365 Denver: 121-130

Day 121

Monday, December 2

Going back to school after a week off was not nearly as hard as I thought it'd be... more like a welcome distraction.  AND THEN I SAW BRAD!  He had a layover in Denver so we got to meet at the airport.  Completely lifted my spirits and made me feel at home.

Day 122

Tuesday, December 3

Kiddos studying with their 4th grade buddies - super adorable.  I was also named staff member of the month so I get a special parking spot!  It doesn't feel deserved, but I'm putting those feelings aside and just enjoying it. 

Day 123

Wednesday, December 4

Sally was overjoyed when I got home today.  I adore coming home to her.

Day 124

Thursday, December 5

This week I've made a mental change towards work.   Up to this point, work has been full of frustration and mediocrity - it demolished my desire to put in more than 50 hours a week. This week I tried to dedicate more of myself to work, understanding that you typically get out of something an equivalent to what you put into it.  I'm still not working nearly as hard as I did in NYC (Colorado is too wonderful for 70-80 hour work weeks)- there is a better balance - but I feel positive about the progress.  Step 1: Changing up my classroom environment.

Day 125

Friday, December 6

Christmas came early!! My Dad asked me "What would delight you?" and I jokingly said "Skis".  I never actually expected skis for Christmas!   I am sooo excited for my new skis and boots!! 

Day 126

Saturday, December 7

Ski weekend fun!  I was on cloud 9 today - Sooner victory, hanging out with wonderful, fun people on a weekend getaway, skied my first black - such a happy day!

Day 127

Sunday, December 8

The busy, fun weekend was physically draining.  Several emotional conversations were emotionally draining.  Sally and I were happy to fall into bed at an early 9:30.

Day 128

Monday, December 9

Met up with Kirsten and the guys at 1Up - a bar full of video games!   I expected to go for a drink... but then I had too much fun.  We checked out a delicious taco place and hit up my local bar.  Fun times. Fun people.

Day 129

Tuesday, December 10

Our class won the spirit stick again this week.  What what!

Day 130

Wednesday, December 11

Post break-up week and the weekend away made for one messy apartment.  Finally took some time to clean and it is once more a welcoming environment.  

365 Denver: 111-120

Day 111

Friday, November 22

Hibachi grill and dueling piano bar with the ladies!  Fantastic random events to start Thanksgiving break!

Day 112

Saturday, November 23

Finally finished decorating my entryway!  Thanks to some thrift shopping, all frames cost a total of $13.

Day 113

Sunday, November 24

Crafting.  Attempting to learn how to crochet.  Generally more stressful than enjoyable, but its good to try new things.

Day 114

Monday, November 25

Officially a Coloradan! 

Day 115

Tuesday, November 26

Skiing with Kirsten!  We got to explore lots of new runs and it made me very excited for full mountains with great snow that will come later in the season!  Then volleyball and team karaoke!  Great day. 

Day 116

Wednesday, November 27

Lauren's friend Negra is in town this week and I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with her - she's fantastic.  Tonight we went out to celebrate Thanksgivukkah - the unusual happenstance of Thanksgiving colliding with Hannukah. 

Unfortunately the night ended in a (amicable) break-up.  It especially hard because even though its probably the right thing long-term, I still really enjoy our current relationship  Also, he has been an incredibly important and prominent part of my life here thus far so his newfound absence creates a great deal of loneliness and sadness.

Day 117

Thursday, November 28

Thanksgiving in Breckenridge.  Loved the people, loved the food... but for a resort town, Breck was surprisingly dead.  And being such a lover of traditions and holidays, I missed being in a home, cooking, watching football, and relaxing with loved ones.

Day 118

Friday, November 29

Hanging out in Breck!

Day 119

Saturday, November 30

A day of moping.  The past two days I've been surrounded by people and activities, so I hadn't really been able to let the break-up sink in.   Then I decided to cheer myself up by decorating for Christmas, watching Elf, drinking wine, and eating an entire pizza... (sometimes you just have to).

Day 120

Sunday, December 1

Day 2 of moping... add in a lot more crying.  Two tissue boxes later, I had gone through a lot of emotions.  In the end, I realized that a lot of little things lead up to this decision - on his part, on mine, and random things we can't really control.  Whether it is right or wrong, it is.  And I have to let the past be past. 

Someday I'll be able to see him as a good friend - one who introduced me to Denver with kindness and caring, shenanigans and friendships, and undoubted companionship. 

365 Denver: 101-110

 Day 101

Tuesday, November 12

Field trip to the Children's Museum of Denver!  Most teachers, myself included, have a love-hate relationship with field trips.  Today was a love-hate day, but its cute to see the kiddos so excited about everything and anything.  Who knew riding the bus and dressing up like a firefighter was so amazing?

