Getting ahold of the Classroom

Hi Friends,

So this post is for all the teachers out there. As part of my job I am teaching sea turtle programs classroom style. Today I had the hardest time getting the students to listen to me. I tried all my tricks in the bag and couldn't get them to pay attention. So my question for you teachers out there is....what are some of your tricks and tips for classroom management?

I want to be the best educator that I can and on days like today I feel like I failed. I would love to say that the rest of the day got better but all I could do was process what happened with the group this morning.

So friends, do you have any tips, tricks, websites, blogs, book, etc. that might help me out? I'm willing to look anywhere :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

(I'm asking for help because I want to be all that I can be!)

Love,
Heather

Working things up

Hi Friends,

So as I've been promising here is my update on the move. Things have been pretty crazy since I moved so I haven't had time or energy really after work.

Well when I first got here, I couldn't even move into my house for 4 days because people hadn't moved out. So therefore I was living in Limbo buying things and storing them in my car until I could move in. Once I finally did move in, the whole house was disgusting. I had to do some intense cleaning. Here's an example of the bathroom...

eww...

umm how could someone shower in here?

the shower curtain was moldy! so gross!

 

And here is what the bathroom looks like after I got my hands on it...

So Much Better Now!

 

When I moved in there were dishes and trash all over the kitchen. It was quite horrible. Since I didn't get to move in until I started working, my nights were busy cleaning and organizing. I am somewhat satisfied with the house now. I had been sick for three weeks. The house was trying to kill me with a whole bunch of dust and mold. I ended up getting a sinus infection :(. It's all cured now for the most part.



 So like I said I jumped right into work. Now my position here is only a year temporary but I am loving the job so far. Now the politics surrounding the job and all the other crap outside of it, I'm not loving. There's definitely a lot of crap floating around which makes it weird. I've been doing pretty good at just staying positive. Yesterday though I had a break down.

 

I moved back here hoping to have all these exciting things happen. Not one has happened. Have you ever worked something so much up in your head and then when it happens you feel let down? Well that's how I've been feeling. I miss all the people I used to work with. I like some of the people now but it's not the same and they are all a good 5+ years younger than me. They are still stuck in that partying stage and I am not. I mean I am almost 28 but I feel like I am going on 40 around them. So the social aspect of being here hasn't gone as well as I'd like it too.

 

But on the other side the job part is going well. I love it. I'm starting to work on a project that I'm hoping I will be able to take to grad school. I officially know what I want to do for a career which feels fantastic. Now if I can just get there. That's always the question isn't it? Well at least I am on the right track.

 

With the Holidays here I am having a real time being away from family. I think that's what lead to my mental breakdown the other day. But I am trying to make the best of it and just go with the flow. Spending Holidays away from the family is one of the hardest things I've ever done. How do y'all do it if you are away from family? I'm just decorating like crazy. I'm hoping to do a post about all my decor next week (the roomies won't let me decorate until after Thanksgiving).

 

I've had some fun adventures along the way. I will try and blog about a couple of those soon. I just wanted to let everyone know what was going on. Super busy loving work, hating the politics, my house is trying to kill me, missing holidays at home, but staying positive! I'll leave you with one of the positives to living on an island...

Going to the beach! :)

 

 

Until next time,

Heather

 



NYC at Christmas

Hi Friends,

Long time no talk, I know. I promise to have an update on the move coming soon. Things have just been crazy busy and I've been battling a sickness for three weeks = lack of energy. Before I bring you the update on the move, I need some help.

I get the opportunity of a lifetime. It's been on my bucket list for as long as I remember. I get to go to NYC during Christmas time. I'm actually going the weekend of Thanksgiving. I will really only be there for about a day and a half meeting my mom but I'm so excited.

I need y'alls help. What are your top things to see in NYC at Christmas time? I am starting to form a list of my top priority things to see and would love your help.

Thanks Loves,
Heather

And I promise an update by next week :)

It's Official!

Hi Friends,

Guess what? It's Official! 

Source: google.com via Heather on Pinterest

I am signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon on February 24, 2013!!!! I am registered and doing it! I can't even believe it. I mean I decided I wanted to do this but now that I am registered, I am REALLY doing it. 

It's going to take so much from me as I am not a runner. Well I don't consider myself a runner. But I saw this quote this morning on Runners World Magazine Facebook Page...

