I've had my first official workday since school started. It was a much needed workday. The work is in a huge stack and my room is ready to be re-organized. That was the first thing I did today, finally got to spend a little time with just my room. I adore my classroom, but it had gotten messy with the everyday in's and outs of student chaos. I swept, cleaned, moved around, and re-arranged. It was lovely. Then we went out to lunch which is really nice to actually get to eat and not worry about the next class, haha. I love spending time with the English teachers I work with, they're so funny and wonderful to be around. I plan on doing a lot of grading on Monday. It's what I have left to do. I also need to plan, just the usual life of a high school teacher.
This weekend or tonight rather, I'm going to Raleigh to visit Kelly and Matt. (Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Matt Gay!!) We're looking at bridesmaids dresses and all that good stuff tomorrow, so it'll be fun to do some wedding things. Now if we could only get my wedding in the works...haha, jk.
Last Monday I had the opportunity to speak with a UNCG English Methods class. It is crazy that I was in that class just a year ago and now fast forward a year...I'm really the teacher. It was wonderful to get to spread the little bit of knowledge and advice I had from student teaching and these past 10 weeks. I'm a 10 week veteran! I really enjoyed it.
I'm continuing to learn from life everyday, even when I cried in front of my students this week, I learned from it. Mainly to not freak out and cry, but also to take things one step at a time. Oh well, at least they saw that I was only human! Life goes on... :)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Embarking on Month 3!!
I haven't written in almost a month! It's crazy how busy my life has become with everyday teaching things. The last time I wrote I had only been teaching for 3 weeks, I'm almost approaching my 2 month mark!! Trust me, I have felt every second of it...
Teaching holds it's challenges every single day. My biggest challenges are finding time to do everything, not stressing about things, my students, and perfecting my lesson plans. Oh...and I guess I should throw grammar in there as well.
I never feel like there is enough time to do everything I need to do. Grading papers, helping students, keeping up with my lessons, and making sure I'm on top of my game. To be honest, all I feel like right now is very, very, very tired. However, I have to mention the good things as well. For instance, I have the best family, friends and department ever.
My family has been, as always, very supportive and wonderful. It's still hard being away from home, sometimes you just want a hug from your Mom or Dad, and sometimes you just want Granny to make you a grilled cheese sandwich and tell you it's all going to be alright. My friends have also been AMAZING. We e-mail each other almost everyday and it has gotten me through a lot of days. We've visited, called, traveled, talked, and been there for each other as best as we can. The newest people in my life, my English department, have been fabulous as well. They've been warm, welcoming, and supportive. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Everyday is new and everyday is one that I learn from. As I've said before, this is a LEARNING profession. If you aren't learning, you're missing one of the biggest things about the job. It's hard, everyday is a challenge. I've never been so frustrated before! However, I've also realized that one day I'm going to be able to make a difference, hopefully sooner rather than later. We'll see :)
I will try to be better about these posts...more frequent!!
Teaching holds it's challenges every single day. My biggest challenges are finding time to do everything, not stressing about things, my students, and perfecting my lesson plans. Oh...and I guess I should throw grammar in there as well.
I never feel like there is enough time to do everything I need to do. Grading papers, helping students, keeping up with my lessons, and making sure I'm on top of my game. To be honest, all I feel like right now is very, very, very tired. However, I have to mention the good things as well. For instance, I have the best family, friends and department ever.
My family has been, as always, very supportive and wonderful. It's still hard being away from home, sometimes you just want a hug from your Mom or Dad, and sometimes you just want Granny to make you a grilled cheese sandwich and tell you it's all going to be alright. My friends have also been AMAZING. We e-mail each other almost everyday and it has gotten me through a lot of days. We've visited, called, traveled, talked, and been there for each other as best as we can. The newest people in my life, my English department, have been fabulous as well. They've been warm, welcoming, and supportive. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Everyday is new and everyday is one that I learn from. As I've said before, this is a LEARNING profession. If you aren't learning, you're missing one of the biggest things about the job. It's hard, everyday is a challenge. I've never been so frustrated before! However, I've also realized that one day I'm going to be able to make a difference, hopefully sooner rather than later. We'll see :)
I will try to be better about these posts...more frequent!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Learning Lessons Everyday
It is hard to believe that I’ve taught for 3 weeks, a little more if we’re being technical. Some days have been really good, but some days haven’t been so good. I know it’s all just getting used to this new life.
