"Gimme Five!"

So, one of my most interesting students in the 3rd grade class I'll be student teaching, brought tears to my eyes today. We sat in a small group trying to finish a math packet they had been assigned. William just sat there, uninvolved and unmotivated for a solid 20 minutes. I asked him what was wrong and he replied with tears rolling down his cheeks, "I just can't get out of my head that I was the laughing stock in the the cafeteria." He proceeded to tell me that the entire cafeteria was making fun of his shoes that some boys in his class had pointed out. They called them girl shoes apparently. I have to admit, I wouldn't buy my son a pair of the black heeled boots William sported, but there's more shame for a child in what others think. I realized for the first time how truely cruel kids can be and how aware children are at this young age, of their image and acceptance by peers. I can understand how at such an early age, kids can start with a memory such as this, and begin to take the wrong path. William and I talked for a little while and I told him that because I think he is so cool, I want a high five from him for every problem he finishes. I said that because he is such a strong boy, I bet he could make my hand beat red by the time he is done with the worksheet. A huge grin covered his chubby cheeks from ear to ear and he began to work through the 5-page packet. By the end of the hour....my hand was beat red!

I missed the 80's

I realized today how disappointed I am that I missed the 80's. Today at brunch I wore my tribute to the 80's, cut off sweatshirt. I sat at the table and the first thing my friends said to me was, "Goodmorning Kelly Kapowski." I actually took it as a compliment. I mean who wouldn't. They claimed my ponytail sitting on top of my head and sweatshirt, gave me a strong resemblence to the Saved By the Bell beauty queen. I have no problem being compared to an 80's heartthrob. Talking about Saved by the Bell and Full House put me in the mood for musica! I went straight to my room and am currently listening to the 13 Going on 30 Soundtrack, which if you are familiar, features solely hits of the 80's. I LOVE IT! Tainted Love is running through my head and just a minute ago I was basically rapping with Ice, Ice Baby. I vaguely remember when Vanilla Ice was big. I remember having a crush on the hot guy rapping in his wife-beater, and I was only like 5. How is it that even though I barely grew up in that fantastic decade, that I have so much infatuation with its music, shows, and the like? I mean, I know that Saved By the Bell and Full House took place laregly in the early 90's, but to me that meshes closely with the 80's. I wish I could have been a part of that decade more than just to be birthed during its course. For now, I'll live vicariously through its music, shows, and of course the now fashionable return of its fashion. I'm going to wear my Kelly gear around town today....its the most I can do to fullfill the craving...Spandex and all!!!! (although i don't have her legs)

7 Unknown facts

Seven Unknown Facts About Me

1) I'm afraid of the dark. I sleep with my sink light on in my dorm room!

2) I get ready in the morning....in my birthday suit! Thank God I have my own room (for now)!

3) I'll skip any meal, but breakfast! (even a granola bar is important)

4) I can't manage time.

5) I've never broken a bone.

6) I had my first kiss at the movie, "Never Been Kissed." (unfortunately, it wasn't JP)

7) I pop a hershey's kiss into my mouth when I have a bad monthly cramp! (It really works)

This weekend flew by! Fall break seemed more like a day. In one weekend I saw my an aunt, my grandma, grandpa, papa, visited my sister's classroom, spent a day with Bethany, Erik, and the boys for her birthday, ordered my wedding dress, had dinner with JP's grandparents, had a "meet the parents" dinner with JP's Dad, stepmom and Vern & Rosie, got to see mi hermano, and took engagement photos! If that sentence seems hard to say in one breath, then you understand how crazy busy this Fall Break has been. I always seem to feel like a chicken with its head cut off when running around from one responsibility to the next, but when all is said and done, there's not better feeling than that of accomplishing everything on your "to do" list...and more!
My wedding dress is absolutely perfect! My mom was so right when she first saw it on me and said, "This is nothing like what she had originally wanted." It was one of those moments when it looks awkward on the hanger but fits like a glove! It doesn't come in until March and I can't wait to try it on again! I didn't want to take it off! It was so special to have my grandma, my mom, JP's grandma, mom and sister there. The best surprise was that Sharon and Kimberly showed up! I felt like an absolute princess...and for once, my mom and I agreed on something...that the dress was perfect! I can't wait to walk down the aisle and see JP's face on our wedding day! I keep toying with his mind asking, "what do you think it looks like?" I tell him it's super poofy and nothing like what i'd pick out. His facial expressions in reaction to my comments are priceless! He never can describe what he thinks it will look like, for two reasons...he knows how unpredictable my taste can be and because MEN have NO clue when it comes to fashion or clothing. If it's not a football play, they can't explain much of the abstract taking place in their mind!

