14 October 2009
Graduate School
I've been toying with the idea since the summer of returning full time to school for the Fall 2010 semester. I'm about 99% decided on this now. I've just about finished applications for UNC, Duke and CofC. They all have applied mathematics programs which can lead to teaching at the college level or working for the government. Why would I want to teach at the college level? Well, I like teaching, but want more challenging material. Why would I want to work for the govt? Well, haha, that I dont know. But I do know I want to know more about mathematics and explore other options.
08 September 2009
Tuesday
Tuesday. Whats so special about you, Tuesday? Well, nothing in particular I guess. Today was our 1st full day of classes. First day back to 43 minute periods. First day back to classes after the Labor day weekend. Good weekend. Went to Delaware to visit my grandmom and uncle, then to NYC with mom. Hopefully this week will bring about the signing of a lease on a new apartment, which means this weekend will be full of moving, followed by furniture shopping and then decorating!
31 August 2009
Day 1
Today was the 1st of many days. Many days in which hallways will be full of students talking and laughing, classrooms full of learning, teachers running to and fro teaching, growth and new experiences. Today was a good day.
This year is different than the rest. Today my homeroom was a homeroom of seniors. Where has time gone? They started a tiny freshman, quiet and unassuming (or plotting as many still are...) and today, they were in tennis shoes and sperrys. Long gone are the days of reminding them to be in the correct shoes. Soon will come senior sweaters and cap and gown order forms. Now, before I go getting all nostalgic, we first have to make it there... Throughout any given day, 100 students plus 25 homeroom students and I will cross paths. At least 80 of them are seniors... Now those of you who are not teachers may not understand, but these kids, while many are sweet and kind, funny and challenging, are already mentally gone. At least mine are. I do not teach the honors students, but they are all gifted in other ways; some great musicians, others amazing athletes, but math is not their specialty. So, for the next 38ish weeks, we must survive each other. Pray! Pray! Pray! Love them lots!!!!!
This year is different than the rest. Today my homeroom was a homeroom of seniors. Where has time gone? They started a tiny freshman, quiet and unassuming (or plotting as many still are...) and today, they were in tennis shoes and sperrys. Long gone are the days of reminding them to be in the correct shoes. Soon will come senior sweaters and cap and gown order forms. Now, before I go getting all nostalgic, we first have to make it there... Throughout any given day, 100 students plus 25 homeroom students and I will cross paths. At least 80 of them are seniors... Now those of you who are not teachers may not understand, but these kids, while many are sweet and kind, funny and challenging, are already mentally gone. At least mine are. I do not teach the honors students, but they are all gifted in other ways; some great musicians, others amazing athletes, but math is not their specialty. So, for the next 38ish weeks, we must survive each other. Pray! Pray! Pray! Love them lots!!!!!
26 August 2009
Back to Work
So, I arrived back to Maryland a week ago. Spent quality time at work seeing friends and of course working. Things are pretty much ready to go and that first day buzz can be felt through the hallways. Time to get rolling. It's been good to catch up with people, hear about summers and laugh... there has been lots of laughing. Our office is now officially a box. The window, which was blocked before, is now bricked over. The new brick area is the typical gray color, where as the remaining walls are all pepto bismal pink. Put a deposit on an apt today. We'll see where that goes.
But in other news, do you ever do something, not realize it was a problem, find out you shouldn't have done it, and then have that pit in your stomach from then on? Yeah.... current situation. Hopefully nothing will come of it. But then you never know do you? Sheer ignorance of the situation no longer applies as an excuse; adults know this. But either way, that pit remains.
But in other news, do you ever do something, not realize it was a problem, find out you shouldn't have done it, and then have that pit in your stomach from then on? Yeah.... current situation. Hopefully nothing will come of it. But then you never know do you? Sheer ignorance of the situation no longer applies as an excuse; adults know this. But either way, that pit remains.