I thought I’d put together a list of the things I’ve learned so far in this journey of teaching/new life. It’s crazy what I’ve learned, and I also know it’s just the beginning. There is so much more to learn. There’s so much more to teach, to understand, to hear, and to learn. You have to understand that there is a part of teaching that is teaching, but teaching is also learning.
So…here are some things I’ve learned.
1) Grammar is the hardest thing to teach…especially when you didn’t pay attention when they went over it in elementary school. (I think that’s the last time I learned anything about nouns and pronouns)
2) Doves can be brown. Seriously…I never knew that, some of my students that hunt taught me that. And…I can tell you when dove season begins as well.
3) Students love a good joke or little story. It’s like their little eyes light up when I say, 'that reminds me...'. Haha, it’s probably just because I’m taking a break from class, but they also seem to enjoy the ‘life-connection’.
4) E-mails from friends are so wonderful to read when you’ve had a long day of teaching.
5) Though friends can be far apart, true friends are never far in heart. (So I totally stole that…but it’s a really good quote)
6) No matter how old you are, you will always miss your momma.
7) One student can make your day when a light bulb goes off in their head and they ‘get it’.
8) Students do NOT like when you make a mistake.
9) Teaching is hard, but something tells me it’s worth it.
10) The in betweens in life are hard. Learning to live by yourself and be in a classroom by yourself is hard. But, life is a lesson, we just have to remember to learn from it.
I thought I’d put together a list of the things I’ve learned so far in this journey of teaching/new life. It’s crazy what I’ve learned, and I also know it’s just the beginning. There is so much more to learn. There’s so much more to teach, to understand, to hear, and to learn. You have to understand that there is a part of teaching that is teaching, but teaching is also learning.
So…here are some things I’ve learned.
1) Grammar is the hardest thing to teach…especially when you didn’t pay attention when they went over it in elementary school. (I think that’s the last time I learned anything about nouns and pronouns)
2) Doves can be brown. Seriously…I never knew that, some of my students that hunt taught me that. And…I can tell you when dove season begins as well.
3) Students love a good joke or little story. It’s like their little eyes light up when I say, 'that reminds me...'. Haha, it’s probably just because I’m taking a break from class, but they also seem to enjoy the ‘life-connection’.
4) E-mails from friends are so wonderful to read when you’ve had a long day of teaching.
5) Though friends can be far apart, true friends are never far in heart. (So I totally stole that…but it’s a really good quote)
6) No matter how old you are, you will always miss your momma.
7) One student can make your day when a light bulb goes off in their head and they ‘get it’.
8) Students do NOT like when you make a mistake.
9) Teaching is hard, but something tells me it’s worth it.
10) The in betweens in life are hard. Learning to live by yourself and be in a classroom by yourself is hard. But, life is a lesson, we just have to remember to learn from it.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Becoming an Adult
I was reminded by my friend Emily today that it wasn’t so long ago that I was absolutely DYING to become an adult. The anticipation was unbearable this summer and it made me think back to an earlier time in my life. My whole childhood consisted of playing teacher and studying my own teachers so that I would one day be a ‘real’ teacher. Now that I am, sometimes I wish that I had just taken more time to enjoy being a child.
I don’t envy them. Children I mean. It’s so hard growing up and figuring things out. Understanding the hard parts of life. Understanding what it means to lose friends, family, and loved ones. It's such a hard process to really come into the reality of a young adult. I don't envy my young students either. They're figuring out things too. It's a time in my life that was really hard. I don't think anyone goes through childhood or young adulthood without some issues or troubles.
I am the youngest person in my department and we had the conversation the other day about ‘if we could go back’. Most of the time, it always end with, “Maybe…but only with what I know now”. That’s the thing; we take for granted that throughout all the ‘growing up’ we’re learning along the way.
