Days 6-8

Well, I got myself a tad behind.  I have no excuse other than I had a rough start to the new school semester.  And then, I just got behind.  So here is my attempt get back on track...

Day 6:  This was my first day back to work after a nice long break.  Every semester, the teachers have to submit a summary of their course evaluations (that the girls fill ou) to the principal.  I made the mistake of not doing this before Christmas.  As I looked through them to write up my report, I landed on one that was not so kind.  Needless to say, I let this get to me and I didn't feel very thankful today. Because I am writing this post over a week later, I am better able to see that what I was thankful for this day was the overwhelming amount of very positive feedback.  The comment that stands out in my mind is:

"Miss Forbes really knows a lot about what she is teaching.  She respects all the students and they erspect her."

This is the comment that I will choose to remember.

Day 7: Today, I found a card and a small package inside my mail box at school.  What an amazing way to start the day--a present! =)  It was a card from Sr. Mary Kay who lives in Ireland and is organizing a Mercy Youth Conference in Dublin this summer.  She contacted me last spring to get MHS involved and I have been working with her and other Mercy professionals from around the world to get this set up.  We (MHS) are taking 10 amazing girls there this summer!  Anyway, back to the present...the card from Mary Kay was beautifully written and the small package was a piece of slate from the original roof of Mercy International Centre in Dublin with a quote from Catherine McAuley on it.  What a great way to start the day!

Day 8: This morning, a 22 year-old went to a supermartket where Congress woman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a "meet and greet" and open fired.  He killed 6  people including a 9 year-old girl who was born on September 11th 2001.  I spent a good chunk of the afternoon sitting on the couch reading articles and watching news clips.  Like any other tragic day that I have been witness to in my lifetime, I was in shock and bewilderment over how a person can decide to do something like this.  What I chose to be thankful for that day was for the 6 who's lives were cut terribly short; the 6 who I hope will always be remembered.
 

Day 5: A Little Inspiratation...

...went a long way tonight! 

Today hasn't been the best day all around, and I guess you can say that I was less than excited about teaching CCD tonight.  I am guessing that mostly it had to do with the fact that my Christmas break is officially over.  I wasn't even totally sure what I was going to do with them tonight.  Until, I found these-->

I know it's not the best quality picture, but these are basically "trading cards" for the saints and other holy people.  There are around 130 in the box that I found in the religious ed room at Holy Cross, and gave me the inspiration that I needed tonight.
The 4th graders thought they were great!  From now on, each of them will get 1 card to read to the class and write about in their notebook each week.  Later in tonight's class I caught one of the boys "bragging" about the saint he got today. =) Oh dear, what have I started!

Well, it might not be much, but it brightened my spirits (and the spirits of  seven 10 year-old's).

Peace.

Day 4: Sam and Louie's

 Tonight four friends gathered at Sam and Louie's Pizza to have dinner and to laugh and tell stories.  What made this dinner unique was that every person ordered gluten free. 

Some of my friends decided that this month (in honor of my birthday which it on the 30th) they would go gluten free.  Their willingness to take on this endeavor and be in solidarity with me has left me with overwhelming thanks and gratitude.  It was so nice to share "my kind" of meal with them tonight.

Hopefully, there will be many more throughout the month of January! =)

A New Year: Days 1-3

Okay, so because I'm a tad late getting this started I am combining the first 3 days into on blog post...bear with me.


Day 1: January 1st

I found my self with some time to myself on the 1st and finished reading the book that I started on Labor Day (& hadn't touched since).  While it turned out that I really enjoyed this book, what I was really thankful for this day was my love for reading and the chance to read "for pleasure"





Day 2: January 2nd

This year (as I did last year) I flew to Chicago to spend some time with my roommie Ash and her family.  Because Ashley drove home for Christmas and I flew out, that meant that the two of us got to spend 7-ish hours in the car traveling home.  With only one somewhat unexpected adventure, we made it home safely.  And that was what I was thankful for: safe travels and a home.  While it is just apartment living, it is comfortable, safe, warm, & and roof over my head.  And, for that, I am very lucky.

Day 3: January 3rd

It's that simple today.  Thanks to the site 43things.com I got the idea for this year's project.

Also on my list: finish the gf cookbook, take the GRE and apply to grad school, and learn to Irish step dance (for those of you who know me, you know I am very serious about this one)

But first, a look back...

When reflecting on 2010, I can easily make the mistake of saying something like, "Well, I'm glad that's over!" or "Eh, it wasn't that great."  It is true that I spent a fair portion of 2010 not feeling well, but when I actually take a minute to reflect on the year, I can see (or am reminded of) a multitude of wonderful, life changing things that I am thankful for.

Facebook helped me to remember some of the many things, but here are a few others I am thankful for from 2010:

• TOMS Shoes (proud owner of 3 pairs)
• Learning that I need to be gluten-free (and as a result, feeling so much better!)
• Running a 1/2 marathon
• Finishing my 1st year of teaching
• Learning to play tennis
• Volunteering at Mercy Center's summer camp (& being in NYC again)
• Being able to go an vacation with my family (Lost Lake, WI)
• Reading all 7 Harry Potter books & realizing just how amazing they are
• Florida with Ashley and her parents 
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (@ Islands of Adventure, FL)
• Midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Starting/Writing a gluten free cookbook
• Becoming addicted to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report

I know there was so much more that could be recorded.  My life is truly blessed with family, friends, work, and love.  Bring on 2011!