07 January 2009
Reason 8,560,345,612 I Love My Job
Great kiddo story from this morning...
During Reading class, we were discussing what it might be like to live during pioneer days and farm on a prairie. One of my boys said, "Ms. Maple, isn't there a song about that? 'Livin' on a Prairie,' right?" I had to just smile and appreciate his childlike thoughtfulness. I gently corrected him that the song is actually "Livin' on a Prayer" and is sung by the classic Bon Jovi. And then as I retold the story to my colleagues, I laughed until I cried.
04 January 2009
paradise
17 November 2008
give thanks
i have some seriously incredible blessings in my life. family, friends, and the love of my life. 24 of the greatest (and most challenging!) 8-year-olds who bring my classroom to life. even though my life is crazy busy, all the things i'm involved in bless my life in some way. sometimes i get bogged down and forget that. i need to be better about focusing less on "thanksgiving" and more on "thanks-living."
25 June 2008
another one bites the dust...
21 May 2008
reaching
i recently spent 3 days in knoxville, tennessee and i'm afraid a large part of my heart remained there. i went down to graduate. i had no family there (other than my graduating sister), but the friends that i was able to share the event with are absolutely some of the most important people in my life. i've missed them greatly and i didn't even realize just how much.
my sister gets married one month from today. june 21st, she'll walk down that aisle and say "i do" to one of the greatest men i've ever met. two weeks later, they'll move to puerto rico where they'll live a paradise life and teach children. and she's counting down the days until she can get out of here.
a couple days ago, i found out that instead of teaching 1st grade next year, i'll be teaching 3rd. obviously, there are pros and cons to all situations. i think this will be a good fit for me. so, this summer, i start over again.
i want to buy a house more than i want to do anything else in my life right now. it's the scariest thing i've ever considered doing and it makes me feel like i'm way out of my league to even attempt it on my own. it's a bittersweet process for me; the idea of being completely independent is exhilirating...yet, this is one of those things i never dreamed i would be doing by myself. i always pictured myself sharing this experience with...someone.
well, it's back to the grind now. this time of year is incredibly busy for school-people. so many grades to finish up, textbooks to account for, and most importantly, children to enjoy for just a few more short weeks. i can honestly say that i will miss seeing them on a daily basis. they bring me joy every day. regardless of all the politics and the drama and the nonsense that goes on in the "grown-up world," i know that as soon as the first 7-year-old walks through the door at 745am with a "good morning, miss maple!" and a smile on his/her face, i am right where i should be. i am doing what i was made to do and i couldn't ask for a more rewarding profession. throughout the frustration and the sweat and tears, at the end of the day, i would not trade this for anything.
there's the nutshell.
16 February 2008
contentment
For so many years, this movie quote has been my mantra. Am I truly enjoying my life or am I playing it safe? In the last few months, I have found the inner strength to ditch these lines and come to the conclusion that I am, in fact, right where I should be doing exactly what I was meant to do. Yes, I lead a small life. Everything I do happens in the little town where I grew up. Besides teaching 1st grade and coaching 7th grade volleyball this fall, I've added a kickboxing class, coaching long/high jump at the high school level, coaching a 5th-6th club volleyball team, new friends, bizarre encounters...and contentment. Sure it's not all "rainbows and butterflies"...I've dealt with my fair share of situations (and people) that I would just as soon not face again as long as I live. But life is 10% WHAT you deal with and 90% HOW you deal with it. I refuse to let the crap of life get in my way. As my good friend Matt Wertz says, "Happy times are here again."