"You know you're my favorite, right?"

As soon as I thought that I wasn't making any sort of difference in my student's life and felt as if I had hit a brick wall, my student cheers me up with a comment like that one!

Highlights of the week:

1. Discussing the age of her teachers...

    Me: How old did you think I was?
    Student A: 16
    Me: You thought I was only 3 years older than you!?!?
    Student A: Well, I guess maybe I thought a little older.

I doubt that I could have been an effective teacher at age 16! Not sure if I am suppose to take that as a compliment or not. Thoughts?

2. As I am constantly convincing my student to eat healthy foods and choose fruits & veggies from the cafeteria line, we oftentimes have food conversations...

    Student A: You know what I love, Ms. Alvis?
    Me: What now?
    Student A: Wolf Brand Chili
    Me: Never heard of it, what could that be? Do I even want to know?
    Student A: Of course, it's chili in a can! What grown-up hasn't heard of Wolf Brand Chili?
    Me: I must say that sounds very disgusting...do you mean chili like with beans and meat? That comes    
    in a can!?!?
    Student A: Oh, Ms. Alvis, it is delicious! I still can't believe that you have never heard of it. You have  
    to try it!

I have recently found out that Wolf Brand Chili is very popular in Texas and is now the sponsor of Channel 5 Morning News. I still doubt that I could ever get myself to eat chili from a can. I think I will instead make some homemade chili for my student and show what chili really tastes like!

3. Farmer's Market Field Trip

    Along with my student's mobility instructor, we took a trip to the Dallas Farmer's Market in order to explore different fruits and vegetables, and choose a pumpkin to bring back to school to carve! She learned more than she would on the trip than a day at school! Her attitude was positive the entire day, I was blown away by her social skills, and she consistently made comments on how grateful she was to have us to take her to new places. She was able to experience many new tastes, learn about the numerous pumpkins and gourds that are out in the fall,  and use her own money to purchase items to bring home to her family.

4. Reading

We have finished the first unit of the Braille curriculum and my student is reading at home for 30 minutes each night! However, the first story from the new unit is about some kids' experiences at a playground...

    Student A: Would you be mad if I asked you what a swing was?
    Me: I am never mad when you ask me questions. I only want to be here for you to explain new  
    concepts to you and allow you to experience them as much as it's possible. Have you ever been to a
    playground before?
    Student A: No, but don't tell my mom that we are talking about this.
    Me: Do not worry about it, we will just have to take another field trip very soon to a playground
    where you can explore and we can maybe even have a picnic!
    Student A: Wow! I would love that.

I now need to get back to my Saturday night dinner that I will post very soon- Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, and Goat Cheese Bread Pudding, Spiced Mahi Mahi, and a Crostata with Dried Apricots, Walnuts, and Mascarpone Cheese for dessert.
  


  

Overdue

I realize that I am very overdue in my updates. I hate that I have gotten to this point. It is very enjoyable to read others' recent posts and I hate when my favorites are not updated. This means that I will now change my ways and make writing more of a habit!

Honestly, it has been hard to sit down and write a post recently, because, as my mother puts it, "I have been seeing the glass as half empty." I began the year by ensuring that I left school with at least one success of the day, and I am now finding myself only attending to the negatives. It is difficult when your student says phrases such as, "There goes another adult busting my dreams" or "I will never have a boyfriend or get married, that doesn't happen to blind people" or "I can't wait to graduate, so I can sit at home." After all of my efforts to instill the thoughts of a positive, successful future in my student, I still hear this pessimistic attitude. I don't blame her, however, when she has to sit through academic classes and assessments that are 5 grade levels above her intelligence. When I see her excel, become confident, smile, and lift her head up is when I set high expectations for her and when I am able to teach to her skill level. This means teaching her skills that she needs to become a productive member of society, not spending endless hours attempting to catch her up in Algebra, making sure that she understands what tropism means, or helping her navigate the regions of Texas on a map (just to name a few). Now, I am even more scared to see the documentary, Waiting for Superman. I don't need to hear more stories about how our education system is failing our students.

