June Recap
Written while pushing Gracie's paw off the keyboard every few minutes.
Hales’ Happenings
What I’ve been up to
I finished my sixth year teaching! The transition from school mode to summer mode can be tricky, but here’s how I fought the summer blues early on:
I celebrated with my amazing co-workers!
Mr. Peterson is moving on to bigger and better things, so we had one last night of beers and bowling at Bryant Lake Bowl! He was my first Kenwood teacher friend, bike to work buddy, and doubled as my classroom handyman. We lost a good one. Catch him on next year’s firefighter calendar.
Retirement parties complete with decked out walkers for a good laugh.
Last day of school tradition: crying in a local ice cream parlor while reminiscing about favorite students and memories from the year.
I attended an awesome teacher training! The best thing about elementary teachers leading trainings is that they’re experts at making boring things seem less boring by playing lots of games and facilitating meaningful conversations. We even played tag games outside before our lunch breaks! One of my favorite co-workers hosted me for lunch on her porch each day and we picked cherries from her tree. How magical is that?
I’m trying out a new way to structure my summer days. Each day, I do something for my mind, something for my body, something I enjoy, and something relaxing. The something relaxing is usually a nap or five.
Emily bought the cutest little condo in my neighborhood! It’s been so fun having a good friend only a few blocks away. We’ve been enjoying biking to book club together, meeting up at neighborhood cafes, and taking advantage of the carpool lane!
My dad and I competed for most hole-in-one’s at the Puttery in downtown on Father’s Day. We tied with six each. Like father, like daughter.
I got to meet Allie’s baby girl, Sadie, and Meg’s baby boy, Everett. There is nothing more impressive than watching my friends become mamas!!
Lis and I planned our own cocktail crawl through Northeast Minneapolis and the North Loop. We started at Meteor, a James Beard award-winning dive bar known for their craft cocktails and the best damn hot dog I’ve ever eaten. We ended the night at Public Domain, a menuless cocktail bar with some really talented bartenders that create drinks based on your ~vibe~ for the night.
5 star reviews
What I’ve been loving
The avocado margarita at Nico’s Tacos- don’t ask questions. Run!!
My backyard- okay, she’s probably not a full 5 stars yet, but she’s come a long way. New grass, more plants, and help from mother nature’s daily rain showers have her in full bloom!
Mineral cocktails- 1/4 cup aloe vera juice, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice (or whatever you like), ~10-12 trace mineral drops, and a pinch of celtic sea salt. Great for after flights or if you’re constantly in a state of dehydration like me.
Hot Yoga- after a 4-year hiatus, I finally made my way back to my mat! I was so excited to return that I signed up for back-to-back-to-back classes my first time back in the studio and couldn’t walk for a few days. I’d somehow forgotten that hot yoga feels like navy seal training. (ps. I have buddy passes, so come get sweaty with me!)
Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish- I listen to this song 100 times a day. Minimum.
Things I Googled This Month
Simultaneously hilarious and humbling
“break dancing olympics 2024”- are we excited about this addition to the summer Olympics or what?! August 9th and 10th!
“how to become a stunt double”- researched after watching The Fall Guy. Mad respect.
“best beef jerky Minneapolis”- took a tour de South Minneapolis in pursuit of the perfect fathers day gift. After sampling from several meat markets, Finer Meats and Eats was the clear winner.
“nail pitting causes”- google says I’m dying, but my teacher friends reassured me it’s just stress. Phew.
“basic facts about the Czech Republic”- had a meet cute on the pickleball courts with a boy from across the pond. Studying up in attempts to sound like I know anything about the “heart of central Europe” (see, it’s already paying off).
“how woodpeckers protect their brains”- needed photo evidence during our bioengineering unit to show my students how they wrap their tongues around their brains when pecking… which, fun fact, helped inspire the invention of football helmets.
“The Funnies”
My mom mails me newspaper comic clippings like best friends dm each other memes…
See you back here next month!
Much love <3