Hi Ya'll-
This weekend I went to the Freemont fair with my friend Sydney. The Freemont area is one of the more liberal areas in Seattle. Anyway, Sydney and I watched a parade and it was one of the strangest experiences that I have had! haha. There was a naked bicycle race...yes, I am serious, completely naked people rode bikes (some unicycles)! There were also belly dancers, giant ants pushing a large ball of "poop," children dressed up like grasshoppers who handed out candy, and fairies passing out hugs. The weirdest one was a woman who paraded down the street waving a flag WHILE breastfeeding her child. After the very interesting parade, we met up with some of Sydney's friends and bought a gyro, fries and drank a beer in the beer garden. All the while, it rained and rained and rained. Typical.
The last couple days have flown as I wrap up my first year as a teacher! Today we had a field day and it was the best! Sydney and I were charge of the three-legged race. I had a blast with the kids! Then, we had our annual tug-of-war competition, where the whole school watched staff vs. sixth graders. The staff won, must be all the iron I have been pumping these days!
The day got a little less fun, when I lost my keys (which include my car and apartment keys). I think someone (parent, staff, child?) picked it up!!!! Uh oh. Melissa ended up driving me to my apartment where they let me rent a key for 24 hours. Then, a friend from work will pick me up in the morning. I am crossing my fingers that tomorrow someone will realize that they accidently took my keys and give them back. If not, that means I have to get new apartment and car keys. It will be a pain in the butt, to put it very nicely. There are worse things in life! Everyone on my staff has been so helpful and have been calling to check up on me to see if I have found them!
Tomorrow is my last day with the kids! I am sure that I will have more days at school so that I can pack up all my stuff and get my paperwork finished. It's cute the whole staff goes outside to wave and send the kids off right for the summer : )
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
So I have been thinking...
1. Seattle really does rain as much as everyone says it does. It's seriously unbelieveable!
2. The last two days I have read over 800 pages. I am hooked on the Twilight series! Never thought I would get swept away...but I did...about a year later than everyone else. lol. I read the first two books and watched the first two movies in two days. It's been fun to be a bookworm the last couple of days. But, I am ready to go back to school and get moving again.
3. There are 3 weeks left of school. The feeling of "winding down" and figuring out job/living situation feels all too familar. I feel like I just did this. I am trying to be better about uncertaintly, this time around. But, it's not my strong point.
4.I am watching the bachelorette tonight with my friend, Melissa. The Bachelorette reminds me of summertime, friends, and sunflower seeds. I am looking forward to summer! I think we all are!
2. The last two days I have read over 800 pages. I am hooked on the Twilight series! Never thought I would get swept away...but I did...about a year later than everyone else. lol. I read the first two books and watched the first two movies in two days. It's been fun to be a bookworm the last couple of days. But, I am ready to go back to school and get moving again.
3. There are 3 weeks left of school. The feeling of "winding down" and figuring out job/living situation feels all too familar. I feel like I just did this. I am trying to be better about uncertaintly, this time around. But, it's not my strong point.
4.I am watching the bachelorette tonight with my friend, Melissa. The Bachelorette reminds me of summertime, friends, and sunflower seeds. I am looking forward to summer! I think we all are!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Inspired
Hi Everybody,
Sorry about the major slacking in blog world. It's not like there hasn't been a lot to write about these days! Big things are happening on the westside! I can't believe that I only have ONE more month until I am finished with my first year of teaching. I can't believe how fast this year has flown and I feel incredibly blessed by all the people who have supported me and for my amazing students. I am not sure what the next step is for me and it's interesting to think that I am in a similar position as I was last year at this time. But, this year I feel much more peaceful about where I will end up. The lastest little wild flower is off to Colorado...Ande Sue, I will miss you so much when you leave! But, I am excited for what the future holds!
Today, I met a little boy who had many different handicaps. He had autism, was partially deaf, had cerebral palsy, and low cognitive/language skills. When I was observing him, I was thinking "How did a child get so many set-backs? How is it that he has four, isn't just one of the disabilities enough?" But, then I am reminded that God created each and everyone one of us for His purpose and each person is a gift. The more and more I work with children who are impacted with disabilities, the more I see the hand of God in their lives and well as mine. For some of my kids who have learning disabilities, I can see that it will probably "make or break them." They will have to work 10x harder to keep up with the average student, and some may have to use coping skills to even just stay in the "ballpark." But, isn't it the heart that we put into our work and the drive that counts the most? I think so. I admire my kids for their hearts and their drive toward their learning. They inspire me!
