Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sweet Moment
This past Sunday we had a picnic with our church. It was a pretty good time with everyone. We went to Tallman State Park. I brought Phoenix along with me, so he could enjoy it too, and Willik was already going somewhere else with my sister. Anyway, on the way back home, I was giving Débora's sister Mercia a ride home, and Phoenix was riding along too. Well, Phoenix was telling us some things, that were making us crack up, that his "papai" told him, but then all of a sudden, he starts saying, "Ms. Raquel, Titia" several times. Then out the blue, he says, "Titia, I love you." Oh, that was such a sweet moment. Me and Mercia looked at each other and were like, "Aw." And I told him, "I love you too, Phoenix." Then all of a sudden, he looks at me and says it again, "I love you, Titia." Anyway, I tell him again that I love him, and then I ask him, "Why do you love me, Phoenix?" And he says, "Because you rock, Titia-- you rock at school" or something like that. He was so cute. I think it was the first time he said "I love you" on his own to me, without me saying it first. Anyway, it was a real special moment, and he made me so happy! I'm so glad I get to be his teacher this year, even if only for part of the time. I think it will be a memorable year for us... Too bad I couldn't be Willik's teacher as well...
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Big Move
Well, one of those "curve balls" has become a reality. I'm now gonna switch rooms with Vicky. Going back to Room B. I gotta say, I'm not really that upset, except when I think that the whole reason we had to move was because of one person, who's clueless about kids. But, that's life, I guess... gotta live with it. I honestly decided to make the switch for the whole day because I'm thinking of the kids. It's going to be much better for them if I move the entire class for the whole day, instead of just for the last couple of hours, and have to figure out all sorts of other logistics. On the plus side, it'll still only be me in the room all day, which I'm enjoying, rather than having to share a room with another teacher and class. So, tomorrow we make the move. I gotta think again now of the whole set-up of the room, where I'll put all the furniture, all my stuff, etc. And it's gonna be interesting having 23 kids in there for lunch and nap. Wow, can't wait for that! I thought I was gonna lose it the other day at lunch, and that's in a bigger room. So, if any of you out there happen to think of me during the hours of about 11:45- 12:45, say a prayer for my sanity. Only after you've tried getting 23 kids to eat, and then lie down for a nap you'll understand... I love those kids, but they wear me out during that time!!!!
Anyway, I guess we'll see how I feel about the whole thing once it has started. But honestly, there are people with bigger problems out there, so it's worthless to get too upset over something like that! Speaking of which, I was watching the special on Oprah about September 11th. I don't know why that always affects me so much. I don't cry easily, those that know me well know that, probably haven't seen me cry, even in movies, etc. But when I was watching the Oprah show, my eyes were tearing up, watching those kids talk about the parents they had lost. Two things they said stuck out to me. One of them said: "Even though it's been 6 years, it still feels like September 12th to me every day." Wow. Another lady said: "I lost half of me that day. My mother was my best friend, and I can't belive she's gone and I'll never get to see her again." On that note, I guess I'll stop blogging, cause I don't want to be too depressing. But honestly, I also can't believe it's been 6 years. Time sure does fly. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. And, like I said, those are people with real problems. So I'll suck it up, move my furniture, and worry about each day and problem as it comes. Like the Bible says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34) Amen to that!
Anyway, I guess we'll see how I feel about the whole thing once it has started. But honestly, there are people with bigger problems out there, so it's worthless to get too upset over something like that! Speaking of which, I was watching the special on Oprah about September 11th. I don't know why that always affects me so much. I don't cry easily, those that know me well know that, probably haven't seen me cry, even in movies, etc. But when I was watching the Oprah show, my eyes were tearing up, watching those kids talk about the parents they had lost. Two things they said stuck out to me. One of them said: "Even though it's been 6 years, it still feels like September 12th to me every day." Wow. Another lady said: "I lost half of me that day. My mother was my best friend, and I can't belive she's gone and I'll never get to see her again." On that note, I guess I'll stop blogging, cause I don't want to be too depressing. But honestly, I also can't believe it's been 6 years. Time sure does fly. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. And, like I said, those are people with real problems. So I'll suck it up, move my furniture, and worry about each day and problem as it comes. Like the Bible says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34) Amen to that!
Friday, September 7, 2007
The end of summer...
Well, believe it or not, I've started this new blog. After much prompting from my sister, and talking to Stacey about her liking blogspot or whatever this is called, I decided to move to this one. So I'll be deleting the old one, that's why I copied my last blog entry here. I figured, why not?? I had just blogged not too long ago, so I'll actually have two new posts--Wow!!!
