Two Roads Diverged

Letters to Ms. Meyer

2006-08-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

The last three days have given me SO much blog fodder, I don't know where to begin...but, each year, I ask the students to write a letter to me with their expectations for the year as well as to include any information they would like me to know about themselves. Most of the letters are really nice and it's a GREAT way to get 100 really nice notes written to you at one time! FUN! But anyways, this one made me laugh out loud, so I thought I'd include it here for you to see:

"Dear Ms. Meyer,

I'm the 2nd kid in my family, and I like waffles. Over the summer I got to go to a farm and take down trees. I think that most of the time I can't keep my mouth shut. I like pancakes too."

I don't think I've ever received a note quite like that before...it'll be a good year with him for sure!!

What time?

2006-08-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

It's official...I'm now Coach Meyer...So tomorrow and Friday, we are holding tryouts in the morning for 7th grade and in the afternoon for 8th grade.

Originally, I was asked to be there tomorrow and Friday at 6:30am to begin evaluation. I had planned to revert back to my summer school schedule of running tomorrow morning at 4:30am, because after all, it's just one day. Well, the news just arrived....They want us there at 6:00am. What? I mean, I'm mostly a morning person and all, but this REALLY cramps my style. How am I supposed to run, do my hair, and get to school all before 6am? I guess it's going to be a "wet ponytail" day for me. So much for making a good "first impression" on my classes tomorrow.

So now I've got to get up somewhere around 4:15am, run, shower, race to school in my "athletic attire," change quickly to get to class, teach all my classes, race down to change back to my athletic attire, then evaluate again until 5:30pm. Two days straight...Will I make it? I'll let you know the outcome...Stay tuned...

Coach Meyer

2006-08-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today, my principal and the coaches decided that I would fit very well into the position of the new volleyball coach for the "colors" teams (the girls who don't make the A/B teams-there is a "no cut" policy in volleyball). Despite my protests of, "I've played every other sport BUT volleyball," they all seem to have a lot of confidence in my coaching abilities. One coach quipped, "Well, I'll give you a 30 minute tutorial and you'll be set (no pun intended). All you need to get the girls to do is to serve overhanded and pass to a target." I reminded her that I still don't think I can serve overhanded, but she didn't seem to really care.

The part that got my attention is that they pay a $3000 stipend for coaching 8 weeks of volleyball. I can do anything for 8 weeks, right? I think that's what I said when I decided to teach summer school the first time, and that was only FOUR weeks.

Needless to say, I am seriously considering this not only for the extra cash, but for the chance to get to know some of my girl students in a different light and really be encouraging to them. Next to God, humor, and literature, I'd probably say sports are my next love, so this might just be right up my alley.

So from now on, I would like to be referred to as "Coach Meyer." Games will be Monday afternoons, so if you really want to see an interesting spectacle, come on out and cheer us on!

There's always one...

2006-08-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

One of my pet peeves is when people constantly interrupt or feel the need to talk aloud during a meeting. This is not isolated to school environments only; it can easily occur in businesses or even church settings.

We have a new teacher on our faculty this year who has said at least 5 things every day this week. Today, to our principal, no less, she said, "I'm proud of you for trying that activity." WHAT? First of all, if you are new, you might want to take a bit of a back seat and just observe. Second, why on earth would you say such a patronizing comment to your principal IN FRONT OF the entire faculty? Apparently this girl didn't get that memo.

Over lunch, several other faculty members said that we might need to limit her to only two comments a day. So I'm happy to know I wasn't the ONLY one who was getting perturbed by her intermittent comments...

Apartment 3G

2006-08-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Growing up, my and my sister's rooms were directly next door. We used to draw "pretend" boundaries across our bedroom thresholds and we even named our rooms "Apartment 3G" and "Apartment 3F." I lived in Apt. 3G (taken from the title of the comic strip, in case you were wondering). Since I was older, my room was much more alluring and definitely much more "off-limits" to my sister. Being 4 years younger than I, she was definitely not "cool" enough to enter my room without a personal invitation.

So for all those years growing up, I pretended to resent my neighbor in Apt. 3F, but really, I wanted her to intrude into Apt. 3G all the time. I just wasn't exactly willing to admit that.

Well, now I have my golden chance! My sister and I are officially moving in together in exactly one month. Apartment 3G will soon be a reality! Since we are now older, wiser, and have both learned how to "share" properly, I see great times ahead for both of us in Apt. 3G...

Talking vs. texting

2006-08-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

Are you a fan of talking or texting? I've heard people say that texting is good b/c it is fast, to the point, not distracting, and gets your message there clearly. While I agree, I also have to say that it takes me a little while to get the message typed when I know that I could have just told the person that same thing in half the time. It's fun to use for funny jokes or a quick question, but it always seems to demand a write-back (or at least in my mind it does). I can get all my thoughts out quickly via talking, PLUS I can read that person's tone of voice. When I call someone, I'm really not concerned about getting sucked into a conversation or wasting time. Isn't that, after all, why I called them in the first place? To talk? Texting is great, but I think it is just one more step removed from the personal touch. Believe me, I do love texting. It's a great way to flirt and joke, it makes me laugh, and I love to hear that little message sound coming in, but ultimately, I guess if I had to choose, I'm a talker...

The party's over...

2006-08-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my last day of freedom for a long time. I'm getting ready to push that big boulder down the hill and will be in for the unstoppable ride of my life for the next 10 months. But, as it happens every year, May will be here before I know it. Before I get too ahead of myself, I really am looking forward to getting back. Here are a few of the things I will do on Tuesday when I first get back:

1. Bring in my bags of books from summer school, all of my new room supplies, and any other school-related paraphernalia from my trunk.
2. Sign in on the board that I'm officially back.
3. Go to the library for our first faculty meeting of the year!
4. Find all of my friends and catch up!
5. Put up all of my decorations and bulletin boards.
6. Visit Jentry in her new room next door.
6. Begin planning for the first six weeks.
7. Order new vocabulary books.
8. Visit Jentry.
9. Rekindle all of the inside jokes with my teacher peeps.
10. Have lunch w/Katy and Jentry.
11. Finish planning.
12. Look at my new class lists and see what kids I have.
13. Visit Jentry.
14. And, lastly, visit Jentry. (We are best friends, after all)

In my email box today...

2006-08-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

This will brighten anyone's day. I really like the "personalized touch" and the message of impending death they added. I know I've tried for years to suppress my enormous appetite. I just don't know WHAT to do anymore about that. What about the countless hours I spend watching TV, or my untamed desire for men to surround me? It seems providential that I received this today in my email box.

Did you know obesity kills more and more people every year? We know you hate the extra pounds, the ugly look and the social stigmata attached to fat people. Moreover, you can barely do anything about your enormous appetite. This all sounds familiar? Then we have something for you!

Introducing Anatrim, the ultimate product for weight loss. The greatest thing is that Anatrim improves the quality of your life, making you crave food less, giving you better mood and eliminating the extra weight. Read what people say about this product:

"This is wonderful! Instead of watching TV and stuffing myself with food I became more interested in exercise. Anatrim got me on the right track. I am more fit now, and there are lots of men around me!"

Victoria K., New York

Whoopsie daisy....

2006-08-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a quite eventful "trip" to Wal-Mart. No, I wasn't planning on anything exciting happening, but as it is with many of my "trips," this one took me by surprise.

I was wandering aimlessly through the check-out lines, holding my bulletin board for my classroom under my right arm and my shampoo bottle in my left hand. I slowly made my way over to look at something displayed attractively on the outer edge of the checkout counter when two things happened simultaneously: I looked down and saw this nasty, gunky, greasy, yellow-tinged substance on the floor, and I felt this invigorating flying sensation. Unfortunately, I was not being raptured.

As I hit the floor, my first thought was, "Wow, now I finally have my chance for a lawsuit!" followed by, "Well, this is just great. What was that crap I just slipped on?" As I bounced off the floor, bulletin board and shampoo still intact, I quickly stood up as one lady was snickering and another asked if I was okay. I was about to start a girl fight in the yellow crap on the floor of Wal-Mart with the lady who laughed, but I decided to just move along and not cause a scuffle.

So, beware of slippery floors and sudden "trips" to Wal-Mart. They could be dangerous if not deadly...

No Parent Left Behind...

2006-08-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

THESE ARE REAL NOTES WRITTEN BY PARENTS IN A TENNESSEE SCHOOL DISTRICT. (SPELLINGS HAVE BEEN LEFT INTACT.)

