"Patience, grasshopper"

The best way to start with this passage is with a disclaimer; this will be by far the most random, often sad, but also uplifting post I've written, probably ever. The amount of change that has happened since my last post feels almost unbearable at times, but, as I've mentioned in this very same blog previously, I've got to roll with the punches, because life goes on. Never has my patience been tested as much as it recently has, which is something I need to do a better job at developing. I guess more than ever my patience has been put to the test.

First there's James. Now, I prefer to avoid talking publicly about private, personal things, so this won't be very detailed. The moral of this story is simply this; there are many things in life that I will never truly understand. One of those things is the ability of one human being to screw another one over, sadly, on more than one occasion. I guess for some, when the going gets tough (and even when the going really isn't that tough), it's easier to quit than to put in the effort. I guess not all people value relationships equally. Nevertheless, it's tough times that put into perspective the importance of friendships, and I'm ridiculously grateful for the friends I've got. That, and Alfredo has continued being the best companion imaginable. I'm convinced dogs are capable of gauging the mood of humans.

The only other piece of  this story I am willing to share is my ability to learn from the experience and move on. My friend Mark has said time and time again that the best thing we can do is take what we've learned and use the information when making future decisions. I think of this advice often. That, and I found a quote the other day that I think is quite powerful and also goes along with the theme of having patience: "Hold the vision, trust the process". It's just so true.

Now, usually when I'm blindsided, my go-to is changing other things in my life in an attempt to lift my spirit. So, I've rearranged my bedroom (and living room although that room is still in the process) - and yes, naturally Alfredo helped, and yes...

I ensured he still had window access...

I chopped my hair...

and I did the unthinkable. I took a random, last minute trip to Kansas City to see Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney with Nic, my bestie. The tickets were stellar... 

and so was the barbecue.

It really was a much needed weekend.

Let's just continue this summer in chronological order. After some ups and downs in the personal life, the same held true in my professional one. Last March, I became the Dean of Students at the alternative school in the district, and for approximately one month over the summer, I served  as acting while my boss was out. This included overseeing the underage students that were incarcerated, as well as overseeing the adult students in the GED program. I loved it, and when I say I loved it, I really mean I LOVED it. I was thrilled about working directly with students again, which is what I really missed while working in HR. Anyway, fast forward six months, and I was told that I was being promoted as the Assistant Principal at the elementary school. What an honor!

Now, I'm a few weeks in, which means I'm officially in Panizzo Pizzazz mode. However, the change was very difficult for me, having left the students -and some staff- I was ridiculously close with at the alternative school. I didn't leave without speaking writing from the soul, though. I ended up hand writing each of them a letter upon my departure. What a great group of students, despite many of their circumstances.

A couple of weeks before I knew I was going forth with the big transition, I let Alfredo hang out in my office for a day. It was nice having him there while I wrapped up final projects and prepared to train my replacement. He found himself right at home, which was fitting, because that's exactly how I felt being there. It really was a great experience.

At my final days on that campus, the students and staff really went all out for me. JJ, one of my closest colleagues there, purchased the biggest pizza as a going away meal that I have ever seen in my life. He even ended up ordering a side cheese, since he later found out I'm not into pepperoni. 

Another teacher allowed me to bond with his class pet, Charlotte, who I helped keep alive over the summer (sort of against my will).

Turns out, tarantulas are actually rather cool.

And then there's Cherry, who painted a sweet picture for me that now hangs in my office at the elementary school.

Pure love.

Switching gears back to my personal life, then there was Kevin, and before I start, let me just say, similarly to curve balls being thrown in life are also pleasant surprises which sometimes appear out of nowhere. Such is the case here.

I've known Kevin for years, sort of. Originally from my hometown, Kevin and I literally grew up less than one mile apart. I officially met Kevin while in 8th grade. He was a freshman at Crown Point High School, and my "boyfriend" -I guess you could call it- at the time, played on the same baseball team with him. I didn't really know him all that well in high school. For me, he was well known as having an identical twin, which, interestingly enough, was brought up by another individual originally from Crown Point (random) at one of the coolest little places in Flagstaff, Arizona imaginable. Anyway, back then I really could never tell them apart. I just knew Kevin was always the nicer one. The reason he is being mentioned is because over the summer, Kevin came to Arizona to visit his best friend. Naturally, I reached out to him and ended up meeting him at one of the greatest wild western places here. The journey  doesn't end there, though. He was brave enough to do the unthinkable with me, which was climb the highest point in the state of Arizona, Humphrey's Peak in Flagstaff. This is something I've been wanting to do for years, and none of my local friends were interested (for good reason). Knowing Kevin had never seen this particular mountain before, I knew I could sucker him into it. The experience was one of a kind, and in the grand scheme of things, I'm so glad he was right there with me. We have both been going through our own struggles in recent times, and therefore, it was much appreciated, despite the incredible challenge it took in getting there. If only he didn't live what seems like 58340200983467432 miles away. I'm just so grateful to have him and other great people in my life.

Now, reaching the summit was extraordinary, and the entire experience was life changing, in good and in bad. Moments after this picture was taken and we were headed off the mountain, I rolled my ankle, which resulted in a trip to urgent care and one of those robot looking casts for the last two weeks. Well that, and lots of ice, elevation, and wraps.

Another freaking total bummer. 

So, what's going on with me now?! Well, my elementary gig is currently eating up a good 12 hours days during the week, my ankle is slowly making progress, I'm doing my best to manage my time wisely -although the blog has been on the back burner. If you, the reader, knows anything about me at all, you know the inability to run is also driving me completely mad. On many days, I feel like Alfredo probably does lately...simply going crazy.

He hasn't even gone "bye byes" in so long, that I finally got him into the groomer, another area that was lacking.

I guess I'll finish this note on a good one: a stranger and brand new colleague came up to me the other day and said, "Things are going to get better". Until then, I will continue focusing on the positive, and learning to do something I'm not good at and also can't stand hearing, even though it's good advice. "Patience, grasshopper". Until next time, which I hope it's another 2 months from now.