Sunday, August 23, 2009

Spoke Too Soon

So, my last post I talked about how surprising it was for me to enjoy my job, well, I spoke too soon.  It was about a week and a half of enjoyment, and then it all changed.  It is now back to the same old crap that makes me dread getting up and going to work.  I am not going to use this time to complain....

Instead, I have a job interview tomorrow!  :) I have an interview at a Fitness Club here in Indy for the Youth Programs Director.  It is not the job that I applied for at the YMCA, but a different club.  I am excited, but nervous at the same time.  I only know teaching, so we'll see how this goes.  

Not too much to say tonight....

Will post soon,
H :)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Life's Surprises

I have been SO busy lately that I haven't had a chance to write.  Although, I want to share some of the surprises life has given me lately...

Surprise #1 = My JOB

As many of you, that either know me or read my blog, know I haven't been looking forward to the school year.  In fact, I had been dreading it so much.  Prior to the school year, I was crying every night and begging my husband to let me resign.  Well, the resigning didn't happen, but something did.  I don't know what it is, BUT as of RIGHT NOW, I am enjoying teaching immensely.  The first couple of teacher work days, I would drive into school, no radio, just praying to God that He would show me what I need to do and be with me through the difficult time.  Well, He did, I now feel like I have the zest for teaching that I  used to have.  My students are wonderful, and it helps that my 5th graders I have been working with since they were in third grade.  I have already done some really neat activities, and am looking forward to what else this year has in store for me and my teaching career.  I know that when I get down and frustrated (bound to happen) I can look back on this blog and remember how I felt at the beginning of the year; maybe it will help with my frustrations.  The other thing that might be helping is that this year I FINALLY feel like I know what I am doing ALL the time as a Resource Teacher and always am prepared.  I never before felt ahead; instead I was always playing catch-up.  I hope this feeling continues; it feels good to look forward to going to work everyday!  I love watching my kiddos learn :)

Who knows if teaching if this is what I will do forever- I still am so interested in the health and wellness field.  I just know it was I AM supposed to be doing right now.  I will continue to pray that He will give me direction.

Surprise #2 = Go Cubs, Go, Go Cubs, Go

That's right, WRIGLEY FIELD.  This past weekend Mr. Hoosier and I headed to Chicago with my mom, brother, and sister.  It was a "Back to School Surprise" from my Mom, and what a great surprise it was!  We had a wonderful family weekend.  My family came down to stay with us Friday night and we had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed each other's company.  They hadn't been here since the wedding, so I was so excited to show them the house too!  Then, we woke Saturday morning and made the 3 hour drive to Chi-town.  Well, on the way up there Mr. Hoosier received a Speeding Ticket :( , but that wouldn't ruin our fun.  We finally made it to Chicago, checked into our hotel, and immediately took the train to Wrigley Field.  What a fabulous day!  It was Mr. Hoosier's first time at Wrigley and he enjoyed it, even though he is a Boston fan.  The Cubs won!!!!  We then headed to some shops and I bought a new Cubs shirt.  After that, we went to this place called "The Diner", which was a BLAST!  My brother and sister were able to get in and we had lunch, and sang karaoke.  Yes, there was karaoke at this place!  My sister sang, Mr. Hoosier sang, and later (after a few beers, of course) I sang as well!  We stayed there all night!  Finally, at about 3am Mr. Hoosier, my brother, and myself took the train back to the hotel.  My mom and sister had gone back at about 12:30.  Sunday was rough, but we walked around downtown and went up to the Sears Tower.  We got back home Sunday night at 10pm; it made for a rough and sleepy Monday morning, BUT well worth it!  Thank you, Mom for a wonderful weekend in Chicago.  I love my family and the time we spend together.  That was one of those weekends I will never forget.  And thank-you Mr. Hoosier for agreeing to making the trip!

Until next time....

H:)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Unexcused Absence

I have been gone for quite some time, two weeks almost, but with absolutely no excuse other than LIFE!

Last week was crazy busy with Group Exercise Training and birthdays.  Monday and Tuesday I trained all day long, and then went home on Wednesday to celebrate my cousin's 21st birthday.  I then came home Thursday, we celebrate my SIL's birthday on Friday, went to the DMB concert Saturday, and went back home Sunday for a family reunion and to celebrate my mom's birthday.