13 August 2009
Kudu Coffee
I've been sitting in Kudu for almost 2 hours now. Working. Yes, that's right people, working. Created seating charts for all 5 classes, planned a route to get from room 108 to 209 in approx the time we have between classes. Gotta love still being a floating teacher... I might not make it on time! Haha Oh well. Discovered that 85% of the students this year I have taught before, which is nice bc I hate that first month of trying to know their names! Least this year I have a leg up on everyone else. This year I have 3 Advanced Topics courses (4th time teaching this class) and because I mentioned that my brain was going to mush, I am now teaching pre-calc. The irony, is that I liked teaching Geometry! haha Oh well. It's a new experience, new trial and will bolster my resume! :)
It's been a rainy day here in Charleston, one of the few that we've had all summer - even more glad to have been here rather than in the Mid-Atlantic. Side Note "I used to be commander and chief of my pimp ship flying high..." Does anyone know why the word "ship" is bleeped on the radio? Can't figure it out. Back - So, since it was raining, I framed more photography and really do need to put together a portfolio and start selling them. They are really getting pretty great, many peole have said so. Besides that, I rented 17 Again from redbox. It seemed really weird to watch that type of movie without Jenn, might have to rent it again! Oh my gosh, I was cracking up the whole time. Probably doesnt say much about my maturity level in that I still LOVE those movies, but hey, everyone needs to loosen up and experience the lighter side sometimes. Anyway, time to go move the car.
It's been a rainy day here in Charleston, one of the few that we've had all summer - even more glad to have been here rather than in the Mid-Atlantic. Side Note "I used to be commander and chief of my pimp ship flying high..." Does anyone know why the word "ship" is bleeped on the radio? Can't figure it out. Back - So, since it was raining, I framed more photography and really do need to put together a portfolio and start selling them. They are really getting pretty great, many peole have said so. Besides that, I rented 17 Again from redbox. It seemed really weird to watch that type of movie without Jenn, might have to rent it again! Oh my gosh, I was cracking up the whole time. Probably doesnt say much about my maturity level in that I still LOVE those movies, but hey, everyone needs to loosen up and experience the lighter side sometimes. Anyway, time to go move the car.
12 August 2009
Time Flies when...
...you're having fun. Sure does! This summer was even extended by a week on either end, giving us a glorious extra two weeks. Thus making vacation last from the last day of work June 4 until Aug 24. That's almost 12 weeks folks! Paid! Spend a few days hanging out with friends in Annapolis, then came to Charleston. Had a few friends (Kenny and Curtis) come to visit. Went to San Francisco to see Annapolis friends, came back to Charleston, went on a cruise to the Bahamas and am now relishing the last just-over-a-week in Charleston then it's back to Annapolis and back to the work grind. Fun! Relaxing! And more importantly revival. The better part of the Spring was spent lost. Not so much directional lost as I tend to feel but spiritually lost and drowning. The church I attended was less and less home. There was no connection. No growth. No desire and yearning for the grace of the Cross. More time this summer has been spent in the Word growing and learning. More so being broken apart and forgiven for the selfishness and lack of focus. The prayer for the school year is that the desire to learn more, trust more, and talk more about the Lord will continue...
06 August 2009
I'm on a boat...
Friday 31 July Jennifer and I got in the car and drove 400+ miles south to Cape Canaveral Florida. As we pulled up to the cruise ship (blaring I'M ON A BOAT) the excitement was uncontainable. We boarded the Monarch of the Sea and were off...
After our emergency drill, we showered and took off exploring the ship. We found food, walked all around and then... the casino. I was loosing quarters like it was my job for a while, but ended up in the long run loosing only about $5. It's easy to see how that could become quite addicting. Dinner was interesting as well. The family we sat with was a family of 3, Mike - the older fiance who was always searching for conversation and who used to pay 2 cents for milk when he went to school, Debbie - Mike's fiance who most enjoyed her day floating on a raft, and Ryan - Momma's Boy aka ladies man.
Saturday morning we docked in Nassau. Before disembarking, Jenn and I hit up the pool, only to discover that they were selling Bahama Mamas in Pineapples. So, of course we had to get them!!
After Bahama Mama's, we disembarked only to get on another smaller boat and go snorkeling. The fish were an assortment of colors. There were some that looked like Dori from finding Nemo. When headed back to the shore, the tour guides pointed out celebrity houses all along the coast. It was an incredible list including but not limited to Oprah, Elvis, and Tiger Woods.... These houses do not belong to the Celebs but they are colorful!
The snorkeling was followed by shopping. So, somehow, I am not the proud owner of a burnt orange colored purse. On the outside the bag says D&G, ok it's the wrong font and appears to be snapped on, but its ok.... On the inside, it says Prada. So its the Prada Gabbana bag. Love it! Anyway, the next stop was Senior Frogs for food and drinks. Their drinks were amazing and there was even a bit of dancing to the Macarana!
