Books and Memorial Service

This past Saturday I attended Edna's memorial service. Edna was a neighbor, friend and a fellow book lover.

I first met Edna about 17 years ago while attending a Friends of the Library booksale at  my local library. Year before I met Edna, she and her husband had been the founding members of our local Friends of the Library group. When I met Edna, the friends group was already organizing monthly booksales and generating a nice income for the friends.
Edna encouraged me to volunteer and told that I could bring my young daughter with me. That is how my volunteering with the local friends group started. Edna was always there--sometimes with even a walker when walking was difficult. She always smiled! She was patient with us volunteers who sometimes had ideas that did not mesh with hers. Edna never minded my daughter sitting on the floor while I was organizing books or cleaning selves. Maybe this is one of the reasons my daughter grew up admiring Edna as well.
Edna was involved in many other ways in our community as well, but I will always remember Edna and her books. She was always reading. She knew so much about books! And after a career at a university library, she still had the passion to volunteer, and make sure books got "recycled" in the right way while at the same time raising money for our local library.
Edna is gone, but her legacy will live in our community and in our lives. Because of Edna and the other founding members, our local friends of the library group now operates an actual bookstore at our library! It is staffed with volunteers and open daily! I have the privilege of volunteering there once a week and I love it!
Edna, you will be missed!

Sometimes, when I write....

Inspired by Kate Messner's blog on September 21, 2012:

Sometimes, when I write the words that scream to be out and put on the paper (or screen). Other times, the scenarios are quite different:
I want to find the write word, but I don't know it in English.
I know that I am a good writer, but the words that I want to use don't translate into  English in the right way.
I know the vowel sounds in English--at least the simple ones, but why does /a/ have so many different sounds? Wouldn't one be enough?
And what is with the /ck/ when you only pronounce one of letters anyway?
Sometimes, when I write, I just can't the write vowel sound no matter what I try. Should I rely on the spell checker?

Sometimes, when I write, I want to use an online dictionary to help me. I know the word I want to use--just not in English. I write the word /tärkeä/ on the online translator, and I get 12 different words as the translation! Which one should I choose? See the difference:
This message is very important.
This message is very urgent.
This message is very consequential.
This message is very material.
This message is very seminal.
This message is very grave.
Sometimes, when I write, translations confuse me.

Sometimes, when I write, I get all mixed up with the prepositions in English.
I mean, think: You have to "turn off" the lights but you "close the book". Why can't you "close off the book"? And please don't tell me that would change the
meaning--I hear that all the time. What about the word "at"? We are "at" school, and don't yell "at" me? How is there consistency in this usage?
Sometimes, when I write, the mechanics of English pull me down.

But other times, when I write, I don't care if  my language is perfect; I just want my words to tell the story. I want my words to touch somebody. I want my
words--even when they are imperfect--to carry a message to  my readers.

Sometimes, when I write, it is not about perfect grammar or following an English lesson, it is about the fun, the enjoyment that writing brings into my life. I write because I want to!

Mandatory conference attendance and God's strength

         Friday night I just started feeling it. Saturday morning, tired, but no other problems. Saturday late afternoon, exhaustion arrived. Didn't get much done. Sunday morning I had to really push myself to go to church. After church I had lunch with my daughter. Part of the conversation dealt with doctors; when to call them; appointments; new insurance and actually making the phone call.  Then it was time to go to my classroom and make sub plans for two days so that I can attend the Special Populations two day conference. Sub plans done, headed home.
         After a few texts to firm  up Monday morning meeting time and place, it was early to bed. I was ready. I could hardly keep my eyes open. Then it happened; the cough started! I would get up, and I would be fine. I would lay down, and it would start. I was supposed to get plenty of rest before driving to the conference!!!! 4:45am....I had to get up. Thought that maybe a cup of tea would soothe my throat and easy my cough. Come to find out, all the teabags had gone with my daughter! Really??? Oh yeah, I found candy cane tea bags, but they just did not tempt me that early in the morning.
        Little before six I texted my coworker and asked if she could drive instead of me. I felt that my reflexes might not work as fast after not really sleeping much. I was also thinking that I could have possible called in sick if I did not have this conference to go to. Well, a trip to the CVS and a chat with the pharmacist equipped me with the right kind of medicine--with promises that it will start working in an hour.
       My coworker and I met at a dark commuter lot (why they don't have even a single light there is beyond my comprehension). She drove and we chatted! (Translate: I am staying awake!) About 45 minutes into the trip I noticed that I am starting to feel better! Thanks Mr. Pharmacist! The trip went fast. We had not really had the chance to talk much since school started so this was a great chance for that. Now I am at home again, thankful for good friends and coworkers who care! Getting ready to go to sleep early, so that I can wake up again early. After all, I am planning to post this before I leave for the conference!
       What is my lesson learned? God will give you strength when you feel week; He will sustain you with energy when you feel yours is disappearing; He will provide friends and coworkers for this journey that education is; and He will help you stay awake even if the speaker (or speakers) are not the most engaging!  And remember, He will walk with you, before you, and at times, He will even carry you! I really think He carried me for a while today!

First Day Reflection Poem

Binders on the shelf

files--well, still a bit of a mess.

Books organized and

checkout clipboard is ready.

Smartboard is working

just need the sound.

Phone rings, but

what is my extension?

New teachers

excited and willing to learn

Veteran teachers

still excited

to welcome 

the new school year.

Blogs

wikis

weeblys

twitter

turnitin

lexia

Atlas

CCSS

DRA

NWEA

MEAP

ELPA

IEP

MME 

and lets us not forget

ACT

Just a few for all

of us to memorize and use.

Writer's notebooks are 

waiting for students

Ideas are stirring in my brain

they want to exit really fast!

