Wow-za!

So it's been awhile since I have posted on here.  So much has happened since the last time I have posted.

I got a job in my hometown teaching 8th and 9th grade English.  I'm really excited about this opportunity and hope to really make a difference and give back to my community.

Me and Coby have decided that since I have started my career, we can financially afford to start traveling.  Our first stop is *drum roll please*........New York City! We decided to go to NYC during Christmas this year so we have a little bit to really save, save, save! We are going with another couple that we are really close with and I'm really excited! As part of our saving mission I have decided to stop shopping for the next year.  I feel like this will be really hard for me, but I'm willing to do it because I am so ready to travel and spread my wings a little bit!

So back to the no shopping thing....I tried a 30x30 challenge a little over a year ago, but it didn't really work out that well.  I didn't have any willpower and I just kind of....gave up!  However, my desire to travel is definitely bigger than my desire to shop so I think I can really do it.  So every 30 days I will change out my 30 items.  This might be a slight challenge because, while my wardrobe is pretty big, I have to make sure the items I choose can be worn at work, but also mixed and matched for a night out with friends.  Although now that I think of it, since I am trying to save money, I won't be going out much....so maybe this won't be too hard.

If some of you don't know what a 30x30 challenge, then I will explain.  The challenge is to choose 30 items and mix and match those items for the next 30 days.  I'll be posting the items that I have chosen and the outfits that I make with these items.

Currently

So I am in the process of making some content changes to Scullie's World, but while I'm working on those changes I thought I would write something about what I'm currently wasting my time on lol.

Who else is spending too much time on Pinterest? Today I spent all day in bed, watching Harry Potter and pinning things on the website.  I'll have to admit that I have used some recipes, some outfit creations, and some hairstyles that I have pinned on there so it isn't too big of a waste of time.

I should really be doing homework instead of being on Pinterest all day, but what can you do? I started my observations at my appointed school and I'm really enjoying it.  My cooperating teachers are awesome and the kids are crazy smart y'all! I am really enjoying my time spent in the classroom and I am learning so much from this experience.  It's also really nice to be doing something that is interesting to me instead of invoicing things all day long.  My first day observing was Valentine's day so of course I wore a Valentine's day themed outfit and I thought it was really cute (the kids probably thought I was a dork).  I've also really enjoyed putting together outfits for these observations and it's nice to see myself looking like a professional.

In other news, I am going to be formatting the content of Scullie's World a little bit differently in the upcoming weeks.  I plan on transitioning the content to lesson plans for the English class, book reviews that can be used to get teenagers reading, and I'll be writing about my personal growth as a student and educator.

Here's a pic of what I wore on my first day of school:

Blah, I thought it was cute! XOXO Scullie!

Cha, cha, cha, changes!

There's going to be some changes coming to Scullie's World!!!! Be on the look out for it!

Scullie's Book Corner: The Hunger Games

Today starts a new segment here in Scullie's World (drum roll please)...Scullie's Book Corner! I am very excited about this part of my blog.  I discussed doing a segment like this several posts ago, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it.  I am so excited about starting this segment out with a book I recently read, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

 I initially wanted to read this book for the book club I started (but failed to actually schedule a meeting..sorry girls :S ), but my taste in books is always changing and it got shuffled to the bottom of my "to read" pile.  I picked it back up again two weeks ago because I saw that for my Teaching Adolescent Literature class we were going to be reading it.  Well let me tell ya folks, once you pick this book up and really get into it, you will NOT be able to put it down! Quite honestly I was hooked from the first chapter and that is really important to me in the novels that I read.


Collins does an exceptional job of developing her characters and really developing the plot.  I cannot harp on this book enough! I read the entire series in less than two weeks! If you are looking for a good read, with characters that you will love, characters that you will hate, characters that you empathize with and sympathize for, and a plot that is always taking a turn or thickening than this is definitely a book you want to pick up (and it only runs about 6.00 at your local Wal-Mart!)

And the work out begins and so does the prep for school

Last Spring I was a work out fiend! I worked out two times a day and ate extremely well.  Once I moved to Conway and started my new job, I stopped working out and resorted to easy snack foods to eat while at work. While I am not entirely dissatisfied with my body, I think it could use a little tune-age.

So tomorrow morning I am going to wake up bright and early and do some yoga! When I say I mean like 5 A.M., soooooo I'm wondering how this is going to work out for me! I do need to kick my nasty habits of eating junk food and being completely inactive, seriously the most exercise I get during the day is the walk up and down the stairs to my office door, which equates to about 8 steps per day.  I sit all day long and then I come home and sit on the couch and read.  I need to get into a good workout schedule because once I start school I will be super busy and the only times I will have will be in the mornings to work out.  For the time being I will do yoga/pilates in the morning before I go to work and then I will come home and walk/run.  Since it is extremely too hot outside to run I will probably opt for the walking option until it gets a little cooler outside.

Also starting tomorrow I am kicking the coffee habit, candy habit, and nasty meal habit, which means I am going to have to pretty much change everything I eat, but I'm okay with that.  I am so open to suggestions about healthy food options.  I am so ready for Fall because oddly enough whenever Fall comes around I want to eat better and exercise more often.

I am excited to see my transformation and see how well I will be able to bounce back into my exercise routine.  I think I will take photos to document my progress and maybe log my food choices, but that may become real boring considering I doubt you guys REALLY care what I am consuming.