Anyway, my summer's over, and school has begun. I went on a trip to Ocean City, MD right before school began to visit my friend Débora and the Fagers (the family she's staying with). I couldn't decide if I wanted to blog about that or about work, but I guess I'll do a little of both, and we'll get the whole thing covered...
Well, there were a lot of "firsts" on this trip, starting with the fact that I drove by myself for the first time on a long trip like this. I've gone on trips by myself before, but never driving. But, that was okay, not that bad, except for the crazy traffic on the GW Bridge on the way there. But, between listening to podcasts, music, and talking on the phone, the time passed by rather quickly. Anyway, besides that, there were several other "firsts", including riding on a jetski. That was truly amazing! I've always wanted to go on one, and I not only got to ride in the back, I also got to drive! Other than that, there were a lot of great times, between staying home, going to the pool, the beach, the boardwalk, eating out, kid's church (making a fool of myself in front of people I didn't know) and regular church, the school where Débora works--that's right--I even went to "work" before I officially started working! But while there (what a great place, btw, filled with great people), I volunteered in the Pre-K room, where I had to hold a caterpillar (another "first" for me, believe it or not), actually several caterpillars. For some reason, I had never held one. I had to do it on the spot, which was interesting, with a bunch of kids staring at me! They sure were sticky!!!
The whole time there was a lot of just plain hanging out in different places, which I just love to do... it's kind of hard to describe my experience there because so much happened! I feel like I can't really express it all. (Maybe I'm just too tired right now to do it!) We said we felt like it was much longer than it was, even though it was only like 4 days or so. It really was the perfect way to end my vacation. I loved every minute of it, I wouldn't change a single thing about it, and I guess I can't do it justice describing every moment. Some things are best kept in the heart...
Moving right along, as soon as I got back, of course, I had to go in to work. I went in on Tuesday, and the kids started on Thursday. For some reason, I agreed to work this year from 8:15 to 5:15. Actually, I did feel that it was God's will for me to do that. Yesterday, I started thinking I was crazy for agreeing to that crazy schedule!! Those kids were wild! Most of them already knew each other, and they were loud, and did not want to hear a word!! But, somehow, I survived the day, tried to be tough on them from the beginning, and sure enough, today was another day... a completely different day! The kids had improved already, I couldn't believe it! I saw a difference in several of the kids, so I'm starting to really look forward to the year. I was teling Ms. Lupe that I think we're gonna have a good year, and she was like, yeah, I think so, but the kids talk too much. Isn't it funny that my feeling was the exact opposite? I thought, it's great that we have talkers!!! I love when the kids talk a lot! (I wonder why...) Amazingly enough, they can even pronounce my name correctly, which is pretty good! I've been called all sorts of things in years past, and these kids all say my name exactly as it should be.
So, what can I say? I've been feeling that God really wants me to pray for the kids and to make a real difference. I did pray in the summer for the kids whenever I thought of them, even by name, since I knew most of them would be in my class. So, as always, God is faithful, and I'm sure that as long as I do my part, He will continue to bless me and my class. I just want to do what God wants me to do, and I want to show the kids and their families that there's a bigger reason why I teach. I want them to see Jesus reflected in me. There's been a few curve balls already thrown my way, but hopefully it will all work out... So, even though it's a crazy schedule, and they're crazy kids, and I'm a crazy teacher, I AM looking forward to another great year. God willing, it will be!!!!!
Anyway, my summer's over, and school has begun. I went on a trip to Ocean City, MD right before school began to visit my friend Débora and the Fagers (the family she's staying with). I couldn't decide if I wanted to blog about that or about work, but I guess I'll do a little of both, and we'll get the whole thing covered...
Well, there were a lot of "firsts" on this trip, starting with the fact that I drove by myself for the first time on a long trip like this. I've gone on trips by myself before, but never driving. But, that was okay, not that bad, except for the crazy traffic on the GW Bridge on the way there. But, between listening to podcasts, music, and talking on the phone, the time passed by rather quickly. Anyway, besides that, there were several other "firsts", including riding on a jetski. That was truly amazing! I've always wanted to go on one, and I not only got to ride in the back, I also got to drive! Other than that, there were a lot of great times, between staying home, going to the pool, the beach, the boardwalk, eating out, kid's church (making a fool of myself in front of people I didn't know) and regular church, the school where Débora works--that's right--I even went to "work" before I officially started working! But while there (what a great place, btw, filled with great people), I volunteered in the Pre-K room, where I had to hold a caterpillar (another "first" for me, believe it or not), actually several caterpillars. For some reason, I had never held one. I had to do it on the spot, which was interesting, with a bunch of kids staring at me! They sure were sticky!!!
