Here's what I'm thankful for:
I'm thankful for my new jobs. They make life more interesting.
I'm thankful for Geeks Who Drink: which is like a a hobby I get paid for. You can follow my weekly pub quiz recaps at http://www.geekswhodrink.com/373
I'm thankful for the kids I've worked with over the past year and what they've taught me. (lots and lots and lots of patience).
I'm Thankful for my family.
I'm Thankful for my brother, Joe, who picked me up from daycare in the little red wagon. And did a bunch of other things for me when I was a kid. And he gives pretty good insight now that I'm an adult.
I'm Thankful for his wife because she's new to the family and she already treats me like she's known me for years.
I'm thankful for my friends near and far even the ones I don't talk to anymore, because I know that they were there when I needed them and I am forever appreciative of that.
I'm thankful for my mom's boyfriend because he's pretty funny and has been good to me over the years. Even though I'm probably not his all time favorite person.
I'm thankful for my dad, who even though he doesn't always know how to be there, I know that he has and will always love me and I know he's really proud of me and that means a ton.
I'm thankful for my mom who listens to me when I'm sad, and loves me no matter what mistakes I make, and has shown me tough love sometimes, and has been lenient on me others. And who always encourages me to do the miss piggy flip whenever I'm nervous or intimidated.
Anyway, I hope all of you have a happy Thanksgiving. I will be up here serving at Father Bills. It should be a fun adventure.
Sara
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
4 Jobs is one job too many.
This past week I have been inundated with work. I worked 8am to 10pm almost every night this week with the exception of Thursday. It's been nuts. However, I'm super happy with three of my jobs. I got my glasses broken again at work this week, so the fourth job (which is actually the first), is not my favorite right now. Anyway here is the break down of my new jobs.
Job 1: Kindergarten 1:1 aide. I get to work with kids. It's awesome, who wouldn't love this job?
Job 2: Extended day lead teacher, (of sorts). I work with kids on the spectrum and provide a quiet structure place to go before they embrace the insanity of extended day. Which isn't really insane at all it's just snack time that might be a little taxing. I play games, read books and ensure everyone is okay. The program is new so I get to be involved with the development of it. This is very cool. I like building programs, it's fun for me.
Job 3: Quizmaster for Geeks Who Drink. In November I will be hosting at my very own venue. I will be blogging weekly from there and of course post a link for y'all, so you can follow that blog too. (To my two, maybe three faithful readers and anyone who wants to join them in reading this). I'm pretty stoked about this gig. If you're looking for a pub quiz (or a trivia night) in your area I recommend you check them out first. 8 rounds with 8 questions each and prizes for the top teams. How can you go wrong? Also you could be famous, because all of the Quizmasters post weekly blog entries and you or your team could get mentioned. Internet fame is still fame right?
Now I must attend to my studies but at least I put something up here for you.
Sara
Job 1: Kindergarten 1:1 aide. I get to work with kids. It's awesome, who wouldn't love this job?
Job 2: Extended day lead teacher, (of sorts). I work with kids on the spectrum and provide a quiet structure place to go before they embrace the insanity of extended day. Which isn't really insane at all it's just snack time that might be a little taxing. I play games, read books and ensure everyone is okay. The program is new so I get to be involved with the development of it. This is very cool. I like building programs, it's fun for me.
Job 3: Quizmaster for Geeks Who Drink. In November I will be hosting at my very own venue. I will be blogging weekly from there and of course post a link for y'all, so you can follow that blog too. (To my two, maybe three faithful readers and anyone who wants to join them in reading this). I'm pretty stoked about this gig. If you're looking for a pub quiz (or a trivia night) in your area I recommend you check them out first. 8 rounds with 8 questions each and prizes for the top teams. How can you go wrong? Also you could be famous, because all of the Quizmasters post weekly blog entries and you or your team could get mentioned. Internet fame is still fame right?
Now I must attend to my studies but at least I put something up here for you.
Sara
Saturday, October 8, 2011
That was awesome.
