Post Mid terms

Now that midterms are over and the semester is coming to a close (very quickly, might I add) I thought that I would perhaps update all you lovely people (or 4) that read this. (5, including my mom).

Midterms= almost as terrible as final exam week. Except that this semester midterms for me stretched over 2 weeks and were incredibly hard and tedious.

I just started my field experience for this semester at Pembroke Elementary. It's literally half a mile from campus, so the days that I go to observe/teach I head back over to campus for a few hours and catch up on work or go to class. I was really happy with that placement. And not to mention the teacher that I have is amazing and is making me realize that 1st grade is fun... and very challenging. I'm currently working with a small group of girls that are extremely far behind (that's putting it mildly and nicely). But I can't say how rewarding it was to go into the class today and have those girls practically fighting with the other kids because they couldn't wait to work with me.

Or the accomplishment and smile from one of my girls when they sounded out a word, without my help, and pronounced it the right way and remembered it 5 minutes later. (It's truly the little things in a teacher's life that make the biggest difference).

Tomorrow night is a HUGE night for those of us in Math&Science 2 ... It's Family Math Night at Union Elementary! We're in groups and we've based our night on a trip around the world and the students and parents will get a passport when they arrive and will travel to the 7 continents and the different continents will all focus on a different math skill. Needless to say we're all VERY ready for this to start tomorrow and for it to go well and to be over with!

And... the best news as of today is that I register for my LAST SEMESTER OF CLASSES on Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Insert huge sigh of relief... HERE).

I'll be taking 13 hours next semester, and NO summer school!!!! Then I'll be starting my internship (student teaching) next August! And then, Graduation HERE I COME. It seems so far in the future in some ways... but in other ways, I feel like it's happening tomorrow.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm off to bed. I've got a super long and busy day tomorrow!

Okay, so maybe I am old...

Today, I realized that I'm old. I know that I'm not OLD... as in like 85 and all that... but compared to my much younger classmates in the elementary education program... I'm old. 

Let me back this up... I am one of those people that writes everything out by hand, and THEN I type it up on the computer. I've always been like that. Perhaps one day I'll get crazy and actually type something out right... but just the actual thought of doing that, makes me crazy.

So today, a group of lovely ELE-M students were in the curriculum lab in the education building (our home away from home) and I was working on my children's literature annotated bibliographies for literacy and language arts class and my lovely Lauren was working on her management philosophy. Naturally, I had written out the titles, authors, summaries, age levels, Lexile scores, the common core standards and how I would use that particular book ALL by hand and I was simply typing everything into the blog site for the assignment... 

Lauren had asked me once already why I was doing that... so I said "Just because it makes me feel better and it's just something I've always done." 

Later, Lauren asked me again, why in the HELL was I doing double the work. 

So I said... Look... I didn't grow up with a computer in front of me that was always there ready for me to type on. Lauren thought I said I grew up with a type writer. To which I threw my pen at her (I'm not that old). So I continued to explain to her the situation...

I didn't have a computer in my house until I was in the  6th grade. And, even then, my FATHER was the ONLY ONE who used it. I went to Wrightsboro Elementary School where ALL the computers in 2nd grade were funny looking boxes and had a black screen with green writing and to do ANYTHING you had to type in the codes for it. (i.e., a://whateveryouwanttodo). After the green screens, they upgraded to the lovely Apple. So I spent the rest of my years at Wrightsboro Leaning the basic computer functions on a Mac and playing more games of Number Munchers than anyone probably should have..... When I went to middle school, we had Macs. My Dad finally let me learn how to use the computer at our house, with his supervision. I went to high school and discovered the world of Microsoft Word, and Excel. Excel being my one true enemy in life... I didn't do a power point presentation until I was a FRESHMAN in COLLEGE at UNC Greensboro. 

So. Needless to say, when I wanted to write something for school. I WROTE IT OUT ON PAPER USING A PENCIL OR A PEN. 

AND... 9 times out of 10, it was in cursive handwriting and not print. Which explains why I constantly slip into cursive while I'm trying to write in print. 

So today, I realized that I was old. Even the 5 year difference between my friends and I at school is a HUGE almost 50 year gap in the world of technology. So I'm going to continue writing things out by hand... 

Interestingly enough, this blog is the only thing I type right when I want to. Mainly because this is all about my life and my feelings... and all that.. :) 

Explanation

That last post is going to sound weird to some of you without an explanation. To my mom and Dora Potts, it won't be weird. Because they're teachers, and they'll understand. (Yes, I said teachers. As in present tense, because Dora, you are still a teacher, and mom- you'll ALWAYS be a teacher).

So, I joined the NCAEE (North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators) a while ago and then found out that their annual conference was going to be in Raleigh the same weekend that I was going to be in Raleigh for some TEC stuff. So, I asked my wonderful mother if I could go (aka, will you pay for it, and the hotel?) and she said yes. Although I did have to say, "Mom, Ron Clark is going to be speaking there. I have to go. I HAVE TO." But I didn't throw a fit, so at least I spared her from that :)

Anyway, I ended up at this conference. At 1pm today (Sunday) Ron Clark bounded through the conference hall and lept onto the stage and proceeded to talk to us for the next hour and a half. And he didn't just stand that. He bounced around, practically flew through the audience and kept us laughing and sometimes almost crying the entire time.

So the previous post was a thank you of sorts to Ron Clark for what I learned today, and what I saw in his movie. Another day at the conference tomorrow, then back to Lumberton for my recent american history midterm... Classes Tuesday, and then home for fall break.

Although... I'm not sure that my professors realized that it IS actually Fall break because I seem to have more work than a break should really require. :)

Dear Ron Clark...

Dear Ron Clark,
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being the absolutely amazing and inspiring educator that you are. Your keynote speech today was by far the most inspiring, intense, high energy, and slightly crazy (which I loved) talks that I have ever, ever heard. I'll admit that I didn't know much about you until this semester. I knew that you were a great educator, and that you had won many awards, but I was totally unaware of your story. For my Classroom Management class, I was assigned the movie "The Ron Clark Story" at random for a video critique that was part of an assignment. We had to watch the movie and answer questions and share our opinion on how it related to education, what aspects of classroom management we would like to one day implement, and what about the movie (story) made us (the students at UNCP) want to be better educators. I have to admit that I was more excited about the movie because of the star that portrayed you, than I was about hearing your story. You see, I have a huge obsession with FRIENDS... and adore Matthew Perry. However, it only took the first 30 seconds for the words "Aurora, North Carolina" to appear on the screen before I knew that I was going to like this movie. I, am also from North Carolina. Wilmington, to be specific. You're story is very inspiring, and while I'm sure that you hear this quite often, it really struck a chord within my teacher's heart. I've known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was little. I loved playing "teacher" with friends and family. And, I'm the daughter of a teacher. My mom taught 4th grade for 31 years (and if I end up half the teacher that she was, I'll be blessed). I have a soft spot for children in my heart. I want to help them. I want to love them. I want to teach and instill in them knowledge and common respect that will prepare them for the rest of their lives. What got to me most about your story, was the fact that you never gave up on those students. Ever. No matter how hard it seemed... You were always there for them. They knew that you loved them and that is why they began to trust you.
Today at the NCAEE conference, my eyes were opened even farther by the way you spoke of the Ron Clark Academy. I left that conference room wanting to become a teacher even more...wanting to have the chance to come to your school and be trained with your teacher educator program.
What I'm trying to say, Mr. Clark, is that  you are amazing. You have inspired so many teachers and not just in North Carolina (but let's be honest, NC teacher's are the best) but also all over the world. Kids WANT to come to school because of your rules and the way you conduct your class.
I only hope that one day, more schools will be filled with children wanting to learn and teacher's dancing on tables and rapping with their students. And that one day, there will be a Smithfield's BBQ and Bojangles next to each other in Atlanta.

Sincerely,
Kara Greer
Aspiring Educator, wanting to one day make a difference

Elementary Science Day

My friend, Shruti Jamindar summed up today perfectly... 


"SOOOO proud of everyone for getting through Elementary Science Day today! Whether you had a great time or experienced challenges, you got through it and remained character, sanity, and patience! I'm proud of you all!!!" 


Today, was Elementary Science Day. This means that all of the lovely ELE majors taking Math and Science 2 this semester had to go out to Union Elementary School in Pembroke to teach our science lesson plan that we had already planned. 


