Livin' the Life...

Of an Elementary School Art Teacher, that is. In bed by 10, up by 530, packed lunches, rowdy kids, hands blue from markers...and funny thing is...I'm kinda liking it. Alot.

Not to say it hasn't been rough, but a good kind of rough...ya know? The kind of days where you come home feeling like you have been hit by a train, but somehow in a good way. A way that you know you put your time in today and you DID something worth doing. Because easy things aren't even worth it, its the hard things that make you stronger and make you who you are.

I have to admit, I was getting discouraged with the job search and losing touch with the part of me that really wanted to be a teacher in the first place. I was starting to question if it was even something that I wanted to do with my life. But now I see that I was only questioning it because it was hard, not because it wasn't what I wanted. Now I want it more than ever. I LOVE being a teacher, I LOVE the kids, I LOVE the school. It fits. Its me. I can't wait to have my own classroom.

So I know that I have missed a couple of days of blogging, but that is because I have been dead tired for the past three days. With being sick and still working every morning, I pretty much come home and crash! BUT I did take pictures of what its like to eat breakfast and lunch as a "teach".

Breakfast #1:

Banana Pancake Oats...eaten atop my flannel pj's while sitting on my bed reading blogs on the laptop.

Close-Up/Break-Down:

• 1/2 Cup Oats
• 1/2 Cup of Skim Milk
• LOADS of Cinnamon
• 1/2 Banana
• Tbsp. Maple Syrup
• Kashi Flax Cereal

Lunch Day #1

Turkey Sandwich on Wheat eaten atop my desk, with my caffeine fix (gotta have it), a note that says "your the best", and a grade book to the right.

Breakfast Day #2:

Apple Cinnamon Oats eaten atop my leopard print throw. Includes:

• Chopped Apple
• 1/2 Cup Oats
• 1/2 Cup Skim Milk
• LOADS of Cinnamon
• Kashi Flax Cereal

Lunch Day #2:

Hummus and Spinach Sandwich, Pretzels, and an Apple (oh the irony)...eaten atop my desk with all kinds of good teacher-y stuff up there!!

So there you have two breakfasts and lunches in the life of a teacher. Pretty exciting right?...ummm...

Also, like I said before, me being sick gave me an excuse to relax and rest a little. And also to catch up on my cinema. I watched Twilight...which was good, but nothing GREAT. Sorry guys, I know a lot of you are big fans. Then I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Let me just tell you, if you have not seen this movie...GO NOW! It was AMAZING. I seriously loved every minute of it. I laughed, I cried...it was great. There was one quote that I loved in the movie and when I was at school I looked up the exact wording because I could not get it out of my head.

I jotted it down, and when I was bored during my "planning" period I made it all pretty.

"You can be mad as hell at the way things went. You could swear, curse the fates...but when it comes to an end, you have to let it go."

This just hit so close to home for me, because I have a really hard time letting things go. Especially things that did not turn out the way that I had wanted them to. Sure I could be angry at how things turned out. But when its over its over, and keeping those angry feelings inside only make it worse and won't turn back time. When things end you just have to let them end and learn for next time. I think the practically reminds me of relationships that I have had in the past.

Now, I am off the enjoy the weekend!!!....uhhh...tomorrow, right now I'm ready for SLEEP!

Hope everyone has a fun and exciting weekend.

Lots of Love, <3 Ems

Back to Blogs!

Man! Not having the Internet all weekend is rough! Especially when I want to read all of your awesome blogs! Lets just say that last night and this morning was def. spent catching up with everyone that I missed sooo much. I also want to thank everyone for wishing me good luck this weekend, it really means a lot.

So I left big JC on Friday afternoon and set off on the 5 hour drive to Nashville. I didn't really mind the drive there though, because it was SO pretty the whole way and I had my IPOD jammin' on shuffle. I snapped a couple of pics just so I could show you how gorgeous it was.

Not a cloud in the sky!

