It occured to me today that there are 10 days left of 2010! I just can't believe it...where did the time go? I've noticed that as I get older, the years seem to go by even faster. I must say though, that it has been one heck of year for me!
As I reflect on 2010, I realize that it has been probably the most exciting and significant year of my life. January through the end of April was by far, the busiest I had EVER been in my life thanks to finishing my last semester of school tied in with student teaching. Then of course, the big day of graduation came in May! I look back at pictures of that day and I can't believe how big my smile was and how completley happy I was in every single picture! I just am so happy that I made it to that stage and got my degree with my wonderful family and friends looking on. My graduation day is a day I'll always cherish as it meant so much to me and I'll never have it again. . .thank God! haha. I mean that in the way I won't ever have to go to school again for four years!
This was also my first year of really being away from Greeley and Durango, and living on my own. For the most part, I've really enjoyed it! This was the first year that I didn't go home to Durango for the summer and of course there is no place like Durango in the summertime, but I really liked staying here in Golden and checking out all there was to do around here like hiking, and numerous other things to do around the Denver metro area. I enjoyed hiking and running Lookout Mountain as well as doing some hiking in Golden Gate State Park. The one thing that was unquestionably the highlight of my summer was spending it with an incredibly amazing guy! There are so many things I learned, did and saw around Denver this summer that Dan introduced me to! No matter what we did, we always had a good time. . .and still do (-:
This has also been a big year of transition and growing up! Whoever thinks life after college is easy is gravely mistaken. Don't get me wrong, it's definitley nice not having homework anymore (and being out of Greeley!), but when it comes to job hunting when all your friends are getting jobs and moving away, it has been tough at times. I'm very thankful that I got hired as a substitute teacher for Jeffco Public Schools and Littleton Academy, although I would have loved to have gotten hired as a full time teacher. On the other hand, I feel very lucky to have gotten substitute positions this year because I've met some incredible teachers, students and parents! I've learned so very much about how different schools work as well as the different curriculum, styles of teaching and classroom management. Right now, I've been long-term subbing for a teacher on maternity leave at Littleton Academy. I've just finished three weeks and starting in January, I have three more weeks! It has been a blast working with grades K-4 in all different subject areas. . .its nice to be in the classroom full time again! This longterm job is done at the end of January and then I hope to find another part-time job to go along with subbing. There was a period of three weeks or more that I didn't have any sub jobs and had way too much time on my hands. . .so I'd love to have some other kind of part time job to prevent that from happening again!
I've also noticed that so many of my closest friends from college and Durango are all so spread out now! I know it happens, but I didn't really realize that until after graduation. Some people have moved an hour and a half away, while others have moved half way across the world (Tiff!). I didn't realize until just a few months ago of how I took having my friends around while in college and in Durango, for granted. For years while in school, it was easy. . .if I wanted to see my friends, I could no problem. Now, it's like wow. . . Everyone is far away now and I miss them! It's okay though, thank God for Facebook! haha. I am happy to say that two of my good friends are getting married next year and I am honored to be a bridesmaid in both of their weddings! (-:
I've also been thinking about the New Year's Resolutions I had set for myself last year. One, was to go to church every Sunday and making my relationship with God stronger, and the other was to read more books for leisure this year that I had in the past! I am proud to say that I have succeeded on both of these resolutions! I have been attending Red Rocks Church every Sunday of 2010 (except of course, if I've been sick or out of town), and I have read two more books for leisure this year than I did last year!
God has worked wonders in my life and I've never had a better relationship with Him! At my church, I was on the Greeting team in the Spring (where you greet people when they are coming in for church) and then in August, I became a part of the Prayer Team, where we pray for people who come up after service that are in need of prayer. This experience has really changed my life as it has reminded me about the many things that people go through, both good and bad. It constantly reminds me how lucky I am to be where I'm at in life, and to have the family and friends that I do. Its funny because sometimes when someone comes to me for a prayer and they are telling me what is going on in their life, I have no idea what I'm going to say. . .but then all of the sudden, when I open my mouth to pray, all the right words seem to come out. It's like the Lord is truly speaking through me and it's an incredible feeling!
