2014 - A Year-End Review

2014 has flown by! Every year, I think that no year could go by as quickly as the one that just ended and 2014 is no different. In fact, sitting around the Christmas dinner table with my family, we reflected on how fast the days went. I feel like I missed about 8 months of the year! :) 

However, despite being quick, this year was also one of the best so far. I believe the years keep getting better and better, which means 2015 has big metaphoric shoes to fill. Here are a few of the highlights of the past year! 

January 2014

I began my year with big aspirations of dissertation progress. Starting on January 2nd, I hunkered down to complete my comprehensive exams. For nearly three weeks, I read, wrote, thought, breathed, and ate writing research. The final product was worth the investment as I passed my comprehensive exams with flying colors! 

All ended well! :)

February 2014

February marked the beginning of my pilot study for my dissertation. This included collected data from over 230 pre-service teachers and 8 teacher educators in the form of surveys, questionnaires, and classroom observations. It was a lot of data and a great learning experience.  At this time, with my comprehensive exams behind me, I also began writing my dissertation proposal - a massive document that detailed my action plan for my dissertation.

I travelled with a few friends and colleagues to the wonderful city of New Orleans, LA to present at a regional graduate student conference. NOLA was a blast! I had never been to Louisiana or this famous city, but now have dreams of returning someday. While at the conference, I was surprised to win the overall graduate student paper award. It was nice to see my hard work paying off some dividends like this! This award has proven to be beneficial on the job search.

March 2014

March is always one of my favorite months because it gives me some time to catch my breath. The weather starts to change and things feel lighter. After some big accomplishments, I was ready for a break. I spent part of Spring Break week in Arizona with my bestie! We got some time to catch up, visited a fun butterfly exhibit, shopped, and just enjoyed time together. 

April 2014

April was another big month! First, I traveled to Philadelphia, PA for the largest education research conference in the country. I had attended this conference the year before, but this year, I got to present some research I had been working on with my advisor and a team of colleagues. We were so excited to share our study at this venue! We also enjoyed time together and got in some fun sight-seeing to the the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. 

I also spent the rest of April completing my dissertation proposal and setting my defense hearing. :) My advisor repeatedly told me that conceptualizing the dissertation study and selling it to the committee is the hardest part of graduate school. I agree! It took me approximately three months to pull the proposal together and it felt so nice to have it completed. Now, the hearing was the next major step! 

In some of my favorite news of the year, April is also the month I learned I would become an "auntie" for the first time! My best friend and college roommate announced she and her husband would be expecting their first baby in the coming year. YAY babies! 

May 2014

A month I will never forget is May! Two major events happened this month that have shaped my life ever since. First, I passed my dissertation proposal defense. We did this early in the month, just before finals. That way, I would be ready to work on my dissertation with my advisor gone on sabbatical to Norway (now that is a true adventure). At this point, I became an ABD (all but dissertation) graduate student. This means I have only to write my dissertation to be finished with graduate school. 

The second major event is that I finally got to travel outside of the United States! I helped chaperone a study abroad excursion to London, England. This was a week-long, literary tour of the city. I was in Heaven. I've never traveled to a city that I thought matched my personality so well. London is a true gem! The city is beautiful and inspiring. I wanted to write and admire everything around me. I can see why so many great authors in history have come from this place! London has sky-rocketed to my favorite place on this green Earth. 

June 2014

June included a few trips and some new adventures in teaching. I taught my first ever 100% online course. It was interesting to say the least. I feel like I spent the entire month grading, though it could be done outside and by a pool. Teaching online is very different from teaching face-to-face and took considerably more time on the instructor side of things. I had to be very strict about when I would reply to emails and even more strict on my policies for group work, etc. 

Mom and I traveled to Baltimore, MD for a conference I was presenting at/girls' weekend. Mom came to the conference and it was the first time she got to see me present some of my research. I loved it! It was a special experience to share with her. We also got to see the Orioles and Ravens' stadiums, the National Harbor, and visited the aquarium and zoo. The weather was beautiful, especially for us heat-stroked Texans! 

After traveling to Baltimore, I came back to the Northeast for a conference in Boston, MA. I got to travel with one of my colleagues who was originally from this city, which made the trip more exciting. I had my own personal tour guide! I've become very interested in American history as I travel to different cities, so Boston was a good location for site-seeing. We walked part of the Freedom Trail, ate yummy seafood, and visited the top of the Prudential building for a birds-eye view of the city. 

July 2014

July proved to be a more quiet month. I chose not to travel during this month (at least by plane), and I spent much of my time writing. July is a busy month for proposal writing for conferences, so most of my work is spent doing that. 

I did take a weekend to visit my best friend and college roommate and her husband. This was an extra special trip as I knew they would be welcoming a new baby at the end of 2014 or in early 2015. I enjoy trips where we don't plan much and just use the time to catch up. We did go to a Rangers game in the brutal heat, but besides that, had a very low-key weekend. 

August 2014

I love August because my birthday is included in all the fun! August also provides another break from work before the craziness of the fall semester comes. This year, I was excited to be home for my birthday and wanted to spend the time with the people I love before school began again. 

I also got to travel back to Dallas to see what gender the new baby would be. My friends hosted a house warming/gender reveal party with family and friends. It's a girl - which means lots of pink, bows, and sweetness in the new year. I also started my final year of graduate school. It feels amazing to be so close to the finish line, but also slightly sad to be leaving behind a place that has given me so much.

