wandering about

new blog

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:39:00 -0400

I am in the process of moving to blogger. For my new post on my classy night at the opera, click here!

goodbye, Stevie

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:17:00 -0400

Confession: I love television.

Deep in my heart of hearts, I secretly hate myself for wasting time whenever I sit entranced in front of that slave driver, Stevie the TV (Friends anyone?). As a lifelong reader (I seriously used to get in trouble for reading in my room instead of interacting with the family), my inner intellectual snob is rolling it’s eyes at me for not doing something mentally productive, like learning new vocabulary or stretching my creative muscles.

Before you judge me for being one of those people who mindlessly flips through the channels for hours on end, hear me out. I’m not a channel surfer. I don’t watch TV just to waste time. I get involved in shows. I find a show that catches my interest with an adventurous or hilarious story line, witty dialogue, and characters I can relate to. Examples: Lost, How I Met Your Mother, and 30 Rock.

[CBS Website]

As much as I have grown to love the characters on these shows, I always feel guilty after spending an hour in front of the TV. So I had to make a decision. It was time to move my computer to the guest room. Away from the television. I cannot believe the increase in my productivity since then! I’m a week ahead on lesson plans. I actually prep before the day of class. I even balance the budget with a smile on my face whilst humming along to “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Josh Groban. Best of all, I have time to focus on one of the things I love to do: relax and read. I read other people’s blogs. I read the Bible. I read my 4 books each month. I feel free. Next I’m going to have to squeeze writing into my schedule (besides writing this blog!).

My new work space. Plug in my headphones, tune out the world, and do work!

Yay productivity!

As much as Stevie the TV has become a friend to me over the last few months when Justin and I have very few friends our age in the area, I did what I had to do, and set a limit on my viewing habits:

While folding laundry
While eating lunch when I’m home alone
After reading and right before bed.

That doesn’t mean I don’t sneak in an extra show or 2 on the weekends that I DVR’d during the week, but I feel more at peace with my time management these days. To enhance my free time, I write a list of the most important things to do for the next day, and try to complete them in order from most to least difficult.

What are your time management tips and tricks?

St. Paul tourist

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:44:00 -0400

Home sweet home. It’s familiar. It’s comfortable. It’s (gasp) boring.

I often get stuck in this mindset. It is nice to have my own belongings, the comfort of my own bed and shower, and to know where I’m going (most of the time) when I’m driving. But with that familiarity comes complacence and routine. This is what makes travel so appealing. It is new and exciting with places to see, things to do, and people to meet.

One of my life list goals is to become a tourist in my own city for this very reason. Why does home need to be boring? I am determined to have adventures and see new things right here in the Twin Cities.

I discovered so much to see and do in the area that I have decided to break it up into different posts. Today, I will start closest to home with St. Paul, MN.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in the District Del Sol. Apparently this is the fiesta más caliente in Minnesota. There is supposed to be a selection of booths offering food, crafts, and information. With parades, salsa tasting, and cultural performances this Cinco de Mayo Fiesta seems like a fun way to celebrate this (kind of) fake holiday.
The King Tut Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Justin and I were too broke after our wedding to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, which we were really bummed about. Now we have until September to see the great Egyptian ruler right here in our own city! The artifacts, Omnitheather film, and the history behind the exhibit sound fascinating. If my husband and I apply for an educator membership, the entire thing - museum entry fee, exhibit, and Omnitheater film - would only cost $18/person.
Stroll down Grand Avenue on a fine summer day. I can just see it now: perusing the cute little shops and boutiques, enjoying an ice cream cone, and stopping for a glass of wine (or a beer) on the patio of a small street-side eatery. The perfect summer afternoon.
Take a tour of the capitol building. Lucky for us, we have a piece of history not 15 minutes away from our house. It’s time for me to see the capitol building of the state where I live.
The Wabasha Street Caves. These sandstone caves found in St. Paul have an interesting history. For only $6 you can take a 45 minute tour to find out about the “mobster massacres” and “ghostly lore.” Sounds eerie, and exciting!

