What I'm loving AND how pintersting

I'm going to do a double whammy today! 

What I'm loving today:

1. I love that I have a SKYPE interview Friday morning with someone in a Missouri school district and I'm kinda nervous and excited!

2. I'm going to a White Sox game tomorrow night! :)

3. I love that I have only about a week and a half until my half marathon. I've been stressing out about if I've been training enough---so I just kind of want this half marathon to be done with. 

4. I still love that I'm working everyday and making a little money

5. I love that Gulianna and Bill are expecting their 1st baby this summer via gestational carrier! 

On to....Pinteresting Wednesday.

I hosted a thirty-one party this past Friday night and had a blast putting it together. I like to make any excuse to throw a party...like appetizers, drinks and a good time!

First- the drink. The Sarasota. We tweaked it a little bit, but it was a delicious!!

Source: dessertedplanet.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Then, appetizers. Taco Dip. This one is meatless and you couldn't even tell. One of my friends is a vegetarian and she was so excited when I told her it had no meat. (Disclaimer---mine looked a lot better than this one)

Source: crockpot365.blogspot.com via Kat on Pinterest

Another appetizer. The ever so famous, not an ounce left, pizza dip! There are not enough words to describe how scrumptious this is!

Source: goo.gl via Damooer on Pinterest

Last, dessert! My sweet, sweet friend made these and Oh-Em-Geee...I could of had them all! They were so moist and delicious-I highly recommend them!

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristen on Pinterest

Oh and of course those delicious ranch oyster crackers that I've pinned on here before!!

We also had cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktails and veggies and fruit. I didn't need interest to figure those out. 

Here is a picture of my set-up.

Maybe in my next life I'll be a party planner! :)

My trip to DC

I'll try to make this post short and sweet...

My grandpa passed away last October. He was a POW and survivor of the Bataan Death March in WWII. He requested that he be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. After he passed we had contacted Arlington and we had to prove that he was indeed a POW for 2 1/2 years, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and we needed to give them his army number (or whatever the army used back then to identify you). We eventually found all the required paper work and were then put on a 'waiting list'. We had a choice of month (season) but as to request a specific weekend, or day was near to impossible.

Fast forward to April 13th. The day my grandpa was put to rest at Arlington, with the whole 9 yards--- guards, american flag, etc. It was truly such an honor to be a part of and my grandpa's life came full circle.

My whole family spent the whole weekend in DC and had a great time.

(Each star represents 100 soldiers who died in WWII)

The White House!

Very Pinteresting Wednesday

My very first link up to Pinteresting Wednesday!

Source: knockoffdecor.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I want to make this for The Boy. I still have all (or most) of our movie, concert, etc. tickets! :)

Source: christyrobbins.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I made this for christmas presents for my grandma and aunts this year! :) They loved them!

Source: themetapicture.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Perfect thing to get for my mom for a special occasion!

Source: ericasweettooth.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Made both of these. Bluemoon cupcakes > Corona cupcakes...in my opinion!

I find this fascinating....

Source: thedailywh.at via Kristen on Pinterest

I laugh every time I see this.

Source: facebook.com via Kristen on Pinterest

MY FAVORITE E-CARDS SO FAR...

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: lifeinitsordinaryform.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

My love for Pinterest has not gone away!!

Finally!!

I've been issued my teaching certificates!! I can't wait. I'm hoping and wishing I get the honor to have my own classroom this fall.

I've also been running like crazy! Yesterday I ran 6 miles with my Dad. That's the most I've run without stopping. Go me!

Along with running comes staying hydrated (check!) and eating healthier and watching my portions (check!)

This week has been very good to me... Can't wait for Easter weekend!

Nick and Nacks

Since I ended student teaching I have been doing a lot of different things. I have been still applying to any district within like a 60 mile radius of my house. I'm not holding my breath until August. I did however land a part time job in the school I student taught in a first grade classroom doing small interventions. I'm excited to get back into the classroom and this job keeps my face known and keeps my foot in the door. These days a job opportunity is all about people you know and networking.

In other news, I saw the Hunger Games last weekend and was very, VERY pleased with the way it was made. I also just finished the 3rd and final book of the series and I can't wait for the next 2 movies to come out. What other books have you read that you could recommend for me??

Half-Marathon Update:
I ran 5 miles yesterday with my Dad and I felt great. I really think I could have done the same route twice.  However, I woke up this morning and my knee hurt. I hope with some ice and ibuprofen it goes away so I can run again tomorrow.

The Boy and I last weekend out and about

Does anyone have any advice on looking for jobs in other states? I mean anywhere! Do you love where you live, love your city, etc. I want to hear all about it!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

I'm linking up with Jamie for WILW. :)

I'm in the middle of this book and I cannot put it down!! So good. I cannot recommend this series enough. I got my Mom to read the 1st one.

Source: ericasweettooth.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I made the blue moon cupcakes yesterday and OMG are they actually delicious! Pinterest #winning 

I love having with my boys during the day. The weather in Chicago has been amazing! Welcome spring summer!! Don't leave yet!!

Source: loseweight-safe.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I've been training for a half marathon that's in May and I actually love training for it....call me weird, but I love the feeling of soreness knowing I did a great run or workout.

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristen on Pinterest

I love this quote!!! Amen to that!

Hopes this makes you laugh as much as it did me! :)

Source: someecards.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I'm a big girl now...

I'm officially done with my undergraduate college career!!!! My last day of student teaching was March, 9th, a little over a week ago. I was terribly sad to be done to be honest. But now, on to bigger things.

(A bulletin I made that incorporated the students artistic poems)

Side note: I will graduate from DePaul magna cum laude. :) I just looked at my final grades and couldn't be happier.

(My aunt just got a new german shepherd puppy---Max fits right into our family. Here is Max trying to play with Tio!!)

I finished my general cover letter and resume so far. My portfolio is finished, but I've talked to many teachers that say they rarely ever opened theirs when interviewing for jobs. umph, but at least I'll have it just in case. 


Anyways, last Tuesday, I got a call from my cooperating school's principal asking me if I wanted to take a job offer as a program assistant in the 1st grade classes. Of course, I said yes! First of all, it'll look great on my resume and second, I'll actually get paid! :) Down side, it's only 2 hours a day, but it is 5 days a week! 


I posted about looking for jobs in a couple of times and it hasn't gotten any easier. It is very overwhelming. I've only applied to 3 districts so far and it took me a week to do them. I heard it's all about networking and who you know, so I'm hoping that I know enough people. ::wink-face::

I also printed out DePaul's cross certification agreement with other states. There is no hiding the fact that I wouldn't mind moving to another state for a few years... and if that's where more jobs are, then take me there now! 

There is double the work when I'm looking for jobs out of state, but I don't mind.

Does anyone have any advice for me as I try to maneuver through this process? Or if you've moved out of state for another job, how was it? Did/do you regret it? Any tips? 

Side note: I'm almost done with Catching Fire (the 2nd book in the Hunger Games trilogy) and yes I will be going to see the movie Friday when it comes out! One of the best sets of books I've read in a long time! I highly recommend them!