I am not happy about my blog layout. I think I have changed it at least 3 times this week already, but I'm not sure how to better customize it. Therefore I am left with using the premade generic ones. Oh well.

In other news, I began another interning assignment today. I am not currently at 2 elementary schools and I love them both.To be honest though, I'm really nervous about trying to get a job after graduation. I never really feared finding one, since everyone is always looking for more teachers, but Duval and Florida are continuously cutting the already ridiculously small school budget and even more teachers are losing jobs. How am I going to find one? I guess this is where faith and trusting in God comes in. And maybe this will just allow Him to use me in other ways. Perhaps what I really want to do will then happen. My roommate and I are talking about making big plans. But I hate thinking about them without knowing for sure it will happen.....

I have so much homework to do. What else is new? I should get to it, but I've decided to blog instead. And I'm getting excited about the weekend. I have 2 awesome friends coming in to stay with me! Hopefully this will mean catching up on pictures....!

another month bites the dust

I know that it's the second week into March, but I still cannot believe February is gone. I haven't even finished my scrapbook daily journal for the months of February. Yes, I am very far behind. But here's what I've done so far (and like). Although I'm not sure how much longer I'll like these. I think I may be wayyyy too critical of art stuff I do.


My scanner and I are in a fight, which seems to be obvious from how these scans turned out.//

I LOVE today.

BECAUSE:

-i didnt have to give my presentation in class
- my first test was a group effort

- my second test was easier than I thought

- I love tuesdays and hanging out with some awesome second graders (despite the fact that they were being moody today)

- starbucks coffee

- hanging out with a good friend at starbucks and catching up

- kings of convenience

- sunny day and warm weather

- warm weather = wearing shorts`(i cant remember the last time i did that)

-my good friends had their baby, Roman today!!!!!

- i still am completely IN LOVE with my hair cut. The emo cut works so well for days when all I can do is roll outta bed and find some hair ties. Hello pippi braids.

-tonight i can kinda take it easy (and not stay up doing hw til 5 like i did last night...)

-God is good. And Jesus loves us. And that's all I need to know

An amazing weekend with old friends and new friend.
I rode a mechanical bull (goal checked off).
I got a new hair color and cut. And I LOVE it!!!!

Now it's back to the real world of school, work, deadlines, and stress. Man I can't wait for the weekend!!!! Library book sale. Starbucks coffee. Love meal Sunday. Lunch and dinner with friends. Movie make up time all by myself! :) Can't wait.

goodbye january

I tried to start an scrapbook/journal for 2008 and barely made it to march...so im hoping that this years effort is more successful.
but here are the entries i liked most from my january section:

amen to that

Lately things have been, well less than great. I hate having horrible weeks.
But I want to try and focus on the good things in my life. The things that keep me going, that make me happy, that help me keep hoping...

Like these friends
and sisters
and bike rides
and sunny days
and fancy drinks with umbrellas
and game nights
and dressing up
and nights out
and nights in
and knowing that there are these people to turn to,
laugh with,
cry to,
have fun adventures with
and create lasting memories with

huh? how did we get here?

So during my teaching social studies class today I realized a few things...
1- I am completely....what's the word I am looking for....sarcastic? Pessimistic? and
2- I don't know if I can teach in a place where I am not allowed to celebrate any holidays, including the important ones (to me, like Christmas ans Easter).

--Our discussion was on holidays and we had to list ones that were not religious. Holidays such as Valentines Day and Thanksgiving came up (of course). And my opinion of what these holidays are? (Promise not to hate me....)

*Valentines Day- a stupid hallmark created holiday to increase sales of cheesy cards and chocolate, while making half (or more than) the population feel alone and unworthy. Great idea!

*Then there is Thanksgiving....the holiday we celebrate to remember our ancestors, who came over for religious freedom (for only their religion) where they massacred an entire (almost) population and then tried to convert those left. Sounds like a great holiday (which is of course now celebrated by stuffing ourselves...such an American thing to do).
Don't get me wrong, I do kinda enjoy Thanksgiving (but mostly for the time off and the time with family and friends, and of course the food. ) In some ways I have seen it to be better than celebrating Christmas (which is my favorite holiday) because it is not so consumer driven that we are so focused and bent out of shape on getting "that gift" for Johnny that he'll use only once as opposed to what it really is all about.

Which brings me to....while yes, we may have a lot of holidays based on Christian religions (because yes it was Christians that came over here and took over) they aren't what I would call "Christian holidays". Valentines day could be considered a Christian holiday, because it is about a saint....but there is no Christianity in the reason behind celebrating it (at least anymore).
It just makes me so mad that we have made every holiday so secular. It makes me wonder....what are we celebrating? Is Easter about a man who died on the cross for all of humanity and then rose again, or is it about a chocolate bunny? Is Christmas about the birth of a Savior or is it about a fat man putting presents in a stocking? Is America really a Christian society or are we now the secularized version of Christianity?

i'm dreaming of a warm Christmas

...just like the ones I use to know.
I guess when you live in Florida, the only kind of Christmas you'll ever have is warm one...

This Christmas was so completely different from any kind I've ever had before. And it was wonderful. One of the best I've had in a while actually. And for once, I didn't miss my dad so much I ended up crying myself to sleep. It's only taken 7 years, but I finally am healing... :)

Christmas eve my parents and I went to service a church in Riverside that some of our co-workers go to. The message was bland. The music was very traditional. And the people, somewhat friendly. The church though was beautiful. In fact, I think it's one of the prettiest churches I've ever been in.

Christmas day I had church service, just me and a bunch of homeless (with a few other CRM volunteers) under a dirty tent in downtown Jax. Just me, no friends or family. And it was an amazing Christmas service. I loved every minute of it and I felt at ease and peace. I think now I finally understand Jesus and his love for spending time with the less fortunate rather than the rich. If I had to choose which service was my favorite, which people were the friendliest, which place of worship was the most beautiful, hands down it would be the latter. Nothing was so beautiful as to see so many people, all of different types and ages coming down to sit together and worship The Savior in a less than traditional church.
God really blessed me this Christmas and opened my eyes to so many things. I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas too. God bless.

almost thereeeee

I wish that I could finish just one project. Right now I am in the middle of so many; redecorating my room, making Christmas cards, finishing up my 2008 photo journal book, my scrapbooking (that hasn’t been updated since last May), and a project I so badly wanted to put together for my mom for Christmas. (see pictures):

Oh, and I am also on the hunt for a Christmas party cocktail dress for Friday.

I figured that once classes were over for the semester I’d have so much more free time on my hands, but I guess I was wrong.

Last night was our firm Christmas party/dinner. It’s funny how working with people for over 2 years makes you into some kind of little family. As we all stood around the table, holding hands about to say grace, I realized how much I have overlooked. I keep myself so busy I haven’t taken the time to notice the small things that make life so meaningful and beautiful. White sparkling lights on the Christmas tree. Starbucks hot chai tea with vanilla lattes. The smell of cinnamon. Music, from Peggy Lee to Jason Miraz to Ben Folds. Finding new favorite music. Christmas classics like White Christmas. Friends, new and old. Driving with the windows down and the sunroof open while listening to Mae. Dinner with wonderful friends revisiting wonderful memories and adventures.