On the way there I saw a whole row of these old time-y bugs traveling together. I thought that it was pretty amusing seeing them all together in a little group. So I snapped a pic of that too.

I made pretty good time because of the weather and arrived in Nashville to meet my Aunt around 6. I don't know how many people heard about this, but there was a HUGE tornado in Nashville last week (which is pretty rare for Tennessee). Anyway, it hit about a mile from my aunt's house. I have never been in a tornado and I sure have not seen anything like the devastation from the aftermath! My aunt took me around to show me where it hit. I have never seen anything like it! It made me really sad about all the people that lost their homes and businesses. My Aunt told me that the volunteers have been great with helping out all week though, and there were still tents and things providing water and food.

I was shocked by all the damage that the tornado did, like I said I am just not used to that kind of thing at all. I don't think we have ever had a tornado, or at least a bad one, in East Tennessee.

Moving on...Saturday morning was the job fair. My Aunt and I arrived there early and ready to go. There were sooo many people there. It was kind of overwhelming and discouraging to see all of these people trying to get the same job as me. What would make me stand out from the rest?! But, I handed out my resume to a bunch of different schools and talked to a lot of principals and assisstant principals. So now all thats left to do is just cross my fingers and hope that the phone rings soon. I'm desperate for a teaching job right now!!!

I also LOVE the Nashville area. It is so nice and there is so much to do. Also, running is a HUGE deal there, so there are plenty of places to run and TONS of running groups to join. My Aunt told me that there is even one especially for teachers who run! Oh how I would love to move there.

After the stress of the job fair, my Aunt and I had a "girls" day to de-stress. We went to the hair salon, TWO different malls, to the movies to see Seventeen Again (umm when did Zac Efron get so freakin' hot?!), then out to dinner, and more shopping. Yep, by the time we got we were drained. But it was great spending time with my Aunt in an AWESOME city. Did I mention that I LOVE it there?!

Unfortunately, the drive back to JC on Sunday did not go as well as the drive there. It was pouring the rain the whole time! At one point it was raining so hard that I could not even see in front of me. Therefore, I missed my exit and ended up about an hour of track somewhere in Kentucky. I'm pretty sure that this would only happen to me. I was so glad when I finally got home and could relax.

All in all it was a great weekend. I'm really hoping that something comes out of it, but we will see. Thanks again everyone for your good luck wishes, thoughts, and prays. You guys are the best and I missed you all this weekend. I'm glad to be back!

Lots of Love, <3 Ems.

Ch-ch-ch Changes

So, as you guys know the past couple of days have really been a struggle for me, well heck we will go ahead and say the past couple of months have been a struggle for me. Im caught in a cross roads at a very strange time and have been hit with the harsh reality that I have to make a decision, things have to change. As much as I would love to stay in the routine of what is comfortable and "safe" for me, it is no longer possible to do that. And that happens sometimes, its life and if there are not bumps in the road and hard decisions to make, then you are not fully living it.

It hit me hard during my run today. My mind just started to wonder and I started trying to work everything out in my head. I came to the conclusion that most of the things that I am struggling with are a result of one thing : fear of the change, of something new. It has been something that I have seen around a lot of the blogs lately too, and it definitely is a major theme in the road to recovery from ED. Fear of the unknown, its always gotten to me. Im afraid of new relationships because I have been hurt in the past, I am afraid of new jobs because I might not like them, I am afraid to step outside of the comforts that I have worked so hard to build up in my everyday life. But here is what hit me, just out of now where today while I was pondering all of this - sometimes things just HAVE to change, sometimes its for the better and sometimes not...but things will always fall into place. I can not hold on to something for forever, what good would that do? I have to let go of the past and start on a new road. Sure, things were great on that old road that I have been on for so long, but some things weren't. Now there is a new road, a new chapter that I have to embrace and leave the other one behind. Yes, it could have its bumps as well...but I am fully confident that it will have its smooth spots too.

