Grit

I started my "read 25 new books" resolution with a bang this year -- three days into the new year and I've already knocked one out. And it wasn't a conscious decision, but I think it was the perfect book with which to start out a new year. It almost makes me want to change my 2017 word to Grit, but I think "Fearless" and "Grit" go hand-in-hand.

Anyway, this book. Incredible. Amazing. Fantastic read. I couldn't put it down. Five stars on GoodReads. 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. That last one is just for movies? Oh, well. At its core, this book is about how, in the long run, hard work takes you farther than talent. Effort counts twice. And that is something with which I resonate deeply. I've always, always believed in the power of hard work. I'm living proof of it. And before I go into my gritty anecdotes, please don't think that I've got a perfect grit score. Not even close. But for as long as I can remember, I've taken a lot of pride in being able to say I gave it my all, and that I have nothing left to give.

(Source)

I could probably take this idea back to my elementary school days, but for the sake of this post, I'll only go as far back as high school. I made straight A's in high school. I was in all the advanced classes, and I truly excelled. I was able to graduate as a "co-valedictorian" (because my school district has a very interesting ranking system). I had quite a few friends who were in the exact same boat. But some of them put in maybe 1/3 the amount of effort I put in to graduate with that medal around my neck.

And that's not to toot my own horn, rather, it's to say that I surrounded myself with some extraordinarily bright friends. I mean, we're talking scary smart. One of my best friends missed just two questions on the SAT. But I digress. I was the kid making straight A's, but I was also the kid who went to tutorials in the morning if I didn't understand something. And in Physics and Calculus, that was a lot of the time. When an APUSH test rolled around every couple of weeks, I was rereading the many textbook pages so that I could be fully absorb every piece of information. I did all of my homework, and then some. I was the flash card queen. I made good grades, but it certainly wasn't effortless. And I have zero regrets about how hard I worked in high school, from freshman year to senior year - I had a social life as well, I promise - because it instilled good habits in me when it came to college. But we'll get there.

Dirty SRDy study room memories

Another area in which grit came into play was volleyball. I don't know how much volleyball you've watched, but at the very least, you probably recognize how very tall most of the girls are. And if you don't know me personally, I'm simply of an average 5'5" height. Considered small in the volleyball world. I was a setter, meaning I was the one who set up the hitters so they could swing away and mark down a kill. Setters are the quarterback of the team, and I got to be a part of every single play. And I loved it. And I was a good setter. I met quite a bit of success throughout my career, and while I certainly wouldn't have played at a powerhouse like Texas or Penn State, I probably could have played somewhere collegiately had I chosen that route. 

Following the same pattern as my schoolwork, I worked very, very hard to become the player that I was. I drove 30 minutes each way, three times a week, to condition for 45 minutes, go through 30 minutes of setter training, and then two hours of team practice. And I did this for six years. That doesn't include the bi-monthly tournaments, nor does it include the hours I spent hitting the ball against the side of the house. My parents will tell you how much that cost. But I had a pretty mean serve because of it. It doesn't include the camps I was fortunate enough to attend, nor the private lessons I took in order to refine my skills. I once asked for a special setter ball for Christmas so that I could get more repetitions and strengthen my wrists while I was watching television.

Did I make mistakes? Absolutely. I made mistakes up until my very last game, but I didn't let them control me. I only let them motivate me to work even harder so that I wouldn't repeat them.

In college, when I was taking my first real English class as an official English major, I brought home a D on my very first paper. I had never even seen a grade that low on a piece of my writing, and I was absolutely crushed, as there was no way to recover from this grade and make an A in the class. Of course, my first thought was maybe that English wasn't the major for me. Maybe I wasn't as great a writer as I thought I was. And I wasn't. But that was the last time I saw a D on any one of my English papers. My Astronomy exams, now, that's a whole other story. Anyway, that poor grade motivated me to change my approach to the papers I was assigned. I began to write drafts, go to office hours, and go to the writing center, that semester and the remainder of my semesters. Eventually, I learned how to analyze text and develop my own voice, and the B+ I received in that first English class was the most proud I've ever been of a grade. Because of how hard I worked for it.