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." ~John Bingham

I loved this because it spoke to me. I am a runner because I try to be a runner. I may go slow. I may think people are staring at me thinking "what the heck is she doing". I may not be the fastest. But I am a runner! I can do this! It's all a mental game. 

My grandfather is 80 almost 81 and he still runs. If he can do it, so can I. I just have to put my mind to it and I definitely have. 

Source: bing.com via Heather on Pinterest

13.1 miles seems like a long distance. But I know I can do it. When I worked on the beach two summers ago I walked that and more just for work. I can do this. I think I will probably be doing the run/walk method that Jeff Galloway talks about. I think because of past knee injuries and just beginning this will be the best method for me. That is how I am training. 

I've been reading blogs on the race and it sounds amazing. Sounds like their are characters all along the way. My favorite part that I've read is people just having so much adrenaline from being at Disney World that it pushes them through the race. I am counting on that. I love me some Disney and am always on a high when I am there. 

I have a friend doing this with me and I am sure that will help as well. She's a great encouragement for me. Are any of you doing this race? What are your favorite parts about a race? Training tips? Anything? I am just super excited for this adventure. It's going to be a great 28th Birthday present to myself. 

And I can't wait to see these two....

Source: communities.washingtontimes.com via Heather on Pinterest

Love,

Heather

A Little Surprise

Hi Loves,

**This was actually 2 weekends ago but my computer has been having issues :( 

So last week was kind of crazy for me. Because of my moving there is a lot of family that I wanted to see before leaving for the great state of Georgia!

So last Tuesday/Wednesday my Dad and I drove up to Washington to visit my Dad's side of the family. It was a great visit and they all said they would come visit me in Georgia! We will see if it happens or not ;)

Then on Thursday, I don't remember what I was doing but I got a call from one of my Besties, Carissa. She asked me what I was doing that weekend and I said I had just planned on spending it in our pool. "Nope, you're coming down here and we are going to the Jamboree!" My thoughts were, "WHAT? IS THIS A JOKE?" Ha. So the Oregon Jamboree is a 3 Day outdoor Country concert in Sweet Home. 2 Stages, 22 Shows, 3 Headliners!

I had originally planned on buying a ticket as soon as I learned that Brantley Gilbert was going to be playing. However when I learned that I was moving to Georgia I just knew I couldn't afford it before moving. I was really bummed because I fell in love with Brantley Gilbert 2 years ago when I first lived in Georgia and had been dying to see him ever since.

I was so excited when Carissa told me I would be going. She and her Husband, Shaun, agreed to buy me a ticket as a Thank you for all I did for their wedding recently and as a going away present. I was so thankful and couldn't believe it because tickets aren't cheap.

So Friday morning I had plans for lunch with my cousin but afterwards I headed South for the concert. Friday night we made it in time for Charlie Daniels Band...

The last song they played of course was Devil Went Down to Georgia and it was great. Unfortunately because we were so late Friday night we were way in the back but the 3 screens let you see really well. Carissa had her son Cohen (4) with us the whole weekend. This is the only photo of the three of us that I got.

Does anybody know how to make iPhone pictures not so pixil-y at night?

After Charlie Daniels Band there was an hour break and as we were waiting for the next band the moon was rising behind the stage. It was so much better in person but this is the best shot I got.

The headliner of Friday night was.....RASCAL FLATTS!!!

My nighttime photos didn't turn out that well unfortunately. Now I've seen them in concert before and they are great but this night was so much better than I'd ever seen. They didn't play off a set list. They asked the audience which songs we wanted to hear and they played them. I thought that was great! Cohen's favorite movie is Cars and he was so excited to hear "Life is a Highway" but he fell asleep before they played it. So we woke him up when they started playing it and he was all mad at us at first and then he realized what was playing. He was so cute dancing, smiling, and singing to the song. He was so happy and they played parts of the movie on the screen so that got him excited. Rascal Flatts was a great end to Friday night.

Most people camp/RV in fields for the Jamboree but luckily Carissa and Shaun live in Sweet Home so we were able to stay at their house. Friday night we didn't get home until almost midnight and then were back up at 530 the next morning to get in line for our General Admission seats.

I tell you being in line was some of the best interaction and people watching. You definitely made friends with the people you were sitting around. I loved it.