Today marks my time to turn everything around and see the glass half full! This means teaching more of what I want to teach and what I know will benefit my students! I'll keep you posted on how that goes...

On an optimistic note, another reason why I am past due on updating, is because I had the pleasure of spending 4 whole days with my mom in Dallas! She was able to experience my life here as a teacher, a cook, and an explorer! She joined me at school with my principal student and learned what teaching in South Dallas is like. It's a blessing that I only teach one student in my own little classroom in this area. My mom also met my team of extremely supportive vision teachers! Since the next day was "Fair Day" (a day for the students and teachers to attend the largest state fair in the country), our goal for the work day was to find a convincing enough reason as to why we should attend the Texas State Fair the following day. The most recurring one was "to try the best corn dog you will ever eat!" Can you guess our decision? If you know us at all, it was a clear decision that we would not attend the fair. Instead, we spent the day shopping for items to jazz up my apartment! Only my amazing mom would be so adamant to make sure that I live in a tasteful, cheerful, warm, and comfortable home! She did, in fact, make it exactly that while she was here! In addition to our Home Goods, Home Depot, garden shops, and Crate & Barrel excursions, we traveled to the gorgeous Dallas Arboretum where the largest pumpkin village stands, drank wine through an arts shopping district, and appreciated the high quality Mexican food and tasty margaritas here in Dallas. I was also able to share my new love of yoga with my mom. I couldn't have asked for more enjoyable and relaxing long weekend! No wonder why I miss Chicago even more in the past week!

My mom also experienced my cooking skills as she was able to try some of my recent baked goods. I have particularly been into baking in the past few weeks, most likely because of the stress at school. Nothing like a warm fall treat and the smell that it leaves in your kitchen after a long day!

Molasses Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon ground ginger 
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
3/4 teaspoon allspice 
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
1 egg 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1/3 cup unsulphured molasses 
2 teaspoons grated orange zest

Method

Preheat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and allspice; set aside. 

In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. Add egg, vanilla and molasses and beat until combined. While continuing to beat on low speed, add flour mixture and beat just until combined. 

Combine remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar and orange zest in a shallow bowl. To form each cookie, roll about 2 tablespoons of the dough into a 1 1/2-inch ball, then roll in sugar mixture and transfer to ungreased baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake until outer edges begin to set and centers are soft and puffy, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks and set aside to let cool completely.

Apple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients

• Topping:
• Cooking spray
• 3/4  cup  sugar
• 1/4  cup  water
• 3  cups  (1/4-inch-thick) slices peeled Rome apples (about 2 large)
• 1/4  cup  chopped walnuts
• Cake:
• 5.3  ounces  cake flour (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 2/3  cup  sugar
• 3  tablespoons  butter, softened
• 2  large egg yolks
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1/2  cup  1% low-fat milk
• 3  large egg whites

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.

2. To prepare topping, combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until sugar dissolves, stirring gently as needed to dissolve sugar evenly (about 3 minutes). Continue cooking for 4 minutes or until golden (do not stir). Immediately pour into prepared cake pan, tipping quickly to coat bottom of pan. Arrange apple slices in concentric circles in pan over the warm caramel. Sprinkle with nuts; set aside.

3. To prepare cake, weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir with a whisk.

4. Combine 2/3 cup sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla to sugar mixture; beat until combined. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix after each addition.

5. Place egg whites in a large, clean bowl. Beat egg whites with mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form using clean, dry beaters. Gently fold egg whites into batter. Spread batter over apples. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack in pan for 5 minutes. Loosen edges of cake with a knife; invert cake onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Testing Agony

After a frustrating and upsetting few days last week, I had an uplifting Monday! As expected, our public education has really been getting to me. All I really need to say is...testing-- why should my student that is blind and reading 5 levels below grade level have to suffer through hours and hours of testing (on grade level) material that she cannot even comprehend. As soon as she understands the importance in trying her best and witnessing her own success, she is let down. She recognizes that I do have high expectations for her and she, therefore, wants to work for me (she even told me that she practiced her spelling words in her sleep in order to prove to me that she studied at home). Then she has to sit through 5 days of me testing her on material that has no meaning to her and that only shows that she is a failure. Enough said.

