Passion

Hi y'all,

Passion. The word that so many people are trying to find. I can't tell you how many times in college I was asked, "what's your passion?" or "what are you passionate about?". I get it now because that is what helps you figure out your potential career. However, what I'm passionate about now is much different than it was two years ago when I was fresh out of college.

When I was in my last semester, I thought about starting my own social media business. Then I realized I would have to do all the things I don't like: work all the time and live in a big city. Now, my hometown is a college town, thus about a quarter of the population isn't here four months out of the year.

Now, I can fully say my passion is in education. Both myself and future generations of children. Knowledge really is power.

After working a job that I lost my passion for, finding it again has been key to my success. I have maintained a 3.9 GPA in my program and have passed all of my tests so far on the first try (still waiting on the last one).

When I was thinking about my passion and how I found it, I also thought to myself you know what didn't prepare me for this? High School. I never took a career aptitude test, ever. The only time I took one was when I was already considering going back to school and I took one on the community college's website. Sure enough, teacher was the first suggestion.

I won't say my passion was easy to find. I did struggle and it took some time (and two bachelor's degrees, but who's counting?). However, I'm grateful for my story and I know that I am more passionate about teaching than anything else and I will continue to be thankful for my journey even when I have my own classroom.

What's your passion?

with southern grace,

Lindsey

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Plan Perfectly with The Day Designer

Hi y'all,


I absolutely love this planner. I cannot say enough good things about it.

I was a tried and true Lilly Pulitzer planner user before I found the one. Honestly, I think if I had known about the Day Designer in college, it would have been a game changer for me. In fact, I've used it throughout all of my teacher licensure program and I can say I feel much more organized and on top of things.

I felt like my Lilly Pulitzer planners left a lot to be desired as I became older and outgrew the whimsicalness of the planners (not that I don't love Lilly Pulitzer, just feel like I needed a more adult look for my planner).

I even took it with me last summer to visit my college roommate and brought it with me. She liked it, so I bought it for her as a gift, and she had already bought it for herself. Needless to say, I jumped on getting us both one again this year.

Last year, I had found out about the Day Designer right before the new ones by Blue Sky came out at Target. I hopped on it y'all.

Little did I know, I wasn't planning effectively. But, that all changed.



This was by far a great decision. I did buy an identical one for my roommate as well.

I have actually found the daily planning super helpful because my life changes daily.

This is what a monthly layout looks like in this planner:



And the daily layout:



This year, I bought one from a shop when the regular yearly planner went on sale.
I bought the Blue Tile print for myself and the Palms one for my college roommate.



The monthly layout is a little different in this one, and it did take some getting used to.



And the daily looks like this:



I think I like having lines in my planner on the monthly (like in the Blue Sky one). I also think I like having 30 minute blocks instead of just hourly.

I do like the fact there is the daily scheduler, and I cannot wait to use it as a teacher (again I think the 30 minute blocks would benefit me more as a teacher) versus as a student.

I definitely think I'll be sticking with the Day Designer though.

Have y'all tried the Day Designer? Other planners? What's your favorite?

with southern grace,

Lindsey

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First Day of School!

Hi Y'all,

There is no case of the "Sunday Scaries" over here! Why? My first day back at my elementary school is tomorrow and kiddos come in on Tuesday! This means everything picks back up between the two jobs and going to school full time. That's ok though.

I'm also super excited because tomorrow starts the Lilly Pulitzer Sale! I've always been a huge fan (I still have some of my "minnie" clothes (what Lilly refers to as little girls). Its been hit or miss with a lot of patterns for me recently, I'm really missing "old" Lilly (the more classic designs), but I always fall in love with elephant prints.

Make sure to follow on twitter, instagram, bloglovin, and snapchat (links below) to stay up to day on everything (and see what I get from the Lilly sale, first!)

See y'all soon!

 with southern grace,

Lindsey

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Life Update Mid 2016: Let's Try This Again

Hi Y'all,

I figured it's about time I gave y'all a life update since we're (over) halfway done with 2016.

I took another break from blogging to readjust to school, two new jobs, etc. While yes, it seems like excuses, I felt it was necessary and it really paid of GPA wise.

So, now for the big question: where am I in life?

(c) with southern grace

Well, I've finished my first semester of my Teaching Certificate program, and I officially have two semesters left of actual classes before I student teach next fall (Fall of 2017). I'm trying my hardest not to take any classes next summer so I can earn/save some money during student teaching. I've been working toward this since the end of 2015 so needless to say I'm happy there is an end in sight and it's getting closer.

I had some goals I wanted to accomplish this year and I'm so happy to say that I've accomplished some of them completely! Others are definitely still a work in progress...

          1. Fitness

  --Workout 3 times a week.
  --Drink more water.
       How do I hold myself accountable?
         --Tracking with apps
         --Online programs like Blogilates and ToneItUp
         --Going to the occasional class
2. Happiness
  -- Incorporating more fitness.
  --Write down three things that make me happy at least three times a week.
  --Blog more--2 times a week.
       How do I hold myself accountable?
         --Writing it down.
         --Blog posts are public for the world to see.
         --Planning ahead
3. Career
  --Take classes toward teaching license.
  --Take and pass tests (VCLA and Pracis Math).
  --Apply to post-bac program (by end of April).
  --Volunteer at elementary school.
  --Apply for TA position.
       How do I hold myself accountable?
          --Studying (for classes and tests).
         --Working hard to be able to afford said tests and classes.
         --Finish everything for application far in advance (hopefully by the first week in March).
         --Setting small goals to help reach the bigger ones.

Obviously, I haven't accomplished some of these goals, but I have accomplished all of the ones that are highlighted. Essentially, career wise, my goals are definitely getting hit. However, in the more "self pleasing" categories they aren't. It is definitely my intention to start working more on these as it is only going to hold me back in the long run. 

So besides classes and work, what have I done this summer?

Well, I squeezed in a trip to visit my college roommate who is going to be a 2nd year med student this fall. I've also done a ton of (unnecessary) shopping. Like I have a problem, ok? The first step is always admitting it. I've also managed to survive a minor/somewhat major computer problem even with a not so great solution, it still functions so all is good there. I've managed to pretend puppy shop. Literally, besides a vacation when I finish school, I'm getting a puppy. 

While my original goal was to blog twice a week, I think I'm going to take it to once a week since I've been pretty terrible at posting so far. However, that just means the content will be even better! My goal is to post every Monday. Make sure to go to bloglovin' and like withsoutherngrace so you stay up to date! I'm already starting to make a running list so y'all can tweet me, or email me with any requests!

 with southern grace,

Lindsey

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