10 for Tuesday!

I love writing, and I love blogging, but between work, classes and life, I've been feeling a little nonchalant towards my blog.  I just haven't felt the tingling in my fingers that let's me know I have something good to write.  In true Tracey fashion, I've been researching to see what other bloggers blog about on a daily basis.  I came across many cool "challenge" ideas, so I've decided to do one of my own.  Usually, I only write interesting stories on the blog, typically something funny that happened in my life, sometimes something inspiring.  This summer (June and July), I am going to blog at least 3 random posts a week.  :)  My 6-word autobiography was number 1.  My hope is that this challenge will motivate me to be more creative, vulnerable, and entertaining on my blog.  Cheers!

Today's topic: 10 for Tuesday!  Here are 10 random facts about me...

1. I love all things pop culture (i.e. movies, music, tv shows, gossip magazines, books, trendsy websites).

2. I think statistics is cool.  I mean, there is just something satisfying about how perfectly numbers can be placed into equations to tell a story...

3. Which brings me to number 3, I'm a bit of a control freak, organization monster, cleaning guru. 

4. Write everyday.

5. From the country, and I like it that way! 

6. Coffee addict.

7. Did I mention being a book nerd? 

8. Jetsetter, obsessed with travel.

9. Believe in Silver Linings. 

10. Intrigued by sunsets. 

6-word Autobiography

Lover of words: passionate writing educator.

Softly Call the Muster...

Being an Aggie is one of the best decisions I ever made.  Growing up, I knew I would attend one of the two universities I had heard so much about - Texas A&M or University of Texas.  Which would it be?  I applied to both, and received my UT letter first.  At the time I didn't know which school I wanted to attend, but when I got my UT letter with the stamp "accepted", I was disappointed.  That told me something.  About three weeks later (around late-October, early-November...I can't really remember but I do remember telling everyone at a football game), I got my letter to A&M.  I was over-the-moon excited.  While I don't remember all the details, I remember the feeling.

Being a First-Generation Aggie, I had no idea what to expect of this school.  I remember learning about traditions at Fish Camp, getting lost around campus, and meeting so many new people.  Maybe my love for Aggieland is the reason I have decided to turn getting a degree into a 10-year and 3-degree process. ;)  Aggieland introduced me to my dreams, showed me my passion for serving others, gave me my best friends, and sent me off into the world with a host of endlessly good memories.  Despite everything Aggieland has given me, the greatest experience I have had at A&M is Muster.  I cannot think of a more appropriate ending to such a tragic week in American history.  Today is a day I think all of America should take a page out of the Aggie Handbook.

The idea behind Muster is that you are honored at the time of your passing.  When a former student passes away, s/he is remembered at Muster as friends and family answer "Here" on the roll call when that person's name is read.  Today, I will answer "Here" for those who have left us this week from Boston and West.  While this week has reminded me that there is evil in this world, it has also inspired me by showing the graciousness and hope of humanity.  As a friend's Tweet so perfectly put it, "Days like these showcase a few psychos and countless heroes".

For all of those who have been sent home to our Father this week and this year, I answer "Here".

Wisdom-filled Weekend

1. Worry About Yourself

My bestie sent me this video, and the advice is perfect.  We should all do a little more of this. :) 

2. 10 Things I Hate About You

This movie came out and was an instant classic in the Hodges home growing up.  Words of wisdom that come from this movie were quoted on a regular basis (and continue to be today). 

1. "I know you can be overwhelmed and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?" 

2. "What are the two house rules? Number 1: No dating 'til you graduate. Number 2: No dating 'til you graduate." (Daddy's favorite)

3. "My fenders don't really whip me into a verbal frenzy."

4. "Whoops!?!? My insurance does not cover PMS!"

5. "You're 18. You don't know what you want, and you won't know what you want until you're 45." 

There are so many others. :) 

3. '09 is an "Old Ag"

Today, Jack and I were at the dog park, when Jack made friends with an Old Ag.  I started talking with the older gentlemen and he asked me what year I am.  I proudly responded, "'09!"  He seemed surprised and goes, "Oh, you're an oldie, too!"  While I didn't ask him his class year, I assume it is the 60s.  There is a huge difference between 60-something and '09!  When I asked my bestie when '09 became old, she replied "When the 2017 shirts came out!"  Doh!  Getting old is rough.  ;)

Sunday "Cant-Live-Withouts"

7:27am.