Here's where the problems were... 
1. When we were assigned this lesson plan three weeks ago, we were not told that we would be teaching it. Last semester we got to choose which lesson we wanted to teach. So, naturally, everyone thought the same for this semester. 
2. EVERYONE chose 3rd grade for their lesson plan. Let's be honest here, over half of the people that I'm in class with aren't big fans of 3-6th grades. I myself am more of a 1st, 2nd, 3rd girl... (but will take any teaching job once I graduate...) We've just never had experience with the upper grades until this semester. 
3. Since everyone chose 3rd grade, when the time came for classroom assignments at Union Elem., Our teacher had to move a lot of us around. So, for example, my friend Kelsey went from 3rd grade, to teaching 6th grade. (WHAT?!)
*I had written my lesson for 4th grade... and got 4th grade.*
4. There was a lot of re-writing lesson plans this past week. If you didn't get your grade level that you wrote your lesson on, you basically had to re write it. Because a 5th grader was not going to think that playing with glue or running around pretending to be a gas molecule. (just being honest). 
5. It was pouring down rain today when we arrived at Union Elem. 
6. The teacher I had was not there, there was a substitute, and there was nothing left telling the sub that I was going to be coming. 
7. The kids were terrible: I am so mad that I even have to type that. I absolutely adore children. I love teaching. It's truly my passion... but theses kids today had to be from another planet. (*In a way they were... they're from Pembroke). I will give them the fact that it was Friday, and it was nasty and rainy outside. But have some respect! 
8. The substitute had to fill out my evaluation of the lesson. It's a grading scale 1-5, 5 being the best, and 1 of course, being the worst. 
 -Professional attire: 3... Now, this didn't make sense. I had on dress pants, a nice shirt, dress shoes, and I had even STRAIGHTENED my hair. Which is a HUGE deal for those that know me and my hair... and I was dressed BETTER than half of the other people at the school... and the majority of the people I'm in class with.... 




So, needless to say, it was a fail. But, for all of the amazing experiences that I HAVE had in a classroom through UNCP, this is one of TWO that have been terrible. So it's not too big of a deal. Although telling me that at 12noon today when I was leaving the school practically in tears would have probably made me slap someone... But.. that's the only lesson we have to teach for Math&Science this semester... our "math" aspect of class will be our "Family Math Night" at the same school... but it's a class-wide thing. We'll all be participating in that together. 


So, my first attempt at 4th grade was not what I expected. But I'm willing to try again... at a different school... with a nicer teacher... Perhaps next time I'll wear a tuxedo so that I'm really dressed up. 

A new look

Not for me... for my blog.

I'm not sure if I like it yet.

But... This is the only "owl" template that I could find. So, until I find another one, or something cuter, this is going to be it.

School is stressful, life is crazy, I'm on board for another STW TEC weekend, and I may loose my mind before December.

But, I'm loving every minute of it. :)

Remembering 9-11-01

I grew up the daughter of a Sheriff's Deputy. I have the utmost respect for the people that work to make our counties, cities, and states safe from violence and crime. The fire department was a big part of my Dad's life as well, and I grew up knowing that fire engines made beautiful music and that if I saw one, I should follow it and see how big the fire was. My parents, especially my Dad, taught me that the police, fire department, sheriff's department, highway patrol, and any part of the armed forces was to be respected. And I've always felt that way.

Ten years ago, I at 8:46am, I was in photography class at New Hanover High School. There wasn't a TV in that room, and the intercom didn't work down there. So that class didn't know what was going on. As I went to my next class, spanish, Mrs. Allison had the TV on. Everyone was quiet, some people were crying. I sat next to Jessica Hunter and Will Hogan and I held hands with both of them. No one knew what was going on. Or why or how this had all happened. But the day went on... I'm sure Mr. McAdams came on the intercom at some point and announced what had happened, but I don't remember it. I remember being scared and wanting to go home. I walked home from school with Will Hogan everyday, but that day, I couldn't find him. Everyone was spread out every where and so I just started walking home alone. 5 minutes later, I was being yelled at by Will for leaving without him. I came home, and sat on the couch and watched the TV with my Dad. He tried to make me understand what had happened, but I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I didn't understand what terrorism was, or why someone would hate America. It wouldn't be until much, much later that I would understand. 

The days surrounding 9-11-01 were in a way surreal. No one knew what to do, or what to expect. America pulled together and became one as a nation. It didn't matter what your race or color was, whether you were a man or woman, child or part of the elderly. We were one. 

In December of 2006, my Dad passed away. At 20 years old, I was forced to say goodbye to the man I loved more than life itself. My father would miss out on so much of my life, and it didn't seem fair... It isn't fair. Like I said before, I had learned from my Dad to respect the people that kept me safe. When the car pulled up in front of our church, the walkway and steps into our church were lined with Sheriff Deputies and fire department officers from all over the state, city and county. Seeing those firemen in their dress uniforms made me proud of what my Dad had done for thirty plus years of his life. And tonight, I'm proud again. 

In March of 2009, I went to New York City for the first time in my life. I went with my friend Justine. We went to the mini-9-11 memorial museum and walked around. We wrote a letter to a fire fighter and  thanked them for their service. I can't and will never be able to understand how the citizens of Manhattan felt that day. As I've watched footage from 9-11-01 tonight, I'm reminded of how amazing it is to be an American. To have been part of that day. I'm also remembered that we are never promised tomorrow. We have to be thankful for what we have today, and love everyone in our lives always. Justine and I were able to stand in front of the fire department that was closest to the twin towers... and I wore my NYC fire department shirt from my Dad with pride. Knowing that he had ridden on some of those same trucks when he was younger. 

My Dad's best friends were fire fighter's. I know what it's like to attend one of their funerals. And I know what it's like to lose someone that you love more than anything. Although I can't fathom the loss of all of the innocent people in Pennsylvania, The Pentagon, Twin Towers, and countless rescue workers, I do know that America is proud of the work that those people did that day, and the days-weeks-and months after the attack on America. 

New York City and America will forever be thankful for the job that those first responders did for our country. Not just the first responders from NYC, but the ones from all over the country to flocked to NYC to help, just because they felt like they needed, no, they had to be there. 

So tonight, I thank God that I'm alive, and that I have what family that I do. I have amazing friends. I belong to a wonderful church. I live in a country that is free. Bin Laden is dead. And while no one will ever be able to look at the skyline of New York City the same way ever again, I hope that we can be thankful for what we've come through. And thankful to still be here. Alive, healthy, and loved. 

September 11, 2001 for my generation, will be a day in history that my friends and I will remember forever. Just like my grandparents remember Peal Harbor, and D-day, and how my mom remembers JFK being killed, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. I will always remember 9-11-01.. where I was, what I was doing. And I will always remember where I was when President Obama announced the death of Bin Laden. 

We, in America, will never forget those who died, or what we all went through on that September day in 2001. 

Rainbows

Besides my bunny, blanket, pillow that was my Daddy's, and a collection of baby clothes and books, my Rainbow Sandals are probably the oldest thing that I have in my possession. I was 13 when I got my first pair of Rainbows. I was ELATED. We went all the way to Carolina Beach, to the "coolest" surf shop to get them... (Not really the coolest, but it was the only place that had a size small enough to fit my tiny little feet). They were shiny, new, and super cool. Because let's remember, that in 1998, most people that were wearing them, lived somewhere near the water. People in Alaska were not wearing Rainbows, yet. 

These sandals were awesome. They traveled through DC Virgo Middle School, New Hanover High School, UNC Greensboro, Cape Fear Community College, Los Angeles, and to Lumberton. Not only were they awesome and super comfortable, but they were molded to my feet. There was absolutely no tread left on the bottom and my right big toe dragged on the ground... I needed a new pair about 5 years ago, at best. I've had several pairs of Rainbows since high school, but they were never the same as the "old faithfuls". They were never as comfortable, the black ones left my feet black, and I had red ones that left my feet red. I had a pair of white hemp ones that I lost somewhere. Last summer I bought a pair of Pink Ones. They were exactly like the old faithfuls, but just pink and not brown. I wore them a few times. But I always went back to the old ones. (Remember, I'm a Lutheran, I'm set in my ways. I do NOT do well with change). 

But tonight, I said fair-well to my loving old Rainbows. Because at dinner, my foot got caught on the table leg, and the strap of my left Rainbow was jerked out of it's place. Sigh. I almost cried... No, seriously. I had mentioned getting dessert to my mom when we arrived at the restaurant, but now, I had to. The only thing that was going to comfort me at this point was caramel-banana cheesecake, deep fried, with ice cream, whipped cream and caramel on top. (Which, was delicious, but my Rainbow is still broken...). 

So, RIP Rainbow Sandals... You were very loved by my feet, and you will be missed. You got me through 13 years of my life. And you were able to see many, many things. You will live on in my memory... and perhaps my craft room if I decide to frame you (*Don't judge me*). 

Thanks for 13 great, amazing and comfortable years. My feet will forever be thankful. 

Good art. Solid art.

Today was my second day of classes... which ended up being a very long and tiring day spent on campus.

I got up this morning around 9, and showered, got ready and had a minute to check my email and all that before I made my lunch in my cute little lunch box and headed out to campus.

First of all, parking on campus is a bit ridiculous right now because they're in the process of re-opening the parking lots near the railroad tracks. They did some construction (much needed) and re vamped it over the summer and it's still a bit of a mess. Nevertheless, I finally found a parking place in the general parking lot behind the gym building.. which is relatively close to the Dial Building and the Education Building, where I would be spending my day. I gathered my things, checked my schedule for the room number and set off for the Dial building where my history class was. I got there, with 2 minutes to spare (note to self- leave earlier on Tuesday). Dr. Brown handed me a syllabus, although I had a copy that I had printed out already (naturally).