The whole time there was a lot of just plain hanging out in different places, which I just love to do... it's kind of hard to describe my experience there because so much happened! I feel like I can't really express it all. (Maybe I'm just too tired right now to do it!) We said we felt like it was much longer than it was, even though it was only like 4 days or so. It really was the perfect way to end my vacation. I loved every minute of it, I wouldn't change a single thing about it, and I guess I can't do it justice describing every moment. Some things are best kept in the heart...
Moving right along, as soon as I got back, of course, I had to go in to work. I went in on Tuesday, and the kids started on Thursday. For some reason, I agreed to work this year from 8:15 to 5:15. Actually, I did feel that it was God's will for me to do that. Yesterday, I started thinking I was crazy for agreeing to that crazy schedule!! Those kids were wild! Most of them already knew each other, and they were loud, and did not want to hear a word!! But, somehow, I survived the day, tried to be tough on them from the beginning, and sure enough, today was another day... a completely different day! The kids had improved already, I couldn't believe it! I saw a difference in several of the kids, so I'm starting to really look forward to the year. I was teling Ms. Lupe that I think we're gonna have a good year, and she was like, yeah, I think so, but the kids talk too much. Isn't it funny that my feeling was the exact opposite? I thought, it's great that we have talkers!!! I love when the kids talk a lot! (I wonder why...) Amazingly enough, they can even pronounce my name correctly, which is pretty good! I've been called all sorts of things in years past, and these kids all say my name exactly as it should be.
So, what can I say? I've been feeling that God really wants me to pray for the kids and to make a real difference. I did pray in the summer for the kids whenever I thought of them, even by name, since I knew most of them would be in my class. So, as always, God is faithful, and I'm sure that as long as I do my part, He will continue to bless me and my class. I just want to do what God wants me to do, and I want to show the kids and their families that there's a bigger reason why I teach. I want them to see Jesus reflected in me. There's been a few curve balls already thrown my way, but hopefully it will all work out... So, even though it's a crazy schedule, and they're crazy kids, and I'm a crazy teacher, I AM looking forward to another great year. God willing, it will be!!!!!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Summer 07
Well, here I am blogging again... it's been so long!! My sister and Fabio keep bothering me to blog again... Of course I guess it's pretty sad that my nephew Willik started a blog and has blogged on it more times than I have recently!! Anyway, yeah, believe it or not, Willik has a blog... if you're interested, just ask me and I'll give you the link. I can't believe the summer is almost over. My mom is worried because I keep complaining about having to go back to work. I think she just forgets that I do this every year... I hate having to wake up early!! That's what happens when your mom's your boss!!! hahaha... I have to try to remember that for future reference! Anyway, this summer has been interesting. We went to Brasil early on, so that actually feels like it was forever ago... Ironically enough, when we were there, it felt like it'd be forever til we got back... Well, Brasil is always Brasil--great food, great time with family, great people. But besides all that, it was also all about the dentist!! I got 2 of my wisdom teeth taken out. How exciting... and I spent a great deal of time in the waiting room "killing time" while I waited for my mom to get stuff done on her teeth. Can I just say thank God I had purchased the IPOD video right before going!!?? Let's see, what else? Hmmm, while there, God showed me some very interesting verses in Hebrews, which I repeated over and over again until I memorized it. Here they are: "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36 That was intesting! I'm glad God brought those verses to my attention! Great things to look forward to!! Besides Brasil, I've just been having fun in NYC, doing some stuff around town, going out, staying home, waking up late, watching TV... all that good stuff that I love! I actually only went in one afternoon to Rainbow, which is unusual for me! Great!!! But I guess I gotta say the best part of my summer this year was that I gained a new friend. Funny thing, I know. But true. God is amazing, and He worked it out just perfectly! I love God's little surprises! He has so much stored up for us, things we can't even imagine! If you're thinking I'm crazy (who knows if anyone even reads these blogs, but whatever...) then you just don't understad the value of a great friend! Cause for me, becoming friends with Débora has been one of the best parts of my summer. She's become one of my best friends, and I know I've gained a true friend for life. How could you top that?? So I guess I'll have many memories of summer 07, and thanks to God, a lot of them will just be time spent with a great friend! Without her, I know I wouldn't have had as much fun as I've had since June!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)