That's what time I woke up this morning.  On a Sunday.  Why?  No idea.  I didn't exactly go to bed early last night, but I'm still up.  I guess that means I have to be productive today (and possibly take a nap later). 

Due to the early start, I have some definite "Cant-Live-Withouts" that I figured I'd share.  Enjoy.  :)

1. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

I first heard this song on several trailers for new movies and fell in love with the sound.  After searching and discovering the song, I fell in love with the lyrics.  This band is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  In true Tracey fashion, I set this song to my alarm (it begins "I'm waking up") and get a real kick out of it starting my day.

2. Mocha Mint Coffee with Bailey's Irish Creamer

This is my all-time favorite coffee.  At Christmastime when it comes out, I stalk up for the year (my freezer is full of it).  I'm also a coffee-creamer connoisseur.  I especially love special creamers for each time of the year so my current favorite is Bailey's Irish Cream.  Combine the two and it's pure Heaven. 

3. Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

My apologies for not taking a picture.  To make up for it, I'll list out the [very simple] recipe.

1 chopped banana
handful of chopped strawberries
a couple spoonfuls of vanilla Greek yogurt
a handful of ice
some low-fat milk

Throw it all in the blender and mush to your liking! :)

4. Kindle Fire 

As a self-proclaimed tech-guru and a researcher focusing on technology, I'm always interested in the newest toy.  Currently, I really really really want a touch screen monitor to attach to my laptop (dare to dream).  Anyway, as an avid reader, I live by my Kindle.  I am always reading two books for fun, one on my Kindle and one hard copy.  I equally love both forms.  This morning, I was enjoying (or trying to enjoy) my latest Kindle book read (The Host by Stephenie Meyer - I'm 25% through and wouldn't recommend it as of right now). 

Growing Up

Tracey Quote of the Week: 

"I am the calmest person in my world these days.  Something is terribly wrong." 

You've probably noticed that the blog has a new, refreshed, updated look!  More importantly, most of the pages are updated as well.  After a conversation with my mama yesterday, I came to a very important and critical realization: I. am. growing. up.  When did this happen and how?  I'm not sure.  But I know it has happened.

Over the past week, multiple times, the quote above has come out of my mouth.  I used to think I was bat-crap crazy, barely functioning in society, and struggling to make people understand me.  This week, I've decided that I am one of the calmest and most easy-going people I know.  Things that used to drive me crazy, make me freak out, and drive everyone else bonkers about my personality have eased.  I am now the person uttering calming influences to the people around me.  What the hey happened? 

After explaining all the situations this week that would normally have driven me crazy to my mom, she looked at me and said, "wow, I'm impressed that you didn't freak out, too.  Those sound like optimal Tracey-freak-out moments."  I simply looked at her and replied, "well, if I freak out, that's not going to help matters.  I might as well stay calm and trust that it will all work out fine."  This is when the realization hit.  

Silver Linings of the Week:

I was asked to speak to a student organization.

A student I've been helping with writing wrote me a Winnie-the-Pooh card.

A friend brought me an oatmeal, chocolate chip cookie.

I got invited to present at a conference in July.

One of the sweet babies in my intervention study told me I was his favorite teacher.

I got to enjoy a Friday night off with a girls' night!

Three of my oldest and dearest friends sent me texts.

Life is good this week.  :) 

Humbled

It's been far too long since I have felt compelled to write for fun.  That was the purpose for which this blog was originally created - write inspiring, fun-filled posts that bring a smile to the face of whoever reads it.  Since starting graduate school full-time, I haven't got "that feeling" that lets me know I have a gem to write.  Conversations and events with the people in my life, however, have finally led me here after a six-month hiatus (I'll try not to let that happen again).

Yesterday, I was chatting with one of my graduate school colleagues (we call each other "colleagues" at this level, not classmates...a lesson I learned the embarrassing way).  Anyway, she described graduate school perfectly to one of the "muggles" (the outsiders who think "graduate school" means "extended college").  She said, "you know that feeling of not being caught up and being overwhelmed because you have so much to do?  That feeling you get the last week of the 6-weeks when grades are due and you're behind?  That is the feeling I have in graduate school every single day.  Even breaks.  Even holidays.  Especially weekends.  It never goes away."  I couldn't have said it better myself.  I laugh when someone asks me how my week or weekend was and I respond with "well, I was very productive and crossed a lot of items off my to-do list."  The person usually responds cheerfully, and says something to the effect of "wow, you must be really excited" or "I bet that feels good!"  Well, it might if crossing one item off didn't mean adding three more.  It really never stops, ends, or becomes easier though we tell ourselves it does.

