Caught in the [Natural] Details

the sunlight makes the fields turn from crops to gold

and while the crops wait together with anticipation...

the trees drag their colored leaves slowly across the sky.

the trees become engulfed in the flames of fall

and the leaves dance in even the slightest breath of wind.

yes, God is in these details. more than that, His love is in these details. what else can explain these little phenomenons i often overlook? exactly -- nothing else can sum it up.

and tonight, that love is all i need because it feels as real as

the sunshine that warmed me as i walked along

the branches brushing my hair as i maneuvered my camera amongst the leaves

the sound of music coming through my headphones

the concrete path under my feet

this beauty brought peace to my mind, dusting off the place it hasn't occupied for some time, and stealing some of my breath.

~"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." [-e.e. cummings]~

Recent Realizations

1. Despite all of the warnings people have given me about not having a life outside of teaching, I really don't have a life outside of teaching right now.

2. It won't always be this way. I know this because I'm slowly finding myself having more time as I learn where to find things, where to turn for help, and falling into a routine to try to stay ahead of the game a bit.

3. My time management isn't always that great. But when I think about it, I can figure out some areas where time is wasted instead of going to something necessary, and it's fixable.

4. The first step in trying new things is finding places to do them. Example: there is a place where Zumba is taught that's very, very close to my apartment as well as very, very inexpensive. Score. And all it took to find it was a little online searching and an email to an instructor. More possibilities await my typing fingertips...when time allows, of course.

5. I have a love/hate relationship with having to schedule things so far in advance these days. And by that I mostly mean trips home, to see friends, etc. But I love that it gives me something to look forward to, something to count down to. [ Thanksgiving is 55 days away, in case you were wondering. And New Years is 92 days away.]

6. There is no such thing as too much of the following things in the kitchen: orange juice, Gatorade, crackers, tea, water, cereal, Lysol, or paper towels.

7. There is nothing wrong with recognizing your body's limitations, especially when your body is telling you to slow down. I used to think that calling into work or missing class was the end of the world, but now I've realized it's just negligent if you don't take care of your body. It's hard to put your passion into doing what you love when you're not feeling well enough to.

8. This isn't a recent realization, but it's just one that can't be said enough: There are some truly amazing people in my life. :)

~"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." [-Irish proverb]~

The Best Laid Plans...

A while ago I made a list about reasons why I enjoy having my own apartment. Today while I was lying on the couch feeling so yucky that I didn't even want to go get my own glass of water and cursing my procrastination on grocery shopping, I was composing a list of reasons why it kind of stinks to live alone.

I had every intention of making that tonight's post...but then I started thinking about how many ways living alone has challenged me to become more independent and to prove to myself that I'm capable in many more ways than I thought. And yes, sometimes it downright stinks to be an adult taking care of myself, but the benefits far outweigh a day or two of feeling sick and having to take care of myself.

Coming across this list didn't hurt, either, of course.

And Batman the Pig, while tough and fast, was just not tough and fast enough. He came in 2nd in our heat and did not qualify for the final round. But he had fun. The kids did, too.

~"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." [-a revised version of Robert Burns' famous line from "To a Mouse"]~

My First Vlog: Pig Racing

This just says it all. And proves my job is fun....and a lot of work....but did I mention fun? :)

Sentimentality

I've got the kind of mind that holds on to dates and likes to recall things on that exact day in later years. I like to take a minute to reflect on what's changed since then, and usually I'll pray about it, too. Sometimes the words are few, but sometimes my heart just unleashes words that have been building for a while.

Life is made up of all kinds of memories of experiences that make us who we are today.

And usually those memories of mine have soundtracks to them, too. You know what I mean -- those songs that carry you back to the day with somebody and brings snippets of conversations and emotions to mind as well.

Here's a piece of my soundtrack...but I'm keeping the memories to myself. [Sidenote: It really bugs me that the video does NOT match the song at all...why, Train? Why?]

Ideas in This Head of Mine

Sometimes my brain has an idea and then just doesn't let it go.

There are a few of those in my head right now, and they are just downright distracting.

Time, patience, and prayer will tell if these things come to fruition or flop.

In the meantime, a girl can hope and dream, and that's what this girl will continue to do.

~"If at first the idea is not absurd then there is no hope for it." [-Albert Einstein]~

The Greatest Sales Pitch Ever

So as a general rule of thumb I'm kinda cautious about buying fundraiser things because, let's be honest, sometimes you pay too much for something that really isn't that great. [Yes, I remember all of those things my schools used to try to get us to sell. I think wrapping paper was just about the stupidest one. Or was it the wreaths?] I'm willing to cave for good causes, though...like Boy Scouts or what have you.

[Disclaimer: Being on the teaching end now, I must add that yes, I do understand why these sales are necessary and respect that. I still, however, do not enjoy sales of any variety. This is why I am a teacher and not a sales person. That's all you, Matt.]

So about two weeks ago this boy came into my classroom and asked, "Hey, do you drink coffee?" Why yes, yes I do. Like it's going out of style, in fact. "Would you like to buy some?"

My interest was piqued at this point. I asked what he was selling it for. He answered that it was for his football team, and elaborated when asked to say they were raising money for new gear that wasn't falling apart.

Wait, wait, wait. Buy coffee to support football? The only thing better than that would be buying it at the stadium while watching football.

So I bought some coffee which will in turn buy some better gear for those football boys. I opted for the box with the samples of different flavors, dreaming of Saturday mornings where I could drink my yummy flavors in leisure.

And here I am. Today's flavor happens to be Rain Forest Nut Creme, and it's delicious. Kinda like hazelnut, almond, and vanilla in one cup.

"And there you have it, kids, the story of how I met your mother."

...and by that I really mean how I caved to a young boy's quest for funds...and also the recipe for getting me to buy something. That's right, combine coffee, football, and children, and I'm faced with an offer I can't refuse.

~"Coffee makes me invincible. But when the cup is empty, I return to mere mortal." [-Terri Guillemets]~