Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Getting Closer

I can't believe that our trip is less than 3 weeks away!  I am super excited about it!!!  I'm trying to finished losing that last minute weight so that I can gain it on the trip and come back looking about the same.  It's no fun to go on a trip and halfway through, none of your clothes fit.  I feel like I need to start packing so I don't forget anything but I guess I could just go by my motto....If I forget it, just buy it.  I still need to book my Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb.  I've heard good reviews on the climb at sunset so I will probably go with that one.  I just need to sit down and do it and with my lack of time lately, I need to schedule in a moment to do some final research and take the plunge.  It's a hefty chunk of change, but completely worth it!  Be watching for updates leading up to the big day.  I have a ton to do at school but it will get done and I am confident in my amazing sub and my incredible team.  They do not disappoint.  It'll be here before I know it!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thankful



I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving.  This time last year I was in NYC watching the balloons being inflated and we were planning our attack for the next morning.  I feel like I just rang in the new year but I'm so thankful that I didn't.  I've had the week off this week which has allowed me time to reflect on thanksgiving and what I am thankful for.  Last year I took time each day during the month of November to blog about something I was thankful for many of which are the same this year....I have so much to be thankful for.  I wanted to take some time to blog about my thankfulness this year.

First and foremost, which I have blogged about before, year after year I feel like, I am thankful for a loving God!  I am thankful for His mercy and grace and thankful that He is always there.  I'm thankful for my relationship with Him.  I'm thankful for those times that I didn't think I would make it through the day this past year but I did because of the Lord's comfort and the strength He gave me.  The Lord has always been so faithful.

Another thing I am thankful for is my family.  When I say family I mean all of them....mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, niece, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother.  They all love me for who I am and accept everything about me.  My parents have given me more than I ever could have asked for in life and I am forever grateful for the experiences they have given me and the love they have shown me.  They have put me before themselves and worked so hard to give me a life better than they had growing up and I am blessed by their sacrifices.  My brother and sister in law have given me the cutest little niece :)  Of course I am also thankful for their friendship and memories we have as well as the niece!

How could I not write about how thankful I am that I get to spend my days with sweet children.  Ok, I won't lie, not all days are fine and dandy.  It's a tough job but I am honestly so blessed by the children that the Lord handpicked to be in my class.  No two days are alike in my life and I get to instill in my students a love of learning which I think is pretty cool and I'm pretty sure their parents like that too :)

I'm also thankful for my friends.  I've have several different groups of friends but all of them are very important to me and I love the stories about how God brought each one of them into my life.  Some of them I've known for 10+ years and some I've only known for a short time but they have each helped shape me and helped me become the woman I am today and I love the time I get to spend with all of them even if it's just a short time.  The memories I have of each one of them are pretty special!

Another thing that I am so thankful for is the opportunity to travel.  I have had the chance to see some pretty neat places and I feel fortunate that I have been able to experience the beauty of God's creation.  It is just so perfect and I'm blessed that I have been given the opportunity to explore all that I have been able to explore.

Lastly, I am thankful for my wonderful boyfriend.  I could go on and on about the MANY things I am thankful for about him and maybe one day I will, but for now, just know that I am thankful that the Lord brought him into my life and I appreciate him so much.


I have been greatly blessed and I have so much to be thankful for this year!  

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Latest Adventure

My latest adventure happened this past weekend.  Back in October my wonderful boyfriend said he wanted to take me somewhere for my birthday.  Me being the adventurous traveler that I am was excited....I love going anywhere!  So he tried to keep it a secret but that lasted for maybe 1-2 days :)  But that's ok....knowing where we were going gave me something exciting to look forward to during the hectic and chaotic fall season.

Fast forward a month or so and we finally were ready for our adventure.  We flew on Spirit, which has a lot of mixed reviews.  I'd say it was decent.  Not horrible.  When we boarded the plane, the flight attendant that was on there began to get upset that they had let us on the plane.  She started saying "we're not ready!"  Well what were we supposed to do about that?  They told us to get on the plane so we did what we were told.  I think she was just having a rough morning.  Despite the rudeness from the flight attendant we made it in one piece and on time to Chicago to spend the day.

It was a packed day and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire adventure.  We started at The Bongo Room.  We attempted to find it by walking but quickly realized that it might be better to catch a cab.  Good thing we did because it was farther away than we thought.  It just so happens that there were multiple locations.  We were told later by our very friendly Smart Home tour guide at the Science museum that we went to the best location.  When we pulled up, there was a wait.  I knew that since there was a wait it must mean that it is a good place to go.  We probably waited 30 minutes but the weather was decently nice so it wasn't too cold to wait outside.  Once seated, we made our choices and ordered.  Then we started seeing all these dessert like pancakes that people had ordered.  I had to second guess my choice but when mine came out and I started eating it, I was very pleased with my choice.

Our next stop was the Science Museum.  It's a big place that you could easily spend all day in.  They had a bunch of add on exhibits.  We went for the Smart Home and one of the IMAX movies about flying.  The smart home exhibit was pretty cool.  I'm ready to start building mine.  I'm also ready to get a mirror with a internet access so I can get ready in the morning and check my Facebook and the latest news all in one.  The movie was interesting but I could have easily fallen asleep!  The chairs were comfy and laid back a little.  They were just what my neck needed.  I guess I didn't mention the extreme neck pain I was experiencing.  It started Friday morning and it continues today (even though it does feel better).  We had some extra time after our smart home exhibit and our IMAX movie so we went across the street to Lake Michigan.  It was beautiful!  I've never seen any of the great lakes in person.  It was so peaceful!  We stopped for some photos and then walked on a little long to sit and rest some before heading back.
Lake Michigan

Cedric the Gnome...there is a story that goes with this little gnome.  

After the museum, we went downtown to see the Chicago Bean in Millennium Park.  Of course me being the picture person I am had to take a few pictures.  
The Bean

We had to get the skyline in the picture.  I think we did pretty good.


After the Bean, we did a little bit of window shopping and went inside the enormous Macy's.  It reminded me of the one in NYC.  We went up to the coats section and I'm pretty sure they had any coat you could think of that you might possibly want or need.  We looked around for a little while  before heading to an early dinner.  

We saved the best for last.....the pizza!  I had never had any Chicago style pizza, but I love deep dish pizza so I knew it would not disappoint.  We went to Giordano's.....they told us the wait was going to be about 1-1.5 hours.  We patiently waited and were pleasantly surprised when we were called after about 20 minutes.  We had already preordered our pizza because it takes about 45 minutes for them to cook.  My first experience with Chicago style pizza was a positive one.  I enjoyed every last bite :)  We even saved room for dessert.  Well, I don't know that I saved room for it....I would say I made room for it and thought I might need to be rolled out of the restaurant later.  

After our pizza it was about time to start making our way back to the airport to get through security and get back on our flight to head home.  

Overall, I had a GREAT adventure, even though I was in a lot of pain and I'm glad I got to spend it in great company and was well taken care of! :)