You've got a friend in me.

"Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education."

Ice Cream Truck

69 more days of student teaching.

Endless Possibilities.

So I'm sitting in "my" apartment. Sans it really being my own. I am staying in Carla's room tonight since she was so nice as to let me use it since she is still in Crowntown. It's so odd. This apartment feels like home to me, and it will always have that place in my heart...yet...at some points...I miss Charlotte. Today was a very busy, tiresome, roller coaster day. However, it has served me well. This morning, I woke up bright and early around the same time that I will be getting up these days and got dressed to go to the first student teaching seminar. I was engulfed in a sea of wonderful student teachers. I saw so many of my girls today and it was such a nice comforting feeling. From the minute I saw my boys sitting in the lobby reading the paper, it had seemed like no time had really passed at all. I walk into the room, after speaking to Dr. Henries (the best man ever) and saw all my block I and II girls. After hugs galore from and a kiss on the head from Katie, I felt right at home. Surrounded by the people that had kept me sane through blocks. The seminars were obviously quite annoying to be at but mainly because they stressed me out. My life is going to be pretty booked this semester and I have to make the best of it. For many reasons. It scares me shitless but it also puts butterflies in my tummy. It was definitely needed. To experience both the emotions. Why? It's the biggest reality check. Even thought I felt at ease going through this experience with all these wonderful girls, I couldn't help to miss the things that I need to survive that don't live in Boone. I am finally getting into teacher mode and I like it. Everything about today was useful. From lunch at Blackcat with Cassie, Justine, Katie and Soots, to the hours of being in Kim's office, to Our Daily Bread and Do It To Julia, to watching The Devil Wears Prada and seeing my EL kids come up to me all proud and telling me all the ways they are becoming involved on campus or their goals to become better people. THAT my friends, is why I do what I do. While I sat in Kim's office today (or more so laid on her couch and read Harry Potter) she kept introducing me to everyone as still a member of the Leadership Educators (Leadership Team, obvi). I hadn't really thought about it that way, and she pulled me aside later and said that just because I wasn't physically there didn't mean I was no longer a part of the team. Hm. Kate called the CSIL office (my second home) and it was so nice to her. It's easier to deal with difficult situations when you know you're not alone. I can't wait to hear how Kate beasts Chicago. Both today and yesterday were great days. Yesterday, I woke up early, ran some errands and got some Stickboy with SarahJane. NOM. I had cheesecake and only wanted to buy everything in the store. I pulled myself together, despite the nasty weather, and went on to get my tetanus shot. After that I met up with Cassie at Melanie's (the cutest little organic breakfast/lunch place) which was fantastic. I then came back and decided it was time to shop. I bought wayyy too many things at the Shoppes on the Parkway. Oops. But they are all for teaching things! After, Kathryn and I almost burned down the apt making dinner for us 3 and Emily (litearlly-the fire alarm went off, but it was due to our wonderful chicken and the lack of the fan) Anyway, I am very tired and have a really big day tomorrow so I need to go to bed. Sorry I rambled. So much fun stuff. Pictures to come later. Goodnight, Consuela.

"You are ready"

Don't stop believing.

Oh my gosh. TODAY WAS INSANE. I did not like. Many good things did happen but then again some not so great things happened. I really want to blog but at the same time I am exhausted. I have a very nice full couple of days coming up. I really have some of the best friends up here. It's so hard picking where to stay certain nights, how did I get so lucky? :) I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS WEEKEND! However, I do have to remember to keep myself in a reality check because I am not back here to stay. It's pretty hard to stay neutral in emotions because everyone is just moving back in, and that's always such a fun part. Ah. Well, enough about that. My bed and the boy are calling my name, like every other night so lets just say this...I'm excited about student teaching and this semester but it is probably the definition of bittersweet.

Teaching? WTF.
Smells like Boone.
Sounds like Boone.
Feels like Boone.
Looks like Boone.
I love you, Boone.
No matter what sketchy roads you make me take in the pitch black mountain night/in a monsoon/after traffic and some bad news.


"Never give up. This may be your moment for a miracle"

wonderful.

