Holiday Update

When I was younger, December seemed to take FOREVER, but the older I get, the faster the month goes. Geez, I'm really starting to sound like my mother..

So, since my last post, things have not slowed down one bit! I got back from a wonderful trip to New Mexico (minus falling and twisting my knee...again...where, you ask? Not on the ski slopes, not on the hike...in the shower. Go figure!!) and had a busy week of teaching.

I've been working with my classes on a Women's History project. Each girl picked a woman from history and wrote a report about what she contributed to society, then made a poster. The girls L-O-V-E making posters! We also were busy developing curriculum for younger girls. Then, each of my classes got to take a field trip to the elementary school to put their lesson into action. They had a blast! My 6th grade girls developed lessons on honesty and fairness. My 7th grade girls developed lessons on the 5 senses. It was so neat to see them teach, and to hear their feedback - they all said, "I didn't know it would be this hard." HA! This week we're focusing on taking care of your body, eating disorders, and dating violence. We're ending the week with a self-defense class. Hopefully the girls will use it only when necessary and not to fight with their friends - we've had several talks about this in class!

My 7th grade girls teaching the 2nd graders about the five senses.




I went to Pullman, WA a couple weeks ago to visit the Kappa Delta Chapter at Washington State University. I'm officially the Chapter Advisor for the chapter now, and spent the weekend meeting the girls and learning the ropes. I got to stay in the guest room at the beautiful KD house. It was really fun and I'm looking forward to going back.

The KD House


A building on the WSU campus - I passed this on my morning workout in the 8 degree WINDY weather - BRRR!!


Last weekend was spent at Girl Scout Camp River Ranch with 16 middle schoolers. I'm part of a team developing a new program that trains girls to become public speakers for Girl Scouts. We spent the weekend in one of the camp cabins and led sessions on developing speeches, stage fright, positive feedback, and talking to adults. We also went on a "no flashlights allowed" night hike - the girls screamed most of the way - it was hilarious!! I was in charge of the meals and cooking for the trip, which I really enjoyed.

The girls in front of the "Feedback Podium," where they learned to give positive feedback to each other


I'm REALLY looking forward to Friday - TWO WEEKS of no school. I still have to work, but it will be nice to taking advantage of working from home, sleeping in, and gearing up for next semester!!

Red River for Thanksgiving

I flew in to Colorado Springs late on Tuesday and stayed in a hotel with my parents. We drove to the cabin Wednesday morning and enjoyed an afternoon of skiing. It was great to be back on skis again!! Only half of the mountain was open, since it was the first day of the season, but we got some great runs in. We headed back to the cabin and hung out for the night. Today has been a great day at home, relaxing and enjoying some delicious food. We're heading into town in a bit for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Tomorrow we're heading to Taos for a Christmas Craft Fair - yay!! I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Looking forward to a busy and fun Holiday Season!!

Red River Ski Area


My dad and me on the slopes

Me after a fun afternoon of sunny skiing


Thanksgiving Dinner


Sadie and me


My parent's cabin

Moving Fun

Things have been pretty crazy around here lately. Marcy and I moved to Ballard (a neighborhood in Seattle). We are really excited to be closer to downtown/my work/friends, but the move brought some big changes. Marcy is working full-time with a live-in client, Linden, who has Down's Syndrome. We moved into Linden's house so her parents could travel to Mexico to teach English for the next 8 months. We have free rent, minimal bills, and a great view, but it's definitely an adjustment to have a roommate that requires a lot of extra care. We're almost out of our old place - just have the couch and kitchen table left to move over - and we have until November 30th to get those moved and the cleaning done. However, since I leave Tuesday to go to my parent's cabin for Thanksgiving, that doesn't leave much time... Looks like I know how I'll be spending my weekend.... :) I'll post pictures of our cool new house soon - gotta wait for the rain/wind/more rain storm to let up a bit......

Green and White, Rose and Pearl

....I hope all of my sorority sisters are singing along now :) .... I'm a Kappa Delta Girl!!

