Arts and Crafts

The other social studies teacher and I at work basically planned a whole unit in one big workbook. So I now have way more free time than I'm used to during the school year. I'm starting to plan the next unit (which is in 3 weeks), but I still have time that I don't know what to do with!

It's been a mixture of getting more sleep, starting to work out again, becoming addicted to Pinterest, and most of all, getting all crafty with decorating in my apartment!!

I rearranged my living room, made some new floral bouqets for my dining room, and got a little festive for Halloween!! I decided to make a wreath for my front door. I used a foam ring, halloween themed fabric from JoAnn fabrics, wood cut-outs, and green sparkly paint.

It's no masterpiece, but for my first wreath-making attempt, I'm pretty happy with it! I just tied the strips of fabric around the foam ring, used two coats of glittery paint on the letters, and tied them on with fishing line. (They look a little crooked, maybe I should hot glue them on??)

Off to carve pumpkins! Happy fall!! :)

xoxo

Fall Break R&R :)

What I love about teaching in AZ is that the schools get a week off in October for a fall break. Yes, you read that right: a WHOLE WEEK OFF! In the middle of fall! And it comes at the perfect time. A break was much much needed after several full 5-day weeks with the kiddos. Don't get me wrong, I love them, I have hope in them, but I do not trust them. They are so sneaky! I always have to be on my toes, ready for anything they throw my way (or try to throw the other way when I'm not looking...such as gum. gross!)

I also love Arizona, I really do. It's beautiful here, always sunny, palm trees AND mountains. But I miss weather changes. More than I thought I would. I miss waking up to thunder and pouring rain, and becoming grumpy that I need to remember an umbrella for the day. I miss sitting and looking out the window at snow quietly falling, feeling peaceful and warm and cozy. I miss the crisp fall air and the sound of leaves crunching under my feet.

Well, thanks to fall break, I got a little taste of a season change. I flew back home to Illinois and got to see some BEAUTIFUL fall weather. It was in the 70s! In October! That is insane for the midwest! It rained when I was home too. I was so happy!

I slept in every day, got out of my pajamas ONE day out of the six I was home, and did absolutely no work. None. It was heaven. I ventured out of the house only a couple of times (yes, several of them in pajamas - I have no shame when it comes to just wanting to be comfortable/lazy), and on one of my ventures out of the house, I actually stopped in the middle of the road while driving to snap this picture (don't worry, there were no cars around when I stopped)

The trees are starting to change colors, and it was just too pretty to not stop and take a picture. Thank you, Illinois for a great week of rest and relaxation...and a season change!!

xoxo

The New Digs

It's about time I post some pictures of my new home! My little apartment is definitely still a work in progress, and I have a laundry list of things I want to do in each room (first thing that comes to mind: PAINT!), but it's a slow work in progress.

I love my new little home. It fits me perfectly. The floor layout is different, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, big walk-in closet, washer and dryer in unit, mini patio over looking an equestrian park and sand volleyball courts, big bath tub, big walk-in closet...oh, did I say big walk-in closet already? Yes, I'm in love with my closet. Surprisingly, its even bigger than the one I had at my parents house. There are even bare spots on the racks and shelfs...which makes me feel like I need to shop more :)

Here are some pictures of my place now, and I'm sure I'll have more pictures once I accomplish a few projects (such as PAINTING! ugh!).

Home Sweet Home :)

xoxo

Insane Life Update!

Well hello little bloggy world! I've been totally MIA for the past month, and I apologize. I knew that moving and starting a brand new job would be a lot of work, but I was not prepared for the intense amount of exhaustion that has occurred. A lot of people have sent me little facebook messages/emails/texts asking how things are going, and I feel so bad that I have not been able to respond to everyone. So here is a quick little update about life so far in AZ, and then I promise that I very shortly will return to my regular blog schedule that I used to do! ;)

My mom and I drove down to AZ with my car packed full on July 25, and arrived July 27. I immediately started work on July 28, and have been going ever since! I moved in with my wonderful cousin, Jim, and his amazing wifey, Erin...and, my new bestie, their dog Charlotte. Living with them for a month to get adjusted before I found the PERFECT place to live was such a blessing. Jim (as expected) was the protective, caring, and totally weird big cousin that I've always loved and looked up to - and its definitely awesome that I have a fellow Bears and Sox fan out here to watch games with! Erin has really been one of the biggest helps with my move out here. Welcoming me into her life - friends, shopping, food/drinking binges, girly talks, work rants, etc - with open arms. Erin worked in the same district as I now do, for 5 years. So it is beyond easy to chat with her about the frustrations and joys of my job and the students. Oh, and Charlotte? She's a licker. And a pervert. She kept my feet clean, and sniffed through my underwear drawer all the time. And yet she completely stole my heart. Her little ewok face and all!!

