quick update

Summer: a time most use for rest, relaxation, and re-cooperation. Not me! Having returned from my 2nd beach trip of the season early this morning I am finally taking this afternoon to relinquish my recent neglectfulness of the blog.
A few things.
* I start tutoring this week and am so excited about it! I can't wait to have some one-on-one time with this kid and watch him to continue to progress in multiple areas over the summer. I'm also introducing the concept of "homework". We'll see how that goes.
* I go with my mom to Johns Hopkins on Tuesday for her first 6 month scan. Praying everything is clean and hoping to catch up with some old neighbors for a crab-fest after the long day of appointments.
* My back is doing better. As many of you know I'd really been struggling with the whole not being able to run thing. To have that taken away during the stressful end of the school year was not the best thing to ever happen. However, with physical therapy I do feel a lot of progress...meaning I actually am getting feeling back in my leg. (haha). I will run again even if it's not the competitive distance I had hoped for.
* Then there's Nashville in early July for the Vandy thing. Utah in late July to catch up with Lora, one of my dearest friends from high school, and her husband Bryce. Throw in some wedding showers and bachelorette parties and August will be here bringing a new school year and craziness with it that I call my life.

Colors Festival

"Local Colors is Roanoke’s premiere year-long multi-cultural program which recognizes and embraces people of diverse origins, races and ethnic backgrounds.

Throughout the year Local Colors works with schools, colleges, neighborhoods, retirement communities, government, businesses, and civic organizations to promote diversity and multi-cultural understanding.

Annually it culminates in the third weekend of May with the renowned Local Colors Festival."

Ever since I can remember I have celebrated this event with my family in downtown Roanoke. In this, the 21st year there were over 94 languages spoken and even more countries in attendance.  Thousands of people come to peruse the crowd, eat delicious food (seriously de-lic-ious), watch native performances, browse through (or buy) handmade items, and learn about different countries. As a child many of my friends from different countries would participate in this event and it was so cool to see them in their traditional dress. It was nice to see many people I knew and catch up. My papaya on a stick and some sort of Egyptian food were tasty-and comical when I my brothers started fighting over who got to eat what I didn't finish. Reminded me of why I lose weight when I go home.

Pretty weather. Friendly people. Good food (notice how many times I've mentioned food in this post-yum!). People learning to accept one another because of differences. What a fabulous day!

(My memory card was full so these are from the colors website, not my camera.)

"you've learned me!"

Things I was learned today.
1) It is amazing how much an ipod touch and green m&m's help my classroom management. It is also amazing how much they hurt it when I leave it in Roanoke or run out. Note to self: Get the ipod asap and buy m&m's. Maybe I should invest in the colorworks ones and just buy green...and then the kid will change his favorite color back to red.
2) There is a difference between the s-word and the sh-word. The s-word is "stupid" and we all know the other one. Both were uttered in my classroom today, and my kids freaked out more about stupid than the other one. Hmmmm...
3) We are going to the dairy farm tomorrow (btw one of my kids was pooped on last year). We were talking about where milk comes from and the whole process of getting from the cow-->home. It was a very interesting/fun conversation in which we all were learned. My favorite/least favorite part of the conversation happened when one of my kids asked where baby cows come from. There were many responses, but two of my favorite are below.
    a)kid 1: They cut the cow's tummy open just like they cut your mommy's tummy.
       kid 2: They cut my mommy?!?!
   b) It comes out of a hole. Like our belly button.
4) You can't go to the same doctor's office twice in the same day even if you are seeing two separate physicians, because your insurance will freak out. I'm in high demand these days, so I get to go to the same place on Monday and then again on Tuesday, which is perfectly gas efficient.
5) I was included in one of my 5 year old's prayer last night. This makes me very happy. a: because I made her happy and b: because her mom is comfortable enough with me to know I share the same beliefs as their family.
6) Our chicks went outdoors for the first time today. That was a big hit. It was also during this time that one of my kids said "Ms. Henderson you've done a great job of learning me this year!".
Yes, I have learned a lot this year. 19 days left.

Chicks Chicks Chicks

As you know I have been working on incubating chicks in my classroom. Well, it was taking a little longer than planned aka for some unknown reason no chicks were hatching. So, I cheated. There I said it, I'm a cheater. I went to a hatchery and asked for two eggs that were getting ready to hatch, and they were nice enough to donate to my good cause. My kids were able to witness the eggs peeping/shaking/cracking, but the actual hatching took place after school.

