What I'm Reading

I just finished this book over Thanksgiving.  It's simply amazing.  I normally don't like to read Southern African American fiction, primarily because the language is pretty difficult to get used to (true southern dialect).  You get used to it pretty fast in this book though and it's definitely a page turner.  I never even realized that white families still had hired "help" in the 1960's.  After I finished this book, I was talking about it with my Grandmother and Grandfather and they began to tell me stories of their "help" when they were growing up.   It was fascinating to me.   Wonderful, Wonderful book.

This is next on my list, but I won't let myself read it until I am finished with all my coursework for this semester.  It's a love/hate relationship with me and Nicholas Sparks' books.  I love them, but someone always has to die and I'm always left depressed for several days.  Nicholas Sparks' does have an uncanny sense of writing the most incredible, you-never-saw-it-coming, love stories.  After all, who doesn't love a good love story?

Of course I had to have a Karen Kingsbury book in this list.  This is her most recent book and it stems off of an idea in a different book.  I love it when books are interrelated.  This will be an easy, quick read for some Sunday afternoon over the break.

I've read "Tuesday's with Morrie" probably 10 times at least.  Mitch Albom's writing has a way of stirring you from the inside and reassess your life's goals and desires.  Can't wait.

This is simple.  A Man of God.  There aren't many men out there who are true men of God.  I don't want a legalist, I don't want those who say they are, I don't want someone to be one because they know that's what I want.  

I want a real Man of God.

Because if he loves God, then He'll know how to love me.  

Thankful

I'm a little late because I try to stay off the computer when I'm home, but late is better than never!

What I'm thankful for this year:

• My family.  Over the last year I have come to appreciate my family so much more and in a different way.  My parents are simply amazing.  It literally brings tears to my eyes just to think about how incredible they are and how much they do for me and my sisters.  My parents will jump in the car at the drop of a hat and spend the weekend in Fayetteville with me if I'm having a bad week.  They give me the most amazing advice, and I don't know how I would have gotten through the past year without the wisdom and words of encouragement of my Mom.  My Dad is the most amazing father, husband, grandfather.  I would be so lucky if I marry a man who comes anywhere close to what my Dad is.  He spoils his girls too :)  I blessed to be so close to my Grandparents, and that they are still living.  Their wisdom is unmatched, and I love having grown up with my Grandparents present at every recital, cheerleading event, pageant, graduation and so much more.  My Grandpa will randomly call me and leave me the sweetest voicemails about how proud he is of me.  My Grandma is always there to offer me advice on any of life's hardships.  I love the fact that I'm so close with my sisters and talk to one of them almost everyday.  I love growing up having sisters, its a friendship unlike any other.
• Heelyn, our miracle baby.   Why she's a miracle will remain private, but I am so thankful for my precious niece.  She's beautiful, and healthy.  She has shown me so much about love and life.  It's been an amazing process watching my Sister become the most amazing Mother to this little girl, I can't wait to watch her grow up and become everything God intends.
• My degree.  Earning a college degree is always an accomplishment, but I'm so incredibly proud to have earned my degree.  I'm the first child in my family to earn a college degree, and I think it was as much of an accomplishment for my parents as it was for me.  It's also incredibly special to me because of the hurdles and obstacles I had to overcome last year to finish college.  I will always particularly cherish that little piece of paper.
• I am thankful to have earned my fellowship that allows me to attend Graduate school completely paid for.  Graduate school has already opened so many doors for me and I enjoy it so much.  I'm thankful that at the end of the program, I will not have any student debt and a Master's Degree!
• I am so thankful for my amazing friends.  Over the last year, they have been there for me in every way possible.  I have cried on all their shoulders, and they have offered me countless encouragement, prayer, and guidance.  I know that having even one great friend is a huge blessed, so I'm incredibly blessed to have the group of girl friends that I do.
• I'm thankful for my guy friends.  God always has funny ways of reminding me that He loves me and cares about me and it's often through my guy friends.  Their random texts, phone calls, nights out and everything else keep me sane, and always laughing.
• My relationship with my Savior.  No matter how many times I may screw things up, He is always there, and He has my best intentions at hard.  Also, no matter how hard I might try to do things my own way, He never lets me.  This I am thankful the most for.
• My students.  They keep me on my toes, inspire me, teach me far more than I ever teach them.  Remind me of the goodness there is in life, as well as remind me to be thankful for life's blessings. They show me life from every perspective, and keep me laughing day after day.

