Happy New Year!

Happy New Years. My Christmas was amazing. Jeremy and I celebrated Christmas on Tuesday night (before Christmas), then I headed to Dallas on Wednesday. Spending times with my family was just what I needed. I miss my family and enjoyed every second. =) Plus, Mindi (My brother's wife) spent her first Christmas with my family - although we are a lot to handle, she fits right in.

This Christmas was extra special because it was the first time I gave a gift (An iPad to Jeremy) and he was speechless. He did not ask for it, I just knew he wanted it. Although we had a budget, I spent a little more (Or A LOT) to make sure his Christmas was amazing. His reaction was worth every penny.

New Years Eve we celebrated at a house party. So no one would drink/drive - we had people over and enjoying playing Minute To Win It Games. OMG - I have not laughed so much in my life. A bunch of adults get very competitive when games are involved (and some adult beverages)! My partner, Michel, and I won!! =) Here are a few pictures:

Both enjoying our NYE hats!

Love the Matlock's.

Jeremy's sister (Jordan), Jerod's girlfriend (Jill), and I

Well, with school under way - I am finally in a routine. This is how my days goes:

Morning Alarm: 5:30am
Leave my house: 6:00am
Arrive at school 6:50am
Teach 7:15am - 3:15pm
Drive home 3:30pm-4:15pm
Gym 4:15pm-5:15/30pm
Shower, dinner, clean, laundry, etc.

My days are long and tiring, but I love my job and my students. More to come...

Until next time,
J

Stand Up Paddle Board

Last week, my best friend Kathleen and her twin Ryann came to Austin. I had not seen Kat since my graduation - and that is a long time for us! When they got to town, we wanted to do something we do not ordinarily do... So, we went to Town Lake (Also known as Lady Bird Lake). We went Paddle Boarding. It is very popular in Hawaii and other tropical places.

It was a blast - and a work out! =) To get onto the board, you have to kneel and hold the paddle. Then once away from the dock, SLOWLY, and I mean SLOWLY stand up. We had a blast for the hour we did it! =) Here is a picture of the "sport" (this picture is not of us. We did not have a camera!)

After an hour, we went to Hula Hut for dinner then went to out in Austin! =) It was a perfect day.

Untill Next Time...

New Habits

Since this summer, I am on the job hunt. To keep me from going insane, I spend about 3 hours on the job hunt, crafting/scrapbooking, and working out. I am out to find a new challenge - post grad school. I am thinking of guitar or tennis. Until then, I have decided I need to dedicate time to a few things I have not given as much time as I need to (and need to!)

This summer is stressful and full of faith. Through the job hunt, my relationship with God has strengthened along with starting my devotional: Purpose Driven Life. Day 15 and still going...

I used to teach 9 aerobic classes a week. I was burnt out of working out. Now I am back on my kick - runs, weights, and diet. I am determined to get my body back to the toned way it was.

My new saying to motivate me

 "Eat for the body you want, not for the body you have!"

Until next time....

Craft Time... What else is summer for? Oh wait... I am still working on finding a job too!

Thanks to my Aunt Cindy, I am addicted to Pinterest.com. It is the most amazing website with recipes, decorating ideas, and arts! I spend about 5 hours a day on this SILLY website because everything is so simple yet amazing!!

A while ago, I bought a fabulous vintage hook/rack and have wanted to use it somewhere in my apartment. Well, I finally did something with it ALONG WITH...Decoupage. Today, I decided I was going to learn how to decoupage. It's simple - and messy!

So, I set out to Goodwill (Do not judge, there are GREAT fixer-uppers there!) Then on to Hobby Lobby. I got a ceramic pot (like you use outside), fake flowers, a unfinished wood frame, and fabulous $5 candle holder and all the requirements to decoupage.

Here are some before and afters!

This pot was $2.00 at Hobby Lobby. And the foundation for my project!

This is the finished product! Two pages of scrapbook paper $1.00, a sponge (pack of 6 $.99), and Mod Podge ($5.00). Finishing touch = Flowers ($6.00)!

