Summer Classes

This summer, I am taking two session A classes.  They finish June 25th.  I am in class Monday-Thursday from 6-945.  I know its a nuisance now, but when I graduate, I will be happy I did it!  My education class is with an AMAZING teacher.  She has taught us so much, and I am having so much fun in the class!  It even gives me an opportunity to see my sisters and friends during the summer, because they are in my classes too!  I am looking forward to continuing on with these classes and learning even more about becoming a GREAT teacher!


Lesson Learned:
There's always something new to learn!

Too Busy To Handle

     What a week!! I started the week with my birthday, on the 14th.  I had one final, and then my parents took me to dinner.  It wasn't very eventful, but I loved dinner with my family.
     Tuesday was packed with 5 finals and I also checked out of my dorm room.  After my last final, my friend Erica and I went out for ice cream and celebrated the fact that I survived 5 finals in one day!    
     Wednesday I was up bright and early at 6 for my brother's college graduation from Ramapo College of New Jersey.  I could not be prouder of my big brother and all that he has accomplished.  He graduated with the highest of honors, summa cum laude, as well as multiple honors societies.  We were so happy to see him walk across stage, with all the colorful chords hanging over his robe.  After lunch with my family and TONS of pictures, my sister Jess and I, along with our friend Suz, went to the Prudential Center to a "viewing party" of the Devils vs. Rangers game.  We had so much fun with all the other Devil's fans, and Suz and I even got a new Devils shirts!  It was SO MUCH FUN!
     Thursday was another early morning, but very exciting.  My friend Erica and I went to a live taping of the cooking talk show, The Chew.  We drove into the city, got Starbucks, waited on line, and had an amazing time.  Once inside, we saw all the co-hosts, and we even talked to Daphne Oz about her cute shoes!  After seeing the taping, I returned my textbooks at school and took my friend home. I finally got home, just in time to help my mom bake and get a ton of other things ready for my brother's graduation party.
     Friday, my parents woke my brother and I up early to help pack the car of everything needed for the party at my Aunt's house.  We packed my brother's jeep and my parent's expedition to the brim!  I had fun driving down to my Aunt's house with my brother.  We listened to music, laughed, and had a good time.  After we unloaded the car, we got to putting together center pieces, and finalizing everything.
     Saturday, the big day had finally come.  130 people came to my Aunt's house to celebrate my brother's graduation from college.  There was so much food and fun times with my family and friends.  I had a great time, and so did my brother and all of our guests.
     Sunday, finally a little relaxation.  My cousins and I spent the day by the pool until it was time to load the car and head back home.  I came home and rushed right back out, to celebrate my Big sister's graduation at our favorite place, The Colorado Cafe, where we line danced, and had a great time!
     This past week, and the weeks leading up to it, have been so jam-packed and stressful.  I haven't had a free five minutes, it's just been non-stop.  With summer classes starting tomorrow, and babysitting 3 days a week, I hope I still find time to enjoy my summer and spend time with friends.


Lesson Learned:
"He who's not busy being born is busy dying"

A Lot Has Changed Since Freshman Year

I can't believe I am half way through my four years of college.  It seems like just yesterday I was starting classes and getting used to commuting to school.  A lot has changed since I my freshman year.  I started living at school, I joined a sorority, I've made new friends, lost old friends, and I've gotten closer to my future career as a teacher.

     It really hit me that my life has completely changed when I was packing up my dorm room last night.  I have had so many memories in that room with my sisters and my friends.  I never thought I would be the type of person to leave home and live at school, but my friends convinced me I would love it!  They were right.  It was definitely the best decision I have ever made. 

