Leslie Leaves

January 14

For the past several weeks, Brianna and Leslie have been staying with me while Bree had the opportunity to work remotely. Of course I was thrilled with the idea of getting to have Bree with me, but I had my reservations about Leslie. She is the happiest, friendliest little dog, but also pretty needy and occasionally anxious and nervous. And the hair! Let me tell you, one thing I have not missed about having a pet of my own is the hair everywhere. (Truth be told, I shed hair constantly. There is hair at my house. But at least I know it's mine when I'm living alone and I only have myself to blame for it.) But Leslie? That sweet puppy is a hair-making factory! Once she got here, though, she just endeared herself to me even more than she normally does. She's a cuddler and super playful, and I enjoyed having her here more than I knew I would. She mostly had the run of the house, but my room was my oasis, so at least I could have one space that was (mostly) pet hair-free. That was enough of a boundary for me. Leslie and I bonded quite a bit on her visit--she loves me and I love her. Today, as her mom wraps up her time her with me, so does Leslie. She has her own personal driver to take her back to Seattle--Leslie doesn't do well with flying, so she will not be airport-bound like her mom. This is our goodbye-for-now, but I will definitely miss her sweet happy greeting at the end of my workday each day. It's going to be an adjustment for me for sure!

First Books of 2024

January 13, 2024

I set my reading goal at 30 books this year, an increase of two books over last year. These were the first two entries for 2024. I enjoyed parts of both books, but didn't fall in love with them. I am also trying to do better about not holding onto to books I don't absolutely love when I read them, so I am currently trying to figure out just who I believe I know who will enjoy these next so that I can pass them on. It it really a lot of fun to play book matchmaker.

Friday

January 12, 2024 We went back to school this week after two weeks off. I actually love the first week back in January because I spend time with my students reconnecting and reestablishing community, as well as giving them a workshop on goal-setting, which many of them find really useful, since it focuses on something much more concrete than the 'goals' most people usually create. (For example, instead of saying I want to eat healthier, which is vague and general, saying for the month of January, I want to eat at fast food restaurants only twice a week.) They actually always tell me this whole lesson I give them on goal-setting is really beneficial, plus it's a pretty engaging and low-stakes way to ease back into our school year.

Next

January 11, 2024

Before break, as I always do every year, I asked how many of my students had families who make tamales at Christmas time. We live in the valley, so I often have several students who make that part of their family tradition. I told them, as I always do, that I would not be sad if someone decided to bring me tamales as a Christmas gift. Sadly, no tamales appeared before the break. After break, however, one of my students brought me some, and I cannot even tell you how excited I was! Lunch that day was delicious, homemade tamales. Thank you, Rebecca!

One of My Least Favorite Tasks at Work

January 10, 2024

In addition to jumping right back into work with a four hour night class on Tuesday, I also started off my week back with yard duty in the morning and in the afternoons. Nothing like standing out in the cold to supervise students who are too cold to stick around and start any trouble. I do have this pretty view, at least, and I don't think it's supposed to rain until the weekend. It could be worse. (That doesn't mean I don't detest this task.)

So Tired

January 9, 2024

First day back to school. I knew it was going to be a long day, but I still don't think I was ready for it. I took on a night class again this semester, but instead of two nights a week for two hours, this class is one a week for a four hour stretch. (This was not my choice; it's the only class that was available this semester.) That makes for a really long day after working my day job all day! Since we have been off for two weeks for Christmas vacation, it really felt like jumping right into the fire the first day back. However, my class size seems reasonable and the students seem like they are going to be a good group. I just hope I can keep up my momentum throughout the semester! Since I'm a silver-linings kind of girl, I can at least look at the bright side and be thankful that I am only giving up one night a week this semester. But today? Y'all, my feet hurt! I have been on them ALL DAY.

A Visit to Sacramento

January 8, 2024

Since Mia was in town on Sunday/Monday, we decided to make an overnight trip up to Sacramento to visit Rafe's brother Josh and his family. We were able to go to a local brewery and listen to some live local bands, and spend time playing, laughing, and talking with Beka, Josh, and the kids. It was a quick turn-around, but totally fun!

