Thank you so much for all of your wonderful input on my last entry. A lot of you asked questions, and I will be sure to address those when I make my next post on my job. I just hope all of you know how much I appreciate you taking the time to read that long post!
Today was a great day at work. My seniors and I continued our rap as poetry lesson, dissecting songs from Dead Prez, Aesop Rock, Tupac, and Jay-Z. We had a great time, and it was interesting to see them find poetic devices throughout the songs. I'm curious to see what they say during our discussion tomorrow. My sophomores read "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner today, and most of them seemed to enjoy it. During my 7th period's journal time, I asked them if they had any song requests...I loved that we ended up listening to Frank Sinatra while they did their creative writing for 10 minutes. It made me happy to see "kids these days" appreciating great music. It made me think about when we have children, and how exposed to music they'll be, mainly due to Hank. I always have music on, but it's great to have a parent who is so skilled at playing so many instruments. I can't even imagine what it would be like to grow up around that- definitely very cool.
For some reason this week just flew by, and I am so excited that tomorrow is Friday! I have a very, very full weekend of family time. Autumn's baby shower is Saturday which I am most looking forward to. Tomorrow night Shirl and I are going to shop for some clothes for baby Carter- most of my friends have had girls, so it's going to be nice to pick out things for a little baby boy. Before the shower on Saturday, I'll be going antiquing with my Mom, Dad, and sis...hopefully I can find the chairs we've been looking for! I'm also really excited about working out with my sister Lauren (click here to visit her blog- and click here to visit her new fitness blog) at her new gym! Spin class here we come. Have any of you done Spin before? It's one of my most favorite workouts to do, and I also really enjoy full-body sculpt class with weights. Do you take any fitness classes that you really love?
Before I head to the gym for a nice late night workout, I wanted to include a typical workout playlist. I basically just took my most recent mix and duplicated it onto this site. Be forewarned though, the music won't be for everyone. I like all genres, but when I work out I typically listen to either rap or hardcore. For the past few weeks it's been the latter, and this mix features a lot of that, and in particular a lot of songs from one of my all-time favorite bands, Modern Life is War. Some of it is a little embarrassing (hello, Hatebreed?!), but it gets me going, so I can't complain. So, I don't know if many of you will enjoy it, but this is what I listen to, and you guys asked for it...so here it is! :) I'd love to hear what some of your favorite songs are too, so feel free to share with us if you're so inclined! New workout music is always the best. Next week I will post another mix, of more "beat" type music.
Here are some daily photos from today as well-
today's outfit (what I wore to work):
dress- Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan- J. Crew tights- Hue (via Macy's) shoes- BCBG
Madeline also received a little present in the mail today, from All Mighty! Click here to visit their store. We got a bunch of stuff from their shop and all of it is incredibly adorable, including everything from Dainty June. Love love love.
Last Saturday, I posted some tattoos sent to us from Tammy in Texas. Her son Dean is also tattooed and, in a much bigger way. We'll let him explain:
My very first tattoo was done on my 18th birthday in 2005...[it is] a black dragon with kanji above it. About a year letter I had a koi fish done on my calf...both of these tattoos were just drawings I had found. In 2006 I started working on my rib piece and in 2007 I got together with John from A Different Drummer here in Wichita Falls (he is now at the Lawton, OK location), and the two of us collaborated on bringing the rib piece together. Once the drawing was to our satisfaction, it took a little over 2 months of 3-4 hour sittings weekly until the tattoo was complete. 16-plus hours and worth every minute!
In 2009 I decided it was time for an arm piece and went back to A Different Drummer and Tuan who was in Art Class with me in high school listened to what I wanted... and the arm piece came to life...this one was done in one day and took a little over 7 1/2 hours:
Both pieces are marvelously done.
Thanks to Dean for sharing his work with us here on Tattoosday! And a hearty thank you, as well, to Tammy, for being a cool mom, sharing her pride in her son's amazing body art!
Today, as my sophomore students were busy in the classroom, cutting out flashcards for their new vocabulary words, I took a step back. I stopped and I listened. I heard happy voices talking about all sorts of things, the cut cut cut of the cardstock, the scissors moving up and down, kids moving about the room. I took a moment and just looked around, took it all in. For some reason this moment in my class was perfection to me. As the kids worked, I thought about my profession. I thought about being in high school myself, and I thought about how interesting it was that I became a teacher.
Growing up, I was constantly in and out of my mother's classroom. She taught at a small school in the incredibly tight-knit artist community of Roosevelt, NJ. The school had one class per grade- K-8. There were probably 10-15 children per class, and some of my happiest memories are spending time in that school. Even though I enjoyed my time there so much, I never thought to myself that I would one day be a teacher myself. My Mom would repeatedly talk about how much she enjoyed her work, but would often tell my sister and I never to become teachers ourselves, as the pay was too low for the job at hand.
I made it through my junior high and high schools day successfully. I was the kind of person who really enjoyed my high school years- I was very social and had a great time. I didn't enjoy class though, and it was often a struggle for my parents to get me to do work- I was incredibly bored! If someone would have told me that I would be a teacher one day, I would have laughed. Even in college I didn't consider this idea. My freshman year at NAU I decided I wanted to be a number of things, and my major switched a couple of times. I started with Hotel and Restaurant Management. I thought this idea was fabulous, because what could be better than working at a tropical resort? That major and idea quickly failed when I had to take a course in hotel management, and was forced to clean the rooms and bathrooms of the campus's resident hotel. I walked out that day, disgusted. Because I've always had a love for computers and technology, the next logical major was computer programming. I took a few classes, predominately full of nerdy boys, and decided I was too personable for that profession. Looking back, I think I would have definitely been happy had I stuck to that. But alas, it wasn't for me. Next I dabbled in both psychology and economics before I finally went back to my true love, English. In high school, English was the only core subject I truly enjoyed and I'd always been a complete bookworm. Although English was my first choice of majors, I had originally shied away from choosing this path due to both my adviser and peers telling me this pick was a quick road to unemployment following graduation. I decided to give it a go anyway, and one semester in I couldn't get enough. I reveled in my surroundings- other literary nerds who found great pleasure in writing poetry, reading old books, and sitting around discussing contemporary fiction. It was a welcome break from the everyday life of a sorority girl, as cliche and silly as that may sound. I was hooked.
