I've been working really hard on my attitude lately. I have been trying to focus on the positive. It's been a good week because of this.
Today has been really rough. I'm having a hard time not letting someone else's negativity not get to me- especially because it's directed towards me. I am writing here to hopefully let this go into a more positive outlet.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Thinking
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Second chances
I'm having one of those days today- a day where a misspoken phrase felt like an insult, where my plans didn't go as I wanted them to, a day that would usually leave me feeling bitter and upset. I won't lie... bitterness and upset definitely occurred, but I am not ending the day on that feeling. God gave me a second chance. I was able to look logically at the supposed insult and see that the person most likely didn't mean it as that. My plans were thwarted, but I still got a lot done and had a successful day. And finally, I was able to help another person. I am finding that helping others is truly my calling in life. I don't always have the answers, but when I am able to help someone, I feel absolutely amazing. It's the best feeling in the world. I am so thankful to God for not giving up on me. He always finds a way to bring me back to my best, especially when I least deserve it.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Happy
I am happy. My life is good enough, I am good enough. I am content.
There were times I never, ever thought I'd be able to write those words. I've realized that I spend so much time trying to change who I am and how I do things, that I never enjoy my life and myself for the way I already am.
I will be 30 next month. A new decade. Looking back, this past decade brought me a husband, two children, a home, and a job that I love. That's pretty amazing. The next chapter of my life, my 30's, seems a bit more daunting. I feel like I've accomplished the "biggies" in life- marriage, kids, house, and job. It's satisfying to know that I only need to build on this great foundation that's already been laid. I am very blessed to be where I am, and at such a young age. I know that some people don't find their passion or fulfillment until much later in life. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!) I am very excited to see what this part of my life will hold.
There were times I never, ever thought I'd be able to write those words. I've realized that I spend so much time trying to change who I am and how I do things, that I never enjoy my life and myself for the way I already am.
I will be 30 next month. A new decade. Looking back, this past decade brought me a husband, two children, a home, and a job that I love. That's pretty amazing. The next chapter of my life, my 30's, seems a bit more daunting. I feel like I've accomplished the "biggies" in life- marriage, kids, house, and job. It's satisfying to know that I only need to build on this great foundation that's already been laid. I am very blessed to be where I am, and at such a young age. I know that some people don't find their passion or fulfillment until much later in life. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!) I am very excited to see what this part of my life will hold.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Reflecting
Three weeks... three weeks. I return to work in three weeks! With the nearing end of every summer, I start to frantically look over the stacks of books I should've read, the organizing I should've done, the to-do list that didn't quite get ta-da'd... but this time, it's a bit different. Instead of looking at what I didn't do, here is what I DID:
- organized and purged six years worth of teaching files (do you know how bad that was?)
- organized and purged six years worth of teaching "stuff" (that was as bad as it sounds)
- rearranged the master bedroom into an arrangement that I think will work for me since my workspace is in our bedroom
- took the boys swimming
- took the boys to Six Flags
- took the boys on several playdates
- read lots of books, just for fun
- decluttered our entertainment center
- decluttered both boys' bedrooms
I'm sure there is more, but those are the major things.
I am currently reading a book called Awakened: Changing Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching by Angela Powell. This woman is my teacher heroine. I bought her book The Cornerstone last year and LOVED it. She is a real, honest teacher, who writes from a been there done that perspective. This book is about how we think- the negative thoughts that can consume our lives. From the first page, I felt like this book was written for me. I'm a person who can let one teensy tiny thing ruin an entire day. Her book is all about retraining your mind to focus on reality (which usually isn't as bad as what your mind is creating) and not dwelling on the negative. Did I mention how much I love her? :-)
I'm also going to reread The Cornerstone in the next few days and hone in on some must do things for back to school. This year will be the best year yet. I am returning to Dallas, and now that I've had a year under my belt, I am ready to conquer this new year. I have some goals that I want to reach, both personal and professional, and I am excited to see that happen. I am also super excited to get my first ever BIG classroom! I've never had a BIG classroom. I can't wait to get up to school and start working in my room (and get the aforementioned six years of teaching stuff and files out of my dining room!)
