As I was riding the bus into work today (for the last time, tomorrow I’m driving) I was reading the paper over the shoulder of the person in front of me (she couldn’t tell, I’m not that annoying) and it said something about thankfulness. So i started thinking about what I’m thankful for.

1. My husband. I got really lucky with the man I married, anyone who can put up with me is a prize.
2. My education. The next 4 months are going to be tight, but it’s going to be very very worth it.
3. My mother. She did a lot all on her own. And I couldn’t be more thankful.
4. I don’t work on the first day of the state fair. No traffic issues for me.
5. Jean’s candy dish. I have a sore throat, and there’s little sugar-free candies in there helping me out.

The wedding this weekend was surprisingly fun, I say surprisingly because I knew Nick, the bride and the groom, and Nick was a groomsman, so I was planning on spending a lot of time alone. Thankfully, the other groomsmen had some wives for me to hang out with and I had a stellar time with Nikki, wife of groomsman #2. The wedding itself was pretty standard, and after the reception (no dance) we headed out with the bride and groom to a bar for an after party, which was an absolute blast.

Saturday night brought Anita’s bachelorette party, which was a ton of fun as well, all apologies to my friend Angela for the cuddle I tried for in the middle of the night. We had an awesome room at the Marriott City Center, and we bar hopped for a bit after a fabulous dinner at Bellanote, and then it was back to the hotel where we attempted a game but never did finish it because we were spending so much time talking and laughing.

Sunday, after Nick picked me up downtown, I took a nap, and then headed to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch with Carrie and Angie which was an encouraging time, I think someone is going to take some very important steps, and that THRILLS me to no end, I can’t say much else about it though.

Hi!

Nick is in a wedding this Friday, so i’ll be out and about the next couple days. Saturday, I’m tossing a bachelorette for Anita, and Sunday it’s lunch with my high school girlfriends. Back in a few days, enjoy your weekends!

Today at work was my going away party.

Lauren made my favorite spice cake with homemade caramel frosting, and I may have had two pieces of deliciousness.

Now I feel slightly sick, and like a bath would be an excellent thing.

I’ve got a serious case of the Monday’s. I’m bored at work, I’ve gotten through everything I promised to get done before I left, and now I am just doing extra stuff. Which is my job,yes, I realize that, but motivation is lacking. Quite a bit.

I’m so ready to be out of here! I got my staff newsletter for school last week, 9am, Monday August 25th I get to spend the morning in the classroom with Mrs. O, setting stuff up, and I’m excited, it will really be the first chance I have to find out how things are going to shake down for the semester. She’s good friends with Kelly, so I’m assuming that we’ll get along just splendidly. Ah! I can’t wait!

I think this is what it feels like to pursue dreams.

1. Last Movie I Saw In A Movie Theater? Mamma Mia

2. What Book Are You Reading? I’m currently without book.

3. Favorite Board Game? Life (I went strict board here, no party games)

4. Favorite Magazine? Real Simple

5. Favorite Smells? freshly mowed grass, spring, rain.

6. Favorite Sounds? Nick saying he loves me.

7. Worst Feeling In The World? regret

8. First Thing You Think of When You Wake? crap

9. Favorite Fast Food Place? Eddington’s

10. Future Child’s Name? I’ll let you know when it’s born.

11. Finish This Statement - If I Had a Lot of Money… I’d buy a house

12. Do You Drive Fast? Yes

13. Do You Sleep With a Stuffed Animal? Just Nick.

14. Storms—Cool or Scary? I likes

15. What Was Your First Car? Honda Civic 5-speed hatchback

16. Favorite Drink? amaretto sour, water

17. Finish This Statement—If I Had the Time… I would travel

19. If You could Dye your Hair Any Other Color, What Would It Be? I dye my hair this color.

20. Name All the Different Cities In Which You Have Lived: Plymouth(4), Moundsview, Brooklyn Park(2), Maple Grove (2), Minnetonka, Moorhead, Fargo, Burnsville(3), St. Paul, Apple Valley.

21. Favorite Sport to Watch? Baseball

22. One Nice Thing About The Person Who Sent This To You: Lauren is one of the most amusing bloggers I read.

23. What’s Under Your Bed? nada.

24. Would You Like to Be Born As Yourself Again? Nope. I wouldn’t change anything about myself now, so i’d want to be someone else and experience something different.

25. Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning

26. Over Easy or Sunny Side Up? Allergic.

27. Favorite Place to Relax? In my bed, on my chaise or a bookstore

28. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor? Abacaxi [pineapple] from the little ice cream guy on UECE campus in Brazil. Or Vanilla.

Today is my last day working from home. I’m a little sad, but I’m starting to get really excited about not being an office drone, being back in the classroom, active, and to get this desk the heck out of my living room.

I had a meeting last night about student teaching. In that meeting, my director (who i’ve been clashing with for the last 3 years) was talking about how important our co-operating teachers and principals are. About how important they will be when we’re looking for recommendations, and how much influence they have over job hunts and things. Then she looks at me and says “Dawn, Kelly [the last teacher I worked with] has already been tossing your name out and calling people to tell them how great you are and that you should be hired.”

saweet!

I’m off to the casino this weekend with JoAnna, for our annual JoAnna-Dawn-weekend-that-sometimes-includes-other-people-but-doesn’t-this-time weekend. why we’re going to a casino? no idea, but we’ll have fun!

In case anyone needs an excuse to go get ice cream, it’s miracle day at Dairy Queen today. So find the nearest participating DQ, buy yo’self a blizzard treat and feel good about yourself ‘donating’ some cash to kids. Not all DQ’s are participating so click the link and find the one nearest to you.

All Canadian stores are participating, so Courtney, you’re golden.

I turned in my official notice today, 2 weeks from tomorrow is my last day of work, then I’m taking two vacation days, so my last paid day is Friday August 22. yee ha!

I’ve been trying to write this entry for a couple weeks now. I heard this phrase awhile ago and it struck a chord in me somewhere. What is the very best version of me? Can it ever be reached or is there always room for improvement? Is there more than one “best” version? By definition, there can’t be. But there has to be more than one version of self that is at it’s best? Does that even make sense?

We strive for this yearly, most people do. Every year, on the first of January, people all over the country, the world make resolutions to better themselves. A very large percentage of them have to do with image, and specifically the body. Eat healthier, exercise,

What is the best version of oneself? Chances are it doesn’t have much, or anything to do with image and looks.

This is rambly, but something about that phrase struck me. How do we become the best version of ourselves? What is it about?