[you know where to find me]

my autumn looks like this...

my master teacher, a fiery little redhead whom i love.
fun halloween costumes.

starbucks.

newfound addiction to salads and baked goods.

wearing boots, pretty much every day.
eating in n out with the davis family.
being able to sleep 8 hours a night.
student teaching about 40ish amazing 5th graders.
michael jackson's "this is it." <----go see it.
dj'ing middle school dances.

soaking in views of san francisco as much as possible.

sleeping.

if you're wondering where i am...i've been right here, all along :)

[core values]

I recently was asked what my core values are.
My first response was, "I don't freaking know."

However, the more that I started to self-reflect, it has become clearer and clearer what I believe.
There's plenty that I have to say about each of these beliefs, but here's the short of it.


I believe in dancing.
I believe in green.
I believe in grace.
I believe in the pleasure of alcohol.
I believe in law.
I believe in laughter.
I believe in family.
I believe in healing.
I believe in priorities.
I believe in music.
I believe in literature.
I believe in service.
I believe in the church.
I believe in friendship.
I believe in living a life that demands explanation.
I believe in acceptance.
I believe in children.
I believe in God.
I believe in this world.
I believe in love.
I believe in respect.
I believe in joy.
I believe in faith.
I believe in life, and I believe that each day brings a new lease on life.

[wild rumpus]

i can't wait.

[my favorites]

this one time,

my best friend got married.

gorgeous day.

pretty much straight gangster.
my boyfriend's on the right.


...really special boys.
who wanna be like the girls.



super fun bridal party.
that's what happens when it's a bunch of good friends.


lovely wedding site.

and my favorite picture of the day:
:)

[sweet 16]

26 new children have moved into the depths of my heart.

I've long said that children are the heart of my heart, and that I can name at least 20 that have permanently touched my life.

There are even more now.

They are the students of Room 16, at Thousand Oaks Elementary School, in Berkeley, California.

(this is a picture of the opening walkway, I guess you could say
the entrance of the school.
underneath the bridge-like thing, there is a massive and
colorful painting of a world map.)

Berkeley works to ensure that every elementary school has kids from varying backgrounds, so that there isn't a "rich" elementary school, or vice versa.

This 5th grade class is a perfect example of that.

I am the student teacher, serving alongside a dynamic and amazing master teacher.
Her name is Jeni, and yes, that's what they call her.
They call me Gaby. Good times.

Our class, our fearless group of Room 16-ers, our little global community, is so stinkin diverse.
I love it.

Each and every child is unique, carrying with them their own cultures, race and nationalities.
Most of all, their personalities make them all special.
little grownups.

It totally trips me out.

And it's a beautiful thing.

Viva Fifth Grade :)

[labor of love]

Labor Day Weekend has arrived.

Coop and Phil Lebrecht come into town tonight.
I'm taking them to Fenton's Ice Cream, yums.

My sister and her Scotty come in late tonight.
I get to see them tomorrow and Monday.

Ashton is marrying Jordan Smith this weekend.







Bridesmaid Time, Round 4.

I'm so excited to see everyone who is traveling up for the Smith/Heath Extravaganza!!

"Let's dance, let's shout, shake your body down to the ground..."

Time to celebrate good times.

[happy day]

happiness...
When you feel it, it truly just seeps from your pores.
It overflows from within you, over into every part of your life.

and why wouldn't I feel happy?
my best friend just got married
i got a tutoring job
i have a second interview for another dream job on wednesday
i'm back in the bay area
i start school full time for my future dream career in a few weeks
i am tan
my friends are awesome

and I have someone
that's right kids, i'm officially spoken for, off the market, call it what you will.
<3

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment baby sing with me
I love peace for melody
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved