14/30: Strengths and Throwback Thursday

14. Describe 5 Strengths You Have.

1. Persistence - I never give up. I'm as stubborn as they come, which drives my husband crazy, specifically in the middle of a disagreement. But I definitely consider this my number one strength - now more than ever. When I set my mind to something, I'm going to get it done. I don't particularly enjoy a challenge, but I don't back away from one either. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and even if it kills me, I'm going to stick something out to the end. If for no other reason than to at least be able to say I did it. 

2. Trusting too easily - I know, I know. This is also listed as a weakness from yesterday but like I said, I think, I think it can be a strength too. I always try to see the good in people and even when it's hard, that's what I try to focus on. I like to believe that people mean what they say. I know it's not always the case, but it's the world I like to live in. 

3. Organization - I have to work really hard at it, but I think I'm pretty good at being meticulously neat and organized.

4. Empathy - I've always tried to relate to people and personally, I think I'm pretty good at it. I try to put myself in other people's shoes and am usually able to see, and relate to, both sides of a story. 

5. Being Opinionated - I think it's important to have opinions, be willing to share them (in a civilized way), and be confident enough in them to stand by them. Having strong opinions about certain things is definitely a strength. 

Now for a little Throwback Thursday fun - 

With everyone talking about graduation, I can't help but think about where I was in my life a year ago. It has been a crazy eventful year. I know I'm not taking it way back but...

This time last year:

Wedding Season was in full swing - Robbie and I were being showered with gifts and love.

I was finishing up student teaching and stocking up for my very own future classroom (with a little help from some very sweet Kindergarteners.) 

I was celebrating graduation with my best friends.

(My sweet Kindergarteners were there for graduation too.)

Willow was brand new!

And I was frantically preparing for the "real world" - job searches, house searches - this time last year, I didn't even know what city I was going to be living in! 

Like I said, it has definitely been a whirlwind of a year. 

Hugs, 

Marianna

13/30: Weakness

13/30: Describe five weaknesses you have.

1. Trusting too easily - I have a tendency to live in a very naive bubble at times and usually tend to see the good in people, even if it's not really there. Most of the time, I consider this a strength - a positive character trait of mine. However, sometimes, being so trusting and forgiving can get me in trouble, and sometimes taken advantage of.

2. Fiesta Ranch Dip - I am so obsessed with this stuff, I could eat it everyday! And on top of being absolutely delicious, it's super easy to make. Maybe I'll post the recipe one day....if I feel like giving out my secret ;).

3. Tears - I hide this weakness pretty well. "Dry up and move on" is a phrase used often in my classroom. As far as my kids are concerned, I don't have time for tears. However, inside it really breaks my heart to see my kids cry, especially when they're sincere tears. Shhh....don't tell my third graders!

4. Being oversensitive - Again, not something I particularly like to admit, but I can be a little sensitive sometimes. Like I said before, I tend to live in a very naive bubble and when it gets popped with a harsh does of reality I sometimes take it very personally. This year I've really been working on growing thicker skin. It's (kind of) working. 

5. Being a (tad bit) controlling - (Side note: I'm really becoming less and less of a fan of this post.) As I've mentioned before, I do have a slight case of OCD and tend to take the saying "my way or the highway" a little too seriously. I like to get my way and I like for things to be done my way. This has been something I've had to work on, especially now that I'm married and living with someone who does certain things differently than me.

12/30: A Day in the Life

11. Describe a typical day in your current life. 

WARNING: My typical days are very monotonous, and while I find them pretty eventful at times, most days are rather boring (and very grown-up).

• 5:40AM - Snooze my alarm, (because, let's me real, 5:40 is way too early to be awake)
• 6:00AM (okay, sometimes it's closer to 6:10AM) - Rise and Shine! Time to frantically get ready for school, while my sweet husband continues to sleep (hate him for that).
• 6:50AM - Make the trek to Cove City, driving within the speed limit the whole time, of course. ;)
• 7:15AM - 7:40AM - Mentally prepare myself for the day ahead, make sure my classroom is (somewhat) organized and ready to go, and chat with my teacher friends down the hall. 
• 7:40AM - 2:40PM - For the next 7 hours, I am officially Mrs. Dunn, in all my teacher glory. Lesson plans, behavior management, lunch money, parent letters, timed multiplication tests, AMath, AR, Science experiments, library books, Guided Reading, Guided Math, read alouds, Writer's Workshop, office referrals, uniform checks, Morning Meeting shares, grading papers, homework folders, behavior logs, snack counts.....and that's just while the kids are there.
• 2:40PM - usually no later than 4:30PM (I've had to limit myself) - Once the kids are safely on the busses headed home, I start a whole new slew of teacher duties: parent phone calls, filing papers, preparing for the next day, making copies, staff meetings, IEP meetings, committee meetings, extra paperwork, lesson plans for the following week, progress reports, etc. 
• After school - As of two weeks ago, I now come home and it's time for Insanity with Mr. Dunn. For those of you who don't know what Insanity is, I have two words for you: pure hell. I hate it. However, I am glad to finally be back on a workout schedule again. And even though the program is kicking my butt, I do feel better after I've sweated out the stresses of the day. (I'll keep you posted on results!)
• After our workout together, it's time for dinner and lounging. Sometimes cleaning and errands get thrown in there, or dinners out with friends and family. I try really hard to not bring any school work home, but I'm also trying to not stay at school so late so it's hard to do both.
• 9:30PM or 10:00PM - Bedtime (lame, I know, but 6:00AM comes quicker than you think) and then I start the cycle all over again. 

However.....this will be my typical schedule for only 22 more days, because then I will be on my summer schedule, which is usually no schedule at all! :)

What do your typical days look like?

