Minnesota Twins

I am currently sitting at Starbucks on a Monday afternoon in March. I just completed my last of 4 fantasy baseball drafts and Spring is in the air....

"Jared Jared Jared, what are you saying. How can Spring be in the air? If you are in MN, you know currently the temperature is about 30 Degrees and it snowed this morning. How can you possibly think that Spring is in the air?"

Why do I think Spring is in the air?

Maybe because last week we reached a high of 50 degrees.

Maybe because I see high school kids in track run by my house every day.
                                                   or........

Maybe it is because I received my opening day tickets to the Minnesota Twins!

My Dad got Cassidy and I some tickets for April 7th, and immediately I went and marked it on my Calendar. Opening Day at Target Field is probably one of my favorite days of the whole year. It could never top Thanksgiving at my Grandparent's house, but it is still one of my favorites.

Here are a few reasons why I love opening day at Target Field.

1) Everyone is 0-0. Even though we lost 90 games the past three seasons, I believe there is reason for optimism.

2) Speaking of optimism, that is reason number 2. Target Field will be sold out of excited fans. The media for the most part isn't pessimistic (yet) and rain or snow, the fans will be in full force and excited. Last year we were there and I had to buy a Twins winter hat because it was so cold. Totally worth it!

3) If you have ever been to Target Field, you know how nice it is. I usually would be excited for Nachos and a Kilbrew Rootbeer, but that doesn't work for my diet. I will be enjoying the view with my best friend and 30,000 screaming fans.

4) The start time is always 3:15. The game will end and it won't be 10:00 and dark.

5) This year the game falls on April 7th, which is one day before Cassidy and I will be celebrating our 4th anniversary :) A blog about our 4 year will be coming in the next couple weeks. I already started writing it!

So while you guys all complain about the snow and the cold, I will continue to get ready for Spring and be happy that it is right around the corner. So far I have been at Starbucks for an hour and have only seen 1 iced drink. That is the one I ordered because Spring is here!

*** Complete side note: If you are getting an iced drink this summer you HAVE TO go to Starbucks. Caribou is great, and most of the time I like it more than Starbucks, but when it comes to iced drinks, Caribou has nothing on Starbucks. Keep that in mind this summer when you are driving with your window down :)

Below is a couple pictures from Opening Day last year! The one of my Dad, Cass and I is one of my favorite pictures ever.

Have a wonderful Spring Monday!

-J-

What Motivates You?

First of all, I would just like to thank everyone who visited my site yesterday in anticipation of my blog. I came on last night and couldn't believe the page views of people who were looking forward to the weekly blog. That being said, I hope that I don't disappoint you.

Over the past month or so, my weight has stayed right around the same. I have lose about 55 pounds but I want to lose more. I kept cheating on meals and wasn't being even close to as strict as I was when I started my diet. I went in to weigh in yesterday and decided to tell the girl at Medifast that I really wanted to move back to the beginning phases of my diet. That means almost no carbs, and lots of salads, chicken & green vegetables. She told me that it was normal for people to settle after they have lost as much weight as I have and that now is the perfect time to kinda restart and essentially start my diet over. She told me that night to eat something that I love to eat and then to start fresh in the morning. If you really know me, you already know what I ended up eating last night as my "last meal" if you can call it that! (Bacon Cheeseburger if you couldn't handle the suspense) The last question that she asked me before I left had me pondering my whole ride home though.

What motivates you?

Hmmmm. What does motivate me? I thought about it long and hard and a million thoughts raced through my mind. So I got home and up on my wall is the bucket list that I blogged about a few months ago. Currently, there is nothing crossed off on it. Part of this is because a lot of them are long-term goals but also, many of them are reachable if I put my mind to them. I looked at my list and saw that many of my goals can be reached if I put my mind to it. Currently I have 3 main goals in my life.

1) Graduate College
2) Get a teaching job
3) Continue to lose weight

I started thinking about this summer. The summer motivates me. Last summer I hated going swimming because that meant other people seeing me be uncomfortable. I looked at my calendar and saw July 4th. That week we usually go to our cabin and spend quality family time together. I made it my goal that I want to lose 30 more pounds by July 4th. I am putting this goal out there so that I can come back to it later and see if I have achieved my goal. Losing 30 more pounds would also put me at my goal weight a month earlier than expected.

Readers of my blog also motivate me. You would have no idea how many people that I barely know come up to me and tell me they have read my blog or that they have been following along and supporting me. I post this on Facebook and Twitter because by putting it online, you all keep me accountable for my actions. Compliments from friends, family, co-workers, and strangers are also a huge motivator for me because I know that people can actually see a difference. My weight loss program was the reason I started the blog back up in the first place because I know that other people are going through the same struggles that I am when it comes to losing weight. I love hearing about people that I know who have made a commitment to better themselves because I know how amazing it feels to know you are making yourself healthier.

