The Official Start Of The First Summer Of My Official Adult Life

Hey everyone! Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 

The past couple of weeks have been extremely hectic. If I wasn't busy with work, it was time out with friends or babysitting (which in all technicality falls under work, but I consider it a little different because some of the time I can watch Girls and mooch off of the food stash) and a few adventures. Here's a look:

1. Work

It has been a couple of weeks since I started in my new position and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Sure, I'm a little grumpy waking up at what feels like the crack of dawn, and there are a few kids that take a little bit of time to warm up too, but I love all of the snuggles, all of the new lessons that I have the opportunity to teach (my current one being how to say "please" and "thank you". Which, about three or four of my little monkeys have mastered!) and the ability to witness my kiddos blossoming! For example, a handful of my students were completely silent when I first arrived into the room and now they are walkin' and talkin' ALL day long. 

I have been really busy with training lately. As a childcare professional, I am required to obtain 14 training hours each year. The above picture is from Celebrating Families, Babies and Tots 2016. It was from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Very fancy but also very long. I also ended up on the news! 

There's a video somewhere but currently the only link that is available, is the article. I am quoted in it :)

http://www.nbc29.com/story/31975473/va-childcare-providers-improve-communications-skills-at-conference

We had Pet Week this previous week and I got allergies! But this picture with the chinchilla was totally worth it!

This isn't my best picture but I was distracted by the adorable Salamander! 

2. Researching My Purpose

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Anyone who knows me well, knows that I study the Holocaust, among other topics. I have been studying the Holocaust for the past seven years of my life. Over the coarse of my study, I have received a whole range of different reactions along with questions. One of the most asked questions being, "Why do you choose to study the Holocaust?" or something along those lines. 

Over the coarse of seven years, obviously that answer has changed. However, it wasn't until a couple of years ago that I realized that I wasn't researching or studying this aspect of history because I thought it was/ is interesting but because I passionately believe in telling the lives and stories of all parties and individuals involved because all involved were human beings, not numbers in a statistic. I find it a calling, in a way to piece together the pieces left behind of people, places and things. 

I have been reading Ravensbrück by Sarah Helm and a scene recalled by Hanna Sturm helped enforce those feelings. A Gypsy woman was dragged and beaten, being beaten so severely that she died hours later. When the guard returned and discovered her body, the only reaction he had was to call her a dog. Then, her body was dragged bleeding with pine needles sticking to her body. This woman had gone mad because her six week old baby was torn from her arms. There is no record of this woman's death or her name. The same goes for 'asocial' prisoners who died and even survived Ravensbrück. These victims, their lives, the perpetrators, the acts in themselves, the causes, ect. are all that I wish to spend the rest of my life researching. I would rather soend my life giving every victim and individual effected or involved a face, a story and a name as opposed to riding them off as a statistic or believing, "There are too many or there is too much too research." 

3. Friends and Corresponding Adventures

This was the last time I hung out with Madison before she returned home for the Summer, We saw the new Captain America movie and did a little bit of shopping. 

This was from a partly crazy weekend with my friend Demi. What's funny is that we were actually competing for my previous position. Now we are kindred spirits :)

A game night with some new friends. I found that in the game of LIFE, when you purchase all of the stocks, every time someone rolls they owe you $10,000! Definitely came in useful with my family of 6!

4. My First Tattoo! 

I took the bull by the horns and got my first tattoo! 

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day! I know one thing I am looking forward too is the release of the new Halloween. John Carpenter (the director of the original 1978 film) has returned to the franchise :)

Some Controversy And Spontaneous Adventures With Yours Truly

Hey everyone! It has definitely been awhile but since my mind has been racing with multiple points and thoughts lately, I decided what better time to blog!

Life has been a little mix of everything. Lots of positive with a pinch of negative. I've just been promoted to working full time, I have a sorta boyfriend that I am really into, I have quite a few new friends that have contributed to my busy weekends and fun filled adventures and I finally have my foot in the door in regards to babysitting.

1. New Friends and New Adventures!

Remember that sorta boyfriend I was talkin' about? Well, this is him. He's a teacher and we mostly enjoy breakfast/dinner dates and watching Netflix. We've also explored a little of Downtown Staunton which was fun. 

These pictures were from the first time I hung out with my new friend Madison. The first time pictured above, turned into a spontaneous sleepover and staying up until 5am! We talked about everything we could think of, played Clue (I won :D), experienced some supernatural occurrences, experimented with make-up and saved a stink bug from burning to death. 

We've also gone out for pizza, coffee and watched Batman vs Superman. All in that order.

