best pieces of advice of the year

The top 3 lessons/pieces of advice given to me this year:

1. "hang in there. it'll all be okay. take it a little less seriously than you think you should and you will still be taking it seriously enough and you will be much happier as a result. there are just more winners that way. work hard. do your best. realize that there is a limit to this. then make time for friends. drink with them. it seems simple but its actually quite comprehensive and you'll know you're there when you find yourself caring and working fiercely for your kids and as you are doing so, not forgetting to do the same for yourself. and finally, it's never your fault except for when it is, so stop feeling guilty." -- because of this, i took part of my life back

2. "embrace your city" -- simple, but transformational

3. "men aren't worth anything till they're thirty" -- from a friends' step father, it brought us much laughter

yearonedone.

This time last year I moved to Philly to begin my journey as a first year corp member. I was a bright eyed post undergrad idealist, excited about joining this movement.

Nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. I taught kindergarten kiddos for six weeks and began my teaching career teaching 3rd and 4th grade sped students. I was then moved to teach middle school sped math, high school sped biology and then to a collapsed self-contained class of middle schoolers. This year seemed unbearable at times and I most definitely could not see the end of the tunnel, but we made it, and I have never felt more accomplished.

In the past year I have learned to drive, teach and be a grad "student". I began my love affair with coffee and power naps. I've cried more times this year than I'd like to remember. I was hit in the face by issues revolving around poverty, race and class and have fallen in love with kids that have experienced life far beyond their years. I have met the most incredible, compassionate and intelligent people- I've been inspired.

purple monday

I have never been good with time and I cannot construct realistic time frames for any facet of my life. As a result- this past week felt like the longest week of my life. Up until this point in my life I would have already been enjoying my summer. FINALLY, finally, I have reached my LAST full instructional week of my first year of teaching.

{one iep, one behavior plan, one final, one sixteen page paper and seven more days of teaching}

{currently living for wednesday sips}

{clearly we're serious about purple monday}

Oh hey Colbie !

Colbie Caillat and Gavin Degraw stopped in Philly and sissy wanted to go so it was a must! I even bought Cecile a ticket as an early birthday present. It was such a cozy intimate affair at an outdoor stage and despite the RAINSTORM we jammed all night and were pleasantly surprised

that ANDY GRAMMER made an appearance singing "Lucky" with Colbie (: .

The past two days in photos:

colbie-gavin-rain and more rain-dancing in the rain

at a picnic

(my grandparents are the cutest!)

Project Life

May 6 - May 12

May 13 - May 19

May 20 - May 26

Celebrating Summer (with shoes)

I have a problem. In the past one and a half months I have acquired six new pairs of shoes. There is something so exciting about the changing of seasons, especially the transition into summer. While I have to say that I don't particularly care for the summer season (the humidity makes my hair frizz and I develop what looks like horns right by my forehead), it is the only season where sandals can be worn appropriately ALL day, even in the evening. So, I am justifying today's shoe purchase as a celebration of summer.

1206 Harrison in Philly

05.17.12 - 06.19.12

Mary and Cecile (and Michael) came to visit (: I am still recovering from the weight gain acquired as a result of the prolonged drinking and food consumption at Rittenhouse Spring Festival.