"I keep losing my pencils!"

I couldn't possibly seem to realize how one of my students never had a pencil when needed. Watching him always in the pursuit of looking for one, I began to wonder what had happened to those pencils. I was sure that before every week started, he had a fully stocked caddy with everything that he could possibly need. Yet week after week, we would stock him up from scratch. That is of course, until I helped him clean out his "Writer's Toolkit" today. "Oh, let me just help you organize your papers (turning it upside down)......oh my....(as about 30 pencils comes spewing out)....what do we have here?" We both look at each other in shock. And then we lost it. We both just sat there laughing and laughing...now disturbing the whole class. It was uncontrollable. Now everyone was dying of laughter. I guess at this time of the year, anything that used to be annoying is just plain funny. Interesting how bonding moments come about.

From May 26, 2011

It takes a garage sale...

to finally meet your neighbors.

The other day our team was having their annual garage sale for any staff who were leaving. We decided to hop on the bandwagon, and saw it as an opportunity to get rid of some of our....well...precious junk. We soon realized the curse of having lots of storage space. It's like having a big purse - the bigger it is, the more stuff you fill it with. That is until you decide to purge.

What we didn't realize was that our next door neighbor would soon catch wind of our little garage sale. All of a sudden, we see her mosey on in still wearing her pajamas to have a look. That little "have a look" turned into 30 minutes of her bargaining with me and laughing over how fun it was! It was so surreal to be on the end of things...this time the market was in my house! She was so delighted when she left that minutes later we were invited into her house to sit and have some juice with her husband. What a sweet couple, and what a memory! I wonder where this new friendship will take us.

So thrilled to get rid of all this extra stuff. This sure did help to put things into perspective of how much we don't need.

Modern Toilet

So you know those taboo things that should never go together like toilet talk and food? Well, someone dared to break the rules and create a food chain filled with toilet seats, urinals, squatty potties (Chinese toilets) and yes...even swirly chocolate ice cream. Even though I was told that it was decorated "with taste", I had my doubts when a friend took us there for dinner.

Look at the chairs you sit on! They even had little flush buttons and everything!

And yes, chocolate ice cream served in a squatty potty....."Don't think, just eat" I repeatedly told myself.

And then ending the meal with a little bit of DDR! We sure did bring quite the crowd of people behind us...but hey, good thing we can laugh off how ridiculous we looked.

So surprisingly, everything was decorated with "with taste"...I would even say a bit classy. Apparently it is a well known European food chain. Very interesting...

Blessed.

This goes out to the coolest mom on the block (yes I said cool...).

For a mom who year after year wants only words as gifts, it's surprising that I never run out of genuine things to say. It seems as though each continuing letter has started with "P.P.P.S...." since I first began writing letters to mom. Every year I see her from a different light, a new appreciation, an admiring perspective. Let's just say the well of affirming words never runs dry in regards to Barb Chase. Anyone who knows her could say that very thing.

This goes out to you Mom...
From the moment that I left for college, my whole mentality and perspective began to change. At moments, I would almost feel an out of body experience as I would watch my life with new eyes - eyes of appreciation and respect...eyes that noticed the mold both you and Dad carefully shaped me in...eyes that would frequently tear up as I recognized all that you sacrificed to demonstrate your love to us. I am so proud to say that I had a wonderful model for marriage, parenting, and a servant's heart to the community. "How did I ever deserve such a beautiful description of His love?" I would think to myself. Every good and perfect gift is from above...that is definitely you mom.


I love your desire for sincerity. You seek after the raw, genuine heart of all people. You cut deep and fast - yet in turn, people confide in you with their deepest emotions and secrets. You often feel burdened by the troubles of those around you, but that is because you live, breathe and feel their story as they share with you! Not many people can actually hear information and care enough to have sleepless nights about it. While you see this as a negative thing because it takes a toll on your rest (which that is an entirely different note), take a step back and notice what a precious gem you are. As I have watched this servant heart about you, I have frequently found myself in similar situations. Yet looking at your life and the sacrifices of sleep, emotional strength, and even some friendships, I can only wish to do the same. It is just such a beautiful thing to not want to replicate...no matter the cost.


I love your desire for sincere apologies. How silly this may sound, I absolutely esteem your negative reaction toward putting a "band aid" over conflict. Your willingness and persistence to talk about tough stuff is a treasured characteristic about you. Even when the subject will most likely result in unwanted emotions and even irrational comments that might fly back and forth...you are willing to stick it out for the betterment of the relationship. While I might have not said it before...THANK YOU for being the strong one! I now see the foundation of each conflict - your desire to mend the relationship for the long haul...not just for smiling faces that facade the real issue.

While physical distance between us is difficult and emotionally trying at times, rest assured that these foundational memories of you make you closer than you think. You are frequently (if not more) in conversation in this house. The imprint that you have left on my heart has outlived the day I graduated high school...or even college. My memories of you are still strong and will forever e remembered. I am looking forward to your legacy of sincere love and compassion being passed down through the generations. Thank you for instilling this longing in me.

I love you Mom!

6 year old teachers...

"Wait, your kids know what schema means? Do they know any other big words?"

"Well...funny you should ask..."

And that's how it all began....having my kids teach the 10th grade English class that is. I had no idea that a little bit of sharing would provoke our principal to ask if they could share with the big kids! Once I told them, they were so excited that they just ran with it. With preparation of only one reading class, my kids excitedly brainstormed what to say, made posters to help teach, planned questions to "quiz" them at the end, and then made bookmarks to help them remember what they learned! I was so impressed with them! Here are a few of their materials...wish I could post the pictures of them actually presenting it.

The "Plan"

Here are the bookmarks that they so thoughtfully decorated for them.

And of course the posters. The first one is representing stamina with a marathon runner making it all the way to the end of the race.

And "Schema-man"....love it.

It was so precious to hear their sigh of proud relief at the end..."Phew! I was so nervous!" (as they are clutching their little throats). Drama queens at six...but boy, were they adorable!

Moving snapshots....

"Look at that! Quick, grab the camera!"...one of the most common (frantic) quotes on our van rides to school. The only problem is that by the time I fumble through the bottom of my bag and turn my camera on, the moment has passed by. Luckily I was able to snag a few interesting sights on our seemingly "normal" ride into work.

The street "sweeper" a.k.a "dust cloud maker". Those brooms attached to the back are the literal brooms that the human street sweepers use...killing six birds with one stone...

It's hard to see, but there is a truck carrying a tree twice it's size. It's almost as big as the tree at the Rockefeller center during christmas time!And then there are the "hospitalized trees"...all injected with some sort of I.V. All of the trees on this one strip have tubes connected to them with little bags hanging. It's quite the sight.These next two are a bit blurry, but for obvious reasons...both of us are moving! While we have never been stopped by goats, we sure do see a lot of them in traffic alongside of us :).

Now I always sit on the bus with camera in hand ;)