Graduation

Tonight, I had a first.  My first graduation as a teacher.  I'm not really sure how I feel right now.  It's a huge mixture of emotions.  I'm so glad the school year is over, I'm hopeful for next year, I'm excited for the futures of my students, and I'm going to miss them all at the same time.   No, this year has not been easy.  No, I was not given the warmest of welcomes.  But something struck me in the heartstrings tonight that I will never forget.  The class motto:

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

 

For my students this has a lot of meaning.  When the year started, opportunity wasn't knocking.  They didn't have a music teacher, a guidance councellor, a business manager or an instructional facilitator.  They just lost some of their favorite teachers and a great principal.  Things were not looking good.

For me, the year started with little hope.  I hadn't found a job and was only subbing a few times a month.  I was beginning to think that I was destined for disaster.  That I was stuck in a small town forever, with no hope of my dreams coming true. 

Then this happened:

Carver High School Students Rally against school policy

 

My students decided they had enough and they built a door.  They built a door and opportunity knocked for me.  They had no idea what lie on the other side of that door, nor did I.  And that day all of our lives were changed forever.  Those students unknowingly gave me the opportunity of a lifetime.  They gave me the opportunity to spread my horizons and discover myself as a music teacher.  They have no idea what they've done to my life.  Despite the outrageous number of times that I got mad at them for acting up, I am eternally grateful to the class of 2013 for giving me the chance to change my life.  For them, opportunity wasn't knocking, so they knocked for me.  I hope the answer they got was a good one.  

I will never forget the George Washington Carver High School Class of 2013. 

Congratulations!

Wednesday Breakthrough

Today, I decided that since it was the last day of school and my schedule got a little messed up from the torrential rain yesterday, that I would give myself a rest day.  Then I decided to do a little bit of shopping.  I tried on, and purchased clothing that was a small and a pants size 10.  I had to do a little dance!

 

I've officially dropped another dress size!  So I splurged a little as a reward.  Oops.

I have discovered a near obsession with fashion since I've lost all of this weight.  I have discovered that clothes look really good on my pear shaped frame and have discovered color and style.  I can't believe what I'm seeing in dressing room mirrors.  And it's only going to get better!   I used to hate wearing heels because they hurt and I would stumble, now I love wearing a good pair of pumps!  It doesn't hurt as much and it makes my legs look awesome.  I have been getting so many compliments lately, my ego is a mile high!  I'm feeling really good about myself and it's almost summer.  I am ready to look good!  

I also discovered the wonders of Polyvore.  It's so addicting to create different color and style palates.  Love it!

Weight loss goal number 1

This morning I stepped on the scale and it said 199lbs. I finally did it! I've been trying and trying and I've finally reached my goal of getting out of the 200lb club! It feels great and I know that I can reach my next goals, 150lbs and run a half marathon, whichever comes first! This is so exciting! Woo! 30 pounds gone since May, 60 gone since my highest weight! It feels good!

New Chapter

I haven't posted in a week for a couple of reasons. Last week I had training camp for my new job, that requires us to be first aid, CPR, aed, and cert certified, so they took us to a camp and trained us for three days. It was like summer camp, only full of adults. I got to do a little bit of trail hiking while there, but no running.

Saturday I reached a new distance milestone, 4 miles! It was such a great feeling of accomplishment. I know I can do this. It is going to happen. I've noticed it also helps to tell people about what I'm doing, even people I don't really know. It helps keep me focused on my journey ahead, and gives me a network of people for support. You never know who has good advice to give either.

So, new job started today. I'll be teaching a small group of at-risk teens. So far it looks like I'll be teaching History and/or English. I'm hoping I can include some music with these subjects. Maybe start with American poetry and jazz, including some American history and politics in that. We'll see where this goes.

5K Number 2

Early morning start. I haven't seen 5:00am since student teaching! But it was so worth it. Egg white French toast and oatmeal for breakfast and plenty of water during the 90 minute drive. I had a feeling before going that this would be a small race and I was right. Only about 50 racers between the aquathlon and the 5k. The course was a lap course, 2.5 laps around a light gravel track/trail. It was kind of hilly, but after the first lap and a half the timer said 22 minutes and I knew it was going to be a great finish. When the timer came into view over the final hill it read 36:30 and I went into a full on sprint. 37:00 flat. I was ecstatic! The paramedic gave me a pat on the back and said "You're braver than me." I jumped up and down, I was so happy! Two and a half minutes faster in just one month! I may have been second to last, but I don't care, I was 2nd in my age group(out of 2 haha)! The runner's high is still with me! Bring it on half marathon!
This week it will be hard to get my runs in because of AmeriCorps training camp, but I'm not discouraged. I had a great race and am officially addicted!

PS: It's 9pm and my dad has started mowing around the house. He mowed around the same place this afternoon. What is wrong with that man?

My First 5K

So today I did it. I completed a couple of my goals. The biggest being my first 5k! I hadn't registered for the race, so I got there super early. My heart was in my throat with nerves as I signed the waver and got my bib and timer. Before the race I met my friend and her sister. I found a great starting place and waited for the starting whistle.

The announcer's voice could hardly be heard, so we were all unaware that the whistle was about to sound, and then it did. I started off at a pretty comfortable pace. I was able to maintain that pace through the whole race. Just around the one mile mark my legs were beginning to rebel and I couldn't help but think "oh my god, I have to go back." I don't know what kept me going, but my friend's signs definitely helped. As I rounded the final block, the timer said 39 minutes and I swore to myself that I would get under 40. I sprinted as fast as my legs would go. 39:27.1. Success!

It was an amazing experience. Random strangers cheering you on, telling you how great you are doing. Other racers pushing you to keep going. The energy on the street, the adrenaline. It's awesome. I can't believe I made it the whole way through. In high school, I couldn't run one lap around the track, and it took me 16 minutes to run a mile. Today I ran 3.1 miles at a 12:44mm pace. This is where my life starts changing, and now I feel comfortable calling myself a runner. Yes. I am a runner.

Week 5 Over!

I DID IT! I ran 2 miles without walking! I did it at a snails pace, 26mins, but I don't really care! I did it. This morning I woke upon so much pain from my intense strength training yesterday and the excruciating sunburn on my shoulders. I knew what I had to do, but I didn't think I could manage it, but I went out anyway. And I did it! I am so happy! Bring it on 5K! :D

The first mile

For the first time in my life, I ran an entire mile without stopping. This is huge for me. Yes, there were times I felt like stopping, my mouth got dry and I thought I was going to die, but I made it. I even went a little farther. 13.5 minutes without stopping. I can't even believe I did it. This makes me even more excited to complete 5k. :)