2008: A year to remember.

Every year is important. Every second is important. But in my short 23 years on this planet, 2008 was the most insane, fun, life-changing year. I decided to make two lists: The Best and The Worst of 2008. These are all-encompassing lists (events, people, movies, music, books), in no particular order. Some of them have comments with them; others I feel might not need them. Either way, I thought it would be a fun way to recap my year and reflect. The Best of 2008

• Graduation: I finally did it!
• Joining Teach For America. I would not be able to be the teacher I am without this organization; I am constantly inspired by other corps members and their stories. It is such an honor and privilege to be a part of this movement that is truly making progress toward ending educational inequity.
• Moving to Phoenix, AZ. 
• Ulcerative colitis (Seems weird that it makes the Best List, but I found out so much about myself through being that sick. Also, I learned to appreciate my health in a new way!)
• My roommate, Heather. As previously mentioned, I know I hit the roommie jackpot. I can only hope to be so fortunate next year, since she is getting married in June!
• The Shining Stars of Room 206. They are amazing. As tough as some days are - and they can be brutal - I can not imagine a more amazing first class. 
• My PD. She is awesome. 
• Netflix. 
• Finally growing out my nails. 
• November 4, 2008. Enough said. 
• The Twilight book series. 
• The Ped Egg. As seen on TV. It is amazing. I've been quoted as saying it changed my life. 
• Ikea. 
• Fresh & Easy. Thank goodness for that grocery store. 
• Teacher's discounts. Amazing!
• Cheap, easy, popular Halloween costumes. I was Alvin. It was pretty awesome. 
• Sonora Brewery. 
• Osborn TFA Happy Hours. 
• Our pink Christmas tree. 
• Finally being able to teach expanded notation in such a way that my kids get it! 
• Last Chance. Also life-changing. (The retail hierarchy is as follows: Nordstrom's, Nordstrom's Rack, Last Chance. Nordstrom's clothing for $6. Cue the angelic choirs.)
• My students speaking to the cafeteria and janitorial staff in Spanish. 
• 3rd grade at Mary Buren Elementary in Guadalupe, CA. 
• Kindergarten at Georgia Brown Elementary in Paso Robles, CA. 
• AK winning ASI Pres. 
• Seeing Eric Hutchinson at Cal Poly. I kind of freaked out when I found out he was coming.
• Furnishing my first apartment. 
• The amazing staff at my school. 
• The 3rd grade DL teacher at my school. Don't know what I would do without her!
• Pandora Radio. 
• Rose Linda Bulls. 
• Discovering the "Magic Music" that lulls my students into almost silence. Jack Johnson and Hollywood Love songs on piano.
• Getting carpet in my classroom. 
• Actually having my own classroom!
• T.I.'s "Life Your Life." Seriously: Numa numa song + Rhianna + catchy lyrics = amazing. 
• Jason Mraz's We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. Great CD. 
• Perez Hilton. 
• Hulu
• Facebook Flair. 
• TFA acronyms. Love them. 
• Road tripping to Phoenix with Rachel. 
• The way being back in California feels now. 
• Hearing about my friends' new, exciting, grown-up lives. 
• Finally living near a Chipotle. 
• Palatte diner. 
• My first paycheck. 
• Voting in an historic election. 
• McTeacher's Night. I got to make McFlurries!
• The movie Iron Man. 
• Phoenix adventures. Dive bars that aren't really dive bars. Antique shops that aren't really antique shops. This city is full of surprises!
• Finding out I can manage a classroom full of 7 and 8 year olds!
• Watching my students' fluency scores grow. 
• Seeing my students use blending to sound out words. 
• Hearing my students say "I like it when..." "I appreciate..." and "I am concerned about..." 
• Cooking for myself. 
• Having faith that I did make the right choice. 
• My dad coming to be here with my for my colonoscopy. 
• The amazing second grade team at my school. We've had our bumps in the road, but I really couldn't ask for a more supportive team!
• Seeing my students get excited about Spanish week. 
• Rocking my students' worlds simply by rearranging the furniture in our room. 
• Z Pizza. 
• All the shopping in Phoenix. 
• Living right down the street from Chase Field. 
• Decorating my graduation cap with my mom. It served its purpose: the only way my family was able to find me was by seeing the pipe cleaners on top!
• My first Ikea shopping trip with my mom to buy things for my apartment. 
• Staying at the Clarendon. 
• Going to the Cardinal's training facility. 
• Standing up for myself. 
• Chatting with my mom on g-chat. 
• Going to my first teacher job fair with my mom in San Jose. 
• Starting a penny drive in the third grade classroom I student taught in that raised over $80 before I left. 
• Watching my brother get closer to his dreams. 
• Being so blessed. 

The Worst of 2008

• Ulcerative colitis. Seriously, ew. Not fun. 
• Colonoscopy. 
• Endoscopy. 
• Finding out the jokes about teacher salaries are true. 
• Not seeing my mom all the time. 
• Being far away from my girls. 
• ASU dorms. I was not made to share such a small bathroom with 3 other people. Thankfully I had a great roomie there, too!
• Trying to find a church. 
• Feeling helpless with some of my students. 
• Wondering if I am really making a difference. 
• Being scared I made the wrong choice. 
• AC bills in Phoenix. 

I am glad my worst list is so small... I really have nothing to complain about. I am blessed beyond my own comprehension. I cannot believe all of the wonderful things that have happened to me this year. I know 2009 will be another amazing year; it will go by even faster than 2008!

Things I Am Looking Forward to in 2009

• Spring Training!
• The draft. 
• Spring Break. 
• My kids kicking butt on the 2nd and 3rd trimester benchmarks. 
• Finishing my first year of teaching. 
• Starting my second year really knowing what I am doing!
• Summer 2009. Don't know what it holds yet, but I am excited!
• Heather's wedding. 
• Going to the Grand Canyon. 
• More Phoenix adventures. 

I hope I didn't forget anything. :) 

Much love.