Today I have the day off. A holiday that I do not celebrate, so for me it's just a random Tuesday off. I feel like I haven't worked much this school year yet. It's so nice. I like not working when everyone else is. :) Not in a mean sense, but in a sense that their cars are parked and they are sitting at their office, and not on the streets and at the stores. It is much nicer getting around that way.
Anyways, I just burned this CD from my sister, Caitlin, when I was staying with her about a week ago, because I have found a new happy song. I wonder if anyone else has those. It's a song that I can literally play on repeat for about 2-3 weeks straight and not get sick of it and it makes me in a better mood every time I hear it. I love when I find those songs. Sometimes they are random ones that I find on iTunes, sometimes they are ones I find listening to the radio. Either way, when if I get in a bad mood (which don't pretend that never happens to you), I can plug it in and it all goes away. So...for those who are curious, currently my happy song is...judge me if you will...I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. Oh so good!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Power house
I get home last night from a long week away from home (thanks Caitlin) b/c of Ike, thinking that power had been restored to my area...oh contrare. My house (thankfully) and the one next door do - but every other house in the neighborhood are electricity-less. Crazy. I didn't know that was possible, but apparently we are wired with the apartments behind us, but only our two houses.
So, we are hosting some neighbors at our home. I'm ready for my bed, but what's a couple more nights?
Back to work I go tomorrow. Might be a rough week with the kiddos, I'm sure they will be wired. But I'm looking forward to a routine schedule again!
So, we are hosting some neighbors at our home. I'm ready for my bed, but what's a couple more nights?
Back to work I go tomorrow. Might be a rough week with the kiddos, I'm sure they will be wired. But I'm looking forward to a routine schedule again!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Another one for the books...
The last 5 days have been total weirdness. Thursday, I arrive at work, business as usual and as the day progressed panicked parents pulled their kids from class right and left to make a run for it before the storm. I had packed a small suitcase, thinking - I'm going overboard with bringing even a couple days clothes, but might as well. Not knowing that it'd be at least a week (and counting) before I can return to my house! The fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants part of me is not currently working out so well.
Anyways, I decided to stay at Matt's place with 6 other people, since he lives farther out west and wouldn't get hit as bad. It only took me about 1 hour 15 min to go about 10 miles down the road. I could have walked faster than that. We hung out for about 24 hours - cooking, watching movies, enjoying electricity - before we truly hunkered down in preparation. Friday night, around 4am we ended pulling the blow up mattresses into hallways and closets to avoid windows and the crazy loud 100mph wind. At Matt's house not much went wrong except the fence and a small leak in the roof. At my house, not so fortunate. Apparently, the ceiling in our laundry room caved in, a huge old tree fell over into our driveway (thankfully my new car wasn't parked in it!), and another fell next door ONTO the power line and knocked it over. What does that mean for me? - I'm a lucky one that will not have power for probably quite a while, and the worst part is all that frozen food I just stocked up on is now gone to waste. Sad day.
I wish I had my camera when we drove around checking out the damage. It really is incredible. Streetlights scattered in the streets. Huge signs blown to shreds. Roofs far from where they belong - on top of a building. Trees uprooted everywhere. Like a movie. And that wasn't near downtown, which got the brunt of it.
So, Saturday when we woke up with no power and no water and report of "complete failure" of the electric company - saying it might be a MONTH before we all get power back, we decided to high tail it to College Station and bunk with my sister. Her and her sweet roommates welcomed us in. We have slowly been trickling back to Houston (some have work, which is ridiculous!), but I now remain alone. Still no power at my home front. Workless until at least Thursday. And about 3 t-shirts to wardrobe me until I return. Had I known I was going to be getting quite a vacation I would have packed better and at least gone somewhere exotic. :)
I can now add to my list of unique life experiences...
#37 I have been through and survived a hurricane
(and if you ask me what #1-36 are I'm sure I can come up with them. But #37 just sounded like a good number)
Anyways, I decided to stay at Matt's place with 6 other people, since he lives farther out west and wouldn't get hit as bad. It only took me about 1 hour 15 min to go about 10 miles down the road. I could have walked faster than that. We hung out for about 24 hours - cooking, watching movies, enjoying electricity - before we truly hunkered down in preparation. Friday night, around 4am we ended pulling the blow up mattresses into hallways and closets to avoid windows and the crazy loud 100mph wind. At Matt's house not much went wrong except the fence and a small leak in the roof. At my house, not so fortunate. Apparently, the ceiling in our laundry room caved in, a huge old tree fell over into our driveway (thankfully my new car wasn't parked in it!), and another fell next door ONTO the power line and knocked it over. What does that mean for me? - I'm a lucky one that will not have power for probably quite a while, and the worst part is all that frozen food I just stocked up on is now gone to waste. Sad day.
I wish I had my camera when we drove around checking out the damage. It really is incredible. Streetlights scattered in the streets. Huge signs blown to shreds. Roofs far from where they belong - on top of a building. Trees uprooted everywhere. Like a movie. And that wasn't near downtown, which got the brunt of it.
