This World is What You Make It

The alarm goes off at 5:35 am.  I roll over and hit snooze for at least ten more minutes.  It is now 5 minutes to 6:00 am.  I can choose to either be a grouch and complain about how exhausted I feel both physically and mentally.  I can dwell on the fact that at times I feel ill equipped to tackle another day with my 19 little rambunctious, lively, and talkative munchins.  Or I can take a deep breath and reflect for a moment.  I pause.  I take a deep breath.  I look at where I am with perspective.  This is it.  This is exactly where I am supposed to be.  God has me here for such a time as this.  

It does not mean it is easy living out on a limb but it is the small things that sure do make everything all worth it.  I am thankful for so much and the way God has provided for me every step of the way has been incredible. 

The world is what we make it.  We can choose to either be a grump about it.  We can hide in our covers all day and dwell in the darkness.  Or we can wake up and live a little.  Open your blinds. Take a deep breath and live a little.  

The Adventures of a First Year TFA Corp Member

My experience in Teach for America has been somewhat of a whirlwind of happenings up until this point.

It seems like yesterday that I was getting ready to pack up my bags for summer institute in Mississippi.  Since then I have completed teaching summer school to 7 precious 2nd graders, experienced life in the deep south, enjoyed a ton of bbq and fried food, flew back home, packed up my car with all my belongings and drove back down to North Carolina.  I did a little couch surfing
and then moved into my beautiful lake house with two other amazing 1st and 2nd year corp members.

All this to say that teaching my 19 little 3rd graders has been incredible.

Driving to school each morning to teach these students has been incredibly humbling, incredibly challenging, and incredibly inspiring.  This is why I love it.  This is why I teach.

I want to be the best that I can be so my kids can be the best that they can be.  They deserve it.  Each and everyone of them.

Colors of Hospitality

These are all houses in the community here in the mountains:

A Two Sided Coin

As my time here is coming to an end, it seems as though my emotions are on a two sided coin. On one side of the coin, yes I will miss this community greatly. I am ever so grateful of how they so willingly accepted me not only into their community but into their personal and daily lives. In addition, not only for a first time but for a second time. It is noteworthy how loving, friendly, and caring everyone in this village is. Everyone here is so closely knit. It has been nothing but a huge blessing to have been able to experience this time in Pacayitas. I have created many memorable moments here that I don't want to forget. Overall, it has humbled me far beyond belief. I was able to spend some time away from my own comforts in life, without a pressing schedule, without many demands or worries, and invest some time into those around me.

On the flip side of the coin, I am eager and might I even add "ready" to go home. Being away from my home and family for a while has lead me to a huge appreciation for them and at many times missing them. I am thankful for all that I have been blessed with in life and cannot say enough how much I love my family and friends back home. I thank God for everything He has given me and everyone He has placed in my life. I could not have taken this journey without them! Thanks! : D

Proud of their work!

My favorite part about tutoring an English course is that these little guys are so proud of their work! Take a look for yourself. Some of the topics we have been covering have been writing the date, days of the week, colors, numbers, creating our family tress, and identifying parts of the house. I adore how enthused these guys are to learn. As my time here is coming close to an end all the kids today told me they were going to make me a friendship bracelet to bring back to the United States. They are so sweet! : )

Questions of a 10th grader

Today my 10th grade English class grasped the lesson pretty quickly therefore, my lesson ended earlier than expected. Needless to say I needed to think of something to fill the remaining time. I decided to have them think of any question they would like to ask me in English, any question at all, write it down, and pass it forward. I then answered each question in English. It ended up being a pretty neat activity because it really captured their attention and having 20 teenagers in the class I was sure glad it did!

Here are some of the questions the 10th graders asked me.

When is your birthday?
What is your address?
Are you married?
What do you do in your free time?
Do you like this high school?
Do you like to exercise? How often?
What is your last name?
How old are you?
Do you live with your parents?
What type of music do you like?
Where do you live?
Do you have a boyfriend?
Do you have any children? (Bah!!! Haha this one made me laugh)

These little guys made my day!

A few weeks ago I was sitting on a bench in the center of town with a few kids watching a soccer game, enjoying some ice-cream, and trying to brainstorm of a few creative things they could do in there free time. I suggested making up a dance! So sure enough the next day they had not only, picked out a song together, choreographed it, but practiced it all day for me and when I came home they were so excited to show me! It was great!!! : D