     However, living at school has had some negativity.  Being away from home, and being so close to my friends at school, has put strains on multiple relationships.  I don't see my home friends as often as I used to, so I'm constantly getting texts saying how I've been ignoring them, or we barely know each other anymore.  I used to spend every free minute with my parents, grandparents, and cousins, but now, I only see them when I'm home on the weekends, or at a family party.  I think the worst of all though, is the relationship changes I have been experiencing with my friends at school.  They say sometimes seeing people too much can be a bad thing.  Some of the people I considered my best friends have decided they needed their space, and that we are together too often.  What they don't realize is we live down the hall from each other.  It's inevitable.  We ate most of out meals together, studied together, and hung out when we weren't busy.  Normal right? I thought so.  It's what best friends do.  Well, at this point, I'd say it's safe to say, we aren't best friends... honestly, I don't even know if we are friends anymore.  When I see them in the hall, or around campus, they act like they don't even know me.  This absolutely breaks my heart, because I would do anything for them. If you asked me a few weeks ago, these were those college friends everyone told me I would meet in college and be friends with for the rest of my life! I'm sick of one-sided friendships.  Those relationships where I always start the conversations, I send the first text, and all of the responses are yupp, ok, yea, cool.  This is not a friendship... at all.  There was a point where I was at my lowest of lows, and I didn't even have them to turn to.  It really shows who has my back, and who could care less.

     I can’t wait for summer to start so these things change.  I can be with my family again.  I will be closer to my home friends, and farther from my school friends.  I am dying for a break from schoolwork, and focusing more on me.  I can't wait for Disney with my family, and Miami with my sisters.  I just need to get through finals now... 1 Monday... and 6 Tuesday. Oh boy!

Lessons Learned:

~It's sad when the people you know become the people you knew, but sometimes its for the better.

~"When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sand paper. They may scratch you and hurt you a bit but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless."

~"There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will.  So don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason they didn't make it to your future."

Content

     Sometimes, you need to FALL before you can CLIMB.  This past weekend, I was so overly stressed that I was questioning something I have been dreaming about since as far back as I can remember.  I was rethinking becoming a teacher.  I had so much work this weekend, for all three of my education classes on top of my other three classes, that I was just overwhelmed.  It took all of my sisters, my best friend from high school, Charlotte, and my newest friend Erica to calm me down this weekend.   I was so worked up, one of my sisters called me and said, "come open your door, I'm outside!"  That was one of my crazy sisters, Tiona, not sure what i'd do without her though!  Then later that night, my sister, Missy, helped with my homework, after we visited her Big at work for dinner.  Missy is always there when I text her or call her.  This really showed me my sisters have my back.  They are willing to show up at my  house, to help me and make sure I'm ok.  I've since been working very hard and have gotten a lot of my work done!  On top of everything, my dad was in the hospital last week, and that had my head all over the place.  I couldn't focus on anything other than him.  Now, he is home, my work is getting done, and everything is getting back on track. 
     I am very content right now, with the final weeks of school coming up, my brother's graduation party, and tickets to see The Chew with my sisters, I am looking forward to the month of May, also my birthday month!  I am spending a lot of time preparing for finals, because I want to make sure I maintain my 3.6 GPA this semester.  I am also helping my family plan my brother's graduation party from Ramapo College.  He has worked so hard during his four years in college, that he is graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a 4.0 GPA.  My family is so proud of him, and we know he will move on to bigger and better things.  I also have the privilege of going to see the cooking talk show, The Chew, the week of my birthday! I applied for tickets and got an email confirming them! I was so excited I SCREAMED!  I am going with my two sisters, and my friend Erica, who will be becoming a Deepher in the fall!  We are all SUPER excited!  However, the most exciting thing of all, I'm going to see THE DEVILS playoff game on Thursday with one of my best friend and her friend.  Yea, tickets were $100, but SO WORTH IT!  Finally, a few things to look forward to!
     As I have now come to realize, I am surrounded with the BEST people I could ask for!  My sisters, family, and friends are always there for me.  I can always count on my friend Erica to listen to me vent, help me with what I'm going through, or just chat with to kill time.  Our conversations are so out there, but we are perfectly ok with it.  We have so much in common that we can talk about EVERYTHING!  My sisters are behind me every step of the way!  I have NO idea what I would do without my family.  There are no words for how unbelievable they are.  I wouldn't trade the people in my life for anything!!


Lessons Learned:
"When your letters are in front of you, your sisters are behind you"


"Don't let a step-back stop you from pushing ahead"

It's ME Time!

