Power Songs

Hello, New World!

As Heffe and I finish up week 8 of marathon training, we have found ourselves in quite the Midwestern Winter conundrum. It's cold as sssshhhhh and snowy and all kinds of White Witch Narnia. We can't run outside without risking super clumsy behavior and/or debilitating injuries. 

So. We get to train on treadmills! Yay!!!...  

I didn't know what I was capable of as a HUMAN until I had to train for my first marathon on a treadmill. Sure. It's easy to walk or run a few miles here or there, especially to warm up for a workout. However, spending 2-4 hours on a treadmill is a COMPLETELY different story. 

The first time I ran 6 miles was outside, and it flew by. The first time I ran 6 miles on a treadmill was torture. I've learned that during 60+minute treadmill runs, I NEED to get to a very very BLANK place in my own head... Somewhere between asleep and driving a long, quiet distance by myself... Oh, and I'm running the whole time, aka, trying to actually not fall off the machine, focusing on correct form, calm breathing, trying not to cramp, readjusting my clothing a million times because I sweat more indoors than out and my sports bra is leaving "vampire bites" on my rib cage, and wondering if those pains on my toes are blisters that will pop during the run or if I'll need to bust out a sewing needle to fix them after. If I can't get to this Blank Space... I'm stuck in the same place that wakes you up at 2:30am to ask you if you remember that time 3 weeks ago when you stuck your foot in your mouth, and wonder if your relationship with the cashier at Kroger will ever be the same. 

Something that I've found helps me find this Blank Space is finding RIGHTEOUS tunes. Nike+ (that I used to use) referred to these songs as "Power Songs". My Nike+ coach would say, "Tap a Power Song to get you to the next milestone." Don't mind if I do. 

Here are a few GEMS that are on every running list I've ever had. You are not allowed to judge or make fun of me for my choices. I'm sure whatever motivates you would not necessarily motivate me.

*The following list does NOT include some songs...  Thank you for NOTHING iCloud. I need to re-upload:

-"Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed" from the musical, Wicked

-"Immortality" and "When You Look At Me" by Celine

And... in no particular order...

Okay, confession. I did pick this Kanye song to be last. Music is the food of love! Play on, play on, PLAY ON. My eternal optimistic outlook hasn't let me down yet. My whole point is that even though my feet are gross, I have weird aches, and "vampire bites" on my rib cage... I have something no one can make fun of me for or take away from me... I have pride that today I am stronger than I was yesterday. Stronger mentally, stronger physically, stronger emotionally. It sucks for now, and hopefully the weather breaks soon so I can enjoy a few weeks of training before the race... But at least I know, that since I'm taking care of myself, it's not going to killing me. Some might think it's weird or even borderline masochistic... But I KNOW this is making me stronger. 

What are your Power Songs? What helps you focus through a tough workout or long run? 

We gotta help each other!

Cheers :)

My Ode to a Clean Bathroom

Hello, New World!

It's Thursday, and this is the middle of the 6th week of marathon training!

I've run 121 miles in the past 6 weeks, and am pretty proud to say that (as of tonight) I've only skipped 4 runs for a total of 22 miles. Not too shabby for a busy Sciato!

I'd like congratulate myself on being a master of the universe for the following reasons:

1. I've seriously cut the booze out of my life. There have been a few nights of excessive inebriation, but compared to the 2 week eating and drinking BINGE that was winter break, I feel like a new woman!

2. I have packed my breakfast and lunch, and I have cooked dinner at least 4 nights a week since the beginning of the semester. Since I've been running an average of about 20 miles per week, Sciato's been HUNGRY... but has been good, and made sure to pack lots of fruits, veggies, and protein-packed snackies for in-between meals.

3. I have stayed on the straight and narrow and kept up with my to-do lists at school. Fire drills keep happening, but it is what it is...and I have effectively put my foot down. I have set realistic expectations for myself, and I am holding myself accountable for only doing what I can actually do. Balance, balance, balance. 