With summer coming up, I have plenty of time to explore these 5 cultural and uniquely St. Paul places and events, plus other undiscovered nooks and crannies St. Paul has to offer.

What is the coolest thing you have seen or done in your own home town?

bon voyage!

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:23:00 -0400

When I was hired for my current part-time teaching job, I received the assignment of establishing a study abroad program at the very young and thus still very small school. Never one to shrink from a challenge, I embraced the new responsibility and researched high school study abroad programs on the internet for hours.

If ever there were a perfect extra-curricular task for me to organize, this would be it. After all, I have planned quite a few of my own trips, and even worked with my college Spanish professor to put together a study abroad program for myself and a classmate where our college previously had none.

Here are the steps for planning a trip for high school students abroad:

Find a program. This was one of the biggest decisions I had to make. There are so many companies vying for your business, and it’s hard to know which one to trust. I went with one I had used for my study abroad trip to Ecuador: Language Link. These folks are professional, trustworthy, and helpful. My advice is to do your research, read reviews, and get recommendations from other teachers who have put together similar programs at their schools.
Choose a destination. There are so many factors that come into play here. Cost is an issue, as well as safety, activities for the students, what language is spoken, and quality of the language schools. My personal favorite factor: where I, the chaperon, had not yet been to. Hey, a girl’s got to cross countries off her list, ok? My school ended up going with Costa Rica due to the rich cultural heritage, beautiful scenery, relatively low cost, and an exciting program put together for us. Itercultura Language School is our school of choice. Check out their website - the pictures look incredible!

{pictures from the Intercultura website}
Recruit some students! Obviously your trip would be impossible without this step. I sent out a letter to the parents to every student enrolled in Spanish classes. Announcements during assemblies, during homeroom, or in newsletters work as well. Don’t forget the power of persuasion “mano a mano.” The only reason I considered my first mission trip abroad was because my Spanish teacher sought me out and personally handed me an application. (Thanks Plugs). Remind students and parents that although this is often a huge financial commitment, it is a once-in-a-lifetime, eye-opening experience.
Parent Meetings. Once you have your group assembled, be sure to schedule monthly (ish) parent meetings to keep them updated with the progress of the trip. Topics to bring up at meetings are passports, payment schedules, fundraisers, and preparation tips for the trip.
Book a flight. This should be done about 6 months in advance. The school or tour group you’re working with abroad will need this information to plan your airport transportation and home stay or hotel reservations. This was one of the most stressful aspects of the trip for me. Fortunately, my aunt is a travel agent who helped me out tremendously by finding the cheapest flight possible that worked with our schedule. Of course, this can technically be done online, but consider that you will want to pay for all of the tickets at once, and not out of your own bank account.

(sorry April)
Fundraise! Everyone hates fundraising. I know, and I do, too. However, these parents are paying top dollar for their students to get the best experience possible, so it is the least you can do to help them get some of their money back. Fundraising ideas: babysitting night, bagging groceries, movie nights, selling stuff (not my favorite), recycling fundraiser (best idea ever), and car wash. I am sure there are many other great ideas out there… be creative!
Prepare! Get your students ready for the cultural changes they are about to encounter. Arm them with Spanish survival phrases (in case they didn’t pay attention in your class). Provide a packing list. (Mex04 Packing List: waterbottle, toothbrush, camera, the clothes you are wearing, swimsuit, underwear, journal. Total weight of luggage: 5lbs) Buy cute sundresses! (that’s just for you). Get all those medical documents and insurance forms you’ll need from the kids.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

I can’t wait to see my students catch that same travel fever I caught back in 2004 with the most amazing group of people in Sonora, Mexico. That trip was what made me decide to be a Spanish teacher. And here I am today.

How has travel changed your life?

box elder convos

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:55:00 -0400

The following conversations took place via text message between my sister Liz and me, and between Liz and Molly (another sister):

Liz and Em:

Liz: Box Elders FLY!! They became 10 times more lethal

Em: Oh yeah. They’re the whole package

Liz: Em, I have stories for you…one I thought I killed Monday when I was home was no longer under the boot I squashed him with. Instead, him and 4 others were surrounded my suitcase last night. I knew it was him because he had a limp where I crushed his back leg.

