Saturday, January 12, 2013

blogging sabatical has come to an end...

I know, I know...it's been like six bloomin' month's since I've blogged and I too, nearly thought my blogging had come to an end...but...the truth is...I've kind of missed writing. Even if nobody reads it, somehow the blogging world helps me collect my thoughts and unleash a little bit of creativity. It also earns me a couple of points with my mother, bless her heart...who is constantly asking for pictures and updates from afar. So...here it is....let's recap 2012 and move on to 2013, since we are already half way through January (thank goodness for that). Does anyone in the Northern Hemisphere actually enjoy January? Didn't think so.

Jan/Feb 2012. We might as well just move on. Not my favorite months and I rather put attention onto the rest of the year. About all that happened in these months is that I decided the high school I was working at was not the best fit for me, and then by some miracle they were getting rid of the FACS program entirely so I didn't really even have to quit, and I got a great letter of reference from the Principal. I've never been so happy about not renewing a contract. Win-Win.

March: Went to Utah for General Conference and got to enjoy the Sunday Morning sesh 12 rows from the pulpit. It was pretty awesome. Adore Conference.

April: My job search began. I applied to schools all over the country and ended up getting a couple of offers in North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. Ultimately, I took a Personal Chef job in Connecticut for a family I had worked for in previous years. We'll talk more about that later. I also re-fell in love with Boston for about the sixteenth time. I will always have a crush on Boston. Always. My mom came out for a visit and helped me with my Fashion class and I got to show her why I loved New England. We went to Newport, RI and I took her sailing. So. Much. Fun.


May: Went by in a Flash. I started teaching sewing in my Fashion class (terrifying really, but turned out ok in the end), and worked with my students to finish up end of year projects and prepared them for finals. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. This is the best time of year for teachers.


June: School ended (Gracias Heavenly Father for helping me through it!). I moved from teaching in Boston to Being the Chef at my beloved Camp Rising Sun. It was a fun and crazy way to spend the summer indeed.


July: My friend Aaron came out to visit me in New York. We had a great time taking in all the tourist attractions, attending the Palmyra Pageant, cooking a Scandinavian meal for the campers and living it up at Six Flags in New Jersey. I turned the amazing age of...well...never mind. I still feel 22 at heart so that's all that matters. The campers made me a cake and made me "skip around the room".


August: Camp Ended. Traveled to Salt Lake City to visit family and friends. Enjoyed spending time with the cutest nieces and nephews in the world.



September: Moved Back out to Connecticut and started my job as a personal chef. You can find recipes here.  I discovered Franklin Street in New York, and my life is forever changed by this delightful Italian section of this city that excites me every time I go.

 

October: Spent General Conference with the Richard's family in Pennsylvania, and picked out pumpkins with the kiddos. What darling's they are. Can't get enough of them. Connecticut and New York, and New Jersey were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy which left us without power for several days and waiting on gas lines. This was a moving experience for me and left me so grateful for my church and it's emphasis on preparedness. I was able to help the family I work for to be prepared for this storm in every way I knew possible. This storm really brought people of this area together and there are some places that will never be the same. On another note, Dad suffered a heart attack the day of the Hurricane and it has really weakened Him. I was nervous that something really tragic would happen and I wouldn't be able to fly home because of the "Storm of the Century".  Heavenly Father answers prayers and thankfully my dad came home from the hospital a few days later and is doing ok. Not great, but ok. My newest nephew Benjamin aslo decided to join our crazy family and we're so glad he did. Cutest newest nephew ever!


November: Elections happened. Obama was reelected. Thanksgiving was spent in The Bahamas with the family I work for. Kids ended up sick so my feast consisted of six chicken frozen chicken nuggets and some leftovers. I missed my family terribly, but hey...at least I was in the Bahamas.


December: Celebrated Hanukkah with my employers, and traveled Home for the Holidays. Being home was wonderful. I crossed going to The Viking Yurt in Park City off my Bucket List. It was amazing heading up a ski lift on a sled and enjoying a six course Norwegian dinner on the top of a mountain in a warm hut. If you are ever in Salt Lake City, I highly recommend this event. Highly (pun intended). I also got to meet Benjamin and I could put him in a hoagie bun and eat him up he's so cute! I love being an aunt!


And now, here we are back to January 2013. The New Year has brought yet another change/move. Seeing my dad and assessing his health along with missing my family and friends desperately, along with (that's a lot of "along withs" I know) feeling like I need to be back in the classroom has led me to a decision to move back to Salt Lake. I'll be making the move in March. I am very grateful that my employers were understanding and hopeful that I will get a great job in Utah where I can continue my passion for teaching.

And that...is...it! I intend to do a lot better with the blogging this year. If you actually read this whole thing, thank you. If you didn't, I don't blame ya a bit!

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