It feels like home to me…

Have you ever been in a place you have never been before, but because of the people you are with it just feels like home? This past week I took Thursday and Friday off from school and drove up to Shreveport to watch the USAG National Championships. My team was competing and I was lucky enough to spend three days with them. It was a wonderful time and I really didn’t want it to end.

I was honestly nervous to see the girls and coaches when I was driving up…it had just been so long since I had seen them – but also I was incredibly excited. It is so hard to see these ladies everyday for four or five hours and then one day move away and not see them for almost a year. As soon as I was with them it didn’t seem like I had been gone at all. I was treated wonderfully with all kinds of hugs and cuddles – just what I love.

As soon as I got into Shreveport I went to Centenary where the competition was hosted to watch the prelim competition. It was strange – standing in the gym, watching these girls from the bleachers. It was the first meet I had been to since I finished my career at Nationals in Seattle last year. I got a little teary eyed – such a mix of emotions that I am still attempting to sort out in my mind. I was happy to be there with the girls, coaches, and parents. I missed the sport and longed for the physical feeling of it all. I was glad to be separated from the drama that comes with spending so much time with a big group of girls. I missed the feeling of team success and personal accomplishment.

In the past I have worked hard at something and been successful. When I had success I was rewarded and praised. My job now is much more humbling. I do not know that kind of success in teaching. I have not done an incredible job, I am definitely a Level 5, maybe even still on pre-team in the teaching world. I am for sure no where near the collegiate level. I make simple mistakes all the time. I don’t know how to cover up mistakes and I am just learning the art of improvisation. I am not as confident because I don’t have years or experience behind me. Success takes time and for now I need to be patient. Hard work has gotten me places in the past.

The girls came into the competition ranked 7th and finished 6th, so improvement is always good. I know they were a little disappointed because they made some mistakes, but I hope they all feel like the competition was a reward for how hard they busted their butts all season! Ashley qualified for individual event finals on Bars and Beam – I was so proud of her. She looked very strong and confident. I was so happy to be with her and Brie and Christie for their last competition. Aubrie, Ashley, Brie and Christie have so much going for them – it may be hard to focus on much besides loosing this huge part of their lives right now, but this is just the beginning. It will be hard for a while, but the world is SO BIG. They are all so talented and hard working that they will achieve so much and find a new passion in all different places.

Because my computer is flaking out on me I can’t add pictures, but I hope to get it straight soon:)

Spring Break with the Sully's (and McLeans)

This spring I have so much to look forward to, and so many fun things that have already happened. One of the best weeks I have had in New Orleans was Spring Break. I needed some time away from my students so badly, some time to relax and be rejuvenated. What better way than to have the whole family come down to check out my new world. Mama, Daddy, Athena, Bekah, and Scott spent the week with me.

We went to my new church and had a delicious Easter dinner. We Rode the streetcar, hung out in the French Quarter, and went on a Katrina Tour. We had beignets, Jacques-imos, Po’Boys, and Daquaris, We enjoyed city park, the sculpture garden and the amazing wildlife of the area. We had a BBQ on the Fly and looked for ghosts at Audubon. We walked up and down Bourbon, made friends with the drummer in a Jazz band, and Scott sang some Karaoke. We ate gator bites and then saw gators in the swamp. We were amused by the Nutra Rats and the life on the Bayou. We drove through Mississippi and Alabama. We soaked up a little too much sun laying on the beach, swimming in the Gulf and playing football in the smooth white sand. It was an incredible action packed week that of course flew by too quickly.

Here are some pictures, they tell the story better than I do.

Are you fo' real?

Best conversation of the week.

Little Kindergartener: (with tears) Will you stay with me until my Auntie comes?
Me: Of course baby, I will make sure you have a ride home.
Little Kindergartener: (deep breath, and a little smile, then a pause) My Auntie’s name is Butta.
Me: Butter?
Little Kindergartener: No butta…pause…not like melted butta, just normal butta.