Hello blog world!
Currently...
Watching/// Orange is the New Black season 3- I mean, it's great, and also weird. I can't not watch it though. Thank goodness for Netflix and no commercials!
Thinking/// about my classroom and all the work that I need to get done! It is mostly packed up, but I have a few last minute things to do- including finishing some paperwork :/
Drinking/// so. much. water. Still trying to get my water intake back up at 85ozish. Drinking water is one of the hardest things for me to do!
Feeling/// excited to celebrate my 4 year anniversary tonight with my wonderful husband! We are going to Tsukasa for dinner tonight and I'm stoked to eat fried rice and scallops. Yummmmmm!
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
#64 of 101 in 1001
Woohoo! I've done #64 already, which was donate my hair!
I was ready to donate back in November, but was waiting to do it until after one of my BFF's wedding. I knew I wanted to have my hair down while up there celebrating and supporting her marriage to her wonderful guy!
I miss the long hair, but I'm glad it's going to a good cause. The first time I donated (back in high school) I sent the 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love. The second time was in 2012 right before school started. Again, I donated my 11 inches to Locks of Love.
Locks of Love has been getting knocked because majority of their wigs go to children with alopecia, instead of children with cancer. I don't really care which children my hair is given to (children with cancer or children with alopecia) and Locks of Love gets the job done. I also know that they sell hair if they can't use it, but if the money goes to the organization I want to help, that that's fine too. Since I had donated twice to Locks of Love, I decided to give to a different organization. After researching, I was torn between two I knew I wanted to donate to- Children with Hairloss or Pantene Pro-V's Healthy Lengths.
At first, I decided that I wanted to donate to an organization that provides wigs for children, which would rule out Healthy Lenghts, since they only work with women 18 or older. In exploring why I felt that way, I tried to reason that a child going through a disease that causes hair loss is a more traumatic experience than an adult woman dealing with a similar issue. The adult woman should be equipped to handle this situation right? Well, that seemed like a ridiculous and unfair thought, and it made me realize that this decision would be a hard one.
I ended up donating to Children with Hairloss this time around. Mostly because I had never heard of them, and I wanted to support their mission. Maybe next time I'll go with Heathy Lengths :)
And now, a compilation of photos to say goodbye!
.
On another note...
I was ready to donate back in November, but was waiting to do it until after one of my BFF's wedding. I knew I wanted to have my hair down while up there celebrating and supporting her marriage to her wonderful guy!
I miss the long hair, but I'm glad it's going to a good cause. The first time I donated (back in high school) I sent the 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love. The second time was in 2012 right before school started. Again, I donated my 11 inches to Locks of Love.
{In 2012 when I donated for the second time}
Locks of Love has been getting knocked because majority of their wigs go to children with alopecia, instead of children with cancer. I don't really care which children my hair is given to (children with cancer or children with alopecia) and Locks of Love gets the job done. I also know that they sell hair if they can't use it, but if the money goes to the organization I want to help, that that's fine too. Since I had donated twice to Locks of Love, I decided to give to a different organization. After researching, I was torn between two I knew I wanted to donate to- Children with Hairloss or Pantene Pro-V's Healthy Lengths.
At first, I decided that I wanted to donate to an organization that provides wigs for children, which would rule out Healthy Lenghts, since they only work with women 18 or older. In exploring why I felt that way, I tried to reason that a child going through a disease that causes hair loss is a more traumatic experience than an adult woman dealing with a similar issue. The adult woman should be equipped to handle this situation right? Well, that seemed like a ridiculous and unfair thought, and it made me realize that this decision would be a hard one.
I ended up donating to Children with Hairloss this time around. Mostly because I had never heard of them, and I wanted to support their mission. Maybe next time I'll go with Heathy Lengths :)
And now, a compilation of photos to say goodbye!
.
 |
| {When it first started to annoy me} |
{Made a nice bun and a sweet braid though!}
{I loved it wavy}
{And curly and straight}
{We had some pretty good times together!}
 |
| {But it was definitely time to let it go} |
{The morning of- one last before shot!}
{Getting it measured and chopped!}
 |
| {12 inches gone!} |
On another note...
getting used to this new hair has proven to be difficult for me. It doesn't do anything like the long hair did, especially when air dried! It's growing on me though ;)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Studying + appreciating
I just had to stop for a minute to appreciate this moment.