In one final personal example, let's talk running. You guys know that running has been a big part of my life for about six years now. Up until this past summer, I saw running as a way to stay in shape. I saw it as my time to think. And I enjoyed signing up for races as a way to challenge myself and push myself to run farther, but I had never pushed myself in terms of speed. In a sense, I never knew how good I could be at running. And at the beginning of this "deliberate running", we'll call it, I failed many a time. I mean we're talking, "Maybe I should quit running and take up Zumba" failure. It was hard. And it's still hard. And I still fail. But I have a purpose and a goal when I run. And while it may not always be fun (I'm talking to you, Thursday tempo runs), that deliberate practice is going to (hopefully) show on January 15th when I take on the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. I'm not the most talented runner. Not even close. Hard work just really, really matters.

This book stands out to me because I really and truly felt as though I was having a coffee (if I drank coffee, that is) with Mrs. Duckworth. It's personal, it's backed with an insane amount of research that actually makes sense to me, and I just can't stop thinking about it. Granted, I just finished reading it last night. But I think everyone should read it. It's applicable to so many aspects of life, and it certainly resonated with me in terms of running, but it really hit home for me as a high school teacher and coach. Particularly the idea of a fixed vs. growth mindset. This absolutely kills me, but for whatever reason, so many of my students are of the fixed mindset that "school just isn't for them," and I'll have players tell me, "I'm just not good at setting (or whatever skill)." Whatever the reason for that type of mindset, as we begin this spring semester, I want my students and players to develop a growth mindset. I want them to know that their "ability to learn is based on their effort, their hard work, and their dedication," not what they've been told in the past. I want them to take on the hard things, and push themselves beyond what they think they can do. I want them to challenge themselves beyond what they may believe to be possible. Failure isn't forever. Failure is motivation to get up and start again. To persevere and stick with it. So much of life is about effort. You have to ask yourself how badly you want something, and how hard you are willing to work to get it.

(Source)

The conclusion of this book is what really hit me. It reads, "To be gritty is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. To be gritty is to hold fast to an interesting and purposeful goal. To be gritty is to invest, day after week after year, in challenging practice. To be gritty is to fall down seven times, and rise eight." This book is challenging. This book is powerful. It fires me up, and it gives me hope. Like we were told when we were little kids, when we fall off our bikes, we've got to get back up and try again.

Currently: July Edition

Happy Sunday! I hope you have enjoyed a most wonderful weekend. I certainly did. Well, for the most part, but we'll get to that! I was fairly productive in terms of crossing things off my to-do list - got my bike fixed (I have this grand plan of biking to school when the weather cooperates), watched the gymnastic Olympic trials, whipped up a batch of delicious banana oatmeal zucchini muffins - recipe to come, celebrated National Sugar Cookie Day with funfetti cookies, 

Girls just wanna have fun(fetti)

grabbed one of my favorite lunches (and pre-race day fuel) in town at Black Walnut Cafe with Sarah, 

spent time reading and hanging with my precious pup, 

and today, I ran 13.04 miles in Navasota, Texas. And that's where the "for the most part" comes in. Where to begin? First of all, this was my very first time running a trail race, and for my trail race debut, I decided 13.04 miles in the middle of a Texas July was a great option. Turns out, it wasn't. And I'm going to be honest. This was about the most miserable race I think I have ever run. And I can credit that one to myself entirely. Trail running is a heck of a lot different than pavement running, and while I naively thought my Rice Jogging Trail and Hermann Park runs would aid me in my training, boy was I ever wrong. I had to run through mud and dirt and sand (yeah, my calves are already feeling it), over rocks and tree roots (in true Kelli fashion, I took a spill), uphill and downhill and uphill and downhill, and I was thoroughly under-prepared. Though to be fair, I am not entirely sure what I would do differently, except do some hill training, and practice running through sand.

My shoes got heavier and heavier by the lap

So, with all of that, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I really didn't have any fun running this three-loop race. But then again, perhaps my first trail race should have been a distance shorter than 13 miles. After a successful 10 miles last weekend, I thought this would be no sweat. Oh, it was sweat. Lots and lots of sweat. And while I just spent a good length of this post complaining, I'm grateful. Grateful for two legs that allow me to run, grateful for cloud cover, as opposed to adding the fierce rays of sunshine into the mix, grateful for the encouraging community of runners who sent nothing but kind words my way when I so badly wanted to stop, grateful for volunteers at the aid stations, grateful for a truly beautiful course, and I'm grateful for my competitive spirit, because everything in me wanted to quit after two loops, telling myself I'd be satisfied with 8.5ish miles. But I know myself, and I know that I set out to run 13 of them, and while I have yet to move from the couch, and the only thing I can stomach right now are Saltines and Gatorade, and this feeling of accomplishment is more than worth it. Though I may not be signing up for another trail race anytime soon!