September 2014

Now, we begin the parts of the year where things get fuzzy for me. In September, I began data collection for my dissertation, which included collecting survey data from over 500 pre-service teachers and conducting 57 classroom observations with 14 different teacher educators. It was a lot of people and a lot of information to keep straight! I was so busy that I don't remember much from this time. I do remember that my bestie and her husband came to town for the first Aggie game in the new Kyle Field. We had a blast, even though the game was delayed two hours. I love having friends in town and cherishing the time together. 

October 2014

October started my traveling season. I went to Delray Beach, FL for a conference. This marked the first conference I attended completely by myself. No other representatives from my university were there. It was a great experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had to initiate conversation with faculty from across the country. In the end, I made some great connections and successfully networked! I also got a little bit of writing time on the beach! 

November 2014

Without a doubt, November was my busiest month! First, I got to help host a baby shower for my best friend in San Antonio. The shower was perfect (her sister did an excellent job coordinating everything). I was so happy to get to spend the day with her and her family and give lots of love to the sweet baby and mother-to-be. These really are some of the sweetest moments in life! 

Second, I travelled to Washington D.C. for a teacher-oriented conference to present some research. My mom came along since she had never been to D.C. I had been back in high school, but not since then! Though it was just before Thanksgiving, the city was already decorated with Christmas trees and lights. It looked like a winter wonderland. The weather was absolutely perfect! It was cool but the sun was shining so it didn't feel too cold. We enjoyed seeing all the decorations, went to the National Museum of American History, the National Archives, and walked by the White House and Capitol building. We also ate some yummy Italian and seafood and saw ice sculptures of Frosty's Wonderland. It was a great trip and so much fun to spend the time together! 

After our trip to D.C., it was time to celebrate Thanksgiving! Luckily, with the help of my amazing research team, we completed data collection prior to the holiday. This meant I went to Thanksgiving break with all of my data sitting on my computer waiting for analysis. :) It made November very busy and stressful, but that's ok. I am also part of another research team that was actively engaging in data collection, too. From this experience, I can say that it is a bad idea to be collecting data from two studies simultaneously! It's just stressful! In fact, one day, I taught class, gave out three surveys, and administered a writing prompt to 7th graders. When I got home, I realized I had been wearing my shirt backwards all day! 

Thanksgiving was a breath of fresh air. I loved spending time with family and eating yummy food! The Sunday after Thanksgiving, I was once again on a plane headed to my first face-to-face job interview! (More to come once my job hunt is officially over.)

December 2014

We made it to the end of a whirlwind year! By the time December hit, I could barely recite my own name. December is always a doozy because the biggest literacy research conference is the first week of the month. It also falls during finals and every faculty member at the conference agrees it is hard to juggle. As my last trip of the year, I traveled to Marco Island, FL. The weather was beautiful! Sunshine and the beach is exactly what I needed to end the semester. There was lots of good food to be eaten and catching up with colleagues at other universities. 

I finished the year by celebrating Christmas with my family and pushing a very tight dissertation writing deadline! 

That's 2014! I can't wait to see all the adventures 2015 holds! 

Best Books of 2014 - #1

We've reached the end of the countdown and my top book of 2014! 

There are so many decision I make as I make my top 10 list each year, but the #1 book is always my easiest decision. I honestly do not overthink it and let my emotions and heart guide the way. When I started making this year's list, this book was the first to come to mind. As I compared other books to it, none of them compared. Moreover, I feel that this book encompasses many of the issues other books discussed that I loved. It's a perfect mix of many of those books while standing on its own. And because I happen to read so many books I love on planes, this novel was read on a flight from Phoenix, and I didn't even try to mask my tears. 

1. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes 

This book might come as a surprise if you know me well because I haven't talked about it much. It seems to personal to discuss. This book hits every piece of my heart and in the quiet moments of life, this book comes back again and again. Written in 1959, Flowers for Algernon was ahead of its time. To think that the author had explored something that could not be fathomed at the time, but is all too real today. This novel is a cautionary tale of the dangers of science. We could be destroying rather than helping ourselves. What cost is too high? Are people made equally? Whose life is more valuable? 

This is the story of Charlie, written from his perspective through diary entries. Charlie is mentally retarded and signs up for an experimental study to alter his intelligence. Keyes so elegantly captures the writing abilities of Charlie that I never question the authenticity. As Charlie undergoes more and more experiments, we see the changes to his intelligence develop through his writing. We also get to see how his view on the world changes, what becomes important to him over time, and what he loses. He also addresses the ways in which people treat him differently. Paralleling Charlie's story is the story of Algernon, a small white mouse undergoing the exact same treatments as Charlie. Algernon is our guinea pig who first tests every procedure. The turning point of the story comes when Algernon begins to digress. Charlie, now intelligent beyond the researchers, wonders what will become of him. 

While I won't give away the ending, the story does not truly reach its final destination. My only criticism, which was a masterful choice by the author, is that the novel just ends abruptly. But, really, there was no other way for it to end. My recommendation, is go out, grab a copy, and do nothing until you have savored every piece of this one. It's a perspective-changing book. I think a little bit differently about mental disability, the power of science, and the consequences to those we study. 

2014 was an amazing year for books! Some of the most heartfelt novels I have read were in this list. I cannot wait to see what 2015 holds! 