4. I have had at least 100 oz. of water a day for the better part of the last 6 weeks, and can feel dehydrated when I have even a little less than that.

I have health issues, this is no shock to anyone. One of the self-diagnosed issues I have is what I like to call "hyperactive instantaneous dehydration." I'm clearly overreacting, but it is a little crazy. Whether it is my OCD out of my habit of drinking so much water, or if it is a real physical thing, my body acts differently when I don't drink at least 80 oz of water a day. It's bad. Like we're talking if I have too much coffee and not enough water to balance it out (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah), I feel hungover the next day. I feel it most in my stomach, and I get RLS, and my head ACHES when I don't drink enough water. 

So, I buy 2-3 gallon jugs of drinking water every week at the grocery store, and go through them all at school. I carry at least one water bottle with me at all times. I make sure to drink a FULL glass of water as soon as I wake up, and a FULL glass of water before I go to bed. 

All of this being said... besides the trail/treadmill, school, and my bed... the place where I have spent the most time in the past 6 weeks is...

Il bagno.

I have made ABSOLUTELY SURE to clean the porcelain thrones in my house every single week (if not more often than that) and I am ACUTELY aware of germs lurking in public places.

Ladies, I congratulate you on being the most disgusting creatures in the world. Seriously. It's sick. Having sore muscles from all the running 80% of the time only exacerbates the pain when trying to hold a squat for the amount of time it takes to get 100 oz of water out of my bladder. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to bow down to the ladies who have survived the teaching profession with fully functioning bladders. We DON'T get to pee whenever we want. It's a simple task that so many of us take for granted. Free flowing. It sucks and it sucks and it sucks some more. I can HARDLY EVER hold it for the 2.5 hours in the morning that I have my students without a break after morning coffee and about 40 oz of water. "Mrs. Kent, why are you sweating and walking funny?" "Because my legs are sore and my face is trying to sweat urine." #sciencelesson

My plea to YOU, New World...

IF YOU SPRINKLE WHEN YOU TINKLE PLEASE BE NEAT AND WIPE THE SEAT.

 WITH BLEACH. 

pleaseandthankyou.

I have yet to find a decently clean public restroom, but when I do... Oh New World, when I do... it will be like the end of a long run meets ice cream cake meets Friends marathon meets Justin Timberlake meets Pearly Gates.

Until I find my nirvana in an outhouse nutshell...

This is me, being over-hydrated me.... gotta run before I spring a leak...

Cheers ;)

525,600 Somethings

Hello, New World!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

This Monday marked the first week of FLYING PIG TRAINING!!!!!!! I have had a few crystallizing milliseconds of the imnotoutofbreathsoicanthinkaboutotherthings running groove lately, mostly about the transition into a new year. 2014 has been the hardest, but BEST year of my life, and even though I know 2015 will be even better, I cannot transition into the new year without acknowledging at least part of why 2014 was so beautiful.

The song, "Seasons of Love" keeps creeping into my mind as I continue to write, edit, and revise this post. How should I measure the year 2014? 

In daylights- 365. Easy. Funny how the only daylight that I really remember was on July 12, 2014. :) (Yup! That's our wedding day:) New World, did you know I got MARRIED this year to the LOVE OF MY LIFE???? :))

In sunsets- Heffe and I are in the process of collecting pictures of our most memorable sunsets to put up in our master bedroom

In midnights- How many nights did we stay up watching dvr-ed "Survivor" on Wednesday nights after Heffe came home late from class:) Doesn't matter- best night of the work week:)

In cups of coffee- This may actually be THE way to measure the year. Okay... 365 x 2 ... or 3.... or 4.... Don't judge me, New World!

In inches- Oooooh the measuring and re-measuring of rooms for new furniture

In miles- Well, I have run through 2 pair of running shoes (300 miles x 2) and my car reached the 100,000 mark :)

In laughter- The sound of my 4 nephews laughing is the BEST sound in the world! How many times I completely lost it laughing with friends? How amazing it is to hear the people around you laugh without reservation!!