Dr. Brown began class by asking why we had signed up to take this course. In my head I was thinking... "well, Dr. Brown, I signed up for it because I need 2 history classes this semester for my concentration and this was one that wasn't about Asian or Korean history and I figured I would understand it better." Let me be clear: I love history. All kinds. But I'm more of an American History/War lover. And "War Lover" doesn't mean that I love war, it just means that I find the periods of war fascinating. The title of this particular class is History 4270: Modern European Cultural History. I imagined that it would go in depth of the cultural societies of Europe. BUT, as these nerdy-man history majors answered Dr. Brown's "why are you in this class" question, I began to realize I may have made a terrible mistake. These nerd-men were telling him how much they longed to learn about the cultural surroundings of the great works of art, and how they had always seen these paintings but hoped to learn more about them...

Excuse me? Art? Did someone say "works of art?" I thought we were in a European History class? No? ......

To my horror, this class is about European Culture. It's just also about art. And should really be labeled as an art history class... We get to delve into the glorious works of art by amazing painters and talk about how they make us feel and, of course, the cultural surroundings of these works of art AND architecture in their time period.

....For anyone that knows anything about me, you would know that I'm not a fan of art. And I don't really appreciate "good" art. I don't have a problem with it, I just don't understand it. Art was never my forte in school... Although I can draw a dynamite stick figure... And I can craft the hell out of a card or stamping project. But real art? No thanks. I'd rather check out a hot dog stand in NYC than the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Gasp all you want to. It's just how I feel.) In other words- when it comes to art- I'm completely ignorant.

Yes, I lived in Los Angeles, CA. Yes, Cameron took me to the Getty Museum on a trip out to see him before I moved... Where we stayed all of 20 minutes and spent more time getting a drink and wandering around the gardens than we did at looking at the actual art work. "Good art, solid art" became our mantra that day. And it still follows me.

So as Dr. Brown was explaining the different essays about art work or architecture that we would be required to do this semester, all I could hear in my head was Cameron saying "Good art, solid art".... Terrible. I know. But DAMN it was funny.

I guess it's not a bad thing that my cousin Sarah is moving back to NC from London next Thursday. Where she just spent the past year obtaining her Master's Degree in ART HISTORY. Perhaps little Sarah can educate her ignorant cousin Kara on these "beautiful works of art." No promises though.

My only hope is that perhaps Dr. Brown will be able to teach me, somehow, to actually appreciate the art. And not just look at the piece and say "Good art, solid art."

Dr. Brown- your work is cut out for you. May the force be with him.


Aside from my realization that perhaps I should read the course description in the class catalogue better next time, the rest of my day went pretty smoothly. After History I had to dart over to the education building in 10 minutes (long walk... not really that long, but this heat is killing me) for ELE 4000 which is Classroom Management. After that I went to Starbucks (on campus! yes!) with Lauren before heading to the curriculum lab for a Praxis 2 workshop... 2 hours later we emerged slightly lethargic and had enough time to grab something to eat before heading to ELE 4020, which is Math and Science, part 2. Math and science is once a week, and lasts for 4 hours. Most teachers the first day of class will normally keep you long enough to hand out papers, go over the syllabus, and talk about important dates... then they'll let you go early. However, having Mrs. Berdeau last semester, I knew better.

And, sure enough. I walked into class and saw our boxes full of the materials we would need for experiments and scales lined up on the window sil. Sigh. Thankfully, the 4 hours passed unusually fast due in large part to the awesome table that I have. Lauren, Whitney, Kelsey and I are all in a group together, which is fantastic. And will probably prove to be a bad idea later in the semester :) haha.

Needless to say, I got home around 9pm and started on school work that I needed to get done and printed out a million different chapter reviews, and science/math forms and such for all my classes. And I should TOTALLY be in bed right now. But I got into this book I'm having to read for classroom management and can't put it down. So I decided to blog... because that makes sense? (It doesn't? well, it did to me... )

Going home tomorrow afternoon, just for the night, to pick up some things that I accidentally left there... including my Wii. Which Mom said she would meet me halfway, but I'd rather watch her try and unhook the Wii from the TV in person... more fun that way :) Love you mama. !
So off to bed, get up, pack a little bag, and on the way to ILM.

Then back to Lumberton Saturday to submerge myself in reading about these damn works of art.

Senior Year.. What???

That's right folks. Today at 4:30pm when I walk through those doors of the Education Building at UNC Pembroke, it will officially be the beginning of my SENIOR year of college... Okay, more like 4pm because I'm super OCD about being on time and I will have probably left my apartment at 3:30 even though I could leave at 4 and be there on time... but, WHATEVER. I AM A SENIOR! And, to me, that's really all that matters.

That, and I get to see all of my ELE classmates and friends that I haven't seen in forever.

AND... Wait for it...

UNCP got rid of Taco Bell (goodbye weight gain from last year!) and, put in its place a full-functioning, LEGITIMATE STARBUCKS!!!!!!! Say what?! You mean I won't be practically falling asleep during my 3 night classes any more? And I WON'T have to drink the "coffee" from the booth at the university center? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!  What am I going to do with myself?
I'm going to have the wonderful option of getting my grande iced white mocha with SOY and NO WHIP everyday if I want it. AND use my UNCP Card to pay for it. Which means that Mama's paying for it really... since she paid for the bonus bucks on my card... but hey, it's not coming out of my weekly money. So that's a plus. :)

So I've got 18 hours this semester. Three elementary education classes and two history courses for my concentration. It's going to be a tough semester, but I'm actually looking forward to it. (Right now, at least). That opinion may change.... We'll see how much blogging I'm doing in another month. Then we can make that decision.

Fall 2011. Spring 2012- all regular classes.... then this time next fall I'll be getting ready to step into a classroom for my internship. and then BAM... December 2012 will be here before I know it and I'll be walking across that stage to get my diploma. And Aside from my future wedding day and birth(s) of a child(ren) that may be one of the best days of my life.

That's all for now... I'll update once school gets into full swing and I can safely talk about how classes are.... Unless I find something even more ridiculous or something crazy happens.

God forbid Hardee's not butter my biscuit in the morning.

God Loves You...And So Do I

God Loves You, And So Do I.  (GLYASDI)....


Eleven years ago this coming Labor Day Weekend, I was whisked away to a 3-day spiritual retreat for teens. A three day weekend where you get to hear other youth your age talk about their faith journey. Where you draw posters, have small group discussion, and come up with a ridiculously annoying and long table name to make the Youth Director absolutely crazy. Share The Word, Teens Encounter Christ has been a movement in Eastern NC for 25 years. Okay, so TEC is really hard to explain in writing, or in words in a conversation, but I'm going to try my hardest to get the gist of it across to you. (Although you'll never fully understand it unless you go, so... )

So, eleven years ago I was 14. I was practically forced onto my church's van with a bunch of my friends and told I was going to TEC. All I knew about TEC was that my cousins Jane and Amanda had gone and loved it. AND, that God would become more important to me and I would learn more about my faith and God's plan for me.  As I watched my mom wave good-bye I thought to myself "I don't care about God's plan." Flash forward to day 2 of the retreat and I did care about God's plan. The people (youth mainly) on this retreat were amazing. The "talks" that they gave related to me as a freshman in high school. I didn't feel like I was separate from everyone else while I was there. I felt included for the first time. I wasn't an outcast. God loved me. God needed to be a part of my life, and I realized that I needed Him in my life too. And, more importantly, I wanted Him there.

Eleven years later, I'm 25 years old and still involved in this amazing retreat. I don't want this to sound the wrong way... but no matter how hard I've resisted or tried to get TEC out of my life, somehow God slaps it back in my face. Almost like He's saying, "Look dear, this saved your life, the least you could do is serve."
Now, don't get me wrong. TEC is amazing. But there have been a few times that calls from TEC to serve in different positions didn't fit into my life at that point....But God's always found a way to send TEC to me when I've needed it the most. For example... Last Labor Day, I decided to go up to the camp where the retreat is held for the "surprise" on the weekend. (I'm not saying anything else, because I'm not sure who all reads this, and some kid from my church may see it and I can't spoil it if they're coming to a future TEC...). I arrived and realized that there was NO ONE there that I knew...that I could see at that moment anyway. As if on cue, Barbara Oates came around the corner. I've known Barbara since I made my first TEC (#21, eleven years ago!). She's now in charge of the board with her husband Tommy. As Barbara and I got caught up with each other, she mentioned that they were in need of adults for the MLK Jr. weekend in January... I knew where this was going. So I politely told her that I would think about it. I talked to my mom and to Cameron and got their opinions...which were basically the same.... both said that maybe this was a good thing... I was in a new place... going through a different part of my journey in life... maybe it would be a good thing....

Needless to say, I accepted the call. I went to the meetings, but I was never really sure if I was supposed to be there. I wasn't sure if I would ever feel connected. Sure, there were people on team that I knew and had been friends with forever ago. And the youth that I was put with was more than amazing. (Brandon is like a little angel that God sent to me)... But there was just something missing... and I couldn't put my finger on it.

