A Little Indulgence...

Downton Abbey is my new favorite escape.

It's actually sort of an obsession, and I'm really not one to be obsessed with television shows, (in fact, most nights, I don't watch any).  However, this show hooked me.  It pulled me into its fantasy world:


Watch me, escape from the 21st century, you know you want to...


Really, it's like Little Women and Pride & Prejudice created a glorious baby.  Even with its occasional writing flaw, (which I can't harp on too much, since I'm sure my writing is full of a thousand), it's seductive.  The early 20th century British countryside setting is gorgeous, the costumes amazing, the plot just maddening enough to keep you wanting more.  And, beneath the glitz of all the nobility, it still manages to tell a compelling story of war, class struggle, and the women's rights movement.

Sadly, Alex and I made it through the first two seasons at a record pace and now I have to wait for the Roaring Twenties to arrive in the fall.  Until then, I invite you to check it out, (season one is streamable on Netflix), and join me in the strange cult following that surrounds this period drama, (I heard about it on Facebook from more than one person before I finally gave in...).

I tried to find pictures that captured my fascination with the costumes, but I think that you'll just have to watch to understand!

Writing Props for the Sacramento Public Library!

The Sacramento Public Library just got a whole lot cooler!  Well, in my book at least, (and, yes, pun intended)!

The system received a grant for an "Espresso Book Machine" that puts your book into print as you watch.  If you use the machine, they automatically put one copy into the local library system.  So, it looks like I'll get to publish (for a fee, I'm sure), whether anyone else wants to do it for me or not!

I imagine it to be extremely satisfying to see all of that hard work bound into a real book.  I already felt like a proud mother holding my loose-paged manuscript for the first time, I'm sure a real-deal book will feel pretty amazing, (although, I still have my eyes set on the prize of traditional publication).  If nothing else, it will make for a cool family heirloom!

As part of the grant, the library is offering writing classes to foster a local community of self-published writers.  I'm planning to attend some of the classes, would be cool to see you there!

Mission: Fruit & Veggie Consumption!

Lately, the universe has been screaming at me: Eat your veggies!

As you may remember, Alex and I did a juice fast last summer after watching the documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, (streamable on Netflix, trailer below).  It was amazing, helped Alex shed quite a few pounds, and altered our diet for months to follow.  However, once the holidays rolled around, we got sucked back into white flour, sugar, and processed foods.

Now, we're both ready to up our fruit and veggie intake, lower our meat consumption, and cut out white flour and sugar with the occasional splurge.  My friend Jen was a big inspiration for this shift.  She, her husband, and her sister recently watched Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead and embarked on their own reboot raw food diet.  Since their "reboot," Jen has not had to use her asthma inhaler and feels like she is in the best athletic condition of her life, (which is pretty incredible because she is always training for triathlons and other intense races!).

More inspiration came from watching the documentary Forks Over Knives, (trailer also below, streamable on Netflix).  The film emphasizes the importance of eating fruits and veggies and minimizing meat consumption.  Ironically, one of my students, a quirky kid with a highly developed sense of irony, also mentioned this film this week when I asked him about his daily lunch of multiple strips of bacon.  It seems that even bacon-eating children know that our diets need to change!

So, here I am, taking on the challenge of integrating as many fruits and vegetables as possible into our meals.  So far, so good.  One week in, I'm craving fresh produce and have managed to eat very little processed food.  The first couple of days were challenging, but now I'm certain I can keep it going, (especially after a delicious breakfast of freshly juiced OJ, avocado/tomato/jalapeno guacamole on black bean, brown rice, and egg tacos, and a strawberry/banana fruit bowl!).

At one point in my life, I would have thought that this was extreme, but now I'm convinced that it's critical to our health, (see mom, I do listen!).  Nonetheless, I'm still eager for more easy-to-make recipes that highlight fruits and veggies, (especially for lunch!).  If you have any favorites that fit this description, please send them my way!

Also, make sure to check out the trailers below, they're super inspiring!

Willingness to Fail & Succeed!

As a new teacher, I feel like I fail in new and exciting ways everyday.  I say exciting because I have to remind myself that failure shows us how to live better.  In fact, since I stopped being afraid of failing, I opened myself up to pursuing endeavors that actually excite me.

