The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

You might think this is a post about Christmas, and you wouldn't be wrong. I realize it is the second day of November and how dare I post about Christmas before Thanksgiving, so please, bare with me. This is, in my opinion, the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmastime, or fall, but really from October to December. I realize I haven't blogged in a long time, and that is partly because of this being the most wonderful time of the year, but also the busiest. So why do I love now so much? There are so many reasons. I figured I'd introduce a few now and expound on them more later.

1. The school year is in full swing, but not in the doldrums yet. The beginning of the year can be a bit chaotic, but when October comes the chaos is over, classes are settled into routines, and we are entering a period of lots of activity.

2. Soccer season is in full swing. This year was particularly fun as we marched to the end of the season and winning a championship.

3. The weather is just perfect. It starts out warm, then come the cool fall days and all their glory. Before this wonderful time passes we (hopefully) have snow on the ground for a white Christmas.

4. Hockey is back! In fact a lot of sports are happening at one time and I love it, but nothing gets me excited quite like a Penguins game!

5. Lots of days off and half days. Starting with Columbus Day school starts to find that we have short weeks more frequently for a while. In fact between a few half days here and there and then Thanksgiving and Christmas, the second nine-weeks gets stretched out over a period longer than nine-weeks, which is sometimes a nice break.

6. There are so many holidays and traditions to keep things fun. I'm a big fan of traditions, no matter how silly they may be, and holidays always seem to be accompanied by traditions. These have changed for my family over the years, as the family has changed, but I still love holidays.

7. Christmas music!

8. Christmas movies! I confess, one of my guilty pleasures are Hallmark Christmas movies.

9. Adoption Day! No, I wasn't adopted, but my dog was. I adopted her at the beginning of November and it has been a wonderful three years with her! :)

Scout Finch just loves the fireplace!

10. Sitting by the fire and relaxing with a hot beverage and a good book, movie, or just knitting.

So yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year and I tend to enjoy this time more than any other.

Do you have a favorite time of the year? Is it a specific time or a general period of time?

Keep it real friends,

HP

4 Reasons I Run

As I was hitting my snooze button this morning at 6 (yes, I'm a snooze button person) I was wondering why my alarm was going off on a day when I have nothing to do. Then I remembered, it is a running day. So why in the world would I leave my perfectly comfortable bed to go pound the pavement? Well, a few years ago I wouldn't, but now I do, so what changed? Well, here are 4 reasons I run:

1. I run for my health. I was always an active kid, but I quickly found that when life got busy with work, it was easy to forget to exercise. I don't ever want my health to be jeopardized because I'm too lazy to get out and run. 
2. I run for no excuses. I spend years coming up with excuses for why I could never run a 5K, and forget a half-marathon. Excuses like, I can only run if I'm playing a sport, I had asthma when I was in high school and college, I'm too out of shape to even start running, or I'm too old to start running. Then I had a friend tell me that I should run a half-marathon, actually she told me that I could run a half-marathon. So I started to run, and pretty soon all those excuses started to fade away. 
3. I run for the challenge. There are plenty of situations in life when we need to recognize that there are areas of our life that need improvement. I challenge my players to improve and challenge themselves to get better. This summer at a conference the students were challenged to go from good to excellent. If I am going to be a good coach, teacher, and leader, I need to make sure that I am also challenging myself to stretch my comfort zone and go from good to excellent. One of the ways I am challenging myself is to run. 
4. I run for my parents. A little over a year ago, when I started getting ready for my first half-marathon, I realized my 60+ year old father was in better shape than me. Of course, people would say "your dad is just unique, he is in better shape than a lot of people" and that worked as an excuse for a while. I'm glad my dad is in such great shape, he can get out and enjoy a day running around Kennywood with his grandkids and then spend a day replacing a roof with his sons the next day. However, the fact that my dad is in better shape than many people his age should not be an excuse for him to be in better shape than me. I can say my dad has not beat me in a 5K yet, and my goal is to make sure that doesn't happen. My mom has not always been super active. She walked around the block when we were kids, but she always said she wouldn't run. Well, a few weeks ago she came in 2nd in her age group at a 5K, because she ran part of it. I would hope that in 30 years I can place in a 5K. 