- organized and purged six years worth of teaching files (do you know how bad that was?)
- organized and purged six years worth of teaching "stuff" (that was as bad as it sounds)
- rearranged the master bedroom into an arrangement that I think will work for me since my workspace is in our bedroom
- took the boys swimming
- took the boys to Six Flags
- took the boys on several playdates
- read lots of books, just for fun
- decluttered our entertainment center
- decluttered both boys' bedrooms
I'm sure there is more, but those are the major things.
I am currently reading a book called Awakened: Changing Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching by Angela Powell. This woman is my teacher heroine. I bought her book The Cornerstone last year and LOVED it. She is a real, honest teacher, who writes from a been there done that perspective. This book is about how we think- the negative thoughts that can consume our lives. From the first page, I felt like this book was written for me. I'm a person who can let one teensy tiny thing ruin an entire day. Her book is all about retraining your mind to focus on reality (which usually isn't as bad as what your mind is creating) and not dwelling on the negative. Did I mention how much I love her? :-)
I'm also going to reread The Cornerstone in the next few days and hone in on some must do things for back to school. This year will be the best year yet. I am returning to Dallas, and now that I've had a year under my belt, I am ready to conquer this new year. I have some goals that I want to reach, both personal and professional, and I am excited to see that happen. I am also super excited to get my first ever BIG classroom! I've never had a BIG classroom. I can't wait to get up to school and start working in my room (and get the aforementioned six years of teaching stuff and files out of my dining room!)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Rejection
I almost didn't write this post, because to actually put it into words makes it real. But making something real and dealing with it is part of the healing process.
I was rejected. Like, last kid picked for the dodgeball team rejected-- except I wasn't even picked! Being rejected brought a lot of my fears and insecurities to the surface, and that is never easy. Let me explain.
So, I used to work at a school. I worked there for 5 years- loved it. However, it was my first and only teaching job. So last school year, I spread my wings and flew to a charter school in Dallas for a new experience. Loved, loved it. Didn't love the 45 minute commute in the craziness of rush hour traffic twice a day. So, I decided to pursue returning to my first school. After much waiting, I was finally interviewed. Very next day, I got a call for a second interview. Woohoo- I've got this, right? Yeah, not so much. Finally found out, in quite a roundabout way, that I did not get the job. I should mention that those who interviewed me were former coworkers, people I knew. So, while I didn't expect to get the job just because I used to work there (because, hey! I am pretty dang awesome!), I had high hopes. So finding out that a stranger was chosen over me smarted a bit. I cried (yes, tears). I yelled. I ranted. Then, I got over it.
I still have a job. I'm very lucky. I love my job- again, not the commute, but I have a plan to use that time more wisely. I realize that God knew I wasn't going to get the job. He knew that I was going to return to Dallas. And He knows why. Like my amazing grandmother told me yesterday, "Kristin, sometimes what we want isn't what we need." Yes, my grandmother is quite wise. So now that I know I am returning to Dallas as a second grade teacher, I am determined to make this my best year yet!
I was rejected. Like, last kid picked for the dodgeball team rejected-- except I wasn't even picked! Being rejected brought a lot of my fears and insecurities to the surface, and that is never easy. Let me explain.
So, I used to work at a school. I worked there for 5 years- loved it. However, it was my first and only teaching job. So last school year, I spread my wings and flew to a charter school in Dallas for a new experience. Loved, loved it. Didn't love the 45 minute commute in the craziness of rush hour traffic twice a day. So, I decided to pursue returning to my first school. After much waiting, I was finally interviewed. Very next day, I got a call for a second interview. Woohoo- I've got this, right? Yeah, not so much. Finally found out, in quite a roundabout way, that I did not get the job. I should mention that those who interviewed me were former coworkers, people I knew. So, while I didn't expect to get the job just because I used to work there (because, hey! I am pretty dang awesome!), I had high hopes. So finding out that a stranger was chosen over me smarted a bit. I cried (yes, tears). I yelled. I ranted. Then, I got over it.