After many lectures and optimistic discussions on her future, I think we can move on. We were able to laugh our way through some of the agony-- spilling my water bottle all over the reading test, arguing over celebrity marital statuses, cooking grilled cheese sandwiches and watching my student use a toaster oven for the first time.

Another struggle of mine is wanting to provide my student with everything fun and helpful that she needs and wants! Here are some of those tangible and non-tangible items:
1. hot chips- These seem to be the new trend for kids. You are way cool if you have money to buy them at lunch and share them with friends.
2. peppermint patties- I discovered today that we share this common favorite!
3. snakeskin boots with spurs- except her mom said she could never own those (not quite sure where she got the idea that she wanted them)
4. Justin Bieber CDs- I hear enough about him daily
4. apple corer- I have finally discovered one healthy food item that she enjoys, but braces and whole apples don't go well together. An apple corer is the solution!
5. a quiet place to do homework with someone to assist her
6. opportunities to play outside in this beautiful Dallas weather (80 degrees, sunny, and no clouds in the sky in October- couldn't ask for anything better)- All I hear about is Disney channel shows and movies and that she is not allowed to go outside

Even after another day of testing, I was told, "You make my life more positive, Ms. Alvis!"

Fulfilled

Fulfilled- not only a spelling word of the week, but an emotion that I actually felt! What a coincidence!  After month of first-year teaching, I had my first fulfilling week! I was even able to cook, sleep, continue yoga, and do some exploring!

What got me through the week:

1. Barack Obama- 

Despite anyone's political views (politics are not discussed in this speech), if you're a teacher, have your students watch his "Back-to-School Speech" from last week. As much as you can lecture students on trying their best, working towards their dreams, and setting high expectations for themselves, it means so much more coming from the President. He says exactly what I have harped on for the past few weeks, but for some reason, coming from him seems to make it more inspirational (at least to my student). After listening to his speech, my student worked harder than I have ever seen and actually asked questions regarding the steps that she needs to take to fulfill her dreams. His speech sparked conversations about college, career choices, resources available, and hopefully more to come. She now wants to write him a letter and convince him to be the graduation speaker at her middle school!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010/09/14/president-s-back-school-speech

2. Yoga-

Provides exercise and relaxation simultaneously! 

3. Whole Foods-

The Whole Foods Market cookbook has inspired me with some new recipes (I have included some below). And of course, the market continues to excite me and never fails at motivating me to create new dishes!

4. Wine-

A small glass of wine each night always compliments my dinner and my mood. If you haven't tried the Louis Martini Cabernet, it is a must-have! 

5. Happy Hour-

Weekly happy hours with Stacey remain a well-needed tradition. What is a better way to share teaching ideas and stories than over a glass a wine?

6. Glee-

Although I fail at watching television shows besides any on the Food Network, reruns of Glee were a fun addition to my week!

Effective teaching, exercising, cooking, relaxing, new friends, exploring (took a trip to the stockyards in Forth Worth), poolside time in late September- I am fulfilled! 

New recipes:

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

BREAD:
1 1/2  cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas) 
1/3  cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/3  cup creamy peanut butter
3  tablespoons butter, melted
2  large eggs
1/2  cup granulated sugar
1/2  cup packed brown sugar
6.75  ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups) --I used half all-purpose flour and half whole-wheat flour for a heartier bread. 
1/4  cup ground flaxseed
3/4  teaspoon baking soda
1/2  teaspoon salt
1/2  teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8  teaspoon ground allspice
2  tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts --Many types of nuts will do unless you want to stick with the peanuts. I used walnuts. 
Cooking spray


GLAZE:
1/3  cup powdered sugar
1  tablespoon 1% low-fat milk
1  tablespoon creamy peanut butter
*I made it without the glaze and it is then better for the morning. 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. To prepare bread, combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed. Add granulated and brown sugars; beat until blended.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through allspice) in a small bowl. Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just until blended. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; cool.
4. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar, milk, and 1 tablespoon peanut butter in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over bread. 