I'm studying at Barnes and Noble, taking intermittent breaks to people watch and listen, and I wanted to take a moment to appreciate it.
I feel fortunate to be able to enhance my knowledge of my profession. It's been a long and expensive road that has gotten me to this point, and I am lucky to be able to travel it!
Ok, back to werk;)
P.S.- shout out to the Blogger app to be able to do this on the fly. You guys really improved your app in the past year and it no longer sucks! Yay!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
A note on behalf of semi-hypocritical omnivores everywhere
I recently sent an email through the website of a farming company called Strauss that raises beef, lamb, and veal for consumption. I started buying their beef about a year or so ago when I noticed they popped up in the Jewel near my house. The beef is pretty damn expensive compared to other beef products by different companies, or by Jewel itself, so it wasn't until recently that I completely made the switch to only buy this brand. I generally only buy beef from Jewel, but I am sure Marianos or Trader Joes has something along the same lines as Strauss- animals that are ethically and humanely raised. This includes grass fed, free range on open grass pastures, and without hormones or antibiotics. They are not raised in feedlots, or in pens, and are fed grass as opposed to corn. Their practices are also generally better for the environment, as they reduce their carbon footprint.
So I have chosen this brand to be my go-to brand for beef purchases that are made in this house. It did get me thinking thought about how they actually produce the product that I buy at the store. Now, you might be thinking, "Amy, why do you spend double the money on beef that is raised humanely, but then killed to eat? If you care so much, why not just be vegetarian?" Yea, I know. I have gotten that question many times. And it is a good one. Honestly? I'm just not ready. I like hamburgers, meatballs, and chicken. Man I love chicken. But that doesn't mean that I want my chicken or beef to be treated horribly, and then die an awful and painful death. Which is why I am willing to pay a little more money to support those companies that align with my opinions and values on this subject. I will say that I am enjoying different ways to bring in vegetarian options into my diet. Animals are adorable and I feel awful about eating them sometimes, but I'm just not there on making the commitment to be 100% meat free...yet...?
Anyway, here's the email I sent. Hopefully I'll get a response!
Hi,
I live in a suburb of Chicago, and I am very pleased with my local Jewel offering Strauss Free Raised beef for purchase. I never hesitate to buy your product over the other cheaper, and lower quality beef that is offered. Your practices and values when raising your animals are important to me as a consumer and I am grateful that I live in a town where your product is offered.
With that being said, I am wondering if you have more information on the butchering practices of the animals your raise. I see that there is a section on your website marked "Butchery" that shows the cuts of the animal, and the soon to be section that will introduce us to the butchers you employ, but I am wondering more about the method you use to actually kill the animal.
I am just trying to gather information on your product, as I want to be more informed on the choice that I make to purchase your product.
Thank you very much for your time! I do appreciate it.
- Amy
P.S.- I teach little kiddos, of the K and 1st grade variety, so using words like "butchery" and "kill" were like saying the F word out loud in a crowded room. <Insert nervous emoji here>
P.P.S.- I did not include that last P.S. in my email to Strauss. Or this P.P.S. either. Just f.y.i.
 |
| Source |
Anyway, here's the email I sent. Hopefully I'll get a response!
Hi,
I live in a suburb of Chicago, and I am very pleased with my local Jewel offering Strauss Free Raised beef for purchase. I never hesitate to buy your product over the other cheaper, and lower quality beef that is offered. Your practices and values when raising your animals are important to me as a consumer and I am grateful that I live in a town where your product is offered.
With that being said, I am wondering if you have more information on the butchering practices of the animals your raise. I see that there is a section on your website marked "Butchery" that shows the cuts of the animal, and the soon to be section that will introduce us to the butchers you employ, but I am wondering more about the method you use to actually kill the animal.
I am just trying to gather information on your product, as I want to be more informed on the choice that I make to purchase your product.
Thank you very much for your time! I do appreciate it.
- Amy
P.S.- I teach little kiddos, of the K and 1st grade variety, so using words like "butchery" and "kill" were like saying the F word out loud in a crowded room. <Insert nervous emoji here>
P.P.S.- I did not include that last P.S. in my email to Strauss. Or this P.P.S. either. Just f.y.i.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
101 things in 1,001 days
This is happening. I'm doing it. I have seen this on many different blogs that I follow and I have been back and forth on it for a while, but not anymore!