     I have come to the conclusion that I try and please too many people.  I forget about what I truly want and sacrifice my own happiness for others.  Yes, it is important to think of others, but I need to put myself first, something I NEVER do.  I put everyone else before me, family and friends.  I am too busy pleasing other people that I have ended up unhappy with my life and where it is going.  I decided this weekend that I was done with being second.  I am first in my mind and it needs to stay that way.  Since no one puts me first, why should I put them first.  Yes, family is different, but I need to be my first priority!
     Sometimes, I worry too much what others think of me.  A friend told me today that I need to be HAPPY with MYSELF, and LOVE MYSELF, something I have always found difficult.  Again, it's ok to take other's opinions into account, but in the end, I must do what is BEST for me and what will make me HAPPY!  
     A quote from one of my favorite songs says "Life's too short, to hate yourself."  I am going to start living by this because it is 100% true! If I spend my life worrying about what other people think of me, I will NEVER be happy!


Lessons Learned:
I am the most important person in my life.


I AM good enough!


"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.  ~Sally Field"

Re-Evaluation Time

     I can't believe how busy I've been! These past few weeks have been FYLING by! Before you know it, it's going to be finals week!  Even though I'm super busy, I have been taking time to re-evaluate my life.  Times have been hard and I've made some unhealthy friendships.
     These past few weeks, I have spent some time getting closer to new friends, and distancing myself from some "unhealthy" friendships.  I have come to the realization that if people can not accept me for the way I am, then I don't want to be their friend.  Easier said than done.  I have invested so much in my friendships, it hurts to see them fall apart and disappear.  I shouldn't want to be friends with these people, but I'm having a hard time distancing myself from them.  It hurts because these are the people I thought would stick by me forever.  Guess I was wrong.  Through all of this trouble, I have definitely found my true friends, the friends who will be there for me regardless.  I don't know what I'd do without them!


Lesson Learned:
When the sky gets cloudy, only the bright stars shine through

Stressful Season

Its that time of year again! Registration, papers, classes, sorority! SO MUCH STUFF! Last weekend, I was able to go to the Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan concert, which gave me time to relax and enjoy myself before the stress of papers and registering for classes begins, but now its time to get down to business.  I am focussing on homework and trying not to get overstressed.  Classes are going well, thank goodness, so hopefully it will stay that way!!

With My Sorority Sisters

So Close!

Jason Aldean

Luke Bryan

Getting Back Into It

     What a great spring break I had!  Even though I had to wake up extra early, it was still a great week overall.  I spend this FANTASTIC week in the classroom doing observations.  I was able to see so many lessons and really get an idea of what it is really like to be in a classroom for a few days.  I got to see Mrs. Colucci's special St. Patrick's Day history lesson- Breads Around the World.  

     As a lesson to learn about different countries, continents, and cultures, Mrs. Colucci planned an extra special lesson for St. Patricks Day.  She had students sample bread from 6 different countries, and they had to color in where each bread from from on a map.  They tasted tortillas from Mexico, croissants from France, Italian bread from Italy, Irish soda bread from Ireland, white bread from America, as well as German pumpernickel bread.  After, each student was given a graph that was filled in with stickers based on their classmates' favorite breads.  As she explained, this helped the boys and girls practice social skills because they were forced to ask their friends what their favorite bread was. After the students filled out their graphs, they returned to their seats to answer questions based on the information in the graph.  The boys and girls loved this lesson and learned so much from it!
    Again, being in the classroom helped me realize I CANNOT WAIT to have a classroom of my own.  I cannot wait to plan fun lessons and activities for my students to enjoy.  I have already started files of the lessons I have seen from my mom, my aunt, and Mrs. Colucci.  I love kids and I cannot wait to build their educational foundation that will help them grow into intelligent students.


Lesson Learned:
"Remember the past, live in the present, and plan for the future."

So Much Bread!

The Set-Up

 

Gathering Information!

