Wednesday, April 20, 2011

BU Slip n slide and the moon

I love my school.

Hopefully more pics will come but for now...

Enjoy!


I also love study day. Its great-laughing, hanging out with friends, slippin' and slidin', good food. Ok, I read at least one chapter in my science book :p
and i even learned something....

Halley's comet is not named after its founder but the guy who predicted the cycle of appearances of the comet. Mark Twain was born and died when the comet appeared. "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. The Almighty has said, no doubt: 'Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.' "-Mark Twain (p. 493 Shipman, Wilson, Todd)

The Large Megellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud Galaxies were named after Ferdinand Magellan because his crew was the first to spot them, they can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.

The Milky Way gets its name because its stars look like a trail of spilled milk.

Well I actually read about those last two today but I did find out why the moon is sometimes orange (pollution or the blues are scattered because it is low on the horizon and all the colors have dispersed through a whole lot of atmosphere) yesterday (I googled it). But i promise I read all about the moon yesterday! Pretty amazing stuff! Can I just say there are a whole lot of moons out there!

Just in case you are dying to read this book: Shipman, Wilson, Todd, An Introduction to Physical Science, 12th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

"God shakes you and you gotta let go of what your holding onto, the more God shakes you, the less the world shakes you."

Last day of classes

Here's some pics from my Reading Class and Social Studies class (I had news up to my ears!)




My sticky notes are disappearing. My life was in sticky notes but now they are slowly depleting, except that somehow I keep finding more to make. Either way, it's a sign that things are coming to a close. Today was the last day of classes for my junior year!

Went on a senior high youth retreat this past weekend. It was full of quelf, attempts at jokes, messy games, an epic shaving cream battle, and some good thoughts from Daniel.
I almost avoided the shaving cream but I suppose when you spray someone with shaving cream you all of a sudden become a big target....

Monday, April 18, 2011

Finished!

Well im not quite finished junior year yet but I did finish my forty chilren's book project so here's the final list! Don't worry, next year I'll read 60 more, keep ya posted!

Dance

A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student by Valerie Galdstone
Marie: An Invitation to Dance, France 1775 by Kathleen V. Kudlinski
Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg
Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird
Dance for Fun! by Balinda Craig-Quijada
Dance! by Elisha Cooper
Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts
Piggies in a Polka by Kathi Appelt and Leuyen Pham
Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems (this is super cute! for preschoolers or kindergartners)
Feel the Beat! Dancing in Music Videos by Jenai Cutcher

I still want to read The Day We Danced in our Underpants by Sarah Wilson

Nonfiction

Magic Windows Ventanas Magicas by Carman Lomas Garza
See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman
Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley
Cleopatra by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Safari by Robert Bateman
C.S. Lewis: Christian and Storyteller by Beatrice Gormley (now I want to read Boxen)
Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope (very difficult subject matter, might break your heart but powerful) by Jenna Bush
The Coat of Many Colors by Jenny Koralek
You are Weird: Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions by Diane Swanson

What can I say, I love biographies!

Newbery

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (great ending and fun characters and chapter titles)
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (the movies is pretty accurate)
The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread by kate Dicamillo (my favorite! a must read!)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (silly and quirky with an unexpected ending, mystery!)
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (might make ya cry, great integration of art and worth a read!)
Holes by Louis Sachar (movie is also very accurate but you should still read the book!)
Sarah, Plain, and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (I heard there's a sequel, I want to try it!)
Sounder by William Armstrong (a classic but slightly depressing, hard times!)
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred Taylor (also very sad but good explanations about slavery)
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg (you've got to read this, it will take you back to the days of childhood, smart kids spend a week in a museum!)

Controversial

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
The Great Waldo Search by Martin Handford (can you find him?)
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell (boys will be boys, just don't eat while you read it...)
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (precious)
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (the original people watcher)

Multicultrual-Indians
Beyond the Ridge by Paul Goble
My Song is Beautiful Poems and Pictures in Many Voices Selected by Mary Ann Hoberman (every teacher should have a copy of this!)
Eyewitness Books: Aztec, Inca and Maya by Elizabeth Baquedano (great resource but some unpleasant customs)
Beardream by Will Hobbs (beautiful illustrations)
Pocahontas Princess of the New World by Kathleen Krull (bright pics and interesting info, again I love bios)

Do you have any favorite kids books I should check out?!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What if-thoughts from Laura Story

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise....'

-Laura Story "Blessings"

Thanks Kimber and Klove for sharing this song!

There's a little kid in all of us!


The Mississippi Children's Museum is the place to be on a rainy day! Actually on any day! There are cars to race, gears to move around, cows to milk, construction projects to work, a kid-sized model of MS, an underground to explore complete with a volcano, puzzles to build, healthy workouts, DDR, theater, story books, a trip through the digestive system (complete with sound effects), dancing, sail boat racing, fishing, music making, sculpting, paint, lifesized scrabble, and more!! We were blessed to have a tour and even had some time to play!


The Underground complete with mirrors and explorer coats! Yes, you can crawl through tunnels!



All-time favorite exhibit! I mean the others are great too....it's hard to choose!



My friends liked to explore...



The dance, music, and art exhibits were so interactive! You could take ballet, record your own mix, video yourself dancing, and more!

Check it out here!

Today in science class...


Today in science class... we had more science experiments. (Ok this was actually on Monday but I got a little behind.) We learned about convection cycles, taste buds (i tried a cry baby for the first time! the gum didn't last long but it sure was sour!), fat free foods v. fat foods, and miscible and immiscible liquids. Sometimes, it is pretty funny to watch grown adults be in an elementary classroom. It is quite necessary because it is important to get on a child's level, but it also makes for some great conversations. I also had an excellent picture moment but alas by the time I got a camera, the moment was gone. It was of two 'students' (college students) pouring liquid very carefully and watching and waiting to see what would happen while the teacher (college student) helps. Ah yes! exciting times. Anyway...