Those are just 3 reasons, there are more, but they are about as boring as running on a treadmill. I know not everyone loves to run, I don't really LOVE it either, but I do it, and I am always happy that I did. 

I hope you are finding ways to challenge yourself to improve and have a better day!

Keep it real friends,

HP

Graduation... What do you really remember?

The end of another school year is upon us, and that brings another graduation. This will be my eighth as a teacher, and my second with the honor of delivering the commencement address. This is a lot of pressure, I mean, this is high school graduation, it is supposed to be the pinnacle of 13 years of education. What in the world am I supposed to say to these kids?!?!

Do you remember your graduation? Any of them (for those who have graduated multiple times)? I have been blessed to formally graduate 3 times; high school, college, and grad school. Each time was unique, each time marked the end of a long road, each time I wore a funny cap and gown and some sort of nice clothing underneath, and each time I tried to pay attention and soak in the moment. So what do I really remember from my graduations?

Well, I might as well share some photos to go along with my memories.

With my Grandma, year 2000.

High school graduation: It was June 9, 2000. I was in some hideous "gold" cap and gown with all the extra things hanging around my neck. It was really hot, and we were stuck in the gym. I remember showing up at the school, looking for where I was supposed to be standing, and hoping that I didn't do something to draw any attention to myself. I had on white platform heels, I never wore heels. What do I remember? Well, we had three student speakers. They said some good things, I don't remember what, but it was good. I managed to walk across stage, get the correct diploma, and return to my seat. My mom and dad were there, with a few other family members, including one, and only one, of my brothers. My pap was there. He was so proud. My grandma couldn't make it due to recent knee surgery, so we did pics on a different day. I remember how proud my parents were that I had graduated with high honors, but I knew they'd be proud no matter what. Also, I remember there were a lot of girls with the middle names Ann, Lynn, and Marie. 

College graduation was with my best friends.

College graduation: It was May 15, 2004. It was so much larger than high school with 600+ people. I got to sit with friends at the baccalaureate, and still knew the people I was with for the actual ceremony. I wore a black cap and gown with a yellow tassel (for the bachelor of science degrees). I really thought I would pay more attention, having enjoyed college so much more than high school. It was emotional. Some guy that was a CEO of some company spoke. Our dear Dean of Students, Nancy P., was given an honorary doctorate. There was a good message, I don't really remember it now. I didn't fall walking up to get my diploma. I managed to walk across the whole stage. I remember seeing my assistant soccer coach on the stage (he was also the Dean of Chapel) and I think he gave me a thumbs up.  My parents were there. My brother was there to witness my second graduation. Most importantly, my friends were there. I was so happy, but then I got my last few items from my room, packed up my car, blinked back tears, and drove home.

My parents supported me through every graduation!

Grad school: May 8, 2010. Of all my graduations, I remember this one the least. I really didn't have much connection to the school. After two years of night classes, I was getting my Master's degree. I had a black cap and gown with extra little things on the sleeves (apparently they would fit my cell phone, which I wish I knew before hand). I walked with my fancy hood (which is really a cape) and a card with my name and degree. I sat with a few people that I had met in multiple classes. We sat and listened. Stood when we had to, walked up, handed them our card so they would get our name right, handed off our hood and then stooped so they could get it around our neck. I managed to walk across the stage without falling (3 for 3) and sat back down. What I remember was the look on my parents face as I left the stage. They were so proud I had accomplished what I set out to do. 

So what do I say to these graduates? Well, I've got it written down, I'm not going to spoil it for you. I will say to all kids who are looking forward to a graduation: enjoy the day, you might not remember it in 14, 10, or even 4 years, but you will remember it then and for the next few days, weeks, or months. This might be your day, but it also belongs to all the people who helped you along the way, so let them enjoy the day too, even if it means posing for a million pictures, wearing a silly cap and gown longer than you'd like, smiling a lot, speaking to people you don't know, and doing a lot of hugging. 

Congratulations Class of 2014! I have been blessed to teach some of you, thank you!

