amazing quote

Enjoy this amazing quote passed on to me from my roommate Miss Shephard:

“It doesn’t interest mw what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring you moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear or further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it, I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know id you can see beauty, even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours or mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘Yes!’
It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and so what needs to be done for the children. It doesn’t interest me who you are, or how you came to be here – I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.”
-The Invitation, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder

SPU gymnastics

Seattle Pacific University just got a new athletic website.
It is really neat, check it out:

http://www.spufalcons.com/index.asp?path=gym

Happy Times

Kasey Jo's 1983 Birthday Bash


Our totally RAD spandex and leg warmers


Little White Lies


OOOOOOOOOREGON!


Carrying on Aubrie's "Dinner in a Pumpkin" Tradition


They have had some practice at this crazy Nawlins holiday!


Miss Sullivan's Art Club


STEP IT UP: Rally to stop Global Warming


Guest Speaker: Presidential Candidate John Edwards


Second Line down the highway


Lizzy and I decided that John Edwards needed some Mardi Gras Beads...
Who knows, someday we may be able to say we gave our beads to the PRESIDENT


I think the guy on the left was more excited about it,
but I don't know, I think I see a smile coming from Mr. Edwards

sicky sick

I have spent more time in my bed, watching TV, sleeping, on the internet than I have in longer than I can remember. I hate being sick...my head pounds, I can't stop coughing, my throat hurts, and my voice is ridiculous. I went to the doctor and got some medicine it better be kicking in here soon. Luckily I already had a three day weekend to rest, but I am out of school today. I feel kind of guilty not going to school. But I guess I wouldn't be that much of a help without a voice.

This past week was very rough. My kids are out of control, I am really struggling. I just do not know what the answer is. I have been asking for advice, but it always seems like what they say I already know. They tell me I am too nice, but I guess the problem is I just don't really know how to make that change. These kids don't know much about respect because it is not a trait that they see everyday. Kids pick up on things and if they are not exposed to respectful behavior they aren't going to show it themselves. I know my kids can stay quiet and listen, because I see them do it with other teachers. I was so frustrated one day I asked them, not really expecting an answer, why they do not stay quiet when I am talking and little Jamiya said it was because I am too nice. It blew my mind - such opposite thinking - I would have the desire to respect the nice person more instead of less. Its obvious it is something I need to work on if my kids are picking up on it. I just need them to work for me or really work for themselves!!! How do you teach kids work ethic, how do you invest them in their education. Right now I need to get them through this week and when we come back from Thanksgiving make some major changes.

This experience has been such a different challenge than all those I have faced in the past. My hard work has always made me successful. I have made goals and accomplished them with excellence. This is a humbling experience - I cannot be great at everything. Its just hard because I know that my success at his is not only effecting me, but the education of 15 little kids. My core mentor told me the only way to fail is to quit...I know that will not happen.

I feel like I am being such a downer right now...
On a more positive note, KJ IS COMING!!!! Only 3 days until she comes, I can hardly believe it! It is going to be so fun! I better be completely healthy by then. She will be here for an entire week so we will have lots of time to explore. I have professional development on Monday and Tuesday, but they shouldn't be too long of days.