You sure you want me?

So today we had mentor training. If you're lucky enough to be a mentor, you are matched up with a first year teacher (FYT) and you help them in their first year (which is super hard and overwhelming--much like every year of teaching. Ha!). That's a lot of parenthesis for one sentence, but I don't care. :) First of all, every time I heard FYT or saw it written today, Michael Jackson's PYT popped into my head. Second of all, it was probably one of the best trainings I've been to. I learned a lot. I have mentored before, but never been give such clear, explicit instructions and guidelines. The delivery was awesome too. They had decorated the room and had all kinds of treats and toys, etc. And the "aha's" were abundant. "Aha's" are what we call it when you're like "Duh! It makes so much sense now!". Anyways the two things I'm taking away from it are: be positive and check in daily. So that's what I plan to do with my FYT. At one point Anne Marie (former 3rd grade teacher, but we won't get into that) says that mentoring is like walking beside your FYT on this journey. I concurred and asked, "But God, what happened when there was only one set of footprints in the sand?" I always liked that story about God and the footprints. Once we stopped laughing we figured that we would act as God did walking on the beach that day. In other words, we would walk with our mentees until they needed us to carry them. Or the other way around. Whichever happened first. I'm pretty sure someone started singing "What if God was one of us?" too.

Technology at its finest

As Cody and I were sitting around discussing how old our cell phones are (they just make calls, have a camera, and can text message...no internet or apps for us) and how Cody's ringer sounds like an "ole' timey" wall phone, we came up with some interesting tidbits. Cody's phone rang and I asked him if it was Abe Lincoln calling to let him know of the Emancipation Proclamation. I added that in order to keep up a conversation I have to crank my phone (I'm making the motion now with my hands). Cody responded with what you would say to a wrong number,"No, I'm sorry. You called the wrong number. This is 5."

Ahhhh. Phones that just make calls.

As if...

I'm looking for yet another clue that I'm getting older. Here's one for ya. I actually had these thoughts tonight. "Man. I just had 2 1/2 beers tonight. I better rehydrate and drink lots of water to get back on track. I just feel off." I believe the "off" feeling is technically referred to as buzzed.

Wordless Wednesday

Travel size Buddha

Bruisers: Hopes of a winning streak dashed

Um. Well. Our hopes of creating a winning streak were struck down tonight. Here's how it went down.

First game: Hot as hell, got some outs, made some hits, lost. Not too bad.

Hour Break

Second game: A little cooler than hell, finally got some outs, tried to make some more hits, felt like we spent hours in the field, misplaced my positivity, lost. Bad.

During the the last inning of the second game when we were in the field, I almost had to walk off the field with an injury. A butt injury. But (or butt), I held it together until the end of the inning. As a runner was coming to first, I bent down to catch the ball and she ran right into my butt! The nerve. So after that I had a crazy charley horse and was in a lot of pain. Could NOT WAIT for the inning to end. It finally did. And then I had to bat. Man! Hit it right to the first baseman and got out. Damn!

You know what the sad part is? Tonight we had so many fans in the stands!! They were cheering and yelling! I told them to come to our practice. That's where we really bring it.

Two more weeks

You know that feeling you get when you're a kid and summer's over? Yeah it's worse when you're an adult. Once you start hearing commercials about school supplies and "Back to School" specials it's all over. I know how lucky we are to have the summer off--most people don't!! But I feel like as soon as I start to really relax and get in the groove of summer, it's taken from me. Not that I don't love my job--the kids are awesome! But man! Summer is even better when you get to make the decisions. It sure is nice to do whatever you want, whenever you want, and still get paid. So, I plan to enjoy the hell out of these last couple of weeks so I'm refreshed and ready for the little preciouses next year.

Just some food for thought.

Wordless Wednesday will be interrupted to bring you this important message...

We won! We won! We won!

The Backyard Bruisers now have a "dubya". We did it! We won our first game. It was awesome. We almost didn't even know what to do with ourselves. We were hitting (me--most of the time!!), making outs and actually had one inning with "three up, three down" as us ball players like to say. There were no broken noses to report this time and it turns out the heavier bat makes the ball go farther. Who knew?? Now I know that we're out there to have fun, and blah, blah, blah. But damnit! It's not fun if you lose every game. I was raised playing competitive sports. I like to win. Now I understand that it is important how you play the game. But if you play the game well, and if you play against a team that may not be as skilled as you, you win! We needed a win to boost our self esteem. Next week we'll probably be reminded once again that we are a novice team, but let's enjoy being on the winning team for once, shall we?

