Going All In Is Not Always As Easy As It Sounds

As a teacher, I hope that no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I can make a difference in the life of my students. That's all I can hope for. Starting at a new school district this year has been challenging. It was also not an easy decision to make. For the past nine years. I developed relationships with other teachers, my students, and their families. I knew I'd have mixed emotions about leaving once I made the decision to go, but I never realized the emotional roller coaster that would come with this change.

The reading corner in my former classroom

I left a family, a family I developed relationships with. We laughed together, we cried together, and we supported each other. I had gotten into a routine; I felt comfortable where I was, but I decided it was time for a change. I made a conscious decision to jump into the cold water and let what would happen, happen. And things happened. I got offered a new job, and I decided to accept the position.

The initial excitement of feeling needed somewhere hit me. It was the beginning of a new journey. After a few days, I battled with the decision of leaving my current job. Am I making the right decision? Should I really do this? That step of the life changing process lasted awhile. I knew in my heart I was making the right decision; my mind (especially my OCD mind) doubted everything I did. That was a tough battle. I kept questioning whether I was listening to my intuition by taking on this new opportunity or making the wrong decision. 

Drawing from a former student

Doubt. My OCD loves doubt. It plays with my emotions and keeps me wondering if I did the right thing or if I made the wrong choice. After some time battling with my doubt OCD, I finally started to tell myself--I did the right thing. I knew I did, but squashing those doubtful thoughts was not always easy.

My confusion and frustration turned into excitement again. I started thinking of new teaching ideas, getting excited for my upcoming professional development, and meeting new people. That excitement lasted for awhile until it was almost time for school to start. A new emotion gave way and was extremely hard to shake off. I was extremely sad. I was sad for leaving my good friends, for leaving the students whom I love so much, the people who cared for me every day for the last nine years. That was a rough feeling. Leaving my job was like a loss I had to work through. I think the sadness was the hardest emotion during this time of change. There were some teary-eyed days. Talking to my friends or texting them made me feel infinitely more sad. It was a hard realization that I was starting over.

Tears, uncertainty, excitement, and anxiety: what an unexpected ride. 

Pine cone gift from a former student.

After the first month of school, I had gotten into more of a routine and the sadness lifted. I feel good about my decision. I always had; it was just really difficult to separate the emotions I was feeling from the choice I made and the reason I made it. 

My new classroom

Bottom line: I'm getting my work done and not taking it home, I have a manageable caseload, and I love ESL kiddos. I've realized now that the anxiety and sadness has passed, that I did the right thing. I will never forget my years at my former job. I belonged there, and I love that I felt so comfortable in my skin. But I keep reminding myself I was there for 9 years. 9 years of building relationships. 9 years for people to get to know me. 

New endeavors always start out with a sense of uneasiness, especially when you have anxiety. Eventually, people will get to know me, and I will get to know people too. Students will do the same, and so will their families. It takes time to build relationships, and I am looking forward to doing so. I can't say that my emotions about leaving my former job will never resurface. And if they do, its okay. I welcome those feelings with open arms. After all, it is hard to leave one family you love to start building a new one.


Love and happiness <3 Holly

Tried It Tuesday...is Back!!!

Guess what?!? Tried It Tuesday's back!

Since I haven't posted a Tried It Tuesday in awhile, here's the "Tried It Tuesday deal:"

On Tuesdays I typically post random items that I have tried {or found out about} and enjoyed in hopes that you will find something in my list that you may enjoy too! 

Here are some things I've tried recently and enjoyed:

App

I  am seriously in LOVE with the App Word Wall! I got my sister Rachael to play with me too! I love a good brain challenge. Word Wall is a FREE App that challenges you to take a wall of words and find all the pairs of words that are associated with one another until there are no words left to be matched. For example, words can be matched as synonyms, antonyms, sayings/phrases, or parts/whole, just to name a few. 

Here's a picture of an example screen you get when you open the App:

Once you read through the words, you tap two words that you believe fit together in some way, or can be associated together, and they turn dark gray {as shown below}:

My first match was entertainment and film.

And then...

Film -- Entertainment

Crap -- Poo

Animal -- Dog

Drink -- Wine

Once you get towards the end and there are only a few words left, you start to realize that some of your matches may not be "the best" matches/choices, so you end up having to do some rematching. The game will alert you that you can no long make matches with your leftover words. 

I ended up rematching "column" with "support."

Then "dependent" became free, so I could match "baby" with "dependent."

I kept going until all matches were made {I stopped taking pictures after this screen :) }.