Squash stuffed with Quinoa, Peas, Carrots, Parsnips, Spinach, and Asiago

2 cups quinoa, toasted
4 cups water
2 cups mixed spring peas, parsnips and carrots, diced and blanched --I experimented with the vegetables that I had and was very pleased. I used peas, red peppers, mushrooms, and spinach
½ cup grated Asiago cheese (plus a little extra for sprinkling on top) --I used some cheese that I had around (it was a goat cheddar and was great)
2 cups baby spinach
½ cup mushroom stock, chicken stock or water
4 acorn squash
1 cup balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 450°. Cut the top off the squash and use a spoon to scoop out seeds. Place squash upside down in a pan with one inch of water in it. Cover with foil and place in the oven until cooked through (about 30 minutes). The squash is cooked when you can stick a fork in it, and it goes in easily. Set squash aside and reduce oven temperature to 350°.
Toast the grain (quinoa) in a dry skillet for five minutes before cooking to give it a delicious roasted flavor. To cook, use 2 parts liquid to 1 part quinoa. Combine the liquid and toasted quinoa in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the grains are translucent and the germ has spiraled out from each grain, about 15 minutes.
Combine veggies, quinoa, mushroom stock, spinach and Asiago cheese in saucepan. Cook until thoroughly heated. Fill squash with mixture and top with extra cheese. Place in oven set at 350° for about 10 minutes.
To serve, place squash on serving plate and garnish with micro greens and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
(Balsamic reduction: Slowly cook 1 cup of balsamic vinegar in small saucepan over medium heat. Turn the heat to low and reduce to ½ cup. As it cools, the vinegar will thicken to a syrup.)

Winning Hearts & Minds

15 students. 6 schools. Preschool-12th grade. I have it all and I love it! However having it all makes it all makes it quite difficult to have time for myself. I have not cooked many exquisite meals, ventured out to many new places, rode my bike, kept in touch with many of those that I love, nor wrote in this blog! The only tasks that I was accomplishing seemed to be school paperwork: lesson plans, schedules, data charts, IEPs (individualized education plans- every student in special education has one). Before beginning yoga this week, I felt as if everything was rushed--cooking, showering, driving, working out, eating, sleeping, even teaching and writing lesson plans. Yoga has helped me learn to live in the present, relax, recognize my success in the day, and give my body a workout like never before. If this hot, power yoga doesn't give me strength and muscle, then I am not sure what will! It is amazing what it can do for you though--give you a great workout while also allowing you to feel the most relaxed that you can be! (I have even began to incorporate a bit of yoga into my teaching)

My favorite book (A Homemade Life) states exactly what I have learned in the past week:

"What it all comes down to is winning hearts and minds. Underneath everything else, all the plans and goals and hopes, that's why we get up in the morning, why we believe, why we try, why we bake chocolate cakes. That's the best we can ever hope to do: to win hearts and minds, to love and be loved."

Determining that one positive teaching moment of the day where I was able to win the heart and mind of one student in that one moment is all I need at the end of the day. Anything from...
1. allowing my student to act like Hannah Montana to complete a survey or
2. allowing my student to listen to a Justin Bieber song after receiving an A on a math test or
3. receiving hugs after only introducing myself to students (just being there meant something) or
4. witnessing the desire and drive to learn that my student has gained after simply setting high expectations for her, giving her independence, and creating goals with her

That last one is what sticks in my mind from day to day. This pertains to the student that I focus the most on and teach each day. Although I observe her desire to learn each day, it was one moment where that lightbulb went off for her and she not only realized why I get up each morning to teach her, but she also realized the importance in trying her absolute best for herself.
Maybe that's why she cried when she missed one letter in a word on her spelling test.

