Ramblings of a high school teacher.

• Using kids to cut, glue, sort, staple, put up posters, and basically do all the grunt work you don't have time to do=pure genius.
• Even though I teach 5 classes of the same subject, World History, DOES NOT mean that I can use the same lesson plan for all 5 classes. Boy, am I learning that one the hard way.
• Educational movies are good to use in class. Not only do the kids remember things from the movie that they will continue to talk about but it gives me a huge break. We all need some time to zone out every once in a while.
• Allowing students to eat in my classroom during lunch has meant that my classroom has turned into a cafeteria. Gross. I picked up some cucumbers and chicken today.
• Getting to work 2 hours before class begins is way more effective than staying after school for 2 hours. (Though I still do it).
• Turning on Pandora during a work period in most cases, enables more effective work ethic.
• Isn't it ironic that my "problem" students last year are the ones coming to me this year and telling me that they miss my class, they hug me, they check up to see how I'm doing, etc..? Yah, ironic. My good students from last year could care less how I'm doing this year.
• Working a 50-60 hour work week is becoming too familiar. Sad.
  
• Fights breaking out in other places besides my classroom is a wave of relief. Knock on wood.
• The best teachers in this world our parents. Without strong parents, it is near to impossible to mold a student in becoming strong themselves. Note to self: be a good parent.
• If you fail to plan you plan to fail. Word.
  
• Becoming tight with the Dean of Students (aka the discipline person) is the best person I have made friends with this year.
  
• Kids go crazy when vacation is near. Teachers go crazy too.
• Have I mentioned that teaching is hard?? Well it is.
  

The Giving Tree

I won't lie. Tonight I kind of had a break down. Sometimes I feel like I am constantly giving...all the time. I know, you parents out there are thinking, "Suz, you don't even know what it means to give of yourself so completely and selflessly." And you're right, when I'm married and have kids this giving business will go up to a completely different level, but for now I want to just complain for a second.

So...teaching. It's going well. So much better than last year. The kids are better behaved. I'm more organized and "in the know." I feel like I have a better handle on a lot of things. But teaching 9th graders wears me out. I feel like I am always giving.


Examples:

• Here's my apple because you forgot to bring lunch.

• Here's 30 minutes of my prep period so that we can talk about your grade and how your boyfriend (who's freakin' 14) broke up with you.
• Here's a pencil for you since you forgot yours at home.
• Here's my weekend so that I can grade your test corrections because you didn't study for the test.
  
• Here's my sleep so that you can play a fun review game tomorrow.
• Here's my money so that you can buy a metro pass this month so that you can get to school this week.
• Here's my jacket so that you won't be cold in class anymore.
• Here's my sanity so that I can be a prepared and effective teacher.

And the list just goes on...

I know these examples may seem trite, but honestly I just think, "Can you at least appreciate me for all that I give you??" And I guess that's where it starts bugging. I don't mind giving...it's more that I hate feeling like I'm not appreciated for all that I do. Kids that age don't understand and I don't really expect them to, but still the wish is there, albeit idealistic.

Then I am all of a sudden I am called to repentance. Who has given me everything? Who has done so much for me and yet I remain ungrateful? Who has given completely of himself (physically) and continues to give of himself (spiritually)? Who is there for me when I shun him? Who forgives me so easily for my mistakes? Who is quick to show me increased love when I refuse his?

The Savior. He is the ultimate giving tree. And here I am complaining about how my students don't appreciate me. What a lamo I am.

It's been one of those nights. I was upset, bitter, frustrated, outraged even that I have "given so dang much" and within a half an hour I am feeling suddenly humbled by Him who is the ultimate giver of life.

I hope I can remember this lesson tomorrow morning when I am-again-asked to give of myself for another full day of work. I pray I can do it. With his help, I can.

Feeling real with Ingrid

I have never been one of those obsessed music lovers. Like I don't go to every concert I can get a hold of. I enjoy music a lot, but usually I am a lover of a hodgepodge of music; taking songs from musicians that I like and rocking out to them regularly. There are very few music artists that I really like. And Ingrid Michaelson is one of them.

How can I say this without being cheesy?...Ok, I can't. Her music speaks to my soul. Sounds pretty cliche, but I just feel that her words are so real and so true to life, especially my life.

Last Thursday we ventured to the 9:15 club in DC. With a few girlfriends, we laughed, cried, sang, and stood amazed at how incredibly talented this chick is. See above...and below. Enough said.

What is it about being sick???

That makes you want your mom a million times more?

That makes you cry about everything? Like a student touched my shoulder today and I burst into tears. Ridic.

That makes you call your visiting teacher; begging her to bring over some essentials? Thank goodness my visiting teacher is awesome and she came with abundant meds and remedies.

That makes you think the rest of your life is in shambles when in reality it's totally not?

That makes you feel guilty about not going to work when in reality you should be rejoicing because you have an excuse not to go to work?

