Things I'm Loving Friday LV

Happy Friday! Whew, this is my first full week at work in two weeks thanks to my brother's Aggie Ring Day and Good Friday, and I am wiped out! Add in the fact that I graded 48 character transformation essays in a 24-hour period, as well as did quite a bit of work for our Romeo and Juliet unit, I am more than ready to wind down and relax in order to get ready for yet another full week. It's like I think the spring semester is going to be a lot more chill than the fall because I'm without the busyness (word?) of volleyball season and STAAR is officially in my rearview mirror, but that's never actually the case. When will I learn? Anyway, I've officially began reading Romeo and Juliet in two of my classes, and while I'm always super nervous to start, I quickly remember why I love teaching Shakespeare. Besides, my students get a kick out of all the sex and drug references that are made throughout the play.

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But for now, enjoy another round of Things I'm Loving Friday!

Eating Disorders and Running
I listened to this podcast on one of my early morning walks with Mack, and it held my attention the entire time. And I think I've mentioned before that I'm not much of a podcast person. But this one focused on a topic that is near and dear to me: running, and it also focused on another topic that maybe isn't so easy to talk about: eating disorders and disordered eating. While I've never had an official eating disorder, I've definitely had my fair share of food and exercise struggles. Who hasn't, right? In this podcast, a couple of Runner's World employees, as well as a former NCAA All-American runner at Michigan State sit down and open up about their own personal experiences with disordered eating, as well as its prevalence within the sport. It's something I struggle with every single day -- I am such an active person, running and walking many miles every single day. And I know enough to know that if I want to be the best runner that I can be, I have to fuel my body. The fear of weight gain is always there, but ultimately my desire to reach my highest potential is greater. This is a fantastic listen for ANY athlete who may struggle with this same sort of issue.

Hilly 10K followed by Blue Bell ice cream

Find the Good -- Heather Lende
A poster for this book caught my eye while leaving the University of Washington bookstore over spring break, so I made a mental note to check it out once I got back to where I was staying and could put a little bit of juice back into my phone. This book is small, but it's full of meaningful messages. The author is an obituary writer in a small town in Alaska, which, after reading this book, I find to be a super interesting job. We know how easy it is to harp on the negatives -- the news is full of it, and sometimes life just doesn't quite go our way. I know I'm one to complain a little bit too often at times, but this book stopped me in my tracks. We are all writing our obituaries every single day, and we have the chance to change our story and find the good in anything that may be thrown our way. A quick, uplifting, wisdom-filled read that leaves you feeling as bright as the book's cover.

Thirteen Reasons Why -- Jay Asher
Because I'm around high schoolers every single day of my life, this show has been all I've heard about for the past week or so. I mean, my students are obsessed with this Netflix original series. And while I can't vouch for the television series, I will talk about the book. I actually read it for the first time when I was in high school, and I can honestly remember not really loving it as much as I did the second time around. I think I didn't get as much out of it when I was a high school student because, as ashamed as I am to admit the fact that I was stuck inside my own little bubble of happiness, I didn't actually think that was something that could happen where I lived. Which is silly and naive, but you better believe I found it to be incredibly powerful as a high school teacher. While I have no doubt that the show is a little bit cheesy, I think it's the storyline that really packs the punch. What may seem harmless and funny to you may actually have a huge - negative - impact on another person. And those things can pile up. Unfortunately these feelings and emotions that Hannah Baker, the main character in the book and show, are all too real to so many teenagers, and it's so important to step back and think about the impact -- either positive or negative -- your words or actions may have.

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Jordan Hasay
This girl is my new hero. She is a 25-year-old first time marathon runner who was the third (first American) female finisher at the 2017 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:23. I mean, WHAT! That is absolutely unreal to me, and after doing a little bit of stalking (okay, a solid hour after school on Wednesday -- I have no shame here), she seems like the most humble, hard-working, down-to-earth, speed demon of a young lady who was made to run the marathon. Not even three weeks before Boston, she raced her way to a 1:07 half marathon finish in Prague, and she did all of this just five months after losing her mother unexpectedly. She gave a very emotional post-race interview, and I am excited to watch her running career continue to take off.

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Uh Oh -- Junior Doctor
If you are not familiar with the Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify, go make yourself familiar with it. Spotify is one of the best investments I have made (okay, maybe that my parents make but that's because I signed up for it when I was still on their paycheck, shhh), and while the weekly playlist can either be hit or miss, occasionally I find a song that I just jam to on repeat. It doesn't matter if I'm on the way to school, doing my weekly meal prep, cleaning, or running, I can listen to it over and over without getting sick of it. This is one of those songs. It's just so incredibly catchy, and I find myself cranking the volume every time this one comes up on shuffle. Or every time I put it on repeat. But I digress. It's upbeat, energetic, and has that cheesy "happy first love vibe" to it. It's definitely not a new song, but I find some of my favorite music discoveries are actually rediscoveries.