I still have a job. I'm very lucky. I love my job- again, not the commute, but I have a plan to use that time more wisely. I realize that God knew I wasn't going to get the job. He knew that I was going to return to Dallas. And He knows why. Like my amazing grandmother told me yesterday, "Kristin, sometimes what we want isn't what we need." Yes, my grandmother is quite wise. So now that I know I am returning to Dallas as a second grade teacher, I am determined to make this my best year yet!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A first!
Today I went to my first tv show taping! I went with my best friend Astreia. She got tickets to see the auditions for X Factor in Dallas. It was so much fun!! We did have to do a lot of waiting, but once the show started, I had a blast!! I am a huge fan of shows like this, so being in the audience was a dream come true for me!
Monday, June 20, 2011
The upcoming school year
I know it's still June, but I am already thinking ahead to the upcoming school year. This past year was absolutely insane. I was stressed, sick, tired ALL the time. I felt like I had absolutely no life. I wanted to blame my new job, but I realize now that it wasn't my job's fault, it was my inability to manage well. I'm not blaming myself, because I think the first year of anything is the learning curve-so I've learned that what I did last year didn't work! My goal this summer is to take a realistic look at my life, schedule, and responsibilities, and figure out the best way to manage. I have a few goals for myself:
1. Make a master list of meals that our family likes to eat. This will make meal planning much easier, since that is my responsiblity.
2. Create a weekly schedule and assign household duties to different days of the week. I'm tired of spending our weekends cleaning the house. I want to do a little bit each day, rather than letting it all pile up.
3. Get lesson planning under control and create certain days for grading. This is what KILLED me last year. I felt like I spent my entire evenings grading papers or preparing lessons. I've learned that I don't have to grade every single paper! (Thank goodness!!) For lesson planning, I've started on this already. I've gone through all of my files (6 years' worth!) and placed them into subject related envelopes. I'm also compiling electronic resources from Lakeshore Learning. They have lots of great activities, lesson plans, etc. for FREE! (Did I mention FREE??) I am saving the pdf files to my jump drive into subject related folders. When I am planning a unit, it will all be there! I also plan to create a binder for each subject area, then put the lessons and resources I use into those binders. This will be an ongoing task throughout the year, because doing it all at once would just be too overwhelming!
Okay- that's three goals. I think they're doable and realistic. I will keep posting here (I promise!) to keep everyone who cares ;-) updated on my progress.
1. Make a master list of meals that our family likes to eat. This will make meal planning much easier, since that is my responsiblity.
2. Create a weekly schedule and assign household duties to different days of the week. I'm tired of spending our weekends cleaning the house. I want to do a little bit each day, rather than letting it all pile up.
3. Get lesson planning under control and create certain days for grading. This is what KILLED me last year. I felt like I spent my entire evenings grading papers or preparing lessons. I've learned that I don't have to grade every single paper! (Thank goodness!!) For lesson planning, I've started on this already. I've gone through all of my files (6 years' worth!) and placed them into subject related envelopes. I'm also compiling electronic resources from Lakeshore Learning. They have lots of great activities, lesson plans, etc. for FREE! (Did I mention FREE??) I am saving the pdf files to my jump drive into subject related folders. When I am planning a unit, it will all be there! I also plan to create a binder for each subject area, then put the lessons and resources I use into those binders. This will be an ongoing task throughout the year, because doing it all at once would just be too overwhelming!
Okay- that's three goals. I think they're doable and realistic. I will keep posting here (I promise!) to keep everyone who cares ;-) updated on my progress.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)