Story Time

This is how I feel....

Last week I had to turn in Chapter 1 & Chapter 3 of my dissertation.  Chapter 1 had already been previously graded from which I only missed 1.4 pts.  Now my professor would re-grade Chapter 1 and grade Chapter 3.  Yes, Chapter 3.  Not Chapter 2.  That will come later on in the story.  Still with me?  Ok, good.

So I collect Chapter 1 & Chapter 3 which have now been graded and much to my shock I received not nearly quite the grade I was hoping for (Ok, it still was an 86% but my grade was not B material.  It was A material).  Not to mention my professor had changed his mind and decided that now he wanted to dock points on my Chapter 1.  After he graded it.  Not cool.  Evidently once you're in Grad school professors feel they can do this kind of stuff to you.

So I emailed my professor telling him that I needed to schedule a meeting with him last week to discuss my paper.  My Chapter 2 was due this week and I didn't want to continue to do the wrong thing.  

This was on Tuesday of Last Week.

Wednesday..  No hear from professor.

Thursday...No hear from professor.

Friday... Nothing.

Nada.

Jack Squat.

In the age of iphones, there's really not a reason to leave an email un-responded to.  Come on Prof.  I know you check your emails everyday.

So I attempted to read his scribble handwriting and correct my chapters to the best of my knowledge.

This morning I marched right up to the front and asked him why he did not respond to me.

**Shocked face, gasp, oh the horror***

He said, "What do you mean I never responded.  I ALWAYS email my students back"

Me, "Well evidently you don't."

He then agreed to let me come by his office to talk and turn in my paper tomorrow.  Mind you, I already put 20+ hours into this chapter this weekend.  But, glad to have help I agree to go to his office and discuss my dissertation.  

I arrive in his office and he tells me my topic is simply too complicated and I need to make it simpler.  What?  I thought we were in Graduate school here.  When is complicated a bad thing.

Overall, the meeting was positive though (except for the fact that I now have 10+ more hours of work to do).

As I'm leaving I tell him to make sure to give me my five points for turning my paper in on time (we get five easy points to being on the ball).  He says he won't give me my points because it won't be on time tomorrow.  

Me, mad " If it wasn't for you not responding, I would have had my paper done on time.  Not to mention I did have a copy of it finished this morning.  YOU said I could turn it in tomorrow in order to meet with you because YOU did not respond to my email"

He says, "I'll have the points with you"

I say, "No.  I want all my points.  This is not my fault."

He says, "Well really the points don't matter."

Well yes they do because you moved your grading scale up and in a 100pt class 5 pts really DO matter.

Moral of the story:  LOVE graduate school.  Tolerate the professors.

Here's my rant.

I read somewhere that the average age for marriage for a woman is 27 and for a man is 29.  This literally made me laugh, and I began to wonder what the average age in the South would be.  Well, I couldn't find any statistics on that, but the South DOES have the highest divorce rate in the country.  Hmm... could it be because traditionally Southern women get married at a much younger age than the rest of the country?  I guess we'll never know.  What I do know is that every time I get on facebook, I see more and more engagements, pending weddings, or wedding photos.  I'm not cynical, I think marriage is a great thing.... WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.  The problem with my generation, in my particular area of the country, is that girls think something is wrong with them if they are not getting married a weekend after they graduate college.  This is crazy!!  I hate this!  What happened to enjoying one moment at a time?  Why can't you learn to be independent and learn who you are before rushing off to be someone else's wife?  Do you even know where your income is coming from?  Sorry if this sounds harsh, I just feel too many women are disillusioned by what they think marriage is, or they only think they're complete if they have a ring on their finger and someone else's last name.   This is not true.  Don't even get me started on the baby thing.  Whatever happened to waiting several years after you were married to start trying to have kids?  Now days, most couples start trying soon after the first year of marriage.  This is crazy.  It's like they become bored with their lives and want the next big thing.  Now, I know I'm stereotyping here and making assumptions.  But if you're 22 years old, you can WAIT to have kids.  Having a baby changes EVERYTHING.  Enjoy the time alone with your husband, save for your future, take trips together, enjoy spontaneity.  That all goes out the window once you have a child.  

