baby, i like it.

Oh boy. These past few days have been wonderful.

The reason I named my blog what I did was because I found that life is a constant revolution against one thing or another; I have also noticed that most of the time, it is bittersweet. This week has been a perfect explanation of that. Going to Boone to move out after 2 years...seeing BRB, Lauren, Em...it's just always bittersweet.
My trip to Boone was way better than I expected. I arrived in Boone and didn't even go to the apartment I went straight to meet Stephanie and Sean at Galileo's. YUM. I had been craving that food like crazy. Yeah, I missed Trivia night and it's def not the same without trivia night every monday but it was so nice to be back there. Not just in Galileo's alone but also in Boone. I took a minute (after our 3 hour dinner in Galileo's talking about everything from school, peeing, and periods) to just sit out in the Boone air and take it in. Stephanie did with me and we just thanked our lucky stars for having us in Boone and having given us such a nice group to hang out with. Sweet. On the other hand, she did say that family night was going to be happening as soon as I came up one weekend to visit. Bittersweet. However, I went to Boone Bagelry for bfast, Welborn for lunch, Black Bear for Harry, the new (crazy) Walmart and to our beautiful campus. It was so nice to be back. I saw many wonderful people as well, like Laura and Chris. Chris was very sweet. I had certainly missed that boy like crazy. But he helped me move out, once again, and bought me lunch. Poor chipmunk face. Anyway, I met th girl that is going to be moving in to my room and she seems nice. The only bad thing was that it was just sad to see "my" room as hers now.but you know what else I noticed? Boone will always be home to me. No matter who occupies my room. So, thank you for a wonderfully adventurous 2 years, 108 Hardin Street.It's wonderful to think of all the nice memories, and you know no matter how much I cry (not that I do-figuratively, of course) I spent those 2 years as best as I could have, so why live in the past? I'm never going to forget any of those wonderful times. Not the good, the bad or the ugly. It's all totally about the journey. I miss it like hell, but it's not like it's going anywhere. It was nice to stroll down the streets downtown, but it was also very nice to come home and see Katie. Balance is another wonderful thing in life, no matter how tricky it may be. We watched Leap Year and just sat here for a while laughing at high school pictures. It made me just so happy to know that she has always been a Charlotte constant. She's da best. I miss high school sometimes, but like App, it's a memory I'm always going to hold on to. The day after all that I went to Jimmy Johns with Brittany and it was SO nice to see her too.It's hilarious how quickly we bonded at LT last year. She's my bed buddy and always will be. I can't wait to visit her in Boone and you know what? She gave me so much motivation and encouragement about student teaching and just following my heart. Speaking of seeing inspiring friends, (with Betty being DEARLY missed) I met up with Em and Lauren in Greensboro today for a day-cation. Gosh it was nice to tell each other our summer stories, share our new plans/dilemmas and laugh til we need a break to massage our cheeks.
What can I say? I have an amazing journey ahead of me, I will cherish every single memory, and I have wonderful friends to help me do it all. Life is pretty damn great right now. you take the first right turn, then turn left and then right....

"Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down"