Momentum Motivate Wraps
If you haven't noticed by now, I am such a sucker for cheesy quotes. I know many will roll their eyes, but I take many of them to heart. So, when I saw on my Instagram explore page (it's getting semi-creepy how much social media knows us) an avid runner showing off one of these bracelets featuring one of my favorite quotes, I thought it was fate when I saw it at my local Fleet Feet just a few weeks later. It feels just like a ponytail holder, but it gives me that little bit of added motivation when I look down and see it during a run. This is one of my go-to in-my-head quotes these days, as I have set my sights on the 2019 Boston Marathon. And half the battle is believing that I can do it. These wraps are made for active people (therefore, they can handle sweat), and they come in many colors and sayings. Guarantee you'll find one that fits your personality and mindset.

And with that, I'm off to school for what will hopefully be a fantastic Friday. Have a great one!

A New Year

It's New Years Eve. Surprise! Just kidding, I am more than sure that you already knew that. But just in case you didn't, now you know. And with a new year comes reflection and looking ahead, and thinking about all of the things that you want this new year to bring with it. I for one will be sad to see 2014 go - with all of its adventures and learning experiences and new opportunities and laughter and answered prayers and challenges and so much more. It's been one heck of a year, as I have mentioned over and over again, and though there were certainly both ups AND downs throughout the entire year, and it maybe didn't end the way I expected it to (but when does life ever go according to plan?), I'll still chalk 2014 up to being one of the very best yet. That being said, however, I am excited to ring in 2015, and see what surprises it holds. I could go back and wrap up all that 2014 brought me, but I feel as though I've done that quite a lot lately, so I'll spare you that trip down memory lane, though it would certainly be a good one.

I have no complaints, no regrets, and no sadness when I look back at this year. Because I put a lot into it, and I got a whole heck of a lot out of it. I will cherish every single memory that was made, every laugh that I laughed, every tear that I cried, every decision that was made, every change that happened, every moment spent with friends and family, and so much more. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world, and I have so much to look forward to, and because what would a new year be without some new resolutions, I'll share a few of mine with you.

I want to love bigger, and I want to tell people how much they mean to me. I want to show love through my actions, and I want to be a source of encouragement to other people.

I want to try new things - things that scare me, things that I might have otherwise brushed off, things that might be out of my comfort zone. That includes signing up for a sand volleyball league, because that is so out of my comfort zone and will help me to meet new people, something that isn't always easy for me.

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I want to continue to be active, and that means running 2,015 in 2015. Before you look at me like I'm crazy, I am going to do this challenge, inspired by Run the Edge, with my friend Amira. Because running 2,105 miles on your own means running approximately 5.5 miles a day, and let's be honest, we all know I'm not going to stick to that, running 1007.5 miles apiece seems much more manageable. That comes out to about 2.75 miles a day, which also won't happen, but a 6-mile run here and there takes care of a couple of days. I love a good challenge, and this will certainly challenge me.

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I want to find an organization that means a lot to me, and become an active volunteer. Lately I've been thinking a lot about Girls on the Run, because running is something that is such a huge part of my life, and something that a lot of people associate in a negative manner. I like what Girls on the Run stands for, and I hope to make some extra time to do that.

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I want to see the great in every day. A very wise person once told me that "Every day isn't going to be great, but there is something great in every day." And I firmly believe that. And I hope in 2015 that even on the no good, very bad days, I can find at least one redeeming thing about that day.

I want to be present. Too much of my time is spent looking at my phone screen, and while I will be the first to admit that technology is a great thing, it is also very consuming. I want to unplug a little bit more often than I do, and get outside and enjoy what's around me. I want to enjoy the company I am in, I want to forget about social media and FOMO, and learn to be content no matter the circumstances.

I want to forgive more readily. As someone who has been forgiven in the biggest and most powerful way possible, I want to learn how to forgive more and bigger, and to not hold grudges the way that I definitely know how. To forgive someone is the highest form of love, and that goes back to resolution number one.

I want to read more. And that will be hard, as an English teacher (is that an oxymoron or what?), but I found a great Reading Challenge (on Pinterest, of course) that sounds like something that is right up my alley. Chances are, I won't get to all of them, but it will prevent me from rereading the Harry Potter series for what is probably the seventh time (not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that).

