It has been close to a month since I have written and I feel like a lot has changed in that month. There have been some ups and downs, a few constants, and few new things.
School kept me very busy. After winter break, I was back for a day and then went to a conference, which was packed with good information. Then we had a week before midterm exams. Exam week itself was super productive for me, but just reminded me how frustrating the "two school" situation can be. Having two different grading policies to keep track of and just making sure everything was getting done right at both schools was a little more stressful than I would have liked. This week trying to get grades finished and staying on top of normal planning and teaching I somehow couldn't keep it all together and brought some stuff to the wrong school, or left things at school that needed to come home. It was a bit of a mess and I ended up quite frustrated with myself. Usually I'm much more organized and better about things. Luckily I had planned about a week ahead in lessons during midterm week, so I did have a decent amount done ahead of time and I wasn't working super late all week.
I finally found a dentist and doctor to go to in town. Not that its a huge deal, but given that I've been here about 6 months, it felt like the next step in getting more settled and in making Virginia more of my home.
Towards the beginning of the month I decided to try online dating. It was kind of on a whim and I really wasn't sure what to expect. In all honesty I was kind of terrified of the whole idea of meeting people I had only seen a picture of and possibly talked to a few times online. I had heard good things from a couple friends so I figured it couldn't hurt to try, if nothing else I would meet a few people and talk to them and maybe find some new places in the area to check out. I ended up talking to a handful of guys online, just through messages, and eventually met a couple in person. Talk about being nervous!! It has been a great learning process for me, that is for sure!
I can honestly say that I have met someone who I really enjoy spending time with and who makes me incredibly happy! We've been going out regularly for 2 weeks now and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything! He's a great guy and has been able to figure out how to make me smile, get me to talk and feel comfortable opening up about life, and can make me laugh very easily. I feel very lucky to have met him and I'm excited to see what the future holds.
As for the funny weather, well the snow itself isn't funny, it is winter after all. But the fact that we have gotten a 2 hour delay and a 1 hour early release due to what totaled 2 inches of snow just makes me laugh! I'm used to feet of snow during the winter so only getting a dusting is kind of sad for me. I mean don't get me wrong, it makes traveling a lot easier and it has been nice to see it the past few days, but it is hilarious to get out of school due to a dusting! Don't get me wrong, I'll take it!
I'm hoping that the next week at school will go smoothly and that I can get myself back on track with planning and grading. Maybe we'll be lucky and get a full snow day (hey a girl can hope)!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
What a Year!!
As I look back on this year I can't believe how much has happened. I have used this blog, and for a while a daily journal to keep track of the big events of life, and for that I'm grateful. This whole year has been full of changes, and a lot of learning experiences, none of which I would change.
Just under a year ago, at the start of 2012, I switched jobs, still working 3 at the same time, but I made a drastic change which was emotional but saved my sanity and in a lot of ways made me a stronger person. I spent the first half of 2012 working those 3 jobs, still regularly feelings stressed, lets face it 50-60 hours of work a week plus taking one grad class will do that. Somehow I managed to balance it, and looking back I'm really not sure how I did it. I lived like that for almost 2 full years but for some reason the beginning of this year (the last 6 months of that lifestyle) were the hardest. I remember telling friends in February/March that if I didn't have a "real" teaching job in the next school year I was going to have to find something different to do because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep living like that. Luckily everything worked out for the best.
I moved to Virginia!! How crazy is that?! When I look back on how the whole process happened, and how quickly I found out and had to make plans to move I'm still shocked it all worked out. I remember being scared, and totally unsure of what to expect. I didn't really think I could move to a completely different state and live on my own, not to mention teach high school math! Needless to say I was doubtful. I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade it for the world! I'm truly happy here, with the friends I've made, with the job I have, and with where I am living.
I learned the value of spending time and being in contact with people (in person and on the phone/internet in long distance instances). When I was in Rochester still I struggled with the social group I was in. I never quite felt like I fit in. Partly because I didn't have a lot of time to invest into the group and the activities, but also because we were all in different stages of life and I just didn't feel like I was in the right place. During the beginning of the year I learned what quality time meant. Seeking out people that are uplifting, positive, and loving has kept me going. After I moved to Virginia I felt truly alone. It was a terrifying but also wonderful experience. I slowly learned how to rely on myself, and how to truly trust those few people in my life that I've come to rely on for support. And I was lucky enough to meet some great people here. I feel as if I do fit in, at least more so, here. I still try to make time to stay in touch with those that matter to me that are far away, but it is harder than I'd like to admit.
I learned how important family is. Since my parents moved to NJ, I had been living at home in Rochester where I grew up without them, which was just strange. And then I moved and my parents made that process so much easier. I couldn't have done it without them! Now that I'm in Virginia I'm even closer to them, which is nice, plus one set of grandparents are close as well. It has been really good to consistently see family for holidays and be close.
