Mario & Luigi in VAK

First quarter has come and gone and parent-teacher conferences were enjoyable! I got to spend time really talking with a lot of my parents. It was fun because there were a few parents I didn't know, but I got to know... and then there were quite a few parents who I already knew which was really nice, too. I cannot tell you how much I delighted in parents telling me about the things they already knew their child is learning in school because s/he talks about it at home! That makes for a happy teacher! One parent told me that her son asked if what they were watching on television was fiction or non-fiction... how awesome! And, I love that the parents share things like this with me... gave me a big, fat smile.

Today we celebrated Halloween at school, which is pretty much a norm here. My mom sent me all of our old Halloween costumes so my kiddos got to play dress-up with them today. They took such great care of them and shared so nicely. My students are always working hard so I really love when we can do these kind of silly, laid-back activities. I will never lose sight of the importance of imagination, fun, and enjoyment for young children. Some of my friends from elementary and middle school messaged me and told me that they remember coming to our house when we were younger and trying on all of these costumes! Fun to think of all the memories that have been made in these costumes over the years. This year, a good friend of mine out here dressed as Luigi and I dressed as Mario. The students all over the school know who they are which made them pretty fun costumes. We are going to have to think of something fun for next year ;)

Tomorrow is our Halloween Carnival which brings in a huge number of community members. I will be running the duck pond and look forward to seeing all of the kiddos in their excitement!

Next week, November will be here which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Before I know it, Christmas vacation will be here! There is much teaching and learning to be done in the next quarter, and I am looking forward to it!

Winter is in the air...

Stay warm,

Misty

Wrestling Has Begun

It was a beautiful day here in VAK. The weather was warm, no wind, the sun was out, and the bit of snow we have was reflecting the sun. It was an earlier Saturday for me than others... I woke up to three alarm clocks... my reg clock, iPad, and phone. Typically, this lady likes to sleep in on Saturdays, but our wrestling season has begun and we had a meet last night and this morning. When I was in high school I was a wrestling manager for a few years, taking care of stats and that kind of stuff. They were fun times. I don't think I started to understand wrestling until my last year, and I find myself getting it more and more even though it is a sport I never would have otherwise been interested in. Anyway, I was pretty excited when I moved to VAK and learned that wrestling is one of their main sports. Teachers tend to wear a few hats in villages and resources can be limited so it is nice to be able to help out and score when we have meets. I actually really enjoy it.

After scoring some matches I worked the open library for a few hours. Students are able to come in and read for a bit and then get on the computers. Overall, it went pretty well. I thought I'd get some work done, but I kept pretty busy just making sure things went smoothly. It's always nice to get time out of the classroom to get to know the kiddos more.

As I left the school I was so glad I had started my day early because otherwise I might have missed out on the beautiful weather. I sat on my porch (which has a lake view) and watched a handful of kids ice skating, pulling each other on a sled, and playing kick the can. I just sat there thinking about how nice it was to see them outside getting fresh air and making use of the things around them. It really made me wish I had ice skates though... I wanted to join them! Clear skies, sounds of kiddos playing together, and the sunshine beaming down. Truly beautiful.

I have finally taken some time to clean house and I got another paper done for my grad class... half-way through the semester! Though I love taking classes and only have a few left to go, I dream about a time when I won't be writing papers on the weekends ;) I have yet to take a break from school, and though I say I will when I am done with my master's.... we shall see. I can't really even fathom a life without my messenger bag full of syllabi, books, and work! It sounds kinda dreamy! lol

The first round of PT conferences will be this week, along with fall festivities (aka Halloween celebrations). I have a Creme Brulee candle burning and decorations up... hoping to decorate sugar cookies with my kiddos this week sometime. November will be here before we know it, then December and it's off to the Big Apple for some fun family time.

All is well in my world. Thanks for keeping up with me ;)

Misty

Living in Two Worlds

This is in response to a poem called "Two" regarding living in two worlds...

"You are a blend of two people.

You have the privilege of knowing two worlds.

A struggle it might be, but an advantage it is,

To see the world through two lenses.

Do not close your eyes to one,

But instead, keep them both wide open."

~By Misty Dawn Nelson

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." ~Confucius

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." ~Buddha

Quite often I use this blog to document new experiences that I have in life... mostly relating to my work, school, or travels. Tonight, I am compelled to write from my heart about my heart. Without the heart, I most certainly cannot experience all of the others...

I have been on this incredible journey of life. Making new friendships, breaking off old ones, "dating", seeing more of the world, understanding people's stories... all of this helps me to understand my own journey. There are always ups and downs and, as my profile states, I like to capture as much beauty as I can for this life is too short not to recognize the good.

But, sometimes we have hiccups. Recently I had a hiccup. Almost like a mini-earthquake. Not quite as huge as others I have had in the past, but this one tugged at my heart. I won't share all of the details, but I will share as much as my heart will allow.

The last three years have been a time of healing, restoration, growth, and discovery. They have been filled with so many wonderful memories, and a number that I'd just as soon forget. I have been very hesitant to put my heart on the line after some big heartache in the past. Mostly, I have been making the most of this time to, for lack of better terms, surrender. I am kind of catching up with myself and figuring out what my end goal is. My purpose, my destiny, my value, and worth. It's been quite a ride thus far.

Well, not too long ago, I put my heart on the line. Something I don't do very easily. I am strong, stubborn, independent, and, at times, I can be a tough cookie to crack. If you know me well, you know there are reasons for this. Well, I got hurt when I decided to "risk it" in recent events. It was hard. I had knots in my stomach, a lump in my throat, and too many thoughts in my head. Let me tell ya, it didn't feel the greatest... (Hallelujah for girlfriends!).

But, I do believe things happen for a reason. And I am truly thankful for that. The more experiences I have in life, the easier it is to "see the forest through the trees." Thank God for that. Trials and temptations grow you. They make you and break you. They stretch you. Sometimes, it hurts. But, it's good. I know myself more. I know where my heart lies. It is within and no matter the hurt or ache I might experience, it is still within. Nobody can take that away (well, okay, maybe a surgeon lol). I have a choice to let it harden, but thank God that instead I feel more enlightened. So, I will move forward with this Timothy Childers quote in mind, "To hide the key to your heart is to risk forgetting where you placed it." I refuse to hide the key.

Keep warm,

Misty

"Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with those who are reckless with yours." ~Mary Schmich

... beautiful video, as well...

Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

I absolutely love this song! Such a neat video... Ingrid and Sarah have beautiful, beautiful voices. Guarantee I will play this song many times throughout the winter season. Enjoy!