AND..............
Apparently in the midst of Doing Nothing..............
God figures out your life plan!
I get to work at my favorite place in the world this summer!
I also was offered a kindergarten teaching position out on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota starting next fall!
It's so hard to believe that everything worked out in my life. Last year about this week I was stuck in Spain because of a train strike in France and a stupid volcanoe over Iceland. Little did I know that I would be sitting here, a month before college graduation and have a summer job, let alone an actual teaching gig. My heart is filled to the brim with happiness :) I'm all grown up.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
i pledge to Do Nothing
“Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.” -Winnie the Pooh
Yesterday was ridiculous. I had soccer in the horrid rain all day. The rain turned all six soccer fields into a messy but quite entertaining debacle. Kids were slipping and sliding all over the place. Two bloody noses later, we had to call off the rest of the games for the day. One field was so bad that we couldn't even see any green splotches of grass by noon. The parents just wanted to get home, but the kids absolutely LOVED the muddy atmosphere. They didn't care that their shoes would get stuck in the mud or that their faces were completely covered with it. All they wanted to do was kick the ball around and get as dirty as humanly possible.
I feel the need to comment on one of the kids from the 11:30 game. It was halftime and he stood on the field waiting for his teammates. As my coworker was about the blow the whistle, this particular child let out a long stream of sound. Yes, sound. It wasn't words. It was seriously like Tarzan swinging through a rain forest. This "sound" seemed to be like a vocal exercise that a singer would use. A very inexperienced/horrible singer. It lasted for about 30 seconds while everyone, including his coach, stared at him. My coworker and I busted out laughing so hard that we can't breathe. Then, the little kid says with a sheepish smile, "What? I'm just really excited to play soccer!!" Afterwards I talked with his mom about it. She said that her son makes the most out of each minute no matter what he does, apparently Tarzan sounds included :)
Graduation looms like a black widow around the corner and it makes me think about the quote at the beginning of this entry. Time flew by so fast this semester that it left me little time to "Do Nothing" as Pooh puts it. I read Winne the Pooh for a class last semester and we talked a lot about what that really means in our world today. As Americans we don't take the time just to sit and enjoy life. We constantly worry about our future. We desperately need to take the time to Do Nothing, otherwise, we can't appreciate life to the fullest. Our souls hurt if we don't. Oddly enough, as kids you see this more and more. They are more in tune to the idea of "Doing Nothing" and embrace it. Kids see what grown ups don't with their pure innocence. Just like the Tarzan boy, I'm learning to be okay with the idea of pausing my life for a bit and taking a moment here or there to actually breathe.
Don't be afraid to soak up what life has to offer.
Yesterday was ridiculous. I had soccer in the horrid rain all day. The rain turned all six soccer fields into a messy but quite entertaining debacle. Kids were slipping and sliding all over the place. Two bloody noses later, we had to call off the rest of the games for the day. One field was so bad that we couldn't even see any green splotches of grass by noon. The parents just wanted to get home, but the kids absolutely LOVED the muddy atmosphere. They didn't care that their shoes would get stuck in the mud or that their faces were completely covered with it. All they wanted to do was kick the ball around and get as dirty as humanly possible.
I feel the need to comment on one of the kids from the 11:30 game. It was halftime and he stood on the field waiting for his teammates. As my coworker was about the blow the whistle, this particular child let out a long stream of sound. Yes, sound. It wasn't words. It was seriously like Tarzan swinging through a rain forest. This "sound" seemed to be like a vocal exercise that a singer would use. A very inexperienced/horrible singer. It lasted for about 30 seconds while everyone, including his coach, stared at him. My coworker and I busted out laughing so hard that we can't breathe. Then, the little kid says with a sheepish smile, "What? I'm just really excited to play soccer!!" Afterwards I talked with his mom about it. She said that her son makes the most out of each minute no matter what he does, apparently Tarzan sounds included :)
Graduation looms like a black widow around the corner and it makes me think about the quote at the beginning of this entry. Time flew by so fast this semester that it left me little time to "Do Nothing" as Pooh puts it. I read Winne the Pooh for a class last semester and we talked a lot about what that really means in our world today. As Americans we don't take the time just to sit and enjoy life. We constantly worry about our future. We desperately need to take the time to Do Nothing, otherwise, we can't appreciate life to the fullest. Our souls hurt if we don't. Oddly enough, as kids you see this more and more. They are more in tune to the idea of "Doing Nothing" and embrace it. Kids see what grown ups don't with their pure innocence. Just like the Tarzan boy, I'm learning to be okay with the idea of pausing my life for a bit and taking a moment here or there to actually breathe.