As my sister is beginning the process of submitting applications to college and thinking about her future, it has made me think back to when I was a senior. It wasn’t that long ago, but sometimes, it seems like decades. Would I go back? Maybe, but again, I’ve learned so much, done so much, met so many people; it is crazy to think that I really and truly am a different person from 5 years ago.
There are many times when I would like nothing more than to go lie in my mom’s lap, or spend the night with Granny, knowing I would fall asleep to her singing my favorite songs and wake up to a gravy biscuit from Hardees. I would love to go back to being that elementary student, playing recess, learning about the simple things that would turn into the building blocks of my education. However, I know I’m also going to be saying in 20 years that I would like to go back to ‘that first year of teacher, that first year of being on my own’; I know it’s all perpetual. I know that I am doing what I’m doing for a reason and I think the biggest reason is that I’m learning. Learning through the good, the bad, the wonderful, and even learning through the sad.
After all, isn’t a part of growing up?
I don’t envy them. Children I mean. It’s so hard growing up and figuring things out. Understanding the hard parts of life. Understanding what it means to lose friends, family, and loved ones. It's such a hard process to really come into the reality of a young adult. I don't envy my young students either. They're figuring out things too. It's a time in my life that was really hard. I don't think anyone goes through childhood or young adulthood without some issues or troubles.
I am the youngest person in my department and we had the conversation the other day about ‘if we could go back’. Most of the time, it always end with, “Maybe…but only with what I know now”. That’s the thing; we take for granted that throughout all the ‘growing up’ we’re learning along the way.
As my sister is beginning the process of submitting applications to college and thinking about her future, it has made me think back to when I was a senior. It wasn’t that long ago, but sometimes, it seems like decades. Would I go back? Maybe, but again, I’ve learned so much, done so much, met so many people; it is crazy to think that I really and truly am a different person from 5 years ago.
There are many times when I would like nothing more than to go lie in my mom’s lap, or spend the night with Granny, knowing I would fall asleep to her singing my favorite songs and wake up to a gravy biscuit from Hardees. I would love to go back to being that elementary student, playing recess, learning about the simple things that would turn into the building blocks of my education. However, I know I’m also going to be saying in 20 years that I would like to go back to ‘that first year of teacher, that first year of being on my own’; I know it’s all perpetual. I know that I am doing what I’m doing for a reason and I think the biggest reason is that I’m learning. Learning through the good, the bad, the wonderful, and even learning through the sad.
After all, isn’t a part of growing up?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
In the beginning...
There are few things in life that I am certain of. However, one of them is that the first week for a beginning teacher is ROUGH! Tomorrow begins week 3 and it’s really hard to believe!
In some ways these past couple of weeks has flown by, in other ways they’ve crept by so slowly I wonder if I’m going to make it out alive. There have been many challenges, lots of stress, upset stomachs, and lots of pondering as to if I’ve made the right decision. The change from student teaching to full time teaching has been difficult. First of all, I went from traditional schedule (6 pds, 52 min.) to block schedule (4 periods, 90 min.). 90 minutes is a very long time! Also, I’m teaching a different grade than want I student taught, so learning a new level has been interesting. It’s all very different.
But, with bad, there is always good too. The English dept is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive, kind, and caring group of people to work with. The faculty and administration in general are awesome. Very nice, very positive and they provide a great atmosphere to work in. I have enjoyed getting to know everybody and trying meeting new people.
Teaching is a profession that is multi-layered. If any teacher is reading this, I’m sure they are nodding their head in agreement. It’s not just ‘being a teacher’. It’s being responsible, being professional, being supportive, being a cheerleader for your students, and being flexible, it’s being able to give up parts of your life, basically - it’s a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, well learning to like it, but it’s been a tough adjustment. My life has changed; I’m getting out of the college student life and starting to fill the shoes of a REAL adult! I grade papers, call the ones I love, make lesson plans, and go to bed! It’s been an adjustment for sure!
I know that it’s going to get easier, and I also know that it’s going to be worth it. I have amazing people standing by me and I couldn’t do it without them. As with anything, the beginning is hard. I remember my freshman year of college and how amazingly difficult the first months were, but I learned to cope, and I will do the same with this new transition.
