Getting Political

I have sort of held off on talking about any political issues--in real life and here on my blog--because I haven't felt well-informed enough about the issues to intelligently discuss them. But recently I've come to recognize that thought for the excuse that it is; I should be actively seeking to stay informed about the issues at hand, rather than waiting for the information to come to me. (By the time it does get to me, not only is it often obsolete, it's also usually been distorted beyond credibility anyway.)

I still don't feel that I've done enough research into the current issues to write an intelligent post about them (yet), but I did want to share this sort of epiphany that I had in the hopes that it will encourage you, my dear readers, to also be politically proactive.

1. Actively seek out information from multiple credible sources. 
2. Share this information with others...not just on social media. Have an intelligent, respectful discussion about the issues. Don't be afraid to have your views challenged...it's okay to disagree, and it's okay to change your opinion based on new information or a new way of thinking. That's growth!
3. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Call your Congresspeople at (202-224-3121). Tell them what you want them to do...after all, they represent you! You can also use GovTrack.us to find out who your senators and representatives are. 
4. Vote, vote, vote! Don't use a lack of information as an excuse; a great way to be informed about the candidates on the ballot is to check out Vote411.org. 

Whatever your political beliefs are, government only works if we make it work for us.

Wouldn't be a Jess blog post without a meme. 

Summer 2018

Well, hello there...long time, no see.

My bad.

The last 4 months of the school year (yes, it has been that long since my last post, and yes, I am sorry) were tough, to say the least. Most of the time, I was just hanging on, counting down the days--and on some days, the hours--left in the school year. It was always too many.

Now that summer vacation has finally--FINALLY!--arrived, I find myself with both the time and the motivation to blog. So here we go...

Let's start with a (brief) reflection on my first year as a full-time teacher:

Pretty much sums it up.

I survived my first year of teaching 3rd grade with my sanity (somewhat) intact.

Now summer is here, and I haven't checked my school email since the last day of school, nor do I plan to anytime soon. (If anyone from work is reading this, don't rat me out. K thanks.)

No more thinking about school...my focus is on enjoying the bejesus out of my summer!

I had to.
Last meme for now, I promise. 

So what do I have planned for this summer? I'm so glad you asked...

Ya girl is getting out of the country again!

That's right, I will be making my triumphant return to Europe when I go to Italy in July. My rough itinerary for my two-and-a-half-week trip is:

1. Fly to Italy. 
2. Eat a crap ton of pasta.
3. Eat a crap ton of gelato.
4. Visit family in Germany. 
5. Have coffee and cake every day.
6. Fly home. 

For those of you wondering which cities I will be in when I am eating my body weight in Italian food:

• Rome (day trips to Pompeii and possibly Capri)
• Florence (day trip to Pisa)
• Cinque Terre
• Venice (day trip to Verona and hiking in the Dolomites)

If any of y'all have been to Italy and have any suggestions for me, leave a comment! I love love love travel recommendations!

The rest of this summer, I'm working at Go Ape treetop adventure course again, so I'll be spending a lot of time outdoors. (Come visit me at work if you fancy a swing through the trees!)

On my days off, I'm scheming a lot of day trips to the beach, some hiking, and checking off items on my bucket list. (Stay tuned for more details on that!)

I'm also hoping to see Hamilton at the Kennedy Center at some point this summer, so if anyone needs any ideas for a birthday gift for me... *wink wink*

↑ Me when I start talking about Hamilton. 

My friends and family. ↑

But actually.

Anyhoo, that's all for now, loyal readers. My *goal* for this summer is 2 blog posts a month, so you'll hear from me again soon. ☺

I'm Addicted

In the last 5 months, it's gone from occasional recreational activity to hobby to habit to obsession to full-blown addiction.

I just can't get enough.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking about rock climbing. (Bet I had you going for a moment there, though...heh-heh-heh.)

It all started over the summer, when I climbed a couple of times with some cool people from work (y'all know who you are) after we closed up the course for the day.

No, wait, it kind of started before that.

The first couple of years that I was at Towson, there was a rock wall in the fitness center. I went a few times with friends, and while it was definitely fun, running was my drug of choice at the time. First I was training for a marathon, and then Kronum came along, and then I graduated and went off to Europe. (I may have mentioned that little trip once or twice before...) Suffice to say, I didn't catch the climbing bug the first time around.

Flash back to last summer at Go Ape, when the aforementioned cool work friends said that they were going climbing after work. I was totally eavesdropping on their conversation at the time, and managed to finagle myself an invitation to tag along.

A few weeks later, I had an Earth Treks membership and a harness of my very own. (Happy Birthday to me!)

You could say I was hooked.

See, the thing about climbing--for me, at least--is that it's completely engaging. I am so entirely in the moment when I'm climbing, because it is simultaneously a workout and a brain teaser. I have to figure out how to get myself up the wall, move by move, and I have to work my muscles (in occasionally mind-boggling contortions) to make that happen.

Me.

It's the ultimate in mindfulness practices for me: body and brain, united for a common goal, and existing entirely within the moment.

Continuing with the meditation metaphor, topping out a tough climb is its own kind of nirvana. That feeling when I get my chalk-covered hands on the top of the wall...the thrill and the relief just wash over me...I freaking EARNED it.

And I love that I can see and feel myself making progress. When I started out, I was top roping mostly 5.8s and 5.9s, and I've worked my way up now to some 5.11as. I started out bouldering V1s, and on Friday, I tried my first V5. (I literally belly flopped off it, but still.)

*For those of you who don't speak climber, here's a nifty little article that gives a basic rundown of climbing grades.

I'm totally hooked. I've started watching climbing videos on YouTube, and I'm looking into good places for outdoor climbing in the area. (Any suggestions??) My workouts on non-climbing days are primarily based on what will help me become a better climber. (Hint: lots of chin-ups, push-ups, and fly lifts are involved.)

The climbing community is also super awesome. Everyone is so friendly and helpful to each other! If I'm working on the same bouldering problem as someone else, I'll inevitably end up offering (and receiving) some suggestions and encouragement. And when I do finally top out, my new best bud is celebrating with me.

I love it. I love it I love it I love it.

I could go on about how awesome climbing is forEVER. I could, but I won't. I'll just leave you with this:

(Actual pictures of me actually climbing will be in another post.)

Stay weird, y'all.