That makes you want others to feel sorry for you? I know, I have a cough and I want some attention (hence the blog post).

That makes you sad that you can't fulfill your calling on a Tuesday night (Institute)?

That makes you want to have every human being hug you even though they may catch the same germ but you still want to risk it anyway just so you can feel the affection of another?

I know, being sick turns the world topsy-turvy. At least it has turned my emotions topsy-turvy. Wah wah wah.

I left my legs on the trail, but I finished the dang thing.

Yes, I conquered the "dang thing" aka the half marathon. The reason for the almost-expletive is because this half-marathon sure was difficult. I am still feeling the effects of it. It was a tough go. I wanted to pass out by mile 9, but I stuck it out and finished the "dang thing" (yes, thirteen miles of it). I can now cross this off of the "things I should do in my lifetime" list.

Here we are road tripping it up with the girls.

Before the race strutting my stuff...ok, my back.

Pre-race optimism.

"We can do it." Rosie the Riveter wanna-be's. You like how I threw in some history for ya?

Ryan, our "Dad" and "husband" of the trip. He came to cheer us on and take care of us. Thanks Ry Ry...

Just minutes before the race began.


And we're off. Can you find me?

Here I am at 4 miles or so...

About to collapse over the finish line...13 miles later.

Exhaustion set in. Can you blame us?

A little more awake...showing off our medals.

Ryan was pooped. After taking care of us, chauffeuring us, and being our go-to man, he deserved a rest too...but at the same time, WE were the ones that ran THIRTEEN miles.

And just looking at Ryan makes me want to lay in bed all day. Good thing I have no school tomorrow.

So for now I have accomplished the half marathon and am I crazy to admit that I may do another one again in November??? I'll keep you posted.

HIS time is not MY time

When I was back at BYU, my dear friend and I had (and still have) this running joke. Whenever we felt frustrated about boys not liking us or not asking us out, we--lovingly--made fun of our mothers' typical response, "It's not your time, dear." So whenever we voiced our concerns about the love arena, she or I would simply say, "It's just not your time." Then we'd laugh. Because we've heard it over and over again.

That phrase is still heard today and this dear friend and I still laugh about it. Because in the love department it honestly has not been our time...yet.

Yes, mom, I know and this friend knows you're absolutely and completely right. Timing truly is everything. That has been a constant lesson that the Lord has taught me and is still teaching me over and over again. I have seen this manifestation when it comes to so many aspects of my life; school, testimony, work, mission, moving to DC, relationships, housing situations, friends, and family.

It has been everywhere. I know that this is something we all struggle with in one aspect or another.

But this is what I want to testify to all of you today: the timing will surely come to pass.

For over a year I have prayed and fasted about something very specific that is a near and dear concern of my heart. And for over a year nothing has happened. I have sought the Lord's intervention repeatedly; wondering why this thing hasn't happened yet. Now, this concern is really minor to many people, but for me this has been a major concern.

A few days ago my prayer was answered. Just like that. This thing I has waited on for what seemed to me SO long, finally came to pass. A really simple thing. Nothing major. Nothing that has completely changed my life in the least.

But the Lord came through BIG time with my answered prayer. The blessing of waiting for this to come to pass finally occurred. Now, I feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for this answered prayer.

I now realize why the waiting was so pertinent to my growth as an individual. In that time, I have grown so much in my own self-awareness, my confidence, and my testimony. I have gained greater faith and confidence in the Lord that His promises will come to pass even though at the time I had not seen them brought to fruition and the promises still have not been fully realized. I have been supported by amazing roommates, friends, and family who have prayed for me in this struggle to obtain this really small blessing.

This answered prayer came in the Lord's time. And it was not my own. But what I have learned in this waiting period are lessons that will continue to bless me and hopefully others.

It may not be our time yet, but in His time it will come to pass. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father who truly sees the bigger picture and allows us to wait for His timetable to bless us.

9th graders are full of surprises.

9th graders (or Grade Niners as they say in Canada) are seriously full of surprises. Right now we are studying Islam and we just finished talking about the 5 pillars of Islam. I wanted them to do something creative with the 5 pillars and do something that applied to their own life. So I had my students create their own pillar, asking themselves what is a fundamental pillar in their life. I gave them examples of family, sports, respect, happiness, music, etc...

Here is what they came up with:

I know this shouldn't surprise me, but it did surprise me when one of my students wrote that her pillar is God. So awesome. She says, "I believe in God. He is very important in my life." Chalk one up for God!


Then here comes another pillar...the one that had me laughing for 5 minutes straight.

My student says this, "The pillar of women. ohh lala. They provide pleasure to the body, smart, sexy, a pleasure to talk to. I love women. They are a pillar of my life."

Don't they just crack you up? I love how his heart looks like a shrunken peach, too. This is one of the many reasons why I love my job...

endless entertainment.