Best Books of 2014 #4, #3, & #2

It always gets harder to keep the posts short as I near the top of my list. 

Here are my fourth, third, and second favorite books of 2014!

4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

I chose to read this book for three reason: (1) it was a YA; (2) it won some kind of award (though I don't remember what); and (3) what a title! Just from the title, I knew this would be an interesting read. Combining a philosopher with one of the greatest authors of the past...and of course, they would know the secrets of the universe. I did not read any reviews on this book or the author prior to reading it. I chose this book on a whim and devoured it within 72-hours. I read most of it on a flight to Florida and it was one of those books where I became so entrenched in the story, I basically forgot life was happening around me. 

As I have researched reading practices and studied different cultures, I have become more open-minded about things. I would certainly say that this book is not for everyone, but everyone should read it. Saenz combines issues of multiculturalism (true cultural differences, not just race), GLBT discussions, and coming-of-age into one beautiful story. This is the story of two Mexican-American boys living in El Paso, TX and their growing friendship. All of the elements of YA that I love are present, including some realistic though far-fetched events. I have been telling everyone I meet in academic circles about this one. Multiple perspectives are present that give the reader deeper insights into the struggles of being a teenager today. Of all the books I have read this year, this one has gotten more discussion from me than almost any other. 

3. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Wonder is another YA that hit the bookshelves a few years ago with a bang! I have heard so many academics, students, and friends talking about this book. Of course, that meant I had to see what all the talk was about. I realize in reviewing these books, that 2014 was my year of reading without reservations. Again, I knew nothing about R. J. Palacio or the novel when I picked it up. I read this one on a flight to Baltimore and it was everything in me not to burst into tears in front of everyone at several points. This book cuts deep. 

This is the story of Auggie, a boy who won't describe what he looks like because "whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse". What?!?! I was so angry at this line because I like descriptions, details, and knowing what characters look like. Auggie has been home-schooled his entire life due to his facial deformities and many, many surgeries, but his parents decide to send him to school, for the first time ever, for middle school. This sounds like a recipe for disaster as anyone who has previously been in middle school (or taught it) can testify. It is coming-of-age, which I love. What made this novel different, though, is that chapters are told from different perspectives. The reader gets to see the world through Auggie's eyes, but also his sister's, his sister's boyfriend, his friends, his enemies, his family. It's beautiful. I cannot imagine a person who cannot relate to someone. It also shows how one person can affect so many people in both positive and negative ways. It shows how each person has come to handle and accept Auggie's unique circumstances. I cannot wait to read more from R. J. Palacio, who will be on my ever-growing favorite authors list! 

2. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

What a debut novel by this author! Honestly, I cannot wait until she writes another as I will be purchasing it on day one! My book club chose this book, and I probably would never have read it myself. I don't think I can do this novel justice. This is the story of a young girl who learns some harsh secrets about the world. She has a wonderful relationship with her uncle, who she loves dearly. When he becomes ill and dies, she learns that she only knew a tiny portion of his life. Revelations surface and she learns that he died of AIDS. Taking place in 1987, AIDS was still very taboo and people did not know much about it. She also discovers that her uncle lived most of his life with his long-time partner, but that her family kept him from her. The two meet and bond over the loss of their loved one. 

Like some of the other novels I loved this year, this one does not shy away from topics that are uncomfortable and shares them in a very human way. Rarely have I felt more than I have while reading this book. It was beautifully told and captivated me from the first page to the final one. 

Best Books of 2014 - #7, #6, & #5

Let's continue the countdown of great reads...

Best Books of 2014 - #7, #6, & #5

7. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

I have always loved books that make me feel and this one delivers! This novel is the heartbreaking story of a young girl and her rocky path to adulthood. As an older woman, the story is told in flashbacks as the woman mentors another young girl living in foster care. The story has many layers and all the characters continue to develop as the story deepens. While the story is not happy, the ending is perfect. 

6. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I put off reading this book for a long time. I'm not one to avoid hype, but typically I do not just jump into everything I hear about either. For some reason, the hype around this book just really turned me off of it. I had no desire to read it - at all! In fact, I honestly cannot remember what made me decide to read it...finally. I think my bestie read it and said I should do it. Either way, I am so glad I finally caved. This book was wonderful! So wonderful that I read about 50 pages the first night...and stayed up far too late finishing it the following night. I loved it. I thought this would be a cheesy chic book. Now, I love a good lush chic read every now and then, but I have to be in the right mood. Fortunately, this book is filled with substance and thought-provoking questions. It addresses some very sensitive subjects in a very human way. I laughed. I loved. I cried my eyes out. In the end, this book deserves its place among the best reads of 2014. And, I cannot wait to read more from Jojo Moyes - she has made my author radar!

5. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Wow. That is all I can say about this one. The story, on the surface, is about a young girl who is brilliant (genius level, definitely on the autism spectrum). Its a coming of age book that is among the saddest novels I have ever read, and that gets you through chapter one. Seriously. I began this book and was hooked, but could not believe it started so sadly. And within a few pages, I was touched and deeply connected with the main character. This book really explores the way one person can affect so many people around her. Its beautiful, inspiring, and shows how we are all connected.

