Slice of Life, Day 31--"Reflections on Slicing "Firsts"

This is my 5th "reflection slice" in my 5 years of this challenge, but this year it is reminding me of some of the "firsts" I've had along the way this March...

This is my first SOLC without students. Ever. It was so strange! I've always had kids reading my blog, encouraging me as I encourage them, and trying desperately to keep up with them as they wrote!  With my job change and the way Spring Break fell, it just didn't work out this year. It is usually my busiest month of school, but it was pretty low-key this year. Sometimes it felt good, and sometimes I missed my little slicers like crazy.

I leaned on the Slice of Life community more this year than ever. I left a strong community of Slicers back in Missouri, and so the comments from others were more meaningful than ever. Being part of the Welcome Wagon was helpful as I got to know so many new people through their writing! I liked feeling like I was part of welcoming people into our community. I learned a ton by reading their pieces.

It is the first time I've had TWO weeks off in March! While Spring Break provides more varied writing material, I think I actually prefer to be in school for Slice of Life. Am I crazy? I just find more to write about when I'm in my normal routine. Or maybe I'm just more disciplined! :)

This is the first year I didn't stress about my posts. At all. I have always tried to write with my kids in mind, trying new things to mentor them. This year, I just wrote. I didn't worry about perfection or anything even close...I just wrote. It was freeing.

For the first time, it wasn't hard. Finding time is always hard. Keeping my eyes open to finish a slice is always hard. But, I think it's worth noting, to myself anyway, that writing wasn't hard this year. Maybe it has a little to do with all of the above, but I think I've found myself as a writer. It feels like an accomplishment, like feeling comfortable in your own skin. I'll always try new things, strive to perfect the craft, read mentors...but I'm okay with who I am as a writer already, too. I wonder if that's okay...? Will I look back in 10 years and laugh at myself for even typing those words? I wonder.

For the first time, I can see myself joining the Tuesday group. I've tried many times, but never made it far. I'm going to try again this year, and I really think it'll stick. I think I've reached a point as a teacher where the support of other educators has become even more valuable. Teaching is hard, and I need a community to keep me focused and encouraged. Also, I'd like to get better at writing. This seems like the best way to do it--write more and read more!!

Congratulations to all of you, and especially to all of you that finished for the first time this year! See you Tuesday! :)

Slice of Life, Day 30-- "My One Little Word"

So, I know that most people choose their "one little word" in January, but I save it for March. I find that blogging seems to make me more reflective and conscious of what I'm really thinking...probably because I'm recording it everyday! :)

Last year, my word was nurture. I wanted to grow the things worth growing in my life. I feel like it's guided me along the way to a better place than where I was last year at this time.

This year, I choose the word follow.

It is defined as "to go or come after (a person or thing proceeding ahead); move or travel behind (Google Dictionary)."

I have been pushing so hard to control (or nurture...?) so many things in the last year: my class, my new home, my health, etc. It's been a hard year for me because of so many changes. I've run myself ragged. 

I know that follow may have the connotation of stepping back, but really my intention behind it is to give me guidance as I make everyday decisions. Who, what, or why am I choosing this or that? What is behind my motives?

If a choice deviates in anyway from my personal beliefs and convictions, then I will make a course correction. I want to follow who I really am, and for me, that means following Jesus. I am excited to see where He leads.

Now, that I have my word, let's get the year started! :) 


P.S. I tried a MILLION times to get this post to format correctly, but the fonts are still funky...and I'm moving on...sigh!

Slice of Life, Day 29--"Savoring the Last Few Days of Break..."

Rain hit us hard today, and on top of our 10 inches of melted snow from last weekend, it's a muddy mess outside. Instead of complaining, though, I'm using it as an excuse for not doing much today! There's nothing like a rainy day in spring to make a person feel "justified" to snuggle on the couch with a soft blanket and warm dog at their feet.

Today may not have been a win the "to-do list" column, but I found that letting my brain switch off and just recharge, did wonders for the "able to tackle a to-do list" part of my brain.

I savored my rainy Thursday!

Slice of Life, Day 28-- "The Winter-Spring Switch"

I love holidays and seasons, and I love to celebrate. So, it only stands to reason that I love to decorate, too, right?