We were actually at the beginning of the second line so not too far behind

The second day we were ready to get good seats and we definitely did. We set up our seats and then headed back to the house for showers and some Biscuits and Sausage Gravy for breakfast. We knew this day was supposed to be super hot so we tried to drink lots of water before heading back. I was itching to get back though because Saturday was when Brantley Gilbert was to play and I was hoping to accidentally run into him (wishful thinking, ha). The days line-up included Morgan Frazier (didn't see her we were still at home), The Kentucky Headhunters (you know the ones that sing..."Let's all go, down to Dumas Walker"...), Neal McCoy (he was also the MC), Brantley Gilbert, and Wynonna. It was quite the day of performances. Mind you this day was super hot....

Yup you're reading that right. 102 Degrees in Oregon. That just doesn't happen that often. Needless to say we tried everything to keep cool. Luckily they have a covered bridge that provides shade as well as a shaded kids play area. We took this guy over there a lot on Saturday...

We kept spraying his hair and him to keep him cool. He ended up losing it this day and about 6pm just started crying uncontrollably because he was so hot and tired. We laid him down on the ground with ear plugs in and he passed out. Here are a couple pictures of the performers...

Neal McCoy is hilarious! If you ever get the chance to see him you definitely should. He kept inviting himself back to the Jamboree for next year. 

 

Oh Mr Brantley Gilbert! Loved him. I have so many pictures and videos (where I am singing horribly in the background) of him. Great performer in person! So glad I got to finally see him

Wynonna...well what can I say other than we left during her performance. It drove me nuts that she never opened her eyes. 

So we left during Wynonna and were all starving so we went to McDonald's (yuck, I am not a fan but was starving). We all pretty much passed out after eating because we were gonna be back up again the next morning. 

That brings us to Sunday, in line at 530am again. This time we were at the end-ish of line 1. Meeting more people and chatting with the same from the day before. At one point two tour buses and the 18 wheeler pulled in. Everyone wondered who they belonged too. I should have gone to see (more on that later). So today we got even better seats! And then again headed home for some breakfast and showers. 

Sunday's line-up included Eden's Edge, Steve Holy, Chris Young, and Dierks Bentley. We knew it was going to be another hot day so we spent most of the morning/early afternoon over in the shaded kids area letting Cohen play. We ended up trying to go back over for Steve Holy but it was too hot and we went back to the shaded area. Not to mention he wasn't the best performer :(. So around 4 we headed back to our seats for Chris Young because I wanted to watch him. Let me just say, MY OH MY, I could marry that man. So glad we went back for his set. Gorgeous dimples!!!! He put on a great show. If you ever get the chance to see him don't miss out. Such high energy. And gorgeous sexy voice!!!! I fell in love, if that's even possible. And as I mentioned before about the buses...they were his. Should have gone over to see. Darn it! Ha. Dierks Bentley was AMAZING as well. I had never seen him in concert either. He said earlier in the day he took his jeep up to the lake and then to the local coffee shop. I think I would've crapped my pants (not literally, but you get it) had I seen him driving around. He puts on a great show and played for almost 2 hours. At the end of his set and the end of the concert a rainbow formed over the stage. It was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend. 

My pictures from Sunday aren't that good because I only had my iPhone and it did the temperature thing and shut off and my pictures aren't very clear. But here's a couple from Sunday...

Cohen made a visor in the kids section

Gorgeous Chris Young! So sad it's so pixily

Okay Country Fans, who does this remind you of?....If you said Eric Church you are right on. This guy is in Chris Young's band. Crazy resemblence. I said something to Carissa about how he looked like Eric Church and then like 5 seconds later Chris said "My Eric Church look-a-like". Ha, great  minds think alike :) 

Mr Dierks Bentley! Closed down the show with 2 hours of playing! Loved it

It was an AMAZING weekend! I can't believe I have never been to the Oregon Jamboree before. If I ever am back in Oregon around this time I am definitely going again. Thank you so much Carissa and Shaun! 

I've always known I've loved Country Music but this concert made me even more in love. I love Country Men and Big Trucks and fantastic MUSIC!!

Love,

Heather

Gateway Mom Jeans

Hi Loves,

How many of you hate shopping for jeans? I know I sure do. I feel like I can never find the perfect pair. When I do find the perfect ones I buy them in multiples and wear them out. I mean I wear them until they have wholes in the thigh area. 

Let's talk about that. I mean come-on Jean companies! Can't you put more material in the thigh area to help a girl out with the chubb rub. My pants and several of my friends always wear out there first. More material or stronger material in that area would be fantastic!