:) 

Best Books of 2014: #10, #9, & #8

I love books! I knew this upcoming year would be my busiest year yet (comprehensive exams, dissertation proposal defense, writing the dissertation, searching for a job). I also realized that I would have to be more deliberate in my reading endeavors. Reading keeps me sane and is one of my greatest joys in life so I wanted to make sure I did not lose sight of this. I know that if I give myself time to read, I will be more happy and productive in other parts of my life.

This year, I ventured out of my comfort zone a bit and challenged myself to read more nonfiction. I read a LOT of nonfiction books this year...however, what I always thought to be true is still true: nonfiction is just not my genre. I didn't dislike most of the books, they were fine. They just did not capture my attention and keep me interested. In almost all of the nonfiction books I read this year, I would start off optimistic and lose interest less than half-way through. I finished most of them, though it was a struggle.

In 2013, I made my "Best Books of 2013" list in approximately 3 minutes. It was the easiest list I ever made. This year, I had to review my Goodreads account to see what I actually read (though a few books came to mind instantly). I think the craziness of this year made me forget how much I loved some of these books...and I forgot that I read them in 2014 (wow, this year was long!). But, I've made my list and I am so happy with it! Here are the first (or last) 3 books on my Best Books of 2014 list....

Best Books of 2014 - #10, #9, & #8

10. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

I love popular fiction and young adult fiction, so I really wanted to explore classics more. There is a reason these are books that stand the test of time and are relatable to generations of readers. This book made me fall in love with Oscar Wilde! He has so many enlightening quotes and phrases that made me stop and savor. I appreciated the fantastical elements of the story, the hints of sexual impropriety, and the focus on moral corruption. I idea that humanity can be so cruel when it believes it's actions have no consequences is one that has plagued society since the earliest of times. I related to so many characters in this novel, and at the end, I felt both pity and sadness for the tragedies many characters faced. I can also see why Wilde caused such a stir when this novel was first published. It hits too close to home for many...the portrait shows us what we are capable of if we hide our insecurities. What a powerful message.

9. The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

I consider myself a scientist. I study literature, reading, writing, and education to help improve the ways we teach our students. For that reason, this book was especially interesting to me. Many of my colleagues who study children's literature buzzed about this book for months. Finally, I gave in and over Thanksgiving, read this book in one day. The lexical level is brief, simple, and engaging. However, the complexity of the story and philosophical issues presented are heavy. This story nicely integrates science education into the story. I learned more about famous scientists and how their discoveries influenced humanity than I have learned in any science class. One of the greatest gems of this book, however, is that science is presented from multiple perspectives. For example, the atomic bomb is used as an example of how far science has come and how science can be devastating. Both perspectives show that issues related to discovery, industrialization, and progress can be both good and bad. This book would be excellent for students to gain this much needed perspective on science. In the end, this is the story of how science always comes with a price and poses the question: are we willing to pay it? 

8. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Again, this novel was buzzed about and recommended to me by children's literature professors. :) I devoured this book in an evening because I had to know the ending. At it's heart, this book shows the complexities of adolescent relationships: those with parents, those with extended family, those with friends, and those with lovers. At a deeper level the book addresses issues related to mental health in children. It illuminates the inability of adults to recognize what children need and how children's brains can be advanced enough to show signs and symptoms of mental illness...particularly in the face of tragedy. There is a twist, which I was able to figure out before the end. However, knowing this twist made me appreciate the novel more. I believe this book presents perspectives about how much young adults face and what they go through when adults are not looking closely. 

Coming soon...#7 through #1...

I'm Back!!

I'm back! And, I apologize for the prolonged absence.

I knew this fall semester would be my busiest semester yet (even considering I completed my comprehensive exams and dissertation proposal in the Spring), but even I underestimated just how busy it would be.

So the question is: what have I been up to the past 4 months??

1. Finishing my Ph.D. This has included many tasks...first and foremost was collecting my data for analysis. This ran from September 1st through November 21st. My research team and I administered surveys to over 555 pre-service teachers, conducted 57 in-class observations, and conducted interviews with teacher educators. I completed most of these tasks, putting in endless hours. The result is that I finished data collection just before Thanksgiving. Currently, I am busy writing away to get my dissertation completed. We've set the defense date, so I have a hard and quickly approaching deadline, but I am confident in my ability to write like a mad woman for the next few months.

2. Working...a lot! I taught the same course this semester that I have been teaching for the past year. I love it! However, as the most experienced instructor of this course, I also took on the responsibility of course coordinator. We had a few administrative updates to the course, so I took the lead on this. It was fun and a great experience! I also took on two extra jobs this semester. I worked as one of the graduate assistants for a writing program at my university. This program has revolutionized how I write and approach publications, presentations, and graduate school work. I owe so much of my success to the principles I learned in this program, so it is fun to give back. And, I get to work with some of the professional women I admire most! Finally, I was given the opportunity to be a research assistant on a major grant. The focus of the research perfectly aligns with my own research and again, I get to work with some really wonderful academics. I've definitely been working over board, but it's hard to say no to so many inspiring experiences!

3. Conferencing like a beast. When I first began graduate school, I was told I would have to present research at conferences. My first few years, I participated in a lot of research and sent it off to conferences. I received far more rejections than acceptances. This gave me the impression that I needed to submit more and more research. When using peer-review as the standard, much of your acceptance is luck. Hard work pays off, but there is that element of the right person read your work at the right time. Using this mentality, my colleagues and I over shot every conference. We submitted many things to many conferences. To our dismay (and excitement), we were accepted to almost every conference...with multiple presentations! Yikes! This made for trips to Delray Beach, FL; Washington, D.C.; and Marco Island, FL this semester alone! :) Fun...but overwhelming.