put up your hair or I'll chop it off

Before going any further, I just need to provide a disclosure. I absolutely love my parents to death. But sometimes-I just get so confused. I really love being at home and spending time with my family, but at the same time, there is so much out there that I need to get out and do that really can't happen with my parents there at all time. I'm pretty happy that I get to go to my favorite place on the face of the Earth tomorrow. I need some Boone time. BAD. I almost wish I was going back up there this semester. Like, it's such a struggle knowing that my best friends will be up there doing the amazing things we did that I totally took for granted. Luckily, I'll be up there all the time which is my like saving grace. I don't know what about Boone, or App for that matter, what really what changed me. The more and more that I think about it, LT is the one that really brings tons of wonderful learning experiences, challenges, memories, and friends. It's really funny how things work out. Today, was a pretty uneventful day but LT has been everywhere I look today. Especially since I got to see Meghan Megargee today! Talk about random. It was so nice to catch up with here and hear how teaching is going for her (she's moving out of CMS but has a job!!!). I also got a postcard from Betty and I had the strangest dream about the LT retreat last year. Not to mention, Chris and I had the longest conversation via text last night. I miss Kate, Robert, Will, Betty, Brittany...gosh all of us. The cheesiest but best part about that is that I will never forget any of them ; they totally helped me become who I am. I thought about this too over coffee this morning as well. It's Katie's 22nd birthday-YAY! and of course we came across the topic of teaching amidst our conversation (crazy, I know). I really don't think I'd ever want to do anything besides teach. I talked to Katie about it, I talked to the McClains about it and honestly, it is like...the butter to my bread. Just makes things 100 times better. I can't wait to be Ms. Gonzalez again, I can't wait to shop for materials for lessons or stress out about making a difference. I kind of want to move to Mexico and teach there...Ha. And that was me venting/ rambling. thank you for listening.

I've come across this pretty interesting blog. It's about this family trying to eat as healthy as possible for 100 days. Makes you really think about things...give a try: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/
I realized today that I haven't eaten a burger in over 2 months, haven't had sodas in about a year and haven't had caffeine in like 2 weeks. WTF is what I'm saying- I like that. Well, it's getting to be bed time so I'm going to hop on over to bed and hang out with my boy Harry. (PS: does anyone own all the movies?)
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trail and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

roma ro ma ma.

Ok, so someone needs to give me another weekend. I was completely robbed of mine this week. No bueno. But you know what? It wasn't all that bad. First thing's first. I finally got the PRAXIS over with. Regardless of how I did (I think I did well) and regardless of how long it was (excruciating pain, really) it is over and done with. It completely like knocked the wind out of me for the weekend because it threw things into such a whack. However, many nice things came out of it. For instance, the day before, Katie, Skylar, Lilly and I went down for a nice little morning at the Colonel Beatty. Hell yes it was hot, but hell yes it was freaking awesome. I really love being on trails, in nature, getting a grosser Chaco tan, and being with some of my favorite girls in the world. That day was going to be set aside for more studying but it wound up being a very fun and relaxing day. Saturday after the test i came back to Dakota only to find like a thousand "good luck", "kick ass", and "you're going to do fine!" texts from many wonderful friends. That def made me feel a thousand times better. I even got to have a conversation with Betty via text! After worth, my amazing friend of a roommate took me out to lunch at this incredible new place by Blakeney. Heavenly food, visit NEWKS! That was very nice. I passed out that afternoon and just hung around the house/going shopping after that. Unfortunately I haven't been feeling well either, but it has been a good way for me and Harry to catch up some. I am now on the 4th book! WAHOO! Despite reading, drinking gatorade, skyping with amazing people, feeling crappy and catching up I've been thinking about how funny it is that it really just is the simple and tiny things in life that matter. The acts of kindness...the words...hugs...effort...etc. With being at the park out in nature just simply laughing, enjoying the sun and watching cute little girls it really just reminded me what summer is really about. Being able to talk to Betty via text was so interesting to me because I never noticed just how lucky we are to be able to text. Mailmen are crack heads, but besides that. Kathryn's lunch date and just being so interested in my PRAXIS and just catching up was just so cute.
Here comes the last week of July. It's funny to think how different it was last year. I was doing the chair project with Olivia last year in art and the weather wasn't scalding. Speaking of, I will be going to Boone this week! This has been the longest I've been away from Boone ever and it'll be so nice to be back up there and enjoy the weather. I really think this week is going to be great for more reasons than one. (I think the day-cation with Em and Lauren will happen this Saturday!!!!!) (Oh, and Brittany and I will have lunch sometime this week!YES!) So, I'll def be sending July off with a smile.
If you don't read Post Secret, you should.Thanks to those of you that do read my blog, it really means a lot. Especially when you tell me that you like it and that you feel that we are closer, because damn it, I do it for you. Thanks for sticking by me, regardless of the cray cray things that come out of my head. yous da best.