-- PLEASE EXKUCE LISA FOR BEING ABSENT SHE WAS SICK AND I HAD HER SHOT.
-- DEAR SCHOOL: PLEASE ECSC's JOHN BEING ABSENT ON JAN. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 AND ALSO 33.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE GLORIA FROM JIM TODAY. SHE IS ADMINISTRATING.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE ROLAND FROM P.E. FOR A FEW DAYS. YESTERDAY HE FELL OUT OF A TREE AND MISPLACED HIS HIP.
-- JOHN HAS BEEN ABSENT BECAUSE HE HAD TWO TEETH TAKEN OUT OF HIS FACE.
-- CARLOS WAS ABSENT YESTERDAY BECAUSE HE WAS PLAYING FOOTBALL. HE WAS HURT IN THE GROWING PART.
-- MEGAN COULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL TODAY BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN BOTHERED BY VERY CLOSE VEINS.
-- CHRIS WILL NOT BE IN SCHOOL CUS HE HAS AN ACRE IN HIS SIDE.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE RAY FRIDAY FROM SCHOOL. HE HAS VERY LOOSE VOWELS.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE PEDRO FROM BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. HE HAD (DIAHRE, DYREA, DIREATHE), THE SH----S. [WORDS IN ( )'s WERE CROSSED OUT].
-- PLEASE EXCUSE TOMMY FOR BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. HE HAD DIARRHEA, AND HIS BOOTS LEAK. -- PLEASE EXCUSE JIMMY FOR BEING. IT WAS HIS FATHER'S FAULT.
-- I KEPT BILLIE HOME BECAUSE SHE HAD TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT SIZE SHE WEAR.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE JENNIFER FOR MISSING SCHOOL YESTERDAY. WE FORGOT TO GET THE SUNDAY PAPER OFF THE PORCH, AND WHEN WE FOUND IT MONDAY. WE THOUGHT IT WAS SUNDAY.
-- SALLY WON'T BE IN SCHOOL A WEEK FROM FRIDAY. WE HAVE TO ATTEND HER FUNERAL.
-- MY DAUGHTER WAS ABSENT YESTERDAY BECAUSE SHE WAS TIRED. SHE SPENT A WEEKEND WITH THE MARINES.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE JASON FOR BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. HE HAD A COLD AND COULD NOT BREED WELL. -- PLEASE EXCUSE MARY FOR BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. SHE WAS IN BED WITH GRAMPS.
-- PLEASE EXCUSE BRENDA. SHE HAS BEEN SICK AND UNDER THE DOCTOR.
-- MARYANN WAS ABSENT DECEMBER 11-16, BECAUSE SHE HAD A FEVER, SORE THROAT, HEADACHE AND UPSET STOMACH. HER SISTER WAS ALSO SICK, FEVER AND SORE THROAT, HER BROTHER HAD A LOW GRADE FEVER AND ACHED ALL OVER. I WASN'T THE BEST EITHER, SORE THROAT AND FEVER. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING GOING AROUND, HER FATHER EVEN GOT HOT LAST NIGHT.

NOW WE KNOW WHY PARENTS ARE SCREAMING FOR BETTER EDUCATION FOR OUR KIDS.

Not funny...

2006-08-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

My favorite thing is laughing and joking around. I love it, look forward to it, thrive on it! BUT, the line gets crossed when the joke is at someone else's expense. I was at a birthday party on Sunday night, and I was telling some guy about my Grandma who has Alzheimer's and how it's funny what she says sometimes, but I have to be careful not to laugh AT her. There were a few people listening, so this guy cracks some joke about people losing their minds. I didn't really hear exactly what he said, but the girl sitting next to him said, "That's mean," so I knew it was not a kind joke. I had JUST met this guy and I just thought that was immature and in poor taste. That was definitely NOT funny. I think this has now been moved to my "pet peeve" column.

Hector: man or pup, you decide...

2006-07-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was visiting my Grandma, and she was telling me about some man who had come to help out at her apartment. She said, "Well now, he's been coming here ever since Hector was a pup!" Puzzled, I asked her, "Who's Hector?" and she replied, "Well, I don't know, it's just one of those things I've heard people say." Apparently Hector's been around a long time, but the word is still out as to whether he is man or beast...

Top 10 Reasons Why I'll Miss Summer School

2006-07-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Note: Some content below may be slightly offensive to some readers.

10. Waking up at 4:45am to get ready.
9. Hearing the f-bomb at least 30 times a day.
8. Hearing "nigga" at least 15 times a day.
7. Telling kids to sit down at least 10 times before they actually DO it.
6. Watching policemen cuff kids during the breaks.
5. Hearing "That's racist" every 10 minutes.
4. Getting to START my summer with only 3 weeks of it left.
3. Eating lunch at 11am and having just 20 minutes.
2. Learning where the fight is gonna go down every afternoon.
1. Hearing myself say yesterday, "Sure, he passed. He do his work in this class." (I've finally hit rock bottom as an English teacher. That is my all-time lowest moment.)

Great idea!

2006-07-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

I had dinner with a friend last night, and she gave me the BEST suggestion that I just put into use. She was telling me about her struggle with God's timing/provision, so a friend of hers suggested that she think back and list all the times when God had provided for her in the past.

So, I just did that, and once I got started, I couldn't stop. I started out with big things, but then I found myself moving to small things such as being able to run or enjoying the waves in the beach. My mood instantly lifted and now I feel so thankful and trusting in God's timing and provision when I think back to the countless times He has taken care of me. Why would He stop now?

If you ever struggle with this, because I know I'm the ONLY one who ever does, I suggest taking this friend's friend's suggestion and it really changes your focus in a moment. I think the way to keep it there is to revisit this list often and just praise God for His provision. He wants to bless us and take care of us; I just think He wants to see our gratitude and contentment as well.

Hope floats...

2006-07-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, I experienced a disappointment that was unexpected and left me feeling empty and sad. In the midst of this, I have realized a few very important reminders that I would like to share:

1. I LOVE my church! I am so thankful for a place where God's Word is preached and where the pastor is a man whom I deeply respect. I feel so at home there, and that is an amazing gift.
2. I am so thankful for my friends in Paradigm. I experienced so much encouragement and support today, and that was just what I needed. Thank you for your impact upon my life, even when you don't realize how you are making a difference. Believe me, you do.
3. Being true to God and my faith is of utmost importance, even if it means sacrificing something that I've really wanted. He is worth the sacrifice, every time.
4. Following my mission in life to love, guide, and teach others is a gift from God. I should never let anyone or anything hinder that goal. It is why I was put here on earth.
5. I am amazed at God's timing, always. The message this morning on "Hope" couldn't have come at a better time. What a personal, loving God we serve.
6. I am so thankful for my best friends. They are lights in my life, always there to love me, encourage me, support me, and carry me through. Most of all, they always point me back to God and His love for me. I love you guys!
7. God loves me and wants the very best for me in all areas of my life, even if that means experiencing disappointment along the way.
8. My family is my lifeline and will always be there for me.
9. Even though life is hard and throws curves our way, when my anchor is Jesus Christ, and my hope is in Him, I can handle what life throws my way, but ONLY because I'm rooted in Him.
10. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God!" Amen!

Crunkin' it...

2006-06-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have finally arrived! Edvin, this really funny and endearing Hispanic boy, kept giving me a hard time, so I finally called him on it and just dished it right back. Kenneth, my black student, overheard my comment and gave me this compliment of the day:

"Miss, are you getting crunk with Edvin?" as he hilariously started laughing...The joys of summer school in the ghetto...9 more days!

Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye...

2006-06-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Well, today I lost Jorge, Francisco, and Bart (he's another character) for good.

Let's see...Jorge backtalked a cop and then resisted him, so the cop slapped cuffs on him and took him away. That incident happened about 4 feet in front of me. I'm pretty sure he was still high from his escapades with Mary Jane this weekend.

Francisco got mouthy with another teacher, and they had enough of him, so he's out.

Bart started a fight this morning at 7am in the cafeteria with another one of my students who flicked him off yesterday.

So now I'm down to 14 days to go...We'll see how many kids I still have left at the end of that time! It's crazy!

Tip of the Day...from Jorge

2006-06-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

So today I learned that if you grow your pinky nail a little longer, it really helps with using Mary Jane. (And for those of you innocents out there, that's not the name of your favorite friend)

This was courtesy of Jorge, an interesting dude straight from Brown Town (that's Brownsville, for all you fans out there)...And the fun continues...16 more days...

