{corporate to classroom} every child needs a champion

My favorite quotes from this incredible talk by Rita Pierson, an educator for over 40 years whose energy and passion for what she does is so evident in how she speaks about her role in the classroom, her relationships with her students, and the commitment she has made to providing them an education and the confidence they need to succeed:

"I gave [my students] a saying to say: ‘I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here.’”

"You see, -18 sucks the life out of ya. +2 says, 'I ain't all bad.'"

“Teachers become great actors and great actresses. … We come to work when we don't feel like it, and we're listening to policy that doesn't make sense — and we teach anyway.”

{lately} back from indiana

top row: 1) our duplex in Charlotte! 2) me & Ashley 3) Sophs in the bathtub
middle row: 1) Ben Rector concert <3 2) IU Graduation 3) A & me on Friday night
bottom row: 1) the McConnell ladies 2) me & Kels 3) the IU spread at the grad party!

Guys. Why did last weekend have to end?!

1. My brother, Clay, and cousin, Marissa, became the (I think) 11th and 12th members of the McConnell Hoosier Alumni Club on Saturday! I was on cloud 9 driving into Bloomington to attend their graduation. So many memories of that town. IU pride is so deeply ingrained in my fam - it makes celebrations like this weekend's all the more fun!

2. Speaking of IU, the first 332A (the house of girls I lived with at IU) wedding is officially on its way! Natalie got engaged this weekend to the most amazing guy, Nick, and I couldn't be happier for them. There is seriously no better match for Natty Ice, and it's been so much fun watching their relationship grow into all that it is now - through over a year of long distance, grad school, internships, etc, to their finally living in Albuquerque, NM, together now. I can't wait to celebrate their wedding day - it's certain to be the best 332A Reunion yet :)

3. Saturday night's grad party doubled as a mini-reunion of some great friends, one surprise, one planned! I'd invited and got to see Kelsey and her boyfriend, Jeff, and then my friend Ashley was randomly at The Willard and joined us for the party and for a much overdue catch-up!

4. Before heading off to Indiana at an ungodly hour on Saturday morning, A and I had an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING Friday night. We started with drinks at an Irish bar in Dinkytown, followed that up with Greek food and wine at one of our favorite restaurants, Kafe 421,  and ended the night with the BEN RECTOR CONCERT AT VARSITY THEATER. I don't think the night could have gone better in any way (okay, except for maybe the weather, but we'll forget about that) - Ben Rector was amazing live. I love his music and how you could see how passionate he was about it. And the way he interacted with the crowd was hilarious and fun. Varsity Theater is also just a great venue, making the concert feel really intimate. Seriously, guys. If you knew how much A and I love Ben Rector, you'd understand just how huge it was for us to get to go on Friday. I was sooooo happy! Did I mention the tickets were a birthday present from A? He's the best.

5. I stopped to see Kelly, one of my oldest friends, yesterday after taking A to the airport. She's 8 months pregnant with baby Wyatt, who is sure to be a handsome little man! It's so sweet to me how easy it is so start off right where we left off, as though hundreds of miles and way to may days between texts doesn't separate us at all. Love that girl.

6. Last night, my dad and I threw ourselves over the arms of our two leather family room chairs and enjoyed a glass each of Malbec together. I've talked before about how amazing my dad is, and every time I get to see him I am reminded again of that truth. How did I get so blessed to have him and my mom as parents??

7. I woke up at 2am CST this morning to catch a flight back to Minneapolis. Holy cow, I'm tired. I've got a big presentation at 3pm today, and then I may have to head home and call it a night. Oy vey.

8. I went to a Pampered Chef party last week hosted by Tristin and her mom, and now I want everything in their catalogue for my kitchen.

9. The kitchen I would use said Pampered Chef products in is in an amazing house in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte because we found one and got approved today! I'll be living with Haley and Laura and can't wait to move in!

9. I have 3 weeks left in Minneapolis. 15 work days. 20 real days. 3 Small Group nights. 3 Girls Nights. 3 Yoga Nights with Melissa. 1 weekend actually in the state. And then I leave this amazing (I'm choosing to forget the snow last Friday) city that welcomed me in and let me call it home for over two years. It's really setting in now that I'm moving, and my heart hurts a little about that.

{recipe} simple summer salad

I never thought I would say this, but sometimes, a girl just needs a salad. After a weekend filled with indulgences like brats from the grill, mac & cheese, jalapeno-corn muffins, pints of beer, mexican tortas, nachos, stuffed dates ... the list goes on, this past Sunday night all I wanted was something light and healthy to ease me back into my norm of healthful eating. But I didn't want something lacking in taste. If I'm learning anything about eating healthy, it's that I'll never stick to it if the food is flavorless and unenjoyable.

So A and I set out on Sunday to make a salad that would be healthy, filling, and delicious. I'd call our efforts a success!

{favorite things minneapolis} coffee shop lovin'

I. Love. Coffee.

Black coffee, to be exact. And that means it has to be good coffee because I don't turn my morning java (or afternoon pick-me-up - yeah, that, too) into a milkshake with cream and sugar. I just like it black.