Em: They are impossible to kill. They could survive a nuclear holocaust.

Liz: I know. I fear they’re red striped backs more than Joan Cusack.

Em: They repulse me. Both the box elders and Joan Cusack.

Liz: Right….imagine this: box elder with Joan Cusack’s melon. Scariest beast I’ve ever seen.

Em: Ew

Liz: Is your BE situation under control at your house?

Em: No. they are everywhere I turn. I live in fear in my own house.

Liz:I’m so sorry to hear that

Liz and Molly:

Liz: Box Elders FLY!! They became 10 times more lethal

Molly: Right?! I had the same reaction when I discovered that. They’re like quadruple threats…The scariest kind of bug specimen that exists

Liz: Seriously…I’m terrified and I have to work in the basement. Molly, I have stories for you…one I thought I killed Monday when I was home was no longer under the boot I squashed him with. Instead, him and 4 others were surrounded my suitcase last night. I knew it was him because he had a limp where I crushed his back leg.

Molly: I’m laughing so hard right now. It’s as though he gathered the troops to get you. And I love that you “knew” it was him because he “limped”

Liz: Ha I would be laughing if it wasn’t so scary. I had dad killing these monsters left and right. I can barely breathe…

Molly: Oh I can only imagine. They are evil & multiplying in number

Liz: Maybe they have that regenerate feature….

Molly: I’d like to think they do

A special thanks to Liz for recording these conversations and emailing them to the family. It’s important to get the message out about the real and present danger of box elder bugs.

rejoining the world

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:41:10 -0400

We’ve all had those weeks (or days or fortnights). Nothing is especially wrong, but nothing feels right. We’re listless, restless, and aimless. Bored and complaining.

I myself just muddled through such a week. I found myself lacking motivation to do anything more than what was necessary to get by. I was not bettering myself as a person. I parked myself on the couch with a bowl of cereal and closed the curtains, hoping the rest of the world would go away. I couldn’t place a finger on what was bumming me out. I was just…down.

No more! Early morning church and 70 degree weather in Minnesota in April are just what I needed to help change my outlook. I am ready to rejoin the world full of productive and inspired people.

Here is a photo journal of what occurred in the past 24 hours to help bring me out of my rut:

Jewelry from Kohl’s (on sale!) and H&M

I realized this week that 75% of my wardrobe is still from high school. I now teach high school students. That seems like a problem to me. That can only mean one thing: new wardrobe! I did some jewelry and clothes shopping this weekend. Each month I will dedicate a little bit of money to accomplishing one of my life goals: Creating a Signature Look. I also purchased a zip-up hoodie (you can never have too many of those) from Kohl’s, and a white cotton button-up shirt from H&M.

Things I am looking to purchase in the next couple months: a maxi dress with tribal print, wedges and/or espadrilles for summer, drapey earth-toned tank tops, cute dresses for vegas!!!

I am flexing my creative muscles by attempting to create an inspiration board. I purchased four square, dark brown cork boards, some ribbon, and printed some pictures. I plan on making a collage of inspirational quotes, phrases, and pictures that reflect my goals. (If anyone has creative suggestions, feel free to comment!)

Lunch on the deck! Justin and I put together some crackers and cheese, apples, and a strawberry-chocolate smoothie for lunch, and decided to enjoy it in the beautiful sunshine!

It felt so relaxing to feel the warm sunshine on my face again.

This picture is of my passport- specifically my visa to Russia in 2007. (I went to Siberia for 3 weeks to teach vacation Bible school.) Today I had to apply for a new passport in preparation for my trip to Costa Rica. How unfair is it that girls have to pay $110 to change their name on their passports, and guys don’t have to do a darn thing! Rants aside, you have to send your old passport in when you apply for a new one, and I’m not sure if I’ll get the old one back, so I took pictures of all the stamps and visas I have amassed over the years.

