cracked. (to the rhythm of humpty dumpty)

not ten minutes after students cleared out the halls

this first year teacher curled up in a ball. (as seen below)

europe, no grading, hours of sleep (just a few)--

these might lure her back to the school for year two.

this poetry break was brought to you by the teacher pictured above (some co-workers coaxed her out of the fetal position with the promise of diet coke).  and now back to our regularly scheduled grading of final exams. 

Me-MOORE-ial Day Weekend

I would argue that certain life experiences affect you more than others; sometimes they are planned and sometimes they are unexpected but either way, they leave you changed (hopefully for the better).  I like to call these "defining moments."

Let's just say that Memorial Day Weekend '13 = one long defining moment.

This past weekend, a couple friends and I drove the 2.5 hours north to Moore, OK, to pitch in with the tornado clean-up.  There are no words to describe the destruction-- you can really only try to understand if you see it.  Even then it's hard to comprehend.  There will be much work in the months to come as a result of this terrible situation, but I'm grateful I had the opportunity to help for just a couple days.  The experience brought a much needed reminder on many things.  To name a few:

• There are still good people in the world-- many more good people than bad.  With all the terrible things happening around the world, it is easy to focus on the negative, but there are still individuals who are selfless, just wanting to make a small difference in the world around them. 

• Physical possessions can be taken away in an instant.  It is far more important to invest in relationships and things of eternal worth.  The most important things in life are not things.

• A group of individuals working towards a common goal has an incredible amount of power to do good.

If you are in the Moore, OK area, there is much to do, and will be for a long time.  If you are able, sacrifice a day to pitch in.  You won't regret it.  

 

summer '13

well folks, it happened. i bought a ticket to europe from june 10-july 18--almost 6 weeks of european adventure.  planned visits include the following: an excursion to the lake district of england (a la elizabeth bennett), a return to paris after an almost 4 year absence, a pilgrimage to the siebach origins in annaberg-buchholz, germany, a visit to cesky krumlov, czech republic, which, according to a very trusted source, is an absolute gem of a city, a twirling in alpine meadows in austria (think Sound of Music, without the habit), and an extended hang out with cows in the swiss mountains.

contrary to some opinions, there are definitely benefits to being 25 and single.  (more on that later).

care to come along?

church, swiss alps

spring break '13

spring break this year was fabulous.  i don't know how adults with jobs in a field other than education slog through without breaks to cut up the monotony.  props you all of you...

spring break '13 started with an over-night rock climbing trip in austin with friends.  it was a much needed escape from suburbia and gave me the opportunity to reconnect with nature a bit.  side note: in thinking more about things i value, being outside is definitely pivotal in my happiness.  my soul is much less tumultuous with the proper dosages of the great outdoors.  anyway, we drove down Friday morning, climbed for a solid 4 or 5 hours that afternoon, camped at a travis county park, climbed some more saturday morning and into the afternoon, then drove home.  i love sleeping in my little tent.

as farewells were exchanged at the end of the trip, i was reminded how grateful i am to find wonderful people with shared interests who are also willing to put forth effort to make trips like this happen.  many thanks.

after a few days of sleeping in, spending way too much money at the REI used gear sale, and general relaxation (including first real pedicure!), a couple of friends and i hopped in my car (elaine) and headed east to tennessee.  those of you that know me know i've had this "thing" for tennessee for years.  in fact, making it to tennessee has been on my new years resolutions list for 3 years running.  my soul has been drawn to it-- the music, the scenery, dollywood (unfortunately closed during out trip)...  and it was everything i thought it would be.  from the country music hall of fame, the live music, vanderbilt, the show at the grand ole opry, broadway, and the ryman, to the gorgeous hills, the great smokies, and the loveless cafe, tennessee is fantastic.  here's some of the photographical proof:

 country music hall of fame

original manuscript of dolly parton's "jolene"

nashville

"hi, i'm johnny cash..."

ryman auditorium

finally made it.

gonna hike the whole thing one day 

remnants of winter on the AT

scenery whilst taking a much needed *ahem* break.  

(i'd take this view in my bathroom anytime.)

smokies

tree roots

river

"man has created some lovely dwellings-- some soul stirring literature.

he has done much to alleviate physical pain.  but he has not...

created a substitute for a sunset, a grove of pines,

the music of the winds, the dank smell of the deep forest,

or the shy beauty of a wildflower." -harvey broome

values.

the "what's" and "how's" of happiness have been on the mind recently, so when someone shed light--accompanied with a little extra perspective--on the topic, i couldn't help but share.  here's how the conversation went (in essence):

(someone) "we shouldn't strive for happiness..."

(me) "i'm sorry.... say WHAAAT?" 

(someone) "happiness is an emotion and by definition, emotions are changing.  if we strive to attain a certain emotional state we will frequently be left wanting-- wondering what we've done wrong when we aren't happy."

(me) "yes, yes.  i understand that. but doesn't it seem a bit strange to not want to be happy?"

(someone) "instead of focusing on wanting to be happy, we should figure out what our values are (in the non-LDS sense)... the things in our lives that we hold most dear to us (education, our profession, our families, being compassionate, helping others, our spirituality, etc.) and work our hardest at the things we value most.  happiness may accompany that work, but so will other emotions, like anger, heartache, sadness, because that's how life is. no matter what emotional state we may be in, if we are working towards those things we value most, our life can be fulfilling."

mind. blown.

maybe all of you who are much smarter than i have figured this whole life thing out already, but something clicked in my head when i heard this concept explained to me in this way.  don't peg happiness as the ultimate goal, but rather figure out what you love, what you care about most, make them priorities in your life, work at it, and life will be more meaningful.  

like i said.  mind. blown.

preach.

"At the gates of the forest, the surprised man of the world is forced to leave his city estimates of great and small, wise and foolish.  The knapsack of custom falls off his back with the first step he makes into these precincts.  Here is sanctity which shames our religions, and reality which discredits our heroes.  Here we find nature to be the circumstance which dwarfs every other circumstance, and judges like a god all men that come to her."--Ralph Waldo Emerson

So many books...

so little time...