"The mind determines what's possible. The heart surpasses it"

Coreitta

I CAN SO DO THIS.
It all just depends on how I do this.

here we go, PRAXIS.
Going to sleep to wake up and beast the thing after having a wonderful day.

invented spelling.

July 22nd. Already.
I have spent this past week "studying" my little butt off just to be reminded that some of you may never even have heard of this horrible little thing. The PRAXIS is basically set in a few parts. The first is only to get you into the education program at school with a test very similar to that of the SAT. It has a math, reading and writing part to it. That can sometimes be waived by getting good scores on the actual SAT. However, the PRAXIS that I have been bitching and moaning about lately is the PRAXIS II. The big daddy of the education program because essentially, many states require one to take the PRAXIS in order to get the certification to become a teacher. It is comprised of a few parts. The normal multiple choice aspect for a few hours, with questions ranging from the 4 main subject areas, the integrated subjects to curriculum and instruction along with 4 essays in a matter of 2 hours (eh?). Now, the question that always got me was as far as to why the test name itself was capitalized. Does it stand for something? Nope. However, I did find this out:

Prax-is: [prak-sis] –noun, plural prax⋅is⋅es, prax⋅es.
1. practice, as distinguished from theory; application or use, as of
knowledge or skills. 2. convention, habit, or custom. 3. a set of examples for practice.

So I guess that kind of makes sense. IDK. Dumb teachers. Right Corey? Which reminds me, this one is for you buddy and I am so sorry to many people who in fact may really feel like I've died this week due to being preoccupied. Sorry that I have been absolutely MIA. This will change next week! pwomise.
Despite the fact that I have been sitting here studying, I've also been reading Harry Potter. I am now on the 3rd one and I simply cannot put these books down. I'm going through them like crazy-or as an acceptable human being. Which reminds me of Stacey! STACEY IS NOW A 4th GRADE TEACHER! Congrats to that lovely lady. I had been hopelessly confused as to what this teaching thing is really all about until we got to talking. It is so mind boggling to think that one of my own friends is a real life teacher. We're growing up and I cannot even believe it. Speaking of growing up and such, in an effort to study from my prior knowledge I went through all my old notes that I've taken in all my education classes. Boy was that a bad idea; merely a trip down memory lane. However, I really just can't believe what kind of classmates and teachers I have been blessed to have. I can still hear Dr. J's voice saying Bloom's Taxonomy. Never will I ever forget what a schwa is. So in essence, I really am not too stressed about this dumb little test (eff you standardized testing-hehe) I know I have plenty of resources to help me through that. This afternoon, Kelsey, Carmen and Valerie came to visit. I absolutely love those girls. They really put a smile on my face. We read Stellaluna and they asked me more questions than I could answer. It's just another wonderful little reminder of the things that usually get me through most days. How could I not teach? After all...Dysautonomia, you thought you had beaten me but guess what? i can drink coffee...who said anything was wrong with decaf. HA!

The best thing to hold on to in life is each other."- Audrey Hepburn

lucha por un mundo nuevo, lucha por la verdad.

Reflection

Change.

Motivation.


Inspiration.

Confidence.

Sometimes, in life, this is all you need. Why make things difficult?

