Friendly neighborhood flower store

Tonight Sarah returned from a four-day extended stay with her parents in Virginia. She had interviews at two hospitals there (Blacksburg and Charlottsville), and it worked out well for her to continue her Thanksgiving break down there with them. Unfortunately, that left me home alone...

I made it safely through the week, as I picked her up tonight. The house wasn't in shambles (although our bedroom wasn't the cleanest its been). I told Sarah that was intentional so that she would feel like I live like a shoddy bachelor whilst she's away.

Tonight, I went for my first run in a long time. The temperature was 52 this afternoon, and I realized that it might be my last chance to do so for a long time. (lower temperatures also lower my running motivation) To celebrate Sarah's return, I also wanted to pick up some flowers for her. So, I jogged with my key in one hand and credit card in the other. Our local florist (Plants, Etc.) is only three blocks down Fairmount from us, so I stopped in there on the way home.

After selecting the flowers I wanted--more precisely, what I thought Sarah might like--I held out my credit card to pay. She informed me that they don't accept credit cards for transactions under $25. I felt downtrodden...now I'd have to trudge home and return with money for the flowers! With the benevolence of a understanding mother from Pella, IA, she told me to just take the flowers and drop off the money someday in the future when I got the chance. I couldn't believe it! I thanked her and walked out the door--determined to spread the good cheer I had received.

Thanksgiving voyage

We're already at Thanksgiving!  How quickly this year has flown.  I have a half day of school tomorrow, and after dismissal, Sarah and I are driving down 95 to Washington DC to pick up Elizabeth.  Then, our road trip takes us to Blacksburg, VA where we'll spend the Thanksgiving weekend with at the new Gardner plantation (parents just moved there this summer).  It'll be different to be in their new home, but I'm looking forward to being part of the new traditions that form in their new location.  Our plans for the weekend include a Clue Night, fondue, and the traditional stuffing that goes along with Thanksgiving Day eating. 

Elizabeth and I will waddle back to our homes on Sunday, while Sarah will spend another few days in VA visiting programs.  She'll return on Thursday.  Should be quite the trek!  We're very thankful for those gas prices right now.

I would like to do this someday.

http://improveverywhere.com/2008/11/17/welcome-back/

Appreciating students

Do you ever have days when you sigh and say to yourself, "Ah yes...this is exactly why I have this job."?  If you don't, allow me to be the first to suggest a career consultation.  Regardless of your answer, I had one of those days today.

Just last night at home group, I asked the two guys in my small group to pray that I would invest into my students on an individual level these last five days before Thanksgiving break.  I believe God gave me that today.  Many times today, I felt overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the students I have in my class.  Sure, there are problems and needs for growth/adjustment...but I felt I was able to adore specific student's personalities.  I found myself laughing out loud at small, idiosyncratic things about them.  And I loved it. 

The Camp Geneva counselor in me even surfaced while we were outside at snack: students were playing their favorite tag game of cops and robbers (two cops try to tag all the robbers and put them into jail before other robbers come and release them from jail).  I ran around and played with them yesterday, but today I watched for a bit.  With sudden inspiration, I walked over to the robbers and picked one of them up.  I carried her over to the jail telling her how proud I was that she felt rependant and guilty for her crimes to society.  She loved it, and soon all the robbers wanted to repay their debt to society. 

This afternoon, students were reading their fiction narrative drafts for their small writing group.  My eyes swelled with tears as I listened to a few students share their fantastical narratives of characters like Kahlia, Max, and Skull-Monger.  At first I wondered why I felt emotional about this, and I suddenly remembered my prayer request last night!  In an instant, it all made sense.  I felt so joyful to hear my students sharing their original work--stories they were excited to share and read with great expression!  Oh, would I love to feel that joy next week when I grade their final drafts...

Talent Show/Housewarming Party

Saturday night, Jim, Teresa, Alaina, and Emily had their housewarming party.  If you had any preconception of a "housewarming party" when you read those words, forget about it!  This was a housewarming party unlike any before.  Jim built a stage, Alaina, Teresa, Emily, Joe, Sarah, and others slaved away in the kitchen creating delightful morsals, people prepared talents, and much fun was had by all. 

Some of the talents included tap dancing in wedding dresses, masterful piano performances, poetry, storytelling, paper cutting, puppetry, singing the books of the Bible, guitar, and much more.  Here's a video of the experience (minus my talent--I was too busy reciting the Jabberwocky, On Turning Ten, and The Panther to record myself). 

5th grade pollsters

Yesterday, my 5th graders took a poll of the whole K-8 school to see whom they would vote for on Election Day. As it turns out, our poll of Spruce Hill accurately predicted the results of Philadelphia!! The latest figures from today showed that Obama won 83% of the votes in Philly--exactly the number we had him winning! McCain won 17% of the Philadelphia vote, while he won 14% of our school ("other" got the remaining 3%). Maybe CNN will visit our school next time they want to predict an election winner...

Election results

My 5th graders went around the school with home made ballot booths and ballots, asking students from kindergarten to 8th grade who they would vote for in the election. Now given, I teach at an urban school in West Philadelphia where over 90% of the students are African American. Our results were that 83% voted for Obama, 14% for McCain, and 3% other.

Through the lens of my students, this is an incredible election. To grow up in a world where a black man is not automatically assumed to be a criminal...to have a role model in the oval office...to have a president who looks like them...is outstanding.

I find myself being so thankful for our country. Think about it: we just chose the next leader of our country without any bloodshed or anarchy. What a blessing!!! Obama will be our president, and we all have a duty to support and pray for him--no matter what our choice in the presidential ticket.