Some days are easier than others. Get up, get ready, go to work, make every stoplight, arrive to work early, etc... And then there are the days that begin a little differently; Oversleep, get stuck between two cars, miss every stoplight, get stuck behind a stalled vehicle, arrive to work late, and immediately get bombarded with a gigantic heap of things to do.

Sometimes we do it to ourselves, leaving the bulk of the work for later, and then when later comes, we don't know where it all came from. Sometimes it is mere coincidence, or just a simple twist of fate. Either way, I'm positive at one point or another I have complained about these 'not-to-perfect circumstances more than necessary.

Today I heard some rather unsettling news. It doesn't really matter at the moment what that news is, an its not directly related to me, but unsettling nonetheless. It made me realize that things happen out of your control. The little pieces of each day should be enjoyed, because at least we know that day was ours.

Lessons Learned

"He who never made a mistake, never made a discovery." -Samuel Smiles

As a teacher, I usually find that I am the one teaching the lessons. Its time for me to put down chalk (ok, white board marker) and get schooled.

When I was a kid, my family used to visit this strip mall. As we would pass the different storefronts I would find myself looking inside, until we reached my favorite locale, the beauty shop. This shop was like nothing I'd ever seen, mostly because my mom cut my hair for the majority of my younger years. But that wasn't the best part about this place. They pierced ears.

Now that doesn't sound like anything special, but to the little girlie girl that I was, this was fantastic. Every time we passed this shop, I would simply state a phrase similar to this, "Let's go get my ears pierced!" and much to my 5 year old dismay, the response was always a sharp "no!" That was until my 6th birthday. Same mall, same me, same parents. As my dad and I walk past this store I simply utter, "Can I get my ears pierces?" to which I was certain the answer would be that finite "No," but this time I was met with a cheerful "ok!"

I was shocked. How could my loving parents even imagine poking holes in my precious ears! Immediately I regretted this decision! What were they thinking? Do they not know I'm only 6?!! My poor father then found himself dragging me into this store kicking and screaming. literally.

Well, I did get my ears pierced, and ten years later I found myself with a second hole in both ears. Was it a mistake? I'd like to think not. Did I regret it? No. It was a learning experience for me. Make sure you want something before you ask for it.

Looking back at this experience I realize that little anecdote from my childhood isn't necessarily the most meaningful example of lessons learned, or new discoveries, and it may not have been a mistake, but I definitely discovered something about myself that day. It would have been easy to chicken out, refuse to dare, but if you want something, go get it. (something I'm still not the greatest at today)

I continue to learn from events in my life and mistakes are one of the best ways to do that. When met with a new situation it is difficult to know how to react (I try not to include the kicking and screaming anymore). I hope that people don't hold my mistakes against me, as I try to do the same. Life holds so many discoveries that we need to make. Think about what you have learned from your life experiences and tell me they didn't make you who you are today.

Some days you're the windshield, others you"re the bug....

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so many things happen that are beyond my comprehension. i may have my little fits and feel like the world is over, but somehow these things seem to put things in perspective. i have never been through something like ______. But then i realize that traumatic events are so personal. Not in the i can't tell you because its private way, but in how life experience shapes every part of your being. We all have to deal with obstacles in life, what I'm trying to learn is how that shapes us all as people. I should have become an anthropologist or sociologist. humph. I guess its all a part of the teaching profession.

At what age are we expected to deal with the hand of cards we have been dealt?

A sad thing happened when I was looking through pictures on my digital camera... I realized I took practically ZERO photos over winter break! No fun events with family, no hanging out with friends; I guess I'll just have to steal them from people who did take them. I guess that is my not so subtle intro to talking about events that happened over my Christmas Break.

I would have to say the trip overall was very fulfilling. I was able to visit with friends and family, as well as go to some really exciting events. Of course there is NEVER enough time to get everything accomplished that I hope for. Minnesota also gave me the BEST gift for Christmas: SNOW!!! Although the snowstorm put a huge damper on our family Christmas plans, it was very beautiful to see. I wish I could have gotten pictures, but I was too busy enjoying the company of my family and celebrating not only Christmas, but my dad's birthday! We were not able to travel to Montevideo to visit my extended family until later, so I spent my first ever Christmas at my childhood home. Very odd, but it was nice to have the quality time sleeping and lounging around, and basically doing nothing but rest. A teacher needs that sometimes:)

I was able to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway. It was really amazing. I never thought it'd be as well put together as it was. The musical numbers were phenomenal! My mom scored some great seats to a Timberwolves game too. It's been a while since I've been able to see a game, so that was a treat as well. I managed to squeeze in a trip to Iowa for new years to visit my old college roommates, and see Melisse's new house! We had a great time ringing in the New Year, and managed to stay warm on the long car ride there and back.We are goofballs, but thats why we make good friends:) Of course I will give Shannon the credit for the picture, since she is absent from it.

Well, there are many other things I would love to spend time writing about, life calls and I've got to finish doing work before tomorrow. So if you're reading this, I'm impressed you stuck around for the whole thing:)

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Why is it that every time there is a school break I get sick? Just enough to make me miserable, but not enough to have an excuse to get nothing done. Useless! So now I'm stuck packing and cleaning my apartment, but not really... I'd much rather be watching Remember the Titans, and eating popcorn. I guess I need to get my priorities straight.... Remember the Titans it is :)

Blogging

Every person needs to start somewhere, as far as anything goes.  Well, this is where my blogging journey begins.  Not sure how great this blog will be, but it will be a learning experience.