As the next three years went by, I fell deeper and deeper in love with all things English Literature. I took classes in everything from Rhetoric in Media to African American Literature. I learned so much. As my May 2004 graduation date loomed nearer, I began to weigh my options. I had decided my junior year that I wanted to become a lawyer, so my emphasis was in pre-law, and the LSATs were coming up. I had already decided though, that law wasn't a path I was ready to go down, so I was at a dead end of sorts. I knew that I loved writing, but I wasn't sure where exactly to get started in that field. I loved communication, but again, I wasn't sure what I could do with my Bachelor's of Arts in English.
It turned out that I decided to take some time and continue working for the company I had worked for for so long, and interviewed for a management position at the Aveda store in Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation my best friends Autumn and Shirley moved down with me to Old Town Scottsdale, I began working. I liked my job. I had worked for Aveda for years and years prior to this, and I enjoyed the atmosphere and working in the field of beauty. I even toyed with the idea of making this my career. But no matter how much I enjoyed it, it just wasn't fulfilling a part of me, an intellectual part that felt silenced while working in the mall.
Around October I started to feel like maybe I wanted to become a high school teacher. I wasn't exactly sure where this thought came from- I didn't know any high school teachers my age, and I wasn't exactly sure what the road to becoming a teacher even entailed. Would I have to repeat another four years of undergraduate work to obtain an additional four year degree? While all this was going on, my feeling of idleness and my unhappiness with the retail world continued to grow. I applied for a large "grown-up" position at a large financial firm in Scottsdale to do website editing, and got the job.
Even though I was set to begin working in three weeks, I started looking into teaching and noticed that my alma mater, NAU, offered an accelerated graduate program in Phoenix where I could receive my Master's in Education while at the same time obtaining my teaching certification. Amazing. Unfortunately the next round of classes began shortly, so even though I sent in my application, I gave up hope I could begin in January. Surprisingly, a little less than three weeks later I received a call from graduate admissions informing me that I had, indeed, been accepted into the program, and my start date was the following Monday...the same day I was set to begin at the financial company. I immediately called them and informed them that I wasn't able to come into work on Monday, and set my heart on achieving this suddenly all-important goal. At the same time, I was so scared. I had just turned down an incredibly well-paying job to make a career out of something my mom had warned me about. Was I making a mistake?
Fear aside, I'll never forget when I walked into my very first graduate course. There was a woman up front- totally hip with her adorable haircut and fun outfit...and she was so positive and inspiring. From day one, this professor was a huge part of the reason I stuck with the program, and she really helped to mold me into the teacher I am now. With her help, graduate school flew by- it was an intense program, with classes lasting multiple hours many times per week. I even had to move back to Flagstaff for the summer to take a few courses. But surprisingly, I enjoyed it. I liked the idea that I would one day soon be up in front of my own class, sharing my thoughts about my favorite subject. I enjoyed having a light at the end of the tunnel- a tangible goal that got closer each day. I loved all of the classes we took on young adult fiction, lesson planning, technology in the classroom, you name it. The year continued on and before I knew it, it was time to student teach. By this point I had completed all of my graduate courses, besides my student teaching semester. Assuming that I made it through the next 16 weeks successfully, I would officially have a M.Ed. and a teaching certificate for the state of Arizona.
I had moved to Prescott from Scottsdale in the fall, during my previous semester. I had done my practicum (observation) unit at Prescott High, and decided to do my student teaching there as well. I was placed in the department head's classroom, and although I had met her before, I was still nervous about the entire thing. I had gone out on a limb moving up north during this time. There was only one high school in Prescott, and typically the school you student teach at is most apt to offer you a position following this time period. It was a gamble to be in a town with one possible job choice. What if I didn't like it? And more importantly, what if they didn't like me?
The first day of school I arrived in my mentor teacher's room. I was visibly shaking. Her first hour was seniors, and I was only 22- just four years older than them. I was petrified. All those eyes, staring at me. I was beet red from the moment I walked in the door- how on earth was I going to make these students, these people who felt like my peers, listen and respect me? What had I gotten myself into? In the confines of my graduate school courses, teaching didn't seem so scary. You present a lesson, you explain it, you answer questions. Done. No one ever mentioned the girl in the front of the room looking you up and down, or the boy in the back glaring at you, as if he was thinking, "who is this stranger?" I didn't have much time to ponder that though, because she put a vocabulary book in a my hand and said "they're all yours." I went blank for a minute, and I remember looking up and out at those 35 faces, panicked. Then my auto-pilot set in and I was somewhat okay. Now if you know anything about student teaching, you know that it's a process. You're supposed to observe for the first few weeks, ease into teaching maybe one class a day, and slowly add more. Not my experience. I was literally thrown into teaching on day one, and looking back, I am so thankful for this. Because it was so shocking, I had to immediately get over any and all fear I had. And trust me, I did. I was pushed head first intothe deep end...off the high dive. But by the end of the first week, I was feeling completely comfortable with the kids and loving it.
The semester went by quickly, and by the end of the 16 weeks I was actually sad to go. On my last day, the principal called me into her office. She told me that she was impressed with my progress, and offered me a teaching position for the next year. It's safe to say I was ecstatic. I had fallen in love with the school, and I couldn't imagine working anywhere else. I also enjoyed the idea that Hank had gone there years before, and his parents too. I had found my place.