Very ashamed of this mirror pic, but here I am post-race

Anyway, it is Sunday, which means it's time for a survey. I love filling out these "Currently" surveys. And the best part is, even if I have done it before, it's called "Currently," so it changes on the reg. Well, some of it, anyway.

• Currently Cooking…

Quinoa. They tell you not to eat anything you can’t pronounce, but I feel as though quinoa is a good exception to that rule.

h 

Quinoa salad with salmon from Hungry's

• Currently Anticipating… 

The release of J.K. Rowling’s newest book – The Cursed Child. I CAN’T WAIT!

You better believe I'll be dressing up for the midnight release

• Currently Listening To…

I wish I could say that I was listening to some cool podcast series - perhaps I should get into Serial? - but I'm not. The only podcasts I listen to are past church services that I may have missed. That being said, if you have any podcast suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I need something to keep me occupied on my daily walks with Mack.

• Currently Craving…

There are a couple of things in life that I will never turn down – Chocolate and sweet potato fries. And while I typically eat chocolate every day, sweet potato fries are an every-once-in-a-while indulgence for me. But I always eat all of them (and then some) every single time.

• Currently Drinking…

Water, water, and a little bit of Gatorade. With these crazy temperatures and my crazy running schedule, I have to make triple sure that I stay hydrated. I am rarely seen without my 40oz. Hydro Flask, and I refill it four or five times a school day. Perks of teaching summer school means I have access to the lounge water dispensers. It’s the little things, people.

• Currently Day Dreaming About…

My next vacation! I’ve got both Machu Picchu and Italy on the brain. And you know I’m not afraid to just board a plane and go.

(Source)

• Currently Indulging In…

Dark chocolate. Always. Every single day.

Taza is my favorite brand of chocolate -- so far, I can only find it at Central Market

• Currently Avoiding…

Checking my bank account. With summer comes more free time, which means I’m more likely to eat out or go shopping without giving much thought to the possible repercussions. Whoops. Perks of staying busy during the school year, I guess.

• Currently Needing…

To get my eyebrows waxed. To do the district online trainings. To do my usual Sunday food prep. To get my car washed (okay, and taken care of from when I backed into a pole). Yikes! I better get busy!

• Currently Coveting…

Hmm, I don't know! I guess I'm not "coveting" anything, but I am on the hunt for a new teacher bag. Okay, I haven't really looked that hard, but I will be on the lookout for one. It's something I treat myself to every year. 

• Currently Loving…

S U M M E R ! Okay, I have been teaching summer school, and volleyball never really ends, but the fact that I was able to spend three weeks in Argentina, doing absolutely anything my heart desired, and the fact that I’m able to cross things off of my “Houston Bucket List” without any feelings of guilt is one of my favorite things about summer vacation. And you certainly can’t beat lazy afternoons on the couch with the pup.

• Currently Reading…

The Shining by Stephen King. This is actually my first time reading a Stephen King novel, and while it’s not what I typically read, I’m pretty pumped about it. And then I can finally watch the movie.

• Currently Watching…

I never have a show that I’m currently watching, mainly because I never have a show that I can consistently watch from week to week. Especially now that volleyball season is just a couple of weeks away, and I don’t have DVR. I know, I’m probably the only person in the history of ever without it. But I can't tear myself away from the Olympic Trials, and this is only going to get worse when the actual Olympics begin!

And on that note, I'm off to park it on the couch for the rest of the day. And maybe cross some things off of that "need to do" list. Or maybe not. There's always tomorrow!

Things I'm Loving Friday XLV

And now that I've officially decided that I'm back on my blogging game, I am pulling one of my fitnessandfroyo traditions way out of vault - Things I'm Loving Friday, which is where I share with my faithful readers (seriously, you have to be really faithful if you're still following me at this point) some of the things I'm currently loving.