Other than a month a Christmas, I keep my house decor themed with the weather season. I enjoy the challenge of redoing things, and I look forward to the day I get to switch it all up!

Today was that day...a little late, but we had 10 inches of snow here in Indy on Saturday, so it just didn't feel like it was time. :)

Here's how it goes for me, usually:

1. Take down proceeding season's decor.
2. Store it.
3. Pull out the new season and add in the new things I've usually bought in anticipation.
4. Put it up.
5. Take most of it down and move it around.
6. Stare intensely at the new arrangement.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 many times over many days.
8. Go to Hobby Lobby or antique store for one last thing...
9. Add the final touch.
10. Keep working until it's perfect!

Usually, about a month into the season, I'm satisfied. It's one of those things where the process is as fun as the product!

Slice of Life, Day 27-- "Vintage Finds"

Today we spent some time hunting antiques. I googled "antique stores near me" and we went for it!

Here are my finds:

-a globe with brass trim

-a brown vintage toolbox

-a small, round copper waterpot

-a navy tackle box

Tomorrow I'm decorating for spring...can you guess what I'm doing with some of these eclectic choices?

Me neither... ;) But I'm going to have fun figuring it out! 

Slice of Life, Day 26-- "As Vacation Settles Into My Bones'

As Spring Break vacation settles into my bones, I feel...

Freedom and deep breaths

The alarm clock blissfully silent as my internal clock moves later and later

The pressures move off my shoulders

And my movements becoming less planned and hurried.


As I start this second week of vacation, I feel

My pace move from "must get done now" to "will get done when I get to it"

My slices getting finished closer to the midnight deadline

The coffee being slipped, not gulped

And the days moving slowly, happily unconscious of the clock


As I enter this final week of vacation, I feel

Refreshed

Renewed

Ready

And I wonder how I ever lived with only one week of break for so many years...

Slice of Life, Day 25-- "The Power of Potential"

So, we're on the road tonight, visiting my uncle in the hospital in St. Louis. We're back late and there are all kind of distractions around me. The TV show "60 Minutes" caught my attention enough to hear a short quote from a story they are doing on a young pro-basketball player from Milwaukee.

As the news anchor talked to him about his start in American basketball, they showed the footage of him playing in Greece that caught the attention of the recruiters here in the States.

Humbly, looking down from the camera, he said, "There were lots of players better than me in that league, but maybe they saw that I had more potential." He is now the hardest worker on the team, thus fulfilling that potential.

It caught my attention, because we as a society seem to look at the here and now. Are you performing well now? Good, we'll take you. Did you pass your test with good scores? Well done, you have a bright future ahead.

Do we look enough at possible potential? Do we look at those that are willing to work hard to surpass unused natural talent? Do we reassure our kids that grit goes farther than just about anything?

Maybe we do. Maybe we don't.

But that young man made me think tonight.

Slice of Life, Day 24-- "A Snow Day Self-Checkout Disaster"

My dad and I share one thing in common on snow days; as soon as it looks impossible to get out, we remember an errand that must be taken care of immediately. One year when I was a kid, this ended with our rust orange truck stuck in a foot of snow going uphill 2 blocks from home. Lucky for us, a lady lived on the corner who called my (annoyed) mom to come get us and then gave us hot chocolate while we waited.

Today it ended, not in a snow problem, but a self-checkout problem.

We've had a history of problems with these machines. I usually avoid them. But it's Spring Break, snowy, the cart is full of snow day junk food, and my parents are visiting. What could go wrong?

Um. Everything.

The game plan was to quickly do in a few minutes what would take a trained checkout person more time by using the 2- person team approach. I handed him things and he scanned.

Efficient. Organized.

Before we could even get in a rhythm, the machine-lady was yelling at me to scan my Kroger card. As I fished it out of my purse and scanned it, she started in on something else.

"Please place your items in the bagging area," she ordered, as we quickly moved things around to accommodate her mysterious bagging area rules.

"Please wait for assistance," she accused. We hung out heads and waited for the real lady to come help. Lights flashed above our heads.

I wondered to myself, "Why do these machines have the power to make me feel like a shoplifter?"

