I find myself sitting at my teaching desk right now and I don't know what to do with my time. I have been backed up on grading and for the first time in about 3 weeks I think I may actually be caught up on things here at school... now home is a whole nother story. ANYWAYS, it got me to thinking about why I have been so behind this year compared to others. I spent 3 years in my first district and the first year was kind of crazy, but by the second and third, I had everything on lock. I was learning a foreign language on the side those years and still managed to coach, lead FCA, and sponsor NJHS. Where did I find all the time? I was not nearly as busy then as I am now. I miss trying to learn a language. I took Spanish and German while I was in high school. Spanish did not stick... a little of the German did. My second year of teaching, I started planning a trip to Germany and started trying to re-learn the language before I got there. Well, I bought Rosetta Stone and got through the first level super easy and was bored and stopped. I knew enough to get me through the trip but decided while I was there that I wanted to be fluent so I started taking lessons every Saturday at the German School of Dallas. I loved my teacher and did 3 semesters but had issues catching on like the other students because I didn't have as much time to practice as some of them. I wish I had... I feel like I've lost all the progress I made. I find myself wanting to make more time for this now and don't know how. In 2016 I will be returning to Germany and want to be even better in my language abilities. I guess I better start now.

How have you acquired a second language at an older age? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Things To Do In Your Twenties...

Hey everyone! I'm back. I seem to take years in-between my posts, but I think I may get back at this. I'm on a new eating plan, trying to get everything where I want it to be, past the quarter life crisis, finally figuring life out, etc. If you find that you can relate to my ramblings, fantastic!

 So I was listening to 106.1 KISS FM this morning, and they were talking about things to do in your twenties... sort of a bucket list of what nots. I found that many of the things listed were dumb so I thought I would I would create my own. Now, these are things that I really think should be done (or not done) by the time you're thirty (even though I am 26 and still have a few years left... eh, what are you going to do about it?).

1. Travel... and I mean a lot! 

This is the time of your life when you have the energy and lack of responsibilities to just go! Go with your parents, your friends, on a random trip (maybe not by yourself... unless you feel safe doing that!). In the past 6 years I have gone to South Padre, Washington DC, all over Texas exploring our history, Kansas City, Austin numerous times, Big Bend/Marfa, Portland to see Bayern Munich play, and the coolest of them all: Sweden to pick up my car and then Germany. Do I regret any of these random or not so random trips? Absolutely not. I didn't even have to break the bank to do it. I simply just made it happen within my means (yes, that meant saving a little bit...). Traveling develops your sense of what is around you and can open your eyes to cultures and teach you lessons you will never learn by just staying in the place you live. Exposing yourself to new surroundings and taking yourself out of your element will help you grow into a less ignorant adult.



2. Learn how to budget. 
You may hate me for saying this, but if you don't learn now, you never will. Long gone are the days where your babysitting or lawn mowing money will get you through the week. Budgeting is the way to start saving for things you may want in the future, expensive things you may want now, and in general, to make sure you can pay your bills. Nobody likes to live paycheck to paycheck and everyone is capable of not going out to eat or to the bars as much as we do. It's the little things that will help you down the road. Not only do I save every month, but I will have saved enough since 2012 to go back to Germany in 2016 and not have to worry about anything! My budgeting really does allow me to do more of the big things that I want to experience life rather than worrying about if I will have enough money to make it to the end of the paycheck.

3. Go for that big/perfect job you've always wanted. 
WHY NOT!? So what if you don't get it, at least you tried. The universe will somehow let you know where you should be if you at least try. A few years ago I was determined to move to Germany and teach on an American base while living the dream. Well, I got my letters of recommendation and got everything for the application submitted and I didn't even get an interview. Was I upset? ABSOLUTELY! Was I any worse off than before? ABSOLUTELY NOT. This is the time when you can try to get that daring job that will uproot you to wherever or to start that business that you may fall flat on your face... but trying to live your dream is much better than always wondering, "I wish I had tried..."

4. Learn how to cook.

 I can comfortably say that I know my way around the kitchen. Now before you start jokes about how "women should be in the kitchen", this goes out to EVERYONE. Guys, there is nothing better than a guy who can cook his lady a gourmet meal. Also, there is nothing more annoying than a guy who can't cook and seems stuck on Raman his whole life. Anyways, everyone should know how to cook... even if it's the basics. Not only will this make you eat healthier, but it will also help you save money (which no one will complain about!).



5. Get in the best shape that you can be in.
This is no secret... the older you get, the harder it is to stay in good shape. If you can establish a good routine when you're young, it will carry over into your later years and may even be a habit that you can pass down to little ones some day if you so choose. There is no need to put yourself close to a heart attack before you are 30. Get cardio in at LEAST 3 times a week and then do some lifting in between. Oh, and work on that core! It helps support your back for the posture you need!








6. Don't have kids.
My parents had me when my dad was like 30 and my mom was 28... they were close. Now, I know some people may say their kid is the best thing ever and they love them. Fantastic! I'm so happy for you. My best friend has the most adorable daughter in the world and I spoil her to death. I'm not condemning your choice/or not choice, I'm just saying, avoid it if you can. You are still young. Live life to the fullest before you get to spend your time changing diapers and then having to drive kids around everywhere... My mom really did raise me telling me to wait. See who you are as a person before you bring a little one into the world.

7. Wait to get married. 
I've been to many weddings in my day... I've had a ton of fun at them and love seeing people in love commit their lives to one another. But what have I been thankful for? Not being married. Now, I have been dating my boyfriend for a little over two years now and we talk about the future occassionally... am I glad that we are older and a ring is not on the finger? Absolutely. We both are living our lives and getting to include one another in them without spending tons of money yet. Granted, my parents will pay for my wedding so I'm giving them more time to save for the big extravaganza! I think I also feel strongly about this because I have friends who once they got married, they stopped coming around. SO, if you do decide to get married young, don't be lame.

