Words. I am tough with sticks and stones,
but when it comes to words I break. We don't
think enough about choosing our words, they
fly from our mouths like fire from a dragon.
Hurtful words. Damaging words. Words that
will be remembered far longer than the
uplifting words. They break hearts and ruin
confidence. We should choose the loving
words, the simple encouragement - treating
each other with respect. Or silence, the gift
of knowing when to hold our words in.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Down on the Bayou.
We pulled up to the “Bayou Barn” and the gravel parking lot was full. Cars parked in all the parking spots plus all the grassy areas around. “This many people are canoeing?” I wondered if there would be any canoes left for us to rent. But then I noticed that the people seemed to be a little too dressed up for a day canoeing in the swamps. “Is that woman wearing a wedding dress?” KJ questioned. Sure enough, these people were not at the Bayou Barn for canoeing, but for a wedding – Louisiana style.
After awkwardly walking around the building in search of a front office we got back in the car. We were about ready to leave when we spotted a self-conscious teenager hanging his head as he fumbled around with the canoes on the rack. We got out of the car and sure enough it was his first day as an employee of the Bayou Barn. He led us right through the wedding reception, past the keg, excused our way by the boogying bridesmaids and made it into the office where Ms. Linda was there to help us out. Well, maybe I shouldn’t call it ‘help’. I asked her if we would see alligators, she said, “Oh, yeah, bay-bay, they be all out in that swamp.” I was satisfied. She asked KJ and I to sign on the line. She took our money, held my ID, and handed us a map that looked like a blurry ink splatter with sharpie arrows on it because it had been copied so many times. Then she turned and said, “Have fun.” There was no, “Have you ever been in a canoe before?” or “Don’t stand up in the boat” or “This is what you should do if you get bitten by a venomous Water Moccasin.” Nor did she advise us not to feed the wildlife, or pick the flowers, or go for a swim. She didn’t tell us that the swamp would be covered in plants that are very hard to row through or even a time that we should be back.
We walked over to the canoe, sat down, the awkward teen handed us some life jackets that were made in 1971 and would surely sink to the bottom of the swamp. Then he pushed us into the swamp. Moments later as we tried to get some rhythm my heart started to pound. I finally realized that while it was super exciting to have our freedom, I was not prepared to have an alligator swim passed our little canoe. Eventually we both got more comfortable or maybe just distracted by the fact that we were rowing through thick swamp plants that made it seem like we were actually on land. Two hours of that and we were worn out.
It was a beautiful day and we had such an amazing time. We saw some snakes, lots of frogs, but were disappointed that the only gators we did see were far off swimming ahead of us. We headed back the way we came to check out the other end of the swamp. To get there we had to pass by the Bayou Barn and the reception had really gotten started by then. The music was blaring and all we could do was laugh. So just about 50 yards later we really get stuck in the plants. We rowed and rowed until we finally broke loose and picked up some speed through the water. Just then there was a splash just a few feet in front of the boat and KJ says, “Uh, we really shouldn’t run into this one.” I thought she was talking about the little gator that was swimming away from us, but when she very sternly said “GET OUT YOUR CAMERA”, I took a second look. About 15 feet off to the left side of the boat was the largest alligator I have ever seen taking a nap on a small island. I felt about the same as last summer when we crossed paths with a huge grizzly bear in Glacier National Park. The gator was probably about 200 pounds, significantly smaller than the grizzly, but this time we were drifting towards the beast instead of backing away. The alligator had it’s inner eye lids closed and what seemed like a million very sharp teeth glistening in the sun. The gator was so still that KJ asked, “Is that real”. “Why would there be a fake gator out here?” I questioned. Our eyes never left that powerful animal as we continued to drift closer. Suddenly, in a flash the brute opened its eyes and dove into the water disappearing under the duckweed. Now this was the point that said my prayers. We had no idea where it went.
I had my ore sticking straight into the air, legs crossed, arms wrapped around my body in attempt to stay as far as possible away from the edges of that rickety old canoe. I thought I was going to pee in my pants. We spent a minute silently looking around in the water hoping for some sign that the gator was gone. Finally, when our heart rates evened out we finished up our adventure. And what an adventure it turned out to be. Anyone up for a trip to the bayou?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
I recieved a new girl in my class who came from Lake Havasu City about 3 weeks ago. After a week of confusion because she has the same name as another girl in my class, I have given her the nickname Arizona - she even writes it on all of her papers now. So Arizona's mom moved her 6 children here from Lake Havasu because her fiance got a job here that pays well enough so that she will not have to work and can spend more time with her kids. The thing is, she had no idea of the state of public education in NO. Can you imagine...moving your family into the lowest achieving school district in the country and having no idea? The mom came in to talk to me after school during the first week and after about two minutes the tears were flowing - from her eyes and mine. I work here, so I should support this school, right? But how can I look at this woman and tell her it is going to be all right? That her children will be safe and challenged academically? I am here everyday, I know what its like. So I told her the truth. I told her needs to get her kids into one of the charter schools that is already seeing great progress. We researched the highest achieving schools and are hoping that all six of her kids will be placed for next fall. For now, I do my part pushing forward with adorable Arizona and the rest of my class.
