Handshakes: firm, dry, solid. 3 seconds

Beep-boop I realize I'm posting this on a Saturday when I foolishly declared that I'd only write on Fridays... but that's not going to happen.

As I write this I am also sitting in the breakfast nook of my little home in Arizona, watching the sunset go down, with the windows open! I'm still not used to warm winters. I'm sorry if I'm rubbing it in a bit for the Utah folk who read this... in the cold. I'm just trying to put out some incentives for you to come down and see me. Come on down.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite events from this past week that brought much anticipation for the weekend:

• I taught a painting lesson and, obviously, did not want to get paint all over my nice pants--so I decided to wear an old pair. During class I overheard some boys saying "she's totally wearing mom jeans."

• Yesterday, I'm in the middle of a lesson when out of nowhere a bat swooped in front of my face and then proceeded to fly around the room for 20 minutes. I remained pretty calm, I don't mind bats. Alfredo (the custodian) finally arrived and chased it into the office. This totally freaked me out because I keep all my things in the office. Out of instinct I shouted loudly "my food!!!" Apparently I'm more afraid of not being able to eat lunch than I am of a bat touching my face.

• I went hiking and climbed up a rock just to jump off of it. I rolled my ankle when I landed, and I am so happy nobody was there to witness it.

Those are the highlights. Nothing too crazy, but I did laugh a lot this week.

Have a happy weekend.

To the Weekenders,

"Wake me up when the holidays are over."

-Anna Campbell

As funny and boldly true as that sentence is, Christmas break was much needed and greatly appreciated. My motto upon returning home for the holiday season went something like this:

Hey it's okay, be five again.

and:

Go ahead, wear those stretch pants in public.

also:

Food. Go nuts.

Alas, all good breaks must come to an end. Upon returning to Arizona I wrestled with the realization that student teaching this semester is inevitable if I want to graduate. So here I am, it's Friday, and I just completed my first week of student teaching. So far-- so good. Here's what I've learned thus far:

1. Junior High is a perfect place for someone like me who forgets to wear deodorant on a regular basis, because guess what-- so do all the children. Stench-city, USA

2. Teachers really do live at school. No, I'm serious.

3. Pre-teens will tell you if you are having a bad hair day.

4. I am the size of a pre-teen.

5. Teachers are generally confused and bewildered as much, if not more, than the students.

6. Stay out of the teacher's lounge. Gossip Girl times one billion.

7. I have a tendency to want to cradle my students on my lap when they are having a rough day... don't worry, I resist. Motherly inclinations.

8. Grades don't make sense in art.

9. I'm going deaf.

10. I have called students "Hun" more than I care to admit this week.

Here's to the weekend. May I (and us all) rest in peace.

Happy Friday!

Mountain Goats

Photo by National Geographic

Every time I see this picture I kind of don't believe it.

First of all, how did he get there? I mean really! Secondly, why? According to science (source: unimportant), a mountain goat's immune system relies on the salty minerals received from licking the rock face found only in the most rugged of mountain ranges. Look at what he is willing to do for survival! Amazing. I feel a metaphor coming on...

No, I'll spare you.

Ah, the weekend. Ah, Christmas break. This past week has been delightful for several reasons:

1. No school/zero homework
2. Much needed visits with family and friends
3. Sleeping in an adult-sized bed
4. Snow
5. The Food Network and Cooking Channel
6. Going on errands with my Mom-- we are the same person

Of course, since time seems to go faster than I would like it to, I will be back in Arizona in no time. My goal is to take this next semester like a mountain goat. Just do it. Get to that salt, lick it, and graduate.

Until then, you can find me in my stretchies, snapping my fingers to a real jazzy holiday beat.

Happy Friday!

Blog Title Change

I don't know why I feel that I have to explain myself...

I grew tired of my blog's old name, so this is the new one. I'm only blogging on Fridays from now on (starting this Friday)-- thus the new title.

Peace out.
Amy

Good ol' Westerns

I'm almost more excited to see this movie than I am for Christmas. Now that's silly.

The Paleo Solution

Those who know me fairly well know that I have stomach issues all the time. I'm not talking about self-conscious issues about my weight (well, sometimes), but rather the food that I put in my stomach that makes me curl up in the fetal position, rubbing away the churning in my poor tummy. For almost a year now I have been eating a gluten-free diet. I'll be honest and say that I'm nearly 100% gluten free when I'm down here in Arizona and focusing on school, but when I go home to Utah-- for whatever reason-- I tend to sneak a little bread and whatnot into my meals. It's terrible, and it really does make me sick.

To top of this madness, I'm also sensitive to dairy (I know, I know... I sound like a hypochondriac), but this is all true. Unfortunately, for the last year I have nearly doubled my dairy intake to make up for the lack of gluten. Bad idea, even worse results. SO, for a little over a week I have strictly followed the Paleo Diet. My brother, who is a health and fitness guru these days, lent me a copy of the book so that I could read up on the basics before diving in-- a good idea before making any huge lifestyle changes. These are the basic guidelines of the Paleo way:

• No Dairy
• No Gluten
• No sugar or salt (sea salt acceptable in small portions)
• Basically, nothing processed or unnatural

But instead...

• Lots of lean protein
• Seasonal fruits and vegetables
• Healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, and avocado

And that is my current intake of food.

The idea is that we should be eating the way our Paleolithic ancestors did before altered foods entered the diet and started making us sick.

I'm good on the gluten free lifestyle, I'm fine without it... but dairy, oh my lovely dairy. I dare say I'm the biggest cheese fan west of Wisconsin. Giving up all things diary has been a trial for me; but there is good news: As a result of strictly following the Paleo for a little over a week, I have...

• Bought more fresh produce than ever before
• More energy for working out
• Had less headaches
• Been stomachache free for a little over a week (this hasn't been the case for as long as I can remember)
• Been less hungry
• Increased my energy
• Improved my vision (weird, but yes)
• Upped my positive mood levels

I'm not trying to sell this diet, I know it's not for everyone. And who knows, a month from now I could eat my words by breaking the rules and downing a string cheese. But for now, I'm totally happy with the Paleo.

It makes me feel good.

***Funny enough-- the thing I crave most from the dairy list is chocolate. Let's see how I do around all the Christmas goodies. Stay strong.

I spy a bum groove.

Having survived the wonderful week of Thanksgiving (it really was great), I feel that I should say a few words about being thankful. I'm not one to make a sappy post, really-- so to start this off I'm going to list a few small things that make me want to explode:

1. Walking behind someone, trying to get around them, but they keep swerving in front of you... almost as if on purpose.

2. Listening to a great song while driving and the person in the passenger seat changes it before it finishes playing.

3. Discovering a bum groove on my bed, where someone sat.

4. Trying to pull apart the opening of a plastic produce bag at the grocery store.

5. Wind.

6. Static.

7. Gulping noises.

8. Hair on the bathroom floor.

Now really, only #3 will truly make me lose it. I guess I'm trying to make a point here-- and that is that all these things are so ridiculous, yet sometimes I treat them like it's the end of the world. I have a billion things to be thankful for. Here's a small list of great things:

1. Family that supports and loves me no matter what.

2. Friends who are literally angels.

3. An education.

4. Creativity.

5. Nature, oh my beautiful Mother Nature.

6. America.

7. My beliefs (see first link to the right).

8. Opportunities.

Sappy? Probably-- but 'tis the season.

Happy Holidays!