The disaster seemed to be averted, except for the fact that it literally happened 6 more times. The real lady just started to hover over us in anticipation of needing to enter the mystery code to make the machine-lady quiet down.

Finally, it was time to pay. And, again, we needed assistance. We'd missed a button in the hurry to get out of the store.

Classic.

My dad and I had different exit strategies. I zoomed that cart around as quickly as possible, head down, and eyes on the door. My dad, however, went back and thanked the (real) lady 2 times, explaining he was from out of town and appreciated her patience.

Me...I was just hoping she'd forget my face by the time I need bread again...

-Sigh- Snow day errands never end well!

Slice of Life, Day 23-- "A Snowy Day Ahead!"

I know that it technically makes me either very immature, unpopular, or just crazy, but the night before it snows--even on Spring Break--I literally cannot sleep. It's insane. I keep waiting to grow out of it or get sick of it, but at 36, I feel like it's probably just not going to happen. I just 💙 snow!

I love all the seasons, really, but I'd trade a beautiful, perfect day from any of them for a gorgeous snow storm. I even like the grocery lines before a storm! (Not a lie.)

My feelings about snow have been compounded by being a teacher who was raised by two educators. Every snow day in my life has been so much fun. I remember coming down the stairs as a kids to find my dad awake, watching the news scroll at the bottom of the screen, waiting for our District to join the others. I'd sit with him and we'd spread the news when school was cancelled. Even when it wasn't cancelled, just the anticipation was enough to scratch the itch.

When it was cancelled, we'd load up the sleds and my sister and I would get a free ride to the doughnut place up the road. Then we'd fill the day with playing outside, snow ice cream, sledding hills, and hot chocolate.

My snow days look a little different now...a little less bundling up and a little more Netflix, but no less JOY.

And that, my friends, is why I can't sleep tonight. It's coming!!

Slice of Life, Day 22-- "My Moment in Sounds"

The song "Rain, Rain, Go Away" on an iphone, singing to my nephew as he sings along

My sister and her 6-year old daughter trying to figure out the new card game SET that I picked up at the Indy Children's Museum (P.S. Awesome for critical thinking!!)

My mom and brother-in-law working together, making a pro/con list for a new coaching job he has been offered

The Loyola/Nevada game in the background, no one really watching

My dad, quiet, taking pictures of our Spring Break family time

My Golden Retriever, Yadi, softly breathing the sounds of exhaustion, passed out on the carpet

Me, typing a Slice, recording the joy of Spring Break as sweet sounds swirl around me

Slice of Life, Day 21-- "A Snowy Wish Granted!"

My niece has been talking about coming to Indy for Spring Break for months. Her family lives in Arkansas, so they don't see much snow.  She has watched all winter with envious eyes as I've face-timed her from my snowy window. She prayed and prayed that when she visited in the middle of March, it would snow.

I've prayed and hoped that our crazy Indiana March weather wouldn't disappoint her.

Last night we did all the snow rituals: spoons under all the beds, PJs worn backwards, and ice cubes flushed. I secretly crossed my fingers and held my breath...

And when I opened the window this morning...SNOW!!!! And it was still coming down!!

It was only an inch or so, but it delighted the heart of a little girl. Her miracle happened, and she relished it. We threw snowballs, played with my dog, and watched from the window as the snow fell around us.

It was pure magic in my home this morning, friends, with that snowy wish granted,

Slice of Life, Day 20--"A Full Day--In a Non-Stressful Way"

It's not often in real life that I make it to almost 11:00--must be Spring Break! :) What a difference it makes! I'm going to bed dreaming of tomorrow, not rehashing how today went in my head. I feel carefree and light.

I had someone (who normally sees me after school) comment about how much different I was today. She said that normally I seem so exhausted, not just physically, but emotionally. I tried to explain the stress of the job, but I could tell I wasn't communicating it right. She didn't get it.

It made me wonder if that was how most teachers feel. I love my job, but it is draining and nearly impossible to describe. How can I explain to someone the things we deal with each day? How do I tell them how much I love my kids and worry about them at night? Add to that the meetings, the planning, the everything....and I just don't think it's possible!

