{2014 - A year in review}

I honestly can't believe that we are ready to ring in a new year. 2015. Wow. Where did 2014 go?! It is so cliche to say that but it's the truth. In some aspects the year dragged on. And in other ways, it has FLOWN by!

{January}

Rang in 2014 with a group of sweet friends, most of who I plan to ring 2015 in with tomorrow night!

~Went on an interview for a job in a neighboring school district. This was the one that started the season of interviews.

January was a rather boring month!

{February}

-My mom ended up having to have heart surgery to have a stent put in due to one of her arteries being 80% blocked after spending all of MLK day with her in the ER. (Yeah, I knew there was a reason not a lot happened in January!). Despite her having to go to cardiac rehab (what a hassle for her to get there!) and getting tired sometimes, I am thankful to still have her!

-Participated in Bailey Jean's blog challenge! It was a lot of fun and I hope she does another one at some point in 2015.  

-Spent many days home from school due to SO MUCH SNOW!!

Lily clearly loves the snow! 

-Went on an interview for a leave replacement in one district where I did my student teaching. And so the job search continued. 

{March}

-Blogged about the WORST experience I have ever had at a restaurant, Ruby Tuesday's.  As someone who is also a server I am extremely patient when I am out but this was horrible. My complaint went to their regional manager and he contacted me. They sent me a $20 off coupon to try another RT near me. It was okay but I don't know if I'd go back,

-Went on another interview for another leave replacement (hey at least getting the interviews as a good sign!). Weirdest interview ever.

-Went to my co-worker's wife's baby shower. I apparently took no photos! 

{April}

-Blogged about one of my first baking adventures from Pinterest - Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes...time consuming but SO YUMMY!! 

-My beautiful niece Emma turned 5! 

-Celebrated my mom's 66th birthday! Apparently no good photos from dinner either!

-Spent a few days of my spring break visiting my best friend April in DISNEY!!!!

-My dog Lily Belle turned 1! She is such a crazy dog!

-My nephew made his First Holy Communion.

 This picture cracks me up! "ENOUGH!"

{May}

-Went to my co-worker Anjelica's baby shower! Her mom did such an awesome job. 

-Reverted back to my blonde roots. Which reminds me, I need to get my hair done ASAP!

{June}

-Threw a surprise work baby shower for Anjelica and she had NO IDEA! Best reaction ever! Also said goodbye to my favorite manager Daimys as she was transferred back to a store near her. :(

Work family! <3

Favorite Manager!

-Chaperoned the 7th grade field trip to the Bronx Zoo. My first time going there and OMG it was SO hot!!

-Also took my mom to see The Lion King on Broadway for her birthday/mother's day gift!

-My niece Emma graduated preschool, ready to start kindergarten in the fall!

-Attended Olivia & Marc's engagement party (they got engaged in Puerto Rico in February). Side note: this is going to be the SICKEST wedding I will be in/go to. Olivia's dad knows how to throw one killer party.

-Finished another school year off (not knowing it would be my last with that group of work friends). Started my summer off by going on a girls weekend trip to Atlantic City!

{July}

-Anjelica had her baby boy, Michael Lawrence!! He is just a doll!

-My niece's had their dance recital! So glad they're following in my footsteps.

-Had an interview that led me to getting a demo 5 days later that led me to walking out of the demo LANDING the job!! I remember driving home just crying. Crying for various reasons. One because I finally landed a teaching job. Two because it was in NY and I never thought that would happen. And three because I was going to leave my other work friends. But they were ALL SO supportive and happy for me!

-Spent a weekend in Rhode Island/Block Island/Massachusetts with my cousins!

{August}

-Prepped for school.

-Spent a day out east with Olivia and Shannon for Shannon's birthday at the wineries!

One of the best things about Long Island is the amount of wineries we have!

{September}

-Started my first real teaching job!! Despite the amount of planning I have to do because everything is coming from scratch, I really do love my job.

