{A Good Feeling}

I didn’t think I would ever finish…and I have!! I took my last final exam. {sigh}. What a great feeling!! Now all I lack is my internship and I will graduate with a master’s degree in elementary education. I’m looking forward to December 17, 2011. Now instead of writing reflection papers, tutoring papers and endless lesson plans I can catch up on reading!! Under “currently reading” I have two books that I have been trying to get through for literally 3 months!! Ridiculous! What’s on my reading list, you ask? Here it is…

• Radical by David Platt
• So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore
• Leaving by Karen Kingsbury
• Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Any more suggestions??

I also plan to start crafting again! Yay! I extended my use of felt rosettes from wreaths to gift-wrapping decoration AND learned how to make fabric flowers too (see pics below). It’s so easy and offers more possibilities since there are endless fabric options.

Felt Flowers hot-glued to packages

Fabric Flower…not sure what for yet

I also got lots of random sweaters and tops from my mom when she cleaned out her closet and plan to make something cute! Stay tuned…

{Storms in Alabama}

Yesterday morning I awoke around 5:15 to the sound of tornado sirens. I lay in bed for a while trying to figure out what the sound was. When the second siren sounded (that’s a tongue twister!) I finally got out of bed and checked my computer for a weather alert. I had about 30 minutes till the storm was supposed to reach me so I decided to hop in the shower. When I got out I checked the weather again…still nothing seemed alarming. Birmingham had been experiencing this kind of weather weekly for a month now. A few minutes later the wind was howling and rain was coming down. The lights flickered a bit then went completely out. I stayed in my bathroom (being the most interior room in my apartment) and used the light from my phone to put some makeup on and get ready for work. Several minutes later, when it seemed everything had passed, I left for work with wet hair, wrinkled clothes, and no caffeine. For the sake of my co-workers and students I tried to find out a Starbucks. Tried the one in Cahaba Heights…road was blocked. I drove towards the school and stopped at the Starbucks in Crestwood before going to school. Everything seemed fine! Little did I know a “straight line wind gust” swept through Cahaba Heights and my neighborhood earlier that morning.

School let out early and not wanting to go home I went to my friend’s house who lives in Cahaba Heights. After a few failed attempts I finally figured out a route that would get me into the neighborhood. The damage and debris was incredible…like nothing I’d ever witnessed. My words can’t do justice to the destruction in the area and unfortunately I didn’t take pictures of it. My friend’s house had no damage to the structure but there were several trees down in the yard, one of which fell only feet from her window.

Despite the awful weather my friends and I actually had a fun day. Since the power was out we hung out on the front porch, swinging, talking, laughing…enjoying no time constraints or schedules. We got hungry so decided to venture out and see what was opened. We first went to Publix (that was operating on back-up power) and picked up some Blue Moon, chips, salsa and m&m’s. We finally found Baha Burger at the Colonnade to be open so picked up some burgers and went back to get ready for the next storm coming. We made a pallet of blankets, used a large bucket for a drink table, a Coleman lantern for light, and played Catch Phrase (my fave!) in the basement. It was a blast!! Then we topped of the night with a little puzzle-smithing…a word we created to describe the art of working a puzzle.

Camping out in the basement

Rachel, Taylor, Wesley, Heather, Eric

Puzzle-smithing

Me, Heather, Rachel

Then today I saw all the devastation the storm caused all across the south. It’s depressing! It’s eerie. It makes me feel guilty for having electricity and all the amenities it provides. It made me think though…I feel guilty today for people down the street, but what about every day for people everywhere!?! This is nothing compared to the hardships people face everyday, all over the world and even right here in Birmingham. I don’t have any answers or enlightening ideas, but it humbled me a bit.

{Little Things That Make Me Happy in a Big Way}

{::} The smell of jasmine, honeysuckle, and fresh-cut grass

{::} Climbing in a bed with fresh, clean sheets

{::} My students telling me they love me

{::} Seeing an elderly couple walking and holding hands

{::} Getting good old-fashioned snail mail

{::} A clean and neat house

{::} When people wave a “thank you” for letting them merge

{::} Dancing

{::} Finding a new favorite song

{::} Wild flowers growing along the road

{::} Long talks with good friends

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." -Robert Brault

I would love to hear some of the little things that make you happy...