I officially stepped in as the Chapter Advisory Board Chairwoman for the Washington State University KD Chapter!! I am SO excited to serve Kappa Delta in this new role!! Pullman, Washington is about 4 hours from Seattle, and I've made the commitment to travel to Pullman once a month to visit the chapter. I know I'll face many challenges, as I know my advisors faced when I was in college, but I'm thrilled to be volunteering for KD!! This chapter is one of the top on the WSU campus and I'm looking forward to going out there soon to meet all the members. Check out their website: http://www.myrso.wsu.edu/kappadelta.aspx.

One More Candle on the Cake

I turned 28 on Sunday, and celebrated with a weekend filled with fun activities.

Thursday night Marcy put together a Happy Hour at Chandler's Crabhouse (can I just say, YUM!). It was great to get together with close friends for some delicious wine and appetizers. I even scored a $50 gift card to go back to Chandler's because it was my birthday. How cool is that?!?!

The last of our group (Melissa, Trish, Brandie, Me, Marcy). Everyone else had to leave early, but we stayed until the lights dimmed signaling the end of happy hour :)


Thanks for a great night, Marcy!!


On Friday, I worked a half day and then enjoyed the rest of the day lounging at home!!

Saturday morning, my weekend of surprises began. Marcy planned the whole weekend and it started with brunch at the 5 Spot Cafe in Queen Anne. I had the black bean omlette, which was awesome! Our next stop was Sonic...I know, probably not a treat to all my Texas friends, but there's only ONE Sonic in Washington, and it's not close to our house. It is on the way to Mt. Rainier, so we had to stop for a brunch dessert. YUM!

The 5 Spot. They change the theme of their restaurant every few weeks to a different region of the world, and this time it was "St. Louis." They had a bunch of memorabilia from St. Louis - reminded me of Grad School.


SONIC!!


We spent the afternoon in Mt. Rainier National Park exploring and enjoying the crisp fall day. We got a few peeks at the great mountain, but not quite the view we had last year (We made this same trek for my birthday last year. Perhaps it will become a tradition!!).

Isn't she gorgeous!! - I know you can't see much of her, but trust me... On a clear day...breath taking!!


Awesome photo-op


Our signature picture


We checked in to Wellspring Resort around 6:00 and enjoyed a nice picnic dinner, wine and Scrabble (LOVE that game!). Our room had a hot tub right outside on the deck under the stars, so we had private access to that all night. It was incredibly relaxing, and I had a great time. Our picnic breakfast was waiting for us in the morning, and we enjoyed leisurely strolling around the property before heading home.

Entrance to the Resort


The resort is very "hands-off" and don't want to disturb you, so this is how they handle check-in. Your key is pinned to a cork board and you just take it from there, park your car, and hike to your cabin. LOVE IT!


The hot tub.


Our cabin.


On our drive back we stopped at the cute little winery, had lunch at a Greek Cafe (yum - Veggie Euros), and stopped for cupcakes at Trophy - delicious!

Isn't this winery cute!



Trophy Cupcakes - AHHH-mazing!


I chose a S'more cupcake - that's marshmallow buttercream frosting on top. The cupcake is chocolate with graham cracker crumbles.... Perfect end to a great birthday


Back at home, opening presents. I got some cute Vera Bradley stuff from my brother. And an iPhone!!!!! from my parents!!


Thanks for all the birthday wishes, treats, and fun!! I had the best birthday!!

Gossip Girl

Does anyone else watch this show? One of my coworkers loaned Season One to me this weekend, and I can't seem to get enough. What is it with the teen drama that draws me in?? I used to watch "Privileged" until they cancelled it...sad day. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has the same obsession as me...

Going to Red River for Turkey Day!!

I am so excited. I procrastinated buying a ticket and last week when I checked, the ticket prices had jumped to over $700 to fly to Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving. Tonight, by chance, I decided to check ticket prices again and I got lucky!! I found a flight for just over $300!! Colorado Springs is about a 4 hour drive from my parent's cabin in Red River, so they'll have to do a lot of driving to come get me, which I know they're not thrilled about. Hopefully the fact that I am coming makes up for it though :)

The typical fall weather (gray and rainy) has set in for the week here in Seattle. I'm actually enjoying it because a nice warm bowl of veggie chili for dinner coupled with old "How I Met Your Mother" episodes makes for a great fall evening!!