Things I'm Loving Friday LVII

Happy FriYAY! It has been a crazy week of volleyball tryouts and two-a-days, and now we head out to Cypress to compete day one of the pre-season scrimmages. It's kind of a whirlwind trying to get freshman ready to compete in this fast-paced introduction to the world high school volleyball, but I'm excited to see what today brings. And while I'm doing that, enjoy some of the things I'm loving this week!

Run Fast, Eat Slow
When a four-time Olympian and American record holder (Shalene Flanagan) joins forces with a chef and nutrition coach (Elyse Kopecky) to create a beautiful cookbook full of healthy recipes for athletes, you know you have to check it out. This cookbook features step-by-step recipes that really squash the idea that eating healthy has to be boring and bland, or that you have to follow some strict, joyless diet. There are so many misconceptions out there when it comes to fueling your body, especially for females, and this cookbook is full of recipes that show you that it's okay to indulge while giving your body the right nutrients. The photos are fantastic, these two women looked like they had the time of their lives writing this book, and each recipe is Shalene-tested and approved.

Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
Okay, maybe only my teachers will be interested in this one, but honestly I think there are episodes that any parent or businessperson can also relate to. I've mentioned before on the blog that I'm not a huge podcast listener. Like it really has to engage me for me to continue listening. And this one absolutely does. I know people love podcasts because they can listen to them while they're driving, but with this podcast all I want to do is write down everything I hear, so it works best for me when I listen to it while walking my dog. Anyway, this podcast series has so many fantastic ideas - from classroom management to teaching strategies to personal wellness to the use of technology - and each episode I have listened to has left me feeling nothing but energized for the upcoming school year. Jennifer Gonzalez is upbeat, gives practical ideas and advice, and keeps me coming back for more. Definitely worth a listen, even if you're someone who claims to not be a "podcast person".

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I only just started listening a couple of days ago, but here are a couple episodes I loved:
   Episode 33: Five Powerful Ways to Save Time as a Teacher
   Episode 57: Nine Simple Solutions for Common Teaching Problems
   Episode 60: Six Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2017
   Episode 67: What to Do on Lame Duck School Days
   Episode 71: Why It's So Hard for Teachers to Take Care of Themselves

Gatorade Commercial: The Secret to Victory

I'm not sure how I missed this commercial when it first came out, but ever since I saw it on TV a couple of weeks ago, I have been all about it. It features star athletes such as Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, and Serena Williams, among others. The whole message is if you want to find success, you first have to experience failure. MJ not making his varsity team. Manning going 3-13 in his rookie season. Williams being on the wrong side of the biggest upset in her sport. But aren't these names some of the biggest in sports? Using failure to fuel growth has kind of been my mantra lately, and this commercial did nothing but get me pumped for volleyball season, the new school year, and marathon training.

Russ Rose: Commitment
Russ Rose is a legend in the college volleyball world. And rightfully so. He has coached his Penn State team to seven national championships and has earned the respect of so many across the country. And when Russ Rose was asked to pick one word for "The Word on Coaching" series, his word of choice was COMMITMENT. He talks about being all-in, about being focused on the end goal and distancing yourself from distractions. Of course, he's talking about the work his athletes put in on the volleyball court, but it applies to so many areas of life. If you want to be the best you can be, you've got to commit. I think the best compliment I have received as of late is someone telling me he has always been impressed by my commitment to my training. Maybe I'm not the best runner out there, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to reach my goal. Whether that's with running, teaching, coaching, being a dog mom, whatever. If you want to be the best, get out there and work hard. It's not supposed to be easy.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition
It is no secret that I am a Harry Potter junkie. Like I have to tell myself that there are so many books out there that I want to read and while I will most definitely get something new out of re-reading the Harry Potter series for the umpteenth time, it's probably not the best use of my time. BUT then I was introduced to the illustrated editions of each Harry Potter book and you guys, they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I am trying to be good and only purchase one of them at a time (as of today, only Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets have been released), but these are going to make a most excellent addition to my coffee table. And I might even bring them up to school for some of my more reluctant readers. Obviously these books are wonderful for any age (because 25 is not too old to read a picture book), but these would be perfect if you are looking to open up the magical world of reading to a young one. Bravo, Jim Kay, for so beautifully bringing the wizarding world to life.

Have a fabulous Friday!

Things I'm Loving Friday LVI

I'm really glad I picked the last week of (my) summer to start writing again. I'm not sure what has gotten into me, but maybe I'll pop in a time or two over these next couple of months when inspiration hits me. Or when I have a free moment and something I want to share. But let's just focus on the fact that I'm getting a post out today. Another roundup of some Things I'm Loving lately, so without further ado, enjoy!