Asking Friends

Spring Break

    Spring Break is bitter sweet this year because I am spending a lot of my week observing.  As much as I LOVE being in the classroom, I hate waking up at 7 to go to school.  This break, I am spending Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in Mrs. Colucci's AMAZING first grade classroom.  But until then, I am spending my time relaxing and doing what I need most- Spending time with my family.  
     Yesterday, I went shopping for some "spring-y" observation outfits, weighed in with my family, and went line dancing at the Colorado Cafe with my friends.  Today was one of those dream days with amazing weather.  I woke up at 11, went to lunch with a friend, and spent the day with my little cousin.  She was so excited when I picked her up from middle school.  Then I took her for a manicure, to get my car washed, for McDonalds, and then she came with me to my hair cut.  My cousin is 13, and she is at a very impressionable age.  I try to be the best example I can be for her, and days like this show me she is growing up to be a beautiful, smart young woman.  The weather was great, so we had drove around with the windows down, the music up, and our voices as loud as could be!  We had an amazing afternoon together, and it was just what I needed after a stressful week of midterms.  
    I am looking forward to seeing some great lessons at school, spending time with my Aunt while staying at her house, and enjoying the beautiful weather that is predicted for the rest of the week!


Lesson Learned:
 Sometimes, all you need is good company

Dr. Suess Day

     Dr. Suess' Birthday was this past Friday, March 2nd.  As a child, I could remember waking up to my mom making my brother and I green eggs and ham... literally!  She would get up early on one of her busiest days of the school year to make us this breakfast!  It was so much fun to eat colored food as a kid! In my town Dr. Suess Day was taken very seriously.  My mother was in charge of this Read Across America day.  She had the best "centers" planned for everyone!  In the gym, there were multiple stations set up.  Each class had a scheduled time to go to the gym that day.  One center was making a book mark, another was a reading station with a high school student.  There were usually about six or seven stations in the gym, and classes had a ball going to each one!  I miss being in elementary school and getting to do this.  My mom worked so hard and it was always a hit!
    This year,  I was lucky that March 2nd fell on a Friday- my observation day!  I was in my first grade classroom where they had the best day!  Now, in Village Elementary School, March 2nd is Pajama Day, so every student in the school, including the teachers, had PJs on with their favorite stuffed animal and a blanket.  The morning started and I brought those iconic red and white striped hats for each student.  While the students were going through their morning routine, I fitted the paper hat to each child, and they loved it.  Next, they went over their graph of which Dr. Suess book, that they read this week, was their favorite.  They were having so much fun!  As part of Read Across America, they spent the rest of their day with their reading buddies, one of the fifth grade classes.  They each had been paired up with their buddy at the beginning of the year.  They did so many activities, including a "Green Egg Hunt," The Sneetches Bingo, and Dr. Suess Jeopardy.  In the Green Egg Hunt, each reading buddy pair went into the room where green eggs that contained a Dr. Suess book title were hidden.  They then read the book they found.  Sneetches Bingo consisted of a bingo board with words from the Dr. Suess book, The Sneetches.  The reading buddy pairs listened for the words on their board while the book was read.  Another great and fun game was Dr. Suess Jeopardy.  It was a game full of Dr. Suess trivia about the author and the books.  The kids LOVED it!  The day ended with a "Movie on the Ceiling," they watched the Sneetches!  They also ate Dr. Suess hat cookies while the watched the movie!  
     Dr. Suess Day at Village was a HUGE success!  The kids read so much that day and learned a lot about Dr. Suess as an author.  I enjoyed the day too, and got TONS of ideas.  My favorite idea was a project my Aunt did with her class... which is next to the class I'm observing in!  She made Thing 1 and Thing 2 with hand prints!  They came great!  Everyone had an AMAZING day!




Lesson Learned:
You are never too young to read!

Working on their Dr. Suess
Activity books while on
their blankets

Hat Cookies!

The GREAT craft my Aunt did!

  

You're Never Alone

     Everyone goes through hard times.  Whether it is a bad day, week, month, or even an entire semester that just isn't going right.  However, there's always something that keeps you going, cheers you up, or wipes away the tears.  Whether it's a song, a quote, or a friend, something is there to bring you through that rough patch.
    I LOVE music!  Whenever I'm having a bad day, I know music can cure my slump.  Anything country always puts me in a good mood!  I don't know if it's because its relaxing, or if I automatically associate certain songs and artists with certain people.  I have been very lucky to go to a lot of concerts, and I've never had a bad time at a concert.  When I hear music from a person or group that I have seen, I automatically think of the great time I had with one, or more, of my very close friends at that show.  The songs bring back memories of good times, and cloud the current feelings looming over me.

