Balancing Life :: Working, Grad School, & Marathon Training

WHEW! This past week has been craaaazy. It's been a week of trial and error as I begin to figure out how to balance my life.
Work has been a little off balance because we are short staff members, so I've been working every day instead of my regularly scheduled days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) to make sure everything ran smoothly. We have tons of little ones this year! The kindergarteners are still getting used to our routine so it's helpful to have enough staff members to make sure we don't lose anyone. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love my job! Even when I have a stressful day in other aspects, I know I can go to work and have 3 hours of fun :)
Grad School is officially in full swing. I was really happy with my summer session classes and therefore have high hopes for fall semester! I'm taking 3 classes: Instructional Strategies for Inquiry-Based Classrooms, Inquiry into the Human Growth, Development and Diversity, and Classroom and Behavioral Management. I'm also doing 2 of my 4 practicum experiences in 4th grade! I've gone into the classroom now four times and I LOVE IT! The kids are so sweet and fun, and I have a pretty awesome mentor teacher! It's going to be a great semester learning all about Virginia history :) I definitely have a LOT of work to do.  No doubt about that.  I will really need to buckle down and use my time wisely -- and stop being tempted by hours of watching HGTV and TLC.
Marathon Training is also in full swing. This weekend I have the Hokie Half Marathon here in Blacksburg. It's on Sunday and I can't wait!! It works perfectly with my training schedule so nothing will be thrown off.  I will treat it as my training run -- just a bit glorified, with a medal and t-shirt. My mileage is definitely starting to rack up, which is scary and exciting at the same time.  I've had to once again buckle down and really dedicate a portion of my day to running, whether it be at 6 am or 7 pm.  I hate running in the heat of the day, so typically I'm out really early or late when the sun is going down! My preference is definitely morning - it's so nice not to have to worry about my run after a full day of work/class. I alsooo signed up for another half-marathon in October before Richmond - the Runner's World Half & Festival. This race is held RIGHT where Steven goes to school, so it works out perfectly with a trip to see him! Plus, again, it works perfectly with my schedule since I'm supposed to run 14 miles that weekend anyway...might as well glorify it a bit and run someplace new ;)

My life is busy! Unfortunately I can't blog as often as I would like, but I'll still be popping in and I appreciate y'all still coming to read!

This weekend I'll be cheering on my Hokies, who are on the road, and resting up for the race!
Have a great Thursday, y'all!

First Day(s) of School!

Wow, I have had one busy week! Sunday-Tuesday I was in Richmond spending time with my Dad and checking out the marathon course. Definitely got me pumped up for November :)
On Tuesday evening we had Open House at the school where I work. We got tons of new kids. Lots of new kindergarteners and even a couple of new big kids! It was so exciting to hear who everyone's new teachers were and see all of the kids I hadn't seen since May.
Yesterday was our 1st day of school! I started in 4th grade at Harding, where my Mom is the Library Media Specialist, and had a blast. It was fun because I was new to 4th grade just like all of the kids so I was learning all of the new rules and expectations right along with them!

Me & Mama with our HAE Birthday shirts on! They're celebrating 40 years!
After the school day was over I headed over to GLE for my 1st day back to work, which also went really well! We got plenty of outside play since no one has homework yet ;)

Now today is MY 1st day of school! I'll be heading to Roanoke for my first fall semester class, Instructional Strategies for Inquiry-Based Classrooms! I'm excited to get started with my courses. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but it will all be really useful to me in the future.
Whew! Exciting week here in Blacksburg :)   Hope y'all have an awesome day!

Friday Five

  1. Hallelujah! It's...

It's been a LONG week & I am so happy to see ya, Friday! 2. Doubling Up

Higher Ed Center where I have class

Tomorrow I'll begin my second graduate course. It's held on 3 Saturdays from 9:00-3:30...not exactly what I want to be spending my weekend doing, but it's only 3 times so I guess it's not that bad??? This one is Inquiry in Mathematics - hopefully I don't have to do a lot of math because I am pretty much terrible at anything over geometry or basic algebra... :)
3. Lilly @ TJ

I was so excited to find some cute Lilly stuff at TJMaxx last week! Our TJ rarely has Lilly, although I've found some stationary-ish things in the past.  In addition to this, they had organizing bins & a tray and plates in another print! It was hard not to snatch it all up! I wish our TJ had clothing. 4. Running + Yoga

I know yoga and pilates are different, I just thought this was funny!