That's my rant.

Catch-Up

Sorry I've been slightly MIA.  Last week was our "work week" for the MAT program.  Basically, we get one week off in between each rotation to catch up on sleep (much needed), catch up on projects (very needed), and work on our dissertation (crucial).  I chose to cruise on out of Fayetteville and spend my week in the Central park of Arkansas, loving on my little niece and helping my sister as she recovers (broken ribs from her c-section...ouch!).

I love this little cutie

She's a mighty good little sleeper too... haha

Other than spending time with little Heely, I was able to get caught up on all my work.  Mom and I also did some much needed shopping...haha.  

My sister looks absolutely incredible, I can only hope to look half as good as she does after I have my first child :)

Are you sick of Heelyn pictures yet?

My dad is seriously a baby hog.  He LOVES little babies.... it's really quite funny.  You have to steal Heelyn away from him if he's around.

See... isn't she gorgeous?  Her and Kyle had their first date night away from Heelyn this past Friday.  Shannon was so anxious to leave Heelyn (with her mimi mind you, Kyle's mom) that she made Kyle take her somewhere really quick so they wouldn't be gone too long.  My mom banned them from talking about Heelyn while they were away, haha.  She says that's the key to a good relationship, to not always talk about the kids when you're out on dates.  I think she might be on to something :)

Sorry if I bored you with Heelyn pictures, but I'm so in love with her!  They are coming to visit this weekend and are staying with me, I'm so excited!!

Well... I start my new rotation this week at Central Junior High in Springdale.  Wish me luck!

Sad Week

I'm supposed to be writing the next chapter of my dissertation, but that can wait.

Last week I was so so sick!  It came on suddenly and left just as quickly.  But not getting to see my guy for several days was not fun (I didn't want to get him sick, since he leaves for NYC next week).  Not to mention the thought of not getting to see my precious Heely next week if I was STILL sick was making me really sad.  Add on to that my last day at my first rotation was Friday, let's just say I was a ball of emotions last week.  Poor guy for putting up with it.

On thursday, I had my students feel out an evaluation on how they felt of me as a teacher.  Here are some of their sweet/funny responses:


"What was your favorite lesson I have taught?"

• "My favorite lesson was the skeletal system because we made a model"
• "When we drank the kool-aid" 
• "When we made the s'mores"
• "The model that I finished"

"What is your favorite memory of having me as a teacher?"

• "That you always help me a lot and made science really fun for everyone"
• "That you were always trying to help"
• "That you always helped everybody"
• "When you taught us kinetic energy, I really understand it a lot better than I did last year"
• "The first day I was here, you were the kindest teacher here"
• "The party"
• "When we ate the s'mores"
• "When I had a question, you were always there"
• "On your first day, everyone asked if your eyes were real or not"

"What is one thing I should change in order to be a better teacher?" 

• "Getting everyone quiet, p.s do not be afraid to yell"
• "I think you shouldn't change anything"
• "You're fine just the way you are"
• "You should come teach on Mondays instead of going to your college classes"
• "We could make s'mores more often"

"What would you like me to remember about you?"