The Five-Minute Journal
I bought this in a moment of weakness while perusing Paper Source in Highland Village. Note to self: Never go to Paper Source (or Target, for that matter) without a purpose. But I don't think this purchase was necessarily a bad one. In fact, I know it wasn't. And I love writing and journaling, but sometimes it's hard to find the time to really sit down and commit myself to it. Which is where the five-minute part comes in. And I love that it allows me to set goals, celebrate the big and small in every day, and give myself daily affirmation -- something I'm not entirely comfortable doing. Life gets busy, but we all have five minutes to put toward our overall happiness and mindset.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar
I know that I have previously posted about the deliciousness that is Hopdoddy. However, this time I got to enjoy my favorite burger without having to drive all the way to Austin. Though I did still have to wait in an epic line. But I digress. Hopdoddy officially opened its Houston doors in the hoity toity (and I say that in the nicest way possible) River Oaks District at the very end of May, and my brother and I built up our appetites while waiting in the hour+ long line, only to leave with happy hearts and happy stomachs. I don't know what it is, but I think the fresh ingredients and careful attention to every single burger has something to do with it. And for all my vegetarian friends out there - there is always a veggie option on the menu. And I hear the spiked milkshakes are to die for.

Greek for me, and Buffalo Bill for Daniel

Soul Cycle
I took my first Soul Cycle class while visiting my cousin in New York City last summer, and I don't know how much I actually enjoyed it. To start, it was my first cycling class in close to a year. And then you have to factor in the fact that I was taking this class with a bunch of glamorous New Yorkers (who apparently don't work) who take this class on a daily basis. And their legs were moving SO FAST. I thought I was in shape. But I can't deny that it was an addictive party-on-a-bike, calorie-burning, total-body workout. And just like Hopdoddy, it has finally arrived in Houston.  Now I'm just trying to figure out how I can possibly afford to take these classes on a semi-regular basis. Help a teacher out, will ya?

Acai Bowls
Some of you were probably rolling your eyes at the mention of Soul Cycle. I'm falling into the latest trend, right? Well, acai bowls are right on up there with Soul Cycle. But I don't even care how "basic" this makes me because acai bowls are dang tasty, healthy, filling, and refreshing on a hot summer's day. What is an acai bowl, you ask? It's basically a smoothie in a bowl. And acai is actually a berry popular in South America, but its health benefits - and great taste - have intrigued the rest of the world. Acai bowls are plentiful here in Houston, but they will cost you a pretty penny. And you can certainly make them from the comfort of your own home, but getting the right consistency is absolutely key. My favorite acai bowl spots? Tout Suite and Sustain Juicery.

A Man Called Ove
I can't remember if I wrote about this, but I set a 2016 reading goal for myself: 25 books. And impressively enough, I'm over halfway there. Which is great, because we're officially halfway done with 2016 (how?), and my pace is sure to slow once volleyball season hits. And while I've surprisingly loved every book that I've read this summer, I absolutely devoured this one. I mean, I was quietly wiping away tears on a bus in Argentina as I finished. It's an absolutely beautiful novel, and one of my favorite quotes was one that stopped me in my tracks, and made me realize just how precious our time with other people really is.

“...all people at root are time optimists. We always think there's enough time to do things with other people. Time to say things to them. And then something happens and then we stand there holding on to words like 'if'.”

And that's that. I hope you guys have a most wonderful holiday weekend planned. I love celebrating the Fourth of July, and while I usually find myself somewhere other than Houston, I'm more than content staying close to home - hanging with my family, friends, pup, and maybe trying out a couple of new recipes. Stay tuned!

July 4th, 2015 -- Town Lake

Things I'm Loving Friday XLII

Happy Friday from Bush Intercontinental Airport! It is nice and early, though after a week of early wake-ups, it wasn't devastatingly difficult to drag myself out of bed in the three o'clock hour. And it made it even easier to know that I was waking up early so that I could board a plane to New York City, as opposed to spending seven plus hours inside a gym. Not that I don't enjoy coaching volleyball. But the younger ones will try at your patience. Elementary and middle school teachers are saints, and that's all I have to say about it. 

Eagle Pride Never Dies (but those tie-dye orange socks should be laid to rest)

Anyway, I don't know how much I'll be blogging throughout the course of this trip, but I would like to keep things semi-regular around here, so let's get going with another round of Things I'm Loving.

Run Hundred
I'm going to have to do a bit of adjusting to my running regimen. Though they are not prohibited, I learned that headphones are discouraged while on the Houston Fit training runs. And while I may not be wearing headphones on my Saturday runs, I'll certainly be wearing them for and and all other runs. And if you're anything like me, you get bored listening to the same songs run after run after run. Run Hundred is here to remedy that by sending music recommendations straight to your inbox. Each month you'll get an email with the month's top 10 workout songs, and a couple of times a month you'll receive emails with new or different workout music. It doesn't clog up your inbox, it keeps things fresh, and it will help motivate you to keep running. Because let's be real, sometimes the music coming through my headphones is the only thing that's getting me to put one foot in front of the other.

