summer

counting the days.

June 5, 2012

10 more days til summer.

For me, officially, anyways.

8 days if we’re not counting the weekends.

7 days if we’re not counting the personal day I am taking this Friday for my friend’s wedding.

This pretty much makes me the happiest lady in the world.

So many people keep asking me when the school year ends.

They’ll ask: “So, when is school all done for you?”

And I’ll tell them however many days are left and then I’ll add that I’m super excited and that I love summer.

Like the other night for instance, someone asked, and I answered: “I’m done on the 14th. I CAN’T WAIT I AM SO EXCITED SUMMER IS MY FAVORITE.”

Or something like that.

“Oh, so have you had a tough year?”

I always seem to get this response from people. And I always wonder why. Did I say I don’t like my job? Do I seem like I had a hard year? It’s like they’re taken aback by my enthusiasum. Like a teacher isn’t allowed to like summer or something. Like we’re supposed to want to teach 12 months out of the year.

I mean, yeah there’s been drama (the “you’re not my best friend anymore” kind). And there’s been accidents (books ripped, paint spilled, and the other kind of accidents, too), and sickness (strep throat, the stomach bug, pink eye. All totally gross, I know.). And yeah, there’s definitely been lice (one girl got it 4 times– yeah, ya heard me right. 4 TIMES). But the truth is, I’ve had an amazing year with an amazing class. Both this year and last year my first graders were incredible. They’re funny, they love learning, and there’s no other people I’d want to spend my weeks with September through May.

But as awesome as teaching is for me and as much as I love it, the fact of the matter is I just love summer more. No doubt about it, it’s just THE BEST.

I thought everyone knew that.

So when I tell you summer is my favorite this doesn’t mean I’ve had a hard year.

And when I tell you I can’t wait for summer it doesn’t mean I don’t like my job.

Because when I tell you I live for summer it’s just me telling it like it is.

And that is all.

Summer rocks. It’s simply the honest to goodness TRUTH.

The best, most truest response to this question about the school year ending was given to me by a second grader herself:

“Are you excited for school to end?” she asked.

“Totally.” I responded. “I LOVE summer.”

“Yeah, seriously.” she said with a smile. “I mean, WHO DOESN’T??!!”

That’s the response I am looking for, people. Because seriously. WHO doesn’t?!

14 Comments · Filed Under: children, life, summer, teaching ·

Memorial Day Weekend in Maine

May 31, 2012

Guys! HEY!

I feel like I haven’t been on this space in FOREVER.

Here are the reasons:

1) School is CRAY-ZY.

2) I’ve been sick. Sore-throat-achy-body-sick. And it hasn’t been fun.

And because school is crazy and the end of the year is coming close, I haven’t been able to take a proper sick day to rest myself back to health. Instead I’ve just been hammering down Dayquil and spending my afternoons face down on my couch. SO awesome.

I know how I got sick in the first place if you’re all wondering. I spent the weekend with my college friends pretending I was in college again. You know, day drinking turned into night drinking and the like. Oh, so wonderfully glorious.

You remember those days don’t you?

I myself often still feel like I’m 22. Pretty much every. single. day.

It completely boggles my mind that I’m 28 years old. There’s this quote from Grey’s Anatomy that I’ll always remember and love: “We’re adults. When did that happen and how do we make it stop?”

So good, right? And so true. When did that happen? And how DO we make it stop?

I’d like to hope that I’ll feel young at heart forever.

Except for the beginning of this week when I officially felt OLD for getting a legitimate sickness because I was acting like I was 22 when I actually am quite far from 22.

Whatever.

It was totally worth it.

It was my dear friend Ali’s bachelorette weekend in Maine. You remember she’s the one who lives in New Zealand? The weekend was perfect. Saturday night was reserved just for the college friends to catch up and be together. We dressed up and went out to dinner at a fancy and delicious mexican restaurant in downtown Portland. I love a good enchilada and this place had it. Then, on Sunday we hit up the Portland Sea Dogs game and then headed out to Peaks Island on the ferry for dinner. We ended the night in our friend’s garage playing flip cup to 80s jams. Nothing better, I tell you. NOTHING BETTER.

What can I say? WE BE LOVIN’ STRIPES.

And the weather? It was a little bit chilly at night, but absolutely gorgeous during the afternoons. Fingers crossed the weather’s similar for Ali’s big day NEXT Saturday!

And if you’re wondering if I’ll be pretending I’m 22 again, you better believe it.

What better a time to act young and carefree than with the people you were once young and carefree with?

I live for these kinds of weekends.

And what a way to kick start summer!

15 Comments · Filed Under: friends, summer, travel ·

snapshots + spring fever

March 21, 2012

I’ve officially got spring fever, guys. Or summer fever, even, if there’s such thing?

With weather like this it’s hard to tell.

It’s that feeling where I don’t want to do anything involving the word “school” even though my brain is overflowing with crazy thoughts of everything I have to do:

Report cards are due next week.

April conferences are coming up.

And the spring Open House is right around the corner.

This spring fever thing? It all started last week after daylight savings– when I was taking pictures in my kitchen after 6. Natural light after 6:00? Yes, please, and THANK YOU HALLELUJAH.

Only problem is, now I don’t want to do anything except bask in the sun all day and lounge around in my yoga pants by the open breezy window all night. Lesson planning? Pish. Oh, March 2012 teacher troubles. You are a real, live thing.

This past weekend was so fun I secretly wish I was still living in it.

Except it’s not a secret anymore. Because I just told you.

Spending time outdoors, in the sunshine, and with friends is the best kind of day and the only real way to live. I’ve been hanging out in my new sun room (a front porch, if you will), doing some spring cleaning around the apartment, and taking my mind to warmer days. I haven’t even wanted to sit down with my laptop for any extended period of time. All I want is fresh air and thankful afternoons outside– THIS IS LIVING! At this point, the school day hours are just a means to the early evenings, and week days are just a means to the weekend. Sad and unfortunate for the teacher in me, but undoubtedly true.

And believe me, 80 degrees does not make it any easier.

Summer??

Is that you??!

Sure as heck feels like it.

And even though you’re making work RULLY RULLY hard, I’ll take you over winter any day—

And I’ll rejoice in you as long as you’re here.

14 Comments · Filed Under: instagram, life, summer ·