My Morning

I've always felt that casual greetings with people are awkward and not geniune. Specifically, I hate "Good morning, how are you? Fine, and you? Fine, thanks." Ok, yes, this is a polite social norm, but it is too predictable and feels fake everytime I'm involved in this conversation. I've even been know to avoid eye contact with people to avoid this lacking conversation.

This morning, though, I was greeted in a different way. I was coming into school (work) very close to late and feeling a little sickly - definitely NOT excited about the day ahead of me. Quickly walking towards my classroom, I see a man from church. His daughter is on the team down the hall, so I see their family about once a week. I smile and say, "Good morning!" But he broke with tradition. He said, "The Lord's blessing be upon you today." It caught me off guard, but it also calmed me in a way that no other greeting ever has. Isn't it interesting how important it is to be reminded of our identity in Christ on a daily basis?

My Hand Was IN A COW!

Yeah. In a cow. See attached picture for proof.

I think I went on the best field trip of all time, today. Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but it was stinkin' cool. The U of A Animal Science Department has a cow with a permanent hole in its side. You can stick your hand in and feel the inside of its stomach and play with its lunch.

In other news, I spent a great weekend in Chicago. If you haven't seen it, you should make plans to see the musical Wicked. It was incredible! No lie. And... if you haven't visited him yet, you should make plans to visit Callan in Chicago. He's didn't get me lost, or anything!

The ice storms in Tulsa definitely ruined the end of the weekend, but I will choose to remember the beginning rather than the end. :)

Need a diversion from work?

Oh, I've recently been introduced to a new website. It is wonderful! I challenge you to try it.

The basic rundown: You practice vocabulary, while donating rice to help curb world hunger. That's right, it really is that simple.

After finding the site and becoming slightly addicted to it, I introduced it to my reading class. I took them to the computer lab one afternoon and our class donated over 30,000 grains of rice! And they're only sixth graders! So visit freerice.com and enjoy!

Weekend Update

Do you ever have weekends, or days even, when you feel like the world is right? That, as cliche as it sounds, God has completely loved you? This weekend was that, for me.

Community is vital to my survival on this earth, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. This weekend I saw that lived out through a variety of venues. First, the Halloween party, attended by not only old friends, but new, also. Second, a trip to the woods for good conversation with people that love my God. And finally, friends to give me 2 new couches, and friends to help me move the old one out!

I am slightly stunned by the love I received this weekend.

Looking back...

I just looked back at all my previous posts, and it would seem to the casual reader that I'm an OVERLY optimistic person. Don't be deceived! I must only write after really good days... Another reason I'll never been classified "emo."

Futbol!

So after 3 afternoons of soccer practice, I AM a convert. I love it! Ok, maybe that is an exaggeration, as I have not yet actually played the game. However, here are a few reasons it is wonderful:

1. The kids LOVE it, and I do mean LOVE. This is amazing, because as a teacher I'm forcing kids into submission, but this activity requires no forcing.

2. I get to be outside. We take about an 8 minute walk to some soccer fields, which is a great transition from being in the classroom all day to my evenings.

3. I get to blow a whistle.

4. 95% of the kids playing soccer after school are Hispanic. This means LOTS of Spanish, and some great conversations about culture --- which I love!

All in all, this is one of the most fun jobs I've EVER had.

5 Week Reports

Teachers always complain about parent teacher conferences, because they are looong weeks and even loooonger days. Don't ask how that works, but it does. I, on the other hand, love this week. And here's why:

You know when you visit a dear friend's home, and you go "Ahh ha! That's why he/she is THAT way." I love knowing and understanding my friends. And 5 weeks into the school year, I really feel like most of my students are friends. And parent teacher conferences give me a glimpse into their home. These fifteen minute visits with parents and often siblings helps me understand and love my newest friends better.

On a side note: I'm pretty pumped about TV this week. SURVIVOR (week 2 of China), Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice (shows great promise for greatness).

Ok, that's all.

You're Not Supposed to Have Favorites.

JL (abreviated to protect my job) is a student on my team at school. He is from the Marshall Islands, and although I can't describe that accent that accompanies these students, I do know that he has THE accent. JL is short - probably only 4 ft tall. That's short for 6th grade. Despite his learning disabilities, JL is one of the happiest kids I know.

The other day, JL had another students marker. Just before he threw it to her, I stopped him. "Walk it," I instructed. He stands up and dances across the room singing, "Walk it out..." I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I definitely did!

Recently he was given a new schedule, and he know longer comes to my math class. At least, he isn't supposed to. Today alone, JL snuck into my room 3 times. It's pretty funny, and I don't really mind. Each time I say, "JL go to class," he responds, "Ahhh, man!" He then smiles, hugs me and leaves. I LOVE IT!

I NEED HELP!

