Yesssssssssssssss!

I am happy. Really happy. I have not for the longest time enjoyed every day so much. I love what I am doing and it is an amazing feeling. Don't get me wrong, I do have many shitty things going on in my life, but the fact that this huge part - all the decisions coming together, all the hard work, has paid off. I LOVE BEING A TEACHER!!! I love making bulletin boards, turning my classroom into a solar system, telling my students lies, grading their ridiculous stories. I love my students, even the fat grumpy one. They are so funny, so unique, beautiful people! No matter how stressed I am, or how many things I have to do, I just can't help but be so happy in a classroom. You know you always have that little voice in your head wondering if you are doing the right thing, have you really been called to this? All the annoying assignments - please just let me get through this. Well I did, and it is amazing. I truly know that I will always love my job. I always dreaded this next step of graduating, and while I am depressed about leaving my friends and (my beloved) Sioux Center, I still can hold on to the fact that I get to teach. I hate change, but I think it is time... I dunno. I just never wanted to be one of those people who hates their job, I have had a huge fear of that, but yeah I could go on forever. I will not hate my job. I LOVE BEING A TEACHER!!!

Quotes from my students:

When referring to where I live on a map of North America - "she lives right under that big ol' lake." - Jesse K.

"Why would I want a girlfriend, all they do is empty your wallet. This is what its like - she has a new purse and she's like I love this purse, it is SO beautiful. Then the next week you go shopping with her, and she runs into the store and screams oh my gosh, that is the cutest purse I have ever seen. I HAVE to have it. You say to her, didn't you just get a new purse, and she goes, what purse? Then you have to buy her a new one." - Jesse K

Tay - "OHHhhhh its Easter! I get candy from the Easter bunny!"
Me - " I want candy, send em over to my house when you are done!"
Jesse H - "Send em on over to my house, I'll be waiting on my front porch with a 12 gauge!"

"I will probably cry when you leave. I won't get over it." - Maddy

Questions I was asked about Canada during the first week:
"Do you have white tigers up there?"
"How about boa constrictors?"
"Have you ever been to Alaska?" - "I live closer to you, than I do to Alaska" (dumb founded silence and puzzled looks)

"There will be a tommorow, even if you choose to leave...

cause it don't matter to the sun, it matters to me."

I am becoming depressed with the end of the year approaching. I have met some really cool people during my time here at Dordt, and as the year ends so to does the time and relationships that I have built with them. I am saddened by the fact that most of them are not the closest of friends - so it makes sense that you move on as you move away, and remember the good times. But then there are the friends that are closer and I am worried that there will be no effort to keep in touch. That is sad. Even though people are heading different directions that doesn't mean relationships have to end, they just sort of change.

"How do we make these moments last, how do we get them to stay, when everything passes and time blows away..."

But Peter, how do we get to Neverland? (said in a British accent)

Yesterday evening after the service at Covenant I had an intense sensation and need to be in a canoe. I dunno what it was, the sky was orange, the air was warm, just a sweet breeze with cool air, and my mind was full of peace, sounds of the water rippling, a loon in the background. I can see the shore, and green trees, oh and a beaver just slapped its tail and went under. I wish it was all real. But it was sort of real, kind of like on Hook when the lost boys are hungry and they have the imaginary feast. It was like that. Oh shoot now I am hungry and too lazy to make food. Maybe I will have an imaginary feast... or not.
I like the movie Hook, and Peter Pan (disney style), and Finding Neverland. I think its one of my favorite stories. I saw the play once too. Oh and next week Dordt is putting on a production of Peter Pan sorts. Yay! Hurray for not wanting to grow up and having an imagination.