and the only way I can discuss this topic is with the mention of God. I hope you don't mind.

Pray for this man and his family. Pray for everyone that has cancer, or any sickness, destroying their bodies without consent. Realize that we all will have to leave one day -- either as a young, successful, 26-year-old pharmacist, or an old, 83-year-old grandfather. We have to remember, no matter what, there is a reason for it. I'm not one to believe that we really need to know that reason.

With all of this said, no matter what religion or what viewpoint you have, let's just try to focus on the positive. Let's be thankful and happy for the shelter over our heads and the loving family we have--even if that family is made up of mostly cats and dogs (chuckle). Life is short, but it's really beautiful, and I plan to try to remember my blessings whenever possible, even in the midst of sadness.

What makes you happy?

(mostly recent) things that make me happy:

1. Listening to my tone-deaf husband sing out to God in church. (I never thought I'd say that.)
2. Anything pumpkin.
3. Decorating for Halloween.
4. Watching Jane Austen movies.
5. Looking up at the sky through the trees.
6. Cuddling with any member of my family - human or animal.
7. Singing. Listening. Reliving.
8. Positive coworkers.
9. Previous students that still come to say hi almost every day. Recent graduates that surprise me during class to say hi.
10. Crafts festivals.
11. Fall breezes rolling in.
12. Feeling heat from the vents.
13. Helping J cook.
14. Watching Jon Stewart with J in the afternoons because we can't stay up late enough to watch it at night.
15. Pumpkins.

Sophia

I was lucky enough to get to photograph a sweet family two weeks ago. It was a lot of fun, and it was a beautiful evening. I'm still practicing, of course, and there's a lot to learn, but I'm happy with some of the photos that turned out. It's funny... the last photo shoot I did, I ended up getting great kid shots but not many family shots. This photo shoot was similar, but I definitely was more successful with the family photos. The biggest problem I'm having is blurriness with group pictures from a distance. I think it's the type of lens I'm using, possibly. I'll have to look into it.

Enjoy these few photos of the daughter, Sophia!

A little update from me

The railroad at the family farm.

Why, hello blog.

I am still alive, and I'm hoping to pot more soon. I've done a lot since I last spoke to you, but much of it was covered by sickness which has just recently subsided -- just a cold, but hey, it sucked! Teaching makes colds way worse to deal with.

I'm in the middle of teaching The Odyssey to my 9th graders, and I'm loving it. It is such a great, action-packed tale, and most of the kids are really enjoying it. These are the same kids that before we started said, "Ughhh I hate that book and I don't have any interest in it." 

I'm teaching The Pearl to my 10th graders, and I'm personally just as uninterested in it as before. I like the idea behind the story, and the theme, but the language is just so... slow. The plot is slow. Everything is slow moving, in my opinion, until the very end. Then it picks up. Then it's sad. The end.

More later... I have photos from another session to post soon, and I have another little shoot this weekend; it's a birthday party for a little boy, and I'm really excited. :)

Happy Thursday - almost Friday!!

Two joys of the week:

(I'm not afraid to admit that I love this next video)

Phew

It has been extremely busy around this household lately. I feel like I haven't had time to just have me time. I'm not saying it hasn't been enjoyable; it's just been busy. Some people like to be busy all the time. Some people find it more interesting, and others even have pride in how busy they are. I, on the other hand, don't always like to be busy!

Last week was a whirlwind. I barely talked to my mom or my friends, and I spent most of my time at school with my students. I called a large amount of parents, which mean more students staying after (a good thing), but it meant I was at work until evening hours at least four days of the week. The funny thing is that it wasn't that bad. I enjoy my students, so the more time I can have to get to know them or help them succeed actually doesn't feel like work to me. It's really powerful and really rewarding in small ways.

Friday through Sunday were spent at the family reunion on the farm. The beauty out there is unreal. It's just so peaceful and lovely. If I could live somewhere like that, but still be close to civilization, I would. The weather was divine, too. It couldn't have been better. Overall, it was a great weekend, but once the "party" was over, I got sick again Sunday, then I had to start work Monday a.m.

I've been coughing all week, which is another part of what made last week crazy. I've had a cold for about two weeks now, which I think is the normal time-span, but I really couldn't tell you. I just hope it's not allergies. It's really hard to teach when you keep getting a tickle that makes you cough so hard you almost gag. I even coughed through my nose (don't ask) one day, and I think I actually scared my class.

