It may be time...

I think it might be time for me to take a little break from my favorite beverage, Diet Coke. I don't know what it is they put in the stuff but somehow, it just makes everything better. I don't drink coffee so I usually start my day with a little Diet Coke action. Something happened this morning though that makes me think it might be time to take a break.

I bought a Diet Coke from the machine at school this morning and went back to my classroom to get ready for the day. A few minutes after being back I opened up the bottle and took a drink. Almost immediately I felt a sharp, burning pain in my stomach. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. This pain was soon followed by light-headedness and a nauseous feeling. I seriously thought I was going to pass out. Luckily, I had about ten minutes before the bell rang, otherwise I may have been in big trouble. I sat down and eventually things got a little better. I made sure to drink water the rest of the day but even that didn't feel quite right.

I was sure to tell my medical adviser (my Mom) about the situation. She asked me a series of questions and said, well, you might have some kind of ulcer or something. I have never had an ulcer before and really that just doesn't sound like something I need right now, so, I think I'm going to voluntarily switch to water for all my liquid needs. Hopefully, this change will help until whatever it is decides to go away. I'll keep you posted!

Wow!

I heard some news yesterday that honestly, made me a little depressed. Apple has introduced a whole new line of the latest and greatest in iPods. Along with all the new iPods came a $200 reduction in the price of the iPhone. So, basically I paid $100 a month to get my iPhone 2 months ago. I was really feeling almost sick about this so I tried not to think about it. Well, once again, Apple has amazed me. Steve (we're like bff), the CEO, announced today that he is giving a $100 credit to the Apple store for anyone who purchased an iPhone before yesterday. Can you believe that? Way to take care of the customers, man. I am very impressed by this level of service and you can bet I won't have any trouble spending my 100 bucks!! To read exactly what he said you can go here. Now let's see, do I still have my receipt?

I Believe...still

There is something really exciting about the Fall. School starts, a new football season begins, the World Series happens, cooler temperatures come, I could really go on all day. One of my favorite things about the Fall is college football. The competition is great, the rivalries even better, and it still has some some level of authenticity (unlike the NFL). The anticipation of a new football season brings excitement, speculation, and most importantly, hope. I can't even put into words the belief I have in my beloved Baylor Bears at the start of the season. I believe that this could finally be the season that they win enough games to be bowl eligible. I believe this could finally be the season that earns the Bears some respect. I believe this could finally be the season that when I shoot my mouth off I won't have to eat my words.

My life is full of really great people. The only problem with all of them is that they don't like Baylor like I do. It seems that everywhere I turn there is either a TCU or Texas A&M fan lurking, and I like to make sure they know which side I am on. It really hasn't been too much of a problem until lately. Last year was the first time Baylor and TCU have played eachother in football in a long time. It was a good game but TCU came out on top. I returned to school that following Monday to find my classroom "decorated" (or vandalized) with purple. I just knew that when we met up again this year it would turn out differently. Well, it didn't. We lost again, only this time by a lot worse. I did actually go to the game and I had a lot of fun, even if I was surrounded by purple. :)

I will graciously take my bite of humble pie, but, my belief in the Baylor Bears is still strong as ever.

1 down, 35 to go

The first week of the brand new school year is officially done. I really feel good about my classes and enjoyed getting to know a whole bunch more kids. It has been a week of mixed emotions for sure. I am excited to finally be back in the swing of things at school. I really do like my class, it is full of a bunch of fun kids. It's just that I miss last year's class so much!! I've mentioned before that it was a great year, but, really that is an understatement. It was something that I couldn't plan for or create, it just happened, and it was special (to me at least). I got an email tonight from one of those former students telling me how awesome her new school is. This is great news and I am SO glad my students are doing so well there. It just makes me miss the good ol' days. :)

On a happier note, we had an all warm and fuzzy moment at school today. I have been using the four principles of the FISH! Philosophy in my classroom. They are Play, Be There, Choose Your Attitude, and Make Their Day. It is great because the "principles" are simple enough that the kids already get it without a lot of explanation. My class is loving it and they are using the "language" all day long. It's really kind of cute. Anyway, I told them this morning that today was FISH Friday and we were going to have a special "Campfire Time" this afternoon.

So, right before recess once we were all packed up to go home, I summoned everyone to the campfire (sadly there isn't a campfire in sight). I asked the kids to think back on this week and share with us either something they loved about school so far, or, an example of someone making their day. Immediately hands shot up. The majority was just loving everything about school and they were sad that it was Friday and we weren't coming to school on Monday. Then a girl raised her hand and shared about how another girl made her day by asking her to play on her volleyball team. Then a boy shared that it made his day that another boy played some emperor something or other game with him at recess. Then a new boy to the school shared that everyone made his day by being his friend. It went on and on for several minutes. I was amazed. I even think I heard some kind of nice music playing in the background. They get it more than I ever could have imagined. I can't wait to hear what they have to say next week!!

Mark that one off my to-do list

Well, the first day of school has officially come and gone. Overall, it was a pretty good day. I am pleased with the way my students bought into everything I told them today and I think we may be off to another great year!

I was just looking at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram website because, well, I'm too cheap to actually pay for the paper. I also know that if I paid for it, I wouldn't read it. Anyway, they had several pictures of the "First Day of School" from lots of local districts. As I was looking at the pictures I was reminded of something that I think everyone should remember. It was the picture of a mother crying as she said goodbye to her kindergarten student that got me. Honestly, my first thought was why in the world is she crying? School is such a good thing! I know it's a big day and everything, I just didn't see it from her perspective. Then I started thinking, parents don't bring their kids to school all dressed up with new school supplies because they think school is such a wonderful place. They bring them because they have to, it's the law. They bring their kids to school and trust us to do something they themselves can't do (not that they can't, it's just not feasible for most). They basically say, here is my most prized possession please take care of it and return it to me better than when you got it.

I find this level of trust very humbling. Most of the eighteen sets of parents that sent their kids to me this morning don't really have any idea who I am or what kind of person I am, but still they sent me their very best. They trust me to take care of them for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. They trust me to fill their minds, make sure their stomachs get fed, and to develop their character. It is an incredible responsibility and in some round about way God has made it clear to me that this is what I was made for.

It is finished

Well, I must say that it is much easier to blog when you aren't working. The last couple days have been absolutely crazy but I can finally say that my classroom is finished and I'm ready for school!! It is a personal rule of mine not to count the hours or money that I spend on school stuff the week before school starts. I can say with some level of certainty that the hours would be the highest ever for my three beginnings of the school year. I can also say with absolute certainty that my classroom would look ugly, cluttered, and chaotic if it weren't for the help of a few people. They have unpacked boxes, moved desks, cut tons of stuff, painted tons of stuff, sewed, cleaned, and most importantly remained patient with my right-before-school-starts self. So, thanks Kristy, thanks Ashleigh, and thanks Mom. I'm pretty sure I'll be owing you all for a really long time. :)

Happy First Day of School everyone!!

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. :)