Work...ah, where to begin. How about the culture shock of it all? Spending the first 24 years of my life in totally white suburbia, with a few interactions here and there with minorities, I thought I was pretty open-minded, stayed clear of stereotyping people, and would enjoy the differences of working in central Phoenix. I do enjoy it, but I was NOT prepared for the insanity that my job brings on a daily basis. Do I love it? Heck yes. Am I happier than I've ever been in my life? By far. But that love and happiness are also welcomed into my life with the stress and frustration of working with 170+ thirteen and fourteen year old students that prefer to speak in Spanish to you because they know it confuses you and annoys you to not be able to understand anything. I need to buy myself a Rosetta Stone. ASAP.

Some of this may be true for all schools, some of it may not. So bare with me:

1. It frustrates me when you put so much work and effort into a lesson plan that you are sure the students will have fun with and learn a lot from...just to have several students tell you they are bored, or tell you they hate your class, or fail the activity.

2. I get stressed with the fact that I have roughly 170 students, which means I have 170 things to grade anytime I assign something. Sometimes, I feel like "ehhh, maybe I won't assign this so then I won't have to read all of them.." But then I realize that is ineffective teaching - why assign something if you're not going to use it as a tool for assessment of some sort?? Stressful.

3. Tiring that I wake up at 5:30 to get ready and head to work (30 min commute) by 7:45. School starts at 8:45 and goes until 3:55. I avoid rush hour by staying until after 5, so I don't get home until close to 6. By then, I am totally wiped, don't want to do one thing except get in pajamas, eat something that does not require any work to make, and pass out - although that doesn't happen until close to midnight.

4. Sad that there are just some students that will never ever care about what you say or do. They don't mind getting suspended, they talk about drugs freely, and don't understand the meaning of respect. (Note: this is definitely not ALL students, just SOME - but sometimes that minority affects your WHOLE day).


I realize these are all 1st year teacher concerns and that one day in the next few years, I'll have a better grasp of it all. But right now, it all just feels overwhelming. So what is my cure to it all? Well...there's a few things. Here is my current "happy list":

1. My new super cute apartment, that I am slowly working to make my own. Thank you, Home Goods and IKEA!!
2. Jersey Shore. Real Housewives of New Jersey. Basically, 75% of my free time is watching crazy people from Jersey and I'll buy into it all for as long as its on the air.
3. Skinnygirl Margarita and Skinnygirl Sangria
4. Discovering all the local restaurants in Scottsdale
5. Speaking of Scottsdale...FASHION SQUARE MALL. Enough said.
6. Skype with my family
7. All the awesome people I've met through Jim/Erin, work, randoms, etc...
8. St. Patricks Church - its my official new church, and it makes me feel at home.
9. Francesca's Boutique - in Fashion Square. A working girl's dream store.
10. Fry's grocery store. Seriously, I had no clue grocery shopping could be that fancy and fun. Wine bar in the middle of the store? Swanky book section with tables to sit at? Coldstone? You can bet your ass I bought myself a membership discount card the first week I arrived in Arizona.


Okay, that is a bit of an update on life so far. The frustrations, and the happies. Amidst it all, I've never felt more content and at peace with where I am/where I'm going in life. It's an amazing feeling to know that I have my own classroom and my own home. Thank you all again for the well-wishes, prayers and congrats. It means the world to me! I'll be back in Chi very soon to visit all you lovelies :)

Back to the regular posts soon...

xoxo

19 days into Arizona living!

Well, I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but life has been super crazy busy! I'll get caught up with some pictures...

There was venturing into the city with cousins...

Reuniting the whole Olivieri crew, sharing lots of laughs and love...

And soaking up every last second with the most important people in my life...

And then came the drive to Arizona...

After 3 days in a car, I arrived...

Was welcomed by my awesome roomies

And started work as a teacher...

...and survived my first day as a teacher :)

 

 

Lots more adventures to come, xoxo

Last Lecture

My time is up. At Lincoln-Way that is. It is really hitting me that I will not be walking the halls of good old LW this fall. Lincoln-Way has been a part of my family forever. Alot of my family are graduates from LW, I student taught there, taught summer school right afterwards, and then got a job as a permanent sub. I also coached track for 2 seasons, volleyball for 1, and was the freshman/sophomore class sponsor. Lincoln-Way has been a huge part of making me who I am.

This summer was an exception, however. I really had the greatest class ever. And I never ever thought I'd say that about Freshman. I always thought I liked the upper-classmen the best, but this group of incoming Freshman took the cake. They were so willing to learn - all 30 of them. I asked them to get into groups, and their little desks would click together in such perfect harmony with no arguing or hesitating - it was such a beautiful sound to a teacher's ears. I'd give them a time-frame for work to be completed in, and they would finish it without getting off-task at all. Really, I could not have lucked out any more than I did this summer.

One day, we somehow got WAY off track (but it was right after a test, so I'm okay with giving them a brain-break from history for a few minutes before we switch gears during our 5-hour summer session days), and we started talking about the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. One of my students raised his hand and asked me "what would you talk about if it were YOUR last lecture?" I was taken back. As a teacher, sometimes you feel like what you say goes in one ear and out the other - especially in history, so it was crazy to think that a student was interested enough to ask me a personal, deep question. My response was "Well, there a few things I think I would want to try and impart onto my students, but I don't really know what I'd say until I got there." And then another student had an idea that literally made me shake in my wedge-pumps.