I Skeptically Tried Practicing Gratitude

If you have been around for awhile, then you know how much of a sucker I am for articles like this. If you start losing yourself on Instagram, you'll see a lot of posts with captions that include the word "grateful". And I totally understand that that word can elicit eye rolls from many. But I totally believe in the gratitude thing. There's a lot of negativity around us. And it's really easy to find things to complain about. But by consciously focusing on just five specific things to be grateful for each day, that's a game changer in my opinion. When I'm having "one of those days", I have to remind myself that every day may not be great, but that there's something great in every day. A little gratitude can go a long, long way, and I'm hoping to pick the habit back up at the start of the new school year.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

And with my 11th book of the summer, I present to you this monster written by Stephen King. This book had been on my list forever, but I was a little intimidated by the sheer length of it. I was an English major in college, and I am an English teacher, but I avoided reading a book because I thought it was too long. So, okay. Anyway, I borrowed this book from a friend and let it sit on my bedside table for a week or so before grabbing it as I was heading out the door for the airport on my way to Chicago. And guys, if you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and READ IT! I'm incredibly fascinated by the Kennedy family, and this book ultimately deals with trying to travel back in time to try and stop the JFK assassination. But more than that it deals with the idea of love and the butterfly effect and history and dancing and sappiness and do-overs and what ifs and some truly extraordinary characters. Once I really got into it I absolutely could not put it down, and though it is only my second Stephen King book, I see there being more in my future. 

Off-the-Shoulder/Cold Shoulder Tops

Sometimes I'm super on board with the big summer trend. Other times I'm not. This summer I'm 100% on board and then some. I absolutely love the off the shoulder trend that is taking over the Instagram world. Living in Houston (and honestly anywhere), summer months call for as little clothing as possible. But is still appropriate. Tank tops are always a go-to, but I'll be the first to admit that my arms are not my favorite part of my body. I'll rock shorts in the middle of December, but this off-the-shoulder and/or cold shoulder trend allows me to stay cool while not having to feel self-conscious about my upper body. It's a win-win! My favorite OTS top is this one -- only $35 from Nordstrom and it comes in so many fun summer colors! And I recently purchased a couple of OTS dresses from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale and I can't wait for them to come in.

Dairy-Free Cupcakes
This really only helps my Chicago readers (do I even have any of you guys?), but this cupcake tasted so good that I think it's worth posting about. While on the Signature Dishes tour through Bobby's Bike Hike (which, if you are ever in Chicago, I highly recommend you do this tour -- we had a blast), we stopped for deep dish pizza, cupcakes, Chicago dogs, and beer. I was thrilled when we walked into this cute little bakery – Swirlz – and saw that there were multiple dairy-free options. For those who have a gluten intolerance, there are also gluten-free options available! I opted for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and even after telling myself I would only eat half, I ate every last crumb. And I think that's more important than the fact that the cupcake tasted delicious is the fact that I allowed myself to eat it. The entire thing. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I let myself eat an actual dessert that wasn't a cop-out like one scoop of sorbet or a bowl of fruit or something. And you would think I would understand this by age 25, but as it turns out, I didn't gain five pounds, it didn't affect how I performed during my half marathon, and while it's not something I am going to indulge in every single day, it was a sweet reminder that I can allow myself a treat every now and again.

Bitmoji
I know I'm incredibly behind the times here. But to be fair, I knew about Bitmoji as it was becoming popular, I just never acted on it. And the reason I finally created my Lizzie McGuire voice is because I saw other educators using Bitmoji in various Google forms, and I wanted to do the same. I'm definitely thinking of having my students create theirs so it can be used throughout the school year, but for now I'm enjoying communicating with my friends solely through Bitmoji expressions. 

Maze Dog Bowl

This one was an absolute game changer for Mack. And I actually learned about while on one of my dog-sitting assignments this summer. One of the dogs I stayed with was a Doberman, and they tend to scarf down their food in about four seconds flat. That's typically not very good for a pup's digestion, so his owner showed me her way of slowing the giant down - a Maze Bowl. My beagle is also one to just scarf down his food, cleaning his bowl in less than 30 seconds, but this particular bowl causes him to to take minutes to eat his mere half a cup of food (he's also on a slight diet, so I'm pretty sure he's always hungry). He has to actually work for his food, so I like to think that he's enjoying it a little bit more this way. These bowls come in different sizes depending on the size of your dog, and it is probably the best $9 I've spent in a while.

