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.

ImAGiNiFF Jeff ran over the neighbours cat - would he...

a. run over it again to make sure it was dead.
b. leave it.
c. move it to the road and make it look like someone else did it.
d. tell the neighbours what happened.
e. cry

I had my doubts at first, but I am discovering Montana is a pretty cool place. Jeff is a great host and we have been busy seeing the sights that Montana has to offer us. Our first day here was spent touring the Schutter family farm via four-wheelers (my favorite mode of transportation). We saw about 12 bald eagles and some cool mountain views, buffalo jumps, deer etc. Sunday was family dinner, and then in the afternoon we did some shooting of clay pigeons. That's right, me and a shot gun, and I even made some good shots. Monday we toured Bozeman. Jeff took us to some cool music stores, little shops, and second hand book stores! Yeah I found a book I have been looking for for a long time! 1913 original copy! We also went to a museum, it had dinosaurs. I felt like was there with two 8 year old boys. They were very giddy. Tuesday we went to Yellowstone and we saw at least 500 elk, 250 buffalo, and 30 pronghorns. Very cool. We saw the Mammoth Hot Springs which rank like ass, but they were super cool and we had a nice trek through the snow. Wednesday was spent on the slopes. We had snow all day and skied in at least a couple feet of powder - wonderful. I also saw big horned sheep and mountain goats (which Jeff and Mike missed much to their dismay - muhaha). Today we relaxed for a while cause we have been going pretty steady. Although I did do some shopping with the Schutter women which was fun. Today I also met Jeff's grandpa - who may be my new favorite person. Wow so cool. He has a bottle collection, just like me. But he has a built in wall case with lights to display them. I had a great time learning about all his milk bottles and parafinalia. He even sent me home with one of his bottles, so sweet. He also said "I can't remember where the crap it is," and "this shit really makes a mess." I laughed a lot, because those are perfect words to use in almost all situations. Love Jeff's grandpa.
Evenings have consisted of good beer, and some more good beer, mixed with special drink making, and games. Yeah for games. Imaginiff, Cranium, Disney Trivial Pursuit, Catchphrase, and Apples to Apples. Jeff's cousin Brad has joined in for the fun and games as well. Brad and I lost to Mike and Jeff in Cranium, but we wasted them in Catchphrase. Well thats it for now. Two more days of fun left.

SPPRIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG BREEEEEAAK!!!

I am updating my blog, I am being harrased by everyone to update so here it is. I hope you are not dissapointed.

The Montana Song!

Montana, Montana,
glory of the west,
of all the States
from coast to coast,
you are easily the best!
Montana Montana
where skies are always blue,
M-O-N-T-A-N-A
Montana I LOVE YOU!

Top 10 of our two traveling days in no particular order:

1. Driving 14 hours in a 1987 Cadillac De Ville (its a ship on the road).
2. Jeff stating that if he ever lived in South Dakota he would be to embarrased to say so and would lie, unless he lived in the Black Hills (which is probably the only way he would be living in SD), and then he would just say he was from the Black Hills (no South Dakota).
3. Laughing all night with Katie about the bucking chicken Burger King commercial.
4. Going to the Corn Palace - not.
5. Mount Rushmore.
6. Turbo - the Schutters cat - my new best friend.
7. Playing a giant slot machine.
8. Drinking Beer.
9. Not taking a crap for 25 cents.
10. ah Mountains.

"Mel is updating her blog, its about fricken time!" - Jeff in a mocking tone