|R E R O U T E|

It's 2015 and it's been over a year since I've updated this little blog of mine.

Where to begin?  2015 brought about a lot of change.  I'm not an indecisive person by any stretch of the word and I don't do well with inconsistency---normally.  This year has been full of inconsistent opportunities and tests (metaphoric and literal).  I got to the point where if a job I'm doing doesn't bring some amount of joy or happiness then it's time to throw in the towel.  Yep.  Towel thrown.  More than once.  More than twice, even.  Don't confuse this with giving up or quitting.  I'm not someone who does either of those and I don't mind working, I actually enjoy working.  Too much.  What can I say?  I'm a freak of nature with a plate that could feed a village.

I stumbled upon a job in the latter part of 2014 that was fiscally great, but mentally draining.  It was not my cup of tea.  It wasn't an industry I enjoyed.  I didn't respect the people I worked for and the bitterness grew and grew.  With a simple flick of the wrist I threw that towel in.  Never looked back.  That's the thing about throwing towels, or anything for that matter, just don't look back.  Unless it's a boomerang, you better look back and catch that.

Speaking of classrooms, I was a long term art sub for a middle school.  After a few discussions and the "Why not?" factor I decided teaching could possibly be what I've been destined to do.  I would get breaks with my husband, I could spend more time on my photography and I'd be working with kids, which I've always enjoyed.  I am certified to teach Art Education and currently getting certified to teach Special Education.  As it turns out, I don't enjoy tests now anymore than I did in college.

For as much as I love art and would be thrilled to teach art, come this fall I will be a Special Education Teacher at Overholser Elementary.  It was a tough decision to come by and certainly did not go without handfuls of conversations.  I literally tried to get people to make my decision for me.  I have a mile long pro and con list and even that didn't help.  At the end of the day, gut feelings are still the way to go.

So what am I doing?  I am an educator in the making.  I'm a photographer.  And for now I'm also working part time at Von Maur.  Because retail therapy is best when you get a discount.  Plus, we don't have kids.  No offense to those with kids, because I love your kids, but without them I'm able to add a lot more to my plate.  On the other hand my social life is basically nonexistent.  I underestimated the amount of time that I'd spend getting certified to teach Special Education and Art.  Apparently it's a good thing I'm "young," or so they say.  I've been forced to be very specific with how I dedicate my time.  Dinner plans...What are those?  Brunch?  Ain't nobody got time for that.  Mimosas?  Sure, I'd love 5, but then I'll fall asleep and forget to finish my papers. 

With all of this being said, I do wish for everyone to find their happy place in life and abolish any areas that don't bring you happiness.  Stop whatever it is that makes you unhappy and reroute your life.  It's worth it and from what I've been told, "life is short."

"Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey.  They don't need to, it's not for them." 

Pub Crawl

Last night Jon and I went to a pub crawl for a friend's birthday.  I have never been on a pub crawl, but I caught on quick.  Only one drink at each place and don't even think you'll be waited on if you can't keep up.  You will keep up or you will be left.  Pretty simple rules.

We (Jon and I) met the party goers at The Other Room in Paseo.  I honestly used to always go to Paseo, I still love it, but we've grown apart, or so I thought.  I haven't been to The Other Room since they had Hookah.  I like to hookah.  No shame here.  Do I hookah anymore?  Not really.  In my older age I've been scared off by heart disease and lung cancer.  Call me a wimp but neither of those sound fun.  I had a cider beer and off we went.  This was when I realized I better put some pep in my step because I didn't realize by pub crawl, they meant pub sprint.  Challenge accepted. 

We ventured down the street to Pizzeria Gusto.  As soon as we walked in I thought, "this is my kind of place."  I loved the atmosphere, the service and it's pizza, so need I say more?  I enjoyed my one Coop Elevator and thankfully we left before I had time to order food. 

The Pump here we come!  I've heard great things about The Pump and could hardly wait.  It lived up to my expectation and as it turns out nobody lied about it's greatness.  We played baggo, or whatever it is you call it.  The bean bag game, ya feel me?  Drinks were good, food was good and the company was good.  I could've stayed here and been a happy camper.  But it's not called pub stay.

Off to Grandad's we go.  First impression?  It smelled like vomit.  Which, I've learned from Bar Rescue means there's a fairly decent chance it could use a wipe down.  Service was nonexistent.  I was expecting it to be a house, it wasn't a house.  I've heard people go on and on about Grandad's and repeat their visits over and over.  I don't get it.  Maybe they meant Grandma's?  My grandad's house didn't look or smell like this bar so I felt lied to.  One bad margarita later, we began our hike back to Paseo.

All in all it was a successful night celebrating our friend's birthday.  I like pub crawls more than I thought and am so happy to be living in Oklahoma City.

Cheers, crawlers.