Now, these adventures were with my new friends Katie, Nathan, Olivia and Caroline. Olivia and Caroline attend the day care that I work at and my friendship with their parents started when I began babysitting for them. So far, we've had a couple of shopping trips and a few nights filled with chili, Indian cuisine and wine or mojitos. 

Aside from all the normal controversy I cause (ex: my political beliefs and "liberal" lifestyle) I definitely caused a little bit more this past week. For those that are worried about me stumbling down the "wrong path" because I have had a couple of casual nights that included alcohol, I can tell you now that I appreciate those that come from a place of love but just because I may have a glass or two or even three of wine or some other alcoholic beverage every once in a blue moon doesn't mean I'm not being responsible. I work full-time, I am completely financially independent at my age and if I have a couple of drinks on a night off or when I'm off the clock that's alright. Guess what? I wasn't drunk nor did my fun night with my great friends get in the way of my busy schedule. 

And, for those that want to exile and judge me for choosing to document my fun night with my friends (or any other reason), since you think my life is made up of a revolving door anyways, who not go through it one more time and shut it behind you? I am just as much as a responsible adult as anyone else and I am entitled to live my life and have fun. I'm also choosing not to have my family or friends made up of those that will attempt to make me feel guilty for something that isn't worth feeling guilty over. If I were strapped to the back of a car naked out of pure drunkenness and documenting my stupidity on social media, I can feel guilty. For a simple picture of me with wine or a mojito, fully clothed and being responsible is absolutely fine. 

These are some other friends, Erika and Scarlett. There was a temple trip a couple of weeks ago and I decided to come along. It was my first time in a couple of years and I left thinking that the girl who was so excited to visit the temple baptistery and cafeteria every month, a couple of years ago may not be who I am now. By all means, I love my life and I am confident in the individual I am now, however, there are moments that I miss the adventures I experienced once upon a time ago. 

2. Promotion

Here are some pics from when I was the afternoon 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 year old teacher. Now I work full time with the Toddlers. 

For a couple of days there were cute little garden snakes that would come and rest on the bridge in back of the day care. I had to snap a pic with a few! And I caught a couple and brought them in to show to the kids. 

One of my favorite kiddos from my last group moved away so my counterpart and I planned this going away party from him. I went a little crazy with party planning.

3. Family 

Fireside chats with Great Grandma.

Throwback to 1997.

I think this is one of those pictures that can be used to prove why my switch from a blonde to a red head is justified. My new color goes much better with my skin tone! 

My Great Grandmother passed away in March. I didn't expect to cry but grief is an interesting thing. Aside from not really having the opportunity to see her the past couple of years, she was one of the individuals who helped raise me for a time. I have some great and a few not so great memories of her from my childhood but aside from that and her not being able to recall me the last few times I visited her, I do remember her believing in my abilities and my future. That is something I absolutely will never forget. 

This is my brand new brother Micheal. I am having some mixed feelings. However, I will always be there to support and help guide my brother and other siblings if need be. 

The second youngest, Christopher. 

Selena and Christopher

A complete throwback to 6th grade! This is my little buddy Alex's older sister, Sammi. I had the opportunity to snuggle them both at 3. Sammi is growing up and beautiful. 

4. Misc. Milestones or Things I Just Find Cool

My little sanctuary is coming together. Now I have a TV, a little table, lots of  eclectic wall art, some cool new books and a full bed! At first, I was really excited about the deal for the bed. It was $125 for EVERYTHING + free delivery and set-up! A bed for that size retails at about $1600-$2000 and delivery can cost 80+ which only includes drop off at the front door. Total steal! Now I'm mostly just excited about not rolling over and falling off, especially when I am enjoying another individual's company. And about my bed not moving away from the wall which was a major pet peeve of mine with the bed I had at Mary Baldwin and the little bed I had when I first moved in.

This is a cool find from my shopping day yesterday. Lately, I have been busy over the weekend with babysitting. For example, last week I babysat back on back on Saturday and Friday night so I only had a little bit of a window to go out. However, yesterday I was free and clear so I decided to go out on the town. 

I walked around Staunton Antiques and found this interesting gem. A vintage copy of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reach stuffed with old newspaper clippings. The previous owner must of been as much of a history freak as me. 

5. Babysitting Adventures! 

This coliseum reminded me of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom. The kids actually dared me to go up and knock on the doors. I guess no one was home.

These kids are literally the coolest. Aside from visiting Thornrose Cemetery being their idea, they were also really into it! I loved how they touched the sculptures and buildings while asking questions. 

Well, that's all I have to catch up on for now. I hope everyone has a great couple of months or weeks until I post again! Thank you!