I do want my own library one day, though maybe a bit more organized than this one! (Source)

I want to be the best me possible. I want to complain less, I want to dream big, I want to dedicate myself 110% to the commitments I make. I want to worry less, I want to relax more, I want to treat myself to things and not feel guilty. I want to travel, I want to blog more, I want to write more, and I want to challenge myself to be the best me I can be each and every day. I want to reach out to old friends, I want to make new ones, I want to be the best teacher and coach and daughter and friend and sister that I can possibly be. I want to be able to forgive myself, and give myself grace where I need it, because I'm an imperfect person, but I am a daughter of the King. I want to wake up every morning and choose joy. I want to laugh more and be genuinely and consistently happy. Because tomorrow is the first day of a 365-page book, and there is not a doubt in my mind that Jesus hasn't written me one that is just what I need. I can plan my own steps, but He's up there laughing at me, telling me to trust Him and all that He has for me.

And here's to knowing that 2015 will come with good days and bad days, successes and failures, accomplishments and letdowns, gains and losses. But here's to also knowing who holds my future, and I can walk confidently in that.

Enjoy your evening, be safe, and think about what you want from 2015. I'd love to hear from you. And again, thanks for keeping up with this little blog of mine - it brings me a lot of joy, and I absolutely love it when it gets read. Call me a narcissist, but I love sharing what I learn with you all, even if it's in the form of a silly old workout.

Things I'm Loving Friday XIII

Well, it's my first Friday to officially once again call myself a Houston resident. It's bittersweet, and I'm so happy to be home, but it sure came quick! I might have cried on, I don't know, six separate occasions yesterday, so I think I'm good on the crying front for a while. They were happy and thankful tears, though, mixed with maybe just a few sad tears. Leaving yesterday is a blur, and all I really remember saying is, "I'm sorry, this is just really hard," but today is the start of a new chapter, and while I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm going to give it my all.

Anyway, I don't have anywhere to be until 5:00pm today, so I am going to try and get as much unloaded and organized as possible until that time. Real world, here I come!

But before we start in on that, let's continue with our weekly Things I'm Loving.

26 Foods You Should Learn to Cook in Your Twenties
I am in my twenties, and I genuinely enjoy cooking, so naturally this article attracted my attention. And though I am no food expert, I think this is a great article. All of these recipes are very practical, and I have already cooked almost all of them in my short cooking lifetime. Just kidding, but the two most important recipes found in this article? Guacamole and chocolate chip cookies. Know how to make those two things, and you will be the most popular person in the room.

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Sunrises
Both this week and last I have woken up in the 5 o'clock hour a couple of days a week in order to attend a 6am Pure Barre class. So not only am I getting in a great total-body workout before many people are even awake, but I get to see one of my favorite sights - the sunrise. While waking up that early every day just isn't plausible, I become far too exhausted to function properly, it is more than worth the early alarm clock every once in a while.

Toy Schnoodles
One of the perks to working at SRD was that Jessica, our registrar, regularly brought her toy schnoodle (a mix between a toy schnauzer and a toy poodle), Lulu, to work with her. All of the residents always stop on their way into the building and up to their rooms to pet her, because she brings some much-needed stress relief. Haven't you ever heard of puppy therapy? She is so well-behaved, and loves making new friends, as evidenced by this picture of her and Dylan.

Motivational Posters
I won't lie. One of the things that drew me to becoming a teacher was the excitement of school supplies and fun posters on the wall. And I'll let you in on another secret. I'm so looking forward to decorating my classroom. That being said, I used a Teacher Heaven gift card to my advantage and ordered quite a few motivational posters that I remember being in my teacher's classrooms in middle and high school (I act as if that was such a long time ago).

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Words
You guys have probably figured out by now that I am a lover of words. I love to write things down - journaling, letter writing, and I absolutely love a good quote. Going off one of Sarah's cute ideas, I typed out a few of my favorite motivational quotes using the American Typewriter font, printed them on brown bag-esque paper, and these will be ready to tack up on bulletin boards in both my classroom and my area of the coaches office. As I've mentioned before, my high school volleyball coach sent us notes before every district and playoff game, and I would love to take on that tradition and do the same for my team.

And I hope to be back sometime this weekend to fill you in on my first couple of days on the other side of the volleyball world. Wish me luck!

Ten Questions

Happy Sunday! Man, do I have a lot to share with you guys. I have had the most wonderful weekend, and it's not even over yet. One of my best friends and roommates, Katie, returns to Austin tonight after five weeks of "romping" around Europe. I have talked to her a couple of times, but I am so excited to get a full play-by-play from her. She ended her trip in Barcelona, so I am especially excited to relive that trip!

Anyway, I do have quite a bit to report - I crossed a couple more items off of my list! - but I am about to run off to another Pure Barre class, and then an 11:15am church service with Dylan. Something tells me that we'll grab lunch after that, so I am just touching base with you guys before I give you the full rundown of my LAST WEEKEND in Austin.

