Day 30: Orange You Tired From All That P90X?

Day 30: Orange You Tired From All That P90X?

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: Sliced Orange

Well, to tell you the truth, it feels like January went entirely way too fast. February is sneaking up on me and that means Valentines Day and student teaching will happen. I am most worried about student teaching. I know that I can handle it. I just, well, worry about everything I suppose.

These oranges were positively delicious. I bought them yesterday at SAMS Club in Henrietta, NY for about 7.50 for about 7ish pounds of them. I have already eaten two and they are quite juicy as you can see from my picture. I have been taking pictures with my iPhone because it is just easier that way, but I think I should go back to my Point and Shoot because the photo quality is just eh on the iPhone.

I have been trying to find snacks and things that are more healthy — like this delicious orange. Since I have been doing the P90X workout and diet, I am ravenous like nobody’s business! I am so hungry and could just sit and eat and eat and eat. But, I wouldn’t get in shape for swimsuit season if I did that. So, I try to eat nice things like oranges now that I have them. Yum!

The diet and exercise is going well. I made the commitment to do it in the middle of January, but didn’t start until after Kenn left to go back home. Today will make Day 6 of p90x and that means tomorrow I get a break. The exercises aren’t too hard, but my body is just so tired and sore! I don’t know if I have lost any inches or lbs, but I do feel better, so that is the goal. I am not going by lbs because I know that just isn’t an accurate measurement, so I am going by inches. I hope to show some results on day 30!

So anyway, that is it for now. These oranges are some yummy stuff.

Day 29: My Excessive Love for Body Products

Day 29

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: Sephora Deluxe Sample Givenchy Play for Men

If you know anything at all about me, I am a bath and body freak. That is, I love body products. This include anything that you can apply to your body, spritz, spray, waft, or cake right on in a variety of colors. One mascara is not enough. No, no, no. 10 is about right. I have invested so much money in Sephora and beauty/body products that it is just sick. I’ll spend $80 on shampoo and conditioner, but would never purchase myself an $80 article of clothing. I’m not sure why. I like the luxury of feeling and smelling good, maybe. Or maybe they just have really good marketing.

Anyway. Kenn asked me yesterday, “do you get a rush from getting things for a good deal?” And me, well, I thought about for a minute. Yes, yes I would say that I do. I have way more than I need, so really nothing is necessarily necessary. And I’m not sure why I never feel just content with what I’ve got. There always seems to be something that I want or feel that I just have to have. I fight that urge a lot by just not going to the mall or stores that I enjoy entirely way too much. I have more clothes than I can fit into my closets and dresser. Last month, I donated 3 huge garbage bags of clothes and 2 big boxes full of even more clothes, and I still have more to give!

Part of the problem is that my weight is always fluctuating. In the summer, I am smaller, and in the winter, I put on some winter weight. It is all that good hearty food that is just YUM. And mashed potatoes — my weakness. C’mon, everybody has a food weakness!! Whats yours??

But I digress, again. So, I have been trying to be good lately. That is, not buy anything that I don’t need. That means not going to the grocery store and just eating up all the food that I already have. I have full cabinets right now, but it seems to me there is nothing that sounds good. I doing this will spark some creativity in the food department.

Back to Givenchy Play. We went to the Sephora store when Kenn was here and talked to the scary old lady at the store who I think kept hitting on Kenn, and she convinced us to try a few different colognes. Givenchy Play Intense was one of them and I really liked it! Low and behold, when I placed my order with Sephora, I had gotten enough points to get a deluxe bonus sample which was this little bottle.

The thing that I keep thinking about is that I have way more than I need. I have beau-coups of make-up and body washes and perfumes and etc. I want to throw a lot of it away. I want to make the plunge. I want to live more simply. But, why am I holding back? Why is it so difficult? It is that fear of… well, what if I need it?? When, I am sure that I won’t. I mean, I use the same things over and over again…

It is funny — the difference between my mom and I. She chucks stuff out like nobodys business. If it is in her way, TRASH. If she doesn’t want to see it anymore, TRASH. She is VERY minimal. I remember being a kid and looking for something and asking “Mom? Where is the….” And she saying, “Oh, I threw it away because I thought you never used it.” Maybe this is a weird subconscious revolt against that. Regardless, I think maybe I should go against the grain and just do it. Throw whatever I don’t use out. *cringes*

Day 28: Trying Something New

Day 28: Trying Something New

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: Pasta Fagoli

On Thursday, I made Pasta Fagoli. It has beans and some veggies, some pasta and tomato sauce. It was pretty good. I made quite a mess making it — it boiled up over my dutch oven.

