If I were a rich (wo)man...

That money talks
I'll not deny,
I heard it once:
It said, "Goodbye."
~Richard Armour

There are so many things that I want to do, so many places I want to go, and all that's holding me back is money. I find it somewhat disheartening how much money dictates our lives. Sure, there are plenty of "free" forms of entertainment and "cheap" means of meeting our basic needs, but to truly live without a second thought requires an unlimited supply of money.

So, what would you do if money was no longer a factor? If you woke up tomorrow morning, checked your bank account, and saw a beautiful symbol, would you live your life any differently? Let's live in this imaginary world for just a moment and see what I would do, shall we?
1. Wake up my husband (I wake up long before him every morning) by pouncing on the bed much like a jungle puma.
2. Call my parents (probably waking them up, too) and somehow manage to share the good news between shrieks and sobs.
3. Call the bank, just to make sure it's not someone's cruel, cruel joke or perhaps a computer glitch.
4. Begin making a list, prioritizing the necessary payments to be made immediately. The list would most-likely include my car, student loans, credit cards, our house, and any looming debt my parents, my in-laws, or my siblings (both blood and marriage-related) may be currently experiencing.
5. Start booking trips to every continent, strategically planning to visit different regions during the optimal season in order to fully experience the area. For example, Christmas in Australia, summer in Ireland.
6. Completely remodel our house, putting in every bell and whistle we could ever want.
7. Select 6-10 important charities to fully and completely support, and select a different charity each week to make a sizable donation.

Really, the possibilities are endless. It's almost exhausting to think of all I could and would do if it weren't for the minor detail of financial responsibility. But, money is the reality of life, and we must make adjustments in order to live within this reality. I guess money doesn't really dictate our lives, it simply gives us guidelines to live within. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue if everyone could do whatever they wanted? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Supersize Me

I really don't think I need buns of steel. I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon.
~Ellen DeGeneres

I was blessed with an amazing metabolism in my youth. I used to eat anything and everything I wanted and never worried about gaining weight. This was, of course, until I turned 18 and went off to college. All of a sudden, I weighed more than I ever had. I attribute it to a combination of lack of dancing and no change in my diet. Since then, I've gone through spurts of being "dedicated" to getting back in shape yet it has never lasted more than about 6 months. When I recently reached my all time high of almost 190 pounds, I knew I needed to get myself back on track.

Now, I want to be sure we're all on the same page. I know "beauty is only skin deep" and "it's what's on the inside that counts". In reality, there is nothing socially wrong with being overweight. That being said, there are several reasons why I know I need to make a change. Reason #1 - none of my clothes fit. Honestly, I can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe every time my thighs enlarge and my hips inflate. Reason #2 - my body hurts. Being an ex-ballet dancer, I'm already prone to hip and knee issues. Packing on the extra pounds has definitely increased these problems. Reason #3 - um...it's the healthy choice. I've taken my share of health classes and I've been a devout watcher of "Biggest Loser", so I know being the weight that I was would eventually lead of bigger health issues.

I feel very lucky to be married to someone who feels the same way I do. He has made it very clear that he loves me no matter what I look like, but he is definitely supportive of both of us making a change. Today, we went to the gym at his (or should I say, "our") office building and did a little workout. I can say it was not as terrible as I thought it might be, but I know I have a long way to go. My goal weight is 150, and I know it will take a lot of determination. I'm hoping by making this goal public, I'll be more likely to hold myself accountable.

So, here goes nothing!

Let's give this a try...

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Attributed to Howard Thurman

As I begin a new chapter of my life, I figured it was time to begin chronicling my journey. I was a successful blogger back in the days when Myspace was cool, and I used to write in a journal every night when I was younger, so there is a chance I may be fairly consistent with this thing. I'm not sure how insightful or interesting this may be for others to read, but I suppose it's really more for me than anyone else...though you are welcome to follow along!

At this moment, my plan is to begin each blog with a quote. Over the years, I have become very inspired by other people's words. At one point, JC and I planned to dedicate one wall of our house to quotes. Maybe it will become a reality now that we'll both have a little more time on our hands.

Which leads me to my first quote (see above). For the last four (plus) years, my identity has been "elementary teacher" and nothing else. Over the course of this adventure, I learned a lot about the education system, and about myself. I met some incredible people along the way and experienced more than I could have dreamed. In reality, teaching has brought about more change in my life than anything else I have ever done: moving to Arizona, speaking at a national conference, earning a Masters degree, completing the National Board Certification process... I am so grateful for and proud of all that I have accomplished. Over this time, I have discovered my true passion is for education, not necessarily being an elementary teacher. It was difficult to come to this realization, but I am not at all ashamed of my choice to leave the classroom. There are so many aspects of education that interest me, and I want to experience them all. I am so excited for my new venture in higher education. I'm looking forward to learning new things and focusing on a "top-down" perspective. Children are the future, but adults are the present. We can't possibly impact the future if we don't instigate change in the present. I have always wanted to make a difference, to leave my mark on society. Perhaps it is a bit ambitious (and egotistical?) to think I can become a person that historians write about, but I will never know unless I try.