Blog

11/9 Monday

Today is the first day of online learning. How are you feeling? Overwhelmed? Annoyed? Upset? Be present and recognize how you actually feel. How does your body feel? I know this morning was hard for me to get up. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep. I hated the thought of getting to school and knowing no one would be in the building except staff. I miss all of the students! It’s not the same at all. The halls are quiet, no screams and laughs from students and my tummy hurts. Here are some things I’ve been doing to help calm myself: praying (Hail Mary’s, Divine Mercy Chaplet), deep breathing, and meditating.

11/10

Today is the second day of virtual learning. It’s still hard for me go down the halls and not hear the students voices. Last night when I left for home I almost teared up. This year has been hard. Not only because I’m a first year counselor, but because of a global pandemic. It stinks! I just want everything to go back to the way it used to be. I’m sure you do as well. I guess we have to lean on each other together. “Stronger Together”. I’m here for you! You’re not in this journey alone. The staff at Regis miss you very much! Go Royals

11/11

Happy Veterans Day!!! Growing up this day was my least favorite. My Dad fought in the Vietnam War and he volunteer with the Legion in my hometown. We would have a ceremony at school where the veterans would come talk about what it meant to them, do taps and the 21 gun salute. I hated that part. I would bawl every time. The loud noise of the guns going scared me. Still to this day I can’t handle funerals and cemetery ceremonies that full military rites. However I very thankful for my Dad and so many of my friends and family for fighting for this country. I wouldn’t have the luxuries I do. So thank a veteran today! They could use that shoutout, hug or card. And please pray for my God brother Eric. He’s serving overseas till July. He misses his family terribly and I miss him as well.

11/12-Fourth Day of Online Learning

How are you guys doing? Are you getting burnt out from being online all day long? Are you ready to come back to school? I’m going to be honest. I really want you you to be back here in the building. It’s so so so quiet without all the laughter, weird noises, and chatter going on in the hallways. My office is open and I feel like you could hear a pin drop. I know this is hard and it’s not fun. I pray every night we can safely return soon. I pray for your well-beings, your safety and health as well as all the families. I know this year has been crazy, and unlike any other but we’ve done some amazing things. We’ve become closer as humans, made connections over phones calls, Zooms, and FaceTimes and we learned what it means to be a family. I say this all the time to my friends I truly believe God wanted this time of pandemic for us to become a little closer to the people we love. Some days we need to just slow down and find the blessings we have rather than the wishes we want. I’m here for you! The whole staff at Regis is here for you! Take care of yourselves!

11/16 2nd Week of Online Learning

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I’m sorry I didn’t write a blog on Friday. I wasn’t in school. I was taking my health as a priority that day. I don’t always do that because I’m always taking care of others. However, Friday was a day I needed to take care of me. That got me thinking of some ways to take care of ourselves during the pandemic. One thing I did was spent time with my Mom. I went to Dubuque for a night, and watched football. I needed to see her and just enjoy home. I did. I talked with Mom, ate clam chowder soup, and slept in on Saturday. Spending time with family can always bring your energy levels up. I spent time just resting. I slept quite a bit. I needed it. I felt so good after I woke up from a nap. Those two simple things just made me happy. What are some things you can do to bring your energy levels up? Pray, sleep, eating healthy, or exercising. There is not a lot we can control right now that is going on in the world. However we can do our part by taking care of each other and ourselves.

11/20 No School/Teachers Learning

I hope you take today to relax but yet catch up on homework and study. With that being said you might not have school, but the teachers are in the building planning lessons, grading work, and working together to figure out ways to teach the students with the new hybrid model. Give those teachers grace these next couple of weeks they are learning just like you have been. My tip last time was to make sure you are praying, sleeping, eating healthy and exercising. I think this week my tip is just breathing. I know you regularly breathe. However, use apps such as Breathwrk, Headspace, or Calm. I use Calm quite a bit if I can’t sleep. It has features where you can listen to a bedtime story. It has other features on there that you can check out. If you need help finding more apps to help with anxiety, calming strategies, etc let me know! I love find those sort of apps!!! Have a good weekend!!!

11/24-Last Day before Break!

Wahooooooo! We made it!! I can’t wait to see my Mom and sister and spend time with them. I can’t wait to eat mashed potatoes, turkey, and pumpkin pie. I’ve been waiting for this week all month. I know this year is not normal. I won’t be able to see my cousins, or play Up the River Down the River, or go on walks after I’m stuffed to the brim. However, I’m going to focus on the things I do have. My suggestion this week or sometimes this weekend is to express your gratitude for the things you have. It’s so hard to get caught up I wish this year was different, but there is so much to be thankful for. Focus on the people in your life that has helped you, focus on the loyal friends you have, and focus on your family or your pet. I’m thankful for many things this year, but mostly for Regis. I’m thankful for my first counseling job. I’m thankful for the people who love me for me. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving! If you need me at all please reach out!! Take care!