A Taste

Generation Y.

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 18:39:04 -0400

Receptionist: Don't you feel like your generation is just lazy?
Me: Lazy? I'd say apathetic.
Receptionist: Isn't it the same?
Me: No. My generation is criticized and toiled with, and I don't see why not - just turn on the TV and watch what they're feeding us. But my generation is not lazy. My generation fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. My generation fought for womens rights in a fury that hadn't been seen since the 19th Amendment. My generation got our first black President elected. My generation fought for Gay rights for the first time in American history. And with all that, we are apathetic, and that's because things aren't going to be better for us down the road. We are the first generation expected to make less than our parents. We are the first generation to see America lost its status as a super power. We've lived through the worst economic times since the Great Depression, and are forced to take out thousands of dollars in student loans at the same time, all while our college degrees slowly turn into a highschool diploma. We've done plenty, and expect nothing. So no, I wouldn't say we're lazy, just apathetic.

Timeflies.

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:24:09 -0400

Timeflies.

Change.

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:32:36 -0400

So it has been one crazy ride as of late. I’m graduated — no longer a college student, but an alumni of the wonderfully grand university I have called home for the past 5 years. I’ve moved on to the real world, transitioning into the work force…seamlessly (or not..).

I’ve taken over as a longer term sub in the classroom where I did my student teaching placement. It’s a rarity that I’m so lucky to have, the kids I’ve grown so attached to have become my very own — a class to sort of test out my wings on. The best part is that I get to finish the year with them, instead of saying goodbye in April.

I’m on the cusp of a whole book of adventures as this summer will be the real beginning to my life. I’m heading to Chicago to live for the summer (and hopefully into the fall) working with kids and enjoying the amazingness of that city.

As always, life here is never boring but always busy. The winds of change are blowing and I’m ready to follow them to the next chapter.

The rising sun. (Taken with instagram)

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:18:10 -0400

The rising sun. (Taken with instagram)

5th Grade begins our Solar System Unit next week. After 8 weeks of preparation, I am so excited!

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:05:54 -0500




5th Grade begins our Solar System Unit next week. After 8 weeks of preparation,
 I am so excited!

levislists: The Drunk Bridge, Norway

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:35:42 -0400

levislists:

The Drunk Bridge, Norway

My Best Friend's Wedding.

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:03:00 -0400

My best friend of 18 years got married this weekend!!

Rehearsal Dinner!

Matching Seth <3

The Newlyweds!

Day 27 - A song you like from another...

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:53:04 -0400

Day 27 - A song you like from another country/language

Sleutel van jouw hart—- Matthjis Koning

Best Dutch Pop, brightens any daily darkness.

"I can see the Maas from here!"

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:44:32 -0400

(Let’s pretend I kept up with this and did all of the other days!) I’m doing these final two posts of the “31 day challenge” because they are simple and I have been looking forward to them! :) )

Day 26 - A picture that captures something you found breathtaking

Maastricht as seen from the St. Janskerk Tower.

The Tongerseweg Trio.

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:29:32 -0400

Day 21 - A picture of you with someone who helped you grow

The two greatest, most inspiring, females I’ve had the chance to meet!

I scream for GELATO.

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:27:37 -0400

Day 20 - Something you are glad you did

I’m glad that I ate LOTS of gelato. :)

Just roll with it.

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:43:22 -0400

Day 19 - What was the biggest challenge?

Hmm, my biggest challenge…aside from not buying EVERYTHING I came across, I’d think that not letting others actions influence my trip. In traveling with ONLY females (aside from the Grad Assistant, Derek…but he doesn’t really count) there were some instances in which we got on each other’s nerves. That instinctual cattiness doesn’t become non-existent, just because you cross the ocean… at times it seemed like it was escalated. For some, “I’m in Europe” became their rationale for doing incredibly stupid things, or for trying to make others feel like they were somehow not fulfilling the trip’s potential for partaking in said activities, and it got a little old.

In the beginning the trip was peachy, everyone got along and spent a lot of time together. However, after a while, people began to group together, form small “cliques” (for lack of a better word). In spending hours in class and even more hours traveling to and from placement with some of these people, it became apparent that not everyone had the same goals, or even respect, for the trip as I did. Initially I was really annoyed with certain group members and their choices…especially when they interfered with the rest of the group… or class. However, after a while I realized that the only thing that worrying did was bring my mood down. I couldn’t change the choices they were making and it reflected on nobody but those specific individuals…so why stress about it? It was a challenge for me to just let it go, but I would try and catch myself and just roll with it. I kept up my attitude and carried out the trip with my goals set and with respect for myself and my colleagues.

Oddly enough, this is a trait that’s come back with me. Things that would’ve bothered me before, just don’t anymore. I’m learning to just roll with the punches and to be nothing but completely thankful for the amazing blessings in my life. So, although challenging at the time, I’m grateful for this challenge since it changed my life for the better. :)

I love you, but I'm really happy here.

