Happiness is...

I asked for input on this topic from my facebook friends.  I wanted a list of things that I could look at and would serve as a pick-me-up when I'm feeling down.  So I edited their input so this is a list of things that makes ME happy.  I hope it makes other people happy too!

Happiness is...

a snuggly baby

naps

a puppy who is always happy to see you

time with family

laughing with friends

God's love and blessing

a baby in the morning when he first wakes up and hasn't decided he's hungry yet so he's just happy

kittens on a slide (I thought it would just be silly too, but seriously, look it up on youtube)

hearing a baby on an ultrasound for the first time

sunrises

a baby laughing

rocking out to tunes in the car (laughing at all the funny looks on everyone else's faces)

celebrating milestones and wishing they would stay little at the same time

sunshine

meeting new neighbors

5 minutes on Friday

The Gypsy Mama has a challenge every Friday to write on a topic for 5 minutes.  So here's my thoughts for today.

On Friends…

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on who my friends are lately.  Since I just moved 6 hours away from where I grew up and started my adult life, many people have dropped away.  I miss them very much.  I wish them the best and I hope that whatever they’re doing, that they’re happy.  And I hope that if any of them read this and drive through Louisville, KY that they give me a call. 

I’ve also had to deal with making new friends.  I’ve met lots of people here.  People at Jason’s work, my work, church.  I’m finally starting to find the right set.  The ones that I can depend on to call if I need someone.  I don’t know the folks that Jason works with all that much.  Television is such a weird scheduling that they don’t even get to hang out outside of work much.  My job involves traveling between 8 different schools on a daily basis, so I’m having trouble making real relationships with people there too.  On the occasion that I do meet people that I click with, they get busy and we can’t find time to get together.  Finally, I joined up with some people that serve at my church.  I’m so excited to be getting involved in interpreting again.  And the team that I will be working with so far seem just great!

Friends are the people that accept you for who you are.  They’re the ones that keep in touch even when you go far away and welcome you when you come back home.  I’m glad to be finding out who my friends are and the adventure of making new ones.

Cause and Effect

I'm noticing some interesting patterns going on throughout this week.  My categories might not make sense to anyone but me, but I'm firmly convinced.

God's Blessings:
Bible Study and prayer: depression gone
study Bible: joyful day with students
church group: feel God's calling

Devil's Attacks:
Started Bible study: baby stops sleeping through the night
church interpreters party: physical pain
pray with husband: oversleep
healed of depression: beginning of headaches
small group: argue with husband

I've been distracted by the thought of a Masters (although the topic doesn't thrill me), a comfy paycheck (the job isn't comfy), dwelling in my misery (what's the point of that?), and I'm not seeing where God is leading me.

Back on track: I'm convinced that the teaching job is to ease the transition to Kentucky and now it's time for me to get back to interpreting and find out how I can make it happen here in Louisville!  Eek!  I have to take the NIC Knowledge test next.
Prayers and Encouragement are welcome!

A New Leaf

This week has been a fight.  I stayed home from work on Thursday because I wasn't feeling well.  And one extra day of sleep was just what I needed.  I'm back! I finally unpacked the office today as well as a couple of other boxes while Jason was at work!  Lately, I've had to have external motivation to get anything done.  Things are better now.
:)

Overwhelmed

I've been super overwhelmed lately.  The house is still not completely unpacked.  School has started.  I've had my first IEP meeting.  We've found a daycare for Benjamin.  Jason's schedule is still variable; they let him know a week before what his schedule will be.  We've joined a church.  I joined the interpreting team (interpreted today for the first time in Kentucky!)  In a couple weeks, Jason and I will get trained with the video team.  Benjamin is learning to crawl and how to get into things.  Things are going great, right?  I guess I'm just tired.  Too much going on and no one here to vent to.
Anyway, I'm not feeling bad, just overwhelmed and sleepy.  Wish me luck!

New Job at JCPS

I am one of the newest itinerant teacher for deaf and hard of hearing students in Jefferson County.  I survived the week of training for new teachers, the two days of inservice, and the first three days with students.  I have successfully set up a schedule that will work well for everyone involved as long as I don't get new students.  I've already subtracted and added a total of 4 students as we locate which schools in the district they're actually attending.  I have 6 students that I will be working with this year.  I'm actually enjoying it!  The only part that still doesn't appeal to me is the constant climbing in and out of the car as I visit 7 schools. 

Benjamin is sitting really well.  He is getting a little more clingy than I like, but I can work with that.  After a long day of work, cuddling with the baby is the best remedy!

Catching up

After leaving Elizabethtown, we still don't have internet at our new house yet, so I haven't been able to get here to give you the updates.

Interviews: my final interview got rescheduled several times, finally happened by phone while I was back in Illinois last week.  As of Monday, they had not made any decisions but hope to finish this week because new teacher orientation begins a week from Friday.

House: forget the townhouse, we found a house that we could afford to rent, is in a nice neighborhood, has a nice yard, and plenty of room for us.  The bad news was that we lived in it for almost two weeks before the movers could bring our stuff.  I'm all for simplifying my life, but that was ridiculous.

My parents came to visit and brought some more stuff that we couldn't send in the moving truck.  (including the dog).  They were a great help with some of the unpacking.  Our kitchen looks livable again!

Other activities: July 11 we all came to Illinois.  Jason took another load of things back to Louisville and had to work an 8 day week.  He'll be back tonight to pick up Benjamin and me.  Along with my parents, we spent the weekend of the 16th celebrating Melissa Skinner and Juan Ceveda's wedding.  It was great!  I was so honored to be able to help with the last minute details and witness the joining of two souls.  I can't wait to see them again!

That's the short version.  I did get a couple of projects going, but left them in Kentucky.  Sigh.  The baby and the wedding have kept me plenty busy enough here as well as seeing some friends.  I'm actually looking forward to the school year (assuming I get a job) since it will allow me to stay in one place for a little longer.

I'm going to add a section on this blog at the end where I discuss books I've read and projects I'm working on.  Part of my goal is to keep in touch with some of my project friends as well.  Feel free to leave comments on them especially.

Project: none (left everything in Louisville)
Book: Eat, Pray, Love: I read it really quickly, but I think there are some points that I would like to take some time to mull over, so I will be reading it again very soon.