One thing I am very grateful for is that there was no government shutdown. I would have been in a pickle if I couldn’t get my new passport in time to lead my little lambs to a foreign country.

As usual, church was a refreshing part of my day. A sermon on being a servant to others, and Bible study on the fruit of the spirit: gentleness.

After coaching my wonderful volleyball team this afternoon (last Sunday practice!) I came back, locked myself in our “office” (the guest room), and cranked out my lessons and worksheets for the week.

Welcome back, Emily.

What helps you break out of a rut?

help!

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:43:15 -0400

What songs, books, or activities get you motivated?

three

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:42:22 -0400

I am in an inspiration rut! Picture this: you just came back from the most amazing trip of your life. It was fabulous! It was adventurous! It was inspirational! Then, you get back to real life. It’s kind of like everything is a let-down. Everything is so… mundane. Severely average. Intensely normal.

This is how I feel after reading a good book (or books). Why is real life not as sublime?

Here is my attempt to remind myself of things that inspire me and make me happy, in addition to venting about the things that bug me.

Songs I listen to when I need a pick-me-up

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band
Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel

Last 3 Books I’ve Read

The Help - Kathryn Stockett
Talent and the Secret Life of Teams - Terry Pettit
The first 150 pages of War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

Things I’m thankful for

The sunshine
3 decent substitute teaching experiences in a row
the ability to exercise

Foods & Drinks that make me happy

Margaritas with chips and salsa
Fudgesicles that are only 40 calories- the perfect snack!
Strawberry Banana smoothies that I have for lunch almost every day

Things I’m Looking Forward To

the end of this school year (sorry students…it’s just…summer)
Easter weekend with some of my sisters
Vegas, Costa Rica, the Krause family vacation, and visiting home

Recent Pet Peaves

all the songs on the radio recently about outer space and aliens (maybe it’s just me…I feel like there has been a bumper crop of songs with this theme.)
box elder bugs…in my 23 years of existence, I have never seen one of these creepy crawlers until this past October…and they survived this cruel Minnesota winter only to invade every nook and cranny of my home!
Shape-Ups and those 40-some-year-old ladies that the gym who wear them and gab with their friends instead of working out while sprawling across the machines or weights I need to complete my actual work out.

That about covers my recent thoughts, opinions, and musings. I need help getting re-inspired to get through these last 2 months of school. So, please tell me what you do to get inspired. What songs, books, or activities get you motivated?

faithfulness

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:33:00 -0400

My church’s Bible study has recently been discussing the Fruits of the Spirit, found in the book of Galatians, chapter 5. This past Sunday the theme was faithfulness. To understand faithfulness, we must first look at the perfect example: our God. When God makes a promise or covenant with his people, they can rely on him fully to follow through.

This week particularly intrigued me, given my recent musings on following through with my own goals. Sometimes I wonder if I am being selfish by focusing so much on myself and what I want, so it was good for me to look at goal-setting and achieving my life list from a Biblical perspective.

One of the sections of Scripture we perused was Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents. When the Bible talks about talents it is referring to a unit of weight or money. I am no expert on Biblical weights and measurements, but I do know that a talent is a large sum of money, a bag of gold. (If anyone knows for sure what this is, feel free to leave a comment!).

Well, to summarize the parable, a man (a rich man) goes on a long journey, and entrusts one of his servants with five talents, another servant with two talents, and another with one. While he is gone, the servant with the five talents and the servant with two talents double their money. The servant with the smallest amount of money, however, hides his master’s money because he is afraid to fail or lose it somehow.

When the master returns, he praises the first two servants by saying: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” To the servant who hid the money, he says: “You wicked, lazy servant!” He admonishes him for not even putting the money in the bank to earn interest, takes the one talent and gives it to the servant with the 10 talents, and proceeds to throw him out.

