Lists

In the midst of my exhaustion and catching up on TV I decided to stop and reclaim the chronicles of my life in the form of an online blog. I would say that I missed writing, but having started graduate school this year I have been writing more and happy to have people around to help me become a stronger writer. I began this restoration of online chatter with a brief glimpse into my past and what started this blog. It was nearly 5 years ago and I was in Dublin. I had been traveling all over the world. Recovering from a breakup and leaning on friends and writing to get to the part of life where "I was officially stronger". So in many ways I am back where I started. I briefly considered whining about my recent broken engagement or struggle to find a home for me and the boys, but quite frankly I'm tired of talking about it. Instead I am making a list of a few things that have changed after the reflection of my past blogs and a simple to do list because I like lists. Just completing a list makes me feel like I have accomplished something.


A few of the life altering changes that have occurred since this blog began...

1. As mentioned I am a happy graduate student at Creighton University. YAY!


2. I have a job as an English teacher in an inner city school where many my students are faced with challenges that are most people's nightmares and sometimes my own.


3. I have a digital camera and an IPod. Ok maybe not life-altering, but still crazy that when I started this blog I was still using film...ah the good ol' days. Ok so maybe most of the world had digital camera's 5 years ago, but I still miss film and may just go back to it.


4. I have lived away from home and appreciate my friends and family even more.


5. I eat sushi!


6. I can go to a restaurant and eat alone...ok maybe just lunch but it is a start.


7. The idea of traveling alone. Isn't quite as daunting as I once thought thanks to my GPS.


8. I'm again leaning towards the idea that chivalry is dead.


9. I've realized I don't have to be dating to remember how much it sucks!


10. I added Mexico to my list of countries traveled conquests.
    
    

This To Do List should be complete by the time the year is up:

1. Post on this blog once a week.


2. Tumbleweed book


3. Road trip to the ocean because I need to walk in the sand and listen to the waves


4. Purchase a bike and complete the "Taco Ride"


5. Read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings again


6. Get a tan


7. Figure out the ending to Lost before the ending occurs and write about it on this blog.


8. Spend more time sitting on patios with friends


9. Help my mom plant a kick a** garden


10. It's a race: Roadrunner vs. The Fit (aka The Nugget) just kidding Dad :-)


11. More time outdoors...exploring the wild terrain of the Loess Hills (Jonatha your outdoorsy plan has become part of the to do list, but I think you should be aware-nature hates me and I will be stung, bloody, or broken before it is over.)


12. Make peace with nature. See #11

Ok Wish me Luck!

Current Conundrum

Not much to worry about these days. It is weird to not be looking for work anymore and in some ways it just makes me a little crazy. I am bored and yet trying to enjoy the little time I have at home before my life gets all crazy again. So mostly I'm trying to get things done around the house and soon I am going to get my new textbooks and work on some lesson plans.

I'm looking forward to teaching and especially my graduate program at Creighton. I am definitely ready for a new challenge in my life. I feel like finally things are going in the right direction and I'm excited to be home and with my friends and family again, but I do miss Houston restaurants very much.

As you can see from the slide show I have been trying to keep myself busy with yard work and projects around the house. I'm really excited to see my flowerbed grow! I think I may even join a gym soon, but then again maybe I'll just take some new yoga classes to deal with my general stress. It's weird. I have been freaked out about everything for so long it is difficult to let it go. I suppose a few more nights sipping cocktails on patios will probably fix me up just fine.

I need to get into blogging about real topics again...so if you have any opinions on current events this post them here, so I can get back in gear!

PS...GM should have died! Why did we bail out a company that lacked the basic ingenuity and critical thinking skills that would make them a competitor in the future? That is why my Dodge Stratus has been sitting in my father's driveway for 3 months and I bought a Honda Fit.

By The Way

I review books for Teens Read Too an online book site. If you are ever curious about what I've been reading for the chillin' you can go to the link listed on my blog and search by name. Every now and then I get an adult book too, so in those cases I will try to put the review on my blog as well. Happy Reading!

Wow it is amazing how much of my time feels free now that I don't have to surf websites for jobs...happy sigh!