Keep it real friends,

HP

Yes, Thank You

I once received some really great advice from a wiser woman at church. I don't remember the exact circumstances that brought about the dispensing of this advice, but what it boiled down to was this: Women (and girls) when a man (or boy) offers you help you should say "Yes, thank you" and let him help. Now this is something I still struggle with, but let me tell you why this is such great advice.

First, let me help you understand where I'm coming from. I was raised in a time when the idea "I am woman, hear me roar" was pretty common. I had all brothers, so I always felt the need to prove myself. Therefore, I could be walking with a load that was 10 times too heavy for me, facing three doors to open, and if a guy offered me help my response was "No thanks, I got it." Or at least, that was my response if I was being kind. Usually it was much more snarky and had an edge that said "what, you think I'm weak, I'll so you!" I never really thought of this as a problem, I was only hurting myself by refusing the help. Then I got this advice.

Men don't always offer to help, but when they do women need to let them. Now later I'll talk about a few specific examples/exceptions, but here is why women need to add "yes, thank you" to their vocabulary. If he asks, and you keep saying no, HE'S GOING TO STOP ASKING! That doesn't just apply to asking you though, that can apply to all women all the time. So let's say I'm walking through the halls of my school and I have my arms full and a few of the young gentlemen offer to help, my answer needs to be "yes, thank you" for the sake of their future wives. If a man asks 5 women if he can help and 5 times he hears "no, I got it" then when that 6th woman, who could really use a hand, walks by he won't bother asking to avoid being rejected again. It was hearing it put this way that changed my thinking. Sure, maybe I don't absolutely need help, but if there is a man (or boy) offering, my answer should be "yes, thank you", and I need to mean it.

Here are some exceptions:

• If you are in a sketchy situation, or the guy is creepy and you don't feel comfortable. First, try to avoid this situations. Second, always put safety first.
• If you are carrying something that is very important and you would just really not be comfortable with someone else carrying it. That doesn't mean you say "no, thank you" but you might ask the man to get the door for you or do something else to assist you.
• If you are 2 feet away from your destination I think it is reasonable to say "no", but you want to make sure you let them know you appreciate the offer. 

So, ladies, the next time a man offers to help, for the sake of all women every where and to prove that chivalry is not dead, say "yes, thank you" and enjoy the extra hand. 

Now, as for getting these men to offer, that is for someone else to tackle! :)

Keep it real friends,

HP

Hello Ivan!

It took a little longer than I had initially expected, we hit a few bumps in the road, but I finally have my new vehicle!! Since I wrote a farewell to Zeke, I thought it would be appropriate to write a welcome to my new car, Ivan.

Dear Ivan, 

You are finally mine! I'm so excited to have you join my little family. You are joining Noah, my duck that has been in all of my cars, and Scout Finch, my dog. Scout will hate you, but she doesn't like any cars. I'll try my best to keep her from drooling all over you, but no promises.

So it was quite the adventure just to get you. I test drove another car, knew what I wanted, and we thought we had found you. I was so excited to get you that when I got the call that the car I was planning on picking up had been sold, I was super bummed. It seemed like they weren't going to be able to find you, the car I wanted. Knowing full well that I had specific wants, the salesman kept me updated on others that were similar. Right color, no sunroof. Sunroof, wrong color. I started to wonder if I was just being too picky, but I knew what I wanted, I knew it was out there, and I knew I would love it, and I wouldn't be happy with any compromise. So I waited. Then they found you!! Not only were you the right color, with a power sunroof, but you also had a CD player (which was a bonus, since I still have CDs and wasn't looking forward to transferring all my music to my iPod just yet). Not only did I get all the things I wanted, but I got something I didn't even realize I really wanted! It might have taken a few extra days (which seemed so much longer at the time) but you were totally worth the wait!! You've served as a reminder of that with other things in my life. 

So, now we are together. I am loving just driving around in my fancy new car. It is taking me a little while to get used to all the technology, but I'll learn. I have no idea what kind of awesome adventures are in store for us, but I am excited to start each one. I'm sure we'll have days where I want to just load up all my belongings and take off, but there will be other days where we just drive around, windows down, sunroof open, blasting happy music and smiling! So let's not delay any longer, let's start this crazy adventure! 