Okay back to the main topic. So I've been on the hunt for some new jeans as my last ones ended their reign. I have some other ones that are trouser style that I can wear for work but I am looking for tight jeans. I want some nice tight jeans that make my butt look fantastic. I mean come on who doesn't want that? The problem with jeans these days is that they have too much stretch in them and are only tight when you first put them on. Drives me insane. I want them to stay that way. 

So I had gone to Old Navy the other day and was trying on jeans since they are on sale for only $19. I found a pair that I thought I liked. I bought two pairs. One in long for heels and One in regular. I bought them and then got them home and tried them on again. I hated them when I got them home. You see this happens to me all the time with Old Navy. Love the stuff when I try it on in store, hate it when I get home. So why did I hate them? Because the pockets are HUGE!!!!!! They make me look like I have a pancake butt. I don't want that!! I mean I have a pretty flat butt to begin with, I got boobs instead, so I definitely don't want to make it look even flatter. Insert the jeans I bought....

Do you see how HUGE those pockets are? Not to mention I only had them on for maybe 5 minutes and the butt area already started stretching out. Ugh! Needless to say I am taking them back pronto! 

So this leads me into the Gateway Mom Jeans pin I found on pinterest...

Source: graspingforobjectivity.com via Heather on Pinterest

(Here's the actual link: http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2012/07/gap.html )

This makes so much sense to me. I've always bought Old Navy or Gap jeans because I thought they fit me right but I always hated how they stretch out so fast. I don't want to be wearing Gateway Mom, Pancake Butt Jeans. I'm 27 and nowhere near wanting to be a Mom! I want to be looked at as hot. I want to be looked at as having a cute butt even if it is flat. This girl needs to find a man and I sure as hell ain't going to find one in Gateway Mom jeans! I am officially done with buying Old Navy/Gap jeans unless they change their ways. 

It's gonna hurt my wallet to find the perfect small pocket, non-stretch, non-pancake butt, non-mom jeans, but it will be worth it! Here I come jean shopping!!

Love,
Heather

So Many Interests

Hi Loves,

So I am actually in the process of recapping my past weekend in a different post but my pictures aren't loading for some stupid reason. Very frustrating. So hopefully that post will be up in the next couple of days.

In the meantime, I've been thinking about something recently that I thought we'd discuss. Interests. What are your interests? Over the last week or so I've been really thinking about mine and I gotta tell y'all, I've got so many. I am such a multifaceted person. I like so many different things. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

My interests are always changing. It seems like I obsess over something for a little bit until I find the next thing. Pinterest has definitely enhanced this. It seems like I obsess over creating likes of one interest until I find the next thing. Does anybody else do this? I know a lot of people have their one or few interests that they really stick to. But for me, I like the variety. I get bored if I am doing the same thing for too long. I like to experience new things in life. I love that excitement of something new.

Does this make me kind of crazy? Sure, maybe. But that's me. I like variety in life. How 'bout you? Do your interests switch frequently? Just a thought provoking blog for Friday!

Love,
Heather

A Bit of Disappointment

Hi Loves,

So tonight I have a little bit of a disappointment post. So this past weekend I was the MOH in a really close friends wedding. So fact in close I went to Disneyland with her, her fiance (now husband) and her son in September/October. Well I saw this post on Pinterest....

Source: disneytrivia.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

And I thought it would be a perfect gift for them for their wedding. A signed picture and a Just Married Button. I had major plans for this signed picture. I was going to put it in a frame and then add a shelf and key hook to the picture frame. Well this is what they sent me in the mail....

All they sent me was a Postcard! A freaking postcard. No signed picture! No Just Married button! I am really disappointed. I've kind of lost trust in pinterest now too, since that's where I got the idea. I'm not sure what I am going to do now. Very upset :( 

Has anybody else had some major fails with Pinterest?

Love,

Heather

2012 London Olympics

Today July 27th, 2012...

Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics!!!! 

Source: vevmo.com via spring on Pinterest

I don't know about y'all but ever since I was little I can remember watching the Olympics. Summer Olympics are definitely my favorite. 

This whole week I've been watching the Today show coverage of the Olympics. They have been giving great sneak peak coverage. Seeing them interview the athlete's has been amazing. It amazes me the strength and passion these Olympians have. When I think about myself just beginning to run I think to the athlete's and how they've been doing their sport their whole life. It's definitely a dedication and they have it! 

My favorite sports to watch by far are Gymnastics, Swimming, and Beach Volleyball. I can't wait to watch the Fab Five and I hope they dominate at Gymnastics and bring home Gold for the USA! 