Summer School Week 2

2006-06-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

We are now to 5 days down, 17 to go! I think I'm going to live this year. God has been gracious to me this year and has given me two classes which are actually manageable! Imagine that! I don't leave school in the afternoons wanting to either pull my hair out or start hysterically crying.

Beyond all the silliness, last Thursday, I had a really deep conversation with one of my guys who is really rough and who, incidentally, got kicked out of my class last year b/c of his horrible behavior. I'm not going to say his behavior has improved that dramatically, but there aren't 5 of him in the same class to deal with, so that's easier. We talked about faith and struggles and I listened to him, and at the end of the conversation, we had this amazing moment where we just held eye contact and seemed to read each other's thoughts. I communicated to him about God's love and my faith journey through my Dad's death, and he really listened.

Ironically enough, he attends the mission training center run by our church, so it's like God totally put me into his life once again this summer. He's my very own "Houston Project" for this summer. His name is Francisco, so be praying for him. Amazing how God works; it's been astounding and refreshing. These kids are just a RIPE mission field like no other. They are crying out for someone to listen to them and hear them and understand them. I don't care about teaching writing or reading; I want to impact their hearts for God. I can be more open about sharing, even in a public school setting, because they are open to that and are so rough that they don't care what I talk about. I haven't been sharing publicly, but I try to engage in conversation one on one with them and really share Christ's love in that conversation.

So while I'm counting down the days, I also realize that I will be in their lives for such a short window of time that I want to maximize every opportunity that Christ gives to me. Amen for open doors!

2 days down, 20 to go...

2006-06-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still in the land of the living...Here's the lowdown...I have a morning class of 20 students and an afternoon class of 11 students. Thankfully, neither class is as bad as my class from last summer. However, the day is LONG and tiring. I have been going to bed at 8:30pm every night from sheer exhaustion. It's literally 7 hours straight with a 30 minute lunch and two 10 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon. Other than that, I'm up and around and talking for 7 hours...Two days a week I wake up at 4:45am to go running, so that is a whole new experience for me as well. At least Fridays I'm off, but I think I'll need that day to recuperate!

No major crazy stories yet, but I'll keep you posted...I'm exhausted right now!

2006-06-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

#1 Reason to Walk Back Out the Door: Our inservice started yesterday with the introduction of our on-site police officer, who, with his handgun strapped to his belt, quipped, "Yeah, I've got my ticket book handy, and I'm sure I'm going to know a lot of these kids you will have, and I'm ready to write some tickets." Wonderful...Now if you could just keep them out of MY room, that would be greaaaaaat.

Da' Gett-O!!!

2006-05-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

T minus one week until I enter the war zone. Next Monday, I start my 6 week stint teaching summer school. Unlike last year, I do know what to expect, which is really not too far away from this picture. The one difference from this picture is that kids don't keep their killer hyenas on chains...They let them roam freely...It's a jungle for 7 hours straight every day in a row. Start praying now...At least it will be good blog fodder for sure...

Need a new job?

2006-05-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here's one for you...IMAX screen cleaners...I've often commented to my friends just how dirty those screens can get. I'm so glad someone is taking care of this problem

Too much excitement...

2006-05-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

Is there such thing as too much excitement? This week might reach that mark! First of all, there is the fact that school ends tomorrow, which is enough excitement to last at least a week! It's been a little sad saying goodbye, but not as sad as I thought. It happens every year...The sadness is overshadowed by the sheer joy of completing 10 months of hard work! To top it off, I'm starting out the summer with some new opportunities that I've wanted for a while and I'm so excited to see where that leads...I haven't slept very well the last 4 nights because I keep waking up thinking about all the excitement! It's like Christmas over here! I'm sure it won't last forever, but I sure am going to enjoy it while it does last...It's about time!

It's the end of the year as we know it...

2006-05-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

Today the kids received their yearbooks. As teachers, we always groan because it's a nightmare trying to get the kids to put them up so we can actually hold class. Let alone the fact that this was the last Friday of the year, so the kids are getting more and more hyper as each day passes. But secretly, I actually like and look forward to yearbook time. The kids come up and ask me to sign their yearbooks, and I feel like the popular kid that I always wanted to be back in high school. It also gives me a chance to write something that they might remember for the rest of their life! So it's all good for both sides. I think we should have adult yearbooks...It could be the newest rage...

Empty...or Full?

2006-05-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

This weekend has been very bittersweet. Friday night, the anniversary of my father's death, I shared this verse with some friends who had gathered with me to pray and worship. About 2 hours after we finished, my mom's brother died due to complications from his liver failing. The timing was quite ironic and uncanny.

BUT, in the midst of this, I know that I serve a sovereign God who has brought me a lot of joy in the midst of the pain. I am at a wonderful place in my life right now, and have been blessed with many new opportunities and friendships. In the face of the emptiness and sadness, I will be joyful and will continue to travel to new heights, because of the work of God my Savior.

We can see with only limited vision. Our lives might look empty or fruitless, but God is working on the inside and might be producing such an overwhelming harvest that we might not have room to contain it at all! Two years ago, I would have never thought I could make it through all of the trials I have faced in this time, but through these experiences, I have emerged on the other side with so many blessings that I honestly never thought I would have all at the same time. Thank you, Lord, for your personal, yet sovereign, hand in our lives. We are nothing without you.

Workplace Safety Tips

2006-05-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

If you love the show The Office, you will appreciate these helpful tips. Workplace safety can never be overrated, especially when offered by Dwight Schrute. If you don't watch this show, you should.

Workplace Safety Tips, By Dwight Schrute

Workers are getting injured, sick, and are dying in EVERY office, EVERY day. You cannot avoid it. Unless you do the following:

1. Do not fall. Falls (e.g. down stairs, out doors, windows, etc.) are dangerous and lead to fractures, sprains, contusions and death.

2. Do not burn yourself. Overheating your tea is a good way to burn yourself. Do you want that? In order to assure that your skin is not harmed, tea should not be heated to more than 98.6 degrees.

3. Stay in your seat. By staying in your seat, you are less likely to encounter any of these hazards. Wait until you have 3 tasks to do, and then get up.

Dwight says, "One of my officemates thinks I'm being ridiculous and should seek counseling. Well, fine, Jim. Do not follow these safety rules. Good luck getting through the month of February which is by far the most deadly 28 days of the year."

Love you, Daddy...

2006-05-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

Two years ago tonight (the date was the 12th of May, but the night was a Wednesday night), my Dad succumbed to cancer and passed away. I had just gone to bed at my house when my Mom called me to let me know. I drove back over to their house, and while my Mom sat in the den with friends, my sister and I sat with my Dad for almost two hours. He was with Jesus, but we held his hand as his body still remained here on earth. It was probably the most personal, deep experience I've ever had, and I shared those precious hours with my sister. I honestly can't believe it's already been two years.

His presence is so dearly missed; he was my best friend, coach, cheerleader, greatest fan, and strongest ally. He sacrificed for me, loved me unconditionally, and would have given his life for me without thinking. He shaped me into who I am today and gave me so many tools for life that I would have never had without him. Even through his dying, he taught me so much about grace, kindness, compassion, and loving the Lord with all my heart. His legacy lives on and I am proud to be my father's daughter. I miss you Daddy and love you so very much. I always will...

Teaching the Teacher...

2006-05-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

In just 14 days, my classroom will once again look like this...Empty, quiet, clean, and void of any trace of the students with whom I've spend most of my time over the past 10 months. As Pastor Gregg said today, we should focus on the impact we have at our jobs, not the income. Being a teacher, that's not a concern for me anyways (ha ha), but I strive to make an impact in some way so that I will be the teacher whom the kids remember. It's funny that although I go into school with that attitude, it's always the kids who make such an impact on me, teaching me about life, independence, confidence, trust, and learning to let go. In just a few weeks, these kids will be out of my life, some of them forever, but I know that I will always have a part of them in my heart, as I hope they feel the same way about me. That's why I love my job so much...I thought that I would be the one to teach and impart knowledge and cultivate relationships, but it turns out that the kids are the ones who teach me about myself and have helped shape me into the person I am today. And by the way, if anyone is feeling jealous about my summer break, I am now teaching 6 weeks of summer school, so you will get to read some VERY interesting blogs about the kids there. Quite a different story than my little privileged Memorial kids...Stay tuned in June and early July for "Tales from the Hood..."

