23, but who's counting

we did get out once or twice:)

Last week was my 23rd spring break and could probably go down as one of the worst!  Don't get me wrong, I have a very good life, but sometimes I wonder...

I know my 4 followers, that spring break is supposed to be a time to relax, go someplace warm, and be silly.  Instead, this is what I did: wrote a research paper, went to the gynecologist, got a root canal, continued to get up at 4:30 a.m. to play tennis and workout.  I know it sounds like a lot of fun!

For the record, I am totally fine with staying home and doing things I enjoy, but trust me writing a research paper is not something I enjoy.  There's really no reason why I am getting another endorsement. I have 2 master's degrees and I'm maxed out on the pay scale, but I do love to learn!  I am in the field of education and if I were learning something new, that would be great!  Anyone that has been in education for more than 10 years knows there is nothing new coming out.  Nothing has changed, reading and math are still the same.  The last time I checked, we read the same words we always have,  and they still mean the same things that they have meant forever, and I'm pretty sure we still add and subtract the same way too.  People in education used to call it "cyclical", it's not cyclical because nothing leaves and comes back.  It's just the same stuff over and over again.  Here are a few innovative ideas I've learned in my two classes: cooperative grouping, KWLs, use visuals, hands-on activities, use literature to teach content areas.  Hmmm...I've only been doing all of those innovative ideas for 23 years!  Just one new idea...


Anyway, next year I am definitely going someplace to relax and not get a root canal.  Oh, did I mention I needed a crown too and it cost $2000.00. :(

It wasn't all bad, I did play a lot of tennis, worked out like crazy, and got some organizing done at home.  All in all, it was nice to have a mental break from work.

This is what I should've been doing:

taking a road trip with my husband to hike and bike

a treacherous trip

My husband and I have taken some amazing and adventurous trips, but nothing compares to our death defying white water rafting trip in Colorado.

tipping!

I would consider us (or at least me) moderate in the adventure category. (I have no interest in sky diving or bungie jumping, but I'm open to a lot.)  All of our trips are planned around activity and adventure, whether it's biking, hiking, kayaking, etc. We are always up for something exciting.  My bucket list consists of summiting Mt. Ranier.  I thrive for a challenge and love adventure!

trying to get back on board

Anyway, I planned (what I thought), a wonderful trip to Colorado.  We ran the half marathon in Steamboat, went to a Rockies game, hiked in boulder, did some biking, explored in Estes Park, etc.  I also included a white water rafting trip, that turned treacherous (class IV).  By far, the scariest moment of my life.  I was in the boat with my husband, 3 guys on a bachelor party, and the guide.  The river was running would be an understatement.  We are flying down the river and all of sudden we literally get stuck in a giant water hole.  The boat is at about a 75 degree angle at a standstill.  Everyone is yelling... I get thrown from the boat, I'm under the water.  I pop up, and my first thought is, I'm alive and I have all of my limbs.  But now what? I'm flying down this river which at any moment, I could be sucked under or crash into a rock, etc.  Somehow, I get back over to the boat and I will never forget the bachelor guy's look on his face.  He grabbed me with one arm and flung me back onto the boat.  We are spinning and flying down the river.  I don't have time to have any sigh of relief, where is Gary??  All I hear is, "get him, get him."  They end up getting him back on the boat along with our guide.  The boat is completely out of control, and they end up  throwing out a rope to pull us to the side.  Now on land, we reconvene and we all get back in the boat and head down the river.  The rest of the trip was amazing!

back on land... a

chilling out after a scary moment

My bachelor party friends were quite impressed (being the only girl in the two boats) that I continued on the trip.  I wasn't about to pack it up and quit.  I will tell you, it was the first time in my life that I thought, this is it.  This is how it's going to end.  It was that scary.

my creative side

So, I wanted to start 2012 starting something new, exciting, and crafty. Please keep in mind, I am not in any way, stretch, or form creative and/or artistic.  With that in mind, I committed to a craft for 2012.  I asked a crafty friend about mod podge, and for some reason, I thought it would be right up my alley, low and behold, I was correct, for a number of reasons.

I head out to Michaels for my craft endeavor and it was the perfect storm,  I was ready to delve into creativity, and I met the most wonderful associate in retail history.  She guided me through the store and opened my world to stickers, frames, brushes, canvases, etc.  It was amazing.  Needless to say, I purchased an entire workshop for mod podgers.

While speaking with the wonderful associate, I had decided I was committing to a mod podge portfolio for 2012. I am a trailblazer, and this will catch on.  (She thought it was a great idea!)

I get home and start cutting things out, creating my collages in my mind, etc. Now,  January 1st is upon us, and I begin my collage with excitement and curiousity.  I begin my "collaging" and all of sudden realize that mod podge is nothing but the watered down glue mixture that I had used as a first grade teacher to retell Eric Carle stories 20 years ago (although, I only used tissue paper because that is the eric carle technique), and a craft I had done as a child.  I'm in the midst of doing this and thinking, seriously, NOTHING has changed.  I realize people want to think things have changed, but they haven't.  If they had, I would be writing in some other form write now.  It is all the same, people...

It is now February 3rd, and I am ready to debut my 1st installment in the 2012 portfolio...

I like it!

From Maine to California

This is one of my favorite things in my house.  It is a memory board of pictures and postcards of places we have been, numbers from races, baseball stubs, basically wonderful memories from our first five years together.  I enjoy looking at it and remembering the different places we have been, but I absolutely LOVE adding to it.  Adding to it means we have done something else worth remembering. :) I plan on adding many wonderful things we do in 2012! A couple memories below...

 white water rafting trip in Colorado-treacherous!

Bar Harbor, Maine marathon!

Alaska

I'm sure you are wondering where I am in my header picture.  That picture was taken at the top of Exit Glacier in Alaska.  It was unbelievable and by far on of the best hikes I have ever done.  We were on a Backroads multi-sport trip this past August.  I had always wanted to visit Alaska and WOW, it did now disappoint!  We had an awesome four hour hike to the top of the glacier, and it seemed like we were on top of the moon.  By far the scariest part was seeing how much the glaciers have melted.  Here are some other wonderful memories from our Alaskan adventure!!

Day 2

meals for the past 2 days

Why do I do this to myself?  I have tried cleanses, I simply don't understand how people can follow them to a tee.  They are so difficult.  I always have the best of intentions and try really hard, but eating basically nothing on cleanse days is just too difficult.  I can deal with the shakes, raw vegetables, and a small healthy meal, but no food...come on.  I am currently on day 2 (it's been a struggle, but I've made it.)  Tomorrow is going to be tough, a cleanse day.  Oh, and it's pizza day at school.  I'm going to try very hard.  We shall see....

First Hike of 2012

Plan for 2012... a lot more adventure and we are off to a great start!  Our first hike of 2012 was a 7 mile loop in Carefree, AZ.  75 and not a cloud in the sky! We also did an incredible hike/run up Black Mountain, now that was fun!  It was exhilarating and made me only want more!  Too bad we don't live in Arizona!

2012 Plan

• remembering what is important, prioritize 
• begin a craft: (already in progress)
• 2 trail 10ks (at least)
• 2 mountain bike races (at least)
• 1 rock and half marathon (Nashville)
• play competitive tennis...
• read a book every 3 weeks
• focus on working out hard, eating right, and living a balanced life
• attend at least two MLB games (new stadiums)
• relaxing with my husband!

Happy New Year!

2011 was a great year with many wonderful memories!  I'm looking forward to even better 2012... I have a lot of exciting things planned and I'm ready to try some new things.  (I tend to be a bit routine.)