{Monday Must-Haves}

Today’s Must-Have is something I both love and hate. My workout routine was always walk 30 minutes and run intermittently throughout. Then I started running more. THEN…I started doing 30-Day Shred by Jillian Michaels (I actually have another name for her, but it’s not too nice so I won’t share that). I’m addicted! Not to the workout necessarily, but to the results I’ve seen. It’s only a twenty-minute workout, but it incorporates weights, cardio and abs. I never realized how beneficial it could be to include weights in my workout routine. I always thought it would make me bulk up…but nope! It has slimmed me and I haven’t even changed what I eat, although I have tried to incorporate a little more protein in my diet since I don’t eat much meat. The video only cost about $10 at target and you will need some hand weights (which you can also get at target). Some people do 8 pounds, but I’m a weakling so I stick with 5’s. Also, if you decide to get it, don’t feel like you have to stick firmly to each video in its entirety. Try each one and see which moves you like. I like to do Level 2 but switch up the last round of weights since one of the moves isn’t comfortable for me. Okay, enough of that. I sound like I should be on an infomercial. Just get it. Try it. You’ll love it.

{10 Things You May Not Know About Me}

1) I wanted to go to the University of Texas but knew out-of-state tuition wouldn’t be an option.

2) I love the NBA and look forward to the playoffs every year because I know there will ALWAYS be a game on.

3) I love to craft.

4) I’ve never had chicken pox.

5) I turn the light switch on and off 10 times before entering a room (okay, just kidding about this one).

6) I backpacked Europe for one month in college with only four outfits and two pairs of shoes.

7) I want to own chickens one day so I can have fresh eggs every morning (with peanut butter, of course).

8) I procrastinate…bad. I should be writing a paper right now.

9) I want a tattoo but am too scared I will regret it.

10) My favorite “dessert” is rice crispy treats, and I actually prefer the store bought kind over homemade.

{Random Thoughts}

{*} God you are good! “And though it’s pouring down,
 I see You through the clouds,
 Shining on my face.”

{*} One more week, one more week, one more week….

{*} I look like a cat…really?? Thanks Destiny.

{*} Jefferson County Department of Transportation: You will be getting a bill from me, which will include tire alignment and a new transmission since mine fell out when I hit a pothole on 1^st Ave N.

{*} I love hearing “teacher, teacher” in Walmart and turning around to see a Cornerstone student.

{*} I love my job and the people I work with.

{*} One.day.at.a.time.

{*} Night classes: I loathe you.

Okay, enough of my random thoughts from a busy day. I should be typing a paper!

{Monday Must-Haves}

As I was visiting family in Charlotte a couple of years ago, my life was forever changed (I’m being a bit facetious). My aunt, Regina, and cousin, Rebecca, introduced me to a little shop called L’Occitane. My skin, hair, and olfaction haven’t been the same since. They make the most incredible skin and hair care products that make everything softer, prettier, healthier, and smell sooooo good. Well, I began buying several of their products and I really could tell a difference between these and the “cheap stuff” I was previously using. I was hooked. Then…I went from part-time work to full-time teaching and took a pay cut (yes, you read that right!). Paying $20 for face wash seemed frivolous and I thought I could make due without. I spent two weeks washing my face with whatever I could find, bar soap, shampoo, etc. I paid for it. When my face began breaking out so did my pocketbook. I bought my beloved face wash and I don’t feel bad about it one bit. It’s awesome and that’s why it’s today’s “Must-Have.”

{My Race}

A week ago I ran in my second half-marathon…which, should really be considered my first since it is the first one I actually trained for. It was so much fun!! The days leading up to it were spent wondering why in the heck I actually signed up (and PAID!!) to put myself through this. The Friday before Sunday’s race the “lovely” southern humidity decided to join us. 89% to be exact. I checked the weather on my phone the second I finished the race because I knew it had to be something ridiculous. Other than that, the race was great. I was feeling wonderful until I got to mile 9. At that point I had to really push myself to continue running. I wanted nothing more than to walk to the finish line, but I knew I would regret that decision, so I pushed on, allowing myself to walk for 30 seconds every time I passed a mile marker. Of course, when I got to mile 12, I didn’t want to walk! I think that was probably my fastest mile because I just wanted to finish…sit down…not feel nauseated. It probably doesn’t sound like it, but it really was a great race that left me wanting to do more! I had no injuries, and left the race feeling pretty good, other than being dehydrated, of course. It was a great experience and I’m excited about training for a full marathon…although I may wait a while.

My friend, Tomi, and I after the race

p.s. My finish time was 2:06:37...not my goal, but not too bad.

{Monday Must-Haves}

My teacher tote. I don’t know what I would do without it! It is a great bag for carrying heavy and large items, and it even has pockets around the inside for organization. It’s sturdy. It’s well made. It’s cute. It’s perfect really. Lands End and LL Bean make them, but only Lands End has the inside pockets (that was the case when I got mine, at least). They also come in a variety of sizes, colors, and fabrics.

I will post soon about my run…still recovering though.

