I woke up to a very excited email this morning:

Some background--

Jay Asher--author of 13 Reasons Why--an amazing book about suicide and the ramifications of even the smallest actions--recognized three videos done in relation to his book. The entire junior class this past year listened to the audio version (amazing--done by two different voices--unbelievably amazing)--and I recommended it to many of my AP students to read for their YA final self-selection text. So, one of my students asked me if she could make a video trailer for her final project. She did, and it was beyond amazing.

So, to the email I had this morning:

Ms. ***! Hi this is *******. Do you remember me? =]

How's your summer been?

So do you remember the 13 Reasons Why video I made for your class?

well, I uploaded it on Youtube, and I guess Asher saw it>>>

and guess what: Jay Asher himself put it on his blog on July 11!!! =D

I didn't know until someone commented the video I posted on Youtube....but yea! isn't that cool??!!

and it's all thanks to YOU for letting me make that vid and lending me the audio for it ^_^

THANK YOU MS.****!!!!

Check out her video (it is the third video--the black and white one on the bottom).

I miss teaching. Already. This. Sucks.

But I am SO proud of her!!!

Yeah, being stubborn sucks ass.

So, I am NOT a runner. And honestly, I am so far from the "runner" spectrum, there aren't enough words.

I HATE RUNNING.

Ok.

I've also been struggling with my weight/body image/everything for the last 10 years or so. I decided to make a significant change in April. Louie and I joined 24 hour Fitness, and I started doing cardio 3X a week. Then, I added some weight training, then, when summer hit, I started taking a class similar to the one I took at Gold's Gym (thanks Manda K.!), that is a 55 minute hard-core full body lifting weights/cardio up workout. I do that 2-3X a week for the last 5 weeks. On July 7, I started the Couch25K program. Yep. I started to JOG. OUTSIDE. IN MY HILLY (MANY MANY MANY INCLINES) NEIGHBORHOOD.

After about a week of this program, my left knee started to hurt.

And hurt.

And hurt.

But, I kept pushing it. I did the whole RICE thing, tried the KT Tape (HA!), but my athlete competitiveness kept pushing me to keep going--no matter what my body said.

Yesterday morning the pain was pretty bad. Yesterday was also Week 4 Day 1 for me--I had made it SO FAR!!! I called the doctor in the morning, thought about not going out, but went out and completed the workout--I even jogged the FULL 5 minutes!!! BOTH TIMES!!

If you are a runner, this is probably pathetic, but for me, this was HUGE. I wanted to stop and walk SO BADLY, but I kept pushing through (even with my knee screaming at me).

And then I went to the doctor.

HAHAHAHAHA. I. AM. AN. IDIOT.

I am now on Prednisone for the next six days--I am not to run or walk for working out purposes. Then, after the Prednisone is done, I have to wait until my knee feels back to normal--possibly 2 weeks! I also have to go to a special store where they will watch me run (awesome--and yes, that is sarcasm dripping off that comment) and tell me all about my gait and what type of shoes I need. And I am SURE that the shoes will be free too. HA!

BLARGH.

I was on a roll. Consistently working out, I re-joined Weight Watchers last week Wednesday, and have been working hard to improve day by day. This feels like a setback. I didn't work out today and I feel like a loser. Yikes. I am going to try to swim tomorrow, but I think I might have caught the runner bug. *SHUDDER*

One classy broad...

mac n cheese + white wine (that isn't that great).

The hour and 45 minute drive was worth every second. Both ways.

I got to see four of the most influential women in my life—and other than my mom, gramma, and sister, these four have helped make me a better person. They also are awe-inspiring and absolutely amazing.

Today, I learned things I didn’t know could even happen (a penis can break which results in a $16,000+ surgery!).

I saw first hand the ramifications of no insurance—my beautiful world-traveling friend who taught overseas for two years now has a mysterious illness that the free clinic has yet to diagnose correctly.

I was made aware of the importance of being proactive and researching anything that is prescribed (because it could be made at the Hormel plant).

I was able to discuss the disenchantment that comes with working in academia surrounded by drama and politics—and we all loved our university at one point.

Finally, I was able to read and give “feedback” (question/comment/edit) an academic essay and discuss highly intellectual topics and drink really good wine.

This mini—list doesn’t begin to do today justice. We ate and laughed at Mogies. We walked in the sun and sat in the shade eating gelato and talking and laughing some more. We went and sat on a picnic table in Owen Park in the shade and laughed, talked, and realized how shitty it is to grow older. We set a date in January for a future “girl’s weekend” in *maybe* San Francisco (and depending on my job/school situation, we might go to Costa Rica for a week!) We went to the Farmer’s Market and bought bread, beets, salsa, raspberries, rhubarb pie, and someone got free coffee due to her amazing prowess (uh, NOT me! Damn, even when she’s sick she’s amazing!).

I actually feel refreshed, recharged, and can’t wait to see what’s next for my life. Eventually I would have come to this on my own, but re-centering myself with these women who I admire, respect, and look up to has given me a swift kick in the ass in the right direction.

I would give ANYTHING for the middle states between OR & WI to move north to Canada so our two states could be closer.

Exhausted, but had to share..

Read this. Read "The Underdog." Nearly peed myself laughing. Though the employee that said the guy looked like someone with a birth disorder (not in those PC terms) is a jerk. But his description of his wife is HILARIOUSLY spot-on!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my amazing writer friends.

When you are done reading that blog, read his wife's. Just as amazing...(and she writes more frequently!) She is way more dedicated TO EVERYTHING than I think I could ever be!!!

Then, check out my amazing AMAZING travel-the-world (or at least Asia) , awesome writer friend (who also takes amazing pictures), and AMAZING writer-turning-nurse friend.

I love my talented friends!!!

It's true...

I love the few and far between positives of my profession. Seriously, they are amazing...

A text I got tonight from a student I talked to this afternoon--he looked bummed out, and I got out of him that he and his girlfriend were having "another dumb fight."

Oh, how I do NOT miss the drama of being a high school student!!!

And the text:

"I just wanted to say thank you for talking to me today. You are so much more then a teacher, you are an amazing person Ms. M----. I wouldn't have told anyone else as far as adults go at the school today, but i feel like i can talk to you, and you'll be there for me. Thanks again, -----"

Not perfect grammar or spelling, but damn, does it help me feel like I AM in the right profession.

I just won't think about where I'll be next year. :(

The nectar of the gods...

Oh how I love thee...

I bought out all of Fred Meyer's stock (only 4 6 pks, but whatever!), and had last year's final bottle with dinner.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH DELICIOUSNESS!!!!!

So I have these amazing friends...

One is this super amazing writer who has had to deal with so much garbage in her life, and yet, her hilarious laugh and infectious smile is what stands out--not the bad things she has had to endure. Her writing is incredible, she is already published (with more to come FOR SURE), and has to deal with the most imbecilic douchebags I have ever heard about. I love her.

One is an amazing college professor, who is finally finding her path, and things seem to be falling into place. The work her students produce and the life exposure she gives them I totally envy. And, she loves her dog more than any old high school classmates love their spawn. I love her.

One is world traveler. Balls-to-the-wall off to Japan to live in a place where she isn't comfortable with the language, to teach students in a setting many dream of but never experience. Her students are eager to learn, appreciative of knowledge, and respectful. What I wouldn't give for a classroom full of those students. I am pretty sure I haven't ever heard her truly complain, even if she has to walk to work after riding public transportation, even if she is in an unfulfilling relationship (when we all know she deserves the absolute best and NOTHING less), even if she gets lonely, her positive attitude is something I wish I had even an iota of. I love her.

I am SO lucky!!!!!!!!!!!