4. Searching for a job! Many people believe the culminating activity for a Ph.D. is the dissertation defense or graduation. While these are very important aspects (and two of my personal favorites), the real end goal is a J-O-B. Making things more complex, getting a job as an academic is unlike jobs in most fields. It takes about a year from start to finish. Anticipating my start date as August/September of next year, I began over the summer sending out applications. This requires writing for each school: (1) a detailed cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae (basically a detailed resume); (3) reference letters; (4) transcripts; (5) 3-5 samples of scholarly writing; (6) a research agenda; and (7) a teaching philosophy. A few schools have asked for extra things, but all have asked for some combination of the items listed above. Right now, we are still very early in the game as most school begin campus interviews in January. However, all looks promising!

5. Staying connected with the people I love. My two best friends are having babies - yay! This has meant more time texting, calling, and attending baby parties (not to mention countless hours looking at baby stuff online). One of my oldest childhood friends recently moved to town and it has been great fun reconnecting with her over dinners, shopping, and painting. The girls' I've met through graduate school have finally decided we deserve monthly wine nights to unwind and gossip. We have really enjoyed these and grown to know each other more. Finally, I've been able to get to know my book club ladies more through our monthly hang-outs and shared love of literature.

I'll be giving more details about my travels and fun soon!

What I've Been Doing this Summer: Decluttering

I hate clutter. Piles of things (other than books) make me cringe. In anticipation of knowing I am making a big move in approximately a year, I decided this summer would be a perfect time to declutter some of my life and house. I know this process will be repeated next summer as I pack up, but it still makes me feel really good. Decluttering makes the world seem better and life seem less complex. When I declutter, I am ruthless. If I haven't touched something recently, it goes.

Books.
I started the decluttering with books. I have books galore. Three bookshelves full and containers under my daybed full of books I can't part with. I went through all of my old textbooks and reference books as well. Ultimately, I have made three trips to Half-Price books totaling over $100 dollars (and I have at least two more trips to make). I also sold textbook and reference books to Amazon and made over $400. :) Not a bad way to make some money.

Closets.
My closets were getting full of unnecessary junk. I started with my bedroom closet and ended up with three trash bags full of clothes that were ill-fitting, old, or just not my style to go to the thrift store. I also got rid of several old pairs of shoes that needed replacing. My closet is much roomier, and I've found different articles of clothing I had forgotten about. This has also spiced up my wardrobe and made me feel happy! :)

I then tackled my guest closet which still contains my old teaching materials. I have given away a great deal of old supplies to new teachers who can use them more than I can. My guest closet now has room for my craft supplies and containers with other mementos I don't use year round.

Finally, I went through every drawer I could find in the house and cleaned them out for trash and organized them for easy access. Overall, I feel much neater and refreshed. :)

What I've Been Doing this Summer: Expanding my Reading Interests

I love to read. 

I read a lot.

I'm a bookaholic. 

Reading truly is a part of my life and my everyday happiness and livelihood is dependent on what I read, how often I read, and how I feel when I'm reading. However, in the past few years, I've gotten into a bad way of reading the same thing over and over again...mostly YA dystopian literature or new and upcoming fiction. In fact, as an active member of GoodReads, I checked the past 100 books I've read and about 85% were published within the past three years! Eek! I needed to diversify and have indeed done that this summer. 

Reading Nonfiction

Somehow I've gotten very into reading nonfiction this summer - Bossypants by Tina Fey, The Happiness Project, and books about managing stress and American history. I'm still not a big fan of nonfiction, even with the first two more fun nonfiction texts. I find myself losing interest and focus about halfway through the book. However, I would say my reading skills are improving because I am reading something different from the norm.

Building my Profession

I have been in school since I was 5-years-old - that is a lot of time spent reading what I am told to read. While I have loved school, especially my undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, it's nice to get to build my professional knowledge with what I want to read. This summer, I have read books about writing, multilevel modeling, teacher education, and reading theory. All of this is to build the knowledge of my profession now that I have time to read what I want. I am loving it! Moreover, without having to report to a professor or complete an assignment has allowed me to just enjoy learning what I am learning. So refreshing! 

Falling in Love with the Classics Again

After reading so many new pieces of fiction, professional texts, and nonfiction, I was really craving something more profound. While many of these books are well-written, most of the books I have been reading I can whiz through. I like reading many books, but relish savoring them, too. I decided to re-immerse myself in the classics. The classics are wonderful because they are so thought-provoking, well-written, and time-consuming. They take a great deal of brain power, patience, and open-mindedness to finish reading. I decided to attack this task with a long-term goal and found this list of great classic books. I've read 16 books before starting and am really excited to add these works into my regular reading lists. 

Being Open to the Book Club Recommendations 

My book club, which is fairly new, also realized that we consistently read the same types of books over and over again (Divergent, Maze Runner, and Hunger Games). Our fearless leader created themes that other book clubs have used so we would choose different books each month. It worked! In July we read a true crime novel, In Cold Blood, that totally gave me nightmares and in August we are reading a foodie book. 

