My days have been crazy. I started counting the number of hours that I'm at work/school or doing work/school related things during the week and I decided to stop at 85 hours. I'm loving my classes but it is definitely a ridiculous schedule to keep. Needless to say, I haven't had much time with Craig. Last night I got in my car and Craig had left a love letter for me. He really is dreamy. I can't stop thinking about how blessed I am by him. It's humbling to realize (again) how much I don't deserve my sweet hubby but I'm so thankful he hasn't figured that out yet! :)
I've been convicted lately of needing to be more intentional in dating him. So hopefully you'll read soon about an intentional date I plan!
That's all for today...now go love on someone. :)
September 16, 2011
August 29, 2011
PE Class
So...I decided to take a PE elective this semester. It's called Movement Education and it's geared for future PE teachers. While it will teach various PE activities the focus is less on the doing and more on how to teach those activities so I thought it would be a safe bet for this nerd-who-hates-PE. My main motivation for taking this class is that I know the professor (she's a colleague of mine at the college) and I need a few elective credits to graduate in May. I knew this would be an out-of-my-comfort-zone experience and my first class was no disappointment. I will recount my experience for you now. Keep in mind my severe fear of athletes which started in my childhood PE classes and has been affirmed in my position in the Provost's office at the college where we have to deal with athletes begging to be let back in for "just one more chance" to prove they can, in fact, succeed academically. Riiiiiiiiiight.
I walk to class with a friend (there is, after all, safety in numbers). We sit down. In the back row, which is not normal for me. Normally, I'm front and center. Philosophy classes? Front and center. Psychology classes? Front and center. Religion classes? Front and center. Those classes don't scare me. PE class? As far back as possible on the row closest to the door should an immediate escape be necessary.
Anyway, as students filter in I find myself categorizing them into groups: slacker, not too bright, at least he/she is cute, etc. (I know, not nice. Not Christ like, but I'm being honest here.)
The professor walks in, she's excited to see me and gives me a hug (insert target on my back here).
She covers some basic housekeeping procedures; syllabus, handouts, attendance policy, etc. Then she goes on to start an intro on the material. She asks us to list our favorite activities in PE from elementary/middle school PE classes. I lean over to my friend and whisper, "None. I hated PE. I preferred silent reading time." We move on to activities we didn't like in PE. I still remain quiet. Then, the most dreaded thing of all all happens. The professor calls on me and asks, "Vanessa, you've been quiet. What activities did you dislike?" "Actually," I chirped "I didn't like PE at all. I'm a nerd and preferred silent reading."
Everything stopped. Everyone turned and stared at me. They had looks of horror. "Who is this traitor and why is she in OUR building?" their grimaces seemed to scream at me. "Someone who reads? FOR FUN?!?!? UGH!"
"Oh God! I'm 10 again. This is why I hated PE! People like THEM!" I thought to myself.
The professor, quickly coming to my rescue, speaks up, "Great! As teachers this type of student is the one you'll need to win over! It's not the athletic student who thinks you're God, get over yourself! It's the student who doesn't like PE that you have to figure out how to get them involved and get them to like it! What kind of student is that?"
"The introvert" one girl says.
"I'm NOT an introvert" I counter.
"The kid who likes chocolate cake" a boy snickers.
"Hey, don't knock the cake" I defend.
"The kid who isn't coordinated?" someone else offers.
I think to myself, "well, I'm klutzy but I'm not uncoordinated. I was great at soccer I just hated getting sweaty in the middle of the day". But I kept that to myself. They probably wouldn't understand anyway.
Fast forward...moving on in the lesson.
The professor gives us 3 Skill Themes we'll need to know. "The first" she says, "is locomotive skills. This is the manner in which you move from point A to point B. Can someone give me an example?"
I immediately start thinking; running, walking, skiing, swimming, skipping...
She calls on someone. "Umm...baseball?"
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!? Baseball? Seriously? WOW! Really?
Someone else offers, "Hockey?"
Again, WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Finally someone ventures, "running?" "Yes," the professor, ever patient and cheerful, says "running!"
Wow.
"Ok, the second skill theme is Manipulatives. This is using something tangible to perform a skill set. Examples?" (The woman is brave. Really? Asking THIS group for examples, again?)
"Thinking?" a girl offers.
At this point I'm doing everything I can not to laugh. Really? Thinking? How about dribbling, kicking, hitting, tossing, throwing, etc.? The only way I can see that she got "thinking" was that she was thinking about manipulation not manipulatives. Maybe?
Finally the class got it and, in all honesty, they did much better with the third skill theme which was Non-manipulative/non-locomotive (basically anything that wasn't covered in the first two).
I'm pretty sure this class will be quite the experience for me. And if nothing else it will be very entertaining. :)
I walk to class with a friend (there is, after all, safety in numbers). We sit down. In the back row, which is not normal for me. Normally, I'm front and center. Philosophy classes? Front and center. Psychology classes? Front and center. Religion classes? Front and center. Those classes don't scare me. PE class? As far back as possible on the row closest to the door should an immediate escape be necessary.