I love music. I vowed to myself that I would blog about music and how big of an inspiration it is to me. Not tonight though, but it has def made an influence the past few days. I just want to blog before I get too busy this week. 2 DAYS UNTIL BOONE. THANK GOD. However, before I get to Boone I will have to do a few things. Tomorrow I plan to see Natalie for our wonderful breakfast filled with essentials of beginning a good morning and a good semester. I'll have to say bye to her for awhile, but after going to her concert the other night, I think I can manage. She is a wonderful singer and her new stuff is fantastic! After breakfast I plan to go to Showmars, as always, and then I have a nice Charlotte date with my roommate to indulge in summer before it slips through our fingers and we find ourselves back in 108. This got me to thinking, (as well as Eli's first day today) I envy everyone in normal majors. I almost wish that this semester would mean class schedules, taking notes, almost falling asleep in desk during 180 min periods, and studying to regurgitate information back out on multiple choice tests. I miss the backpacks, the way you would just carry around all your necessities in it and slouch it on the floor as you found your new desk and began evaluating the class surrounding you, only to pick out a notebook and a pen to begin the day. It's funny how those little things are the ones that I find myself missing. I cannot wait to be Ms. Gonzalez, but as I've found out in these past few years, being on the other side doesn't necessarily mean that the grass is greener. I have orientation on Wednesday for CMS which will then turn into some time with Scags and then to pack my bags for a 5 day trip to 3,333 feet. I'm pretty excited. Especially since I have already been making plans with many wonderful people once I'm in Boone. I really need to go and finish Harry now, and just rest because I know that these next few days sleep will seem like a distant memory.

Dear freshmen in college, I envy you for beginning the wonderful road to finding yourself that is college. Take nothing for granted. Especially the simple life. Love, an old geezer.


"Learn to live with what you’ve got But hey, we love what we got Look how happy we are "

Electrolytes.

It's usually at night when I start feeling all thoughtful. I got back from a day completely filled with work and I am now sitting here with my hair semiwet, the most comfortable clothes I own (tshirt, shorts/sweats duh) with a nice cup of chamomile tea. Mmmhm. Just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Primarily because I used to drink this in cold weather, you know like blizzards...etc. Funny thing is, I would usually drink this the most right before heading off to Blowing Rock Elementary but for some reason this innocent bag of tea is reminding me most about the Catholic Campus Ministry at school. Waking up those Sunday mornings (after regretful or not so regretful Saturday nights) and heading to St. Elizabeth's. Sundays were my "at peace" (mainly before the storm) days. Idk, something about going to church as soon as I woke up just made me feel so much more ready to deal with the struggles of the week. That one hour of mass is heavenly, ironic, but true. Everything seems perfect at that time, or everything feels so manageable and ok. Coming right out of church though it seems like the real world just bitch slaps you. ( Maybe those 2 words shouldn't be used in the same sentences. Eh.) When I go up to Boone next week, I only technically need to be there from Thursday to maybe Friday evening. However, I need some self namaste in my life. I really need to find that spark between God and I again, the same one I had all during lent and during the peak of my dysautonomia. No one can make that difference except me, right?
On another note, I woke up with a killer headache today. One in which I almost felt just like laying in bed all day reading. However, I remembered that I had the power to make the day atleast seem a bit better. I love all my pep-talks. Yet there are some things that I just think about all the time. My favorite is the one telling me that rap music makes me 100x happier. It's disgustingly true actually. You'd figure I'd be anti the lingo, messages and meaningless lyrics that go along with rap but it just makes you feel so badass. So that's what I did, I turned up the music real loud, had my own dance party (with all of you in spirit-in moth forms or whatever other symbolic forms) and rapped along to some of my favorites.Even if I am rapping about bitches, hoes and other nastiness. Like crumpin'. Bahah. I even spoke to Natalie about my passion for rap. As we know, Natalie Royal is a very talented musician friend of mine and will be having a summer concert tomorrow night at the Water Ice Factory. I suggested we make one song in which I'd sing (well, er rap) in one of her songs), she said she'd think on it. Today was Natalie's last night at Showmars and despite how sad that seems, it wasn't at all, it was nice to think back to all the wonderful memories and smile that they happened. Especially since....I ate a pita burger. This has been the first burger that I've eaten in literally about 3.5 months. It was so good, but not as enjoyable as I thought it would be or remember it being. Another thing that seems to be a guilty pleasure is facebook. I think I will have to say bye to effbook pretty soon, it is making me feel just like we discussed, Betty, and I do not want to fall into that again. We shall see. Alright, that's enough venting for tonight. It's time to enjoy this tea while reading and falling asleep whenever the hell I want to. Thank you blog, for being my pensieve.

"You have to find some reason for living. You have to find something to believe in and for it to work, it has to be larger than you, that you will discover that you are no enough to satisfy yourself"

Attraversiamo

love.
epic.
I need to make a list.
My desk is completely disastrous.
Student teaching is so so soon.
coupons.
Push.
best roommate.
Soccer commentators are better in Spanish.
talks.
Boys suck.
my new shoes
Maybe I'll speak Greek soon.
eat.
Last couple nights with Natalie at the 'Mars.
BBQ is amazing.
Yoforia- the shit.
Eff you, dysautonomia.
Totes wanna watch My Big Fat Greek wedding soon.
Almost done with the 5th HP.
I'm thankful for teachers.
CMS orientation? Lame.
I need to totally buy more teacher clothes.
Go Manchester.
I still want to travel the world.
I still want to teach all over the world.
I like poetry. I should write my own. Hmm.
Boone next week.
Too many cockroaches.
Back in Gold mode.
Change.
Excited about student teaching.
I'm so lucky for everyone in my life.
pray.