I was on cloud nine. I had never liked to work but I had actually found a job that I didn't dread going to each day. Aveda was fun, but it was retail, and the negatives far outweighed the positives for me. Towards the end of May, it was my time to graduate. I had surprised myself- I was 22 and graduating with my Master's degree. How did that happen? Being someone who, at the time, would often start projects and leave them unfinished, I felt so accomplished and grown up. It was a beautiful thing to feel so proud of something I had achieved. And it was even sweeter knowing that I had a job waiting for me.
Looking back on the road that brought me to my current place in life- more than a few years of teaching under my belt, happy in my job and school- I never would have guessed this for myself. I wake up most mornings excited to get there, happy to see the kids, looking forward to sharing something with them. Some days are harder than others, but like I said, most days are great. I never would have guessed that my procrastinating high school self would ever end up on the other side of the podium. But here I am. In my opinion, teaching is the most important job in the world. Every year, I get over 150 new students. When you think about the simple magnitude of the possibilities involved in that, it's dizzying. I have the opportunity to shape these little minds into something more than they walked in with. I am able to share stories and poetry, music and novels, anything and everything full of art and language and knowledge. I get to make non-readers into book lovers. I am an advice-giver, role model, and a smile. My mood directly affects my classroom, and in turn affects my students. Each day I get up in front of my kids I have a chance to positively impact each and every one of those children.
At times teaching can be difficult. I find most "out of class" tasks to be the most tedious and stressful. The paperwork, the meetings, the goals, the mandatory lesson plans...all of these things are my least favorite. My most favorite are the kids. I can't go an entire hour without laughing, and to be able to describe my day in such a way is awesome.
If you've ever thought about being a teacher, let me tell you- it's amazing. Not only do you get to enjoy a wonderful schedule, you also get to enjoy a career that is different each and every day. You get to choose an area that you love- for me, English- and share every little last bit of that with young people. What could be better?
I wrote this so I could always remember how I got to where I am today- and I thought I would share this post in case any of you were interested in the path I took to get here! I think it also serves as a reminder that if you want something, go get it! I look back at this time and I remember feeling so scared. What if I was making the wrong career choice? What if I hated it? I took the plunge though, and I can't tell you how right this all feels. I hope that if you're on the fence about something in your life, you find the strength to just go for it. Whether it be a career, a move, a choice, anything...summon up that strong part of you that is always there waiting, and allow yourself to take a chance. Although teaching isn't a dangerous profession, I was incredibly scared about taking those first steps. But I did, and I couldn't be happier. It's also interesting to note that my younger sister became a teacher as well, so we both get to share in the awesome-ness that is teaching. I love that we are able to have this experience together- and it's neat that teaching has become a bit of a family affair for us!
Someday soon I will talk more about my experiences in the classroom and what an average day is like, and some of the daily trials and triumphs I go through, as they are definitely noteworthy. So stayed tuned for that.
And now I'm curious- are any of you teachers or aspiring teachers? Did you always know you wanted to be one? I'd love to hear about your experience, so please feel free to share in the comments!
And as always, thank you so much for reading! I love you guys. :)
Hi everyone! Welcome to the third edition of Tattoo Tuesday. I am loving this feature so much, and I'm glad you're enjoying it too. Thank you for stopping by to read my blog! Today I am pleased to feature two of the loveliest ladies I have the pleasure of knowing, Holly and Brittney. First up, the lovely Holly!
Tattoo/location: girl with camera on upper right arm
Artist/shop/location: Zara Leaf at Metamorphosis in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (she has since moved to Edmonton *sad face*)
1) Tell us about the tattoo you are sharing with us- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?
I want my tattoos to be reflective of my personality, and so I this one to show my creative side, and also because I love Elsie's girl designs *so* much. They're my all time favorite illustrations of hers, and I knew I wanted a tattoo of one. The girl is wearing a camera, and a headband, because they are both things I love. This girl is not meant to represent 'me', but the loves that I have. Elsie designed her for me, and I took a few different sketches to Zara and she worked her magic as well. So it's a collaboration of designs, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I chose this particular artwork simply because.... I love it and I think it's cute!
2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?
I have 3 other tattoos. I have a plumeria flower on the inside of my left forearm, which is sort of a Hawaiian honeymoon memoir. I have the inside of my upper right arm tattooed with 2 swallows, nautical stars, and a banner that reads "Loves", and a bow on my right shoulder.
3) Do you plan on getting more?
Yes, I would love love to:
-finish my right half sleeve
-chest piece (hopefully this year)
-right knuckles
-cover up the plumeria flower with more of them (more realistic looking ones)
I love tattoos and I love getting them, so who knows how many I'll get in the future. ;)
4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them?
My mom was a little weirded out when she found out I was getting a tattoo, but now she likes them. My other family members that don't like them usually keep their opinions to themselves, even though I know they don't 'approve'. Ryan has a tattoo as well, but I don't think he has the desire for any others. He likes my tattoos but doesn't really have a strong opinion about them in either direction. I don't get a tattoo worrying about what others think. I know my friends/family will still accept me just the same, with or without ink. :)
5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?
Don't just "walk in" for an appt.... that's what I did for my first one, and that's the one I want covered up. I still like it a lot, but I just think it could look better. Make sure you do your research, and check out artist's portfolios before making an appt. For my girl tattoo, I knew that it was a very "graphic" design, in the way that it had bold lines, so when I was looking for an artist, I looked for someone who was good at bold lines, and cartoon-like illustrated figures. I found Zara and knew she would be perfect for the design I wanted.
Also, plan ahead. In manitoba, the tattooing industry is taken very seriously, and a lot of the time, you need to be on a waiting list for a talented artist. I waited more than half a year for 2 of my tattoos, after making a deposit and approving artwork from the artist during the consult. The way I see it, if you are sure of what you want, then it's worth the wait in the long run, and worth the investment. Tattoo artists in my area charge around $150 per hour, so it's something that requires thought and planning.