All photos courtesy of Darcy Wade Photography; visit her site! She's a fabulous friend, and excellent photographer.

and it makes me mellow right down to my soul.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain.

just one of those days :)
thanks, friends.

love love love love, crazy love

Well hot diggity. This week is flying by!! AHHHH. So, the other day 'member how I realized that the PRAXIS was closing up on me? Well, I am sorry that I have not had a new post in quite some time but I have been busily studying! Many trusted friends have told me not to worry and I don't think I'm necessarily worried, I just like to plan and be prepared. My days have become lovely little routines of fun, work and play. I am trying these new foods and love them all! I found the best salad dressing, croutons and fresh veggies from my local stand which I am obsessed with. I have been running every morning before work or whatever I need to get done that day, and have been trying to complain less about work and time running out while still providing myself with one exciting part of the day. I think I need some new running shoes for added motivation. SUGGESTIONS PLEASE. Just to really sit back and think of what has been going on lately...here's a slide show of my week thus far. Usually don't have a picture a day but this week has been amazing...

Oh the moment Casillas held up the cup...2nd Grade reunion with Anthony 14 years later!
This should be a picture of Kathryn for her bday, but this is hilarious!
I love ben and jerry's for more reasons than 1.

I also found out that my shit needs to be outta that apartment by July 29th @ 11:00. Therefore...I have that apartment for approximately 14 days.

PRAXIS countdown: 9 days.
3rd GRADE countdown: 42 days.One of the least embarrassing pictures we took during our photoshoot at work today.

"Everything is at odds when God sends a thinker on the loose"

I get all worked up Then I let myself down

Why hello, you. So, today was a pretty...hmm what's the adjective? Productive? Eventful? Not sure, regardless it was a good day. So I swear Dakota is trying to fall apart and laugh in my face for loving him so much. However, I ran many errands today and got to have a wonderful skype date with Corey! That was nice, and then I watched Germany take the 3rd place (Sorry Uruguay but you kind of deserved it) and well then I fell asleep-whoops. Tonight though I went to see Michael Buble! It was def so wonderful, I just wish Lauren had come with me. Unfortunately, miss Patchett is up in Boone eating my wonderful Galileo's food.
The nerve she had to send me the Sun dried tomato and quesadilla. Dumb Patchett. JK. I hope she's enjoying the wonderful mountain air for me, because I enjoyed Michael Buble's beautiful face for the both of us. I really think I just fell in love with the guy (sorry, boy). I woke up this morning feeling very motivated, and I stayed that way for a while yet...I think I know what I'll do this upcoming semester aside from student teaching. I want to coach a little girl's soccer team. I was sitting at lunch thinking about this... and, damn it I'm not done doing volunteer or club things just yet.And now I can see every single possibility

what'ditellya?

Boy oh boy what a wonderful day today. I'm feeling very thoughtful and motivated right now so honestly I am blogging so I can look back on this and gain some kind of motivation from it later on when I need it. You know how for Verizon voice mail you have to wait for freaking ever to actually listen to your voice mail? Yeah, it sucks. I just now listened to like 3847327 of the voice mails that were anxiously awaiting for me to lend my ear. I am so glad that I saved them all til tonight because they truly put the icing on the cake. I decided to listen to my voice mail because Ashley Wallat called me today and I missed it! I miss that girl so much, I really don't know what I would have done without her at summer school last year. She is wonderful and I'm so proud of her for getting site-based block! I need to get my little butt back to Boone soon to meet with her over breakfast or something. Gosh, I listened to one from Lauren, Corey, Chris, Betty and Daniela. It was wonderful to listen to my 2 boys and the lovely ladies. Despite the fact that Betty is at camp it's so funny how it doesn't even really matter. You see, having your souls connected helps the distance thing. I can't believe Daniela is getting married in like A WEEK and Chris, man I miss that boy. Wish I could just wake up and see him or just sit on the mall with him for hours. Corey on the other hand, owes me a skype date soon and Lauren is probably going to hate me for going to Michael Buble tomorrow. Speaking of, Corey sent me some wonderful goodies in the mail, and they sure did make my day. How did he know I wanted a stress ball and a good book about two things I love? And check out my massive load of pictures...Today was amazing, as I said previously. It was filled with some good quotes, some picture printing and supporting of our local produce stand/farmers with Kathryn. We had this wonderful cookout with some of my cousins and friends this evening here at home and then a friendly soccer game (in which I will wake up to 3984 bruises from) just to support the Netherlands and Spain. I cannot wait to see Anthony soon and I cannot wait to see Buble tomorrow. Looking at the 174 pictures (that I got for less than $20!) and hanging out with Kathryn today, I really started pondering time and how things change over time. Some little things stay the same but many change; for better or worse. It's just boggling to me to see how different friends affect you and how you are around different types of friends. I wonder why friendships and relationships change over time, but no matter how much I think and daydream over this, I know I'll never figure it out for sure. Love fades, Feelings change, Horizons are broadened. I miss old friendships but know that they have probably moved on to, which I am totally at ease with because you know what? I'm so content. I know I am the first person to admit that I don't love change, but lately...it's been so easy to accept and try to beast. The important thing is that I know some things will never change, and honestly...sometimes they are the ones we take for granted. With the entourage of people I have, I do what I want. On my list of things to cross off the PRAXIS, and 3rd grade are to take my priority this coming week as well as more G2/exercise. I am so ready, esp after those pep talks.

