Tuesday, August 28
"I get by with a little help from my friends"
God's so cool. The people He uses are so cool, too! Yesterday at church, a friend named Sarah Braud asked me how things were going with my school prep. She inquired further and specifically asked about bulletin boards, which are otherwise known as the bane of my teaching existence. Not only did she say that she missed doing them as a teacher, but she offered to do one for me before school started! So, I told her what I was thinking for a hallway one using Psalm 1 for our classroom verse this year. This afternoon, she and her two kids came over and put one up with me! They brought all the supplies and enthusiasm...I basically just had to stand back and say wow! It was really encouraging and inspiring to see how God worked it all out. How often is it that someone offers to do something you really don't like to do, and do it with excellence? Here's a photo:
Friday, August 24
Sarah's new phone and shoes
Within 24 hours, Sarah got a new phone and new running sneakers for free. The phone because it had been more than two years since she had purchased one, and the sneakers because she does Students Run Philly Style! I also received running shoes, but I forgot to take a picture of mine.
Tomorrow evening, Sarah, other folks from Liberti, and I are heading up to the Kinaard farm to camp overnight. We'll be joined by floods of other church friends and have a day of playing outdoors. Can't wait!
Tomorrow evening, Sarah, other folks from Liberti, and I are heading up to the Kinaard farm to camp overnight. We'll be joined by floods of other church friends and have a day of playing outdoors. Can't wait!
Thursday, August 23
Bikin' in Center City
I didn't even touch my car today. What a beautiful thing!
Sarah and I went for a bike ride into Center City yesterday evening and did something pretty extraordinary: picked out a new cell phone. Sarah's had "Big Red"--a bulky, durable, candy bar phone--since her senior year of high school. After much coaxing from friends and her boyfriend, she went out and got a new free phone. Surprisingly, their options of free phones weren't too impressive. I had hoped the Kantana would be available for $20-30 (I got mine for $20), but they were going to charge her $100 for one! I'm glad I snagged mine when I did. Anyway, after some feeling out some of the phones, she decided on one that wasn't too bad. Apparently it warmed up on her, and she remarked later in the night, "I really like my new phone!" Hopefully I'll remember to take a picture and post it soon.
Sarah and I went for a bike ride into Center City yesterday evening and did something pretty extraordinary: picked out a new cell phone. Sarah's had "Big Red"--a bulky, durable, candy bar phone--since her senior year of high school. After much coaxing from friends and her boyfriend, she went out and got a new free phone. Surprisingly, their options of free phones weren't too impressive. I had hoped the Kantana would be available for $20-30 (I got mine for $20), but they were going to charge her $100 for one! I'm glad I snagged mine when I did. Anyway, after some feeling out some of the phones, she decided on one that wasn't too bad. Apparently it warmed up on her, and she remarked later in the night, "I really like my new phone!" Hopefully I'll remember to take a picture and post it soon.
Tuesday, August 21
Mercy triumphs over judgement
Around the beginning of January, I received a parking ticket for parking between two two-hour parking signs where there wasn't a meter. I didn't think I deserved a ticket, so I protested with a letter. A few weeks later, I received a letter from the Philadelphia Parking Associasion saying they received my protest and would check into the matter for me. That was the last I heard from them. This JUNE, I suddenly received a letter saying that because I hadn't paid my ticket, the cost was going to triple to over $75! I requested a traffic hearing, which I had yesterday. After hearing my story, the guy told me the rule: in a metered parking zone, you must park next to a paid meter. He told me not to do it again and dismissed my ticket! Woo hoo!!!
I felt better about my classroom at Spruce Hill yesterday too. No, I didn't plan massive units or anything, but I did feel a better sense of ownership about the place. I threw a bunch of stuff away, which is usually hard for me. Here's hoping it only continues as I attempt to move in and make the place my own.
Last night I watched the Bears/Colts Super Bowl rematch on Monday Night Football with Nate Frazier. We had a great time consuming large amounts of chips and salsa while watching the Bears eek out a 27-24 victory. Rain fell on Philadelphia all day yesterday, and when combined with the 60-degree temperatures and football, made me feel like we were in the middle of October! I really liked it; fall is a fun season for me, filled with memories of playoff baseball, apple picking, apple cider, donuts, and bonfires. Still, I'm excited to have more summer left before moving on to the next season.
I felt better about my classroom at Spruce Hill yesterday too. No, I didn't plan massive units or anything, but I did feel a better sense of ownership about the place. I threw a bunch of stuff away, which is usually hard for me. Here's hoping it only continues as I attempt to move in and make the place my own.
