Monday, January 31, 2011
Day 29: Oh the glories of Texas weather!
So it was not even 8.45pm before I received a phone call tonight that said that even though it was 55 degrees outside and not raining, we would have a snow day tomorrow!! Woohoo Texas ice storms! Of course, I say this now, but if my power goes out tomorrow, I will not be so fond of said ice storms. Here's hoping for a warm, relaxing day in!
Day 29:
1. Feeling like I am really connecting with my girls. I have felt this way before but when they really want to come to class everyday and when they say things to you like they really love English now, or they feel like they are actually getting things now, it really means so much. You never really know how much your words as a student mean to a teacher until you become one. It's really a great feeling.
2. I definitely succeeded in making a great homemade meal last night! I had the leftovers tonight and they were just as awesome. I also got to the gym and have enjoyed relaxing and catching up on my Modern Family episodes. It's been a productive day.
3. Finally, and of course, snow day tomorrow!! I am beyond excited to be able to sleep in and hang out with my puppy tomorrow. Of course, my girls aren't too upset that their projects have been delayed either :)
Posted by Jennifer at 9:48 PM 0 comments
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Day 28: Sort of productive Sunday morning, lazy Sunday afternoon.
I got up at a decent hour today, thinking that I would get ALL sorts of things done today. Yeah, haven't even made a dent in the long-running list, but at least I was able to get the "have-to's" done. That's really key, right? I feel like I accomplished something today, so job well done me. Now, I get to sit, relax, prepare for classes tomorrow, eventually do a bit of reading, but most importantly, watch the NHL All-Star game! I realize that it's just a goal-scoring fest, but it's fun to see some of the best guys in the league play one another and to see them having personalities. Plus, they are good looking and I get to spend a couple of hours on the couch relaxing before I attempt to teach myself to cook once again. Always a feat in and of itself. Fingers crossed I won't have to order Chinese take out in a few hours!
Day 28:
1. Sleeping in...especially when the dog does too! That late night walk last night was really the best idea I've ever had because I had the chance to sleep in till almost 11am this morning, which was amazing.
2. Home-cooked meals. There is a great sense of accomplishment when you are able to successfully pull off cooking dinner for yourself. If it's good, you become chef extraordinare and if it's not so good, well then it was the recipe's fault all along.
3. NHL All-Star weekend. In case you haven't picked up on this from other posts, I love hockey. I live, breathe, and obsess over hockey. It's the only sport I follow because it's the best sport in the world. Hockey is awesome. God bless Canada and it's boys :)
Posted by Jennifer at 3:30 PM 0 comments
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Days 26 and 27: Gorgeous days in January!
One thing I absolutely love about living in Texas in January is that some times we just weekends like this one. It was 75 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and is supposed to get as high at 78 today! While the rest of the country wallows in mountains of snow, I plan to spend most of my day outside, reading and grading as well as perhaps take a little time for myself and maybe go and get a pedicure. It's just such a gorgeous day. I wish I had checked the weather earlier since I might have decided to heat the pool for the weekend, but really the one downfall of Texas is that the weather can change so quickly, i.e. Tuesday it is supposed to snow. Ugh. Oh well, I'll enjoy while I can! Bring on springtime in Texas!
Day 26:
1. Wearing flip flops to work. I should explain this in that I broke my toe Thursday night so I did have a valid reason, but it's also just fun to not have to wear heels sometimes!
2. Cheap, quick, tasty Tex-Mex food. Another big bonus of living in Texas, which I am going to miss and crave SO much when I leave, is the FANTASTIC Tex-Mex food. Seriously. I could eat it everyday and balloon up to a gigantic fat person if someone would let me. I have a problem.
3. Really fun, imaginative dreams. I do realize that technically this really falls on days 26 AND 27, but since I was lame and went to bed fairly early last night, I'm going to qualify this as day 26. I really liked what my brain did last night. I had a dream about a very attractive guy I know and us dating. My brain did well entertaining me last night :)
Day 27:
1. Have to include the weather here. Currently 72 at 11.30am, not a cloud in the sky and just perfect. Cannot wait to get outdoors!
2. Pedicures. These are really a godsend. Nothing is better than the message you get in the middle of it all.
3. Rounding out the evening with cooking a good meal (I'm slowly but surely teaching myself how to do that) and watching the hubby on tv tonight. The skills competition is tonight and is always a fun watch.
