Blood•Sweat•Ink

This pic was taken accidentally, and no, I'm not picking my nose. #amwriting #authorsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B-umS_6D-EL/?igshid=1xfnbvuyiu7vb

It's a view I've seen a thousand times, but it feels different today. To be invited back to @albrightcollege to speak on writing and publishing was so surreal. To think that I'd be the one giving the advice not ten years after graduation--at the Androne lectures, of all places!!--wasn't even in my wildest dreams. And to have my own students in the audience? Just an incredible feeling. I am thankful for every person in my life who helped me get here. From my parents to my teachers and readers and students, I could not have done this--any of it--alone. I hope I can keep making you proud. (at Reading, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9QUdjeFxS8/?igshid=1t1adx8q0erlf

Got a private visitation with the Sacred Oak today... so you know what I had to do. (at Oley, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ex_allQNa/?igshid=1kxd3t9z3m8ix

Finally letting go of summer today. I eased the pain by hanging copious Halloween decorations and looking at all the pics from my perfect summer. ❤ photo cred goes to the incomparable @katiebream #latergram #asburypark #goodbyesummer https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Z1BTbFbR5/?igshid=1qk1rgrn26fm5

And just like that, my fifth novel is done. It is short, it is brutal, it is unlike anything I have ever written before, and it hurt to write-- every page of it. But it is DONE. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MIiYWF3Cm/?igshid=1k5cc3vfq7m58

Crossed a few items off the bucket list last week... thanks to @yosemitenps and @sequoiakingsnps for the gorgeous views, @winestainedwriter for being a perfect travel buddy, and #theannenbergspaceforphotography for the hip hop exhibit (yes, that IS Biggie's crown!) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBNwvtFZ1Q/?igshid=1udy4coxt7zet

I'm going through books after watching #tidyingupwithmariekondo and her whole philosophy is to consider donating anything that does not "spark joy." I didn't quite know what that meant until I pulled this book off the shelf today. It's a copy of Emma that belonged to Mary Jane Androne, a professor from Albright who had an immense impact on me, not only academically, but politically as well. It still has her notes, and they are so precious to me. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWe7mrl_lB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kadjqv2xgjzr

Where do I begin? 2018 was a year of career milestones. I became tenured, got halfway through a masters degree, moved to teaching high school, began training to become a technology integration coach, and planned my first field trip (to NYC to see To Kill A Mockingbird in its Broadway debut!). And it all pales in comparison to what really matters: my kids. If I have ever taught you, know that you've left a mark on my heart forever. Now there's one on my wrist to match it. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsMO8ull830/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11hbcji4c58t5

This is my old piano. Right now it's so cold the keys don't work right, but I love her to pieces anyway. When I'm not grading or writing, I'm pretending I actually know how to play an instrument. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqvWqxcF6n1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t1k1lerlhch2

You could sit with me, but there's not mushroom. . . . . . . #puns #wonderworldnyc https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp8MeaaFxKu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8rtekg74n8mi

Missing Colorado today... (at Rocky Mountain National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpTBH3thl7D/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gv2lfi03zhc5

It's my special guy's special day. 1 whole year of love and life. ❤ https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDgg5mBwE_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d41zd7dy7if0

Hopping on the #inktober bandwagon but with a twist! I'm using the opportunity to work on some tiny poems. #poisonous https://www.instagram.com/p/BoaeV_fHB3D/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=40hq9pczfthj

I guess you could say I had a good weekend. ❤❤❤ https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKimW4hJcE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ieyfcveksqvr

Went on a mini hike today with my favorite guy. ❤ Time in the woods can fix just about everything. (at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnQDAyFHvwG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=111agw3jiisxr

❤Teddy appreciation post❤ My little love is always moving, so I have hardly any pictures of him. But here he is!

Surprised my mom with a trip to Cornell to see the witch's gazing ball from The Wizard of Oz. My favorite pic is of her seeing the ball... she's a little obsessed. (at Cornell University Library - Rare and Manuscript Collections)