Have a great Friday, everyone! Make sure and do something fun and summery this weekend -- fingers crossed for sunshine here in Houston so I can get some last-minute work on my summer tan. Priorities!

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!

Things I'm Loving Friday LIV

Happy FriYAY! This week has been a bit of a crazy one -- Tuesday we were given an unexpected surprise in our water being shut off and everyone being immediately dismissed around 10:45am, Wednesday we administered the SAT and had 15 minute classes, and today, I'm taking my first day off of the year. Mack and I used the unexpected free time to hit the dog park near my apartment, and I used Wednesday's SAT break to catch up on a little bit of school work. And while I hate missing school, it was nice to be able to turn off my 4:27am alarm. My fingers are crossed that my kids behave for the sub, and get some work done in the process!

But without further ado, here's another round of some Things I'm Loving on this sunny Friday!

9 Habits of Highly Successful People, From a Man Who Spent 5 Years Studying Them

My principal tweeted out this article, and when he tweets, I listen. Or read? Anyway, I love articles like this, as they force me to take a step back and look at how they play out (or don't play out ...) in my own life. While getting up early, exercising, and pursuing my own goals are my strengths, focused thinking and avoiding time-wasters are at least two items that I could improve upon. 

Garmin Forerunner 235

It was suggested that I invest in a watch with heart rate capabilities, so, while I loved (and still love) my Forerunner 10, it wasn’t getting me the data I need. So, I took to Amazon and found a refurbished (that was my first problem – never go refurbished just to try and save money) Garmin that would supposedly give me my heartrate. For whatever reason, this watch wasn’t the most user-friendly, and it gave me a heart rate that meant I would drop dead, so I did my research and forked over the big bucks for the watch I really wanted in the first place – the Forerunner 235. And guys – I am OBSESSED. It’s a beautiful frost blue color, it is super user-friendly, and it counts my daily steps. I’m turning into one of those Fitbit-type people – obsessed with getting my steps in each day. Kidding, but most importantly, it is giving me the (accurate!) data that I need to take this Boston dream one step further.

Roll Recovery R8

This is a modern-day torture method, I'm convinced. But it's one of those "it hurts so good" kind of things. But it still hurts. But gone are the days of awkwardly positioning yourself on a cylinder of foam in order to roll out your quads, hamstrings, or IT band. The R8 adjusts to anyone’s body, and while I’ve never had a full-body deep tissue massage, I imagine what the R8 does is pretty close to it. It’s easy to transport, it’s easy to use, and you can reach virtually any part of your body with this contraption. I’m hoping that regular use of the R8 will help keep me injury-free as I log more and more miles. And while the price tag may seem high, it’s far cheaper than a weekly massage.

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Body Language Matters

Geno Auriemma, head coach of the uber-successful Connecticut Huskies Women’s Basketball Team, made this speech a year ago in a Final Four press conference, but it is currently making the social media rounds. Probably because it’s extremely powerful, and it’s one that I think I might start off this next volleyball season with. Auriemma brings up the valid point that so many athletes these days are so wrapped up in their individual play, and how they look when they’re out there on the field or court, that it stops being about the team. It’s the age-old statement that body language absolutely matters. Auriemma says, and his players know he’s not messing around, that if a player’s body language is bad, they’re never getting in the game. And if somebody’s not engaged in the game, they’re never getting in the game. Ever. It always has been, and it always will be, about how the team performs. It can be hard, especially in a me-me-me world, but it’s the humble, team-player, gritty ones coaches are after.

18 Chances You Will Not Regret Taking in Life

This is an older article, but one that I hadn't seen until just recently. But I love it. The author’s grandmother (and aren’t grandmothers the absolute wisest?), advised her grandson to not live life worrying about taking a chance and failing, rather, to jump on the plentiful opportunities life gives you. You never know what you’ll discover, and it’s all about appreciating the little things in life. Some of my favorite takeaways (and the things I need to continue to remind myself of) – You are your own biggest obstacle. If it doesn’t scare you, it’s probably not a big enough dream. Embrace the hard. Learn from your failures. Be present. And finally, a smile and a kind word go a long, long way.

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And on that note, I'm off to College Station with my parents to celebrate my brother getting his Aggie ring. No, I won't be wearing burnt orange, but I will be sure and hook any down-turned horns that I may come across. Have a great weekend!