A lot of people also ask me if I think getting tattooed hurts. I wouldn't use the word 'hurt', I strangely enjoy the feeling of getting tattooed quite a bit! For longer sessions, the body has to work a little harder at handling it, for example, with my girl tattoo I was doing great up until about 5 hours and then it became difficult to enjoy it.
Lastly, I feel that tattoos should be fun and beautiful, so get them for YOU and love them because they reflect who you are and things that you love. :) XO holly
Our next beautiful tattooed lovely is my friend Ms. Brittney Reyes!
Name: Brittney, of obabycakes (http://obabycakes.blogspot.com/)
Tattoo/location: man from an old picture during the early 1900's
Artist/shop/location: Cris Cleen from spider murphy's tattoo
1) Tell us about the tattoo you are sharing with us- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?
This is one of my favorite pieces. It is a man from an old picture during the early 1900's. When I look at this man I think about him traveling around the world, writing love letters to his wife. Many of my pieces are centered around love; enduring love that lasted decades and wars and distance. We live in a day and age where text message, emails, and comments are the major forms of communication, it is all so impersonal now! I find hand written letters to be one of the most intimate forms of expression. To immortalize these ideas on my body is a sort of preservation. To think that one day society could find an appreciation for this, or revert back to more personal ways of communicating is very endearing to me.
2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?
I have lots more! 24 to be exact. Without going to much into detail: script on my foot as well as left and right hips, initials behind both ears, heart on my ring finger, circus elephant on left thigh, ode to wartime lovers on my right thigh, top hat wearing skull above right knee, sweet tooth on wrist, traditional butterfly, sailor gypsy, lucky panther, hot air balloon, roses, owl in a teapot, grandmothers name, sailor Jerry "mom" piece, hand in hand lovers, sugar skull, peacock, and old perfume bottle.
3) Do you plan on getting more?
I do! I plan on finishing my right sleeve as well as finish covering both my thighs from the knees to the hips, and if given the opportunity to work with some of the far off artists that I admire, I'd love to squeeze a bit of their work onto vacant spots.
4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them?
At first my family was very supportive, until I started getting work done in more visible areas. At this point my parents don't really support anything new that I get so I usually try not to mention new items or plans for future ones. Friends on the other hand love them, but that is to be expected considering most of them have or plan for some themselves! Sadly, with the general public I have come under fire quite often because of them. Although many strangers compliment my work, It is too often that I get dirty looks or have been cornered into a conversation where I must defend my decision. Unfortunately, I've gotten to the point where I cut most tattoo talk with strangers off pretty bluntly unless people are extremely nice and genuinely curious about my work. I understand that people are naturally curious and may have good intentions, but it gets quite exhausting explaining or defending myself multiple times a day. It all just comes down to manners, politeness is key :)
5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?
Yes! My number one piece of advice is begin getting tattooed in places that no one will see. You may get one and decide its not for you, and you wouldn't want something you regret to be visible to the world for the rest of your life. It took me a very long time and a lot of contemplating to decide that I was ready to put artwork in visible places. It truly is for the rest of your life. To this day though, I don't regret a single one!
First of all, thank you thank you thank you to all of you sweet, lovely people. It astounded me to see so many thoughtful comments on my last post. I warms my heart so much to know I have such caring readers and you guys are all so amazing. So really, thank you! The negative comments didn't bother me, I don't mind criticism at all...but I just think anonymous submissions like that one are ridiculous. After I made that post, I received another "rude" comment via Formspring from someone in Yorba Linda, CA, reminding me that we're in a recession and how could I even think about talking about Marc Jacobs. They went on to tell me that I appeared to try and impress others, blah blah blah! It made me laugh. The lovely Rachel (over at Smile and Wave) commented and said that the "first mean comment is kind of a right of passage online isn't it." That's seriously exactly how I thought of it- when I got it I yelled across the house, "Oh my gosh! HANK! I just got my first mean comment!" I was kind of excited, as weird as it sounds. Like I wrote yesterday, after seeing so many of my friends get weird and rude comments via formspring I had kind of been waiting for it to happen. And I got two last night. Let me make something clear before we lay this to rest forever- I will never again respond to a negative comment. I don't care if you don't like me, like what I have to say, or think something "bad" about me. And I know I will never be able to avoid people disliking me...however, I will tell you now, I will never stop writing about what makes me happy. I accept that there will always be unhappy people in the world, and I know that every individual perceives every other individual differently. If you perceive me in a bad light, then just go ahead and leave now, save yourself the annoyance of reading my posts on me, my life, my happiness, my ups and downs, my favorite food, my clothes, etc. Just go! I'm sure we'll both be a lot happier in the end. There's no use torturing yourself with my horrible blog! ;)
OKAY. So, that's done! Now we can move on...
Today was a great day. I slept horribly last night though so I was really tired. My friend Robyn (who by the way is a fellow English teacher and blogger- click on her name to visit her blog) and I had the best day at work though, and made each other laugh all morning so I didn't feel very tired at all. My Seniors are starting to write their own raps and I died laughing the entire hour. Some of you may be asking yourselves- "Rapping?! In an English class?" And yes, it's a (very fun) part of our poetry unit! The kids love it so much, and they learn a lot about all of the elements of poetry through the activity. I will see if I can convince any of the groups to let me video tape them this week for youtube, and if so, I will share the link.
So yes, work was awesome. After work though, I started feeling incredibly exhausted so I forced myself to head to the gym immediately. Had I not, and waited for Hank to get home from work, there is no way I would have ever gone! The moment I walked in the house our bed was calling my name. So Robyn and I got some gym time in, then came back here for a nice run outdoors. Hank and I went to dinner, and now we're just relaxing on the couch. I'm waiting for the Suns game to end so I can indulge in my weekly guilty pleasure- watching The Bachelor!
This week should go by really quickly because I have a really fun weekend to look forward to! My best friend Autumn is having her baby shower- she's due on February 14th to have baby Carter and I'm so excited to be an auntie again. I love love love baby showers, weddings, bridal showers, all that stuff...so I can't wait! And, here are some things to look for this week on Sometimes Sweet- that book recommendation post I've been talking about, a yummy recipe for baked tofu, more outfit posts, and a workout playlist!
