Just living life

Trying….

Sarah — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:50:35 +0000

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.

33 Reasons

Sarah — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:02:13 +0000

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

My Heart’s Prayer

Sarah — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:04:41 +0000

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.

My favorites…

Sarah — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:30:57 +0000

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…

2010…Here we come…

Sarah — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:31:55 +0000

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

Morocco

Go to another USC game

Always a dream- Sydney

48 hours…

Sarah — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:36:30 +0000

I will be here….

Playing Catch-up

Sarah — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:25:41 +0000

I would love to say I have recently been involved in some great humanitarian effort that has kept me away from posting meaningless things about my life on the Internet for all to see. However, that would be untrue….I have just been. Yes, been period. I have been working, studying, working, and being. Sometimes its funny how life gets taken up with life. There have been some great things that have happened in the last few months.

I joined Sandals church trunk or treat for Halloween it was very fun!

I went to the USC v. Oregon State game for my little bros birthday – something I really want to do again!!!!!

I turned 26 and was completely spoiled by my two great roommates!!!!

Now please don’t think that I am in way shape or form annoyed with my life. I am very blessed and realizing that more and more everyday. But life is life and it is busy so sorry to this blog for being neglected.

I’m still here

Sarah — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:13:22 +0000

Okay I know it’s been awhile…Rather than bore you with words you are not going to read here has been my last few months in pictures.

Anticipation of the coming season

Sarah — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:46:16 +0000

Fall is my favorite time of year. Ideally, the air turns crisp and cool. The leaves on the trees present a kaleidoscope of rich vibrant colors and a special collection of seasonal food and beverage hits the stores. I really do like fall. However, I live in Southern California and it is a difficult season to decipher seeing as though the leaves do not change colors and the only crisp air that can be found is the tail end of Santa Anna winds. But, don’t worry, that does not destract me from the many things I love about this season.

Reasons I love Fall;

1. The changes and shifts in God’s creation

2. Great friends and conversations over Starbuck’s Pumpkin spice lattes and scones

3. COLLEGE FOOTBALL

4. NFL Football

5. Going back to school

6. Cool mornings with freshness in the air

7. The first rain that washes away the smog

8. Lazy Saturday mornings spent watching football

9. The anticipation of the coming of the magical Christmas season

10. Apple themed food – and places like Apple Hill and Oak Glenn

Ready or not….

Sarah — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:27:05 +0000

I must preface this blog by saying: I know I am a teacher and have approximately 2 1/2 months off of work in a year and before you launch into all the “I wish it were me,” or the “that’s not fair” arguments – let me tell you if you were a teacher you too would earn and deserve the 2 1/2 months off. But, alas, those glorious months are over and the students come to room 33 bright and early Monday morning. This summer has been so relaxing and restful – I am so thankful! There were several highlights of this past summer.

1. Celebrating my grandparent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. What a special treat to celebrate with entire family

2. Spending 2 1/2 Weeks in Sacramento with my family. I have not spent that long at “home” since my first year of college. I was so blessed to be loved on by my amazing, great, fun family.

3. Participating and choreographing for my 6th KDA dance recital. I love the students and my co-workers in that environment.
4. Weddings (seem to be a theme of most of my summers). I love celebrating this God ordained time in the lives of my friends. I consider it a supreme privilege to see so many amazing couples come together.

5. Though for most of the summer we were in three separate locations, my roommates and I did have some great times together.

I consider this summer to have been a grand success! I am ready to go back to work and teach some first graders. Yeah for still having a job!