Things I'm Loving Friday LIII

Happy Friday from Portland, Oregon! I arrived here late last night, and I am actually on my way out the door for a little day trip to Cannon Beach. It was recommended to me by multiple people, and it's on all of the "Portland To-Do Lists." So, how could I possibly resist?Though it is hard to believe that my spring break is already winding down, I am so incredibly grateful for this little getaway. I was craving an escape from the Houston chaos, and I have absolutely loved exploring this part of the country. 

But, before I go, I had to share a list of the Things I'm Loving lately. Enjoy!

How To Develop Mental Toughness

Mental toughness. This word is thrown around by many, and it's one that I've really been reflecting on as I tackle this marathon training plan I've embarked on. I've learned that it's not just about your ability. It's also about your mindset. And this doesn't just apply to athletics - it applies to anything. For me, running is where it's most applicable. I've got a clear vision: Boston. It's lofty, and I've got a tough road ahead of me if I want to make that a reality. But I've also accomplished more than I ever thought possible, and I can carry that with me going forward. And while every statement on this list resonates with me, the last one - particularly Coach Sommer's response - resonates with me the most. I've hit bumps in the road, and I've had my "this is too hard" moments. Only to be reminded that it's supposed to be hard. The hard is what makes it great. 

Teachers: The Only Mode They Have is Action

Okay, I am not one to talk about politics. I tend to keep quiet when people start discussing politics. I will share something about politics on social media every once in a blue moon, MAYBE. And while I have opinions, I tend to keep them to myself. And while I have opinions on Trump's Secretary of Education hire - Betsy DeVos - I think this response to DeVos' comment about how teachers are in 'receive mode', puts my thoughts into words pretty well. I suppose I'm biased, being a teacher myself, but I'm inspired every single day by the people I have around me. I see how hard they work for their students, and I see how much they give to their students. And it makes me want to do the same for mine. They're worth the money that I spend on school supplies each year. They're worth the few extra bucks it costs to get into a playoff game so that I can watch them do what they love to do. They're the reason I wake up in the morning, and while I certainly don't always (or ever) do my job perfectly, they're the reason I'm happy to be absolutely exhausted at the end of each day. Because they're worth it.

An Open Letters to Runners Who Think They're "Too Slow"

Open letters are all the rage these days, right? Well, I happened upon this one as I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and I couldn't help but read what it had to say. And I loved every word of it. Because so often I have people say to me, "Man, I could never run like you do. I'm way too slow." As if that gives them an out. It's like they say, "Well, I can't run fast, so I may as well never do it at all." And I get it. I'm so guilty of scrolling through Instagram and seeing posts from women who run sub-7:00 miles for an ENTIRE marathon. And I'm working so hard to run 8:00 miles. But just because you think you're too slow doesn't mean you're not a runner. Whether you're running a 6:00-mile or a 10:00-mile, you're still reaping the benefits. You're still lapping everyone on the couch. You're still going to experience the runner's high (and the lows...), and you're going to feel so proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it. Whether it's one mile or 26, you are a runner. So lace up those shoes and get to running.

When I Play
March is Women's History Month. But I think every month should celebrate the incredible achievements made by women, and this video does just that. This short film, created by women, honors women who see their movement as a movement. It celebrates women who are proud of their athleticism, and who find freedom in the sport. It gave me goosebumps as I watched it over and over and over again because, as someone who has been an athlete her entire life, it's so important to me that girls remember why we play the game. It's really not for anyone else. It's for ourselves. It's pulling our hair back into a ponytail and not being afraid to sweat and be tough. Because we love the game and we love the adrenaline rush it brings. I used to be so afraid of not being seen as 'girly', but now I know that playing "like a girl" can very much mean "win the race".

8 Things Happy People do Every Day

Okay, call me a millennial (because that’s exactly what I am), but I love article lists like this one. They’re organized, they’re focused, and they’re relatable. Anyway, there are many different types of people in this world, but I think we can all agree that we know at least one person who just seems to find the negative in every situation. A woe is me, the world is against me kind of person who is exhausting to even be around. And then there are those people who are seemingly always in a good mood. While I definitely have my days, I like to think of myself as someone who falls under the latter category. And I can attribute it to every single item on this list, and then some. Drinking plenty of water? I have my 40 fl. oz. to thank for that. An adult bedtime? I try my best to be in bed by 9:30pm every night. Teacher life, am I right? I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have skipped breakfast in my 25 years of life, and the me-outside-music time comes in the form of running or walking my dog each day. I live and breathe by to-do lists (there’s just something satisfying about being able to physically cross something off of a list), and though I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit, I was at one point super consistent about writing down three things I was grateful for at the end of each day. I tend to wear people out with my high energy levels and mostly positive attitude, but I know for a fact that I can attribute my consistent good moods to these consistent habits. 