Now, we are in my last days before going back to work.  I go back to work on Thursday, as in two days from now, and the kids come on Monday.  I am dreading it, absolutely dreading it!  I had a scheduled interview for a different school district that was supposed to be yesterday, but they decided not to fill the position.  I received that phone call 15 minutes after hitting up Express and purchasing a new interview suit; oh well, I hope to wear it soon!  Now, I am just waiting on hearing from the YMCA for Youth and Family Life position and keeping my eyes and ears open for other jobs as well.  

With all that being said, I feel horrible and embarrassed.  I never thought I would be that teacher that dreaded going back to work.  I really thought I would be the "lifer" that would always love being in the classroom.  I loved, loved, loved my student teaching.  In fact, I was looking at pictures from that time and was trying to remember what it felt like to be that happy in the classroom.  I was able to be so creative and my kids learned so much.  I can't believe after only two years it has come to this.  I feel sorry for my students.  Let me also reiterate that it is not my students I am dreading; in fact, I am excited to see them.  It is everything else that comes along with it and all the new mandates I am certain we will have, and all the things I am unable to do.   AHHH!  Okay, I am done being negative, and will just continue to pray that something will come my way and God will lead me in the right direction.

My training for both another half marathon and my group exercise position is going great.  I have been quite tired from it because between the two I am working out for about 4 hours or more each day.  You would think with that I would have lost weight, but no.  I just eat more now because it makes me so hungry.  I have been running with a friend and it has made things SO much better!  I actually enjoy my long runs outside, AND I feel they are productive.  Friday, we ran 7 miles in 63:27; I am definitely pleased with that time.

It is a rainy, stormy, yucky day here in Indy today... blah!  In fact, Mr. Hoosier is supposed to have a presentation tonight, but they lost power at his branch.  Poor guy!  I am just going to curl up on the couch and finish Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult; great read and highly recommended.  

Today is also the 2 year wedding anniversary for our good friends, A and J, so Happy Anniversary to them.  They are such wonderful people, great friends, and Mr. Hoosier and I feel SO very blessed to have them in our lives.  We wish you many more years of love, laughs, happiness, and memories!!!

Until next time, which I hope is sooner than a week and a half....

:) H

Friday, July 24, 2009

Camping I Go???

Well, its off to the woods I go for the weekend.  I am having a difficulty time packing; I want look cute even in the woods.  I am glad this place has showers and our campsite is on a nice lake.  Not to mention it's only until Sunday... I will be able to live.

 Wish me luck...  

:) H

Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Waiting Game Begins

As some of you may know, I applied for new job last week.  The title of the job is Youth and Family Director for the YMCA.  The job description and qualifications indicated they were looking for the following:

1. Bachelor's degree in education or recreation- CHECK
2. Ability to work with children of all ages- CHECK
3. Experience in Non for Profit Management- CHECK
4. Managing a non for profit budget- CHECK
5. Experience fundraising and grant writing- CHECK

So, as you can see, I feel as if I am qualified for this job.  I can't stop thinking about it.  I think it would be absolutely perfect for me.  I would be in charge of implementing programs and activities for kids, teenagers, and families; right up my alley, plus it is contains the health wellness aspect that I love.  Plus, I would love to bring the Girls on the Run program to this YMCA.  

I catch myself daydreaming several times a day about this job; what programs I will implement, what the people will be like, what my office might look like, etc.  I am crazy, I know.  I don't even have an interview yet.  The job posting closed last night at midnight, so I should hear from them in the next couple weeks.

I am trying not to get my hopes up too high.  I know that I am young and that may be a downfall.  I will also be in charge of managing staff and being 25 years old may be a disadvantage for me.  But I am keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers.  I know God has great things in store for me and my career; I just need to have patience and wait for Him.

It's almost the weekend....

:) H

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Our Dog, Bailey

This is the story of Bailey....

I have wanted either a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle for as long as I can remember. I love that fact that they don't shed and they are hyperallergenic. I also did a lot of research on them and learned that they are good with kids (for the future, of course) and very smart dogs.

Well, I had been begging Mr. Hoosier for a dog since we were engaged (June 2008), and he always told me that I needed to wait until after the wedding. So, I agreed. Although, he had told me several times that I would not be getting a labradoodle or a goldendoodle because he could not fathom paying that much money for a dog when we could get one from the humane shelter. He has such a good heart! I figured then, that I would just get a lab and be perfectly content, and just have to get over the shedding. I didn't bring up the dog want for awhile until...