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:23:13 -0400

Day 18 - One thing that surprised you

I think what surprised me the most was how little I missed about home. I went over the trivial things that were different than American life, but honestly I didn’t miss home. I wasn’t homesick, or up at night thinking about my family/friends, I didn’t find myself disappointed about missing out on things going on at home, or wishing I was anywhere but where I was. I spent everyday throwing myself into the culture and exploring new places and learning new things…there was no time for me to waste crying about not being “home.” I had created a new home in the Netherlands and Maastricht was homebase and I loved it. I think my friends and family were a little disappointed to hear that I wasn’t missing them terribly, but I just realized how great this opportunity was.

I came to realize that my friends will be my friends no matter where I am, so I was nothing but stoked the entire time I was there.

"As Harry Potter was the only other thing I was passionate about, the doctors gave consent for me to..."

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:09:04 -0400

“As Harry Potter was the only other thing I was passionate about, the doctors gave consent for me to leave the hospital and collect the fifth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, from the local book shop. I was so ecstatic to have the book and excited to begin reading it, but there was never any hint of your imminent arrival and the way you would change my life so drastically. Luna, you instantly captivated me. I didn’t know why but there was something about you with your upside-down magazine, straggly blonde hair, and the honest, abashed way you stared at people without blinking that fascinated and perplexed me at once. You laughed hysterically at one of Ron’s quips and didn’t stop to excuse yourself and feel ashamed when it became clear that everyone found you strange. Throughout the book, I found myself waiting for your brief appearances and wanting to know more about you and why you were the way you were. You baffled me, not because you were odd (though indeed you were), but because you were… perfect. But it was a different kind of perfect to the perfectly thin, smiling magazine girls I simultaneously idolised and reviled. It was the way you carried your oddness like it was the most natural thing in the world. You didn’t market your oddness as your defining feature the way some insecure teenagers do, in guise of confidence and security. And nor were you oblivious to the awkward and uncomfortable feelings your oddness provoked in others. When, unable to comprehend how you wore your oddness so honestly and unashamedly, your peers reverted to mockery and bullying, you recognised this as a reflection of their own deep-seated insecurity and calmly let them carry on, quite above your head. You weren’t trying hard to present a certain aspect of yourself that would boldly identify you in the world. And that’s when it occurred to me how bizarre and positively ridiculous it was to apply the word “weird” to describe you, when you represented the most natural and unpretentious state possible to be; you were yourself.”

- Evanna Lynch, in part of her Dear Mr. Potter letter, where she describes first reading about Luna while in a recovery programme for anorexia (via holymotherofhnng)

Wow, Evanna Lynch is a really good writer! (Preorder Dear Mr. Potter. I’ve got a letter in there, too!)

I'd wish for more time.

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:40:49 -0400

Day 17 - Something you would change about your experience abroad

I am so grateful for the experience that I had, but there are 2 things I would change, if given about the chance.

1. I wish my trip would’ve been A LOT longer. I would have loved to have more time to spend in Maastricht and at the school I worked at. It would’ve been great to stay until the end of their school year, in July.

2. I wish that I could’ve spent full days in the schools with the kids. I loved that experience and half days were great, but I’d choose to spend the full day there. Those kids were my favorite part of that entire trip and I could’ve spent all day, every day, with them!

Photo

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:57:23 -0400

allthingseurope: Sunset in Dresden, Germany (by mludwinek)

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:03:33 -0400

allthingseurope:

Sunset in Dresden, Germany

(by mludwinek)

fuckyeahthenetherlands: Les Deux Ponts - sʇuod xnǝp sǝן (by...

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:02:56 -0400

fuckyeahthenetherlands:

Les Deux Ponts - sʇuod xnǝp sǝן (by Peterbijkerk.eu Photography)

"Can you leave the country- or even town - for a week? Two weeks? A month? Three months? If the..."

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:17:20 -0400

“Can you leave the country- or even town - for a week? Two weeks? A month? Three months? If the answer isn’t no, it could be yes. Today is a good day to pack.”

- Julianne Balmain (via busia)

Stop thinking about it and GO!

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:11:35 -0400

Day 16 - Advice to someone who’s thinking about traveling to another country

The best advice I can give is to just go! I have never met anyone who regretted studying abroad, sure everyone has a different experience and some get homesick, but it’s always a great experience! If you are considering studying abroad I think that your life will be SO much greater if you do! Of course, you have to make sure it’s a good decision,financially and that it will be safe, but I definitely recommend that EVERYONE participate in study abroad if it’s offered!

I will warn you that, if you are anything like me, once you travel you will be completely addicted to it and will want to continue to travel! So, if that disclaimer doesn’t stop you (which it shouldn’t!) then plan your trip!