I showed up for the weekend in January ready to serve and with a slightly opened heart. But my eyes were closed. Saturday night, when the guests were participating in a highly emotional part of the weekend, the "hidden team" that I was a part of was also having some time with God through devotions and what we called Holy Conversation with a friend or small group. My friend Paul and I reconnected during this time, and I was truly moved by the Holy Spirit. I got to tell Paul about shortcomings that I had, grief that I was still holding onto about my Dad... Long story short, I had been called to this weekend for a reason: To find myself...again.

One thing that still amazes me after 11 years, is that every time I go on a TEC weekend, no matter what position I am serving in, I always think that it will be the same. (After 11 years, you would think I would know better..) BUT... God somehow finds a way to make me see just how amazing His love truly is. And I have been super blessed to have met the people in this retreat. They are some of my best friends, and I can call them at any time, day or night and they will be there for me. No. Matter. What.

So, in a nutshell. TEC is amazing. And it has changed my life.

One of the "sayings" from TEC is the title of this Blog Entry... God Loves You and So Do I. It's written on the little special gifts you are given, we all say it constantly, and that is what the speakers close their wonderful talks with.

Two weeks ago tomorrow, Martha Bailey, a member of my church and member of Via de Cristo (adult version of TEC...who also uses God loves you and so do I...) and one of my dear friends... passed away suddenly. Martha was a woman of Faith and was able to share her faith in so many ways at our church and through VdC. I'm blessed to have known such a great woman, and to have been a part of the women's retreat we did last January. August 6 was her memorial service at our church and at the end of the service, Pastor John announced that the family would receive the congregation in the fellowship hall during the reception. Jim, Martha's husband then stood up and said, "Martha said to tell you, God loves you, and so do I."

Wow. That's all I could think. Actually, that's a lie. What I was really thinking was, "OMG Jim! How could you say that? Now I'm really going to be crying hysterically."

But later, as I was looking at the "God is Love" talk that I was assigned for this TEC weekend on Labor Day, all I could think of was Martha. And of Jim saying "Martha said to tell you, God loves you, and so do I." So I went for it. I typed up Martha's story. And I realized that TEC has made me see that God does love me. And so do all of those people that I have been blessed to meet over the years. Nothing in the world will ever replace what I have in my heart for this retreat. I have learned so much from these high school and college aged youth... and I'm sure they'll never be able to see how awesome they truly are. But I do hope that whoever reads this might be able to understand how much TEC means to me. And not to mention how much it has benefited my life.

And, just maybe, you've realized why us TECites use those words so often...

God Loves You, And So Do I.

One Year Later... An Update, of sorts!

July 22 marked exactly one year since moving back from Los Angeles. And that day in itself was pretty uneventful, I think. I can't really remember what I did, but it was far less emotional than last year. So, let's re cap the last year, shall we?

Since moving back from Hollywood:
-Got accepted to UNC-Pembroke!
-Moved to Lumberton (actually, I did this before I even got accepted... whatever.)
-Met awesome, AWESOME new friends at school
-Passed the praxis!!!!!
-Accepted to Elementary Education Program!!!
-TURNED 25!!! (boo!!! hahaha)
-Became an aunt, again, to two beautiful little boy/girl twins!!!
-Watched my nephew Keller turn 3!!! (not right at all! he shouldn't be that old!)
-Got a summer job
-Successfully completed summer school
-Studied and worked my arse off while in school in order to get on the CHANCELLOR'S LIST!!!!!

And, last but probably THE most important:
-I managed to survive ONE YEAR in Lumberton, NC.

So, now what? Well....

I'm getting a mini-vacay FINALLY!! Mom and I are too poor to go anywhere exciting, so I'm packing up and heading west to visit some of my favorite people for a few days!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is my last day at FIFI's for the summer... it was a great summer job. Very laid back and no real problems! (Who knew a job could be like that...) After I get off at 3, I'll be spending some time packing up and then heading to Lumberton for the night. I've got to check my mail and pay rent before my little adventure!

Thursday: Thursday I'll be leaving Lumberton and heading to Asheboro to stay with Cameron's mom Dora for the night. Which is VERY exciting. We haven't seen each other in a few months, and we always, ALWAYS have a great time! I absolutely love that even though Cameron and I are just friends, his mom is still a big part of my life! Because she is quite possibly one of the best people I know! And we just have so much in common... and I know she can hardly wait for me to get there and be able to get a "TO-GO" cup of sweet tea, extra ice, and not have someone look at her like she's crazy! :)

Friday: Friday morning I'll leave Asheboro and head for the Goss Planation... Ok, that's not really what is it called, but I like the ring to it. The "Goss Plantation" is in Pilot Mountain, NC and is where my bestest friend in the whole world parents live. I'll be there through either Sunday or Monday... I can't really remember when I said I would be leaving. Either way, I'm excited. Mainly because I haven't been to PM in over 2 years... but also because Keri and I have only gotten to see each other for one sleep over at her place in Greenville, and one lunch date with us and our lovely mothers since CHRISTMAS! Yes, that's right. Crazy isn't it?

So, to celebrate being back in the lovely state of North Carolina for a year, this is what I'm doing! :)

Once I get back I've got a jammed packed schedule! Jack, Cameron's old room mate and one of my dear friends is marrying Allison, who I've come to know and love as well on August 6th! Which means not only do I get to witness the marriage of this super awesome couple, but I get to see Cameron face to face for the first time in over a year!!! Which I think we're both excited about. We talk constantly on the phone, texting and on facebook, but I'm ready for a "Cameron hug" and to hear his lovely sarcastic tone and remarks in person. And his wonderful mom is coming for that weekend... AND I'll hopefully get to see his awesome sister Courtney and SUPER PRECIOUS niece (still mine, partly, in my opinion) Morgan!! Who I haven't seen since this past October!

After the wedding festivities I'll have a couple of days to recover then I'll be dragging my mom to Lumberton where we're going to lock ourselves into my house and clean, re-arrange, clean some more, buy some food and new stuff for the house, and get ready for classes to start on August 15!

So, I'm off to bed, but I'll be sure to update after my trip! :)

An Aunt... to 3 beautiful blessings!

In just a few short weeks, my precious nephew Keller (or Bean, as he's more commonly known) will turn 3 years old.... Keller is an amazing child. And super sweet and special, especially to me. He's the first child that's ever called me "Aunt" anything... And the way he says (or screams, when he's excited) "Aunt Kawa" when he sees me melts my heart every time. God blessed my cousin Amanda and her husband Nic with an amazing gift for sure... I can't believe he's going to be THREE!! Those three years have gone by so quickly! For instance in a few weeks, on July 18 three years ago I was doing this....

Meeting my new little nephew, Keller Allan Dane Nichols!

This past Tuesday, Amanda and Nic were blessed with not one, but TWO precious bundles of joy! Tucker Landon Rette and Iris Esther Klare were born at 9:11 and 9:12pm June 21st! 

Wednesday night I was able to go and see them for the first time! 

Meeting little man Tucker! 

And of course, here is Miss Iris (below) 

Testing out the car seat... 

God gave our family two new blessings! I can't tell you how excited and thankful I am that they are finally here and HEALTHY! Tucker and Iris are sooo tiny! But they are healthy and eating like champs! (They're going home sometime Tuesday hopefully!) I've spent the past 8 months telling Amanda how excited I was about the twins, and I loved them from the day I found out that she was pregnant again....And that was back when we thought there was only ONE baby! 

It just amazes me how much I love those two precious little babies! I can't get enough of them! 

I was actually stuck in Lumberton because of summer school when they made their grand appearance into this world... not that I would have been at the hospital, but I could have seen them sooner! haha. But Amanda put a picture up on Facebook of both babies that was taken right after they were born... and I sat here and cried! Turning 25 has made me an emotional basket case. And yes, I'm blaming my birthday and in some way my mother for birthing me 25 years ago. (Just kidding Mama...kind of).

Okay. I'll stop going on and on about the newest editions to the family. But come on, those are precious babies!


....I'm not proud or anything.... Promise! :)

The TWINS are HERE!!!!!!!!

This is ONE HAPPY AUNT!!!!!!!!!!

Iris, 5lbs 13 oz, 19 inches long and
Tucker, 5lbs 4oz, 18 inches long!

Amanda's in recovery in the room at the hospital and the twins are in the NICU but doing fine.... she'll be able to go see them in a few more hours!

And I am counting down the hours and minutes until I get back to Wilmington and can get my hands on these precious little babies!!!!!!!

Pictures to come!!!

Don't worry, I haven't been taken prisoner...

For those that were worried... I'm alive and well. And I just have two words to sum up why I haven't been blogging recently....

Summer. School.

The end....
Just kidding! I'm not letting you people get off that easy!
Okay, so for updates:
I love my job! FIFI is doing great! And the ladies I work with are awesome! I'm not working that many hours, because of school, and there's two full time employees that get most of the hours.... and I'm only part time, so that's okay. It's very tempting to be downtown right across the street from one of my favorite places ever though. Port City Java has been a part of my life ever since my cousin Jane starting working at one when she was like 17 or something. (She's now 28, so, you do the math... a long time). And there's just something about that Mocha Shake of theirs (personally, I think it's crack, why else would it be that good?) that draws me over there...