On predicting what will happen when an oil and a liquid are combined...

Girl: I think they will separate.
Boy: I think she's done this before.
Girl: I think I'm smart.
Boy: I think your a liar. Wait, what grade are we in? 6th? yes that's something I totally would have said in 6th grade.
Ms. Quinn: and you would have totally been in the corner!

Girl and Boy poking each other. Innocent bystander: are they in love?

Sometimes we are such kids in class :) Oh to be back in the day when you say you are going out to eat and they automatically think you have a date.

"When experiments work, it's a glorious thing!"-Ms. Quinn

And now, we dance!

Some of you may know that I am also a dance minor. As a minor, we get to critique dance pieces. This semester we had to critique a classical dance variation. I chose Marianela Nuñezas as The Lilac Fairy. She is an impeccable dancer and my critique was all positive, no areas in which to improve. I mean after those fouettes into pirouettes and those incredible balances, you are left speechless!!

Just a little while longer and dreams WILL come true...

I will post much more, hopefully tomorrow! But I am sitting here, quite sleepy and thinking...I know there will be an end to this school work, actually quite soon. Maybe then I can finish a non-related school book or watch a movie! Hey a girl can try to make her dreams come true :)

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Easter Egg Hunt

Good times






Easter Eggstravaganza!!
For our last hall party of the year we decided to do our annual Easter Egg hunt as a joint hall party. Decorate your bag and start huntin'! 600 eggs, 20 gift cards and lots of delicious food! Caldwell held true to its saying and we sure had some good times!

BU Reader's Theater Play

One of my finals in one of my reading classes was to perform a Reader's Theater. Our class did a take on the book Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman. This is a western version of Cinderella. It was very cute and unfortunately both my mac video and my camera video failed me but I did manage to get a picture and a preview of the show. Enjoy!

Shine


Service day! Jackson had a local service day called Shine in which Pinelake Church partnered with the community and helped beautify the city! Our Education Department, KDE, took a group to help out as well. We started with picking up trash and branches on lots that a nonprofit organization just received. These lots will be cleaned and new family homes will be built! There is something special about a home and to see them in such disrepair really breaks your heart. I'm so glad there is hope and so thankful for people who are in the business of fixing up homes!
Many people were already at this site so we went to an elementary school to help out. We weeded a garden bed and layed some mulch. Others put up picnic tables and painted the outside of the school. We worked on a fresh coat of paint for the office. Kelsey and I tackled the green sections. Once again, I lived up to my name and was quite green. At least it was a cheerful and happy green! Kelsey and I plan to paint Jackson rainbow colors...

Pavilion Fest

Well it is that time of year again, the end of the year! Our semester is shortened this year so we will finish school by April 30th, actually classes will be done before then! Friday we had our annual talent show...Here's a taste of some of the acts




Robert Little's Dream Power

At Power APAC, on Wednesday, author Robert Little came to speak. He is a children's book author and motivational speaker. He is big into 'dream power' where you work hard for your dreams and you can be or do anything you want. He opened with a story about a young boy who skipped school to play on a frozen river with his friend. The friend fell through the ice and the boy could not reach him. He did, however, find a huge limb and got it into the water so he could pull his friend to safety. The paramedics came and said there's no way the boy could have lifted that limb-it was too heavy. An older gentleman watched from the side and said, "I know how he did it. There was no one there to tell him he couldn't."

Monday, April 04, 2011

Life Lessons


today i learned

1. don't leave your window open when there are tornado warnings and watches. If you do, your window sill, ac unit, and floor will become quite slick.

2. avoid opening an umbrella when it is windy and stormy. It WILL flip upwards into a 'u' shape instead of an 'n' shape. and then you will laugh about it in class and your teacher will wonder why you are grinning and you simply agree with whatever they just said and try to wipe that grin off your face.

3. you generally can't go wrong with curious george and chocolate.

and yes we make spiders in class. well only the good kind of course. don't worry, it was dead, i certainly would not eat a live one. actually i was hard pressed to eat this one as i really stopped to think about a spider, but then again the krispy kreme was calling my name.

did you know that a spider can have 6, 8, 12 plus eyes!

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Question

Why is it that when you start eating at 1:00am you just can't seem to stop? And you always seem to get that craving at college....ok you could be at home too.

How come chocolate and nuts put together are so delicious? And why is it that when you eat them, you admit that its ok because somehow the nut is healthy? Ok its healthier than just chocolate. And you somehow feel like it will fill you up. Once again, the idea that it has some potential of being good for you. Or at least better than your average chocolate bar.

I do not know. But that is why I like peanut M&M's. And snickers.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Lessons....

Today I learned:
1. Catfish are big and gross.
2. So are some nature videos where they show spiders eating bats.
3. It is sad when it rains because then little kids are subjected to nature videos which are interesting and amazing but a 'lil shocking.
4. My college degree is so that I can peel oranges for kids.
5. Suddenly 20 somehow became old.
6. Yes, I am in my 20's, no I am not 25, but if I look like a teenager, or 23, or 25 NOW, what will i look like when I'm actually 25?
7.You've got to have in imagination, thank you very much Captain Hook for that reminder.

Its amazing how much you learn in four hours observing an elementary school class compared to how much you learn in a semester of college.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Rain. Beautiful Rain. Fresh.


Tonight is beautiful.
I am sitting on my bed right in front of the window.
There's absolutely nothing like smelling fresh rain, listening to the pitter patter and sprinkle of rain drops and hearing some rolling thunder. A nice cool breeze wading into my room. How lovely.