Wordless Wednesday

Nice moves

Buddha-ful

As most of you may know, I am on a spiritual journey. I halfway joke about it because it's not like I was ever really religious. I was baptized, we went to church most Sundays (I think we stopped sometime when I was in middle school?), I was confirmed and had a name tag. Hell, I even took communion! I haven't been to my church in years and I'm pretty sure they've trashed my name tag.

I started meditating in the last year or so because I have trouble just relaxing sometimes and want to be calmer. After yoga I always feel so relaxed, so thought I'd give meditation a try. Well, in learning about meditation I have learned a little about Buddhism.

So last Sunday I went to a Buddhist center for the "General Program: Prayers for World Peace". It was cool even though I was nervous and I don't know all of the traditions. The lesson for the day was loving people for who they are and not how we feel about them; letting go of things and not being attached; and how all beings want to be happy. Of course we spoke about how that fits into our daily lives. There was also a lot of singing. I didn't sing because I didn't know the songs and I thought mouthing "watermelon" would be inappropriate. Next time, maybe. It was nice to be around a bunch of people who are practicing compassion towards others--it just seems so simple!!

Our homework is to wish true happiness on all beings. Our teacher challenged us to even take it to insects and cockroaches. And defended them in saying how they don't know it's your house. They're just trying to be happy getting some water and food. They have no idea who you are. And I'm all...bust-ed. Was this teacher watching me? Why is he looking right at me? Cockroaches don't count do they? Apparently I have a new challenge in front of me. Don't kill the cockroaches and wish them happiness. Whoa--that's heavy. Later that very day I did get a chance to put it into practice. There was a spider on my bed (I know what you're thinking--do you live in a tent in the backyard? or...get an exterminator already!!) I got it to jump into a cup, put some paper on it and set it free in the backyard. While it scurried off I realized that I forgot to wish it happiness, so I yelled, "I wish you a long and happy life!" I hope it heard me.

On another note, upon coming home and sharing all of my new knowledge with Cody, he said, "I always knew you'd try Buddhism sometime." I was all "Really? I didn't even know I'd try it." To which he replied, "Yeah. Buddhists care about shit. And you care about shit."

And you know what? I do care about shit.



Update: To whomever spit out their gum in the parking lot which in turn caused me to get it all over both of my shoes, on my leg, inside and outside my car and on the floor mat--I changed my mind. I do wish you a long and happy life despite what I said earlier. K? We cool?

Too cool not to share. Enjoy!

More amazing pictures here!!

Earth: my favorite planet

Yesterday I went shopping. Luckily I remembered my reusable bags! So, as I'm checking out, with my reusable bags, I'm sort of mesmerized by all the hustle and bustle at Target. We're all standing around together, talking, paying, watching, sacking items, typing in pins, among other things. A LOT was going on. It was funny. I just sort of took a minute to look around and soak up the moment (maybe this is a step towards enlightenment?!) Well, when I got back from la la land I noticed that no one else was using reusable bags. Why not?

Now I'm no green revolutionary. I eat meat. Sometimes I throw paper in the trash and not the recycling (yes I do!). I don't have solar panels on my house. But I do use reusable bags. Because it's the one little thing that I can do to help out. It doesn't really inconvenience me or change my lifestyle drastically. I even use them to put gifts in. They're awesome. There are all kinds and Old Navy has some really cute ones. So if you don't already, I ask you to buy a few reusable bags. They're super cheap and think of how you're helping the planet. Do it for your (Earth) mama!

Most precious...

thing I've seen in a long time. Where can I get like five of these?

OMG so cute. It's like he's in a stick up.

Gettin' stuff done, son!

So today my I dominated my "choose to" list. It. Feels. Awesome.

Here's how it went down:
Workout? Check.
Sushi and sake? Check.
Write my biographical information for my online application? Check.(The most challenging of the "choose to's".)
Pick up prescriptions? Check.

Although if I got up earlier I could probably dominate the world. I just don't like getting up in the mornings. Never have. Probably never will. Tonight it's chicken enchiladas at the Spencer's, So You Think You Can Dance and Rockband. I have a full life. Can't ask for much more. :)

And here's my summer 'do. Couldn't put that one on my online app.