Cooked Broccoli and Hummus
Forget raw broccoli. I've never much liked it. But cooked broccoli? I'm all over it. And you guys know I'm a huge hummus fan. So imagine my delight when I combined cooked broccoli with fresh, homemade hummus. I actually got the idea from a fellow coach working Rice camps, and I am officially obsessed. I have a feeling this combination will be making a regular appearance in my school lunches - after all, it's the little things that get you through the day. And I now have so many potential recipes running through my mind. Cheers to snacks that are both healthy and delicious!

(Source)

The Defining Decade
Before I had finished rereading To Kill a Mockingbird, and prior to beginning Go Set a Watchman, I picked up The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter - and How to Make the Most of Them Now. Try saying that five times fast. I came across this book while reading another blog, and I went ahead and ordered a copy from Amazon, seeing as I'm currently in my twenties, and I feel as though I've got a lot to learn. I didn't expect to finish this book as quickly as I did, but once I got started, I couldn't stop. And I wish I had read this book prior to beginning my real, big-girl job. Because then I would have known that it's absolutely normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed at work. Because that means you're being challenged, and you're not working a job for which you are overqualified. I figured that out - eventually - but it would have made those first few months loads easier. I plan on doing a full review of this book, but if you are currently in your twenties, have kids in their twenties, or interact with anybody in their twenties, I absolutely recommend giving this book a read.

Luna Minis

I’ve posted about Luna Bars on the blog before. I go through phases with them – I’ll eat them obsessively, and then forget about them for a couple of months. Right now I'm on the obsessive phase. I brought a huge bag of them with me to Cozumel, and I've got a few packed away with me on this trip to New York. When a full-sized Luna Bar is too much, the Luna Mini is just what I need. A small but staying snack to hold me over and give me some energy. I make regular Target runs, and when I'm there, I make sure to pick up a package of Luna Minis - a combination of Chocolate Dipped Coconut and Peppermint Stick. They're perfect for "life's little adventures," and you won't hear me complaining about squeezing some healthy chocolate into my day. 

Eating Healthy at Fast Food Restaurants
I stray away from fast food restaurants. In fact, I never choose to eat at them. But sometimes, fast food is the only option. Like when you're riding a charter bus from Houston, Texas to Fraser, Colorado with a bunch of high school juniors. They're in heaven. I'm already feeling gross because I've already spent so many hours sitting on a bus, and greasy fast food is the last thing I want to eat. But fear not! There are healthy(ish) options out there! Eating fast food does not have to be detrimental. And this article outlines some of the best fast food options out there.

My fast food of choice (Source)

And I'll see you guys from New York! Wish me luck navigating a city that is going to go way over my head!

Change of Plans

Hump Day! How it's already Wednesday is beyond me, but I'll roll with it. I spent much of today sitting down with my pull-out map of New York City and mapping out all of the sights, places, and restaurants I have on my New York City To-Do List. Okay, I spent about 30 minutes on it before heading to the pool to tan. But I'm really not familiar with the city at all, and while I am not going to plan out every minute, rather, I am going to see where the city takes me, I want to have some of my bearings about me. It's all about maximizing the time I've got. Besides, I'm well aware that I will be a tourist, but I don't want to scream tourist. I can be a New Yorker. Though the non-New York accent might give me away.

Breakfast

This week, we're back to the old tried and true breakfast of scrambled egg whites and spinach. A grocery store trip has been on my list for a couple of days now, but I just don't have it in me to sit down, make a list, and then execute said list. I've gone with some old favorites this week instead of being adventurous and trying something new. Next week is my week. I promise.

Workout

I was beginning to think we were never going to have a full day of sun around here, but when I woke up and checked the weather on my phone, I was pumped to see sunshine nearly ALL DAY LONG! I knew a long swim would be in the books for today, and then I plopped myself down on a lawn chair and pulled out my most recent read - Jon Krakauer's Missoula. It's quite an intense read, and really unlike anything I've read before, but I saw it on display at Barnes & Noble when buying a Father's Day present for my dad, and since my Kindle officially tapped out on me while I was in Cozumel, I plucked this one off the shelves. Krakeuer's Into the Wild is on my summer reading list, but if I don't get to that one, I figure another book by the same author fits the bill just fine. My list, my rules.