-Saw Luke Bryan in concert!!

{October}

-Threw my cousin Lisa's baby shower! (I apparently didn't take any photos! Or if I did, they haven't been uploaded yet).

-Celebrated Amanda's birthday in the city.

-Apparently the beginning of the school year I didn't do much because I was busy getting myself situated. Oh well.

{November}

-I started covering one class at the high school because the teacher went on maternity leave. While it is a great experience, it just made me realize how much I love working in a middle school setting.

-I turned 28! Yikes! Slowly approaching 30. 

-My cousin Lisa had her baby boy, Owen Edwin!

{December}

-My goddaughter turned 10! Holy smokes she is going to be a teenager before  I know it. She also makes me feel old because she was born December of my senior year of high school. 

-Finished off school (the day before Christmas Eve!) and have been relaxing. I haven't done a lick of school work so I might want to hop on that train and get going!

-Celebrated Christmas with the family. I still need to upload those pictures.

Overall, 2014 was a year of change. I switched school districts and began teaching on my own. While I am part teaching assistant (because my principal liked me that much he wanted to make the drive worth it for me) and part teacher, it is everything I could have hoped. Everyone says the first year is the worst and it seems to be true....just for the fact of getting your lessons together, figuring out what works/what doesn't. I know year 2 will be a smoother transition. 

I cannot wait to see what 2015 will bring. Hopefully a more well behaved dog (Lily is on her third trainer) and a new car. Maybe even finally moving out on my own! 

Happy New Year everyone! May you all have a wonderful time celebrating SAFELY with your friends and family! Be smart! Be safe! 

Here's to you, 2014!

In a mere few hours as the ball drops in Times Square to ring in 2014 (and my friend Mike freezes his butt off as his first assignment doing crowd control there for the NYPD), it's a new year. A fresh start for everyone.

Looking back on 2013 as I did in my last post, I had a lot of fun and lots of positives. I went through tough interviews for a full time position and was one of 5 finalists considered (they cut it to 2 after the site based committee interview).  I definitely learned how to prepare myself for interviews, how I could answer questions differently and why I really became a teacher.

I spent the last year (well really 14 months) single and just enjoyed myself. I was in a relationship and in the end, I was miserable. You should never "dread" hanging out with your boyfriend (our differences REALLY showed during the last few months we were together). I have seen people get married, TONS of people get engaged recently. As green with envy as I may be, I am quite happy for them. I am a firm believer in that good things happen to those who least expect it. Now is not the right time for me to be engaged or married, according to God's plan. I hope to find that special someone soon that sweeps me off my feet, makes me laugh (until I snort really hard), cheers me up when I am sad and is just a ball of fun.

2014 is wide open with possibilities! I don't really like making "resolutions" because I never usually stick with them (IE: go to the gym....last time I went was AUGUST!). So these are just things I hope to change (well, I guess they are resolutions):

1. Pay off more of my student loans (mailed out one of my check's last week for my LAST SUNY loan and that was SUCH a good feeling!!)
2. Save more, spend less. (That whole shopping habit is gonna be a problem.....)
3. Find a full-time teaching job (keeping my options as in moving out of NY open)
4. Work out more
5. Run the Color Run in July
6. Cook more (I really detest cooking!)
7. Be happy with everything and everyone in my life.


Here's to you, 2014! The road is wide open and I am so excited about everything that 2014 holds!!

I am off to go visit my friend Olivia & Marc for the night at their apartment to ring in the New Year! Then working a double tomorrow...NOT FUN!!!  

{2013 - A Year in Review}

I can hardly believe that NYE is on Tuesday and it will be 2014 on WEDNESDAY!!!! WHAT?!!!!! Seriously, where on EARTH did 2013? I feel like it flew by quicker than 2012 did.

I have read a lot of year-in-review posts and I enjoy looking back/reading about big things that happened in other blogger's lives. Sometimes, I can connect with it. Other times, it gives me big hope! I did not think at first that I had an eventful 2013 but in the end, I did!