In some ways these past couple of weeks has flown by, in other ways they’ve crept by so slowly I wonder if I’m going to make it out alive. There have been many challenges, lots of stress, upset stomachs, and lots of pondering as to if I’ve made the right decision. The change from student teaching to full time teaching has been difficult. First of all, I went from traditional schedule (6 pds, 52 min.) to block schedule (4 periods, 90 min.). 90 minutes is a very long time! Also, I’m teaching a different grade than want I student taught, so learning a new level has been interesting. It’s all very different.
But, with bad, there is always good too. The English dept is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive, kind, and caring group of people to work with. The faculty and administration in general are awesome. Very nice, very positive and they provide a great atmosphere to work in. I have enjoyed getting to know everybody and trying meeting new people.
Teaching is a profession that is multi-layered. If any teacher is reading this, I’m sure they are nodding their head in agreement. It’s not just ‘being a teacher’. It’s being responsible, being professional, being supportive, being a cheerleader for your students, and being flexible, it’s being able to give up parts of your life, basically - it’s a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, well learning to like it, but it’s been a tough adjustment. My life has changed; I’m getting out of the college student life and starting to fill the shoes of a REAL adult! I grade papers, call the ones I love, make lesson plans, and go to bed! It’s been an adjustment for sure!
I know that it’s going to get easier, and I also know that it’s going to be worth it. I have amazing people standing by me and I couldn’t do it without them. As with anything, the beginning is hard. I remember my freshman year of college and how amazingly difficult the first months were, but I learned to cope, and I will do the same with this new transition.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
What Are You Waiting For?
“I can hear God now
From a silver cloud
I got plans for you child
What are you worried about?
You know life's too short
What are you waiting for?”
~Heidi Newfield
Workdays are over! It has been an exhausting week of getting to know everyone, meetings, convocation, setting up my room, and lesson plans. I still don’t feel completely ready, but tomorrow is the big day! D-day approaches…
The English dept. is absolutely amazing; they have taken care of me and made me feel right at home. The whole school is really great. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone. There is a sense of having to prove myself, being the ‘new girl’ and all. I think that is why I have been so worried about my lessons and getting them ‘just right’. There are a lot of components to teaching English, it’s not just the literature, but remembering to teach the concepts, analyzing the literature, looking at the grammar, understanding the author, and figuring out vocab. There is so much I want to teach them, but I mainly just want to teach my students to love literature. To love it the same way Mrs. Vaughn and Mrs. McKinney did when I was in high school.
Everyone is quickly finding their ways in the new lives we’ve been presented. Meeting people and still finding time to call and e-mail one another to catch up. One of my favorite quotes from Grey’s Anatomy is when Meredith says, “We’re adults, when did that happen? And how do we make it stop?” - That about sums up my life, but with all its headaches, I’m kind of enjoying it too. I was telling another English teacher the other day that all my life I’ve loved hanging out with adults. Since my Mom was a teacher at my elementary school I always got to be with the teachers and hang out with them. Now I’m the adult, I’m the teacher. Kind of crazy!
Like I said before, life is an adventure, this is the beginning of this ride…so the best I can figure is to throw my hands up in the air and enjoy it!
From a silver cloud
I got plans for you child
What are you worried about?
You know life's too short
What are you waiting for?”
~Heidi Newfield
Workdays are over! It has been an exhausting week of getting to know everyone, meetings, convocation, setting up my room, and lesson plans. I still don’t feel completely ready, but tomorrow is the big day! D-day approaches…
The English dept. is absolutely amazing; they have taken care of me and made me feel right at home. The whole school is really great. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone. There is a sense of having to prove myself, being the ‘new girl’ and all. I think that is why I have been so worried about my lessons and getting them ‘just right’. There are a lot of components to teaching English, it’s not just the literature, but remembering to teach the concepts, analyzing the literature, looking at the grammar, understanding the author, and figuring out vocab. There is so much I want to teach them, but I mainly just want to teach my students to love literature. To love it the same way Mrs. Vaughn and Mrs. McKinney did when I was in high school.
