New Chapter

So it's been awhile since I've posted and a lot has changed! I accepted a contract for a 4th/5th grade position at Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico and within a week and a half of accepting, I've moved to Gallup, New Mexico!! I was talking before about how I didn't have a plan, and this job sort of fell into my lap! I'm very excited for this new opportunity. I don't have pictures up yet, but I will, I PROMISE! Here's a written summary of what's happened so far.

1. The trip
Monday we drove through Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and we spend the night in Oklahoma. We didn't encounter any problems except for the TORRENTIAL rain in Missouri. It was a little scary for awhile, but we made it through. Tuesday we drove through the rest of Oklahoma, Texas and entered New Mexico. We spent Tuesday night Albuquerque and had dinner in Old Town at a really good restaurant. We ate at a restaurant called Church St. Café, we sat on the patio under real grape vines and I had the best fajitas and sopapillas EVER. I've eaten more in the past two weeks than an entire month of the past semester. It's been great, but I think the hiking needs to be kicked up a notch. Anyways, Wednesday we made out way into Gallup just in time for more rain! Annnnd that's how we got to Gallup.

2. Accommodations
After coming to the school, I moved into the dorms on campus. It's about a stones throw away from the school and it's not so bad. The room is kinda small, but with my decorating skills, it has potential. They have a bed, a desk, and a few lamps for me to use. I'm going to pick up a new comforter tomorrow in Albuquerque which will bring it up a few notches. I don't yet if I'll stay here, but it's dirt cheap and would let me save. We will see!

3. The school
My classroom is so cute!! It used to be a lower elementary room so it has colored walls and is getting a new white board. It's small, but I don't need too much space. I picked up the curriculum books and have a lot of studying up to do. Luckily I'm familiar with some of it, but have some work to do.

4. New surroundings
Rehoboth is absolutely beautiful. The night sky is probably my favorite part. The sky is just bigger out here. There are so many more stars than there are in Michigan. I'm going hiking tomorrow night with one of the other 4th/5th grade teachers and I will post pictures later.

Remember to check out Flickr in the next few days! I'll update the blog a little bit later!

Update

Life update: I am working full time and applying for jobs.

How exciting is that?!

Goodbyes

"If it means a lot to you" A Day to Remember

After all of the excitement of graduation, it feels kind of nice to go back to work. I love my job so much, especially the people I work with, so the 40 hour week went by fast. This week wasn't filled with celebrations like the week before, instead it was filled with lots of goodbyes.

One of the hardest things about ending college is saying goodbye. People that you've built strong relationships with, maybe had a class together, maybe lived together, shared the same major, whatever it may be, all the sudden are gone. I hate the feeling of losing people, especially when it's not in my control. Leaving is the natural progression of how college works, you come, stay for 4 (or more) years and then leave. And even though you expect it all along, it doesn't make it any easier.

Graduation

As of May 22, 2010 I finished my college education. I can't believe it. It was a hard 4 years, academically, emotionally, and spiritually but it was such a growing experience. I am so content with the person I've become and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. I'm searching for jobs and will be applying my little heart out this summer.  Even though the job market it difficult I'm convinced that something will turn up.

I don't really feel old enough to be a college graduate, but I am and it feels amazing.

Complete

"Bleed" by Hot Chelle Rae

So, after my final presentation today, I am officially finished with college! All of the assignments and the tests, FINISHED. I can't believe it... it feels so amazing.

I am going to enjoy this feeling.

Finished

So that's it. I'm done. It was a tearful goodbye, for me and for the students. But it's done. What a wonderful experience this has been. I've learned so much about myself as a person and as a teacher. I feel infinitely wiser after these short 4 months.

Just a few papers and a presentation away from being done.

What a  crazy feeling.

Ending

"Fireflies" by Owl City

I know I've been talking about this time in my life being a beginning, and I really do think it is. But, this week, begins the end of an experience. I've been at The Potter's House for 4 months and this Thursday is my last day. It's been an amazing experience with lots of challenges, but a lot of amazing memories.

I think my favorite memory was from this week. I am the leader of a discipleship group of 4 boys. This week we did a service project at The Hope Network in Grand Rapids. We worked with mentally challenged adults and played basketball, ladder golf, and bean bag toss. The boys did great, they were nervous at first but with a  little encouragement, they were so understanding. On the way back, I had my iPod playing, and one of the students asked if I had the song "Fireflies" by Owl City on my iPod. Fortunately, I do, and I love that song. So, on the way back from Hope Network, with 3 ten year old boys, we all sang along to "Fireflies". The 21 year old and then ten year olds, all singing along. It was hilarious, and heart warming at the same time. Epic.