Posted by Jennifer at 11:28 AM 0 comments
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Days 24 and 25: Having a social life.
Having a social life is great...having a social life while being a teacher at a very strenuous prep school is something else entirely. I have had a chance to catch up with a bunch of friends this week and let me tell you, it has done nothing but wear me down and feel like an old lady! I saw No Strings Attached on Tuesday night and that was absolutely hilarious! Definitely worth losing sleep that night. We really need more rated R movies. When you can throw out one liners like that movie, you can't go wrong. Wednesday was followed with a hockey game with the same great college buddy I went to the movies with. He and I have pretty much become attached at the him. We have a hell of a lot of fun hanging out together but since he doesn't have to take work home with him, his nights and mornings are infinitely easier than mine. Here's looking forward to being lame this weekend, occasional drinks with friends, sleeping in, and possibly a trip to the casinos!
Day 24:
1. Taking advantage of the ability to leave a bit early on my last period free and being able to get some things done before going out. This was invaluable yesterday. My brain needed a break and it was really nice to just be able to disconnect for a bit.
2. Very cheap hockey tickets for one of the hottest teams in the country! Since they can't fill the seats to save their lives right now in that arena, going to the games can be really fun for the well-priced tickets.
3. Got a chance to sit at the glass last night and be up close and personal with hockey husband!!!
Day 25:
1. Great on-the-run breakfasts! Catered muffins and smoothies bought before work this morning made the day. Great way to start the day.
2. Students faking British accents while acting out scenes from Jane Austen really brightened up a day taken up by a terrible migraine.
3. Treated myself to a cupcake from my favorite cupcake place. I figure I earned it after getting through today. Red velvet all the way!
Posted by Jennifer at 7:32 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Day 23: Team Boy or Team Single...?
Day 23:
1. New York Times Crosswords. I try to keep the mind up to snuff attempting these puzzles as much as I can. Got through today's pretty quickly and before you down my achievement, yes I am aware today is one of the easier days. Complete is complete!
2. Warm cup of peppermint tea to start the day. I think I have decided that this is the way I should start every day at work from now on. I am very much a tea person, so this is just what I needed after a really cold drive to work this morning. Side note, I really need to invest in a good pair of gloves to keep my fingers from freezing touching the leather steering wheel! Brrrr!
3. Being all done with your chores/errands for the night before 5pm! This is seriously turning in to a great day, not only was my place cleaned today by someone other than me (thanks Mom for helping with that!), but also I was able to do everything I needed to do after work before it starts to get dark. It's so nice to be able to take my dog out for a walk before the sun goes down (and so much warmer!). Now, it's off to change out of the work clothes, get comfortable, read, and go to bed early. I know that makes me sound like an old lady, but it's so nice every now and then!
Posted by Jennifer at 5:07 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 22: Jury Duty day...blah.
Day 22:
1. I got to catch up a bit on my personal "for me" reading. Since I had several hours of waiting to find out about if I was one of the lucky ones or not, I was able to catch up on my fun reading that I don't really get to do during school since I'm so busy reading and researching for classes with the girls. I say fun reading but really it was a textbook for my upcoming grad program (fun reading to me though since I'm interested in it!).
2. Since I was released a bit early today, I got to spend my late afternoon indulging in the entertainment that is Bravo programming. I don't know why, but I love those shows.
3. Cutie Clementines. These just always remind me of spring, make me think of warm weather, and seem to always hit the spot. I realize that these are probably not the most interesting piece of the day's 3, but I really enjoy them :)
Posted by Jennifer at 5:50 PM 0 comments
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Days 18, 19, 20, 21: Been enjoying the end of my week
Day 18:
1. Yoga again today to help relax me. I am slowly but surely learning to bend myself into a pretzel. Literally. Today was called pretzel day in class. Love it.
2. Finished my detox early today! Needed to end things. Was making me WAY too grouchy. Plus I now only crave healthy things and not bad ones.
3. One of my very best friends came home today after being going for over a month!!! It was so great to see her again! We had so much to catch up on and had so much fun hanging out. I've missed her so much!
Day 19:
1. Cupcakes with my Canadian :) Had to reignite the tradition of cupcakes. Ok, so this may not be a healthy craving, but had to be renewed. It's just a necessity. Red velvet, yum.
2. Hockey watching with my high school best friend cannot be beat.
3. Spending your Friday nights on a cold day, sitting on a couch, good food, good friend, good hockey, and just enjoying catching up is a really great way to start a weekend.