BUT... this summer I am trying my hardest to eat better and work out. Which, hasn't really amounted to anything yet... I figure once summer school is over I can go 100% full out in this attempt. Because between work and school I don't really have the time. Yeah, yeah yeah, I know, I could make the time. However, I'm living in Lumberton half the week and in Wilmington the other half, so it's hard to transport my Wii back and forth each time I go somewhere different. So, we'll see. Maybe I just need some motivation... Perhaps I should put on my bikini that I wore last summer in Los Angeles and that might help. :)

School is going great! It's very time consuming and hard, but I'm liking both of my classes. I have one that's completely online and one that's face to face (on campus). There's a ton of reading and work. Mainly because 16 or 17 weeks of material is nicely crammed into 6 weeks (or 5 in the case of one of my classes). I haven't done summer school since I decided to go back to Cape Fear Community College before moving to Cali. So I had forgotten how much faster paced the classes were. And UNCP has 2 day a week classes for 4 hour periods. CFCC did classes M-F for 2 hours. So that was a big change as well. I'm used to the 4 hour classes... all of the elementary education classes are 4 credit hours. At least I didn't have to get used to that.

That's about it really. I've got a crazy out of control tomato plant growing at my mom's, named Wilson. (Don't judge me). Wilson currently has 4 (or 5?) little tomatoes growing! And I personally can't wait to cut into one and make a tomato sammich. (That's a sandwich to those who don't speak southern).
I'm also growing cilantro and basil. The cilantro was touch and go there for a while... but he's turned the corner and is growing very nicely now. The basil is out of control, just like Wilson. Mom cut it back a little. It was getting a little out of hand.

My friend Stacey is coming in 2 weeks! Which I'm VERY excited about! She lives in Atlanta... we met when I started working at Gap Kids back in 2008. (Holy crap!) She was one of the managers with me! We're the same person, essentially. And, we complete each other. It's a great bond, really. Same tastes in everything. And she is one of the only people that I can quote or sing lines from High school musical to and she'll sing back. Most people frown upon this trick, but not Stacey. She embraces it. Just as I do.

So I have that to look forward to... and right now that's about it. Summer school ends June 29. Then I'll be working more hopefully. And trying to work out more, and hopefully work on my tan.
I was so spoiled in LA. That pool at our apartment got more use from me than anyone that lived there. I spent at least 2 hours out there reading every week day. (Cameron usually had me hiking up some mountain or new trail he'd googled on the weekends). And I miss that.
I may have to get a kiddy pool to put my feet in. :)

Hope you are having a fantastic start to the summer!

Remember those mastercard commericials?

Remember? They went something like this...

New black heels: $79.00
Fabulous haircut: $49.00
Martini: $9.00
Seeing your ex at a bar while wearing your new black dress? Priceless.

Nothing like that ever happens. But... That's how I'm going to recap.


5 days of working to open the new store: Awesome paycheck tomorrow.
5 hours in a car to and from Raleigh with 3 youth: An awesome TEC meeting/Lock-in
3 days at the elementary school: Kara will be very tired after proctoring for EOG testing
Closing every night this week after proctoring: another great paycheck
Spring semester at UNCP... 3.8 GPA....: PRICELESS! :)

In other words, I did fantastic with school... and I'm actually looking forward to summer school starting because of the classes that I'm taking...
The store is OPEN!!! FIFI downtown is fabulous and I'm loving the girls I'm working with and loving the fact that I actually have a JOB!
I'm proctoring for the EOG (End Of Grade tests) this week for my wonderful 3rd graders at Wrightsboro Elementary... Not thrilled about standing around for that long of a time period... but I'll manage. (although something tells me I should be in bed at this moment and not typing this... good thing I have a late shift at work tomorrow...)

First TEC meeting for TEC #42 was this past Friday/Saturday... Lock-in style... Got to drive up to Raleigh with three of my amazing youth that I taught Sunday school to when they were in 7th grade.
Now one is a Junior in high school, the other two are sophomores. When did I get old?????
These youth for this team are so amazing. I just know that God is going to guide them in the right direction for serving.  And it makes me so, SO proud to have seen them grow into such awesome people. (And to think that perhaps my awesome skills as their Sunday school teacher had some kind of affect on them......maybe?) I'm VERY excited to be in the conference room for this TEC! Back at "home" in a way... although I had an AMAZING wheat room last go around....and the youth wheat director was perfect. (Brandon will shoot me if I don't say something...)
Conference is where I am most comfortable. :)

Anyway, I'm off to bed. :) A very early morning for Kara is coming shortly.

A Strange Feeling

Let me start by saying that on August 18th, 2010 I went to UNCP for my first classes without knowing a soul. While I was very happy that everything had worked out and I was actually IN school, I was a little lonely. I live by myself and didn't know anyone. Luckily, a few weeks later, I met Mary Watson.
Mary and I had all of our EPC (educational professional courses... aka ridiculousness) together and soon became great friends. We got lunch, did homework, complained and share stories together all the time and I finally felt like I was getting here. I even sent Cameron a text message that said "I made a friend at school today! Her name is Mary!" To which he replied, "I'm proud of you! Congratulations!"

Like a two year old. :) But I was proud of myself, because anyone that knows me, knows that I'm super comfortable with the circle of friends that I already have. I've been friends with these people for years, and they know me, my history and have been there through the good, bad and extremely bad. So adding to this circle has always been hard for me. Not to mention having to tell my story over and over, it gets old and I don't like it. BUT, Mary and I just had so much in common... despite our 5 year age difference. I just felt comfortable with her.

In January, spring semester started and I was in all new classes, 5 out of 6 were with Mary and I only had to battle one without her. I had made a few other friends within my class in the fall, so there were a few familiar faces in the crowd.

What was about to happen, would change me, and my life. Forever.
I made more friends than I had in high school. And not just the friends that you say hey to in the hallway and talk about crazy assignments and who actually had their paper done in class.
I mean that I met people that actually cared about me, and wanted to get to know me. Thanks to Literacy and Language I, Differentiated Instruction, and Math and Science I, I was able to meet people that I hope to be friends with for the rest of my life.

Kelsey, Whitney, Bridget, Lauren, Mary, Reilley, Aaron, Shruti, and Amanda have all come to be people that I consider friends. And I can't thank God enough for putting them into my life.

The fact that everyone's status on Facebook is a complaint about not seeing everybody in the curriculum lab since classes are over ... and sending messages back and forth wanting to know when we can get together again is a sign of how much fun we all had through out this semester.

So, I'm thankful that classes are over until May 25th when summer school begins...
But I'm more thankful for those people that have come into my life this semester. And I can not WAIT until I get to see them again!!! :-D

Blessed to have known you.

April 28 the world lost an amazing person.
Kim and I were in high school together. We had a class with each other when I was a junior and she was a senior.
We were not that close, but she was hysterical. And always entertaining.

Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 23 years old.
She fought a hard and courageous battle and impacted so, so many people with her story.

I'm just blessed to have known her.
Kimmie  (Kim Sibbach)

"May angels lead you in, hear you me my friends,
on sleepless roads the sleepless go, may angels lead you in.
So what would you think of us now? So lucky, so strong and
so proud. I never said thank you for that. Now I'll never have
the chance. May angels lead you in... "

Forever in our hearts Kim. We love you and are better people for knowing you.

Oprah did it again...

I've blogged about Oprah before... when she interviewed Portia de Rossi about her new book that talked about her intensely painful and physically debilitating eating disorder. Portia de Rossi did wonders for me during that interview... to read more about that go here: Thank you, Oprah.

**And Mama, because I know you're reading this... just print it out and read it another time. You'll thank me for it later... (It's about daddy...)**

And Dora, I know you're reading too... the ending may get to you.  :) But, I love you both.

I had DVR'ed an episode today and had no idea what it was about until I started watching it...
Charles "peanut" Tillman, a star quarter back for the Chicago Bears and his wife had a child 3 years ago who developed a heart condition that the only way to save the babys' life was a heart transplant. 400 miles away, another mother was losing a battle with her son who had developed a condition that was unknown. This mother decided to take her son off of life support and donated his heart. Her son's heart was what saved Tillman's daughter.

For anyone that really knows me, knows that my Dad had a liver transplant in 1988, I was 2 years old. My Dad had developed liver failure and the cause was unknown at the time (and still was when he passed away). The only option for a second chance of life was a transplant. Weeks later, prayers were answered and on January 24, 1988 Dad got a new liver. January 24th is my mom's birthday, and 3 days after mine. The years after the transplant were hard and difficult and he was in and out of the hospital because of complications. But because of someone else's loss, I was able to have my father in my life for 18 more years.
Without that, I wouldn't have known him the way that I did.