8. Create lifelong friendships. 

Sure, you thought you had the best of friends in college and you would always stay in touch. Where are they now? I'm not trying to be a debby downer, but I can count on my hand the number of people I still keep in contact on a regular basis from college. I still love all my friends dearly and miss them, but we just aren't as close as we had been. Now, I'm in a point of my life where I am making friends who I will have around forever. My best friend is someone who I met my first year of teaching. I love her to death and we are like sisters. I am finding that those I keep in contact with are those who have like interests and will follow me through all the seasons of my life. Also, I have found someone to be with who is my best friend... is he attractive? YES! But, more importantly, he is somebody I can be myself around and just hang out with. It took me giving myself the time to find myself and establish who I was before I could find the right guy for me.



9. Find an organization to get involved with. 
So often we are selfish when we are young and don't want to spend our time anywhere but in places that we benefit from. I encourage you to find somewhere to be involved. I am in the Dallas Beer Guardians, a supporter group for FC Dallas, and have found myself in leadership with them. Now before you say, "Doesn't that seem to defeat the purpose?", we do a lot with charity and it is a passion of mine. Not only do I get to support my team, but I get to also help others in the process and learn leadership skills. Be passionate about something.


10. Make yourself uncomfortable. 
I don't feel like I need to explain much on this. The more we put ourselves out there, the more we learn about ourselves. I wish I had taken advantage of the past 6 years more but I definitely plan to do more with the remainder of my 20's. Try a new food, learn a new language, run a half marathon (I'm running my third here soon... who knew I'd love it so much!?), do something that you will struggle at. Go through an experience where you have to work to succeed. These things will make us better people. I hope you found this list as true as I did... well, I guess. At least, I hope it made you think. Be looking for the rest of posts which will have recipes, life thoughts, and health updates! Can't wait to share life with you!

Reducing.

Sorry to anybody who may happen to read my blog. Here is another "getting healthy" post. I have decided that being healthy is not just working out or eating, but also how you wake up and approach the day. With my job coming up to start very shortly, I'm trying to devise a plan that will keep me "healthy" persay. So what have I done, you ask? Well, I am starting to make Sunday a cooking day EVERY week. Hopefully this will not get old to me and I will not have issues with this, but I started today with making a quiche, chicken fried rice, grilled chicken, and burger patties. This will get me through almost 2 weeks along with tons of veggies and greens for salads. I should note that I drink protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. It's just way easier. So other than this reducing how much I spend on food, it reduces how much time I waste during the week and helps me reduce my caloric intake. WOO HOO! It also helps me not stress. I know I have delicious food waiting for me when I get home... how easy!? Welp. Let me know if you've done this and if you have any awesome cheap healthy recipes!

I Love Food...

There is just so much that I could go on about when it comes to food... like the fact that I find joy and happiness in a bowl of queso. Well, today I have determined that I officially will kickstart my diet. No, I don't think I'm fat, but I love how I feel when I am dieting. Healthy food gives me energy and a positive outlook on life. Hard workouts make me feel like I can take on the world. I challenge you to change how you eat. Look into organic foods and try cutting dairy out of your diet. It will make you feel so alive. Worry about wanting ice cream? Lucky for you there is dairy-free coconut milk ice cream that is to DIE for. So what's on the menu for tonight? Chipotle lime tacos with peppers, onions, and homemade guacamole. On another note, did you know that your face sheds 20,000 dead cells every 3 days? Yeah, replace your pillow case on the regular or you're sleeping in that build up. Love.

People In My Life...

I have never really realized how important your friends are in your life. I am an only child and so being on my own is something that I am used to. Though, this past year, my friends have really come through. I know it's super cliche to be like, "My friends are awesome and so much better than yours!" but, really, mine are. I have developed a true best friend for the first time in probably my whole life. I'm making connections and enjoying stories and time with old neighbors. It just reminds me of how important it is to keep the past and present in your life. This is nothing that is profound, just something that I realized I need to cherish and nourish in my life. Thanks for helping me through everything, friends. You're better than any siblings I could ever have.

And In The Beginning...

I told my friends that I was going to start this... I don't know why I wanted to start a blog about my life. Maybe I feel like somebody out on the interwebs can relate to me and just needs to know that they're not alone in how they feel. Or maybe people need somebody to laugh at. Or maybe you just feel like reading a new something or other every day, but here I am.

I am faced with some issues at the ripe age of 24 and I feel like maybe talking to anonymous people who don't know me, or maybe you do, can help me on my way. I'm sure it's normal to start wondering what is out there for you in this world when you're young. I mean, sure, everybody questions if what they're doing is really right for them or if there is more that they're meant for, but when does it become a life crisis? I am positive when I say that I think I have hit my quarter-life crisis. Being stuck in white suburbia doesn't help. For those who don't directly know me, here's a profile:

Whereabouts: I live in a suburb of a suburb in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area... same place that I grew up. I guess I have a knack for never leaving my hometown.
Age: 24
Occupation: Teacher/Coach in an unnamed district
Obsessions: Germany, soccer, friends, music, fashion, Mexican food
Marital Status: Single...

I can't think of anything else that you might directly want to know about me, but if you become a reader then you will learn much more.

So this is the beginning of my journey to find happiness at a young age. To find where I belong in this world. What my calling is. You know... yadda yadda.

Enjoy.