"Ms. Caschetta, you're moving. Your last day here is kind of like your last lecture. For us at least."

So we came up with a plan. After their final exam on the last day, instead of watching a movie, I would give my last lecture. Incredibly nervous? Heck yes. What would I say to these 14- and 15-year-olds that could possibly help them out in their future? Do I even have enough experience in life to be qualified to do something like this???

Without further ado, here is my "last lecture" that I gave my amazing class - the rules of life that I try to remember every day. (I wrote this all down on note cards, didn't really have a speech, so I elaborated on my main points with what I actually said to them.)



1. It's not easy to find out who you are meant to be in life, but when you do find out, OWN who you are and be proud of it.

2. Negativity gets you no where in life. Even when things are tough, I promise you that it will get better. The easiest way to get through the rough part is to stay away from the negativity and remain positive.

3. Live with no regrets, but never put yourself in a position to regret what might happen.

4. If you work really hard, and are kind to everyone, amazing things will happen.

5.  Treat others as you want to be treated. If you want respect, give it. If you want to be heard, listen to others. If you want to be loved, love others. If you want knowledge, you must be willing to learn from others. If you want your life to be fulfilling, give back to others.

6. Life is too short. Tomorrow is never a guarantee, so make sure that you always give thanks, and are happy with the choices you've made each and every day.



xoxo

It wasn't just a chapter, it was a really great book.

I know I have said multiple times over the past few weeks that I'm moving into a new chapter in life in Arizona. But I've realized that "a new chapter" doesn't really do justice to the past 24 years of my life in Illinois.

You know when you read a really fantastic book, and at the end you get an perfect blend of closure and the taste of wanting something more? That's how I feel about leaving Illinois. It's not just the end of a chapter, its the end of a fantasitc novel. [And yes, of course I am open to writing another book that is based in Illinois ;) ]

I got closure on so many things over the past few weeks. A previous relationship that ended in huge heartbreak, with the assumption that we would never find peace or forgiveness - we both apologized, forgave, and closed the wounds. A friendship that saw its fair share of differences - both agreeing to put the past in the past and move forward. A wonderful job that I hated saying goodbye to - but now know that the door is open to come back in the future.

And yet, I want more. I'm excited for the new opportunity to openly date someone and finally not hold that resentment from my past failed relationships. I'm thrilled to speak to an old friend again, and continue with a long-distance friendship (I predict lots of girls trip vacations to each others homes!). I'm happy to know that if I really want to come back, a job is waiting for me.

Illinois, you have been my rock. I've seen family members die and get buried here. I've seen new life take place here. I've seen weddings, baptisms, Christmases and Easters. I've had summers at Prestwick pool, winters on the sledding hill at the old Plattner house, and the fall season spent raking leaves in the front yard. I found my first love here, and lost him here. I've made beautiful friendships, and had to come to terms with friendships ending. I've enjoyed more yummy meals than I can count at Aurelios, Enricos, Francescas, Buenos Nachos, Rising Sun, and Nancy's....just to name a few! I've babysat so many great kids, just to see them all grow up and continued to be shocked at how big they get in just a few years. I graduated from junior high, high school and college here. I got my first adult job here. I've seen NBA championships, World Series wins, and Stanley Cup playoffs here! I've spent summers taking the train into the city for the Taste of Chicago and to lay on the beach - and reversely, I've seen Lake Michigan totally frozen over. I've had pets here - pets that really were man's bestest friend. And I've had to put them down here - ashes scattered in my backyard. I've taken family "vacations" here when we couldn't afford to go far away. I've made mistakes here, and learned from there here. I've cringed at the thought of what I did the night before here, and I've laughed uncontrollably while reminiscing here.

More than anything else, I've found who I am here. My life is lived day to day. Tomorrow is never a guarantee, and I make sure I remember that every day.

Illinois, you were a great book. And as I spend these next 10 days packing up boxes, saying goodbye to loved ones, finishing up my last day of school at LWE and say goodbye to wonderful students, I will be thinking of all you have given me.


Yes, I want more...and I know Arizona will provide that. Illinois, our story isn't done yet. Book II will come soon enough. But until then, Book I of Arizona will satisfy my need for more - friendships, love, memories, fun, career, laughter, tears, and food (not sports teams though. I will never abandon my Chicago teams. Ever).

Illinois, I promise to give you my all these next 10 days. All good, no bad. All smiles, no frowns. All positivity, no negativity. All acceptance, no regrets.


xoxo

The Colors of Summer

If you know me, this won't come as much of a surprise: I'm paranoid/obsessed with my nails being painted. I love getting a mani/pedi, but that can get quite pricey to keep up with. So over the years, I've become quite the pro at painting my own nails. I give my Nanna a pedi every once in a while, my mom constantly bugs me for a mani/pedi, and I've even given my godmother her first french manicure for a wedding!

