May 31st, 2012

Today, I rediscovered my love for language immersion. I was able to speak the language whenever I wanted without having to repeat myself in English, and I also got to be useful by translating for store venders and my friends. After today I am most definitely looking forward to what this journey will bring.

May 30th, 2012

Today, I went to France. Not a small thing, in life (rather a huge one) but that was definitely something to celebrate considering my professor was over an hour late, our first flight was cancelled, and our second flight was delayed. Definitely glad to be here and cannot wait to experience the Parisian life!

May 29th, 2012

Today, I finished my packing for France. Which I'm very glad of, because I'm already waking up at the ungodly hour of 5:00 am to get ready to leave for the airport. I would not like to wake up even earlier to finish packing.

May 28th, 2012

Today, I went out to dinner with my family at Chilis, one of my favorite places to eat at. It was an absolutely great time and I'm glad I got to go before I left for France!

May 27th, 2012

Today, I was able to indulge in one of my guilty pleasures: ColdStone's cake batter ice cream with cookie dough pieces mashed in. It was brilliant because it was absolutely hot and humid outside, and it was nice to have right before I leave the country. The company was an added interesting piece to the afternoon, but I definitely do not regret any of it, especially the ice cream =)

May 26th, 2012

Today I essentially started my countdown until I board my plane to France. I mean, I had been counting down the days, but my prep had not been so...scheduled. Today I figured out everything I have to do up to getting to the airport and when I'm going to do it all. It's absolutely crazy, but the plan is helping keep me sane. I still can't believe that I leave so soon...where did all the time go?

May 25th, 2012

Today, I had a very relaxing "do nothing" day. I went shopping with my mother and sister and spent the night at home watching movies and just hanging out. It was a great time just enjoying my life hear before I gear up for my cross-atlantic journey in five days.

May 24th, 2012

Today, I got to meet some of the college students that go to school with my mother. Let me tell you, I had no idea what I was expecting; but whatever it was, was not accurate. These friends my mother has are a riot. It is so cool to see people not only have the same passion for special education as her, but to have the same attitude, sarcasm, and potty mouth as her too =)

May 23, 2012

Up until about five minutes ago, my small thing to celebrate was that I leave for Paris in a week. Now, it's that my last two days of work before leaving for France will be spent closing with my favorite staff member (and adopted little brother) Rieley! Literally, he's my absolute favorite. I'm going to miss him while I'm away. He's so spectacular! And we were just talking about how we hadn't ever closed together, and now we will! It definitely put a huge grin on my face.

May 22nd, 2012

Today I got not one, not two, but THREE things from my all time favorite professor! She had replied to my e-mail and then sent me another one, SPECIFICALLY asking for my opinion on two articles! Oh this is wonderful, this is magnificent, and I absolutely love everything about it!

I love this professor. Like...emotion love. There is a bond there. She is awesome. I want to be her when I grow up.

May 21st, 2012

Today, I read an article about the Indiana Education Reform which was focused on the Ball State Teacher Fair. It was an interesting article, because it was obvious that it tried very hard to put a positive spin on what most all teachers feel is a negative thing. I enjoyed it though because it got some stimulating discussion out and I also got to contact my favorite professor about it. It was nice to have a reason to e-mail her besides "I miss you".

May 20th, 2012

Today I realized that I leave for France in 10 days. TEN DAYS. How crazy is that!

May 19th, 2012

Today, I went to go see What to Expect When You're Expecting with one of my coworkers. It was on my "Summer Movie Bucket List" so I was definitely happy to see it and the fact that there were more celebrities in it than I was expecting was fantastic! I laughed so much, I would recommend the movie to anyone looking for a nice romantic comedy!

May 18th, 2012

Today, I was working at the movie theater and doing my least favorite job. However, it was nice that I had many other workers to help for the bigger drops. Everyone was just scheduled as an "usher", but usually with this many worker we utilize something called the Ultimate Usher Crew. Well, even though it wasn't specified, I went ahead and did it because it was more efficient. I told a manager and he said that he was looking to see if I would or not, and apparently doing so was the right move to make! Here's hoping that I'm that much closer to a promotion!

May 17th, 2012

Today, I actually unpacked and cleaned 90% of my stuff from college. I know I've been home for almost two weeks now, but I've been busy! Anyway, it's definitely nice to see the floor and not have to have an obstacle course to my bed anymore =) I hope to finish the rest of it tomorrow!

May 16th, 2012

Today, when I was substitute teaching, I was given a lot of busy work so that I wasn't sitting around doing nothing like I felt I had been the past three times I had subbed. It was glorious I absolutely love office work! I really impressed my supervising teacher by how quickly I finished things and that just made me feel even better.

May 15th, 2012

Today I had my supervisor interview at the Rave today. It was pretty cool because the first thing the manager said once he sat down was "well, you're hired!" Oh if only it were that simple...

However, he did say that if I proved myself in the next two weeks I may be able to forgo the entire four week trial, which makes me happy. I think everything went really well and I am hopeful for the future!

May 14th, 2012

Today, I made my first plans to travel outside of Paris when I study abroad! I'm now planning to go to Venice, Italy Thursday June 21st-Staurday June 24th. My passport will be looking very nice at that time =) I'm so excited!!!