At first the timer bothered me, but it only counts up. You get stars if you complete the puzzle within so many seconds, but I've never not made it to the next level. {I think you can take as long as you want.}

So fun!!! You have to try it, and exercise your brain!!

Sweets

My dad was always a caramel fan. He loved butterscotch too. I never had a huge taste for them {I think because of their chewiness}, but I recently found some silky smooth, soft caramels that are delish!

I picked these up at Target. They lasted me a few months; I'm not a huge candy eater. 

They were on sale at the time for $2, but are normally $3.99 for a package of 16 pieces. They are also Gluten Free! They are not too chewy, not too sweet, and have a nice, subtle buttery taste. 

Book

I recently read a few books that I've had stacked waiting to be read, and I have to mention the one I just finished. It was FANTASTIC!

Mockingbird follows Caitlin, a young girl living with Asperger's. Her world is very black and white. Everything around her seems confusing, but her older brother Devon, was always there to help her throughout her life. After Devon was killed in a school shooting, Caitlin's life became even more confusing: her brother is no longer there and her dad is not able to give her his full attention because he is so distraught. Caitlin wants her life to go back to normal, but she doesn't know how to do that. She thinks that understanding how to find "closure" can help her, but she's not sure how to go about it. On her search for closure, she realizes a lot about herself and her new life. 

For My Teacher Friends:

F & P Level: W

DRA: 60

Grade Level Eqivalent: 3.5

Lexile: 630

I absolutely LOVE this book. Caitlin is a character you will fall in love with!

Art

For Christmas, I got silhouettes made for my mom of me and my sisters. They are beautiful! I found a shop on Instagram @missthistleshop also at www.missthistleshop.com that makes custom silhouettes of people, animals, and houses! The owner sends you digital copies that you can get printed in any size you like. Here are what ours look like:

 

I found the gold frames at TJ Maxx. Love them!! Thanks, Meiska!! <3

Music

Does anyone else love Ed Sheeran? I <3 his music, but I have never seen his music video for "Thinking Out Loud" {love this song btw!}. Holy poo, he dances in it!! I watched this like four times Sunday night. Love it!!

Oh! And have you seen OK Go's newest music video? Amazing! They did it in one take! So cool. This makes me smile!! And they count in Japanese :)

Drink

I love Bigelow tea. My all-time favorite is Cinnamon Stick, but my local Kroger and Target DO NOT sell it anymore! It makes me want to loose my mind! (It's the little things that make me happy! I want my tea back, damn it!) However, I did find a delicious new Bigelow tea that I am really digging right now. It does have more caffeine than normal tea, so I have to only drink a cup now and then because of my headaches.

I really enjoy the creaminess of the tea from the honey. I also haven't noticed that the tea gets bitter if you steep it a little longer than you'd like. 

That's it for this week's Tried It Tuesday!

What have you tried, found, or enjoyed anything new this week?

Love and happiness <3 Holly

Tried It Tuesday!

It's the night before school starts back for teacher work day <insert small scream here> and this face:

I know once all my little lovelies get to school, I'll feel like this:

I do miss them over the summer :) And I know most of them are excited to come back to school! I love having many of my students for three years! It's fun to watch them grow and get to know their families over the years! I'm excited to have them back. It's just hard to go back. I know you know what I mean, teachers!

So anywho, here are some new finds from this past week!

Food

Has anyone noticed how I always start with food? Well, I did! And I do love some good food!

BBQ Sauce

Bjorn and I like to try new BBQ sauces. We don't eat a lot of it, but in the summer, it's fun to try new flavors. It kills my acid reflux if I eat to much of it! We recently tried Guy Fieri's Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce. He has different flavors available, but we tried the Bourbon Brown Sugar flavor. There were only three available at our Kroger. This sauce is delicious! It has a sweet, but not too sweet taste from the molasses and brown sugar and then an awesome, subtle bite from the bourbon! To me, this is the perfect BBQ sauce for me and Bjorn! We always debate over sweet, spicy, and the bite it has, but we both love this one!

Cookies

I came across these delicious cookies by chance while picking up dinner for Bjorn and I last week. Fresh Market boxes some of their thin baked, fresh and natural cookies and sells them in the cookie aisle of their store. They are all natural, and they even have gluten free flavors! I ended up buying the Irresistibly Good Chocolate Chip Cookies. They were seriously that good! One cookie only has 50 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 4 grams of sugar. I decided I don't feel too badly about eating one of them! They have flavors like The Chipless Wonder, Ginger, and Peanut butter among others. 