Before, it was too demoralizing to think that I might fail at something that I really loved.  I mean, think about it.  You finally go after your dreams, don't achieve them, and then what?  What are you left with?  I feared that if I lost the dreams, then I'd really hit bottom.

Fortunately, my view of failure magically shifted.  I realized that the people who achieve anything worthwhile, fail, then try again, and again, and again.  So, here I am, "failing" in little ways at teaching and writing on a regular basis, but still doing them both anyway.  In fact, I'd wager that my little failures help me get better everyday.  And, at least now, my dreams are potentially achievable.  I was getting nowhere by protecting them from failure.

This may seem obvious, or repetitive with things I have said before, but it's a reminder that I have to give myself all of the time.  Even though I also have little successes everyday, it is still the failures that keep me striving to improve.  Why are some of my students still not learning?  Why is that student still so behaviorally challenging? Why does that whole section of my book still feel like it sucks?

Now, here's the thing, focusing on our failures may seem pessimistic or overly harsh, but I disagree.  As long as we also celebrate our successes, failure is our chance to grow, to take action, and to be amazing!

***

On this note of eventual success, I want to express my gratitude for two unexpected sources of generosity today:

Out of the blue, my stepdad and mom solicited a donation from O'Bon for a class set of colored pencils, (and, these aren't just any colored pencils, they're eco-friendly, durable, and just-plain cute!).  My kind helpers were inspired by a story from my classroom when students received their own packs of crayons, (also thanks to my stepdad).  The kids were so excited that they cheered.  Ever since then, we've colored coded EVERYTHING we do and the students are much more engaged in their note-taking, math lessons, and worksheets as a result.  Amazing what a little color and art can do to stimulate the brain!

Thanks Dave, Mom, and O'Bon!

Seriously cool art supplies!  Click here to check out O'Bon's site!

I don't know what was in the air today, but a parent also called to offer to buy pizzas for our class lunch party tomorrow.  We're celebrating the learning growth of students that kicked butt on their spring tests and her daughter was among the highest performers.  Because our school serves a very low-income population, I often have trouble getting basic supplies, (like kleenex and dry erase markers), so the offer for pizza was extra generous!  The parent told me that she was just grateful for how much I'd helped her daughter grow.  This touched my heart and reminded me that even amidst the failures, there are still a lot of successes to celebrate!

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Exiting a coffee shop in Carmel, Alex turned and said to me, "Maybe old men just know what's up!"

Even though we were younger than many of our traveling counterparts in Carmel, we did not mind one bit.  We just decided that older people must have a better sense for what is good in life, (and Carmel is so good that we actually want to move there!).

Here is what won us over:

1.  Carmel is a dog lover's dream.  Dogs in the hotel room, no problem.  Dogs off least at the beach-- great!  Dogs welcomed in restaurants and stores, of course!

2.  Pristine white-sand beach.  Need I say more?

3.  Everything is just so darn cute.  Cute town, cute restaurants, cute houses.  Cute.

If you're headed that direction anytime soon, here were some things that we loved on our trip, (I'm a big fan of passing along travel ideas because, if you're anything like me, word-of-mouth suggestions go a long way in curing indecisiveness!).

Sleep:  

Monte Verde Inn:  We ended up at the Monte Verde Inn because it had solid reviews and was reasonable at just $99/night during the off-season, (now!).

We were highly satisfied with it at that price-- cute decor, private patio (unit 9), breakfast delivered in a basket daily, five blocks to beach, great restaurants around the corner, dog-friendly.  The only downsides were the small size of the room and the comfort of the bed, but at the price the pros far outweighed the cons. We'd happily return:

Small, but cozy, AND dog-friendly! :)

Everything is newly updated!

Morning breakfast basket on private patio... Simon wanted in on this!

Shared patio with live music/wine tasting on the weekends

Eat:  

Casanova:  Walking distance from our hotel, delicious Italian fare with beautiful patio.  Atmosphere and food live up to the price.  Great house wine and vegetarian ravioli!

I'm a sucker for twinkly lights, good food, yummy wine, and my husband!

Mon Chay:  I was skeptical about vegetarian Vietnamese food in Carmel, but this was amazing!  Possibly my favorite Vietnamese restaurant of all time!  Located directly off of Highway 1, it is a five minute drive from the village in a cute shopping center full of twinkly lights, (did I mention that I like twinkly lights?!).  The food was fresh, healthy, affordable, and delicious!