We had a quick photo shoot. I just love this car!

So Ivan and I are ready for adventure! Am I the only one who gets attached to cars?

Keep it real friends,

HP

Farewell Zeke!

Well, I've done it. I've bought a new car. Maybe it is just me, but I grow very attached to my vehicles. So as I look back on my time with Zeke, I'd like to share my farewell letter to my car. (At this point I feel I should promise I'm not crazy... but maybe I am).

Dear Sven Ezekial,

The time has come for us to part ways. This is hard for me to do, you were, and still are, a great car. So much has happened in the years that we have been together. I have changed a lot, you have changed a little. Now it is time for me to get my dream car that I never thought I'd be able to get, and you will get a second life with a new owner.

I remember when I got you. I was just a 24 year old, just returned from a crazy mission trip to Sweden (which is where the Sven part of your name came from), and I was starting a 2 year house sitting job. The air conditioning in my old car, Stanley, had stopped working, so it was time to buy a new car. I was so excited because I would finally own a brand new car that would be all mine. I new I wanted an SUV, but they had stopped making my dream car so I started exploring other options. I never planned on buying you, because you had all the bells and whistles, but you were an 06 still sitting on the lot in late 07, so you were a bargain!

I had a lot of plans for us. We were going to travel, we were going to cart kids and equipment to soccer games, and someday I was hoping you'd have "Just Married" written across your back window and maybe even car seats strapped in using those safety latches they told me about at the dealership. I figured I'd be driving you until you just stopped running. God had different plans for us, though. We did do a lot of travelling and carting a lot of soccer kids and equipment. Some of those soccer kids wrote on your windows with car chalk (I think the last of it finally flaked off the roof this past winter). No wedding, and no kids, but that's okay.

As it turns out, I didn't drive you to death. Now I'm trading you in for my dream car. I will always remember you fondly (even that time you decided to leak all the transmission fluid while I ate at a Panera in Erie on the way home from Webster). I hope your next owner loves you as much as I did.

My first day with Zeke!

Saying goodbye to Zeke!

Thank you for sharing in my farewell to my car.

Keep it real friends,

HP

Alexander Days

Ever have one of those days? You know the ones where nothing seems to go right, and you just are feeling so sad about your day. Yep, me too. I call them "Alexander Days" because of one of my favorite books, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.  I don't remember when I first read Alexander, and I am aware it is written for kids, but it has good lessons for adults too. If you've never read it, you should!  Here is the first page:


I mean, how much worse could the day get? Well, poor Alexander proceeds to not have a toy in his breakfast cereal, to not get the shoes he wants when his brothers get cool shoes, and so on and so forth. His answer to the problem, "I think I'll move to Australia."

Here is what I love about this story:

• We all have Alexander days. Sure, maybe we don't get gum in our hair, and our mom's don't forget to pack us a dessert in our lunch, but we have those days where everything we wanted to happen just doesn't work. Maybe our favorite sports team loses to their rivals (thanks so much Penguins), or you accidentally run into the corner of your bed and it really hurts, A LOT! Maybe you have plans to get so much work done and you keep getting interrupted and what you need is not there. Whatever it is, we all have Alexander days. But as Alexander's mom so wisely says at the end "some days are like that, even in Australia."
• Whining about it doesn't make it better. At no point in the book does Alexander's whining about his bad day even get recognized until the very end at bedtime. Nobody comes along and says "oh poor Alexander, let me fix everything so you never know what it is like to not get everything you want." Nobody forces all the other kids to move so he can have a window seat. The teacher doesn't reward him for his "invisible castle" drawing when there were other kids who actually drew something. He just has to learn that whining doesn't make the day better, it just makes it seem worse.
• Even an Alexander day really isn't that bad. So Alexander has to wear the perfectly good shoes that just don't happen to be his favorite color. He has to learn that sometimes everyone else gets a toy in their breakfast cereal box and you don't, but you still get breakfast cereal! So the Penguins lost to the Flyers... I still have a warm house, and food, and a job, and, well, really everything I had before except the joy of watching the Flyers lose. Some days are just like that. 

