And we're back...

Spurred on by Sarah and Jess. I am going to post a little somethin' about my life lately. Not being one to cast the first stone (I strictly cast stones on a retaliatory basis) I mostly want to talk about me.

This last month has been so many things all rolled into one, but at the heart of it all is an opportunity. I've been so blessed to have such a supportive group of people from all over the country step up and show the love. I wish there was a way to thank all of you in person with an off key rendition of "You are the Wind Beneath my Wings" but fortunately for you I won't. But the sentiment is there.

Currently things I have going for me in no particular order:

a) Northern Arizona University is about an hour from my parents house and I've been put in contact with a professor who may be able to help me out with funding for my masters. Unfortunately she is on sabbatical for a semester, so the program wouldn't start until January. Which in Flagstaff is actually very cold and snowy...

b) I still hold a valid Kansas teaching license, so I could possibly find a job using my degree and license in or around Kansas City. There is a grassroots effort in the works campaigning for the city.

c) I have started looking into international volunteer organizations. As much as I've sat around feeling sorry for myself; I know my life is really not all that bad. I have an amazing support system, good health, family, nice hair... the list goes on. Seriously, though I am looking to make a difference, and what better way to do that than get out there and change the world. There are a few programs I am really interested in, but I am not sure I would be eligible to start sometime this year with deadlines and such.

I'll keep you all posted and pick your brains for advice, but for the first time in a long time, I will be making the decsion for ME!

In the meantime, I will be baking cupcakes and cooking dinner for anyone in the area.
And I make damn good cupcakes...

the first two

Monday morning started with 150 kids ass up in the basement in "tornado" positions compliments of the mid century bomb raid videos.

Our town usually runs the storm sirens the first monday of every month to add a little spice to our lives and to ensure they are still working properly. The clouds were black, the rain was thick, and the sirens were sounding, so we paraded the whole of summer school into the basement. There was a terrific hailstorm that cracked windows, totaled cars, and broke roofs. A few people wondered if it was just all a test, but the rediculous storm led us all to hope that the National Weather Service, or whoever it was running the stupid things, would have the forethought to analyze the effects of a mere test during a seemingly severe storm. In any case, we all survived due to promt response and sensitivity to the safety of our students (that's just what the memo said)

Camp has been fabulous. We are all a little disorganized, but the kids are great, the staff is dedicated, and we have really had a lot of fun. I saw one of my kiddos out at dinner today, and she introduced me to her family and told me how much fun she had at camp and what she was going to do tomorrow. Today was stressful, but my staff has rallied around me and made it possible to be human and still have a little power.

anticipation

Yep...On the sofa at midnight waiting for people to leave our house. This is just about how I planned the night before starting two very big and very new things. At least school is only approximately 2 minutes away. I can't believe I told Chris I'd meet him at 7:30 to plan. I haven't even made my cheesy camp rules poster cleverly created to the acronym SAFE...

P.S. Josh Hartnett, you should fire your agent for letting you do 30 Days of Night. What a piece of crap movie...
Vampire language, huh