New Year, New You

I am not sure where to start because I haven't posted in so long. I will say that a New Year's Resolution is going to be to post to my blog more than once every 9 weeks. I know some of you may think that is a lie, but like all resolutions, I am going to try really hard. I have been off from work for two full weeks so far and don't go back until Monday (whew!). But with that awesome extra time that many teachers don't get this year (most people went back to school today) come the stresses of "Oh No! I haven't done half of what I needed to during this break in order to be ready to go back to work January 7!" Yikes! So in my times of stress and deadlines, I like to procrastinate by looking on pinterest (for awesome lesson ideas, of course) and posting to my blog (to keep everyone up to date, of course). Grades are due Monday and I am approximately half way done with those. I do have my Science lessons ready for this week. I have some pictures to post from our Weather unit which ended right before Christmas break. We are in the very beginning of learning all about the Solar System and the kids are very excited about it. They want to know why Pluto is a dwarf planet, what black holes are, and is the world really going to end on December 21, 2012? (Obviously not since I am writing this on January 2, 2013. I think they were just more worried about coming back to school and having to prepare for tests and stuff.) 

Enough about the stresses of what I haven't done and more about what I HAVE done during the break. I had the opportunity to catch up with all groups of friends. My break started out with my high school girl friends and a Mary Kay party. I have to say, I was very skeptical about going to a Mary Kay party (isn't that make up for old people?), but was pleasantly surprised when I learned more about skin care and how to take care of my skin NOW at the ripe age of 25 so it will look this good when I am 55. I caught up with my dance friends, although this group is actually growing (up and out) and not everyone could make it. One of our friends in this group (Kristen) is having a BABY so it will be the first baby of the group. We are so excited to be "aunts," but super sad that she had to spend Christmas in Seattle. I caught up with my camp friends with lots and lots of food. I got to complete some projects that I have needed to complete (mainly completing Christmas gifts I was making). Pictures of those will come at a later date. I traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia and Washington DC. We have family friends who moved to Williamsburg so my mom was so gracious and drove with me and a friend (Lucy) to Williamsburg. We spent some time there and then went with my friend to DC for New Year's Eve. I haven't been to DC since I was 8, so I was able to see it in a whole new light. I love the city. Lucy and I had lunch with a sorority sister, Anna. It was great to catch up and reminisce about the days of college. I just got home today from Virginia and am unpacking and repacking. I leave tomorrow to go to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The family I lived with last year lives there now and I get to go have some Christmas time with them. I am very excited to see them, but wondering when I will actually get the grades put in and comments done. It will all get done, especially since New Year's Resolutions always include becoming more organized. I think the most exciting news of my break is that THREE of my dear friends got engaged! Not ONE, but THREE! I am stoked about what 2013 has in store for these awesome ladies. For now, I am signing off. I have a football game to watch and some work to do.