Cooking Books

I have really gotten into cooking lately as I love food and want to eat yummy stuff! :) I love the Pioneer Woman's recipes and cookbooks but lately have been wanting food with more flavor. I have three cooking books on my to-read list that I cannot wait to dig into. Again, I want to rotate these books into my regular reading lists. 

What have you been reading lately? 

What I've Been Doing this Summer: Cooking and Baking!

This summer has been highly enjoyable. After years with no break (seriously, I'm not kidding), I decided to give myself some room to breathe to refresh before beginning the official data collection. I still taught a course this summer (June), prepared a manuscript for publication, and proposals for conferences, but have spent a lot of time relaxing and catching up on life. 

So, what exactly have I been up to? First and foremost, working on my cooking and baking skills! 

I love to eat but don't have a love for cooking. Moreover, I don't have a wealth of recipes to try and quickly get tired of the same old thing. I have slowly been building my store of recipes so I have different options. This summer, I've tried quite a few new recipes, some I loved and some that were lackluster. 

1. Lasagna. I have to admit, I had a misconception about lasagna - I always avoided it because I assumed it was really hard to make. Um. I was wrong. It's very easy and not even that time consuming! I got this recipe from the Pioneer Woman and loved it! It freezes easily and was super easy to make. Plus, it's so tasty! :) 

2. Spring Green Casserole. I was so disappointed in this recipe. It's basically a lasagna recipe with green vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, and asparagus) mixed in. However, once the dish was completed, I found it didn't have enough flavor for me. I think a nice cream sauce would really enhance the casserole and that is what I plan to add next time.

3. Peach-BBQ Chicken. Oh my goodness is this stuff good! Again, the chicken freezes really well once it is cooked. To make the sauce, choose your favorite BBQ sauce (I like Jack Daniels #7). Mix the BBQ sauce with peach preserves and a bit of garlic over the stove until it boils and mixes beautifully. Roast the chicken for about 15 minutes. Then, take out and coat with BBQ sauce about every 7 minutes for about an hour. Once the chicken is fully cooked, it's done and tasty so yummy! 

4. Chicken spaghetti. This is a classic recipe, but I use rotini noodles instead of spaghetti. I find that the spaghetti noodles are too stringy and long in a casserole-type dish. I love this stuff and can't get enough of it. 

5. Banana Bread. A few weeks ago, I got really interested in perfecting sweet bread recipes. I love sweet breads in the morning with my coffee or as an afternoon snack while I'm writing. I started with banana bread and it was heavenly! I cut the sugar to 3/4 cup instead of a whole cup and it was still a little too sweet, so I would cut that a little more if I made it again. The whole family loved it just the same. 

6. Apple-Cinnamon Bread. I made this bread last week. It was tasty, but the recipe I used called for layering the ingredients. I've learned that I'm not really a fan of layering anything and prefer for it to all be mixed up together. When I make the bread again, I will mix apples and cinnamon into the bread and layer some in the middle and on top. I think it will make for a more flavorful complete product (although the bread itself was still yummy). 

More recipes are sure to come! :) 

Favorite TV Shows!

Welcome to Summer! 

This is one of the only times I get to watch TV, guilt-free...only problem, TV isn't very enjoyable in the summertime. There are not nearly enough "good" TV shows on, and I quickly lose interest in most of the shows. One of the blogs I enjoy following recently did a "favorite 10" TV shows and movies. This inspired me to make my own TV-show list (but I don't know if I can come up with 10). 

1. Gilmore Girls. Without a doubt this is my favorite TV show of all time. About once a year, I work my way through the entire series and am completely happy all over again. Mostly, I love this show for the witty banter - I get most of the jokes and references about pop culture. Secondly, I love Rory. She is intellectual, a bit quiet and reserved, classy, and loves literature. Basically, she is me in a TV character. I love the relationship she has with her mom, her determination to meet her goals, and that she would rather stay in and read or watch a movie than go out. I like the way the show ended; it wasn't perfect but the characters ended up as they should. I love that Rory ended the show single because she was way too young to be with one guy. In my mind, she got her career started and later in life, reconnects with Jess and they end up together traveling and writing. :) 

2. The Big Bang Theory. I cannot get enough of these characters. I think this show is hilarious and right up my ally in terms of geeky-comedy. The characters make fun of most of my personality flaws (OCD, organized, nerdy). I've only made it through the entire series once, but I've watched many re-runs and genuinely enjoy every minute of it. I'll be sad when the show is over, but it is definitely remaining second to Gilmore Girls in terms of wonderful TV.

3. Friends. The original show about a group of young twenty-somethings. As I am a young twenty-something working on my career, single, and trying to make sense of life, this show hits close to home. I cannot get enough of Chandler's lame jokes (and laugh every time). I love Joey and Monica's struggles to make it in difficult careers and their determination not to give up. I love Phoebe's craziness, Ross's nerdiness, and Rachel's desire to make it on her own. The ups and downs of their love lives and the woes of finances make the show real. Over the 10-year course of this show, it is also great to see how the characters evolve, yet the friendships remain steady. I recently finished making my way through the show and will probably do so again in the future. 

4. Once Upon a Time. Combining my love of fairy tales, class literature, and modern fantasy, this show has it all. I love the different take on each of the stories (for example, Rumplestiltskin is "the beast"?? Brilliant. And, Hook is complex and good? Love it.) I also like the way the different stories overlap and build on each other. My only complaint is that the creators of Lost also made this show, which means it is completely unpredictable, and when the show becomes too big of a mess, they do something drastic and crazy (like erase the characters' memories). 

