another of many reasons to love kindergarten

Teacher: "Does anyone know what a Native American is?"
Student: "Virginia Beach-ans"


ps. i love these children. they are the cutest of all the elementary grades. second graders just aren't going to compare.

why i love kindergarten

1. the children are to-die-for cute! My favorite ( I know I am not supposed to have favorites) is an ESL student who constantly says 'me love you' as well as compliments my CT on her footwear. I constantly find myself wondering what these 5-year-olds will look like in 10 years and who they will become.
2. the children are hilarious...

• project #1 was to make an about me poster... one boy wrote that he wants to be a doctor, tree cutter, married person, preacher, gamer when he grows up, while the rest of the children wrote one occupation
• a sassy little girl asked me why i was wearing a shirt under my sleeveless dress. i explained that i had to wear either a sweater or shirt and that the sweater was too hot. she replies, "you don't want nobody to see your stuff." she put she wants to be a makeup artist when she grows up.
• the same day i wore the dress a girl asks, "miss wilson, why's your stomach so big?" i can only laugh...
• the couples in my class, so far there is one in addition to a love triangle. the couple seems like they have a bright future.......... 

3. it is colorful and everything is new for the kids. it allows for a more welcoming classroom, since decorations and different colors are a must.
4. i sing all the time (my voice isnt the best, especially since i am getting a cold)! favorite song= days of the week to the tune of the addams family complete with snaps and clicks of the tongue. i sing throughout the day anyway when talking to myself.
5. my CT always has a special treat on Fridays... I will implement that in my classroom.

pleasantly surprised

i have loved being at home. this should not surprise me since all last semester and throughout the summer i prayed for my time at home and that it would be good, different, and a growing experience. i hope to one day live with the certainty that my God is faithful and under control. it is a growing process..... i have come a long way but i still have so much more to grow.

i love kindergarten. my students. my teacher. the school i am currently at. i went to a meeting for all student teachers in the school system today and i was excited, not freaked out, to apply for jobs/to have that option very soon. it was so affirming, since i have always been half in/half out in terms of teaching. i prayed this semester would confirm whether that is what i am supposed to do for the next phase of life or not. so far it is. lessons start next week!.... we will see how i feel then.

CHAOS

I have many conflicting emotions as I write this. My heart is filled with love for friends that are all over the eastern part of the US. I spent 10 weeks at Discipleship Focus (DFo) immersed in a community of college-aged people. We worked together, lived together, and played together (cheesy) as we all went through an in-depth study about the truths of God. I am saddened that we are all over the country now and not together in Pigeon Forge. I am also sad that I will not be going back to JMU this year and that I am not living in the Graffiti House. After DFo, a few friends and I travelled around Tennessee to visit new cities and friends. We visited college houses and it hit me that I won't be in a college house this coming year. It is weird that I will still be doing college things, but I won't be in Harrisonburg. I am fearful and overwhelmed as I face the reality that student teaching begins in 10 days and I have yet to enroll thanks to my status as a non-degree seeking student. My car ride home from Pigeon Forge last night lasted 12 hours, even though Kevin and I tried our hardest to shave minutes off of our ETA. Our quick pit stop in Newport News lasted 2 hours since my tired popped which actually ended up being a broken wheel (woo). This means an expensive repair, which I have no way of paying for and which I hate making my mom pay for. 

Now comes the hope. I have grown! These events normally bog me down, especially at home where following the Lord can be hard for me to do. All this morning, When I start stressing out and preparing for a pity party, I am reminded that God is in control and I have searched for the blessings among my situations. In addition to the cost of repairing my vehicle, which is only mine for a few more days, I had a burden of school costs. Not being able to enroll yet, I had not heard about any financial aid. So earlier today I was (almost) stressing about that other added cost. I got a scholarship that covers a little over half of my tuition for this semester a few weeks ago, but I have no where near the $2000 extra I need. I checked ecampus, as I did a few times this summer, and under Financial Aid I have my scholarship and a grant for 2750! Where it came from I have no idea and when I was supposed to accept it I have no idea, but it is accepted and it is for the 2011-2012 school year. SO great. I had a few tears in my eyes as I also received another congratulatory letter today from the College of Education for my scholarship. It must have been God's way of reminding me that he provides for those who believe in Him. The cost to repair my car is a bit large, but mom was okay with it and looked at the positives of it. SO thankful she has a glass half full mentality.

This weekend we celebrate Cath turning 50 and I cannot wait. She has a very eventful weekend ahead of her and all I can hope for is that she feels loved. I am back home, so look forward to more blog processing and updates on life.

Look forward to...

hearing all about my adventures with kindergarteners August 29 to October 21 and 2nd graders October 24 to December 15. These are my student teaching placements! I will be at two different schools, both within ten minutes from my house in opposite directions. I also will be working with a more diverse population of students, which I am highly stoked about! PRAY that both of my teachers are superb educators. I am so glad I found out before Tennessee.

Speaking of which, I cannot wait. I am so bored and have relaxed quite enough, so I anxiously await Saturday afternoon when I will be on my way. Until then I will be distracted by packing, writing grad letters, and helping plan a bachelor/ette party and bridal luncheon for a most deserving bride, SKJ, soon to be SKR!

Tornados of doom

What is up with the weather?!? Today I woke up super early to take a test which is required for my teaching license. The weather man on the radio says that today will be hot, so "hopefully your AC works." That is all. I took the test which lasted about 3 hours, went to lunch with my stepsister, and even laid out in the hot, yet sunny day. I then go home, get my mom, and drive to the mall where we are to meet my cousin to see Bridesmaids (sooooooo funny, yet typical chick flick); it is still sunny. As soon as we get to the mall (10-15 mins away), the sky is dark gray and there are huge gusts of wind. I parked the car in the closest parking spot I could find, "not near trees" my mom says. We run inside, with a little extra pep in our step thanks to the wind, which pushed us along. The likes flickered on and off as we walked around the mall. I found solace at a kiosk where a salesman straightened my unruly, dirty hair. He then presumed to sell my mother a top notch hair straightener (early birthday present). The storm finally subsided after an hour or so and, after wasting time in the mall for two hours, we were able to go to the movies- SURPRISE! It was sunny again!

Now the wind rages on........... it is back?

I thought I lived in hurricane alley, not tornado alley!?

Also, I am unlike my friend Isaac Hulvey, who just recently wrote about storm chasing and how he loves storms. I DO NOT!

GradDivas

I love my housemates so much and I have thoroughly enjoyed the past two years living with them. I should be a wreck right now as I am packing up my things to move out at the end of the week, but I am emotionless. I have no emotions. I had no emotions Saturday after I graduated nor during any point that I was hanging out with friends for the 'last' time. There is hope, I shed a little tear out of gratefulness for my mom and all she has done for me AND I had a huddle cryfest with Jenna and Barefoot, my teammates at Spotswood from the beginning. I know I will be desperately wanting this time back in September, so I am trying to take it in and enjoy it as much as possible, but why do I have no emotions?


Contentment v. Numbness... which is it? I know which one I need to be praying for.

Some friends and a best friend (KKB) departed for Israel today. Another best friend departed for Peru. None of which include yet another best friend who is my world travelling, adventurous influence. My friends are so worldly.

Back to packing.

-College Grad