Don't be afraid to soak up what life has to offer.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Taking in the small things
Reasons why this weekend has been the best ever:
1. Yesterday I got to ref soccer for the 7U division at the parks department for eight straight hours.
2. This lead to a beautiful sunburn on my face and even lovelier sunburn on my neck from my whistle/stopwatch.
3. Even though I hadn't been a referee there for a year, I ran into some of the most amazing coaches from years past that still remembered me and were happy to have me back :)
4. I ran into one of my most memorable campers, Maddie, at the fields who ran to hug me in the middle of my game. That's exactly why I love her! I had her my first year at Camp T. Her dad, George, was a coach for the parks department that used to give me a hard time and make fun of me while being a referee. But, he always got us Subway for lunch on Saturdays. This makes them the best family ever.
5. After I came home from soccer, I took a nap, had dinner, read, then fell asleep for twelve hours.
6. This was the first time, in my six years at this job that I didn't have a migraine or get sick after working eight hours. :)
7. I get to go to church today with my best friend and see my church family for the first time since February.
8. Tonight I get to see all of my wonderful Delta sisters.
This whole weekend has helped me realize just how wonderful life can be. Yesterday was the happiest day I've had in a long time too. The parks department lets me have fun with the 1st graders and remember why I keep coming back year after year. Its a place where all the parents, coaches, and kids are there to have fun. It's not about who has the higher score. The kids love getting a chance to run around and I'll bet the parents love having a chance just to sit down for once. I feel like I'm getting back to the old Abby I used to be before last year. It's a slow process, but I'm starting to understand that I'm okay on my own. Finally :)
1. Yesterday I got to ref soccer for the 7U division at the parks department for eight straight hours.
2. This lead to a beautiful sunburn on my face and even lovelier sunburn on my neck from my whistle/stopwatch.
3. Even though I hadn't been a referee there for a year, I ran into some of the most amazing coaches from years past that still remembered me and were happy to have me back :)
4. I ran into one of my most memorable campers, Maddie, at the fields who ran to hug me in the middle of my game. That's exactly why I love her! I had her my first year at Camp T. Her dad, George, was a coach for the parks department that used to give me a hard time and make fun of me while being a referee. But, he always got us Subway for lunch on Saturdays. This makes them the best family ever.
5. After I came home from soccer, I took a nap, had dinner, read, then fell asleep for twelve hours.
6. This was the first time, in my six years at this job that I didn't have a migraine or get sick after working eight hours. :)
7. I get to go to church today with my best friend and see my church family for the first time since February.
8. Tonight I get to see all of my wonderful Delta sisters.
This whole weekend has helped me realize just how wonderful life can be. Yesterday was the happiest day I've had in a long time too. The parks department lets me have fun with the 1st graders and remember why I keep coming back year after year. Its a place where all the parents, coaches, and kids are there to have fun. It's not about who has the higher score. The kids love getting a chance to run around and I'll bet the parents love having a chance just to sit down for once. I feel like I'm getting back to the old Abby I used to be before last year. It's a slow process, but I'm starting to understand that I'm okay on my own. Finally :)
Friday, April 8, 2011
And then my life exploded......
Its been a long time so here are some quick and important updates:
1. Wednesday I had an interview with the recruiter out at the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. It went amazingly well and took over an hour. That's a great sign :) We talked about living on the rez, why I chose the school, the culture shock, salary/stipend/Americorp program, living with seven other housemates and lots of other fun random info.
2. During the interview I found out that I am going against two other people for the kindergarten position at the school. If I don't get an offer for that job they are willing to offer me a job coteaching second grade and being the second in command for the Afterschool care program for grades K-8. The beauty about the kindergarten position is that I could also coach the soccer team there. But, I would love to get my feet wet for a year coteaching and use my other talents with the Afterschool care program. Since this is a volunteer program, the stipend is the same for both positions. Lucky me :) Also, my interviewer Luke, is actually in training to become a Jesuit priest (pretty cool, right?) and went to college at St. Joe in southern Indiana. His freshman year roommate was from Crown Point, just down the road from here. It's really weird how God puts people in our life and it all connects.
3. According to Luke I am accepted into the Red Cloud volunteer program pending that my interview with the principal next week goes well.
4. Last week, I talked to my boss at the Parks Department and lined up a couple jobs for the summer like T-ball umpiring and possibly working the front desk at one of the golf courses in Valpo.