Wordless Wednesday

Backyard Bruisers, Games 1 and 2

Well, I am sad to report that the only thing bruised is our ego. We lost both games!!We did manage to score. No goose eggs for us. Not sure of the final scores. I can report back once I get the official scores. I'm sure you'll want to follow so you can keep up with the post-season play. We did have some fun and managed to keep our dignity. And we looked good in our team shirts!

My favorite part of the night, you ask? Finally making it on base and running home. I was like lightning! Well, not really. But I felt like it!! Oh, and the water breaks. Those were good too.

PS-We're already scoping out some running exercises to be faster. See how committed we are?

Weekend Recap

Saturday: Tubing the Comal for the twins' b-day. It was so great to see everyone and be on the river. It was not great, however, to overindulge on Lone Star and lose my sunglasses and cover up (Poor everyone who had to hear about it. Sorry!).

You know it's a good time on the river when:

1. Kelli starts spelling out words like d-r-u-n-k.
2. We start daring each other to tuck and roll down the river bank.
3. You can start singing "We are the world" and the whole river joins in.
4. Korenn's drinking "water" from random dudes.
5. You're singing Michael Jackson with your eyes closed and shaking your fist.
6. You realize exactly why you don't do this every weekend anymore!
7. You think you actually start to sound like Michael Jackson.


Sunday:Went to the parents house and had some seafood. Proceeded to watch home videos from 1990 on the VCR. Yes, they still have a VCR. Let me just tell you--I still got the softball skills. And the smart mouth. At one point I think my whole family was crying we were laughing so hard. We all sounded like such hicks. I think the Texas accent is magnified on the camcorder. We were also using language like "reckon" and "ain't". I am convinced that I left my accent somewhere in the 90's. I was told that I was wrong.

Good times.

"To Do" or not "To Do"

Not sure about you, but I am constantly making lists. I know you are Chaya!! These are in my head, on paper and on the computer. They'll include anything from what I need to do for the day(s), projects for the website I'm working on, things to buy, things to email, what to take camping, what to pack, etc. Lately I've felt like these lists suck. Although they help me get organized, they are taking over!
**Sidenote--I blame teaching for this. I wasn't like this before I had to constantly multitask at work. I used to be A LOT more laid back. I promise!! Don't get me wrong, love my job. It's just changed me.
I digress. I read something in a book lately that has helped me. Maybe it will help you. Or maybe you will decide to have an intervention for me. Either one. Instead of making a "to do list" I view it like this: "I choose to..." For example: I choose to be active everyday. Instead of thinking of working out as one more thing to do, I just see it like I choose to do it for my health and sanity. Being active can mean anything from walking to yoga to softball to dancing. Now while I may not necessarily "choose to" buy trash bags, it helps me feel like I have control over the lists. It also helps me to put the important things (me!!) into perspective.

There it is. The new me. Profound, isn't it.

Wordless Wednesday

Epcot-BOTH educational and fun!

So today Chaya and I visited Epcot. Less strollers. Which is great for me (long story!!). It rained. Any by rained I mean poured. So much so that the group of about 50 Brazilians in line with us started screaming. Apparently they don't have rain in Brazil. It was comical.

We had to get ponchos. Right after that, you know what happened? It stopped raining. But luckily for us it rained again later. Ponchos are expensive. Apparently that plastic is hard to come by or something. I'd hate to think that Disney is jacking up the price of something to make a buck.


Here we are trying to get that big ball in the picture. Didn't work.



Here we are again trying to get that big ball in the picture. Didn't work again.



Here we are finally in front of the ball.



Whootsie! The ride broke down



Here we are in space.



Here we are under the sea.



Drinking French wine in France. Great way to pass the time while the storm passes. This was pre-poncho.



Poncho Villa! Here we are in our awesome ponchos. I was happy. Chaya was sad we had to finally give in and get them.



Throwing up the "VM" for "Viva Mexico" on the lame Mexican boat ride.

4th of July in Ormond Beach, FL

This year I was actually in the country to celebrate the 4th. Yay!!!! Here are some pics to document the event.


Awesome times three.


Peace. In the middle east.


I'm singing "God Bless America...". Sing it with me now.


Jen and Christian. His first 4th of July. He loved the fireworks!!!