• "I want you to remember me like one of the students you helped the most"
• "My name"
• "That I was loud"
• "As the kid with the jacked-up knee and the awesome handwriting"
• "How I am a bad kid"

"If you have anything else you would like me to know, tell me here"

• "You're the best teacher"
• "I would like that one day you could come back"
• You were one of my favorite teachers I have ever had and I hope to have you again"
• "Don't go"
• "Without you everyone will feel like they're in a trash with a lot of diapers in it."
• "You're going to be a great teacher and you have a good sense of fashion"

It made me so sad on Friday to have to leave them, and I will definitely always remember them.  They have left such an imprint on my heart and I just hope that somehow I have impacted their lives as well.

Poor Little Heely

Poor baby Heely has a fractured collar bone.

I know... it's the saddest,  most pathetic thing ever. Like I mentioned before, my sister had to have an emergency c-section.  Baby Heely was stuck in the birth canal and in order to get her out, one nurse had to sit on my sisters chest, and another had to push baby girl out in the other direction.  Somewhere along the way her little collar bone was fractured.

I take comfort in knowing that babies can't feel as much as we can, but still... Poor Little Thing.  She screams every time we try to change her clothes.   The doctor said she'll be good as new in a few weeks, and until then we will just need to be extra cautious with her little arm.  So pray for a speedy recovery for our sweet little girl.

Get Excited!

I just remembered....

A precious precious package came in the mail for me last week....

My DIPLOMA!!!

Oh.  My.  Gosh.

I am so stinking excited.

My parents always told me how much a college degree would mean to me, but I never thought it would mean this much.  It probably means so much because of all the hurdles I had to jump through to graduate on time.  But it is the single material thing I am the most proud of!  I can't wait to hang it in my office someday!

Half My Heart

Half my heart is in Central Arkansas still.  I didn't realize that leaving my precious niece would be so difficult,but it is.  I'm so jealous of everyone that gets to visit her and spend time with my sister.  Right now they are staying at my moms until Shannon recovers, and I'm so sad I can't be there to keep them company!

On a different note,  tomorrow is my first formal Pathwise observation!  I never get nervous for observations, but I do get a tad bit anxious for everything to be perfect and for my kids to be the angels that I know that can be :)   So if you think about it tomorrow, say an extra prayer for me!

Well, I'm pretty tired and need to get to school early in the morning, so a short blog post it is!

Heelyn Elyse Hanks

My precious baby niece arrived into this big world on Friday, October 22nd,2010 at 9:02 p.m.  She weighed 8 lbs 2 oz (exactly how much I weighed!) and was 21 1/2 inches long.  She's absolutely perfect.

My poor sister was in labor since 7:30 that morning and pushed for 3 1/2 hours determined to have her naturally.  She ended up having to have an emergency c-section.  We are just thankful they are both ok, happy, and healthy!

Very proud Grandma!

I'm so completely in love with her already.  She's precious and absolutely beautiful.  I love that she has my nose too, of all things!

Her poor little head is slight cone-shaped due to being in the birth canal for so slow.  You can't see but she has very strawberry blonde hair.  So.  Cute.

Right now baby and mom are doing wonderful.  They were released from the hospital today and Kyle, Shannon, and Heelyn are staying with my parents while Shannon finishes recovering.  My mom is thrilled to have a full week to spend loving on her grandbaby.

Baby Heelyn is on her way!

So I'm sitting in class--a class in which my professor insisted that we bring our computers to, bad idea-- and I'm very very bored as we analyze test scores and use excel to do way to many complicated math equations.  I thought I became a science teacher so I wouldn't have to do complicated math anymore.  Not so much so.  Anyway, so I'm bored and I thought I would update my blog since I seem to be straggling at that lately.  I might also change the look of it around.  Just maybe.

I got the greatest phone call EVER today!

My sister is in the early stages of labor!!!  She's dilated at 2 cm and the doctor told her if baby Heelyn doesn't come on her own, he will induce her on Friday!

Woo hoo!!!!

I get to meet and hold my precious niece this week!!!  I am SOOOOO excited!

I can hardly sit still I'm so excited!

Sunday

Sunday is my favorite day of the week.