Home Sweet Home

I'm finally home for a break! I can't imagine not being able to take a break from school. Even though this new house isn't the same as the one I grew up in, the walls are different, the floor is different, the fact that my voice echos is a contrast to the voice range from my old house; I still feel that I'm home. I've realized even more than when I moved that as tacky as it may sound, "Home is where the heart is." I feel like I"m home because I can take my shoes off, put my feet up, and just be with my family. The abode still feels somewhat like a hotel, but that could just be because I'm a visitor only 2 times a semester. How strange of a place will it be to me when I'm married and living in my own home? All I know is that I"m comfortable right now to sit at this computer typing, in our house. I love that I can hear my Dad's voice down the hall and see hand-written notes that Rosie left me, sitting beside the computer, and of course watching Cobi lying lazily at my feet. Someday soon this may not be the house I live in, but wherever my parents are, wherever I can put my feet up and walk up the stairs to see my Dad watching tv, will feel like home.

Red wire, blue wire, red wire, blue wire....?

I am the queen of Indeciseiveness. Whether it's which brand of juice to buy or whether it is worth it to splurge on that $9.99 clearance top....i can't seem to make up my mind in a timely or absolutely positive manner. Well, let me say that this flaw of mine gets worse while planning a wedding. Not only am I the type to want to please others, but I also can't seem to make up my mind about anything having to do with wedding plans. When I have 3 possible bridesmaid dress colors in front of me...which to choose? Which flower? Which type of invitation? Lord, help me to just get through this. Grant me the serenity to accept that I need time to decide and the patience to tide me over when ten other people try to make the decision for me, as well as the confidence to stand up and make it myself!

Oh me, Oh my

It's homecoming week here at EU....the one week out of the year I truly dread! Getting the girls hyped up to do activities that no one rightfully wants to do, is no fun when I'm busy outside of homecoming stuff as well! My back is feeling better, thanks to the drugs I'm on. It's like I can't wait to come back from class so I can take my medicine, knowing it'll ease the pain for a few hours. Then I look forward to bed for more than sleep, but because I can take my muscle relaxer...which is heaven!!!!! Due to the doctor's orders, I"ve been reduced to simply walking on the treadmill as exercise. If you know me then you understand this request is torture! I'm always in pain after I workout, but it's so worth it. However, I hope that giving it up to heal for a few weeks, pays off...or else I will not be a happy camper! I'm excited to spend some time with JP tonight. What this really means is that it's open hall night so while he writes a paper at his computer I'll be sitting on the couch doing homework...and we will be able to enjoy eachother's company, which means just being in the same room. Although we have little time alone together, I value moments like these because just being with him makes my day! I can't wait until it's every day...only 289 days til we get married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A
And I'd be able to keep better track of our wedding day countdown if my sisters hadn't broken the family countdown clock that was being passed down to each sister. I think they owe me a new one!

Sleepy

So, the good news is that my back problems are not as severe as I worried about them being. I have muscle spasms up and down my lower back. As of now, I'm on a muscle relaxer at night and some anti-inflamatories, which unfortunately make me very drowsy! I fell asleep twice in church today, even though I had gotten plenty of sleep. I come back to my room and all I want to do is hit the hay. The pain is not as bad but I often wonder how I'll get through my school week being as drowsy and dizzy as this medicine makes me. Is it worth it?

Teach Me a Lesson

I'm truly enjoying what God is teaching me this year. Ironically, much of what he has taught me has been through confrontations, mistakes, and having to come face to face with uncomfortable situations. I'm learning, however, I am a confident and completely able person. I am more than able to do my job as an RA. I am able to handle sticky and unruly situations where I am the victim.. I am able to speak my mind with patience and tact. I am able to look into the mirror or the face of an adversary and know that I am mature and capable to deal with what comes my way. My experiences as an RA, my growth in the classroom, and my run-ins with life and relationships have created a confidence and a strength in relying on Christ and my ability to stand up for myself and on my own two feet. No longer will people be able to say that I allow anyone to walk all over me. I know that i"m not perfect and that I won't always have eloquence and poise in every situation, however I am equipped to deal with what life throws my way because Christ has equipped me.

Please Pray

I have had a lot of back pain for the past 6 months. I'm not sure what it is. At first the doctors labeled it as a result of a kidney infection, but it has persisted for the past 6 months. Now, when I thought it might be scoliosis, I'm finding that I have a lot of pain near my kidneys again, but none of the kidney infection symptoms. It's a lot of pain and hard to deal with when I play powderpuff and have a full day of school 5 days a week. I have a Dr. appt on Friday afternoon and am asking that you'll pray they locate the exact problem. They have yet to narrow in on the problem, which doesn't help me any. Please pray. It's scarry to deal with it away from home and to have this pain all the time.

Dirt in the Skirt!!!!

I just got done with a dirtier than dirty game of Powderpuff football. We won....but it woulda been worth it either way! There's nothing like the ever increasing feeling of intensity, sound of slushing mud underneath your caked cleats, and sliding from point A to B just to capture a chance at the opposing team's flag. I pulled a muscle and hurt my back, but all in all....dirt in the skirt= priceless! It is during these moments that we forget we are women because we are momentarily athletes, and solely that!