On a side note, I'm really enjoying the 9th and 10th graders. They're a mess sometimes, but they're usually very sweet, and they actually still seem to want to do well in school -- or at least the group I have do. By the time they reach twelfth grade, they just want to be out of school; They see the finish line, and for them, school is already over. I have to say, though, I really miss having seniors. There's something about teaching a grade level that you know will be graduating soon, and what you say to them about the future actually makes sense. When I try to mention any of that to my 9th graders, they look at me with this disgusted face as if to say, "Hello, we have four more years in this place. By that time, we'll have other brilliant teachers that we'll remember and care about way more than you." I know that seems dark, but sometimes it feels like I'll be one of those forgotten teachers, which is perfectly fine, but... it was different with seniors. Even though I'm still forgotten by some - many - who knows, I don't have to know about it! They are off enjoying their lives in a new world, and I am dreamily thinking about where they might be and how happy they are. I don't have to see them in the halls everyday. Does this make sense at all? I'm almost thinking I'm crazy by now.

Anyhow, I've taken some photos recently, and I have a shoot this coming Sunday, so I'm really excited.  Things are picking up and looking up, but I know I'm in it for the long haul. Things won't happen fast--they may never pick up completely--but I'm doing what I love, and that's all that matters to me right now.

I'm lucky enough to have two jobs (sort of, yes) which require me to do a huge amount of work, but both of which do not feel like work to me most of the time. They don't feel like jobs. They feel fun and freeing and enjoyable. That's what life is all about!

Oh, to have the life of a cat...

Gone, but never absent from the mind

During this past week, my grandfather has come into my thoughts a lot. He would have been 84 years old last Monday. The mourning process is interesting... when he first passed, I was really upset, and I took a couple of days off of work. It was hard to think he was actually gone, and things felt a little empty. My parents' house was unusually quiet. After a while, I just didn't think about it anymore. I didn't want to be sad or reminded of him at an inconvenient time (in front of students), or anything like that. I just pushed it back and didn't think about it. Lately, it's been weird. I keep having little tiny memories of him, and I keep thinking he's back at the house. Sometimes I am reminded that I'll have to tell my kids stories of him, and I just don't know if they'll ever understand how interesting or goofy of a character he was, and that makes me sad. It's also, however, a time where I smile when I remember. It's that time where I can think about him and talk about him without getting upset, and it's a time where I almost think of him as still being here. It's not denial; I know he's gone, but it's this comfort - maybe it's because I know he's in a better place. Thinking about all of this brings me to a poem that I used to teach to seniors:

"Holy Sonnet 10" by John Donne

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

Each morning, I pass a brown house on a curve near the beginning of my neighborhood. I usually note the nicely-kept yard, or the piles of wood stacked for the upcoming season. The first thing I ever noticed about the house, however, was the cars. Not only did these people have one Land Rover...they had three. Three beautiful white Land Rovers for me to drool over each time I passed. Oh, did I drool.

On Monday, the owner of these vehicles died after getting crushed by one of his Land Rovers that he was working on. He didn't have it held up properly.

To be honest, now when I drive by I think of where his wife was at the time of the accident (in a comment, I saw that she was a teacher at one time). I picture myself in her shoes, and I feel a pit in my stomach for her loneliness and her empty house.

It's a really sad world we live in, and it's weird to see things like this happen. When it's "out of sight, out of mind," no one really thinks about it.

The good that comes from me passing this house each day is that I will have a constant reminder of life and its fragility. The only other good thing I can see about this is that he died while doing something he loved. It was very obvious he had a love for those cars, and unfortunately, it turned out taking his life.

Keep loving, people. Realize we are not invincible, like we think we are.

Labor Day Weekend

There are many things I could have done this weekend, but getting sick last Friday (I felt the itch during school) changed my plans. I will say, however, that the weekend was enjoyable for the most part. I can't complain too much.

Most of my time was spent indoors, but I ventured out a couple of times.

J and I went to his high school football game on Friday. It was a good time; they provided food for teachers + families, and we got to hang out with a few other people our age. I threw the frisbee with some people, and it made me realize how much I miss it. I'm also not bad!

On Saturday, I just could not move. I stayed on the couch or in bed all day. I was exhausted, and I felt miserable. I watched hours of television.

I was supposed to sing on Sunday, but I had to back out of that. Instead, J and I slept in to try to get healthy. We then drove an hour to help Laurie move into her new house! It was really exciting, and she was sick too, so we kind of helped each other through the day. Surprisingly enough, I felt great later in the day. I was really motivated to help her unpack, so I was moving boxes left and right while she unpacked them. The house was really nice, and the neighborhood was peaceful. We went to lunch together, and overall, it was a great day.

I then woke up today feeling worse than yesterday! The cold has moved into a cough and nose thing. The strangely comforting thing, though, is that there are other teachers posting on facebook that they also got sick this weekend, so I know I'm not alone. Today, I drove to get some fresh, hot coffee, then I hung out with J at home for the rest of the afternoon. We cleaned and did school work. A little earlier this evening, we went to get the best ice cream in town. It's always a fun little date for us.

Tonight, I've been working on setting up some photography information for future use. I'm getting pretty excited about it. I'm also watching a kickin' football game.

Hope you had a great long weekend! Four-day week ahead of us...

My classroom.