2006-04-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

Time is a study in paradoxes...Most weekdays we want the time to fly by so we can get to the weekends more quickly. If we are with someone we love, on vacation, or doing something we enjoy, we want to slow the time down so we can thoroughly enjoy the experience. Right now, I'm trying to grasp the sands of time as they slip through my fingers. While it is thrilling to realize I've prepared yet another group of kids for high school, with that realization comes the stab of reality that I will never see most of these kids again. This year, out of all four years of teaching, has been my best year. My schedule is great, the kids are like family and just make me laugh like no other group of kids has, and they just genuinely enjoy being around me and like to visit me throughout the day. As much as I want May 25 to come, just so I know that I'm finished, I'm dreading that day just as deeply. So my life this month will be about finding that balance between time rushing by and time dragging by as I near the end of May...

2006-04-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

The countdown has begun! 29 more school days...I, too, in just a short time, will be able to live the life of luxury and easy. You might find me at the pool, working at a mindless job, or relaxing at home. But you won't find me working too hard, that's for sure! I'll be sitting pretty waiting for some big adventure to come my way!

Ewww...

2006-04-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Got bitterness? Not only does it taste like poison when you let it simmer inside of you, but it seeps out of you and infiltrates your conversations and the way you treat other people. It's uncontrollable once it's allowed to take root and fester. It leaves not only you with a bad taste in your mouth, but it also leaves other people wishing they could have a tall glass of water to wash away the lingering effects of being around you. Guard against bitterness, for it is a poison that seeps throughout your life and seeps through your words and actions into others' lives. Cut it off at the root before it's allowed to grow! It's nothing but unattractive and destructive, not only to you, but to others.

2006-04-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Ta-da! Introducing...Jack! Alias names include: Little J (in da' hood), Jackie Chan (thanks to Auntie C), Puglet (when he's acting especially cute), Buddy (who could ask for a better friend?), JJ (my all-American boy), and Sunny (because he is the sunshine in my life!). I love this dog...He's always happy to see me, and I love the fact that he actually has separation anxiety and will whimper if I leave the room or he can't see me anymore. I adopted him from the SPCA about 6 years ago, and he was NOT a barker, already housetrained, and so is literally the perfect dog! He really needs a haircut right now, but he's my baby and I love him! I'm an animal lover at heart, but don't get Jackie started on his evil cat sister Ellie. They have a love/hate relationship...

2006-04-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

Although I love the time change, I do NOT enjoy losing an hour of sleep. The whole one hour thing; it's actually quite misleading. "They" claim it's just one hour lost, but every night for at least a week, it's nearly impossible for me to fall asleep because it just feels earlier, and then the morning comes way too quickly. I wake up feeling drained and just plain exhausted. One year, I even switched my clocks forward on Friday night, hoping to ease the feeling of sleeplessness come Monday morning. No good. All that did was just confuse me all weekend because I had to remember that I was operating one hour ahead of everyone else. I actually dread the time change every year for this very reason. This week, I think I'd prefer to spend my time on the couch...(No, this isn't my dog, but I sure would take him! He's adorable!)

2006-03-30T15:39:00.000-08:00

Today I was reminded of the importance of seeing life through the right lens...One of my assistant principals at school, who also attends First, is being hit left and right in her family. Two of her nieces have Down's Syndrome, then they found out back in the fall that one of those nieces has leukemia, then this week they found out that my friend's sister, the mom of the sick child, has melanoma. It's just one thing after another. I have for sure been through times like that, but it just helped me to see that I might be looking at my life and circumstances through one small lens, when God is seeing the big picture through His own lens. Another perspective I gained was that all the problems I am currently battling are nothing compared to my friend's struggles. Although I have been where she is in a very similar way, right now, my life is smoother than that time was before. It's all about how you choose to look at your life. Life is too short to be concerned about the tiny, insignificant problems. Our lenses should be focused with a wide view of how God is working in the world and in our lives, even when we can't understand or answer the simple question of "Why?" Not an easy lesson to live, but one that I was reminded of today.

Guilty as charged...

2006-03-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Today concluded (sadly enough for me) my jury duty. The defense put the defendant on the stand today, and he lied so much we were all confused by the end of his testimony. I never knew this, but apparently it takes only 30 minutes to get from Brownsville to Houston! Hmmm...Even the judge couldn't help smiling at that one. I'm not going to put every little detail in my blog, but by the end, we were convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of this man's guilt. We reached our verdict in 3 minutes. The sentencing phase took a little longer, but we decided on the maximum sentence, which was life in prison and a fine of $10,000. One less murderer on the streets...It really sunk in as I looked at him that he had committed a MURDER...
The facts of the case were: The defendant was at a club (located conveniently on the Richmond strip, by the way) on Christmas Eve 2004. When the club closed on Christmas morning at 2am, he was in the driver's seat of the car with a girl in the front seat. Two other guys were standing on the girl's side of the car, just enjoying themselves. The defendant got angry that one of the men had spoken to the girl, so he started arguing with the guy. The guy went around to the driver's side and the defendant pulled a gun from the glove box and got out of the car. They started struggling over the gun, one shot went off, the guy backed off, and the defendant shot him twice in the chest. Then, the victim turns around and starts running away, runs out of his shoes, while the defendant chases him down. The victim falls down at this point, rolls over on the pavement, and looks up to see the defendant standing over him. The defendant, after chasing the victim down, then shoots two more shots at the victim who is now lying on the pavement. He then runs away and is driven away by someone. His alibi was that he had been at "Nelson's" house all day, but today on the stand, he couldn't remember Nelson's last name, address, or even what part of town he lived in. The security officer at the club positively identified him in court yesterday. The two friends of the victim also testified, but they were scared to death and just said he looked familiar. It was enthralling though, and we had testimony from police officers, ballistics experts, forensic pathologists, CSI members, and other witnesses from that night. After the trial concluded, I stayed around to visit with the prosecutors for a few minutes about the case. The prosecutor was very impressive and she did a GREAT job, especially during the defendant's testimony.
All in all, it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had, right up there with visiting the morgue in high school. If I didn't love teaching so much, I would have been inspired to pursue my dreams of becoming a criminal prosecutor. She's had this case since May of 2005, so she's put in quite a few hours on that one. But it paid off!

The state rests...

2006-03-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

At 4:10pm today, the state rested...So now the defense is on! I am still loving every minute of the trial. The hardest part is not being able to talk about it at all. I've discovered how much of a "reflector" I am and this just drives me nuts not being able to analyze the arguments and witness statements. We have one juror, though, who took 8 minutes to order her lunch today because she couldn't decide if she wanted cheese or not. I'm now starting to worry that her indecision might not be such a good sign come Friday...Ummm, yeah, if you could go ahead and just make up your mind, that would be greeeaattt...

Introducing...Juror #1

2006-03-27T17:09:00.000-08:00

Oh yes, I'm now serving as Juror #1, or "The teacher," as the bailiff likes to call me, on a murder trial that will last the duration of the week. However, given my love for the law and forensics, I am actually very excited to have this firsthand experience. We began testimony at 2:45pm today and concluded around 4:30pm, but those few hours were very exciting and lived up to my expectations of a good case. I cannot divulge any details or I might have to kill you (no pun intended), but after the verdict and sentencing is announced, I will be happy to share my experiences with you. So, tomorrow begins Day 2, and I will be anxious to see what happens!

Surprise!

2006-03-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

I LOVE surprises...Well, who doesn't? But, in the last few months, I've had many pleasant surprises which seem to just pop up out of nowhere. My surprise of the day today was finding out that a certain someone has "googled" me! After overcoming my initial reaction to secure a restraining order, I realized that if someone finds entertainment by googling me, then have at it! Needless to say, I googled myself and all I could find was my school webpage and my blog. Not too exciting really, but who am I to judge myself? Apparently I never knew I led such an enthralling and intricate life!

A note to you, Mr. Googler: don't waste your time finding out meaningless details on a silly little website...I'm more than happy to talk in person; you just have to know how to ask the right questions...

2006-03-21T15:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Spring! This is one of my favorite seasons of the year. I am always reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." We've heard that verse so often, but if you take a minute to think of these words and let them saturate your heart, realize that whatever area/habit/personality trait/relationship in your life is troubling you, God can take YEARS away and make that instantly new. I have had that happen time and time again, and it's always so encouraging when I look back and see how very far God has brought me. Literally, in every area of my life, whether it's physical, mental, emotional, social, or psychological, God has made me a new creation. Thankfully, the old has gone, and the new has come. Just when I thought it could or never would happen, much like a bulb is dormant under a blanket of snow, the blossom popped up and surprised me. Just when we least expect it or have given up hope, God makes our lives new in small ways and in large ways. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts to us each day! He is truly able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. How limited our imaginations really are when it comes to His types of new creations. Amen!