Trying to Get Back in the Writing Groove

January 7, 2024 I love to write--really, I do. When I write something good, that I'm proud of, it gives me such a strong sense of satisfaction. However, I'm not good about carving out time to write. Sometimes I can't figure out what to write about, and sometimes, I feel my writing is only for me, but mostly I struggle with balance--my job, travel, reading, my family, my friends, my boyfriend, exercise, experimenting with cooking--all of these things are important to me and deserve my time and energy. Writing does too. I just need to do a better job of being intentional about how I spend my time to make sure I devote time to all of the things that are important. My goal is to write at least two chapters of a book I'm working on within the first six months of this year, and to write on my blog at least five days a week as well.

More of this Please

January 6, 2024

We spent New Year's Eve day sitting around a fire, talking and just enjoying the feeling of having no place to be and nothing pressing on our to-do lists. While we can't have that all the time- of course there will be papers to grade and laundry to be done sometimes- I'm striving to carve out more of these days in 2024 for us.

Binge-Watching Bridgerton

January 5, 2024 I'm late to the party, but since Bree has been home with me AND she's been telling me for MONTHS that I need to watch Bridgerton, we decided that would be a perfect binge-watch for the two of us. While I was home for Christmas break, just breezed through both seasons, plus the off-shoot, Queen Charlotte. Such a fun series! The accents made it a little tough for me so we used subtitles, which I know bugs some people, but it doesn't bother Bree and I think I catch so much more of the dialogue this way. I feel like I need to get the books and read those, as well! There's another season coming soon, so obviously we'll watch that one when it comes out. Unfortunately she'll be back at her own place by then, but I think we can remote-watch it togeter. Can't wait!

Thursday Night Social Hour

January 4, 2024

Since Bree is still on her extended stay with me, we decided we needed a social hour get-together with Mo. It is just a wonderful feeling when your daughter is old enough to become friends with your friends. Talking, laughing, eating, and drinking together with these two brings me all kinds of happiness, and I am here for anything that brings happiness to me and to others. If we aren't actively seeking that in our lives, then what are we even doing?

Life Is Better When You're Laughing

January 3, 2024

This is the perfect house-warming gift from Carrie and David, with whom I have spent many long days and late nights in love and laughter.

Embrace

January 2, 2024 For the past several years, I have chosen a Word of the Year for myself--a word that would be my guide. This year I have chosen Embrace. I plan to embrace all that I am--my strengths and weaknesses--and to celebrate that self while striving to better myself. I can acknowleged and embrace that which I need to work on and still accept myself. I also will continue to embrace those people in my life who have been my strength and my support by giving them time and my full presence when we are together. I will embrace new opportunities, and embrace lessons that come my way. I have a tendancy to embrace that which is good and positive in others, but I am not always quick to give myself that same grace. That's one of my goals for this year--to allow myself to embrace and acknowledge and celebrate the positives about me.

2024, Here I Come

January 1, 2024 

 

Six years ago, I had no idea that there was already set in motion a series of actions that would completely alter the the trajectory of my life. Ultimately, when everything came to light I was faced with a future I couldn't begin to fathom, so clearly and wholeheartedly had I envisioned the years ahead which shattered into unrecognizable and irrecoverable fragments. It sounds dramatic. It was dramatic. But at this time six years ago, I had no idea what was coming. Since that time, much has passed--personally as well as globally. In addition to gradually reimagining what the future could hold, we as a society endured the pandemic, which also changed the landscape of what all of us thought our world could look like. Together we weathered that unfathomable storm as well, and came out the other side a little worn, a little wiser, a little changed. But okay, as it turns out. Many of us came out stronger, more resilient. We had the opportunity to reconsider priorities and shifted our perspectives. We allowed ourselves, eventually, to see our way to a better future. This is where I find myself personally now, as well. Having had to re-examine everything I believed my future would hold, I realized that my future still holds the core of what I believed it would have. The shape of it is different; when I imagined my future I imagined very specific details which no longer hold true. But the path still holds love, truth, acceptance, and beauty. I came out of my own personal storm a little worn, a little wiser, a little changed. But I also came out of it knowing that I deserved the future that held love, truth, acceptance, and beauty. And seeking it, I have found it. And the life ahead of me is one I look forward to more than I ever have. On the other side, I am more than okay, and my future ahead is better than I dreamed it would be.