Whether or not you are religious, this parable is packed with meaning for us today:

Money: You know what they say…”the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” Why do you think that is? Rich people get and stay rich for a reason. They are smart with their money, and actively seek ways to invest that money for a profit. If God has blessed you with any amount of money, educate yourself enough to manage that gift wisely.
Responsibility: in school, at work, and in life, each person has a certain amount of responsibility, whether they want it or not. In fact, responsibility is a privilege! Think of first graders who are so excited to have their weekly classroom jobs. Hard-working high school students who are allowed into AP classes. Workers who are always looking for the challenging projects and assignments to get promoted. We learn from Joseph in the Bible to take even the smallest task or job and give it 100%. Eventually it will be noticed, acknowledged, and rewarded.
Ability: ask any coach. They would much rather have a mildly talented, yet hard working athlete than a lazy but gifted one. Same goes for teachers and their students. Like the servants, we are each allotted a certain amount of ability in different areas. Find your strengths, and work at them with all your heart.

Faithfulness in your faith, your job, your home, your finances, your relationships, and your ability determines how far you get in life. Take the blessings you have and make the absolute most out of them. What an incredible God we have, who grants us so much awesome responsibility. His mercies are new every morning, and I, for one, will take advantage of every single one.

Will you be the wicked and lazy servant who is too afraid to fail, so he hides his talent?

Or are you the good and faithful servant who doubles what he has been given, and as a result is given more?

How will you make the most of what you have today?

someday i'll

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:21:29 -0400

someday i'll:

I just found this blog about more Bucket List items. I love the way the blog uses captivating pictures to illustrate the beauty of other cultures and adventurous moments. Enjoy!

living like no one else

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:37:13 -0400

As you may or may not know, I recently graduated from college to adulthood. This transition was at once thrilling and terrifying. I have been an independence-seeking soul for as long as I can remember, so the prospect of my own home, my own life, my own space, enticed me to embrace my new-found adult status.

One thing stopped me from leaping full-throttle into my new life: I didn’t know how to “be an adult.” The college I attended had a smaller enrollment, so we students were not permitted to get our own apartments off-campus. That’s right: I lived in a dormitory for four years, not counting my semester-long stint in Ecuador where I stayed with a lovely host family who took care of my every need.

My mother used to lovingly tease me that I am “book smart, life dumb.” I live in a world of books, ideas, musings, fiction, and fantasy. What use have I for details? (Embarrassing example: I once asked a child I was babysitting how to make macaroni and cheese…and she showed me).

In the first couple months of marriage and real life, these are some of the examples of phone calls I made to my parents:

“So how do you, like, make tacos?”
“Um, could you tell me about this sorting laundry business?”
“How does one ‘prepare’ chicken?”
“What do grown ups do with their money?” After receiving first few paychecks and assuming we were rich…on a teacher’s salary. Hey - it was more money that either of us had ever made before in our lives.

That last one really had me stressed out for awhile. I really wanted to handle our money correctly, this being the first time either my husband or I were salaried workers. I have grandiose plans of travel to achieve, and in order to do so, money is a necessity. So my father recommended this wonderful book, which saved us from financial ruin:

I learned so much about managing money from reading this book. For a non-details person such as myself, whose learning style is reading reading reading, Mr. Ramsey put financial mumbo-jumbo into common sense layman’s terms.

It’s simple to understand, but not so easy to do. We follow a strict budget. We don’t go out, we pay for everything in cash (helps keep track of expenses, and prevents mindless spending), and we record every single purchase. You can bet I loath balancing the budget with every fiber of my being, but I know it’s helping me accomplish other goals.

Now every time I see something I would like to purchase, that I think will make me happy, I remember that living in such a painfully frugal manner now means that I can be debt-free and able to spend money with a clear conscience in just a few short years. In the words of Dave Ramsey:

“If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”

Words to live by in finances and in life. I love it, because it fits right alongside my own motto of “work hard, play hard.”

How do you discipline yourself to gain something you desire?

I miss Seattle!