Anyway, as students filter in I find myself categorizing them into groups: slacker, not too bright, at least he/she is cute, etc. (I know, not nice. Not Christ like, but I'm being honest here.)
The professor walks in, she's excited to see me and gives me a hug (insert target on my back here).
She covers some basic housekeeping procedures; syllabus, handouts, attendance policy, etc. Then she goes on to start an intro on the material. She asks us to list our favorite activities in PE from elementary/middle school PE classes. I lean over to my friend and whisper, "None. I hated PE. I preferred silent reading time." We move on to activities we didn't like in PE. I still remain quiet. Then, the most dreaded thing of all all happens. The professor calls on me and asks, "Vanessa, you've been quiet. What activities did you dislike?" "Actually," I chirped "I didn't like PE at all. I'm a nerd and preferred silent reading."
Everything stopped. Everyone turned and stared at me. They had looks of horror. "Who is this traitor and why is she in OUR building?" their grimaces seemed to scream at me. "Someone who reads? FOR FUN?!?!? UGH!"
"Oh God! I'm 10 again. This is why I hated PE! People like THEM!" I thought to myself.
The professor, quickly coming to my rescue, speaks up, "Great! As teachers this type of student is the one you'll need to win over! It's not the athletic student who thinks you're God, get over yourself! It's the student who doesn't like PE that you have to figure out how to get them involved and get them to like it! What kind of student is that?"
"The introvert" one girl says.
"I'm NOT an introvert" I counter.
"The kid who likes chocolate cake" a boy snickers.
"Hey, don't knock the cake" I defend.
"The kid who isn't coordinated?" someone else offers.
I think to myself, "well, I'm klutzy but I'm not uncoordinated. I was great at soccer I just hated getting sweaty in the middle of the day". But I kept that to myself. They probably wouldn't understand anyway.
Fast forward...moving on in the lesson.
The professor gives us 3 Skill Themes we'll need to know. "The first" she says, "is locomotive skills. This is the manner in which you move from point A to point B. Can someone give me an example?"
I immediately start thinking; running, walking, skiing, swimming, skipping...
She calls on someone. "Umm...baseball?"
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!? Baseball? Seriously? WOW! Really?
Someone else offers, "Hockey?"
Again, WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Finally someone ventures, "running?" "Yes," the professor, ever patient and cheerful, says "running!"
Wow.
"Ok, the second skill theme is Manipulatives. This is using something tangible to perform a skill set. Examples?" (The woman is brave. Really? Asking THIS group for examples, again?)
"Thinking?" a girl offers.
At this point I'm doing everything I can not to laugh. Really? Thinking? How about dribbling, kicking, hitting, tossing, throwing, etc.? The only way I can see that she got "thinking" was that she was thinking about manipulation not manipulatives. Maybe?
Finally the class got it and, in all honesty, they did much better with the third skill theme which was Non-manipulative/non-locomotive (basically anything that wasn't covered in the first two).
I'm pretty sure this class will be quite the experience for me. And if nothing else it will be very entertaining. :)
Introspection
Today I'm all sorts of introspective. Perhaps it's this dang cold I can't seem to kick forcing me to slow down so I have time to think for once. Perhaps it's listening to the Rocks Won't Cry CD by Shane & Shane bringing me back to a time of simplicity and a carefree approach to life. Perhaps it's the myriad of crazy that has been my life lately.
Regardless of the cause, here is what my heart wants at this moment:
1) To be outside (preferably near the beach, good luck living in Kansas)
2) To have Craig with me
3) To have no responsibilities all day so that I don't feel guilty
4) To have a cup of mint green tea for my sore throat
5) To have my Bible
6) To have 2-3 of my other favorite books and my journal
7) To have the freedom to explore/allow whatever emotions turn up
That's all. Not a lot to ask. Just 7 simple things. Sigh.
Regardless of the cause, here is what my heart wants at this moment:
1) To be outside (preferably near the beach, good luck living in Kansas)
2) To have Craig with me
3) To have no responsibilities all day so that I don't feel guilty
4) To have a cup of mint green tea for my sore throat
5) To have my Bible
6) To have 2-3 of my other favorite books and my journal
7) To have the freedom to explore/allow whatever emotions turn up
That's all. Not a lot to ask. Just 7 simple things. Sigh.
August 6, 2011
Blankets
You know how when you're a little kid blankets are somehow a magical force field against all things scary? Well, apparently that doesn't stop just because you grow up. The other night we had an amazing thunderstorm roll through. It was 4:30am and Craig had already left for work so I was alone in a big bed. Keep in mind, this was no ordinary storm. The lightning was seriously crazy and super close; I could hear the sky crack with each bolt. The thunder actually shook the house several times. I kept hoping Elianna would wake up so I could go in and comfort her (ok...so she could comfort me) but the little turkey just slept peacefully through the whole thing. Jerk. Anyway, I decided Facebook would be a good distraction. So I grabbed my phone and logged on. Of course I instantly remembered a news story done about a guy who had been struck by lighting more times than he could count. He spoke of how sometimes the electric shock had actually come through the walls and got him while he was using an electrical appliance or even (gasp) a phone. Just as I'm remembering this (and thinking about how maybe Facebook isn't the best idea after all) a HUGE, like really REALLY huge crack of lightning/thunder struck. My first instinct? Blankets, of course. They are a magical force field, remember?