Well I just ate a quesadilla and it's time for some sleep.
Love to each of you tonight.
Sorry about the major slacking in blog world. It's not like there hasn't been a lot to write about these days! Big things are happening on the westside! I can't believe that I only have ONE more month until I am finished with my first year of teaching. I can't believe how fast this year has flown and I feel incredibly blessed by all the people who have supported me and for my amazing students. I am not sure what the next step is for me and it's interesting to think that I am in a similar position as I was last year at this time. But, this year I feel much more peaceful about where I will end up. The lastest little wild flower is off to Colorado...Ande Sue, I will miss you so much when you leave! But, I am excited for what the future holds!
Today, I met a little boy who had many different handicaps. He had autism, was partially deaf, had cerebral palsy, and low cognitive/language skills. When I was observing him, I was thinking "How did a child get so many set-backs? How is it that he has four, isn't just one of the disabilities enough?" But, then I am reminded that God created each and everyone one of us for His purpose and each person is a gift. The more and more I work with children who are impacted with disabilities, the more I see the hand of God in their lives and well as mine. For some of my kids who have learning disabilities, I can see that it will probably "make or break them." They will have to work 10x harder to keep up with the average student, and some may have to use coping skills to even just stay in the "ballpark." But, isn't it the heart that we put into our work and the drive that counts the most? I think so. I admire my kids for their hearts and their drive toward their learning. They inspire me!
Well I just ate a quesadilla and it's time for some sleep.
Love to each of you tonight.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A busy week in Seattle
Hello everyone,
I just finished up a Thai food dish in my apartment and finished my planning for my new kindergarten remedial reading group. It's dreadfully gloomy outside and rainy...although I do admit there was a small amount of sunshine yesterday. Let me tell you, I siezed the opportunity joyfully! I walked across the street, bought a soy misto, and walked around my cute little apartment area. I had the biggest goofiest smile on my face...all because the sunshine felt so wonderful. We are deprived of sun over here for MONTHS. When the sun does come out, you appreciate it so much!
Last week was a busy one. Like I said, I started up a brand new small group for my kindergarteners. They are so little and they are so honest/funny. One of the boys in my group wanted to know who was American (what a funny question). Then the kids proceeded to say "what's an american?" and "I don't know what I am!" It's okay to be a little clueless in kindergarten, hey, we were all there at some point right? I also had my second principal observation (it went well) and my first student that I tested for special education qualification! Big things for me!
On Friday, I got to see a play in downtown Seattle in a beautiful old theatre called 5th avenue. Ande had called me up earler that day and told me there was an extra ticket and I jumped on it! The play turned out to be quite depressing, it was about mental illness. But, it was well done and I always appreciate adventures in downtown Seattle. Last night, Saturday, I went out with a friend from work (Melissa) to celebrate her friend's birthday. There were a ton of people there and we danced, chatted, met new people, and I drank sprite. haha. It got a little bit more interesting when a bar fight broke out and some guy kept on calling me Princess Blair (can't you just see me rolling my eyes?).
Today, I tried out a new church. I love my church, but decided to try something new out today. Turned out, I chose a great place to go, because it talked about dating. Which is perfect for me! I didn't necessarily learn anything new, but felt affirmed in my current beliefs on dating. Remember ladies, singleness isn't for waiting, but for growing!
Okay, well, off I go. I have avoided folding laundry for a couple days and now is the time.
Love you!
I just finished up a Thai food dish in my apartment and finished my planning for my new kindergarten remedial reading group. It's dreadfully gloomy outside and rainy...although I do admit there was a small amount of sunshine yesterday. Let me tell you, I siezed the opportunity joyfully! I walked across the street, bought a soy misto, and walked around my cute little apartment area. I had the biggest goofiest smile on my face...all because the sunshine felt so wonderful. We are deprived of sun over here for MONTHS. When the sun does come out, you appreciate it so much!
