Is it wrong to laugh?

Sometimes people are just different. And, sometimes people are so different that it's hard not to laugh, even though that's certainly the wrong thing to do. But what happens when those very strange and different people get themselves put on TV on one of the most watched shows in America? Is it wrong to laugh at them?

I just finished watching the tail end of American Idol and my goodness, they had some interesting people try out this year. I came away with this thought: I hope my friends and family would love me enough to tell me that I should most certainly NOT try out for this show, no matter how badly I wanted to.

A Welcome and Some Confessions

First of all, I've got to say, "Welcome to the Blog World, Sherry. We're all so glad you're here!" Seriously, she's funny and I'm sure she will have plenty of good stuff to say on her new blog . You should check it out!

Now, on to some confessions:

Hi, my name is Emily, and I'm a procrastinator. The only thing that I really don't enjoy about my job is the paperwork. I have, on average, anywhere between 60 and 120 papers to grade per day. Most of the time I'm pretty good about getting things graded and entered into the online gradebook. Something happens to me though the week before the end of a Six Weeks. I just can't bring myself to grade anymore. Well, the Six Weeks will end and I will find myself with tons of papers to grade and enter, and a deadline. And it never fails, I'm usually entering my last grades right up until the last minute. Well, tonight was no different. The only bad thing is I just had two entire weeks to get those grades done. Two weeks where most days I was absolutely bored. I did make a "New Year's Resolution," that I'm not going to claim (because I said I wasn't going to make any resolutions), to grade all papers and enter them THE day they are turned in. So far, I'm 2 for 2.

Hi, my name is Emily, and I have a drinking problem. No, not that kind of drinking problem. I love Diet Coke. I could drink it all day long and I sort of wish it came out of the faucet. Anyway, I made another "New Year's Resolution," to not drink Diet Coke for awhile. I haven't really put a specified amount of time on it, I just know that for awhile, water is the way to go. I had my last Diet Coke last Tuesday. I hadn't touched the stuff all week, until tonight. I didn't even really want it either, but it was offered and I took it. And, I feel really guilty about it. Tomorrow's a new day.

Hi, my name is Emily, and I write too much. Somehow my posts always turn out way longer than I intended! Thanks for hanging in there! :)

How Did I Get Here?

Today was the first day back at school after two weeks off. I got there early because I was pretty sure I left in a hurry and knew that I would probably find things not quite conducive to the first day back. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in my classroom and my desk was clear, the counter was clear, and all the lunch tags were ready to go. If I have anything, it's a terrible memory. So, as I sat there with nothing to do for a few minutes my mind went into deep thinking mode and I began to think about what brought me here, to that classroom, in that school, as a teacher. It's been a crazy journey for sure, one that I am positive I have had very little to do with.

When I started college way back in the Fall of 2000 I was 100% certain that I was going to be a Finance major and in four years find myself working very closely with the stock market. The stock market has fascinated me ever since my Grandpa gave me two shares of Black and Decker stock when I was a kid. It seemed like doing something I enjoyed was the way to go. I took lots of business classes my first semester and liked them, I just felt like I had had an awakening to the idea that maybe I should pour my life into something a little more intrisically rewarding than making lots of money with other people's money. After much thought, I changed my major one semester in to Elementary Education.

The Spring of 2001 was great. The Fall of 2001, not so great. During this semester, I had my first "field experience" where we went into an actual elementary school and worked with a small group of students. My small group was made up of third graders. I don't know what the deal was but they ate my lunch. I dreaded going to work with those kids and soon felt like perhaps it was the still, small voice of God telling me I had made a mistake and teaching wasn't for me. After much more thought, I changed my major back to Finance. I had decided that while I felt strongly that I was to use my life to make a difference in the lives of children, it wasn't going to be in the classroom setting.

I managed, somehow, to make it out of college in four years with a BBA in Finance. I was really quite proud of myself. I even landed a good job before graduation. All the pieces were falling neatly into place. About six months after graduation I began to get restless. I learned a great deal about working hard, customer service, and most importantly-myself. I also knew that my desire to work with kids wasn't going away. Around March of 2005 I decided to pursue alternative certification and give teaching another try. In May, exactly one year from my first day, I resigned from my job and began applying to every school district I could think of. I had little hope of being hired at a good school because well, I didn't have a teaching degree, I didn't have any teaching experience, and sometimes the words "alternative certification" get you an automatic no. I got a total of 3 interviews. My first was at a charter school downtown that I think has something to do with juvenile criminals. My second, was at a school that I knew was way out of my league the second I drove up and saw the "Exemplary" banner hanging proudly. I loved the school and the people and left with gratitude for at least having some good interview experience. My third interview was at the middle school in the same district as the second school. It went well, but I already had my heart set on the second school.

