Teacher Talk- Week One!

I have to say, I am so pumped for this link up series! A huge 'thanks' goes out to Jamie and Nicole for setting this up! If there's one thing I miss from college it's having the support of my friends and fellow teachers as we went through student teaching, so I'm hopeful that this group of teacher-bloggers will give me a similar experience :)

 

                                    Secondary Science Education Group... my support team!

This first week is all about who I am as a teacher. I teach in a Catholic high school in a suburb of St. Louis, MO. This year is my third year, and I currently teach Environmental Science and Biology. I love love love the school I'm at... and I love teaching science!! But the best part of my job is the kids. They amaze me everyday and keep life "real".

                                            My partner teacher... aka my bestie!

                                            They call us the 'bio buds' :)

 My faith is really important to me, so it is awesome to be able to work and love Jesus at the same time! I am so blessed to have this amazing place to work.. where He is always the first priority.

It's always been hard for me to explain "why I teach". Teaching has always been a part of me... its always been what I wanted to do. And I cannot give enough credit to the amazing teachers I've had along the way, as they've totally solidified this decision.

I hope that gives you a little "snapshot" of who I am as a teacher... I can't wait to read about all the other awesome teachers doing this link up!

Happy!

Well, I made it through the first week of school! It's funny... all of last week I was dead tired and honestly wasn't loving work like usual. My husband kept reminding me that it would pass... and I'm happy to say that it did! Its only Monday... but I am feeling better about everything this week! Love being happy :) I even went to the gym tonight!

This past weekend was my hubby's birthday! We spent the weekend celebrating at the Lake of the Ozarks... boating, swimming and eating birthday cake!

I am a granola bar ADDICT! I drive 30 minutes to work in the morning so it's the perfect breakfast to eat in the car. Sometimes its hard to find a granola bar that has low sugar, high protein, high fiber... and still tastes good. Ladies... I present you KIND bars! Sooo yummy and only 5 g of sugar!

 

Lastly... I am so excited for tomorrow's link up! I can't wait to get to know my partner and read the other teachers' blogs!

I Love a Sale!!

Today was the first day of Lilly Pulitzer's Endless Summer Sale!! I love me some Lilly, but I honestly cringe at the prices sometimes. So I was super happy to get two adorable dresses for half of what they would normally cost!

                                          

                                                                 Carmine Dress

                                              

                                                                     Fleur Dress

Its a good day, ladies! Did you partake in this great sale?

          

TGITW! (Thank God It's The Weekend!)

It's official... school has started! The first week of my third year of teaching is in the books, and boy am I whipped! Its obvious my body was used to doing pretty much nothing in the summer, and then WHAM a full day of high schoolers happens. Overall I'm really looking forward to this year.. I have four classes of upperclassmen and two of lowerclassmen. I keep forgetting to take pictures of my classroom.. stay tuned, its pretty cute :).

Speaking of cute... this is my newest creation.

 I bought the dress from Gap Outlet and used heat transfer vinyl to monogram it. Pretty easy and super adorable!

Anywho, this weekend my 'to do' list is about a mile long... but I'm still looking forward to sleeping in past 5:30! (Yes... I have to get up at 5:30 during school year... blah!)

Tonight we're having enchiladas... my husband's absolute fave! You can find the recipe here.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Healthy Oat Bites

What's better than an easy to make, energy packed food? One that tastes like cookie dough! There are many recipes out there for similar foods, and after many experiments in the kitchen I've found what I think is the perfect recipe for oat bites. These make a great portable breakfast (I always eat in the car!) or an easy snack. And like I said... they taste amazing!

What you need:

1 1/3 cup oats

1 1/3 cup cashews

4 TBSP agave

2 TBSP maple syrup

2 tsp vanilla

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp chili powder (Optional)

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

 

To make:

 

1.       Blend the cashews and oats in a food processor or high speed blender until they're a fine powder. (Be careful not to over blend)

2.      Add the agave, maple and vanilla slowly. Blend in short bursts and only until combined.

3.      Add the chocolate chips.

4.      Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15 mins.

5.      Roll into balls. If dough gets difficult to work with, stick back in the fridge for a few minutes. (Warning: your hands will be sticky and gross.. embrace your inner child)

Mini chocolate chips are definitely the way to go in my opinion. They make for a good chocolate to oat ratio! The chili powder gives them a very slight “kick”… I’ve made them with it and without it, up to you!

I recommend storing in airtight Tupperware in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze to keep for longer periods of time.

 

 Enjoy!!

Go Greek! 5 Tips for Going Through Recruitment

Hello, hello! It's about that time of year when everyone is gearing up for school to start. If you're in college, this could mean getting ready for recruitment. I am a few years out of college now, but I still remember the excitement and nervousness I felt as I went through rush, and then the excitement and exhaustion of recruiting women into my sorority. I was also on the Panhellenic side of it for two years as VP of Finance and President, so I really did see all angles of it. My heart goes out to you if you are about to go through rush... it can be confusing and overwhelming, but I promise, it's worth it!

Here are 5 tips that will hopefully make the experience a little easier.

1. Most importantly, be yourself. Don't pretend you love sports just because the girl you are talking to loves sports. You will be with whatever chapter you choose for 4 years and beyond, so you want to make sure that you find the chapter that reflects what you love and care about. (That's not to say that just because that one girl loves sports that the whole chapter does)

2. Keep an open mind. You could very well go into the whole experience thinking that you know where you want to end up. Guess what... there very well could be another chapter that ends up being a better fit or more appealing!

3. Don't listen to what others say. Your roommate may have  a COMPLETELY different experience than you at Beta Beta Beta. Trust your heart and what you feel. It's okay to have a different opinion... that's why there are so many different sororities!

4. This goes hand in hand with # 3, don't speak negatively about chapters. Even if you think Beta Beta Beta is the worst sorority ever created, keep it to yourself. You never know who is loving that chapter.... plus it just looks ugly.

5. Be your best self.  Get a lot of sleep, use your best shampoo, get your nails done... do whatever you need to do to feel your best. If you feel your best, you will have self confidence... and what is more beautiful than that?

Good luck to all! The week will be long and probably stressful but it is so worth it in the end! 3 of my 5 bridesmaids were sorority sisters... you truly are about to meet your best friends!

Insta Lately!

Hello hello!!

I have been suuuuper busy lately with getting ready for the school year, dog sitting and just loving the last little bit of my summer vacation!

These are the dolls I spent the weekend with... so cute, right?

          Celebrating our one year anniversary with margs and out at our favorite restaurant.

 

I've also been busy monogramming everything possible! And I opened an etsy shop! Check it out here. (Its a work in progress still)

Lastly... a new obsession! I picked these up by total accident at the store (hubs loves golden oreos), and guys... they are to DIE for! I love anything lemon. Is it shameful to stock up on these since they're limited edition?

Well that's all for today.. I need to enjoy my last day of freedom before the meetings go into full force!

One year later....

One year ago today I married my husband! I am so blessed to have married my best friend... he makes me laugh and supports me in every way. Here are just a few photos of our big day last August.

                                           

        

                                       

                                       

                                       

      

Heres to many many more!!