Book #7

Practice Perfect was lent to me by my Aunt Kim who knew that I really loved Doug Lemov's book "Teach like a Champion." I didn't like this book nearly as much as Teach. I thought that the authors were missing their mark on who they were writing for because they would use quite a few examples about teaching but switch to how you could use this in the business world. Because I am a teacher and how helpful "Teach like a Champion" was I wished there had been more direct ideas of what to do in my classroom versus flip flopping on who could use the stratgies and how. Overall, I loved his first book because it was written with teachers in mind but this one fell flat for me.

Book 6 out of 50 :)

I had bought this book last year after reading "Why is God Laughing?" By Deepak which I really enjoyed. This book was slightly difficult to get through but has many helpful hints on reminding present and includes mantras and tips to include in your daily meditation practice. It is a book I feel I will read again when I feel I need help in remaining at peace with my present reality. If you enjoy books of a spiritual nature I would definitely encourage reading this one as well as "Why is God Laughing?"

Valentine's Day Weekend 2014

Before Valentine's Day this year we had a horrible snow storm leaving me stuck inside for a few days but thankfully the roads were clear to go out to dinner on Friday. Phil and I went out for sushi at Vine which is where we had our second date. I hadn't really liked it the first time I had been there on that date but I was also pretty nervous the whole time. The sushi this time was delicious! I loved the detail that they put into making the boat with a watermelon heart which I ate after we were done. It was a great palate cleanser! Phil and I decided to walk next door to Madhatter's bakery where I ate half of a slice of German Chocolate cake.... Delicious! 

On Saturday, Hay and I went out for dinner and a movie. We went to see August: Osage County which was amazing! I loved it. It was thoughtful, truthful, and provoking! I thought it was going to be slightly dull at first but oh I was very wrong. It had many twists and it will definitely be one that I buy in the future. Definitely a must see for movie lovers.

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's celebration!

In Love with the Bling

And so it begins my goal for this Spring...the triple crown for completing 3 half marathons in 4 months. I am completing one every month for this year but I also am working towards completing several different races to recieve this extra medal. I don't know why but I will run anything for a medal especially a special medal. I guess it must be a competition thing but I just love knowing that I will have something shiny at the end of the race even if I am in a ton of pain it will take the edge off. 

This will be the first triple crown that I will attempt. Hopefully training will go well and in a few months this medal will be posted on this blog with my smiling face. :)

Gregory Vineyards

Phil, Lukas, Lauren and I travelled to Angier yesterday to go to Gregory Vineyards where they make muscadine wines. I don't know why but I love the sound of muscadine and scuppernong... They just sound so fun to say. 

I have been here several times once with Hay and once with Phil but it never seems to disappoint. The wines are a little but sweeter because of the muscadine grape but I love sweet wines and I ended up leaving with quite a few bottles to try at home. My favorites were the love-a- Rita which is a slushie shown above and the Bald Eagle which was a dry white wine.

Angier is quite a drive from Durham but I loved the tour which talked about the differences in grape types in North Carolina and sampling the wine. Hay and I went there in the summer when the vines were blooming but unfortunately in February the vines are not as pretty. I definitely would love to go back in the summer. The vineyard and tasting rooms are beautiful. Definitely worthy a try and it is locally owned with great deals and events happening all the time.

Website: http://www.gregoryvineyards.com

Erin's Birthday Party!

Erin celebrated her birthday on Friday. You can barely see Erin in between Hay and I. Nice photobomb. Hayleigh and I ate dinner together and began watching She's All That a 2000 classic movie when Phil came to pick us up to take us bowling. Normally I rarely can do anything in a Friday night but I am so glad that I went. Erin is one of the coolest people I know... She's quite amazing! (I feel like this statement needs more exclamation points) We went to AMF bowling in Cary and glow bowled the night away. After we went to Erin and Adam's house to eat deliciously homemade carrot cake. I don't even like carrot cake but I ate almost half of Phil's piece. Erin is also one of the best cooks I have ever met. It was a great night filled with bestie time, friend time, dancing, laughs, and singing Good Riddance in the car ride home. Lovely way to kick off a weekend!

Madhatter's for Brunch

Last Saturday, Phil and I were running errands and decided to stop by Madhatter's for brunch. I have posted a few things about Madhatter's which is a wonderful locally owned restaurant which is delicious as you can tell by the photos. Phil had the french toast with strawberries and I had their huevos rancheros without the tortilla. They buy most of their food locally which I am a big fanof and you can just enjoy the tastes of wonderful fruit or veggies in every bite. The atmosphere is great in the restaurant and dining in is not always easy to find a seat but guarantees good people watching as well as art on the walls to enjoy.

Book #5: The Reason I Jump

If I never accomplish my goal of reading 50 books this year or even if I do this will be one of my favorite reasons I chose this goal. This book blew my mind. It was written by a 13 year old boy who has autism who is nonverbal. In it he details his daily struggles, his dreams, his writing skills which are translated letter by letter by a teacher. This book was worth every minute not because I work with children who have autism but because my perception of children with autism has depeened. I used to work with a nonverbal student who I always knew was brighter than people had claimed she was and this book reaffirms what happens when we place judgments or biases on people regarding their IQ score or their communication level... Sometimes we are severely mistaken.... And, I am very grateful for that. 

Definitely worth a read even if you know no one with autism it will enlighten you.

Hayleigh's 100lb Celebration!!

Last Friday quite a few ladies and Phil gathered to celebrate the awesomeness that is Hayleigh and her astounding pound loss of 100lbs! We gathered at our old home La Cocina. Hay and I used to eat there every week to this day I know exactly what she used to get. So after almost a year of no jumbo margaritas she finally got to enjoy one! The staff at the restaurant didn't even recognize her because of all the weight loss. I had a great time and ate fairly well because I am still working on weight loss efforts... :)

Hayleigh has been using weight watchers and working out regularly. She sticks to the program and tracks everything and pushes herself to strive for more every week. Truly an inspiration! I asked her last week when weight watchers was going to make her a poster for the meetings....maybe someday soon. Hayleigh and I have been friends for almost two years and I am so proud of her accomplishments. She has been an inspiration to me to look at what I am eating and to live a happier life. I am so proud of her and cannot wait to celebrate more and more of the amazing goals so has yet to accomplish. Yay!

Book #4: Catcher in the Rye

I had picked up this very old well used book a few years ago from a book sale at my parents church. I for some reason had never read Catcher in the Rye. I am thinking that it was assigned to me and I must have cliff noted it for a paper.... Not the greatest idea but I have finally read it and I am glad. This is a very well written character that I at first hated but over time noticed his better intentions and struggle through adolescence...because no one struggles through adolescence right? :) 

I noticed the other day using what I had learned from the book with working with my students and other students of the school...instead of being black and white about thinking that the students that were out if class skipping or avoiding their teachers I thought to myself what if their lives were so difficult that they just need time to talk to someone so I began to listen more and want to connect with them more and all in all I felt really good about not being so stern all the time and bringing a little but more me into my teaching. Ahhh... Lessons learned from chapter books.... The best!

13.1 Done for January

My first half marathon of the year! One of my students colored the bib for me. I am attempting to run/walk a half marathon every month of the year. I stole this idea from my friend Meredith. I had to do 3 miles on the stationary bike because I ran out of time this month with the runny/icky weather. Unfortunately the treadmills at my school are broken which makes it slightly difficult to get some of the miles done. I have realized that I am a fair weather runner.... cold/hot not so great for my motivation. Hopefully this month's half marathon which I am beginning this Saturday will be more running than walking! :)