Day 102

Wednesday, November 13

Stitches removal by Kirsten with help from favorite nurses T & C and supporters Derek and Mist.  Kirsten did such a fantastic job!  And although it was brief, it was so great to see the OK crew.  Later that night I skyped with Molly which was equally as lovely!

Day 103

Thursday, November 14

Dinner with/by J.  Recipes may not be his forte, but it was a yummy, funny night. 

Day 104

Friday, November 15

A bar we frequent advertised having an 80s ski party... so we dressed up! ...and were the only ones who did. haha  Obviously we were the coolest people there.

Day 105

Saturday, November 16

Ski day #3.  Beautiful snowy powder day!  

Followed by hot tubbing and watching Hot Tub Time Machine. 

Day 106

Sunday, November 17

90 minute wait for a delicious Snooze brunch?  No problem - corn hole, uno, thumb war,etc.  Sometimes it's not where you are or what you're doing, it's the people you're with who make it fun.

Day 107

Monday, November 18

Sally says "stop doing work" in her adorable new cable knit sweater.

Day 108

Tuesday, November 19

No voice. At all. All day. Tea.

Day 109

Wednesday, November 20

Sally reads Harry Potter.

Day 110

Thursday, November 21

Snow!  Excited for the first real snowy day of the season.

365 Denver: 91-100

Day 91

Saturday, November 2

Watched a soccer game, checked out a new brewery - Jagged Mountain (pictured) - with delicious beers and fun games, house party, and ended the night dancing the night away to celebrate Kirsten's birthday! Fun fun fun.

Day 92

Sunday, November 3

Park!  Beautiful fall day!  Found my favorite tree by the lake with the mountains in the background. Read some HP with Sal Pal - then she chased a million squirrels and was once again adored by all.  J met me and we lounged, played bananagrams, and tossed the football.  Then sushi dinner and skyping with Heather, Carolyn, and Misty.  Perfect!

Day 93

Monday, November 4

Boggle and delicious soup on a chilly day.

I dominated in boggle, btw.

Day 94

Tuesday, November 5

Just too cold to run outside... so checked out the apartment gym for the first time!  Happily surprised to find TVs on every machine!

Day 95

Wednesday, November 6

Skyping with Brad!  We had some technical difficulties, but the love was there all the same. 

Day 96

Thursday, November 7

Horrible day at work... made better by a fun evening with Kirsten, Preston, J, and Lauren watching OU (get demolished) play football!

Day 97

Friday, November 8

Decided to buy a ski pass! Excitement.  Went to the ski expo for some seriously discounted gear, met up for a beer and games with friends, and had a delicious dinner at an Ethiopian place called Arada (pictured) with Sarah who was visiting in town again!

Day 98

Saturday, November 9

1st day on the slopes... fail.

Wipe out turned into 4 stitches... but remained in good spirits and excited, albeit nervous to go again soon!

Despite the setback, I had a great day with Kirsten and Preston!

Day 99

Sunday, November 10

Girls on the Run 5K!

Every little girl is paired with a teacher/adult mentor to run with them on this 5k promoting girl empowerment.  Followed by brunch (yum - Denver Biscuit Company!) and a day of errands. 

Day 100

Monday, November 11

100 Days!!!! Crazy.

Ski Day!

No school for Veteran's Day = day 2 on the slopes and no injuries! haha It was a really fun day hanging out with friends, getting in lots of runs, and regaining some confidence. 

365 Denver: 81-90

Day 81

Wednesday, October 23

Dealing with my flat tire.  "Should be about 30-45 minutes" turned into a long 3 hour wait...

Day 82

Thursday, October 24

Lauren brought me lunch today and I came home to this present waiting for me from J!  Lifted my spirits and reminded me how lucky I am to have found people who care about me here.

Day 83

Friday, October 25

Bull & Bush with my uncle & aunt.  I had't seen them in years, so it was nice to catch up.

Day 84

Saturday, October 26

Halloween celebration!... turned drunken crying emotional mess.  Oops...

Day 85

Sunday, October 27

work work work with Lauren

Day 86

Monday, October 28

I have been pretty depressed lately so after work I wanted to drive into the mountains to see beauty, clear my mind, and remember why I moved here again.... and I drove into fog so thick visibility was limited to the car in front of me.  Pretty symbolic - surrounded by beauty and all the things that I love about being here, but unable to see any of it.

Day 87

Tuesday, October 29

Volleyball night - and the first time we truly clicked and bonded as a team.  We stayed after our games to drink some beer and wait for an open court to just play around together. 

Day 88

Wednesday, October 30

Hocus Pocus & thai food. 

Day 89

Thursday, October 31

Hung out with a new friend from work, Avery.  I'm very grateful for the friendship I'm developing with her.  Then went over to Lauren's for delicious dinner, "salad" (wine), and some scary movies!

Day 90

Friday, November 1

Parent Teacher Conferences... all. day. long.  First conference at began at 7:20 am, last conference ended at 7:25 pm.