Thursday, February 26, 2009

A good day

My last post was somber and depressing. I debated posting it at all, but in the end decided that this is the only place I write about my life and it is something I want to look back on and remember.
Today was a good day. I’m feeling on top of things at work and loving my kids again. I’m enjoying leaving work when I want rather than running from game to practice to game and back with the coaching I was doing. I’m excited about being home in the afternoons and all that I plan to do with my time. Abby and I have been out many times this week (not today it was rainy) and I feel like I have time to keep things together at home for once.
I got my tax refund today as well as a paystub showing my coaching my stipend was added in this week. Yahoo! I can book my airline ticket to be home for Addison’s surgery (well recovery) in March and I can buy paint for our house (that is still builder’s white and nasty).
Tomorrow, I’m going to try on and possibly buy the gown I want to wear at my wedding (eeeekk!) And then go visit a friend who just brought home her newborn son.
It was a good day.
Posted by Katherine at 23:31:41 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Life at 30

Life is a series of situations and some cause realizations. This is growing up, or I think it is. These are the things that move you from one stage of life to another. Some are common, that most people go through. Others come to each of us at different times, or maybe for some, never.
I feel like the older I get the more often I get these pauses in my days.They seem to reveal a life truth to me. More often I’m taking steps across the bridge into the next stage of life. I’m not sure I love it yet. It’s not my favorite. I regularly wish there was a way to go back.
Along with turning 30, I’ve had some heavy thoughts and experiences cross my path. I’ve stood by a best friend who lost a mom which has caused a pain I can not label. I never took the time to think about what this would be like. I never made a plan. I need plans. I am patiently waiting, and secretly worrying about my niece who will undergo open heart surgery in a few weeks to repair her teeny-tiny precious little heart. I’ve prayed more than ever that my brother (and sister-in-law and parents)won’t have to go through anymore pain.  I’ve listened to a co-worker tell me about doctor’s appointments thinking nothing of it only later to be diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve read emails and updates and checked photo blogs to follow the life of a best friend’s sister-in-law who started her 32nd year (or 33rd) year a victim of lymphoma. I’m done with cancer. I’m worried about friends and relatives out of jobs and those in poor health.
I’ve been putting myself in others shoes a lot more in the past months and found some things I can’t believe I didn’t realize until now. I think some of it is nature’s way, God’s way, of keeping things away from our hearts until we are ready to handle it. But am I ready to handle it? Is this what the next phase of life is about? Is this the emotional exchange for being financially stable, owning a home, being well into my career, and other “adult” accomplishments? Is this what it’s all about?
When it was just about my birthday, a lot of people seemed to want to know if I was “ok” with turning 30. And I wasn’t sure.  A few moments of reflection proved that I indeed was ok with it. Maybe even a littler excited. At the time it seeemed that 30 was the age of a real adult. That it was finally time to just live. That I’d worked and worked and worked and now it was time to reap the benefits of all my hard work thus far. I knew that there is still more work to be done, but that it was different from college, establishing my career, setting up a long term financial plan. Thirty is the age of arrival. Or so I thought. But now I’m not sure. It’s ending up to be work, and a different type of work. More emotional and requiring even more inner reflection to survive. I’m sure I’ll make it, but man the slap in the face and rough start make me scowl at 30 so far.
Maybe in Ocotber, when I’m moments away from being married, I’ll have a different outlook ;)

Posted by Katherine at 01:39:11 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Hidden Girl & other books

Some book updates:

Hidden Girl: A True Story of the Holocaust, by Lola Kauffman
      This is a young adult book. Reading level in the upper elementary, about 4th grade. But the interest is high. Especially for anyone who loves the Holocaust stories as much as I do. The book is written without a ton of fluff and is easy to get through. It’s very short and took me about an hour to read. By the time I relunctantly closed the book, I commented to Mike that I needed a cigarette, or a drink ;) It was just lots of tension and up and down. And it’s a true story about a young girl that I found amazing. I would love to meet the author who currently resides New York. If I ever catch wind of her coming to IL for any speaking engagements, you can bet I’ll be there!

