TJ's Tumblr!

Just someone trying to do the best I can with what I've got. ************************** Okay, I wrote that description eons ago when I had no idea what I would be using Tumblr for. It's still true...but if you want more specifics, here you go: I love Jesus. I love my family and friends. I love teaching (most days...7th grade math teacher here). I love food. I love creativity. I love humor. I love learning new things. Tags I use the most (I think): education math growth mindset gamification technology in the classroom

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Since I don’t have any classes, I didn’t expect anything from students for #TeacherAppreciationWeek. This was such a nice surprise to find in my mailbox yesterday. 🥰 I like how she signed off: #fromthebest 😆

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This unicorn is 4 years old today! 🦄 #happybirthdayemily #alwayshelpful #maybealittlebossy #leaderinthemaking https://www.instagram.com/p/CqW3YCZLIeY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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We came home from #springbreak2023 #vacay to these welcome signs made by the little people! Their handmade work always puts a smile on my face. 😊 #ohheyvacay #seeyoulater https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_7QFVO0_k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 6 of #springbreak2023 #vacay (Part 5): Washington, DC The US Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress. 22,800+ steps today! Our feet hate us! We’re done! 😆 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9ANuMMCjz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 6 of #springbreak2023 #vacay (Part 4): Washington, DC TJ Memorial. (Thomas Jefferson…not me. 😆) (at Tidal Basin Washington DC) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp8_JozsCRt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 6 of #springbreak2023 (Part 3): Washington, DC MLK and FDR Monuments. (at Tidal Basin Washington DC) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp89--FMPok/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 6 of #springbreak2023 #vacay (Part 2): Washington, DC Today was about looking for cherry blossoms. These pictures are of cherry blossoms and the Washington Monument. (at Washington Monument, Washington DC) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp88d3EMoIc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 6 of #springbreak2023 #vacay: Washington, DC After sleeping in and having breakfast, we walked around the city—some stops were planned; others we just happened upon. First up, the White House and the Ronald Reagan Building, plus a few views along the walk. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp87TuVsqiW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 5 of #springbreak2023 #vacay (Part 3): Washington, DC Last part of the day was spent at the International Spy Museum. They give you a badge, cover identity, and code word at the beginning of your visit. You have a mission and several assignments to complete throughout your visit at the museum. The exhibits have stories from spies, info about the equipment they use, and moments in history where intelligence played a part. They also have interactive displays beyond your personal spy mission. Do you have what it takes to be a spy? I would like to point out that my dad quit after he failed his first assignment…but I fulfilled every assignment and completed my mission. I’m a great spy. (We won’t make a big deal of the fact that I had to use my cell phone to help me remember information… 😂) Extra bonus: I got 25% off at the gift store for being a teacher. In all, we got 18,500+ steps in today! We are worn out…but we loved the places we visited today! 😄 (at International Spy Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6aF-HMxG2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 5 of #springbreak2023 #vacay (Part 2): Washington, DC We spent the next few hours at the Museum of the Bible. I am actually surprised at how much we enjoyed it! It wasn’t preachy at all; it was a look at the history of the Bible and the influence it has had in so many ways in various people and areas of culture. My favorite part was the Scripture and Science exhibit. In one part, my dad and I each tried to take the 12th grade Bible quiz. We both missed 2 and got a B+. We are both annoyed with ourselves. 😂 We didn’t have time to go through the whole museum; I think we could have spent a little more time there. The only things that were cheezy were the names of the food places. We didn’t have time to eat at Manna Restaurant 😆, but Dad did get coffee at the Milk and Honey Café. (I made sure to get milk and honey in his coffee. 