Cucumber Soup

You know how you have a favorite recipe and you just forget about it for awhile? Then you make it and think, Why did I ever stop making this? Bjorn and I used to make this refreshing cucumber soup all the time in the summer (and winter too--it's that good!). It's cold, creamy, fresh, and delicious! Sometimes when we want a light dinner, we'll eat this soup with crudites or crudites with meats and cheeses. So yummy!

Here's a link to the recipe. 

Have fun with your soup!

# Sometimes we do not add jalapeno. Sometimes we'll only add 1/2-1 jalapeno.

# Instead of basil, you can add dill. 

# Don't forget the lime! It really brightens the flavor!

# We don't always seed the cucumbers :) And we leave the skin on. Just blend very well!

# We usually do NOT put scallions. I like it better without.

Music

Bjorn recently saw the movie Guardians of the Galaxy with one of his friends. Alicea, I am so happy our husbands have each other to go with, so we don't have to! Next time, we should do something with your little ones while they go to a movie ;)  Bjorn told me that I had to listen to the soundtrack because I would love it! I have to tell you, it is sooo good! It is such a great mix of awesome 70s and 80s hits. I was singing along to the whole thing! Here's a track list to the soundtrack:

Disc: 1
1. Hooked On a Feeling (Blue Swede)
2. Go All the Way (Raspberries)
3. Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum)
4. Moonage Daydream (David Bowie)
5. Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Elvin Bishop)
6. I'm Not in Love (10cc)
7. I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
8. Come and Get Your Love (Redbone)
9. Cherry Bomb (The Runaways)
10. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) (Rupert Holmes)
11. O-O-H Child (The Five Stairsteps)
12. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell)

Source

TV Show

I love the show Impractical Jokers. Does anyone else watch? It is sooo funny! The show stars 4 high school friends who try to get each other to do crazy things in front of other people who don't know that they're filming a comedy show. Here's a clip from the show. It's on TruTV Thursday nights. It cracks me up!


Just to let you know before you watch this: the bride and groom are in on this, but none of their wedding guests are until after the speech. They have no idea who this guy is. 

I also really love Motor City Masters, where contestants compete to be the best car designer for GM. They compete in challenges individually and as teams (designing and updating cars in challenges) each week to win, and someone gets voted off each week. It's such a cool tv show! And I love this judge's, Jean Jenning's, style! You can watch it on TruTV as well. 

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Ah, a woman after my own heart :)

Have you tried anything new this week?

Lots of love <3 Holly

Tried It Tuesday

For this week's Tried It Tuesday, I'll just jump right in! Here's another batch of random favorites from Yours Truly:

Food

First off, I'm going to start with dessert. Bjorn and I tried a new chocolate last week, and it was delicious. The ingredients by first look may not sound or look immediately tempting, but I assure you, it was awesome! 

Source

I bought this chocolate bar at Walgreens on sale, and just as the brand name claims, it was "delish." It had very subtle hints of lemon and black pepper. Honestly, the black pepper doesn't get you until the end. It is not super spicy though. I really like the contrast of the flavors with the chocolate. This one is very well-done. I think it's a good play on the spicy flavor mixed with chocolate that the chili pepper usually gives that's so popular right now. I did get a few pieces of peppercorn stuck in my teeth, but nothing to complain about :)

Source

I picked up these Ice Breakers Sours because I liked the Watermelon-Mint Ice Breakers so much. These are not my favorite. They're okay. They sure do make you pucker! They are pretty darn sour! I think I would have liked them more if they weren't green apple, watermelon, and tangerine. Maybe if they had chosen one flavor and stuck with it? We also bought the Berry Sours; I haven't tried them yet. I'll let you know if I like those better. Bjorn thought maybe I just wasn't a sour fan, but forgot how much I love Sour Patch Kids!! Not a winner in my book :(

Restaurant

On Monday, Bjorn and I went to his hand surgeon appointment and found out he has to have surgery on his elbow and hand. Bad news, but we kind of knew it was coming. He was diagnosed with cubital tunnel in his elbow (like carpal tunnel) almost five years ago, and it's gotten to the point where he can't play his guitar or cross his fingers on his left hand. No good.

Anyways, after the doctor's appointment, Bjorn wanted a drink, so I suggested we go to the Wine Guy's Bistro, which I realized they now call W.G. Kitchen and Bar. Don't know when that changed! We had never been before. There's one at The Banks, in Bridgewater Falls, and in Rookwood. It was fabulous! We went for a late lunch, and their lunch menu and prices are great! I had a glass of Cab and their lunch portion of homemade meatloaf, mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and string beans. Bjorn had the Farmhouse Burger with bacon jam (our favorite!) and a fried egg! 