I usually stick with neutral (white/black) colors or reds/pinks. But occasionally I like to throw a little fun color on. Summer is the perfect time to go bold!! My favorite colors for summer are....

O.P.I.'s Isn't that Precious?

essie's Status Symbol

essie's Fishnet Stockings

And one other OPI hot bold pink color that I actually purchased from the salon after getting it painted on my toes - the sticker had been ripped off though, so I don't know the name of it and can't find it anywhere else!

The colors look a tad different in these pictures than they actually look painted on, so I took the liberty of painting one nail each to show you :)

On my pinky finger is the color that I can't seem to find anywhere else! My ring finger is essie's Fishnet Stockings (clearly a more bold red than in the official photo!), my middle finger is essie's Status Symbol, and my pointer finger is OPI's Isn't that Precious?


Now, for my toes! I've noticed that purples and blues are starting to be a big color to get - and I admit, I was hesitant at first. I thought I was too old to pull a funky color like those off. But, recently at a spa day, I became ballsy, and chose this purple:

O.P.I.'s Rumples Wiggin'

And here it is on my toes! :)



Love the summer time, and love all the fun colors I get to paint my nails that match my bright colored bikinis :)

xoxo

Yay!!

Well, its official. I got a job in Phoenix! So I'm still headed to Arizona, but to a city that I have family in, and that has an airport for me to frequently visit home!! Yuma wouldn't have been the worst place in the world to live, and when I thought about JUST TEACHING there, I was okay with it. But when I thought about the big picture: moving there, living there, working there, spending every day there, shopping there, having free time there, etc...I would get this really sad, sick feeling in my stomach. I prayed so hard for God to give me a sign that I could go elsewhere for my career, and God provided.

I will be teaching 8th grade social studies at a school district in central phoenix. And I must say, I have never been more excited. There's something about knowing you will have your own classroom - for a whole year. Something about knowing you will have your own students - not students you share during student teaching, or just simply sub for. Something about knowing the job will provide more opportunities for you to grow in the education industry. Something that makes me excited :)

As soon as something is set in stone, I am in GO mode. I have already gotten a good chunk of packing done (classroom supplies/decoration, clothes I won't need the next few weeks in IL, shoes, purses, books, dvds, picture frames, kitchen utensils...) and I feel I need to stop now. I won't be able to stop, but I should. I could probably be packed within a few days, but I still have a few weeks here. And although I'm excited, I'm not in ANY rush to leave. I just know when I have a list of things to get done, I feel like I need to get them done pronto.

Phoenix is going to be a new chapter. New beginnings. New people. New adventures. New memories.

I have a lot to say "goodbye" here too - although I don't mean any of the goodbyes to be permanent AT ALL! But they are temporary goodbyes. And goodbyes are hard. But when I told my loved ones that I got the job in Phoenix, and won't be going to Yuma, I could feel the love in the air. I knew they were happy for me - parents, brother, aunts/uncles, cousins, friends, coworkers. That was the sign I needed. I am so thankful for that sign. It puts these mixture of emotions at ease.

I already have a friend planning to come visit me as soon as I get settled, and my mom is coming down a week before Thanksgiving, just a few days before my dad and brother - to have some girls time.

Beyond thrilled for this opportunity in my life. Can't wait to share a ton of stories from The Grand Canyon State!!!

xoxo

Giving Back

I don't know about you, but I claim that I became an adult when I started watching the news and actually caring about what they were saying. This happened shortly towards the end of college, and although I didn't understand what entirely was going on in our world, I knew it wasn't good.

As the years have gone by, I've made sure to do a little extra homework on issues I am unfamiliar with. Doing that extra homework has led me to find some awesome charities and foundations that help those in need.

I love doing hands-on work, and seeing first hand that I am giving back to others. I truly believe that life is not lived unless you have served. But there are some things in life that are just too big to tackle hands on from my little home in the United States. So, I've decided to commit myself to 4 charities. I may not be able to give a lot on a yearly basis, but something is better than nothing. And if not me, then who?

Here are the 4 charities/foundations that I am now giving to. Please click on the links if you feel inclined to do so, and learn about the amazing work each one is doing and how to donate:

1. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Interesting facts about St. Jude's Hospital and Research

Why I chose to donate to St. Jude:
St. Jude never turns down a patient, even if the family cannot pay. I have lost both of my grandfathers to cancer, and have seen first-hand the toll it takes on a persons life. However, both of my grandfathers had long, happy lives. It saddens me to see children as young as infants suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

2. The Gary Sinise Foundation

List of veterans charities that the Gary Sinise Foundation supports

Why I chose to donate to Gary Sinise Foundation:There are so many foundations and charities out there to help U.S. veterans, that it was hard to choose just one. I had given some money to random charities here and there, but couldn't fully commit to one because I would soon find another one to donate to! Then I saw Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan from Forest Gump!) on TV talking about his foundation, and it honestly just made it simple for me to choose. His foundation distributes the charity they recieve to A LOT of other charities out there. Click on the link above for the list. I know my money is going to at least one of them, and I'm proud to say that I helped one, if not more. So incredibly thankful for our troops, past and present, and all they have done for our amazing country :)

3. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Why I chose to donate to ASPCA:I was a little hesitant about deciding on an animal charity to give to, but I feel I made the right choice after doing some research. I thought about donating to PETA, but some of their stances are quite radical (such as ALL domesticated pets should be spayed and neutered) ... just some weird stances. And although I respect what their main goal is, I just felt better about supporting ASPCA. The goal - no matter what - is to prevent animal cruelty. The love for animals is abundant, and I knew that since I can't afford a pet right now, I needed to give back somehow.