My mom bought me a little personal sized dutch oven for Christmas several years ago because I had asked for one to do some different types of cooking. I really love it. I have used it quite a lot. Then, I bought a 5 piece set very similar to that about a year or two ago. It had a cast iron lasagna pan, grill pan, dutch oven, and pot, and lid. Well, after the disaster of this summer, I think I just ended up throwing it out. In the garbage. I was so sick of trying to move everything. And a 5 piece heavy duty cast iron set is NOT light! In the garbage it went. I wasn’t even being green. It didn’t go to the salvation army or anything. Now, I wish I had some of those pieces again. I really loved my cast iron grill pan. It was perfect for grilling up some chicken or steaks. But… oh, well.

I have been trying to cook more often since Kenn has left. I really don’t enjoy cooking for myself because it really is a lot of work for just one person. I am completely content just eating cous cous for dinner. Or just making broccoli. Or just having a potato. Or just grilling a piece of chicken. But, I want to try to learn how to make different things than I am used to. We know what we grew up with, and my mom has a very typical, southern type of cuisine. We never ate italian. And if we did, it was very rare. We might have had spaghetti one of twice every couple of months. It just was not a staple. My mom has always been one to try new recipes. She is a fantastic cook, and I only hope to be like her one day. It takes time, I know that. And I am only 23, what should I expect? So, what I am doing is practicing. Practicing a lot and trying new things. I want to see what tastes good with what and what spices will do what to food. I want to learn those old time substitutions that housewives used to always know.

I guess what I am saying is that I want to be a modern day woman with the strength and character of today, a professional in academia, with the sensibilities and hosting abilities of a 50s housewife. Is it a little like asking to be super woman? Maybe.

One thing that hold me back is that I am quite forgetful. If I don’t set a timer, I forget to check on the food. One minute the garlic bread is just fine chilling under the broiler. The next, the garlic bread is smoking up the apartment! That is one thing that I am working on.

I think I know quite a few things around the home that I have learned from my mom. She really is a great and strong woman that has taught me a lot just from me observing. So, here’s to practice makes perfect!

Day 27: Graphic Classics

Day 27: Graphic Classics

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: Fahrenheit 451 Graphic Novel Library Version

I have been interested in studying the literacies embedded in graphic novels recently. This is not to say that I am a manga, graphic novel, comic, anime type of person. I really have never been exposed to anything like it before and really wasn’t that interested until I found that many different classic novels have been made into graphic novels. I have never actually read Fahrenheit 451 which I consider a heresy as an English teacher. I thought that the first part of my research would be to read this as an introduction into the novel before I set out to read the original.

I have noticed that there are different types of graphic novels. I have bought a few others and checked some out at the library as well. There seem to be ones that are done well — and ones that are the equivalent to mass market reading.

Anyway, I am going to be looking into visual literacies as a form of literature and using it to compare to what we look at in classrooms traditionally. I will be writing an innovative unit and an entire presentation on this topic to present this year and will probably need to include it in my portfolio that I will assemble by the end of August. I think that graphic novels are great ways of diversifying and differentiating instruction.

I have always had a certain stigma about graphic novels, but the more I research and look into them, I think that these preconceived notions are going away. I have a few more graphic novels to read and hope to gain and appreciation for them as an innovative and interesting approach to literature! One plus is that you can pretty much devour them in a night. So, with hesitation — here goes!

I’ll let you know what I think when I finish one!

Day 26: I love oatmeal

Day 26: I love oatmeal

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: McCann’s Irish Oatmeal

This is my favorite kind of oatmeal. Oatmeal really is an awesome food. It is healthy and nutritious. Anything can be added to it for an extra little kick. I like to heat mine up and then add milk to it for that real hot cereal feel.

Oatmeal keeps me running. It staves away the empty feeling and also helps with waistline problems! I will be eating this more frequently this year.