Don't get me wrong--I'm not complaining! It's just interesting to me how much of a difference one day of Spring Break can make.

Do any of you have these same issues? How do you handle it?

Slice of Life, Day 19, "A Poem: You are Welcome Here, Spring Break!"

Spring Break, you are welcome here!

Your empty days, waiting to be filled

With adventures, and lists, and family

As school worries fall away for a few weeks

And family crowds together in bedrooms and on air mattresses


Surrounded now by sounds

The pitter-patter of my niece and nephew's feet

Splashing during the evening bath time

Board games in the background

All fill my 2-bedroom apartment


Decorations scattered

As knick-knacks become toys

Yelps of joy and fun

Echo where it is usually quiet

And I smile


You are welcome here, Spring Break,

Fill our days with memories

And our nights with warmth

Stay awhile

You are welcome here.

Slice of Life, Day 18, "Thoughts on Anticipation"

I know people say that anticipating things can lead to disappointment, etc., but I've found that for me, anticipation is the sweetest feeling. It gives me a reason to look forward, to look beyond the moment, to imagine, and to dream.

I get the "live in the moment" movement, and actually agree with it. I think each moment of life is special and should be treasured. But, it is anticipation that adds some spice!

It is one of the reasons I love teaching so much. It's silly, but the anticipation of events through the year give me job. Each month and season of my year has something that I love: July and school supplies, August and new faces, winter and snow days...on and on it goes, until it begins again.

Which brings me to tonight.

The night before our last day of school before Spring Break. I know that not everything on my Spring Break list will be fulfilled. I know that 2 Sundays for now I'll be wondering how it went so quickly. For now, however, my heart is filled with the excitement and fun that always comes before a break! I have a list, and I'm ready to get started, even if it doesn't all get done!

I hope I never grow too old to feel excited about the big and the little things that are coming down the road. Anticipation can make even the mundane look and feel sparkly--it's all about outlook! I choose anticipation with the chance of disappointment, over the alternative every time!

Slice of Life, Day 17-- "Buy, Sell, Swap, Anyone?"

So, I was listening to the podcast "This American Life" this morning, and they had an portion of the show that gave me an idea for a lesson I want to do sometime. I thought I'd share/record it here.

The host, Ira Glass, starts out by giving the background. He explains what a Buy, Sell, Swap radio show is. It is an segment of radio that most areas (at least where I'm from!) have in some way or another. Basically, people call in, give their contact info and then tell what they're looking for, willing to swap, or trying to sell. It's quick, efficient, and local.

For example:

Random person 1: Hi, Courtney here. I'm looking to get sell a cabinet full of scrapbooking materials. I'll pack it up for someone who wants it. I'll take $100 or best offer. My number is 555-5555.

Host: Okay, we have Courtney on the line with a ton of scrapbooking stuff boxed up and ready to go for $100. Her number is 555-5555.

Random person 2: Hey, this is Randy. I need an old oscillating fan. I don't care what the condition is or if it even works. Call me at 555-5550 if you've got one you need me to take off your hands.

This goes on for the allotted time, usually an hour on Saturday mornings, etc.

So, the lesson idea is this: What if we chose some particularly interesting ones, and let kids listen. Then we let them choose and make up the backstory behind why that person is buying, selling, or swapping their particular item.

Like, why is Courtney getting rid of her scrapbooking materials? Did her kids move to college and she used to scrapbook their lives as a family? Or maybe it was a hobby and now she's got a baby on the way and needs the extra room/money for the kiddo?

Or Randy...who needs an oscillating fan that doesn't work? Why would they need it?

I think it could be a fun writing project that could combine listening with some sort of fiction unit. Or maybe, you could use it as a practice piece after a grammar lesson; write your imaginary background story using commas in 5 places and quotations marks in 3 places.

Just an idea I thought I'd share! Let me know how it goes if you use it!

Slice of Life, Day 16-- "The Reality"

The reality of my kids' lives hits home more on some days. Today was one of those days. I guess, really, this week was one of those weeks.

I found myself a sponge, hearing more and seeing more than usual. Maybe they talked more, maybe I listened more.

