One week down and Cravings.

I survived my first week of teaching. This is cause for MUCH celebration...generally in the form of eating things I shouldn't eat and drinking things I shouldn't drink. I think I love my class...I have some really sweet kids. I have some challenging kids. They will all balance each other out I think.

Even though I have only been teaching for a week, I am already in dire need of a vacation. Planning a MEGA trip next summer with some of my FAVE people. We are going here (among other northwestern places):

My soul is craving a trip back to this magical place:

My tan is craving a trip here:

My heart is craving a face like this:

Lie on your back and look at the stars.

My family and I had a lovely weekend at the lake. The lake is probably in my top three favorite places of all time. Mostly because I grew up with it and it represents simpler and more carefree times in my life. I went to the lake for the first time when I was three months old. And every summer weekend thereafter until I was about 14.

I also love the lake because it allows me to feel more free and alive. It's a break from the daily grind of life and routines and Type A personalities. I love not knowing what time it is when I'm there. There is no time...except lake time. Life just stops for a while. And I love it.

The best thing about the lake this weekend: lying on my back and looking at the stars. There seem to be 10 times as many and they are ten times brighter. I laid on our boat this weekend, staring up at the sky, just watching the stars. The sounds of crickets and passing boats were all I could hear. Sheer perfection for a summer night. It makes one realize how gigantic our universe is. Really gigantic. It's crazy. Shooting Stars and the Milky Way can seem really tangible when you allow them to.

The only thing that could have made this moment better was someone to cuddle with. Guess I will have to relive it when that someone comes along.

7 days.

School starts in 7 days.

Meet the Teacher night is in 2 days.

Deep breathing and lots of chocolate.

That is all I need.

August.

Today is August 1. That's crazy. Why you ask? Because August is the month in which I become a real teacher. The next few weeks are going to be mega-stressful, and exciting, and nervewracking. But I think I can handle it. Mostly due to the fact that I have awesome family and friends who are willing to help me anytime I need it. I am working in my classroom today (on a Saturday...BOO!). I will post some pictures soon.

In other news, I finished the fifth Harry Potter book this week. I have read 5 books this summer. That's the most I've read in a long time. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't see the new movie until I read the sixth book. It's kinda killing me...but I can't turnback now.

Now for the uplifting video of the day: Dalton Sherman. I first saw this video about a year ago in one of my classes. It's amazing. This kid is like ten (?) years old and can speak better than 99.9% of adults. Everytime I watch this, it gives me chills. Enjoy!