This blond, little boy was born yesterday! Now it's John, Sarah, Nina and Jack. Sarah's blog has more of the details. I love being an auntie!
15 March 2009
jack abram stepanian
This blond, little boy was born yesterday! Now it's John, Sarah, Nina and Jack. Sarah's blog has more of the details. I love being an auntie!
27 February 2009
compare/contrast
Yes. I am now solidly an eighth grade teacher. (Embarassingly, I did have to spell check the word 'eighth.' Who qualified me to teach??!) Today I kept using words like compare/contrast, reading strategies, literacy standards. I'm weirded out at how normal it is for those words to flow out of my mouth.
So here goes with my compare/contrast. In class, I told the kids to journal. "Think reflectively! Ask yourself questions and the explore answers. Ok, write!!!" Amazingly, they scrunched down in their chairs, chewed their pencils and began to write! I started writing, too. As I wrote I realized that I swing back and forth so much. Like yesterday I wanted to quit everything because it just felt an overwhelming amount of pressure, but a month ago I was longing for some meaningful activity. Oh man. Wouldn't somewhere in the middle be lovely...? I wish. I wonder if it's possible. And I guess the bigger question is--would it really come about by a change in circumstance or will it come about as I learn to live in peace, rest and power?
Oh, man. Thoughts??
So here goes with my compare/contrast. In class, I told the kids to journal. "Think reflectively! Ask yourself questions and the explore answers. Ok, write!!!" Amazingly, they scrunched down in their chairs, chewed their pencils and began to write! I started writing, too. As I wrote I realized that I swing back and forth so much. Like yesterday I wanted to quit everything because it just felt an overwhelming amount of pressure, but a month ago I was longing for some meaningful activity. Oh man. Wouldn't somewhere in the middle be lovely...? I wish. I wonder if it's possible. And I guess the bigger question is--would it really come about by a change in circumstance or will it come about as I learn to live in peace, rest and power?
Oh, man. Thoughts??
13 February 2009
01 February 2009
lately
I've been knitting a sweater for that baby Hakala. I've been hanging out with David. I've been looking for a job. I've been getting to know my new church. I've been living with the Willifords. I've been reading Matthew with Amanda and Katie. I've been bundling up and readjusting to Oregon life.
14 January 2009
i like now better
I'm doing little computer projects in a coffee shop in Newberg. Next to me there's a table of college boys slung over their chairs, philosophizing. "Isn't the truest form of literature to connect your own story to another story?" Hum.
It's making me think back and remember. I remember that I loved being in college. It was so fun and stimulating and interesting and deep. I felt so intelligent, like my thoughts were just fascinating and brilliant all of the time (except after a lame test or an argument, but I blamed those on lack of sleep or..., certainly not my own inadequacy). I drank a lot of coffee and sat around theorizing about the meaning of life and reading thick books with small print. Profound.
It's been a few years. I've learned that my thoughts are certainly not brilliant, fascinating and wonderful all the time....maybe not even most of the time. On occasion, I'll hatch a good one, but I can't promise to deliver it in an eloquent or poetic way like I used to. I've realized that it's a lot more enjoyable to live a little slower, a little more practical, a little more down to earth.
I guess maybe I'm growing up or something. I am almost thirty, so I guess it's about time. I like now better. That's nice. I wonder what I'll look back at in another ten years...
It's making me think back and remember. I remember that I loved being in college. It was so fun and stimulating and interesting and deep. I felt so intelligent, like my thoughts were just fascinating and brilliant all of the time (except after a lame test or an argument, but I blamed those on lack of sleep or..., certainly not my own inadequacy). I drank a lot of coffee and sat around theorizing about the meaning of life and reading thick books with small print. Profound.
It's been a few years. I've learned that my thoughts are certainly not brilliant, fascinating and wonderful all the time....maybe not even most of the time. On occasion, I'll hatch a good one, but I can't promise to deliver it in an eloquent or poetic way like I used to. I've realized that it's a lot more enjoyable to live a little slower, a little more practical, a little more down to earth.
I guess maybe I'm growing up or something. I am almost thirty, so I guess it's about time. I like now better. That's nice. I wonder what I'll look back at in another ten years...
07 January 2009
i live in oregon
Yesterday I got a library card at the Canby Public Library.
I know it's a big deal to pack up my car, drive fifteen hours, move all my stuff, put my mom on the airplane, unpack my pillows, go to a new church. I know that's a big deal. But somehow the library card feels different--like I really am here now.
I know it's a big deal to pack up my car, drive fifteen hours, move all my stuff, put my mom on the airplane, unpack my pillows, go to a new church. I know that's a big deal. But somehow the library card feels different--like I really am here now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)