     Quotes also can brighten my day. Whether I put it as my facebook status, tweet about it, or just read it and keep it to myself.  I see quotes all over the place- facebook, twitter, picture captions, song lyrics, ANYTHING!  They help you realize you are not alone, and that other people are going through the exact same thing you are.  People have felt that way before, you're not the first!  Look for help!  You can be surprised what you will find.  

     Friends also are always there to cheer me up!  There are those certain people that no matter what is going on, if we are fighting, or if I haven't seen them in a while, I can just text and call them and they are always there for me. One of my close friends, and sorority sister, put up a status today about quotes, and I realized it was a lesson I had truly learned. 

Lesson Learned:

Quotes get you through the days you think no one knows what you're going through.

Ready for a GREAT Week!

     My sundays are usually uneventful and boring, however today was something else!  My morning started with a great breakfast at home with my parents and my best friend, Kelsey.  Then I went to my aunt's house to pick up a Keurig coffee machine for my dorm room.  When I got back to school, I had a meeting with my Sisterhood team for my sorority.  After talking with one of my sisters, we decided to surprise the president, who had been having a rough couple of days, with a visit.  We bought her irises, our sorority's flower, some chocolate, tissues, and Cosmo!  She was so happy to see us, and I was happy to put a smile on her face!  Hopefully this great sunday is a sign that its going to be an amazing week!

     My week is looking great so far!  Tomorrow, I have one class and a sorority meeting.  Tuesday, I have a CRAZY day with FIVE classes.  Wednesday, I again have one class, and then I am having dinner with my great-aunts.  I love spending time with them, so I am really looking forward to updating them on the great things going on in my life!  Thursday is another full day with four classes, but thats why I'm at college, so I shouldn't complain!  Then friday, the BEST day of the week!  Dr. Suess' birthday!!  I am SO lucky to be observing friday!  The school has a BIG celebration, and everyone wears their pajamas!  The students are so excited, and I cannot wait for a day full of reading!  I am so ready for a great week!

Lesson Learned:

Great things always lay ahead.

Friends, Sisters, Family...I've got them all!

     I have the best friends, sorority sisters, and family a girl could as for!  For some reason, when the weather is nice, sunny, and cool, I get that feeling inside where I am just loving life!  Today is just one of those days, where I want to take a drive with the windows down, country music blasting, and a Dunkin Donuts iced tea in the cup holder and appreciate life. 

     Friends.  Something I have always struggled with.  I always thought you would meet your best friend in elementary school, and go through life with them, sharing all the good times...and the bad.  But it took me a while to realize that wasn't the case for me.  I had to go through many struggles and fall-outs with my past friends, but I can now say I am happy with where my life is!  I had to wait until I was in college to meet my best friend, Kelsey.  When it comes to a friend, she is just like me.  She is willing to do anything for me at any time, just like I am for her.  I am so lucky to have a best friend like her!
     Last semester, I made the BEST decision of my life- to join a sorority, ∆ΦΕ!  I know it sounds cheesy, but joining Delta Phi Epsilon has changed my life for the better!  I have met so many amazing people that I otherwise would not have known.  I have made lasting relationships with my sisters that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with!  I even moved on campus because of DphiE... something I NEVER thought I would do in a million years!  My life is going great right now, and I am so happy I have my sisters to share it with!
     My family means the world to me!  I don't know how I would be able to live without them!  I am so fortunate and lucky to have them always supporting me in what ever I do!  From the "Good Morning! Love you" texts from my parents, to the calls to just "check in."  They make my day, and that is the one thing I hate about living at school- being away from them.  Up until last semester, we ate every meal together, spent the weekends with the family, and watched TV to end every day.  I love my parents and my family, and even though we are all a little crazy, I wouldn't trade them for the world!


Lesson Learned:
I am very lucky to have amazing people in my life!

My Family

My Sisters

My Best Friend