I was reminded how important staying organized and planned is! Working at two different schools and being at a different place each day just means I really need to know what is coming up each day. I joke that I haven't gone to the wrong school yet, but that's only because I have multiple calendars highlighted and I have to consciously think about where to go before I leave my house each day.
Health wise I've had my ups and downs this year. I thought my headaches were more under control but the past few months have been a little worse than the beginning of the year. I'm hoping that in the next few months I can find a new doctor and regain some control. I know that the likelihood of this is slim, but I'm willing to try, or at least have a little bit of hope that it might get better eventually. Although 7 1/2 years proves otherwise. My vitamin b12 level had been giving me some trouble too. I think that is finally under control and back to where it should be, but for a while it way too low which meant that I was significantly more fatigued than I should be. It hasn't been the worst year by any means, and things are definitely looking up. Hopefully this year will continue to get easier, or at least less painful.
The past week and a half have been really good. Spending time at my parents place for Christmas was nice. Being with family was good, but then just having a few days to relax was amazing! Break seemed to fly by. Not quite sure I'm ready to get back to school, but it'll be nice to have a routine again.
I'm looking forward to seeing what this year holds. The changes from this year have been great and I think that this coming year is going to be pretty good as well!
Just under a year ago, at the start of 2012, I switched jobs, still working 3 at the same time, but I made a drastic change which was emotional but saved my sanity and in a lot of ways made me a stronger person. I spent the first half of 2012 working those 3 jobs, still regularly feelings stressed, lets face it 50-60 hours of work a week plus taking one grad class will do that. Somehow I managed to balance it, and looking back I'm really not sure how I did it. I lived like that for almost 2 full years but for some reason the beginning of this year (the last 6 months of that lifestyle) were the hardest. I remember telling friends in February/March that if I didn't have a "real" teaching job in the next school year I was going to have to find something different to do because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep living like that. Luckily everything worked out for the best.
I moved to Virginia!! How crazy is that?! When I look back on how the whole process happened, and how quickly I found out and had to make plans to move I'm still shocked it all worked out. I remember being scared, and totally unsure of what to expect. I didn't really think I could move to a completely different state and live on my own, not to mention teach high school math! Needless to say I was doubtful. I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade it for the world! I'm truly happy here, with the friends I've made, with the job I have, and with where I am living.
I learned the value of spending time and being in contact with people (in person and on the phone/internet in long distance instances). When I was in Rochester still I struggled with the social group I was in. I never quite felt like I fit in. Partly because I didn't have a lot of time to invest into the group and the activities, but also because we were all in different stages of life and I just didn't feel like I was in the right place. During the beginning of the year I learned what quality time meant. Seeking out people that are uplifting, positive, and loving has kept me going. After I moved to Virginia I felt truly alone. It was a terrifying but also wonderful experience. I slowly learned how to rely on myself, and how to truly trust those few people in my life that I've come to rely on for support. And I was lucky enough to meet some great people here. I feel as if I do fit in, at least more so, here. I still try to make time to stay in touch with those that matter to me that are far away, but it is harder than I'd like to admit.
I learned how important family is. Since my parents moved to NJ, I had been living at home in Rochester where I grew up without them, which was just strange. And then I moved and my parents made that process so much easier. I couldn't have done it without them! Now that I'm in Virginia I'm even closer to them, which is nice, plus one set of grandparents are close as well. It has been really good to consistently see family for holidays and be close.
I was reminded how important staying organized and planned is! Working at two different schools and being at a different place each day just means I really need to know what is coming up each day. I joke that I haven't gone to the wrong school yet, but that's only because I have multiple calendars highlighted and I have to consciously think about where to go before I leave my house each day.
Health wise I've had my ups and downs this year. I thought my headaches were more under control but the past few months have been a little worse than the beginning of the year. I'm hoping that in the next few months I can find a new doctor and regain some control. I know that the likelihood of this is slim, but I'm willing to try, or at least have a little bit of hope that it might get better eventually. Although 7 1/2 years proves otherwise. My vitamin b12 level had been giving me some trouble too. I think that is finally under control and back to where it should be, but for a while it way too low which meant that I was significantly more fatigued than I should be. It hasn't been the worst year by any means, and things are definitely looking up. Hopefully this year will continue to get easier, or at least less painful.
The past week and a half have been really good. Spending time at my parents place for Christmas was nice. Being with family was good, but then just having a few days to relax was amazing! Break seemed to fly by. Not quite sure I'm ready to get back to school, but it'll be nice to have a routine again.
I'm looking forward to seeing what this year holds. The changes from this year have been great and I think that this coming year is going to be pretty good as well!
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