Thank yous...

Thank you God for the opportunity to teach and the opportunity to learn every day.  Thank you for new opportunities every day.  Thank you for new days.

I'm thankful for spring time, and the beauty and color that explodes all around during this time of year, pink and yellow and white flowers everywhere!

Thank you for warm weather! Sunshine!  Spring time clothes, cute dresses, cute, shirts, cute shoes!!!

Thank you for shopping.

Thank you for interviewing opportunities with my top choice school districts and then-some.

Thank you for awesome friends!

Thank you for the beach!

Thank you for food!

Thank you for my bed that now calls me to sleep.

A Creative Break

I've had enough, and I need to take a break from lesson planning...it's not hard...just time consuming and tedious and I need a break for a bit.

So a minute ago, I was listening to a recording of a song I sang during my senior recital last year, and the lyrics hit me all over again so I wanted to share them here and post a link to where you can watch a video of Natalie Weiss (she's AMAZING!!!) singing the piece on Youtube.

"Quiet"
by- Jonathan Reid Gealt

What's the perfect balance
Between yelling too much or not yelling enough
So that people don't walk over you?
Is it a crime just to want to be nice?
To avoid confrontation
And show everyone a little respect...
Coz time after time
I find that I'm struggling
To tell you what's burning inside.
A glimmer of hope that you'll finally see...
Yet I remain quiet.

Look at my face
Don't you dare turn away
Coz I'm losing my patience
Show me now you're the man that I want to be with
For the rest of my life
I have so much love to give you
Just open up your eyes and you'll see

Time after time
I find that I'm struggling to tell you what's burning inside
A glimmer of hope that you'll finally see...
Still I remain quiet....

I can't remain quiet anymore
No, I was not built
to idly stand here
letting you make my decisions based upon your point of view
You never allowed me my own freedom.
Well hear me now!

Show me now you're the man that I want to be with
For the rest of my life.
I have so much love to give you
Just open up your eyes and you'll see.
Time after time...I find that I'm struggling
To tell you what's burning inside
A glimmer of hope that you'll finally see
Yet I....Yes....I.....I.....
Can't remain quiet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG2WpXv6kR0

More to come I'm sure...possibly some of my own stuff soon.

Belated Thankful Thursday

I failed and forgot to do Thankful Thursday this week so I'm doing Thankful Saturday/Sunday....

1. The GORGEOUS weather we are having. 70s and Sunny, with blue skies! The perfect recipe for happiness.

2. Springtime and pretty flowers everywhere. The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom and I love it. Daffodils and goldenrods paint the world gold.

3. The most amazing friends in the whole world, who are always up for a good time.

4. For the opportunity to interview with Arlington Public Schools in a couple weeks! YAY!!!

5. For always being provided for, just when I need it.

6. For shopping and new spring wardrobes! Pretty spring colors, sweet dresses, and skirts another recipe for happiness!

7. For my little darlings in 4th grade, who truly do light up my life. (even during their not so bright moments)

8. For having things to dream about...sometimes, that's all that keeps me going in the monotony of it all.

9. For a big, soft, comfy bed that is calling my name.

Did you know it? I'm a poet!

So since my 4th graders are doing their poetry unit, I've decided as a good teacher to model their different poetry assignments by writing poetry as well and sharing some with them.  I figured I might as well post them on here.  So far I have an acrostic, a 5 senses poem, and a color poem.

My Acrostic (I didn't use my first name)

Music is the language of my soul
Singing fills my heart with joy.

Here and there traveling the globe
Over oceans, countries, and continents
Wanting to see more of the world.
Ecstatic to be teaching.
Longing to live on the beach.
Loving every second of this beautiful life.

Color Poem:

PINK
Pink is the color of my pencil spilling words out on this page.
Pink is the department store strewn with hearts and flowers when Valentine's is near
Pink is my happy color
Pink blankets sweet baby girls
Pink are the cotton candy clouds at the setting of the sun
Pink is the color of the tell tale signs of spring
      The explosions of cherry blossoms and tulips paint the scene
Pink beaks and noses sing of new life that breaks
      After winters cold and dreary
Pink is the color of ribbons and curls
     of tea parties and tiaras
     of cupcakes and candy
     of sugar and spice
     of love and laughter
Pink is the princess within every little girl
Pink is the color of my heart
Pink is my signature color.