I can't tell the stories and that hurts me the most. I want to be their loudspeaker, to go on the news and tell the truth about immigration, migration, and refugee camps that no one wants to hear.  I want to tell everyone.

But trust, confidentiality, and respect mandate that my lips must be sealed from revealing things that would shock most Americans. Not most educators, but many of our neighbors.

The reality is that these truths get buried through fear, trauma, pain, and sometimes just not wanting to be different from others. I think they only tell me, because our classroom is full of children like them. The shared community allows them to tell a story that is so normal to them to people to whom it is also normal.

This sharing helps them. They've bonded in ways  I can't even understand, and I see them everyday.

I wonder sometimes who will be the ones from this classroom who will grab that microphone and shout it all like I wish I could. Who will be the leaders who will make sure that things change, both here and abroad? Who are my world-changers?

I pray they all will be.

Slice of Life, Day 15--"The Avoidance List While I'm Waiting"

Instead of listing the things I need to do on a to-do list...I'm going to list the things I'm not doing at this moment...

-entering grades that are due on Monday

-organizing my pantry

-taking down my winter decorations and switching out to spring

-taking my fruit out the bags they came home in...just plopped in the basket ;)

-making the lesson plans for after Spring Break

-switching the laundry from the wash to the dryer, because then I have to fold what's in the dryer

I'm not doing all this because I'm waiting. Waiting for the phone to ring...somehow not doing these things makes me focus on the phone which of course means it'll ring faster.

Because everyone know watched pots always boil faster. ;)

Slice of Life, Day 14-- "A No Words Wednesday"

No words today

Wednesday has won.

I'm beat

Exhausted

The list of things to do

Run through my head

As my eyes burn with sleepiness

And so this Slice captures not a slice of my day

But rather, a Slice of what my day did to me.

No words today

Maybe tomorrow

Sleep, please!

Slice of Life, Day 13--"An Ode to the Lingering Snow"

Snow falling, swirling, blowing

At noon everyday this week

And other times, too

Random, white flakes

Of luck

Falling, as a blue sky and sun

Sparkle in the background

A gift in the window

That I pretend is just for me

I stop every single time

And find a window to stare out

To really look

Appreciate it

Watch it

Study it

And create memories

That I'll hold until next winter

Beautiful, lingering snow

You've made my days lovely

Slice of Life, Day 12--"A Favorite Annual Formal Revisited"

I am a teacher, a dreamer, a dog-mom, a daughter, a sister, and an aunt.

I keep everything. It's a problem. Even with a move in the last year, I hoard. It took a small U-haul just to move my school stuff. I'm not proud of it.

I am a teacher, a dreamer, a dog-mom, a daughter, a sister, and an aunt.

I keep everything. It's a problem. Even with a move in the last year, I hoard. It took a small U-haul just to move my school stuff. I'm not proud of it.

I wish I could do so much more for my kids. Their sincerity, their love, their joy, and their resilience make them deserving of the very best.

I love the arrival of spring. It is like it leaves little clues around for us to find...a bloom here, a green batch there. It's so fun!

I sing mostly in the car on the way to school. I really hate it when I have a cold or a sore throat because it messes up my whole morning!

I think our country needs to think about immigration with open eyes. It's too real to too many people to ignore the issue or try to do quick, flashy "fixes".

I really wish there were more hours in the day.  I would use them to exercise, sleep more, and do devotions in the morning.

I need someone to clean up after me. I leave trail of things around the house and sometimes the classroom. My students learn early to look frantically when they hear, "Does anyone see my coffee?"

I should be better about going to bed on time. I wish I didn't have to sleep!

I can appreciate the small things in life. It is a pleasure to lose myself in a moment of beauty or emotion.

I like to try my Spanish in my class with my students. I'm pretty bad, but they humor me so it's fun.

I make my apartment over for each season. Right not, even though I want to put out Spring decor, I can't until it's officially Spring in a few weeks! It makes for just the right amount of anticipation and fun!

I always try to be kind to everyone. It comes back 100 fold.

Slice of Life, Day 11--"Only 5 More Sleeps!"

Tonight, with a big week looming ahead, I am dreaming of what happens on Friday! My family is coming to visit Indy on their Spring Break! Technically, I still have to work a make-up snow day on the next Monday, but the main event will have already started!

