Last week I took a little break from social media. With the beginning of school looming (I go back Monday) and a reminder from an old student that life is precious, I just needed to take a step back.
So how did I spend my time? Not that wisely, really. I should be living these last few days of summer to their fullest potential...but I'm not even sure I know what that means! I've just been doing what makes me happy.
I ran Monday and tried the Salted Caramel Gu, which was delicious and didn't upset my stomach, but I'm not sure if it really gave me the energy boost I was looking for.
5 easy miles...they didn't feel that easy. Thanks, Florida.
I received a letter from Jill Biden that made my day. I need to scrapbook everything from the All Star stuff, but I just don't even know where to start!
I enjoyed a second easy run Wednesday and laughed at the running advice below. If I followed this, 11 months of the year I'd be running two minutes slower than my usual pace. Hell, I wouldn't even be running because apparently running in 85 degree is "not recommended".
Yeah, right.
I actually missed my easy run Saturday...I have no excuse. But it was Matt's birthday! His dad and Tammy came and took us to dinner.
Shrimp and grits! When I see this on a menu, I have trouble saying no.
I spent the weekend perfecting my peanut butter and honey cookie recipe and printing photos. Some of our frames still have pictures from eight years ago...it's time to update!
Just the right combination of chewy and soft.
This is the first batch...I plan to get some enlarged to 5x7 and I still need to print more from Minnesota.
I signed up to test out Reebok running shoes and received my free pair Monday. I'll definitely post a review once I've tried them, but I'm a bit concerned because they're for neutral runners, which I'm not. I may look into exchanging them for a more right-for-me pair.
The Reebok One Cushion...I think I'm more a "Guide".
I made up my missed run from Saturday on Monday. (My plan called for two easy, so I did four over the bridge and called it even.)
I then went back to school to give a presentation to some new teachers. It was nice to see my colleagues and to slowly get used to the idea that summer is over!
It stormed so badly Monday that there was flooding in our area. We actually broke the record for inches of rain on a single day in August...if you consider the hurricanes we've seen in the past, that's big news. We got over 6 inches!
I borrowed this photo from the Naples Outfitters Facebook page...Matt paddles with these guys all the time, but not usually in the street!
That night, Matt and I saw Lucy. He had free tickets from donating blood. It was definitely not what I was expecting and weirder in many ways, but fairly entertaining.
Besides all this, I've demolished a few books and we've finally caught all the way up on Game of Thrones. Maybe I did spend my last week of summer to its fullest!
When does school resume in your neck of the woods?
For those that work through summer, do you still try to treat it as vacation time?
Monday night, I had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the beginning of the Rays vs. Brewers game.
Waiting my turn with my special ball.
Raymond wanted a photo with us, of course.
I was wondering if anyone would recognize me after my little TV debut. One of the staff members at the park recognized me in the security line and asked if I had been on the field at the All Star Game, so I guess that counts!
No one understood this sign, so my mom was able to explain to a bunch of people that I was throwing the first pitch; apparently they were all very excited for her!
I was really nervous, but had a wonderful time. The Rays put together a really nice slideshow with clips of the All Star ceremony and photos from the trip; an announcer read my bio from the All Star Teachers website. It was just surreal to be honored in that way.
Then, I walked out onto the field, took a deep breath, and let it fly!
I was lucky; I had been worried about pulling a 50 Cent or Carly Rae, but my "pitch" went right over the plate and didn't fall short.
Matt took video...it's short and sweet and I want to watch it a million times!
The professional photographer out there got frame-by-frame shots that I'll probably share on Instagram once I'm given my copies. Here's a really derpy preview:
It was daunting to be out there, but also really rewarding. It was the perfect cherry-on-top to this whirlwind of a sundae.
The game was a good one with some really exciting plays and some amazing pitching. The Rays won 2-1, and on our way out I heard a group of kids exclaiming, "Hey, I think that's the teacher! That's the teacher!"
Selfie with the fam. Dave (Matt's dad) and Nick (his fiancee's son) also came to watch! It was beyond rewarding to have them all there supporting me.
The head cheerleader!
Nick surprised me with a case for my new ball! Curt Casali caught my pitch and signed the ball for me, but his signature is hidden on the other side.
I think this event ends my 15 minutes of fame; I will kindly shut up about being an All Star Teacher now...promise!
Oh, except for this...in case you missed it, the All Star Teachers were featured in the August 4 edition of People Magazine!
Page 10...there we are!
And now, I swear...I'm done!
Are you sick of me talking about this yet? Because I'm pretty sick of myself! ABK
Check out my previous posts on the first and second days.
