Powdered Sugar Donettes

I realize everyone has great memories of childhood. Mine, being relived today, is eating powdered sugar donettes! I know they are unhealthy, full of sugar, and will bottom out my blood sugar and leave me feeling like a sloth. BUT, I love them anyway! And they make me smile on sight!

When The Light Bulb Turns On

I get paid $7/hour to tutor high school kids on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I remember a few years ago not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted a career to identify with, so that when someone asked me "So, what do you do?" I could say, "Well, I'm a [insert title here]."

For years, I didn't know what I wanted to do.

Then, about six months ago, my dad told me about this program for adults who have a bachelor's degree and want to get into teaching. I thought "I've always liked working with students--maybe I should try teaching?"

So I am currently in the last class that I need to get into the program. Calculus.

I decided to ask around and see if anyone needed tutors at their school. Hence my current position.

It is one of the most exhausting, fulfilling, frustrating, and wonderful things I have ever done! (besides being married, mind you)

That look on their faces when I explain something and they just...get it. That "OH!" look, when the light bulb turns on and the gears start whirling as they realize that it's not as difficult as they thought it was.

It's a good feeling. Especially when the principal comes to you and says "The students really like having you here to tutor them. Can you come more often?"

It's a VERY good feeling. ESPECIALLY when the principle comes to you and says, "Let me know when you get your license, ok? I think we may have an opening soon."

So in two years, when someone asks me "What do you do?" I'll be able to answer them.

I'll say, "I'm a teacher."

Choose Your Own Adventure Books

Do you guys remember these? I LOVED them when I was in grade school and couldn't get enough of them.

Well, I just bought the first box set for my brother for his birthday. He is in CA this week with his kids doing the Disneyland scene, but I can't wait until he gets back on Saturday to give them to him. He is going to love them and will be very surprized!

The books in the set are:

The Abominable Snowman
Journey Under the Sea
Space and Beyond
The Lost Jewels of Nabooti
Mystery of the Maya
House of Danger

I'm cracking up typing, "Nabooti" Journey Under the Sea sounds the scariest to me!

Connecting with Nature

It has been raining in sheets here for the past two days. It is so incredibly beautiful and soothing. Some people hate rain and - in truth - I do hate having to DRIVE in rain. But, when I'm home and can relax and sit back and just listen... ah... it is wonderful. I wish I could share this beauty with each of you today.

xo,

Karen Beth
http://zazazu.wordpress.com/

My First Ever Post

This was my first blog post on my old blog. That was almost 3 years ago! Anyway, I thought that entry fit the purpose of this blog as well. So enjoy!

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Someone should write a poem about swinging. As an adult, I have found a true appreciation for this "childish activity." Many times—especially in the autumn—I'll slip away to a park and savor this gust of joy. The breeze in my hair. The freedom of dancing out of arm's reach. Forward. Backward. The innocent pleasure of being a child. All I do is close my eyes and fly. It's simple to imagine those chains releasing as I shoot toward the sky and away from all cares.

Corporate America should have recess instead of coffee breaks. A big swing set instead of vending machines.

Doing Only 5 Things

Most days, whenever I get up from the computer or am going from room to room, I try to put away 10 things that are out of place. In reality putting away 20 at any given time would be much more needed, but I stick with 10 for the majority of the time. That is why doing only 5 things makes my list. Knowing that I might need a bit more tenderness towards myself on any day, and letting myself get away with only doing 5. That makes me happy.

How This Will Work, Anything to Add?

So in my mind, I was thinking that whenever we have an idea about something that makes us happy and why, we would come over here and blog about it. Kind of like a constantly evolving list of happiness and gratitude. A Thursday Thirteen without any limits.

Any other insights?

My Happiness

Karianne... What a cool concept for a blog! I've always wanted to be a part of a private blog. Thanks for inviting me. Can you give us a bit of an idea of how this blog will work?

In the meantime, I will tell you that MY personal happiness is when my cat - Delali - sleeps on my feet at night or when she walks up my body at 4:00 a.m. to get some petting and to tell me that she is going to get a bite to eat. Everything about her makes everything about me just so joyfully happy. I'm blessed to have her.

Can't wait to meet you ALL!

xo,

Karen Beth

Shoes

Shoes make me happy.They have very practical uses, like keeping your feet from turning into one oval shaped callous, keep hot cigarettes on the ground from branding your feet, and keep your feet from completely freezing off in the Winter, etc. But I love shoes because they are all so different! Who would have thunk it 589 years ago that we could literally choose from millions of different pairs of shoes?! I also love shoes because it doesn't matter how much weight you gain, you pretty much can always fit into your shoes. They come in such pretty colors! And such fun shapes! Shoes have got to be one of the best things in life!

"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon

The last time I was in having my hair dyed, this song came on the radio and I swear about all of us in the salon started singing. It is timeless. I can remember listening to it when I was little with my parents. And the whole mystery about who she wrote the song about? I love the intrigue. My favorite line is , "your scarf it was apricot". I love apricots, they are my fave fruit. I don't know of another song that has the word apricot in it. The color is beautiful as well!