Fresh. New starts. Change. Rain washes away so much.

God is so good.

Chapel today was given by Dr. Guy Richardson and he did have some thought provoking statements.
He said how leaders serve. He brought up the story of how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and commented on how, to wash someone's feet, you have to bend over or kneel down, you can't be standing up proudly. Great reminder that no job is too low for a leader.

Shared a statement on love: You can give without loving but you can't love without giving.

Ballet was also very encouraging too. Our dance teacher stopped and asked us how we were doing. After many comments of "stressed" or "sick" he mentioned James 1:17 and Matthew 11:30. It was neat to hear someone talk about how even in the midst of circumstances you can still find a way to 'dance'. Great reminders that God is in control. He wants us to lose control so he can take it.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Monday, March 28, 2011

yes, we make eggs float in class

Life as an El Ed Major...

Guess what...it worked!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

On this Sunday morning

Woke up to darkness and thunder.
Perfect for sleeping.

On this Sundy morning, I do indeed love the rain but sometimes you just need a little sunshine in your life to remind you of beautiful truth! God knows just what you need, and I did catch a glimpse of it lighting up the tree branches. The clouds came back but it was just what I needed. Thank you Jesus for your reminders, short and sweet was all I needed!

Also, can we have story time-a bedtime story full of red ferrari horses and rain storms of bubble gum!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."-Psalm 100:5

Friday, March 25, 2011

Oh Newbery

Some favorite passages, quotes from Newbery books I have been reading....

"But before he could speak, Crane-man continued. 'Your mind knows that you are going to Songdo. But you must not tell your body. It must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk.' 'One day, one village. That is how you will go, my friend.' "

"How much slower the work went when the joy of it was gone."
"Why was it that pride and foolishness were so often close companions."
-A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

" 'Sounder might come home again. But you must learn to lose, child. The Lord teaches the old to lose. The young don't know how to learn it. Some people is born to keep. Some is born to lose. We was born to lose, I recon. But Sounder might come back.' "-Sounder by William H. Armstrong

"Zero wasn't worried. 'When you spend your whole life living in a hole,' he said, 'the only way you can go is up.' "

"She ran to him. She wanted to throw her arms around him but couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead she hugged Mary Lou's neck.
'Is something wrong?' he asked her.
'Oh, Sam,' she said. 'My heart is breaking.'
'I can fix that,' said Sam.
She turned to him.
He took hold of both her hands, and kissed her.
Because of the rain, there was nobody else out on the street. Even if there was, Katherine and Sam wouldn't have noticed. They were lost in their own world."-Holes by Louis Sachar

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."-Revelation 21:4-5

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Are you wearing green or reading?

Are you wearing green today? I don't know if I am yet because I'm still in my PJ's reading. You can get a lot accomplished when it comes to schoolwork if you just wake up and hop to it. Stay in those PJ's and get the job done!

Oh my it has been much too long since I have posted. Somehow I have a lot of books to read with this forty book class so over Spring Break, I'm putting a dent in the Newberry Books. I read the Whipping Boy this morning because it's short and I thought it would help me feel like I'm actually making some headway. It turned out to have one of the better endings. As far as Newberry Books go, some of them have heavy issues and sad endings like Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. Bridge to Tarebithia is sad but ends as well as possible. The Whipping Boy had a great ending and since I don't want to spoil it, here's a few of my favorite quotes...

"Was it clothes that made a prince, Jemmy wondered, just as rags made a street boy."

" 'One more thing!' The king broke into a smile you could warm your hands over. 'If you boys decide to run away again, take me with you.' "-The Whipping Boy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Good night and good morning!

You know you got to school in the South when....
They serve King Cake in the caf! and it actually tastes really good!

I love books. I would like to read for fun soon. I am thankful I get to read 40 books for one of my classes because I have trouble picking which books to read! I need to remember this, when I am struggling to finish reading all of them.

I danced today! Actually a lot. I had two classes, a chapel performance, and a show with two pieces. I think that is the most I've danced in one day since my college career. It was really fun-God is so good!

And now, my body is telling me it needs sleep after all that dancing!

1 Peter 3:4
but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Sanctuary

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within

Fill my heart with
You holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

With that, good night and good morning!

Thursday, March 03, 2011

what makes me happy

Pink lemonade at midnight makes me happy.
Ice cream in the summer makes me happy.
Summer time-cooking out with delicious food, makes me happy.
Food makes me happy.
It doesn't take much to make me happy.
Grace-now that's something to be ecstatic about!

what makes you happy?

ps posting in three's makes me happy for Annie....I didn't do them all at once but I got three in one day!

courage, it's a good thing

"....Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me." Ezra 7:28

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Mid-week

Wait (p. 110) from Broken-Down House by Paul David Tripp

I have come to
understand
that I am not the
author
of my own story.
My narrative
is being penned
by One
who is the definition
of all that is
wise
loving
pure
true
and good.
But since I am
in the story but not the
author of the story
I am often called
to wait.
I wish I could say
that I wait well
but I don't.
I wish I could say
that I never question
your wisdom
but I do.
So, Lord
once more I ask for the
grace to wait
not only so I can get
what I'm waiting for
but so that I will become
what you want me to become
as I wait.

Spring Break is ever closer!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sunday

Two songs I had in my mind today that go along with two thoughts
1. I want to be available to God for Him to work in and through me.
2. I want to love like He does.