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Happy List
This is a list that The Cooneystavan's (Kels, KJ, Aubs and I) created through many e-mails over last year. There are so many things to be happy about and its good to remind ourselves everyday:)
THINGS THAT MAKE THE COONEYSTAVAN’S HAPPY:
1. Peanut Butter (after its all stirred up)
2. The smell of home baked bread and then eating it of course.
3. The tired feeling after you exercise really hard where your muscles seem to make complaining sounds if you try to move and then you sleep really, really well.
4. Bunny Cakes (I found our Easter cake in my pile of pictures)
5. My hand mask with Burt’s Bees gloves that have bees on them and when I wore them out of my room my roommates thought I was crazy (nothing new, miss you guys)
6. You three.
7. Dinners with Tom.
8. Movie dates with Carl over the phone.
9. Long walks on beautiful Seattle days.
10. Blueberry muffins.
11. Good mail.
2. E-mails like this one...
13. Mardi Gras parades.
14. Colorful sunrises.
15. Hard work-outs.
16. BBQing.
17. Sporting events.
18. Margaritas.
19. Hot yoga.
20. Cuddling.
21. Back massages.
22. Dancing.
23. The number 23, and Michael Jordan.
24. God.
25. Inspirational Quotes: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
26. When it looks really warm outside, but its really only 9 degrees!
27. Long Showers.
28. Pets like Blanca who live to be 14 years old.
29. My students telling me who is "going" with who during our lunch party.
30. Sunshine and blue sky in January.
31. Hot Cocoa.
32. In some strange way... the way that life never goes the way you plan it to.
33. Snow/Montana's Beauty/Sunshine all illuminating at the same time.
34. Seattle T-shirt Days.
35. My Scrapbooks.
36. Cider Beer.
37. Those once in a while days that you take a look at your life and realize how much you are loved.
38. When Tom comes to visit, I will be an even happier girl when he is here for good!
39. June 21, 2008.
40. Packages from my favorite people (i.e. scarf/hat from KJ, our keep in touch book- from Sar)
41. Days that I feel I have control of my life.
42. Sweets.
43. Sweats.
44. My bed and a goodnights sleep.
45. My Tommorow book that KJ gave me.
46. Pictures .
47. When I hear that all my closest friends are super happy.
48. Planting seeds and watching them grow.
49. Snowbows.
50. Cheese.
51. The smile that comes to my face when I think of the three of you.
52. Looking at old pictures and remember how much fun we always have!
53. BIRTHDAYS!
54. Making dinner with friends
55. Pregnant bellies (did you all hear that Jaynie and Earl are pregnant?)
56. The first sign that spring is coming... the crocus.
57. Crazy letters from all of my little pen-pals!
58. Dinner dates with friends.
59. Tomato basil soup and bread from Metropolitan Market.
60. Chocolate Zucchini Bread (its even good after 2 weeks in the mail, hahah!)
61. Happy Feet!
62. Mugs with special pictures all over them.
63. Competing bars with my parents there to see it.
64. Easter with family
65. 4.0 gpa for winter quarter (better be happy about this one while I can, cause I know it's only going to get harder)
66. Acceptance into the OT grad program at UNM.
67. The arrival of spring and reading in the sunshine!!!!
68. The amazing gift of Easter.
69. Floppy eared dogs with their heads out of the car window.
70. Homemade cookies warm out of the oven (with a cold glass of milk of course).
71. Little adorable turtles (check out the attached picture - he was walking down the sidewalk at school!)
72. Dinners at Station 20.
73. Trips to visit good friends.
74. Long bike rides.
75. Wonderful spring days filled with friend time, laughter, and not having to accomplish much.
76. Mercy and forgiveness.
77. Hot tubs and the refreshing feeling of jumping into a pool afterwards!
78. A good nights sleep.
79. My chocolate puppy, "Rudy".
80. Happy Hour.
81. All Saints.
82. Watching boats on a sunny day.
83. Seeing your friends in the newspaper and getting the recognition they deserve.
84. Jazz Fest - a day in the sunshine with good food and great music!
85. The anticipation of trips and visits from good friends.
86. Running in the rain.
87. Knowing that two of you have found the love's of your life.
88. My cowgirl boots
89. Triathlons (we should really all train and do one sometime. We can make it a reunion and go somewhere fun!)
90. Enjoying a cooling rain from the porch.
91. Invitations to spend time with quality people you do not yet know well.
92. Getting engaged to my best friend on our favorite mountaintop!
93. Organizing and preparing for new beginnings.
94. Waking in my bed with one lab at head and the other curled at my feet.
95. Good health and fitness, especially after losing all my strength in the hospital for the past 5 days with a nasty intestinal infection that was poisoning my body.