Everyone is quickly finding their ways in the new lives we’ve been presented. Meeting people and still finding time to call and e-mail one another to catch up. One of my favorite quotes from Grey’s Anatomy is when Meredith says, “We’re adults, when did that happen? And how do we make it stop?” - That about sums up my life, but with all its headaches, I’m kind of enjoying it too. I was telling another English teacher the other day that all my life I’ve loved hanging out with adults. Since my Mom was a teacher at my elementary school I always got to be with the teachers and hang out with them. Now I’m the adult, I’m the teacher. Kind of crazy!
Like I said before, life is an adventure, this is the beginning of this ride…so the best I can figure is to throw my hands up in the air and enjoy it!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Welcome to English!
I finally got the chance to take some pics of my classroom, actually I just finished setting it up today!! Very excited. Here is a glance into Ms. Barrier's room! (It looks better in person...)
Welcome to Ms. Barrier's room!!
This is for the sophomores. We're all about some world lit.!!
American Authors for English III
One side of the class
The other side...
Welcome to Ms. Barrier's room!!
This is for the sophomores. We're all about some world lit.!!
American Authors for English III
One side of the class
The other side...
Friday, August 15, 2008
Living and Learning
Well I survived my first week of being a teacher. I’m not sure that it counted, but I learned a lot! I’ve spent the past week in Rockingham County orientation. It seems like a wonderful county to work for, very progressive and caring about its students and teachers (which is important!).
I’ve been spending some time in my classroom getting ready and prepared for everything. I have lots of pictures of friends and family around me. I always like to do that, surround myself with the people I love. Speaking of, since living on my own, I have received an amazing amount of love from my family and friends. Phone calls and cards and e-mails and IM’s, it has meant so much to me. To know that I have a support system behind me is the best feeling ever. It has also been wonderful getting to know the staff and faculty at my high school. Everyone I have met has been so nice. Like I said before, I love nice people. Mean people scare me.
Next week begins a week of workdays. I’m looking forward to getting my plans ready, my room finished, and getting to meet more people. Granny says I have to be friendly and out going, I don’t want to disappoint her.
Everything is coming along and I’m excited about the journey I’m embarking. I have wonderful people supporting me and God on my side. I figure I’m pretty good with that. I’m not going to lie, it’s all very different, but I’m coping and trying to enjoy the ride!
I’ve been spending some time in my classroom getting ready and prepared for everything. I have lots of pictures of friends and family around me. I always like to do that, surround myself with the people I love. Speaking of, since living on my own, I have received an amazing amount of love from my family and friends. Phone calls and cards and e-mails and IM’s, it has meant so much to me. To know that I have a support system behind me is the best feeling ever. It has also been wonderful getting to know the staff and faculty at my high school. Everyone I have met has been so nice. Like I said before, I love nice people. Mean people scare me.
Next week begins a week of workdays. I’m looking forward to getting my plans ready, my room finished, and getting to meet more people. Granny says I have to be friendly and out going, I don’t want to disappoint her.
Everything is coming along and I’m excited about the journey I’m embarking. I have wonderful people supporting me and God on my side. I figure I’m pretty good with that. I’m not going to lie, it’s all very different, but I’m coping and trying to enjoy the ride!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Growing Up
In lieu of growing up, I decided to reminisce and make a list of things I miss from childhood!
1) Not having to actually work on workdays. Em just realized this the other day.
2) Granny’s butter sandwiches. I’m sure she’d still make one for me if I ask, but I’m also pretty sure I now realize how unhealthy they were. Literally, bread with an inch of butter between.
3) Mom buying groceries.
4) Muppet Babies, David the Gnome, Saved by the Bell, Boy Meets World, Clarissa Explains it All, classics…
5) I don’t recall counting my calories as a child…not that I do it now, but I’ve thought about it…def didn’t when I was little.
6) Being pushed in a stroller…how amazing was that?!
7) Happy Meals…a great meal AND a toy.
8) I didn’t need Mapquest, the only place I needed to know how to get to was Granny’s.