So next time you are having a bad day, think of Alexander and remember, some days are just like that, even in Australia. 

Keep it real friends,

HP

I Could Never Twizzle (and Other Olympic Confessions)

Last night my twitter feed was buzzing with talk of twizzles. Why? Well, here's my short analysis, USA is dying for a favorite to come through and win with gold. With less-than-ideal performances from many of our favorites, no gold in speed skating, hockey being played in the morning, and Bob Costas being potentially abducted by the Russians for the purpose of cloning (just kidding, he had an eye infection), the loyal US Olympic fans are craving a story that is going to play out the way it should. That brings us to ice dancing. For one night we were glued to our televisions watching the drama of ice dancing unfold as we awaited the world record setting performance of Davis and White. That brings me to twizzles. What is a twizzle you might wonder, I have no idea. It is some sort of synchronized spinning skating move. As much as I joined in on the joking about twizzles, the truth is, I could never twizzle. If I didn't break one of my ankles I would fall on my face and probably break something else. So as I sit and watch some live ice dancing... that's right, all the drama of twizzles, LIVE... I figured I should confess to some of my other Olympic guilty pleasures and things I wish I could do.

• Along with not being able to twizzle, I could never do any of the figure skating! I couldn't survive in those outfits, I'd freeze!!! As a girl I loved ice skating. My mom and I would sit and watch Olympic figure skating every night if we could. I had my favorites, of course, including Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan, Kurt Browning (Canadian, I know), and of course Scott Hamilton doing commentary. I dreamed of gliding across the ice and spinning, twisting, and jumping. Truth is, I'm just happy to go ice skating and not fall. 
• I could never do speed skating. As much as I loved roller blading as a kid, and probably thought I was really fast, the idea of short track speed skating scares me. I just see them falling and getting sliced by one of those crazy blades. Also, I would get dizzy. Oh, and let's not forget the relays... all that craziness in the bump exchange area and whatnot! As for long track, I think I'd get confused, end up in the wrong lane, and I could never actually skate that far that fast. 
• The biathlon is another event that I think I would get confused doing. Not to mention the physical stamina of those athletes. I started running last year, mostly doing 5ks but I did do a half marathon and I thought I was going to die. I can't imagine doing a 5k, but stopping to crouch down and shoot 5 tiny targets in the middle of my running, let alone being on skis! 
• I would love to try curling. I just think the physics of the game is so fascinating. How to get the velocity, friction, and trajectory just perfect seems awesome! 
• I wish I could snowboard. Every time I watch a snowboarding event I wish I could snowboard.
• I LOVE SNOW!!! Ok, so this isn't really a confession because most people know this about me. When I watch the Olympics the thing I am most jealous of is that they get to spend so much time in the snow. 

Keep it real my friends,

HP

My Bubble

I saw this picture today: 

It was on twitter, courtesy of @JanePitt (a favorite follow of mine for awesome Pittsburgh-ness). It was just so true. 

I'm an introvert. I have a bubble. It is not a secret. My personal bubble is actually somewhat of a joke with some of my friends, and my soccer team. I don't mind people joking about my bubble, as long as they are accepting and understanding of the fact that, to me, it really isn't a joke. Let me repeat, I am an introvert, to an extreme. When people invade that space without my permission it really, truly causes a me to have an anxiety-ridden reaction. So a few additional guidelines for understanding an introvert: 

• Don't assume that if they are joking about their bubble it isn't a real thing. It might be okay to joke about the bubble, but do so from outside the bubble. 
• Respect the fact that, if you are not especially close with the introvert, your comments about their bubble might be hurtful. Don't draw extra attention to the fact that this person has a bubble, it makes the bubble turn all dark and cloudy... not a happy bubble. 
• Don't be insulted, upset, angered, or whatever when an introvert shies away from or flat out avoids your invasion of their bubble. Sometimes we just need some time alone to recharge our energy. We still like you, but from the quiet and comfort of our own area. :)

I've got some great friends, many of them are extroverts, and what I love about them is that they understand, accept, and work with my bubble.

