rewind and recap

Alright, alright, so I haven't exactly held up my end of the "blogger deal" here...I may have been a bit overzealous when I declared daily updates, but hell, a little more than once every couple of months won't kill me!

So much has happened since my last update on Christmas Eve--my perspective on life has been rejuvenated in so many ways since the holiday season ended, but I also feel like I may have taken a few steps back...let's do a quick rewind and recap:

2010 hit me over the head like a frying pan. The discontent with my professional life in Charleston was immediately brought to the forefront as I pondered my resolutions for the fresh year. My goodness, with a new decade upon us, I felt like the typical "I will lose weight" resolution cop-out needed a serious revamp. While by no means am I giving up on shedding a few pounds, there are certainly so many more deeply veined issues and goals that need to be evaluated in Emma's 2010 life...

2010 New Years Resolutions:

1) Emma must seek happiness and fulfillment in her career.

Check! So far, so good--I have made the exciting [and painful] decision to accept a long-term substitute teaching position back in Montgomery County this coming April. Though saddened to alert my employers of my resignation, I could not be happier to have a fresh start in the elementary school classroom.
On top of this wonderful opportunity, I have also developed a business plan with one of my best friends, which will set me lose in the wonderful world of baking. Opening a bakery at 22 years old is a little bold, and a lot expensive, while opening a once-weekly farmer's market stand is bold, yet affordable for us twenty-somethings! Sweets on Earth is projected to open on May 2 at the Main Street Pavillion Market in the Kentlands. It's game on: we are in the midst of obtaining a farmer's market license and membership, while working tirelessly on ironing out our unique menu of classic American desserts with international pizazz!

2) Read and Run, Will Smith style.

The man is right: the key to a healthy lifestyle lies in the ability to accomplish both of these activities frequently throughout the week...once each per day, to be exact. A break here or there isn't detrimental to the focus of this resolution, but achieving a daily routine that reflects both of these actions has provided a healthy structure and enrichment to my day. Happy body, happy mind.

3) Stay positive, stay energetic, laugh about it.

In my line of work, you will find it impossible to survive a day's work without these qualities. As a teacher, this is certain: you lose your optimism, you will lose you energy; you lose your energy, you will lose your laughter. Can you imagine a classroom without those three things? You see, a classroom without any one of these three characteristics is a classroom worth nothing at all. As I strive to follow this resolution at work, it spills over into the rest of my world and leaves me refreshed. With this in mind, I fall asleep with a sense of peace and happiness at night, instead of a mind full of anxiety and negativity.

Speaking of sleep, my eyelids are beginning to slump over these tired eyes. It has been a long day, despite a restful weekend.

More to follow, goodnight goodnight.