Exciting Things!

 I have exciting news! I have accepted a third grade position at Henry's Fork Elementary in St. Anthony, Idaho. It's part of the Fremont School District. I am really excited for this change and the opportunities that will arise from it.

Here are some of the things I'm excited for: 

1. Four day week! I can't believe I am lucky enough to move to a district that has a four day schedule. School days go a little longer, which is awesome. I've said for years that I could use an extra hour in the day! We work one or two Fridays a month, but it's a work day and not a student day. So I actually have a chance to enjoy a weekend rather than feeling like I have to go in to make sure I'm caught up.

2. Jeans! I get to wear jeans every day and I don't have to pay to do it! I've always thought it's ridiculous that teachers everywhere don't get to wear jeans regularly. I know the intent is to create a more professional atmosphere, but wearing jeans doesn't make me any less professional when I'm spending time on the floor with my kids in business casual. Jeans just seem more conducive to the job. As a side note, in my former district, I did pay to wear the jeans, because I wanted to support the education foundation who raise money for teacher grants.

3. Prep time! Weird thing to get excited about, right? Not when you're coming from a job where you were lucky to get half an hour once a week. My before and after school hours were filled with meetings, phone calls, etc. so very little actual planning got to happen. I had to stay longer, come in on weekends, or take work home to stay caught up. I actually got to the point where I wasn't willing to do that any longer, because it was taking a toll on my physical and mental health. I always gave 100% while I was there, but once contract hours were up, I had to leave for my own sake. Now I will have almost an hour EVERY DAY. Every. Single. Day. I don't even know what I'm going to do with that amount of time! Okay, yes I do. I'm going to work hard to get things done so that I don't have to come in on non-work Fridays or weekends.

4. Pay raise! I will be making more money at my new job than I am at my current job. That's always a plus! I'd like to be able to get out of debt and then buy a house (to get in more debt, but whatever). 

5. New friends! Everyone I've met at my new school is so friendly and kind. I've been lucky in my current job that I've worked with really fantastic people who have become good friends, and even best friends. It will be good for me to get to know new people though, and this gives me a great opportunity to do that.

6. Not living in the same town I teach in! That may sound weird, but I have a hard time living in the community I teach in. I am the kind of person that needs separation between parts of life. I don't like it when my work life crosses with my personal life, unless it's by my own choice with my friends.

7. Mostly the same curriculum. I don't even have to really learn any new curriculum. They have a different math program, but math is math. The language arts and phonics intervention programs are the same as what I've been teaching. They literally just bought these two programs! I'm going in with a head start, and I hope that I can be a good resource for my new colleagues in using these programs.

8. A bit of a drive. Again, a weird thing to be excited about, but I have my reasons. Right now, it takes me less than five minutes to get from home to work. It's not a lot of time to collect my thoughts and decompress. I will have a bit longer commute now. Honestly, it doesn't really even count as a commute, because it'll be 20 minutes max. But I need my quiet time to just be still. I look forward to the quiet of my drive.

9. Having an on-site counselor. This is HUGE. Kids are experiencing more things earlier in life, and I am just not qualified to help them effectively. I don't have the training for these things! I can be sympathetic and try my best, but it's not the same as a mental health professional. I will have access to someone who IS qualified and I am so excited about that. 

10. The peace of mind I have. This year has been really hard on me. I've experienced a lot of mental and physical health challenges in the past few years, and they seem to have really come to a head this year. I am in almost constant physical pain, my anxiety has been worse, and my overall mental health has suffered. I can't blame work for causing the struggles, but it definitely hasn't helped. There's been a lot more stress and feelings of inadequacy; like I can't do anything right. It's been really difficult. I feel at peace with my choice to leave and seek out new employment. I feel like it is the right thing for me at this point in my life. I've also wondered if maybe all the stress has actually been a tool to help me make the right choice. 

I will be able to get into my new classroom the first week in June. I am planning to keep my decor the same - it's very calming and I think it's lovely. I have started packing things already. I don't want to wait until the last week of school and be stressed about it. I am taking the things I don't currently need. It's also giving me a chance to get rid of anything that is outdated or useless. I'm also taking things that belong to me personally, so that they don't get left behind in the shuffle. Most of the things in my room have come out of my pocket, so I'm taking those. I've been able to sell some things too, which is nice. The biggest challenge will be moving my classroom library. It's huge. Massive. Over 4,000 books. I will need to weed out some that might not be suitable for third grade, but I'll be able to use most of them. 

I can't wait to share my new adventures as they unfold!

Ten on Tuesday #4

 

I missed doing a Ten on Tuesday post last week. It was kind of a crazy week, with job interviews, grad school, and other things. Honestly, I'm proud of myself for getting any blog posts done these days!

This week, I'm going to share the ten best things in Paris, according to me. Because I love everything about Paris, these are in no particular order. All photos are my own, except 5 at the Arc de Triomphe - I was still in transit at that time and didn't get to go there on this trip. These pictures are from my nephew.

