Update

What I've been doing: Many things have happened in the past few months.  I finished and survived the hardest semester of full-time student teaching.  Last Sunday I graduated from college.  In July I am going back to Costa Rica for a week with my sister.  In August I am moving to the Dominican Republic to teach for a year.

It still seems so surreal that I graduated from college.  Four years flew by way too quickly.  Last semester after church an elderly man and I were talking.  He asked what year I was, and I told him I was graduating from college.  He asked if I was excited, and I replied saying no.  I told him I wasn't ready for the real world.  He stated, "NO.  The real world is not ready for YOU."

His words have stuck with me.  I want to continue blogging over the summer and throughout my journey in the DR.  I cannot wait to see what God teaches me over this next year.

What I've been reading: Fault in Our Stars and My Sister's Keeper in one week.  I have been tearing up over and over again.  Two amazing books.  Two amazingly sad books.  But sometimes it is good to keep things in perspective.  My little struggles are nothing compared to cancer.

From: here and here

Con mucho amor.

List #4: Small, Medium, Amazing

I realized I forgot to post this from January...

A 

Small

Medium 

and 

Amazing 

thing that happened this week.

Small:  I ran into one of my favorite English professors as I grabbed a handout for my class.  I hadn't seen her since last semester.  She gave me a huge hug and we caught up about our winter break activities.  She also told me about these anthologies the English department was getting rid of.  Guess who has two new anthologies of stories and poems to use for teaching?  THIS GIRL.  I was so happy.

Medium:  I got to catch up with my friend who stayed with my host family this last year.  It made me so sad and so happy at the same time.  We reminisced and compared semesters abroad.  My host mom sent my favorite cookies with her to give to me.  My host sister sent along a little pouch for change.  My heart yearns for my other home in a country far, far away.  I miss it so much every single day.

Amazing:  I am obsessed with sunrises and sunsets.  Lately, it has been incredibly sunny and semi-warm.  It does not feel like January weather.  Over the month I have worked from 7:30am-9:30am every single day.  Although it's early, I love staying in the habit.  Next semester I will have to get up even earlier for teaching.  This week I was making my frozen waffle with peanut butter and I wandered over to the window where I saw the prettiest sight I have ever seen.  I ran back to grab my phone and snap a bunch of pictures.  As I walked to work I just kept looking over my shoulder at the beautiful sky God painted just for me.

May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace. 

Con mucho amor. 

List #3: Posts that Inspire

What I'm reading:  My mom always forwards me amazing blog posts that really fill me with joy.  I have also been seeing amazing articles popping up on my Facebook feed, as well.  Putting more joy in the world is always a good thing.

1) Eyes Up

2) Bravery

3) Be Beautifully Human

4) Don't Date a Girl who Travels

5) Stop Doing These Things

6) Let Go

Con mucho amor.

List #2: Favorite Places and Spaces

What I've been doing: I have been busy taking a creative writing class.  But it's still my resolution to take time to blog and be creative.  Here's list numero dos.

1) My bedroom at school: It's where I watch television and where I do my homework.  It's where I take naps and where I read.  It's filled with people and things I love.

2) The coast: My grandma has had a beach house since before I was born.  I grew up spending summer weekends playing in the sand and walking along the shore.  The Oregon Coast never ceases to leave me breathless.

3) Bookstores: I could easily spend hours wandering Barnes & Noble.  In high school I would rather receive books than anything else for presents. :)  Good thing I want to teach Language Arts.

4) Costa Rica: My second home with my second family.  A place that will always have my heart.  Sunsets and hills filled with lights.  Doesn't get much better than that.

5) Wildhorse aka Washington Family Ranch: The summer camp that changed my life over and over again.  I have transformed and learned so much at this amazing place.  I have seen other high schoolers and leaders change, as well.  Jesus does big things here.

6) The couch at home: My favorite place to nap.

7) Hawaii:  Going to Oahu last spring break was incredible.  Getting to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the warm waters and lush scenery was priceless.  The fact that I get to go back this year is too perfect for words.

8) Forever 21 & Nordstroms: A girls favorite place.  Putting together outfits and hunting for deals.  Heaven.

Con mucho amor.

List #1: Significant Events in 2013

What I'm doing: Back in the day I read about 52 lists in 52 weeks.  The idea came from this blog.  I was going to participate several years ago, but I never got around to it.  Since 2014 has just begun, I thought list making would be a perfect way to write and create and doodle throughout the year.  So my first list will be...

Significant Life Events of 2013

1) 21: Getting dressed up and fancy for my 21st birthday.  Good thing people still think I look like I am in high school, though.  Mom says I will appreciate it someday when I am older.

2) Heaven gained an angel: My grandma passed away in April.  I miss her so very much.

3) Student teaching: This is a photo of my first teacher gift ever.  A yummy caramel apple on Halloween.  7th graders can be so difficult sometimes, but it is so incredibly rewarding.

4) Senior thesis:  I read at 800 page novel by Charles Dickens for my senior thesis.  I wrote a 20-page paper and presented it to my whole class and the English department faculty.  Never in my life have a read so much for one class.  Good thing it paid off since I received an A on my thesis!