May 13th, 2012

Today on this Mother's Day, I went out shopping with my mom. Us kids had gotten her a $50 giftcard to one of her favorite stores, so I went with her, helped hold her things while she tried clothes on, gave great compliments to the outfits she chose, and overall we have a really great time. It's always interesting how we're able to go shopping now, because when I was younger it would be like trying to reason with a statue...we just did not have the same taste and ideas for each other. But now, even though are tastes are still kind of distant, we're able to co-mingle amicably. 

May 12th, 2012

Today, I got asked to stay and help close the main concession stand at the movie theater I work. Most people would not see this as a good thing, but me: I was ecstatic! Closing is one of my favorite jobs and I haven't been scheduled it much because the managers want everyone else to get better, which apparently doesn't happen if I'm doing everything =) But because of how busy it was, they asked me to stay and it got me more hours and it was just awesome.

May 11th, 2012

Today, my siblings and I went shopping for a mother's day gift, and we completely lucked out. I don't want to say too much just in case she reads this before Sunday, but we got what we wanted AND THEN SOME because of some awesome sales, deals, and discounts. My father gave his seal of approval, and I really just can't wait for her to see everything. I love my mother so much she deserves it all!

May 10th, 2012

Today, my mother decided to take us kids out to lunch after she was done working this morning. And as much as I enjoy a free meal, that was not the highlight of the morning. During lunch we had an extremely stimulating discussion about politics and current hot topics. It was so great to hear different opinions from people so close to you and wonder why they feel the way they do. A great time overall.

May 9th, 2012

Today, I felt extremely accomplished. Even though I did not work at all, I stayed busy around the house doing more than either of my parents asked of me. It wasn't to show my siblings up or try and look good in my parents' eyes, I just had a moment where I knew it would be the right thing to do, so I did it. I know that sounds basically the opposite of humble and probably really arrogant, but I am not one to take initiative without prepping. So to want to do it on my own...it was an interesting experience.

May 8th, 2012

Today, my parents came home from their mini-vacation. It also just happened that none of us siblings were working past 4:00 pm. Therefore, my mother made the executive decision to have us all go out to eat where we could sit down and have a nice dinner, especially since we didn't know when we'd have a chance to do this again. We went to Bucca di Beppo, a family-style Italian restaurant in downtown Indianapolis where the ambiance is just as amazing as the flavors achieved in their dishes. I was absolutely amazing; it was sooooo good!

May 7th, 2012

Today, I was substitute teaching in the high school as a floater in the special education department while they did ECA testing. My first period had five students and we were reading a book. I tried to be inventive with ways to keep them busy, and at the end they said that I was one of their favorite subs they've had here. Considering that last year I definitely preferred working in the middle school than the high school, it was really nice to do well there. Also the fact that everyone there either remembers me from when I went to high school or they know my mother just makes it that much better.

May 6th, 2012

Today, I got to watch my brother play and defeat one of my SNES games. I have always enjoyed watching him play video games, and I know it's something he really enjoys. It was a nice fun bonding experience for the both of us.

May 5th, 2012

Today, after I moved back to Plainfield for the summer, I got to drive down with one of my very close friends to Terre Haute to see my non-biological sister. I don't get to see her very often, so it was awesome to be able to hang out before she has surgery and we're off to Europe. We had a great time learning new games and exchanging stories...I love when I'm able to visit.

May 4th, 2012

Today marked the end of my third year in college! I suppose the biggest surprise overall is that I actually can tell that I have learned something and retained knowledge that not only helps me in future classes but also future classrooms where I am not the student but the teacher. It has been a nice reflective day and I definitely cannot wait to see what the future holds for me =)

May 3rd, 2012

Today, I had a very heartfelt goodbye with one of the most charming people I have ever met. Dr. Lynne Stallings has been a huge impact in my life and college career for the past year, and I know that I would not be where I am today without her. Today marked the end of the last class I will ever have with her. We have promised to stay in contact, she even offered to slip into my suitcase when I go to France over the summer. She even made me cry today! She means so much to me, which is an interesting feeling because of the context of our getting to know each other, but I swear I wouldn't change it for the world.

It's just...I always thought that I would *know* when I got into my upper-level courses because there would be such a change in work load, expectations, and involvement. Because of the preparation she has given me, this class felt as involved as the first one I had with her. I'm not afraid of my other ones because of how I've been prepared. It is just simply an amazing feeling and I hope that not only will we continue to stay in contact but evolve from a student-professor relationship to a colleague friendship.

May 2nd, 2012

Today, Zack took me out for one last night out. Around 10pm we went to Scotty's for Dill Chips, Beer, and Dessert called "Cookie Monster" which consisted of this HUGE cookie, five scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. I had a few bites but it was definitely Zack who finished it off. We got a pitcher of Woodchuck Amber Cider, which reminded me a lot of the "cidre" that I had in Bretagne. It was all so delicious, It was a great way to end the school year.

May 1st, 2012

Today was Midnight Breakfast! Basically, a few of the residence halls let you use our breakfast swipe in between 11:00 pm and 12:30 am and let you get a whole smorgasbord of FOOD! Some of the items they limit, like two drinks, one pancake, etc and so forth, but you can get at least one of EVERYTHING, and multiples of a lot of stuff. So by the end you have a tray full of food that is supposed to help you during your midnight cram sessions or whatever else they say...lol

Anyway, Zack and I went to that because the residence hall I work in was hosting one, so it was a nice way to start off the shift!