Source: mckaylamaroney.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

The showdown between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte! I want to see Phelps become the most decorated Olympian ever but let's face it Ryan is HOT so I want to see him win too just so I can stare at him, lol. It's going to be a great dual! 

Source: via Allie on Pinterest

And Beach Volleyball, I love watching them dig in and get serious.

Source: london2012.com via Leslie on Pinterest

I am full on routing for Team USA! Can't wait to watch all the events. What are your favorites? Are y'all watching the opening ceremony tonight?

Here's to Team USA! 

Source: lizzthelibrarian.blogspot.com via Lizz on Pinterest

And in case you've been living under a rock and haven't seen this, here's the 2012 USA Olympic Swimming Team with their take on Call Me Maybe

Love,

Heather

If You Really Knew Me

Hi Loves,


As so many bloggers are doing this fun little post, I thought that I would join in on the fun. So here goes nothing.

If you really knew me...

You'd know that I was an only child

You'd know that I always wanted siblings

You'd know that I have a huge extended family. Working on 25 cousins on my Mom's side.

You'd know I LOVE Diet Coke. I've tried giving it up several times only to come back to it. 

You'd know I believe I was a Southern Belle in a past life and that I was raised in the wrong area this time. (Good thing I'm moving back to the south) 

You'd know that I don't like Seafood but recently I've been wanting to try it again because of all the health benefits. 

You'd know that I've been overweight my whole life.

You'd know that I really want to lose the weight but I need some serious support and help. 

You'd know that I wear contacts/glasses.

You'd know I have horrible allergy induced asthma and have to use my inhaler almost every day during the summer months. 

You'd know I've only had one serious boyfriend. 

You'd know that boyfriend cheated on me and it gave me trust issues for a long time. 

You'd know I love fashion but I can't pull off the stuff that's out there. 

You'd know I love watching youtube beauty videos to get ideas but again still can't pull most looks off. 

You'd know I wish I was more of a girly girl. 

You'd know I love the beach even on a rainy day. 

You'd know I love school, learning, and teaching. 

You'd know I love shoes and have way too many. 

You'd know I love to decorate and change the house decor with the holidays/seasons. 

You'd know I need my alone time. Being an only child made me used to being by myself and when I don't get it I crave it. 

You'd know I get grumpy when I get hungry. I've learned to control it better as I've gotten older but it still happens sometimes. 

You'd know I was a dancer all through high school but the sport I miss playing the most is Softball (played for 9 years).

You'd know I long to be loved and find that great guy that I can call mine. 

You'd know I used to want lots of kids and now I don't know if I want any. 

You'd know I feel extremely guilty having not found a man yet and gotten married and had kids to give my parents grandbabies. As I'm the only child, I'm their only source for grandchildren. 

You'd know I am really excited to move but am going to miss my family. 

I'm sure there is plenty more but that's all for now. What should everyone know about you? 


Love,
Heather

The Big News I've Been Waiting For

Hi Loves,


So the time has come where I get to announce my big news. I am moving back to Georgia! Woohoo! I am going to be an Education Member at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. This is a year long position through AmeriCorps where I will be paid as well as get money to go back to school. I am very excited for this new path. 


I've always had that passion for marine animals and recently I've gotten the passion for teaching. This position will be a perfect blend between the two and will hopefully lead me into the career path I've been looking for. 


I'm very excited to start this next chapter of my life which begins September 1st. Now comes the task of figuring out all the logistics of moving cross-country. I don't even know where to begin. Have y'all had to pick up and move a distance away? What are your tips for deciding what to move? Any advice is welcome. I will keep you updated along the way :) 


Love,
Heather

Updates

Hi loves,


Happy Friday! I got some fantastic news this morning that I will be sharing with y'all tomorrow. I wanted to update on how my running progress is going. 


I am still working on week 1 of c25k. I've walked every day but haven't been able to quite run everyday. I will get there. I've looked at it this way, at least I am off to couch and moving. I've started to learn that running is definitely a mental thing. If I don't want to do it somewhere inside of me on a particular day then I'm not going to. Today I wasn't feeling into running so I just walked. But I still felt good after walking. 