A good meal is like a present.

After a long week of more professional development and learning about my students, I have found myself overwhelmed with what is ahead of me. Surprise, surprise….I know, Mom, I need to remove the word “overwhelmed” out of my vocabulary. It seems that what I am usually overwhelmed with are beyond my control. Cooking and eating a good meal at the end of the day, though, has been a calming gift to myself to relieve some stress. “A good meal is like a present, and it can feel goofy, at best, to give yourself a present.” – Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant (the book I am reading that relates so much to me right now). On that note, I think that I am going to share a few recipe ideas that I have experimented with in the past month here in Dallas. I find myself cooking without recipes and adding ingredient after ingredient without making a note of anything.* I figure that this will, therefore, help me keep track of what turns out well! (These will not exactly be recipes, however, seeing that I do have the tendency to throw things together- I guess I take after my mother! For marinades and rubs, just experiment and taste- it’s no fun to follow a recipe!)

* “In the end, the experimentation, the impulsiveness, and the invention that such conditions allow for will probably make you a better cook.” –Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant

I have learned to take advantage of the grills that my apartment complex provides in our courtyard. I have also discovered the Dallas Farmer’s Market downtown that is awesome! While trying to be economical while shopping for myself, I clearly managed to buy way too many fruits and vegetables. Therefore, I try to use them with everything and in anything! Here are some grilled meals using fresh produce that I have concocted for myself:

Orange-ginger Grilled Shrimp Kebobs (with Grilled Peaches)

Shrimp marinade: soy sauce, Dijon mustard, orange marmalade, & fresh ginger

Peach marinade: balsamic vinegar, EVOO, orange juice, & honey (cut the peaches in half beforehand)

Place the shrimp on skewers and cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side on medium heat. Place halved peaches (with cut-side down) on grill for about 1-2 minutes. Finish the peaches off with a dollop of goat cheese (may sound different, but the tangy cheese with the sweet peaches is amazing!)

I have also placed halved peaches and figs on skewers to grill- that is great too! They look very pretty! Even though I have been cooking for myself

Chili-rubbed Grilled Tilapia (with peach-melon chutney)

Tilapia rub: make the spice mixture- chili powder, cumin, garlic powder (or fresh is always better), salt, pepper

Fruit chutney: chopped peaches, melon (I used an Israeli melon that is even sweeter than a cantaloupe from the market), jarred roasted red peppers, onions, fresh cilantro, lime zest and juice, salt & pepper- Start with sautéing the onions (raw onions are the worst in my opinion) and add the other ingredients

Place the tilapia on foil and grill about 5 minutes on each side on medium heat.

Add the chutney on top of the fish.

This dish is great with asparagus or also as tacos. I placed the tilapia in homemade tortillas (from Central Market!) with the chutney, rice, and some lettuce.

Cilantro-lime Grilled Chicken (with avocado chutney)

Chicken marinade: EVOO, lime zest and juice, fresh cilantro, fresh garlic salt & pepper

            Chutney: chopped tomatoes and avocado, lime zest and juice, salt & pepper

Grill chicken for about 6 minutes on each side on medium-high heat.

Add the chutney on top of the chicken. Great with rice as well.

This is just a start, but I thought it would be fun to document what I have been cooking! Many of these are very easy- it is honestly just the chopping and dishes later that take the most time. Most of them are based off of some type of recipe that I seen being made on the Food Network or read in a cooking magazine, but others are just me experimenting!  I have cooked many more dishes as well that I will hopefully add. Some include Asian Salmon with a nectarine chutney, Chipolte Salmon Salad, Couscous-stuffed red peppers, Avocado BLT pizza, Eggplant Gratin, Almond Butter Chocolate Cookies, Oatmeal Peach Pancakes, and the best granola recipe! It is definitely going to be hard to keep up with this now that teaching has begun!