5. House. I liked this show while it was on the air, but didn't watch it religiously. I have recently gotten back into watching this show on Netflix, and remember how much I like House. I don't really like medical shows because I have a weak stomach, but I just love the complexities of House's character. His arrogance and brilliance mixed with wanting to be a hermit but having a strong connection to the people he lets in. It intrigues me. 

6. Chasing Life. I realize this show is new, but it has already captured my heart. I cry weekly. Again, it is about a young twenty-something and addresses the many concerns of real life, making your career, finances, creating distance from your parents, and dating. All while this poor girl finds out she has cancer - yikes! Her life is crazy, but the show is so real. I like that it is a little funny, a little emotional, a little dramatic, and isn't afraid to deal with real issues. For example, chemotherapy can affect fertility so the girl is dealing with that issue head on. Good for you ABC Family! If I were in her shoes, I would do the same thing. 

7. Boy Meets World. The quintessential show about life and growing up. This was the show I hated missing as I was growing up. The lessons learned by Mr. Feeney are incredible. The love between Cory and Topanga is inspiring. The friendships made cannot be replaced. I love that Shawn is always on the verge of going in the wrong direction but his friendship with the "good-boy" Cory keeps him on track. I have been watching Girl Meets World, which is cute, but can't match the original. :) 

8. Gossip Girl. Everybody needs a guilty pleasure and this is mine. Typically, I like comedies over dramas. In my opinion, real life has enough drama and when I am trying to relax, I just want to laugh. However, I watched this show all the way through and just ate up the drama and craziness. This show is basically the antithesis to my own life. I'm not rich. I'm not into brands and labels and parties and looks, but that's what makes the show fun for me. I cannot imagine the life of these rich kids and the "troubles" they face, so I can enjoy what I'm watching. The plot twists were really engaging and kept me entertained from the beginning. Although, I will say that I always knew who "Gossip Girl" really was. Easy call to make. 

9. The Following. This show is another surprise that I cannot get enough of. In the beginning, this shows strong ties to Edgar Allan Poe and psychopaths was enough to get me hooked. I love stories with psychopaths because it fascinates me (if I weren't a literacy expert, I would have been a therapist). Again, the complexities of the characters intrigue me, and the twists in the plot keep my heart racing. The show is a bit too gory for me, and I constantly have to look away. I yell at the TV and scream, but I look forward to this show every night.

10. Dancing with the Stars. As a rule, I don't like reality TV. It drives me crazy! However, I find this show really fun and enjoyable. Like, I actually want to dance and sing along and care what these judges say. The show has done a great job of getting a mix of celebrities I actually like or care about, and the professional dancers are really fun. I like the costumes, the dance, the live performances (minus Iggy Azalea from last season), and the themes each week. Overall, this show does a great job entertaining me and making me look forward to each week. 

Wow! That actually is a lot of TV and most of these shows are not currently on air - what does that say about my taste? 

Happy summer TV watching!  

Boston 2014

Just one short week after attending a conference in Baltimore, Maryland, I traveled to Boston, Massachusetts. Yes, for another conference!

Lucky me, one of my colleagues and friends is from Boston, so I had a my own private tour guide around town. :) 

Starbucks in Nashville actually spelled my name correctly - big win! 

I don't have pictures from my first evening in Boston, but the next morning we headed to Boston College. Beautiful. The weather was a nice 70 degrees and sunny. We had two presentations on Friday and both went very well.  

After the conference, my awesome tour guide took me along part of the Freedom Trail. This is a tour around Boston that marks important landmarks and historical sites, like the graves of the people killed in the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, and the Boston Public Library. So much fun and so much history to see. 

Saturday was a beautiful day. We got to explore the city some more after our presentation. Among the sites, this is what we got to see - a gorgeous sunset. 

One of my favorite activities of the trip was when we went to the "Top of the Hub". This is one of the tallest buildings in Boston and gave a great view of the city. I love being on top of buildings and seeing all the sites from a birds-eye view. :)  

My final night in Boston, we headed out for yummy Italian food and stopped at Mike's Pastry, a very famous sweet shop. It was crazy busy, but they had lightning-fast service and we were in line and out in 20 minutes. This place had the best canoli I've ever eaten in my life. Yum, yum, yum!! 

Boston - it was real! :) 

Baltimore 2014!

This year is turning out to be the year of the East coast! :) 

I've made several trips to the Northeastern coast so far this year, but this one was one of the most special. I was headed to Baltimore, Maryland, a place I had never been, to present at a conference. Best of all, Mom got to come along, see me present, and we had a fun girls' weekend. 

 

We began our adventure in Austin. Ready to go! We had no idea what to expect, but had done a little research to find out what things we would do while I wasn't in the conference. We enjoyed the flight because we both got to read books and enjoy time together. (I finished reading Wonder and Mom read Me Before You on my recommendation.)

Our first stop was for some yummy food! We had a major craving for seafood and nothing is better than seafood straight out of the Atlantic Ocean. We ate at a fun little restaurant that was very trendy - oysters Rockefeller, crab cakes, and cinnamon cake! :) After eating that much food, we needed a nice walk and strolled around the inner harbor. 