That was 23 years ago. Which seems impossible. 1, I can't believe I'm 25. but also because it just doesn't seem that long ago. I remember that time period. I remember living at my grandma's while my mom an Dad were in Richmond, VA at the hospital. I remember it. People and experts say that a person can't recall memories until a certain age... but I don't care what anyone tells me. I remember walking to the park with two neighbors while my mom and dad left to go to the hospital so I wouldn't see them leave.

Because someone else lost their life, my Dad gained his again. Of all of the things I've been given in the 25 years I've been on this earth, that has been the best gift of them all. The doctors said that the new liver would maybe last 7-10 years.
Guess what? It lasted for 18.
Dad passed away on December 23, 2006, a month shy of 19 years with that liver.
Because someone had chosen to be an organ donar, my Dad was able to see me grow up into an adult and got to see me graduate from high school and start to embark on a new journey in my life. He saw me go to 3 proms and sing at school and church. He came to the TEC weekend when I was a director for the HOOT and saw me go on my first date (not thrilled about it, but still). He got to see it. He was a huge part of my life and will always be, no matter what.

While he did get to see all of that, he won't get to see everything. He won't meet the man I'll marry, he won't walk me down the alise, he won't know his grandchildren, and he won't see me graduate (finally) from college.

That angers me. It's not fair that I was 20 years old when my dad died. And it's certainly not fair that he won't get to see everything I'm going to do in my life. But I've come a long way in the almost 5 years that he's been gone. I've been able to accept the things that he was able to see, and as much as it hurts and pains me that my wedding will be different than all of my other friends, I'm okay with it. It took 5 years to get to that point... And I still don't think it's fair, but that doesn't mean that I stop living my life because of it.

I've come so far in four and a half years. I'm 25, I'm in school learning to become a teacher which is truly my passion, I have the best friends a girl could ask for, and a slightly crazy but amazing nonetheless family that oddly enough, I wouldn't trade for the world. So many people have gotten me through the past few years, with out Cameron and Keri I'd hate to know where I'd be. Even though it didn't work between Cameron and I, he showed me how to live life. I was so afraid of life when I met him, he truly came into my life at the right time. And I'm sure my Dad had something to do with that.
He led me to other friends that I still have. He got me to see that I can control my life.

And I'll never be able to thank him enough for it.

I'll never be able to thank the person that lost their life to save my Dad.. but because of him or her, I was able to know my father.

So thank you Oprah, again, for making me realize how amazing my life has been. And how amazing this world and the people in it really are.

The after-Fest

For those of you lovely people that read the last entry... The store I'm working in this summer didn't open this weekend. (God Bless those contractors for not getting that job done... I was not ready to work during the middle of the Azalea Festival)

Speaking of the festival... I was successful at staying as far away from it as possible. And I only had a few enraged encounters with stupid tourists.... (From inside my car, of course).
One of the Gardens on the tour was in our neighborhood [naturally] so it was fun to navigate around all the crazies lookin' at those damn azaleas. And I had totally forgotten about this house on one of the streets that has a plant place... open to the public. Mom and I hadn't remembered that. But, it was a fun weekend with mom... That's really all I did was hang out with her. And let her spend money on me. :-D We may not be able to eat for the next few weeks, but my summer wardrobe is looking fabulous! (thanks mommy!)

I know I complain about the Azalea Festival... but it really is a good time. If you're into driving around and walking around someone else's yard and looking at pretty high school girls that are dressed in Antebellum Attire....
Okay, it's a fantastic time. I just didn't want to participate this year.
PLUS, I thought I was going to be working.

Instead, I hung out with my mom and watched "The Kennedy's" on TV every night. And it was fabulous. Oh, and we ate. A lot.

Azalea Festival Weekend

Any native of Wilmington, NC knows that the 2nd weekend of April means that you will lose your mind. Not because it's usually warm and nice weather... and that tourists have started coming out of the woodworks... but because of the Azalea Festival. Don't get me wrong, there's a ton of history and pride from our town for this festival. Most girls have a right of passage in becoming a woman by being chosen to be an Azalea Belle. This is what every girl, who's a native, and who also had a great connection to someone in the Garden Club longs for as a child as they watch the parade and see the Belles on the floats and in the beautiful gardens on the home tours. I know that's what I always thought.
"One day, I'll be on that float with the Queen."
For anyone wondering, I was on a float. About 50 floats away from the Queen. I got stuck with members of the hammerhead soccer team, their annoying mascot who made passes at me while in the costume, and two redneck beauty queens from the backwoods. But, being the Southern lady that I am, I sat there, parasol in hand, and waved to the crowd my rehearsed "Queen Wave" that Grandma Ann had been teaching me since I was about 4 years old. And I made my family proud.

This weekend, is the Azalea Festival. It's that time of year again... the time where Belles are everywhere, traffic sucks more than the Fourth of July (not an understatement), there are old couples lost on every street because they don't own a GPS and they can't find the next Garden on the tour, You can't get downtown because of the street fair-even though you want a funnel cake so bad that you'd risk anything (or anyone) for just a taste of that powder sugared doughy goodness....A time where Forest Hills (my neighborhood) gets so congested with traffic you can't leave your own house unless you take a bike or walk (and let's face it... that's never going to happen). A time where unless you reserve your parking place at the church a month in advance ($10- proceeds go to the mission trip) you'll end up missing the parade and kicking yourself for ignoring all of the fliers Emily put in the church bulletins and newsletters. Because now, you won't see the elephants parading down 3rd street, and you surely won't see the Queen.

Usually I run away from Wilmington during this time. Last year I was 3,000 miles away in the comfort of my own apartment with Cameron during the festival. The year before that I escaped to Asheboro because wouldn't you know it, 2 of the gardens on tour were ON MY STREET. I had no choice but to get out of there.

I would gladly stay in Lumberton this weekend.

But... I start my summer job this weekend.
My summer job that is in downtown Wilmington, on Front Street.
The job that is opening their newest store on Friday or Saturday.
Still not getting my point?
They're opening the store the weekend of AZALEA FESTIVAL.
Ok, I know I'm lucky to even have a job for the summer... but unless you've lived and breathed THE festival... you can't understand what this really means. If the store opens on time, scheduled for Saturday, that means my mother (bless her) will be driving me to work...Which most likely means that I'll be dropped off at the church and I'll be walking the rest of the way to work.

But, that's okay. Because I'll be at work. Earning Money. Which I desperately need. And downtown will be filled with tourists because of the festival. Which means more business for us.

Although I'm not sure how I'll be able to handle the smell of funnel cakes wafting through the air and into our store... Guess I'll have to just take some cash with me... At least enough for 5 or 6... ok, 10 funnel cakes. :-D

Aside from the craziness of "The Festival" I'm very excited for Saturday morning. I get to go to a baby shower for a WONDERFUL woman that I've known for 11 years. Traci was the director of the very first STW TEC weekend that I went to as a guest. I've always felt that Traci was a wonderful person, even back then. So I am very excited to celebrate her and her babies at the baby shower Saturday.
And yes, I said babies... as in twins... as in precious TWIN GIRLS!!!! Let's just say that I'm glad that my cousin Amanda is also pregnant, and also having twins.... because I'm not longer a Gap Kids manager, and I don't get the good discounts, ever. Amanda's twins aren't going to be as spoiled as Keller was. Which is probably a good thing... Plus, Keller was the first, and I was working at Gap Kids so I really had no choice. And I just couldn't be stopped. :)

So, in closing, I can't wait to see Traci! And I can't WAIT to eat a funnel cake... or 12.
No worries.... Tervis (Tervis Tumbler...for those who aren't educated in Southern-ness... read my other blog Get Educated)  will be close by and full of sweet tea, at all times. (Especially since it's going to be a hot one, so the weather channel says).

See what happened was...

Okay, so I was going through my phone the other day, deleting old emails, text messages and pictures that my phone took of itself or somehow I managed to take of my purse... And I came across a "Note" (aka sticky note application on the iPhone) and it read:
"Class of 2004 transcripts are not in the computer system."
I laughed. Then for the next 5 minutes I tried to remember why I had put that in a note.
Oh, that's right... It's dated August 11, 2010. 2 days before I was accepted to UNCP which means I was in the middle of fighting with New Hanover High School guidance system to get a copy of my transcript. Obviously, it all worked out... But the lovely lady (more like incredibly rude) in the guidance office told me that I would not be able to get a copy of my transcript because any transcripts before 2005 were not in the computer system.

Okay, I'm not ancient or over a hundred or anything, but for some reason this still offended me. Why 2005? What was so spectacular about that graduating class that you would start the new computer system with them? (And it was nothing really, I knew a bunch of those kids and '04 really was where it was at...). I know that it was just probably when they received the program. But it was all in the way the lady said it. Like 2004 was 30 years ago or something. It wasn't like my mom was asking for her high school transcript... Which, in case you were wondering, transcripts from her high school days are now kept at a satellite location downtown. (That info was on the transcript request form I had to fill out)

Anyway. I know I had done a blog before about the NOW Music tapes/cds/ 8 tracks... whatever. So I thought that this played along nicely. I'm not going to stop and post another new entry on what's going on in my life... perhaps most people reading this would actually care more about that than the fact that 2004 transcripts are just so old.

