Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
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
“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
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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
It is really neat, check it out:
http://www.spufalcons.com/index.asp?path=gym
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
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
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.
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.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What really is going on?
I know I am supposed to be the adult, the responsible one, the role model, but sometimes I seriously cannot help but laugh at the ridiculous things that happen EVERYDAY at school.
A snapshot of today or I should say a snapshot of the things that happened in about 15 minutes during today.
Student one: Copying down his spelling words writing bitch instead of batch.
Student Two: Hiding under my umbrella that is opened in the back of the classroom.
Student Three: Jumps up on the desk and does a round-off off the side.
Student Four: Pulls out a large ceramic cross out of his book sack (that’s backpack for all you NW folks)
Student Five: Is crying like a baby because she got detention for hitting someone.
Student Six: Is actually doing her work.
Student Seven: Is following me around like a lost puppy.
Student Eight: Writing on the white board in the back of the classroom because I told her not to write on the front board. (really what I meant was you should not be writing on the board at all)
Student Nine’s Grandma: Says I remind her of Mariah Carey.
Student Ten: Laying on the floor.
Student Eleven: Saying “no” to every phrase that comes out of my mouth.
Student Twelve: My encouragement - "Come on buddy, get your work done" and the response, "I want a big Mac"
And I had a few absent students today. Luckily, even when everyone is present, I do have a small class of only 15. I am so thankful that. I cannot imagine adding more to this Sullivan Circus.
Even though we obviously have a long way to go, I see glimpses of greatness from my students. For a few moments today the classroom was so quiet, it was incredible. Every student was busy doing what I asked them to do. Working hard, moving forward, being successful. What a crazy job this is, what crazy kids these are! I have found that the day runs a lot smoother if I allow time for my kids to simply be kids. They unfortunately do not have recess and somehow my class got jipped out of PE and Art, so each day I give them a little free time. Today they started to teach me the Soulja Boy dance. If you have not heard of it – check it out on www.YouTube.com then imagine Miss Sullivan doing this dance surrounded by all her little babies, who are by the way much more coordinated then I will ever be.
Yesterday we had some more crazy weather around here. Another tornado watch and flooding all around the area. Our school site was okay, but the parking lot flooded. I had to move my car mid-day because they thought our cars might get stuck. I was nervous driving through such deep water with my little car. I actually didn’t know how deep it really was until I was walking back through the parking lot and the water was almost up to my knees.
Well I need to go prepare plans for my sub tomorrow. I am going to an inservice DynaVox training. One of my students does not speak and he uses a computer to communicate. The problem is I am his teacher and I do not know how to use it. Hopefully after tomorrow I will be able to teach him more effectively. I hope my kids do not tear up the sub – who knows maybe they will respect him more than they respect me. It may sound bad, but I am a little bit excited about being away from school for a day and I will get to sleep a little too! These 5 o’clock mornings are pulling me down.
Goodnight friends.
A snapshot of today or I should say a snapshot of the things that happened in about 15 minutes during today.
Student one: Copying down his spelling words writing bitch instead of batch.
Student Two: Hiding under my umbrella that is opened in the back of the classroom.
Student Three: Jumps up on the desk and does a round-off off the side.
Student Four: Pulls out a large ceramic cross out of his book sack (that’s backpack for all you NW folks)
Student Five: Is crying like a baby because she got detention for hitting someone.
Student Six: Is actually doing her work.
Student Seven: Is following me around like a lost puppy.
Student Eight: Writing on the white board in the back of the classroom because I told her not to write on the front board. (really what I meant was you should not be writing on the board at all)
Student Nine’s Grandma: Says I remind her of Mariah Carey.
Student Ten: Laying on the floor.
Student Eleven: Saying “no” to every phrase that comes out of my mouth.
Student Twelve: My encouragement - "Come on buddy, get your work done" and the response, "I want a big Mac"
And I had a few absent students today. Luckily, even when everyone is present, I do have a small class of only 15. I am so thankful that. I cannot imagine adding more to this Sullivan Circus.
Even though we obviously have a long way to go, I see glimpses of greatness from my students. For a few moments today the classroom was so quiet, it was incredible. Every student was busy doing what I asked them to do. Working hard, moving forward, being successful. What a crazy job this is, what crazy kids these are! I have found that the day runs a lot smoother if I allow time for my kids to simply be kids. They unfortunately do not have recess and somehow my class got jipped out of PE and Art, so each day I give them a little free time. Today they started to teach me the Soulja Boy dance. If you have not heard of it – check it out on www.YouTube.com then imagine Miss Sullivan doing this dance surrounded by all her little babies, who are by the way much more coordinated then I will ever be.
Yesterday we had some more crazy weather around here. Another tornado watch and flooding all around the area. Our school site was okay, but the parking lot flooded. I had to move my car mid-day because they thought our cars might get stuck. I was nervous driving through such deep water with my little car. I actually didn’t know how deep it really was until I was walking back through the parking lot and the water was almost up to my knees.
Well I need to go prepare plans for my sub tomorrow. I am going to an inservice DynaVox training. One of my students does not speak and he uses a computer to communicate. The problem is I am his teacher and I do not know how to use it. Hopefully after tomorrow I will be able to teach him more effectively. I hope my kids do not tear up the sub – who knows maybe they will respect him more than they respect me. It may sound bad, but I am a little bit excited about being away from school for a day and I will get to sleep a little too! These 5 o’clock mornings are pulling me down.
Goodnight friends.
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