So, Saturday when we woke up with no power and no water and report of "complete failure" of the electric company - saying it might be a MONTH before we all get power back, we decided to high tail it to College Station and bunk with my sister. Her and her sweet roommates welcomed us in. We have slowly been trickling back to Houston (some have work, which is ridiculous!), but I now remain alone. Still no power at my home front. Workless until at least Thursday. And about 3 t-shirts to wardrobe me until I return. Had I known I was going to be getting quite a vacation I would have packed better and at least gone somewhere exotic. :)
I can now add to my list of unique life experiences...
#37 I have been through and survived a hurricane
(and if you ask me what #1-36 are I'm sure I can come up with them. But #37 just sounded like a good number)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
It's official
It is final. I have made my first big purchase. I think that makes me an official adult, so I decided. I feel grown up at least, which is what matters, isn't it? My wonderful boyfriend, Matt, spent ALL day Saturday with me hunting for the best deal on a car - and surprisingly still likes me...miracle. Then, my grandfather told me he knows someone who knows someone who for some rhyme or reason wanted to give me an incredible deal on this amazing car on Monday. The Lord definitely blessed me with this one. So, I wanted to share...Off with the old Honda, on with the new Corolla!
In the last few weeks, I have also started my 2nd year of teaching 3rd grade - which, by the way, I plan on having some great stories this year, my students are hilarious! I also traveled to Ft. Worth for a wedding of a childhood friend and then to Oklahoma for fantasy football event, which if you know me...really? Yes, it is true. Branching out.
Here are some documented pictures from the wedding:
Karl, Caitlin, me and Matt
My beautiful sister, Caitlin, and me
Matt dancing with my mom
We are the only ones on the dance floor...thanks Matt.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
So it begins, again.
Back to school has a whole new meaning when you become a teacher.
First, I'd like to say for the first time I have a job 2 consecutive years in a row, and I'm looking forward to it! If that's not God's work, I don't know what is.
I started back about a week and a half ago for countless (quite meaningless) meetings. I survived, because thankfully I work with a group of ladies that make those thrilling times more enjoyable. So, after a week of mtgs, setting up my new classroom, catching up with co-workers, and slightly preparing - we had a school-wide orientation for families to meet the teachers. I was stationed in my room while all day long parents and students came in to meet and greet. Then I remembered...I had conveniently forgotten over the summer about this tiny aspect of teaching...
...the parents...
Many quizzed me about how I was going to challenge their student and meet their expectations and what is this and what is that. Like I was at a job interview when I already have the job. I even had a couple get quite angry with me and threaten me.
So, a few reminders to myself as the year begins:
1. I can't take it personally.
2. I need to look confident and composed no matter what.
3. Be careful with my words, they can come back and haunt me later.
(Don't always say what I want, usually it's more beneficial to just nod and redirect)
4. For every hard parent there are 5 great ones, and I need to focus on the positive.
5. Though I aspire for it to be a team effort, I need to do the best with the circumstances I've been given.
I am reminded that I need to regrow that thick skin and quick on my toes attitude. Or actually, maybe I never had it, so maybe I should work on that. If only I could invent a rude comment/harsh words/attacker deflector. Maybe then I could retire early, after only my two consecutive years of work...:) Who am I kidding, I probably miss it too much.
First, I'd like to say for the first time I have a job 2 consecutive years in a row, and I'm looking forward to it! If that's not God's work, I don't know what is.
I started back about a week and a half ago for countless (quite meaningless) meetings. I survived, because thankfully I work with a group of ladies that make those thrilling times more enjoyable. So, after a week of mtgs, setting up my new classroom, catching up with co-workers, and slightly preparing - we had a school-wide orientation for families to meet the teachers. I was stationed in my room while all day long parents and students came in to meet and greet. Then I remembered...I had conveniently forgotten over the summer about this tiny aspect of teaching...
...the parents...
Many quizzed me about how I was going to challenge their student and meet their expectations and what is this and what is that. Like I was at a job interview when I already have the job. I even had a couple get quite angry with me and threaten me.
So, a few reminders to myself as the year begins:
1. I can't take it personally.
2. I need to look confident and composed no matter what.
3. Be careful with my words, they can come back and haunt me later.
(Don't always say what I want, usually it's more beneficial to just nod and redirect)
4. For every hard parent there are 5 great ones, and I need to focus on the positive.
5. Though I aspire for it to be a team effort, I need to do the best with the circumstances I've been given.
I am reminded that I need to regrow that thick skin and quick on my toes attitude. Or actually, maybe I never had it, so maybe I should work on that. If only I could invent a rude comment/harsh words/attacker deflector. Maybe then I could retire early, after only my two consecutive years of work...:) Who am I kidding, I probably miss it too much.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Back and ready
I'm back. After a long month (actually, I was so busy, it seemed to go by rather quickly thankfully), I have my life back! Yay! I'm ready for routine again and a full nights rest. I'm ready to be able to chose what I eat and when I eat it. I'm ready for my classroom of 3rd graders (I realized I'm not cut out to teach high schoolers). I'm ready to spend adequate time and energy on people I care about (here's my shout out Matt:)). I'm also ready to get some down time...which I've been utilizing my last few days of freedom before school starts back up.