Keep it real friends.

HP

ps... I write this after a truly wonderful day of introversion better known in the teaching world as a "snow day". Hours upon hours of just me, my dog, a book, and the fireplace. It was fantastic!

Relearning a Language

When I was preparing to go to ninth grade I had to register for classes. I didn't have many options, but there was one choice I was looking forward to, choosing a language. I had not had the opportunity to learn a second language prior to this, and I had always wanted to. I had dreams of becoming fluent in a second language, being able to converse with others, ready to go to a foreign country and blend in perfectly. I was obviously delusional. So what language did I choose? German!

Why German? Well, everyone said I should take Spanish, it would help me most if I wanted to be a teacher, and soon everyone would need to know Spanish. I didn't like doing what everyone said I should. Also, I have two older brothers who were taking German and liked to come home and say things I couldn't understand. It drove me crazy. So within a few months I deciphered that they kept kept calling me a "karoffelsalat" or "potato salad". It didn't matter, by that point I loved German. I loved the culture, the language, and my teacher. For two years I soaked up as much as I could from Frau and was ready to become an elementary German teacher some day. Then I moved on to German 3, and a new Frau, who didn't care as much if we learned anything. In my last two years of high school I didn't learn anything in German. I was too intimidated to take German in college, and thus ended my language learning. 

I have always regretted it!

I had maintained a few words and phrases, but over the years I wondered how much German I really still knew. Then I read The Book Thief over Christmas break (I'm sure I'll write about that later) and it is riddled with German phrases. I was so happy I could recognize most of what I was reading! So I decided it was time to relearn German, but how? After reading an article in the newspaper about top apps from Pittsburgh I discovered Duolingo. Created by someone at CMU, and free, I quickly downloaded the app to my iPad and got started. I've been pleased with how much I remember, and am excited to keep going. So far I love the app, it is easy to use, involves writing, hearing, and speaking. All the things I need to learn. 

So what language would you learn if you had the chance?

Keep it real friends,

HP

Duped by an Author

I love to read! There is nothing quite like becoming immersed in a great story. However, there are times when authors can pull you into their world so fully that you forget reality. Recently I read The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It was splendid! I have loved the movie from the time I was a kid. My brothers and I have most of it memorized (to the point where we will text each other a line, and the other can reply with the next bit and so on). I, however, had never read the book, until this past week. If you have never read the book, I will try to to give too many spoilers, but know this, the author is a liar! I was convinced all of his stories and anecdotes were true. I was prepared to book my trip to Florin and everything. Then little things began to tip me off that I might be falling for a well-spun story. After a little googling I found myself a little mad that I had fallen for such a tale, at the same time, I was thrilled with being so taken in by the story and immediately wanted to read it again. 

Have you ever been so sucked into a book you believed anything and everything the author wrote?

Well, I have started my next book already, and you may be seeing a review soon (I love reading, but I'm not a patient reader so I typically just read until I'm done). 

Keep it real friends,

HP

An Introduction

I enjoy reading blogs, several of my friends blog and I think it is a nice way to get to know a little more about them. Sometimes blogs seem informative, other times just therapeutic, or simply a sharing of thoughts. So I was thinking, I have thoughts, and I can share them. Nobody might read them, but at least I will have not deprived the world of my thoughts. 

So why a hodgepodge? Well, I've never felt I really fit into any one category, as my interests range greatly, and so have my life experiences. So that is exactly what this blog will be. Sometimes I might share a little about what is going on in my life, I'm a teacher, coach, and I have the most ridiculously adorable dog! Perhaps you'll hear stories of my crazy students, what I've learned at school or church lately, or childhood recollections of growing up with 3 brothers. Other times I might share thoughts on books I've read or am reading, I love reading, just about anything. There will probably also be my thoughts on the my wonderful hometown (Pittsburgh) and the awesome sports teams here (particularly the Penguins). 

Consider this your fair warning that this blog will most likely be incredibly scattered and exceedingly boring... but such is my hodgepodge life! :)

Keep it real friends,

HP