My Year: In 780 words and 18 Pictures

How do you measure a year? How about a blog post? This year has been dramatic, and busy...and worth paying tribute to. 

Speaking in front of a couple thousand people?
Boom. Done.

Last December, I was selected to speak at graduation.
It was something I'd dreamed about and hoped for during at least the last three years of college. As someone who craves attention, it was pretty thrilling.



I finished student teaching in mid-January. The next day, I drove down through Illinois for the Midwest Undergraduate Women in Physics Conference. It was pretty cool... and provided lots of free food.

UWL Represent!

February was filled with short term subbing. My roommates became accustomed to the chime from my cell phone and related panic as Jobulator notified me that there was a new available substituting job.

In March, three of my roommates (and the house boyfriend) drove to Chicago to surprise another roommate on her return from an overseas Pharmacy rotation.

This picture was supposed to be a reflection of us all
on the bean. Some photographic visions are harder to
communicate to strangers than others

On March 27th, I scheduled my first big interview in Pewaukee. As if that weren't enough, later that day my dream position opened. When I found it on Aesop, I nearly gave Peanut (roommate) a heart-attach from my sudden conniption fit.

April began with the Pewaukee interview, lesson planning, and subbing. On the 19th, I started meeting with the students I'd be long-term subbing for, captained our Relay for Life team, and had my first interview (over the phone with Independence). On the 21st, my long-term relationship ended. By the 22nd, I was offered an attractive position teaching in Pewaukee, scheduled a secondary interview in Independence, and excitedly picked up an interview in Holmen. In the ultimate crunch, I interviewed in Holmen on the 25th...being required to get back to Pewaukee by that evening (the Pewaukee principal extended my deadline for Holmen). On April 25th I accepted the position in Holmen. On April 29th I began working full-time as an 8th grade math, science, and writing long term sub. Offda. 

I also got to host a pretty ridiculous Olympics event in April

May was pretty chill. I just worked. I worked really hard.

Also in May...

Classes ended on June 10th. The month also brought my first big trip to Eau Claire with Jordan and Nikki, a going away party, and a much larger trip to Europe.

Family

On June 14th, my sister and I hopped a plane for Europe and spent the next month soaking up as much culture and food as possible. We met amazing people, received more meaningful history lessons than possible in the classroom, and got to visit amazing landmarks in Germany, Hungary, Budapest, Italy, Switzerland, France, and The Netherlands. Best.Choice.Ever.

Friends with Food!

New Friends

Seriously Cool Sights

 We returned in late July to celebrate three weddings and enjoy a little bit of summer before Sue's move to Guatemala.

August brought some planning time, family picnics, a visit to Madison, and getting to meet all the new members of UWL's drumline.

Oktoberfest...before all the rain 

September was exciting as I started teaching, "for real" this time. Near the end of the month, I also celebrated a birthday and Oktoberfest.

Throughout the fall, I visited home once a week to make and eat dinner with my parents. Every October weekend was booked with trips to visit friends, events in town, and HHS football games.

Tortoise and the Hare...get it?

In November, I hosted drumline Thanksgiving, ran a 5k and ran my first 5 mile race.

Yum.

December brought me to my first Packer game and reunited me with my sister. It has been another whirlwind month, but has supplied me with a greatly needed break from classes.

It has been a year for the record books. I have been blessed like crazy. Five years ago, if you'd asked me where I'd be today, I'd tell you that I'd hope to be teaching physics or chemistry in a high school close to home. I wouldn't assume I'd have the phenomenal support group I have. I wouldn't imagine the trip to Europe, or seemingly endless weekend trips to visit friends, or laughing hard everyday.

There are bad days. There are moments I fall apart. But the number of good days and phenomenal moments make every struggle or low point entirely worthwhile.

If you took the time to read this, it probably means that you're one of the people who has helped me become this (dare I say it?) adult. You make me smile, you guide me, and you care. From the deepest, mushiest, part of my heart, thank you.