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... :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, March 7, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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!!!
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!!!
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