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