I need to incorporate some yoga stretches into my routine because my hips have been hurting & I read that "yoga for runners" really helps! Anyone have any tips? 5. Bubblecake

ABSOLUTELY PUMPED to announce Bubblecake is coming to the NRV! There are already 2 locations in Roanoke (that I visit as frequently as possible) and they recently announced that they are opening one in Christiansburg. So excited for this! My favorite cupcake is the Tiffany:

Shown on the right - in Tiffany blue frosting w/ pearls!

Happy Friday!

I'm a GRADUATE!

Today is the day.

I am an official graduate!

Don't ask me where the time went...because I have NO IDEA!

 

I was born and raised a Hokie and I wish I could stay at Virginia Tech forever (seriously) but I am excited for where my future will take me.

I am so excited to get to work in grad school and then look forward to having my own classroom shortly thereafter, which I'm sure will have it's fair share of maroon & orange.

I am so thankful for what these past four years have provided me with & I will look back on them with many smiles.

To everyone who helped me along the way -- thank you <3

 

my cap!

Feeling incredibly blessed!

Time to celebrate!   To follow along with the fun, follow me on instagram:: @sarah_ryan3

Valentine's Day & Grad School

I hope y'all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! It's important to realize this holiday isn't just about being lovey dovey with a significant other. To me, it's about celebrating anything in your life that you love or that represents love in your life. Yes, that very well could be a significant other. I sure do love mine -- even if we aren't able to spend this day together.
But for me, love is a lot of other things. Love is: -pink & red m&ms -puppy snuggles -finding time to call your family -snagging the last of your size in a beautiful shirt -hugs from five-year-olds -finishing a good book -remembering birthdays -father-daughter dances -the smell of rain -reading to a child -cuddly kittens -sending snail mail -a homemade gift -a wordless hug -singing at the top of your lungs in the car -a strand of pearls -a vanilla scented candle -taking a walk together -telling someone they are appreciated -adopting a rescue animal -a random act of kindness

  What does love mean to you?
 I certainly wish I could spend today with my valentine, but instead I'm going to celebrate in kindergarten! I am very excited :)
I'm alsooooo excited because I finally heard back about graduate school! I was accepted to Mary Baldwin College in Virginia into their Graduate Teacher Education program!! I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I'll start the program this summer and be done in 2 year - with my masters degree & teaching license! AH!
It's definitely been a good week on my end!
Have a sweet, loving day! Happy Valentine's Day from me to you!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!
I'm so glad it's Friday, it's Fall and it's almost OCTOBER!
Here's what's been going on...
1. I love being a Hokie <3

I love the new panorama feature with iOS6!

2. "Self-Assigned IP Address" = DEATH I haven't had internet access all week at my apartment because, according to my mac, I have a "self-assigned IP address and I may not be able to connect to the internet". This is SO frustrated. Have any of you mac users had this problem? I've tried several solutions I found via Google but no luck. This is part of the reason my blog has been pushed to the back burner...I don't think my professor would appreciate blogging in class :)   3. I love my roomies <3

4. I'm putting on my big girl panties :: Grad School I've finally decided on where I'm applying to graduate school. I want to stay in Virginia (for tuition purposes, mostly) and I don't want to have a trillion loans. I'll be applying to George Mason University, Mary Baldwin College and Radford University. I decided not to apply/stay at Virginia Tech for several reasons...regardless, I am going to miss it so much. If you have any input on those schools, please let me know -- good, bad & ugly! :)
5. I love this quote <3

I'm in Pennsylvania for the weekend visiting Steven! Yippeeeee! :)
Have a wonderful, fall weekend!