Needless to say there were some very excited kids in the morning. Morning routines have already been messed up by excitement from checking the incubator every morning, so I decided to prevent that from happening with this chaos. I stopped the line in the hallway and had everyone take folders out of backpacks right then and there. Then I let them in little by little to sit on the rug. They were surprisingly well behaved and followed directions with a few prompts. The morning was consumed with going over rules for handling the chicks, holding the chicks, and naming the chicks! Some names in the running were: Daisy, Jenna, Emily, Rose, Betty, Freddy, Fishbowl, Army Guy, Hat, Red, and the winners (seen below). I wrote all the names on paper and then drew 3 boy and 3 girl names. Then the students made a human graph to determine the winners. I must admit this was also a bit staged when Princess Kate was chosen obviously Prince William had to be a choice when it was time to vote. I was impressed that my kids remembered the wedding that had taken place. We had briefly discussed it on Monday when I was told "A new princess was born", but it just shows how much of an impact this royal wedding made on everyone--even 6 year olds. Below are nametags and "Buckingham Palace"-made out of paper, tp rolls, and glitter glue.

Is this a project I will undertake next year? I think so. Will I do things differently? Yes! I think I'll make friends with the hatchery next year too and save the stress/waiting time/money. In the meantime the learning experience and excitement has made all this work well worth it!

 

End of the Semester

Sometimes I think it's silly that I get in such a bundle about taking two classes in a semester. I've been stressing about this paper that is due Tuesday since February-but still have yet to find a topic. I worry over getting a B. I used to secretly be annoyed with the people who always had to get A's. When did I turn into one? I need to go back to athletedom. No, I'm not saying athletes aren't the brightest (though many aren't), they just have a different mantra about them. I can't explain it, but I miss it.

I've done the math (and many of you know I HATE math) to find out what I can get on this paper to still get the grade I want in this class. I wrote it on a post-it and it's stuck to my computer. I will become well acquainted with a new library on campus this weekend, research is forcing me to branch out of my ISAT comforts. When I finish I will throw all my papers in the air-as seen below, an end of the year tradition and find some way to congratulate myself that doesn't involve my usual ways (darn you again radiculopathy!!).

Listen to this teacher complain about learning...I'm ashamed of myself...I'm sure I'll get over it :)

Shoes

Some days you just gotta get through and not worry about pretty petty things. This kid started with black shoes this morning. I look over on the rug when switching reading groups and she has her shoes off. Might I add she had also convinced everyone else in her reading group to take off their shoes, and no, many of them can't put their shoes on/tie by themselves=fun times for me. I told her to put her shoes on and she pulled out the white pair from her bookbag. Fine-change into the white ones because they "fit better", just put something on your feet. After lunch I noticed she had a shoe off again, only one, and was carrying it down the hall. Apparently it was too tight. I told her she needed to choose 2 shoes. It didn't matter which two, and keep them on her feet. This is what I got out of her. And what I sent her home with. Had to capture the moment after school to remind myself...it's Kindergarten! Love this kid!

Goal of the Week

I'm well aware of the sense of urgency I have written about in my past posts. Well here's a different spin. I need to SLOW DOWN. I used to take my time at literally everything--walking, reading, growing (yes I know this is funny now), getting ready for school, developing into a talented athlete. Just recently I've experienced
 bamsyndromegoingsofastyouhavepanicattacks! I find myself running to work, classes, tutoring, babysitting, sleeping, eating, and the scarcity of my social calendar sometimes worries me.

This morning a missionary from South Africa gave the sermon at my church. He was talking about how time is not an issue in Africa. Katelyn has also said this and I think that's why she fits in so well and feels at home over there. If you see someone you don't just rush on or have a "hi. how are you? bye." conversation by like people do here. You stop and have a meaningful conversation, because we never know when all a person needs is to talk to someone for five minutes in order to make their day or save their life. My goal of the week--of course it would be right at the end of the semester--sllllllllllooow dooooowwwnn. We'll see if I meet it.

Race for the Cure

I don't know anyone who hasn't had their life tainted with cancer in one way or another.

A dear family friend Kim, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year at the age of 36. She has 2 boys, Jackson and Josh, ages 5 and 7. My family met the Smith family a few years ago when I was at Bridgewater. Settling for second best (haha i kid i kid) the two little ones quickly fell into a deep admiration/infatuation/obsession of my brother Josh. Every Sunday when Josh H. would stand up for communion you would hear "LOOK IT'S JOSH HENDERSON" from somewhere in the sanctuary. Josh and Jackson are still #1 fans of my brother and since they weren't able to go to any of his basketball games this season they instead constantly looked for him on tv, talked about him, drew pictures, acted like him etc. Even though Josh H. was unable to run today he was brought up many times by the boys as we did different activities.