I journal a lot, people process things different ways and this is how I do it. Another perk of it is going back and reading my past thoughts. Sometimes it's discouraging, because it doesn't appear that much has changed. Sure, life circumstances have frequently changed - the places I've lived, the roommates I've had, the jobs that have employed me, but has my heart? my way of thinking? the unique, internal challenges that I face? They seem to reoccur over and over again. Unfortunately, those things don't happen overnight on a whim, like a move to a new city. These changes can take years - possibly one's whole life. And I'm learning that the journey of life causes it to change faster or slower - for better or for worse. Thankfully, God allows and urges my heart on in His timing and His placement. And while I can try to control the outward circumstances all I want, it is only with God the inward can change. Makes it seem a little less lonely and little more possible.
I came across this quote I copied down back in 2004 - and not surprisingly, I still really like it, so I thought I'd share for those of you who are interested.
In my moments of fear,
Through every pain, every tear,
There's a God who's been faithful to me.
When my strength was all gone,
When my heart had no song,
Still in love He's proved faithful to me.
Every word He's promised is true;
What I thought was impossible, I see my God do.
He's been faithful, faithful to me,
Looking back, His love & mercy I see.
Though in my heart I have questioned,
Even failed to believe,
Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.
When my heart looked away,
The many times I could not pray,
Still my God, He was faithful to me.
The days I spent so selfishly,
Reaching out for what pleased me;
Even then God was faithful to me.
Every time I come back to Him,
He is waiting with open arms,
And I see once again,
He's been faithful to me.
-from Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
I journal a lot, people process things different ways and this is how I do it. Another perk of it is going back and reading my past thoughts. Sometimes it's discouraging, because it doesn't appear that much has changed. Sure, life circumstances have frequently changed - the places I've lived, the roommates I've had, the jobs that have employed me, but has my heart? my way of thinking? the unique, internal challenges that I face? They seem to reoccur over and over again. Unfortunately, those things don't happen overnight on a whim, like a move to a new city. These changes can take years - possibly one's whole life. And I'm learning that the journey of life causes it to change faster or slower - for better or for worse. Thankfully, God allows and urges my heart on in His timing and His placement. And while I can try to control the outward circumstances all I want, it is only with God the inward can change. Makes it seem a little less lonely and little more possible.
I came across this quote I copied down back in 2004 - and not surprisingly, I still really like it, so I thought I'd share for those of you who are interested.
In my moments of fear,
Through every pain, every tear,
There's a God who's been faithful to me.
When my strength was all gone,
When my heart had no song,
Still in love He's proved faithful to me.
Every word He's promised is true;
What I thought was impossible, I see my God do.
He's been faithful, faithful to me,
Looking back, His love & mercy I see.
Though in my heart I have questioned,
Even failed to believe,
Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.
When my heart looked away,
The many times I could not pray,
Still my God, He was faithful to me.
The days I spent so selfishly,
Reaching out for what pleased me;
Even then God was faithful to me.
Every time I come back to Him,
He is waiting with open arms,
And I see once again,
He's been faithful to me.
-from Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Medical World 101
This past week I began my new job for the summer - faculty advisor for NYLF (National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine). Sounds smart, I know. What am I doing there? Well, I am working the next month in downtown Houston with high school students who come in all over the country to learn about the medical career path. It's amazing where you can end up with the right connections. Let's just say I'm the only elementary teacher in the 30 staff members. This week was training, and on Saturday I move into the Renaissance Hotel for the next several weeks. Kinda funny since my house is just about 10 minutes away.
I have come to the point this week, where I am completely aware of my incredible lack of knowledge in medicine. The patience of the medical students as they explain simple concepts to me has been very much appreciated. I have learned about triage, how to suture a wound, read someones blood pressure, discuss medical ethics, debate controversial issues, and thankfully, something I have a little knowledge on - how to deal with students. I'm really enjoying it! I mean, once the 10 straight 7am-11pm workdays begin, that might change.
Anyways, that's what I'm doing with the rest of my summer. Be back in 3 weeks (hopefully with some good stories, and possibly a new career path). :)
I have come to the point this week, where I am completely aware of my incredible lack of knowledge in medicine. The patience of the medical students as they explain simple concepts to me has been very much appreciated. I have learned about triage, how to suture a wound, read someones blood pressure, discuss medical ethics, debate controversial issues, and thankfully, something I have a little knowledge on - how to deal with students. I'm really enjoying it! I mean, once the 10 straight 7am-11pm workdays begin, that might change.
Anyways, that's what I'm doing with the rest of my summer. Be back in 3 weeks (hopefully with some good stories, and possibly a new career path). :)
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