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:11:25 -0400

I miss Seattle!

check it out

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:02:15 -0400

Check out this blog - all kinds of fun ideas for your own bucket list!

http://yourpersonalbucketlist.tumblr.com/

Enjoy!

grit

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:37:00 -0400

What is grit? It kind of sounds like a synonym for “being tough.” Which is what I always thought it was until I read that book I keep talking about Creating Your Best Life. Grit, in reality, is perseverance and passion for long term goals. It is, as Dictionary.com defines it, firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck. A person needs grit to accomplish any real and meaningful objective.

So of course I asked myself: do I have grit? Do I have what it takes to get through my bucket list?

I took the grit quiz at this website: http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/testcenter.aspx

and scored 3 out of 5. I have to admit that I get really excited about projects at first, but don’t always follow through with such gusto.

I know I need to work on doing what I say I want to do. It is so easy to default to my most comfortable setting. Now, I could simply look at the results of this quiz and say, “Yup. Sounds about right. That’s just who I am. All talk, no action.” But I choose who I am. From now on, I follow through. I am the sum of my actions (or inaction).

Here are some ways I have been working on follow-through:

Instead of just working out and hoping for good results, I have been writing down everything I eat, and the exact workouts I have been doing.
I actually contacted the University of Minnesota Tandem program to figure out how I can get in contact with a native Spanish speaker who wants to practice their English with me. (They emailed me back today, btw, and no face to face contacts are available this semester. They offered written contact though.)
Actually balancing my checkbook. I actually use my check register. I am more in control of my finances.
I read 3 chapters of the Bible every night to accomplish my goal of reading the Bible cover to cover. I’m on the book of Job.

Those are just a few of my daily routines that help me to reach my goals. Bucket List, you shall not be in vain!

What are some of the ways you hold yourself accountable to your life goals?

Photo

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:40:48 -0400

and...action

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:15:00 -0400

“Andrew Jackson, man of action.”

This is something my 7th and 8th grade history teacher would repeat day after day when studying the time period of this president. I mean, the guy just went and took the state of Florida. I think the saying fits.

It’s high time I took a page out of President Jackson’s book. In order to accomplish even one thing on my bucket list, I need action. (Unless I add “watch the entire season of 24 in one day” …then I could just stay here on the couch…tempting).

The item I am focusing on right now is #2 under Learning Goals on this page: http://emily-maureen.tumblr.com/lifelist

Maintain proficiency in Spanish.

I am a Spanish teacher, so I get a small serving of basic Spanish each day, but in order to maintain proficiency, I would really like to converse with a native speaker. Here’s my thought: In Eat Pray Love the author lives in Italy for several months, and after dropping out of Italian classes, she finds a conversation partner. They meet in restaurants or coffee shops, and she speaks Italian with a native speaker for awhile, then the Italian gets a chance to practice English with her.

There has got to be some sort of program like that in the Twin Cities area. I have done some Google work, and found two options, but no results match my search for either a Spanish speaker in the area, or a German speaker (I really need to get working on German if I’m going to teach it next year).

Does anyone have any ideas of where I could find such a person, or a program that will match me with someone? I would love to hear your ideas.

It is time to be a person of action, and not just a person of good intentions.

“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” ~Andrew Jackson

ideas, please!

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:25:07 -0400

What is the best book you have ever read that helped shape your life list?

the evolution of my life list

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:16:31 -0400

As a child, my sisters and I were very blessed to be involved in an elite competitive dance program. Some of the positive results I took away from this experience were:

I learned to be respectful and polite to strangers
I learned how to dance…I can never listen to a song again without choreographing in my head (this would be the fuette section…)
I made some lifelong friends
I learned how to be somewhat girly during my tomboy phase
Best of all, I learned to embrace travel as one of the best parts of life (we would travel the country for dance conventions and competitions. New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Myrtle Beach, and Daytona Beach).

In high school, I went on my first journey out of the country on a mission trip to Sonora, Mexico. There I realized that travel was in my veins. It would forever be a part of my life. A friend on the trip, Meredith, and I, conceived the first 10 items on my (then titled) List of Things to Do Before I Die. It was still in its infant stages, with items such as: knit a bikini, and write a letter to a magazine and have it published in “letters to the editor.”