A couple weeks went by and I got a call from the principal of the second school asking me to come back for a second interview. I couldn't believe it. To make a long story a little shorter, this school took a big chance on me and that is where I sat this morning, reflecting on all the ways God has directed me, blessed me, and taught me. It has been a wild ride, one that is better than anything I ever could have dreamed up for myself. I think that's how I know God's been all over it, and I wouldn't trade that for all the money in the world.

And Then There Was One

One day left of Christmas break that is. It has been a great break. I have slept a lot, watched a lot of movies, played lots and lots of Wii Tennis, and enjoyed lots of time with family and friends. It went by quickly, but I think I'm ready to get back to work and see what 2008 has in store.

Instead of making lots of New Year's Resolutions that I won't be able to stick to, I'm choosing instead to focus on this:

"God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him."
~ John Piper
This year I want to live, and breathe, and do with this thought in mind.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
Besides you I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever!
Psalm 73:25-26
Now that I think about it, making a list of resolutions may have been easier! :) Just kidding!

Randomness

I have had several random (or are they?) thoughts lately:

Randomness #1
It is no secret that I spend way too much time thinking, worrying, dwelling on things. Sometimes this is not a good thing and sometimes I get something out of it.

Last night, I was talking with a friend about a couple situations where two seemingly happy, healthy people had their entire lives changed in an instant. We're talking major, difficult, painful life change. Not like a new job or a new puppy kind of life change. I tucked these situations into the back of my mind and they have been at the forefront of my thoughts for the better part of this afternoon. I have been blessed abundantly in my life and while it has had its challenging moments I can honestly say that I have never had to endure such an extreme experience like these.

Thinking on this led me to this conclusion: I have spent way too much time lately complaining or worrying about other people's actions and other stuff I have absolutely no control over. I have not spent nearly enough time worrying about my words, actions, and reactions. I have not spent enough time enjoying the people and things God has put in my life. And, I have not spent enough time enjoying God and His goodness. Here's to hoping that begins to change!

Randomness #2
Baylor hired a new football coach this week. His name is Art Briles and he comes to us from the University of Houston. This seems like a really smart hire and once again pride in the Baylor Bears has been restored. Here's a picture of Coach Briles being introduced at a basketball game the other night. There are three things to note, the first being Art Briles shirt, what a cool guy to put on a "Bear Pit" jersey before his big introduction. Secondly, it appears that he has already been practicing his "Sic'em Bears." Lastly, check out President Lilley's shoes! Those are so cool, I definitely want some. Now I can't wait for football season to begin again!


Randomness #3
I think this is one cookbook I don't want to see when I visit someone's house for dinner. It totally cracked me up though.


Randomness #4
My outside Christmas lights are complete. I know the anticipation has just been killing you, let the drive-bys begin! :)

I love pictures

I sort of have a thing for pictures. I really like looking at pictures and I love taking pictures. A couple years ago I believed so strongly in my love for taking pictures that I bought a crazy nice digital camera. At the time, it had an unheard of amount of megapixels and was more camera than I would ever know how to use. And sadly, I rarely use it. Today I decided that should change. I was granted the priviledge of watching Will and Allie today and I decided to have my fancy camera handy just in case something happens that is worthy of taking a picture. A quick trip to the park provided just the opportunity. I took about 100 pictures and there are really only about 2 that I think are "good."

This is a picture of Allie on the swing. She loved it. She would just laugh and laugh every time I pushed her. I really like her a lot.


And here is one of Will. Most of the pictures I took of him were of the back of his head, he just moves too fast! I'm not sure what he is thinking about, but it looks serious.


Last night I was looking at my desk and I noticed this picture:

This picture has been sitting on my desk for about three years now and I see it all the time. I guess I am just so used to seeing it that I don't notice it. This is a picture of Tyre, Demontrey, and Kedarion. Three brothers that I met while I was in college. More than anything else I experienced during my four years at Baylor, these kids changed my life. Waco is an interesting town, the wealthiest people literally live across the street from the poorest. There really aren't many "nice" parts of town and you can easily find yourself somewhere you shouldn't be. My freshmen year I ended up at an apartment complex that definitely qualifies for the "somewhere you shouldn't be especially if you're a Baylor student" category.

While scared out of my mind, I was there on purpose. Myself and a couple other naive, nice-looking, Baylor students had descended on this apartment complex in hopes of putting together some sort of Backyard Bible Club kind of thing. We thought that maybe, just maybe there was something we could teach the kids that lived there. In reality, they taught us. They taught us what it's like to be 3, 5, and 7 years old and have to take care of yourself. They taught us what it looks like to live next door to a drug dealer. They taught us what gun shots sounded like. They taught us how to cope with never seeing one parent and never knowing the other. They taught us what a priviledge it is to have a car. They taught us how joyful an experience a Baylor football game should be. They taught us how exciting it is to get to go to McDonalds. They taught us so many things.