1. The Louvre. 

The Louvre is amazing. I could spend days there wandering the different wings. Of course, there are the major works that everyone knows. They are stunning and worth visiting. I love being in the presence of greatness. Some think the Mona Lisa is overrated, and they are okay to think that. However, I find her fascinating and mysterious. I love standing there wondering what she was thinking. I love being near the statues - the Venus di Milo, Michelangelo's Slaves, Winged Victory...I could spend all day just studying the exquisite details. I would never, ever go to Paris and skip the Louvre. It's a must for me.

2. Versailles.

Hear me out. So Versailles *is* a bit overrated, in my opinion. However, the wealth of history here makes it worth a visit. Looking at all the extravagant finishes, I honestly couldn't fault the revolutionaries in 1789. They may have gone about it the wrong way (off with their heads), but I can see why it happened. It sometimes takes an up close and personal experience with something to actually see. There are things I didn't get to visit this time - I went from the plane (after 48 hours of traveling because of canceled flights) to the Louvre to Versailles. I was dead on my feet by the time we saw a little bit of the gardens. I'd love to go back and see Marie Antionette's village and explore more of the gardens. There are parts of the palace I know I didn't get to see. So it'll be on my list for next time.

3. Montmartre.

Montmartre is my favorite part of Paris. I could spend days wandering its charming streets and watching the artists in Place du Tertre at work. This time around, I bought two small acrylic paintings from one of the artists, and they're among my most favorite paintings. Montmartre is home to fun shops, hidden gems of museums (the Dali museum is in the area), the Maison Rose (which I didn't get to see, so I obviously need to get back soon), and the famous Moulin Rouge. I've only seen that from a distance, and because it had topless pictures in the windows, I didn't snap any of my own. My favorite creperie is in a corner of Place du Tertre. Citron sucre is my favorite. Yum! I'm salivating just thinking about those crepes. Looking out over Paris from Sacre Coeur gives stunning panoramic views. You can see just about everything, including my favorite Parisian graffiti: can you spot it in the picture below?

4. Sainte Chapelle.

Sainte Chapelle is the most ethereal place I've ever been. The chapel is renowned for its stained glass, and for good reason. It is beyond stunning. It's exquisite. It tells Bible stories, and it's fascinating to look at and see how artisans depicted the stories in glass. Sainte Chapelle is the site of one of my favorite memories in Paris. I got to hear part of Handel's Messiah there. It's not a huge cathedral like Notre Dame, but the acoustics are still amazing. Any time I hear of anyone going to Paris, I tell them that they simply MUST visit Sainte Chapelle. Yet another place I could spend hours in.

5. Notre Dame.

My heart broke back in 2019 when my beloved Notre Dame caught fire. I watched in horror as the spire collapsed and the roof was ruined. I've never felt so despondent. When I saw photos of the interior, I started to feel some hope. The most important things had been saved, including the rose windows. Notre Dame was one of my most favorite places to spend time as a missionary, and I'd so looked forward to going back inside and exploring when I went back. Sadly, it's still closed for renovation, but it will reopen in December! My parents were just there in March, and the spire has been rebuilt and placed atop the cathedral. My heart sang and I felt emotional. I am so glad that it was decided to restore Notre Dame to her original glory, and not try to make any weird statements with the reconstruction. Notre Dame is a special place, and deserves to be seen in all her majesty. Right now, they have a series of bleachers set up in front and you can watch the construction. Much of the bottom of the cathedral is obscured, but you can still see a great deal. I enjoyed sitting there watching the cranes at work. It really brought so much hope.

6. 

Musée d'Orsay.

This museum holds a very special place in my heart. I was on my way to this museum back in 1999 when I had a roller blading accident and tore up my knee. I had to come home from my mission for surgery and everything. It was awful. I hated having to come home early, but I hated that I didn't get to see the museum even more! Okay, maybe not *more*, but a lot. This museum houses my favorite painting in the entire world: Coquelicots by Claude Monet. I have a print of it hanging in my bedroom. This painting makes my heart sing, and seeing it in person for the first time last year was a core memory for me. I stood in front of it in awe, tears running down my face as I finally came face to face with this masterpiece. Someone tried to push me out of the way (rude!), but I was using my cane that day and I made good use of it. I'll let you draw your own conclusions. *wink wink*

7. Eiffel Tower.

Of course the Eiffel Tower was going to make my list. I love the Iron Lady! I love that every time I see a picture, I'm transported there and can almost smell Paris (a good smell, not nasty). I can feel the breeze on my face. This time, my niece was scared to go up. She doesn't like heights (neither do I), so we made a plan. We were going to do our hair and makeup all cute, and wear our cutest outfits and go up together. We did! She was so brave and I was so proud of her. It was a hard thing, but she did it. I love looking at Paris from the Eiffel Tower. We didn't get to go all the way up, because there was a mechanical failure that prevented it. Ugh! I didn't get to go up at all as a missionary. One of these times, I will make it clear to the top!!