Well, I think its safe to say that I've said all that I have to say! For those of you who know me well, you are probably not surprised that this blog has turned into a novel! I hope everyone has had a great 2010, and I pray that more of your dreams come true in 2011- I can't wait to see what God has in store for everyone (-:
P.S. Oh and did I mention my parents got me LASIK for graduation? It's INCREDIBLE! If you ever get the chance to do it and are tired of wearing glasses and contacts, you should! I CAN SEE
As I reflect on 2010, I realize that it has been probably the most exciting and significant year of my life. January through the end of April was by far, the busiest I had EVER been in my life thanks to finishing my last semester of school tied in with student teaching. Then of course, the big day of graduation came in May! I look back at pictures of that day and I can't believe how big my smile was and how completley happy I was in every single picture! I just am so happy that I made it to that stage and got my degree with my wonderful family and friends looking on. My graduation day is a day I'll always cherish as it meant so much to me and I'll never have it again. . .thank God! haha. I mean that in the way I won't ever have to go to school again for four years!
This was also my first year of really being away from Greeley and Durango, and living on my own. For the most part, I've really enjoyed it! This was the first year that I didn't go home to Durango for the summer and of course there is no place like Durango in the summertime, but I really liked staying here in Golden and checking out all there was to do around here like hiking, and numerous other things to do around the Denver metro area. I enjoyed hiking and running Lookout Mountain as well as doing some hiking in Golden Gate State Park. The one thing that was unquestionably the highlight of my summer was spending it with an incredibly amazing guy! There are so many things I learned, did and saw around Denver this summer that Dan introduced me to! No matter what we did, we always had a good time. . .and still do (-:
This has also been a big year of transition and growing up! Whoever thinks life after college is easy is gravely mistaken. Don't get me wrong, it's definitley nice not having homework anymore (and being out of Greeley!), but when it comes to job hunting when all your friends are getting jobs and moving away, it has been tough at times. I'm very thankful that I got hired as a substitute teacher for Jeffco Public Schools and Littleton Academy, although I would have loved to have gotten hired as a full time teacher. On the other hand, I feel very lucky to have gotten substitute positions this year because I've met some incredible teachers, students and parents! I've learned so very much about how different schools work as well as the different curriculum, styles of teaching and classroom management. Right now, I've been long-term subbing for a teacher on maternity leave at Littleton Academy. I've just finished three weeks and starting in January, I have three more weeks! It has been a blast working with grades K-4 in all different subject areas. . .its nice to be in the classroom full time again! This longterm job is done at the end of January and then I hope to find another part-time job to go along with subbing. There was a period of three weeks or more that I didn't have any sub jobs and had way too much time on my hands. . .so I'd love to have some other kind of part time job to prevent that from happening again!
I've also noticed that so many of my closest friends from college and Durango are all so spread out now! I know it happens, but I didn't really realize that until after graduation. Some people have moved an hour and a half away, while others have moved half way across the world (Tiff!). I didn't realize until just a few months ago of how I took having my friends around while in college and in Durango, for granted. For years while in school, it was easy. . .if I wanted to see my friends, I could no problem. Now, it's like wow. . . Everyone is far away now and I miss them! It's okay though, thank God for Facebook! haha. I am happy to say that two of my good friends are getting married next year and I am honored to be a bridesmaid in both of their weddings! (-:
I've also been thinking about the New Year's Resolutions I had set for myself last year. One, was to go to church every Sunday and making my relationship with God stronger, and the other was to read more books for leisure this year that I had in the past! I am proud to say that I have succeeded on both of these resolutions! I have been attending Red Rocks Church every Sunday of 2010 (except of course, if I've been sick or out of town), and I have read two more books for leisure this year than I did last year!
God has worked wonders in my life and I've never had a better relationship with Him! At my church, I was on the Greeting team in the Spring (where you greet people when they are coming in for church) and then in August, I became a part of the Prayer Team, where we pray for people who come up after service that are in need of prayer. This experience has really changed my life as it has reminded me about the many things that people go through, both good and bad. It constantly reminds me how lucky I am to be where I'm at in life, and to have the family and friends that I do. Its funny because sometimes when someone comes to me for a prayer and they are telling me what is going on in their life, I have no idea what I'm going to say. . .but then all of the sudden, when I open my mouth to pray, all the right words seem to come out. It's like the Lord is truly speaking through me and it's an incredible feeling!
Well, I think its safe to say that I've said all that I have to say! For those of you who know me well, you are probably not surprised that this blog has turned into a novel! I hope everyone has had a great 2010, and I pray that more of your dreams come true in 2011- I can't wait to see what God has in store for everyone (-:
P.S. Oh and did I mention my parents got me LASIK for graduation? It's INCREDIBLE! If you ever get the chance to do it and are tired of wearing glasses and contacts, you should! I CAN SEE