I have been amazed at the strength of this family during this trying time and their unwaivering faith. Kim and Calvin have been able to keep a strong stable foundation for their children throughout the past year. One that is only possible through a Christ centered life. I am glad to have Kim as a friend and role model of how I should live my life even when her life is on the line.

I had the privilege of participating in the Susan B. Komen 5K Race for the Cure yesterday at Green Hill Park on the Kim's Dawgs Team. I brought my flip camera around thinking it had the potential to keep the boys entertained for awhile when the race wasn't going on. Little did I know how awesome the results would be.

The ability to see through the eyes of a 5 and 7 year old of what cancer means to them. The serious undertones Josh focused on with the camera: pink ribbons/buttons, survivor banners, posters. And then of course the fun details that a kindergartener and 2nd grader playfully point out: a pink porta-potty, my socks, a punchbuggy, dancing with the chic-fli-a cow, a pink flag lining our route as Josh kicked my butt running the whole 5k (Jackson even ran the whole first mile with us!), and keeping the secret of the video from Kim. They were all into it--the first thing Josh said after crossing the finish line was "Let's video"! Here's a SHORT version of the video as they took 81 clips.
To all the mothers who keep fighting daily:

Kim we love you!

New Project

Did anyone hatch chicks in their classroom growing up? I don't remember it in elementary school, but I do remember it in my AP Anatomy and Physiology class. I also remember cracking the eggs open at different points of the incubation period and aborting the fetuses to see the different developmental stages (this will NOT be happening in my room). Sad!

Here's the beginning of the project. My kids are stoked!! We are practicing this week with an empty incubator and then adding eggs on Tuesday. There will be a 21--supposed to be, day incubation period then we will have chicks running around the classroom. When we get tired of them I will bring them back to the farm where they will live happily among the other feathered friends.

Pictures for practicing. I let the kids who have a hard time following directions pick the pictures that would help them remember the best (amazing how that little trick works so well).

The most organized this counter has ever been, notice the blue tape: hands free zone. I need to fix the cord so it's facing the other way, and the other stuff will be moved away to prevent accidental bumping.

Hopefully chicks will be our end result. They won't look like these because of the type of chicken, but I'm sure they will be super cute in their own little way.

And everyone will be as excited as Miss Emma! Her mom is hooking me up with the eggs and is willing to put up with all of my questions. Thanks Charity!

Katelyn Update

1) There are many mice, bugs, lizards, etc. in Zambia. While talking on the phone I heard a glass break and Katelyn exclaim "Oh shoot a mouse broke another one of my BaMayo's (house mother) glasses. Apparently there are so many that they knock things off shelves. She also has to clean the top of her mosquito net daily. That right there is a reason I would not survive in the Peace Corps. Ewww I can't even bear to put up a picture of a mouse on here, they disgust me so much. gag.

2) When proposed to, it happens often, Katelyn has a few responses she rotates between. a) I'm too expensive. My father will want 200 cows. b) "I'm married"--which she has learned to say in Bemba. c) "I'm with him."--she has a deal with some guys, 2 I think, who are also in the Peace Corps, and she is her flirty self with them so anyone would probably believe her.

3) This is a story she specifically said to mention on here. She and her BaMayo went to buy a chicken the other day. K was expecting to go to the store you know and buy a chicken to take home and cook. Instead they went to a chicken market where they walked around picking up live chickens and comparing them to one another. So they picked out their live chicken and then guess who got to carry it home. Yes, Katelyn. She said at first it was quiet and then it started squawking and trying to get out. Her BaMayo kept telling her to not suffocate it and let it breathe, Katelyn said she was just thinking about how it was going to die as soon as they got home so why worry about it in the bag? Luckily she did not have to witness the slaughtering of the chicken and she had enjoyed it for 2 meals when I talked to her. Who thought Katelyn the humanitarian would've ever been part of taking a chicken to its death.

4) She is becoming more fluent in the Bemba language. She started saying things yesterday and I had to remind her I didn't speak that language. I speak English.

5) She says the school's over there are much different over there, which is to be expected, but she feels she is doing something to change lives. There aren't really any behavior problems because the kids know how much of a privilege it is to go to school. They need books, a project I will begin when I have 2 seconds of breathing time, or when I decide to crunch some more into my schedule.

