Spring Break!

This week my school is on Spring Break. Actually, let me correct myself. We are on Spring Break Tuesday-Friday. Monday (tomorrow) was supposed to be our first day off, but because of all the snow we had this winter, they made it a regular school day. They also took away our planning/records day that was supposed to be last Friday. So instead of 10 days Spring Break turned into 6. This affected plans for tons of teachers and students. Luckily (or not so luckily, depending on how you look at it) I did not have plans. I am planning a lovely stay-cation. But here's a look at some past Spring Break trips:

2006- San Diego/LA with my mom. Here I am checking out Marilyn Monroe's handprints:

2007- Perdido Key, FL. Super fun trip with 5 of my sorority sisters. Here I am scared to death, aka parasailing:

2008- I was in grad school that year and working at a local elementary school. Grad school had SB one week, the elementary school had it the next. No trip that year :(

2009- Key West with my family (minus my brother). Here I am at the southernmost point in the USA:
I literally can't remember what I did last year. I was so busy with my first year teaching, my brother being sick, being in a new house, etc. that I don't think I went anywhere. Pretty sure I just stayed home. Which is exactly what I will be doing for the next 6 days.

I'm thinking of taking on a fun craft project or home improvement project while I'm at home. Any suggestions?? Looking for something fun, not too complicated and not too pricey. Do you have fun plans for Spring Break? Do you even get a Spring Break?

(p.s. I just have to note that I like looking at these pictures, because I get smaller in them as time progresses. Usually it is the other way around, so this is pretty cool. Hopefully next year I'll go someplace super fun and will have some cute pics to post!)

Hawaii!

In June I was able to go visit my fabulous friend Caitlin McDermott and spend 5+ days with her in Maui! Caitlin and I went to grad school together at Vanderbilt. After graduation I stayed in Nashville to teach , she moved to Maui to teach. I'd say she got the better end of the stick.

It was a fabulous trip! We went snorkeling, hiking (briefly, until it started raining), and spent many hours laying out baking in the hot Maui sun. The best part was me freaking out seeing a sea turtle while snorkeling. In Hawaii the reefs are right there. As in, go to the beach, walk in the water and BAM! coral reef. Totally cool. Anyways I saw a turtle and was freaking out yelling, turtle! turtle! Only with the snorkel in my mouth I'm sure it sounded more like murkel! murkel!

I'm so glad I got to visit Caitlin. She had a challenging class last year as well, and it was good for both of us to have some down time after a crazy school year. I can't wait until next year when I get to visit her in Seattle (for her wedding!!)

We woke up at 4am (I actually can't remember what time, it was so early!) to see the sunrise over Haleakala, the dormant volcano on Maui. By far one of the coolest things I have ever done! After the sun came up we immediately went back home and back to bed for another 4 hours :)

My friend Caitlin, the Chinese dragon/lion

a pic of me in Iao Valley

Thanks for a great trip Caitlin! Can't wait to come visit again!!