How firm thy friendship....OHIO!

There are some things ingrained in you since infancy. For me, it was a love of family, desire for a higher purpose, a passion for education, and.....Ohio State football. If you know my family, you know that we LIVE Ohio State football. Loving our scarlet and gray may actually be part of our DNA.

By some fantastic luck and a lot of help from Judd, all of us were able to get tickets to the game this weekend, along with my father-in-law and my sister's best friend. As I sat and sang Carmen Ohio as an alum with my mother at my side, it suddenly dawned on us that this was the first time we had shared this experience as graduates of the university. My parents have worked so hard to make sure my sister and I receive a higher education. I am so proud to be graduate of this university. I am so proud to be a BUCKEYE.

"Oh come let's sing Ohio's praise,
and songs to Alma Mater raise

While our hearts rebounding thrill

with joy which death alone can still.

Summer's heat or winter's cold

the seasons pass, the years will roll.

Time and change will surely show

how firm thy friendship...OHIO!"

Happy Halloween!

Trick-or-Treat!
Lucy, Judd, and I enjoyed our first trick-or-treat in our new house. Lucy dressed up as an angel and got "buddy biscuits" while Judd and I drank hot rum cider. Happy Halloween!

To my Dad

"You have a little girl. An adorable little girl who looks up to you and adores you in a way you could never imagine. I remember how her little hand used to fit inside mine. How she used to sit on my lap and lean her head against my chest."

"Then the day comes when she wants to get her ears pierced and she wants you to drop her off a block before the movie theater. The next thing you know, she's wearing eye shadow and high heals."

"From that moment on, you are in a constant state of panic. You worry about her going out with the wrong type of guys, the kind of guys who only want one thing--and you know exactly what that one thing is because its the same thing you wanted when you were their age."

"Then she gets a little older and you quit worrying about her meeting the wrong guy and you worry about her meeting the right guy. And that is the biggest fear of all because you lose her."

"This is the moment you have been dreading for six months. Well actually the past 22 years." "Who takes this woman? This woman? But she's not a woman. She's just a kid. My kid. I suddenly realize what is happening. Anne is all grown up."

Happy Birthday, Dad. I love you so much. Love, Your Little Girl

The party is just getting started...

This is my fourth post and I am already breaking my promised rules and talking about Judd...

As of this very moment I am typing, Judd and I have been married exactly three months. Three months ago, I was walking down the aisle, holding my father's arm, and starting this giant journey with Judd. The past few months have been everything I ever dreamed they would be.

Though the champagne has been drank, the music is off, and all the thank yous have been sent, I know that this party is just getting started...

We've waited so long to be here. Let the party begin.

Holy Pumpkin!

I have a confession. I absolutely love any food containing pumpkin. I actually call my friends in complete excitement each fall when Starbucks starts selling their pumpkin spice lattes. It's almost the highlight of the fall season.

That being said, Judd and I decided to attend the Circleville Pumpkin Show this weekend since we are officially new Pickaway County residents. Holy Pumpkin! Whoever created this event is my new hero. Judd and I consumed so many pumpkin calories that we'll probably be set until next Thanksgiving.
Let the pumpkin eating season begin!

First Day of School

Teaching that is....

That's right, Folks. You read that right. Miracles do happen. I finally graduated after having four different undergraduate majors and now I finally have a "big kid" job. A Big Kid Job!! In fact, I felt the need to take a monumental last "first day of school" picture.

Today was my first day being a substitute teacher. Like any logically thinking educator, I decided to take over a class of seniors, in a questionable area of the city, with no formal lesson plan, teaching a subject that I will not actually be licensed to teach. It was a brilliant plan. I figured that I would at least have the opportunity to excel in my own academic advancement. If not, a Friday night at home and a basement full of leftover wedding wine waited at home.

However, life never seems to stop amazing me. My overly optimistic plan actually worked. That group of overly talkative 12th graders taught me more today than a year's worth of classes. The seniors I saw today were not at all the individuals I had in my head. While I taught them their lessons of the day, they taught me how to be a better teacher. They gave me the confidence to see that all of the work I had put into my education had actually paid off.

After explaining to my students that learning is a process that is never quite complete, I gave them the opportunity to help me learn. The assessments that I recieved in return blew my mind:

"You are really nice and will make a great teacher. I think your students will enjoy you."

"Continue being the wonderful teacher you seem to be."
" Be yourself and never be afraid to disobey the rules. You'll learn more that way."

" I like how I got to participate in class today. Most subs don't let me do that."

Today was the best first teaching experience I could have imagined. After working so long to be here, I finally feel I am where I am meant to be. I am so proud to finally be standing in front of the class, yet the seniors I met today reminded me to never forget what the room looks like from the other side. After all, it wasn't all that long ago anyway.

I have a blog!

Let's face it. Now that the wedding has come and gone, I need a project. Thus, I have a blog!

Life moves so very fast. I believe every second is gift. Therefore, it is my entire goal to live life to the absolute fullest. I think a blog is a fun way for me to document what is happening in my life and a great way to keep up to date with my family and friends.

Therefore, I will end my first post with a fun quote that I keep as a reminder of the importance of life experience.

"Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, cigarette in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'Wo Who! What a ride!' " - Author Unknown