Oops!!

The blog accidentally deleted part of my post...

On the way home from NC, we stopped by one of the greatest attractions in world history.. GOATS ON THE ROOF! This is the funniest little place -- they have things like boiled peanuts and homemade ice creams and jams, and just like the name ... they have goats on their roof! There are little feed stations where you can buy goat food to feed them. Mostly you feed them by putting the feed in these little buckets and sending it up to the roof, but luckily for us we found a few goats on the ground level. They ate out of our hands!!!! It was the funniest thing.. Please excuse the ridiculous laughing that you hear on the video -- he was tickling me and I couldn't stop laughing.

The past few weeks...

So it has been a while since I updated the blog, but lots of things have been going on!

First, we got a Wii!!! I am so excited!

((So, Zach didn't know that I was filming him while he was playing. But it was just so cute, I had to add it. This is him doing the boxing workout that I made -- that he didn't believe was as difficult as I said it was. The next day, he was complaining about how much his forearms hurt... HA! I wish I knew how to turn it the right way..))

Last weekend, we ventured to Auburn for the Kentucky game. Even though we lost, and it was FREEZING cold, I had such a good time seeing my sister, my extended family, and the rest of the Auburn family! Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

This weekend, was one word: AMAZING. Thanks to God (and to the Olsens!) for an amazing weekend at the Olsen's cabin in North Carolina. It was the most beautiful and restful weekend I have had in I-don't-know how long. We went up on Friday night and it was gross and rainy and there was fog everywhere. However, Satuday and Sunday made up for it. The weather was GORGEOUS and I loved it. Some of the pictures from the weekend:This is the cute Sweet Shop that we visited in-town at Highlands on Saturday:

MMMMMMmmmmm it was SO DELICIOUS!!! Candied apple covered in caramel and drizzled in chocolate -- a little slice of heaven!!

Also, here are some pictures of all of the amazing scenery we saw. I'm telling you, this place restores my soul. Not only was it great to turn off the phone and the computer for a weekend, not thinking about work or classes or anything. But to also be in such a gorgeous place -- God was speaking to me all weekend..

Like I said, it was gorgeous. As cheesy as it sounds, I saw God in so many places. I don't know about Zach, but I needed this so much. We both spent time reading, enjoying each other and being peaceful. I am so thankful for the time that I had at this cabin. I wish I knew how to repay his parents for the gift that they gave me and us. I hope I will be able to carry that peace with me throughout this week at school.

What a weekend!

This weekend has been so much fun! I had a super rough week, so I think Zach really wanted to make it a fun one. (I also thinks he may be trying to make up for the fact that he is going to Chicago for most of this week and I will be all alone!!)

Friday night we decided to try out Martinis and IMAX at the Fernbank Museum with Lauren and Elliott. It was a cool little thing. Although we didn't go see the IMAX (sad day for me), there was a band and I had a good time. It was nice to try something different instead of the same usual places that we go out.

Saturday we watched football for most of the afternoon (such a sad loss) and then we went to the Cumming FAIR! We met Jenn and Ryan and I had so much fun. I think we were a little too excited and we did a few rides too quickly. Both Zach and I started to feel a little queezy.. So then of course we had to play a few games and win a few prizes, and I absolutely had to eat a funnel cake. ( I always want one when we go to see the Braves, but theres only one funnel cake vendor and Zach usually doesn't want to go find him. ) I really had so so so much fun. After that, we went to Taco Mac to watch the LSU/UF game. All in all, it was a really nice weekend.

I plan on spending today catching up with laundry and cleaning, running some errands, and working on all the homework that is due this week at GSU. It's fall break for our students, so Monday and Tuesday I will be in "professional development." I am thankful for the small break, even if I really wish that we got the time off too!

Last but not least, here are the pictures of my beautiful new car, Winston!! =) Yes, I know the name is a little silly, but I had to follow the trend after having a car named Lola. I am really enjoying this car -- so thankful to have a job and the ability to do the things that we are able to do.

"Will you braid my hair for food stamps?"

Quote of the day. From one of the crazy gen.ed. students in one of my inclusion classes. I did well just to keep a straight face =)


Things are incredibly stressful and overwhelming right now. I am now supposed to be teaching 9th grade math, 9th grade english, 10th grade math, and 10th grade english. To say I am overwhelmed or stressed is an extreme understatement. I am hoping to meet with my principal/PEC program assistant within the next week to tell them my concerns. I can't keep going like this right now. Its not what TFA wants me to be doing, its not really what my principal wants me to be doing, and its not what I want to be doing either. Things have got to change. But I'm going to make it happen.

I have also decided that I am going to post more about my real life instead of just teaching. Because often, teaching is stressful or frustrating and I am not being as positive as I am in real life. I found out today (really about five minutes ago) that I have been accepted as a member of the Corps Member Development Committee. Its a Sponsor-A-Teacher program where corporations that donate to TFA are matched up with a specific teacher so that they can put a face to where their money is going. I'm excited because it will get me more involved in TFA and may increase my opportunities post-TFA. I'll let you know more information as I learn more, but it sounds promising.

Zach and I are often exhausted, but we are really enjoying living in the same city again. Atlanta has so many things for us to do. This weekend we are hoping to go to the Atlanta food festival (Taste of Atlanta) and possibly the fair too! After watching the Arkansas game, obviously!

Graduate school is going. I don't really feel like I learn very much in my classes, but they are still fairly difficult, mostly because of the amount of work that is expected in my three classes. I am definitely glad that I will have a Master's, but sometimes I really wish that I had the extra time to do work for school, to be after school for tutoring, etc. Although its a nice time to be able to update my blog (shhh!!! )

I love my new car, I promise I will post pictures as soon as I take them. Probably this weekend. I also bought a Wii on Ebay this week, so I am eagerly anticipating its arrival! I loved working out with Mom's Wii Active, so I am hoping that it will encourage me to work out more. Unfortunately, because I am so tired and worn out by the time I get home from school or school and class, its difficult for me to be motivated to work out. However, I think I am going to decide on a half-marathon to sign up for, pay the money, etc. to also help motivate me. I know that running or working out can actually really make me feel better, I just have to make myself get there.

In case you're wondering, its 79 days until Christmas. So 48 days until Thanksgiving. But honestly, who is counting?!

For Emily...

I thought I would do an Emily-esque post. Tonight I attempted a new chili recipe -- it turned out really good!!! I'm including pictures and the recipe for anyone interested -- we will be eating our left-overs for days!

1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium chopped onions
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
2 cups Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Niblets frozen corn
1 bag frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower
1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 can chick peas drained and rinsed
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1 can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
3 teaspoons ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1. Brown beef, drain and rinse.

2. Heat oil over mediu-high heat, add onions and garlic, cook 4-5 mintues stirring frequently.

3. Stir in remaining ingredients, heat to boiling, reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occassionally.

Oh! and I also made cornbread, because whats chili without cornbread?! unfortunately, Zach has no muffin tins so i had to improvise...