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the times are changin'
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Friday, August 8, 2014

interim

As I alluded in a previous post, I spent my weekend with my BFF in Chicago. Confession: I did not stick to my routine, and, yes, after 5 mornings off of the routine, it has been very difficult to get back on the wagon. Two responses: I was on vacay. I'm the only saying this routine is what I have to do. I will say, though, that I did find some decent yoga videos on Hulu to use on mornings where I need a quick exercise without going to the gym. So, we're calling my stay in Chicago and the resulting difficult mornings afterward the interim.

This idea of "interim" has been on the forefront of my mind because I've realized that this is the way I've been viewing this stage in my life. It's an "in-between," a transition between college and where I actually "want to be." While in Chicago, though, I was encouraged by a local pastor who shared these words, 

"be fully present
deepen your roots
no matter the timeline"

It doesn't mean to not plan ahead or to "settle," especially if you know you are called to prepare for something beyond what you already have, i.e. grad school, buying a house, having a family, etc. What it does mean, though, is to be living fully in every moment, considering what you can do for the neighbors around you now and how you can cultivate community and culture in the city you currently live in. It's scary to consider trying to plant roots even if you know you might be transplanted--being vulnerable and building relationships when you know you might leave is really hard and sometimes counter-intuitive--but your presence won't mean much if you stay packed up in your own little world, meticulously planning what your life will be like rather than fully living in your life now. Be a gift to those who are in your life now. This is real life. This right here. Be fully present. Deepen your roots. No matter the timeline. 

Now, here are some fun photos from the Lincoln Park Zoo & Molly's Cupcakes:















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Monday, July 28, 2014

day one

Well I did it. It took me 2 hours and 10 minutes. (Technically 3 hours and 10 minutes if you count the fact that I had planned to get up at 630, but decided to sleep another hour instead.) But still, progress, and I actually feel pretty good. I think I can cut down the time over the next 3 weeks. Also, the 10 minutes came mostly from issues with the internet and my insistence on watching the "Thank You Notes" section of The Tonight Show episode I was watching, starring Jimmy Fallon, who I had to realize this morning was not actually my best friend, regardless of the dream I had had the night before. Rough morning. I also realized this morning that I am going to need to be creative this weekend as I am in Chicago with Samson's aunt, who also just happens to actually be a best friend. More on creative ways to keep up morning routines in a place that is not your home soon...I hope.

For those of who may feel like this post was a waste of your time, I pay my recompense in the form of Jimmy Fallon, my (almost) best friend:

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

blah blah blah & some pictures

Clearly, blogging has not been a habit. Clearly. But I'm trying. Again. I'm trying a lot of things actually. Habits have been on my brain a lot recently since the summer is basically New Year's resolution season for teachers. Let's be real. On January 1st, I am not about to change the things I'm doing in my work life. But summer is time for recovery. (And if anyone reading this even dares to consider thinking about making a comment about how rough can it actually be to be a teacher if you get summer off, I won't even take time to explain to you how much my body is ridiculously exhausted and strained, I will simply proceed to punch you in the face.) It is also time to refocus. And, therefore, it is time to try new things and hope that they might stick.

I feel like I've been told my entire like that it takes 21 times/days to create a habit and 3 times/days to break it. I don't know if it's actually true, but I'm taking it and running with it right now. Over the last month, I have successfully developed and maintained a nightly routine. The routine includes:

cleaning/exfoliating face with face wipe
washing face
flossing
brushing teeth
taking a vitamin

spending time in prayer

You might be a snobby person (wow, I am being such a friendly person in this post) who is thinking, "Are you kidding? How on earth is this a big deal?" Well, first of all, don't be a jerk. Secondly, it's not that none of these things were happening, but that they were never ALL happening every night. There have been so many times where I've thought, "I'd rather get in bed 5 minutes faster and just not wash my face." I just love sleep. A lot. 

That's actually a perfect segue into my next adventure into new habit-making. I need a morning routine. One I actually stick to, and one that doesn't involve hitting "snooze" for an hour. (Don't you dare judge me.) I've come to the conclusion that there's no magic trick for people who struggle to get out of bed in the morning to magically become people who it's easy to get up. I really don't. I think you just have to decide, "I am going to start doing this every single day," and then you just do it. You make yourself. Even if it hurts. And then it gets easiER. This is my plan for my morning routine, and I have exactly 21 days (shoot me now) to make it a habit before the first week of school:

30 minutes of cardio (where I get to read fiction novels...that's right, I'm bribing myself)
shower...duh
get dressed...duh
do my makeup and hair in my house...not my car
make breakfast/coffee (and yes, getting out a granola bar may sometimes constitute making breakfast)
eat breakfast while watching Colbert Report or an equivalent show (although there is not actually an equivalent)
get to work at least 15 minutes before the first bell rings

So, blog world. You know now my plan. Keep me honest. 

Now, for those of you, who are probably most of you (and really probably should be all of you), who do not care in the least bit what my morning and nightly routines have been and/or will be, here are some pictures of Samson.









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