I kind of wish I had one of those Staple's easy buttons but instead of saying "that was easy" I'd like for it to say "that was awesome"
Here's an update:
I have a new job (I work with Kindergarten and first grade students as a 1:1 aide). I'm still a vegetarian (I think I'm still trying to come to terms with this fact). I continue to love Boston (it just feels like home to me). I'm in the middle of midterms. I really need to focus on that. But I also wanted to update because it's been a month and I've gone to Atlanta and back and not shared anything. I was sad that the Braves didn't get the wild card this year. They always choke. :(
That is all. :)
Update: Yesterday was probably the best day I've had since I moved to Boston.
Here it is the long and short of it.
I woke up early fully intent on having to spend my morning working. I came in the door greeted by "Heeeeeyyyyyy Sara" by one of the students I work with. (He's really funny and cute, if not sometimes persistent about getting things he cannot have, (i.e. candy bars in grocery stores). Anyway, this guy is one of the reasons I want to continue working part time. I then realized that we were overstaffed, so I called my supervisor and volunteered myself to go home. I set the staff up with places to take the students and left to go do homework. So I scored six hours of gloriously beautiful time, which has become a precious commodity for me these days.
Around 4pm, I went for tea. This prompted me to think about wanting an awesome button and spurred me into a good mood that carried over for the rest of the night. This is really all the information you need about tea.
Following teatime, my buddy Jay and I rode bikes into Allston for dinner. We walked the streets in search of a dive bar where I could play wing girl for him. I did a terrible job of playing wing girl and instead we got caught up on each others lives and discussed the excitement of the possibility of a Blue 4 reunion (the AmeriCorps team we were both on, for those of you who have come in late). Hanging out with Jay is always a good time, he is so full of life and always craves adventure. And Jay at 1 in the morning after the bar closes when he has access to a bike, leads to once in a lifetime adventures.
The bar closed because they close super early here. We arrived at the bikes and Jay had this look in his eyes, and said "we could go back, or we could ride into Boston." Who am I to deny Jay or anyone of a bike ride? So I said lets go. We rode down Commonwealth all smiles. Happy to be on bikes in Boston at night time. Jay greeted every pedestrian he could with a joyous "hullo" We came upon Boston Public Garden (for those of you not keeping up, my favorite park in the entire world). So of course it is mandated by the laws of my own happiness that any time I am within a mile of Boston Public Garden, I must venture towards it. And what luck that we did because we encountered a band of bikers. Known as SCUL.They ride on modified bikes and have created a subculture that Busts the funk and spends Saturday nights navigating Boston and it's surrounding cities. They allowed Jay and I to tag along on and Bust Funk with them. We danced in a park, watched a rousing game of Derby (where they knock each other off their modified bikes but in a nice way), and rode through the most beautiful parts of Boston until almost Sunrise. Jay and I discussed the possibility that our waiter may have dropped hallucinogens in our beverages because the whole experience was surreal. I've never met a group of individuals more free and unafraid of excitement. Their energy was magnetic and if we weren't both craving greasy diner food we may have followed them until the end of time. We didn't end up making it to an open diner because I'm almost positive that 24 hour diners don't exist in Boston. However, we did ride along the Charles River from Cambridge to Watertown enjoying the worlds most beautiful skyline the whole way. We cheered and shouted and eagerly discussed our amazing experience.
I couldn't have asked for a better day. It was one of those days where I was reminded that You Only Live Once and to enjoy joy.
Here's an update:
I have a new job (I work with Kindergarten and first grade students as a 1:1 aide). I'm still a vegetarian (I think I'm still trying to come to terms with this fact). I continue to love Boston (it just feels like home to me). I'm in the middle of midterms. I really need to focus on that. But I also wanted to update because it's been a month and I've gone to Atlanta and back and not shared anything. I was sad that the Braves didn't get the wild card this year. They always choke. :(
That is all. :)
Update: Yesterday was probably the best day I've had since I moved to Boston.
Here it is the long and short of it.
I woke up early fully intent on having to spend my morning working. I came in the door greeted by "Heeeeeyyyyyy Sara" by one of the students I work with. (He's really funny and cute, if not sometimes persistent about getting things he cannot have, (i.e. candy bars in grocery stores). Anyway, this guy is one of the reasons I want to continue working part time. I then realized that we were overstaffed, so I called my supervisor and volunteered myself to go home. I set the staff up with places to take the students and left to go do homework. So I scored six hours of gloriously beautiful time, which has become a precious commodity for me these days.