Next up, the unfinished frame. This took more time than the pot, but it is because I am OCD and wanted it perfect.

This frame was $6.99 (half off so really $3.50)

I already had all the paper. I cut them into 1.5 inch by 5 inch. I put the paper into a random, yet organized pattern. Decoupauge began....

Finished product!! =)

Although I am moving in 29 days, I HAD to put all this fabulous newly created stuff somewhere... THE BATHROOM GOT A MAKE OVER...

Red Red Red Before... (I forgot to take a picture of the sink area. ) P.S. My closet is bigger than my bathroom.

Sink area.... =)

And my fabulous $12.99 rug (Cream, brown, and two shades of blue) from Marshall's to pull the bathroom together!

Way more relaxed, simple and FABULOUS bathroom!!

I will get to enjoy for a few more days until I have to pack up and move... Hopefully somewhere with a bigger bathroom! Thoughts/comments? (On my talents, not a bigger bathroom. Haha!)


Until Next Time...

Sweet Summer Time

Since finishing grad school, I have laid out - and have a fabulous tan; worked out - trying to get a beach body; and job hunted. Job hunting is a long, boring, and stressful process and I for one do NOT like it. I am too impatient to wait to hear back - but I know it will be worth the wait.

Throughout this search, I am placing it all in God's hands. I have learned from my parents to pray asking for exactly what you need (not patience, but a job). So, prayers and thoughts would be amazing! I promise to keep everyone posted on the hunt.

In preparation for a job - I have already created lesson plans for about 2 months worth of PE as well as designed a calendar of skills, games, and physical fitness. I have more children's music for PE on CDS. Haha... Not on my iPod, yet.  I love being active and teaching students the importances. I guess there is no better time than the present to start working to be the best!

Til next time.

Master Wood

I am finished! I graduated with my Master's in Education with Physical Education Certification.

 Just call me Master Wood!

The graduation festivities started on Friday. Kathleen, one of my best friends, came into town and we enjoyed lunch at of our favorite spots - TAP ROOM, with my dad! It was delicious. Friday afternoon, the rest of my family came into town and we went to dinner in New Braunfels then to the baseball game!

Saturday morning the group headed to graduation at 10 AM. It was quick and easy. (Jeremy got to see me walk across the stage before he had to head to his baseball game.) =) It was perfect. The family enjoyed a simple dinner at Craig-O's (another favorite spot) then proceeded to go to the baseball and SWEAT.

Saturday night, Jeremy and his family prepared a dinner/get together at his mom's house. It was perfect. We had a few adult cocktails and enjoyed CHUY'S. =)  Kathleen had to jet to get back to Houston before the baby Nycole's baby was born - a whole other story!

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

I am done with school. Promise!

Student Teaching

I am back!! It has taken me so long to blog - obviously I am not the best at this, I am trying. Let's rewind to update everyone on my student teaching experience...

Spring Semester

From January until March (before Spring Break) I was at Jacob's Well Elementary in Wimberley Texas. The school is a year old with more space and equipment for physical education, I was in HEAVEN. The students were absolutley amazing; my cooperative teacher was a different story. Let's just say the PE teacher has been a teacher for 41 years and was retiring after this school year - NO GUIDANCE WHAT-SO-EVER. It made for a long 7 weeks when I had to do EVERYTHING along. ***A funny story - On the first day of teaching, I got asked by a student (2nd grade) for my phone number. Granted this student is one of the coaches kid who I have met, but he is a doll. ***


From March (after Spring Break) until May I was at the high school. This was a change of pace for me - I love the younger children! I was assisted to teach in the Business classes for 1 class period a day, and then taught aerobics (on A day) and PE (on B day). My day ended with girls athletics. My days were long and boring most of the time - I was able to teach aerobics step (my favorite) and PE ultimate football (LOVE IT). However, I learned why highschool was an awkward point in every person's life and why I GRADUATED early.


And it is finished. Student teaching anyway!!