Sunday was spent in Coco Cay, which is an island privately owned by the Royal Caribbean cruise line. It was fully of vibrant colors and white sandy beaches. Hot.... It was Hot! This had to have been my favorite day. Jenn and I had booked a parasailing adventure. The boat was rocking out to Outkast and others. The first group goes up into the air and as the 2nd gets ready to go, one of the men decides he doesn't want to go. So, Omar (the guy running the boat) asks me to go with the gentleman who still wanted to go. So, of course, I'm up for adventure and say yes. Into the air I go with my new friend. We chatted... a lot. Turns out he's a poultry farmer from India who's on a 14 week vacation with his friend and their wives while his son runs the family business at home. They are going all around the U.S. on a tour, ironically called, "see all of America tour" :) After he and I land, Jenn takes his spot and up I go again. The view was breathtaking. The ocean a brilliant shade of greens and blues; the island far below and two cruise ships out in the water. Once finished, it was time to lay out on the beach with our Coco Loco drinks and soak up the sun!!! Glorious!
Dinner the last night on the boat presented lots of wonderful facts, such as.... you can order as many deserts (or apps or main meals) that you would like. Almost all of us had multiple deserts that night. YUM! Great vacation with a great friend and part of a GREAT summer!
After our emergency drill, we showered and took off exploring the ship. We found food, walked all around and then... the casino. I was loosing quarters like it was my job for a while, but ended up in the long run loosing only about $5. It's easy to see how that could become quite addicting. Dinner was interesting as well. The family we sat with was a family of 3, Mike - the older fiance who was always searching for conversation and who used to pay 2 cents for milk when he went to school, Debbie - Mike's fiance who most enjoyed her day floating on a raft, and Ryan - Momma's Boy aka ladies man.
Saturday morning we docked in Nassau. Before disembarking, Jenn and I hit up the pool, only to discover that they were selling Bahama Mamas in Pineapples. So, of course we had to get them!!
After Bahama Mama's, we disembarked only to get on another smaller boat and go snorkeling. The fish were an assortment of colors. There were some that looked like Dori from finding Nemo. When headed back to the shore, the tour guides pointed out celebrity houses all along the coast. It was an incredible list including but not limited to Oprah, Elvis, and Tiger Woods.... These houses do not belong to the Celebs but they are colorful!
The snorkeling was followed by shopping. So, somehow, I am not the proud owner of a burnt orange colored purse. On the outside the bag says D&G, ok it's the wrong font and appears to be snapped on, but its ok.... On the inside, it says Prada. So its the Prada Gabbana bag. Love it! Anyway, the next stop was Senior Frogs for food and drinks. Their drinks were amazing and there was even a bit of dancing to the Macarana!
Sunday was spent in Coco Cay, which is an island privately owned by the Royal Caribbean cruise line. It was fully of vibrant colors and white sandy beaches. Hot.... It was Hot! This had to have been my favorite day. Jenn and I had booked a parasailing adventure. The boat was rocking out to Outkast and others. The first group goes up into the air and as the 2nd gets ready to go, one of the men decides he doesn't want to go. So, Omar (the guy running the boat) asks me to go with the gentleman who still wanted to go. So, of course, I'm up for adventure and say yes. Into the air I go with my new friend. We chatted... a lot. Turns out he's a poultry farmer from India who's on a 14 week vacation with his friend and their wives while his son runs the family business at home. They are going all around the U.S. on a tour, ironically called, "see all of America tour" :) After he and I land, Jenn takes his spot and up I go again. The view was breathtaking. The ocean a brilliant shade of greens and blues; the island far below and two cruise ships out in the water. Once finished, it was time to lay out on the beach with our Coco Loco drinks and soak up the sun!!! Glorious!
Dinner the last night on the boat presented lots of wonderful facts, such as.... you can order as many deserts (or apps or main meals) that you would like. Almost all of us had multiple deserts that night. YUM! Great vacation with a great friend and part of a GREAT summer!
29 July 2009
Summer Travels
This has been
a summer of travels. Before it started, I really hoped to have the opportunity to visit new places while still relaxing in Charleston. There have been so many blessings this summer and chances that I did not even have in mind. In the beginning on July, I went to Santa Rosa/ San Francisco with Brittany and Marc to visit Brittany's family. Spent time Flying, 
visiting the Pacific, wine tasting and generally enjoying friends and family. 
The last day I spent in San Francisco with a friend from College who happens to be travel nursing out there. Great day! Thank you!!!