In strife- As I sat back and reread my posts from the year, it was easy to see that this has been a trying year- dealing with family health and all its implications, my own health issues, the stress and anxiety of wedding planning, professional/personal life balance... it's been a tough year. However, I'm proud that even though parts have really been difficult and have shaken me to my core, I still try to have a positive outlook, and try to give 100% to all I do. Half-ass is NOT in my vocabulary!

Journeys to plan- OUR HONEYMOON WAS THIS YEAR!!!!! Most absolutely amazing journey to date :) Whenever I think of those precious 10 days Jeff and I spent together, it just makes me smile. :)

Truths that she learned- Wow. I think the biggest truths were truths about myself. What I'm willing to do, give, sacrifice, fight for. Truth about myself. It's big stuff, New World!

Times that [s]he cried- insert Kourtney Kardashian, "Why are you crying? What are your tears for?" It's no secret that I cry more than the average human new born. If it's not brought on by stress or booze, it's brought on by compassion or empathy. Or a really good Hallmark movie.

Bridges she burned- I sincerely hope I have not burned bridges in 2014. One of the hardest parts about moving to Columbus was leaving my great friends and amazing J23 family. I hope you all know that even if I have not done a great job of keeping in touch, I think of you ALL so often!

The way that she died- Jeff is definitely an "all things happen for a reason" kind of man. He helps me to realize that there is something for us to learn from every tragedy, and those that have been called to Heaven in 2014 will certainly be held in our hearts forever.

Well, as the song goes, "the story never ends," and even though 2014 was the most incredible year to date, the best IS yet to come.

Bring it on, 2015! You've got some big shoes to fill. :) 

Until next time, New World

This is me. Bein me. :)

Cheers. 

Word up!

Hello, New World! 

I've been pretty bad about blogging lately. So. For your convenience:) here is a Pinterest story to catch you up on the last month or so...

Sciato has been trying REAL hard to do this lately!!...

...So I've started taking this approach!!...

... But some people don't get it, and then my sarcastic pants come back on...

... And the ones that didn't get the last one are also probably the ones love to put raisins in evvvvverything. You know who I'm talking about! But why!!!...

... Than be surrounded by downers and negativity... Or eat anything that tastes like raisins...

... SQUIRREL/shiny things/wine/funny memes... Whatever!...

... I had to ask 2 people via text message which color of brown boots to buy this weekend... 

... Or anyone with an attention deficit and inability to make decisions lol...

... But at least I can appreciate a good citation....

... And a children's book at that... This quote and lots of quality time spent remind me constantly that I really have the best husband, family,

and friends... 

... And back to the beginning... I'm really trying to act out of intention rather than habit...

... Yes, I intentionally signed up for 2 major races this spring... Eeeeeeeeek!!!!...

... Which will make training a bit difficult...

... So I'm ESPECIALLY thankful for a husband who understands the entirety of training for a marathon, and will hug me when I cry because I have to run instead of eating pizza and nugs...

:)... To eat pizza and nugs with me...

... But training does mean I get to eat like a kid at a carnival for 18 weeks...

... The anxiety of starting training over Christmas, and Clark Griswoldisms of the holiday season are REAL... Which is why Scary Sciato has put on positive pants and will be the jolliest ------- this side of the nut house... ;)

... Gotta remember this. I'm only one person...

... And this is all that REALLY matters...

... So I can suck it up for 10 more days until I can sleep for 2 weeks straight. :)

Until Christmas break, New World...

This is me. Bein me. 

Cheers. :)

The Good

Hello, New World!

So I have had some extra minutes to dive deep into my curriculum this week. It couldn't have come at a better time. 

We are currently studying government. 

WHOA THIS TEACHER IS ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS. 

hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Psych. I promise this will NOT be a specific rant on current politics. (As my loving husband has assured me, this is a rant on behavior, NOT politics.) 