Day 20:
1. Helped conduct admissions interviews today for the school I work at. All of the girls who came in today were so sweet, polite, and terrified. All were very impressive ladies as well. All I can say is that if I were applying to this school today, I probably wouldn't get in now. I was just blown away by them.
2. The benefits of being awake and done with the day's business by 12pm are incredible. So many things I was able to get finished being that awake that early for once in a blue moon.
3. Following up all that productivity with a nap on the couch and then a few drinks with my boys made me feel refreshed and sociable :) A night with the boys is really great for a laugh.
Day 21:
1. Had lunch with a guy I have known for quite some time now but haven't seen him for about a year since he's been buried under med school books. We ended up having an almost 3 hour lunch without even realizing it. It was really great to see him and catch up. Always makes me laugh.
2. HGTV. HGTV was my entertainment for the day. I should state that I do not own a house, I am not planning to buy a house, and I currently am living in someone else's house but I am completely addicted to these shows and cannot wait to be able to design my own space. House Hunters International is how I live vicariously through other people.
3. Long showers. I love me a long shower. I have recently bought one of those in-shower radio deals and it's even tougher to get out of the showers on cold mornings, but so much fun to wake up to.
Posted by Jennifer at 9:06 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Days 16 and 17: So much to do, so little time
Day 16:
1. Early morning meetings cancelled! This is an amazing thing. There is nothing more draining than an early meeting when you just want to prepare for the day. This really made me happy.
2. Allowing yourself to "cheat" a bit on detox cleanse. I am allowed to "cheat" for one meal a week and I took mine yesterday. I really needed something sugary and couldn't shake the craving. I can tell you now, that was the best sugar I've ever tasted :)
3. The season premiere of White Collar with my best guy friend. Headed over to his place to watch the show and Neal Caffrey did not disappoint. The man is probably the most attractive human being on television at the moment and that includes Eric Northman. There, I've said it.
Day 17:
1. One of my very best friends will finally be home after being out of the country for over a month in less than 24 hours!!!! I am beyond excited to see her!
2. I brought my new camera to work with me today and plan to go out and play around with it a bit after I leave. I'm excited to see what it can do.
3. Coming home to a clean house. I am currently housesitting for my parents and their maid comes today and as snotty as that sounds, it's just so nice to come home to a clean house. It just gives you a nice uplifting, relaxing, I don't have to clean today feeling that makes the evening. It's the little things, I'm telling you.
Posted by Jennifer at 12:01 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 15: Unsure...
Day 15:
1. Lounging on the couch all day.
2. Sunny days after weeks or gloomy and rain.
3. A good chocolate chip cookie. They are hard to come by, but this one was great! :)
Posted by Jennifer at 6:03 PM 0 comments
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Day 14: Gutted
Day 14:
1. Hanging out with a work colleague who has now turned into a very good friend today. I always really look forward to hanging out with her. She is just so upbeat and positive that it's hard not to be the same way when you leave her. It's truly a breath of fresh air and needed today.
2. The Golden Globes. I tend to think all things celebrity are a bit ridiculous and excessive. Do I read those trashy magazines? Of course, mainly while travelling, but I just love the fashion and I feel like the Golden Globes are so much more fun as they allow these crazy people to drink at the same time. It's a fun night of Tivo.
3. I am now on Day 5 of my cleanse and I feel amazing. I have lost a bunch of weight already which is great, but the fact that I feel so much more energetic is really the key. I'm hoping it makes me feel even better as I go along, both physically and mentally.
Posted by Jennifer at 1:46 PM 0 comments
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Days 12 and 13: Decisions, decisions
Tough spot to be in when you realize that you can have the dream you've wanted for the last 5 years, but it comes at a very steep price. Do you go for it and live with no regrets or do you play it practically and hope it comes around again in the future? I know which way I'm leaning, just have to play it through in my head a few more times.
Day 12:
1. Fridays that begin a 3-day weekend.
2. Relaxing bubble baths.
3. Being able to sit down and read a book for enjoyment and not feeling guilty about the fact that I am not doing something for work.
Day 13:
1. Being able to sleep in! Even if it's only until 9.45 because the dog wants to play :)
2. Great (healthy!) breakfasts! I've never been one for breakfast. I normally cannot make myself eat that early in the morning, but this morning I had my breakfast made for me before I got up and it was healthy and absolutely DELICIOUS! I could do breakfast every morning if that's it and it's made for me haha.
