survival kit

dear reader, 

i know, i've posted almost exactly this same type of list over and over lately. but more exciting blog posts are on their way soon (some thoughts on feminism and womanhood. pizza recipes. san francisco. bali!), i promise! for now, i'm kind of in survival mode. i'm so grateful for some rest this weekend, and i think things are going to slow down week by week, thank goodness! and i'm learning a lot about hard work, balance, winging it, and what motivates twelve year olds. so that's good. 

here's what's in my survival kit:

• trader joe's.
  i think it's pretty obvious on this blog that i am pretty into trader joe's. but seriously, some tj's stuff has really gotten me through these crazy weeks. the pre-packaged salads are delicious and the perfect lunch to bring to school. there are some yummy snacks to keep in my classroom (i've recently fallen in love with the thai lime & chili cashews and the dried unsweetened persimmons) and some great quick dinner options (i really like the thai red curry sauce - i just sauté a bunch of veggies and chickpeas and dump the sauce on top). 
• spring break to look forward to!
  i just booked plane rides to arizona and utah, and i'm very excited. two more grueling weeks, and then a whole week off!
• general conference this weekend.
  although i had to multi-task a little and do some grading during the saturday sessions, i felt sooo inspired and emboldened by conference. happens every time! these two were my favourite talks.
• acts of kindness.
  it sure is true that little spots of thoughtfulness have great power. more yellow flowers on my porch, encouraging text messages, appreciation from co-workers, confidence expressed by friends...
• outrageously pretty weather.
  this weekend the world around me was just gleaming with sunshiney spring. it's been those days where you just can't believe how beautiful it is outside! 
• exercise.
  i have kept my goal of exercising every single day for at least thirty minutes, even when i've been up at 5:30 and until midnight working. i'm pretty proud of myself, and i'm sure that bit of activity has been a big factor in keeping my sanity. i have mastered the art of marching in place and doing lunges while reviewing algebra concepts. 
• good music.
  i am digging bastile, serena ryder, andrew belle, the walter mitty soundtrack and definitely the song happy by pharell, which everyone knows can make even the heaviest heart or most frazzled brain feel quite exultant. 

here's to another wild week. i've never felt so dead, but i've also never felt so alive.