A weekend Adventure

Well, it's Friday and I'm in Lumberton... WHAT? I know, I'm usually sitting at dinner with mom by now on a "normal" Friday... but, alas, I'm going on a weekend adventure tomorrow!
Tomorrow I'm heading to Raleigh for the first leadership team meeting for STW TEC#42! I recently accepted the call to serve on another weekend. TEC is very near and dear to my heart... and I feel like I owe TEC my life. It's helped me through so many dark times in my life, and I've met some of (some of? no, they are...) AMAZING people because of TEC. So our first meeting is on Saturday so I'm headed there tomorrow morning. And I'm very excited to see some of the people that will be serving along with me... some of them I haven't

Then, after the meeting I'm heading to Asheboro to see Dora! Which I am VERY excited about!! I was able to pass through on my way back from Charlotte over the weekend of my birthday but I really haven't seen Dora since October! And we get to sit around and talk about teaching and education... boring? To you maybe!! But it's going to be a wonderfully entertaining night together.

AND... not to mention I'll be forcing her to take me to Sir Pizza for dinner. Okay, forcing is a bit much, I know... But seriously, you can't even begin to understand how amazing this food is until you've tasted it yourself. Believe me, I was once one of "Those" people. When I went with Cameron to meet his parents after we had been dating for a while, he took me there for lunch one day. And, I'm a pizza lover, but this has got crack in it, or something... it's just SOOO good. And their Sweet Tea?? FORGET IT!!!! Delicious. All around. And if you're lucky to have a leftover box (Cameron and I never did... but I get to this time I hope!) You have to make sure your name is on it in the house of the Potts. Or else the little brother (KENDALL) may get into it. Even though he'll swear he didn't do it, all while wearing a sneaky little smirk on his face. (That's when You calmly tell him you'll never do anything for him again-it works, trust me!)

I'm very excited to see who all is serving on TEC, excited to see Dora and talk the teacher talk, and even more excited for some ham and pineapple Sir Pizza and Sweet Tea!!!

And whatever you do.... and no matter what the person thinks that you are with (Cameron)... Don't you DARE forget that TO-GO cup of SWEET TEA!!!!

Half way there....

Well well well... I'm half way finished with my Junior year of COLLEGE.
That's right. This fall I will be a SENIOR... Ahhhh if feels so wonderful to say! The last time I was a senior, I was 18, ready to be the heck out of Wilmington, and more concerned with my friends than on school.

Honestly though, who wasn't like that at 18?
Oh, right. My mother. :) (Love you mama!)

March 29 begins registration for Summer 2011 and Fall 2011 classes. Thanks to UNCP's wonderful scheduling system, none of the days or times are up with the classes... I'm hoping that gets fixed ASAP. I'm the kind of person that plans out different versions of a schedule so that when I go to register I won't be disappointed if I can't get a certain class and have to take it at another time. (Yes, I know, OCD... yadda yadda).

Other than that... classes this semester are sailing along... sometimes smoothly. Sometimes I don't even know what's going on in a couple of them because the teacher has never really set out due dates for our assignments... but hey, whatever. It will all be in my portfolio which I'm told that's all that matters.

Midterms are over as of today! Thank goodness. And now it's 2 weeks and one month until this semester is over! Which means: Lots of lesson planning, frield experience, paper writing, game making, lesson planning, teaching lessons, paper writing, reading, did I mention lesson planning?

You get the idea. But, I'm loving it. I taught my first lesson on Monday and if it was possible to love a job even more than I did before, I think I do. I just feel so at ease in the classroom, and the way those 3rd graders responded to the story was amazing. Although the best part was when this:

This one little boy raised his hand (we'll call him Tommy) and...
Me: Yes Tommy?
Tommy: My mom has those same shoes. She got them at Target yesterday.
Me: Well that's wonderful. These shoes are great, and very comfortable. (YEAH FREAKING RIGHT. I was wearing 3 inch heals. I did it to look cute....anyway)
Tommy: Well... they're not the same color as my moms. Hers are brown. So I guess they aren't really the exact same.
Me: That's okay, I understand.
Tommy: Plus, my mom's legs don't look as great in them as yours do.
Me: Thank you Tommy...

I'll admit, this was better than having my pants un zipped in front of the whole class like last year. But still. Kids.

They'll say anything.
And, I guess taking the stairs at school is doing me some good... :)

How many tractors do you have to pass to get from Lumberton to Wilmington?

So, how many tractors do you have to pass to get from Lumberton to Wilmington?


Well? What's your answer? 


If you said 10, You are CORRECT!!! 


Just another day in the life of the travels back and forth between Lumberton and Wilmington. At this point, after the hog shit, stranded cows, and goats on a table... Oh I haven't written about the goats... ok, well, anyway, between the hog shit, the Elwood Ferry, and stranded cows, nothing really surprises me anymore... 


For example:
I was driving back to Lumberton from Wilmington on Hwy 211. I was listening to the ACC championship game between Duke (!!!!) and UNC (who, I don't think realized that they had a a game to play that day...) and just taking in the warm sunshine and breeze from having the windows down. 


As I was driving I noticed some children in a yard in the distance. Nothing out of the ordinary and I smiled to myself because I could see the little children playing with some kittens as well.... Okay, we all know that when I smile to myself because I THINK that I'm seeing something really interesting or precious, or cute... I tend to be wrong. (Point in Case: Hog Shit Sprayer *find the blog here-Hog Poopie) As I approached the nice big yard and saw the children I realized that they were not playing with Kittens after all. The "kittens" were .... Goats. Baby goats. On top of a picnic table. 


WHAT? Ok, Goats as pets- I totally get that and I've played with my fair share of baby goats. My Papa had a friend who raised goats and we would always get to go see them once the babies were born (precious). And I know that the goats and other farm animals are nothing out of the ordinary for these back country roads that I travel on... 


But goats ON TOP of a picnic table? Didn't their momma ever tell those youngin's that a PICNIC table is for EATIN and not playing with your baby goats? 


Some people. 

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down

Warning: This will not be as humorous as my last post. (Just thought I'd be nice and let you know in advance).

Today was Ash Wednesday. It's the beginning of my absolute FAVORITE church season. Lent. It's weird, I guess... but every year I look forward to Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday services more than I look forward to Christmas. Easter is the untainted holiday to me... Daddy got sick a week before Thanksgiving of 2006 and died two days before Christmas... so those holidays just aren't the same to me anymore. Which is understandable I suppose. Anyway, ever since both of my grandparents and my dad died, I struggle with the service more because they were cremated and I can vividly remember the pastor saying "remember that you are from dust and to dust you shall return" while their ashes were placed in the memorial garden at church. So, I knew that tonight would be hard, but good at the same time. (If that makes sense..)

Got to church, found a pew near the front... 2nd mom Emily sat on my right and her son, Kevin, one of my bestest and most amazing friends, sat on my left. Service started and it was wonderful. During the imposition of the ashes, I cried. And somehow Pastor Mark knew that he just needed to mark my forehead and let me leave... especially since I barely got out an "Amen" after he said the words. Back at my seat, I glanced over the rest of the bulletin and saw that the dismissal hymn was none-other than "Abide with me".

Now, let me be clear. That's a great song. It was my grandma Ann's favorite. It was played at her funeral as one of the prelude songs. A year and a half later after her funeral, it was played at my dad's.
I distinctly remember walking into the narthex of church with my mom and Uncle John and standing there waiting for the service hymn to start and to walk down the aisle. While standing there, "Abide with me" started playing. All I could see in my head was my dad getting misty eyed at church the first time it was played after Grandma Ann (his mother) died. Uncle John grabbed my hand, and pulled me to him, and I cried onto his suit jacket for 5 minutes until it was time to march down the aisle.

Needless to say, this was going to be hard. So it's time for the last song... I stand up and put my hand on the pew in front of me (something that both Grandma Ann and my dad always did... perhaps that's where I get it from?) and Emily (Mom 2) put her hand on top of mine (Thank God). Song starts, I start crying... by the end of the first verse I can't see through my glasses... Do okay on the 2nd and 3rd verse... end of the 3rd verse Kevin leaned down and asked me something about what we were going to do after the service (really? does that matter right this second?) and I just kept staring ahead... I assume he asked Emily ( both of these lovely people are taller than me, so I'm guessing they talked over my head) Emily let Kevin know that this was played at my dad's funeral and finally everything made sense to him. I'm sure he wondered why I looked so crazy after coming back from getting the ashes on my head (Aside from the actual ashes on my head of course).

It was hard this year.... Pastor John made a good point tonight though. Are you confessing your sins as a ritual prayer that we speak every Sunday and not expecting anything out of it? or, are you confessing truly, and deeply and having a come to Jesus experience and conversation with him wondering what you've done, or what you're not doing?

Think about it. It's super deep. And so very true. That, is why I adore Pastor John.
And in the words of him, "give Lent a go, 40 days from now, it will be Easter, and I'm willing to make a wager on you... and how much you will have changed."

