What's new? A long, somewhat boring post about myself.

So, I came here without much purpose other than to get back on blogging board which I find will be especially a challenge with the upcoming school year right around the corner and all of the things on my to-do-list just waiting to be checked-off. But who knows, perhaps my learnings from school will continue to inspire blog posts. Time will tell soon enough! That is, if I have enough time.

As far as an update for the few of you who stop to visit my site every now and again, I am winding down from a very busy summer that was filled with working with 18-24 month old babes full-time and then part-time with St. Paul Community Ed. (split time between teaching Spanish to Pre-K students and office registration work). I learned a few things about myself in the process. Number one: What I learned from working at the daycare center is that I love children and cannot wait to have my own! Well, I can wait, seriously, (I need to get my life together before I pop one out)... but rest assured, I will be having babies and loving every minute of it even if it means giving up some of my freedom. Number two: I do not believe I can be a teacher, at least not for a very long time. Maybe when I am fifty I will be ready for it. While I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment as a teacher, from both the difficult and rewarding times-- I can say after about a year of teaching part-time, I do not have the ambition necessary to dedicate myself to the great task of being a teacher. Teachers, I want to let you know how much respect I have for you. I am too selfish right now to give up the energy I need to give so that the students get what they deserve from a teacher. Not the most exciting or honorable of discoveries, but nonetheless this is a discovery I have made that was a question I had once had which was, "Am I a teacher?" While I think the answer to such a question can be subject to change over time, for the time being I can move forward with my career recognizing that teaching at least in the traditional sense will not be in the cards for me, at least for now. Which brings me to my newest endeavor which will be a part-time gig I landed through my University. This school year I will be employed to conduct research on the energy use at my school. Along with facility operations managers and maintenance I will be looking into ways to help save money and energy as well as alternative approaches to energy. I am very much looking forward to this experience and will also be TA-ing for an environmental biology class so I am very happy to share this news and to more officially be part of the green movement--something I have been very passionate about.

Aside from job talk, I spent a lot of time preparing for weddings this summer. My younger sister Lyndi got married to Brian on July 17, 2010. I had a ton of fun planning her bridal shower and bachelorette party as well as being there to support her on her big day. In August I was also able to attend two weddings of some friends, Ab and Crystal Krohne and Katie and Tom Nickerson. Both weddings were beautiful and unique to the couples they represented. Jay and I had a wonderful time and felt honored to be there.

Then we had the opportunity to go on a 6 day 5 night trip to the Quetico (near the BWCA) with Jay's sister Anne and close family friend, Jacci. It was an amazing experience and I felt so blessed and lucky to be part of the trip. Nothing does me like Mother Nature, that's for sure.

Looking ahead, we still have 4 more weddings to celebrate this fall, Amy and Barrett Stoks, Shauna and Tom Hockert, Nick and Ally Rydberg, and Beth and Justin Bradshaw. It should be a blast! Beyond those plans my goal for the next few months is to just get through school with enjoyment and little stress as well as begin to plan my own wedding. Should be a balancing act, but such is life and so we balance as best we can :)

Now its time for an afternoon nap. I hope I didn't bore you too much with the latest details of my life, and I hope you enjoyed your summer and are ready for fall's arrival and the new adventures that come along with the new season!

Thanks for stopping by!