It’s been over a year since I penned (well typed) anything on this blog. And honestly, too much has happened in that year to even try to virtually relive.

A number of my dear dear friends are embarking on this journey of writing everyday for the month of November, I will not be one of those – but I have been thinking that I wanted to rejoin the blogging world. Why? Because the idea of me writing about my simple life and sending it into the big world is somehow exciting. Not like anyone really cares but I just like to write about myself – probably cause I’m selfish and probably because at some level I think everyone can relate because well, we are all human. So no I will not write everyday for the next month but here I am again. trying.

On Monday I start my last week of teaching at Monroe Elementary. I am being laid off. I truly love my job and consider being a teacher a great honor and blessing. It is through teaching that I am able to use a gift that I believe without a doubt the Lord has given me. Before you ask, I don’t know what is next. I want nothing more than to teach in some capacity. Though it is not easy and honestly hurts quite badly, I am learning quite a bit about faith and how God sustains, provides, and strengthens.
I started teaching at Monroe three years ago. My first year was extremely difficult – I had some “special” students and realized teaching took a lot of hard work. Since then I have completely embraced the profession and LOVE my job. Though there are moments when the students cease to be cute and gently rub on my last nerve – I love them and pray for them daily as they encounter things I have never had to deal with. Their stories have made me laugh and made me cry – I love to see the joy of learning and life through their eyes. In fact there are many things I have loved about room 33 – here is list of 33 things that immediately come to mind.

33 things I have loved about room 33
1. Bouquets of weeds after recess
2. Shoe laces
3. High fives and hugs at the end of the day
4. “Good Morning, Miss Gonzalez”
5. A face full of awe after they actually read
6. Coloring pages and hand drawn pictures
7. Students banished to their own “island”
8. That ONE student
9. The endless parade of High school musical, Jonas brothers, Hannah Montana, and every superhero
10. Watching students learn how to be students
11. Brain breaks
12. Cheesy kids songs
13. Sparkle – the excellent spelling game
14. Praying for my students every morning
15. Hearing EVERY detail about their new shoes, haircut, shirts, etc..
16. Jump Rope for Heart
17. Trips to the library
18. Playing handball with the students at recess
19. Reciting fun phonics rhymes
20. Sound Spelling Cards – especially n for noodles
21. Using cookies, giraffes, and my friend Brooke for every example
22. Creating new worksheets, songs, and poems to help students learn
23. Using math manipulatives – blocks, clocks, cubes, and counters
24. Little girl’s costume jewelry
25. Questions and statements that have nothing to do with the lesson
26. Watching kids learn that every choice has a consequence
27. Becoming a classroom “family”
28. The wonderful imagination of kids
29. Upper grade “helpers”
30. Students learning responsibility
31. Bulletin boards covered with hard work
32. Wading through rain puddles with 22 students behind me like little ducks
33. Memories both hard and happy of the 62 students I have had the privilege and honor of teaching

I got the news, Father
It’s not as if I hadn’t been expecting it, I had.
It’s just that somewhere, in the dimmest corners of my mind, where hope lives, I thought it might not happen.

I thought funds, manna-like, would suddenly appear.
Not ample funds, but adequate funds to buy materials, continue programs, hire us all back.

It’s not as if it’s final, though, it’s not. The word is “wait and see”

Wait and see. Can anything be harder? I’d almost rather know. and just by knowing squelch the anxious hope that I’ll be back…
But, Oh, Father let me be back
yes of course I need the money but it’s more than that – I need, well-
me
I’m afraid that if I lose my job – I’ll lose myself.

Oh Father bear me through this awful time of despair and hope.
Give me the stamina to wait and see, the strength to face whatever comes and give me-me.

My job is what I do, not what I am.
And what I am is yours. Your child, your trusting child.

I realized that I have a lot of favorites so I want to make some lists…

I am lucky to live in California – There a many things to see and do. Though I was not originally born in CA I am proud to call it where I have grown up. Here are my favorite places in California
1. La Jolla
2. Laguna Beach
3. Apple Hill
4. Disneyland
5. Yosemite
6. Lake Tahoe
7. Balboa Park
8. The rest of San Diego
9. Sacramento
10. Los Angeles

I have also traveled to several parts of the world and have visited some amazing places
Here are my favorite places I have been around the world:
1. Istanbul, Turkey
2. The Catacombs Rome, Italy
3. The Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy
4. Lake Kivu, Rwanda
5. The Berlin Wall, Germany
6. Stratford upon Avon, England
7. London, England
8. Venice, Italy
9. Izmir, Turkey
10. The Petronus Towers, Kuala Lumpur

I was just thinking about those and wanted to share…

I cannot believe an entire decade has past since the drama surrounding the year 2000. In the past decade I have graduated from high school and college. I started working at a job I remember wanting when I was five years old. I continued dancing in the form of teaching tap. I officially moved to southern California. I have traveled to 12 countries and made several amazing friends. I have been very blessed and am very aware of that.

I am very excited about this next year. I can’t really explain why but I feel like “what’s next” is coming and I look forward to how God will change me and guide me. I eagerly welcome the next year and the next decade. Here are some things I know are in store for the next year.

I will continue to walk through life with this amazing group of people. I will also continue to serve and love the people of Sandals.

I will continue to live with these amazing girls. Many more sleepless nights and fun adventures.

I will get to spend more time with these great boys. I love my brothers and feel truly happy to call them friends and family. We always have a lot of fun and I look forward to what we will do together this next year.

Brooke and I will continue to have many adventures.

Brie and I will be going here!!

These are on my wish list for the next year (or next decade if I can’t get there in the next 349 days)
New York