We got to see lots of people, sea lions, and statues of Frederick Douglas. 

We love animals! (Obviously, we have plenty around.) On Friday, the first thing we did was go to the Maryland Zoo of Baltimore. It was a great zoo. Pretty large with a special safari themed set-up, penguins, and polar bears. We were in Heaven. We got to see the penguins dance around and perform, and were mesmerized by the giraffes. 

To continue our animal-themed day, we went to the National Aquarium. This was a very large aquarium, and one of the best I've seen. (Mom wasn't nearly as impressed, but it was still cool.) Mom loved the mega-jaws and wanted to stand in them. :) 

We watched a cute 4D movie about how salmon travel down rivers to feed grizzly bears. Then, we watched the dolphins swimming around, saw plenty of fish, birds, and sharks. What a fun day exploring animals! For dinner, we ate in Little Italy and had pasta that was to die for. 

Saturday was the conference day. I was presenting twice, once as a roundtable and once as a formal presentation. I told Mom she could enjoy the day off, but she wanted to come see me "do my thing". It was really fun to have her there and she was a huge hit among the other academics. 

Sunday was our final day and we spent the day doing as much as possible. We were pretty tired after all of our adventures, but wanted to see as much as possible. Our first stop was the Maryland Historical Society, a recommendation from someone at the conference. This was a great museum devoted to Maryland history - the war of 1812, the Star-Spangled Banner, and a huge quilt exhibit. Mom loves quilts so she went crazy for it. I love history, so this was a good stop. 

After getting schooled in a bit of history, we hopped next door to the Walter's Art Museum. This was a free museum with some really interesting displays. It was full of prints of famous pieces I remember from my art history course, and had a special display of artwork done by famous explorers. This place was massive, and it would certainly take us more than one day to get through. 

Finally, our literature-loving hearts wanted to see the Edgar Allan Poe house. This house was the one Poe lived in upon his death and his grave is not far from the house (but I'm not really into graves, so we didn't go). The city of Baltimore fought to keep the house and restore it to a museum, and it had only been open for 5 weeks! Crazy. It was very tiny, but fun to see where he did a few of his great works. 

That evening, we walked around by the Orioles stadium. Mom is a huge baseball fan. We wanted tickets, but the team was playing out of town that night. We also got to see the Ravens stadium. 

Baltimore was a great adventure! :) 

London Calling - Day 6

So sad! We have come to our final day in London. :( Today was just as busy as the rest. (Technically, we woke up the next morning in London but only went to the airport and flew home.)

We started today by going to King's Cross Station to visit Platform 9 3/4 (where Harry Potter left for Hogwarts). After the previous day's Harry Potter overload, this was even more special. 

After King's Cross Station, we went to the Charles Dickens Museum. I have always loved Dickens. When I was a child, my mom gave me a copy of A Christmas Carol with an inscription in it. I read this novel for the first time that year and have read it every year since. Without a doubt, it is my favorite novel (if I had to choose). I am also a lover of A Tale of Two Cities, even if it hurts a bit at the end. 

Again, I was excited and encouraged to learn that Charles Dickens wrote at the same time every day! He lived by routine and could not do anything else worthwhile in a day if he didn't get his writing done. :) Yay for great writers! 

I should also mention I drank a LOT of coffee in London. After every meal, coffee or tea was served, and I opted for coffee nearly every time. This definitely fed my coffee addiction but also helped keep me alert as I was dog-tired most of the time. 

After the Charles Dickens museum, we made a quick pitstop to see Peter Pan! 

Our final stop was the Tower of London! Again, I don't feel we had enough time, but it was fun nonetheless. We got to see where people were beheaded (creepy!), tour a castle set up as it would have been in the 1200s, and toured the White Tower which has historical significance in England. The Tower of London was built as a protector of London, but was used for a lot of killings. The Crown Jewels are also housed here! 

The next morning we hopped on a plane and came home! :) 

London Calling - Day 5

Without a doubt, this was my FAVORITE day of the trip. I had no idea this would be my favorite or just how much a certain adventure would mean to me. I was pleasantly surprised.

Today, we went to the Warner Bros Studios where the Harry Potter movies were filmed. How special! In 1998 when the first book was released, I was 11-years-old, same age as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I literally grew up with these books. I was a junior in college when the last book was released. For each new book release, I was waiting in line at midnight to purchase it and would spend the week after doing nothing but reading. 

I had no idea I would love the Harry Potter studios so much. They have converted the the studios into a tour that includes mini-films about how the movies were made, green screens, and the sets from the movie. You feel as if you are walking through Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and experiencing magic. I thought this experience would ruin the movies for me, but I watched the first movie upon returning from London and loved it more (if that was possible). This was a highlight of the trip! :) 

We only got to spend 3-hours at this stop, which was not nearly enough time. If I return, I will plan an entire day here. It was superb. I even got to fly an enchanted car and ride a broomstick! 

After Harry Potter, we traveled to the tiny village of Missenden for the Roald Dahl museum and to see Roald Dahl's grave. This was the most adorable little village I have ever seen! Perfect English countryside with a precious row of houses. The museum was small but provided a lot of information about Roald Dahl's life, including the fact that he was a routine writer who wrote every day at a set time (just like me!). The museum hosted storytelling which the future teachers in my group loved. It was a busy, fun day!