{January}

Nothing really exciting happened. I continued on for my job hunt for a full-time teaching job and continued to work my TA job. 

I really hope January 2014 is more eventful! HAHA!

{February}

We were struck with the lovely blizzard that was named Nemo. Some areas of Long Island got 2 feet of snow. Others got almost 3 feet. This just deepened my despise for snow and wanting to move out of the cold to the warmth!

I spent a week babysitting my nieces & nephew because my brother & SIL had to work because they lost their winter breaks due to Sandy (I still had mine)

Celebrated my brother Scott's 41st birthday.

{March}

I would almost like to forget this month. This is the month I had to put my beloved dog, "my" dog Shadow down. She got so sick and couldn't eat anymore. It absolutely broke my heart into millions of pieces. She was such a gentle soul and just loved food. I still cry whenever I think about her.

  That was her spot. Right behind the front door in front of our closet. Love my nugget.

Went into the city with my brother & his family. We went to the American Girl store for my niece Emma's 4th birthday.

She's a classy girl. ;)

Attended my sweet friend Ashley's baby shower! We student taught together after meeting in grad school and I am so glad we are friends! 

{April}

My best friend April moved to Ocala, FL for a new job as a court reporter for their paper. I miss her so much!

My niece, Sara Elizabeth, made her 1st Holy Communion!

Me, Sara Elizabeth and her Uncle John (my SIL's younger brother). We are her godparents. 

 My niece Emma Grace turned 4!

(This picture depicts Emma perfectly! So full of laughter and life!)

My mom turned 65. My siblings and I took her out to dinner!

{May}

 

-Took a MUCH needed break from work and celebrated Cinco de Mayo with the girls at Olivia & Marc's!

 
Guacamole, anyone?!

 

{June}

-I threw my cousin Lisa's bridal shower. The theme was "Anchor's Away"

The hanger I had made for her with her new name. :)

 Me, Grandma, my cousin Lisa, my Aunt Betsy and Mom at her shower

-Survived the year working as a TA! Spent the last two weeks of school grading.

-WE GOT A NEW PUPPY!! Our house felt so empty without Shadow in it and I knew I wanted another dog....not to replace her but to have someone to cuddle with and play with. I found her from a breeder in Missouri and she came to us. Her given name was "Cassie" but I renamed her Lily!

(I miss her being this small!!! :( )

Celebrated Amanda's birthday at the vineyards!

 

{July}

-Bryce and Lisa got married on July 4th! It was a HOT day but a beautiful wedding!

 Attended my niece's dance recital. Love that she is continuing this on in the family!

-Went to Philadelphia for the weekend with Shannon & her sister Meghan to see Taylor Swift!

{August}

-Went to Georgia for a few days to see my best friend, Stephanie!

Side note: I am OBSESSED with the Taquitos from the gas station, QT. EVERY time I go to Georgia, I have to have multiple of them!

 

Miss her! <3

{September}

 Celebrated 3 years of being at CPK...what in the world?!

 Went back to school. I still laugh at my schedule!

{October}

-Celebrated Amanda's birthday in the city

-Went to Allison's dad's wedding at the Aquarium as her date!

 

Chaperoned the Junior High Halloween Dance

Celebrated Lily's first Halloween! 

 

 {November}

-Celebrated my 27th birthday doing a "Golden Mile" bar crawl in New Paltz with the besties!

-Spent Thanksgiving with the fam

{December}

-My niece Sara turned 9(!!!!) and had a dance birthday party.

-My grandma turned 90 and my uncles threw her a 90th birthday dinner.

-Celebrated Christmas with the family!

Overall, 2013 seemed to be a quick year but filled with lots of fun events! I am excited to see what 2014 holds...end of another school year, seeing my best friend April in Florida, going to Georgia again hopefully, seeing Luke Bryan in concert and so much more!!!