5 Senses Poem:

Sounds like thunderous roaring

        drowning out my noisy troubles and worries

Looks like all the world is before me

     gazing at the open door

                    met by a sparkling crystal floor

Feels like I am totally free to do and be

            whatever I want to do or be

       Smells like tranquility

Tastes like sunshine,

                     bananas,

                        and coconuts...

The beach is a blissfully delicious paradise.

Tales from the lives of Babes

Today was filled with fun kid stories, so I HAD to share.

My 4th graders have just started their poetry unit, and they have really been writing some GREAT stuff!  They are loving poetry, reading and writing it, and I am loving it as well.  Today, my allergies have been absolutely horrific, and I have literally been sneezing ALL DAY, my eyes have been watery and puffy, and I've been terribly congested.  One of my kids came up to me and said, "Miss Howell, I want to write a poem about you.  Would you be mad if I wrote a poem about you sneezing?"  I laughed and told her to go right ahead, I thought it was a hilarious idea and I was eager to hear what she wrote.  She shared it with the entire class when she was finished and I had her make me a copy, so here it is....

Dear Miss Howell, God bless you!
(By One of my Students)

Dear Miss. Howell, God bless you, God bless you!
You sneeze so much it makes me go nuts.
Dear Miss Howell, God bless you, God bless you!
I wish I can help you.
Sneeze and sneeze some more
And when I'm done you'll snore.
Dear Miss. Howell, God bless you, God bless you!
I know your so kind
I just wish your sneezing was out of my mind.
Hachu, Hachu
God bless you Miss Howell.
So how are you hachu, hachu
Well all I have to say is God bless you too.
There another day your sneezing will be gone in one.

LOVE IT!

So here's another reason I love my 4th graders.  Two of the boys from my class attended a baseball game played by my college's team against another university team.  The boys both got balls from the game, and decided to give one to me because it was from my college.  So instead of getting the ol' apple, I got a baseball this morning! lol...you know you're jealous!

So following a day with 4th graders, I then went to work with my pre-K kids.  Here's what one of my 5 year olds said very matter-of-factly, while playing Barbies with her friend.

"A beauty parlor is where you get beauty."

Don't I wish I could just "get beauty" lol!  I love these little ones!

Thankful Thursday! (Round 2)

OK, today hasn't been the greatest of days so I figured I'd start blogging with this first!

I am thankful for...

1. Not actually having to drive about 30 min away to housesit for one night and get up at the crack of dawn in the morning to make it back up here in time for student teaching tomorrow. (They job got canceled at the last minute and I was like HALLELUJAH!)

2. The most wonderful class of 4th graders on the face of that planet, please refer to additional posts I will be making shortly to see why they're so great!

3. I'm thankful for still the greatest group of friends on the face of the earth!  I love and adore each and every one!

4. Thankful for all the little "moments" God's been presenting to me lately just continuing to affirm that I am totally on HIS path and doing what I was meant to do.

5. Thankful that I have too many blessings to count.

6. Work

7. The beautiful weather we've had this week, WARMTH!!!

8. That spring is coming!

9. My bed...

10. My dad.

Romeo Save Me...

I've been feelin' so alone...I keep waitin' for you but you never come.  Is this in my head? I don't know what to think...Love Story- Taylor Swift

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope." - He's Just Not That Into You - Gigi

"I may do a lot of stupid shit but I'm still a lot closer to love than you are. "- He's Just Not That Into You - Gigi

My world in song...

...and just some of my favorite lyrics.

"We'll do it all, everything, on our own.  We don't need, anything, or anyone. If I lay here...If I just lay here...would you lie with me and just forget the world? I don't quite know how to say how I feel.  Those three words are said too much; they're not enough. If I lay here...If I just lay here...would you lie with me and just forget the world? Forget what we're told, before we get too old. Show me your garden that's bursting into life.  Let's waste time chasing cars around our heads.  I need your grace to remind me to find my own. If I lay here...If I just lay here...would you lie with me and just forget the world? All that I am...all that I ever was...is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see.  I dunno where, confused about how as well...just know that these things will never change for us at all...If I lay here...If I just lay here...would you lie with me and just forget the world?" - Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (OK, so I just love this whole song...can't help it)

"Being grow up isn't half as fun as growing up; these are the best days of our lives.  The only thing that matters is just following your heart, and eventually you'll finally get it right." - In This Diary- The Ataris