If I am missing or dead, by Janine Latus
      This true novel is a story for all women. It follows that author’s life as she remains in abusive relationships while becoming a victim over and over again. At the same time she is counselling her sister through phone calls, which reveal they are in similar situations. Janine’s sister is missing from work one day, and then another sparking a search for her body. It is a book I think all women should read, but one that is equally difficult to hand to someone and say “Hey, I think you should read this” I would hate for someone to read into the recommendation…though if made her a Janine instead of an Amy it would be worth it.

I’ve read a slew of childrens books since the school year started. Feel free to contact me if you are in need of a recommendation for upper elementary/junior high level novels. Young Adult lit is my fave!

I’ve been trying to read more adult literature lately. It seems to always be a goal of mine. I have many books on my shelves and I will get to them. Right now on the nightstand is Jody Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper. I’ve heard a lot about this author, so when Mike’s mom offered it up to borrow I couldn’t say no. I’ve only just started it, but it seems like an easy read so far. I can’t wait to devour it this week.

I’m also still trying to get into Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. My father is near obsessed with these books and I know he really wants me to enjoy them, too. The problem is that the first in the series, which I asked about skipping and was told no, is about the southwest cowboy and indian type and that is the least intriguing topic I could think of. I will try again though.

Some titles coming up for me: 
Bitter is the New Black - I read Such a Pretty Fat by this hilarious author so it only seemed appropriate to spend a holiday gift card on this title.

She’s Come Undone - a loaner from a friend. This is Emily’s favorite author.

Wicked, and the sequels Son of a Witch & Lion Among Men - Gregory Maguire and captivated me with this unique spin on an old story.

And there are many more on the shelves, plural. Do you know any great titles I need to add?

Posted by Katherine at 17:15:21 | Permalink | Comments (5)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Getting My Master’s Degree

There are things in life that I’ve done that I’m proud of. There are some that I’m not. And many that I an nether proud nor ashamed to have in my past.
One of the neutral things in my life was earning my Master’s degree. While I was in school, I really didn’t think anything more of it than being able to become a teacher. My original degree is in Sociology and did not qualify me to be a teacher. When I researched my options, staying in school and earning my graduate degree along side my teacher certification seemed that best option in regards to time and money.
Since I’ve graduated, I’ve found myself feeling pleased that I have this degree. It allows me so many wonderful things that I never had thought of previously. It allows me to fall into a higher pay bracket (slight as it may be) for public teaching salaries. If my district were ever to cut back teachers, they follow a list of senority and also consider teachers with higher education. It allowed me to be a supervisor at a second job (which I now do online and they don’t have that position, but in AZ I was sup. and made more moola because of it).
Having a Master’s degree also opens up the opportunity to work in colleges! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and now with 7 years in the field, I can finally apply for some of these professor positions. I still love my job, but I think it would be great to teach a college class or two in the evenings while I can. And it would be fantastic if I could do that when we start a family and can be home during the day, and Mike home at night (no daycare would be fab!).
And this week, while looking up some of these positions that are open, I clicked on the benefits package for a nearby university. I was excited to be reminded that children of college professors can go to college for free (spouses too)! It is a new goal of mine to make sure that I have enough time in as a faculty member to ensure that my children have the oppotunity for a free education. It made me beam from the inside out last week. I never thought Mike and I would be able to help much with college. I’m so honored to be able to provide this for my kids (assuming sometime in the next 17 years I can get hired on somewhere ;))! It cost a lot of money and took its toll on me at times, but graduate school has proven time and time again to be worth it.

Posted by Katherine at 19:32:26 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

I WILL be back…

I realize my blog is dead. That many of you come back every so often only to be disappointed that there is no update to be found. I too m disappointed. And soon, I will be back. I can’t say when exactly, but it will happen. And it will be in 2009 ;)

Updates:
Planning a wedding is fun! Check out our wedding site at http://www.weddingwire.com/kcandmike

Addison, my neice, is expecting her open heart surgery to be performed sometime this spring. Summer if we’re lucky! I know her parents, and the rest of us, just want it done so we can move on with this little girl’s life, but the longer we wait the better seeing as she’ll be bigger and stronger with each passing day.

I hope you are all well! And I’ll be back to writing regularly in a matter of weeks

Posted by Katherine at 02:58:52 | Permalink | Comments (5)