Around 4pm, I went for tea. This prompted me to think about wanting an awesome button and spurred me into a good mood that carried over for the rest of the night. This is really all the information you need about tea.
Following teatime, my buddy Jay and I rode bikes into Allston for dinner. We walked the streets in search of a dive bar where I could play wing girl for him. I did a terrible job of playing wing girl and instead we got caught up on each others lives and discussed the excitement of the possibility of a Blue 4 reunion (the AmeriCorps team we were both on, for those of you who have come in late). Hanging out with Jay is always a good time, he is so full of life and always craves adventure. And Jay at 1 in the morning after the bar closes when he has access to a bike, leads to once in a lifetime adventures.
The bar closed because they close super early here. We arrived at the bikes and Jay had this look in his eyes, and said "we could go back, or we could ride into Boston." Who am I to deny Jay or anyone of a bike ride? So I said lets go. We rode down Commonwealth all smiles. Happy to be on bikes in Boston at night time. Jay greeted every pedestrian he could with a joyous "hullo" We came upon Boston Public Garden (for those of you not keeping up, my favorite park in the entire world). So of course it is mandated by the laws of my own happiness that any time I am within a mile of Boston Public Garden, I must venture towards it. And what luck that we did because we encountered a band of bikers. Known as SCUL.They ride on modified bikes and have created a subculture that Busts the funk and spends Saturday nights navigating Boston and it's surrounding cities. They allowed Jay and I to tag along on and Bust Funk with them. We danced in a park, watched a rousing game of Derby (where they knock each other off their modified bikes but in a nice way), and rode through the most beautiful parts of Boston until almost Sunrise. Jay and I discussed the possibility that our waiter may have dropped hallucinogens in our beverages because the whole experience was surreal. I've never met a group of individuals more free and unafraid of excitement. Their energy was magnetic and if we weren't both craving greasy diner food we may have followed them until the end of time. We didn't end up making it to an open diner because I'm almost positive that 24 hour diners don't exist in Boston. However, we did ride along the Charles River from Cambridge to Watertown enjoying the worlds most beautiful skyline the whole way. We cheered and shouted and eagerly discussed our amazing experience.
I couldn't have asked for a better day. It was one of those days where I was reminded that You Only Live Once and to enjoy joy.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Love sick
I'm at work, I should probably not advertise that I'm writing this at work but my employer seriously doesn't mind as long as I stay awake and have all of my other work done. I do I do have all my other work completed. I'm actually ahead in my duties.
It's been two weeks. I don't like relationships, I find them to be confusing. I'm trying to focus on finding a new job. If anyone is hiring I'm seeking employment. I am trying to focus on my upcoming trip to Atlanta. I leave on September 11 and return on the 13th. I hope that my flight is safe. I'm nervous to fly on that day. I'm sure it unsettles most people.
I don't know where I'll be in ten years and that scares me. However I do know where I want to be. I've been trying to focus on my nonprofit and let the rest play out. I like school. I'm a nerd. This post is stream of conscious. I'm still a vegetarian. I don't know what I'm gonna give up next month... it's ten so I'm gonna go home.
Night.
It's been two weeks. I don't like relationships, I find them to be confusing. I'm trying to focus on finding a new job. If anyone is hiring I'm seeking employment. I am trying to focus on my upcoming trip to Atlanta. I leave on September 11 and return on the 13th. I hope that my flight is safe. I'm nervous to fly on that day. I'm sure it unsettles most people.
I don't know where I'll be in ten years and that scares me. However I do know where I want to be. I've been trying to focus on my nonprofit and let the rest play out. I like school. I'm a nerd. This post is stream of conscious. I'm still a vegetarian. I don't know what I'm gonna give up next month... it's ten so I'm gonna go home.
Night.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Hurrilame Irene and other news to date.
So, I'm gonna lay it out straight for you dear reader there have been several things that have happened since I've last updated.
The good:
School started again - I love school, I'm a big nerd and believe that a good education is a vital part to a full life.
My softball league started and my team won a game, partly thanks to my amazing catching abilities and vicious banter (mostly because my team rocked).