Progress pictures is another motivator for me. Every 2-4 weeks I take another picture and compare them to the weeks before and the beginning of my journey. They make me feel good about myself but also push me to strive for a better goal. I hope to continue to take them until I have reached my goal weight in the summer.

Many people have commented on how to motivate themselves when it comes to working out. Working out is still a daily struggle with me but I believe that as summer comes around I will find myself being much more active and that will help me a lot. Being able to play baseball, football, basketball, golf, frisbee, and go swimming are much better for me than working out because they are fun and also provide a way to get active.

Finally, buying new clothes for myself is going to be my motivation once I have lost enough weight. This summer, it is going to be fun to go get shirts in sizes that I haven't worn in a while. I used to motivate myself with food but motivating myself with the items I listed above has really pushed me towards a better goal. My big award to myself once I get done is to buy myself a new Minnesota Twins Jersey. I can't wait until that day comes.

Speaking of the Twins, The first game is 12 days away! I know there isn't much optimism for this team, but I believe that you should start watching this year because the tables are going to start to turn towards a better future. You have to power through the bad seasons with your team if you are going to fully enjoy the good ones.

Student Teaching Update:

I am nearing the end of 3rd quarter and next week will be Spring Break. I am using that time to do my big assignment for student teaching and also to relax. There is no doubt I will miss the kids though. This group of 9th graders has been great to me so far and have seemed to really enjoying having me. I graduate from SJU in two months... That is scary. It will be something to cross off the bucket list though :)

Tomorrow also marks the beginning of the best tournament that sports has to offer with the March Madness tournament. If you haven't joined one yet and would like to, click the link below and enter your bracket. Games start tomorrow (Thursday) morning so make sure your bracket is in before then or it will be invalid. The entry fee is $5. Right now we have about 30-35 people so if you get in the top 3 you will win a prize. If not, it is just $5 right?

Thanks today and every day for reading my blog and finding it interesting enough to come back every week. You have heard what motivates me but what now might be the perfect time to think about the question:

What motivates you?

-J-

Here is the link to join my March Madness 2014 Bracket

http://poolofchampions2014.mayhem.cbssports.com/e?ttag=BPM14_paste_cbsinv

Password: gophers

Lent & Student Teaching Update!

Weight Loss Update: For the past month or so I have been going up and down but staying right around 50-55 pounds. This is an accomplishment that I am proud of but I also know that it is not my final goal. 87-90 is my final goal and so I knew that I was going to have to do something extra to keep my weight down. Today's blog highlights my vow during lent to continue to eat healthy and also to incorporate more exercise into my daily life. I am going to try not to repeat what I have said in previous blogs, but I apologize in advance if I do.

Enjoy :)

As many of you know, I am Catholic. I used to dread going to Church and used to go and not pay attention. As I grew older and older I realized how important it was to have a relationship with God and to pray on a daily basis. I usually pray in the morning and I always pray at night. I have to pray before bed or else I can't sleep. Beginning last Wednesday, we celebrate Lent, which is the 40 days before Easter and the rise of Jesus Christ. During Lent, most Christians try to either give up something or do something that they usually don't do. Over the years I have given up pop, fast food, and also tried to do random acts of kindness.

This year, I am dedicating myself to exercising on a more regular basis. In a recent blog I posted that I was going to try Insanity, but after a couple days I realized that it was way too tough for someone who doesn't workout to jump right into. Over the next 40 days, my goal is to not only exercise, but try to do so on a more regular basis. I am jealous of the people who post pictures of themselves at a gym or are tweeting that they are going to the gym or going for a run. I wish I had that motivation. TEACH ME YOUR WAYS! Believe me, I wish I was dedicated enough to decide that I was going to go on a two mile run and then just take off and go. I wish I could commit myself to 4 days a week in a gym but over the years I have tried gym memberships and they have never seemed to work.

(Seriously, if you have any tips to keep you motivated to go to a gym or to workout, please let me know, I would love to hear from you!).

So my goal for Lent is to continuing to eat healthy (I have slacked a little bit) and also to becoming "addicted" to working out. It usually takes a few weeks to pick up a habit, so I hope that by the end of Lent I will want to continue to get more toned. I hope that over the next 40 days I find myself not only looking better, but feeling even better than I already do after losing 50 pounds.

Student Teaching Update: Today is my 7th day at Monticello High School and so far I love it. The Middle School was a great experience and I am using a lot of what I learned. The high school kids have a different mentality towards school because their grades go on official transcripts now and they can affect scholarships and admission into college. My supervising teachers at the High School are also great. Anyone who has passed through Monticello High School have told me that Mr. Deibele and Mr. Reeves were two of their favorite teachers and I can see why. They work together to make learning fun while also making it very productive for all the students. They usually co-teach and so the wall between their rooms is open. Since I am there now we have closed the wall and the students are making the big adjustment. In a few weeks we are starting a Forensic unit with all the 9th grade teachers that I am very excited for. For many of the kids who have passed through 9th grade, the forensic unit seems to always be the unit they remember most. I am blessed to be part of such a great experience so far. 7 weeks left at MHS and then I graduate. Scary right? I can honestly remember move-in day as a Freshmen like it was yesterday. I can't believe how quickly the past four years have gone. I am looking forward to the next stage in my life. How crazy is it that CSBSJU class of 2014 will graduate in May and then we will all head thousands of different ways? Some of the people who helped shape who you are will be people that you will never see again. I always find that concept to be crazy. Obviously there will be many friends from school that I will keep in touch with but we will leave that for a different blog. I don't need to get all teary eyed in March when I still have two amazing months with these people. CSBSJU has a lot of events coming up that I hope to be a part of!