2006-03-19T16:56:00.000-08:00

All week long, I was counting down the days to Sunday. I have been so excited to sing in the choir this week, and when I found out we were singing with Lisa Pierre, I was overjoyed. She is an amazing woman with powerhouse vocals, and although I love listening to her sing solo, it's a completely different level of joy singing backup for her. My morning turned out exactly as I had hoped. I think I was more excited than I usually am on Christmas! Whenever I lose sight of my true citizenship in Heaven, I remember these times of amazing worship, and realize that Heaven will be filled with this ecstatic joy and even purer worship of our King. I've always said that I could sing praise songs all day long, but one day, I really will. Today was just a dim glimpse of what my eternal life will really be. Until then, I'm thankful for the gift of praise that God has given us to enjoy as a taste of what's to come.

2006-03-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to give a shout-out to two of my favorite tormentors, um, students, David (on the left) and Nick (on the right). They start their day in my class for first period, but inevitably, every day, they come by and visit me at least 2-3 more times before and after lunch. Although they try to weasel their way out of work, get out of class, or just plain tease me any way they can, I don't know what I'd do without them. Today, David tried to pinch me during class and at lunch, even though I was wearing a green shirt, so I just pinched him right back. They are the little brothers I never had! Love you guys! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!

2006-03-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

They're baaaaaack...Oh yes, you too can now own your very own pair of parachute pants. Ladies, they even come in capri style these days. I remember in 2nd grade, the tomboy of our class, Johanna, wore a pair of black parachute pants, and I really wanted a pair. I guess I can now have that pair that I've always wanted, but strangely, now it doesn't seem quite as satisfying. Watch out, because the 80's styles are invading us again, especially when we least expect it. Last weekend, I saw a model in Nordstrom's complete with leggings and a short skirt, a la Madonna style circa 1983. It's all just way too rad for me...

2006-03-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

No, this is not my new house. But this was my "house" for many spring breaks, fall outings, and overnight camping trips. This is none other than the camper's paradise, the "pop-up trailer." The sides neatly fold in, the top rolls down, and so you have a box on wheels as you travel happily down the road. However, you must be careful in your very own pop-up. Let's see...The first time we ever used one, my Dad did not secure the bottom of the camper, so the entire thing tipped on its side as we scrambled around to hold on to something while he frantically lowered the levels. A few years later, we had all exited the camper, and all of a sudden we heard this sound like a sonic boom, and we turned around to see that the top had slammed down because the upright locks had not been secured. Wonder who's fault that was again? Needless to say, we were all glad that night that we hadn't been beheaded by our fun-loving camper. You never know what might happen if you enter into the world of the pop-up. I will tell you that the laughs and adventures never cease! But use at your own risk (or at the risk of your family). These campers can have a mind of their own!

Giving it up...

2006-03-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

At the Oscars the other night, they sang a song called "In the Deep," from the soundtrack of the movie Crash. The end of the song has a line which says, "If you want to be given everything, give everything up." Even though it's a secular song, it rings true with us as Christians. I've been convicted of trying to maneuver certain situations to my advantage, but I need to truly release my grip on those situations so that Christ can work through me and in me. It will all work out in the end, but how much better will it be when I approach that situation with open hands. So, I'm giving it up...Officially, irrevocably, finally...Not in an effort to get everything I want, but in an effort to live the abundant life I am called to live.

Homecoming Queen (or is it King?) 2006

2006-03-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

You too can run for Homecoming King, Queen, or whatever you'd like...It doesn't matter what your gender is. What matters is whatever title you most aspire to; so, go for it...Oh yes, at a small college, a lesbian ran for and won "Homecoming King 2006." Last year she wanted to run for Homecoming Prince, but the dean didn't allow her. After all the complaints, he couldn't take the pressure anymore, so he allowed her to run this year for King. Not surprisingly, she won with 46% of the vote. I guess she forgot she was a girl after all, but apparently 22% of America agrees that she should be allowed to run for and win the title of "King" after all. I guess now we'll have Queen Charles or King Elizabeth, or even better yet, Prince Leah...

Powerless pushing

2006-03-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend, my sister and I took a quick weekend trip to Dallas. We always go to Tony Evans's church there, and this morning his sermon was on living in the Spirit vs. living according to the flesh. If you've never heard him speak, you are missing out big time, mainly because his insight into creating illustrations from life examples is incredible. This morning, he shared the following illustration that I wanted to pass along (I won't do it justice, but I'll make an attempt!):

Living in the flesh (operating according to our wants and desires) is like pushing a brand new, fully operational vehicle uphill. We push, curse, sweat, and strive to move that car uphill, asking everyone else around us, except God, for help as we struggle. We make little headway other than to add to our frustration. Little do we realize that if we live by the Spirit (making choices that God would have us make), we have full access to the power underneath the hood of that car. No longer will we have to push our way uphill, but we can slip into that vehicle and let that power move us up that formidable hill. Why am I sweating and struggling over something that has the power inside to take me where I need to go? If I am a truly Spirit-filled Christian, my life will be marked by seeking God's advice FIRST in His Word and through prayer.

Dr. Evans's bottom line was this: The SAME Spirit that got Christ up at Easter lives in us, and an abundant life here on earth is not a life without problems, but a life where the problems don't CONTROL you.

May your life be abundant this week as you walk according to the Spirit!

In Memoriam...

2006-03-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

Some called her Miglet, others called her Mags, but most knew her by her given name, Maggie. For 15 years, a sweet black and white Shih Tzu made her home in our hearts, giving us unconditional love, tiny little pink kisses, and serving as a personal space heater whenever and wherever we needed her. From riding in our lap in the car to playing princess on our doll beds to calmly lying there while we dressed her up, little Mags was our "real" stuffed animal, near and dear to our hearts. She seemed to have the Energizer battery inside her; she kept going and going, her little spunky heart never giving up, outliving 2 other dogs and a few family members. It seemed like she would live forever; but, alas, dogs can never stay with us for too long.

Sadly, this week, our Mags has left us...She just couldn't keep up anymore, she quit eating and drinking, and quietly drifted off to sleep last night. In some ways, losing a pet is worse than losing a family member. They become your family, but they give so much more than they ever demand in return, they love you unconditionally, and are always genuinely happy to see you, no matter what kind of day you or they have had. Goodbye little friend, we will always love you. You are a one-of-a-kind, and we will never forget you...

Control freaks...

2006-02-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

One of my biggest pet peeves that I share with my best friend is when complete strangers get up in our business and boss us around.

So my sister went to Walgreen's and was squatting down looking at a shelf of medicine. This middle-aged man walked up to her and said, "May I offer you a tip?" She thought maybe he was referring to the selection of medicines, so she replied, "Sure." I'm sure he wasn't going to wait on her permission to allow him to say, "Well, you really should be kneeling down with one knee on the floor and the other leg bent. You will wear your knees out squatting." My sister just glibly responded, "Okay," and kept looking on the shelf. He persisted with, "No really, you need to quit squatting." Trying to keep from laughing, she replied, "Okay." He finally got the hint and walked away.

I mean, do you see why this is a pet peeve? I guess my sister had forgotten to take off the sign on her back which read, "Please tell me how to properly look for medicines on the shelf," as she got dressed that morning.

Seriously, some people need to mind their own business and quit worrying about the habits of others. To me, understanding what goes through someone's head to let them know it's OKAY to boss complete strangers is like trying to understand the concept of eternity. I just frankly don't get it...

A variation of veggie tales...

2006-02-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last night, I spent an exciting evening babysitting for a 3 year old boy and a 9 month old girl. After I had put the baby down to sleep, the little boy still had not eaten dinner, so I fixed a gourmet dinner of hot dogs, grapes, and carrots. Of course everything had to be cut up into tiny pieces so that he would not choke.

I had not been to their house since before the baby was born, so last time I was there, the little boy was still two. At that time, most of his food, neatly cut into even tinier pieces, was kept in these little plastic containers in the fridge with his name on them. So last night, I found a little container of diced carrots labeled "Lucas," so I added those to the mix of his dinner.

Everything was going just fine as he made his way through the grapes and hot dogs. Then all of a sudden, he stops eating, puts his hands on his head, and starts moaning. I thought to myself, "Oh no, what's wrong now?" I asked him, "Lucas, what's the matter?" He took his hands off his head, looked back at me, and whined as he fought off tears, "These are BABY carrots. I don't eat BABY carrots. I want BIG BOY carrots."

