WIAW: "We do need more Julies in the world."

Part I: Old standby workout & work
I'm back(!) to TurboKick. My sinuses are clearing up so I headed to one of my favorite instructors' class. Usually her classes are packed but not on Tuesdays when she teaches at a small studio. It felt great after a long cardio break.

Even better, work was great. I did a great deal of talking to our department head who told me I should get my special education credential. I then received a compliment from a student: "We need more Julies." The teacher responded, "We do need more Julies in the world." Thanks guys! :) Made my day.

Also, day 1 of wearing matronly clothes to work went well... except my feet hurt.

Part II: Today's eats

• Egg white oats with frozen berries
• Slice of Julian Bakery bread with sunflower seed butter
   
  (source)
• Amy's Southwestern burrito with lettuce

(source) 

After work, my cousin and I trekked around town to run errands for our moms and stopped by our favorite doughnut shop, The Donuttery. I wanted to check out any new flavors and lo-and-behold, vegan cake donuts! I bought a strawberry one and shared this much with my cousin:

Other buys: a can of pumpkin for paleo pumpkin recipes & Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Brownie Mix won me over with its single-serving recipe!

Part III: Back to school
I made a big decision over the past few days. Yes, days. Although I have thought about going back to school for awhile now.

Since I've been back in California...

• 2011 - Passed basic skills test (CBEST)
• 2012 - Received my California teaching credential and passed the CTEL/obtained the CLAD, which allows me to teach English language learners (big here in California)

*All of that means nothing to non-teachers I suppose. 

In any case, I mentioned how dull 2012 was. I worked at the same jobs, took a summer job at the fair, and made strides on paper in my career.

2013 needs something big to make it memorable. Now that I'm up-to-date on my loans, I'm taking out another BIG one to go back to school.

One of my January intentions is to apply for teaching jobs; however, unless someone retires or dies, a high school social studies job is hard to come by.

For awhile, I thought about getting my mild/moderate special education teaching credential. After a lot of inquiry and since I have all my ducks in a row, I chose National University, a local and private institution. Okay, I'll be honest, it doesn't have the "brand name," but it's an amazing deal.

• One class per month.
• Expensive but I'd finish in a year and some change instead of 3 years.
• Two more classes for a Master of Science in Special Education, which I'm doing.
• Online/hybrid/onsite classes though I prefer onsite classes. Online classes are more flexible though - I can still work my night job.
• More personal than the big names schools in Southern California. 

Okay, did I sell you on it? I always wanted to go back to school at some point so might as well do it now.

Off to watch "Pretty Little Liars" when it's actually on and edit a new ringtone. *Intentions for the day/week/month!

Does anyone else watch "Pretty Little Liars?" Some of my other favorite shows include "2 Broke Girls" and I just watched "The Biggest Loser" with Jillian Michaels' return last night.