Middle of the week already

I'm so glad this is a 4 day week.  We are already halfway through the week and I can't wait for the weekend.  Needing some mom/daughter time while shopping will make for a good time :) 

Top 5 for the day:

1. Submitting 2 more job applications before work

2. Seeing a colleague/friend at the grocery store

3. Catching up with a friend

4. Hearing and seeing him :)

5. Student excitement for music fun day

You do something to me that I can't explain...

I'm so glad it's a 4 day week this week.  Only 11 1/2 more days left at EC and it's becoming bittersweet.  I have had some great memories along with some rough days here.  Every one of them has helped me grow into the woman I am today.  I'm watching this storm blow over and I can't wait for it to be done.  The feeling after a storm in both life and the world is one of a sense of calm.  I always look forward to the calm and relief after.  I'm hoping there will be some heat relief after this storm :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Catching up on big events happening this weekend with friends
2. Getting an interview for a job :)
3. Coming home to the air conditioning after a very hot afternoon
4. Good voice lesson
5. Seeing him :)

An amazing 6 days

Photo credit: Matt Pribisco

So I haven't posted in awhile...this past week has been a whirlwind (I feel like I say that a lot).  Some of the days just flew by..and some of them seemed like they took forever because I was anticipating a lot.  This past week I had a very special visitor from Nashville come up and stay through today.  He just left and we had a blast spending as much time together as possible.  Here is a brief overview of the days I've missed:

Photo credit: Matt Pribisco

Monday 5/21:
1. Last EBT meeting of the year
2. Finishing up the Jersey Survival Kit
3. Talking to him all night after a weekend apart
4. Hearing good news about Nan
5. Cleaning and laundry to prepare for the week

Heading out into the rain

Tuesday 5/22:
1. Nails done with a friend
2. Glee season finale
3. Grabbing last minute items
4. Sing-along-songs and little kids singing
5. Job applications sent

Photo credit: Me :)

Wednesday 5/23:
1. His arrival on the train :)
2. Nice walk through Ridgewood without rain
3. Getting up early and getting things done :)
4. Dinner with friends and him :)
5. Installing the bedroom A/C just in time for hot, humid weather

Photo credit: Me :)

Thursday 5/24:
1. Seeing Nan in Rehab doing well and hearing she's home on Monday
2. Dinner with Mom and him at a Jersey diner :)
3. Picking out sandals with him
4. Not having to drive :)
5. Watching a movie and falling asleep :)

892 miles <3

Friday 5/25:
1. Coming home to a clean apartment thanks to him :)
2. Out to dinner with friends and him again :)
3. Seeing a band perform
4. The beginning of a ton of pictures
5. Wrapping up bridal shower presents

Photo credit: Matt Pribisco

Saturday 5/26:
1. Seeing college friends at a bridal shower
2. Backroad driving through PA
3. Dinner with the family at their house :)
4. Home cooked meal :)
5. Jersey bagels for breakfast

Pop of color..Photo credit: Matt Pribisco

Sunday 5/27:
1. Becoming his girlfriend <3
2. Walking through Goffle Brook Park trails
3. Church with him
4. Dancing in the apartment
5. Dinner with the landlord and friends

My favorite photographer

Monday 5/28:
1. Wishing my best a happy birthday at midnight
2. Listening to music the last few hours before he has to leave
3. Surprising him with water and snacks for the trip
4. Realizing it's 2:15 not 1:15 and having to make the 2:39 train...still have time for "see you later"
5. Final hugs until July...waiting for his texts

At the train station before he left

Great Strides

It was a gorgeous day here in Jersey and I had the best time at the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.  There were a lot of people there and it could not have been more beautiful.  It was warm, sunny, and a nice breeze.  It's the start to another week...but the week I have been waiting for is finally here :)  I just need to wait a few more days :)

Laura and I at the Great Strides walk

Top 5 for today:
1. Seeing a lot of people come out for the Great Strides walk
2. Getting applications together to mail and finish
3. Surprise phone calls to make my day :)
4. Cool breeze coming through the windows all day
5. Beautiful pictures

Plotting and Scheming

I love giving gifts.  I love making gifts for people.  Today I spent the afternoon shopping with a great friend and her son to pick up a bridal shower gift along with a surprise to be given to someone when they arrive in Jersey on Wednesday :)  I love plotting and scheming surprises :)

Cute flyer in a store

Top 5 for today:
1. Hearing his voice first thing in the morning
2. Beautiful day to clean with the windows open
3. Being creative in a bridal shower gift
4. Plotting and scheming and picking things up for a surprise :)
5. New scents around the apartment

Busy Week

So it has been a busy week here on my end.  Concert, Six Flags, Teaching all week, looking for new jobs...I've barely had a chance to breathe.  So here is a quick recap of the week:

Sunday:
1. Singing in church for mother's day
2. Successful surgery for Nan
3. Quick Nap
4. Gorgeous weather
5. Supportive emails and texts all day

Monday:
1. Kickoff for leadership week
2. Last rehearsal for 7/8 choir
3. Surprise gift for Teacher Appreciation week
4. Hearing his voice after a rough day
5. Catching up on TV shows

Tuesday:
1. Laundry day
2. Playing with the pup downstairs
3. Setting up the iMovie
4. Working on my speech for the concert
5. Screen sharing for help on projects

Flowers and cards from students current and former

Wednesday:
1. Beautiful concert
2. Seeing and catching up with former students
3. Seeing my parents at the concert
4. Good update about Nan
5. Emails from teachers and friends

Conquered Kingda Ka

Me and my best at the park

Thursday:
1. Both choirs getting Superior
2. Spending the day with my best :)
3. Beautiful weather to ride the rides
4. Seeing my kids enjoy the day
5. Seeing him after a long day :)

My kids wonderful trophies

Friday:
1. Jeans day and donations to the CF Foundation
2. Gorgeous day for the ES field day
3. Talking to him while getting ready in the morning
4. Movie day with my choir
5. Relaxing evening :)

Gorgeous Saturday weather

New haircut :)

This was a picture perfect Saturday.  It was warm, sun was shining, and I was able to get some work done.  The best part..I got my hair cut and colored today.  My hair dresser is the best and was able to squeeze me in at the last minute.  It was a great way to start my Saturday morning and I can't wait to celebrate Mother's Day tomorrow with my family.  There is a big surprise I am planning also :)

Top 5 for Thursday:
1. Dinner with Mom
2. Celebrating Teacher Appreciation with some gifts from students
3. Working with my percussionists...they sound great
4. Youth Group and time with my girls
5. Talks to keep me awake going home

Top 5 for Friday:
1. 10 minute massage courtesy of the principal :)
2. Jeans day
3. Date night :)
4. 8th Grade song...sounding great
5. Combination song sounding great for the concert

Top 5 for Saturday:
1. Warm sun shining through my windows
2. Feeling refreshed after my haircut :)
3. Movie night with him :)
4. Clean dishes and kitchen
5. Working on job applications

Long morning

This morning felt like it dragged on and on.  It was the most bizarre feeling...I actually forgot what period I was in during first period.  I think it's the weather and all this rain/humidity/pollen is starting to mess up my head!  On the bright side I am thoroughly enjoying Teacher Appreciation Week.  I got more cards today...a few almost made me cry....and received a really awesome breakfast by our principal and dean.  It was all "to order" and really good :)

Top 5 for the day:

1. Breakfast: bagel, pancakes, bacon, eggs, taylor ham

2. Spending some time with kids after school on bus duty due to road closures

3. Encouraging text messages throughout the day

4. Signing up for the CF Walk in a week :)

5. Cards, lunch, and breakfast for Teacher Appreciation Day :)

Hey There Delilah...

Been jamming out to "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's...it's a great song and a friend told me it's my song :)  The year is winding down and I feel like I am picking up more and more work.  Luckily...it's teacher appreciation week and today was Teacher Appreciation Day.  I got a lot of cards and even a goodie bag of cookies and pretzels.  The board provided lunch for us today at the MS and tomorrow it's provided at the ES :)  I am enjoying not having to make lunch :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Rockin' it out at chapel with one of the best worship teams of the year
2. Talking with a friend who's at college and finishing up
3. Relaxing even though we're miles apart
4. Extra prep due to testing
5. Lunch provided by the board

Busy days lead to exhausting nights

It's yet another late night...although this time it is not due to a certain someone.  For Mother's Day I have been asked to sing on the worship team and it feels great to be finally back on a team.  I'm looking forward to Mother's Day and church since I've been asked to not only sing on the worship team, but do something else :)  Well...it's off to bed since tomorrow is a big singing day for me.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Finally receiving my surprise and loving it :)
2. Decent choir rehearsal and voice lesson
3. Successful 8th grade song rehearsal
4. Meeting new people through the worship team
5. Talking to him all afternoon :)

A week's worth of Top 5s

So it has been a week since I last updated.  There has been a lot going on and lots of late night talks :)  So I'll go day by day and give you top 5s :)

Sunday 4/29:
1. Gifts from family for my birthday
2. Surprise visit from my best friend from HS
3. Seeing "The Lucky One"
4. 4 hour phone call :)
5. Celebrating with cake and family

Monday 4/30:
1. "Snow Day"
2. Shopping with mom and getting new clothes
3. In and out of DMV in 20 minutes
4. Constant communication :)
5. Beautiful weather day

Tuesday 5/1:
1. Voice lesson
2. Decent choir rehearsal
3. Extra preps
4. Making plans for Memorial Day weekend
5. Date night #1

Wednesday 5/2:
1. No plans on the calendar
2. Talking all day
3. Extra prep again
4. Date night #2
5. Another late night :)

Thursday 5/3:
1. Emails to make me smile
2. Youth group fun
3. Being serenaded by some youth group kids
4. Hearing news from my brother
5. Smiling for 5 days straight

Friday 5/4:
1. Back on a normal teaching schedule
2. Hearing everything will be alright
3. Talking with mom
4. Facetime
5. Having good talks with my coffee :)

Saturday 5/5:
1. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with choir teachers
2. Being there for a friend in need
3. Seeing my students sing and perform in the NJ Junior High Honor Choir
4. Spending time with my students and their families after the concert
5. Coming home and relaxing :)

Sunday 5/6:
1. Hearing big news first thing in the morning
2. "Prayer" sermon
3. Making "to do" lists
4. Watching the Mets
5. Always smiling all day :)