when i step into the light
my arms are open wide
when i step into the light
my eyes searching wildly
would you not like to be
sitting on top of the world with
your legs hanging free
-dave matthews band
[i dreamed a dream]
well, it's finally here.
the last week of school is upon me.
it is a strange, wonderful, exhilarating, and slightly sobering feeling all at once.
i love my students, but i know it's time. i'm ready for a break.
the sobering part is wondering what to do with all the time given to me....
it is slightly unsettling to have an entire summer open before me. it makes me wonder, will i be okay without water? without sand? without a schedule? without Pendy friends?
the answer is obviously yes, though i know i cannot go a whole summer without a dose of camp goodness, that necessary reaffirmation of life and love and appreciation of the bare essentials. i'll be back to visit for a week, just to give myself a little boost. but in the meantime....
this is my summer.
*climbing 14ers with Phil
*playing by the pool
*training for the Denver marathon
*kayaking down the Arkansas River
*visits from Juice and the Attwood interns
*Telluride Bluegrass Festival
*working on my Chaco tan lines :)
*road-tripping home for some Pendy love, family reunions, and quality time Up North with the fam
*pictures, pictures, pictures
*learning how to paint and throw pots
*prepping for next year with school friends by visiting flea markets and teacher stores
*possibly finding a job as a lifeguard.....(we'll see about that one!)
the first big adventure has almost come to a close, and i'm upon the brink of the next.
sometimes the unknown is scary, but i'm going in headfirst. see you at the top of the world, my legs dangling over the edge:)
peace.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
[meaning]
love has a reason
there's a meaning to the world
-gavin degraw
[chariot]
some days i despise children.
but most days they just make me laugh.
some days i'm completely drained of energy.
but most days i run around until the sun sets.
some days i yearn for summer.
but most days i really enjoy the time with my students.
i think those kids are getting to me....
yesterday i had been talking about this one little boy - he's a 5th grader with a whole ton going on ... he's got an extreme learning disability coupled with one of the worst-managed cases of ADHD and a dad who doesn't know how to be a parent because he's too busy doing meth. his arm is in a cast from a missed bike jump, yet he was rollerblading home last week. his everything is dirty, his mouth is always moving, and he hasn't had a haircut since i met him.
in short, i really like this kid. (disclaimer: obviously i really like all my students, however, this one is such a heartbreaking case that i can't help but dwell upon it.)
since he was on my mind, naturally, i dreamed that this child had been shot. i woke up in tears, only to realize that it was, fortunately, just a dream. one that is truly indicative of my feelings that this child has been victimized in the worst way: neglect, and my own feelings of helplessness in this situation.
having this dream made me realize that there really is a fine line that teachers walk between doing what you are supposed and doing "too much." it's hard to tell the difference some days.
St. Theresa wrote something that i think is not only remarkably appropriate, but also makes me think that she and i would have been besties if she were alive today.
grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change,
the courage to change the things i can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
i'm going to re-title this "The Teacher's Prayer."
only 2 more mondays, 3 more WRATs, 6 more DIBELS, and 14 more teaching days until summer.
this month is flying.
i'm gonna go catch it.
peace.
there's a meaning to the world
-gavin degraw
[chariot]
some days i despise children.
but most days they just make me laugh.
some days i'm completely drained of energy.
but most days i run around until the sun sets.
some days i yearn for summer.
but most days i really enjoy the time with my students.
i think those kids are getting to me....
yesterday i had been talking about this one little boy - he's a 5th grader with a whole ton going on ... he's got an extreme learning disability coupled with one of the worst-managed cases of ADHD and a dad who doesn't know how to be a parent because he's too busy doing meth. his arm is in a cast from a missed bike jump, yet he was rollerblading home last week. his everything is dirty, his mouth is always moving, and he hasn't had a haircut since i met him.
in short, i really like this kid. (disclaimer: obviously i really like all my students, however, this one is such a heartbreaking case that i can't help but dwell upon it.)
since he was on my mind, naturally, i dreamed that this child had been shot. i woke up in tears, only to realize that it was, fortunately, just a dream. one that is truly indicative of my feelings that this child has been victimized in the worst way: neglect, and my own feelings of helplessness in this situation.
having this dream made me realize that there really is a fine line that teachers walk between doing what you are supposed and doing "too much." it's hard to tell the difference some days.
St. Theresa wrote something that i think is not only remarkably appropriate, but also makes me think that she and i would have been besties if she were alive today.
grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change,
the courage to change the things i can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
i'm going to re-title this "The Teacher's Prayer."
only 2 more mondays, 3 more WRATs, 6 more DIBELS, and 14 more teaching days until summer.
this month is flying.
i'm gonna go catch it.
peace.
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