Hugs, 

Marianna

Weekend Recap and 11/30: Pet Peeves

Sorry I've been MIA all weekend. I just got home from a much needed girls' weekend in Raleigh with my college roommates. Of course, I had every intention of taking a ton of pictures to document my trip but, as usual, between the talking and laughing we didn't get a single picture. The fact that it was Cinco de Mayo didn't really help my case either! Regardless, the pictures couldn't have effectively captured the fun we had anyway. 

I took a half-day Friday and met my roommate, Caroline, to make the trek to Knightdale to meet our third roommate, Abby, for the night. We went to see Wicked at DPAC and it was sooooo good! This was the third time I've seen it, but the first time I've seen it somewhere besides New York and I must say, I was very impressed. If you're looking for a musical to go see, Wicked is a must. 

Saturday, we of course had to go shopping. One of the (many) things I love about my roommates, is their ability to find wonderful discounts! This week at the Loft is Teacher Appreciation, so we of course, racked up! 

Saturday night we met up with another girl we went to school with for dinner and a little downtown Raleigh bar hopping. 

It was so nice to be able to catch up with old friends and to be back in the "big city". I literally spent much of the weekend in tears from laughing so hard. Simply a wonderful weekend!

Now, it's back home and back to reality. I was glad to see my quaint small town, my sweet puppies, and my wonderful husband (who did three loads of laundry while I was gone!) Life is good. 

And to catch up on my 30 things.....

11/30: Describe 10 Pet Peeves You Have.

1. People reading over your shoulder.

2. Walking really slow in the middle of the aisle, preventing anyone from passing you.

3. When people don't go the speed limit.

4. Lip smacking.

5. Dishes left in the sink to "soak" for more than a day.

6. Wet towels/washcloths in the dirty clothes hamper.

7. Having to repeat myself....more than twice.

8. Lame excuses.

9. When people order a salad or other "healthy" options, and then ask to have some of my french fries or other "unhealthy" options.

10. Violations of personal space.


After such a fun weekend, even these pet peeves don't seem so annoying! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday night loves!

Hugs,

Marianna

10/30: Most Embarrassing Moment

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

Sorry I missed y'all last night....and I hate to break it to you, but this most isn't going to be very juicy either. 

I can't think of my most embarrassing moment.

Not because I don't have one. I actually embarrass pretty easily....and often. I am all the time saying something or doing something that could be deemed "embarrassing". 

I'm not an impulsive person by any stretch of the imagination. But I do have a tendency to say the first thing that pops into my head, which isn't always the best or brightest thing to say in any given situation. 

I'm also very clumsy. I run into things and trip over things all the time. I've tripped over the computer cord in my classroom too many times to count. Which I'm sure is a safety violation, but my kids just think it's hilarious. 

None of my embarrassing moments have too much of a lasting impression, which is a good thing. I don't think I'm permanently scarred from any misstep I've taken over the years. 

(Watch, now that I've posted this, something super embarrassing will happen to me tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted either way!)

Hugs,

Marianna

Oh, and look who figured out her fonts! Yay me!

Pause

I'm taking a break from my 30 things for tonight.

Instead, I'm spending the evening watching this superstar (my brother-in-law) on the baseball field!

To be continued tomorrow....

9/30: Influential People

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

**Disclaimer - I only did 7. While writing this post, I realized how much everyone in my life has influenced me in one way or the other...some for the good and some for the bad, but either way, they definitely influenced me. I chose to write about my top 7 - the ones who have had a really big impact on my life over the past few months. My list could go on and on, but since it's a Tuesday night, I won't get too lengthy with it.

1. My high-school sweetheart (now husband) - Mr. Dunn and I have dated on and off since we were fourteen, so obviously, we've been through a lot of huge milestones together. He's always been my best friend and the first person I go to for advice. Now that we're married, the decisions I make don't just effect me. I've always been considerate of Robbie's feelings, but now it's much more important to tackle life decisions together. I like to think, in that way, we influence each other.

2. My mom - as I've mentioned on day 3 my mom is a pretty amazing woman. She has definitely always been a huge role model for me.

3. My dad - I can't mention one without the other, because I wouldn't be who I am with one and not the other. My parents truly are a perfect balance of each other and I like to think some of that balance got carried on to me. My dad has always influenced me to chase my dreams, despite the challenges that sometimes arise.

4. My cooperating teacher - I had the absolute BEST student teaching experience I could have ever imagined. My cooperating teacher was so helpful, encouraging, and fun! She welcomed me with open arms into her classroom and gave me the opportunity to find my teaching voice. She gave me so many useful tools that have come in so handy this past year. Her kindness, determination, and passion were just a few of her admirable traits.

5. My college roommate - aka my soulmate. Caroline's the best friend I've ever had and I honestly wouldn't have made it through college without her. We didn't meet until the end of our senior year when we decided to live together, but I feel like I've known her my entire life. Over the past few years, she has been one of my biggest support systems and motivators. 

6. Mrs. Buckner - This is a 4th grade teacher at my school that has truly been my saving grace. She was one of the first people to reach out to me this summer when we were setting up our classrooms and immediately took me under her wing. She (among many of my other coworkers) has been a listening ear when I needed one the most. She is always encouraging and helps in anyway she can. A part from being an amazing teacher, she is also a truly great person! (And it's only her 3rd year teaching...definitely something to aspire to.)

7. Aunt Susan and Uncle Archie - my mom's older brother and sister-in-law were also high-school sweethearts and even though they've been married 25+ years, they still act like love-struck teenagers. They are amazing parents and grandparents, devout Christians, and the epitome of what true love looks like. 

Hugs, 

Marianna

P.S. I'm not sure why my font is different than usual once I publish my posts. The OCD in me is not okay with this. The tired-teacher-who-hates-Tuesdays in me is okay with this....for now. To be fixed later.