Somehow throughout four years of college, my roommate and I became particularly attached to Tyre, Demontrey, and Kedarion. We started bringing them to church with us. You should have seen some of the looks we got! The kids obviously dressed themselves, in clothes that hadn't been washed, maybe ever. I also wish you could have seen the way their faces lit up every time they learned a Bible verse. I remember one Sunday we were driving home from church and Tyre had been working so hard on Luke 1:37, "Nothing is impossible with God." He was sure he was ready to say it and this is what came out (I can still hear his voice), "Nothing is important to God. Lukus 1:37." After a brief explanation that EVERYTHING is important to God and congratulating him for being so close, he tried again. And, he got it.

Just looking at that picture last night I was reminded of the impact they made on me. I was reminded that I want to approach life with their joy, their energy, and with their belief that they could accomplish anything. I was challenged to stand up for injustice and to live out Matthew 25:31-40. That picture reminded me to be Jesus to the people God brings my way. Pictures, they can be powerful.

Seriously??

I had the great privilege of going to Walmart this afternoon. Imagine my surprise when I was greeted by a cute little snowman instead of the spooky looking mummy that has been at the door for the last month or so! Yesterday was Halloween, and I guess I failed to realize that Christmas is the next holiday!! It seriously looks like they had little elves working all night to transform Walmart into a Christmas wonderland. It kind of makes me sad because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!

For any of you who haven't heard yet, there are 54 days until Christmas. I'm really running out of time so, if you need me this weekend, I'll be in my yard putting up the Christmas lights!

Fires, sick days, and other random thoughts

The news about the fires in California is really crazy! I can't believe someone would do something like that on purpose. It is especially disconcerting to me because San Diego County, where a lot of the evacuations are taking place, is where I am from originally. In fact, up until just recently my Grandma, Aunt, and Uncle lived right in the middle of all that is on fire right now. They moved to Oregon about two months ago but they haven't sold their house in California yet. The latest word is that the hill their house is on, is on fire. Scary! But thank goodness they aren't living there now.

Wildfires in Calfornia certainly aren't a new phenomenon, but everytime we hear about them it reminds me about the time one was close (but not really) and my Mom packed up the car with as much of our stuff as she could. She just took the dresser drawers right out of the dresser and took them to the car. At the time it was kind of scary because I was just a kid. But, soon we learned that the fire wasn't really threatening our area at all. It is a story we laugh about often. Seriously though, if you only had one hour and just your own vehicle to save what you could, what would you take?

On to another topic. I started feeling not so well last Thursday, then felt better on Friday. Then by Saturday, I was pretty sure I had Strep Throat. My parents got home from their cruise and immediately started me on a regiment of Tylenol and an antibiotic that came from another country (the directions are all in Spanish). I felt better on Sunday but then Monday morning I felt worse than ever. Now, anyone who knows me well knows I don't like going to the doctor. I avoid it at all costs. But as bad as I was feeling I knew I had to do it. It has been so long since I've been to the doctor that this was the first time in my life that I called the doctor on my own, made my own appointment, and went to see him all by myself. I know, it's crazy. Anyway, I waited for what seemed like an eternity and then spent all of five minutes with the doctor. He quickly diagnosed me with a, "woooooooeeeeee that's bad" ear infection in both ears! Both ears!! How does that happen? Also, he ordered me to stay away from school until I have been fever-free for 24 hours. So, the first thing I did was go back to school (just to prepare for not being there today)!

In all my free time today I've done some math, I have been teaching for 407 school days. This is the first sick day I have taken. It's ironic really, as a student I missed lots of days. In my first job out of college I had no trouble using every single one of my sick and vacation days. I'll even admit it, a lot of the time I wasn't really sick. So, somehow I've managed to last 407 days without taking a day off and this one is killing me. I hate being away from school. I guess it just goes to show you how easy it is to go to work when you do something you love! Thankfully, I have great family and friends that are going way above and beyond to help me get better quickly! Thanks guys!!

I've got nothing

I wish I had something clever, noteworthy, or funny to say, but I really don't. I've been crazy busy trying to get everything ready for school. We are officially 5 days away from the first day. The fact that I haven't even seen my classroom yet is a slight (very slight) hiccup to my ability to be "ready" for school. I am certain though that everything will work out fine and this will be the best year yet. I have learned much in the past 3 days of not-at-school teacher inservice, mostly things about myself. One of my favorites is that I got to experience a real-life example of one of the things I was planning on emphasizing to my class; the power of choosing your attitude. I like what Proverbs 15:15 has to say about the matter (in particular, the Message):

"A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song."

I had a much better day today since I didn't allow myself to dwell on all the things that aren't going right and instead stayed focused on the things I could control. I'm not sure what song tomorrow will be filled with but I think I'm going to wake up (cough cough) at 5:45 with a cheerful heart. I'll let you know how that goes. :)