The final day in Minneapolis flew by. We met in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency at 7:30am and rode over to Target Field. We took the elevators down to the clubhouse level and the leagues divided. The AL went out onto the field from the 1st base entrance.
Here we learned that the ceremony had been practiced ad nauseam using stand-ins for all the players, coaches...and us!
Me and my stunt-double!
It was cool to see how the All Star Game is practiced beforehand; we got to hear the announcements before they were finalized and see how the ginormous flag is brought out. (Each strip is a separate section that's bagged up and stored individually; they clip together underneath!)
You know, this ginormous flag!
The AL waiting for practice to start.
We practiced walking on to the field. Imagine our surprise when we
realized that Idina Menzel was already there and ready for her
rehearsal! She was incredibly nice as we all broke ranks to take
pictures; teachers truly make the worst students. Once properly
chastised, we practiced walking a couple more times. Idina stood right
over my shoulder during the playing of the Canadian National Anthem!
Idina just hanging out between practices.
My attempt at catching her in my selfie haha.
From the ballpark, we returned to the hotel and got ready for the All Star Parade. But first, there was a surprise! Dr. Jill Biden - yes, the vice president's wife - came to see us. As a teacher, she wanted to show her appreciation and thank us. She took photos with each of us, and then with us a a group.
She gave us each a hug and was so friendly and wonderful!
Yes, that is the World Series Trophy. Yes, it is super shiny in real life!
The coolest part? She sat on the trolleys with us during the parade and watched the game with us in our suite!
I'm getting good at these "famous people behind me!" selfies!
The AL's trolley.
Anyway, the parade was maybe the most emotional part of the entire trip. As I waved at the crowds, I barely held back tears as parents and children shouted, "Thank you, teachers!" and "You deserve this!" and "We love our teachers!" Any teacher can attest that this kind of outpouring of appreciation is unheard of. As I made eye-contact with parents as we drove by, I could see the sincerity of their sentiments.
Click to view a video segment of the parade. I show up VERY briefly at about 50 seconds.
After the parade, we had a little time to eat and relax. I crawled into bed and had room service bring hot chocolate and coffee.
During this time, Matt was at the ballpark with some of the other winner-guests enjoying a special pre-party. When we arrived at the park, he found me as we filed through security. It was nice to get to see him quickly because my nerves were starting to set in.
In the downstairs clubhouse, we sat around and chit-chatted. It was so nice to just have a moment to sit and enjoy the company of the wonderful, talented teachers I was with. We got to work exchanging Instagram and Facebook accounts so we could stay in touch after the night was over.
Finally, it was time to line up. We waited outside on the ground level; seats of fans overhead shouted and waved. We were flanked on either side by children from the Boys and Girls Club who had been chosen to take part in the ceremony. If I leaned really far back, I could see Matt in our box overhead. We waved and blew each other kisses.
Waiting our turn. Can you spot my head?
Entering the field.
All set up on the field...for once being short paid off - I was front and center!
A cool shot of my giant head on the jumbo-tron. This must be what Godzilla looks like.
That particular shot was the one I kept seeing on Facebook as my friends took pictures of the TV and sent them on to me!
I kept doing this weird thing with my mouth because it was shaking and I didn't know how to stop it!
As the announcer began his spiel, we walked out onto the field. I spotted myself on the jumbo-tron and did a double-take. We filed past some of the MLB's greatest players. As Idina began to sing Bob Dylan's Forever Young, my lips and chin quivered; I did my best not to cry or look totally stunned. I had a clear view of Derek Jeter directly across from me on one side, but was too intimidated to hold eye-contact. (His eyes are super piercing and even bluer in person!)
When the song ended, I felt relief. We could clap and relax a little. We turned for the National Anthem and then exited through an archway of flags held by the aforementioned children.
Leaving the field.
Once inside, we cheered and hugged and made our way upstairs to our suite to catch the first pitch. It was here that I heard I had made it on TV for a good amount of time. My phone was going crazy with Facebook and Twitter notifications.
This was a favorite...Confirmed proof that although only like three people in Scotland watch baseball, we all made it on international TV!
Feeling much more relaxed!
I'll admit, it was hard to concentrate the rest of the game. I could hardly eat, even though the food was amazing. We kept getting called into the suite for pictures. Idina came up to take photos with all of us and Dr. Biden. During the game, Jackie Robinson's daughter Sharon Robinson (who is MLB's educational consultant) came to talk to us about Breaking Barriers. Hall-of-Famer Ozzie Smith was also in our suite and Matt got a chance to meet him and get an autograph.
Us with Idina Menzel and Jill Biden.
Sharon Robinson talks to us about Breaking Barriers.
To top it all off, the AL won the game for the first time in a couple years, so I was thrilled!
