My New Year’s Resolution this year was to travel more. Between being at university for 5 years, and then immediately jumping into working after graduating, I felt like traveling was something that slipped off my radar over the last few … Continue reading
I feel like each day feels really long, but the weeks and months go by quickly. Fall and Christmas are two of my favorite seasons, so I am trying to soak up every small moment. I officially had my first … Continue reading
So I fell off the blog writing planet. My apologies, but life turned into one hot mess. But I’m back now!
I started back with professional development at my school basically the first week of August. It was a surprising return to work after a lazy, delicious week and a half in France, and a week in Holland with my dear old mum.
This year I am teaching 4 sections of Intro to Art, and one new honours class called Visual Communications. It has been a big change jumping from teaching 3 sections last year to having 2 preps and teaching 5 classes this year. I’m also in my second year of BTSA, which is this huge project that feels like insane amounts of busy work.
In September I started at Santa Clara University for my Master’s program. It has been the worst experience of schooling in my life, but I have already invested so much there, that leaving now seems like such a waste. I can go more in to detail at a later point, but for now I am just putting my head down and finishing my masters and getting the hell outta there. I thank god, that my good friend Annie is in the program with me, or else I would have given up on SCU a long time ago.
About 3 weeks ago, I was in a car accident on the freeway. I was shaken up and pretty sore, but overall I am fine. My beloved blue beast of a Prius, was not fine, it was totaled. It was my first accident where I had been the driver.
Losing my car was such an emotional blow to me, it was my first brand new thing, that I got to pick out and own all by myself. Afterwards I struggled with feeling guilty, even though it was not my fault at all, I still felt a sense of loss over losing my first car. I have been unbelievably blessed by kind and giving parents (and a super awesome and helpful brother) who are helping me with all of this headache and drama of being in a serious car accident.
We got money from the insurance company pretty quickly, but I wanted to do some research on cars. I looked at a few others, but am pleased to say that I am going with another Prius. For now, I am lucky enough to borrow my mom’s car while my parents are out of town. My brother has been amazing over the last few weeks, he was a giant help with the whole car mess, and overall we have been hanging out a ton and getting along famously (which is rare for us), so that’s nice.
So, in short, life has been busy, some days better than others, but still pretty good I would say. I am trying to remain positive. I have a job I love, a great itty bitty apartment that is all mine, and in the future, a bigger paycheck. I voted (yahoo!) and have been trying to stay on top of all my different areas of life. But to be fair, my to-do list is out of control! Even my to do lists has a to-do list! I am so behind on my Christmas shopping, usually by now I’m done.
But, life is still pretty good. Hows yours? How are things? How has your week been?
-S
On our last day in L.A we walked along the canals and Venice Beach, had rooftop drinks with a gorgeous beach view at Hotel Erwin, and saw a fantastic sunset at the Santa Monica Pier. I had a lot of fun visiting … Continue reading
Last week we visited the Griffith Observatory. It sits high in the hills and only takes a short hike to get up to see a gorgeous view of the greater Los Angeles. It’s a popular touristy location, perhaps better visited … Continue reading
Last week my father and I spent the week in L.A visiting a family friend. We stayed in South Pasadena and explored different sections of L.A over the week. We brunched, dined, drank iced coffee each day (sometimes twice!), visited museums, and saw the Hollywood sign.
On Tuesday we took the train to downtown Union Station, and walked to the Bradbury building. Completed in 1893, the Bradbury building was designed by Sumner P. Hunt and George H. Wyman. The interior has a lovely airy feeling, flooded with light due to the glass ceiling. Built in an era with an eye for details, every element of the building is polished and elegant.
Union Station
I’m now obsessed with the iced chai at Intelligentsia. It was creamy, sweet and perfect in the hot heat of L.A. What’s your favorite drink on a hot day?
Love,
-S
Summer started about about two weeks ago. It began with a crazy, two day spree to Disneyland with my seniors for Grad-night. I have never laughed so hard, or been so tired. It was an epic amount of fun.
We piled onto a large Coach bus with a grand total of four chaperones for 40 odd seniors and tons of snacks and drinks. It took us 8 hours to get there, and had about 8 hours at Disneyland. It was a perfect way to start my summer.
They had a Grad lounge in Ariel’s Grotto for the chaperones, where they had tasty snacks, and caffeine in multiple forms. It was necessary since we were in Disneyland until 2:30am. California Adventure closed at 10pm to the general public, but was still open for the grad-night students and chaperones, so the lines were short! We saw fireworks in Disneyland and they were beautiful. They had many Grad-night decorations everywhere, including an awesome lights show at 2am.
We crawled onto the bus and everyone was sleeping like a baby on the way back. I know I will miss my seniors, but for now, it was a great way to end the school-year.
Love,
-S
A few weeks ago, Annie and I booked a day at the spa. We got this crazy fantastic Group-on deal that was honestly a steal. Things had been stressful both at work and at home so spending the day in the city was exactly what this girl needed.We went to Cocoon Urban Day Spa, and I walked away feeling like a million dollars. I got a massage (first time!) and a mani-pedi. I felt so pampered. I picked a bright summery color.
We followed it up by meeting Huyson for a tasty seafood lunch. We were starving by the time we got to the restaurant and ordered a staggering amount of food! We followed it up with dessert and it was a perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday.
The ice cream was unbelievable! I look forward to eating more sweet treats as the weather is warming up and turning into summer.
Going to the Spa was on my 101 in 1001 list and it was so much fun to try something I had never done before.
Love,
-S
To make a long story short, I moved unexpectedly about a month earlier than planned, thus the radio silence here on the blog.
Otherwise, things have been going great! Work has been going very well, and while I am proud of all that I have done this year, I have so many ideas on how to make next year better, both as an art teacher and as a testing proctor. I have things settled enough at my new place, and just got Comcast today. Woot! The return of my internet means I can join civilization again.
Over my spring break my father and I visited an old high school friend in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had never been, and it was a glorious week of eating tasty things, art galleries and seeing beautiful new places!
Over the week, my dad and I took a green chile cooking class, hiked a gorgeous mountain, enjoyed a fantastic little bookstore called Moby Dickens, and snarfed some delicious carrot cake!
Happy Weekend! What are you doing for your mother’s day tomorrow?
Love,
-S
This gallery contains 35 photos.
About two weeks ago my mother and I went up to Candlestick Park for my Color Run. It was my first time running with them, and I had a blast. My mother took the following pictures while I ran the … Continue reading
Classy and Fabulous 
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