Took the redeye flight from San Francisco back to Charleston, did laundry, slept and hit the road again to go to a Boat Party in Atlanta.... and yes, it was like the song. "take a picture trick, I'm on a boat bitch, we drinking Santana champ (ok it was Hypnotic). I got my swim trunks and my flippie-floppies, I'm flipping burgers, you at Kinko's straight flipping copies." The next day we proceeded to go to 6 Flags. Just like summer 07, Jennifer, Curtis, Scott and myself, but this time add Scott's gf and Greg. Good times.
Friday begins the other big trip of the summer. Jennifer and I booked a cruise to the Bahamas. It's a short 3 nights but still very excited about it. On a boat... Apparently we booked the party boat. Awesome. We leave from Port Canaveral and stop in Nassau and Coco Cay. Write more about that soon. Pics to follow.
In other news, I got bit my a spider and apparently that makes my foot swell a lot! The meds have sped me up and sleep eluded me all night! SWEET
23 June 2009
Words that Speak...
Three songs have been on repeat lately:
1. God With Us - Tenth Ave North The chorus proclaims, "Yeshua. God of love, Emmanuel, God with us. Yeshua, God of love, Emmanuel, God with us."
Names for God. Yeshua - the God of Love, Emmanuel - God with us... and so many more. They describe attributes of God and His goodness. Repeating these lyrics and spending time praising and rejoicing for a Lord who loves me and is with me. Emmanuel - the notion that God is with us was emphasized in Bible study tonight. Philippians 4: 5 "the Lord is near", Phil 4:7 "the peace of God... will guard your hearts and minds" and Phil 4:9 "And the God of peace will be with you." Three time. Three times Paul reminds us that God is Emmanuel. He is with us!!! Amen.
2. Hallelujah - Tenth Ave North The chorus sings, "Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain. Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain. And so we enter in to see Your face, yeah. We enter in to see Your face, oh God"
I want this to be my mantra. In Bible study we discussed being Thankful and how looking for the positives and thanking the Lord for them, rather than dwelling on the negatives in life can lead us toward contentment. This chorus is a strong proclamation for Christ!!!
3. Battlefield - Jordin Sparks So Maybe this one is off topic. But doesn't love feel like a battlefield? Wow. The chorus this time echos: "Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield? (x2) I guess you better go and get your armor, (get your armor) get your armor. I guess you better go and get your armor, (get your armor) get your armor. I guess you better go and get your..."
This song gets cranked to decibels that no one should crank their radio to. It gets song aloud to with a passion I rarely emote. Maybe love doesn't need to be a battlefield. Maybe it's destined to be one until the Lord reveals the right man. Right man, that concept has always boggled me. I'm not entirely sure in the notion of "the One." That being said, maybe it needs clarification. People change. This is a true statement. I am sure I'm sold on the notion and the idea that there are people who you love for a time, but because of change, they are not going to be in your life for the long haul. Let's be honest, I've experienced this. There have been two men who have wanted it to be forever, but for some reason I could not find peace in that. What I do believe is that love and commitment takes work. That both people need to be striving to see the Lord, individually and together. That regardless of change, they need to stay committed and seek to grow and change together...
OK enough rambling.
1. God With Us - Tenth Ave North The chorus proclaims, "Yeshua. God of love, Emmanuel, God with us. Yeshua, God of love, Emmanuel, God with us."
Names for God. Yeshua - the God of Love, Emmanuel - God with us... and so many more. They describe attributes of God and His goodness. Repeating these lyrics and spending time praising and rejoicing for a Lord who loves me and is with me. Emmanuel - the notion that God is with us was emphasized in Bible study tonight. Philippians 4: 5 "the Lord is near", Phil 4:7 "the peace of God... will guard your hearts and minds" and Phil 4:9 "And the God of peace will be with you." Three time. Three times Paul reminds us that God is Emmanuel. He is with us!!! Amen.
2. Hallelujah - Tenth Ave North The chorus sings, "Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain. Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain. And so we enter in to see Your face, yeah. We enter in to see Your face, oh God"
I want this to be my mantra. In Bible study we discussed being Thankful and how looking for the positives and thanking the Lord for them, rather than dwelling on the negatives in life can lead us toward contentment. This chorus is a strong proclamation for Christ!!!
3. Battlefield - Jordin Sparks So Maybe this one is off topic. But doesn't love feel like a battlefield? Wow. The chorus this time echos: "Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield? (x2) I guess you better go and get your armor, (get your armor) get your armor. I guess you better go and get your armor, (get your armor) get your armor. I guess you better go and get your..."