I still have a job - this is good news. There are lots and lots and lots of people without one.
I am single - which means that I can date whomever I want, whenever I want, however I want. I also get to do the single ladies dance, I think I can rock my hips and shake my hands better than Beyonce (others can feel free to disagree).
I have really amazing friends.
I am going to Atlanta in less than a week.
The Bad:
School is already starting to overwhelm me.
Working with highly behavioral and sometimes violent special needs students is challenging. Not intellectually challenging, but physical and stressful. Not always, when my kids are good they are the best kids on the planet. When they are not good, I sometimes get scared. I think it helps to admit that I'm not perfect and that I do get scared. I think it will eventually help me to recognize how to get over this looming fear.
I have to get new glasses cause one of my kids broke them (see above).
I sometimes feel alone. The single ladies dance is only fun by yourself for so long, eventually I don't want to be a single lady.
I don't have very many friends in Boston and I've now officially been here for 365 days. That is sad.
Going to Atlanta costs money, and I feel poor. However, I am not actually poor, I can feed myself, I can clothe myself, and I have a sweet apartment with awesome roommates.
In reality, I have no reason to complain. Still sometimes it just feels good to complain, and to cry and to want better for myself.
In other news, I've been thinking a lot about my nonprofit as of late. I am in the process of redesigning the logo, which seems like a futile task cause if I ever gather a board and get this thing off the ground, it's going to be redone again. My penguin may never get approved, but I like it. In reality the logo doesn't matter as much as the mission and I feel like I have a lot of hurdles to climb. It seriously feels like someone stacked Mt. Kilaminjaro, Mt. Everest, Mt. Washington, and Sugarloaf Mountain, and said "hey you should try and climb this beast" and I said, "Absolutely". I'm still gathering supplies for the journey. There are a lot of supplies you need to climb a mountain, but when you're gonna climb four mountains stacked on top of each other, you might as well just hire a jet plane or a helicopter. I guess I said screw the helicopter I'm gonna do it the hard way. So I'm here you know gathering supplies, and supplies get expensive. I've also come to realize that you shouldn't climb a mountain by yourself, so you know I'm trying to convince friends that they want to climb four mountains with me. I still haven't found anyone to take the bait. So I guess this is me asking the internet if anyone is interested in creating a nonprofit determined to promote creative education techniques for teachers and provide interactive yet educational performances to students. I kind of prefer to help American children but if people from other countries are interested in my idea and the prospect of climbing* four mountains stacked on top of each other sounds fun to you.
If you want to learn more shoot me an email at sara@sarapens.com and I'll let you know what I've got.
Of course I don't mean literal mountains, figurative mountains will do. Mountains sounds more dramatic than jumping hurdles, there are lots of hurdles to jump. The idea though, the idea is solid.
Well I look forward to my upcoming trip to Atlanta, possibly finding a new job, finding a second job, making friends, going to school, and being a single lady.
Also in case anyone is wondering, Jeremiah is still living.
Until next time,
Sarapens
I also realized that I titled this post Hurrilame Irene and never mentioned it, that was about as much impact as the storm had on Boston. However it was fun.
The good:
School started again - I love school, I'm a big nerd and believe that a good education is a vital part to a full life.
My softball league started and my team won a game, partly thanks to my amazing catching abilities and vicious banter (mostly because my team rocked).
I still have a job - this is good news. There are lots and lots and lots of people without one.
I am single - which means that I can date whomever I want, whenever I want, however I want. I also get to do the single ladies dance, I think I can rock my hips and shake my hands better than Beyonce (others can feel free to disagree).
I have really amazing friends.
I am going to Atlanta in less than a week.
The Bad:
School is already starting to overwhelm me.
Working with highly behavioral and sometimes violent special needs students is challenging. Not intellectually challenging, but physical and stressful. Not always, when my kids are good they are the best kids on the planet. When they are not good, I sometimes get scared. I think it helps to admit that I'm not perfect and that I do get scared. I think it will eventually help me to recognize how to get over this looming fear.
I have to get new glasses cause one of my kids broke them (see above).
I sometimes feel alone. The single ladies dance is only fun by yourself for so long, eventually I don't want to be a single lady.
