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.

paradise

Here are a couple pics from the trip Matt and I took to my sister's in Puerto Rico last week. Talk about breath-taking!

give thanks

thanksgiving is my 2nd favorite holiday and it's right around the corner! i was just thinking today while my students were working quietly (shocking!) that i really have an incredible number of things for which to be thankful. but my very next thought was, "why does it take a specific holiday on the 4th thursday of november before we specifically recognize those things, people, etc. with which we're blessed?" and isn't it ironic that the very God whom the pilgrims came here to worship freely...the same God on whose principles this country was founded...that very God is the same one whom our politicians and crazy lefts have booted from our public schools and refuse to recognize? how can anyone possibly celebrate thanksgiving and completely leave out the very basis of its' existence? it's completely illogical. however, it does line up remarkably well with the ideals on which they base all their decisions. alright, i didn't intend to get off on a political tangent...back to the matter at hand...

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."

another one bites the dust...

well, it's official. my little sister is hitched to one of the most respectable men i've ever known. the day could not have been more perfect. there had been threats of rain for the entire week leading up to the big day. dark clouds loomed throughout the morning; some rain fell. but when it came time for lindsay and craig to say their vows, the skies were blue and the sun shone brightly. even the 2-year-old flower girl walked right down the aisle without the slightest hesitation. every single thing about the day was ideal. this whole "younger sister getting married first" deal has had me strapped in tight to the roller coaster of emotions since the day they got engaged. but when it comes right down to it, none of this is even about me. it's been about her and i couldn't be happier for her. i love her more than life itself and she's happier than she's ever been before. that's all i've ever wanted for her life. plus, this way i have a killer place to go on vacation in december!

reaching

have you ever felt as though you work as hard as you can, put forth all you have, and do your very best, yet the goals you strive for remain just out of reach? i find myself at that specific point in nearly every area of my life and it just might send me over the edge.

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.

contentment

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave?"

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."

exhaustion

i teach 1st grade. i coach 7th grade volleyball. i'm exhausted. like, all the time. but i couldn't ask for a better place to work and live and be. as hard as it might be to believe, i'm enjoying my hometown. call me crazy.

my so-called life

these days, my life consists of slip 'n' slides, PB&J sandwiches, string cheese, dirty diapers, walks in the wagon, and trips to the public library. as you read that, you think "erin, your life is lame." this might be true, but i love it. being a nanny for 4 boys under the age of 8 is a blast...completely exhausting, but worth every minute.

well, just thought i'd share my most recent smile with you all. now it's back to reading harry potter. :o)

family, friends, and pyrotechnics

*sigh* what a great time of year. i just got home a couple days ago from the most fantastic wedding extravaganza i've ever been a part of. tim and courtney both looked amazing. the whole long weekend was a taste of heaven, for sure. close friends and families just...being. laughing, telling stories, remembering the "good ol' days" and even shedding a few heart-felt tears. my heart felt like it could burst with joy watching daddy blum walk his little girl down the aisle and give her away. he did it confidently, knowing that tim will always love her and always take care of her. i'm so thankful to have such incredible people in my life.

then today, of course, was full of food, family, friends, fellowship and fireworks. if you don't know, i LOVE fireworks. and thanks to the help of an old fireworks friend of mine, john, i got the cream of the crop and a heck of a deal. the show was a hit; the crowd loved them. and i take great pride in my capability to put on a show, full of the mastery of pyrotechnics. plus, i got to do dozens of sparklers and make s'mores with the watkins girls. LOVE them too. :o)

i just love summertime. there's always something fun right around the corner. i can barely wait to wake up tomorrow!

blissful, busy week

this business of not working is AMAZING! i've spent this week working on various projects for class, but mostly hanging out with friends. i'm trying to cram in as much socialness as possible in these last few days, because i will miss these friends dearly. tonight's agenda includes dinner with the evelands; dear friends from my college days. and heck, it's a free meal! good times will be had by all, i'm certain. :o)

bittersweet departure

tonight was my last night of work at kohl's. I've been looking forward to this day for...well...a long time. finally, i don't have to drive clear to west Knoxville just to work a 5 hour shift. finally, i don't have to pick up after sloppy men who insist on trying jeans on and leaving them in heaps. finally, i don't have to argue with customers about sale prices. finally. however, as exhilarating as it is to not have to deal with the retail business, i have made some very wonderful acquaintances in the year that i've been there. i was somewhat overwhelmed this evening at the parting goodbyes and good lucks i received. i never dreamed so many of them would tear up and hug me farewell. i even had offers of places to stay if (or in their words, "when") i come back to visit knoxville. i realized that i really will miss that obnoxious store...or more precisely, i will miss those folks i have spent countless hours working along side. end of chapter.

it's official

well, folks...it's official. i am a 1st grade teacher at yost elementary school! i really can't believe i accepted a 1st grade position, due to my great love for the older grades. and even more than that, i can't believe they offered it to me to begin with! buuuuut....i'll take it. it's a fantastic school system and it's the elementary school i went to as a kid. not to mention the fact that my mom is the secretary! hahahahaha it's gonna be great. the first thing mom said when i told her about my new job is that she can't wait to help me decorate my room. too funny. so, here begins the next chapter of my life. and i'm ready for it. nervous as all get-out, but ready. after all, first graders are so dang cute. :o)

thanksgiving in june

it occurred to me today that i have an awful lot to be thankful for. i'm thankful that this last class of my college career is a fun one, and not at all difficult or mentally demanding. it's a great way to finish up a degree. i'm thankful for a tight-knit family who would drop everything and do anything for each other. i'm thankful for the graciousness of my parents to let me move home and live with them for free. i'm thankful for the honesty and sincerity and downright silliness of my friends. i'm thankful for laughter and chocolate and baseball and thunderstorms. so, here's to thanksgiving in june.