Then, just like I was meant to find this, one of my friends sent me a quote on my phone that I just so happened to read right after my run. It hit so close to home that I was almost in tears while reading it. From what I have been reading in a lot of other blogs about fear of change, I thought that a lot of you may be able to relate. So here it is:

"Change. It can be the most amazing thing, or the worst heartache. So much is different since last week, and then I think back to last month... And I see a picture hanging up from last year. I see me and my friends laughing and I miss them, I miss then. Then I think about how great life is now and I wonder why I miss back then. I think the uncertainty of the moment right now and wondering whats next can be fearful... But aren't you excited to think about the potential of tomorrow? The anticipation of looking back a year from now at the pictures you'll take next week is worth waking up for. No matter how miserable a situation may seem, you can always find hope in the fact that it too will soon change. And although you might miss a moment or a feeling from the past, you still always have the chance to feel it again. Take advantage of your chances, there are some things you don't want to regret."

Everything about this just fit my situation to a tee. I have been afraid to leave my old job because of the fun times and the people that I love there, but who is to say that I wouldn't experience all new great things in a new place? I have been afraid to start a new relationship because I am afraid that I would never fell love again like before and that I would be hurt again, but I have to break down that wall and realize that there is a chance to feel that again, if I don't hold myself back from it. I have been so scared of this change that I have let it just eat at me, but why? change is scary, but its good. It means that my life is GOING somewhere, not just sitting still.

So I'm going to face this change head on...I'm going to go down this new path full speed ahead. I want new experiences, new people, new places, ect. I'm ready...lets see whats down this road...bring it on.

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD., originally uploaded by EDWARD DULLARD.

Change of subject...ask and you shall receive...wanna see the new boy?!

Did I mention that he is a foot taller than me?! haha. Also, this picture is from a while back, not from the games yesterday...but i just had to show a picture of him! :)

The game was fun. My sister came with me, so I got to spend quality time with her as well, which is always good. Obviously since I had to put up an old picture I didn't steal of pic of Lucas yesterday. But I did get a shot of him playing:

He's the pitcher ;)

And me and the sissy

Now, time for lunch, shower, work...and hopefully Lucas is coming in for a SECOND weekend. Can't get enough of me?!....perhaps....or maybe its just Easter. haha.

Hope everyone has a great day! Lots of Love, <3 Ems.

Busy Girl

Wow people! I have been BUSY the past couple of days! I'm so sorry that I am letting my bloggin slack. But I'm trying to keep up because I just cant get out of the loop :)

So like I said before Saturday one my very favorite people in the world had a baby shower...Nutritious is Delicious asked me what I finally ended up getting (after four stores!). I wish I would have taken a picture because I got the cutest pack of about 10 onsies, some matching bootie socks, and two big furry soft blankets. Here are some pics of the party though

Here Jenie is reading the card I got her.

The Miss Preggers and I

After the shower I had to jet off to job #1 (Rave). After work me and three of the girls that I work with went to the movies to see The Haunting in Connecticut. Now, for those of you who have not heard of this movie, it is based on a true story. I have seen the documentary with the real people on Discovery and some of the story of course was played up in the movie. But it was pretty good...and really scary!

After the movie the girls and I wanted to go get a drink. Well, everyone except for my manager, because she never stays out late. She had rode with me to the movies from work, so the girls and I thought it would be funny to pull up to her car and then drive off before she could get out. haha. We kidnapped her and forced her to come have fun!

She didnt mind too much after we got a drink in her.

The two on the ends are my managers, and Tina is a co-worker in the middle.

Yes, that girlie drink in the corner is mine. Its a Pomegranate Martini.

She cleared the drink!

Then she attempted to kill Tina...

And strangle her.

Im so unorganized with all my pictures so here are some random eats throughout the past two days:

The people from POM Wonderful were nice enough to send me a care package of their yummy pomegranate juice. I finally got around to trying and LOVED it. As an avid supporter of cranberry juice, I think I may actually be making a switch! I liked this juice ALOT and it has TONS of nutritional value. I'm sending over some to my mom (who we are trying to get healthier!) And I will have her review up of it as well.