Wonton soup!

Vietnamese Chow Fun

Loved the big Buddha statue!

Parker Lusseau Pastries & Cafe:  Located only ten minutes from the aquarium, this bakery was a real find.  Delicious sandwiches and incredible desserts!  Friendly owner and staff to boot.  If I were getting married in the Monterrey area, I'd want my cake from here!

YUM! (I'd tell you what this was, but it was too fancy to remember the details... just yum!)

Does not look like much, but one of the best vegetarian sandwiches of my life.  Perfect bread.

Cute little outside spot to let the dog stretch his legs!

Play:

Carmel Beach:  No leashes required, friendly dogs, friendly people, gorgeous water, white sand... Alex and I ran with the dog each morning on the beach, definitely the highlight of our trip!

Carmel Village:  So many cool little details hidden throughout the village.  It is worth spending time just wandering around looking for the public art!

Diggidy Dog:  Clearly, we are fanatical about our dog.  This pet store is one of our all-time favorites, with a huge selection of toys and treats to spoil your mutt!

Simon lucked out with a dog-friendly sausage and donut!

Aspirational House Hunting:  Alex and I spent a couple of hours wandering around the village, looking at the houses for sale.  When an older couple asked if we were house-hunting, we happily replied that we were aspirational house hunting!  So many cool places to daydream about... Now we just need five to ten million dollars to spend...

One of our favorites!

Monterey Bay Aquarium:  Last, but not least, Alex and I hit up the aquarium in Monterrey.  So cool.  My favorite was the gigantic octopus, (I never knew that octopus were so intelligent or affectionate!).  Absolutely worth a visit.

A live feeding of fish and sharks

I love watching the jelly fish!

Next time you visit the area, send your tips my way!  We plan to be back, many, many times.  In fact, you might just have to visit us here someday...  Hopefully it will happen before we get old, but even if we have to wait to live here, it will be worth it.

To My Mysterious Foreign Followers:

Since I started my blog, I have picked up regular traffic from Russia and Latvia, as well as some other unexpected countries around the world, which I think is very cool!  Assuming, of course, that you're not just some sort of automated internet web crawler, I'd like to invite you to "like" my writing page on Facebook by clicking here, (yesterday's link was to the wrong place).  I would love to give faces to my mysterious foreign followers!

Source: gallerynucleus.com via Faith on Pinterest

The Never-Ending Pitch

Expecting Happiness (Yes, trying out different titles this week!)

Kristen and Jake were told that they could be anything they wanted when they grew up.  The problem is, beside each other, they can’t figure out what they want.  Like many couples in their late twenties, they’ve found themselves stuck in windowless cubes, trudging to meaningless jobs, grasping for purpose.  Most nights, they forget to even look at each other.  

Desperate for change, they're willing to try anything.  They've already attempted multiple failed side businesses, ranging from operating a photography studio out of their extra bedroom to selling video game avatars online.  Well, that second part was just Jake.  Running out of ideas, they set their sights on parenthood as the missing key to their happiness.  

However, after a miscarriage jolts them back to reality, they instead decide to reclaim their childhood dreams of adventure.  They quit their jobs, sell their house, and set off on separate journeys.  While Jake heads across country by car, Kristen secretly chases an old flame to Europe.  Finding themselves on often parallel adventures, they are torn between the allure of seductive foreigners and their unrelenting longing for one another-- until an ironic twist of fate ultimately forces them to decide whether they are better off together or apart.
------
Wish List:

1.  I want to make the last sentence about the twist of fate less clumsy/more exciting (not sure about the use of -- either...)
2.  Looking for a spot to seamlessly integrate a brief physical description of each to paint a better picture
3.  It still feels book-reporty, I know...  I need to spice it up!

DISCLAIMER:  Some friends have already expressed concern that maybe my book is a reflection of my own life/relationship/desires/etc.  This is NOT the case!  While there are definitely tiny pieces of my life in this book, I chose to create conflict because the book is both fictional and more interesting this way! :D

Be brave.

Today took a lot of reminders for me to be brave.