4. The A21 Campaign

Why I chose to donate to the A21 Campaign:After reading an article on cnn.com about human sex-trafficking in Greece, I was appalled. Human trafficking is the second largest global organized crime today, generating vicitims in the millions on a yearly basis world-wide. In Greece, prostitution is legal, so it makes it very hard to convict people on sex-trafficking, especially because Greece does not enforce immigration laws. It is extremely easy to smuggle (mostly) girls into Greece, to be a part of a sexual exploitation ring. An estimated 800,000 people a year are smuggled over the Greece border. People are being smuggled in from all over the world, but mostly southern and eastern Europe (ever see Taken??? The movie is sadly a true depiction of what is going on today). This charity really struck a chord with me. I live in a safe area. Safe home. Family to care for me. My own bed. My own choices. Food whenever I want it. Safe travels. Girls are being promised a good career in a new country, or just simply visiting a new place when they are kidnapped and forced into sex-trafficking. Immediately after researching this topic and charity, I knew in my heart that I had to give, and pray.



A quote from probably the most charitable person to ever live in our life-time:
Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.
     -Mother Teresa


My money is not enough. But it is a start. Which is why I needed to blog this as well. Hopefully you find it within yourself to give back to a cause that is worth helping. We all may not be able to give everything we have, but we can give something.

Think about it :)






On a lighter note, I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! So blessed to be an American, so proud of our fore-fathers that fought endlessly and bravely to stand up for what was right and inherent in each human being: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

xoxo

Scenarios

I could be sad that it's taking me moving out of state to make extra time in my life for family and friends, but instead I'm just going to be so grateful that I AM spending all this time with my loved ones. I no longer am saying "no" to going out because I'm too exhausted from work or have a billion things to grade. I no longer am leaving somewhere early to get to bed because I have to be up at 5am for summer school. Rather, I'm staying for that extra drink, the extra laughs, and the extra time with my bestie!

Wednesday I headed out to Elwood to lay out, bbq and catch up with my wonderful and oldest bestie, Emilee. Sure, it was a school night. But I stayed out past 10 (scandalous), finished up that last margarita, and just sat around to talk and laugh. Such a great night.

Last night...well, last night was different. Emilee and her hubby, Artie, had a friend Dave and myself come over for a delish dinner, and just the right amount of insanity with drinking games. Circle of Death, Asshole, Tourettes, and...Scenarios!!!

Scenarios is where you all write down some crazy, off-the-wall scenarios, and then someone calls it out one at a time. The people have to pose as to how they would react in that scenario, and then you snap a picture! Artie took the pictures, and Dave sat back and laughed at mine and Emilee's ridiculous-ness. Proof:

Don't ask me what the scenarios are, because I can't remember! So. Much. Laughing.

Love my friends :)

xoxo

Honest Thinking...

I know this is 2 posts in one day, but I was feeling a little lost/bored and just started typing.

I got through about ... oh, I'll estimate ... 7 ginormous paragraphs. And I started thinking to myself: "This is too much. You can't post this. Everyone will think you have serious ADHD. There's too many thoughts going on here about moving, saddness, family, fear, blah blah blah...it just doesn't make sense. If I can't even write an effing blog about this, how am I actually supposed to DO all this when move time comes???"

And then I got this:

Text from 40404 (twitter): "@ShrineofStJude: God expects a lot of us, but He never expects that we do it alone."

Fear subsided. Somewhat. I'm only human. But I know I'll be okay. Sometimes I think that moving might be a huge mistake. And other times I think that this really is the path I'm meant to go down. No matter which one I am thinking every other day, I always get the anxiety in me that I'm doing this alone. Thanks to twitter (and St. Jude), I've been kindly reminded that I'm not doing it alone, nor will I ever have to.

xoxo

I love Tom

Yes, I said it. I love Tom. I'm finally admitting to my love affair. He is one of the greatest things that has happened to me lately. It's been a while since I've said "I love you" to a guy, but I knew that with Tom, it was love at first sight...or rather, love at first comfort.