Also, for those of who are interested the new job is going great so far! I feel like I may jinx it by saying that so soon, because I have only worked two shifts so far. Today I'm working a double...I finished my first shift around 2 and I'm going back for the dinner shift around 6. The people are really nice so far, they play awesome, hip music, and I still get to wear whatever I want! I'm hoping it continues to go well. We shall see!

Hope everyone has a great Monday! I'm hoping that this week goes by pretty quick because I have a pretty exciting weekend planned...hint: it involves a boy ;).

Two Down, One To Go...

Well peeps, I have made it through two interviews this week and now I'm waiting for my last one in about a hour. I'm telling you its been so rough and discouraging. I'm not really doing as well on the interviews as I would have hoped, and then when I do think that I do good I don't get the response that I expected. Yesterday's interview was just horrible, so I'm pretty sure I messed that one up. And then the interview that I had today I thought went really really well. Both while I was waiting to be interviewed I was listening to the guy that was being interviewed before me, and they hired him right on the spot. But me? they said they would call me next week. So, I dont know about that. The interview tonight is my second interview so I'm thinking that's a good sign. But its just a serving position at this little hip restaurant downtown. But a jobs a job, I guess and it is a really cool place. I probably won't be finding a teaching position until the beginning of the next school year, since summer is coming up soon. So, I need something to bring in the cash flow while I wait. ;)

Keeping with the warm weather theme, I wanted something cold for brekkie this morning...so I had some cereal!

• 1 Cup All-Bran Flakes
• 1/2 Nanner
• Cinnamon
• Blueberries!

For lunch I wanted something for my sweet tooth. Whenever I get a sweet craving for lunch I always fix up a yummy grilled peanut butter and Jayjay.

• Grilled Honey Wheat Toast
• 2 Tbsp. Mighty Maple Peanut Butter
• Other half of the 'Nanner from brekkie
• Blackberry Preserves
• Cinnamon

I wanted to try Chobani flavor #2. I have heard rave reviews of the blueberry flavor, so I decided this was the one for me today.

I added some chopped up strawberries, just cause.

Ok guys, I know that you all LOVE the Chobani, but I must say that while I do like it a lot, I think that I like the Oikos better. Its just thicker and creamier. But then again, I haven't tried the plain Chobani, so it might be a little thicker since it doesnt have the liquid fruit flavoring at the bottom. I think that if you were trying to ease someone into greek yogurt that Chobani would def. do the trick. But for someone who has been eating greek yogurt for a while, I have kind of built up a taste for the thicker kinds.

Now I have to freshen up and head out for my THIRD interview in the past 36 hours. This whole "job hunt" thing is really starting to wear on me. I feel like I have definitely at this really hard cross road in my life right now, and I still haven't decided which way I want to go. I have a lot of options that I have been considering and have made steps towards all of them, just to see what pans out. I need everyone's prays and support right now, its a pretty hard/confusing time! Right now my options include:

1. Grad School for my Masters in Education
• Steps towards this: I have signed up to take the GRE (which is like the ACT for grad school) and I take it next Tuesday. I have also applied for scholarships and financial aid.
• Pros: It will help me build up my credentials for a better chance at scoring a teaching job when I graduate with my masters. Also, the economy will hopefully be better when I get out of school
• Cons: I'm not sure if I want to continue with education, or do something else. I'm not sure if I would be able to pay for it.
2. Pursuing a second degree in Nutrition:
• Steps toward this: I have met with the nutrition director of my old college and reapplied for admission to ETSU for a 2nd degree.
• Pros: Nutrition is something that I am way interested in and would love to pursue it. Also, I think that with 2 degrees I will have more of a range when looking for a job.
• Cons: I'm sort of ready for a change of scenery and don't really want to go back to the same school I just graduated from.
3. Continuing in my job search for a teaching position:
• Steps towards this: Put in multiple applications and gone to interviews. Also, I am attending a job fair in April in Nashville for teachers.
• Pros: Well, obv. its what I set out to in the first place and it would be nice to be settled with a career (and steady paycheck).
• Cons: It's so hard to find and job with the economy how it is and nothing is guaranteed. Also, I'm not 100% sure that I am ready to settle into a career just yet.