I don't have very many friends in Boston and I've now officially been here for 365 days. That is sad.
Going to Atlanta costs money, and I feel poor. However, I am not actually poor, I can feed myself, I can clothe myself, and I have a sweet apartment with awesome roommates.
In reality, I have no reason to complain. Still sometimes it just feels good to complain, and to cry and to want better for myself.
In other news, I've been thinking a lot about my nonprofit as of late. I am in the process of redesigning the logo, which seems like a futile task cause if I ever gather a board and get this thing off the ground, it's going to be redone again. My penguin may never get approved, but I like it. In reality the logo doesn't matter as much as the mission and I feel like I have a lot of hurdles to climb. It seriously feels like someone stacked Mt. Kilaminjaro, Mt. Everest, Mt. Washington, and Sugarloaf Mountain, and said "hey you should try and climb this beast" and I said, "Absolutely". I'm still gathering supplies for the journey. There are a lot of supplies you need to climb a mountain, but when you're gonna climb four mountains stacked on top of each other, you might as well just hire a jet plane or a helicopter. I guess I said screw the helicopter I'm gonna do it the hard way. So I'm here you know gathering supplies, and supplies get expensive. I've also come to realize that you shouldn't climb a mountain by yourself, so you know I'm trying to convince friends that they want to climb four mountains with me. I still haven't found anyone to take the bait. So I guess this is me asking the internet if anyone is interested in creating a nonprofit determined to promote creative education techniques for teachers and provide interactive yet educational performances to students. I kind of prefer to help American children but if people from other countries are interested in my idea and the prospect of climbing* four mountains stacked on top of each other sounds fun to you.
If you want to learn more shoot me an email at sara@sarapens.com and I'll let you know what I've got.
Of course I don't mean literal mountains, figurative mountains will do. Mountains sounds more dramatic than jumping hurdles, there are lots of hurdles to jump. The idea though, the idea is solid.
Well I look forward to my upcoming trip to Atlanta, possibly finding a new job, finding a second job, making friends, going to school, and being a single lady.
Also in case anyone is wondering, Jeremiah is still living.
Until next time,
Sarapens
I also realized that I titled this post Hurrilame Irene and never mentioned it, that was about as much impact as the storm had on Boston. However it was fun.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Summer Adventures continued
Here are some things:
I have completed many of the things on my summer bucket list. I raised one tadpole into a frog. And in spite of me wanting to give a gender specific name, I named my frog Jeremiah (it's a girl). The other tadpole died :(. I went camping by myself, but it was fun. I met my brothers wife. She seems cool. I am still working and the semester is about to start. I moved to a new apartment. It was a last minute thing. I am happy with the move but since graduating high school, I have still not managed to live in a place for longer than a year. I guess I don't understand stability. I saw many of my AmeriCorps friends and it was nice catching up, I still need to make my way down to Maryland. I haven't eaten meat since June 27th and my stomach pain has decreased tremendously. I also found out I may not have had to lose my gall bladder. I'm considering owning fish. I'm still single and available, although not necessarily looking anymore. I have a lot in store for me these next few months as I apply to new programs and positions. I am hoping to get something cool. I also joined a softball team but the first two games were rained out. I think that's it for now.
Sara
I have completed many of the things on my summer bucket list. I raised one tadpole into a frog. And in spite of me wanting to give a gender specific name, I named my frog Jeremiah (it's a girl). The other tadpole died :(. I went camping by myself, but it was fun. I met my brothers wife. She seems cool. I am still working and the semester is about to start. I moved to a new apartment. It was a last minute thing. I am happy with the move but since graduating high school, I have still not managed to live in a place for longer than a year. I guess I don't understand stability. I saw many of my AmeriCorps friends and it was nice catching up, I still need to make my way down to Maryland. I haven't eaten meat since June 27th and my stomach pain has decreased tremendously. I also found out I may not have had to lose my gall bladder. I'm considering owning fish. I'm still single and available, although not necessarily looking anymore. I have a lot in store for me these next few months as I apply to new programs and positions. I am hoping to get something cool. I also joined a softball team but the first two games were rained out. I think that's it for now.