3. Cleaning the house and de-cluttering. I realize this is an incredibly boring way to spend a Saturday of a long weekend, but there is really a great feeling or relief and renewal that comes from de-cluttering and perhaps donating things I no longer need or use to those who could realize put them to good use.
Posted by Jennifer at 1:27 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Days 10 and 11: Ho-hum days of work
Day 10:
1. A friend from work brought me a fantastic gift. A calendar of amazingly hot athletes and my crush is definitely Mr. January. My birthday and a hot man. It might be January all year round in my cube.
2. Listening to my iPod, 12 of my favorite songs came on in a row. There really is something to be said for music pumping you up in the middle of the day!
3. Finally got back into the gym today. Really feel better after working out. Now it's really just about making time every day to do it, not claiming I couldn't find the time.
Day 11:
1. Having options in life really just makes you relax that much more when problems come your way. I absolutely love the feeling that comes with knowing you have a plan for the future.
2. At the same time, I also love the scariness and excitement that comes with knowing that I have a HUGE adventure in front of me. So excited in fact that I cannot wait to get started. Even if it is 7 months away.
3. Yoga really helped to relax me and take away some of the negatives that creeped into the end of my day. Had a meeting that really irked me, but yoga really helped clear that up. I'm not one of those hippy-dippy types but it's amazing how much it can help some times.
Posted by Jennifer at 8:44 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day 9: Best (and scariest) day ever!
Day 9:
1. I got into school!!! I now have an option for next year and it's one that I have wanted for so, so long. I cannot wait to have that adventure in London and beyond.
2. I got to have a fun and flirty conversation with the boy today and I can now let on that this move will remove the biggest obstacle for that. So here's hoping that this is a good sign, that even if he may not be the one who holds my attention once there, that it'll at least be fun while there on the boy front.
3. I just LOVE that city. I could talk for days about all the fun things to do there, but really it's the way I feel there that seals it for me. I feel like I belong there. I really truly become a completely different, completely true, completely confident, and most importantly, completely happy person there. I cannot wait to get there now.
Best day in a long time...
Posted by Jennifer at 9:31 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 10, 2011
Day 8: Late Arrival and casual days
Today, while a little nerve-wrecking getting through the ice and out of the neighborhood, was absolutely beautiful on the drive in to work today. Snow and ice is absolutely gorgeous until the sand trucks get in the way and turn the winter white into grubby brown and white messes. It is also going to be a fairly easy day at work which is a wonderful change because it makes things a bit less stressful for me when I get home as well. I also get to watch Sense and Sensibility with the girls. There really is nothing better than watching romantic movies with a group of 16 year old girls to brighten up the day.
Day 8:
1. Late arrival is amazing! Starting work at 10.30am rather than 8am really makes a huge difference in the outlook of your day, especially when I only have to teach 3 hours out of 7 today. Sometimes I really love my job.
2. Sense and Sensibility might be one of my favorite movies ever. Jane Austen can really build up a girl's romantic hopes, especially when I just spent a weekend celebrating getting older and realizing that I'm still single. Sometimes good, but don't want it forever.
3. Easing eating and exercising habits through planned food systems. I am starting a food delivery service plan today and am very excited that I will not have to cook at all for 3 weeks and that it will hopefully make me feel better and have more energy. Coupled with exercise, I am very excited to jump start feeling better this year. I really hope it makes a genuine difference. We shall see.
Posted by Jennifer at 11:49 AM 0 comments
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Day 7: It's my birthday!
Day 7:
1. Snow! How can you not be happy with snow? I feel like everyone turns back into a little kid. My dad was even throwing snowballs like a 5 year old this afternoon.
2. The Cupcakery. While this shop does nothing for my waistline, it is truly one of the tastiest places on the planet. I absolutely love them and loved having them in place of a birthday cake.
3. My parents and friend. The parents are amazing, took me to a nice brunch this morning, then came home for them to sing Happy Birthday to me still at my old age. And my friends were so great last night. I cannot remember the last time I had that much fun on my birthday. It was so nice to see so many people who mean so much to me come out and spend time with me. I am truly thankful for all of them.
It's been a fantastic weekend.