I'll leave you with my dinner date outfit from tonight -
dress: Target tights: J. Crew shoes: Target (it's a Target kinda day!) :)
could Madeline looks any more depressed about taking this photo? This was the only one we snapped so sorry Ms. Maddie, it's going up!
Have a great night everyone. Sending so much love your way!
I wasn't even going to post this, because as I've learned all my life you shouldn't acknowledge negativity...but it's my first rude comment in the blogging world so I thought I would celebrate the fact that maybe this means...gasp...I'm a real blogger! Woohoo! I will say though, that if you have something to say, you should comment so I can reply to you! :) Because it technically is still "Formspring Sunday" I just had to share this last little submission that was just sent to me.
You kind of seem like a snob to me. Sort of prissy... Always wearing dresses, always manicuring your nails. Don't get me wrong, I think it's fine to take care of yourself, but the way you come off is like "No WAY I wouldn't ever wear jeans... " Why do you feel the need to be so snobby about things that alot of other people like. As with all things on a blog I'm sure not everyone feels like I do. Your mannerisms just seem uppity to me and I wonder if you ever think beyond your "dress up" photos? Do you ever do any community help? Do you ever get out of your house and do anything for anyone else?
A couple of things, and then I promise I won't waste any more time on this silliness, and I also promise I won't ever repost another rude submission (unless they're hilarious, like this one). First, I don't like jeans! AHH sin of sins! There, I said it. And OF COURSE I am saying this to make all people who wear them feel bad about themselves. Because dresses are better than pants, and anyone who wears pants is dumb. Clearly. Helloooo, I think jeans are uncomfortable. Annoying waistband, rough fabric...no thank you! I wasn't aware that avoiding uncomfortable clothing items made me a snob. If it does, then sign me up, sista!
Secondly, I'm a teacher! I "get out of my house" everyday and work with teenagers...teaching them to read, helping them become better people, all that good stuff. Annd, I actually enjoy it. C'mon...you should at least read back in my blog before you made a rude assumption like that, you meanie.
Jeez Louise! Sorry for this little bit of negativity but I just had to share! I've seen so many of my friends get rude/mean comments on their formsprings that I felt like I've been waiting for this day to come. And today, I have officially joined their club. So thanks, anon! <33
Hi again, here's my fourth edition of formspring questions and answers. You can view the earlier posts by clicking here, here, and here. If you don't see your question, I've probably already answered it, so visit those posts or utilize the search feature. I also wanted to mention that I got quite a few questions on our house and the tattoo on my arm, so I'll be making separate posts on those things in the near future. Check back in the next few weeks. :)
Here we go...
What kind of day planner do you use? What kinds of things do you write in it?
I don't use anything fancy, just the type you can buy at Target. A lot of my friends use their blackberries or iphones to schedule things but I really need a tangible little book I can write in. I write everything in it- daily appointments, gym schedules (I plan my workouts before I do them), to-do lists, etc.
OMG i just found your blog through another one here in Australia. I am addicted!! i love your style and tattoos. But i digress...Im wondering how you stay motivated to eat the yummy foods you eat and do you ever eat not so healthy foods? ie Hot chips (fries) i think you call it. Ps, you have TOTALLY motivated me to want to eat nicer healthier foods. So thanks :D
YES! I totally indulge sometimes. But, I'm naturally not into fried foods or lots of sugar, so when I do indulge it's not really in horribly terrible food. I kind of eat whatever I want, I don't diet. But the reason this works for me is because I don't crave unhealthy foods. I stay motivated to eat this way because I think healthy food is yummier, more filling, and it makes me happy to treat my body with respect.
Hey There! I love your blog and noticed you mentioned you livejournaled for many years before you started this blog. Could you post a link to your LJ? I would love to see it!
Most of it is private, but one day if I make it public I will send a link.
Hey Danielle! I don't know if this is too personal of a question but I noticed you posted some photos that says "it's been 2 years now" and I believe it's your brother. I'm really sorry to hear that. I was just wondering if you would be willing to share what happened?
Kendall wasn't my blood brother, but a little brother to Hank and myself- one of our best friends and truly our family. It was horrible what happened, and without getting into detail, I will say that it was drug-related. The entire situation is still, to this day, very unclear and his mom believes their was foul play involved but no one will ever really know. I feel lucky that I got to spend time with him the day before it happened, give him a hug, and we got to say I love you to one another. I still get upset when I listen to his band, or see old photos of us, because I feel anger in regards to the situation and people who were involved. It's the worst feeling to just have such a big part of your life gone- especially when its someone who was truly the sunshine throughout so much of it.
Your blog is so inspirational to me. I can't wait to see what else you write everytime I read it! I'm getting married this year and am not religious either. I was wondering what way you went about getting married since you aren't religious? We were considering just having a justice of the peace outdoors. Thoughts or advice?
Even though we're not religious, I still wanted to do a traditional type of ceremony. We used an ordained minister that our venue recommended, and when we met with him we told him we wanted no mention of "god" or anything like that. We just wanted him to focus on the joining together or two people. There was one part that we included where he asked our guests to take a moment and send positive energies, prayers, whatever they wanted to us. I thought that was neat because it encompassed positive thinking and not just religion.
Do you keep a personal journal, or does your blog knd of take it's place?
I keep a personal, written journal that I write in a few times a week!
I noticed that you do your nails on Sundays. Do you find they chip mid week? Do you need to do touch ups throughout the week?
I usually repaint my nails on Wednesday or Thursday. I hate the look of any chips so by painting 2x a week I can avoid that.
Is it hard to find dresses/skirts that aren't too short for work? What are your rules for what is appropriate work wear?
It's not too hard because I'm pretty short. As far as rules for what is appropriate, I just go by the school dress code.