It seems like so many are losing loved ones and facing tragedies and trials in their lives. The world is a chaotic place right now and I think now more than ever, the church has an opportunity.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Monday

There's a mountain
Here before me
And I'm going to climb it
With strength not my own
He's gonna lead me
Or the mountain beats me
Carry me through
Carry me through

There's a river
Here before me
And I'm gonna cross it
with strength not my own
He's gonna save me
Or the river takes me.
Carry me through
Carry me through

Oh Lord be gentle
I'm just a man
Please don't crush me
Help me in.

Oh Lord remember
I try so hard
I walk and talk
Your kingdom love

There's a sinner
Here before me
And I'm gonna give them
Strength not my own
He's gonna carry me
when I get weary
Carry me through
Carry me through

Oh Lord be gentle
I'm just a man
Please don't crush me
And help me in

Oh lord remember
I try so hard
I walk and talk
Your kingdom love

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Carry me through

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Lord Sweet Lord
Carry me through.

-Carry Me Through, David Mackee Barnes

Saturday, February 19, 2011

I love to read!

I really do love to read! I remember in hs I used to not like the fact that I was 'forced' to read summer reading but somehow I generally managed to like the books after I read them. I went to the library yesterday and found some great books! My next reading segment is 10 Nonfiction books. For some reason I was really drawn to the Biographies, I just love learning, reading about other people's lives!

Oh and I picked one more dance book up to add my collection because it was just so good!

A Dictionary of Dance by Liz Murphy-fun pictures and great simple terminology

10 Non-ficton (I haven't read them all yet, but I did check them out-that's the first step!)

1. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles-what an amazing little girl! beautiful illustrations

2. The Coat of Many Colors by Jenny Koralek-the story of Joseph

3. Magic Windows by Carmen Lomas Garza

4. C.S. Lewis Christian and Storyteller by Beatrice Gormley

5. Anna's Story A Journey of Hope by Jenna Bush

6. See How They Run Campaign Dreams, Elections, Schemes, and the Race to the White House

7. Safari by Robert Bateman

8. You are Weird Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions by Diane Swanson

9. Cleopatra by Diane Stanley Vennema and Peter Vennema

10. Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley

I found myself having trouble picking books because so many of them looked good! So many books so little time!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine's Day and sticks

I got a Valentine package today from my momma!



Psalm 136
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Most of us had a pretty full Valentine's Day since it was on a Monday this year.

I had class just about all day but sometimes class can be fun. We went to give a book talk (i gave one on dance to some very cute and excited kindergarteners) and went to the science museum to see all kinds of fun animals.

The alligators live with the turtles-its amazing how the alligator just rests its head on the turtle's back, such opposites of strength in nature, yet they live together! If you turn an alligator on its back, he will go unconscious. They also adapt to whatever temperature environment surounds them.

The gopher tortoise was grumpy because he wanted to go for a walk so he was pushing over all the stuff in his pen. I think I could just sit and watch animals for a long time. He was making quite the racket during a speech!

The Eastern Indigo Snake can shoot some not so pleasant stuff a very far distance and also eats venomous snakes! Their tongues are amazing!

We saw some sort of albino fish, which was cool. Because they are all white and don't have any sort of camouflage, they get eaten rather quickly.

We also saw these turtles that slap each other around, they do have a purpose for this odd behavior. If you really want to know, I will tell you the secret behind this funky little play time.

There was a very old dogwood and we were reminded that the dogwood is the tree that the cross of Jesus was made. The Judas tree as well, always grows crooked.

We were good little students and stayed around after our tour....we just HAD to go through the butterfly exhibit. I got my card stamped and everything!

I learned today that my country, America, is named after Amerigo Vespucci. He was a map maker and everyone kept seeing his name on the bottom of maps.

In other news...you know your an El Ed major when you 1. Take pictures of all the American flags on the way home from the store. 2. Your only reason to go outside is to find a small tree for your project. 3. It's 11:00 pm and you, again, go outside to look for sticks because there has to be some sort of creative way to represent the Underground Railroad...

-Life as an Education Major.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Be Still

We have a chance of snow again here in MS. I have to say, the once nice thing about snow days in the South is that everyone has to stop. They are forced to stay home and 'do' nothing. I love how time stands still. And if you do actually get some of that beautiful snow, you can take a deep breath and say Thanks God!

Excerpts from Broken-down House by Paul David Tripp

"Sometimes, what looks like obedience on the surface may not be obedience at all....You ask your child to turn off his Gameboy and go clean his room. As he goes down the hallway he loudly and rather disrespectfully complains about your request. If obedience is a willing submission of the heart to the authorities God has placed in his life, then this child is not being obedient. No, what looks a little like external obedience is not obedience at all, but a rebellious heart bowing only reluctantly to the power of another." (bold added by me)

"But the battle is ever-present, and I am afraid that at the same moment we are nibbling at the table of the Lord, we are often stuffing ourselves at the buffet of the world. No wonder our hearts are not satisfied; we are feasting on food that has no capacity to satisfy. And no wonder we are addicted; as we feed on what cannot satisfy, we must go back again and again and again."

Source: Tripp, Paul David. Broken-down House Living Productively in a World Gone Bad. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2009. 93, 95. Print.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

A Year Ago Today



A year ago today, I was flying back from my Grandpa's memorial. I remember because it was the second time I had flown by myself and the Super Bowl (the one with the Saints-who Dat!) was going on. I was flying in the South so people were very excited, they even let people board at the very last minute just so they could keep up with the game!

Grandpa has been in Heaven for a whole year!! We shall have to have that bowl of ice cream when I get there!

College tends to be a roller coaster and though students are not quite living an 'adult' life per say, sometimes they are thrown into life head first, more than they expected. I have one more year left and looking back so much has happened: life, death, taxes. Well that sounds a bit dramatic but honestly, a lot has happened and yet God is there every step of the way just as He promised!



