Filed under bliss

30≥25

I’m probably going to make myself sound incredibly young in this one, but I’m okay with that.

03/16/10

I’ve been teased by a handful of people for that doodle above; it was scratched out during a conversation with a few of my favorite ladies who were a few months into 25 (and a few days away from it). I loved hearing their confidence and I really wondered what it would be like for me. I guess I had this fascination with the age of 25. It seemed so old, so seasoned, so experienced, so knowledgeable, even though I was only a few years removed from that milestone. I guess it also helped that we really celebrated birthdays right that year. Surprise trip to New York, shooting up to the Bay, and taking in the Seattle fall… it was all so wonderful.

Anyway.

Looking back through the pages surrounding that quick thought and drawing makes me smile. So many dreams, hopes, and wishes in the pages surrounding that quick sketch have come to fruition since then, while worries and insecurities are thankfully fading at 25. From goals of getting fit and training for a marathon, to that motif of hearts and swirls that is now etched permanently into my skin. From notes taken at a professional development meeting that was going completely over my head (WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?!?), to an angry (nearly illegible) scribble crying out “I hate feeling like all I’m doing is worthless…and then… just being ineffective! I want to be good at the things I do!”

[Sidenote: HA! If only I knew how much "EFFECTIVE" would become a part of my vocabulary this year, haha.]

Anyway, the reason I busted out that journal is this: At a meeting tonight (yes, a meeting on teacher effectiveness), one of the attendees mentioned that it’s his 30th birthday. He kind of hung his head in sadness at leaving the 20′s, and I won’t lie, my first thought was: Man. Sucks. I was surprised though, everybody in the room started talking about how awesome their 30′s have been so far. Apparently they’re even better.

It seems I’ve got a new obsession.

La Educación

“You’re good–but you could be great.”
I’m appreciative of it and I’m taking it to heart. Next steps? I have a few ideas.

Another one of those weeks full of conversations about Education. Some expected, some not, all welcome.

In ever-so-slightly related news, we wore prom dresses to work today. That was fun/ny.

El Trabajo

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
~Eph. 2:10

It’s been a great Spring Break, potentially the best of my life.

But I’m ready to go back.

Not because I’m bored, because man. It would be amazing to continue spending hours with friends, enjoying good food, and exercising daily. It’s just that this way, I get to keep doing that (albeit a good amount less each week) while also doing something meaningful with my life.

Sure, I’m ready to get cussed at and eyes rolled at me, but mostly I’m ready for the smiles, the stories, and the productive exhaustion.

7 more weeks, and after that? We’ll see. Putting it in God’s hands, can’t deny he’s taken care of my career, putting me right where I need to be thus far.

ESPAÑA! Memorias Visuales

Here are the photos/videos from my trip!

I got a little lazy with captions/labeling each site, but… I at least labeled what cities we’re in. We went to super tourist-y sites anyway, so it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out where we’re at.

Loving life.

These past two weeks have been pure bliss.
I’m loving my friends, loving fun times, loving good food… Loving life.

Also contributing to my chipper demeanor is… Finally letting it sink in that I was meant for and deserve more than… that. My redeemer lives.

ESPAÑA! QUINTO y SEXTO DÍA

What can I say? Days 5 and 6 were spent continuing to fall in love with this city, good food, and great travel companions.

Gelato, salad, pasta, paella, coffee, chocolate-covered strawberries, fresh fruit… strolling through tiny streets and stumbling upon great sites… Gaudi, Gaudi, Gaudi… Skateboarding, artisanal/craft shopping, open air markets… it’s all been great, and my kids kick butt. I wish all of my students could be like these two; life would be absolutely awesome.

I’m sad that every day can’t be like the days spent on this trip, but I’m excited to get home to my own bed, my family, Jay-Jay, etc. Looking forward to the opportunity to exercise, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy another week of Spring Break. I’m ready to eat carne asada tacos and miso ramen! Please, spare me the potatoes for a few days.

Fingers crossed that I fall in step with productivity and happiness, rather than post-vacation blues during my down time.

Love love love.

So much fun, so many precious moments celebrating the Chungs!

Freedom

That moment when you realize you’ve finally let go of that person who held your heart for so long.

I’m thankful for all of the experiences, relationships, and happenings of these past few months that brought me to this point. Good, bad, unbelievable, or some mix of it all… each moment, each choice, and each person served its purpose.

Clippers, Corkbar, Breakfast, Camp, Cudi, March

Before a new week begins, some more tidbits:

I went to my first NBA game! Clippers. It was a good game! I might not be the hugest sports fan, but I do love having a beer and cheering and pretending I have the faintest idea of what’s going on. Thank you, Danny! It was all in all a great evening–after a late meeting at the home office, Diana and I met up for happy hour at a wine bar where we enjoyed some scrumptious snacks and scrumptious conversation about scrumptious… people.

Okay, check out these two albums: “Breakfast” by Chiddy Bang and “Camp” by Childish Gambino (YES that’s Troy from Community). Thank you if you told me about these newer releases, and you’re welcome if I just told you about them. Between them, the entire Kid Cudi catalog (who I somehow have not gotten tired of, even a year after this post), and token Tyga, Lupe, Drake, Wiz, Ratatat, and Lil Wayne tracks… you’ve pretty much got my current hip-hop play list. Conveniently, this is also the list of men I am in love with. Hmm. While we’re on the topic of Donald Glover (or at least, we were at some point), here is the first film clip I ever saw of him. I love this fool.

March will be a fabulous blur of Birthdays, Snowboarding, Bachelorette/Wedding festivities, Midterms (meaning: only one more quarter to go), and SPAIN. Hallelujah!

Gracias, Presidentes

<3 Congregation Ale House with Ms. Love – Chimays, Gourmet Sausage, Sweet Potato Fries
<3 AWCHS snow trip! – "I'm wearing 7 pairs of pants!" "You… can't wear a house shoe inside of your snowboot" "Aww, Miss! These boots make me walk with a Pimp step!"
<3 Tara and Dan's moving away party – Seeing old UCLA friends and inhaling delicious Armenian food and beverages.
<3 Sunday school – "Esther! I learned about Queen Esther!" "Oh? What did you learn?" "Abraham Lincoln never told a lie!" "Oh… okay."
<3 10.45 Mile run – At just under 9min/mile pace! I might be slow, but I'm loving my distance. Training is going well. Now to figure out just what I'm training for, because I think I've gone beyond the point of training for a 10k, haha. But yes, thanks to all who told me to check out the LA river. Big improvement to what it was like back in the day; it was downright beautiful.
<3 Found out an album I wanted to buy is a free download.

This will be a short but crazy work week. My prediction is that I will hate the first half and love the second half.
-Stack of papers to grade that is literally 5 inches tall
-2 days of teaching
-2 days of after school meetings
-Pre-Observation Conference (along with a beast of a lesson plan and write-up to complete).
-Off to Arizona for convening on teacher effectiveness.

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