Last week was a busy one. Like I said, I started up a brand new small group for my kindergarteners. They are so little and they are so honest/funny. One of the boys in my group wanted to know who was American (what a funny question). Then the kids proceeded to say "what's an american?" and "I don't know what I am!" It's okay to be a little clueless in kindergarten, hey, we were all there at some point right? I also had my second principal observation (it went well) and my first student that I tested for special education qualification! Big things for me!
On Friday, I got to see a play in downtown Seattle in a beautiful old theatre called 5th avenue. Ande had called me up earler that day and told me there was an extra ticket and I jumped on it! The play turned out to be quite depressing, it was about mental illness. But, it was well done and I always appreciate adventures in downtown Seattle. Last night, Saturday, I went out with a friend from work (Melissa) to celebrate her friend's birthday. There were a ton of people there and we danced, chatted, met new people, and I drank sprite. haha. It got a little bit more interesting when a bar fight broke out and some guy kept on calling me Princess Blair (can't you just see me rolling my eyes?).
Today, I tried out a new church. I love my church, but decided to try something new out today. Turned out, I chose a great place to go, because it talked about dating. Which is perfect for me! I didn't necessarily learn anything new, but felt affirmed in my current beliefs on dating. Remember ladies, singleness isn't for waiting, but for growing!
Okay, well, off I go. I have avoided folding laundry for a couple days and now is the time.
Love you!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Another Snow Day...
Hi Friends!
Have you had some snow days?
We have over in these parts! Last week I had Thursday and Friday off for Mid Winter Break. Then this week we had Monday off, went to school on Tuesday and the past two days have been Snow Days. I believe that we'll be back at school tomorrow. It throws me all off to not work. I like to work and when snow days some around my day just feels incomplete. I understand that I am very weird.
Tomorrow is my birthday! I am excited for my birthday. I think that 23 is going to be a great age and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next in life. I am in the process of getting credentialed to teach in CA...application processes are horrible, I think. I seem to skip steps or don't understand the wordy documents. I hope that I am able to pull this thing off in time and get everything completed correctly. Pray for me!
I miss my kids and miss being busy. I miss my friends and I miss my family. My sister was texting me about being around family and it made my heart miss them so much. Okay, enough with the pity party! Time to get on with it...
Love to you!
Have you had some snow days?
We have over in these parts! Last week I had Thursday and Friday off for Mid Winter Break. Then this week we had Monday off, went to school on Tuesday and the past two days have been Snow Days. I believe that we'll be back at school tomorrow. It throws me all off to not work. I like to work and when snow days some around my day just feels incomplete. I understand that I am very weird.
Tomorrow is my birthday! I am excited for my birthday. I think that 23 is going to be a great age and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next in life. I am in the process of getting credentialed to teach in CA...application processes are horrible, I think. I seem to skip steps or don't understand the wordy documents. I hope that I am able to pull this thing off in time and get everything completed correctly. Pray for me!
I miss my kids and miss being busy. I miss my friends and I miss my family. My sister was texting me about being around family and it made my heart miss them so much. Okay, enough with the pity party! Time to get on with it...
Love to you!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
It's been a long time....
Hi Friends!
It' been a looooong time since I have written. But, it feels good to sit down and do a little blogging.
I just got back from the starbucks across the street from my apartment. I was grading my third grader's narratives...some of them were very good and I was quite impressed by their ability to come up with creative stories and descriptive language. Way to go third grade! The tricky ones were the stories that only had dialogue, yet had no quotation marks. WHOAH is me! haha. Anyway, as I was grading away, I felt happy because the coffee shop felt familar. I recognized all the baristas and realized one of them had gotten a new haircut. I ran into a fellow teacher and her adorable daughter, who is the spitting image of her. Also, I saw creepy old Ukranian man, who Ande and I met at my apartment Christmas party. He asked her to go to a Russian club. Needless to say, I avoided that character. But, anyway, it felt good to be out and recognize others. It's hard to explain.
After my grading, I was reviewing some old journal entries and I found one from the beginning of February of 2010...I had just come back from Hawaii and was beginning to take over my second grade class for student teaching...I wrote...
"It’s all going to hit me. Taking over the class, graduation, saying goodbye to people, moving out, looking for jobs, and hopefully starting a new one. This is all going to happen in less than a year. It’s like a huge gust of wind is forming behind me and is going to sweep me away. I am trying to have faith right now that God is with me and I know HE knows what HE is doing."
