Eat Teach Blog

Eating, Teaching, Running, and the Life that Happens in Between it All

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Thanksgiving Weekend 2014

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Oh man.

This weekend.

This wonderful weekend.

Exactly what I needed.

Wednesday:

It started off with a long trek down to SoCal. But it didn’t even matter, because every second was worth it to see this face.

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I spent a few hours with the princess and then managed to tear myself apart so that I could get home before my dad got back from work.

Turkey Day:

Sister, Dad, and I went for a walk by the beach. Can’t believe the SoCal weather in NOVEMBER!

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When we got home, we started prepping a few things for Thanksgiving dinner. Sister dealt with the turkey. I can’t do that shit. I volunteered to do all the sides.

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We packed up our car with everything and then drove out to Chino.

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Please notice creepy Sister in the back of this really cute picture. 

On the menu was: Beau the Turkey, Mac&Cheese Cups, Brussel Sprouts, Pesto Zoodles, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Stuffing, Garlic Bread, and Butternut Squash Quinoa. YUM. 

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I think we would all agree that we are most thankful for our cute little Aishwarya this year. <3

Friday:

Can I just say how grateful I am that I have a family who would rather go for a walk or a bike ride instead of rush out to the mall for Black Friday sales? It is THE BEST.

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We had plans to go for a bike ride, but the rental places weren’t open until later on in the day. So we opted to go for a walk instead. And Starbs. Obv. Sister and I then tagged along with my dad as he did his rounds at the nursing home. I’ve been reading Yes, Please for our book club, and luckily I brought along the Kindle to keep me company while we waited.

When we got home, I had to quickly get ready for my 10-year HS reunion! 

So. So. So. Crazy. SO crazy that it’s been 10 years. It felt so surreal to be there, but I am so happy I was able to run into old friends and reconnect with others I’ve lost touch with over the past few years.

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Saturday:

Lino and Sabrina’s wedding! They both looked stunning. It was very clear how loved these two are. They are truly two of the nicest, most genuine people ever and I’m so lucky I got to be a part of their special night.

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In between the wedding and the reception, Tammy, Kyle, and I went to Grand Central Market in LA to grab some coffee and some small snacks. I got the almond and hazelnut latte that Hema tried last time we were there. It wasn’t as good without sugar.

You know what’s good though?

Tammy wearing Kyle’s shoes because her heels were hurting her.

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The reception was beautifully set up and decorated. My favorite part was their “Family Legacy of Love” table that had all the parents and grandparents’ wedding pictures.

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My other favorite part of the reception was getting to see this guy since he was the videographer of the night! 🙂

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Okay, but also my other favorite part was watching Sabrina talk to Lino’s dad privately before the dinner started.

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(I was the creeper who creeped on them in the background. HOW COULD YOU NOT? It was so touching).

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I had to leave shortly after the dancing started so that I could be up bright and early to head back to NorCal this morning!

And now, I’m here. I’m COMPLETELY unprepared for the week ahead of me.

And I can’t say that I’m too worried about it right now.

I had a fabulous weekend.

So I’ll just be a little frazzled tomorrow. NO. WORRIES.

<3

Good night!

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Questions of the Day:

  • What was on your Turkey Day Menu?
  • Are you a Black Friday person or a “NEVER GETTING NEAR THE MALLS” kind of a person? 

Mushy and Fluffy and Happy

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Since tomorrow will be filled entirely with food and family time, I will most likely be away from the computer and social media.

But before I officially sign off, I thought I’d share some of the things that are making this holiday season OH so special. 

1) For starters, I woke my butt up at 6AM to avoid Thanksgiving traffic. And, for that, I am thankful.

2) I am grateful for my Mile 10 epiphany. I’m still holding strong.

3) I’m [obviously] thankful for the best family and friends I could ever ask for.

4) But the thing that I am most thankful for this year is that I am an aunt. Again. And I got to meet baby Aishwarya today for the very first time.

 

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My heart is so mushy right now.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! 🙂

Hope you are as mushy and fluffy and happy as I am. <3

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Question of the Day:

  • What are you most thankful for this holiday season? 

Jump Inside My Brain

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My random thought process on this FRIDAY Tuesday:

1) 5:45AM – Thank goodness for this random [dirty] T-shirt I found in my car that I can use to clean up the coffee I just spilled all over my front seat.

2) 6:45AM (Taking out the recycling) – My neighbors probably think I’m way cooler than I am and that I’m probably cleaning up after the RAGER we had last night. 

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3) 7:00AM – I’m going to listen to Serial on my drive down to SoCal tomorrow morning! And then I’m going to listen to CHRISTMAS MUSIC THE ENTIRE WAY BACK UP ON SUNDAY!

Yes, this is Justin Bieber Holiday Music station. Don't judge.

Yes, this is Justin Bieber Holiday Music station. Don’t judge.

4) 7:30AM – Can I just play with my kids today instead of doing services? I just want to play. 

5) 7:45AM – Great. BOTH of the copy machines aren’t working. Maybe that’s the universe telling me that it’s OK to do fun things and NO WORK with my kiddos today. 

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6) 7:50AM – Oh no. The staff room is already being filled with baked goods and other treats. I HAVE NO SELF-CONTROL.