It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 2008) and Mr. Hoosier and I had his parents and sister over for dinner. His mom had brought over the county paper in which she had written some articles. After they left I decided to look through the classifieds at the dogs for sale. I had no intentions; I was just looking. I saw a few adds for Labradoodles and called on them because I just wanted to look; I thought it would be fun. All of the places had already sold their dogs... besides one place. I called there and asked if we could come out after church on Sunday.

It was a rainy, cold, Sunday. We got out of church, called the Breeder and got directions to drive to look at the puppies. It was about an hour drive from our house. It was this small town in the middle of no where. The breeder's facility was off from the road, and we took this windy dirt road back to the house. When we pulled up we heard 8 little labradoodles barking. They litter was black and brown. All of the brown puppies were spoken for, but that didn't matter because we weren't getting one. Out of the litter, there were three black labradoodles that were not spoken for. There was the runt, one that had really curly hair, and one that looked just like a black lab and not much resemblance of a labradoodle. Mr. Hoosier and I talked to the breeder for awhile and then left. We got his card and told him when we were ready to buy a dog we would be calling him. After all, Mr. Hoosier thought they were adorable, and he liked the idea of no shedding despite the price.

We then left the breeder's and drove home. We were about one mile down the road and he looked at me and said, "What if this is our Christmas gift to each other?" I remember being so excited, and then asking if he was serious. I looked up and realized he had purposely missed our turn. He was for real! We turned around and drove back to get our puppy. We called the breeder to tell him we were coming back. But then, we didn't know which one we wanted. We drove past the breeder's so we could discuss which one to get. After about 5 minutes of contemplation, we decided on the runt; she was so precious!

We picked her up and I held her half of the way home while Mr. Hoosier drove. Then, we switched because I was afraid of doo doo on my Anne Klein coat. Afterall, I was still in my nice church clothes. The whole way home we discussed what we were going to name her and the fact that we couldn't believe we just brought a dog! We tossed around many different names: we thought about INDY for the Colts, Nikkie because our first date was at the Nickel Plate, and many other names that dealt with the Colts or the Hoosiers. We then decided on BAILEY; named after Damon Bailey #22 who was a great IU Basketball player in the 90's. Mr. Hoosier and I both remember watching him when we were kids. It was the perfect name for our little puppy!

We then drove home and realized we didn't have a cage, no food, etc. We gave her a quick bath (she smelled like the puppy kennel), and then went to the pet store. We purchased all the necessities to take care of her. We played with her all night! We even purchased bells that day to put on our back sliding door to help potty train her. She still to this day rings the doors when she has to go potty. That day, she also watched her first Colts game!!!

Bailey is now 35 pounds and is doing great. We love her! We enjoy taking her on walks to the ice cream shop. She loves to play fetch with Mr. Hoosier and take my dirty socks out of my laundry basket. She does a wonderful job with her dog friends. This weekend she is going to the in-laws while we are camping.

Meet Bailey....



December 2008- This is me and Bailey at my Aunt's house on Christmas Day! She was so little then!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Random, Unorganized Thoughts

- I went on a bike ride today; I love my bicycle!
- First day of training for group exercise; I am pumped to have my own class.
- Marathon Dilemma: thinking about running a full marathon here in Indy in November. Originally I had planned for my first one to be the Marine Corps in October 2010. My thinking behind it was that if I am going to train for and run 26.2 it better be an exciting one. Now, I am thinking about doing both because the girl I run with is running the full in November; I was only going to do the half in November. Decisions, decisions....
- Eat Clean Sloppy Joes and Eat Clean Sweet Potato Fries are on the menu for dinner tonight...mmmm
- Excited to camp this weekend :) I want to take my bike!
- Summer school ends Friday; not excited for regular school year to start.
- However, I am pumped for school shopping :) JCREW, GAP, EXPRESS, and POLO here I come! I already got a head start by picking up a couple shirts from Express last week; way cute, and on SALE!!!
- I love my husband!
- I am getting excited for football season! Nothing beats cheering on the COLTS on Sunday afternoons.
- I also like fall and bringing out my sweaters :)
- Chili makes me happy too; especially my husband's.
- Maybe I should change the name of my blog from Preppy Hoosier to FitnessFreak... seems as if that is all I talk about.... Thoughts???
- I really want a new full time job; one in health and wellness.
- I am really anxious for Mr. Hoosier and I to find a church and become involved; its been heavy on my mind.

Happy Tuesday!

:) H