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