As Em would probably say: "Dream Big, Act Big"

strap on my chacos and off i go

Sweat pants are so much fun. I love them. I also really like when my friends come to see me at work (thanks roomie!) My gosh. Time goes by so effing quickly. I was just talking to Sarah about how 2 years ago we had just moved into Hardin St Apt 108. Ridic. Now she's almost 21 and I'm almost graduating. This makes me miss Boone but it also makes me value time. It is so important to take things as they are and as they come. Here's a picture, courtesy of my lovely, Kaytee. What a beautiful Boone sunset, missing the weather and ASU.
On another note, Spain beat Germany! Gah, Villa mi vida did not score, and neither did pretty little Torres but they got it somehow. Thank God Christine came over to watch the game with the fam. I feel like this week has really just flown by. It makes me mad. Although I do have to say that it has been a good week. I saw Patchhead and met her for lunch the other morning and that was so nice. We talked about site-based, her new apt, the boy's new house, the PRAXIS and everything that's lovely. We even sent our pickle wishes to Betty! (Wish you could eat our pickles!) Unfortunately my head is killing me like it has not in quite some time, so I think I need to go to bed. For all of you that do not know about this, I have Dysautonomia. It's a dinosaur disease. Jay Kay. I wish, it is just this central nervous system thing that completely makes my body go out of whack for no reason and that I cannot help. Unless of course I drink my infamous Gatorade or sleep/exercise. It sucks because I had been fine for awhile and my doctor suggested I kind of care a bit more now. (I hate being told I'm sick and forbidden to do things-eff that) regardless, I will try to give up some caffeine and do what they say. For now, these sweats, my bed and Harry are calling my name.

Do one thing every day that scares you-Eleanor Roosevelt

the emblem of the land i love

Happy Fourth of July, America.
Well this weekend sure has been a hectic one. We've been all over the NC and SC coast! Stopping at beaches at Oak Island, North Myrtle, Southport and Wilmington. It has truly been a fun adventure with the family and some nice time by the sea and sand. However, the most important thing is probably our independence today. We've been listening to wonderful American classics all day and it is so wonderful to me to realize that I really do have two countries to be proud of. I can shake that pelvis with nothing but a hound dog and get goosebumps with Guadalajara. Evidently I also get a tear or two in my eye as both the US and Mexico national teams begin a World Cup match.
It's funny to try to describe what being patriotic feels like. There really aren't any words and I just think that the overwhelming feeling of something that you are a part of that is bigger than you is what makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. E PLURIBUS UNUM. Just as Obama said in his last address. I think if I ever were to get a tattoo it'd be that phrase. I hate being political sometimes (basically because I am a bit undecided as to what party I support most now) but my family has always been a huge fans of Reagan and Kennedy so I will leave tonight with this, because I think it is a nice quote for today which is also very fitting to what I believe everyday.

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.