Besties Cook: 2012

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

2012 Recap

I realized that my 2011 recap sounded like such a Debbie Downer. Thankfully, 2012 was much more enjoyable!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Run more than I ever thought possible! Finished two half marathons in under 2 hours, 30 minutes.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

for 2012: being the woman God intends me to be.he
I feel like 2011 was an instrumental year in my walk with the Lord. I'm thankful for the growing pains and perspective it's given me.

for 2013: more of the same, growing closer to the Lord, exercising more, being on time for work, running a 2 hour 1/2 marathon would be super!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
BFF Sara had her first, Annalise on my 30th birthday. I was able to fly out and visit in October!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What countries did you visit?
None...just states:

April-Chattanooga, TN for spring break
June- Canton, OH for Canton 1/2 Marathon
June- Orlando, FL for The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference
July- Chicago, IL for missions trip with Dayton Christian Middle School
July- NYC with dad
July- Myrtle Beach, SC with the LoDico's
October- Lakeside, OH with the Sharp's
October- Seattle, WA to visit Scheuerman's
October- Huntington, WV for Marshall UV 1/2 Marathon

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
2012: More of Christ, more contentment in Him.
2013: Of course I want more of Christ, but I'd also like a better budget.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 8, 2011-my brother married an amazing woman. I got a sister, and friend!
October 15, 2012- I turned 30 years old!

8. What was your biggest achievement for the year?
2011: Graduating from Covenant College
2012: Finishing my first year as an administrator

9. What was your biggest failure?
Trying to achieve perfection, taking on too many things, trying too many DIY projects at once.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Saucony running shorts.

12. Where did most of your money go?
DIY projects (painting, etc...), running gear, Trader Joe's

13. What did you get really excited about?
Having the house to myself (no more crazy roommate),

14. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Anything by Mumford and Sons

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder?
Most definitely happier

-Thinner or fatter?
Thinner (I think)

-Richer or poorer?
The same

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I'd done more running (I'm awful at running solo), more strength training at the gym, and more classroom visitations to my teachers at school.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
2011: Complain, impulse buy
2012: Probably the same! See above!

18. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent it with Nate, Kevin, Kaitlyn and the Fitzsimmons. Nanny had arrived a week prior, so she also spent it with us. Nate made killer pecan sticky buns, and Kaitlyn made a delicious ham for lunch.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
2011: Mad Men, 30 Rock, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights
2012: The Killing, Downton Abby, Homeland, Mad Men, 30 Rock, Parenthood, Smash, Glee

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Spiritual:
According to Plan- Graeme Goldsworthy
Method for Prayer- Matthew Henry

Fiction:
Anything by PD James
The Hobbit- still reading

Nonfiction:
The Meaning of Marriage-Timothy Keller
The Last Great Lion (bio of Winston Churchill)

21. What was your favorite music this year?
A lot of everything. The usual top 40, plus my ghetto music for running. I'm a big fan of classical music for work. Love Pandora for home.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
2011- The Kings Speech
2012- Batman (last of the trilogy), The Hobbit, Skyfall. I still need to see Le Mis, and Anna Karenina.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30!!!!!!! I went out to eat with friends at Pasha (Nate made a delicious cake from Amy's Bread) and flew out to Seattle the following weekend to visit Sara.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
2011- Being with Jesus.
2012- I would have to say, living without my roommate would have made 2012 much more enjoyable!

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
2011- More plaid, more wedges, more "uniform" look for work (pencil skirts, cardigans, button down shirts), lots of tall boots with skirts, dresses, jeans.
2012- pretty much the same. I don't deviate too often. I'm getting old, boring, and set in my ways. Haha!

26. What kept you sane?
2011- Running, being outside, quiet time in the morning, chocolate
2012- see above!

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Sometimes the good things, and the hard things are one-in-the-same.
I'm tougher than I thought.
Nothing surprises the Lord!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Goings on

It's been great running weather. I heart my teammates from 4 Seasons, free lattes from Panera and cooler temps!

School started on Tuesday. Things are running smoothly, and items on my checklist are getting accomplished. GREAT feeling!!

First American meal for Nate. No...not rice. Jimmy Johns, Reese's peanut butter cups and Coke.

Morning commute, stuck in Dayton Christian traffic. I've forgotten that I need to allow for an extra 10 minutes once school starts. My summer schedule was very relaxed and I'm getting back into the routine, just like the kids!