I felt like such a dork. The worst part? I didn't even turn off my phone, I just thought "the blankets will protect me". Once I processed what was happening I had a good laugh and promptly turned off my phone and went to sleep. All the way under the blankets of course. Never hurts to be careful. : )
I felt like such a dork. The worst part? I didn't even turn off my phone, I just thought "the blankets will protect me". Once I processed what was happening I had a good laugh and promptly turned off my phone and went to sleep. All the way under the blankets of course. Never hurts to be careful. : )
August 2, 2011
Random Reflections
So the other day I was thinking (which means I was in the shower since the shower is the only place I can think - the heat relaxes me and the sound of the water drowns out the two year old who thinks she runs the place). Anyway...I was thinking back on the night before (don't get your hopes up, nothing deep here). My sweet hubby and I had gone to a drive in movie theater of course we brought Elianna (the bossy 2 year old, a.k.a. our daughter, a.k.a. the beast) because we were too cheap to pay for a movie AND a sitter. And we figured she'd sleep through the movies (yep, two of them for the price of one! C'mon I told you I'm cheap!), because like me if the sun is down it is time for bed, so we'd be able to really enjoy the movies and save a couple bucks. It worked. She slept, on the backseat. That's where the thinking comes in. As I'm reliving our wonderful, sleep deprived evening I realized what being a mom is all about (remember, nothing deep). It's about being out on a Friday night until 2am at a drive in and the only action the backseat of the car sees is a snoring, drooling baby and her blankey. "Wow", I thought to myself, "that's kinda sad." Oh well. Maybe next time I'll spring for the sitter! : )
So I get out of the shower and the thinking continues (even more rare!). As I'm brushing my teeth (hey, at least you know I smell good - shower AND brushing my teeth? Must be a special occasion!) I realized that the day before I'd accidentally used Craig's (the sweet hubby's) toothbrush! GROSS! How, one might ask, do I realize this the day AFTER I used it? Because the day before as I was brushing my teeth (two days in a row?!? you know I was looking forward to date night!) I remember being grossed out by the feel of what I thought was my toothbrush. If felt fat and fluffy. You know like those crazy ones you see at other people's houses where it looks like they pride themselves on having used the same toothbrush since Jr. High? Yeah, that's what it felt like. I'd even taken it out mid-brush to inspect it. Just to be sure it wasn't funky looking. I feel the need to interject that Craig and I have very similar toothbrushes but his has different bristles (obviously, they're gross) and a little bit of orange. One can understand how rushing to get myself and the crazy toddler ready in the morning to make it to daycare/work on time I could easily have grabbed the wrong one. I might also add that I don't have my coffee until I get to work (where I have a student worker who makes it, serves it, and does the dishes! Like I'd really start making my own at home when I have it so good at work!) So...anyway. I realized I'd used his. It was gross. I think the next time I see a toothbrush coupon we're getting new ones which look nothing alike. Yep, long way to get to that point. Oh well!
Be blessed! (And inspect your toothbrush because now you know if I visit you I just may blog about the state of said toothbrush.)
So I get out of the shower and the thinking continues (even more rare!). As I'm brushing my teeth (hey, at least you know I smell good - shower AND brushing my teeth? Must be a special occasion!) I realized that the day before I'd accidentally used Craig's (the sweet hubby's) toothbrush! GROSS! How, one might ask, do I realize this the day AFTER I used it? Because the day before as I was brushing my teeth (two days in a row?!? you know I was looking forward to date night!) I remember being grossed out by the feel of what I thought was my toothbrush. If felt fat and fluffy. You know like those crazy ones you see at other people's houses where it looks like they pride themselves on having used the same toothbrush since Jr. High? Yeah, that's what it felt like. I'd even taken it out mid-brush to inspect it. Just to be sure it wasn't funky looking. I feel the need to interject that Craig and I have very similar toothbrushes but his has different bristles (obviously, they're gross) and a little bit of orange. One can understand how rushing to get myself and the crazy toddler ready in the morning to make it to daycare/work on time I could easily have grabbed the wrong one. I might also add that I don't have my coffee until I get to work (where I have a student worker who makes it, serves it, and does the dishes! Like I'd really start making my own at home when I have it so good at work!) So...anyway. I realized I'd used his. It was gross. I think the next time I see a toothbrush coupon we're getting new ones which look nothing alike. Yep, long way to get to that point. Oh well!
Be blessed! (And inspect your toothbrush because now you know if I visit you I just may blog about the state of said toothbrush.)
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