I want to point out one thing. QUICK COOKING. Yes, this is to remind me that this year is going to be a busy one. I have 8 full weeks of student teaching coming up soon. I graduate this May with a master’s in teaching and curriculum. There is quite a bit standing in between me and that degree. Many papers. Many projects. Many sleepless nights. And quite the portfolio due at the end of the summer. I really can’t wait to be a full fledged teacher. And my first year of teaching, I am sure that I will lean on this oatmeal quite a bit.

Day 25: The sky is crying

Day 25: The sky is crying

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: Rainy Rochester early in the morning

This morning was a difficult morning. I took Kenn back to the airport and said goodbye until we can scrape together some money to bring him back out here. It has been on my mind that I must start to substitute teaching asap. I really need the jobs and the money each week. Every little bit helps and I know that it will be good experiences for me to get in classrooms as much as I can.

Today is a rainy, rainy day. It is only 11:15am and it is extremely dismal outside. I have been working on homework and getting things done with homework. I plan on making a steamy cup of coffee in a few minutes and sipping on it as I finish a lesson plan for my Inclusion certification.

On another note, I haven’t updated my 365 this past week. Time got away from me and I just didn’t take any pictures. I did a lot of things including cleaning out my storage unit, Kenn updated my Macbook to a 640GB HD , watching Julie and Julia, ordering Pizza, eating at Moes and Chipotle and Ben and Jerrys, shopping at SAMS club, ordering graphic novels online, and many other things.

Day 18: Committing to P90X

Day 18: Committing to P90X

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: QVC selling P90X

One. Sometimes I enjoy watching QVC. I am amazed at their ability to sell things. But I am one of those people that stays up and watches infomercials at night too. I get sucked into bad television.

Two. I want to get into shape. Period.

Three. I am not spending money on it, so its okay.

Four. Swimsuit season is coming.

That is all.

Day 17: Learning Patience with Giada De Laurentiis

Day 17: Learning Patience with Giada De Laurentiis

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

Photo: Chicken Tetrazini Casserole recipe from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-t…

So, I decided to try something different and checked out Food Network’s website. I’ve never tried any recipes from Giada, although I am always impressed by her complete italian-ness. After quite a few disasters of making this, I thought it turned out okay. It was pretty yummy. Nothing mind-blowing or out of the ordinary. In fact, it kind of tasted like a Macaroni Grill boxed mix that I have bought before. However, the recipe made a huge amount and so I don’t know how we are going to eat it all! It wasn’t too expensive to make, but you do need some certain spices and some dry white wine. I used a wine that Kenn and I picked up down at the finger lakes winery.

Anyway, I am really not sure if I will make it again. We’ll see.

Day 16: I <3 school supplies

Day 16: I

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: A super pack of Bic Mark-it markers

As the nutty teacher that I am, I am just a geek for all things school supplies related. Do I need it? No. Do I think I will ever use it? I have simply no idea. But, it seems to me that it is a good idea to have on hand. Besides, spending time in a staples or finding school supplies at places like Ollies or Big Lots on the cheap gives me this strange euphoric sensation. It is like on overload when I can buy in bulk at places like Sams Club.

I know, I know.

Day 15: Designing

Day 15: Designing

Originally uploaded by rebekahmoraites

PHOTO: Brainstorming my webpage on paper.

Today I am trying to figure out just what I want to do for my webpage. While I want something professional, I also want something that reflects who I am and have become as an education student.

It is difficult to design with limited knowledge although I hope to learn more about what will be possible for a webpage. The purpose of the webpage will be to both be a professional resource and to immerse myself in technology. Because I am such an advocate for technology and web 2.0 teaching and education, I think it is important that I continue to be a user of such technologies.

Building a webpage and website is something that I have longed to do. Now that I finally have so meat to put to the bones, I think it will be a great place to house lesson plans, thoughts, facilitate discussions, etc.

This will not be a personal site but one strictly dedicated to education and all things academia. I think I will keep my current personal blog the same.

As I think about how things are changing and how I am slowly painting a picture of myself online, I try to be careful of what is searchable for me. When I google my name, I hope to see projects I have worked on and things I have created or written. Hopefully in the coming months, I will be able to truly get this up and running.