When will the next hour of the wolf show be in Prescott!?
I have no idea- Lance (the singer) is currently in Wyoming working. You can always stay up to date via their Myspace or Facebook page.
I'm so sorry if this is an odd question, but what sort of deodorant/antiperspirant do you use? I've recently decided to try to switch to an aluminum free type, but I'm not sure I enjoy the brands I've found so far.
I've gone back and forth with using natural deodorants/natural deodorant crystals and I have to be honest- I've NEVER found a good one. Working around people all day, gym visits...all of these make a good deodorant pretty necessary. I know that the aluminum isn't good for me, but for now, I use Secret. If you have any other suggestions let me know!
If you have a stomach ache at home and you man is there, what do you do so you can "go" to the bathroom without feeling embarrassed? I HATE it when this happens and we have a one bedroom apartment, so I'm sure you can hear everything.
Oh my. This is an invasive question, and I'm sure Amber will bbm me and say "um you get some weird questions" yet again. haha. But I'm happy to answer...why not?! I've come this far in being open. My husband and I are very open and very close BUT bathroom going-ons is one area that I don't care to share with him. I have some friends that actually have done the deed in front of their hubbies, while the hubs was shaving or whatever. EEK! More power to them, but that's not for me. I just close the door and don't really think that much about it, but if we have people over I would probably run the water or something. I don't really know if I'm answering your question but I just do what I have to do, I don't think too much about it.
Are you on good reads? If so, do you add people like me that you don't personally know?
I am not on good reads, but if I was I would add you. :)
Danielle, I was wondering when the next giveaway is, if there is one.
A few of my blog friends are having some right now, so probably once those are over and then I'll have one! I already have my little gift all ready to go, so stay tuned!
Just a quick question- where did you get those delightful black and white shoes from saturdays post? They're exactly the shoes I've been searching for since Autumn! Love reading your blog, Aoife
Hi Danielle. You have no idea how much I adore your blog, but when I found out your favorite author/poet of all time was Sylvia Plath, I just had to know...why? I have loved her since I read Ariel in the seventh grade.
I love her for many, many reasons. When I first discovered her in junior high I would read her poetry every single night before I went to bed- I felt that she had such an insane way of describing the ordinary. I fell in love with her writing. Something about it just speaks to me, and I feel she was a true genius.
Hope you are enjoying the day off like I am! Reason number 89 why teaching is wonderful. :) Quick question- how did you make your blog button? Thanks...off to get another tattoo tomorrow, yeah!
I made my blog button by following a tutorial. I don't remember which one I used, but if you search via google you can find a million. Click here to visit one I just found.
Have you ever tried Hot Yoga? I just started doing it recently and fell in love with it. It seems like something you would enjoy!
YES! I love hot yoga, and yoga in general. I practice yoga about 2 times per week at home, but lately I've been thinking about joining our local yoga studio.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
I can't really think of one, which is strange. If I do, I will be sure to post it next time.
What are the top three things on your "bucket list"?
I don't keep a bucket list, but here are a few things I'd love to do before I die!
visit Egypt African safari visit Japan
What would you say is your best feature?
Hmmm...this is hard. I like my face in general (that sounds weird), would that be considered a feature? I get lots of compliments on my eyes, so I suppose I would say eyes if I had to narrow it down.
What is the most exciting place you have ever been and why?
I would say Moorea on our honeymoon. It's a small island next to Tahiti, all the way down in French Polynesia. It was an amazing experience. From our glass-bottom hut to jungle safari, to exotic fish and coral reefs, it was so exciting and a great time. One day soon I'll do a little post on it.
our "island" look ;)
When do you think you will be getting your next tattoo? Any ideas of what you want?
Pretty soon, and yes...but it's a secret until I get it. ;)
Hey there, Danielle. In previous posts you mentioned you did dance and gymnastics. What kind of dance did you do? Do you continue anything like that today?
I did all kinds of dance. I started with ballet with I was 3 (!!) and then got into tap, jazz, and hip hop as well. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to dance and I do so whenever I can! I don't take classes or anything like that, but I dance around my house everyday. My friend and I were considering taking an adult tap class, so maybe and hopefully that happens!
hello there:) i just wanted to know how u got your blog out there. im really interested in making one and wondered how you get people to go and read it. thanks cutie!
I didn't do anything actually, I just started writing and then people started reading! :)
I love your style, hair and makeup!! You are a big inspiration to me now... I have a question. Do you wear lipstick? If so, what is the brand and color please... What blush do you use now and foundation?
Thank you so very much! I'm not a big makeup person at all and I never wear lipstick. All I ever wear on my lips is Burt's Bees Pomegranate chapstick! As far as foundation, I wear Almay's Truly Lasting Color in "Buff," and my current blush is MAC's "Springsheen." I have considered wearing red lipstick, and next time I am in Phoenix I may stop by MAC and see if I want to delve into lipstick territory! If I find one I love, I'll be sure to post it. :)
I see you like alot of crafting blogs! Do you do any type of craft? :)
I really love to read blogs of crafty ladies but surprisingly I'm not into crafting myself. I scrapbook from time to time, and I have a sewing machine I've used sporadically but overall crafting doesn't really do it for me. I think when we buy a house I could see myself getting into re-upholstery and re-doing furniture though! You never know.
I love your tattoos!! One question. What font did you use for your wrist word tattoo? Thanks :)
It's not a font- my tattoo artist at the time just drew it up. Unfortunately he doesn't tattoo anymore, but when he did, script was one of his specialties.
Where do you get all your ideas for healthy meals, snacks, breakfast etc? Also, how to you know when to add seeds or wheat germ, pollen and many more? Do you search online, do you have any book references?