Now, that last paragraph was not meant to be a rant, but I know it may seem that way; however, it is necessary to prove my next point.  This week, I was truly humbled.  Because of the feeling of graduate school (which a workaholic like myself preys upon for survival), I sometimes get into my own self too much and don't stop to think about what is going on in the "real world".  The following events each contributed to bringing me back down to Earth and out of my own bubble.

1. Reading my students journals:

Currently, I teach an undergraduate course in which my students are required to spend one entire day observing in a real K-12 classroom.  One of their assignments is to write each week about what they saw as it pertains to things they've learned about education.  The must also write each week about goals, successes, and gratitudes for the week.  The purpose of this exercise is to let them see that while they may be stressed and may experience some trying things as a teacher, they have many good things going for them.  I was amazed as I read what they wrote!  Overcoming illnesses, losing family members, facing struggles with finances, etc.  I could not believe that the positive, upbeat students I get to see for three hours each week have so much conflict, trauma, and pain in their lives.  Yet, the part that was truly inspiring was that they each found small victories each week to get them through these hardships.  When I reflect on my weeks, I'm truly thankful that many of the pains these students face are not ones that I encounter on a weekly basis.

2. Forced sunshine:

Sometimes, I miss the sun.  He wakes up after I do and goes to bed before I even get back home.  Our paths don't cross every day.  While I'm hunched over a computer typing away, working SPSS (statistics software), or reading like books are going out of style, he is enjoying his day, bringing vitamin D to the world.  On Friday, I was sitting in my office in the center of campus waiting for a student to come by for a one-on-one writing consulting meeting.  As soon as she got there and we got started talking about her writing, the fire alarm went off in the building with the robotic announcement, "There is a fire emergency.  Please evacuate immediately."  We did as we were instructed, and as I walked outside, I was struck by how beautiful the day was!  The student and I decided to sit on a bench overlooking the Century Tree so we could continue working and not waste the time.  It felt so good to sit outside on a day that was not too hot or too cold with the sun shining while helping a student with her writing.  And, as luck would have it, we also got to witness a proposal under the Century Tree!  (For all of you non-Aggies, the Century Tree is a huge tree in the center of campus that looks as if it has limbs growing out of the ground.  The tree's limb curve to make an arch that has a path and bench underneath it.  The superstition goes: If you walk under the tree with someone you love, you will marry that person; however, if you walk under the tree alone, you will be alone forever.  I'm not much for superstitions, but admit that I have never walked under the tree...)  Being forced outside by a fire emergency that turned out to be nothing reminded me to enjoy the sunshine more (I think it may have been the vitamin D talking, too).

3. Phone Calls:

Anyone who knows me knows I can talk forever...and will gladly do it.  I have never been a huge texter and often get annoyed that society requires me to type out my thoughts and feelings.  Honestly, until a sarcasm font is created, texting will hold little appeal for me.  Nonetheless, I text because time available for talking on the phone is just too limited.  On Saturday, I made a grand plan to complete all my grading and a few tasks that were past due (missing deadlines is also a feature of graduate school which drives me crazy!).  This plan was quickly interrupted by 4 consecutive phone calls from 4 of my favorite people.  How could I be upset, angry or annoyed that the people I love wanted to talk to me?  I couldn't.  The list did not get completed.  My grand plan failed.  But, I was rejuvenated because I was reminded that I have so much support and love in my life.  The old adage goes: What good is a life if you have no one to share it with?  Well, I have more than enough people to share my life with. :)

Life is crazy.  Graduate school is taxing and like no other amount of stress I could imagine.  However, this week, I am humbled beyond comparison at the blessings God has shown me.  Honestly, I've been a jerk for the past few months, and I think this revelation is just what I needed to get back to my positivity, optimism, and life by grace.  Thanks, Big Guy; you timed it perfectly!

-Tracey