Thankful Thursdays

1. Faith in the journey. So, it's typically a rocky road around this 4th grade teacher's wing...and I can't believe how much I have grown as a teacher in the past year. I'm stronger, better, faster, wiser...all without becoming as arrogant as Kanye West. Leadership opportunities have begun to flow my way, along with an answer to my "How Do You Know?" post. You know, I guess, through having growth opportunities pitched your way, and realizing that if you don't accept them, you'll never become who you're meant to be.

2. Best friends...whom you can tell anything to without fear of gossip.

3. Spring Training. 85 degrees. Grassy field. Cold beer. Spring Break next week. Need I say more?

4. I've lost 5 of the 7 lbs. I've needed to lose, soooo thankful.

5. Having a chance to be someone's hero. I coordinated the Science Fair at my school this year. One of my students who has learning challenges ended up winning! I get to announce his win at the Honor Roll Assembly tomorrow, and present him with a huge trophy! Seeing his ear to ear grin will be one of the best memories in teaching...so far!~

Elaborate Lies and Liars

One of my good friends, Lindsey, is getting married. So, you know, there are going to be bridesmaid dresses and bachelorette parties...and bridal showers. Most likely, a wedding, too.

Lindsey asked me to go to a bridal show with her Sunday afternoon, so I supported her just like Kristen Wigg supports Maya Rudolph in Bridesmaids. Nervous, prolonged laughter, followed by agreement to go, of course.

So, on the 85 degree, sun-filled glorious day that yesterday was, I entered the marble foyer of the Sheraton, checked-in with the concierge, and was off to an elaborate scheme.

Lindsey: Put your birthstone ring on your left ring finger, that way we'll get more stuff!!

Me: No one is going to believe that I'm engaged, Linds. It doesn't look like an engagement ring. Plus, I am a HORRIBLE liar.

Lindsey: Just do it. Follow my lead.

Me: ...

We approached the registration tables, and there we were peppered with, "Which one of you is the bride???"

Lindsey: "Both of us."

On my registration card, I had to write my anticipated wedding date, the groom's name and age. **Caught in my lie before I've even entered the show.** I haven't even been on a date since October, you guys. I thought of Whitney Houston. Then, I thought of Ryan Gosling...so I pieced the names together for my fictitious groom's name: Ryan Houston. After giving one of the attendants my registration card, I was pinned with a hot pink "bride" label, and was off. I had to let the lying games begin. I'd rather be chosen for The Hunger Games. Really. I was loving this about as much as I would love water boarding...but I support my friends, you guys. For reals. So, there was some self-denial, at least, in this whole lying escapade. Not your typical Lenten sacrifice, but...painful, nonetheless.

The worst was yet to come, however. There were vendors. Lots of photographers. Dancers. Bridal Models. And I had to lie to everyone of them to get free stuff for my friend.

Vendors:"When is the big day???" "Oh, I haven't decided yet! (Shoot! Should have said, "we.")"

"Where have you though of having your reception?" "Really, haven't thought that far." (Trying to say, straight-faced.)

To Lindsey and I: "Are you doing a joint wedding??" "Oh, could you imagine, Lindsey??? OMG. Hahahhahahahha." (Just keep laughing, so they won't ask you anymore questions!)

The worst, was the girl at the Men's Warehouse Booth, who would not leave me alone. Oh? When? What's your fiance's name? How long did you date before becoming engaged? Leave me alone, and let me have my fun, Men's Ware-hoes.

In the end, I entered Lindsey in over 20 drawing for free giveaways, all dependent upon my fictitious marital state. I will most likely be innundated with calls from the wedding industry for the next 6 months. So, you know, there's my penance.

Lies. Not for the faint of heart or for fiances of Ryan (Gosling Whitney) Houston.

Fate

There was a news report around the Valley a few years ago, announcing that a victim of something-or-other had been fatally killed. Hmm. Can you be fatally killed? Or is it fatally wounded?

The news reports around Phoenix never seem to be that pressing: as in, a traffic reporter recently announcing on live television, "Is that the I-17? It's just so hard to tell." Welp. Her fate was sealed. I haven't seen her on the evening news at all lately.

Fate is a funny dance between loci of control. You never really want to blame yourself, so fate takes the heat. You never really want to blame your circumstances either, because hard work got you where you are, but it could be gone in a second, so to befriend humility, you credit fate, as well.

How do you ever really know?

I discussed the worst movie's title ever with a trainer this weekend, someone's opinion I value -- both personally and professionally -- and, she stumbled into the idea of knowing your calling...that's how you "know" what your next move should be.

Well, right now I'm at a crossroads. I don't know what my specific calling is. Yes, I feel called to teach...BUT WHERE?

Do I remain a Title 1 teacher?

Do I segue into administration, special education, intervention, private school, charter school, start my own school, go for National Board Certification this spring? Do I stay put and bloom in the place God has planted me?

Do I venture out, because -- gosh, darn -- I've spent my time earning my strong Title 1 experience, and now, NOW, I can reap the rewards of my labor!

Historically, I've always found that I know what I want to do by judging what I don't want to do. THAT HELPS! But...but...

I found a pin on pinterest the other day that said, "The next time you don't know what to do: flip a coin. The outcome won't decide your fate, it will release the answers that you're secretly hoping for."

So, I flipped a coin. And of course, the option I wanted wasn't that flip's outcome. So, it's choice A. It has to be...until I wonder if I'm cursing fate by going against the flipped coin.

I'm headed to Adoration. :-)

MuMbLeS

1. I want to blog, but school starts in 6 minutes! We had no internet over the weekend, and therefore, I couldn't blog. Nor could I use Microsoft Office "Starter" because I'm cheap, haven't paid for Microsoft Office, and therefore, the only time I can use Starter is when I have a live internet feed.

2. Bummer.

3. This weekend was fun...went to the Centennial celebration in Arizona and saw Dierks Bentley, but only on his motorcycle, and well, I guess I settled for him slowing down. Haha.

4. Image issues are back. So, I deleted my Facebook. Probably just for Lent, but I do compare myself to others. It's my self-evaluation rubric...and it's a really immature road to take. So, while I man up, I'm off the FB.

5. Oh, this is a good one, but I have to save it for my next blog post. News worthy! Praying hard about this one!

6. This weekend, I also browsed some unique, trendy hole-in-the-wall shops and restaurants.

7. Yep. The amount of pounds I still want to lose = 7!

8. And. yeah, I'm late. Bell just rang! Excited to blog the next post!

Interruptions

This morning I awakened to the voice of reason in my head. It began arguing with my reflection in the mirror as I gave a pseudo-lecture to my students about our classroom culture, and specifically, about how THEY needed to stop interrupting Me. "If I'm at my desk, it means I'm busy preparing something for the next lesson, and YOU need to wait until I'm up again walking around. Ask THREE before me!"

Then, just now, I read this:

Any miracle that Jesus did was when he was on the way somewhere and got interrupted by somebody. Make time for other people in your life. --(via Joyce Meyer)

Jesus, help me to teach more like you did, and....while I smack myself in the forehead, still do.