I woke up early by spring break (and Daylight Savings!) standards to talk with the author of The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published, David Henry Sterry.  He and his wife make up an awesome team that scours the country for book pitches to help new writers get published.  As part of a promotion that they were running for their book, they invited surviving Nanowrimo participants (me!) to set up 20 minute phone consultations with proof of purchase.

Even though this made me nervous, I decided to do it anyway.  I was encouraged by their kind messages and honest/helpful input to other aspiring writers on their website.  As much as I hate to admit it, however, I more than once thought about backing out, (I'm telling you, the introvert is strong in me, I just force it away on a daily basis!).  There is something about sharing your creative ideas with others that feels very vulnerable.  As I waited for my time to call, I found myself scribbling the words "Be brave. Be yourself. Be strong," on my notepad.

It turns out that I had nothing to be afraid of-- David was great, honest, and full of tips that I look forward to applying to my pitch.  In fact, I realized that it is not input that I fear at all, just how it is delivered, which in this case was very kindly.  David definitely has a talent for coaching.  He even asked to see my manuscript, which is really exciting to me.  No matter what comes of it, it makes me think that someone may actually be interested in eventually publishing my book, once I get it all polished, of course.

He also suggested that I start an author's Facebook page, forcing me again to remind myself to be brave.  Self-promotion can be intimidating, especially when my pitch and parts of my book still feel clumsy to me, but he shared that some publishers will not even look at your manuscript unless you already have an online platform.  So, I set up a page, and, to my disbelief, it already has more than 80 followers (including people I do not know)!

Being brave is making me feel very humble and grateful tonight.  I just want to say thank you to everyone that has already shown support.  And, for those of you that aren't my friends on Facebook, I invite you to join my new "platform" by clicking like here, (I'd love to give faces to all of my mysterious Eastern European blog readers!  Yes, Google Analytics tells me you're out there!).

Don't forget, be brave too!

After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you're writing a book, I highly recommend this guide, so much great advice!

"For those of you that have never seen the ocean..."

Today my students got their wish.

Nearly 120 fourth and fifth grade students, at least two dozen parents, and five teachers piled into three funky old buses that bounced happily down the road to San Francisco.

Before even exiting our bus, one student exclaimed, "This is the best field trip I have ever been on!"

The initial view of the city was just as exciting as I hoped.  The students were giddy as they spotted the skyline, the Golden Gate bridge, Alcatraz.  They anxiously held their breath through the tunnel on Treasure Island, carefully making their wishes at the other end.  However, to my surprise, it was not just the city that excited them-- it was the cows on the hillside before that, the coastal mountain range itself, ("Are those as tall as the Himalayas?"), and the glee of waving to other school children on passing busses out the window.

Of course, the Exploratorium earned its own acclaim.  Beginning with lunch outside the Palace of Fine Arts, eager children fed the ducks, the swans, and the pigeons in the perfect San Francisco March sunshine.  The exhibits soon followed, sucking them in with the truly magical promise that they would not get in trouble for touching anything.  My personal favorite was the rather low-brow, toliet-shaped drinking fountain.  While I could not bring myself to drink from it, (despite the promises of drinkability), I delighted in watching the students psyche themselves into it.

Oddly, however, it was the bus ride home that left me the most satisfied.  Despite an earlier response that we would not cross the Golden Gate Bridge, the bus driver announced a change in plans upon our departure.  To the sheer delight of the students on my bus, we did cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was magical.

"For those of you that have never seen the ocean," the bus driver called out proudly, "turn and look out on your left."

Cameras held out excitedly in the air, many of my students took in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  I wanted to cry, but I smiled instead.  Floating across the bridge on a crazy, bouncy bus full of happy children, I remembered why I decided to become a teacher.

"WHOA!!"

I love the lighting and the architecture of the Exploritorium.  I hope that its new home on the waterfront is just as cool!

Brought to you by popular demand, the teacher ninja photo.  Lisa was trying to view an optical illusion with one eye when I snuck in there for the pic... Clearly, teachers are always mature adults.

My infamous happy, sparkly shoes, (key ingredients for any good day!)

More of the cool lighting

Close-ups of plants because I can't legally show you close-ups of the children...

"We really get to go over the Golden Gate Bridge?!"

Our own magic school bus!

Happy kids, (Note: This picture is not a close-up, so I think that I can get away with posting it!  Yippee!)