P.S. the pic was taken by Alli and her caption says it all: I know it's blurry, but it's the only picture I have of Grandpa Schreck taking pictures. The whole photographer thing apparently runs in the family - we had three guys with fancy cameras taking a billion pictures.


We love our Schreck boys!

So many books so little time

I finished reading my ten books for my topic (combination of fiction and nonfiction): Dance (I wanted to read The Day We Danced in Underpants by Sarah Wilson, but I couldn't find it. There are SO many good ones to choose from, I most certainly did not pick the best but here's what I read. If I had more time and resources I think I would've chosen differently.

Nonfiction

Dance! by Elisha Cooper (my favorite Nonfiction I read!)

Dance for Fun! by Balinda Craig-Quijada (great overview of all styles of dance, simple how-to's, and some fun trivia!)

Feel the Beat! Dancing in Music Videos by Jenai Cutcher (some interesting info about how MTV started, though today it is far from what it was)

A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student by Valerie Gladstone (has real-life pictures and I think kids would enjoy learning about an actual dance school!)

Fiction (I really enjoyed these!)

Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird (thanks mom!)

Jazzy Miz Mosetta by Brenda C. Roberts (jazz and the South at its finest! shows that young and old can dance!)

Piggies in a Polka by Kathi Appelt and Leuyen Pham (the piggies go to the "yearly hootenanny")

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg (Disney and Whoopi came out with a good story, this is a series so young readers can keep going!)

Marie: An Invitation to Dance, France 1775 by Kathleen V. Kudlinski (excellent historical fiction and easy to understand, beautiful illustrations and fun story)

Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems (My favorite! You just must read about Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig!)

Next group: Nonfiction!
We'll see how my Dance Booktalk goes...

Friday, February 04, 2011

It's great to be a kid

I just love this. Also I have babysat for a little one before who, I think, could've experienced this...
<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;from=sp&amp;vid=c556e5f5-da61-4941-9ad7-f45921a24253" target="_new" title="Volkswagen Super Bowl Commercial">Video: Volkswagen Super Bowl Commercial</a>
P.S. thanks for sharing this Abbie

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Hall Party!






3rd Floor Street Side! We finally had our SPA themed hall party and I think it turned out ok :). It was full of goodies, magazines, massages, movies, and more! We watched Letters to Juliet and painted nails-a truly girly night!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

40 Books

I have to read 40 Children's Books for one of my classes. They are divided into categories and the first category is a topic/subject of my choice for a Book Talk we will give. My topic: Dance.

So far, I've read four books. (I know I'm a bit behind but I hope to spend much of my day in the library tomorrow or Saturday!) If you don't mind, I'll keep a running record and update you on all the books I choose. If you have any suggestions, let me know! I love to read, especially children's books! I know, I'm a child at heart.

10 Books (Nonfiction or Fiction) on Dance:

1. Dance! by Elisha Cooper (I really like this one-the print is in unusual patterns and beautiful water color pictures are used as illustrations, the information is also very accurate!)

2. Dance for Fun! by Balinda Craig-Quidad (good resource for kids, shows a wide variety of dance styles)

3. A Young Dancer The Life of an Ailey Student (check out the Alvin Ailey School!)

4. Feel The Beat! Dancing in Music Videos by Tenai Cutcher (might not recommend this for elementary school kids to read as it discusses MTV, but interesting information)

A Saturday on a Wednesday?

I have one of my busiest schedules of my college career but somehow I managed to be blessed with only one class on Wednesdays and Fridays. It's a little odd but very much needed, as the other three days of the week tend to be relatively full.

So yesterday, I had my Saturday on Wednesday...

So what do you do on a Saturday? You shop. And run errands and catch up on life.
Well first, I went to one class, did some reading, sat at the Leadership Fair for school and prepared to attempt the Verizon store (my phone is a little bit broken). Verizon was a quick trip because we have to make some decisions. Putting that aside, I headed to good ol' Wolly's World, and the Dollar Tree! It was time to do some shopping!
Our latest hall party for the girls on 3rd floor street side will be a SPA party so I pulled out my list and hopped to it!

I got platters, and decorations, and of course all kinds of fun spa goodies. I didn't realize how many lotions, creams, and tools they offer to take care of feet, nails, and face!

It was hard to decide what to get on my limited but well supplied budget! I am very excited to see how it all turns out. I'm going to try a really easy peanut butter cookie recipe and make some brownies!

It should be quite the girl's night...I'll let you know how it goes and try to snap a few pics! Here's a taste of what the night might look like....


Do you have any beauty secrets to share?

Heavy Heart

Wish i could be there for my friends but on my knees in prayer instead!
God is faithful!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Short and oh so sweet

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Do what you are called to do...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good pleasing and perfect will. For by grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is in contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12: 2-3 and 6-8

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

MLK Day

To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Belhaven University has an optional service day the first half of the morning. Our little group went to the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Jackson. We were able to help paint and organize!

Quick look

here's a quick look at some fun things I've done in the past few months...

From most recent...
Some of my classmates and I attended a Poject WET workshop at the Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, MS. It was a great workshop and I'd highly recommend it. If you want some more info click on the Project WET words it will take you to their site!
The Museum was also fun and the following are a few of the creatures we got to see.



This guy was brought in by someone and yes, it's a two-headed snake! Apparently both heads do eat and one side appears more in control.



This little fellow just seemed very cute. and hungry. They swim around with their mouths open waiting to eat. It seemed like they enjoyed posing for us. They were in a tank with a turtle. He was hungry too and ate a fish; there were scales flying everywhere! Its amazing to me how turtles and alligators can swim together and not get eaten.