My goal is to get everything done this week...grades, plans for after break, etc., so on Monday the 19th, I can walk in, teach, and walk out! We have an early schedule, so by the time I'm out of school at 2:30, I should be in time for a late lunch with everyone. Perfection!

It's been a long time since Christmas, so this week together will be very special. Even if it does mean getting 5 adults, 2 kids, and a dog in my 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment! :)

Fun slices coming up! I am SO EXCITED!!!

Slice of Life, Day 10-- "A Bit of Welcome Sun Today!"

It was so nice to see the sun today, and to be able to enjoy it! It feels as though the sun's rays are beginning to warm up. For me, it was the first day it felt like spring was coming!

My dog even spent some time out on my balcony. The railing around it is built with wooden slats vertically that have 2 inch (or so) gaps between them. It also has a space at the bottom big enough for a tennis ball to fall through; a lesson my golden retriever learned the hard way this fall.

I left the door open, only to come out and see him sprawled on the balcony, front feet hanging off the front, and his snout resting comfortably in between the rails. I think he actually had his eyes closed for awhile, soaking up the sun like dogs do.

The arrival of spring-like weather is exciting, but to be honest, I'd rather have slightly damp, chilly days until school is out. Once I get the spring bug under my skin, it can be hard to focus!

But today, I welcome it. It was a wonderful break from the dark of winter and a glimpse into the near future! Spring is almost here!

Slice of Life, Day 9-- "My Kids Don't Want Spring Break...What??"

I stood at the board by our class calendar explaining what Daylight Savings Time was to 23 Newcomers. Suddenly, someone noticed that I'd put a "No School" marker on the first day of our Spring Break, about a week or so away.

"Why no school, Miss?" a student called out.

"Oh, that's Spring Break! You get two weeks to do whatever you want! No school!!" My voice lifted in excitement. Who doesn't love a break?

The class buzzed.

"What?!"

"Why?"

"Can I come anyway?"

"I want come school! I come."

I literally had to stop and see if they were kidding. They were serious, completely serious. I was actually speechless. In 12 years of teaching, this was a first.

I've thought about this a lot today. I thought about it while I tried to explain what the tooth fairy was and they all died laughing. I thought about it as they ALL thanked me for their small bag of chips for meeting their Dojo point goal. I thought about it as a student showed me his connection to a book we read in class: his brother and sister died in his old country. And I thought about it when I gave hugs at the end of the day....squeezing them close to me.

And I've wondered...

I wonder if our little classroom community where it's okay to laugh about the American tooth fairy tradition and where you learn about that crazy thing called Daylight Savings Time and a thousand other things is actually a place they feel so much themselves that they'd skip Spring Break altogether. I wonder what we've done exactly to achieve it. I wonder how we got here. I wish I could bottle our special sauce and sell it.

BUT, I don't have the answers. I do know it's an honor to walk in that room every day and teach them to speak English, to love school,  to love themselves, and to value their differences. I'm not sure how I got so lucky.

Slice of Life, Day 8--"A Sick Night"

I will probably have to reread this in the morning to see just how bad it was. I feel asleep on the couch tonight and woke up in a sick fog. I quickly checked the clock to make sure I didn't miss the Slicing deadline, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit this is probably the least /worstI've ever written for a slice. I'll just share a quick "poem"...

Eyes watering, crossing as I try to keep them open
Nose stuffy and burning
Sneezes to shake the earth
Cough
Aches all over
So done with this cold

Slice of Life, Day 7-- "A Breakthrough"

Pride.

Love.

Excitement.

Relief.

All the feelings that rushed through me today as I sat back and watched all of my Level 1 and 2 ELL students stand in front of the class and present their group projects. Kids that had been here all year mixed in with my kids who have been here for less than a week.

I sat at the front with the presenters, just in case someone had a crisis or needed a word whispered. I watched, more nervous then them, I think...

Some of the kiddos couldn't read every word, so their friends hovered over their backs, whispering the words to them. Some had memorized their parts and stood confidently, speaking boldly. A few of them read their portion slowly, thoughtfully attacking each word, demonstrating how far they'd come.

