Currently- February

I am linking up with Farley for this month's Currently! I would love to blog more about all the fun and excitement going on in class... but for now, this will have to do! :-)

Listening- Currently watching/listening to the Super Bowl. I'm still bitter that the Cowboys aren't in it, but I'm rooting for the Seahawks! I'm also QUITE excited for the Katy Perry halftime show. No shame.

Loving- My plans for the week! They involve some of my favorite books to read aloud and talk about, and we are starting new stations to maximize my small group time!

Thinking- I REALLY need to get my running life together. I have my next 1/2 marathon in ONE month, and I do NOT feel prepared for it.

Wanting- To sleep in. It's a permanent want. I love sleep so, so much!

Needing- a maid or the desire to clean. I have a ridiculous amount of clean laundry to put away... but I just can't bring myself to look at it.

Pageant Title- I am GREAT in front of kids... put me in a presentation situation with adults? HOT MESS.

I hope you have a FABULOUS week! Tomorrow is a good day for a GOOD day!

Cassie

January 2015 CURRENTLY

I am linking up with Farley for the Currently Linky Party! I can't believe 2015 is HERE! This year is going to be filled with many joys, surprises, and growth. 

Listening- Did you know Friends is on NETFLIX now? Between this and Criminal Minds, I need at LEAST 2 more weeks of winter break. 

Loving- Winter Break. Y'all. I've worn pajamas for the majority of my break. Embarrassing? Maybe a little. I feel TRULY relaxed.

Wanting- Another week of vacation. Don't get me wrong. Part of me is always ready to go to work... downside to loving your job... but the other part of me? Is loving being a lazy lounger. My day consists of Netflix, puzzles, my new KEYBOARD, reading, and doing home things for my sweet man friend. :) I wish he was able to take some time off to spend with me, but this is one of their busy times, so that's a NO. Oh well. Chicago is only two months away!

Needing- I need to start figuring out my life for school. Which means I need to go up to the school... but I'm going to push it off a couple more days. :)

2015 GOALS-

YES- I took the time to fill in my goal journal for 2015. I started this last year, and it really helped me stay on track. It's like  diary... but more bullet point style. :) The one I'm most excited for? Running 300 miles this year. I think I can easily do it. Running brings me such joy/relaxation- 99% of the time at least. 

Maybe- I would like to keep my room/bathroom from looking like a broke college girl... but I spend so much time at work, I really enjoy my downtime when I get home. 

I Wish- I seriously don't know how people do everything they need to do during the week AND plan amazing lessons for the next week. I've yet to be able to do it. If you can? PLEASE TELL ME YOUR WAYS! 

Here's to a happy and healthy 2015, y'all!! 

Cassie

TIme After Time...

WOW! It's been more than 3 months since I've posted a blog! Epic.Fail. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.

I am hoping to get back into the blogging world now that we have survived the first 9 weeks of school! Life finally feels like it is slowing down a bit (for now)!!!

"Just keep moving, just keep moving..." This was my mantra for my FIRST half marathon ever this past October. The Chosen Marathon is a fabulous organization that helps families trying to adopt ad bringing awareness to the fatherless. My goal this time last year was to run a 10k. Not only did I meet that goal, I kick that goal's butt! 13.1 miles. Do not let anyone fool you that 13.1 miles is easy; especially this course. I swear I was running uphill the entire time. I can't WAIT to do it again next year. :)

At school, my class has pushed me to try new things and to constantly reevaluate what we are doing and how we can make it better.

One of the things I am the MOST proud of this year, is our interactions for the Global Read Aloud. Our entire 4th grade read One for the Murphy's along with thousands of other learners around the world. If you haven't read it, it is a MUST READ, but make sure you have a box of Kleenex with you!

 For 6 weeks, everything we did revolved around this book. We Skyped with a social worker, a foster parent, and are currently working on a challenge to "Be Someone's Hero." Check out our class website to see a sample of some of our work. At our school, we are not with other 4th graders, so having a common experience allowed them to connect with their peers even without seeing them everyday.

I can''t wait to get back to school tomorrow after a week off! It was much needed, but I miss my babies!

See you soon blogger world!

July is HERE!

I am linking up with Farley's "Currently"

I can't believe July is already here! This summer has been productive, relaxing, and FUN! My birthday is just a few days away, and I can't wait to celebrate on a patio with a few of my friends.
I signed up to run a 1/2 marathon this October and what happens?! SHIN SPLINTS. I've been working really hard to rest and use the ICE method to hopefully get better quickly. I miss running already.
After a visit with my grandparents today, I am realizing the importance of photos and how they can bring back memories. I have thousands saved to my computer and online, but have very few that are actually printed. It's my goal to start printing them off and putting them in REAL photo albums!
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!
Cassie 

x

The More I Run...

... the more I love myself.

This 2013-2014 school year, my mantra was the word BALANCE.

My first year of teaching (2012-2013) was hard. The kind of hard where I called my mom in April and asked if she would be ashamed of me if I left the education field. The kind of hard where if you found my LinkedIn profile (for your sake and mine... don't), it has my butchered attempt of making an education resume more "business-ified." The kind of hard where I applied to several different secretarial positions, fashion industry positions, and even considered becoming a full-time waitress.

Before those of you reading this who have never felt this way get all self-righteous on me.... it wasn't because of the kids. I was working 12-14 hours every day, seven days a week. I wasn't eating, I was barely sleeping, and I lost contact with a majority of my friends. My only saving grace was the fact that I adored my learners, and I had a roommate and a boyfriend that listened to me and encouraged me as best as they could. They kept me going during my first year.

Thankfully, my mom convinced me to take the summer to breathe and get away from it all, and still see if I felt that way come August. As always (don't get a big head, Mom), she was right, and I promised her I would give it one more year before making a  final decision.

August '13 came around and I knew I had to do something different. I gave myself a schedule. I was allowed to work as much as I wanted Sunday-Thursday... but Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning/afternoon were mine for FUN.

In December, I decided to make real goals for 2014. I'm not one for goal-making, so it took me a long time to come up with goals that I knew I could achieve.

If you notice, I have "Run a 10K." Why did I put that? I have no idea; probably because it sounded healthy, and that's what you do for the new year, right?! Before I started running though, I wanted to make sure I was consistent with my workouts.

I signed up at Rob's Fitness to work with a personal trainer and made it a goal to workout 2 times per week. Minus a few crazy, hectic weeks (you ALL know the kind of weeks I'm talking about), I managed to keep this time frame. Having set appointments with an actual person has helped hold me accountable for working out... I even ENJOY it now! Go figure.

I started running (slow jogging with a LOT of walking) in April; barely two months ago. I ran 1.24 miles, and by the end of it, I swore that I was going to collapse onto the ground and never get up.

On 6/16/14 I ran my first 10K. It wasn't a race and, let me tell you, it HURT... but I did it, and I will probably do it again. and again. and again.

I am so glad that I didn't jump out of this crazy, roller coaster of education... but I am glad that I found other things to help me with my keyword- BALANCE. I can't wait for this next school year to come around. :)

I am going to be running a half at the Chosen Marathon in October with my sweet friend, Katti. You want to read a beautiful and heart-breaking story? Check out her blog HERE. I am blessed to have her as a friend (AND SHE RUNS!).

Cassie