Parking Diva Update...

Well, I ended up taking parking money from people on Friday evening instead of roaming the parking lot with a walkie talkie. Honestly, I think my friend and I got the better bargain! There were the typical complainers, "The cost went up a dollar from last year", and the arguers, "Do we really have to pay?" or how about the "I'm gonna be "generous" but really not that humble about it" types. All in all, it was fun. I talked to so many people, from all walks of life and saw all varieties of vehicles..Motorcycles, beat up pick up trucks, convertibles, Escalades, SUV's etc. It was HOT & HUMID and I was a dripping mess! Senator Tiahart had a group of people representing and they were less than cordial. Tried to sneak past us with their 2nd vehicle without paying and then proceded to hand me a $100 bill for a $4 fee...Are you KIDDING ME? I asked him for smaller change and he was none to pleased with me? Who goes to an ATM and pulls out a $100 bill for a$4 parking charge anyway... Makes me want to throw up my hands and say, Stupid Politicians! Overall it was a great evening! Lots of laughs for sure!

Parking girl....

In my desire to branch out and live life on "the edge" this year, I've decided to push myself a bit, accept challenges that push me out of my comfort zone and force me to be a bit uncomfortable and dare I say awkward. In keeping with that theme, I thought it best to inform those who read this blog with my latest form of "branching out". Tonight, June 25th, 2010 I will be a "parking girl". Yep, you read that right. I will be attending the Lenexa BBQ challenge in Lenexa, KS and help those attending find parking. I've been told this job will provide me with a new t-shirt (can't wait), $50 cash and a chance to work with a friend of mine who is responsible for "roping me" into this mess in the first place. When I asked what the job would entail, I was told, "You will basically walk a parking lot with a walkie-talkie and find empty parking spaces for visitors." Hmmmmm..doesn't sound too taxing and for some strange reason it sounds kind of fun to walk around with a walkie talkie. I'll post after my experience to let you know how much "fun" it really was. In the mean time, I'm trying to stay cool indoors. The forecast calls for 91 degrees with a heat index close to 100, making me reconsider my initial acceptance. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Captivated.....

What comes to mind when you hear the word DEVASTATE? The first time I heard this song by Watermark I did not think the word devastate was used appropriately. Devastate has such a negative connotation. It means loss, heartache, sadness, tears, broken friendships, hurt, death...it certainly isn't something I want to ask to be brought into my life. Webster's dictionary definition of devastate says 1:to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action 2: to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness. I have come to realize that in the midst of our devastation God's presence is always & completely there...consuming us with his unfailing gentleness and love...making me realize I can't do this thing called Life on my own. Simply...I need Him! I'm challenged to ask Him to devastate me each day with his presence, drawing me closer and consuming me...I want to be captivated by Him!

"Captivate us Oh Jesus, Set our eyes on you. Devastate us with your presence falling down. Rushing River draw us nearer...Holy fountain consume us with you. Captivates us with You." ~Watermark~

What time is it?

How many times am I asked that question throughout the day? Typically my response is , "well, you're a 4th grader, & you should be able to tell time...so YOU tell ME what time it is." That response certainly isn't what they want to hear!

So as I sit here with my cup of freshly brewed Caribou coffee, I find myself asking "What time is it? These responses are flittering across my minds radar...

*It's 10 a.m. on a Friday morning...Time to enjoy a relaxing, non stressful morning
*It's time to read today's lesson on Praying the Names of God & spend some time with Him.
*It's time to unload my dishwasher & reload the few dishes that have accumulated since yesterday.
*It's time to tackle "LAUNDRY MOUNTAIN" and throw a load in the washer
*It's time to shower so I can run my errands to Target
*It's time to listen to some music by Watermark (LOOOOVE THEM)
*It's time to gather my scrapbooking supplies for tonights Archivers Scrap night w/Friends
* It's certainly time for some quality POOL time! I will be poolside shortly gathering some concetrated doses of Vitamin D.

Today, I'm thankful for friendships, God's power in creating even the tiniest of creaures,
music, good books, coffee, sunshine & time to rest.

Crazy Cleaning...

The past few months of school have been absolutely crazy. It seems I've tried to juggle a few too many things at once. Just as I get everything in the air and "organized" it seems something falls to the wayside and I'm faced with a choice. 1: Pick that particular task back up and attempt yet again to juggle it all or 2: Let it stay by the wayside & continue juggling the remaining tasks with precision. I will tell you from experience that I tried to be superwoman and pick it back up and start again...but that just made me crazy in the head. So I most often opted for choice 2 and just let the task fall to the wayside....and that task just happens to be the orderliness (or lack thereof)of my house (and it's driving me crazy) So with grad classes over for a few months, it's time to pick up the task of Cleaning my HOUSE and attack it with a vengeance. Let's just say my living room, Dining Room and Kitchen sparkle thanks to Friday's endeavor...Now on to my Closet and Bedroom! Below is a list of what I will be attemping today.

Start with the 15 Minute Bedroom Cleanup. (this may take me more than 15 minutes..just sayin!) Dust down the ceiling and corners.
Clean the ceiling fan.
Take down draperies and curtains to wash or have cleaned according to the directions.
Wash all bedding, comforters, mattress pads, pillows, etc.
Dust down and clean all accent lamps and knickknacks
Dust down all dressers, chests, and nightstands.
Clean flooring (or pick things up off the floor in my case)
Use the 4 container method to go through your closets (This is where it gets UGLY!)

So with some freshly brewed coffee in hand, Music blaring and cell phone in tow I'm ready to tackle this job....On second thought, perhaps I should scrounge up some cleaning supplies too.

Perplexed....

I layed in bed last night asking myself over and over, "What team am I going to cheer for during the 2010 World Cup?" And quite honestly...I'm stumped. Do I cheer for the team from Cote D'Ivoire...the country I called home for 12 years?

OR do I cheer for team France...the country I was born in?

OR do I cheer for Team South Korea...the country I lived in for the first year of my teaching career?

OR do I cheer for Team USA...the country that I have now spent more years in than Africa?

Allez Les elephant, Team France, South Koreans & Team USA!

Flowers....

I walked into my classroom after lunch on Thursday to a beautiful bouquet of roses from one of my students. What a surprise! This generous gift was from a student who also wrote me a letter on my return from Haiti saying, "You will always be the teacher I remember the most...not only for the way you treat us each day but for what's inside your heart."

It was hard saying goodbye on Friday...