A Year in Reflection

In January, I started my new (first) big girl job which took me a while to adjust to.

 

In February I took kids to region…and they ADVANCED?! Still not adjusted…

In March I took 4 kids on an overnight trip to State…and we WIN?! Then, mama and I took a fabulous mom/daughter trip to the Biltmore for Spring Break. That’s when I decide that the job can’t rule my life and I start adjusting…

 
In April, we practiced for Nationals, I went home ASAP after school, I laid out with friends, I finally went to Twilight, I turned 22 (AH!), I saw Dierks Bentley on my birthday, I went to Statesboro and saw Tim McGraw.

 
In May, I went home ASAP after school, I layed out with friends, I interviewed at Russell, I applied with the Y, and then I made the decision to stay at Madison County, I got the cheer coach job that I thought I really wanted, school ended. Welcome to the best part of being a teacher…

In June, I realized how much I love being home (in Bremen) and being with the parentals, I started running (WHAT?!), My friend Hannah got married, I had an adventure in Vieques, I kept running.

 
In July, I took the kids to Nationals in Chicago, I kept running, I worked YTC and remembered just how much I love Y-Club, I reluctantly went back to Athens, I conducted cheer camp and lamented the end of summer…
 
In August, I started back to school while living at Ashley/Katelyn/Jamie’s apt, then I moved into my new apartment and adjusted to the lack of space and new roommates, I didn’t run as much…

In September, school got back in swing and my life started revolving around it again, I took my officers to Fall Leadership, UGA football season started and I had my season tickets, the roommates still not getting along, and I wasn't running...

In October, I went to COLORADO with Katelyn H; I became very familiar with the roads to Perry, GA when I took kids to the fall competitions (where my kids kicked butt) and Fall Rally; cheerleading season began and along with it all my free time vanished; the roommates still not getting along, I started going home whenever possible; I went to GA/FL with Megan and Jonathan and experienced FRAT BEACH for the first time.

In November, games started, I realized just how boring middle school girls basketball is and how exciting the boys games were, I resented not having any time to myself, I kept going home whenever possible; Caitlin J and I went to see Legally Blonde. Then Thanksgiving Break came—best thing ever! Mama and I shopped, we ran, I ate healthier, and I made the decision that I HAD to take that back to Athens with me. Weight loss goal was 5lbs by Christmas…

In December, Katelyn O moves out, Jenna got Emmett, peace at the apt; basketball games continued, I had less time to myself, but I resented it less; I started waking up early to run; the Christmas spirit was all around and my students were sweet. Then Christmas Break came—the parents came to Athens, we all went back to Bremen, spent time with family, spent time with friends, met my weight loss goal, shopped, went to the movies, SNOW ON CHRISTMAS!!, started dreading going back to school…

I’m looking forward to all that is in store for the new year.  I’ve always been the type of person that needs to have a plan and I have felt pretty direction-less for the past year.  This post has been therapeutic because when I look back at the year as a whole I feel like it really kind of got by me, but I really did accomplish a lot!  It is scary to me to think that I could just keep up the status quo and easily see the years slip by, but that isn’t what I want for my life.  I am happy where I am, but I don’t want to be here forever.  I’m hoping that this new year has some big changes in it.  I have some things in mind but I don’t want to jinx anything by writing about it…  Let’s just leave it at this—these are my goals for the new year: 

Let the kids do their own projects

Have at least 2 projects advance from region
Have kids make it to nationals
Spend more time with my friends and family and less with folks in the 11-14 age range.
Run more, Enter races, Be competitive
Lose 20

Move locations, Change jobs