Lunch

After slicing through the pool, and then sweating my way through my book, I was more than ready for lunch. Not wanting to whip up anything too complicated, because I was pretty hungry right then, I settled on an old favorite - my dairy-free vegetable-filled pizza. I've actually shared this recipe on the blog before, what feels like many moons ago, but I'll be sure and share an updated recipe for those who might want to recreate this deliciousness. Full of veggies, and I would have added dairy-free cheese had I been in possession of it, this pizza is really whatever you want it to be. It absolutely hit the spot, and I have a feeling this will be making a regular appearance in my diet this summer. It makes for a most perfect lunch, and though I haven't yet been, I think I give the custom pizzas at Mod Pizza a run for their money.

Chevron Houston Marathon

Remember this post from a couple of months ago? That announced I was planning to run my very first marathon in 2016? Well, I am still planning on running a marathon in 2016, but I'm moving my run date up about six weeks. Instead of running the Aramco Houston Half Marathon for the second year in a row, I am going to be running in the Chevron Houston Marathon. That's right - 26.2 miles through my beloved city. This was actually the dream all along, but I worried that between the start of school and volleyball season, I wouldn't have time to adequately train. Because if I'm going to run a marathon, I'm going to do it right. Or at least to the best of my ability. And that means not stepping up to the starting line feeling as though I could have prepared better.

When I first announced my decision to run a marathon, I received more than a few comments encouraging me to either get a running buddy or to join a running group. I went with the latter, because while I love running for the alone time I get, I know that I'm going to need the camaraderie and motivation that comes from running with a group. You are a special person if you can get out there and run 20+ miles all on your own. Because nine miles is about all you will be able to squeeze out of me. And that's why I am now an official member of Houston Fit. Their winter season begins on July 11th, and it lasts 26 weeks until, you guessed it, the Chevron Houston Marathon. I was going to join a running group regardless of the race I ran, but because this one culminates with the Houston race, I figure, what the heck. This race is preferable for a number of reasons - the time of year being my number one concern. The Woodlands Marathon takes place in March, which is a risky time in Texas. Really, any time of year in Texas is risky, but at least there's a greater chance of having cooler weather in January. I may be absolutely freezing at the start of a race, but it takes me all of .25 seconds to start sweating once I've started running. So a January run is right up my alley.

After running - and loving - the Aramco Houston Half, I could not be more excited to be doubling that distance as a participant in the Chevron Houston Full. Am I nervous? Of course! Whenever I cross the finish line of a half marathon, I am always thankful that I don't have to run yet another 13 miles. Well, it looks like I'm going to be one of those crazy people this time, because 26.2 miles seem to be calling my name. And what better place to do it than the city in which I grew up? I've grown up knowing and watching and dreaming of this marathon, so to finally be one of those runners is a dream come true. Remind me of these happy feelings when I hit a wall at mile 20.

(Source)

And though I can't officially change my entry until August 1st, I'm counting on the fact that I'll be able to easily make the switch. I spoke with a marathon representative just yesterday, and he assured me that it's as simple as filling out a form, and paying a fee, of course. And once I get going with Houston Fit, I'll be sure to give you guys a full recap. I've only ever heard good things, and I'm not surprised. A whole group of people who love running? Yeah, I can get in on that.

Things I'm Loving Friday XXXVI

Dang it, guys. I was on such a streak with Things I'm Loving Friday. And then last week, with the excitement of finishing my first year of teaching, I just couldn't find the energy to post. All faculty and staff were required to be at school on Friday - to fill out our check out sheets (and run around like a crazy person trying to get those signatures), to pack up our classrooms so the janitorial staff can wax the floors, and to attend a most delicious luncheon so generously hosted by the Bellaire PTO. 

But, I'm making a comeback this week. And hopefully that's the only Friday that I miss. 

Hugo's
It would have made such sense if I had actually posted last week, because it's now been a couple of weeks since I first visited the deliciousness that is Hugo's. We actually didn't mean to go to Hugo's. Our original intent was to go to Brick and Spoon, but the wait time was an hour and a half and there was no way I could commit to that. We meandered down the road to Hugo's, and I sure am glad we did. We hit the Sunday brunch scene, which I give an undisputed five stars. It was a bit on the pricey end for a buffet, but it was more than worth, in my opinion. The meat was so tender, and though I wasn't always entirely sure what I was eating, I just couldn't stop. Combine that with their famous blackberry mimosa, and I was one happy camper.