Here's the meatloaf:

Source

We are definitely going back! Here's a link to the restaurant's website.

Beauty

I've been loving wearing a bright pop of pink on my cheeks lately for the summer. First, I'll use my tried and true favorite, elf's pink passion, on my cheeks.

And then I'll put just a little of Milani's Bella Rosa Baked Powder Blush on the apples of my cheeks. It is super rich and pigmented. If you put too much on your brush and don't blend, it will look like you have a hot pink dot on your face, so blend well! But it looks so great on and really brightens up your face! Just really use a light hand!

Fashion

I found this amazing company, well--I've known about it for awhile, but felt it was about time I shared! It's called The Shine Project. They employ at risk youth. Many are first generation college students. They pay the yputh, who are their employees, fair wages, and many of them use that money to pay their college tuition. They sell bracelets and apparel. They just started selling t-shirts with inspiring quotes from the youth they employee. I love this company! I love who they are and what they stand for! I bought an apple bracelet during teacher appreciate week, and I'm planning on getting this t-shirt:

I love this quote from one of the 19 year old employees at The Shine Project. It really touches me. If you want to visit their website click here. I also follow The Shine Project on Instagram. There are links to all of their social media on their website. 

Music

Lastly, here are a few tunes to send you out of Tried It Tuesday for this week:

I love, love, love this song. This video is strange, however. Just warning you.

Last Tuesday, Bjorn and I went to see Sara Bareilles. I love her! She sang a new song she wrote for a musical adaptation of the movie Waitress that should be, hopefully, coming out next year! My favorite movie and one of my favorite musicians! Amazing! If you haven't seen Waitress with Keri Russell, you have to! Love! And this song is soooo good!

Thanks for reading!

Tried anything new lately?

Lots of love <3 Holly

Tried It Tuesday :)

Why, hello there! It's Tuesday, and time for another Tried It Tuesday! So here are some of my fun finds from the past week! Hope you enjoy!!

Food

Miso Instant Soup Packets

I picked these up when Bjorn wasn't feeling too well, and tried the leftover packet one morning with my breakfast last week. It was delicious and so easy! Just heat up some water and stir in the mix with the tofu and veggies! I found mine at Fresh Market.

Frozen Dark Chocolate Covered Bananas

Chocolate covered bananas are one of my all-time favorite snacks/treats! I found these at Kroger in the frozen section yesterday and had to try them! They are soooo good!! They also have them available with almonds too. The plain dark chocolate bananas are 100 calories per pack, and one satisfies my sweet tooth! Love these!

Redd's Strawberry Ale

Bjorn and I wanted something different to drink this past weekend. He picked up a Shandy. I picked this up. Rachael and I taste-tested it for everyone, and it is delicious! It's not too sweet, and it has great strawberry and apple flavors :)

Thrifted Instagram Find

I bought this dress from Katie @thriftyourheartoutshop on Instagram. I love her Vlogs (Thriftyourheartout). I scored this thrifted dress for $11.25! I seriously love it!

Book

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I just started Legend on Sunday, and man, am I hooked!! The story alternates between two different characters and their points of view. Day is wanted by the government, and June grew up as a privileged member of society. It takes place in a dystopian society that was once the western United States. This new Republic is constantly at war with its neighbors and is covering up secrets from its citizens. It's action packed and full of suspense! I'm hooked!

Movie

My 5th graders study a huge historical fiction unit on civil rights, and this movie made think of all the books they've been reading and the stories they've been writing! I picked it up at Target last week, and I can't wait to watch it! It's about an unlikely friendship that's born out of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

TV Show

I am loving the TV show Fast N' Loud. It's about these guys who buy and rebuild hot rods. I seriously love this show!! The guy's shop (notice how I don't know their names) is called Gas Monkey Garage. I just find it so interesting and funny!! It airs on Discovery Channel Mondays @ 9.

Songs

I love Ray LaMontagne. I love this cover. It's amazing. Please sell this cover on iTunes. Thank you much!

"Crazy" (CeeLo Green cover)

Ray LaMontagne

Old School: I totally refound my Brain McKnight CDs. I'm loving this one!

"6, 8, 10"

John Legend is amazing. There is nothing more to say.

I put this CD back on my phone and play it on repeat.

"All of Me"

That's all for this week's Tried It Tuesday!! 

What have you tried this past week?

Leave a comment below!

Love and happiness <3 Holly