The class would randomly burst into applause when a student that needed encouragement finished, or when they could tell that a friend had succeeded at something hard. My heart felt it would come out of my chest.

I made them all take a picture with their posters at the end. I had to mark the moment, even if it was just for me.

A moment it all came together.

A breakthrough.

Slice of Life, Day 6-- "The Sign of the Orange Juice"

I should've seen it coming 2 days ago when I bought orange juice, oranges, and cuties at the store and everything else from the produce section sounded gross. I just thought maybe I was on a citrus kick.

But today it started.

The stuffy nose. Watery eyes. Tickle in the throat. Little coughs here and there. And then I drank all the orange juice. And ate an orange.

I don't even like orange juice 99% of the time, but when I'm sick, my body subconsciously craves it--even before I feel sick, apparently!

Hopefully it works its magic and this little bug moves on as quickly as it came. In the meantime, I think I'll have another orange.

Slice of Life, Day 5-- "Can I Just Have One Word About Daylight Savings Time?"

I know this isn't popular. I've seen the posts on Facebook, the memes, the not-so-subtle tweets, and this has been simmering for awhile.

I think I may be the only person in America not excited about Daylight Savings Time. I mean really not excited. And not just about missing an hour of sleep. That's the part I don't mind as much!

I actually have a proposal.

You all can have your extra light at night, your "longer" days, your barbecues in the crisp spring air at 10:17 p.m. I don't resent any of this. Have it and enjoy it.

But.

Please, please, please...I beg you to wait until school is out. I propose that DST be rolled out on the night that each local school celebrates the last day of school. When the last kickball tournament of Field Day is over and all the classrooms are dark, take all the sunlight you want! Live it up outside until midnight...but not now. Please not now.

Does anyone else think March is a little early to get kids off their sleeping schedule, tricking their suggestible little brains into thinking it's 5:00 when it's actually 9:30? Does anyone really want to take over my class for a week while their jet lagged bodies try to pay attention at 7:25 a.m. in the PITCH BLACK of night?

Didn't think so.

So...yeah, the truth is no matter how light it is, it has to be dark sometime. And frankly, I'd like it to be while my kids should be sleeping, not listening to me (gulp a 6th cup of coffee).

Rant over. Thank you for listening. I am aware that this will all happen despite my weigh-in. I just needed say it. :)

Slice of Life, Day 4--"A Few Moments Recorded: Newcomers Go to an NCAA Basketball Game"

On Friday we took our Newcomer children to a basketball game at the professional arena here in Indianapolis. It was one of the final games in the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament. We received free tickets through the organization, and so I found myself sitting in the nosebleed seats with 60 students from our school, 19 of which were mine.

I could post pictures, but it wouldn't capture it. I could show you videos, but you still couldn't feel the excitement and joy. I could write 10,000 words of every detail, and yet still leave you out of the loop.

And so, I'll just share a quick list of some of the things I heard, saw, and witnessed as 60 kids, new to the U.S. in the last year, witnessed a classic sports event.

-The cheerleaders: "Miss, they go in air! So high!"

-The arena: "Wowwwww! So big!"

-The lime green t-shirts given out and promptly put on over uniforms. They didn't know they were getting them, and it was a fun moment.

-The 2 bags of cotton candy procured by our school coach and given out in small bites to dubious students--grimaces at first, followed by enormous smiles. Sugar speaks all languages.

- Every. Single. Basket. Made. We cheered. We chanted. We jumped up for every one of them and screamed in victory. Finally, one of the kids from another school in front of us turned around to me, and said, "They don't even know what team they're cheering for," with a teenage girl eye roll. I replied, "That's right. We cheer for everyone and we're having a blast. Want to come up and join the fun?" She didn't, but we kept it up.

- The free signs and team tatoos: We proudly made signs supporting one team or another on the way out and covered our hands in tatoos to show our love for the teams whose names we hardly knew. We walked to the bus with the signs over our heads, shouting our support.

- The parked police car I boldly approached and asked for help with directions. There was a palpable moment of silence from our long, winding line. These kids aren't used to police that help. It was a deliberate move on my part, partly because I was afraid we were headed in the wrong direction, but mostly to show them police don't have to be scary.

