Happy 2013...Two Hours To Go!

With two hours remaining in 2012, I just thought I'd put my resolutions in print...make me that much more accountable for them. I mean, I did last year, and actually achieved two of the three...not too shabby for new year's resolutions, right?

1. Read 50 books this year. It's going to be a combo of some of my favorite series that I'm re-reading and new books that are on my list to read for the first time. I'm actually pretty excited about it.

2. Keep going to the gym. This is more of just a maintenance thing, but if I can up it to twice a week instead of just once a week, that'd be great.

3. Drink more water. I'm not too bad with this, but there are times where I really slack off with it, so I'd like to improve on it.

I hope you all have a safe and very happy new year! Here's to 2013 being better than all of the previous years!

Six Question Saturdays: Goodbye 2012

In recognition of the close of 2012 coming up soon, how about a 15 question survey about the past year? I even turned into "little miss over-achiever" and put in some photos!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I went to my first science teachers staff development that was away from home for a week. Total nerd, I know, but it was really cool and I hope to attend one a summer from now on! I made some new friends, learned a ton about planetary science that I never thought I'd ever want/need to learn (big bang theory, how we find new planets, astrobiology, holding the oldest rocks on Earth...awesome!) and drove across NYS taking only the old route 5 instead of the thruway.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I kept up with going to the gym...some weeks better than others, but for the most part I went at least once a week. I didn't write down a single thing that I ate. And I read 61 (currently on 62) books this year, and my goal was only 40. Yay! I'll make some for the upcoming year...working on coming up with them.

3. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

Let's go with a relationship...that would be spiffy!

4. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

November 26, 2012...it's when I moved back up to high school teaching. Definitely a high school teacher more than a middle school one, which surprised me, because I always thought it was opposite.

5. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Standing up for myself and realizing what I deserve in life. It's a huge achievement for any person when they reach that point!

6. What was your biggest failure?

I really don't think that there were any failures...sadnesses and disappointments, but not failures.


7. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmm...my iPhone in February. Don't know what I would do without that thing, which saddens me in a way by how pathetic it sounds, but I'm being honest.


8. Whose behavior merited celebration?

You mean other than my own? My dog's...he's been a good boy this year. Plus, he's so damn adorable!

9. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

One of my closest friendships came to an end this year sadly it seems. It's linked to my answer for #5.

10. What song will always remind you of 2012?

My awesome friend Aleisha posted that "Call Me Maybe" was hers, and I thought...wow, yeah...that is it! Especially the US Swim Team version...

11. Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier? About the same
Thinner? I am! The scale may be the same, but I've gone down a size or two for clothes!
Richer? Hell no! Paying bills sucks!


12. How will you be spending New Year’s?

At home watching the ball drop with some champagne, appetizers, and my dog (leading up to the big event by watching some great movies.) I've gone out in the past for New Year's, and it always leaves me feeling disappointed.

13. What was the best book you read?

Hmm...okay, I'm going to list a few, cause I can't choose just one. They're all in different genres too, which makes it even harder to try to choose one.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo (stays with you and haunts you long after you finish reading it...)

Vaclav and Lena by Haley Tanner (sweet and sad, a must for anyone who teaches, especially ESL students)

The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony (elephants...'nough said!)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (hilarious!!!!)

Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy #1) by Ken Follett (I'm going to read #2 this upcoming year...can't wait!)


14. What was your film of this year?

Brave...loved all of it!

15. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

Patience will bring good things to those who have faith in God.

Wordless Wednesdays: I Hope You Had A Great Christmas!

Six Question Saturdays: Leading Into Christmas!

So...I have a voice back, kind of. It hurts deep down in my throat and all of the muscles of my neck hurt by the end of the day, but I can talk. Went to the ENT doctor on Thursday, and apparently I have laryngopharyngeal reflux. It's similar to GERD (acid reflux) which I had before going gluten free, but doesn't cause heartburn...just enough acid that goes into your larynx and throat. My vocal cords is beet red and my uvula (that dangly thing at the back of your throat) is so swollen that it is hitting my vocal cords every time I talk. The doctor put me on Prilosec (haven't been on it in a couple years now, again since being diagnosed with celiac which I thought had solved that whole problem.) We'll see how it works. I'm also not allowed to talk too much for the next week and a half of winter break in order to rest the muscles of my throat and neck. Again, we'll see how it works...at this time of year of all times to not talk! It needs to work though...because this can cause vocal cord scarring even if not treated and allowed to heal.

But anyway...let's move on to more important things. Christmas is literally around the corner! Winter break from school has just started! Some simple questions to celebrate...

1. Have you been naughty or nice this year?
I think I've been pretty nice...I can't think of anything naughty that I've done this year at least. Guess I'm a goody goody when it comes to that kind of thing.

2. What new Christmas movie have you seen this year that you really liked?
I just watched Arthur Christmas this morning and absolutely loved it! What can I say? I have a really huge soft spot for Santa Claus.

3. What do you have for Christmas dinner?
Corned beef and potatoes with chocolate pie for dessert.

4. What do you really want for a Christmas present?
I'd love a Nook...but I doubt I'll be getting one. I have a Sony eReader, but there are plenty of things that I don't like about it now that eReaders have improved so much. A Nook would be perfect!

5. What kind of Christmas tree do you have?
Artificial. It's three parts plus the base, pre-lit in white lights (I like them much better than color ones.) We have a ton of old ornaments that were my great grandmother's from Germany mixed in with a few newer ones that seem to have an Irish theme to them.

6. What are your Christmas Eve plans?
Mom and I watch Love Actually every Christmas Eve, then we go to church for the candlelight service. Granted, I can't sing this year, but there's something so magical and truly beautiful about celebrating Jesus's birthday in a dark church with just candles glowing while singing "Silent Night" in German.

And last but not least...a photo of my new haircut. Side bangs and all...

Wordless Wednesdays: Merry Christmas!

Okay, so more words...sorry...

If you've never seen this Christmas movie, "Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey," you must watch it immediately. Truly...I cry every time at multiple points throughout the movie, it is so heartbreaking and beautiful.

Ears Nestor... 

(Here's the link to the whole thing on YouTube...24 1/2 minutes well spent.)