So there you have it. This are the issues that have really been weighing on me lately. I know that everything will work out the way that they are supposed to, but it is just so hard and confusing! Any advise?!

Woah! I wrote way too much...I gotta RUN! I'll let you guys know how this interview goes when i get back!

Lots of Love <3 Ems.

Edited to add: I just got home from my last interview and I got the job! I start on Friday. Its just that job as a server at that little resturuant, but it will have to do for now. I need some cash flowage, so hopefully this will help while i decide what the HELL I wanna do with my life! Thanks for all the postive comments guys, you always put a bright spot in my bad days, it is much appreciated. PLUS, it totally made me day to hear that Katie thought I looked like Elisha Cuthbert :)

Interviews, Veggies, and Excitement in the Yogurt Aisle

Man guys! That interview was intense!! I spent all night "studying" for it and putting together a portfolio of my work that I did during student teaching. I didn't feel 100% prepared, but I don't think you ever do for these kinds of things. I was extra nervous because the school system that I was interviewing for is BIG TIME, I mean its hard to even get an interview much less an actual job. But, this morning I woke up...put together my new cute outfit that says "I'm professional, but still have a fun side", and had a little breakfast. I stuck with my usual, because I was limited with my morning time and I didn't want to do much experimentation.

Whole Wheat Toast with Apricot and Blackberry Preserves. Sorry, I was nervous and took a bite before I remember to take a pic.

1/2 cup fat free Cottage Cheese with Cinnamon

I, of course, threw down several cups of coffee as well. Hey, I'm trying to sell myself as "energetic" I need it! haha. So I get to my interview and see that I will be being interviewed by two women. Which was really intimidating! So,I had studied all night on how to answer questions that I thought that they would ask and the VERY FIRST QUESTION completely threw me for a loop! They asked "What do you think are the three most critical issues facing teachers today?" I completely blanked. I have no idea what I said, but I know it wasn't good. When I got home and was talking to my friend about it I could think of so many things to say, but I guess I was just nervous. Oh well, if anything it was good practice. But we will see what happens! I dont think I did horrible, but I def. didn't kill it.

For some reason today all i could think of for lunch that I was craving was celery. How weird it that?! Sometimes I just crave the weirdest things. But then I thought it would be yummy to make a big huge veggie plate. So I stopped by the grocery store to pick up some veggies. Im walking out of the store, past the yogurt aisle....and what catches my eye?! THESE:

Chobai Greek Yogurt. This is the first time I have ever seen it in the stores, so I of course excitedly put all four flavors that they carries into by basket! :)

When I got home I prepped my veggies while listening to some Lil' Wayne. Doesn't everyone listen to rap music while they chop up celery?! Here is my lovely plate o' veggies (With hummus for dipping)

• Baby Carrots
• Grape Tomatoes
• Celery (of course)
• Cucumber
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Garlic and Artichoke Hummus

And I of course could not wait to try the Chobani. I decided to go with the strawberry and mix in some fresh strawberries as well.

My first timer Chobani thoughts: YUM! Now I know why everyone seems obssessed with this stuff. It is def. my favorite greek yogurt that I have tried so far. And I cant wait to try the other flavors. It was very creamy for greek yogurt too and had a very nice strawberry flavor.

I swear, when it rain its pours...because I got calls for TWO more interviews tomorrow. One is at 145 and the other is not until 6! I'll be gettin the practice in, thats for sure.

Now, time for a run and maybe some shopping! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Lots of Love <3 Ems.

