Yes, I Do Appreciate It

This past week I spent my glorious Spring Break- in the land of (almost) no sun- Northern Washington. I am grateful that a week long break from reading groups and runny noses and the hilarious conversations of Kindergarten is in order being a teacher. I'll consider it my perk for constantly being told how awful public educators are.

I ventured with my dear friend Sarah up through Seattle, Olympia National Forest (I think!), and Victoria, B.C. (because after all, Canada is always awesome). We were even in Port Angeles, now famous thanks to Ms. Meyer.

Sarah was the most excellent tour guide. The last time I had ventured up here was during my senior year of high school during which time I suffered from both awkward-hormonal-teenageness and also a bout of food poisoning. Washington is now redeemed.

Today I Discovered Them- Under the Bed

Look at them all. In all their stinky white glory.

I have a bad habit of wearing socks to bed only to unconsciously push them off in the middle of the night. I've felt like I always go spelunking to the foot of the bed to dig them out in the morning, but apparently -obviously- that's been less than true. So, I'll be back to working out in matched socks, which is quite a relief. My type-A self really cannot handle the toes on my socks being two different shades of pink.

To Whom It May Concern

Dear World,

If you happened to run into me today, and I seemed sad, mad, cranky, disillusioned, or overwhelmed- rest assured I wasn't.

I just have this-stupid-cold.

And stay away from my classroom. We are a cold festering machine.

Love,

A Sickie (aka SnotFace)

p.s. in case you didn't know, neti pots and downward dog do not mix well.

Here I Raise

When I was in college, I spent a summer in Mexico soaking up the sun under the guise of earning credits. Having gone to a Christian university, one of the classes I took was on Christian faith. In this class we explored our life story and God's workings within it. As part of my presentation, I went out to the back lot and found my very own "Ebeneezer" or stone of help. (Hopefully, I didn't have to declare rocks on returning to the States.) As told in the Bible, the prophet Samuel set aside a remembrance rock to remind God's people that "Thus far the Lord has brought us." It was a very meaningful exercise for me at the time, and I have held onto it for the past seven years. Like most anyone, I haven't thought about the rock in a while, and quite honestly, I don't remember or listen to God as much as I should.

This year, though, with the approach of Lent, remembering has been much on my heart. Our small group's discussions on Crazy Love have prompted us to decide collectively to fast during this season and take time to listen and deepen our love for God. Eric gave the homily at an Ash Wednesday service today, and this has prompted good talks in our family about putting Him first.

When I picked up my Ebeneezer today, I read phrases of events on there that I had completely forgotten. And I'm glad that I could remember. But I'm also ready to move forward.

It's Probably Cause They Are Cooler than Me

Alright all you gym membership folk out there.... time to sympathize or empathize!

So when I go to the gym, in addition to burning a few calories and perhaps building some muscle tone, I people watch. Hey, everyone should have a motivator. And as I was people watching today while attempting to do something to my legs in time for swimsuit season, I came upon this realizations:

A: Some people inherently look awesome as they work out, like they were born in a gym.

B: Some people look like they have no clue what they're doing.

I say look like because sometimes they are actually doing a great workout. It just doesn't look pretty.

I am a B (not to be confused with my personality). I can't seem to walk straight on the Stair Master. I adjust the leg machines about 20 times to find the perfect weight and height. I always seem like I am in someone's way when I'm lifting dumbbells for my arms. And while kickboxing might be fun.... well, yes. My jab is less than awe-inspiring to say the least.

I am not sure what the criterion is for looking like you and the gym are one, but please I'd love some tips!

Ashes to Ashes, Fishbowl to Toilet

Only the strong survive.

And by strong I mean 1 of 9 goldfish.

Thankfully, my students lack observation skills that notice things like 8 fish missing. I mean oh dear.

So while I break out Where's Waldo books to practice this needed skill, I will be wrapping up this fishy unit and moving on to worms.

Worms, consider yourselves warned.

Drop the Top

ahh dreams...

I have always been quite the vivid dreamer. For example, I can still picture in my head quite clearly a nightmarish dream I used to have when I was 3 - 5 years old.

an old farmer-ish man in blue overalls and tall, yellow straw hat climbs over the red brick wall into our backyard. he carries a burlap sack to kidnap me in. I wake up.

I am also a classic dream i got up and left for work dreamer. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I've been so disappointed to really wake up and realize I have to get ready for work all over again.

Or how about these recent dreams (in which apparently all my subconscious fears of leading a team come out)...

our team gets all the way to banta to discover that i have left one of our team members at the jfk airport. i leave freetown and fly back to new york to retrieve her, only to discover that i left my passport in banta. yes. my dream ends with the menacing airport security approaching me for my passport.

i arrive a couple of days early to sierra leone only to discover i've brought almost nothing in my carry-on and didn't take my other suitcase (not sure why).

There's a kind of anti-malarial medicine you can take just once/week, instead of every day. However, there's a side effect of potentially crazy dreams. Obviously, it is not for me.