This song gets cranked to decibels that no one should crank their radio to. It gets song aloud to with a passion I rarely emote. Maybe love doesn't need to be a battlefield. Maybe it's destined to be one until the Lord reveals the right man. Right man, that concept has always boggled me. I'm not entirely sure in the notion of "the One." That being said, maybe it needs clarification. People change. This is a true statement. I am sure I'm sold on the notion and the idea that there are people who you love for a time, but because of change, they are not going to be in your life for the long haul. Let's be honest, I've experienced this. There have been two men who have wanted it to be forever, but for some reason I could not find peace in that. What I do believe is that love and commitment takes work. That both people need to be striving to see the Lord, individually and together. That regardless of change, they need to stay committed and seek to grow and change together...
OK enough rambling.
20 June 2009
Heat Wave
Another school year ended successfully. This year the students and I learned reciprocally from one another. I taught them mathematical principles, formulas and applications, and then we together learned about life! They were an intense bunch and 3rd period will be greatly missed!!!
Now it's onto a summer hopefully full of adventure!!! I arrived in Charleston, SC about 10 days ago and have been spending quality time catching up with friends. Currently, it's hot. Surprise right? Well, the weather does not typically turn quite so dramatically hot this early in the summer. But the sun is a wonderful change of pace from Annapolis!!! At some point, I really hope to get a chance to travel to Seattle, WA for a few days. The trip itself would is pricey but not outlandish and the opportunity to experience something different and new is priceless.
On Tuesday, Jennifer invited me to her Bible study on the book called "Calm my restless heart." The topic of contentment is greatly intriguing in that true contentment is not something I have felt in a very long time. Life did not end up mimicking the sketch in my head. However, the Lord's plan is larger and better, no matter how difficult that is to accept. The study thus far has been about learning to focus on the positives Christ has put before us rather than focusing on the negatives. While the Lord has shut certain doors in my life, I cannot forget about the large one He has opened in Maryland. A job that I love, with supportive coworkers and wonderful students. They are the ministry now. They are the contentment. They are worth Praise to the Father. That is the path alighted for the present. Contentment. Provision. Thankfulness. Joy. Remembering. Prayer. These facets and strongholds are the strength for today and tomorrow.
Now it's onto a summer hopefully full of adventure!!! I arrived in Charleston, SC about 10 days ago and have been spending quality time catching up with friends. Currently, it's hot. Surprise right? Well, the weather does not typically turn quite so dramatically hot this early in the summer. But the sun is a wonderful change of pace from Annapolis!!! At some point, I really hope to get a chance to travel to Seattle, WA for a few days. The trip itself would is pricey but not outlandish and the opportunity to experience something different and new is priceless.
On Tuesday, Jennifer invited me to her Bible study on the book called "Calm my restless heart." The topic of contentment is greatly intriguing in that true contentment is not something I have felt in a very long time. Life did not end up mimicking the sketch in my head. However, the Lord's plan is larger and better, no matter how difficult that is to accept. The study thus far has been about learning to focus on the positives Christ has put before us rather than focusing on the negatives. While the Lord has shut certain doors in my life, I cannot forget about the large one He has opened in Maryland. A job that I love, with supportive coworkers and wonderful students. They are the ministry now. They are the contentment. They are worth Praise to the Father. That is the path alighted for the present. Contentment. Provision. Thankfulness. Joy. Remembering. Prayer. These facets and strongholds are the strength for today and tomorrow.
11 March 2009
Story of the little Lemon Tree
Jesus prunes those He loves. It's temporary pain for a lasting good. At Bible study tonight Denise Duke told a story of the Lemon Tree in California:
"A man had a lemon tree that produced nothing but tiny lemons that were not useful for anything. The tree was getting in the way of the mans' ability to mow his yard and so he decided to prune the tree just about all the way down. Nothing was left of this tree but the tiny trunk. However, after a season the tree began to grow and flourish. Much to the mans' chagrin, the tree was not a lemon tree, but rather a beautiful grapefruit tree."
The point of the story, is that God does this with us. Sometimes He needs to cut us down, almost to the point of nothingness in order to become what we were truly meant to be.
"A man had a lemon tree that produced nothing but tiny lemons that were not useful for anything. The tree was getting in the way of the mans' ability to mow his yard and so he decided to prune the tree just about all the way down. Nothing was left of this tree but the tiny trunk. However, after a season the tree began to grow and flourish. Much to the mans' chagrin, the tree was not a lemon tree, but rather a beautiful grapefruit tree."
The point of the story, is that God does this with us. Sometimes He needs to cut us down, almost to the point of nothingness in order to become what we were truly meant to be.
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