8. Arc de Triomphe.

I love the majesty of this arch standing tall on the Champs Elysees. I love that it withstood Hitler and his Nazis. I love that it represents triumph - for me, triumph over hard things. As a missionary, I got to spend some time here. It was awe-inspiring! And, as young people often are, I was crazy and ran across the Etoile - the massive roundabout that circles the Arc, and where no insurance company will cover an accident. Yikes. Am I honestly kind of glad that I did it so that I can say I did? Yeah. I am. Would I do it again? Not a chance. 

9. Paris Architecture.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the buildings in Paris. They're so unique and beautiful. They have so much personality and intrigue. I always look at the buildings and wonder what history they've seen. I love looking at Paris doorways too. They're lovely!  I love wandering the streets and seeing what I can find. Next time I'm there (there WILL be a next time), I am going to take more pictures of what I see around me.

10. The food!!

Of course food was going to make this list. There really isn't anything like French food. It's rich, but not heavy. It's just exactly right. I came home with a goal to eat more like the French. It's something I'm still working on, but I have a stack of French cookbooks to go through. I didn't take pictures of everything I ate in Paris, but here are a few.

There are obviously so many more things I could include. This time, I focused on things that happened on last summer's trip. I could go on for days about all the other things I love about Paris. But I'll save that for another time.

Have you been to Paris? Do we share any favorite things? Let me know in the comments!

Book Review: How to Be French by Janine Marsh

Being French is a dream of mine. Not necessarily *actually* French like in giving up my American citizenship, but French in the way I look, act, etc. There's just something about the French that I deeply admire and I want that for me too. I saw How to Be French on Amazon one day, and I knew this was the book for me. I've read plenty of books on being French, but this one was the best I've read. I loved it!

Here's a synopsis from Goodreads: "Delve into the are of loving and living in every moment.

What does it mean to be French?

Is it pausing to enjoy a glass of good wine or a spread of cheese? Being a flâneur down laneways steeped in history? Knowing just how to dress so you always look effortlessly chic?

This book is a celebration of the French lifestyle - an education in drinking to savor the moment, travelling indulgently, and cherishing food and culture. A lesson in the joy of taking things slowly. We may not all live in France, but anyone can learn how to be un petit plus français with this guide by Janine Marsh."

Honestly, that is so much what I want me to be, minus the drinking. I have felt freer to be myself when

Photo Credit: Goodreads

I'm in France than I do at home. Here, there's so much pressure to fit a mold, to look and act the same way as others. I can't do that. I will never look the way I'm supposed to and I will never be what I'm supposed to (mind you, this is "supposed to" as in what is expected culturally, not my own views). I really needed a guidebook in how to be authentically me. In my case, that looks like being French. Also, I realize how ironic that sounds - not fitting into one mold, but trying to fit in another. I accept the weirdness.

One thing I really love about the French way is the idea of being effortless. Life really isn't that complicated over there. I know, because I have actually lived there, as opposed to being solely a tourist (which I have also done and loved). Normal people seem effortless and real. There are expectations there (no going to Wal-Mart in your pajamas), but they're not insurmountable. 

I think what I love most about the French way is the desire to live life and enjoy it. I am guilty of getting caught up in the details, and stressing out over things that maybe I don't need to be stressed about. The French way is taking time to savor the things around you, whether it's food or an experience. I want that in my life.

Janine Marsh has done a fantastic job of setting out the French way in a manner that is accessible for the most part. Too bad we can't take 2+ hour lunches here. Can't have it all. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to be more authentic, and not just those wanting to live a French lifestyle. Use the tips and tricks to be your best self no matter where you are. That's what I'm trying to do.

5 stars for this lovely book!

Spiritual Sunday #1: Articles of Faith

I seem to be all memes in my blog posts, with themed days going on. That's okay - it gives me a starting point and ideas for what to write about. I've decided that I'd like to take Sundays to share something spiritual. 

For most people in my circle, I don't think it's a secret that I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe that my church is true, that we have living prophets and apostles today, and that Jesus Christ will come again and make things right on the Earth. In my church, we have a code, if you will, of things we believe. It's called the Articles of Faith. For today's Spiritual Sunday, I'd like to share those with you.

If you would like this free copy of the Articles of Faith, click HERE.

First and Favorite #1

 I love the "First and Favorite" trend going around Instagram right now. If you're unfamiliar, you take a picture of the first book you read by an author and pair it with a picture of your favorite book by the same author. I had a lot of fun doing this. I posted it on Instagram awhile ago, but I decided to start doing them here too. I have so many authors I love that I'll probably make this a series!

Do we share any of the same first or favorite books? Let me know in the comments!