I kept that sheet of notebook paper folded up in my velcro Union Jack wallet, and promptly tucked it away in a corner of my mind. It resurfaced again when I studied for 5 weeks one summer in Quito, Ecuador - my sense of adventure was reawakened when we got to experience climbing waterfalls, scaling canyon walls, galloping on horses through the mountains, ziplining, and standing in both hemispheres at once.

In the autumn of 2009 I studied for 4 months again in Quito, and took a side trip to visit my bff April Alonte in Bogotá, Colombia where she was teaching at the time. The two of us along with travel companion and close friend Emily officially formed our Bucket Lists at Café Para Dos while sipping caffeinated beverages. The list was expanded to 50 and signed by witnesses. At this point, it mainly contained travel goals - and expensive ones at that.

Last month, I read the book Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide by Caroline Adams Miller and Dr. Michael Frisch. It helped me to craft a mission statement and to organize my life list into compartments. I have now added goals that will help me improve every area of my life, which will ultimately help me achieve my travel goals!

Here is a link to my life list page (you can also find it on the home page of my blog):

http://emily-maureen.tumblr.com/lifelist

It is still in the process of becoming a well-rounded list, and I am always looking for ideas and resources to help me add to the list! What are your ideas and suggestions? What do you have on your life list?

desire to learn?

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:23:04 -0400

I think other teachers can sympathize with this feeling I have. I go above and beyond to make lessons hands-on, exciting, and relevant. I use different methods of instruction: Total Physical Response (giving commands in the target language, and the students respond through an action demonstrated by the teacher), reading short stories and poems in class, writing journal prompts, review games (pictionary, jeopardy, races, etc.), memory work, and lecture (only when necessary).

All I want is for my students to love the Spanish language and culture as much as I do. I want them to get as excited as I am about etymology, cognates, and the subjunctive mood. I want them to have that burning desire to see another country, or be immersed in another culture. Is that so much to ask?

Maybe it’s because teenagers are aloof by nature. Maybe it’s because getting excited about something is *totally uncool*. But for as much as I connect with them, I don’t feel like they really care to learn Spanish. Sometimes I don’t feel like I have taught them anything at all! When I have them write a journal prompt, and they ask me how to say even the simplest vocabulary words in Spanish (that we’ve already learned), that puts a damper on my day.

Maybe they’ve learned more than I think, and it only seems like they don’t care because I have them at the end of the day. Whatever the case, when those moments do come along when they express excitement, or someone gets 100% on a test, all those feelings of self-doubt wash away, if only for a fleeting moment.

How do you get your students excited about the subject you’re teaching?

all you need...

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:36:48 -0400

What do you need to be happy?

I am currently looking at other people’s recipes for happiness and contentment, and assessing my own. Here are some of my favorites:

“All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife” ~Daniel Boone

I’ll admit this one is a little old…circa 1700. Things have changed a bit since then.

“Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health.” ~Julia Child

Ah…happiness from a foodie perspective. I like this because it plays into my point of view that dessert is one of those things that makes life worth living - as long as you partake in moderation (along with wine, television, and sunshine).

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy? ~Albert Einstein

Well for starters, a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee would be nice. I get where he’s coming from though. That Al, he was a classy guy.

“To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.” ~Bertrand Russell

This is a unique point of view. Most people feel that they will only be happy when they achieve everything they desire and have attained all the material wealth and items they are lusting after. But as Bertrand (I love that name, btw) says, part of the fun is dreaming about the great things you will do with your life, planning that trip, saving up money for that new laptop, etc.

“Happiness is having someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” ~Immanuel Kant

This one is my favorite. Keeping busy doing what you love just puts you in the zone. Having someone to love ensures you’re not lonely, and I’ve already discussed looking forward to something.

So what is my recipe for happiness? It needs some work, but here’s what I’ve got so far:

“Find what you’re good at, find what makes you laugh, find the sun, and you will find happiness.”

What’s your recipe?