9) Kindergarten…seriously, best grade ever. Naps, snack, and story time.
10) A hug from mom could make it all better…well I guess some things never change. :)
1) Not having to actually work on workdays. Em just realized this the other day.
2) Granny’s butter sandwiches. I’m sure she’d still make one for me if I ask, but I’m also pretty sure I now realize how unhealthy they were. Literally, bread with an inch of butter between.
3) Mom buying groceries.
4) Muppet Babies, David the Gnome, Saved by the Bell, Boy Meets World, Clarissa Explains it All, classics…
5) I don’t recall counting my calories as a child…not that I do it now, but I’ve thought about it…def didn’t when I was little.
6) Being pushed in a stroller…how amazing was that?!
7) Happy Meals…a great meal AND a toy.
8) I didn’t need Mapquest, the only place I needed to know how to get to was Granny’s.
9) Kindergarten…seriously, best grade ever. Naps, snack, and story time.
10) A hug from mom could make it all better…well I guess some things never change. :)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
This I Believe
I shared this with the sophomores I student taught last semester. I did this lesson with my methods teacher. What do you believe in? "This I Believe" is a project that the NPR does. I decided it would be interesting to do with the sophomores while reading Night. Before I gave them an assignment, I read my own for them to get an idea from. This is what I believe in.
Belief is a powerful thing. It’s what holds humanity together. What do I believe in? This is a loaded question. What would a person be without their beliefs? They would be a shell of a person. Everyone has to believe in something.
I believe in a lot of things. I believe in sunsets, lying out on the beach, the waves of the ocean, being a Southern lady, thank you letters, good friendships, and that my Mommy can make anything better. I believe that watching a great episode of Grey’s and eating a piece of cake can really make you happy. I believe that my Granny sings the best lullabies and makes the best strawberry cake ever. I believe in prayer. I believe that I am suppose to be a teacher. But the one belief that has gotten me through, the one belief I always count on, is that everything happens for a reason.
Almost 5 years ago my beautiful and seemingly healthy cousin Melissa found out that she had cancer. It was a blow to our family and a shock to me. The question that kept bouncing in my mind was, ‘Why do good things happen to bad people?”. She fought a courageous battle and taught me many lessons during the way. Her humor and love of teaching powered her through her disease. Those things have stayed with me and will continue to be with me as I live my life.
Melissa lost her brave battle 3 years ago. There is not a day I don’t think about it, and probably never will be. It’s hard to lose someone who is so young. However, the things she taught me will continue to live on in me forever.
The most important lesson I learned through the experience with Melissa is that every single thing in life happens for a reason. Bad things, good things, crappy things, amazing things, they are all apart of the plan that holds your life together. There are many times in life and many situations when it would have been easy for me to give up. When it would be, for me, a better solution to just throw in the towel and call it a day. But, when I think to myself my simple belief and motto of ‘everything happens for a reason’, it somehow gets me through.
The lessons in our lives are sprinkled here and there. We are brought here on this Earth for a reason and the things that happen throughout it, good and bad, happen for a reason. Though it’s sometimes hard to see exactly what the reason is or why it’s happening, believing that one day we will figure it out, it helps me.
Everything happens for a reason. It’s a simple idea with so much with it. It gets me through. It always will.
Belief is a powerful thing. It’s what holds humanity together. What do I believe in? This is a loaded question. What would a person be without their beliefs? They would be a shell of a person. Everyone has to believe in something.
I believe in a lot of things. I believe in sunsets, lying out on the beach, the waves of the ocean, being a Southern lady, thank you letters, good friendships, and that my Mommy can make anything better. I believe that watching a great episode of Grey’s and eating a piece of cake can really make you happy. I believe that my Granny sings the best lullabies and makes the best strawberry cake ever. I believe in prayer. I believe that I am suppose to be a teacher. But the one belief that has gotten me through, the one belief I always count on, is that everything happens for a reason.
Almost 5 years ago my beautiful and seemingly healthy cousin Melissa found out that she had cancer. It was a blow to our family and a shock to me. The question that kept bouncing in my mind was, ‘Why do good things happen to bad people?”. She fought a courageous battle and taught me many lessons during the way. Her humor and love of teaching powered her through her disease. Those things have stayed with me and will continue to be with me as I live my life.