What is it? Well, it's a list of 101 things, organized how ever you would like it, that get you complete in 1,001 days.
What are my dates?
Starting: Sunday, January 18th, 2015
Ending: Sunday, October 15th, 2017
Fitness + Health
1. Run a half marathon
2. Run a 5k in 30 minutes or less
3. Meet my goal time for the Soldier Field Ten Miler
4. Ride my bike to Lake Michigan and back
5. Complete a 100 miles by __ Tone It Up challenge
6. Build up to a 1 minute plank
7. Drink at least 60oz of water a day for a week
8. Go a week without processed sugar
9. Floss everyday for two weeks
10. Go to running club twice a week for a month
11. Loose ten pounds
12. Run 365 miles in 2015
13. Follow a TIU weekly schedule for a whole week
14. Go to bed by 10:00 four nights a week for a WHOLE MONTH
15. Workout three times a week for two weeks
Create
16. Learn how to use my sewing machine
17. Use it to sew something!
18. Complete three Pinterest projects
19. Put up new curtains in my bedroom
20. Create a Project Life binder
21. Publish a How-To post on the blog
22. Host a Pinterest party
23. Publish 5 book review on the blog
24. Comment on ten new blog posts on friend's blogs
25. Finish a "P.S.-I Made This" project
26. Create an original painting
27. Make stationary for a friend
28. Fill a memory jar in 2015
Cook + Bake
29. Eat Vegetarian for a week
30. Host a dinner party for friends
31. Eat dinner at my kitchen table
32. Create an original recipe
33. Try two new recipes
34. Bake a birthday cake for someone
35. Host a birthday party for someone can cook it all myself!
36. Cook dinner involving some kind of seafood
37. Go to a wine tasting
38. Try a new tea flavor
39. Bake a pie on pie day!
40. Make a homemade pizza
41. Make a new soup
42. Try a new cookie recipe
43. Make ice cream from scratch
Buy
44. A new computer
45. A new car
46. A king size bed and bedding
47. The perfect LBD finally
48. Donate to two different Donors Chose projects
49. Donate a dollar to a charity for every thing on my list I do not complete
50. Myself flowers just because
Travel
51. Go on a weekend getaway with my husband
52. Camping with friends
53. Stay at a bed and breakfast
54. Visit a friend in another state
55. Visit my Godchild and his parents
56. Visit a national park
57. Visit a state with my husband that we have never been to
Personal
58. Complete 10 random acts of kindness
59. Photograph my favorite tree in every season
60. Get a massage
61. Read 3 classic books
62. Read 2 biographies
63. Read 20 other books
64. Donate my hair
65. Listen to all of the 2013 podcasts from This American Life
66. Journal twice a week for a month
67. Donate my time to Feed My Starving Children at least three times
68. Cheer a friend on at a race
69. Blog at least 10 of these accomplishments I complete on this list
70. Host a game night with friends
71. Send out Christmas or New Years cards
72. Create a new series on the blog
73. Leave a surprise gift card in my favorite book at a bookstore
74. Stay in better contact with friends- text, call, email at least once a week
75. Start another list of some goals when this is complete
Watch
76. A new TV series
77. All of the Best Picture nominations for a 2015 Oscar
78. All of the movies with Best Actor Nominations for the 2015 Oscars
79. All of the movies with Best Actress Nominations for the 2015 Oscars
80. 15 TED Talks
81. The entire series of Brothers & Sisters
82. Three black and white movies I haven't seen before
Experience
83. Buy coffee for the person in the drive thru behind me
84. Go to a Blackhawks game
85. Go to a Bulls Game
86. Go to a Bears Game
87. See a concert with a friend
88. See the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
89. See a play or a musical
90. Go on a picnic
91. See a drive-in movie
92. Go apple picking
93. Go pumpkin picking
94. Try two new restaurants for dinner or lunch
95. See a comedy show
Professional
96. Organize my math curriculum
97. Make the math curriculum digital
98. Pass my Reading Specialist test
99. Update my resume
100. Read a book about education
101. Leave work at 4:00 at least three days a week
That's it. My 101. Let's get at it.