My guy works in the world of retail, and as most know, those hours aren't always the greatest.  He typically works late nights and weekends and this sometimes makes seeing each other difficult because I work Mon-Fri 7:30-4ish.  But one of the things that amazes me the most about him is that I never have to ask for his attention.  I am his top priority, and I love it.  haha.

So back to Sundays.

My guy knows that I love Sundays, but in the beginning of our relationship he always had to work on Sundays.  Recently he told me that he switched his schedule so he would always have Sundays off and they would be my day.  Oh.... how I loved this.

No guy has ever done that before for me and it makes me feel so special.

So I love Sundays because they are "our" days.  We go to church, go to lunch, and then just do whatever.  All day.  It's absolutely wonderful.

And yes, we are still waiting on this little bundle of joy to make her appearance....

I can't wait to meet her!

As a Family

If there's one thing my mom always taught me growing up... it's this.

Whenever things got tough, whenever bad things happened, whenever we didn't know how we could possibly get through another day, she always told me we had to pick up the pieces and we'd get through it, "as a family".

When my sister got pregnant, unexpectedly at a young age,  "We'll get through this... as a family"

When my beloved Uncle died.  "We'll get through this, as a family"

Divorce.

Breaking my leg.

Having my heart broken.

Sudden Deaths of Close Friends

Pain

Fear

Loss

That's right... "As a family"

You see... Any problem that has affected one member of my family, has affected us all.  We all got through those difficult times by relying on each other, and relying on God.

So I knew today when I got that phone call that she'd tell me those words I'd heard all my life...

"We'll get through this, as a family"

And that's just what we'll do.  Because, you see, although life might throw twists and turns along the way.... it's always a beautiful ride.   And while cancer is the single, scariest word our human minds can process, it's not scary to God.  It gives Him the opportunity to show up in a BIG way.  And that's just what we need....

Document This

Let's document this!

For the FIRST time in my life, I actually got schoolwork done on a SATURDAY!!!

Ok, maybe its not the first time... but normally when I say I'm going to do something productive on a Saturday I procrastinate until Sunday and am super stressed (and hating that I didn't do it on Saturday) on Sunday.  

But seriously,  I got my first chapter 95% done!  Woo hoo! This is awesome because it means I will wake up with a fresh mind tomorrow and can go back in and add a few more thoughts to it.  I love being able to write this way because I always get more creative the second go around, unfortunately my procrastinating self doesn't allow for much of this!

So... YAY for me!!!

Distractions on a Saturday Afternoon

I'm supposed to be writing the first chapter of my dissertation, of which I've written only 4 sentences.  I guess it's a good thing I decided to get started on this on a Saturday instead of procrastinating until the usual Sunday which I'm infamous for.  Instead of writing about ESL study strategies, I would rather be doing a million other things such as....

Venturing to Starbucks for a seasonally Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Walking around the Farmer's market as I hear the familiar rumble of Bikes, Blues & BBQ which graces my lovely little town with the presence of thousands of bikers every October.

Finding great deals at Dillard's sales today.

Getting caught up on writing up lesson plans for my portfolio that were previously taught.

Oh well...  it's back to the drawing board.

On a brighter note though... I am very proud to say that since I have started teaching fully on my own I have only brought home one stack of papers to grade.  A very wise teacher once told me to never bring home papers to grade, and I hope to take his advice for my own teaching career.  It's all about taking advantage of the precious stolen moments throughout the day and arriving early each morning to get a jump start on the day!  I'm so thankful that I don't have thousands of papers to grade each night along with the other million things I must do every day!

Shannon's Maternity Photos- Sneak Preview

Could my sister be any more gorgeous?  Oh and it doesn't help that Summer Colclasure is an amazing photographer as well!

Love in Every Language

We've had parent/teacher conferences all week.  Yes, it's very early in the semester, but Springdale likes to do them at 5 weeks so the students haven't gotten to far behind by the time conferences come around.  I like this idea, plus I enjoy meeting the parents of my kids early on.  Of course, the parents you really need to show up because their kids are the problem children, don't.  This doesn't really surprise me though.