Last night I met my sweet friend Courtney for dinner. We went to Chipotle. It was my first time to really eat there. I'd been to one when they first opened near me but I wasn't feeling good that day so I didn't eat. Courtney had suggested going there knowing we could eat mostly healthy. I ended up having a burrito bowl. It was black beans, chicken, fajita vegetables, their pico de gallo-ish salsa, gaucamole, and lettuce. That's all and it was a lot. It was so filling and delicious and only 505 calories for the whole thing, which I didn't finish. I love that you can go online and build what you eat/ate and see the calorie/nutrition information. It's a great tool for someone who is trying to become healthy. 


We ended up walking around the village we were in and did some window shopping as well. Afterwards we walked over to Whole Foods so Court could show me some of her things she's been eating as she's lost 11 pounds. She looks great. What are some of your healthy snacks and food? I'm horrible with food. Must get better. 


Well just a little update on my progress. Hope everyone has a great Friday.


Love,
Heather

What I'm Loving

Hi Loves,


Today I decided to link up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday! 


I'm Loving that it is Blueberry season at our house. Yes, they do become a pain because we have 4 bushes and have to pick them every night. But they are so sweet, healthy, and delicious. 

So good and healthy. Lots of antioxidants! 

I'm Loving how clean the backyard/patio area is. I spent all day yesterday pressure washing the patio. Man, if you're looking for workout for your arms do some pressure washing. I'm so sore today. But I am very satisfied at how clean it is. Now we can enjoy the patio, pool, and hot tub for the short amount of summer we get here in Oregon. 

The before and after in one spot.

Now all clean and ready to enjoy! 

I'm Loving this delicious dessert I made. Really simple. Strawberries, Blueberries, Angel Food Cake, and Cool Whip Free. Put it all in layers. It's so light and refreshing for these summer evenings. And the blueberries are fresh from our backyard which makes it even better. Have y'all tried Cool Whip Free? It's very light and delicious. 

Yum, Yum!

I'm Loving that I get to have dinner tomorrow night with my sweet friend Courtney. We've been trying to get together a lot and it just hasn't worked out but tomorrow night we are finally getting together. 

I'm Loving that Big Brother starts tomorrow night. Big Brother is my favorite summer show. I actually made a friend last summer at work because we bonded over Big Brother and then realized we had a lot in common. Can't wait to see how this season turns out. Do any of y'all watch Big Brother? We can have Big Brother chats :) 

That's all for this week. If you want to join in jump over to Jamie's page. Have a great day. 

Love,

Heather

Run, Heather, Run!

Hi Loves,

So today's post comes to you via my new goal: to become a runner! I've heard and seen first hand how inspiring running can be. Now mind you I've never been a runner at all. I always hated it when I played sports. I've just had some inspiration the last couple weeks. I want to make myself a healthy and be able to workout no matter where I am.

I downloaded the C25K free app on my iphone. And I started it today!! Woohoo go me. Now it was a struggle to get through it and I will admit that I couldn't finish the whole thing. But you know what? I tried and got started.

Source: simpleblogging397.blogspot.com via Gabriela on Pinterest

I've decided that I will keep repeating week 1 until I can get through it completely. I can do this and I will this time!

Today while I was starting day 1, I noticed that its really going to be a struggle on my knee. Story behind that is when I was working on the beach at night two years ago, I fell into a hole (people like to dig them on the beach and not fill them back in) and I went one way but my knee went the other. I'm sure I pulled something because the sound it made was awful. But I didn't have time to go to the doctor so I just kept pushing through. I've never had it looked at and still have problems with it to this day. Well as I was running it defanitely was hurting. Do you guys have any tips on strengthening knees for running?

I asked on twitter if y'all had any running tips and Miss Brittany suggested that I get good shoes and start slow. Thanks for the tips girl (Go check out her fab blog). I think I'm going to find a local running store and go in and see what they have to say. Maybe that will help out the knee as well.

I have many goals for starting running:
     1. Start and Keep going
     2. Lose weight
     3. Be able to run 5k without stopping
     4. Continue running and gaining length.
     5. Sign up to run/walk the Disney Princess Half Marathon on February 22, 2013

Source: espnwwos.disney.go.com via Dominique on Pinterest

Now I know that last one is going to be a stretch. But I think if I put my heart and mind to it that I can do it. It's something that I've wanted to do for years. Well with the possibility of being only 4 hours away from Disney World around that time, I decided this was the year to start training towards that. My birthday is February 4th and what greater birthday present to myself than to become healthy and run a Disney marathon? I think it's a great goal!!

Honestly, if any of you have tips I will take them! Encouragment is also defanitely welcome. I know I am going to struggle at times but this is something I really want! I know I can do this and I will!