I get most of my ideas from my Mom, actually. She is an insanely healthy person and eater and always has been. She comes up with the neatest recipes of things she just throws together, and also has a lot of knowledge regarding supplements, vitamins, and natural remedies. I go home to visit a lot, and every Sunday it's tradition to go shopping together. We always stop at Sprouts and I always seem to come home with new ideas! As far as books, I would recommend the "The Eat Clean Diet," by Tosca Reno (click on title/authore to view it on amazon.com) for people looking to learn more about how I eat most of the time. It's not a "diet," but more of a lifestyle in terms of eating good for you whole foods and focusing on nutrition. That book will also give you a lot of info on healthy supplements and additions to food! Happy reading!
just curious, because i'm in the market for a new phone. i LOVE apple, and i've read that you and hank do as well... but you own a blackberry. do you prefer that, or would you want an iphone?
I really can't get behind touch screen phones- they totally annoy me! Plus, most of my bffs have blackberry messenger and I'd be so sad to lose that awesome mode of communication.
Would you ever consider posting a workout playlist? I'd be interested in what type of music keeps you motivated at the gym. Thanks!
Yes! I will do that this week. Thanks for the great idea. :)
this may be a bit personal but did you have to take out student loans for college? If so, did you go through your bank? Are you finding them hard to pay off?
I took out some student loans, and I also had grants. I went through the federal government by filling out a FAFSA, which I recommend. That's how I got many grants that helped me through school. I don't find them hard to pay off at all because my interest rate is really low and my monthly payments are low as well. Because I paid for my own undergrad and grad school, my starting amount to pay back was a lot but luckily the amount is steadily declining!
You've talked about your workout wear, but what about shoes? I've always heard that the shoes you wear when working out are important. What are your favorites?
I just wear New Balance running shoes, nothing special. NB and Sacouny are my favorite workout shoe brands.
Hi! your outfit from 1.16.10 is adorable! I really love the long sleeves and the shoes. Where did you get them? I love your style, you should let us know where you found them when you post pictures! :)
The dress is from Forever 21, and I posted about the shoes above. If you click on the photo you're interested in, I usually give details via Flickr. I will be sure to include them in the blog though from now on. Thanks! :)
Hi Danielle! I know you get a lot of questions/comments on your tattoos; they are beautiful pieces of art. Are you worried about what pregnancy might do to them? (Sorry, that's kind of a funny question.)
People ask me this all the time, and to be honest- no, I don't worry about it at all! :) I take good care of myself, and I know I will do my best to get back into pre-pregnancy shape. If any of them change, then so be it. It's my body, and as long as I am treating it right and working hard, I feel like it's important to accept it no matter what. Hank doesn't care of my rib panel gypsy lady suddenly looks weird- and he's the only person I care about impressing.
Did you and Hank get your "matching" tattoos at the same time?
I actually got my little one first, when we got engaged, as a surprise for him. His was a surprise for me on our wedding.
Hey there, Danielle! Let me just start off by saying how adorable you are, and how much I love your blog. You are so beautiful with how honest and open you are; you share every piece of your world with us. I know that you struggled with "body issues". Did you ever suffer from any depression or anything like that during that time?
Yes. Up until this past year I'd struggled with depression here and there. You can read more about that by clicking here. After you read it, let me know if you have any more questions. :)
You come off as such a strong, confident women. You are absolutely beautiful, but I know you sometimes have to deal with "being different". I live in Prescott also, and the older folk are fairly conservative. How do you stay so confident and true to yourself when you are surrounded by adversity;when you could be considered the "black sheep". (I apologize if that doesn't make sense; it's a little wordy.)
It's a pretty simple answer- I just don't care what those people think. I used to for sure, and I would feel weird when Hank and I would go out to, let's say dinner- I'd be wearing a strapless dress or something and I'd get so many dirty looks. As I've gotten older though, I feel BAD for those people. There's nothing I pity more than someone who feels they need to judge others and put others down...it's a sad existence. I like being different and at this point in my life I just feel like our time on this earth is WAY too short to care what anyone thinks.
Do you and your husband share the same views about religion? Do you personally think it's important to hold the same beliefs regarding religion in a marriage?? (I ask because my boyfriend and I do not share the same religiousbeliefs and I often wonder if situations like that have worked out for others....) Thanks :)
We have similar views, but he is a total atheist- he really believes that there is nothing out there, and he feels very, very strongly about this. I, on the other hand, just don't know what's out there, so I choose not to label myself as anything. I can't speak for every marriage and how it would work to have two opposing viewpoints, but I know for me (and Hank) it wouldn't work because a) I would refuse to go to church and b), I would never make it a priority. Now, a LOT of my closest friends are religious and I respect that...but I still find organized religion to be really weird and not for me, ever. I can't even imagine being with someone who put those things as a priority since I definitely don't. But again, if you do, awesome! Go you. ;)
Hi Danielle, I just want you to know that your blog is absolutely great!! It seems you're such a sweet person !! As we can see, you love tattoos, but what about piercing ? Have you been pierced ?? Thx for the answer and sorry if my english is a bit "messy", I'm just a little frenchie girl ^^ Xoxo
I had piercings when I was younger- a couple nose piercings, lip, ears gauged to 00, belly button...but I took those all out when I was about 21 or 22 and I don't think I will ever have a piercing again- I'm just not into them. If anything, I may re-stretch my ears but I'm still unsure.
Have you and Hank ever been in a fight?
Of course! I can't imagine being in a relationship where you didn't argue and get upset. We definitely fight fair though, and work through issues we have really quickly. These days we don't really "fight" anymore, we more so just discuss. Back in the day though, I had quite a little temper on me. As I've gotten older I really don't get mad that often which is an improvement.
In the future, when you are pregnant with your first wee one, will you blog throughout the experience? I hope so! :)
YES! Absolutely.
I see you always eating "berries", i have heard & read they great anti-oxidants, have you noticed this ie. has your skin improved? I really admire your healthy eating habits...x
My skin is so sensitive that my food choices really do affect it. When I eat a lot of whole foods- berries included, my skin looks its best.
what kinds of things do you do for hank while he is on tour? how do you like to welcome him back home when he gets back?