Melissa lost her brave battle 3 years ago. There is not a day I don’t think about it, and probably never will be. It’s hard to lose someone who is so young. However, the things she taught me will continue to live on in me forever.
The most important lesson I learned through the experience with Melissa is that every single thing in life happens for a reason. Bad things, good things, crappy things, amazing things, they are all apart of the plan that holds your life together. There are many times in life and many situations when it would have been easy for me to give up. When it would be, for me, a better solution to just throw in the towel and call it a day. But, when I think to myself my simple belief and motto of ‘everything happens for a reason’, it somehow gets me through.
The lessons in our lives are sprinkled here and there. We are brought here on this Earth for a reason and the things that happen throughout it, good and bad, happen for a reason. Though it’s sometimes hard to see exactly what the reason is or why it’s happening, believing that one day we will figure it out, it helps me.
Everything happens for a reason. It’s a simple idea with so much with it. It gets me through. It always will.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Little Things
"It isn't the big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones."
~Jean Webster
It is so often in this fast-paced, changing, and all together crazy world, that we don't take the time to enjoy the little things. Like how I am sure that my friend, Caroline, would be content looking outside a window to the mountains her entire life. She loves the beauty and spirit that lies within them. Or my friend Case looks so peaceful when her eyes look at the vastness of the ocean, like the world is perfect in those moments caught in the shore. It is the peace we find in the little moments, the little things. Everyone has their 'little things'. The little things that bring us joy.
I have lots of ‘little things’. Like the smile on a child’s face, as if the world is perfect through their tiny eyes. Finding a new great song and sharing it with my friends then singing it loudly in a car. Listening to an old song from your childhood that invokes so many wonderful memories (Reba…). Laying around the living room with all of your best friends and laughing and telling stories and eating. Sitting on the beach and looking at the great big ocean, feeling the peace that only it can give me. When my Mom calls me lovebug. My Granny singing to me. Taking pictures that will remind me of good times when I look back at them. When I am driving early in the morning and can catch the sunset coming up. Traveling to a new place and seeing all that it has to offer.
When we’re able to stop and look at everything around us, we can see how amazing the world is. It’s easy to overlook all of it with all the craziness that the it brings, but it also brings simple joys and pleasures. Those are what makes the world a better place.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Late So Soon
“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” ~Dr. Seuss
I have always loved this quote and find it quite appropriate for where I am in my life right now. This summer has absolutely flown by. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was graduating, heading to Nashville, and now it seems like the end is rapidly approaching.
Summers have always been so special to me. When I was young my Mom would always take my sister and me swimming at the pool or Wilson's Creek. We'd always go to the Outer Banks and spend lots of lazy days together. When I reached high school summers were spent babysitting and making a little extra spending money. College summers have meant squeezing a lot of fun into a couple months before the hectic college life begins again. Beach trips, movie nights, and little get aways. Lots of fun with friends and family.
This summer has been bittersweet. It reminds me of the summer before college started. It seems like everything has been a little chaotic. Trying to fit everything in. And the future looming...not quite sure what is ahead.
This summer has also been like a puzzle. Trying to figure out all the pieces and getting them into the right shape. Interviews, evenings with friends, looking up apartments and what to do in little Eden. Moving and getting ready to teach. The cool thing is when you get to take a step back and look at the puzzle you've made. The pieces somehow magically fitting together.
It's all becoming real to me. And by real I mean very scary. I'm scared about teaching ON MY OWN and living ON MY OWN. I'm finally that 'grown up' I was always aspiring to be when I was a little girl. The students aren't my stuffed bears anymore and my co-teacher isn't my little sister or neighbor playing for the afternoon. Playing 'house' has a whole new meaning. It's real...
It's gotten here fast. The end of summer. The reality of life. I still have a couple nights with friends and a couple weeks of 'freedom', but then...the show begins!
