Revival

I haven't posted on here in almost 3 years! The last time I posted, I was pursuing a Ph.D in environmental science and intended to blog about that process, along with other happenings in my life - namely, running and my wannabe minimalist/sustainable lifestyle.

Wedding Day!

And then, life got in the way - big time. Since my last post, I moved in with my significant other (now husband), we bought a house, I left (ok, quit) the Ph.D program, started a job, got married, started a different job, renovated (some of) our house, traveled a whole bunch, and finally, switched jobs for the third time within two  years. 

In the midst of all this, I've tried to keep up my running and yoga; I've tried to maintain a semi-minimalist lifestyle and have tried to meet my low-waste and sustainability goals; we've tried to keep up with friends and family. Most weeks have been a bit of a one-step forward, two-steps backward dance. 

So, what's driving me to start writing a blog again? A few things I suppose...

First, in the last several months I've watched: a college sorority sister start her own blog, Women Do, championing women's issues; a high school friend start her own YouTube channel, Tarable Decisions, chronicling her no-buy year; and a grad school friend start an Instagram page discussing her sustainability journey via @sustainablej. All of these women have inspired me to give it a go again!

Second, I've wanted to be a writer almost my whole life. 

No, for real. In 5th grade we had to do a project about our career ambitions. I discussed my plans to be a writer. I interviewed a local journalist, filled out a number of worksheets with my research, then dressed up in a jumper and took a typewriter to school as my prop to discuss my plans. (Yes, we had computers in 1995, but our HP wasn't quite a portable as my handy typewriter!) I know there is a picture for progeny - if I ever find it at my parents, I'll post it.  

I don't know what will come of me writing this blog. The other day I told my husband and a good friend that "I feel simultaneously bored and overwhelmed with life right now." I'm not sure how to rectify these contradictory feelings. Ultimately, I seem to be missing a creative outlet. Reviving this blog seems like a good way to address my seemingly unrelenting restlessness (ahem, see second paragraph for proof of this trait). 

Third, I've started a new career path. And I've started to wonder how to incorporate low-waste living into this new position.

What is this new job? I'll give you a hint . . . last week I had a snow day. 

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Did you guess teacher? 

Yep, I am now teaching high school chemistry (first and second year chem) and anatomy & physiology! I have one semester under my belt, so it now feels safe to spill the beans to anyone taking the time to read this. 

Blogging will help me to think through ways to minimize waste as I embed myself into this new profession and new culture. As a chemistry teacher, minimizing waste is a concern to me in the everyday teaching (worksheets, guided notes, activities) as well as in the lab. I don't have all the answers; things are not as black and white as we all might wish, but here I will explore this idea of low-waste teaching.  

Some topics I plan to explore on this blog and on Instagram @chasingthegreenlife:   

Portland, OR in spring 2018

• Low-waste living and teaching
• Minimalist living and teaching 
  (currently striving for some balance here...) 
• Home renovation projects
  (which we try to approach from both an environmental and economical standpoint)
• Dog stuff - because I love my pups!
• Running/Yoga/Gardening/Reading/Traveling
  (so, basically whatever piques my interest at any given point in time!)

Currently, we are wrapping up our master bath reno, which I'll reveal in an upcoming blog post! In the mean time, come follow along on Instagram @chasingthegreenlife