We stay in really great touch via our blackberry messengers. He usually calls me every night if he can, but a lot of the time we have a time difference and it doesn't work out. He makes an effort to either leave me a voicemail or email for when I wake up, and constantly sends me postcards. When he's been out of the country though, all bets are off. I welcome him back by having the house perfectly clean and some fresh baked sweet treats in the dessert tray (he has a big sweet tooth!)
How many bands is your husband in?
He is in a few: he plays guitar in Hour of the Wolf, bass in a band called Hot Skin, and he also is working on his own stuff. It's kind of in the vein of ISIS. He also recently recorded some songs in CA with some dudes from other bands as a side project from their respective bands (As I Lay Dying, Casey Jones, HOTW).
Do you have any tips for meeting friends?
I've had the same friends forever, so I'm never really looking to make new ones when I'm out and about, although I welcome it if it happens. I would say though just to be yourself and be friendly! :)
Hello! I have a question...what do you dp to cheer yourself up if you're feeling down? Especially if you're alone - maybe Hank's on tour and no ones around - what little pick me ups do you have? I always like to paint my nails a "happy" color!
I have a bunch of things I like to do when I feel down! Number one- workout! It's my fool-proof happy plan. I also enjoy reading, watching a silly reality show on television, or doing something nice for someone else.
Do you accept blog friends via Facebook, or is it just for real friends? xxx
As long as you leave a note that you're a blog follower (in the request form), I have no problem adding blog friends! :)
I watched the video you made of friends driving and playing wii etc and was wondering what song is playing at the end of the video. I can't for the life of me remember what song that is!
I love reading your blog. I think you're really inspirational and such a roll model. First, I was wondering how you keep such a positive attitude about things? My second question is sort of random but what are your favorite Target and Trader Joe's buys? I notice that you shop there pretty often.
I keep a positive attitude by telling myself to do so! It's really a choice, every single day. Seriously, try it! Wake up tomorrow and say "Go away negativity, you will have NO part in my day today!" If you keep forcing a PMA, it will eventually become a part of you. :)
I was just wondering, is the house you are currently in the one you are going to buy, or are you just renting and on the look-out for another?
Definitely not this place! Whenever that time comes we will shop around for our perfect place.
I absolutely adore your style. You always look so fresh and trendy. Do you always choose to wear skirts and dresses? Do you ever wear shorts and jeans?
I love love love dresses and have a pretty substantial collection, and I try to add to it whenever I can. I just think they look so cute and feminine. I'm not a jeans girls at all, and although I own a few pairs I avoid wearing them if possible. In the summer I do wear shorts sometimes, although I do feel that dresses are the most comfortable.
You seem like such a lady, and girly-girl. Do you like doing outdoorsy things like camping, hiking, etc.? Or more for the mall? Where are you favorite places to hang out?
I am NOT outdoorsy at all. I enjoy spending time outside, but just at places like parks, the beach, on long walks, etc. I don't enjoy camping at all. I don't "hang out" anywhere besides my or my parents'/sisters'/close friends' houses really. I do love going to the movie though if you consider that a hangout!
You have such beautiful skin! Do you ever have breakouts, or did you when you were younger?
I still do have occasional breakouts! I did when I was younger- typical teenage stuff. Now my skin is pretty much clear but on occasion I will get a blemish...which is so very annoying! Oh, and thank you for the compliment. :)
Hi Danielle! I've noticed that you always are dressed so nicely with a dress and makeup on! How do you do this on weekends or days you don't have to leave the house? I admire you for that!
I usually always leave the house to either go to work or run an errand, so I always get dressed. I don't really wear that much makeup though, so it's not a big deal to throw some foundation and mascara on, but I usually try and make an effort when I go out. I'm not one to wear sweats in public, ever. At the most, I may run an errand after the gym but then it's usually just yoga pants which aren't horrible in my opinion. When it's going to be a home day, like today, I always wake up and brush my teeth, wash my face, and put on some minimal makeup. That way I feel my best, even if I'm just lounging around.
What is your daily make-up Routine?
VERY simple. Almay foundation and under eye concealer, MAC blush, mascara, and chapstick. Done in 10 min.
Hey there, Danielle. You are so adorable! These questions are kind of stupid (and immature) but what are some of your "favorites" (color, movie, book, food, etc.)? Haha, I just like to know the basics :)
Not stupid at all! :) My favorite colors are yellow, light gray, peach, and mint green. My fave movies are (this is just off the top of my head) Amelie, American History X, The Little Mermaid, Troop Beverly Hills, Welcome to the Dollhouse, Death Becomes Her, Goodfellas, The Last Unicorn, Little Monsters, You've Got Mail, A League of Their Own, The Shining, My Girl, The Wrestler...I could go on but I should probably stop! hah. My favorite book is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. And my favorite foods are: any kind of berry, brussel sprouts, sushi, and pie! :)
Danielle, you have such a beautiful smile! Did you ever have braces? And how do you keep your teeth so white?
Yes, I had braces for about two years in junior high. I've used all sorts of whitening treatments (it helps to have your best friend's hubby be a dentist!) but good old Crest White Strips are an easy way to do it. I have trays and in the past the Opalesence whitening system has been the best, but it's very pricey so if you don't have a dentist in the fam just stick to white strips!
What kind of mascara do you use? Your eyelashes always look perfect, never clumpy.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Covergirl's Lashblast.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would travel around the world with Hank! Literally the entire world.
You always look beautiful. What are some of your favorite brands you like to wear?
Aww, thank you, anonymous person! As far as brands- all sorts- anywhere you can think of, I bet I can find something wearable!
Dear Danielle, I really love the fact that you are so family-oriented. Are you as close to Hank's family as you are to your own?
Yes, I spend a lot of time with them which is really nice. :)
Thanks for all the fun questions everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading them. As always, you can ask me/tell me anything via the form up there to the left.