Think back friends, what were you doing in February of 2010? Are you where you thought you would be? For myself, I am not. I would agree that this whole transition has felt like a gust of wind that carried me away. I am surprised at where I am. But, at the same time, I can look back and see all the times that God has moved me so that I can learn what I have now. I think that I have a lot more learning to do too.
This past week was a looooonnnnnggg one at work. I was sooooooooo grumpy and tired and had to try my hardest to not let it show with my kids. By the end of the week, I was too tired to be annoyed and almost laughed when one of my kids brought in his book report...it looked like he had used it as a napkin for his breakfast and then ridden over it with his bike a few times. A lot of my kids would make very good characters in a book, their little quirks are endearing about 98% of the time to me (perhaps, other people would not have such a high percentage haha).
Well I am going to make a green smoothie and then head over to Edmonds to watch a movie with Ande, Jessica, and Anna!
Love your way!
It' been a looooong time since I have written. But, it feels good to sit down and do a little blogging.
I just got back from the starbucks across the street from my apartment. I was grading my third grader's narratives...some of them were very good and I was quite impressed by their ability to come up with creative stories and descriptive language. Way to go third grade! The tricky ones were the stories that only had dialogue, yet had no quotation marks. WHOAH is me! haha. Anyway, as I was grading away, I felt happy because the coffee shop felt familar. I recognized all the baristas and realized one of them had gotten a new haircut. I ran into a fellow teacher and her adorable daughter, who is the spitting image of her. Also, I saw creepy old Ukranian man, who Ande and I met at my apartment Christmas party. He asked her to go to a Russian club. Needless to say, I avoided that character. But, anyway, it felt good to be out and recognize others. It's hard to explain.
After my grading, I was reviewing some old journal entries and I found one from the beginning of February of 2010...I had just come back from Hawaii and was beginning to take over my second grade class for student teaching...I wrote...
"It’s all going to hit me. Taking over the class, graduation, saying goodbye to people, moving out, looking for jobs, and hopefully starting a new one. This is all going to happen in less than a year. It’s like a huge gust of wind is forming behind me and is going to sweep me away. I am trying to have faith right now that God is with me and I know HE knows what HE is doing."
Think back friends, what were you doing in February of 2010? Are you where you thought you would be? For myself, I am not. I would agree that this whole transition has felt like a gust of wind that carried me away. I am surprised at where I am. But, at the same time, I can look back and see all the times that God has moved me so that I can learn what I have now. I think that I have a lot more learning to do too.
This past week was a looooonnnnnggg one at work. I was sooooooooo grumpy and tired and had to try my hardest to not let it show with my kids. By the end of the week, I was too tired to be annoyed and almost laughed when one of my kids brought in his book report...it looked like he had used it as a napkin for his breakfast and then ridden over it with his bike a few times. A lot of my kids would make very good characters in a book, their little quirks are endearing about 98% of the time to me (perhaps, other people would not have such a high percentage haha).
Well I am going to make a green smoothie and then head over to Edmonds to watch a movie with Ande, Jessica, and Anna!
Love your way!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Happy!
Hi Friends-
I just caught up on everyone's blogs. It had been a while since I have read/wrote in blog world. I am so amazed at how wonderful my corner house friends are!
I have been feeling more adjusted here, over in Seattle. Things are picking up with new friends, things to do, and I am feeling more at ease with my job. I can write IEPs and lead parent meetings. Whooo-hoooo for that!
I went home for Thanksgiving and it was fabulous! It is always so good to see my family and everyone is doing well...which makes me very happy. I am looking forward to Christmastime when I can go back and spend more time with them : ) Plus, Danika drove down to see me and we went to the beach house...my special family spot.
(Me and my adorable niece)
I just caught up on everyone's blogs. It had been a while since I have read/wrote in blog world. I am so amazed at how wonderful my corner house friends are!
I have been feeling more adjusted here, over in Seattle. Things are picking up with new friends, things to do, and I am feeling more at ease with my job. I can write IEPs and lead parent meetings. Whooo-hoooo for that!
I went home for Thanksgiving and it was fabulous! It is always so good to see my family and everyone is doing well...which makes me very happy. I am looking forward to Christmastime when I can go back and spend more time with them : ) Plus, Danika drove down to see me and we went to the beach house...my special family spot.
(Me and my adorable niece)
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