What am I forgetting?

Oh yeah, syllabus is printed

and copied. 

First day survey is on the table

Rules and procedures--we

will write them together

a bit later today!

Students--can't wait to welcome you!

Whether you are new

or old

I will welcome you!

Whether you speak English or not

I will teach you.

Whether you want to be in school

or not

I will do my best to teach you.

Students--can't wait to welcome you!

Needs, wants and wishes for the new school year

I was looking at some of my older posts, and also what other slices are thinking at this time of the year--right before of after the new school begins. I decided to write
my needs, wants and wishes for the new school year. Here it is:

I need to prioritize! It is not like I have never tried this before, but I am actually thinking that this time I need to keep my priorities for the WHOLE year!
I need to read books that inspire me as a teacher so that I can then in turn try to inspire my students. I think this might also be a want.....
I need to make sure that I get the most out of my fitbit--walking, swimming, eating right AND sleeping enough.
I need to get paperwork done in order to start a Science Olympiad Club at school this year.
I also need to get parents involved with the Science Olympiad as I don't know anything about building bottle rockets etc.
I need to guard my quiet times in order to sustain myself spiritually, and listen to what it is that God wants me to do in the midst of all the things that I feel that I should be doing.

I want to show my students what good writers and readers do--not just telling them what they should do.
I want to write stories and essays that I can use in my classroom. Maybe even a story for the younger students??
I want to have joy all year long! I want to enjoy teaching!
I want to encourage our new teachers. Maybe remind them occasionally that no matter what happened yesterday (or earlier this morning), each new day starts fresh (or each new class)!
I want to make new friends as many of my old friends have moved away
I want to get a new hobby as home feels a little quiet (daughter has moved to live closer to campus for senior year in college.....) Or could I revive an old one???
I want to spend time with God. Maybe He has some new things for me to do?

I wish to travel someplace sunny when it is so dark here in Michigan
I wish for students that want to learn and are willing to work hard (don't we all?).
I wish (and pray) for babies for those fellow teachers who struggle with longing to hold one of their own children.
I wish for wisdom to solve difficult situations
I wish for patience and linguistic ability (that would suddenly materialize in order for me to understand all the languages that my students speak).
I wish for more computers in my room, and smartboard that would work every time!
I wish for ideas to improve my blog--not sure where I am going with this....Maybe I also need to wish for clarity in my future endeavors that relate to blogging.

And for you who have read this far, I wish you a few extra blessings for today, sunshine to shine on your path and one positive surprise to brighten your day!

Boxes, mess, botanical garden and time with my niece

Unpacking boxes in a new room
sitting and trying to visualize how to organize everything
Why is the space between the windows too small for a bookcase? Shouldn't there be a standard??
How about a magic fairy who comes and puts all the bookcases together, and moves them into the correct places without anyone straining her back?

Uniform rules, sign in procedures, tardy rules, supplies, sub plans, so many things to think about and I don't even have my files in the cabinet yet!

But while I sat in a meeting this morning my daughter and my niece came and helped me file reports! Sunshine moment!
After work, having dinner with my niece, and then walking around the botanical gardens. Sunshine moment!
At home, watching my niece eat an ice cream cone that only took three bites! I guess we should have read the label a bit more carefully! Sunshine moment!

And tomorrow I get to go back to work and continue to organize my bookshelves--hopefully in the correct places in my new classroom. Sunshine moment!

End of Summer Vacation Thoughts

In the beginning of my vacation I had written a poem/list of things that I would like to accomplish this summer. Now I have five more days before going back to school--what have I really accomplished?

Summer thoughts

What are my plans for this summer?

I want to write, so I joined the Teachers Write Virtual Writing Seminar.

I did really well before leaving for Finland, but no so since then. I am hoping that the assignments will still be on the blog, so that I can do them later on.

I want to clean my basement, so I am avoiding going down there.

I have a plan for this, and I will start taking stuff back to school on Monday.  Basement should look a lot different in a week.

I want to see friends that I have not seen in a few years, so I am flying solo first time in over 20 years.

DID THIS!!!

I want to read more "teacher" professional books, so I have them piled on a table in the living room--I am still waiting for inspiration to open one of then hit me.

I have started doing this!

I want to eat healthy, so I had french toast for dinner and then ate some cherries and raspberries to make me feel better.

Well, I think I have done this partly. Hoping to do better once I am back on schedule--in five days!

I want to keep watching TV, so I finally had to buy a digitally equipped TV.

I did watch the Olympics!

I want to watch some new shows, so I am hooked on hulu.com

This is a lot easier when only one at the house us streaming shows on the computer.

I want to buy some new clothes for my summer trip, so I am searching for coupons.

No coupons, but sales!

I want to go to sauna, so I am flying across the Atlantic.

Oh Yes!

I want to improve my writing, so I am writing more, and thinking about my long term goals regarding writing.

Used my journal, but I have done more thinking. I have read blogs about writer's workshop and trying to figure out how to make it work better for my Sheltered English class in high school.

I want to spend time with my daughter before she moves away.

YES!

I want to watch funny movies and laugh, so that I can live longer.

YES!

I want to watch the sun rise with a great cup of coffee, so that I do not waste any time during this summer.

YES!

I want read a romance novel, so that I can be transported to a different world.

YES!

I want to search for a deeper reason to serve, so that I can remember that I am part of a greater community that works together to help others.

YES!

I want to remember that everything has a purpose.

YES!

I want to spend time by the lake and just be amazed by the beauty of creation!

YES! Thank you to my wonderful friends in Finland, and a surprise board meting at a members house by a lake here in the US.

I believe I also accomplished many more things that never made my list in the first place; like meeting Terje in Estonia!