5) Oahu: Spring break trip.  Cannot wait to return this year.

6) Kittens: I discovered my love for cats in 2013.  I got to play with kittens at my aunt's house.  My sister's house at school also has a cute kitty.  I WANT ONE!

7) Lip Sync: Getting to choreograph for lip sync with my little was a highlight of my junior year.

8) Family: They are crazy, but I love them. 

9) Friends: Each year it amazes me how much closer I become with the people around me.  New roommates, friends, classmates, sorority sisters, coworkers.  Here's just a sampling of the many relationships I treasure in my life.

10) Cooking: I also discovered a love for making things, mostly sweet treats.

11) Costa Rica: Getting to return over the summer to celebrate my host brother's wedding was one of my favorite moments of the year.  Seeing them at the airport seriously felt like I was home again.  How did I get so lucky? 

I can only imagine what 2014 will have in store. 

Con mucho amor. 

A Prayer

What I'm thinking about:  I went to church today, and it felt so good to simply worship God.

Jesus,

I thank You for all You have given me.  I thank You for the quietness of January.  The time to relax and rejuvenate.   I am so content with where I am right now.  Help me to soak up this contentment.  I thank You for the amazing family You have blessed me with.  I thank You for surrounding me with such wonderful people. 

Use me in the lives of those around me.  Family, roommates, classmates, students, teachers, coworkers.  Help me to form relationships with people that You want me to spend time with.    

I pray as I head towards graduation that You would lead me in the right direction.  I do not want to live where I want to live, or where my parents want me to live.  Lead me to the right job in the right city where You want me.

Help me to find rest.  Help me to not be stressed and just remember how big I am blessed.

Amen.   

Con mucho amor. 

S l o w d o w n

What I've been doing:  It has been over a year since I have last blogged.  This brings great sadness to my heart.  I miss being in Costa Rica.  I miss speaking Spanish every day.  I miss having adventures in other countries.  Every since I've been back my life has been on fast forward.  Working multiple jobs, taking classes (even over the summer), and trying to spend time with family and friends along the way.  I am tired and worn out.  BUT, I really miss blogging, I really miss writing, and I really miss being creative.

from: here and here

What I'm reading: During spring semester I will be full-time student teaching.  I will be teaching two 10th grade English classes, one 9th grade English class, and two Spanish 1 classes.  I am excited and beyond nervous.  Working with middle schoolers last semester was amazing.  Each morning I would teach a 7th grade advanced Language Arts class.  It brought me many joys and many tears.  I loved middle schoolers, though.  In preparation for the spring I have been reading lots of teaching books lately.

Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher is a book one of my education professors suggested.  Although my birthday isn't until February, I asked my mom to get me these education books so I can read them before I start teaching again.  This book is all about how to get kids to read on a deeper level.  It has some really great ideas that I am excited to try out.  I also bought Reading Reasons, another book by Gallagher.  It's next on my list.  I feel like I have discovered a whole new genre of literature: teacher books.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the book I will be teaching to the sophomores next semester.  I read this book in high school.  The book will have lots of moral lessons to discuss.  One of the books the freshmen will be studying is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.  I had never read this book before, but I'm excited to dive in with the 9th graders.

Out of everything I have read so far over winter break, Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh, has made me think the most.  I started this book several summers ago, back when I had time to art journal and create things.  I want to make my classroom a creative place, so I thought it would be a good book to revisit.  I gobbled it up over the past two days when we were at the beach.  I felt like the book was talking directly to my heart.  Here is her website that has links to her blog and twitter and every other way to communicate with the lady.

What I've been thinking about:  Reading Digh's book made me look back over the past year.  Lately I have been feeling like I am missing out on moments in life.  Just last week my mom's cousins came over to our house.  They had so much fun laughing and sharing stories.  But where was I?  Working.  Although I am BEYOND grateful for my job over winter break, I did not get to spend as much time with the people I love.  Throughout last semester I got an average of 4.5 hours of sleep each night.  Most of the time I would be in my apartment working on homework or lesson planning behind my shut bedroom door.  I know it is important to get good grades, to plan solid lessons for middle schoolers, and to work in order to make money, but I do not want to look back on life and regret not actually living it.

One of the sections in Creative is a Verb talks about stillness.  Digh discusses how the world often gives signs to slow down the pace of life.  She mentions how creative people are often silenced, how life gets in the way of creating.  This quote from Kevyn Aucion reminds me to stay passionate, even when people tell me it's silly.

There are two types of people in the world: people who are passionate about things, and people who've had their passion punched, beaten, or whatever out of them. -Kevyn Aucion

The past three days I have been at the beach.  The beach is one of my favorite places in the world.  Life slows down enough for me to read, sleep and exercise.  Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I did not have a headache.  I actually got nine hours of sleep.  And I finished a book.  I was filled with peace.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

I know 2014 will be just as busy as 2013.  But each day or week I want to do something creative.  I want to write a poem, share a story, do something kind for a stranger, inspire a high schooler, make a yummy meal, redecorate my bedroom.  I plan on sharing it here on my blog.

So here's to 2014.  Here's to slowing down.  And here's to living a creative life.

Con mucho amor.