Portrait, compliments of my dear friend Tara's daughter!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Workshop

I had the privilege of teaching a summer institute workshop this week entitled, Best Instructional Practices. It was an eye opening experience, and I'm very thankful to work with such gracious teachers.
I realized a few things:

1. I had to spend 4-5 hours developing my outline and materials. It was much more time consuming than originally expected.
2. I'm not as clear as I thought! I would really like to develop the workshop and better set of assessments, goals, and expectations.
3. Teaching teachers is TERRIFYING, but I adjusted well after the first day.
4. One hour of teaching/speaking is incredibly draining.
5. One of my assessments was having the teachers prepare a lesson and teach to their peers. I was able to give input, and evaluate, and it was hilarious to see them SCARED of teaching content that is old stuff. I think it was a wonderful exercise and to see them appreciate the constructive input and see the pieces come together was so much fun!
6. Public speaking is nerve wracking, but practice really does make perfect!

Friday night out on the town!

Dewey's Pizza

Mad Frog froyo

Delish!

One of my favorite foods is pizza, and tonight Kevin, Kaitlyn, and I tried out Dewey's Pizza across from UD (University of Dayton). They've really built up the "college strip" (University Ave. for all you Aggie alum's) and Dewey's didn't disappoint. It's a local chain, great atmosphere and excellent food.
We split the house salad, which was amazing! Fresh baby romaine lettuce, warm goat cheese, dried cranberries, and a great balsamic vinaigrette. Our pizza was half white pizza with fresh vegetables, and the other half was a Hawaiian.
If you are in Dayton, it's definitely worth a visit!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Mentor dinner

I almost forgot to write about one new role I'm able to play; high school mentor to an incoming freshman. The city of Dayton selects a group of 50 students and arranges for a full high school tuition scholarship and a mostly full ride scholarship to local colleges/universities.
The College Promise program matches each student with a mentor who will meet with them on a weekly basis; ideally the same individual for the entirety of high school.

I volunteered to mentor one of our new students, Precious. I have the advantage of being an on-site mentor, so she can just pop into my office for our weekly meetings.

Although I'm feeling the crunch of a new year, I have so much to look forward to, and SO much to be thankful for!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Pinterest loving

I'm starting my birthday promotions well in advance this year; starting with 30th birthday party ideas. Followed by; birthday wishlist. :)

http://pinterest.com/kathleencarl/30th-birthday-party-ideas/

http://pinterest.com/kathleencarl/christmas-wish-list/

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Saturday thoughts

Two of my favorite things. Maybe they should be switched to show the correct order. :) French press, and the book of Isaiah!

Prepping for a workshop that I'm presenting next week. If you remember, pray for me at 1:00pm! It will be an hour long session every day. The topic is Instructional Best Practices. My question is; "aren't I still playing school??" I don't feel old enough to be doing these things.

My Ladybug, or borrowed dog for the weekend. Kevin and Kaitlyn entrusted me with their sweet dog, and house while they're in North Carolina. Lady is my favorite running partner!

A snapshot from work. Small heart palpitations when I think about all that still needs to be completed.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Apple coffee cake

Part of my monthly schedule is attending "A Team" (Admin) meetings with all the building principals and our Academic Dean, Dr. Rough. His lovely wife Cathy always provides a meal. This made an appearance at our least meeting and I had to share!

Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

2 cups flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

½ t. salt

1 cup sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

Stir the above ingredients together in a large bowl. Then stir in the following:

1 stick melted butter*

½ cup applesauce*

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk (I substitute 1 cup milk with 1 T. cider vinegar stirred in)

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into small pieces

*recipe calls for 2 sticks of melted butter but I like this lower fat version better

Stir all ingredients together and pour into a greased 9” x 13” baking pan. Then in a small bowl stir together the following:

1 cup dry quick-cooking oats

1 t. cinnamon

½ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)

½ stick melted butter

Sprinkle over the batter. At this point you can cover the pan and refrigerate overnight. Next morning bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Best news of the summer

This shaggy haired hippie is coming home to live with me!

NYC Candids

I think I might be in NJ, take 1.

Discussing the finer points of a good pie. Pie meaning, pizza pie.

I might be in NJ, take 2.

Beautiful Manhattan! Soho, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, new Freedom Tower.

Hoboken Train terminal

A 3-story REI in the middle of Soho.

My favorite souvenir, plus life changing chocolate cupcakes from Amy's Bread on Bleecker Street.

I might be in NJ, part 3...yes, Manhattan skyline on my morning run.

Self portrait at Starbucks on Broadway. What a fun day!!!

Candids Part 2

Oh yea, I ran a 1/2 marathon in 2:27.

Canton Inaugural 1/2 Marathon, 2012

Chicago candids...

Michigan Ave with middle school girls. Yes, standing in front of the American Girl Doll store!

Girls trip! A week spent in Myrtle Beach is always a hardship...not!

Candids Part 1 and filling in between the pictures!

Wow! I feel like time is LITERALLY flying before my eyes. I have so much to be thankful for! This has been the best summer, and I'm grateful for all the Lord has done, and is continuing to do in my life.

Here are some candids from The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Orlando. What a BLESSING to have world class Bible teaching, a 5 star hotel, and a fun girls weekend!