“Alone and lonely are not synonymous; you will have yourself- and the food you love- for company.” -Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant

"Just Make it to October!" -Dallas ISD Superintendent

I must start by letting everyone know how incredibly thankful I am for my amazing parents who have spent hours on end making this adjustment the best that it can be for me! I could not be more blessed! They have been there for me in every way- emotionally, physically, financially. Through our drive to Nashville, packing up my college life there, and driving ten more hours to start my new life in Dallas- they helped me:

1. say goodbye to Vanderbilt,
2. spend hours packing up a cargo van (let me repeat that, a cargo van, NOT a moving truck) with my bed set up inside the thing (this is the only way that everything could fit-- thanks Vanderbilt for providing my father with an engineering degree),
3. unpack and set-up my new apartment (meaning my Dad put together all of my Ikea furniture, changed my kitchen light fixtures, hung wall art, and painted an accent wall) to make my place look perfect, AND
4. they currently are helping me with this transition by not only talking and listening to me on the phone numerous times a day, but sending me cards in the mail!

So, I say it again, I could not be more blessed!

Now that I have been in “The Big D” for almost three weeks, I have explored as much of the city as I can! It has been quite an adventure! I am always in my car driving around to find various places: HomeGoods, Target, fresh produce (the great Farmer’s Market!), coffee shops, nature, restaurants, grocery stores- anything that interests me and can benefit my teaching and cooking skills! For the most part, I have enjoyed my time to myself,

I keep reminding myself that this is the time in my life to take every opportunity that comes my way and live my life as an adventure! I have also learned that friends don’t always have to be people when you move to a new place and don’t know anyone!

My friends so far…(in chronological order):

1. Stacey— The one who helped me get my great teaching job and will be by my side through this adventure working with me!

2. Central Market—The best grocery store that I have ever experienced (even better than Whole Foods)! They have everything from local produce to made-to-order sushi to homemade tortillas to fresh seafood and more.

3. Fro Yo— Dallas has to have the largest selection of places in the country to get frozen yogurt and I mean, REAL frozen yogurt, not that fake stuff. Flavors include Tahitian vanilla, coconut, honeydew, watermelon, avocado, red velvet cake, taro, and strawberry, just to name a few. Toppings range from mango to blackberries to grapefruit to kiwi to granola to Oreos. 

4. Whole Foods— I can walk there! If you know me at all, you know that is a huge deal. I can’t even put a number on the amount of times I have been so far

5. Cooking— This includes cookbooks, cooking magazines, foodnetwork.com, and the Epicurious app on my phone to entertain me, but most importantly, the simple joy that I find in cooking. The new book that I am reading, Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant, explains it all.

6. Red box—Before I had internet and cable, I enjoyed some fun movies, including It’s Complicated (one of my all-time favorites that can always make me laugh) and Valentine’s Day. Usually I am not too into chick flicks, but it lightened my mood.

7. Cable Guy— He provided me with my internet and cable, which is a blessing to have when you are living alone! He was also a really friendly guy who kept me entertained for an hour while he installed everything.

8. Bike Shop Guy— After a frustrating morning of trying to put my bike together that my Dad and I quickly disassembled in the trunk of my car, I found another really friendly guy at a bike shop. He put my bike back together for $10 and dropped it off at my apartment an hour later for free! How great it would be if everyone was that friendly and helpful!

9. My bike— Now that it is assembled, I am able to ride it to a popular, peaceful trail called Katy Trail, where many young people run and ride. I have also found a pretty neighborhood behind my apartment complex that is part of the suburb of Highland Park, which has beautiful homes and landscaping where I can ride. This has been a great way to exercise (even in the heat) outdoors since I am still unable to run.

10. The library— The branch closest to me is small, but there seems to be nice people there, a children’s section, free DVD rentals, and a good cookbook selection. Couldn’t ask for much more! Also, it’s within biking distance.

I am really not sure how I feel about this whole blog thing, but at least it gives me something to do, documents my new experiences, and allows you all to keep up with me.

More to come on my students and recipes that I have cooked for myself!