One of the things that I truly love about teaching in Springdale is the diverse culture we have.  It's amazing to walk around and see all the diverse backgrounds and experiences my kids bring to class with them every day.  I love hearing at least 3 different languages spoken in the hallway at any particular time.  I love how my students help me with my Spanish, and I love it even more when I can perfectly understand what they are saying in their own languages.  I love the fact that we don't let language barriers interfere with helping our kids learn and learning to connect with their parents.  I love that we have translators in our school.  I love my two classes of ESL students.  Yes, they are incredibly difficult to teach, but they are such a joy when they truly grasp a concept.  And "most" of them actually want to learn.

My experiences in the Springdale school district are truly changing my outlook on the melting pot that America is.  I love the fact that we welcome immigrants with open arms, that we are a safe haven for those seeking refuge from terrible situations.  I love that people come here seeking good education, a bright future, and the desire to chase the "American Dream".

Growing up in the South, where we don't see much cultural diversity.  Having graduated from a High School that is, perhaps, one of the premiere cookie cutter schools in Central Arkansas, I've been guilty of becoming frustrated when someone doesn't know how to speak English, or when my tax dollars go towards someone who isn't a true american citizen.  Since becoming a teacher, however, my outlook has changed.  My only desire is for my children to one day grow up in a culture that is rich in diversity.  I hope that my children have best friends who aren't the same skin tone, religion, or even from the same country as them.  I want them to have the opportunity to experience life from every viewpoint, and most importantly to learn "love" in every language.

RANT

I'm sorry.  I have a small rant to do.  So if you're not interested in my rant, then please move right on along.


Here goes...

Ok I know that when you are pregnant, a lot of talk centers around how much weight you've gained.  I get that everyone's bodies change when they're pregnant.  Yes, some women gain more than others and some take the whole "eating for two" thing to the extreme.  But please, just because my sister has only gained 18 pounds does NOT IN ANY WAY mean that my precious little niece is malnourished.  THIS DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!!!  Shannon visits the doctor every week now and he says she is perfectly on track.  Heelyn is 7lbs right now.  She's perfect!  My sister is in NO WAY, SHAPE, or FORM a bad mother just because she hasn't gained a lot of weight.  Not to mention, it's not like she's trying not to.  She is just an extremely healthy eater and the only foods she has craved during her pregnancy are fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.  Yes, she's gorgeous.  She always has been, so I'm not sure why some people expected her to suddenly turn ugly when she became pregnant. Not to mention, Shannon has always been incredibly thin and had a perfect figure.  It's really no surprise that she's kept her figure throughout her pregnancy with the exception of her little baby bump.   And the funny thing is, most of the people who are saying she isn't gaining enough weight are other pregnant women.  Hmmm.... something smells a bit like envy over here.

Sorry, I know that was rude.  I'm very protective of my big sister and it hurts my feelings when people talk about her like that.  If you're pregnant, enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.  No one is judging you on how much weight you've gained.  ALL pregnant women are beautiful.  And next time you think to judge a pregnant woman... STOP.  Instead, why don't you ask how she's doing or ask about how excited she is for the new addition in her life.

Heelyn Elyse Hanks, Sneak Preview

My sweet baby niece will be here in a little over a month!  I cannot contain my excitement!  We are so excited and happy to have a little baby girl in the family again.  I love her so much already, I can't imagine the love I'll feel for that baby once she makes her appearance into the world....

Can hardly contain my excitement!

Sweet Baby Heely,

We cannot wait for you to get here!  We have all been busy making preparations for your arrival and we are just about ready for you :)  I just hope that you know that you are expected to have high taste for fashion and hot pink.  You know your momma couldn't have anything but the most funky, stylish accessories for you.  You'll have to speak up in this world, because both your Momma and Daddy are extrememly loud, but if you're anything like you're Aunt... you'll get along just fine.

We love you already....

Oh and p.s of course you already have your first pair of Joe's Jeans.... I told you, you'll be dressed in style :)