Catch you Goonies later!

Things I'm Loving Friday: Sports Articles

Happy Friday, friends! It's been a hot minute since I've done a Things I'm Loving Friday post, but I've run across a couple of articles in the last couple of weeks that have really resonated with me, so I decided to make articles this week's focus. I won't lie - I totally meant to post this the Friday following that historic Super Bowl game. Hence, the focus on sports. Yes, I know I'm a couple of weeks late on this, but at least we're still in the same month. It was one heck of a game, and the Patriots had one incredible comeback. That team truly showed fight, grit, a never-give-up attitude - they showed so many things that the coach in me will reference in many pre-game pep talks to come. Sports are so much more than just a game. They are full of valuable lessons that stay with you for life. 

So, today, I give you some sports-related articles for your reading enjoyment. 

How I Learned to Love My Body as a Female Athlete
This article is so incredibly important. It's no secret that many females - young women especially - struggle with body image. Because for as long as we can remember, society has told us that skinny is preferred to strong. It's like, how many times am I going to read an article about how lifting weights really isn't going to bulk women up? And also, when did having muscles turn into a bad thing? And trust me, I'm not immune to this way of thinking. I've dealt with my own body image struggles - heck, I still deal with them - but I'm finally starting to reward my body for all that it can do, as opposed to punishing it for what it looks like. Instead of cursing my muscular legs, thanks to years and years of volleyball, I celebrate them for the miles they allow me to log. And I understand that all of those miles requires fuel, and starving myself will never be the answer. I may will never be a size 2 Victoria's Secret model, but I've learned to love my body all the same.  

Volleyball is Not Girly

I don't think, at its core, this article is meant to be offensive. I think it has genuinely set out to highlight the positive reasons girls are choosing to play volleyball instead of basketball. And I understand that, as I faced the same dilemma. I loved – and still love – basketball for all of the reasons listed in this article. It absolutely requires hard work and athleticism and aggression. But so does volleyball. Sure, many of the girls wear matching ribbons when they are younger. I wore a signature pink ribbon in my hair through senior year of high school. But as stated in this response article – it’s not about the ribbons, and it's not about the spandex. It requires hours and hours of hard work, it requires a competitive spirit, it requires a lot of strategy. And if you think it’s all glitter and ribbons, I’ll show you a photo of a teammate who was so committed to saving a wild pass that she dove into a chair and it cut inches into her shin. What did she do? Tape it up and get back on the court. My point is, keep choosing volleyball, girls. You’re still very much an athlete.

Why I Won’t Pay For Club Volleyball

This article. Man, it puts so many years of my life into such fantastic words. It’s no secret that club volleyball has a very high price tag. My parents would be the first to tell you how much money they spent on the sport throughout the years. But they would also be quick to tell you that they don’t regret even one penny that was spent. Because of all the reasons listed here. And then some. I learned how to be disciplined, I learned time management, I learned how to lose with grace and how to win with humility. I learned the value of hard work, and I wouldn’t trade those out of town trips with my mom for anything in the world. The trips to Atlanta and Indianapolis and Minneapolis and Austin and Dallas and San Antonio are truly some of my favorite memories. My parents gave me a huge gift when they let me play club volleyball, and I am forever grateful for the values it has instilled in me and so many others.

Out of Bounds Parents: Actions in the Stands Hurting the Integrity of the Game

This one really hits the nail on the head. In fact, just the other night I was walking through the main gym at Memorial High School trying to find a custodian who could unlock the equipment room so that we could get ready for our practice, and I happened upon a SBMSA basketball game. These girls were probably 9 or 10 years old, and for the brief couple of minutes I was in the gym, I heard multiple parents shout things at the referees that maybe should have had a filter. It wasn’t anything particularly inappropriate, but it was insignificant things that I have no doubt the referee noticed, but out of respect for simply letting the kids play the game, simply let them go. It’s important to remember that these referees are people too. They’re people with feelings and they’re choosing to give up a night at home because this is something they truly enjoy. And as a coach, I am certainly not free from blame. I’ve caught myself yelling at referees over a call (or a non-call), and yes, it’s certainly frustrating to not have a call go your way, but is that really going to change the outcome of the game? Sure, I could point to the missed double calls that, as a former setter, frustrate me to no end, or I could look back on the three missed serves we had. While winning is important to me, good sportsmanship will always take the cake.