5. And this is where my life exploded even more.....I received an email from Camp Tecumseh offering me a position again this summer. My mind was blown. Last I knew, I wasn't going back because of certain things that happened last year and my boss said that they didn't have any positions available. Now, they want me to come back.
6. I'm at such a crossroads in my life right now. The South Dakota position starts July 31 and Camp goes from the first week of June until the second week of August. Even if I worked at Camp, during the interview process in December I had no idea the SD stuff would work out. Now here come the questions: do I work it out so I can be at camp again for another summer or do I stay here and work for the Parks Department? Do I apply for public school teaching gigs and go through the interviews while at camp over the summer?
7. If my life works out the way I want it to it would go like this:
May-substitute teach every weekday
June-camp
July-camp
August 2011 to June 2013- Teach out on the Rez in South Dakota
*This "plan" means I have to be at camp on a Saturday and then fly to SD the next day and start my training for the teacher position. I'm not sure about that whole transition from living at home with parents, to living at camp, and then moving to a whole different state all within such a short amount of time. I did this kind of thing last summer when I came home from England and then moved to camp not too soon after. It was wonderful and rough at the same time.
My parent's edition goes like this though:
May-substitute
June through August-work for the Parks Department
August and for the next ten years-teach in a public school somewhere in either Indiana or Illinois
Last week I had no idea what the heck I was going to do with my life besides graduating and hopefully teach somewhere. Now, everything is all over the place! The timing doesn't match up and that's what freaks me out the most. I've never had to think about a summer job and a real, legit, grown up, paying my bills kind of job come fall. Throw in money for plane tickets, car payments, and loans then you have my life. It is scary. I've never had all of these opportunities thrown at me at the same time.
It's like God got me through all of those rough times last semester and said "Hey, look what you can do!" His plans for me will always be greater than my own and this just goes to show what giving it over to God really means.
1. Wednesday I had an interview with the recruiter out at the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. It went amazingly well and took over an hour. That's a great sign :) We talked about living on the rez, why I chose the school, the culture shock, salary/stipend/Americorp program, living with seven other housemates and lots of other fun random info.
2. During the interview I found out that I am going against two other people for the kindergarten position at the school. If I don't get an offer for that job they are willing to offer me a job coteaching second grade and being the second in command for the Afterschool care program for grades K-8. The beauty about the kindergarten position is that I could also coach the soccer team there. But, I would love to get my feet wet for a year coteaching and use my other talents with the Afterschool care program. Since this is a volunteer program, the stipend is the same for both positions. Lucky me :) Also, my interviewer Luke, is actually in training to become a Jesuit priest (pretty cool, right?) and went to college at St. Joe in southern Indiana. His freshman year roommate was from Crown Point, just down the road from here. It's really weird how God puts people in our life and it all connects.
3. According to Luke I am accepted into the Red Cloud volunteer program pending that my interview with the principal next week goes well.
4. Last week, I talked to my boss at the Parks Department and lined up a couple jobs for the summer like T-ball umpiring and possibly working the front desk at one of the golf courses in Valpo.
5. And this is where my life exploded even more.....I received an email from Camp Tecumseh offering me a position again this summer. My mind was blown. Last I knew, I wasn't going back because of certain things that happened last year and my boss said that they didn't have any positions available. Now, they want me to come back.
6. I'm at such a crossroads in my life right now. The South Dakota position starts July 31 and Camp goes from the first week of June until the second week of August. Even if I worked at Camp, during the interview process in December I had no idea the SD stuff would work out. Now here come the questions: do I work it out so I can be at camp again for another summer or do I stay here and work for the Parks Department? Do I apply for public school teaching gigs and go through the interviews while at camp over the summer?
7. If my life works out the way I want it to it would go like this:
May-substitute teach every weekday
June-camp
July-camp
August 2011 to June 2013- Teach out on the Rez in South Dakota
*This "plan" means I have to be at camp on a Saturday and then fly to SD the next day and start my training for the teacher position. I'm not sure about that whole transition from living at home with parents, to living at camp, and then moving to a whole different state all within such a short amount of time. I did this kind of thing last summer when I came home from England and then moved to camp not too soon after. It was wonderful and rough at the same time.
