“To make 2013 your year, keep it simple: 1) Countyourblessings first 2) Whatever you did last year, Do it better 3) Gostepby step, One day at a time. 4) Create/make your own opportunities. 5)Believe in your abilities at all times, 6) Quitting is not anoption. Keep Going. 7) Finish what you started” ― Pablo

I like this list for me to start off the New Year. Counting my blessings, taking it one day at a time, and finish what I started.

My blessings are many... My very supportive family, my very loyal friends, and my very rewarding career.

The only thing I've ever wanted to do since I was 6 years old was be a teacher. Almost everything I do is because of, in support of, or is a result of me being a teacher. Often my husband has asked me, "If you could do any job in the world, anything you wanted, what would you do?" My answer is always : a teacher. 100%, without a second of hesitation: teacher.

When I started university my intentions were to teach grade 1. But when I started substitute teaching, I soon realized I would work everyday if I accepted jobs in grade 7 and 8. And once I got used to this adorable, challenging, hilarious, oppositional, loving, frustrating, loyal age group, I've dedicated my life to helping them grow and become good students and good people. I'm not a miracle worker, I'm not a "book smart" teacher with a ton of knowledge in one particular area, and I make many mistakes along the way. But it is who I am and what I do.

Knowing I'm not going to be at school for some time to be apart of the growth and the improvements of my kids is a hard pill to swallow. But this is one of those times I have to stop, catch my breath and get myself healthy before I can go back to doing what I love.

Sure, there are a few frustrations I won't miss. Like any job, there's some things I'd change and there are of course, some pretty bad days. But packing my stuff up and letting someone else officially take over is very, very, very tough. Not seeing the people who make me laugh everyday, who challenge me to be better, and who get my blood boiling like no other, makes me really sad. But if getting better for my own family wasn't enough motivation (and it pretty much is) packing up my stuff and handing over my keys (metaphorically, not literally, no one is getting them from me;) as the school gets ready for the second half of the year, is the last push I needed to get rid of this stupid disease.

There was a little bump in the road this week when I got a blood clot in my leg. I'm now on blood thinners to keep the blood flowing properly. Chemo therapy thickens your blood which can cause blood clots, but we were on top of it so everything is a go for treatment number 3 today. I'm looking forward to finishing what I started in 2012, taking it one day at a time, and knowing quitting is not an option.