96. Helping, loving, motivating, and caring.
97. Getting all dressed up for a night on the town.
98. Coffee dates
99. Hot air balloons floating in blue sky--And watching one be blown up on campus for an audience of children with special needs/ terminal illness from our children's hospital (It gave me goose bumps to see their excitement)
100. YOU!
I miss these days!
THINGS THAT MAKE THE COONEYSTAVAN’S HAPPY:
1. Peanut Butter (after its all stirred up)
2. The smell of home baked bread and then eating it of course.
3. The tired feeling after you exercise really hard where your muscles seem to make complaining sounds if you try to move and then you sleep really, really well.
4. Bunny Cakes (I found our Easter cake in my pile of pictures)
5. My hand mask with Burt’s Bees gloves that have bees on them and when I wore them out of my room my roommates thought I was crazy (nothing new, miss you guys)
6. You three.
7. Dinners with Tom.
8. Movie dates with Carl over the phone.
9. Long walks on beautiful Seattle days.
10. Blueberry muffins.
11. Good mail.
2. E-mails like this one...
13. Mardi Gras parades.
14. Colorful sunrises.
15. Hard work-outs.
16. BBQing.
17. Sporting events.
18. Margaritas.
19. Hot yoga.
20. Cuddling.
21. Back massages.
22. Dancing.
23. The number 23, and Michael Jordan.
24. God.
25. Inspirational Quotes: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
26. When it looks really warm outside, but its really only 9 degrees!
27. Long Showers.
28. Pets like Blanca who live to be 14 years old.
29. My students telling me who is "going" with who during our lunch party.
30. Sunshine and blue sky in January.
31. Hot Cocoa.
32. In some strange way... the way that life never goes the way you plan it to.
33. Snow/Montana's Beauty/Sunshine all illuminating at the same time.
34. Seattle T-shirt Days.
35. My Scrapbooks.
36. Cider Beer.
37. Those once in a while days that you take a look at your life and realize how much you are loved.
38. When Tom comes to visit, I will be an even happier girl when he is here for good!
39. June 21, 2008.
40. Packages from my favorite people (i.e. scarf/hat from KJ, our keep in touch book- from Sar)
41. Days that I feel I have control of my life.
42. Sweets.
43. Sweats.
44. My bed and a goodnights sleep.
45. My Tommorow book that KJ gave me.
46. Pictures .
47. When I hear that all my closest friends are super happy.
48. Planting seeds and watching them grow.
49. Snowbows.
50. Cheese.
51. The smile that comes to my face when I think of the three of you.
52. Looking at old pictures and remember how much fun we always have!
53. BIRTHDAYS!
54. Making dinner with friends
55. Pregnant bellies (did you all hear that Jaynie and Earl are pregnant?)
56. The first sign that spring is coming... the crocus.
57. Crazy letters from all of my little pen-pals!
58. Dinner dates with friends.
59. Tomato basil soup and bread from Metropolitan Market.
60. Chocolate Zucchini Bread (its even good after 2 weeks in the mail, hahah!)
61. Happy Feet!
62. Mugs with special pictures all over them.
63. Competing bars with my parents there to see it.
64. Easter with family
65. 4.0 gpa for winter quarter (better be happy about this one while I can, cause I know it's only going to get harder)
66. Acceptance into the OT grad program at UNM.
67. The arrival of spring and reading in the sunshine!!!!
68. The amazing gift of Easter.
69. Floppy eared dogs with their heads out of the car window.
70. Homemade cookies warm out of the oven (with a cold glass of milk of course).
71. Little adorable turtles (check out the attached picture - he was walking down the sidewalk at school!)
72. Dinners at Station 20.
73. Trips to visit good friends.
74. Long bike rides.
75. Wonderful spring days filled with friend time, laughter, and not having to accomplish much.
76. Mercy and forgiveness.
77. Hot tubs and the refreshing feeling of jumping into a pool afterwards!
78. A good nights sleep.
79. My chocolate puppy, "Rudy".
80. Happy Hour.
81. All Saints.
82. Watching boats on a sunny day.
83. Seeing your friends in the newspaper and getting the recognition they deserve.
84. Jazz Fest - a day in the sunshine with good food and great music!
85. The anticipation of trips and visits from good friends.
86. Running in the rain.
87. Knowing that two of you have found the love's of your life.
88. My cowgirl boots
89. Triathlons (we should really all train and do one sometime. We can make it a reunion and go somewhere fun!)
90. Enjoying a cooling rain from the porch.
91. Invitations to spend time with quality people you do not yet know well.
92. Getting engaged to my best friend on our favorite mountaintop!
93. Organizing and preparing for new beginnings.
94. Waking in my bed with one lab at head and the other curled at my feet.
95. Good health and fitness, especially after losing all my strength in the hospital for the past 5 days with a nasty intestinal infection that was poisoning my body.
96. Helping, loving, motivating, and caring.
97. Getting all dressed up for a night on the town.
98. Coffee dates
99. Hot air balloons floating in blue sky--And watching one be blown up on campus for an audience of children with special needs/ terminal illness from our children's hospital (It gave me goose bumps to see their excitement)
100. YOU!
I miss these days!
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