Last night I watched the Bears/Colts Super Bowl rematch on Monday Night Football with Nate Frazier. We had a great time consuming large amounts of chips and salsa while watching the Bears eek out a 27-24 victory. Rain fell on Philadelphia all day yesterday, and when combined with the 60-degree temperatures and football, made me feel like we were in the middle of October! I really liked it; fall is a fun season for me, filled with memories of playoff baseball, apple picking, apple cider, donuts, and bonfires. Still, I'm excited to have more summer left before moving on to the next season.
Sunday, August 19
More visitors
This weekend, Sarah and I got to play host/hostess to more guests: Liz Irvine and Dan/Krista Carter! Liz drove the 7+ hours from Rochester, NY, and the Carter family drove in from Princeton to visit. We had a slew of adventures--most notably attending a jazz concert at Penn's Landing that turned into a rain storm!
Fortunately, we were already sitting on the Delaware River underneath a shelter when the wind picked up and the heavens opened. Soon the whole shelter area was packed with people. After that, we headed to Franklin Fountain for some ice cream. John Jackson was still a little hungry, so we stopped by SoHo Pizza and ended up all eating more delicious food before calling it a night.
Saturday morning, Dan and Krista joined our running team in running 8.5 miles in the loop around Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River. Krista hadn't run more than 4 in months, yet she did an exceptional job of keeping her mental focus and finished strong. I'd have to say that it seemed like the shortest 8.5 miles I've ever run--they're a blast to run with!
I introduced all of them to frisbee golf...Philly style. We grabbed some celebratory water ice afterwards before snagging some pizza from Pizza Rustica in University City. Altogether, a grand time!
Liz stayed until this afternoon. One of her goals for the trip was to have a Philly cheese steak, which we accomplished after church. She liked them! Maybe not every day, but they're nice to have on special occasions. I've now had each of the Big Three cheese steak places--Jim's, Pat's, and Geno's. I'd have to say that I like Pat's the best thus far.
Looking back, it was great to spend time with friends this weekend. The timing was great too: right before school kicked into higher gear for me. I hope to do a bunch of work this week on curriculum planning for the first week. Maybe after that I can branch into long-term planning for the rest of the year. One day at a time!
Fortunately, we were already sitting on the Delaware River underneath a shelter when the wind picked up and the heavens opened. Soon the whole shelter area was packed with people. After that, we headed to Franklin Fountain for some ice cream. John Jackson was still a little hungry, so we stopped by SoHo Pizza and ended up all eating more delicious food before calling it a night. 
Saturday morning, Dan and Krista joined our running team in running 8.5 miles in the loop around Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River. Krista hadn't run more than 4 in months, yet she did an exceptional job of keeping her mental focus and finished strong. I'd have to say that it seemed like the shortest 8.5 miles I've ever run--they're a blast to run with!
I introduced all of them to frisbee golf...Philly style. We grabbed some celebratory water ice afterwards before snagging some pizza from Pizza Rustica in University City. Altogether, a grand time!
Liz stayed until this afternoon. One of her goals for the trip was to have a Philly cheese steak, which we accomplished after church. She liked them! Maybe not every day, but they're nice to have on special occasions. I've now had each of the Big Three cheese steak places--Jim's, Pat's, and Geno's. I'd have to say that I like Pat's the best thus far.
Looking back, it was great to spend time with friends this weekend. The timing was great too: right before school kicked into higher gear for me. I hope to do a bunch of work this week on curriculum planning for the first week. Maybe after that I can branch into long-term planning for the rest of the year. One day at a time!
Thursday, August 16
Too much sharing
I woke up yesterday to a rotten head cold that I think I picked up from Seth. Spending extended periods of time in an enclosed area will do that, I guess! Armed with Airborne and Tylenol Sinus, I'm attacking the bug. Thankfully it hasn't kept me from my training at Spruce Hill (from where I'm writing today, actually!).
Regarding the training, I'm learning quite a bit and hoping to keep things mostly straightened out in my head before I lose it all as school starts. I've been realizing how much more emotionally involved I'm going to be this year. Before my technology specialist job, I usually thought about school a great deal--while going to sleep, during down time, as I woke up, etc. Last year I didn't really feel that, and I think it's because I didn't know my students very well. Perhaps this year will be different as I'll be with 20 of them the whole year instead! I have a lot of feelings going on right now about school: excitement, anxiety, anticipation, insecurity. I've been praying for peace, and I feel more today than I did yesterday.
Regarding the training, I'm learning quite a bit and hoping to keep things mostly straightened out in my head before I lose it all as school starts. I've been realizing how much more emotionally involved I'm going to be this year. Before my technology specialist job, I usually thought about school a great deal--while going to sleep, during down time, as I woke up, etc. Last year I didn't really feel that, and I think it's because I didn't know my students very well. Perhaps this year will be different as I'll be with 20 of them the whole year instead! I have a lot of feelings going on right now about school: excitement, anxiety, anticipation, insecurity. I've been praying for peace, and I feel more today than I did yesterday.
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