End Result: Two very happy teachers! (Really, five... But we were lame and didn't get a group teacher photo...  Insert sad face... That last part is for you, Regina!)

A Little Creative Inspiration...

I deeply admire and am inspired by the creative people in my life.  Looking through a friend's fashion illustrations this evening, I was struck by the same old message from the universe that hard work fuels success, not luck.  I know that my friend will be wildly successful, not because she is lucky, but because she is talented, works hard, and does not give up.  Check out her work on Pinterest or at her blog, Drawn to Style.

Thanks for the inspiration, Tanya!

Source: drawntostyle.blogspot.com via Tanya on Pinterest

 

Source: trueleigh.blogspot.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Source: trueleigh.blogspot.com via Tanya on Pinterest

For you multi-tasking introverts!

Awhile back, I mentioned a book that I was excited to start-- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  Being a multi-tasking introvert myself, I have read only the first few chapters, while also balancing two other reads simultaneously.  It is interesting, I'm just not in a hurry to get through it-- it's more of something that I pick up for fifteen minutes at a time, then let digest and inspire before returning for more.

Last night, my dear friend Tanya, shared a link to a talk with the book's author, Susan Cain, allowing me to multi-task while also listening, perfect!  If you're interested in the book, this is a great place to start, just let it stream in the background while you're doing your other browsing.  It will leave you feeling reflective and proud to be an introvert, (if you are one!).

Certain to fix your case of the Mondays...

In my family, it's a sin to complain about Mondays.  You should be eager to get back to work.  Sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not.  Call me a sinner this week.  I had such a wonderful long weekend with Alex, eating at yummy restaurants, getting massages, enjoying the sunshine, you get the picture.  Somehow, getting back to work just does not hold the same appeal!

So, because everyone needs a good Monday smile, here is the highlight of my day-- forcing my dog to try on his new beach outfit.  Who can resist a dog in a hoodie sweatshirt?  I certainly can't.

Not sure he's liking the hood...  I'm officially one of those people that puts her dog in clothes...  Worth it.

Partners in Crime

For me, the biggest key to marital bliss is a shared sense of humor.   If Alex didn't laugh at my jokes, the world would be very lonely.  After all, we all want to feel like someone else understands us.  Part of being married for me is knowing that Alex will be there to laugh at my jokes even when no one else does, (and mean it, too!).  When I'm a little old lady and people ask me for the secret to a long marriage, I'm certain that my answer will be laughter.

In the spirit of this shared laughter, I want to wish happy birthday to my favorite partner in crime!  I am so grateful that we share the same quirky sense of humor, (even when other people just stare at us in silence!).  Here's to many, many more years of post-dinner track suit purchases and hysterical laughter.  We will definitely be the most interesting couple in the retirement community.  Do you think that they'll let us in early?  In these outfits, it's either that or GTL and fist pumping...

I love you, welcome to 28 years of age.  It certainly does not mean that we are always grown ups, as is evidenced from the pictures below.

I would like to add that part of the beauty of these pictures is that they're 100% sober.  The best laughter doesn't need help!

Luck & Hard Work

Luck and hard work can be very easy to confuse.  I work hard, but I do not always feel lucky with the results.  Teaching, in particular, often leaves me questioning the correlation between the two.  Maybe it is true of anything that is a craft-- that the hard work takes longer to pay off.  

It is just so easy to think that successful people are lucky and forget the role that hard work plays in their success.  I know that I often catch myself thinking that published writers are lucky.  However, I also know that they put in a ton of work and refuse to give up, which ultimately matters more than luck.  After all, you will never publish anything if you do not write it or pitch it in the first place.  Maybe, then, the secret is not luck, but that successful people are the ones that do not give up.

I'm trying to remind myself of this, to keep myself motivated.  The ironic part is that I remind my students of this all of the time.  "This is hard!" they'll say.  "Yes, life is hard, and you have a choice.  Either you can work hard at it and be successful, or you can give up and never succeed."  I'm pretty sure that I said this at least five times this week.  Funny how sometimes we do not hear our own words.

I thought that you might also like the reminder to make your own luck.  If, like me, you're pursuing a creative endeavor that would benefit from online networking, check out this great post about making your own luck.

I will create my own happines by ~notmi on deviantART