home to me

much of the love/hate relationship i have with my little hometown is the fact that i can't go anywhere without seeing someone i know. when my brother and sisters and i go into town, we make bets on how many people we'll run into that we know. of course, it's a scientific figure, based on the number of places we have to stop, how long we plan to be there, as well as the time of year and time of day. but it never fails; we ALWAYS see someone we know.

i had to laugh to myself when i ran into a 4th grade teacher i know the other day in kohl's. the next day, i grabbed a bite to eat at tropical smoothie and one of my 5th grade students came in with his father. the following day, a mom of one of my students came in to kohl's. and tonight i saw a 1st grade teacher i worked with. clearly, knoxville has become my hometown. i sure will miss it.

5:19

matt wertz is one of my all-time favorite performers in all the world. this is a video of him doing "5:19" at a little shindig he did at a border's bookstore. here are the lyrics too:

I'd be lying through my teeth if I told you
That I'm ok
July came, I thought I had it all together
Until you said "I need some space"
Truth be told
It's so hard to wait

One eye on the clock
And one on the phone
It's 5:19....I'm feeling alone
If I could talk to you
I'd want you to know I'm holding loose
But ain't letting go.

We both know that I could think myself dizzy
Right now I'm spinning around
I know you said, "baby, don't worry"
But I just miss you right now
I miss you right now

One eye on the clock
And one on the phone
It's 5:19....I'm feeling alone
If I could talk to you
I'd want you to know I'm holding loose
But ain't letting go.

Baby, take all the time you need
I just want you to know
I'll be here, waiting

With one eye on the clock
And one on the phone
It's 5:19....I'm feeling alone
If I could talk to you
I'd want you to know I'm holding loose
But ain't letting go.

so you got a cd in the mail...

here you go, parham...the run-down....

Track 1: "On My Way" - Ingram Hill
*Tribute to my bitter, anti-love side.
Track 2: "Part of Your History" - Blue Merle
*The next feeling after bitter and angry...sad acceptance.
Track 3: "Bourbon Street" - Oval Opus
*These are usually silly guys from Cincy, but I love this cut.
Track 4: "Colorful" - Rocco Deluca and the Burden
*Live like you mean it. I just want to be colorful.
Track 5: "The Greatest" - Cat Power
*Sooooo chill. Love it.
Track 6: "5:19" - Matt Wertz
*This guy has some major sentimental value for me...but he really is amazingly talented as well.
Track 7: "Hot Burrito #1" - Flying Burrito Brothers
*Real random. I got this from a friend of mine in Chicago. He loves them.
Track 8: "Hypnotized" - Ani DiFranco
*Wicked cool voice. And she's been around forever.
Track 9: "Jackson" - Dave Barnes
*Love this guy. He's fantastic live...absolutely great. He'll be at Sundown in July I believe. You gotta check him out. And look for him on YouTube. HILARIOUS stuff.
Track 10: "French Café" - Marc Broussard
*Amazing vocal range. From Louisiana. He was at Sundown last summer. Super good. This is a tribute to my hope for "something more" in a relationship. "a world apart and an ocean away, just lovin' you, baby"
Track 11: "Still Amazing" - Josh Johnson
*Really young, local guy. He plays around here quite a bit.
Track 12: "Strangers Again" - Ari Hest
*More "I would've been better off never knowing you" music. :o)
Track 13: "Killing Me" - Graham Colton Band
*A great "i don't mean to hurt you" song.
Track 14: "Does He Love You?" - Rilo Kiley
*Can you feel the pain and frustration?
Track 15: "For Us" - Pete Yorn
*I just like him. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly. I just do.
Track 16: "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" - Colin Hay
*Yes, from Garden State. His voice amazes me.
Track 17: "Love Love Love" - Tristan Prettyman
* I love love love everything she does.
Track 18: "Write You a Letter" - Ray LaMontagne
*I heart Ray. There are no other words to describe it.
Track 19: "Home to Me" - Josh Kelley
*There's no place like home.

I can't say enough about music and the way it can move and shake a soul. So I'll leave it at that. Enjoy.

the Bible makes a comeback

i found a great article in education week magazine this morning. it talks about how educators have shied away from teaching the Bible because of court decisions, but are now trying to find ways to incorporate it in the classroom again. it's an interesting read. enjoy. :o)

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2007/05/16/37bible.h26.html

bittersweet memories

today was officially the last day of my internship. the kids were very nearly out of control, but i was past the point of fussin' at them. some of them were completely excited for summer. others dreaded the idea of being at home for the next couple months. i felt sorry for some of those children because of the tough things they will deal with in their broken, sad homes. it makes me wish i could just keep them with me. i sometimes wonder if year-round school might be a better alternative. i have some students who would blow their parents out of the water on the TCAP test. some of the parents really don't care; or if they do, they have a funny way of showing it. my heart goes out to those kids. i want so badly for all of my students to be successful...i just hope that they find the right people in their futures to help them become all i know they have the potential to be. i sure will miss them.

save the drama for your mama

i'm really tired of all that cattiness and drama going on at school these days. and the saddest part is, it's not just the kids. we're all tired and we all have a death grip on our last nerve, but come on. i just hope we can leave well enough alone and end the year on a good note. *sigh*

carpe diem

john 10.10 says: "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." there is something to be said for living a full life. there are so many things i hope to see and do in my lifetime...and i see no reason why i can't accomplish them. there is always something to look forward to. make the most of this moment. carpe diem.