"I knew I wouldn't forget ya, and so I went and let you blow my mind."...."I knew when we collided.  You're the one I have decided who's one of my kind."..."The way you can cut a rug. Watchin' you's the only drug I need. So gangsta, I'm so thug; you're the only one I'm dreaming of you see.  I can be myself now finally; in fact, there's nothin' I can't be...I want the world to see you be with me."-Hey Soul Sister-Train

"You make me smile like the sun, fall outta bed, sing like a bird, dizzy in my head, spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night.  You make me dance like fool, forget how to breathe, shine like gold, buzz like a bee.  Just the thought of you can drive me wild.  Oh, you make me smile." - Smile-Uncle Kracker

"Feel the sunlight comin' through...but I'm not ready to lose this feelin'. Another night of dreams...a place where we can meet, finally.  I can be myself with you...tell you all the things I want to.  Some night have a heart...leave me in the dark a little longer." - Leave me in the Dark - Keri Noble

"You're a carousel.  You're a wishing well, and you light me up when you ring my bell. You're a mystery; you're from outer space; you're every minute of my every day. And I can't believe that I'm your man...and I get to kiss you baby just because I can." - Everything - Michael Buble

"You want the sunrise to go back to bed, and I wanna make you laugh. Mess up my bed with me.  Kick off the covers, I'm waitin'.  Every word you say I think I should write down.  Don't wanna forget come daylight.  Happy to lay here, just happy to be here, I'm happy to know you.  Play me a song, your newest one.  Please leave your taste on my tongue.  Paperweight, on my back, cover me like a blanket. Mess up my bed with me.  Kick off the covers, I'm waitin'.  Every word you say I think I should write down.  Don't wanna forget come daylight. And no need to worry, that's wasting time.  And no need to wonder what's been on my mind, it's you, it's you, it's you.  Every word you say, I think I should write down.  Don't wanna forget come daylight.  I give up. I let you win.  You win, cause I'm not countin'. You made it back to sleep again...wonder what you're dreamin..." - Paperweight - Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk (From Dear John the Motion Picture Soundtrack)

"When you're layin' on my favorite pillow, and all you wanna do is fall asleep.  When you're gazin' out the bedroom window, do you think of me? Think of me. When you're drivin' down an empty highway..you're surrounded by the sky and sea.  When you're seein' such a thing of beauty do you think of me? Think of me. I will find you I promise. I will make you believe...that I'm in this crazy love for the long haul, so think of me...think of me.  Coz if I make you a promise; that's a promise that I keep. Oh, and I'm in this crazy love for the long haul so think of me; think of me." - Think of Me - Rosi Golan

Thanksgiving

 Sooooo my roommate (well, technically former roommate but I will never drop the title...the title of roomie between the two of us is even more significant to than 'best friend".)  Anyway, so my roomie has put up a post based on a Christian radio show where the main guy does what's called "Thankful Thursdays" and people call in and say what they are thankful for.  My roomie has thus begun a thankful thursday blog post, which I responded to with my own list and am going to post here now.  What are you thankful for?  Have you stopped to think about it today?  How often do we actually stop to think about these things?  The roomie and I are going to try to keep this up every week now.  Here's my list for the week...leave a comment with your list. 

I'm thankful for:
1. The most amazing roomie in the whole world who I love and adore!

2. The most amazing people in my life.

3. That I have purpose, a calling, and a direction.

4. That I get to wake up every day with a new opportunity to touch a life, to build someone up, to change a world for someone.

5. That I have a future of promise where doors are open.

6. That I have more than enough to sustain me.

7. Clothes and shoes (superficial but still...I'm thankful for it...)

8. Food

9. Music

10. Beauty

11. Life

12. Love

MY Job is Cooler Than YOUR Job!

Today I got to dress up as a princess!  Wear a tiara, ice myself with blinged out jewelry, carry around my favorite story book, and a frog prince puppet...parade around with a bunch of other storybook characters, and then later hop around on bubble wrap!  In addition to that crazy fun action, I also got to encourage a soul, and bring light into someone's life.  All in a day's work my friends!  And you should be jealous!!!  Hopefully I will have a picture to go with this post soon, and then you can REALLY see just how jealous you should be!

Triumphant Return

OK, so I know I've been epic failing lately to post anything on here.  The last couple weeks have been crazy busy, and I have had to put blogging on the back burner.  In addition, I've just been reminded that I've also been putting other things on the back burner...such as my resolution to do something new for myself every week. 