What is it? Well, it's a list of 101 things, organized how ever you would like it, that get you complete in 1,001 days.
What are my dates?
Starting: Sunday, January 18th, 2015
Ending: Sunday, October 15th, 2017
Fitness + Health
1. Run a half marathon
2. Run a 5k in 30 minutes or less
3. Meet my goal time for the Soldier Field Ten Miler
4. Ride my bike to Lake Michigan and back
5. Complete a 100 miles by __ Tone It Up challenge
6. Build up to a 1 minute plank
7. Drink at least 60oz of water a day for a week
8. Go a week without processed sugar
9. Floss everyday for two weeks
10. Go to running club twice a week for a month
11. Loose ten pounds
12. Run 365 miles in 2015
13. Follow a TIU weekly schedule for a whole week
14. Go to bed by 10:00 four nights a week for a WHOLE MONTH
15. Workout three times a week for two weeks
Create
16. Learn how to use my sewing machine
17. Use it to sew something!
18. Complete three Pinterest projects
19. Put up new curtains in my bedroom
20. Create a Project Life binder
21. Publish a How-To post on the blog
22. Host a Pinterest party
23. Publish 5 book review on the blog
24. Comment on ten new blog posts on friend's blogs
25. Finish a "P.S.-I Made This" project
26. Create an original painting
27. Make stationary for a friend
28. Fill a memory jar in 2015
Cook + Bake
29. Eat Vegetarian for a week
30. Host a dinner party for friends
31. Eat dinner at my kitchen table
32. Create an original recipe
33. Try two new recipes
34. Bake a birthday cake for someone
35. Host a birthday party for someone can cook it all myself!
36. Cook dinner involving some kind of seafood
37. Go to a wine tasting
38. Try a new tea flavor
39. Bake a pie on pie day!
40. Make a homemade pizza
41. Make a new soup
42. Try a new cookie recipe
43. Make ice cream from scratch
Buy
44. A new computer
45. A new car
46. A king size bed and bedding
47. The perfect LBD finally
48. Donate to two different Donors Chose projects
49. Donate a dollar to a charity for every thing on my list I do not complete
50. Myself flowers just because
Travel
51. Go on a weekend getaway with my husband
52. Camping with friends
53. Stay at a bed and breakfast
54. Visit a friend in another state
55. Visit my Godchild and his parents
56. Visit a national park
57. Visit a state with my husband that we have never been to
Personal
58. Complete 10 random acts of kindness
59. Photograph my favorite tree in every season
60. Get a massage
61. Read 3 classic books
62. Read 2 biographies
63. Read 20 other books
64. Donate my hair
65. Listen to all of the 2013 podcasts from This American Life
66. Journal twice a week for a month
67. Donate my time to Feed My Starving Children at least three times
68. Cheer a friend on at a race
69. Blog at least 10 of these accomplishments I complete on this list
70. Host a game night with friends
71. Send out Christmas or New Years cards
72. Create a new series on the blog
73. Leave a surprise gift card in my favorite book at a bookstore
74. Stay in better contact with friends- text, call, email at least once a week
75. Start another list of some goals when this is complete
Watch
76. A new TV series
77. All of the Best Picture nominations for a 2015 Oscar
78. All of the movies with Best Actor Nominations for the 2015 Oscars
79. All of the movies with Best Actress Nominations for the 2015 Oscars
80. 15 TED Talks
81. The entire series of Brothers & Sisters
82. Three black and white movies I haven't seen before
Experience
83. Buy coffee for the person in the drive thru behind me
84. Go to a Blackhawks game
85. Go to a Bulls Game
86. Go to a Bears Game
87. See a concert with a friend
88. See the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
89. See a play or a musical
90. Go on a picnic
91. See a drive-in movie
92. Go apple picking
93. Go pumpkin picking
94. Try two new restaurants for dinner or lunch
95. See a comedy show
Professional
96. Organize my math curriculum
97. Make the math curriculum digital
98. Pass my Reading Specialist test
99. Update my resume
100. Read a book about education
101. Leave work at 4:00 at least three days a week
That's it. My 101. Let's get at it.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Currently
Currently...