So, somehow, I just was assigned/got volunteered to teach/coach soccer after school two days a week. What's the bad news, you ask? Um, well... I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SOCCER. I'VE NEVER PLAYED A DAY IN MY LIFE! Ooops.

Thus, I pose the question: Anyone wanna help? Anyone want to teach me the rules? I'll take any and all advice, lessons, help, etc.

It's Love

I'm starting to love them. Really. The rough nature of last week made it difficult to love my students, however, I'm coming around. This probably says something about how I stink at loving people when I'm stressed or in less-than-perfect situations, but... the point is: I really love them, now.

My favorite part of the day is right after lunch. I get my homebase kids back for 30 minutes of "Enrichment" time. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing with them during this time, but I've found something I love doing with them at this time. I read. We all lay/lie around the room, while I read aloud a book called "Things Not Seen." Hilarious, the book, that is.

I love that I can lay/lie on the floor in the middle of the day at work and it is seen as "being relevant" to my students. I also love how sixth graders still LOVE read-alouds. And finally, I love listening to their own connections to the stories.


Side note: I realize I don't know the difference between lay and lie, and I don't think I care. I teach math and reading, not grammar. Thus, the slashes.

Just thankful.

I love my friends. After a week of not-so-fun middle school adventures, I was almost surprised at how much I love my friends.

I love:

- that they don't make me feel guilty for skipping out every once and awhile.

- that we just sit around and talk most of the time.

- that the group is regularly evolving.

- that there are finally several other girls "in the group."

- the ghetto music they listen to.

That's all. Just thankful.

Right, left, left, right

Today was the first time in 2 1/2 weeks of work that I have missed summertime. I guess that is normal. But I do. I miss the beach, and I miss feeling rested. I got home from work tonight at 6:30 and my body just hurt. Like I laid on the couch unable to move, because I hurt.

I'm sure I'll get better at all this, but man!

Don't think it has been a bad start, just hard and intense all day long. Be thankful that someone taught you to open a locker combination, by the way! Because whoever that someone was -- they MUST have had more patience than I do. If I have to say, "Right, left, left, right," one more time....

Open House

After two weeks of meetings, I'm more than ready to start. On Thursday evening we had open house at the school. The combination of meeting students, new school shirts and the realization that I am a REAL teacher (FINALLY!) had me giddy with excitement. Here are my two favorite moments of the evening:

1. At the beginning of the evening started with a meeting in the auditorium where administration welcomed new parents and students to the school. Then as the principal finished her initial introductions the translator began. Although this may not sound like an overly exciting event, I got teary-eyed as I almost heard, "Here ya go, Cara. The nations are at your door. Its time to start loving them." PS - Last I heard, my school is about 57% English Language Learners (ELL).

2. As I finished my shpeel for my advanced Pre-Algebra class, I met the father of a student. He was beeming from ear to ear and told me about his son, in broken English. "He in this class, because he good at math!" I said, "Yes, yes!" I'm so stinkin' excited about getting to know my students and their families.

Truth and Liquor

So I'm 2 days in. Two looong days of personality testing and personal mission writing. I'm actually quite exhausted from the smiling and being friendly all day long. However, I'm excited about the high quality of people I'll be working with throughout the coming school year. I know we are in the Bible belt, but it still encourages me when I walk into a public organization where people still confidently profess their faith and decisions to follow Christ.

Today I wrote my mission statement. I'm not sure how concrete it is, but I liked it more than I expected. Here it goes: "My mission in life is to choose, embrace and reflect truth for myself and others." Not bad, eh?!

On a different note, Tara just turned 21 last week. Since we couldn't celebrate her birthday on her birthday, we've been having a week of birthday celebration. Margarita's, Pina Colada's and Screwdrivers started the week. I hope to introduce her to wine and beer before the week is over. Mmmm....

The Obligatory First Post

So I've definitely tried to blog before, but I've been unsuccessful at the upkeep. However, again I try my hand at a personal diary, of sorts. As I embark on this first year of teaching, I am well aware of my own disdain for handwritting journal entries and such. So I will try one more time to do this, the dedicated way.

Tomorrow is my first day. Not my first day teaching, but my first day on the job. The faculty (that includes me!) is meeting at the Jones Center in S'dale for some professional development. I expect to enjoy these two days of meetings, simply because they are training us to give personality tests to our students, I think. And me + personality tests = a happy, happy Cara.

Getting to this point has been a semi-long journey. 4 years of undergraduate classes, 1 really rough M.A.T. year and a summer of worrying over whether I got the only job for which I interviewed (yes, I'm that person) and wondering where they'd stick me. Final placement: 6th grade, Math!

All in all, I'm excited. A bit nervous, but mostly just ready for routine and purpose. So, bring on those sixth graders!