So here are some new things that I HAVE done lately....let's see....I got a manicure like 2 weeks ago, and that was something new for me.  I thought perhaps by paying to have my nails done they wouldn't chip so easily....but that notion has been proven false, as the very next day they were already chipped! So no more paying for chipped nails.  From now on, only pedicures. 

This past weekend I took a trip up to my old undergrad stomping grounds and reunited with my old roommate who I haven't seen since graduation!  It was great fun!  Before getting up there though I did stop off and visit my good friend, Ben, along the way.  We ended up going out to eat at a new place neither one of us had been to, which was awesome...BUT...we walked in and immediately realized the place was a lot more fancy and romantic than either one of us would have ever even guessed.  I literally walked in and "OH!" just came flying out of my mouth.  As I was turning to suggest that maybe we should go somewhere else, the host was already trying to take my coat.  As I'm standing there trying to get my coat unbuttoned I'm taking forever...for some reason my buttons wanted to be difficult and I think I was still in a bit of shock and couldn't function properly; the host at one point said "Those are some big buttons there." while waiting for my coat which I was still working with.  Can I say ummmm AWKWARD!!!  Anyway, so I finally hand the coat over and the host takes us to be seated. And OF COURSE they would seat us in the most secluded and darkest corner of the restaurant, just to make it even more AWKWARD!!!  So we sit down and Ben is like...."I had NO IDEA this place was like this.  I'm sorry, this is kinda awkward." (We are clearly just friends lol).  So then, enter incredibly awkward and extremely flamboyant waiter, who talks funny and inserts lots of long awkward pauses....cut to individual close ups of Ben and I bracing ourselves to keep from falling out on the floor laughing at this guy and the whole situation.  Exit waiter, who is now pissed at us because we didn't order drinks which is clearly where he makes all his money.  Insert some great laughs and excellent conversation, and then enter some BANGIN' food = incredibly awkward and yet FREAKIN AMAZING night!  Oh yeah, and piss off waiter one more time by not ordering any dessert lol.

Anyway, so that was something new and incredibly awesome that I did recently. 

Finally made it to my final destination, and the roomie and I decided to go out to stop by a friend's party first and say hello, and then hit up our favorite little place for our favorite little cocktails!  Well...the party...turned into an immediate reminder of how old we both are....from the second we walked in the door we were both like...ugh, get me out of here.  We've outgrown undergrad parties...then we went over to our fav. lil place for some drinks, made it there around 11:40...only to find out we can't open up a tab because the place is closing at midnight! WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  FAIL!!! So we get ONE drink and head back to the hotel where we drink a little bit more and then put our old butts to bed.

Next morning....sleep in REALLY late and don't leave hotel till 1:00....pick up lil sis and head to another favorite restaurant for some GOOD EATS!!!  One of my favorite things about this town that I absolutely miss are all the great restaurants, with character, quirks, fun atmosphere, and a wide variety of EXCELLENT FOOD!

Here's the roommate and I at the incredible Dave's Taverna:

Ok then we threw in a little stroll around town, some shopping, a stop off at the best ice cream bar in the world, Kline's!!!  Drop off the lil sis and hit up target and the mall for more shopping...then off for a night at the theater.  We were headed to the high school where my roommate student taught for her music education degree last year.  The students were performing "White Christmas" (one of my favorite shows and favorite christmas movies ever!) 

 

Looks like they still had everyone in town in the Christmas spirit (the Christmas tree still up at Subway on Feb. 27)

Anyway, the show was amazing and made me want to have Christmas all over again right now!  My old voice professor's son played the lead, Bob Wallace, in the show and he was incredible and I got to see my voice professor and the whole family at the show which was really great too.  So, all in all a great reunioin!

Finally headed home on Sunday and stopped off to visit another of my best friends in the entire world! And solved the problems of the universe...and then eventually made it home.  = EXCELLENT WEEKEND!

Now I'm in the early stages of student teaching and have been crazy busy developing lesson plans and still doing final projects and exams for my classes = SUPER BUSY!  I've been teaching science to my fourth graders the past few days, particularly the scientific method, and we've been doing lots of experiments.  It's been great fun!  Today is a snow day though, so I got some much needed beauty rest and now I have some much needed time to create more lesson plans and do more work.  So it's back to being productive for me.  I may try to cook something tonight, so hopefully I'll have a new recipe to share soon!

Adios!