You guessed it! Jackson was part of the ice storm and unfortunately we just got ice. The snow skipped Jackson. My friend Jessica was so nice to help me scrape my car. I also discovered that the defrost works wonders! My little car, Joy, has seen a lot of weather in her time.



I included this pic because, alas, I headed back to school for another semester. This is my amazing endless/bottomless bag that I got for my birthday one year, from my brother and his wife. I can't fit just about anything in it! Of course, you can see, I brought along some essentials :)



At home, I finally made this recipe I had wanted to make for a while: Pecan Chicken Pockets.
They are easy and tasty-very rich though so you can't eat a lot. On second thought, I think I might like to try making them again sometime. If you'd like to try it, check out the recipe by clicking on the words 'Pecan Chicken Pockets'.

Frogs, tomatoes, and life

My life suddenly got quite occupied with a wide variety of subjects and topics. Why is this you ask? Because I am an elementary education major. It has been quite some time since I've signed off as "life as an education major" or shared a Ms. Quinn story. So now, without any further ado...I would like to do just that.

"Little children can always ask questions that we can't answer."-Ms. Quinn

Ms. Quinn asked a little boy what he learned from the story of David and Goliath. His lesson: Duck. Well said my friend, well said.

On behalf of America, I would like to thank Thomas Jefferson for introducing us to tomatoes. They are both pretty and not poisonous contrary to popular belief in TJ's (Thomas Jefferson's) time.

Experiments are wonderful. Especially when they involve tears and joy. Well I would try to avoid the tears, but if you want a great experiment that kids will never forget, and may even claim it is the best one: watch a frog hibernate. It's that simple. And you didn't even know frogs COULD hibernate. It's ok, I didn't either.
Step 1: catch a frog.
Step 2: observe said frog.
Step 3: put ice in water.
Step 4: frog will shut both eyelids and sink to the bottom of the tank.
-Note: kids my cry and fear the poor little guy is dead.
Step 5: have no fear!
Step 6: let the water return to a warmer temperature and your frog will come back to life!
Step 7: beware of hopping frogs that have come back to life
-Note: kids generally cheer and shout at this time

Did you know? That people wore their wedding bands on their ring finger originally because it was believed that this location contained the one vain that ran all the way from your finger to your heart. Aw, so sweet. Now we know that veins run throughout the body as the heart pumps the blood but hey, it was the thought that counted!

-Life as an Education Major.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Firsts!

It's my first day of being a Senior! (well with credits)
It's my friends' last first day of classes!
It's my first time, in a very long time, sitting at a desk to read a school book ....we'll see how long that one lasts!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Winter musings

Back at BU for another semester. I can not believe that after this one, I will be a senior (i just found out that I do actually have senior level credits right now)! And for once in my college career I might not be taking summer school (well at a campus, I might take one class online but I'm not sure yet).

Well, it didn't rain when I came back to school this time but it certainly was windy! Instead, we had a 'wintry mix' Saturday and Sunday. Jackson mostly got encased in a bit of ice as the snow just kinda skipped us. Oh well, it sure makes for some lovely trees. We braved the weather and went to church on Sunday but it took us about 15 minutes to thaw my car-never had to do that before! My friend from Iowa offered to scrape the winshield for me, so I handed her my credit card and she was like, that's what you use?! It was quite funny. Thankfully we cranked up the defrost and another friend had an ice scraper we used.

A hard lesson: don't get stuck living in the past. Look forward to when you can look back and say THAT has the mark of Christ!
Romans 8:24-25
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

PS for those of you who liked the red layout, i did too but i also like this one-Im all about the cheerfulness and happy colors. Kimjo, i thought id update my blog design too :)

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Another Update

Now there are not just birds! there are squirrels!!! We were just about to pray before breakfast and I looked out the window and low and behold I saw a very big bushy tail that accompanied a cute little squirrel. We prayed and then dad "scatted" the little guy while mom said, "but he's so cute!"
Watching the today show on my last day at home with mom we saw Ted Williams (the homeless man that was in the yahoo news story yesterday). What a neat story: another news man and his family saw him around Christmas, gave him $20 and heard his gift. The news man kept looking for him and told him he wanted to video him. The next thing he knows, he's got lots of job offers and is on lots of morning shows! All I could think about was the quote I heard on Sunday by Mr. Andy Stanley: "Do for one what you wish you could for everyone."

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Thanks yahoo news!

I like to read yahoo news stories.
Today's highlights included a homeless man with a really cool radio voice and a shoe tree.
I want to find a shoe tree. But some vandals went and chopped it down. Why would you do that? The story goes that shoe trees were started when a couple tossed each other's shoes in the tree on their wedding night because they were in a bit of a disagreement and the rest is history!

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Good Word

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."-Acts 4: 13

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."-Colossians 1:27

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."-Psalm 28:6-7

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."-Romans 3:22-24

Monday, January 03, 2011

Oh school

I just found out that school starts next Wednesday not next Monday. Except, one of my night classes starts today. It's going to be an interesting semester.

Christmas isn't over Just Yet....

It's a wonderful Life-classic Christmas movie....here are some of my favorite quotes from it:

"No man is a failure who has friends."

"I want to live again!"

"The only things you can take with you are the things you give away."