Posted by Jennifer at 6:51 PM 1 comments
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Days 5 and 6: A little bit of good...a little bit of bad
Friday was definitely a mixed bag. Started out with a normal preparation for work. Moved on to being great because I had to take a half day and was done early, got to see an old friend briefly, and found out some fun news about the boy. Day then moved on to a truly awkward conversation that was really important and I hope went better than I felt. And then finished up with one of my favorite outings in the world, going to the AAC. Here's hoping I can learn not to stress about the dip in my day and can enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Day 5:
1. Finding out that the boy you like (and have just a bit of a minor crush on) feels similarly to you is a great way to start a weekend and can really make up for some crappy parts of your day.
2. Half day at work! I had to take a half day for some personal issues, but let me just say that it was great to be done with everything a little early on a Friday.
3. Hockey! Hockey might be one of the best things on the planet. I absolutely love the sport, the men, and the experience. Got to go to a game last night and had a blast.
Day 6:
1. Sleeping in is definitely underrated. I love my bed so the fact that I got to spend a few additional hours there this morning really started the day off right.
2. Birthday cards in the mail make me smile. They really mean so much more than the birthday email or birthday text. Someone remembered me early enough to put forth the effort to buy a card and send me a sweet message :)
3. Beyond excited to see most of my best friends tonight to celebrate my having been born. Not a huge fan of getting older, but I heard probably the best way ever of looking at it at work yesterday - as I get older, I don't look forward to celebrating the number so I just celebrate longer.
Posted by Jennifer at 3:27 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Days 4 and 5: Things have been a little hectic...time to slow down for a few minutes
Day 4:
1. I absolutely LOVE daydreaming. There is nothing better than allowing your brain to decompress and then think of things that are fun, freeing, and anything but the cubicle you may sit in (like me). I did that a few times yesterday.
2. Seeing my teenage students excited to see their teacher after Christmas break made my day. I absolutely love my students and they were so happy to see me and vice versa. It was so nice to see all of their smiling faces again, even if it means back to work.
3. Realizing that I have definitely grown up and become my own person after spending some time with fading friends. I had the chance to realize that I really have taken steps forward to being comfortable with myself, who I am and who I want to be known as. For the first time in awhile, I feel comfortable in my own skin. It's an amazing feeling.
Day 5:
1. Yoga. Yoga is something I absolutely love doing but never really get a chance to. I had a great friend rope me into signing up for classes and I couldn't be happier. It makes me so calm which is something I so desperately need in my life.
2. Romantic possibilities. I have spent quite a bit of my day thinking great thoughts about the possibility of being with someone who I know and admire and truly like and hoping that he feels the same way. Having recently spent a good deal of time really getting to know him, I feel like there is a good chance that that is the case. If only certain obstacles were not currently in the way. Perhaps sometime in the near future, they will free up and it won't be a problem. Fingers crossed. He simply makes me smile, which is everything.
3. Good old fashioned childhood superstitions. There is something to be said for the old fashioned "make a wish at 11:11" or tossing coins in fountains or wishing on a star. I know that I had a particularly rough day yesterday, and on my way home flippantly wished on a star. You can imagine my amazement and surprise and Virginia-esque wonder when it came true before I even stepped foot back in my house. Sometimes, childhood memories really can make things better. Maybe there will even be a few more instances of that happening soon for me. Maybe.
Posted by Jennifer at 3:07 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 3: This had been a rough day
Day 3:
1. I got a chair massage for free at work today as part of a community bonding thing. It was a fantastic break in the day! Yay for personal counseling department!
2. I received word that I have made it to a telephone interview on Friday for something I really, really want, so fingers crossed that it goes well!
3. Eatzi's salads might just be the best salads in the world and I got one for lunch today. (Told you I was pushing it on good things today.)
That is all.
Posted by Jennifer at 6:27 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 2: Oh the joy of naps!
2. Dreading going back to work, only to have my day seem so much better as soon as I see of all of the great friends I work with. I love those ladies!
3. Driving to work blasting bass-pumping music might be my new favorite way to wake up in the morning. Definitely makes me smile.
Posted by Jennifer at 7:16 PM 0 comments
Sunday, January 2, 2011
365 Days of the Good Life - Day 1
So here we go...
Day 1:
1. I have a great full-time job with students who I love no matter how crazy their essays make me.
2. I just went to London for 2 weeks on my own and discovered that I absolutely LOVE traveling on my own and meeting up with people once there.
3. Cold days in Texas that actually feel like winter make me smile. I love sitting near a window in an over-sized sweatshirt, drinking some tea, just enjoying the day.
Posted by Jennifer at 12:56 PM 1 comments