Okaaaayyyy...So apparently I had fed him his little sister's carrots and I was supposed to feed him "big boy" carrots that were julienned. I hopped up with a "Yes, sir," and cut those carrots quickly. The rest of the dinner he just eyed the "baby carrots" with a scornful look on his face.

I just wanted to tell him, "Look buddy, if that's your biggest problem today, you've got it made." I think they should start selling carrots in variable sizes...Newborn carrots, baby carrots, toddler carrots, big boy carrots, juvenile carrots, adult carrots. I'm sure that would certainly clear up the confusion.

Skills...I got 'em

2006-02-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

The ball tipped up in the air, I grabbed it, dribbled down the court, and scored the first basket for our team! Oh yes, as if chaperoning the middle school dance last Friday wasn't enough excitement to last me at least another few months, I signed up to play in our annual faculty vs. kids basketball game that was held Friday afternoon.

Imagine this scene: Two teams of girls (A and B teams) gathered to play one team of women teachers, some in shape, some not so in shape. Some had never even touched a basketball before. Fortunately, this year we had some stacked competition on our side. Most of our players were younger, in shape, and had played basketball in high school. I must say that we held our own. The girls A team did gain a lead on us, but we kept up and blocked a lot of good shots. I was even interviewed for a post-game recap...

All in all, it was a suspenseful, heart-stopping (maybe from too much sprinting, not excitement), competitive game, and I was just glad I could leave the gym last night knowing I was a balla after all! The kids said they are going to nominate me for "Basketball Babe 2006." Results to come...

My nemesis...

2006-02-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

Has turned out this week to be this pesky, irritating, itching cough. It gives no warning of its arrival, it just starts shaking my body until I either pour bottle after bottle of water down my throat, or I continue hacking until I nearly choke.

It all started Saturday night, waking me up from my ever-precious slumber. It continued on through church on Sunday, interrupted 2 classes on Monday AND Tuesday-so much so that I had to leave the class to run to the water fountain, but more annoying, angering, and frustrating than all of those combined, THE COUGH has come to visit me Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights.

A little background: I require a good 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to fully function as normal human being. If one night is interrupted, I'm a little sleepy the next day, but I can manage, knowing that I'll make it up the next night. After two nights, I'm definitely groggy and slightly irritable, but after THREE nights consecutively interrupted by THE COUGH, I switch into "robot mode:" today I operated with half-closed eyes (literally so puffy I look slightly Asian), no patience, forgetfulness, and a constant fighting off of falling asleep in class (yes, even while I was trying to teach).

So, if THE COUGH visits me again tonight, tomorrow I am officially resigning from the human race.

Why does it always happen in church?

2006-02-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

The only time I ever received a poor conduct grade in school was in 7th grade choir when I sat next to this girl who always made me laugh hysterically. I couldn't help it, couldn't stop it, and much to my chagrin, couldn't restrain it AT ALL. I remember one day sitting in chapel and during the prayer, I started laughing, but I couldn't obviously laugh out loud, so I held my nose. Because I did this, my eye started making this strange squeaking noise, which further sent me into hysterics; so the harder I tried to stop, the louder my eye squeaked, and the more I laughed.

This little "habit" of mine has followed me into my adulthood. Now, it only flares up when I'm with certain people, like either my sister, my best friend Jentry, or one or two select others who can bring that side out in me (the word "flare" reminds me of a strange illness...but maybe it is). It's strange...It's like it comes out and it can identify the person I'm with as a fellow "laugher" and it will just take over! Once that happens, I know I've found a forever friend.

This all sounds like fun and games, however, the problem is that it always happens either during church or during an important meeting at school. The most recent occurrence was last summer when I was sitting in a room with my principals and we were interviewing a potential candidate. Well, this poor man was really sweet, but every time he said the word "technology," it came out "technowogy." The first time it happened, I glanced at one of the principals and she was smiling. That was all it took. So for the rest of the interview, I turned my head away from him trying to mask my laughter, consistently being made worse by his repetitions of "technowogy" at least 5 more times.

So the fun continued as this morning, I was battling a cough, and my throat got really irritated and I couldn't stop coughing. Then, I started that laughing again and so I was alternately coughing-laughing-coughing-laughing-coughing, and it was impossible to control. I actually had to contemplate leaving the service to get a hold of myself! I think I would have gotten some of my behavior tickets taken away for sure this morning if the teacher had been there. But hey, if I have to get in trouble for laughing, how bad can that be? I say everyone should have at least one good belly laugh a day...All I can say is, if you have that side in you too, watch out, because I can sense it and I'll bring you down right along with me!

Top Ten Reasons to Chaperone a Middle School Dance...As a twenty-something

2006-02-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

10. Wearing whatever you want and not worrying about your friend wearing the same outfit.
9. Having "Do you want to be my lover?" dedicated to you during the karaoke time.
8. Hearing "Thriller" and remembering the REAL music video.
7. Not worrying about sweaty 14-year-old boys asking you to dance. Well, at least not TOO many of them.
6. Getting in for free, eating free pizza, and enjoying VERY entertaining attempts at dancing by 11-14 year olds.
5. Reliving your middle school dance experiences in a strangely new way.
4. Not getting a detention for your skirt being too short.
3. Watching the 5'1" boys dance with the 5'7" girls.
2. Having the power to split up any PDA going on in the room.
1. Being able to leave with your confidence still intact.

Oh yes, tonight was our all-school party! If you ever want a fun time, let me know and I can hook you up with the next middle school chaperoning position! Coming soon: The BIG 8th grade dance in May. It's a time you don't want to miss. The girls are already shopping for their dresses...It's the event of the year for sure!

Do you give up?

2006-02-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

This weekend, a friend told me a story that has stuck with me. The story goes:

A man at our church was driving a tractor in a field and all of a sudden it sunk deeply. It sunk so deeply that his feet were level with the ground and he literally just stepped off the seat onto the ground. He goes next door to get a second, larger tractor to tow the first one out of the muck. He attaches it, climbs aboard, and to his annoyance, finds that it, too, sinks quickly. He goes and finds a third tractor, and the SAME thing happens. Finally, he goes down the street to find the largest tractor made, so large that the seat was feet into the air. It, too, sinks...By this time, people are driving by and just stopping to watch this phenomenon. It's literally looking like some kind of strange work of art with four enormous tractors more than halfway submerged in mud. Finally, this guy's dad asked him, "Do you give up?" to which he promptly replied, "Yes." The Dad used some kind of crank and slowly, eventually freed each tractor until they were out of the mud.

My friend then told me that this is so much like our life. God will let us try the same thing over and over and over again, watch us sink into the mud, until we think we have found the biggest, strongest solution to our problem. We finally throw our hands up in frustration as we watch our last ditch effort also sink into the proverbial mud of our life. God finally asks us if we give up and then He comes along and slowly cranks us out of our misery and paralysis into the abundant life we are called to live. But how many times do we have to sink into the mud before we ask His help to free us? How long will we fight to get out of the mud using our own strength?

The latest trend...

2006-01-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

Apparently blogging is no longer confined to those of us on the "outside." I ran across this little headline this morning:

"Death row blogger offers tips on life in and out of prison"

I wonder what his tips are...Make sure you watch Friends each day, don't eat the hamburgers, don't tick off Guard #3 on weeknights, make sure you don't murder someone, but if you do, above all else, DON'T get caught...Hmmm...Blogging could take on a whole new viewpoint now! What will they think of next?

In the middle of the ride...

2006-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Workwise, this week has been stellar...My favorite/BFF girl student and I now email at night and that is more than super fun! She's great...I wish she was 30! Anyways, personal life-wise, this week has not turned out as I thought it would, which is to say, I'm holding on! So, I tend to turn back to favorite songs during times such as these, and this week, it's back to Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle." I printed out the lyrics and posted them on my computer this morning...So here they are...Hope you like them...It IS going to be okay, I just know it! Watch out, bitter hearts!

"Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.

It just takes some time, little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).

Hey, you know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.
Live right now.Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.

It just takes some time, little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything(everything) will be alright (alright).

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say."

Too much time...

2006-01-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

At school, I'm in charge of ordering the sweatshirts every year since I oversee Student Council. There's always some type of complaint about the color or design or texture, etc., etc., but THIS complaint was a new one for me. The other day I received a message slip to return a mother's call regarding the sweatshirt her son had ordered. The message read:

"Has anyone complained about the sleeves being too long on the sweatshirts?"