I think that is all for today. Have you noticed how beautiful it is outside? I might need to take out my glove and toss the baseball around today.

For all of you, I hope that you have a wonderful Monday. For those of you who always want Mondays to end just remember that you are wishing away 1/7 of your life. Time to start being positive and making Mondays better than ever!

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this. I truly appreciate it!

-J-

March, the best month of the year.

I don't need to tell anyone who reads this blog how much I love sports. Teaching and sports are the two things that currently consume a majority of my life. I teach during the day and then at night I grade papers and do some lesson plans while also watching sporting events. Sports are such a big part of my life that they make March my favorite month of the year. If you ask most people what their favorite month is, it is usually a month in the summer because it is warm or the month that their birthday is in. For me, here are some amazing things that make March great:

1) March Madness Tournament- Towards the end of the month of March, there are conference tournaments throughout Championship Week and they determine teams who make the 68 team field of the NCAA Tournament. After the tournaments conclude on Sunday afternoon, millions anxiously await as their team either makes the tournament or is on the outside looking in. Teams that are "on the bubble" hold their breath and hope that they were able to convince the selection committee enough to take one of the last spots. 1 spot doesn't guarantee you anything, but it at least gives you a shot. For the next couple weeks, teams travel to locations around the US, playing games in the morning, afternoon and evening until we have our final four teams. If you reach the final four, consider your season a success, because not many teams make it. The 4 teams then battle it out to see who is the National Champion of the NCAA. My favorite 2 days are the Thursday and Friday that begin the tournament. Games are on from 10:30-10:30 and many of the games end so closely. In the last couple years I can remember layups at the buzzer, 3 point shots in the opponents face, and half court shots that you would never in a million years think would go in. In 2010 we saw the National Champion (Duke) almost lose on a shot from Halfcourt that was so close to going in that my heart stopped dead in its tracks to this day when I watch the replay. I still don't know how it doesn't go in. Not every team makes it to the big dance, but the ones who do, have their chance for their "One Shining Moment"

2) Spring Training- The beginning of the month of March brings baseball back into our homes and even with the weather at -10, we can see that Spring is just around the corner. I am currently listening to the Twins Spring Training Game against the Marlins and I am picturing mid 80's and people in the bleachers. I am picturing many with a nice cold beer, a backwards hat, and items they are waiting to have signed. I see young players who are playing their heart out to try to make a spot on the roster and others who are just glad to be back playing the game that they love. The end of this March brings about the first regular season game against the Chicago White Sox. Many complain about our baseball team and the recent seasons we have had. I realize that they have not done their best but for me, every March brings back positivity. It might end up harming me in the end, but it is my nature. I just hate being negative. If I can be positive about something, then why not? I can't wait to get back to Target Field this Spring and enjoy some baseball games with friends and family.

3) Shamrock Shakes- If you have had one, you know why this needs to be included on the list. I will take mine without whip cream and a cherry though.

4) High school tournaments. Over the weekend I attended the MSHSL Wrestling Tournament as I do almost every year and it was another weekend of success. Rogers had 7 wrestlers down at the Xcel and almost made it as a team as well. The wrestling tournament is my favorite Winter Sport tournament to go to because of how intense it gets, especially on Saturday night when wrestlers are going for their chance at being the best in the state. Everyone cheers against STMA and Apple Valley because they always win, and cheer for the feel good stories. I usually don't attend the hockey or basketball tournaments but they bring many communities together to cheer for kids who are 15-18 years old.

So that is why I like March. I can't explain it but it is my favorite month of the year. Followed by July and then November and December.

In other news, this is my first day at Monticello High School. Today I just observed and got used to my new routine. Tomorrow we are started the executive branch with the 9th graders and I am excited to start teaching a different group of kids. I felt very welcomed because many of the kids remembered me from the fall. Many also commented how I looked way different because I was about 40 pounds heavier back then. Below is a picture of the wrestling tournament from over the weekend and also a picture of Cassidy and I from opening day last year. You have probably seen it as my profile picture forever but it just reminds me how close we are to warmer weather (even though Opening Day 2013 was Freezing!) Also, look how different I look!

Have a wonderful Tuesday! I hope to have a student teaching update for you next week once I have jumped into the classroom a little more. Thanks for reading :)

"If you never try something new, you can never truly succeed"

-J-