bye bye birdie.

Looking down at the scale, I know that the wonderful food is not the only thing packing on those pounds. I find myself filled with warmth and joy. Cheesy? Maybe, but I am happy to admit that I had such a wonderful vacation and enjoyed not just the Florida heat, but the memories that were made.

Visiting Grandma Jo and Dan in Florida is something that I have always wished I could do more often, but as everyone knows, time slips away from you and things pile up. Therefore, when I do make it to the wonderful city of Tallahassee, I am sure to enjoy every minute I am there because I'm not sure when the next opportunity will present itself.

This trip was truly wonderful. Sitting around the table on Thanksgiving, realizing just how lucky I was, made me thoroughly enjoy my time even more than I have in the past. Any trip that consists of sunshine, food, Borders, Christmas lights, football, and family is a trip that I would not be willing to miss.

Although I am relieved to be home and out of my suitcase, I am already missing the sunshine and family in Florida. While I know the times ahead are fun and exciting, it's always a relief to know that there is a place waiting for me when I need some sun and hugs.

I can't help but sigh as I pack my things for the upcoming week in Chicago. Scarves? Boots? Jeans? Sweaters? Jackets? Gloves? Yuck.

happy thanksgiving.

The past few days I have spent packed in a car with (almost) all of my family. While this may seem torturous to some, to me, it has been a much needed road trip. Through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and finally Florida, not one of us has been physically injured, and we made it to our destination without pulling one another's hair out. Quite the success.

Looking out the window on our drive down, I watched little towns fade into the distance and began to think about how much I have to be thankful for this year. I have a loving family, a roof over my head, friends who I love dearly, a job (thank goodness) and a irresistible boyfriend. I look at my life versus the lives of strangers I see pass by on the streets, and I know that there isn't anything in the world I could want more than what I have.

I thought of Megan as I watched the Hannah Montana movie during the car ride, knowing why she had found the movie so heartfelt. Like Miley, it is easy to forget the things that mean the most to us in our lives, and get wrapped up in the things that seem superficially wonderful. Being with extending family in Florida during this Thanksgiving, away from those distractions, has reminded me of everything I value about my life. Really, what is a life without the people we love there to remind us of who we are?

I am so thankful to be spending the holiday enveloped in the traditions of family, the sweet conversations of distant relatives, the warmth of embraces, and so much more that I have found on this trip.

With burnt cheeks, a smile on my face, and elastic-waisted pants, bring on the food and cheer! Thanksgiving does only come once a year! Happy Thanksgiving!

make a wish.

happy birthday jenny b!

i love you!

the journey.

I feel both giddy and childishly excited when the Chicago skyline comes into view. Maybe it's the fact that I know my drive is almost complete and the dull, gray landscapes are in my past. Maybe it's the sense of adventure and possibility the city atmosphere invokes. Or perhaps, and I tend to side heavily with this theory, it's the handsome man waiting for me at the end of my journey.

Chicago is a wonderful city, full of life and flavor. You can't help but look forward to the time you will spend there, and once you've been, you'll swim in the memory of the moments on Michigan Avenue. Now, add an irresistible young man to the picture, and tell me you wouldn't want to make it your weekend getaway.

My weekend was just that, a getaway. After ruffling some of Kyle's deeply embedded feathers, we were able to spend a weekend cozied up under the blankets watching movies. In order to understand just how significant this weekend was, it's important to know a little bit more about our protagonist: Kyle.

I learned quickly that Kyle loves to fill his time. He is a planner. He gets this lovely quality from his father. They both enjoy doing things. Kyle's idea of the perfect vacation is one accompanied by activities, tours, historical sights, you name it. This greatly contrasts my passion for the beach and laying out, soaking up the sun. Knowing this about Kyle, our weekends are usually very similar to what he looks for in vacation. He loves filling our time, which I love too. This weekend, however, was about relaxing and enjoying each other's

company.

Now, I must admit, that by the end of Saturday I was ready to get out. However, while in that cozy apartment, the french toast, the movies and our lovely fish dinner, accompanied by both wild rice and asparagus, was perfect. It actually felt like a weekend. While we fussed over the stove, wondering if everything was cooked just right, we got to be that couple that both of us have missed being. The miles that separate us, leave us feeling a deep loneliness and longing for each other, and just the act of doing something together is comforting and special.

Our walk along Lake Michigan, hand in hand, complete with scarves and jackets, was a glimpse of the future. As long as I am walking with him, in the same direction, toward the same end, I will forever be warm and comforted. I love you Kyle.

hello goodbye.

I sit in my classroom on my very last day of student teaching, wondering where the time went. It is truly hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I actually taught my first classes and survived without a tear shed. That isn't to say that I didn't deal with some things that could have caused tears, but it is to say that I have found something I love and cannot wait to pursue.

I look around the room and immediately feel compelled to hug (almost) all my students because they are the reason I have come to enjoy being in a classroom so thoroughly. The personality and passion that so many of my students have is invigorating and refreshing. This experience has quite possibly been the most positive in my education background.

I walked through these doors on my very first day hoping and praying that I would make it, that I would survive and hopefully come out still wanting to teach English. I will be thankful for the rest of my life that this experience did much more than that. I walk away today looking back, thanking everyone in this building for providing me with an opportunity to gain confidence in the fact that I LOVE teaching English, that I LOVE my students, that I LOVE everything about being in a classroom. Without the knowledge and experience I have gained in these past 12 weeks, I now know I wouldn't have been able to survive in a classroom entirely my own.

The future comes with great anticipation but also anxiety. I can only hope that my next endeavor competes with my last. I will forever be grateful for the support and love I received at LC. I will miss them greatly. GO BEARS!

bring it on.

I got my very first job offer today! I cannot believe that after just one interview, I received a call with good news! Thank you Lake Central for providing me with the essential oxygen and source of relief I needed to get through the end of my student teaching.

With Halloween behind me, and only a week and a half left of my student teaching, it is all starting to hit me: I am about to actually take that next step in my life. While I am not for sure planning to pack up and move to Saint John right away, the reality of my situation is beginning to become more and more apparent. I am no longer the one sitting in the desk, but I am on my way to becoming the one responsible for assisting those little (or not so little) rascals in reaching their potential and moving closer to success.

I have to admit that the thought of packing up and finding my own apartment 3 hours away from home is both exhilarating and terrifying. I have to take a deep breath just thinking about it or I begin to get dizzy and feel nauseous. What happened to the past 8 years of my life? Where did high school go? And college, don't even get me started with how fast those 4 years flew by. I could have never known that it would have gone by like it did. Looking forward though, makes me so excited. While I might trip along the way, I know that I am at least headed in the right direction.

The next week or so will consist of decisions, big decisions, decisions I didn't realize I was ready to make. I have to be an adult. I have to move forward and not allow myself to become too comfortable where I am. What is best for me? I wish I had that answer, but these next couple of days I will be searching for it.

I'm ready for the journey. Bring it on.