I've Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day

Recently I've taken up yoga and soon thereafter took a severe liking to the entire concept of it. I took yoga back in high school but that was a one time deal and didn't start again until about seven months ago. I immediately pictured myself become a hippie yoga-girl, smelling of incense and being constantly aware of my breathing deeply and properly. During the rough months of this past winter yoga kept me going, kept me alive and warm. Going twice a week, by myself, while the instructor played some of my favorite songs by my favorite artists- I nearly lost it when she started one class with "American Baby Intro", one of my faves- really gave me a chance to focus on me and only me. That sounds like a rude, selfish thing to say, but when much of my energy was exerted on making other people happy, it was time to focus on myself. Yoga allowed me to clear my mind for at least the time being, it allowed me to put down my cell phone, lay still, and treat my body well. The

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." -Albert Einstein So far, so good. It's been five school days and almost as many "snow" days to begin my first real world j-o-b. I run around the school like a little duckling, trying to find my way around while carrying my map and my schedule. Similar to the first day of high school, except that the other kids around me are much younger than I. Teaching has been my passion for more years than I can remember. It is with sincere thanks that I offer to Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer for really and truly inspiring me throughout years of my own education, through my own schooling. I remember sixth grade fondly. It was undoubtedly the most fun I've ever had in school. After a tough fifth grade teacher, I was thrilled to see that I had Mrs. Lockwood the following year. I had class with some of my closest friends that I met a few years prior, and the memories of us togethe