{Race}

It’s 4:30 in the morning and I can’t sleep, which is not like me at all. I usually fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow and wouldn’t wake up for an earthquake (seriously, I slept through a small one years ago). Unfortunately, this sleepless night is caused by allergy/decongestant medicine. I have a horrible reaction to pseudoephedrine every single time I take it…yet I persist in taking it. Apparently it is the only effective drug of its kind (if you have recommendations for others, I would LOVE to hear it!). Moving on…

I am leaving for Pensacola after school gets out today to run in the Gulf Coast Half Marathon, and I couldn’t be more nervous. I have run in a half marathon race before, but I did not train, set goals, or enjoy the race. One of my goals before I turn 30 is to run a marathon, so I figured I better keep at this whole running thing. This time around I actually trained. I pushed myself in my long runs, knowing it would benefit me in the actual race. For the last two weeks, however, I have not been running as often as I should due to weather and sinus congestion (hence my consumption of evil meds). I am worried it is going to effect my finishing time. It’s a silly thing to care about, but I worked so hard to prepare for this and I don’t want to fail. My time goal is 2 hours and due to lack of technological equipment, I don’t know how feasible this is for me. Eek. I have my ipod playlist ready to go with music cues at 30-minute increments so I can gauge my progress. I should probably invest in one of those handy wristwatch things…or figure out the “i map my run” app on my phone.

I WILL be updating my blog about the run. Maybe if I have to post my finish time to the World Wide Web it will give me more incentive to move my feet. Maybe. Hopefully.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and gets to enjoy the fantastic weather we are having! I love days (and nights!) like these!

{Monday Must-Haves}

This week’s must-have is last week’s purchase…the new iPhone 4. I’m not sure what I did before it! It has helped me navigate my way around town, track my runs, get weather, sports, or news updates, and take way better pictures than my actual camera. It is definitely the best purchase I’ve made in a while. If it is time for you to get a new phone, I recommend you take the plunge. You won’t regret it. I’m currently in the process of choosing a name for it (ridiculous? Maybe.), so if you have any suggestions let me hear ‘em. Right now I’m toying with “Boo,” since that is what I’ve always wanted to name a dog. Since I can’t have an actual pet, I’ll just treat my phone as such. Although, I’m sure I could find an app along those lines.

{My Wonderful Weekend}

What a glorious weekend!!! After a week of rain and dreary days it was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed good alone time catching up from a busy week and preparing for the next. While my mom, aunts, and cousin got to enjoy a weekend at the beach, I stayed in the ‘ham and got a little sun of my own. Saturday morning I got up early and went to one my student’s T-ball games…

Then spent the afternoon helping paint faces at my church’s spring festival. It was such a great day! I wish I had a picture of it, but the only one I took turned out really dark. Let’s just say some of those girls had some dang cute cupcakes, butterflies, and flowers painted on them.

Sunday was a great day spent with my dad. We just spent the day running errands around town, hanging out, and going to church. As you can see, he found a really cute hat at Mountain High…

I hope your weekend was grand!

{Prayer}

{sigh} It’s been a long, crazy, busy, fun, educational, and exciting week.

To make a really long story short(er), I will just hit the high points. As you probably know, I am a K4 assistant at a school from 7:30-3:30 everyday. What you may not know is that I am also in graduate school for elementary education and have class Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights from 5:30-8. I am training for a half-marathon so I try to run in between work and school OR run any errands that need to be done. I began going to a small group with my church on Thursday nights, so that means my weekends are filled with catching up on things from the week. I’m busy…and I love it.

This week has seemed really busy because I’ve had so much on my mind. I met with the woman responsible for student teaching placements this week and was led to believe I may be placed at Phillips Academy. Of course, ideally, I would love Cornerstone to offer me a job and I would fulfill my student teaching requirement while actually being a teacher in my own classroom. If that doesn’t happen (and it probably won’t), I would love to be placed in a Birmingham city school with a successful teacher. It is going to be a difficult semester financially, so I am preparing to make the best of it. I do not get paid for my student teaching, still have to pay tuition, and am discouraged from having a side job (which I plan to do anyway). Then on Wednesday it really hit me…not only am I leaving Cornerstone, but I’m leaving these kids that (as strange as it sounds) have become a part of my life. I LOVE going to work every morning and seeing those children. Truly. Sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out or scream at the top of my lungs…but I still love them so much. I better get used to the fact that I have to say goodbye to children after a year. I suppose it’s just a part of teaching.

Anyway, I say all this to ask for prayers. My life is a big “?” after May. Right now, nothing is certain. I am trusting God will reveal it to me in His perfect timing and am using this as an opportunity to grow in faith. Please pray that I am being diligent in seeking out opportunities rather than idly waiting, but that I am not trying to control things and do them by my own power or means. Thank you all. Much love.

p.s. Coming soon: pictures of my latest crafting endeavors that are for sale. That’s right, you can own a Stephanie Pruitt original...and help out a broke college student.