All the Bright Places
Y'all. This book was ah-mazing. I know I briefly mentioned it in this post, but I want to be sure to give it the recognition it deserves. I actually bought it on impulse, when I made a Target trip during a long STAAR-monitoring break, and I couldn't pass up strolling through the book section. The cover admittedly caught my eye, and though it falls under the YA category, but I absolutely recommend it to anyone - parents, teachers, and of course, students. It is such a raw depiction of teenage depression, suicide, and loneliness, among other topics, which are very real things that affect the lives of high school students. I saw it every day and it absolutely broke my heart. Not a lot of books tackle these subjects, but this one does it so incredibly well. While this will only resonate with you if you have read the story, I would love to have all of next year's kiddos write down all of their "bright places" on sticky notes and stick them on a designated spot in the room.

92-Year-Old Marathon Runner
If this isn't the most inspirational story you've heard in a while, I don't know what is.
The first thought that went through my mind when I saw this on the news? If she can do it, I can do it. Not that I'm taking anything away from her, because my Granny was movin' and groovin' right up until the very end. But you better believe I will be thinking of North Carolina's Harriete Thompson as I train for and complete my first marathon in March. Running to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society - she's also a cancer survivor - Mrs. Thompson is the oldest woman to complete a marathon, and last year she set a record in her age group. She is an inspiration to many, and she proves that there are absolutely no excuses when it comes to getting your sweat on.

(Source)

Running Late
Up front you are warned that this article may offend some people. And maybe this portion of my post will offend some people, too. But if you guys have been reading fitnessandfroyo with any sort of regularity, y'all know that tardiness is hands down my biggest pet peeve. And not only because I hate the thought of wasting time, but because running late is rude, selfish, and inconsiderate. This article articulates it a lot better than I ever could, but to keep people waiting past a time that was originally agreed upon? Even if it's just dinner. Because then you're building these bad habits, and what happens when you show up late to a work meeting, time after time after time? Of course, there are unavoidable issues, and I am certainly guilty of running late myself. But I can probably count those times on one hand. So next time you have a plan to meet someone, be truly honest about how long it's going to take you to get ready. And be truly honest about how long it's going to take you to get there.

(Source)

The Book Thief

Okay, I'm going to go total English teacher on you guys and review two books. I recently finished Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief, after hearing rave reviews from just about everyone. I actually borrowed a copy from a teacher at school before heading out for summer vacation, and I'm not sure that I want to give it back. (To be fair, I did lend him my copy of the first Harry Potter book, and something tells me it may not make it back from Vietnam.) Anyway, if you haven't read this book, do yourself a favor and pick it up right now. Set in World War II Germany, this novel immediately draws you in because it is narrated by Death. And while it could certainly be a morbid, depressing book, it isn't. Humor runs throughout the novel, there are glimpses of hope weaved into many of the pages, and love is such a prominent theme. Words can't do this book justice, but I feel as though everyone should pick this one up and give it a read. 

(Source)

Have a fabulous Friday! I'm off to get in a little bit of exercise before doing a little bit of baking, a little bit of packing, and running a few errands here and there. I planned to get a little bit more done yesterday than I actually did, but a most wonderful happy hour with some of my Stratford America faithfuls took precedence over anything else I might have crossed off my to-do list. Those high school friends are just good for the soul, and they can be all the motivation you need to put make-up on for the first time in a while.

Lately I've Been

Hello, hello! I hope you guys are enjoying a long weekend - if you get one! - and appreciate the fact that you don't have to go to work or school tomorrow. While I'm simply administering finals this last week (and by that, I mean reading, surfing the web, and making sure my kids remain somewhat under control), I'm always grateful for a long weekend. I'm going to be spending much of my Memorial Day in the kitchen, baking sweet treats for my teacher friends, but that won't stop me from thinking of the men and women who have made, and who continue to make, the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Anyway, I saw this survey over on Julie's blog, and I decided it would make for the perfect Survey Sunday. I managed to find a few more surveys, so this tradition will continue on for at least a few more weeks! Then I'll have to start getting creative. 

Lately I've Been ...

Making: Granola. I’ve pinned a handful of granola recipes, and I just can’t get enough of it lately. Now that I’ve been making my own, store-bought granola just isn’t doing it for me.

Cooking: I haven’t been doing much cooking lately, I’ll admit. I’ve actually been eating out quite a bit more than I usually do, but I’ve been looking into some different recipes using quinoa, and I’m itching for summer to be here so that I can give them a try. Heck, I might even try one of them this upcoming week. What else am I supposed to do when I get home from work at 11:00am?

