Anxiety

I'm a pretty easygoing person, but I have issues with anxiety.  This didn't really start until about 1.5 years ago.  Even during college and my first couple years of teaching, I didn't have a lot of anxiety.  Stress?  Yes.  But not a lot of anxiety.

I first experienced it when I was given a couple new responsibilities at work.  It was overwhelming, and the anxiety set-in.  I would feel it every couple of months, but I would get past it after a day or two.

For the past month and a half or so, it's gotten worse.  It comes more often and stays longer.  I can usually pin-point the cause of it, but sometimes I feel anxious for no reason.  For example--today. 

Here's a little of what I'm feeling...
Emotional Symptoms:

• Apprehension
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Blank mind (that's pretty normal for me, though) :)

Physical Symptoms:

• Pounding heart (This is the worst. It hurts.)
• Can't breathe
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Really tired
• Insomnia
• Wanting to cry...and eventually following through :)

I'm sure some of you deal with this.  What do you do to make it go away?  (Besides going on vacation to Hawaii...I already tried that.  I was care-free while I was there.  It was only a temporary fix, and it returned the day after I got home)

Sneak Peek

A lot of you have been asking for details on Hawaii.  Well, you're going to have to keep waiting.  :) I'm still waiting on pictures from a few others and haven't had much time to blog about it anyway!  Until then, here's a sneak peek of some great pictures Kelli sent last night...

We were spelling "KAUAI"...the island we were on for most of the trip.

A wishful hobby

I don't have a ton of hobbies.  Remember this post?

But I have a secret desire to start a new hobby...

Cake decorating!

I love watching cake decorating shows and looking up designs online.

I saw this over at The Crafting Chicks today, and I loved it!

I don't even have a cool phone or device that allows me to play Angry Birds, but I sure do love playing it!  I thought these cupcakes were so funny!

Anyway, I totally stink at it doing it myself (especially since I don't have any equipment), but it's so fun to me!

My only problem with wanting this to be a secret hobby is that I don't ever feel like I have an excuse to practice.  I might just have to start delivering them to random people.  Or maybe I can make it part of my Compassionate Service Leader calling.  What girl in my ward WOULDN'T want an angry bird delivered to their house? :)

Until then, I make random birthday cakes.

I made this little guy a couple weeks ago.  I had much greater hopes for it (on so many levels) :), but it was still fun.

 If I had time this week, maybe I would make a Hawaiian cake (remember how I'm leaving in 4 days?)

Maybe this one?  It's so cute!  Check out the volcano on top!

New Life Goal

Over General Conference weekend, I was truly spiritually fed.  I received a lot of personal revelation and answers to prayers.

But I also found a new life goal...a new mission in life.

What is it?

I'm going to get my picture into the conference edition of the Ensign!

I'm going to do it!  

Just wait!

It may take my whole life, but I'm going to do it!

I think we actually came close yesterday.  We saw the photographers walking around, and they were taking pictures of some kids right next to us.  I should have just asked them to get one of us!

Until then, I guess I'll just settle for pictures taken with my crappy camera and post them on my slightly-less-than-Ensign-quality blog.

My sister Natalie and her husband were in town for conference weekend.  Thanks to Mom and Dad for getting tickets for us!

 I was so excited that my friend Amber was able to come with me last-minute!

Things that make teachers happy

My life has been changed.  My amazing co-worker, Rachel, came in with a great surprise this morning.  It is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received.

What is it?

This!

Well, not this exact one, but it's a 10 key pad for my laptop!

I've only had it for about an hour, but it's changed my life.

5461897000000

See that?  I just used the keypad to type in those numbers.

So great!

Entering student grades is probably at the top of my list of things I hate doing as a teacher (well, it's right under talking to angry parents), so maybe this will make me like it just a little more!

Thanks, Rachel!