As I crumpled up the piece of paper, I thought, "No, but maybe your son's arms are too short!" This was followed by my next thought, "Some people have WAY too much time on their hands!" I wish I had her set of problems, which seemed to consist of measuring and analyzing shirt sleeve lengths. I'm sorry, but my Mom would have never called my school to complain about the length of a shirt! What has this world come to? I guess it affected her son's self-esteem to find that his arms didn't make it all the way to the end of his sleeves.

Ode to Martin Luther King, Jr.

2006-01-16T12:58:00.000-08:00

Though some may be critical of his lifestyle, I have come to greatly admire and respect MLK, Jr., mainly through teaching his speeches and studying his leadership style. I wanted to share a quick quote penned by him in honor of this holiday:

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

Arm yourself with the truth, love unconditionally, and ultimately, although it doesn't seem like it most days, right will triumph! King's style excluded violence and included love, respect, and hope, and what an inspirational life he led. Any time you feel like you don't make a difference or don't have a purpose, keep striving, keep doing what is right, because this one man, MLK, Jr., made a vast difference for his people in the 1960's by extending hope to many of them for the first time. Always look for opportunities to extend hope...You will be remembered and make a difference in people's lives with that one seemingly small quality.

Strewing Scripture...

2006-01-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended Beth Moore's Bible study, and she shared a story about a staff member who was on her way to visit her mother's house when she was hit by a veering car and was killed instantly. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found Scripture cards strewn all over the scene of the accident. They had to literally walk around picking up the cards of Scripture. Beth Moore said that she wants to go out "strewing Scripture" and just leaving a mess of God's handiwork around her.

This reminds me of two other amazing servants of God who inspire me daily with their example of putting God first and letting His Word soak into their lives. The first is an elderly lady whom I knew and was a strong Christian and later in life developed Alzheimer's. Before the onset of the disease, she had memorized the entire book of Philippians with her husband. As she deteriorated mentally, her husband decided to take one last mission trip with her to China. At this point in her illness, she had completely forgotten her family and friend's names, but on the trip she stood up abruptly in a church meeting and quoted most of the book of Philippians. That doesn't just happen. Don't ever doubt that God's Word is living and active when you memorize it, and it DOES stand forever.

The second example is my father. After he had just undergone brain surgery to remove a tumor, his personality was altered and his memory was also greatly affected. From that point on, his words didn't make a lot of sense and he didn't string thoughts together completely logically. But what were some of the first words out of his mouth when his best friend came to visit? Sitting in Neuro-ICU with his head bandaged, he asked his best friend, "What do you need prayer for this week?" Because his memory had been affected, there was no way he could have truly known what he was saying. That question came from deep within his heart and mind. My Dad was a man of prayer and concern for others, and it was so deeply rooted that it just came out. There is no amount of hoping or pretending that will enable that type of behavior to occur unless you have spent time instilling those disciplines into yourself. As soon as he did that, I was reminded of the lady with Alzheimer's quoting Philippians. Either God's Word will come out or it won't. You can't put a mask on when you've lost all the masks that you have owned. But rest assured, if you take the time to pour God's Word into your heart and cultivate a relationship with Him, His Word will not return void and will shine forth even when your mental state has been altered or you have been struck by a car and all that is left are Scripture cards littering the road around you.

The question that haunts and motivates me still is: If I found myself suddenly struck ill, what would come out of my mouth and heart? What will people find strewn around me when I depart?

Of Mice and Men...

2006-01-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today's news story on CNN: "Vengeful mouse burns house down." The true story read that a man was burning leaves over the weekend and a pesky mouse would not leave his house. He grabbed the mouse and tossed it onto the pile of burning leaves, only to watch in horror as the mouse turned around, fully engulfed in flames, and ran back toward the man's house. Consequently, the man's house burned down to the ground. At first this was kind of funny, but as I thought about it, it was kind of scary! I thought of two parallels:

1. What comes around goes around. If we treat people (or animals, for that matter) kindly and respectfully, it will always come back to us, even if it takes years for us to see the results. Conversely, if we treat people rudely or selfishly, that too will "burn" us in the end. (I'm no animal rights activist, but that is just inhumane to burn an animal alive.)

2. How quickly a small nuisance or hidden sin, barely burning, can turn into an inferno of destruction. I'm sure this man thought he could get rid of this small problem by a contained fire, only to encounter a tragedy far beyond his imagination. Like Pastor Gregg said yesterday in his sermon, we try to control the weight of sin and ultimately we cannot even bear the burden. Similarly, a fire of sin can burn so quickly that we don't even know where or how it first got out of control. We even say that it could never happen to us, but sometimes when a small spark of temptation looks so easy to manage, it suddenly and quickly balloons out of our control. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone whom he may devour." I Peter 5:8

Strange sights...

2006-01-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

While running this morning in a sleep-deprived fog, I encountered some peculiar events occurring in my Mom's neighborhood where I run...

1. A yardman was blowing water from the street into the sewer. I guess I was naive enough to think that blowers were used for leaves, but what do I know? Maybe he was bored or finished with his work and wanted to make cool waves and patterns in the water.
2. Blinded by the sun, I noticed a lady walking and furiously waving at me, so at first glance I thought it was my sister and I yelled, "Hi Pumpkin (our nickname for each other)!" I started to wonder where she had bought the brown workout pants and Longhorn hat she was wearing, but come to find out, it was NOT my sister after all. So I just sped up and tried to avoid more embarrassment.
3. A car thought I was crossing the street, so it completely stopped as I was innocently jogging down the curbside. I panicked as I thought my life was over while being stalked or even kidnapped. Thankfully, it drove on after I gave a strange look to the driver.
4. Lastly, a man was raking leaves into his yard and as I was nearing his house, he completely stopped and just watched me. I still can't quite get the picture as to why it's such an aberration to see someone jogging on the street. People (mostly yardmen, I'm afraid) look at me like they've never seen such a sight before! Stalkers! At least I didn't get the customary whistles that plague me as I try to peacefully meander through the streets of Houston.

Who knew so much excitement could happen at 9:30am on a Saturday morning?

Seize every opportunity...

2006-01-04T20:57:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, we are not allowed to discuss Christianity or Jesus or anything like that in school. HOWEVER, there is always a loophole! Heh heh...This week we are studying Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches and appeals in preparation for our annual debate unit. So, last night, the kids' homework was to research Augustine and Thomas Aquinas to find out why King would have referenced them in his appeal from the Birmingham jailhouse.

So as I was telling my kids about Augustine today, I basically told them that he was raised in a Christian household, then went off and sought his own pleasures and philosophies, found that to be empty, and then returned to Christianity because he knew that to be the only way and truth to follow and wrote his famous Confessions. Unfortunately, I could not take my class down the "Romans Road," but I was able to get pretty darn close!

To add the icing on the cake, King writes in his appeal that he must take the "gospel of freedom" to his people just as Paul the apostle took the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Greco-Roman world. (It was at this point that I desperately wanted to ask, "Can anyone tell me what the gospel of Jesus Christ states?") But Christ's name was mentioned and our class today was focused on Christianity whether the kids realized it or not!

The beauty of teaching literature is they must understand allusions to Biblical characters or verses, so any time that is mentioned, I always teach that concept, because it is vital to knowing and understanding the text at hand. (They just don't know my ulterior motive is to share the Bible and Jesus Christ with them too!)

Onward Christian soldiers!

Top Ten Reasons to Love Teaching...

2006-01-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

Mostly entertaining, a few serious, but here's my return to school summed up in the "Top Ten" events of the day:

10. Receiving a beta fish from one of my students for our official "class pet," complete with food, a tank, and even a coral decorative plant.
9. Getting asked if I had gotten a boyfriend for Christmas.
8. Warming up my lunch in the microwave dating from 1982 and scarfing down my food in 15 minutes.
7. Arriving at school at 6:45am to make copies because the machine was broken yesterday at 4pm.
6. Squealing with one of my favorite girls when she ran into my room and hugged me.
5. Olympic speed-walking around the school to get everything done today.
4. Finding out at least 10 students in each period were now in different periods due to a computer scheduling glitch, thus completely erasing all class chemistry established from last semester.
3. Arranging, rearranging, scooting, shuffling, and carrying chairs and desks around my room all day.
2. Seeing the new outfits, haircuts, and makeovers of the kids (mostly girls, of course).
1. My favorite student telling me that I will always have a place in his heart.

Things aren't always what they seem...