We all signed baseballs for each other.
Enjoying the game.
Rachel, David and I getting ready to part ways.
Saying goodbye to Jacqui and Gina.
After the game, Matt and I spent some time in the lobby of our hotel because that's where all the players were staying. I was able to meet Chris Sale of the White Sox and Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays, and we saw Robinson Cano, Josh Donaldson, and various other players. I wanted to see David Price (because, obviously, he was there for the Rays), but we never got a chance.
Chris Sale was incredibly nice!
Jose Bautista kindly took the time to sign autographs post-game.
The 30 All Star teachers; Jose Bautista; Chris Sale; Cal Ripken Jr.; Ozzie Smith. Guess which one means the most to me?
So what have I taken away from this experience (besides autographs)? That teachers aren't alone in thinking that we're crucial to the future. That there are actually those outside of education who respect and admire teachers. That I can rest assured that there are teachers across the nation (and Canada!) doing great things for their students and their communities. That maybe I need to learn to accept compliments and my accomplishments as what they are instead of trying to explain them away or attribute it all to luck.
I will never forget this experience. It will carry me through the hard days at work and it will help me to appreciate the good days. I will cherish forever the chance I had to meet these other teachers who put my meager accomplishments to shame.
I will forever be humbled and grateful for this experience. I will carry it with me always.
For the previous post about my first day in Minneapolis, click here.
Monday
My training plan called for four slow and easy miles Monday. After all the walking Sunday, I was excited to put on comfortable shoes and explore the city a bit. David, the Marlins teacher, had told me about the Minneapolis Statue Gardens, so I decided to run there and check out the park. After I finished there, I looped back and finished the run on Nicollet Mall.
I knew I'd reached the Statue Gardens when I saw this giant spoon!
The morning was perfectly cool and sunny. The second coming of the Polar Vortex had promised cold weather, and I was happy to take advantage of it. My legs were tired and heavy from Sunday's travel and activities, but I still finished with a faster pace than designated on the plan.
I loved this installation...the mirrors make you look like a ghost!
After my run, Matt and I walked to the Hilton for the All Star Brunch. I was wearing my "business casual" clothes for the day, but since my run a strong wind had paired itself with the low 60s I had been enjoying earlier. I was freezing! Still, sometimes we have to sacrifice comfort for fashion, especially when we might be on TV.
The yogurt bar was seriously amazing!
Look closely and you may spot Jim Kaat over my shoulder!
After brunch, I abandoned Matt and met the other All Stars. We were ushered into the conference room and led to the very front two rows of seats for the All Star Game press conference! We immediately began taking photos of the podium. No shame here - when's the next time I'll have priority over reporters at this kind of event?!
Me, Gina, Liz, and Brenda.
A little perspective...yes, we were literally in the front row!
Who said the Rays and Red Sox have to hate each other all the time?!
Unashamed-podium-selfie.
When the conference began, we were on our best behavior...which was good, because we were about three feet from some very important people in sports.
Felix Hernandez and his adorable son; John Farrell; Jackie Autry; Brian Kenny; Bill Giles; and Mike Wainwright.
After the conference, we had a bit of a photo shoot and then went over the logistics of the game and our time on the field. Then we had a short break, during which I found Matt and we had lunch.
Willy, Rolland, Paul, me, and Tom: the AL East!
Some friendly rivalry: the AL on the left, the NL on the right.
As an original Clevelander, I immediately liked Jacqui for her taste in teams!
That afternoon, we headed over to Target Center for a
service event. We helped fill backpacks for students in need; Target
provided 10,000 and we helped with the last batch! It was really
meaningful to have a hand in that, especially seeing all these other
volunteers who were giving their time to ensure that children don't have
to start the school year unprepared.
Filling backpacks with the Royal's mascot Sluggerrrr.
From the service event we went straight to Target Field for the Home Run Derby. This was the first we had seen of the suite we would be in...and it was spectacular. Not only was the view great, but more importantly there were heaters overhead. It rained and got into the 50s that night, so those heaters were greatly appreciated!
Arriving at the field in our personal bus!
Our view.
Not only we were served amazing food, but there was a dessert cart that must have been beamed from heaven.
I indulged in a little frosting before the real desserts showed up.
Holy deliciousness.
The derby was a lot of fun to watch, and afterward we trooped over to the gala to watch Aloe Blacc preform while eating more delicious food and walking around the Mill City Ruins.
Aloe Blacc himself!
By the time we got to bed, it was after 1am, and my day was set to start at 7:30. Stay tuned for the last segment, in which I discover what it's like to look directly into Derek Jeter's baby blues.
Obviously I'm not an even bigger Target fan than ever before. Why do you love Target?
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