😂😂😂) #ohheyvacay (at Museum of the Bible) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6XGfrsyyO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 5 of #springbreak2023 #vacay (Part 1): Washington, DC We woke up early today, so we walked through the Smithsonian Castle garden to the Capitol Building. We made a quick restroom stop at the Smithsonian National Art Gallery before heading to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. #ohheyvacay https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6S_Hcsc-V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 4 of #springbreak2023 #vacay: Washington, DC We slept in until 8 am today! 😴 After a late breakfast, we visited Arlington National Cemetery. We saw JFK’s gravesite and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Later, we visited a few of the monuments: the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. After an early dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, we walked home last Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was shot. We came home, and I took a nap…at 6:30 pm. 😆 I hit 12000+ steps today! It’s been a while since I’ve even gotten 10,000… 😂 #ohheyvacay https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp3rHKVsBw3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 3 of #springbreak2023 #vacay: Toronto to Washington, DC It was a travel day today. Our flight from Toronto was delayed 4 hours, so we spent a lot of time at the airport. We did our Canadian food goals of poutine and ketchup potato chips. Dad entertained himself with K-dramas. 😂 We finally left about 6:45 pm. The plane was only a quarter full, which was nice. I got to see the view I wanted from my window seat—the bird’s eye view of the snowy city. I’m glad the weather kept me from spending money to go up the CN Tower. We arrived safely at our final destination. Welcome to Washington, DC. 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp1dj3hsLex/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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😂😂😂😴😴😴 Posted @withregram • @happinessproject https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp1I2e5suNJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 2 of #springbreak2023 #vacay: Niagara Falls We saw Niagara Falls today! We were only there for about 10 minutes. After we FaceTimed each of my sisters, Dad said, “I’m cold. Let’s go!” 😆 It was -5°C. We shopped a bit in the gift shop instead before heading to the outlet mall. 😂 We also stopped at a Real Canadian Superstore, just because I was curious about it. It turns out it is like a Walmart Supercenter. We got some Tim Horton’s ground coffee as a souvenir. ☕️ We ended the day with dinner with my aunt one last time before heading out tomorrow. #ohheyvacay https://www.instagram.com/p/CpyygZisQ7P/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Day 1 of #springbreak2023 #vacay: Toronto We landed at 12:40 am; the hotel shuttle didn’t come to pick us up until 2:45 am. We probably didn’t get to sleep until 3:30 am. 😴 We got up at 10 am to get ready for the day. Snow flurries all day! ❄️ I booked my first @uber ride! It went smoothly. 👍 We visited my aunt at her apartment and had a snack before going out. We got the chance to ride the subway 🚇, buses 🚍, and streetcars 🚋 of the Toronto Transit Commission. As typical tourists who don’t usually ride the public transportation, we took plenty of selfies. 😆 Dad wanted Filipino food, so we ate at @kabalentoronto. 😋 Then we headed downtown to see the harbor and have coffee and cocoa at @timhortons in Queens Quay. We walked a bit of the underground pathways that connect different buildings, business, and sub stations. They are lined with stores and places to eat—kind of an underground mall that connects to the subway. 💲 I was going to go up the CN Tower because I wanted to see the snow covered city from high up, but there was fog around the tower, so I figured it wasn’t going to be worth it. ☁️ We ate dinner instead at Kellys Landing near Union Station and the Fairmont Hotel. 🍽️ We took the UP Express back to the airport and then the hotel shuttle home. 🚉 We were so grateful to get to see Tita Harriet and spend some time with her. Thank you for taking us around today! ❤️ Side note: To all of you who live in snowy places…I don’t know how you do it. We dressed well for these temperatures in the 30s and were warm and snug while we were outside. But then whenever we came inside, it was so hot… And it was so much work for this lazy person to keep taking off and putting on layers… And I couldn’t shed some of the warm layers I was wearing. People who live in cold places have much more strength and character than I do. 😂 (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpwO_koMyPz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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We got to have lunch with my uncle and aunt before kicking off our #springbreak2023 vacation! ❤️ #ohheyvacay 😎 #leavingonajetplane ✈️ #prayforus 🙏 #itsgonnabecold ❄️ #toronto 🌃 #washingtondc 🌸 https://www.instagram.com/p/CptQuBhPMg1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=