The Big 25!

Well, my birthday was a resounding success:-) I got to sleep late and hang around the house with Packer (our fourth NEADS dog, an adorable but whimpy black lab...today is his birthday, actually...1 year old!) in the morning. My father made pancakes which were delicious. My parents bought me a pandora bracelet which is very pretty and has some fun charms on it. My sister, little devil that she is, got me a ceramic box from Tiffany & Co. that looks like one of their blue boxes with the white ribbons. It's adorable and I love it but it means I'm really going to have to save my pennies for her birthday present. Fortunately, I have until August and since she's turning 18 (dear God, where did the time go?!) and graduating this year, I was going to get her something nice anyway.

Let's see, other than that things are going well. I'm subbing a fair amount which is good. I also put my application in to two more school districts for subbing. I just want to keep myself busy, you know? It's nice to have a few days off here and there but too many make me stir crazy. Besides, working makes me feel like a normal person with a job.

As for my resolutions, they're going okay. I have been posting on the blog more. I do need to update my journal though. As for being healthy, it's been so-so. Sweet treats have been calling to me a little too much. But I haven't been snacking, I basically only drink water (except for a glass of oj with breakfast), I've been pretty good at restaurants, and I've been staying away from chips. I do need to put the excercise thing into a higher gear though. I've been walking an average of once a week. Not bad, but could be better. I am looking for new sneakers though and, perhaps with some new footwear, I'll be more motivated to get out there. So, still a work in progress.

I think that's all for now. Hasta luego!

A Historic Day!

I've waited for this day for eight years! That's a long time to wait. Think about it. I was a junior in high school. I was only vaguely worried about college and the application process. September 11th had not yet happened. The ink on my driver's license was barely dry (I got it in the fall of that year). Today, I have not only graduated from college but I have also completed my Master's degree in education. I have lived in Spain and been to two other foreign countries (Italy and England). My sister was diagnosed with and survived cancer. She is now a senior in high school. On the one hand, it seems like so long ago but on the other it seems like yesterday. I still remember the sense of disappointment and embarassment after the 2000 election. But today, finally, that has been lifted!

Our new president, Barack Obama, was sworn-in today. I got to watch it live via the internet. It was a really cool moment in history. The smooth, peaceful transition of power from one person to another. And, more remarkably, the inauguaration of our first African-American president. It's truly remarkable and I'm so proud to say that I got to live through it and watch it. I wish I could have been in DC today but that was not going to happen. Thank goodness for technology:-)

I know that having a new president does not even begin to solve our nation's problems. But it does give me hope that this country will, however gradually, be on a new path. We will have to work hard and make sacrifices because change is never easy but, for what feels like the first time in eight years, we seem to be doing something right and something different. The same-old stuff from the Bush administration has felt stale for a long time. I don't think he's a bad person but I feel like he didn't see or acknowledge that things weren't going smoothly. Also, as an English major, I couldn't stand to hear him speak. It felt like he was going really slow with weird pauses and it made me feel like he was speaking down to the public. With President Obama, I at least feel like he can give a good speech and that he cares about this country. I do not know if he will turn out to be a good president but at least I feel like he will try. He seems intelligent and hardworking. I also rather enjoy listening to his speeches. I wish him nothing but the best. It's not an easy job at the best of times but I have hope that things will start to improve and I feel like we are in good hands. So, good luck President Obama! May God bless you and your family! And may God bless America!



P.S. Now, onwards to my own personal miletstone...my 25th birthday! Only five more days!

All of a Sudden it's 2009!!

I feel like I blinked from the last time I posted to now. Suddenly, almost two years passed! So many things have changed since then that I cannot even begin to document them or catch you up. Not that anyone I know reads this or even knows it's here.

Nevertheless, here's a snapshot of the things that have happened over the last year and half or so.

• I finished graduate school!! I completed my M.A.T. at Sacred Heart University! I'm just waiting for the paperwork to come through from the state and I'll have my teaching certificate! This of course means that I'm now looking for a job in a very bleak economy...oh well!
• My sister is now applying to colleges. She applied to Ithaca, Easman School of Music (Rochester), UCONN, NEC, and Yale. Wish her luck!
• Speaking of my sister...She has had much musical and academic success lately. She has gone to Eastern Region, All-State, is in her school chorus (and had a mighty fine solo too!), she has been in a bunch of plays (my personal favorite? Pride and Prejudice....Mrs. Bennet), and she'll be going to the New England Music Festival in March. She also got some AWESOME SAT and SAT II scores! 780 crticial reading, 700 writing, 580 math, 680 U.S. History, and 800 Literature!
• We are on service dog number four! Captain graduates and was placed. We had Mernie (Golden retriever, labrador mix...WONDERFUL dog! Seriously, the best EVER!) for a few months and she is now paired with a woman in Mass. Packer, a black lab, is our current dog.
• I went to my first wedding of friends from college. It was beautiful and I wish them all the best. Of course, this is probably a sign that we are all growing up! Now, if I could just find someone for me so mom gets off my case...
• I cut my hair! It has always been long and curly but, over the summer, I got it cut so it's just about shoulder length. I really like it this length. Plus, I think the curls are even better:-)

Okay, I think that's more or less everything of interest.

Now, it's a brand new year so it's time to come up with a few resolutions.
1) To write more frequently in my journal and on my blog. I'm not going to say everyday because I'll never do that. But I'm thinking once a month for the journal instead of three or four times a year. As for this blog, I'll try at least once every two or three months. Hopefully, I'll make it part of my routine and I can make it more frequent as the year goes on.

2) To be healthier. I am, compared to some, a pretty healthy person but I think I do have some work to do. This means, typically, excercising more and eating less. Excercise 2-3 times per week (and not just in the summer when it's nice!). Maybe start taking the Monday night class with mom again. Onto food and eating! Consistently try to make good choices. Examples: no second helpings at dinner,no soda, no chips, no butter on bread/muffins, etc., no dessert or sweets after lunch, and trying to be better at gatherings where there are appetizers (if I must have some, put a few on a napkin/plate and eat only the ones on there). Now some of these, I am pretty good about (i.e. no soda and no chips) but others (appetizers...they always do me in!) I really need to work on.

3) To make good career choices. I know I'll be job searching this year (actually, I already am) so I'll need to make good choices. I'll need to prepare properly and thoroughly for interviews (learn about districts, prepare my portfolio, etc.). Paitence, flexibility, and perserverance will also be key in the process. I will also need to pick a position that I think will be a good fit and commit to it totally.

I think those are more or less reasonable resoultions. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep them or at least work on them and improve my situation.

I think that's everything! Hasta luego!

P.S. This time next week, our new president will be sworn in! Buena Suerte Presidente Obama!