Lent isn't just about giving up bad habits... like biting your nails, or saying no to anything chocolate, or pasta, or gum.. or soda.... It's about figuring out what you're doing wrong or not doing. It's about making that change happen and experiencing EVERYTHING that God has to offer you. Lent is an amazing time my friends, and yes, the soda is gone out of my life for 40 days... but I can't wait to see what happens on Easter morning.... and to look back over the past 40 days and see how far I've come.

I'm jumping in deep this time... because let's face it.. we all fall down sometimes... even that little nursery rhyme says so...

"ashes, ashes... we all fall down!"

.....after all, we are from dust. And, to dust we shall return.

Seriously considering....

Some people may not know this about me... but, I LOVE to write. And sometimes it's a little sickening...
For example: I have a persuasive position paper to write about which approach to literacy that I think is the best for the classroom. I am excited to write this paper.  (I'll wait here, those of you who I just made sick may go take care of that, and return. I'll be here...)

Another thing that I love? Sweet tea.
I know. I'm from the South, I'm supposed to love Sweet tea. Right. Well, take the "Normal" amount of love for Sweet tea, and times that by about a million, and BINGO... That's my love of sweet tea. When I moved to Los Angeles, I was more happy about the fact that McDonald's had just introduced the Fabulous $1 Sweet Tea to it's West Coast customers than I was about finally being out there with Cameron. (Okay, maybe that's a little much, but I was super excited).

So, what can a girl do with a love of writing and sweet tea you ask?
Well, for starters, I'm going to go refill my brand new Tervis Tumbler (Duke Blue Devil edition) with more tea... and THEN... I'm going to start taking notes on writing a book about Sweet Tea.
A Celia Rivenbark type, if you will, "Southern style humor"
I know what you're thinking, and seriously.. I have it ALL figured out. I even have notes written already from a breakfast discussion with my mom a few weeks ago.

Picture it:
People in the south can be summed up in few words.
And to me, the holy trinity of the south is a tall glass, the perfect ice, and sweet tea. (....Maybe I should look into therapy...)
Anyway, There are certain "do's and don'ts" of sweet tea... (e.g.- If you despise lemon, you get freakishly upset if the nice waiter at the restaurant "forgets" that you specifically said "NO LEMON IN MY TEA."....etc.)

I would go over the different types of glasses that are best for sweet tea... discuss how important ice is, and the importance of TO GO CUPS of sweet tea from restaurants. And perhaps if you think To Go cups are a little unnecessary (or embarrass easily when people ask for them) I may be able to talk you into it. (Dora, There is hope!!!)

Or, maybe you think that this obsession of sweet tea and "the people" that drink it are crazy.
Well, maybe I think that people that DON'T drink sweet tea, are crazy and should be shipped to Iceland to live. (There's a Tetley Tea Coupon in the circular this week, for anyone that's now interested...)

I know it's a long shot... and with everything I have going on now, I'm going to think of it as a side project... (like everything in my craft room at this moment)
But this is truly something I would love to do. And I personally think it would sell like snow cones on a hot day.

I've just got to think of a title for the book... then I'm ready to go.
Now back to Tervis... he seems to be empty again.

Feeling Nostalgic

I'm normally not one to just sit around and dwell on things from my past... However, for some reason tonight, I'm feeling especially nostalgic. Perhaps it's because the cool spring like weather the other night made me think about my Grandma Ann... on nights like that she would call our house to talk to me and tell me that if she could, she would get a bucket and fill it with that cool, crisp air and put it in her bed. I walked outside Sunday night and it was as if a train hit me... that same cool, crisp air was there. I swear I had not thought about that in the years since she passed away. It's crazy to think that it will be 6 years since then, this coming June. She was certainly in charge of the weather the other night. I believe that with all my heart. 


But there are other things that I remember... and not just about her. I remember almost all of the call numbers that my Daddy had while working at the Sheriff's department.. like A-10 or U-15... Unit 11 was the last number that he had. I even remember the phone number my Dad had to the FIRST cell phone that he got from the Sheriff's Department... (and, might I add, that it was a bag phone, and only the Sergeants had them, and when the shift changed, the phone was carried out of the one car, and delivered to the next Sgt.'s desk...) 


I distinctly remember my 2nd birthday party. I had an Alf ice cream cake, and the party was at my grandma Wayway's house... everyone was there, the whole family. Except, mom and dad. They were in Richmond, VA preparing for my dad to hopefully receive a liver transplant. (And, 3 days later, on my Mom's birthday, he did). 


I remember how I felt the first day of 6th grade, the first time I ever went to TEC, the day that I turned 16 (at TEC!), how I felt walking across the stage to receive my high school diploma, and so many other things. 


I'm sure that many other people can remember things like this too... but I just wanted to get the feeling out in text... I do better that way. :)


Anyway, school is going really well... Spring Break is next week! Whooo hooo! Ready for doing NOTHING and hanging out with some friends and family... 


And... I'm going to be an AUNT to twins this summer! (as I said in a previous entry) 
..........................................
I'm VERY HAPPY and PROUD to say that I will be an Aunt to:
Baby BOY; Tucker
AND................
Baby GIRL!!!; Iris!!!!


Mom and babies are doing great! Big Brother Keller is precious and amazing as always! Looking forward to spending time with him over the break as well. Can't wait until I can post pictures and all that good stuff! Come on July!!! 

I was going to wait... But....

Okay, So, a lot has happened since my last update! I'm officially in the School of Education and LOVING, LOVING, LOVING all of my classes. I have friends from last semester in all of them, and Mary and I have pretty much every class together which is fabulous!

The STW TEC#41 weekend was AMAZING. TEC never ceases to amaze me, and continues to bring such joy and peace to my life.... and Speaking of Peace and Joy... I went to a BAG Lady (Blessed and Gifted, thank you- not some crazy old bag lady!) Retreat with some WONDERFUL women a couple of weeks ago! It was a PJ party-- Peace and Joy & Pajama's! It was so great to spend a relaxing, spiritual, and might I even say, FUN! weekend with the girls at the beach!

Now, onto bigger news... I got a call back in November from my cousin Amanda who informed me that I was going to be an Aunt again....!! Keller, my precious perfect nephew is 2 1/2... so I was VERY excited that I would have another baby to play with soon! (And spoil, of course!) THEN.... a week or so before Christmas an ultrasound revealed that I was going to be DOUBLY blessed as an Aunt!!! Amanda is expecting TWINS!!! That's right... TWO BABIES!!!! Very, very exciting! So far, Amanda is doing well and everything is going great with the babies! Amanda goes next week to find out the burning question of what the sexes will be! I know that 2 boys would be easier on them, because of all of Keller's things... but I want a girl!

Aunt Kara will be VERY happy no matter the sex of the babies. I want healthy and happy babies!

A good friend of mine, Traci, is also pregnant with twins, and due one day before Amanda! So, the race is ON to see who will deliver first! :) I'm so excited for both Amanda and Traci and want nothing but the best for each of them! And I certainly can't wait to play with these 4 beautiful babies once they are here!

I'll keep you posted on the sex of the babies.... Come on Tuesday!!!

One year ago...

It's simply crazy to me to think that a year ago today, January 5, I was boarding a plane in Raleigh, NC with my mom, and heading to Los Angeles, CA to start a new chapter in my life. So many things happened in the past year. 2010 was wonderful. I got to live in LA for 7 1/2 months, I still have Cameron as one of my best friends (even though things didn't work out exactly like we planned... but what ever does, really?), I got into college (for the 4th time...), I passed the Praxis!, I have my own townhouse in Lumberton, I'm serving on team for a TEC weekend in a couple of weeks, and as of Friday at 2:30 I will officially be in the School of Education at UNCP!

I know that everything didn't go exactly like I had planned... the whole moving to LA, and back to NC wasn't really a plan that I had...as much as I hate what happened, I will admit that God knew what he was doing when Cameron and I made that difficult decision to break up. Cameron is a truly amazing person, and I am very happy that I can still call him whenever I want, and have his friendship. I am happy with my life as of right now, and I'm very proud of myself for everything that I have accomplished over the past year.

Today is/was my Daddy's birthday. He would have been 59 years old if he were still with us physically. (He's always with me... ) It's CRAZY to imagine what he would be like at 59. Mom said the other day, "he acted like he was 12 all the time, I can't imagine what 59 would be like!" Which is VERY TRUE. He was hysterical. And he mostly did it just to entertain us, or see us get frustrated, a trait that he was very good at sharing with me.

As my Christmas break from school is slowly coming to an end, I'm very happy to have had a chance to spend time with my friends and family. Especially my cousin who goes back to London in a couple of weeks. Never realized how much I relied on her until she moved to another country! :) We're going to brunch tomorrow!

Heading back to Lumberton on Thursday... Preparing for classes to start and my Interview is on Friday. Saturday I'll be in Raleigh for the final TEC meeting before the weekend over MLK weekend. Monday classes start! I'm ready for 2011!

Oh. And, if anyone's counting... there's 16 days until my 25th birthday. Lord Help Me.