Is it June yet?

So much to do until June.  In no particular order:
1)teach Freshman about Romeo and Juliet.  AND help them understand Shakespearean language and write a coherent essay about it.
2)teach Juniors how to write a decent research paper with internal citations and everything!  Good luck to me.
3)Make changes to Master's thesis by Tuesday for final sign off!
4)Create presentation to help me look totally knowledgeable and professional and stuff at my Thesis Presentation in Prescott, AZ on May 19.
5)Help Maddy prepare for ACT, SAT, 3 AP exams and summer
6)Help Kate prepare for Washington DC trip and 8th grade graduation and find dress of her dreams before she leaves.
7)Complete beginning teaching training (BTSA)
8)Go give blood before my drs appointment next week
9)meetings, meetings meetings
10)Have a date night with my handsome hubby so he doesn't forget who I am.

Whew...anyone else tired?

xo

BURN FAT...not fuel.

Trying to work on my sustainability.  I'm looking for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.  My goal for this year is to produce more than I consume.  Try to replace into the universe what I have spent the past 40 years sucking out of it.  And if I can do that, in most every aspect of my life, I can feel good about myself.  I feel as if it is past time for me to do that...that I have spend most of my 30's recklessly consuming and enjoying myself without much thought about the consequence to that.  Nothing super extravagant or bad...just lots of STUFF!  Brook is a great example to me.  I mean, he could live like a monk if he wasn't married with kids.  Not that we want to be ascetic...but living more simply can only be good.

super what?

Just watched the Super Bowl and ..............ho hum.  Not so much going on there to keep me entertained.  But I did enjoy watching my girls get into it to keep their dad entertained.  That was fun.  And so was the food that I made.  Muffin top alert!  I feel like I need a detox.  Starting tomorrow, of course. And I just found out that I am giving a talk in church next Sunday.  Somehow, I decided, I will insert a Portlandia reference, just to keep myself entertained.

Summer's End

It's that time again, summer is coming to an end.  I feel like the circle of the year closes a bit tighter as I get older, as if there isn't enough time to just relax and let the days quietly pass.  I'm constantly in motion, going and doing.  I'm working on how to make time go slower...and it isn't so much a psychics thing.  Its more of a mental process, being in the moment and increasing an awareness to the present time.  That is my goal for the beginning of this school year.  Savor every moment.  Stop and smell the flower and the tree and the breeze and of course the teenagers as they swarm into my classroom.

summer

having a lovely summer...enjoying the time and space and freedom of no responsibility (kinda).  Summer nights are my favorite time.  The softness of light and the light air...watching the stars begin to twinkle and the sun set over the coastal range.  Watching the bats begin their nightly acrobats and the owls silently glide overhead.  Relaxing and inspirational.

Mother's Day

was kinda hard.  My first without my mom...however.  I concentrated on what an amazing mom she was, and how blessed I am now to be a mother.  Because the truth is, those who we really, really, really love are always with us.  I hear their voices in my head, and when I really need it, their arms around me.  It is true, and for me, helps me through difficult times.  But mostly, I concentrated on those who are here, now, who hug me and make my life happy.  And lucky for me, I have lots of people that do that.

Thesis Research!

Volunteers Needed!
Graduate Student Thesis Research Project
“Connection to Nature and Reduction of Isolation in Pain Patients”
Saturday, May 14, 2011
9:30am-1:30pm
Participation in this workshop entails outdoor awareness exercises, short walks, sitting and some writing. A follow-up questionnaire will be given as well.
We will meet at the Auburn Pain Rehabilitation Clinic 1121 Maidu Dr. Auburn, CA at 9:30, meet briefly in the conference room, and then go to Traylor Ranch, Penryn. Meeting will conclude there. Lunch included!
Please contact to reserve your place to participate!
Annette Udall
530-320-5127
audall@prescott.edu