- The smile I'll never forget as I translated, "Do you need to go to the bathroom now or can you wait a few minutes?" into Swahili on my phone to a child who arrived last week. He gave me the thumbs up in response and we both relaxed, knowing we'd been understood by the other.

It was a day I'll never forget. There was no whining, no complaints, no disappointment, no teenage apathy. It was a day filled with joy, appreciation, and unbridled excitement.

I just had to share.

Slice of Life, Day 3-- "A Saturday List Ignored"

Today was planned, list-fashion:

Errands

Groceries

An early morning Slice

Maybe some tax filing?


But then Saturday came

With its coffee

And quiet

And puppy snuggles

And it all was but aside


Instead of errands, a nap

No groceries today--leftovers, anyone?

My Slice put off until evening

A day condensed into a poem

The Saturday list ignored, happily.

Slice of Life March 2nd-- "A Lovely Day"

"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it."

Richard Bach

Yesterday was full of lovely moments.

I got started slicing again (which always makes me wonder why I stopped!). I love this challenge and this family of writers. It feels like coming home. Yesterday was full of lovely moments.

I discovered that one of my favorite blogs to read in the past years is written by a teacher in my new district who also teaches ELLs! The reminder of how small the world is was reassuring. 

The comments on my blog reminded me how special is to work with the kiddos in my classroom. Feeling thankful in the middle of a week of standardized testing is a plus. It helped me open my eyes and *see* my kids, again. How blessed I am!

On top of all that, my physical therapy went a-maz-ing. My therapist said she could really tell a difference! I'm in PT to help me fine-tune some muscle issues I've had for a loooonnnnng time. Ten years and a brain surgery later, I think I'm finally paired with some people who are going to make a huge difference in my life. Thank God for Indianapolis and such skilled doctors and physical therapists who are at the top of their field! I left with a huge smile. 

Last but not least, my old school has not only continued the slicing tradition with teachers and students, they've grown! Over 350 kids committed to slice for a month. It makes my heart so happy to hear that a new group of kids will experience the joy of writing, persevering, and bonding over words. And I've gotten to reconnect with my old writing buddies through blogging. So fun!

Yes, yesterday was full of lovely moments...and I've enjoyed them all over again by writing about it.

Happy Friday!

Slice of Life March 1st -- "Life Changes"

As I pick up my blogging "pencil" again this year, 11 months since I put it down last year...I am reminded of how many changes have happened in my life in just 365 days.

--I relocated from Webb City, Missouri to Indianapolis. I love cities, so this place just fits me!

--I moved into a new apartment. It's a little outside the metro area, so I live across from a farm with horses, but can still get downtown in 15 minutes or less. Perfection! 

--I got a new job. I went from teaching 6th grade Communication Arts to 100 kids, to teaching 21 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in a multi-level, multi-language, many-cultured, wonderful classroom. 

--I've learned a ton of Spanish and a little Somali, Arabic, Turkish, Swahili and Tigrinya...plus a few others! And, yes, Google Translate is my best friend!

--I've realized how real the immigrant and refugee crisis is in our country. And by "crisis", I mean the struggle these precious babies and their families face getting here and living here. The circles under their eyes in the morning are not from playing X-box all night...it can be from all kinds of adult problems they face too early in their young lives.

--I have a new blog. --sad sigh-- Normally, I'd be excited, but I'm actually mad at myself for not transferring ownership of the blog to my new email before the school more. So...my last 4 years of Slicing can be found at misscollins606.blogspot.com. I figured this out yesterday, so I threw together this one. I'll refine it later, but it'll do for now!

--I've rekindled friendships that had been lost in time and made lifelong friends with my new colleagues. It felt like I had never left when I reunited with my old friends...hugs and tears of happiness! And my colleagues...the best! It is a unique experience to be in a school with only Newcomer ELLs, and you form some pretty quick bonds with the people who are there with you!

--This is the first year I'll be slicing alone at school. To be fair, I didn't ask around, but it's a little sad. I hope my Webb City slicers find me in Indy! I miss my writing community!

Happy Slicing, everyone! :)