2006-01-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

Just another way of saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." I was reminded of this adage when I saw a tray of supposed tater tots browning in the oven the other night. A group of us were having a spaghetti dinner, so I wondered to myself why someone had brought tater tots. But who am I to judge culinary decisions? Later as I sat down to eat my meatballs covered in sauce with spaghetti, I completely forgot to ask about the tater tots. Come to find out, the meatballs were the tater tots!! From a distance the warming meatballs had resembled tater tots. I had never bothered to take the time to ask exactly what they were, I was just operating on my own assumptions. But what a difference between the two!

Isn't this illustration true about people? I can't tell you how many times I have found this out, sometimes the hard way. I teach with a girl at my school who, at first glance, looks like "Miss Barbie." Of course when I first met her, I thought she would be snobby and very superficial. Come to find out, she's very bright (currently pursuing her Ph.D in Literature), is a homebody and can be quite shy, and is a very strong and opinionated woman. I'm so glad that I didn't rely on my assumptions and opinions and took the time to get to know her. I have really benefited from her expertise and strength!

So, next time you think you have sized someone up or think you know what someone will act like based on their appearance, think again! Give them a chance! You never know, you could be judging your next best friend!

Christmas Eve approaches...

2005-12-23T18:03:00.000-08:00

Only 4 more hours until Christmas Eve! Even when I'm 92 (if I live that long), I think I will always get that little nervous butterfly feeling about Christmas Eve approaching, with Christmas Day following soon after. Our family always went all out for Christmas, just doing fun little things during the entire month of December, but then, on Christmas Eve, we always slowed down and really allowed the truth of the holiday to sink in and just linger with us.

For my entire life, our tradition has always been to go to the Christmas Eve service at our church. I always find that night to be filled with wonder and just pure worship. My heart is filled with the excitement of Christmas coming in just a few hours, but more than that, I'm filled with thankfulness and such a peace and contentment for the gift of Christ's birth. I look forward to sitting in that candlelit room every year. This year will be even better because after we come home, we'll just wake up on Christmas and head right back to church again! So this year will be extremely focused on Christ, which is good.

A life-changing event happened in my family about year and a half ago, so Christmas looks quite different than before. It's easy to look at what's missing and who isn't with us, but this year especially, I must focus on Christ and His love to remind me daily of the real reason for Christmas. Christmas is such a family-focused time, and it makes it even harder to keep up a brave front, but thankfully, Christ is Emmanuel, God With ME, and I know that He is taking care of me in the midst of all the change and difference.

So for those of you who are looking at Christmas this year and it looks different for some reason or another, just remember that there are others who are like you and can share your thoughts and feelings, but most of all, Christ is WITH US and it is his birth that we celebrate. May the excitement of His birth and the peace He brings overshadow any heartache or sadness that you may be feeling. Merry Christmas!

Karie

2005-12-21T18:14:00.000-08:00

Have to share the story about 5th period...Whenever I draw pictures on the board, I always tout the fact that I'm NOT an artist. So one day I had drawn some horrible renditions of stick figures. To redeem myself a bit, I told them about the time when I was in sixth grade and I had drawn Indian corn and won an award for it at the rodeo (which is true!). Somehow during my telling of the story, most of the class heard me say, "Indian porn," and so now that is the big joke, about how well I draw "corn" or whatever else. They will never let me live that one down. As a teacher you HAVE to be willing to laugh at yourself, or you are sunk! But it's a great story and I think it's hilarious, so I'm good with it.

2005-12-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

This is my 3rd period class...I don't really have a "favorite" class, because they are all so different and have their own good points. But this class has the most kids that I already knew from last year, so that is a plus...I think I have 27 in this class. They always make me laugh a lot!

2005-12-21T18:06:00.000-08:00

So this is the first year I've taken pictures at school...I'm in love with this group of kids, so I wanted to make sure I remember them! These are two of my favorite girls, Kelly and Klaire...I taught both of them last year in 7th grade, and now have Klaire again, but not Kelly. I love my job! I miss the kids a lot...There's nothing like them...They are so funny...

Literature...the best thing since sliced bread...

2005-12-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

My love of literature has existed since I can remember. However, it wasn't until 10th grade that everything "clicked" in my mind and quickly propelled me into the love of analysis and application of literature to life. Since my "epiphany," I read, watch movies, observe art, listen to music, and just plain live life differently. Most of the time I feel privileged and so thankful to possess a love for literature, but that heightened sense also causes me to be affected much more deeply than the average Joe. Since I am already missing my teaching, I'm going to impart a few lines of poetry that have been and always will be my absolute favorite. The lines come from the "Four Quartets," by T.S. Eliot (my all-time favorite poet). I'm pulling a few out of order, but here goes:

"What we call the beginning is often the end/And to make an end is to make a beginning./ We shall not cease from exploration/And the end of all our exploring/Will be to arrive where we started/And know the place for the first time./And all shall be well and/All manner of thing shall be well."

WOW! So, to explicate this for you...How true these words are. Again, T.S. Eliot is amazing in his talent to put these truths and thoughts into words to which everyone can relate. How often I find myself saddened or disappointed by the ending of something I thought was meant to be, but in actuality, it is or could be the beginning of something that is even better. The word "ending" has such a negative connotation, but all good things must end in order to make room for the miraculous and spectactular. A baby's time in the womb must end in order to birth true life, a sinner's wanderings must end to make room for eternal life, and so on. My absolute favorite part is where he says, "And the end...will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." How many times is that true? Our lives are filled with explorations and discoveries, from who we are to how we react in certain situations. So many times I find myself back where I started, but suddenly, wonderfully, that same place is unrecognizable to me because it's as if I AM seeing it for the first time. Maybe it is because I personally have changed, or maybe the year is different, or maybe the people surrounding me are different, but as I find myself at that same place, I don't find the same emotions or immaturities that once marked that spot in my life. It's as if I'm offered a second chance. T.S. Eliot was a Christian and I like how he ends this with "All shall be well." It reminds me of the hymn, "It is well with my soul." Even though trials shall tear us apart and life can batter us, we will always come back to the places we first started, but approach them and handle them with a very different set of hands. God's sovereignty guides us each day and enables us to make beginnings from endings, even when we see no way of clearing the dust from the endings of our lives.

So you can see why I love literature so much...All these thoughts and many more spawn from a few simple lines of poetry.

It's late, so I'm signing off...Enjoy these numerous blogs, because come January 2, an abrupt halt will come to these entries!

Karie

Just another Manic Monday...

2005-12-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

So, today was almost a perfect day! I could have slept in a bit later, but I woke up around 8am, went to Memorial Park, ran 6 miles in the pristine conditions, then basically shopped the rest of the day. Speaking of perfect days, here's how mine would look (feel free to post your perfect day too!):

1. Wake up around 8:30am
2. Run in about 50 degree weather
3. Run errands/go shopping/eat lunch at a cute little cafe
4. Come home around 5pm and relax for an hour or so
5. Change into church/dressier clothes
6. Go eat dinner at either Ruggles/Mark's
7. Go to something fun (theater, movie, I don't know)
8. Finish around 11pm and then just talk and hang out

(The last three items 6-8 would be best if accompanied by a significant other)

My other perfect day would consist of either going to the beach/Kemah and watching boats and just talking, or going camping and hanging outside and playing/singing worship music...

So today was pretty much the perfect day (I hit items 1-4)!

So tomorrow morning is an early morning for me b/c I have to help a friend with her baby, but I can always come home and nap later...The joys of having time off...Ahhhh...

Signing off,
Karie

Taking a Dive

2005-12-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

Here we go! My first blog...I will treasure this experience forever. Usually on these types of things I either write in a style which is very serious or introspective, or in a style which is very random or possibly silly. I think I will go for the random side today. I don't feel like crying on my first blog ever. What kind of experience would that make it for me? I'm going to just keep it short and list the things for which I'm most thankful this Christmas season. (I know, I know. Thanksgiving is past. But who says we can't do this all year 'round? I think Christmas should be a thankful time too.)

Things for which I'm most thankful (not in any particular order):
1. Having a purpose in life
2. Friends who show unconditional love
3. A father who lived for God in every area
4. A church home where I am challenged and welcomed
5. My students at school
6. The outdoors
7. Opportunties to grow and learn
8. Trials to sharpen and mold me
9. God's sovereignty (although His ways are NOT my ways, I pray for bold faith in His ways)
10. Good conversation with friends
11. Laughter - the more, the better
12. Literature (that includes the Bible)

I could go on and on, but these come to mind first...I'm going to leave you with a stanza from my favorite poem (I will leave a little literature each time to stimulate your mind):

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

-Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"