Watching/// The Comeback on HBO. It's semi entertaining. Not my favorite series from HBO, but it's a whole different genre than I'm used to. It's only in season 2, and I just finished Season 1 today (Yay for Cold Days off of school!). I will keep you updated on my thoughts :)
Thinking/// About plans for tomorrow and Saturday. One of my best friends is getting married! I can't wait to celebrate, and can't help but feel I'm forgetting something.....
Writing/// a new blog post that is redefining my 25 before 25 list. It's exciting, and hard to accomplish.
Drinking/// tea from Trader Joes. It's Vanilla and Cinnamon Black Tea and it's super wintery and delicious.
Feeling/// excited to celebrate my husband's birthday tonight!
Speaking of my husband's birthday...here are some things I just love about that guy:
+He is always thinking about us and our family. In everything he does, all the time. It makes me feel so happy and thankful.
+He is a kind person. He is helpful, sincere, and kind to others. He thinks about others feelings, and puts other people first.
+He loves to hang out with me. I mean, not many people love to do this all the time, and he does. That's just pretty great and unbelieveable ;)
+He makes me a better person. There are many things I didn't do before I met Tommy. He has made me a more responsible, organized, thrifty, and punctual person. I'm not perfect, but I am better because of him.
I love you! Happy Birthday!
Watching/// The Comeback on HBO. It's semi entertaining. Not my favorite series from HBO, but it's a whole different genre than I'm used to. It's only in season 2, and I just finished Season 1 today (Yay for Cold Days off of school!). I will keep you updated on my thoughts :)
Thinking/// About plans for tomorrow and Saturday. One of my best friends is getting married! I can't wait to celebrate, and can't help but feel I'm forgetting something.....
Writing/// a new blog post that is redefining my 25 before 25 list. It's exciting, and hard to accomplish.
Drinking/// tea from Trader Joes. It's Vanilla and Cinnamon Black Tea and it's super wintery and delicious.
Feeling/// excited to celebrate my husband's birthday tonight!
Speaking of my husband's birthday...here are some things I just love about that guy:
+He is always thinking about us and our family. In everything he does, all the time. It makes me feel so happy and thankful.
+He is a kind person. He is helpful, sincere, and kind to others. He thinks about others feelings, and puts other people first.
+He loves to hang out with me. I mean, not many people love to do this all the time, and he does. That's just pretty great and unbelieveable ;)
+He makes me a better person. There are many things I didn't do before I met Tommy. He has made me a more responsible, organized, thrifty, and punctual person. I'm not perfect, but I am better because of him.
I love you! Happy Birthday!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
A little change
I'm thinking of changing the name of my blog. Ok. I DID change the name of my blog.
I originally started this because I wanted to start typing instead of writing everything down. My hand was hurting, and writings takes more time than typing. Also, I always say I'm going to glue a picture in my journal, but I NEVER do. I even leave a space for it and then cringe when I look back at the waste of perfectly good lineage (that's a made up word pronounced LINE-age not the already existing word pronounced /ˈlinēij/ everyone. It's a new word, start working that around town k?)
This blog was a way to document my rough draft on life, and include pictures and video in a way that I never could on paper. Also, becausemyhandhurts (Do you see what I did there? Eh?)
I originally started this because I wanted to start typing instead of writing everything down. My hand was hurting, and writings takes more time than typing. Also, I always say I'm going to glue a picture in my journal, but I NEVER do. I even leave a space for it and then cringe when I look back at the waste of perfectly good lineage (that's a made up word pronounced LINE-age not the already existing word pronounced /ˈlinēij/ everyone. It's a new word, start working that around town k?)
This blog was a way to document my rough draft on life, and include pictures and video in a way that I never could on paper. Also, becausemyhandhurts (Do you see what I did there? Eh?)
It has stuck with me, however, that this blog is not some uber popular crafty creation. There is no cute theme that was the inspiration for this space. Most blogs I follow have a catchy name and center around the following: food, teaching, photography, running, or some sort of craftyness and project making. I am not an expert at any of those. And, come to think of it, I don't feel like an expert on anything really. My little corner of blogland is more of an expression of my imperfect, ever-changing, sparkly life's rough draft.
Cheers to a new year, new look, and new name!
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