I have always loved this quote and find it quite appropriate for where I am in my life right now. This summer has absolutely flown by. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was graduating, heading to Nashville, and now it seems like the end is rapidly approaching.
Summers have always been so special to me. When I was young my Mom would always take my sister and me swimming at the pool or Wilson's Creek. We'd always go to the Outer Banks and spend lots of lazy days together. When I reached high school summers were spent babysitting and making a little extra spending money. College summers have meant squeezing a lot of fun into a couple months before the hectic college life begins again. Beach trips, movie nights, and little get aways. Lots of fun with friends and family.
This summer has been bittersweet. It reminds me of the summer before college started. It seems like everything has been a little chaotic. Trying to fit everything in. And the future looming...not quite sure what is ahead.
This summer has also been like a puzzle. Trying to figure out all the pieces and getting them into the right shape. Interviews, evenings with friends, looking up apartments and what to do in little Eden. Moving and getting ready to teach. The cool thing is when you get to take a step back and look at the puzzle you've made. The pieces somehow magically fitting together.
It's all becoming real to me. And by real I mean very scary. I'm scared about teaching ON MY OWN and living ON MY OWN. I'm finally that 'grown up' I was always aspiring to be when I was a little girl. The students aren't my stuffed bears anymore and my co-teacher isn't my little sister or neighbor playing for the afternoon. Playing 'house' has a whole new meaning. It's real...
It's gotten here fast. The end of summer. The reality of life. I still have a couple nights with friends and a couple weeks of 'freedom', but then...the show begins!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
An Entry from a Journal
I wrote this a few weeks after I graduated...
And here we go. A new life...so much has happened in the past four years. I couldn't even begin to list them. I've made new friends and stayed close to old ones. I've lost a family member. I've cried, I've laughed. I've driven thousands of miles. The crazy thing is...it's only a blip in the big picture of life. There are going to be lots more tears...lots more laughs. There will be more miles put on Roonie or whatever car I might have. There are millions of memories yet to be made. I'm scared, I'm excited, I'm ready. ...And I will try to write more :)
And here we go. A new life...so much has happened in the past four years. I couldn't even begin to list them. I've made new friends and stayed close to old ones. I've lost a family member. I've cried, I've laughed. I've driven thousands of miles. The crazy thing is...it's only a blip in the big picture of life. There are going to be lots more tears...lots more laughs. There will be more miles put on Roonie or whatever car I might have. There are millions of memories yet to be made. I'm scared, I'm excited, I'm ready. ...And I will try to write more :)
Loving the Unexpected
I never expected that I would be living in Eden, NC. Until college I had never even heard of the small town northwest of Greensboro. However, when job opportunites were slim in the mountains, I was encouraged to send out resumes all over NC...and I did. About a week after I sent the resumes I got a call from Rockingham Co. High School. I took the call...took the interview...and took the job.
Preparing for the move has been quite a process and the actual move was a bit crazy. Preparing to live by myself for the first time has also been a little scary. For the past 2 years I've lived with 2 of my best friends. Going from 2 best friends to just me is a daunting thought. After setting up the apartment and making it a bit 'homey' has made me feel a little better.
I still haven't gotten totally used to the thought that I will be alone. Several hours from friends, from home, and in a new town. But I also have friends close by and everyone I have met in Eden has been amazingly nice. (I love nice people)
This is a new chapter. All my friends, it seems, are starting new chapters in their 'life books'. It's fun to begin life in a new town. How it all goes down is anyone's guess, but it should be a fun ride. :)
Preparing for the move has been quite a process and the actual move was a bit crazy. Preparing to live by myself for the first time has also been a little scary. For the past 2 years I've lived with 2 of my best friends. Going from 2 best friends to just me is a daunting thought. After setting up the apartment and making it a bit 'homey' has made me feel a little better.
I still haven't gotten totally used to the thought that I will be alone. Several hours from friends, from home, and in a new town. But I also have friends close by and everyone I have met in Eden has been amazingly nice. (I love nice people)
This is a new chapter. All my friends, it seems, are starting new chapters in their 'life books'. It's fun to begin life in a new town. How it all goes down is anyone's guess, but it should be a fun ride. :)
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