Oh yeah, I'm talking about TOMS shoes. But you already knew that, right? ;)

I am obsessed with my new TOMS shoes. They are unbelievably comfy. I have them in black (as shown above), but need to get another color! AND not to forget, when you buy a pair of TOMS shoes, TOMS sends a pair of shoes to a child in need in a poverty-stricken country. So next time you need a good pair of comfy shoes, think about TOMS. Click the link to check out their website :)

Parent's Day

This past mother's day, I was in Colorado surprising my cousin for her graduation, and my brother was down at school studying for his last set of undergrad finals. So we really didn't get to properly celebrate with the family. With all four of us having full-time jobs now (well, Zach doesn't start his until tomorrow, but ever since he graduated, he's been making a wonderful living out of sleeping in and playing video games) we are just incredibly busy. Zach and I decided to plan a dual father's day/mother's day on father's day ... a.k.a. Parent's Day!

Now, both sides of my family - all of my great grandparents - haved lived in Chicago since before the 1920's. Chicago has been my family's home for over 100 years. How cool is it to be able to say that??? Although we are suburbanites, the city really is a place we call home. HOWEVER...that does not stop us from loving to do tourist-y things any chance we get!!

Chicago is abundantly filled with history, new things to do, crazy people to watch, awesome sports teams (minus the cubbies), some of the best restaurants in the country, and so many memories to be made. This "parent's day," we wanted to do something we've never done before. And something we'd probably only want to do once! So we decided to take...

...a segway tour!!!

So much fun! Definitely something I'm only going to do that once, but it was totally worth it to say I've done it. Zipping down the lake front, taking it all in - the scenery, the wind, the sun (thank you, rain, for holding off), driving in circles around each other, having people stare and point at you like you're nuts and not care about it because you'll never see them again...Best. Fathers. And. Mothers. Day. Ever.

Okay, so we're major dorks. I don't care one bit, because I couldn't help but think as I was watching other people around: we are a blessed family. There were families out that were fighting and bickering, there were people out that I didn't even see a dad around. Or a mom. I saw a dad with his 3 kids, and they all looked miserable on our tour - the dad wasn't wearing a wedding ring, and the kids looked bored out of their minds on their phones and iPods the whole time - this made me grateful for what I had, parents still together and my brother and I happy to spend time with them. I saw a woman in about her 40's with 2 daughters, and although they didn't look miserable, they also didn't look very happy.

Seriously, how blessed can I be? My little family was doing the dorkiest thing imaginable in the city, bright colored helmets to boot, and we were having a BLAST! No fighting, no rolling of the eyes, no nasty comments to each other or wishing we were somewhere else. In fact, I accidently left my cell phone at home and it didn't even phase me. I actually haven't even checked it since I've been home for an hour. Who cares, I've had a fabulous day with the people that mean the most to me, and they're under the same roof as I am right now!

My parents have been parents for almost 24 years now. And not a day goes by that I feel lucky to have them to call "mine." My parents are still together, and still love each other immensely.

Yes, I am insanely blessed. In more ways than I can count. Tonight, before I fall asleep, I'll be making sure I don't leave a "thanks" out of my prayers for my dad and his patience, understanding and support; for my mom and her love, care, and trust. I have amazing parents that take pictures like this when I ask them to:

Happy Father's Day to all pops out there, and Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the mamacitas :)

xoxo

Oh, the places you'll go...

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I have my reasons. They're legit. I promise.  You see, I usually try to only post about either happy/exciting/new things, or real/adult/honest/appropriate things. The internet can be scary; I don't ever want to post something for everyone to see, just to make myself look like a total idiot. Who wants that kind of shame on themselves anyways??! Not me. But, the time has come for me to admit something: the reason I haven't posted in a while is because I really have been feeling like a total moron.

Today was a rough day. A lot of this past month has been filled with really rough days. On April 29, I had a skype interview with a middle school in Arizona. The interview went great, and at the very end, the principal and 2 vice principals hesitated, looked at each other and said "Jaclyn, we've never done this before, but we were so impressed with your interview, we would like to just go ahead and offer you the job right now. Would you accept?" ...

Stupid Jaclyn. Oh, stupid, stupid Jaclyn. Lesson #1 when offered a job: ask for a few days to consider it. Stupid me just blurts out "Of course! ... I feel honored that you would ask me so quickly, thank you for the opportunity, blah blah *more stupidness spurting out of my big fat mouth*"

A series of things started going through my head: what did I just do? I mean, this is great. I get an offer at the end of the interview because they just really liked me. A school actually WANTS me to teach their students! I'll finally get to teach and have my own classroom! But, it's in Arizona, away from family, about 20 miles from the Mexican border. It's a title 1 school. I've never been in a title 1 school before. It's middle school, not high school - which is my preference. I'd be uprooting my life here and starting over in a place that I don't know ANYbody. What if I hate it? What if something bad happens to me and my family can't get to me in time (or vice versa)? Where am I going to live? etc, etc, etc...

My mind was spinning so fast, thank God my mom was almost home from work because I broke down crying with a plethora of emotions. Yes, my word of the week is "plethora"!