All in good fun

This past year has been quite a year for sports. It's been quite a year for things other than sports, but we're not going to go there. Instead, we're going to focus on the fact that powerhouse Alabama was defeated by the Clemson Tigers in the National Championship game. That the Cleveland Cavaliers came down from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. That the Chicago Cubs came back from a 3-1 deficit in a wild World Series ending. That the Patriots fought back after being down 28-3 at the half. The reason I won't cancel my cable is because I would truly be lost without a game on in the background as I grade papers. Sports are so much more than players hitting one another, or players screaming at one another over what they found to be a bad call. Sports build unity in a team, and they build character in an individual. Win or lose. And I will continue to shout that from the rooftops forever!

Things I'm Loving Friday LI

Happy LAST Friday of 2016! I know it's said at the end of every calendar year, but how are we at the end of another year? We're finally getting some cooler temperatures here in Houston, and I am loving it. It's nice to be able to wear yoga pants and a Nike dri-fit while running errands, and it's nice to not have to turn on the air conditioner in December, and it's especially nice to be able to run outside and actually enjoy it. Even if I did nearly blow over in the 30mph winds. 

But, it is Friday, so I'm going to end this year on our normal Friday note. With some Things I'm Loving!

Books by Jennifer Mathieu
Okay, I might be a little biased because not only do I get to work with this fabulous woman, I actually get to share my room with her. And she's got a little routine down - she'll come into my room before school and write her objectives on a small part of my board, and I love that part of the routine because it means I get to chat with her if I'm in my room at that time. And she doesn't just teach. She writes, too. She's a young adult novelist, and our English 1 PLC contemplated changing up our summer reading novel, so we decided to check out her first novel, The Truth About Alice. I tore through it in a day. I told her how much I loved her writing, and the next morning, I had a signed copy of her second novel, Devoted, sitting on my desk. I had finished it by the next morning. Her characters are so real, and she captures their thoughts and personalities so well that it's easy to understand why I couldn't stop reading.

Under Armour "Rule Yourself" Campaign
We all know that I'm borderline obsessed with the Olympics. Okay, maybe not borderline, but it's fine. I love this video for a couple of reasons. One, it takes away the idea that females are not as dedicated or strong when it comes to athletics (is that even still an idea?), and two, it shows how much work goes into just a couple minutes of fame on the biggest stage in sports. All elite athletes put in so much work, and make so many sacrifices in order to be the very best they can be. They'll be the first to tell you that it's not all smiles and sparkles, but I have no doubt that it's worth it. After all, "it's what you do in the dark that puts you in the light."

Hydro Flask 40 oz. Water Bottle
This water bottle was the best $40 I ever spent. I purchased this water bottle in the summer of 2015, and it has been by my side ever since then. Seriously. If any one of my students or coworkers saw this water bottle around the school, I'm fairly certain they would know it belongs to me. First of all, it's 40 oz, so it lasts me through a couple of class periods. Second, it keeps cold beverages cold, and though I can't personally attest to this, it also keeps hot beverages hot. It's easy to clean, they come in tons of fun colors, and it never sweats nor leaks. My Hydro Flask is my right-hand man, and I wouldn't make it through the school day without it.

HelloGoodbye Doormat
It only took me eight months to get a doormat, but hey, I finally did it. Better late than never, right? I found this gem of a doormat at Target for only $10. It's cute, it's sturdy, and gets the mud off of my feet and Mack's paws before we step foot inside my apartment. We won't talk about how I went to Target with the goal of picking this up, told myself I would pick it up from Guest Services on my way out, and made it to my next destination before realizing that I did not pick up the doormat. Whoops.

Running as the Thinking Person's Sport
If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a runner. You may think I'm crazy, but I fell in love with the sport six years ago and have never looked back. It keeps me in crazy good shape, it gets me outside, it challenges, and it gives me time to think. So I wasn't too surprised when I saw this article from the New York Times claiming running requires more higher-level thinking than many people may have thought. Researchers at the University of Arizona acted on their suspicions and found that running seems to be a "mobile math puzzle." It's not to say that runners are smarter than any other human beings, rather, runners have to play a lot of mental mind games to get to that finish line. Many have scoffed at this article and study because of the small number of subjects, but ask any runner about the concentration and discipline running requires.

Have a fabulous Friday! And here's a PSA - it's Harry Potter Weekend on FreeForm (formerly ABC Family). You can thank me later.