Any advice?

So in life, everyone is always giving each other advice. Whether we ask for it or not... In my own life I have been given a lot of advice. Some I wished I had listened to. I have listened to some pieces of advice though, and I am sure thankful I did.

One of the best pieces of advices I was given was from my high school choir director. Although he gave me a lot of words of wisdom throughout high school and even once in a while now, I am thankful for his advice to keep a journal while I was in Rhode Island on exchange. At first I didn't really find the importance of the journal. I knew it would be a fun thing to go back and read later in life and remember the fun times I had, but the journal has done a lot more for me than I originally thought.

After my first semester on exchange I boarded a plane back to Wisconsin to spend a month with family and friends. As I sat on the plane, I took out my journal and began reading and reflecting on my first semester. I found myself laughing out loud and reminiscing about things that had happened only in the past few months. Now I have a journal with a thousand and one memories of that year and every once in a while I pull it out and read through it again.

My other favorite piece of advice actually comes from Jewel's song Hands. A line in the song is "in the end only kindness matters", and I really try to live by this. I know this world is filled with war, hatred, murders but I strive to be a compassionate person and just help out. If I can make someones life a little easier, even if only for a moment, I will do my best.

I'm not looking for any advice at the moment, but if you have some--feel free to share.

My family

As my brother and his wife begin their journey with their newborn son, Finley, I will take a few minutes to reflect on my own family. I am so thankful for the family I have. They all have their specials quirks and moments, but I am a happier, stronger and more confidant person because of each and everyone of them. Going in no particular order I am going to thank each of you for being so inspiring to me.First off my dad! He is definitely one of my best friends. Ever since I was little I have always been the biggest Daddy's Girl. I remember getting joy out of riding with you to the recycling center on Saturday mornings. I always had to be with you; no matter what we were doing. One of my favorite memories I have with you is when we went to Sheyboygan see Katie and Mark. We had such a great weekend around the town and on the boardwalk. I love you Dad!
My mom has always been there for me. She spent countless hours volunteering and supporting me in all of organizations throughout high school. I remember calling my mom and asking her last minute to help me find an outfit for the school musical. I don't know how but she pulled through finding me the perfect outfit. Even in college, when I get sick my mom is the first person I want to call and ask what to do. I remember being young, but yet old enough to not sit on my mom's lap anymore, and getting sick. I would hardly fit on my mom's lap but I would still grab my baby blanket and ask her to rock me in the rocking chair. It was always so comforting. I love you Mom!
My brother Ryan is the hardest working person I know. Although, sometimes I think he works to hard! When I was in the third grade my brother was a senior in high school. I really looked up to my big brother. He came to my elementary classroom one afternoon and helped with a program. I got to introduce him to my classmates and then he continued to make everyone laugh. I was so proud in that moment to have him as my brother. I remember that fall Ryan was leaving to go to college. As he drove out of the driveway with my dad I remember feeling scared. I didn't know what this was going to mean with him living away from home. I started crying and really didn't want him to leave. Though their were times when Ryan was a typical mean big brother, I am so happy to have him as my brother and I know he will make a wonderful father. I love you Ryan.
My biggest sister Katie also inspires me, but in her own unique way. Out of all my siblings I would say I am most like Katie, but yet Kate and I are completely different. She likes the warm weather of Arizona and I am proud to live in the cold and rainy state of Rhode Island(okay, that's not true, but I do love lil' Rhodie). Katie and I share the same passion of working with kids. I hear stories from her all the time of things that happened in her classroom and how she addressed them. I have taken teaching ideas from her all the time and I love knowing I have her to go to when I need some advice. One of my favorite memories with Katie is our trip to the Grand Canyon and our road trip to Wisconsin. If you want the details scroll down in an earlier post and you will find them. I love you Katie.


Last but not least, is Renee. Being the closest in age with Renee, I spent the most time with her growing up. We "shared" everything. A bedroom, clothes, make-up, a car, friends... everything. Not that we liked sharing everything but we did! A favorite memory I have with my sister Renee is when I would go visit her at UWSP! We would have a lot of fun partying together. Dancing, enjoying our drinks and somehow laughing at things no one understood except us. I also loved the parties we threw when mom and dad weren't home. Usually it was all of your friends but I still had a blast! I love you Renee.

I love all of you so so much! Thanks for being the wonderful family you are! You all mean the world to me. I love seeing all of you happy and healthy. I love you :)

My Breath of Fresh Air

The last few weeks have been busy with finishing school work and final exams. I turned in a huge teaching portfolio for two of my classes, that took a lot of my time. I have also officially started working at my other job. Last week I met with my client. He is absolutely the cutest kid I have ever seen, and I am fortunate enough to get to work with him. My first day by myself with him is next week Thursday!

Since school has been out a few days, I have given my chance to have a little breath of fresh air and relax. Friday I went to the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the animals were very active. I got to see an elephant stand on a ball and a black bear jump in and out of the water while playing with a ball, but my favorite part of the day was seeing the zebras! I have never seen a zebra before so that was very special for me!

I also bowled my highest game last night. I bowled a 128! :) It was very exciting for me too! Now that school is over and I have a handle on my new job I look forward to writing more blog entries, accomplishing things on my summer bucket-list, and being outside for many breathes of fresh air.