And really, that's how my life has been since April 29. I've made the trip out to Arizona for a weekend with my mom to look at apartments, visit the school and meet the administrators and other teachers, and stake out the town. Can I envision myself living there for a year to get some experience teaching? Yes. Can I envision myself living there for the rest of my life? No. Am I excited for the opportunity God has given me, which I've been praying so hard for since graduating college? Yes. Am I terrified to leave my family, friends, and live in a place totally out of my comfort zone? Totally.

Every day has been different for me. One day I'm excited to have a teaching job. The next day I'm miserable that I'm leaving my family. Then the next day I'm excited for my super cute apartment that will be all my own! THEN 24 hours later, I'm bawling my eyes out about leaving Lincoln-Way and the life I've known and grew comfortable in.

No doubt, this is the hardest decision I've ever made in my life. And here's where my feeling of being a "moron" comes into play. When I confide in people about this, I usually get one of two answers/reactions:

1. Congratulations! You got a job, that's so exciting! I'm happy for you!
or
2. Yuma? Don't go there. Don't leave. Keep trying to find a job here in Illinois.

If only those two felt so simple. I wish I were one of those people that could see the answer staring me straight in the face. I wish I could just make my decision and stick with it and be happy (no matter what the decision is). But I can't. Instead, I'm a moron that's been making this "change" the biggest emotional rollercoaster ride I've ever been on. I wish I was simple. I really do.

I'm still applying to a few schools in the south suburbs. And a few in Phoenix and Denver. But after applying to over 350 schools (thank you, k12jobspot.com and your amazingly fast re-uploader for applications) nation-wide, I'm just worn out. I have an offer, it's not ideal, but it's a job. I'm going to be super emotional and weird about this whole thing until I'm actually down there, and I need to accept that. I can't let this keep me down, keep me from going out, keep me from enjoying my time here in Frankfort with my family and friends because I'm just too bummed to do anything, and because I'm terrified of goodbyes.

So, here I go. Negative/weird/awkward/stupid post out of the way. That's whats been going on in my life lately, and I just need to be honest about it and not shy away from sharing it with others. I am scared. Terrified.

However, my final thought on it all, which trumps all other thoughts: I have always wanted to go on adventures, and explore life to the fullest...so, if this is where life is taking me, then I will buck up and be excited for Yuma, and all the other places I'll go.

Plus, I think I could very easily get used to that warm Arizona sun and having an ultimate tan year-round ;)


xoxo





p.s. I promise some fun posts will be coming soon!

A Graduate is Moving Forward!

Following my brother's college graduation yesterday, I got to thinking about moving forward.

There were times in life where I've felt "stuck" (i.e. read some very recent blog entries. ha!), and there were a few times here or there where I actually went backwards a bit. But today, it really hit me as to how far foward I've moved.  I've made big mistakes, I've hurt people I never intended to, I've made decisions that led to negativity, I've been selfish and not took others viewpoints into account, I've been stuck in a moment and refused to accept that things must change, I've been hurt badly and had my heart broken...yes, I could go on with all the things that took me back a few steps in life. But I've learned. Oh, how I've learned.

It's crazy how this obstacle course of my life has gone so far. Yet, here I am. I was blessed with a job out of college, I am blessed with a wonderfully supportive family, I am blessed with friends that stick by my side no matter what, I am blessed with a place to call home; I am truly blessed.

Somehow, when I took a few steps back in life, I would follow it with even more steps forward.
Somehow, I became a person of strength, endurance and perseverance.
Somehow, things are exactly where they're supposed to be in life, and yet I know things are still going to get even better in the future.

I know my brother has big things in store for him, and I know he's also had a rocky road to get to where he is now. I hope that he continues to move forward, and always remembers his humble beginnings.

Congrats, Zach!

xoxo

A Surprise Colorado Weekend

If there's one thing you need to know about my cousin Brook: she is BLUNT. Straight-up, forward, says it like it is, over the top, blunt. And I love her for it. As open and honest as she is though, she can definitely keep a secret! She has surprised me twice - flying in for my 8th grade and high school graduation! Both times I was so sure that it would just be my parents, brother and myself. But low and behold, Aunt Diane and Brook flew in and gave me the greatest graduation present I could ask for: them!

Now, Brook is the same age as my brother, so it's always been difficult to get out for her graduations...until college. Brook's and my brother's graduations are a week apart this year, so I KNEW I had to pull a "Brook" (and an "Aunt Diane") and surprise Brookie for her graduation from CU Boulder! I somehow managed to pull it off...

(Although she is taller than me, she's wearing heels and I'm not - so no need to think she's a giant or I'm a midget)   ;)

There was a lovely dinner with the family, followed with some Boulder-style partying (which we only took the following picture, sadly)

And then of course, there was plenty of soaking up time with this little guy:

He just melts my heart!!

There was lots of laughter, good food, great talks, girl time, hugs, and celebrating. I adore my Colorado family, especially my brutally honest and loud cousin, Brookie. I'm so happy I was able to surprise her! She makes me laugh, and I know I can talk to her about anything without judgement. I'm so proud of you, Brookie, for graduating and finishing this big step in your life! Congrats!

