At the end of every semester, I feel pretty rough. I'm so busy during the semester that I barely have time for anything other than work and school, but at the end of the semesters things change and I find myself with an abundance of free time. Graduate school is a strange, strange universe. I don't actually have to clock-in at work or be somewhere but I have tons of work to do. The idea that there is always work to do even when you aren't working is odd to some people, but anyone who has been in a graduate program or in academia or even a schoolteacher understands this concept. This is that week. Rough, rough, rough. To help control my stress levels and bring some homeostasis to my mind and soul, I'm devoting this post to 10 things I'm thankful for on this Tuesday. I find that in moments of stress and frustration, counting blessings is one of the most humbling and enriching exercises.
1. Teaching Excellence
On Thursday, one of my bucket list items was crossed off - earn an award for teaching. I love being a teacher and it means more to me than most of my other traits. It embodies the kind of person I want to be, a person who serves others, gives back and makes a small difference in a complex world. I am humbled beyond words to have earned this honor. :)
2. Pet of the Month for June
My little puppy won Pet of the Month at his vet clinic! :) See the winning photo below -
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3. Spontaneous road trip with my girls!
For Memorial Day weekend, two of my best girlfriends and I decided to celebrate one of the girls' birthdays. We always get together around this time of year (end of busy work season, end of a semester, birthday, holiday...it works!). We met up in Houston and went out that evening, then drove down to Corpus Christi to spend two days at the beach. There was lots of laughs, delicious seafood, and a little sunburn, but we all came back a bit more relaxed and rejuvenated at having the time to spend together.
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4. Best friend time
My best friend and old college roommate got married this past fall and moved to Dallas. Bleh! We are both very busy people and unfortunately, we haven't got to see each other this semester! (Dang school and work and husbands!) On Friday, that wrong will be rectified as I keep to spend the entire weekend with her!! I read a quote on Pinterest a few days ago that said, "Sometimes talking to your best friend is all the therapy you need." How accurate! Best friend time is the best therapy and soul juice around. (And, she just texted me this morning that she got offered a teaching position for next year! Can I get a celebration, too?)
5. 36 Years of Marriage
May is known in my life as a busy, busy month. It's the end of the semester, so there is much grading and finals and so forth, but it's the month that includes: my grandmother's birthday, my sister's birthday, Mother's Day, my parents' wedding anniversary, my dad's birthday, Memorial day, and one of my best friend's birthday. Add to that graduations. Now, add on that this is the only "free" time I get between semesters so there is lots of travel. May pretty much empties my bank account every year. However, despite that, it is fun! There is always plenty to do and plenty of celebrating people to do it with.
I'm pleased to get to celebrate my parents' 36th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Wowzers!! In a world where marriage is not as treasured as it used to be and few couples make it very long, I love seeing a couple like my parents. They are still going strong after all these years and make marriage look easy. One day, I hope I have children that can look to strong marital role models in myself and my husband (whoever he may be).
6. Great Reads
One of the greatest gifts a child can be given is the skill of reading. That is my belief. It's why I am an English teacher. It's why I have pursued reading education as my field of expertise. It's why I love reading with kiddos. It's why I read incessantly. I am on book 30 for the year (according to my GoodReads account), and I love it! To me, there is no greater high in the world than escaping into another world, another time, or another adventure. I'm a fiction reader, although I dabble in nonfiction, mostly in the form of writing books. I'm addicted to reading, and I love words. I'm thankful that I learned to read as a young child and my parents showered me with books. :) I'm also lucky to know people who are avid readers that can "talk books" with me.
7. Mentors
I have been blessed beyond measure with some fabulous mentors in my life. These people have come in all forms, but have shared one common goal in helping me become a better person. I'm stubborn, so I have often tested their patience, challenged them, and been difficult, but they have stayed by me. I've made some mistakes and definitely had to learn some hard lessons for myself, but I've turned out ok so far. I can't take all the credit for this (I mean, I can only reasonably take some of the credit!).
8. Country time
"I'm from the country and I like it that way" - I love being able to spend time in the country, away from the city. Life moves more slowly here, people are more genuine, and the soul has time to recover. I love my job and I enjoy school, but sometimes I just want to slow down. I want to breath. I just want to be. Being in the country allows me this support. This is the only place I have ever been where "just being" is enough - in fact, it's recommended!
9. Peace
I'm thankful for finding peace in simple corners of the world. :)
10. God (save the most important for last, right?)
He always knows exactly what I need before I need it. Yesterday, I was feeling particularly overwhelmed. I'm stressed. I show my stress in a unique way - I pull into myself and don't discuss the stressor. I let it build inside me and fume a bit. Not healthy, I know, but talking about the stressor usually makes it worse. God has provided me with many resources to help me figure out my plight (all sent to me within the past 18 hours!). God is good, always. :)
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