My parent's edition goes like this though:
May-substitute
June through August-work for the Parks Department
August and for the next ten years-teach in a public school somewhere in either Indiana or Illinois
Last week I had no idea what the heck I was going to do with my life besides graduating and hopefully teach somewhere. Now, everything is all over the place! The timing doesn't match up and that's what freaks me out the most. I've never had to think about a summer job and a real, legit, grown up, paying my bills kind of job come fall. Throw in money for plane tickets, car payments, and loans then you have my life. It is scary. I've never had all of these opportunities thrown at me at the same time.
It's like God got me through all of those rough times last semester and said "Hey, look what you can do!" His plans for me will always be greater than my own and this just goes to show what giving it over to God really means.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
To Everyone Out There
I'm trying to figure out if this blog is worth it....
So, if you still read this please leave some sort of comment letting me know that you're still out there.
So, if you still read this please leave some sort of comment letting me know that you're still out there.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ode to April
Today I met up with my college best friend April at Sanibel, FL with our families. This little island is very well known for the beaches made of shells. They are everywhere you look-big and small in their glory. It gave me a chance to actually talk with April. Although we are best friends and in the same major, we don't get to see each other that often because of student teaching.
I don't know if I can truly describe April on paper. She is the most spunky person I've ever met in my life. She has such high ambitions but at the same time lives her life day to day while being very highly organized. She craves adventure whether it's stealing my mattress and hiding it in an elevator or flying to a foreign country with a housemate that she despises. I love my friend because of all of the hidden qualities that most people don't get to see from her right away.
While April and I have had our fair share of fights, we are always there for one another. She wasn't a fan of my last relationship for many reasons and she never hid it. That's only something a true friend will do. She fought with me through the muck of the depression last semester and I can honestly say that if she saved my life one night without even knowing it. The most beautiful part of our friendship is that we may not talk every day or even every week. Although we may not, I feel as close to her as ever. I'm proud to call her my friend and to know that she has helped me to become a strong and independent person. I hope that I've done the same for her. The last four years of college wouldn't have been the same without this very special and unique April in my life. I know right now she may be reading this and hate how sentimental I'm being. I'm betting that she even teared up. (She hates getting emotion so this means I'm doing a good job hehe)
I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in life. She will make an amazing 5th grade teacher and that school will be lucky to have her. It's hard for me to believe that after graduation our lives will go separate ways. We will likely be in different states and have different plans. That won't matter. We'll always stay in touch somehow. Deep down, I will always carry around that little ray of April sunshine with me wherever I go.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
To Live Would be an Awfully Big Adventure
Florida days are absolutely beautiful. One cannot find another word to truly do it justice. Then, you see a Florida sunset. The sky slowly turns from orange to a purple and all of the worries of the world slip away. It's God's way of saying that everything will be okay and that He has an amazing adventure out there just for you. That adventure may not be made of perfect days like today with a gentle sunset, but rather a stormy sky filled with lightening may be in the near future. All in all, we must be soothed by the notion that it is His wonderful plan and adventure that leads us down a the ultimate path. As Peter Pan says, "To live would be an awfully big adventure,".
Awhile back, I submitted my application to Red Cloud Indian School out in South Dakota after much praying. Last week, I heard back from the recruiter who processes the apps before the interview with the principal. My parents aren't thrilled with the idea of it being a volunteer program since I'll be way in debt after graduation. I can't remember the last time I was this excited and determined about something though. Doesn't He want for us to live a life of simplicity and to use what talents He gave us to help one another? Doesn't God want us to share faith with our neighbors and to make a difference by making the world a better place to live in? Even though most people don't understand, this is the life I want to lead. I don't want a 25,000 dollar teaching job in my hometown. Yes, I could make a difference there but that's not where my true calling is at this point. God is calling me, no, not just calling--rather, He is pushing me out to the Lakota at Pine Ridge. Who would I be to deny such a push? This is the start of a brand new adventure.
Awhile back, I submitted my application to Red Cloud Indian School out in South Dakota after much praying. Last week, I heard back from the recruiter who processes the apps before the interview with the principal. My parents aren't thrilled with the idea of it being a volunteer program since I'll be way in debt after graduation. I can't remember the last time I was this excited and determined about something though. Doesn't He want for us to live a life of simplicity and to use what talents He gave us to help one another? Doesn't God want us to share faith with our neighbors and to make a difference by making the world a better place to live in? Even though most people don't understand, this is the life I want to lead. I don't want a 25,000 dollar teaching job in my hometown. Yes, I could make a difference there but that's not where my true calling is at this point. God is calling me, no, not just calling--rather, He is pushing me out to the Lakota at Pine Ridge. Who would I be to deny such a push? This is the start of a brand new adventure.
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