A new prayer

"Do for one, what you wish you could do for everyone."-Andy Stanley

Friday, December 31, 2010

Necessary Dreams

"Dreams are necessary for living at times."-A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

that's a lot

I've watched a lot of tv growing up so I thought I'd post a list of really great shows (with the help of my family and friends)

Everwood
Reba
Joan of Arcadia
Sue Thomas F.B.Eye (favorite intro song)
Early Edition (getting the paper a day ahead of time to save the world-nice)
Robin Hood BBC version (oh I love it, except for the twist you pulled with Lady Marion)
Pushing Daisies (nothing like it-so quirky and great)
Eli Stone
Psych (oh its funny!)
Burn Notice (they tell you how to make cool things)
Leverage
White Collar
House (got me through Capstone World View)
Royal Pains
Ugly Betty
Remington Steele (thank you Pax)
Magnum PI (nothin' like it)
Human Target
Lost (oh it was good)
Alias (our first summer series-we watched it for three days straight with our friends from up North)
Kings (only two seasons, it was the best but if you watch it you'll be so frustrated it was canceled)
Eureka
Star Wars Enterprise
Monarch of the Glen (if you've never seen it-you are missing out!)
Nero Wolfe
The Mentalist
The Number One Ladies Detective Agency
Monk
The Tenth Kingdom (love the wolf!)
Jag
NCIS (thanks KimJo-all those Chinese takeout nights, good memories)
Jake 2.0
Castle

Gilmore Girls (I only watch it at college and always seem to be lost)
Friends
Seinfeld



Classics

Family Matters
Full House
Who's the Boss
Step by Step
The Nanny
Boy Meets World
Saved by the Bell
Brady Bunch
Happy Days
Two of a Kind (Olsen twins! thanks grandpa mumpower)


Reality

The Mole
American Idol
So You Think You can Dance
Amazing Race

Food
Cake Boss
Ace of Cakes
Rachel Ray-30 minute meals

Home
What Not to Wear
Trading Spaces
Extreme Makeover Home Edition

The Today Show

Im sure there's more so feel free to add on!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Update

Houston we have birds!!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Picture Time






P.S. Annie-4 posts in one day-woa! Happy adventuring in Egypt! and KimJo-how did your Christmas cookies turnout? Alli and Josh-happy wedding flower preparation! Mom and Dad-Pop goes my heart, you'll appreciate that post! Beates fam-yeah for big family Christmases, hope ya'll enjoyed it! Kim-we get to watch movies on the big screen now! Kimber-I miss you and love you! And Darren if you are by some chance reading this because you sometimes say you don't-I hope you have a wonderful day :)! McKinney boys-hows FBC and downtown Church? Sarah-I'm glad you finally got snow on Christmas! Rick-How's VA?

The Birds

So since we've moved to GA, my mom really wants to see some birds. Ok, my mom loves watching birds at breadfast, so this is not really a new concept. In SC, we had brick pattio with trees and bird feeder and the birds just loved it!
Anyway, she decided to put out a bird feeder, but the birds just won't come.
We tried a different seed and everything. Mom even made a trail of bird seed all around the deck railing.
We've seen two birds.
They flew away.
I had a leftover pancake that I didn't know what to do with, to which my parents replied-give it to the birds!
So i left a trail of pancake and bird seed for the birds....

A coffee table, rug, and Emily

Today, well yesterday, I was trying to help my mom fix the placement of a rug. There's a coffee table on this rug. So I decided to stand on the rug and lift up the coffee table while mom adjusts the rug. Instead of moving the rug, which wasn't possible, we all died laughing as someone said, "Ya Emily, like you weigh less than the coffee table."
Music and Lyrics is just a really funny movie (minus some language and odd scenes). So here's a highlight of some of the best songs of the movie, enjoy!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them."
Luke 1:68

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Promises

So it's been a while since I've posted of our favorite bear dog! Here she is:



At home again, in my new home in Georgia. It will be our first Christmas here. It's amazing how much can change in such a short time. Change is always hard for some reason but it can also be very good.

Change is part of life: friends change, friendships change, jobs change, people move, rules change, administration changes, life changes.

I tell my friends, I promise it's going to be ok. And it will, the only reason I can say that is because they are in the care of Jesus Christ and He promises that.

Now it's time to start believing the promise! It all started with a baby born in a manger; it was the fulfillment of a promise that would change the world forever!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

"You doubt your value. Don't run from who you are."-Aslan in The Voyage of The Dawn Treader

Great Song

Today is the day I give you every glory,
Today is the day I let you write my story
I know the past is something I can't undo
To know the good and bad are made to serve You

For all that's happened here before
For all the sorrows at my door
In every circumstance
I know I'm in Your hands

When my heart is weak
You're the strength in me
You are good to me all the time

-Excerpts from You are Good to Me by Billy and Cassie Lord and Melodee and Juan Devevo

Heard this song at Eagle's Landing Church in Georgia and really appreciated it.
We also sang Chris Tomlin's "My Soul Magnifies the Lord" and " 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus". Do you see a theme? It's all about trust and the work God is doing!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Let go and let God


Sometimes you just have to let go, and let God. (One of the many lessons I've learned in the past three weeks.) For some reason, I tend to get thrown into life, real quick and all at once but that's ok.

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Friday, December 03, 2010

In the midst


In the midst of it all (which somehow became a lot) I can't thank the Lord enough for letting me know that He is at work in my life and in control. I have had once again, another week that I will never forget. Yesterday, specifically was probably one of the longest days I've had, but for everything that 'went wrong' something else 'went right'. The irony, which is also the hand of God, was just blowing me away. I think I am learning to open my hands and let go of everything; more and more I am realizing that I have no control and that's right where I should be-giving up. I know this, and said at the end of the day-God is good all the time. I think of some verses: Ephesians 3:16-21 and Philippains 4:12-13
My roomate told me once if you are moving or things around the house are crazy, just get some roses and put them on the table in the middle of the house/living room. It'll help keep ya sane!
God sent me pretty pink roses from precious ladies on third floor street side last night...
-Trusting Him

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Apple Pie

We love our pies around the Holidays....


Congrats on the complete apple peal!

