Birthday Love

I look forward to my birthday every year. It’s probably my favorite day of the year with the exception of maybe Christmas. It’s not really about the presents (although they certainly don’t hurt). It’s the one day per year that I can think about myself. I love spending the day reflecting on my past year and making plans for the next. This year, I had a lot to reflect on – 22 was a big year! Some highlights:

-       Student teaching

-       Graduation

-       A new boyfriend

-       London

-       New apartment

-       Joblessness

This past Tuesday (January 25) was my 23^rd birthday. I had some wonderful pampering going on all day, but I also did a lot of thinking about what I want to happen in the next year. I wont force all of the details of my brain’s twisted thinking on you, but it was a fantastic day of reflection. The essentials:

1.     I must get a full time job ASAP!

2.     I must apply for my teaching license in any state that I may want to teach in.

3.     I must remember that everyone is not perfect and that imperfections are part of what make a person unique, interesting, and loveable.

4.     I must remember to stretch in the morning when I wake up…. 23 is old!

I have to share a few birthday photos – only because of how wonderful my Nathan was all day.

Breakfast (not in bed, much too messy):

I lounged on the couch all morning reading blogs while he slaved away in the kitchen. He even watched a YouTube video on how to cut green onions (totally adorable)!

Dinner (Out, because cooking one extravagant meal in a day in plenty):

We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (compliments of a left over Christmas gift card) and had DELICIOUS margaritas. I wore my new-to-me skirt from goodwill and felt fantastic. 

There is a shelf and some art waiting to be hung on the wall above the book case...

***Side note – that banner in the background of the photo – my sister made

that for me last year with help from Katie at On the Banks of Squaw Creek. 

It did a nice job fancying up my plain wall.

3 of my girlfriends came over to enjoy the perfectly decorated cake – I had wondered what took Nathan so long in decorating! 

All Smiles for Now

I have been sooooo bored the last few weeks. After getting my apartment in order, I've done lots of scrapbooking, reading, movie watching, blog reading, and just about everything to pass the time. I'm playing the oboe again and trying to exercise with out a gym mebership. In many ways, I'm doing things that I have just not had the time to do for a long time. And during those moments, I feel REALLY good. But, after being awake for a few hours, I've finished everything I wanted to accomplish in the day and then - I'm bored!

I never thought that after 17 years of being in school, that a break would be unwelcome. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy that I don't have any homework - except job applications sure do feel like homework!

I know it will take time to find the perfect job, a full time job that I love and makes me feel like I'm making my contribution to the world. I'm under no illusion that it will be easy or fast. But, today I did have a small victory. I was offered a job as a part time after school math and reading tutor.

I start (paid!) training next week and will be working 2 to 4 days after school a week. It's not much, but it does get me out of the house and helping people. It's still teaching and even though it's not directly in my field, it's a step in the right direction!

I'm Back!

Ok, so it’s been a really long time since I last updated. I don’t even know if anyone is still reading my blog, but I think I’m going to still post once and a while.

My blog is about all the different parts of my life puzzle. I’ve recently moved to Indiana and I figure, this is a pretty big life puzzle piece being cut. I’ve moved into my own place (although frequent visits from Nathan… well.). I’ll post some photos of my attempts to make it my own home, after 9 days I’d say it’s coming along quite nicely.

I’m looking for a job and enjoying filling the time between job searching and job applications. I’ve even taken up playing the oboe again. It’s hard to play after taking this last year off, but it feels good to connect with music again (I can thank London for the push in the right direction!).

I’ll keep you posted as my puzzle fills out!

Thanks for following!