Grande Iced Coffee with Hazelnut

To think that I have already failed at regularly blogging should not surprise me and yet I'm slightly disappointed.  Life happens, though and it's only when I need time to think and contemplate that I find myself in need of writing most.

Where is my life at the moment?

- Chris called this morning and we talked for what seemed like seconds.  I think he found it amusing that I was falling all over the place trying to get myself together on my way to school.  I can't believe how long it's been since I've seen him.  I miss him terribly, but I try to distract myself with school and work.  So far it's been working, but I don't like being so busy when he is available!

- School owns my soul.  Usually I say that it's the government, but not this week. My fourth graders are fabulous!  Challenging, but within the first week I was able to learn all 52 of my students' names.  I love that I not only know their names, but I can identify one or two things about each student which makes them unique in my mind.

- Teaching is more than "being the boss" it's really being a leader.  I look at my mentor teacher and I see a person who's leading her students to learning, but not telling them.  I love the hands-on activities and constantly ensuing this energy that shows fun and a genuine interest in the academic welfare of the students.

Starbucks and I have become semi-distant friends which has been wonderful for our checking account.  I try to force myself to wake up extra early to get my life together and always be at school before my teacher.  Those few moments of silence in the morning makes all the difference.

French Vanilla Roast

So, my past two blogs epitomized the depression and struggles I have dealt with since before I can remember.  Even in journals and diaries I owned at age seven described my depressive states and negative perspective on life.

Finally, I deleted them and burned the physical ones.

To say that I have recovered isn't entirely accurate, but rather that I have learned how to manage both what is biological and environmental.  I feel like I am in an incredibly awkward stage of life with a barely discernible line between adulthood and college life.

One of my favorite photos so far!

Chris and I were married in June and since then life has been nonstop!  This transition phase in El Paso has definitely brought us closer, but also revealed that no matter how much you love someone, they can still be difficult to live with...at times. Anyways, while Chris is in Iraq I intend to create a Bucket List for El Paso of things we should do when we reunite in this strange city in a year.

For the wedding, Darienne bought me a coffee grinder!  I love have freshly ground coffee every morning.  Chris doesn't drink coffee and the initial beans I bought were a dark roast (I'm not really a fan, either) with a strong odor that was not very pleasing.  After forcing myself to finish that bag I purchased the french vanilla flavor and medium roast.  Sooo much better!

Yum!