7) 8:00AM – I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a smart idea to try to dry my hair by rolling down the windows in 40 degree weather. I feel a tickle in my throat.

8) 8:02AM – I’m really grateful that, in this role, I have the flexibility to pee when I want to. I feel for all the classroom teachers out there.

9) 8:05AM – 4:30PM – as;dflkjas;dlfkjasd;flkjaasdfl;kjasdf;aksjf;asf.asfdasdf I am so excited we have this holiday. I can get through the day. aads;fkljasd;flkajsdf;laksdjf;asldfjkas;flkjasfkajsf;asfas;ldfkjasd. Time to have some more coffee. asdf;lkalskdfjas;dfljkads;lfkjas;fajksf;lkjasf;lkasjf;laskfjas;lfkjas;lfjas;fljkasfa;ksldfjas;lfkjasf I can get through the day. asdf;kajsf;laksdjf;alsdkfjas;dflkjasdf;lkasjfa;slfkjas;flkjsdasdfasdf Where do these kids get their energy? af;laksdjf;alkdfja;sflkjas;ldfkjasfd I can get through the day. f;akjsdf;alksfja;skfjasd;flkjasflaskfjasfsaf;lkj

10) 5:00PM – I am so grateful to work with such an amazing staff and an incredible community of parents and families. 

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11) 5:01PM – Wine. 

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Question of the Day:

  • What are you usually thinking about at 7:35AM?
  • 10:32AM?
  • 5:00PM?

First Yoga Class

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I just experienced my first yoga class.

Jen tried to share her mat with me. And she also tried to set REALLY low expectations around the class. Because she wants me to love yoga. But she was afraid that, because it was a class offered through 24 Hour Fitness, it wouldn’t be REAL.

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I mean, she was a little bit right.

I imagine that if it were in a yoga studio OR in Tulum, it would be a lot more engaging. Or at least have a better, soothing background noise that wasn’t the sound of people running on treadmills.

But I did really like it.

Maybe because I’m sore as sh*t right now and it felt really good to stretch.

Or maybe because Jen gave me her mat so I felt like a real BAUS when I was doing the shivasna.

But, I liked it. I liked that our instructor kept reminding us that it was “our own adventure.” And to “choose what works for us on this particular day.” I also liked that she shared fun tidbits like “the more open your armpits are, the less depressed you are.”

But my favorite part was that she ended it with the lion pose.

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We spent A RIDICULOUS amount of hours watching this on repeat during my freshman year of college. Sober. (YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT)

And I literally JUST showed it to Bhabhi and Bhaiya this past weekend while we were on a YouTube binge. (Bhabhi may have peed a little bit while watching it).

AND THE INSTRUCTOR DID IT.

SHE REALLY, TRULY DID IT.

WITH A SERIOUS FACE.

OR, rather, a LION face.

Oh gosh.

I love yoga.

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Question of the Day:

  • Are you a yoga addict? At the gym? Studio? By yourself so nobody sees you doing the LION? 

Arrivals and Dismissals

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This job is like a roller-coaster.

Highest highs.

Lowest lows.

“Balance” is not exactly the word I would use to describe the teaching profession.


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This year in particular, I have contemplated my career choice many times, wondering if it was the right move to make. I told myself that I would exit the profession before I let a jaded mentality affect my students.

Let’s be clear real quick.

I’m far from jaded. 

I still hold high expectations for my students. And I still have that youthful optimism that drove me to pursue teaching in the first place.

However, there have been some pretty challenging weeks that have made me think about whether this was a career I could see myself doing forever.

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Teaching is a demanding job.

Anyone who says teachers have it easy need to set foot in a classroom. Do it for an hour. One hour. And your view may be slightly altered. 

I have definitely questioned whether I have the stamina to do this for the rest of my life.

Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t.

Who knows what the future will hold?

What I do know is what has kept me here. And what keeps me here. Day after day. Week after week. Year after year.

Arrivals and dismissals.

It is during these two pivotal moments that I’m reminded why I do what I do.

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During these moments, I am not thinking of grade-level standards or IEP goals. I’m not worried about tracking service minutes or finalizing lesson plans.

Instead, I step outside my office and I am greeted by parents. I walk down the hallways and get the tightest, most affectionate hugs from my little ones. I see toddlers chasing after their older brothers and sisters who are walking into their classrooms. I see older siblings walking their younger brothers and sisters to class before they head off to the middle school. I stop and chat with parents about soccer games, birthday parties, and family events.

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Arrivals and dismissals. The most important parts of the day. The time when I get to be with my family.

That is why I stay.

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No Use Crying Over Grated Cheese

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Remember when I said I was going to stay on plan 100% this week?

Oops. 

What happened was….my fridge had no prepped food in it. So I grabbed the first edible thing I could find to start snacking. And it was a handful of shredded cheese. Not on plan.

Oops. 

OH WELL.

No use crying over grated cheese.

Instead, I quickly started cooking so I didn’t make an even bigger OOPS.

I’m pretty proud of the thai chicken curry + vegetables I cooked.

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Thai Spice + Coconut Milk + Almond Butter (to substitute for brown sugar!) and lots of veggies and chicken.

Lesson learned.

Moving on.

Good night 🙂

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Questions of the Day:

  • What’s the best thing you’ve cooked with coconut milk?

  • Favorite type of cheese? 
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