Anywho, I love teaching this unit. It really makes me see the simpler side of politics and how cut and dry it all seems for children. It's unbelievable. Their ideals are so raw and their hearts are so unselfish and they really really want to help others. They giggle when I tell them that sometimes working for the common good is difficult for adults. Their world is so simple. Even though it makes me feel jaded and very cautious about choosing unbiased ways of explaining... It's such a refreshing unit.

Two instances today made me CRAVE that safe and protected environment of my classroom discussions.

1. Reading Facebook today has really upset me. It makes me feel so embarrassed for others and their decisions. True, I have posted some stupid things on Facebook, and some immature pictures on Instagram in the past, but I'm talking about people who are older than me and don't even know each other, but are arguing over whether the other person's political "news" post from Buzzfeed was accurate. These arguments always ended in cursing and personal slams, which we all know is the only way we find out the winner of pissing contests.

2. I overheard some gossip today that I shouldn't have. This  made me think. Well, it made me anxious at first, to be honest. I suck at secrets and I hate hurting others and even though I'm guilty of it, too... gossip only brings trouble. 

As I've mentioned in previous blogs lately, I've been doing lots of thinking of assumptions. In the end... my Mom is right. (Yes, Mom... you don't have to read it again. I actually said that you are right!!!!) When we assume things, whether that is the outcome of a situation, someone else's feelings or motives, have our own agenda or expectation, or even when we have an emotional knee-jerk reaction... we make an ASS out of U and ME. 

To get back to it...

None of us are perfect. We are going to do and say things that don't reflect our true intentions. We are going to make bad choices. It doesn't mean we are bad people. We will learn that there is a consequence for our behavior, and there will always be an equal and opposite reaction for every action we take.

Which actions are we willing to take? 

My hope is that we are all willing to take action to defend the good. 

Not the common-for-my-group good. Not the common-for-my-generation good. Not the common-to-let-everyone-know-I'm-right-because-I-can-yell-really-loud-and-walk-all-over-those-around-me-until-they-are-nothing-but-a-doormat-and-I-judge-the-crap-out-of-them-for-assuming-they-judge-me-so-I'm-going-to-react-out-of-fear-and-false-sense-of-power-to-try-and-make-everyone-feel-stupid-to-make-myself-feel-better good.

I mean the common-good-that-will-nurture-this-next-generation-into-a-cycle-of-respect-for-all-and-won't-make-my-tiny-lessons-of-civility-and-compassion-and-compromise-be-for-nothing. 

We all have something to learn from these incredibly GOOD children. 

Until next time... let's all try to find common ground and defend the good in this world.

*Cheers*

Counting My B's

Hi, New World! It's been awhile. Here's a quick glimpse of the past couple months of my existence. In no particular order...

1. First quarter just ended at school. WHOA. 

2. Heffe and I went to see The Lion King! 

3. I have been babysitting twice a week. I absolutely love losing myself in kid land after NEEDING to be an adult in kid land... Plus, these kids are super cute. :):):)

4. I ran a 5k in October, and came in 30th place out of like a thousand. :)

5. I have rediscovered my love of the TV show, "Scrubs" on Netflix. Not that we don't have the DVDs... But Netflix is so much more convenient. ;)

6. Fall is birthday season for my family. Any excuse to eat cake and lots of food is good enough for me!!!!!

7. We finally got all our bedroom furniture delivered! And it's glorious!

8. We found out Matt the Miller has happy hour on Sunday nights. SUNDAY. NIGHTS. PEOPLE. 

9. I got some new Homage tshirts!

10. We finally transferred all 1,500+ wedding photos to our computers and external hard drive! 

11. I've been working at least one day (usually physically AT school) on the weekend. Pfffffft. 

12. I made a new running playlist, including new tunes! 

13. I made a wreath for our front door!

14. Heffe and I finally were able to spend some QT with our newest nephew/godson, Camden!  What a love!!!!

15. My PSR class had an All Saints Day parade this week- all my students dressed up like saints! Too cute!

16. I've decided to take time for ME and JUST ME and have been getting my nails done just about every week since school started. Whatever, it makes me happy!

