Many of my Facebook and blogger friends have enthusiastically celebrated the end of 2009 and are VERY excited for the beginning of a new year. Now, as a teacher, I have a different view of things, as my year is just ramping up in January. No New Year here.
However, I noticed I was not as excited to see 2009 go, and I must admit that I'm a little wary about what 2010 may offer. Yes, I am excited for some things, but I also foresee lots of hard work and challenges ahead.
I thought it'd be good to take a month-by-month review of 2009 to see what kind of year I really had. Maybe I can get more excited about the year to come. Or maybe I'll just feel really tired. :)
Here we go:
January--Began my second semester of my grad program and the hardest class of the program. Spent most of the month with splitting migraines.
February--Came to stark reality in terms of my weight when I discovered I had regained all of my "baby" weight for the third time. After celebrating my wedding anniversary, I began Lent with my "real" diet; my starting weight--150 pounds.
March--Welcomed my new nephew Justin to the world. He's been such a wonderful, sweet baby. Held my breath around the 15th and was very happy to get NO pink slip. Kept working on the diet and got to 137 by the end of the month.
April--Celebrated by 30th birthday in Vegas with my sister, bro-in-law, mother, and adorable husband. Had a wonderful Spring break with my daughter, sister-in-law, niece, and new nephew. Lost a couple more pounds and made it to 130, a weight I hadn't been since I was pregnant.
May--Finished up my last graduate class for the semester and actually had a pretty good time doing it. Found out that my school raised its first-time California High School Exit Exam passage five percent to 75%. It was nice to know hard work can pay off and truly benefit kids.
June--Finished the school year, began teaching summer school (hopefully the last time), and celebrated my daughter's third birthday party. Went on a business trip for school for the first time in YEARS. Unfortunately, weight loss stalled.
July--Interviewed for my first quasi-admin job; didn't get it, but survived the experience. Finished summer school and got a mini-vacation. Didn't get to go anywhere like I planned, but had a nice time with my husband and daughter. Jumpstarted weight loss plan and finished July at 125.
August--Started school obscenely early and implemented my admin credential project. Also, began my final semester of the admin credential program. All-in-all, August was tough, but productive. My husband got a teaching job in Stockton, which was amazing given the current teaching climate. I was/am so proud of him.
September--This month was a blur. Literally, I remember nothing about it. But I did get my weight down to 120 for the first time since prior to being pregnant. (BTW, I'm five feet tall and my ideal weight is between 100 and 110...yeah, that's TOTALLY going to happen.)
October--Again, a very blurry month. I do remember feeling very tired and overworked, but October is my second least favorite month of the school year (the worst is March). Halloween was fun; my daughter dressed as Super Girl. Very cute.
November--Family and school-wise, this was a good month. In terms of grad school, I was more than annoyed. I had class every weekend in November because of the Thanksgiving and Veterans holidays. It was tough. Somehow though, I got down to 115, and I have fluctuated between 115 and 120 ever since.
December--This was a very exciting month. I finished my admin credential and my high school's first semester simultaneously. It was very busy, but a very happy month. We celebrated Christmas is the desert, which was both different and fun.
So it's been a very full year. There has been much to celebrate. True, I am looking forward to finishing my graduate degree and hopefully get an admin job in the near future, but I have to say that beginning 2010 leaves me feeling a little wary. Well, there's not much to do besides putting one foot in front of the other and starting the year with a good attitude. It'll be summer soon...
December
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Vacation--Moeckli Style
Well, it is just 10:00 am and I am the only one up. Both my husband and three-year old are still sleeping.
Yes, we Moeckli's know how to relax.
This week so far has been a combo of relaxing and organizing. We got home from 29 Palms on Sunday to a mostly clean house, but then we had all the fun unpacking/laundry to do. Coming home from a trip is always onerous, but it's especially so when you have to sort and put away Christmas presents. However, we somehow managed to go to Target that evening. But we got pizza. Surprise!
Monday we slept in super late, which was nice. Justin and I attempted to go to work, which was a resounding FAIL on both accounts. Justin couldn't even get into his classroom, so he drove to Stockton for nothing. And I brought Em, who had both a poo and a pee accident. Nice. The day wasn't a total loss, as Em and I went out together for a mommy/daughter lunch.
Yesterday we took Em to see Princess and the Frog. I'm not entirely sure if she is ready for movies. She seemed to like most of it, and she definitely liked the popcorn, but she got really upset when a character got hurt. Yeah, it might be awhile til we see the next one. Plus, it's dang expensive. We had a gift card, but still, ouch. I saw huge families at the movie, and I don't know how they could afford it.
We finished off yesterday by organizing Em's toys. We bought her a new shelf with buckets and we categorized her stuff. This is part of my new effort to teach her how to clean up after herself. Talk about the blind leading the blind. :)
Today we are going to hang out with some friends. As soon as I'm done with this, I will hop in the shower and then head to the store. I am in the mood to bake. Uh-oh.