Love,
Heather

Do You Ever Wonder?

Hi Loves,


So the last couple days I've been reflecting on a couple life things that I wanted to share and question you about. So here goes nothing...


Have you ever wondered if you chose the right career path? My whole life I'd always loved Marine Science things: animals, the beach, etc. So naturally as I started looking into going to college that is what I chose. I went into school with Marine Science being my degree. While taking my basic core classes, I had to take a Psychology class and fell in love so I added that as a major too. As I was going through school, I didn't really think about the after college and what job I would end up having. Well of course I graduated from college in 2009 right as the economy tanked and I didn't have any job prospects as people in the Marine Science field weren't leaving their jobs or didn't have money to bring more people on. So I just went back home to Oregon and did nothing but look for jobs over and over and over. 


Finally in 2010, almost a year after I graduated college I got the opportunity for an AmeriCorps job at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Fell in love with this job. Yes there were definitely some tough times. I had a hard time adjusting to working at night because I was not a night person. But I kept trucking along and fell in love with the center, the turtles, and the people I worked with. Towards the end of summer there was the possibility to apply for another position in a different department. Unfortunately I decided I could not apply and needed to go home because we just found out my Dad had Melanoma. So at the end of August the parents came out to Georgia and we spent some time there and in Florida before we all headed back home. 


Now I was back home again in Oregon with no job prospects. I tried applying for several jobs down at the Oregon Coast Aquarium even if I wasn't completely qualified. But still nothing. So pass by another seven months without me working. I applied to volunteer at our local zoo and was accepted. It wasn't paid but it was something to do in my field, sort of. So since I was going to be up there I applied for a Food Services position for the summer. I got it. I liked the people but hated the job. I was not cut out to work in food, at all. Just not my thing. I kept that job until it slowed down in the off season. 


That was October. Then I was back to no job again. My mom's friend works at our local school district and she told me to apply to be a Substitute Instructional Assistant, so I did. Well I never heard anything back so kind of forgot about it. 


Now fast forward to February. I went back to Georgia and Jekyll Island for the first ever South West Regional Sea Turtle Conference. I had a blast being with my friends again and being back with the turtles. I could've stood in the rehab pavillion for hours watching the turtles. Well during the conference, most of the presentations didn't interest me at all. I was bored with all the numbers and medical stuff. It was the presentations about Outreach and Education that really interested me. I loved those and took tons of notes on those presentations. This is when I started re-thinking my career path. 


Fast forward to 2 days before I was going to head back home to Oregon. I got a call that was going to change my career path. I got the Substitute Instructional Assistant Position. I was going to start as soon as I got back. No interview, they just wanted me :) I was so shocked and excited at the same time. 


So once I got back I got all my paperwork in order and started working. I always get nervous when I am starting something new but it didn't take long for me to relax and just enjoy. I cycled between schools and between mostly different classrooms. I was in the Special Education classrooms a lot and I thought that I would struggle but I didn't. I got a lot of encouragement from the teachers telling me I was a natural and doing a fantastic job. This made me so happy because I was loving being with the kids and helping them learn. I started to think that I would like to become a teacher possibly. 


So I stared checking out books from the library, reading blogs, things on pinterest, finding out the certification procedures, etc. Well as I started to tell my Mom what I was thinking about doing she put doubt in my mind. This doubt stemmed from the fact that teachers are losing their jobs right and left because in this state education does not get the support and funding it needs and deserves. So then I started questioning myself again. 


How can I still teach but keep the marine science aspect going? How about becoming an Environmental Educator? Sounds like a good plan to me. So I've started doing research on doing this. Starting with applying to work in the education department at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. I still don't know where that's going to go but my interview is this week. 


So right now, I'm going in that path of Environmental Educator. I still have the teacher thing in the back of my mind. I mean I love buying school supplies so can you imagine me setting up a classroom? I would love it. I love being with kids and seeing their eyes light up as they learn. So maybe teaching in a classroom setting can still be on the back burner. 


I'm not sure what my career path is in life. I'm beginning to realize that I will be working for the rest of my life though. Being 27 and having no steady job to start a retirement fund, or even afford everyday life, is proving to cause me stress. I just want to find something stable where I can start experiencing adult life because I am 27 and still relying on my parents. I'm ready to find my career path and become an adult. Hopefully this will happen soon. 


Do you ever question if you've chose the right life path? 


Love,
Heather