6)I made the mistake of mentioning sending money to her which was thrown back in my face with the question of if I was stupid. Apparently letters she has gotten have been opened and people steal things inside if it is worth anything. Duh! I live in such a box sometimes. However, if you write "Jesus loves you" or "God Bless you" they won't be touched. Maybe thieves are afraid of stealing "holy" things? Interesting. Needless to say I'm not putting any money in her letters and if people open the letter I put in the mail today they are going to be very interested with its contents. Haha I hope they get a laugh out of that one. I'm certainly willing to share with them.

7) She says she misses her friends over here in the states, but also that she's glad she's over there. For the first time in her life she feels at home. The people are friendly and accepting, she feels like she's doing something.
Go Davis!

Weird how things work out.

Last night I was reminiscing about good ole BC with a friend while watching final 4 games. We were talking about some stuff that happened freshman year and wow how we both have changed since then. Then this morning I get a text from another friend who will be graduating this year and is feverishly working on her honors project. She was asking what professors I had on my honors oral exam panel and how nerve-wracking it was. Then I get a phone call from my best friend Katelyn telling me about what is going on in Zambia, which deserves a post later all on its own!

Talk about taking it back, I love this time of year! There are so many changes going on around and I miss being a part of that! I love the uncertainty of the future, even though it secretly drives me coo-koo. I love my job, but I like to spice things up every once in awhile. As I've said before if I don't have a lot going on I am bored to death! This is what got me in trouble when I was a child, sorry to those of you who had to deal with me.

I remember just a brief time ago walking (late) to my honor's panel. I had planned to wear my lucky red shoes and had forgotten to paint my toenails to match--I believe they were green. Anyway I painted over only the couple of toes you could see in my stylish shoes so they would match, hence I was not early like I had planned. I had three professors all of whom I had a good relationship with: 2 heads of depts. (English/Education--woop woop for double majors) and one I got to choose. I probably should have been more nervous than I was, but back then I was a better procrastinator than I am now, as my good friend Elise can tell you when she was stressing out more about my 20some page paper due that day than I was. She even locked me in my room...oh what good friends I have. Anyway the "scariest" part of the interview was having to explain to these people why I refused to do an honors project. I said it to the bluntly and surprisingly they respected my decision and were supportive when I said--I want to have a life. Well as much of a life I could have with student teaching, leading my basketball team, and working in the writing center. I remember how big of a deal it was to me at the time because having a different color cord "labeling" me as lower than others would make a difference in my future. Looking back that is one decision I do not regret. 

I remember talking with Katelyn (also an education major) about wanting to make a difference in the world. I'm the more level headed one--there I said it, I act spontaneous but actually am constantly cerebrating every detail of my life. She's the let's do it one--just pick up and go even though she doesn't always act like she has the confidence to do it. After graduation I was starting grad school because I just knew I wasn't going to get a job and heaven forbid my plan get messed up. K was just going to see what happened and go with the flow.

That brings us to today: I have my job, which I love but sometimes also feel "tied down". My awesome friend on the other hand left for Africa with the Peace Corps in February. She is a teacher over there. How cool is that? Teaching in one of the most impoverished places in the world! Now that is making a difference!

Looking back it is amazing how some things have stayed important to me and some things now just seem silly. I have a sense of urgency about myself and what I am doing each day that I don't think/hope will ever go away. It is best described by this Leonardo da Vinci quote: "I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do". I ask you, what are you doing with your knowledge and willingness to impact this world today? 

Bringing it back to the sports mantra: Just Do It!

Woops

Hello, over a year later. Well I succumbed to it...forgetting to post on here. Let me fill you in on the last years' happenings in my favorite way. A LIST!

1. I'm still teaching kindergarten. This class is much more diverse than last year, but I have learned so much and am a growing educator.

2. I'm still living on the farm. When the time comes it will be extremely difficult to leave my "second family". They have been so good to me, and I am lucky to have developed some relationships that will last a lifetime.

3. I'm still at JMU. Though it's not Bridgewater (my heart's sweet care....) it is slowly growing on me. I did get to play intramural basketball so JMU earned some brownie points there. I'm really not that hard to please.

4. After a difficult fall and multiple surgeries my mom is cancer free. She goes back to Johns Hopkins in July for scans, but does not have to do anything else. Her diabetes has also improved from having the tumor on her pancreas removed.

5. Josh finished his first season on the Vanderbilt basketball team in March. He has enjoyed the "time-off" these last couple of weeks gallivanting around campus and doing what he thinks regular students do all the time. Oh to be 18 again...

6. Matt is still in C-ville doing the teacher thing. His creativity with his students amazes me. Thanks for the inspiration.

7. I promise I will do better at this thing.