Yes, we Moeckli's know how to relax.
This week so far has been a combo of relaxing and organizing. We got home from 29 Palms on Sunday to a mostly clean house, but then we had all the fun unpacking/laundry to do. Coming home from a trip is always onerous, but it's especially so when you have to sort and put away Christmas presents. However, we somehow managed to go to Target that evening. But we got pizza. Surprise!
Monday we slept in super late, which was nice. Justin and I attempted to go to work, which was a resounding FAIL on both accounts. Justin couldn't even get into his classroom, so he drove to Stockton for nothing. And I brought Em, who had both a poo and a pee accident. Nice. The day wasn't a total loss, as Em and I went out together for a mommy/daughter lunch.
Yesterday we took Em to see Princess and the Frog. I'm not entirely sure if she is ready for movies. She seemed to like most of it, and she definitely liked the popcorn, but she got really upset when a character got hurt. Yeah, it might be awhile til we see the next one. Plus, it's dang expensive. We had a gift card, but still, ouch. I saw huge families at the movie, and I don't know how they could afford it.
We finished off yesterday by organizing Em's toys. We bought her a new shelf with buckets and we categorized her stuff. This is part of my new effort to teach her how to clean up after herself. Talk about the blind leading the blind. :)
Today we are going to hang out with some friends. As soon as I'm done with this, I will hop in the shower and then head to the store. I am in the mood to bake. Uh-oh.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Heading Back Home
We have had a very pleasant Christmas, especially the last two days.
On Christmas Eve, we headed to my brother-in-law's step-dad's house that he shares with his new wife. Craig's mother also came along. This was a situation fraught with potential akwardness. However, everything went very smoothly. Craig's dad and his wife were incredibly gracious, and the evening was nice. We ended it with driving down "Candy Cane Lane," one of those streets where everyone goes bananas with the lights and holiday decorating.
Christmas Day was very nice and relaxing. We started with breakfast. Haley and I knocked out sausages, eggs, fruit salad, and egg-nog french toast. (Very tasty by the way, but I recommend using low fat egg nog.) And of course, there were plenty of champagne drinks. :)
Emerson cracked me up because both Justin and I were up before her, but once she got up, she was very excited. She played with her stocking toys for a good hour. Got to love the one-dollar section of Target. Eventually, after breakfast, we got to the present opening. She was very excited for her Hello Kitty items. The Madeline book I got her...not so much.
Later that afternoon, we drove the hour to Palm Springs and had some appetizers and drinks at a restaurant that had booths that were big swings. Odd, but fun. And the appetizers--fried green beans and bbq pork flatbread--were delicious. The mango mojito was not too bad either.
We drove back to 29 and enjoyed a ham dinner. For the first time in my life I had the traditional green bean casserole and sweet potatoes with marshmallows. We ended the evening sitting outside by a fire drinking Mexican hot chocolate. If anyone wishes to try this, I recommend using Ybarra's and tequila and kaluha. Very tasty.
Today we are heading back. It will be a long drive (ugh), but I am happy to head home. Time to rescue my cats, get back to a reasonable diet, and do that wacky thing I haven't done in so long...exercise.
On Christmas Eve, we headed to my brother-in-law's step-dad's house that he shares with his new wife. Craig's mother also came along. This was a situation fraught with potential akwardness. However, everything went very smoothly. Craig's dad and his wife were incredibly gracious, and the evening was nice. We ended it with driving down "Candy Cane Lane," one of those streets where everyone goes bananas with the lights and holiday decorating.
Christmas Day was very nice and relaxing. We started with breakfast. Haley and I knocked out sausages, eggs, fruit salad, and egg-nog french toast. (Very tasty by the way, but I recommend using low fat egg nog.) And of course, there were plenty of champagne drinks. :)
Emerson cracked me up because both Justin and I were up before her, but once she got up, she was very excited. She played with her stocking toys for a good hour. Got to love the one-dollar section of Target. Eventually, after breakfast, we got to the present opening. She was very excited for her Hello Kitty items. The Madeline book I got her...not so much.
Later that afternoon, we drove the hour to Palm Springs and had some appetizers and drinks at a restaurant that had booths that were big swings. Odd, but fun. And the appetizers--fried green beans and bbq pork flatbread--were delicious. The mango mojito was not too bad either.
We drove back to 29 and enjoyed a ham dinner. For the first time in my life I had the traditional green bean casserole and sweet potatoes with marshmallows. We ended the evening sitting outside by a fire drinking Mexican hot chocolate. If anyone wishes to try this, I recommend using Ybarra's and tequila and kaluha. Very tasty.
