ifyoudontkeepyourfeet

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Hey everyone!

SO I am now in NYC at Institute--our first day today was pretty intense. Everyone keeps warning us how the next 5 weeks are going to be the hardest we've ever faced, and I'm interested to see if that's true. 

I'm more or less unreachable for the next 5 weeks, tomorrow starts actual lesson planning and group/personal study and work. BUT text me, email me, and try calling me if you'd like! I'm going to keep up with things [as well as sleep] as best I can--bear with me. 

I miss Oregon and all of you, but I'm still really excited to be here! 

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Major Life Update

Hello everyone!

So, as some of you may know I'm a 2012 Teach for America Corps Member--and this week starts our training. I'm currently in Connecticut at Induction, having a really great time bonding with my fellow corps members and learning as much as possible about our different communities.

It's been an intense first 2 days. Yesterday was registration, understanding more about TFA and their vision/core values/goals, and beginning the education process on CT's educational system [CT has the LARGEST achievement gap in the US]. Today was a day of sharing our backgrounds, experiencing a CT low-income community first hand, and sharing a meal with families, teachers, and students within those areas [an exceptionally humbling and exciting thing].

Tomorrow we head to different cities to partake in community service--my group is gardening at the Hartford Boys & Girls' Club in 97* weather!--and return to discuss the Teaching as Leadership [TAL] model. 

This is all really wild and I'm so glad to be here with the amazing group of people CT TFA has assembled. 

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

It's May!

The sun is approaching, spring is coming, and I hope today everyone is thinking of some ways to make it a wonderful month.  

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

euclase:

things we are trying to do all the time:

be safe

things we can’t help but do all the time:

second-guess ourselves

behave impulsively and reactively

take everything personally

worry

worry

worry

have difficulty accepting compliments

have difficulty reciprocating friendly...

To my friends and family: You should read this. 

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Hello Everyone!

I hope your year has started fabulously.

I have a HUGE interview tomorrow for something I really want, so if you could be thinking about me and sending positive thoughts my way starting at 9am tomorrow that'd be GREAT! 

*fingers crossed*

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Mm, churros con chocolate.

It was so yummy the one time I had it.

Had to show everyone what you're missing out on!

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

And off I go! 

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Around 12 midnight on the 23rd I will be back home and in my own bed.

Brace yourself, for nothing shall wake me.

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Packing nightmare.

should have just bought another suitcase to check bleh.

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Happy Birthday Brenna! 

I'm sorry I'm not there to celebrate your entrance into teenagedom/hood [couldn't decide which I liked better], but I will see you in just a few days [and we will bake cookies and have an HP marathon and walk the lights with homemade hot chocolate]!!!

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

It's my final weekend in Spain! 

Spending my last bit of time with some lovely friends [and saying goodbye to so many people!], going on a 7 mile walk through the city's largest park, eating churros con chocolate, souvenir shopping, taking pictures of all my favorite things in Oviedo, reading in the park, and relaxing.

Finals went well--1 more day of class and I'm done! 

I can't believe I will be home this time next week [eep, 6 days!], but I miss Oregon so much. So the sadness has some cushion.

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Wishing safe travels and an amazing trip to Monica and the kids [who are headed to Hawaii today]!

Take lots of pictures!  

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

File under: Things I want to make when I'm back in the real cold [except the pumpkin smoothie. Uck]. 

Also, hopefully this weekend I'll add some more pictures! Today is a day off, but with finals next week I'm trying to get organized for studying my bum off this weekend/beginning of next week. Only 2 more solid weeks here!

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[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Happy December 1st everyone!

Excited for: 

- My last 3 weeks in Spain.

- Coming home to family and holidays.

- Oregon RAIN and COLD and FALL and WINTER.

- Baking cookies, making butterbeer, and having a Harry Potter marathon with Brenna on Christmas Eve Eve.

- Walking the Christmas lights with hot chocolate + marshmallows.

- Reading in my [yeah, that's right. It may be in your house mom, but it will always be mine] big green chair--probably HP7.

- Calling everyone I can't see in person on Christmas! Because by then I will be phone-accessible! 

- Seeing friends at the end of the month!

- Oatmeal, soup, cereal, almond milk, fake meat products. 

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Agh, this week sucks friends.

3 essays, 2 exams, 1 project.

But, I make it through this week and I have the next off--5 blissful days of reading, tea drinking, souvenir/gift buying, and basking in the stress-free atmosphere of Oviedo. 

GO TEAM GO. 

[ifyoudontkeepyourfeet]

Going to Bilbao and San Sebastian with my program for the 3-day weekend.

Updates to come!