Forthcoming adventures and where this girl is at

I am not sure if anyone is even reading this (I sort of doubt it), but that's truly okay. Just the idea of people reading my thoughts scares me some, so this is a big deal, even if nobody reads it. It's a form of personal development, a practice in bravery and commitment to (not-so-fearless) self-expression. I want to harvest the zesty truth telling I had as a girl and let the world know how I feel about things, even if that perspective is contrary to popular opinion.

Fearless at 5: love her energy.

Forthcoming adventures & where I'm at:

1) I am writing a book series? Eep, it feels odd to say that. It's not just any book series. It's targeted to a very particular population, and I think there is a very real need for it. It is close to my heart and stems from a life of experiences with a certain special someone. I've been meaning to begin for a few months now, and I finally started writing today. I have no idea how to do this, but I figure beginning is half the battle. Right?

2) I start classes in my Elementary Education Initial Licensure program on February 4th! While my heart is jumping to become a teacher, I think my brain still has a ways to go. While doing an assignment for one of my online math classes today, I realized there is still a lot I need to learn and even more importantly, remember. There are topics I've mastered a ridiculous amount of times (i.e. inductive and deductive reasoning, please just let me be) and still struggle with. My brain kicks in when I need it, but then my memory fails me. Thankfully, I will be teaching similar, if not the same, topics year after year, so I'm sure I'll come to master them in time. I'm glad that I have this perspective, as certainly many of my students will experience this, too.

My heart is definitely in this. I love the kids.

Other things I'm really feeling:

-All things paper. Lovely paper products, particularly stationery, light up my heart in a weird sort of way. I love how paper, when brought to life with words and pictures, is capable of communicating love, expressing art, and embodying my current and past experiences. It just makes me so happy. Swear I'm not crazy.

-Feedly! Such a fab way to keep up with all of my sources of inspiration, particularly blogs. I probably follow 200+ now, and bookmarks were just NOT cutting it.

Questions for you all:

Regarding education: What are your thoughts on the Common Core State Standards? I am trying to learn more without identifying with a particular side of the issue. Above all, I'm for the kids, and whatever benefits them is what I will support.

Regarding spirituality: How do you incorporate your faith into your daily actions?

Keep those hearts and minds a blooming,
Miss Elizabeth