So, here are a few fun questions to hold you over until then:

1. Favorite Condiment? Mustard. Or salsa, if that counts!
2. Favorite type of M&M? Crispy. Which don't exist in the United States anymore BUT my good friend Amira (we may or may not have gone to three separate grocery stores in one night to try and find them) just informed me that they can be ordered on Amazon. So for those of you who are missing Crispy M&M's, miss no more!

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3. Window or Aisle Seat? Window. I find it a little bit easier to sleep when I can lean my head against the window. And whenever I have the aisle seat, while it eliminates any awkward crawling over of people to get to the bathroom, I feel as though some part of my body is always sticking out and getting in the way of the flight attendants. 

Plus, you get to take pictures like this one

4. Who was your favorite Spice Girl? Sporty Spice, or Baby Spice.

Want to feel old? "Wannabe" was recorded just over 18 years ago (Source)

5. If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose? When I was younger, I used to love to pretend that I had a different name than my own. It usually became the name of the book, movie, or television show I was reading or watching at the time. Hermoine, Kim, Stephanie - just to name a few. But I really can't imagine my name being anything other Kelli.
6. Would you rather have a male or female twin? Oh, male for sure. I feel like there is a lot of competition between twin girls, and boy/girl twins are always so cute! That's the ideal child situation, in my opinion.
7. What’s your favorite book? Talk about one of the hardest questions to answer. Look here and here to see some of my all-time favorite books, but my very favorite has got to be Francine River's Redeeming Love. It is such a beautiful story, and it is officially being made into a movie!

8. What is your biggest fear? I listed eight fears here, but my biggest fear is probably not noticing the good in all that is around me, getting caught up in what I don't have, when I have so, so much for which to be thankful, and so much to appreciate.
9. What is the longest friendship you have ever had? I met Lindsey on the very first day of Pre-K, and though I haven't seen her in a while (going to college in different states will do that to you), she still remains one of my closest friends.

10. Favorite motivational quote or picture? I have so many, but here are a few of my recent favorites:

• "and now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good" - John Steinbeck, East of Eden
• "be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
• "may your fields always be filled with wildflowers, and your heart with love"
• "the meaning of life is to find your gift. the purpose of life is to give it away" - Pablo Picasso

I'll check back in with you guys later, promise! Because I know you're all chomping at the bit to see some more food pictures. Have a great Sunday!

No One Ever Told Us That

Last night I finished what is probably going to be my last "pleasure reading" book of the semester. Though one of my students did tell me that she is going to bring me a book to read by an author of one of the Young Adult books I read over the break, so I am going to make time to read that one.

While reading some of my favorite blogs, I came across a recommendation for this book by John D. Spooner: No One Ever Told Us That, which consists of a series of letters from a grandfather to his grandchildren. Spooner is one of America's leading financial advisors, so a lot of his advice is financial, and touches on subjects like investments and jobs, but he also hits on marriage and chasing your dreams, and the whole book is really just full of fun and essential advice. It is a quick read, and one major theme running throughout each one of the letters is that "all life is relationships." As someone who is a mere five months (give or take) away from the real world, this book not only offered some positive encouragement, it also opened my eyes to how much I don't know about money, and the fact that there is always more to learn. It looks like I'll never stop being a student!

His introduction starts out with this:

• "I know it's old-fashioned, but I love letters. I love to write them and receive them. I enjoy the quality of the stationery and the hardness of fine card stock. And, as in many things in life, I enjoy the anticipation; what's in the note or letter? And I think more weight is given to something handwritten. Often, the real letters are saved as a memory of something special." 

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to write more letters, and I have already written three in the eleven days we've had in 2014. My goal is to write at least one letter a week (and that means lots of fun stationery)! I want to love others as well as they have loved me.

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The moral of the story is that I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and encouraging read, and I also want to share with you a few of my favorite lines, or messages, from the book.

I know this might be hard to read, so if you want to actually read them, simply click on the picture to make it bigger!

Okay, so that was more than a few, but they were too good not to share. Plus, you guys know how I love a good quote.

And after a beautiful Saturday of running errands with Dylan, I'm ready to settle in and watch some playoff football. Go Colts!

Words, Words, Words

I absolutely love finding cute, new quotes, and I even have a book full of quotes that I typed up and pasted in this book. I haven't updated that book in quite some time - I blame it on my busy schedule, and my discovery of Pinterest, which allows me to put all the quotes that I love in one place as well as discover brand new quotes. I decided to share a few of my favorites with y'all! All pictures courtesy of Pinterest!

I am finding Pinterest to be a common theme of my blog posts.. Maybe I should rename my blog with all of the Pinterest-ing I am doing! :)

These are just a few of my favorites!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! :)