Along with my new declaration to lead a healthier life, I am preparing myself for school next semester.  I am so excited and nervous about what I have ahead of me.  I stumbled upon a blog called sometimessweet.blogspot.com while I was looking at honeybeeinthecity.blogspot.com and the girl that writes this blog used to teach English to 10th and 12th graders (exactly the grades I want to teach) and has made me so excited for this new adventure I am embark on.  In my preparation for school next semester I have created a wishlist on Vera Bradley's website because I love her and I think she sells the cutest stuff >.<

Here's a peek:

Granted I don't really need anything of this, but I think it will be nice to have for my fresh new start.  I do admit that I need to less concerned about school supplies and more concerned with studying for my Praxis I and how I am going to pay for it because I need to take it, ideally before September is over, definitely not any time after the second week of October.

Well if I want to get this 5 A.M. yoga on I need to hit the sack so I'm out!

Ash

Cha Cha Changes

Sitting here listening to David Bowie's Changes makes me think about the changes that are occurring in my life right now.


It's been a HOT minute since I've written last and so much has happened! I completely and utterly failed my 30 day challenge! I'm so bad with commitment, just ask anyone who knows me well at all and they will tell you I have had three majors, thought about going to every post-grad professional school there is, I'm always changing my hair color, genre of book I'm loving, how I dress, do my make-up.  It's kind of annoying, but also refreshing in a way.


I know I have finally reached my decision on my career choice though.  I have decided to get my dual Master's in Secondary Education and Reading Education, my certification as a Literacy Coach, and hopefully one my PhD in Reading Education.  Hopefully I can use my dissertation as a basis for creating ideas for my nonprofit organization that helps with the fight against illiteracy.  Reading, books, words,  anything that really has to do with literature or the combination of words in some kind of fashion is my passion and I want to share that passion with the world.


I finally got a library card from the Faulkner County Library!

Can I get a what, what?!  I've been using the CRAP out of this card (and it's doubly awesome bc it's pink    >.<)

I am going to Texas next weekend, it will be the first vacation I have been on in a while so I am looking forward to it.  Plus I'm getting to see one of my favorite family members ever, my Uncle David.  Seriously this dude is super rad!

Work has been super hectic, but I work with some pretty super peeps so we have been making it! 

Going back to the changes that I was referring to early in this passage stretch past just my education, the changes bleed into my personal life.  I am mostly thinking about my relationships with people; this isn't necessarily a negative thing.  I would like to improve my relationship with my family; I am mainly thinking of my relationship with my sisters, my grandma, and great grandparents.  I don't see them enough and I would like to change that.  I want my relationships with my friends to be better; I need to talk to them more often and make a point to hang out with them, enjoy their company like I did in college.  

Needless to say I am needing to make a lot of changes in my life, but hopefully I have time for that.

I am thinking about adding some things to the blog, like a book review every week (trying to spread the word, no pun intended ;) ) I started a book club, so once that gets started I'll be adding that segment, maybe if you are in the area maybe you might want to join :)

Fall is so close and I cannot wait for it to get here already!! I just bought a super cute sweater at F21 today and I can't wait to wear it! (pic below)

Mine is navy with coral stripes though! Super-dee-duper-dee cute! I love Fall, it is hands down the best season of the year.  Plus my favorite holiday is during the Fall (Halloween :) )

Here's some of things I'm currently crushing on that remind me of the Fall:

These shoes remind me of two things about Fall. Last Fall I took  Irish Literature, with one of the best professors I've ever had and it was my favorite class I ever took in college.  So the color reminds me of the class and also because my professor would wear converse frequently, I honestly don't think I saw him wear any other kind of shoe.

Reminds me of HSU, which I would normally be starting up during the Fall, but I'm done :(

Banned books week always fell during the Fall during college....and yes I read banned books so suck it!

And here are some things I'm just crushing on >.<

Yeah that's right, that's a Gryffindor cardigan!

SOOOO want this for Christmas!!

Guess that's all for now! 

TTYL!!

Ash

All About Me...From A-Z

Age: 22, I keep forgetting that I'm 22.  I think birthdays stopped at 21!


Bed size: Full, we have a fully furnished apartment, so it wasn't a choice by us!

Chore that you hate: Washing dishes! I have a really big fear of water, so sinks full of it creep me out!

Dogs: No :( unfortunately our pet rent is outrageous!

Essential start to your day: I don't really NEED anything to start my day.  Sometimes I need a Dr. Pepper or a Red Bull.

Favorite color: Currently my favorite color is blue.  I think it has to do with the fact that I just got a sapphire ring from my future hubby!

Gold or Silver: Silver, mostly.

Height: 4'11". My boss told me that in the city I work in I am eligible for a handicap parking permit.  I don't really know if I should get one since I'm not really handicapped.

Instruments you play: None, but I learning how to play the drums is on my bucket list.

Job title: Auditor at a Logistics Company

Kids: Eh, I'm would rather not have any, but if I do have kids, I wouldn't be extremely unhappy.

Live: Arkansas. I am from California, but I do enjoy living in the South (most of the time).

Mother’s name: Lisa

Nicknames: Skully (my mom made that one up), Fat German Ankle Girl (my great poppa calls me that)

Overnight hospital stays: Nope

Pet peeve: Mouth breathers, Darth Vader is the bane of my existence!

Quote from a movie: Everything said in Pineapple Express

Right or left handed: Lefty! We are the only ones in our right mind ;)

Siblings:  Jessica, 19 and Lexie, 7

Time you wake up: 6:30 AM

Underwear: This bigger and comfier, the better

Vegetable you hate: Corn.  I don't like the way it doesn't digest that well...it's weird.

What makes you run late: My snooze button.

X-Rays you’ve had: Chest, had a car accident in high school and got a pendant stuck in there.

Yummy food that you make: Cupcakes!

Zoo animal: I can't choose one and you can't make me!