I should be in bed. I should be reading Harry. But again, I feel like I have a ton on my mind. Summer is winding down really quickly. In many ways I am so excited to start this year (sorry but as an elem ed major I tend to think of school years as actual years) but at this same time I feel like I don't know where to start. Don't get me wrong, this whole week has actually been really really fun and great but now that I finally accept Charlotte weather (to an extent) and am getting into a nice routine, it's about to change. Yay change! I'll be back in Boone next week and will get to see and give thousands of much needed hugs to many wonderful people (maybe meditate on the mountain-alliteration) which will be nice, especially since certain people are back from camp/from the beach/moving back to Boone! I don't really know what I'm trying to say which is why I just decided to make that list above. All thoughts. Thoughts I want to share but not too thoroughly.

What should we value in our lives?"Someone to love; something to hope for; something to believe in."

la connaisance est pouvoir

Je crois en la vie.

So you know how I totally wasn't in the blogging mood? Well, I totally am now. Wahoo! This weekend was almost as spectacular as last weekend. It was spent doing many fun things that included sports, shopping and fun times. As I sit here sipping on my wonderful (or as wonderful as decaf can get) coffee, I don't even know where to begin with this post. Someone mentioned to me that I was getting back into the swing of my ultimate Gold-ness, and you know what? I've missed it; I'll start this blog with a list.

1. I believe that I am in love with the outdoors.
   
2. I believe in great causes.
3. I believe in achieving your PERSONAL best.
4. I believe that I love my family and friends.
5. I believe that I have faith.

Now that I've brainstormed my post, I will begin. As you guys have probably noticed, I really do just love being outdoors. My siblings and I decided to reminisce some favorite childhood pastimes. We were going to go Canoeing but didn't have much time so, nevertheless we made the journey out to Cane Creek Park (you should visit if you've never gone) out in Waxhaw and went on our usual hike. We had so much fun and really wound up having an intense hike. They have a wonderful "outdoor" fitness center equipped with many things and even a climbing wall. I was in love. I forgot how much I loved that place. So, the great causes I am speaking of today (I believe in many!) Are the PROLIFE and LIVESTRONG ones. The last time I went to Boone, Chris and I had this whole discussion on how Catholic I am. We went across the big points that we are recognized (and criticized) for and of course abortion made the top 3. It's weird having those conversations with them, especially for the first time, but he took it very well and it was nice to have stood up for what I believe in. Needless to say, I am very much a Pro Life person, and admire many of the organizations making a stand for it. Yes yes yes, don't worry I am all about women making their own choice but I am just more on the Pro Life stance on it that Pro Choice. Now, I'm not running for president so there is no need to go into detail on that. If you're interested in what these people do, please visit the website! I was fortunate to meet some of the people making a difference and they were great, so check it out! This weekend was the infamous tax-free weekend so of course Dad and I went on our usual back to school shopping (in sport stores-we just use this weekend as an excuse, even though we are still charged tax). We went to Dick's because he was really wanting to buy some tennis shoes so I decided to go along. We got to talking about my new running habit and he seemed to be very proud of my new hobby and is very impressed that I've stuck with it so long (I've hated running my whole life except now, thank you dysautonomia?). We were looking around many shoes and we came across the live strong running shoes. Of course I love them, and he went over took a look at them (after he had chosen his own new pair) and randomly asked if I like them. I kind of gave him the whole "are you kidding" look and he said that he was so thrilled that I've taken up running that he'd buy me a pair, and then he added how much he looked up to my drive of good causes. Take action people, get involved. I still haven't gotten over any of that. As far as my numbers 3, 4, and 5, they all kind of deal with the previous two. I ran my best timed mile today, I spent the entire weekend with the people I love and faith is a tremendously powerful thing.

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen"

just dance.