Sara
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Summer Adventures
So it's been a while since I've posted. Here are five things that have happened since I've last wrote:
1. I had an organ removed (my gallbladder for those of us who weren't paying attention).
2. I bought a bike. I ride it to work on days it doesn't rain and other places too. I took it into Boston last week, this week I'm riding to a concert.
3. I made straight A's (which isn't too difficult considering I only take two classes a semester but it is grad school and I'm still proud of myself.
4. I have seen ever member of my team post AmeriCorps sans my TL (for obvious reasons). In being able to see them all I went on an epic adventure from Boston to New Jersey, to NYC, to Philly, back to NJ, and then back to Boston.
5. I have decided to give up Facebook for the month of June. This has led to me wanting to finish the year with a new personal challenge each month. Next month I'm going to attempt to not consume meat. I don't know what I'll do after that, whatever I fancy I guess. I'm open to taking suggestions.
Here are three things that I've decided I'm going to do:
1. I'm going to Clambake on Thursday. It's a street/indoor show with 8 bands. It's sponsored by WFNX and I've been hearing about it since before my gallbladder removal. I'm stoked. I'm riding my bike down to House of Blues. I'm going by myself but it should be a good time anyway.
2. I'm going to Atlanta to visit my family and see a Braves game. I've already bought the ticktes. I'll be there Sunday 9/11 through Tuesday 9/13
3. I'm going to raise tadpoles into frogs. I have the tadpoles and one of them has already sprouted legs. The other one is lagging behind a bit. I can't name them until they have arms. Cause I'd prefer to give them gender specific names. I'm also kind of afraid one won't make it through metamorphosis and I'll be quite sad.
4. I'm going to complete everything on my summer bucket list. I made a summer bucket list, I stole the idea from a friend who made a Boston bucket list with her roommates. (It is my belief that most solid ideas are stolen from other people).
5. I'm going to go camping this summer. I haven't quite figured out the details on this one. It may end up that I go up to a campsite and do it all by myself. Who knows, I'm hoping I can convince some friends to come with me.
So I think that's about as much of an update as I can offer right now. But life is alright. Bumpy, sure but definitely alright.
1. I had an organ removed (my gallbladder for those of us who weren't paying attention).
2. I bought a bike. I ride it to work on days it doesn't rain and other places too. I took it into Boston last week, this week I'm riding to a concert.
3. I made straight A's (which isn't too difficult considering I only take two classes a semester but it is grad school and I'm still proud of myself.
4. I have seen ever member of my team post AmeriCorps sans my TL (for obvious reasons). In being able to see them all I went on an epic adventure from Boston to New Jersey, to NYC, to Philly, back to NJ, and then back to Boston.
5. I have decided to give up Facebook for the month of June. This has led to me wanting to finish the year with a new personal challenge each month. Next month I'm going to attempt to not consume meat. I don't know what I'll do after that, whatever I fancy I guess. I'm open to taking suggestions.
Here are three things that I've decided I'm going to do:
1. I'm going to Clambake on Thursday. It's a street/indoor show with 8 bands. It's sponsored by WFNX and I've been hearing about it since before my gallbladder removal. I'm stoked. I'm riding my bike down to House of Blues. I'm going by myself but it should be a good time anyway.
2. I'm going to Atlanta to visit my family and see a Braves game. I've already bought the ticktes. I'll be there Sunday 9/11 through Tuesday 9/13
3. I'm going to raise tadpoles into frogs. I have the tadpoles and one of them has already sprouted legs. The other one is lagging behind a bit. I can't name them until they have arms. Cause I'd prefer to give them gender specific names. I'm also kind of afraid one won't make it through metamorphosis and I'll be quite sad.
4. I'm going to complete everything on my summer bucket list. I made a summer bucket list, I stole the idea from a friend who made a Boston bucket list with her roommates. (It is my belief that most solid ideas are stolen from other people).
5. I'm going to go camping this summer. I haven't quite figured out the details on this one. It may end up that I go up to a campsite and do it all by myself. Who knows, I'm hoping I can convince some friends to come with me.
So I think that's about as much of an update as I can offer right now. But life is alright. Bumpy, sure but definitely alright.
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