Drinking: Water. Always water. I have to laugh because in between every class period I run over to the English lounge to refill my water bottle (and go to the bathroom, as a direct result of drinking so much water). I don’t know what I’m going to do without that cold, endless supply of water this summer!

Reading: I plan on covering this more on my next Things I’m Loving Friday post, but All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I absolutely devoured this book, and I gave it five stars on Goodreads.

 

(Source)

Wanting: I’m going to steal Julie’s answer on this one – another good book to read. None of the books on my Summer Reading List are speaking to me right now, and I think I might tackle The Book Thief, a book I’ve been meaning to read for a couple of years now, but just haven’t managed to open.

Looking: Forward to my trip to Cozumel with Cheyney! As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve never been to Mexico, and I’ve certainly never been scuba diving. And with all of this rainy and gloomy weather we’ve been experiencing, I’m more than ready to see a little sunshine.

 

We'll shed our skates for flippers

Playing: Music off of my Spotify “Fun Music” playlist. Which is basically just a collection of all the songs I have on Spotify. Summer goal – organize my music into more specific playlists.

Wasting: Space at school. Seriously. These last two weeks of school have honestly been a whole lot of nothing. Don’t get me wrong – I finished up Romeo and Juliet with my students, and they got to tell me about how dumb they found the two cheeseballs, and I reviewed for the final exam, but as I mentioned on Friday, I’ve also been putting in a movie here and there. You know it’s the end of the year when you walk up and down the hall and almost every classroom is dark with students watching a movie.

Wishing: The Rockets would get their act together and actually win a game (or two or three or FOUR).

Enjoying: Fountain of Health Hummus. With the recent Sabra recall, I was forced to abandon my usual brand of hummus in favor of a new-to-me brand. Luckily, this one fits the bill, and I might even like it better. It's perfect when paired with my go-to after-school snack of carrots and celery.

Waiting: For SUMMER! It’s been a long time coming. But I’m so thankful for a job that still gives me one!

 

Nothing better than summer sunsets

Liking: Hill training. Call me crazy, but there’s something special about seeing things from a little bit higher up than usual.

Wondering: How in the world I’m going to train for a marathon. Please – send tips, tricks, advice, and encouragement my way!

Loving: The quinoa and salmon combination. I’ve had it three times in the past week and I’m not even close to tired of it.

Hoping: To plan an Austin trip soon. Just the other day I got a random craving for about four different Austin restaurants. And I realized it’s been far too long since I’ve visited one of my favorite cities.

Needing: A massage. After my first year in the real world, I don’t even want to know how tense my shoulders must be.

Wearing: Nike shorts, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes. Classic Kelli outfit.

Following: Though Monday was the finale, I must admit that I was following the most recent season of Dancing With the Stars. I was bummed when Nastia was eliminated prior to the finale (I have an Olympic gymnastics obsession), but the final three were all extremely talented. I was talking television shows with a co-worker, and when I brought that one up he asked me, “What, are you 80?” Okay, okay.

 

(Source)

Noticing: Just how bad the potholes are in Houston. If you are not a Houston resident, this does not pertain to you, but shoot, some of our major streets are a huge issue.

Knowing: That I work with some of the best people. As this school year comes to a close, I realize that I really couldn’t have survived my first year without them.

Thinking: That as much as my seventh period disappoints me, and as horrible as they act toward me sometimes, I act about ten times worse toward Jesus, and still I’m given grace upon grace. Though I said goodbye to my seventh period on Friday (praises!), I hope to carry that reminder with me into the start of the next school year. So many of these kids just need a little bit of love. Tough love, but still love.

Feeling: Relieved. We received an email with our students’ STAAR results on Friday, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw. It is comforting to know that maybe, just maybe, I’m getting through to some of them! It makes all the hard work and stress worth it.

Bookmarking: I don’t really bookmark many sites, but I’ll let you guys in on what I’ve been pinning lately. A whole lot of cookie recipes, and quite a few waffle recipes. And actually, a few teacher ideas are sprinkled in here and there.

Opening: Email after email after email. Lately, both my school and my personal inboxes have been flooded. Granted, many of the emails I’ve received on my personal account are trash, and many of the emails I’ve received on my school account are fun banter with other teachers, but I’m struggling to keep up!

Fitnessandfroyo out. Enjoy your Sunday!