Today we are heading back. It will be a long drive (ugh), but I am happy to head home. Time to rescue my cats, get back to a reasonable diet, and do that wacky thing I haven't done in so long...exercise.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
A Traveling Christmas
This year we are spending Christmas with my family, and we decided to do things a little differently. We are spending the week in 29 Palms with my sister's husband's mother.
Keeping up?
Last Friday, my husband and I were packing and wrapping monsters. It seemed like an impossible task, but somehow after a crazy long week of teaching and running around, we were able to pack up, wrap a mound of gifts, make four salsas (that was Justin, of course), and clean the house all in time to leave on Saturday morning.
Saturday we headed to my mom's for her family's early Christmas Eve party. The party is a tradition that we have been doing for years, but this year we had to move it up a bit because of our trip. And Justin and I were able to actually GO out. In public. At night. Without Emerson. Whoa...
Sunday was a pretty relaxed day. Justin helped out my mom a bit with her yard work, and I played with Emerson. I actually got to take a nap. Sweet. I had to watch Cars AGAIN, but that's a small price to pay for some quiet toddler time.
Monday was another flurry of activity again as we got ready to make the nine-hour car ride down to 29 Palms. The morning was a bit unpleasant, but once we got in the car, things were fine. Justin actually drove the whole way down. I was not complaining, as this provided me more napping opportunities. Emerson watched movies on her portable dvd player (THANK YOU Rachel and Gary!), so she was happy. And she got fast food and twizzlers (cherry sticks to her.) Hello, 3-year old dream land!
We got to 29 Palms in good time to have dinner with Jody, my sister's mother-in-law. It's always a little weird to stay at someone's house for the first time, and it can be doubly interesting when you have a toddler in tow. Will she sleep? Will she go potty okay? Will she be a complete brat? Etc. So far, everything has worked out okay. Em is a little off her potty routine, but she is sleeping great.
Yesterday we drove through the Joshua Tree National Park and went on a hike at a place called Mecca Hills. Again, I was a bit nervous about how Em would do on a hike. I was not terribly surprised when she dropped down and said she could not walk anymore. So I stayed back and we played with rocks, lots of rocks.
Today, Justin accompanied our brother-in-law on a golfing trip. Justin is not actually golfing (we are barely passable at video game golf), but he went along for the ride. Can't wait to hear his report. Should be interesting...
We will be here til Saturday and then it's back to home for us. I'm sure the cats will have left things a mess and the tree will be mostly dried out, but I'll be excited to head back. Even if it means watching Cars AGAIN on the way home...
Sunday, December 20, 2009
It's been awhile...
Since I have posted anything. I have been busy, true, but that is almost always the case. In fact, July tends to be the only month in which I am not impersonating a tornado.
But I have remained quiet for different reasons, one being I don't have a whole lot to say. The other being a need to be quiet and alone.
I noticed feeling this way particularly when I got home. The only thing I'd want to do is turn on the t.v., watch three hours of Ghost Whisperer, and go to bed. I had very little interest in hanging out with Justin and Em.
This went on for about three weeks--the time between Thanksgiving and my holiday break. I could see that Justin was worried; he tried to get me to engage more, which only made me feel irritated. I struggled with post-partum depression after having Em, during which Justin was super supportive. However, that last time I went too long before getting help. Since that situation, Justin seems to pay more attention to my mental health.
But now I feel I've actually snapped out of it. There were a couple things that helped me feel more engaged. One was getting ready for the holidays. It is so dang fun to buy presents for a three-year old, and she is way into all the decorating and songs, etc. Second was getting the opportunity to apply for a vice principal job. Even if it goes nowhere, it is exciting to apply and imagine myself in a new position.
I could tell I felt better and more myself because I decided to blog. Now, I'm not sure if blogging can be considered a good indicator of mental health, but oh well. :)
But I have remained quiet for different reasons, one being I don't have a whole lot to say. The other being a need to be quiet and alone.
I noticed feeling this way particularly when I got home. The only thing I'd want to do is turn on the t.v., watch three hours of Ghost Whisperer, and go to bed. I had very little interest in hanging out with Justin and Em.
This went on for about three weeks--the time between Thanksgiving and my holiday break. I could see that Justin was worried; he tried to get me to engage more, which only made me feel irritated. I struggled with post-partum depression after having Em, during which Justin was super supportive. However, that last time I went too long before getting help. Since that situation, Justin seems to pay more attention to my mental health.
But now I feel I've actually snapped out of it. There were a couple things that helped me feel more engaged. One was getting ready for the holidays. It is so dang fun to buy presents for a three-year old, and she is way into all the decorating and songs, etc. Second was getting the opportunity to apply for a vice principal job. Even if it goes nowhere, it is exciting to apply and imagine myself in a new position.
I could tell I felt better and more myself because I decided to blog. Now, I'm not sure if blogging can be considered a good indicator of mental health, but oh well. :)
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