Interviews, Florals, and Awards

Happy Monday everyone! I know this is everyones least favorite day of the week, but I hope that it has gone well so far for all of you! I cant believe that I totally missed yesterday! I had spent some time over at my parents house and then my friend Lucas came to visit because he was in town for the race, so I didnt get much time to post anything.

Today has been soooo hectic too. It started early this morning when I got a phone call from a number that I did not know. When I answered it was an elementary school that I had applied for asking if I wanted to come in for an interview tomorrow morning! AHHH, I had to rush to get ready and head out to accomplish the #1 most important thing for an interview.....what to wear! Of course I got a little sidetracked and might have bought a couple of other things. But you girls know how it is when you step into a target ;).

Here is the shirt that I picked out for the interview:

Im gonna wear it with some black pants and heels. I think that its fun, but still grown-up looking. I want my fun, bright personality to show though! And I'm not going to give up my fashion for some boring plain interview suit!

Of course I just could not resist some summer time dresses. It is spring now you know! Keeping with the floral theme I scored this cute dress:

its long and strapless, and I can NOT wait to wear it!

I also picked up this little dress for summer:

Now I better hope I get this job, because I spent all my money I made working at the race. :)

All that shopping made me mighty hungry, so I came home and fixed up some lunch.

• Italian Herb Flat Out Wrap
• Artichoke and Garlic Hummus
• Turkey
• Salsa
• Spinach
• Cucumber
• Spicy Mustard

With a juicy pear on the side:

The artichoke and garlic hummus was a new find for me. Upon opening the container, I thought "The name sounds like it would make my breath scare away vampires, and the smell smells like it would make my breath scare away boys." But hey, I'm not too worried about either one today, so I gave it a try. And it was pretty good. Not my favorite flavor, but still pretty good. You could definitely taste the artichoke in it.

Also, I was so excited today because I received an award from the wonderful Jenny. She always knows how to brighten up my day :)

It makes me so happy to think that I am helping anyone with anything! I love to make people happy and help out in whatever small ways that I can.

Now, its back to shopping and getting my portfolio ready for tomorrow. Oh man, I am so nervous! But I can do it!!! Keep your fingers crossed guys, you always send me good luck :)

Boo-Tay-Licious

Per request of Miss Mica...BAM!

ta ta ta ta tasty tasty. And we also take note of Tanya's hottness too. I mean I gotta give credit where credit is due :)

So today was the interview in Charlotte and I was tossing and turning all night long. I literally got NO sleep. I had my alarm set for 330, but at 3 I just got up and started getting ready. But oh my gosh I LOVE Charlotte! It is the coolest city! After my interview I drove around and explored a little. And of course stopped in the super target and forever21. Look at the goodies:

Fage 0% and multiple flavor of archer farms yogurt....STOCKED!

I have NEVER been able to find the mighty maple until now...thank you super target!

Yet another feather shirt...check!

Cute vintage-y necklace

Feather earring...are you catching a theme?

So, today was pretty hectic and about 7 hours of it was spent in the car so im soooo sorry, but I didnt get pictures of the eats. I did however do a flat out wrap montage, reminiscent of a previous post, about how I have to put things in a certain order in my wraps/sandwiches. Here goes:

First I spread on the hummus to act as the "glue" when I roll it up.

Then add the turkey, just cause I feel like its the next logical step.

Then top the turkey with some salsa...I know this looks a little gross, but I got the idea to add salsa because it has everything you need in one easy step...tomatoes, green peppers, onions, etc. PLUS its good, I promise! :)

Then the spinach goes on top because it holds everything together.

Roll it all up...and VOILA! I still have not mastered the roll as well as Jenny or Jaime! GIRLS TEACH ME!!

All right bootilicious babes, Im exhausted so it is off to bed. I dont even think i will be staying up for the city tonight.

Hope everyone had a great Monday <33

P.S. Amanda and Jen I have interview questions for you girls but I couldnt find a e-mail address!! hook me up!