Hopefully, I'll get to see the Colorado Olivieri/Mencini/Johnston/Ribrody family again soon!

Love you guys :)

xoxo

Something Beautiful

All this "spring cleaning" and getting rid of the clutter within my "rut" lately, I've been so focused on the JUNK of it all. What kind of crap am I going to find that I just need to get rid of? What should I donate because I just don't love it anymore? Is this messiness ever going to end?!

I forgot to stop and think about all the really special things I just might find. Things that got tucked away for me to look at later, but I never found the time. Things that I stored away because I cherished it and life, sadly, somehow got in the way of treasuring it due to my horrible memory and consistent need to be on the go and look for the next best thing.

Today was a day of finding some really special "things." Some things that are truly too beautiful for me to have forgotten about, and have now found a new home out in the open for me to look at everyday. Among these things are a shoebox full of all the cards that my mom, dad, and brother wrote me (birthday, graduation, and the letters from when I moved away to college, telling me how much they'll miss me and how much I mean to them. TOTALLY got teary eyed reading them!), and a little toy my Grandpa Ace made for me (he was always tinkering around after retirement, and would make his own toys from scratch. I somehow managed to keep one after all these years. So special and one of a kind.)

But the most beautiful thing I found today while cleaning out my desk and underneath my bed, is a prayer. I don't remember where I got it from, but I know I've had it at least since the 5th grade (roughly 1997-1998).

"Lord, I want to love you, yet I'm not sure how.
I want to trust you, yet I'm afraid of being taken in.
I know I need you, yet I'm ashamed of the need.
I want to pray, yet I'm afraid of being a hypocrite.
I need my independence, yet I fear to be alone.
I want to belong, yet I must be myself.
Take me, Lord, yet leave me alone.

O Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.
O Lord, if you are there, you do understand, don't you?
Help me work it out in my own way, but don't let me go.
Let me understand myself, but don't despair.

Come unto me, O Lord, I want you there.
Lighten my darkness, but don't dazzle me.
Help me to see what I need to do, and give me the strength to do it.
O Lord, I believe; help thou unbelief."

There is no author or credit to this prayer, in fact, it was typed on computer paper. Simple white paper and black ink. A little worn and torn around the edges, and yet the words are brand new to me, just as they were over 14 years ago when I first recieved it (still trying to remember from who or where...hmm)

But isn't that prayer so true of us? I especially feel it is true of my own life lately: praying everyday for a job next year, but determined to do it on my own; knowing I need to trust God, but keeping my walls up for fear of being disappointed; feeling in my heart that God is really there, yet questioning the existence of the enormity of it all. The honesty of the prayer just spoke to me.

Feeling so overwhelmed lately, so stressed and anxious about my future career, while still dealing with my current job...I've forgotten about the truly beautiful things in life. And the most beautiful of them all: my delicate relationship with the big-guy.

Yes, something beautiful was found today. But it wasn't just the prayer :)

xoxo

Getting out of the rut!

I've been feeling like I'm in a rut lately. A major "I-need-a-change-but-have-no-time-for-ANYthing" kind of rut. And it has been eating away at me for months! Basically since track season started in January. Don't get me wrong, I love coaching track. It's amazing to see students grow and develop outside of the classroom setting, to get to know them and their interests, and to really see them excel at something they love athletically. But any coach can tell you: it's hard work. And any track coach can tell you: it's a freaking LONG season!!! January-March, I was go-go-go: wake up, rush to get ready, work, track practice, work out, dinner, shower, sleep...do it all over again. Weekends somehow did not allow much down-time either. But those first few days of April, when the Chicago-land area saw a few amazing days of sunshine and 70 degree weather, it got me in the mood to break my rut and get myself ready for summer-time and the relaxation of not stressing over work or coaching.

So lately I've been making some time within my crazy schedule to make some small changes here or there in my home and life, to break up this RUT! Some changes/additions as of lately:

Buying some spring- and summer-inspired outfits:

Floral skirt from Ann Taylor LOFT, found here

Silk pleated tank top from Banana Republic, found here

Striped nautical dress from J.Crew, found here

Nothing says "summah time!" to me more than pastel colors and the nautical theme!

Cleaning and organizing messy areas in my house:

The closet floor I haven't seen since last summer, and 3 large garbage bags of clothes lighter after donations! I can now actually find the matches to shoes in the morning, and all my purses are stacked and lined up so nicely instead of thrown up top in a big pile of sloppiness!

Bathroom linen closet - the last time I saw empty shelf space was when we moved in 10 years ago...yikes! I'm still shocked at how much hair product and lotion I have. Please nobody buy me lotion or a gift card to Ulta again for a LONG time!! ;)

These are just a few things I've been able to accomplish, or made time to actually go up to the mall (rather than online shop from the couch) to buy. Next thing on my list: organize the obnoxiously disorganized desk in my room, and go get a massage!!

Hoping everyone out there is finding time to prevent themselves from getting stuck in a rut!! :)

xoxo