Something has to keep my mind off school

I am so glad I can read a map and figure out where I am, even when I'm on the top of a mountain in the Smokey's

Its Thursday morning, and I am more than excited about it being Thursday and almost Friday.  Thursday has always been my favorite day of the week because Diagnosis Murder used to be on at 8 on CBS and my mom would always let me stay up and watch it.  Then that show got replaced by CSI and that was my favorite show for years. 

The other good thing about it being Thursday is that Andrew and Emily come tomorrow!! This weekend is going to be so packed with stuff its ridiculous.  We made an itinerary, and I don't think there is sleep time allotted.  Adam told me last night that he has the whole weekend off, so I'm pumped he'll be able to hang out a bit during our adventures.

I am looking big time into switching schools for the Spring.  Send me all of your good vibes and luck.  Something is going to walk my way, I know it!

Land of the Mid-Day Sun

Almost done with our 7 hour drive back to Charleston. As soon as I'm done writing this I'm going to call and order chicken wings to pick up on the road to my apartment. Adam made an amazing chili that was in the crockpot all day Saturday, and I sneakily put some in a Tupperware to bring home before it was all gone, so we'll have that to eat too.

This weekend was awesome.

Friday at 3:15, just before the bell rang, I was already packed and ready to go. I heard the bell and literally was elbowing kids out of the way down the hallway to get outside where I knew Adam was waiting in my car. We booked it out of downtown and had to make a quick stop to get me a new headlight before picking up the highway. 6 hours later, after 2 stops to pee and 1 to fuel up, we finally made it to the dirt road that the cabin was on. There was a few towns on the way that had gas for 2.99, but of course when we swore to stop at the next one it was 3.49, and didn't go down after that. The dirt road the cabin was off of was the skinniest road I have ever been on with absolutely no shoulder and tons of potholes. But, after a mile in the dark we made it safe and man was it a beautiful sight. The moon was perfectly glistening off the lake. It was amazing.
We woke up at 6 the next day and made some awesome coffee in the French press, took some killer photos, and then went out in the canoe for a relaxing trip on the lake. There was an awesome echo when you would talk louder than a whisper once you got in the middle. So cool.
The whole group went on a hike up to a fire tower about a mile and a half on the Appalachian trail. I had found the hike and the whole time we were just trecking through the woods I was very nervous that it was going to be lame at the top. We were with a few people who had never hiked before and were a bit out of shape, so I needed it to be worth their while. Three didn't make it and turned around about three quarters of the way. I got more than lucky because at the top you were able to climb the fire tower and it was the most amazing view of the mountains that I have ever had. A little bit better than Overlook mountain, and similar to being on top of Ola Mana. It helped that we had perfect weather. Perfect clear skies.
Today Adam and I left early so we could start heading back and make some stops on the way. We found a pull off for the dry falls which is a waterfall that you can walk under and not get wet. Then a bit farther up the road we found an excellent hike up a mountain called white side mountain. Unbelievable at the top. Those photos should be great when I get them off my camera. It was super windy up there so I was in heaven. It reminded me a lot of Ku'li'ou'ou.
I miss my sister a lot. I've been thinking maybe this summer I should go back to Hawaii for a week. I think that would be good for my soul.
Almost back in Charleston. Just graded a bunch of tests. 9 out of 11 kids passed. Not bad. Or I'm just an easy grader:)
One full week of school and then my brother will be here with Emily. Then I'll be going back to NY with them. Crazy how fast time goes when you're happy.

A Year Goes By So Quickly

Before you begin reading this, let's go back a year and see what I have to say.
10-24-11

"I felt at the time, and even still now that they are calling me to go with them. Move on with my busy, moment searching, never stopping to take a deep breath, life of college and try something new. See the big picture of life, not only what is bugging me now. The here and now are very and important, yes, but where are they taking you? What have you made of yourself?"

And travel is what I did.  I can't believe that only a year ago I was in Rochester still.  Walking to class with Ali, and going straight to the bar afterwards to kick ass at beer pong and darts. I was taking 9 workout classes, rarely working on my thesis, living with two random dudes, and riding my bike as often as possible. I guess this was a good idea to keep track of my year. Its so interesting to look back at what was important to me at the time, and where I was headed.

In that year I covered a few things that I originally wrote about.  I certainly flew off with those birds and covered many states in my journeys. I stopped many times for deep breathes, in the mountains, on the ocean, in fields, and even now in my classroom. I have a much better grasp on what my life looks like and what I want it to look like in the future. I have some people who I know for a fact I want in my life, and feel like I am headed in the right direction.  I have also made some very bad choices this year, been very depressed at times, and have lost some pieces of me that were very valuable. But that is what life is all about.  You live and you learn.  Sometimes it just sucks really bad while you're going through it.

When I told Adam that I had also been hired by a newly redone middle school on Johns Island, he couldn't believe that I chose the high school that I did.  When it came down to me deciding in that kitchen in Colorado, there was just something in me that said to go with the high school.  Something pulling me to where I am now.  Wow has the last 2 months of my life been hard. I'm surprised I didn't quit, and if it hadn't been for all three of my sisters and their guidance then I would have. But even that is starting to turn around.

 I'm starting to really enjoy Charleston now.  Catching lots of outside time, and making new friends. I think the last year of my life has been pretty freaking awesome.  I was in the Grand Canyon 5 months ago. Now all I have to do is find some glimmer of hope while in class to look for.


What have I made of myself? I've made myself into a lady. A lady with a full time job and am getting paid finally what I should be getting.  I have health insurance, a big kitchen, and a queen size bed.  I'm going into the mountains next weekend with Adam, and then my brother comes the weekend after that. I am independent and strong. I think I finally know where my life is going and that in itself is a pretty big accomplishment.