17. I completely changed banks. Think about it and how much you have tied to your primary checking account. 'Nuff said. 

18. My class at school went on a field trip last week! Delaware City was so good to us!

19. Amanda and I threw a baby shower for our sister-in-law Chris!! She is due in a few short weeks!!! aahhhh!!!!:)

20. I painted one of our bathrooms all by myself!

21.  Janissa was honored to host our sister Aileen for an entire weekend!! 

22. We bought Twix for trick or treaters. They obviously had no chance at survival, and we needed to buy a second... and then third bag of chocolatey candy. 

23. I'm going to sign up for the Flying Pig Marathon. Eeeeeeeeeeee!

24. Online shopping is still just too much fun!

25. I have been to the dentist, doctor (twice), lens crafters, and have another appointment scheduled next week... In the past 2 months. I feel geriatric!

26. I have taught all 25 of my students how to appropriately use school-associated social media. 

27. Most Thursdays evenings are reserved for happy hours and/or catch ups. Most have been a combination of both with great friends. I am blessed. 

28. I'm channeling my inner-suppressed-collegiate Sciato and putting off the tedious work for a professional development class on new progress monitoring/report card methods. 

29. Despite it all, we have been to mass more than not since we've been married. 

30. Cheesy ending- I turned 30. Wwwwwhhhhhhat????

New World, how do you measure your life? These are some of the little moments that mean a lot... Not even close to everything that's impacted my life... But it's where I am. 

Until more elaboration of some said events, I challenge you to measure and fill your time, and count your b's... As a wonderful God-sent song reminded me this morning (I paraphrase), at all times, especially times of crisis... "I hold tight to what I know"... And Count your Blessings more than your Burdens. :)

Cheers:)

Ten on a Tuesday

Hello, New World!

Just a few scattered thoughts for you on this rainy and chilly fall evening... Yes, I'm holding onto autumn even though Ohio is violently throwing it out the window like burnt cookies. 

aaaaaaaaaand that's number 1. aaaaah, Xavier. I miss you! I miss seeing my friends so often!!! Autumn always reminds me of how beautiful XU's campus looks in the fall. Even though we all did stupid things at one time or another (hence my burnt flaming cookies out the window)... we all had the best freaking time. xoxavier

2. Jason's Deli makes amazing chicken salad. It's very light, and it has pineapples and aaaalmonds in it. Refreshing and doesn't make me feel badly for eating fast food after a quick trip to the gym!

3. Today was a new shoe day. Thanks, DSW! Well, I should be thanking myself- my rewards for shopping there too much bought me my new kicks, that did NOT make my feet hurt! win-win!

4. I'm wearing my Christmas fleece with snowflakes on it. Yes, I'm still hanging on to fall, but I'm a realist- it's Ohio, and the 10 day forecast is completely unreliable.

5. My "new" laptop is great... but the keyboard BLOWS. I have had it for almost a year now, and still can't seem to hit the space bar hard enough or at the right angle. And then I have to go back every few seconds and try harder. Irritating! Next laptop- I'll definitely try some typing out to be sure it fits my keyboarding style. #thingsithoughtidneversay #thisunusablespacebarmakesforeasyhashtags

6. Tomorrow is health screenings for my students. I'm SO relieved it's not for me. Like I need one more thing to induce panic attacks about my health- at work, no less!

7. This happened.

8. My students and I finished our read aloud today. We have been reading Rump by Liesl Shurtliff. I really thought some of my students were going to cry when it was over. It has truly been a magical journey, and I cannot say enough times how much I have loved reading this book. If you have students in grades 3-5, or are a teacher... please do yourself a favor and look into it.

9. I actually got up this morning when I should have, and ya  know what? I was less tired throughout the day than when I snooze for an hour or so. Even if I did do an abominable parking job in the dark when I got to school. Turns out- all those articles I've read on sleep studies actually might be true!

10. We opened our Halloween candy. Yikes. Bad Janissa!!!!

Callin it a day, New World! What random happenings have plagued your thoughts today? :) 

Until next time...

Cheers :)