Tonight, I played in my first softball game ever. Heidi needed a substitute for her Friday night team, so I was asked to play. Even though I gave her a strong warning I had never played baseball/softball before, she still wanted to me play. So I did.

I learned that softball is fun. Sure, I was put in right field…but I’m okay with my level of suckage. (Although I did get a little ADD out in right field and was much more interested at the people walking by.) I never did get a ball in the outfield, which was no skin off my back…less opportunity for me to screw up. When it came to batting, I was more concerned about not hitting myself with the bat than anything else. Oh yeah….and avoiding injuries too!

The first time I got up to bat, I hit a pop fly and got an out. The next three hits got me on base. And I made two runs…one was a walk, but the other I got to run in. I was actually impressed I hit the ball all four times I was at bat, considering I have no idea what a ‘good ball’ looks like (”That’s what she said!”:) ). It’s amazing how softball can be so slow, then when you get up to bat, your adrenaline kicks in. I thank the adrenaline for the hits tonight. So in the end, I batted a .750…which is a great record. Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead!

Okay maybe not…this was too much not to play again!

Last night, I went to see EMFC (Eugene Metro Futbol Club) beat Juventus Primavera (from Italy) in a match over at Pape field. We got to the field an hour before the game to get good seats on the sidelines to take some pictures. The game was very good and quite intense. If memory serves me correctly, there were three yellow cards, a red card, and lots of fouls, some that were called and some that should not have been called.

Juventus scored the first goal in the first half, and EMFC came back in the second half to score two great goals. In the 92nd minute, an EMFC player had a handball in the box, which lead to a penalty kick. With the PK going in, it was tied 2-2. The crowd started to leave, but then the players were not exiting the field. The game went to a shootout. As each player took their shot and scored, the anticipation was rising. All five of the EMFC players had scored and now it was Juventus’ turn. The fifth Juventus player sent his shot way over the cross bar, clinching EMFC victory in the game. It was an interesting ending to the game…no other way to put it.

With Friday being my last day ‘official’ day of work, I started my vacation this past weekend. I was definitely ready for a break from work.

The start of my summer vacation started out with a trip to Beaverton and Salem. On Sunday, since it was Father’s Day, Adam and I hopped in the car and drove up to Beaverton to spend time with my family. We spent the afternoon watching golf and basketball, followed by a delicious fillet mignon dinner that was to die for. After giving Father’s Day cards and eating the Creme Brulee that ended up more like Creme Bru-soup, we drove down to Salem to Adam’s parent’s house.

Adam’s parents live out in the country on 12 acres is South Salem. They have a gorgeous house on a beautiful piece of property with spectacular views. I felt like I was at a bed n breakfast. We woke up to the sun shining on our faces through the window as birds were chirping outside. As Adam spent the day golfing with his dad for his Father’s Day event, I spent the day with his mom. We ran errands, went on a nice long walk, had an impromptu tour of Salem, drank coffee and went grocery shopping. We spent the early evening making dinner (and yes, I was put in an apron) and had a great outdoor BBQ, complete with roasting yummy s’mores at the conclusion of the evening. After a good nights sleep on a full belly, we headed home to Eugene.

It was nice to get away for a few days and I realized how important it is to get away once in a while. It truly helps with your mental sanity. Now I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. I still have a few weeks until summer school starts, so I am enjoying my time off while I have it.

I have successfully completed my 2nd year of teaching! Woo hoo!

Now I am looking forward to a nice relaxing summer!

I have reached the home stretch for the end of school…just a week and a half more until this school year ends. This school year has been a completely different experience than last year. I think that your first year teaching is always hard as it is year filled with trying to find the right things to do. Last year was extremely tough for me, but this year has gone by very quickly and has gone really smoothly. I am not sure if it is because I am a more experienced teacher or I have an easier class this year. It’s probably a combination of both, but it has been a fairly easy year for me. What I love about my job is that I am continually learning from my students and I feel that I continue to growth professionally each day. So as I wind down this school year, my mind is already thinking about next year…and what ‘fun’ and ‘interesting’ behaviors the students will bring.