Generation Y

I've been busy these days. The reason, well...I finally have a REAL job! I have this belief I'll grow up once my student loan debt is paid off...still working on it. Anyways, I accepted a middle school teaching position at Ashland Public School in Ashland, MT.

For those of you from Montana, you all know that is area was hit by the devastating Ash Creek Fire. Some of my students lost their homes...can you imagine losing every personal possession you've ever owned? 

I went to my 10 year reunion and Facebook had taken out all the surprise of meeting up. Everyone was pretty much up to speed on everyone's life, most said "congratulations on the teaching job" before I even said anything about my job. I do have to admit it was nice to see everyone, catch up, and we all had a blast!

The students I work with are amazing. I'm lucky because I get to work with small class sizes and really get to make connections with my students. I feel so blessed. I'm learning so much about about teaching and pedagogy. 

Ashland is on the border of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. So I have made an effort to understand their culture and beliefs. I started taking a course through Chief Dull Knife College out of Lame Deer about the Northern Cheyenne's history. Needless to say, I am saddened by their history and have a better understanding of the Northern Cheyenne people. 

I moved to Ashland into my little apartment that is provided by the school at the end of July. It's so cute and cozy. I was able to adopt two displaced kittens, too. So here's a picture of little Pepe and Penelope.

I just love them to bits.

Picture of my bare-bones classroom, it looks so much better now. :)

View from my bedroom window.
I live walking distance from school, it takes me about a minute to get there.

It's great because I don't have to worry about warming up my car in the winter!

Springtime is in Full Swing!

I've been doing a few things here and there in this lovely spring weather.

MegDib, Lacey, and I went on a road trip to Thermopolis, Wy.

"The World's Largest Mineral Hot Spring"

It was fun to soak and check out the beautiful scenery. 

Here are some photos!

Lacey and MegDib.

It says: "World's Largest Mineral Hot Spring"

Climbing on the playground.

Man-made fountain created in 1910.

Bison!

Red Rock

After a day of walking around and soaking we ended up in Kirby, WY.
We had a fantastic dinner at Butch's Place, yum.
It was a great day trip.

Springtime Adventures

I've been busy this spring.

Working, vacation, adventures, and good times.

I've been back in the USA for over a year now...wow time flies.

For spring break I went to Austin, TX and Durango, CO.

Here are some snapshots. 

We headed down to San Antonio for the day to check out the Alamo. 

Kara, Owen, Jillian, and I check out the San Antonio River Walk. 

It was fantastic...

However we got towed! Noooo!!!!
So we ended up doing a lot of walking though the city.

We waited for Chris to come rescue us
We ate some pecan pie and drank beer. 

It wasn't so bad after all.

The famous Jo's Coffee on South Congress.

Waiting for the bus to go to SXSW!

Oh how I miss public transportation.

Waiting for the Austin Bats. :)

A crazy bike, yes it's a bike.

The Austin skyline. Watching The Shins. 

Remember Folks:

I only took two pictures in Durango. 

The weather was cold and cloudy. But it finally cleared up.

 Weird fog/haze.

The view from Derrick's house.

I am addicted...to Pinterest

I have a new obsession with the website Pinterest.
It has inspired me to do home crafts again.
Here is the DIY craft I am going to do this afternoon. :)

http://www.squidoo.com/earringholder

I have time, but then again I don't?

I haven't been making anytime to blog.
I have been making a lot of time for my health and fitness, though.
I've been eating healthy and exercising everyday.
It's difficult at times, but the longer I do it the better I feel.
Obviously.

I booked my flights for Austin, TX and Durango, CO.
I'll be visiting my friends Kara and Chris in Austin and attending SXSW.
I can't wait to be around music and art culture! :)
I'll be visiting my friend Derrick in Durango and I hope it's not too cold.

I can't wait I'm so excited to travel and see my friends! :)

 This is me in my long underwear. 

Going for jogs can be pretty cold!

I've been trying to have a sense of humor about this healthy lifestyle business. 

Hmmm where did November and December go?

So I didn't blog in the month of  November...
Mostly because my camera is outta commission.
There is dust on the inner lens and it distorts the pictures I take (sometimes).
So I have put it on the shelf to sit until I have time to deal with that.
I was actually really "busy" in the month of November.
I worked a lot of subbing jobs and made sure I got up everyday at 6am just in case I got a call for a job.

I'm 27 years-old and my mom still got me an Advent Calendar.

JoAnna and I hosted an Ugly Sweater and Fondue party. 

It was a blast and we had a great turn out!

Meg Dib and I did some holiday baking.

These are called Butter Horns, delicious. 

Our fantastic Christmas tree.

The Christmas Cactus bloomed just in time!

This year all my girlfriends received lavender sugar scrub. :)

 I finally found all my bedding in storage and was able to get everything put together!

Let the snuggling with my new Kindle begin!

Here's to a new year! I hope everyone has a safe NYE!

Aloo Gobi and Monster Cookies?

My friend Meg Dib and I got together and made some Aloo Gobi and Monster Cookies.

Yes, it might be an odd combination, but delicious. 

I made the Monster Cookie batter and Megan baked them.

Megan made this Aloo Gobi recipe.

Both were fantastic treats.