I have not really been in the mood to blog this past week. I think this is due to a few reasons, but primarily because I am once again having that struggle with balance. I do want to balance Charlotte and Boone life but that's pretty hard. I get to go back in a week and a half to kind of get my mind focused on school and spend the last of my summer up there. I want to love being back here but things are so different with friendships and such, I mean they're good but I hope they stay that way next week. We'll see. I remember in Grey's once, Christina and Meredith were having really tough times and they would just tell each other to dance it out. What a freaking great idea. I hadn't noticed how much of my life I have spent "dancing it out". Dance Marathon does not necessarily count, but that was when I noticed just how much I really do use dance as an outlet. Don't get me wrong, I super suck at dancing but it is so fun. Little kids are the best at it, and that's why I kept thinking of this. If I were to write a book (which is likely one day) it won't be named "eat pray love" mine will def be "learn pray love". You learn so much throughout life, but you have to love it. LOVE THE JOURNEY. Which I found in my famous "Words of Wisdom". Dancing really helps you to learn and enjoy the journey. The other day I noticed that (shamefully, I was running to 'I like it' the Enrique and Pit Bull song) and I didn't notice myself start dancing as I was running. Not flat out start waltzing or anything but def post-dance-marathon-effects. It's so great. Lilly and I have our usually dance parties and boy, have we danced in Boone. As a matter of fact, I danced at Showmars today. It was really silly because I just busted out and Madison (who thinks I have no fun bone in my body) was sitting out there with me and said she could now die happy. Here are a few good memories involving some sort of dance...each being a WONDERFUL day, one in which I'll never forget, and def one that made me smile.
Best thing...all were completely sober. Oh, and that I can do the Souldja Boy. Duh. Now, everything else has been good. The dysautonomia, my running and preparing for 3rd grade. For now, I have to get back on my goal of becoming a decent human being. Here I come, Harry (5th book, mind you)

"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance"

"I wish. But there were no "to go" butterbeers."

Why oh why is it August 3rd already? So, yesterday was a pretty nice day. I'm really sorry guys but today has just been such a weird day. I almost don't feel like blogging but I know that it usually helps to just vent. Ha. As I was saying, yesterday was so fun. I had to work at 5 yesterday but I made decent money so I can't complain too much. My grandma also left yesterday. I feel like I should be sad or something but honestly, I'm just hoping I won't see my dad and my uncles as stressed as they are when she's here. God I miss my grandpa. In the afternoon though, I went over to the Comisky's and helped Katie babysit Campbell and Jackson. They are seriously some of the cutest kids on the face of the Earth. We literally sat around and played with them for a few hours while drinking lovely coffee. Can't go wrong with that even if you try. I found out that my camera phone is actually a lot cooler than I thought. There is this Mosaic setting for pictures that takes individual pictures for one picture if that makes sense. Let me show you, I've got some pretty hot shots of some hot people.These cuties!

However, today was not as great. I hate Providence High School. Jay Kay, although I wish I did. Chris wound up not making the soccer team. WTF, right? It just really sucks because he was so motivated to do this and just worked so hard to condition and do the best he can. Chris is the best soccer player I know and I just really wish this could have worked out better. He deserved it. I really love Chris so much, it's really weird. We seem to be alike in many ways that Eli and Lilly could never understand. We just have the same sense of humor and it is so fun just talking and hanging out with him, esp since we love the same stuff. I guess life does suck sometimes. I just hope he isn't discouraged. He's a great kid. Just makes me sad to see this as his sister. However, I had been in such a weird mood at work that I decided to just skype/talk to Corey. That usually brings about a few good laughs. In the memory of that (because he'd hate if I put a picture of our skyping up, I leave us with Corietta) oh and Corey, start that list. #1 Broyhill.
I think it's time to go to bed with a great man. Thanks for being there for me, Harry.

"But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun"

Here today.

I'm sitting here waiting to go to bed and read Harry but I have a massive food baby right now that it wouldn't be possible for me to go to bed. Let alone, really lay down. We just finished having dinner with the Vargas family after church tonight (we went to Spanish mass!). It was very neat to hang out with them and enjoy a dinner amongst friends. Although I am having some tummy aches after half a shot of tequila that my dad offered me...however, most of the night was spent with Helen and prepping her for ASU. She asked me all the questions that I wish someone had helped me with. From the dorms, to football tickets to packing. I'm very glad that she's going to App but is it bad that it makes me jealous that she's going? I mean I guess I do share App with tons of other people, I guess it's ok for a family friend to share it with me too.
Regardless of all that, I've never really talked about how much I love being Catholic. But not tonight, I promise it'll come up soon.
Today was a really good day actually. I woke up before anyone else and obviously decided to read some Harry to pass the time. Then Chris woke up and we went on a 2 mile run. It was actually really nice because we needed to keep him in shape for tryout tomorrow! (Pray that he makes the team) After that we made some delicious french toast and had a wonderful breakfast. Before lunch, my siblings and I decided to do something outdoors since the weather was so nice (I kept telling them I brought back the Boone weather but they won't believe me) so we decided to go on a hike. My brothers had never come, it was usually just Lilly and I or with the company of Sky and Katie. However, it turned out to be LOADS of fun. I loved just having us time. We hiked, played, joked, went on wild adventures and found very neat things. One being this cute turtle we named Colonel.
We also decided to climb up this tree which was very hard. Chris did the best, but this was the best picture I got since we were so scared he was going to break his neck. Anyway, here goes the first week of August. I cannot wait to see what it brings. "You are so much sunshine to the square inch"