Give Thanks

"Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His son

And now, let the weak say I'm strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done, for us
Give thanks"

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'm thankful for so many blessings (here are just a few)....

hot chocolate made fresh and warm with whipped cream by my daddy

playing wii with my parents until odd hours of the night

so many wonderful friends at Belhaven University-sharing great conversations, playing Polish pool

hall girls on 3rd floor street side who challenge me and help me grow every day

Military service men and women serving and fighting for freedom

Salvation

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving-Emily

I love my family


In the words of my brother (and I agree) "I love my family!!"
Staying up until 1:30 trying to beat a world in Super Mario...now that's a good time! Switching controllers back and forth because we only have two and squealing because I somehow managed to kill myself right before we killed Bowser, just another normal night in the Schreck house.

Another Trip Home

Trip Home-November 2010
The trip started well….only a little late. We left at 3:00/4:00 ET. Stopped at a gas station and the pump was crazy high/tall! But its ok because I paid with cash. I was laughing to myself because I grew up today by putting more than just ham and cheese on my subway sandwich AND then I fell short because I just don't think I could reach that gas pump!

The drive was smooth until we tried to find a waffle house on chamberlee and trumbley street or something like that. Two of my friends from BU drove down with me because we all live "about an hour from Atlanta". With the fog, the empty roads, and a lot of Waffle Houses, the night was just beginning at 11:00....

It turns out we went to the complete opposite end of the road. So we ended up waiting at a very foggy and empty Walmart gas station somewhere outside of Atlanta. After a lot of texting, phone calls, and gps entries, the couple finally arrived and we dropped off our friend. Then Ellen and I found her dad at the Wendy’s (after we found the waffle house and shell station we were supposed to find)

At about 12:10, I headed home (made one wrong turn but its ok).

I thought I had driven through everything, rain, blinding sunshine last time and now fog like I’ve never seen before-visability was bad! But then I saw a deer, waiting in a church parking lot area and I turned to three different radio stations all of which were playing three different taylor swift songs. The nice thing about driving late is there is nobody on the road: crank up the music, dance a little, take a sip of that coka cola and stay awake on a peaceful evening.

I made it home and scared poor dad who had fallen asleep on the couch waiting for me. Isabear looked pretty disturbed and sleepy too.

It’s so funny though because every time I come home, something new has been done to the house. I walked up the steps and was like-oh no pillars. Then, oh you added the curtain things by the tv. Then in the bathroom-ooo there’s blinds! So fun, I really do love this house. So blessed on the drive home; God was gracious and kept me safe.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

It started with rain....

I really do love rain. I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it is because of the freshness and that it washes away things. Then again, it could be the calming factor of the grey's and the beautiful sound of rain. Don't get me wrong, some of it can be scary and I have some friends who really don't like it. Rain has an opposite affect: it makes them sad, lethargic or depressed and others have pain from body reactions to weather change.
Tonight though, I saw rain as a blessing.
I was up late doing homework and all of a sudden I heard a pretty significant thunder clap. I was so shocked and surprised because I had been keeping up with weather on morning news and just didn't expect it. Needless to say I was quite happy with the little surprise. It didn't last long but I opened me window and listened to the pouring rain. There was even a cool breeze and a flash of lightening. Thank you Lord for little things.
In other news....
Our water fountain mysteriously overflowed. It was fixed. Then it happened again and our residence hall became a construction sight. I had a feeling it would be more than appeared to the eye and quite the chore. We had the whole crew of maintenance men working late into the night! It is getting fixed, just taking time.
This was the week for projects: grammar poster, math board game, and math article review presentation.
I am so very excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas! We had an Operation Christmas Child event tonight where students bring items and boxes and pack them together. If you've heard of the Advent Conspiracy, this is a good idea for participating in that as well. We had a great turnout and I was so excited because before Tuesday, I didn't know if we would be able to help out but God is good and things worked out! Praise the Lord!
Heard a good comment about how Christians often do not prepare for the battles of the day because we don't see a need or value it. So often we get caught up in silly little games that keep us 'on our guard' and yet when it comes to being 'on our guard' as a follower of Christ, I fail. I am too quick to say oh I'll do my devotions tomorrow, when I needed them today! (thanks Allison for the thoughts)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Oh the irony

I looked up a yahoo news article on Thanksgiving but the computer graphics on the side were Christmas decorations. Seems like people break out Christmas earlier and earlier but that's ok because I love Christmas!

In other news I ate four pieces of bubble gum in about 5 minutes for my Bubble Gum Math Game board. (no I did not combine all them) Some of the flavors were interesting-there was a mystery fruity flavor and a flavor changing gum that went from berry to spear mint? I'm not even sure, it was a bit odd but fun to try!

Friday, November 05, 2010

Languages at 12:30am

You know its been a long day when its 12:30 am and you are studying dance vocab and somehow manage to mix French and Spanish. I read the English: '3 crossings' and came up with entrechat tres um no that should be trois not tres. Oi vey. It was a good day though, full of coffee, tea, and thee! Hopefully pictures will come :) bed is calling my name, now to finish reviewing those vocab words in English and French, not Spanish...

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Thoughts on prayer....
I am reading a book called Too Busy Not to Pray, Slowing down to be with God by Bill Hybles. I found it when we were packing up books to move and thought I'd try it.
Found a neat quote that makes you think about your motivations behind praying, our role praying, and God's role answering:

"A little boy took his geography test and then prayed, 'Dear God, please make Barcelona the capital of Spain.' " (p. 45)

How often do I do that? How often do I make a mistake and say Lord please fix it, or don't make the wisest decision and say ok God help, change what I did. Yes, God hears, and yes God will answer my prayer but if I eat junk food, it may not be 'blessed' to my body and I may be sick the next day. (p. 45)

What do you think about these illustrations?