Randomness

Why a post on randomness? Well, I'm feeling the need to write, but would like it to be something semi-brainless so my frazzled mind doesn't have to think so much... :) So without further ado here is one of those surveys you see on Facebook...

‎1. A job I want to have when I'm older: I'm already fulfilling 2 of my dream jobs - teacher and missionary in Africa. But I would like to one day work in/help run an orphanage. AND I'd also like to be a wife and mommy :)

2: My favorite book: I rarely have time to read for fun. BUT I did just finish The Circle Maker and LOVED it! 

3: A random fact about myself: i went to 10 different schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade 

4: A description of my self-esteem: um... it's been better. 

5: My relationship(s) with my sibling(s): We get along really well and are pretty close... pretty nice if you ask me...especially since we're a few thousand miles and an ocean away from each other :)

6: Relationship status: single

7: A map of my day yesterday: I woke up at 5 to go walking. Go me! :) ...came back, got ready, had breakfast and did my morning devo, went to work, taught all day, came home, took a nap, ate supper, watched an episode of survivor, killed time on facebook, called my mom to cry "on her shoulder" about a situation i'm going through, read most of Proverbs, went to bed

8: My big plans for today? umm...the day's almost over. but my biggest plan for today was to find a way to get my students to understand adding American coins.

9: What I'm doing tomorrow: wake up at 5 & go walking, then work, meeting with one of my student's parent, work/eat supper in my classroom, small group/bible study, sleep

10: Most recent embarrassing moment: trying to say "pennies" to my 1st graders and accidentally saying "panties" ...yeah, 9 six year olds - imagine the immature giggling and comments :)

11: What I last ate/drank: dirty rice and salad...and water

12: Biggest pet peeve: people crunching ice 

13: Plans for my weekend: a day off from school friday (early weekend - woohoo!), movie night (The Vow) with staff ladies Fri. night, party for one of my kids Sat. morning, fine arts festival Sat. night, church Sun. morning, A/G mission dinner Sun. night

14: Most recent accomplishment: losing weight - 32 pounds since Jan. - go me! :)

15: Bedtime: between 9:30 and 10 usually

16: Wakeup time: dark and early - 5:00

17: Last thing you bought: lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers from the veggie stand

18: Last piece of advice you got: Just give it to God. I know that's easier said than done, but you just have to do it.

19: Favorite Movie: The Notebook

20: Something you miss: when I was a kid and life was super easy and Mom and Dad took care of everything :)

Top 10 TV/Movie Moms

In honor of today being Mother's Day, I thought I'd do a post on my top 10 favorite moms from tv shows and movies. So here goes...

1. Clair Huxtable - The Cosby Show

2. Carol Brady - The Brady Bunch

3. Jill Taylor - Home Improvement

4. Leigh Anne Tuohy - Behind the Lines

5. Jackie Harrison and 6. Isabel Kelly - Stepmom

7. Reba Hart - Reba

8. Lucy Ricardo - I Love Lucy

9. Mrs. Gump - Forrest Gump

10. Sophia - The Golden Girls

The 12th Dear __________ Post

Dear Mama, Tomorrow's Mother's Day. I don't know where to begin in thanking you. You have been the best mother, role model, friend, confidant, EVERYTHING, to me. I couldn't have hand-picked a better mother. You're my best friend, my shoulder to cry on (even when we're separated by an ocean), my rock to lean on. I pray that one day I can be just half the mother you are. I love you and thank you so very much for the godly example you've shown me my entire life. You're my hero. You're my mom.

Dear Haircut, Your shortness shocked me a little at first. But I so love you! You make my life easier and cooler.

Dear EDM 510 Final Exam, You were a doozy. I was so nervous going into you. I'd studied and studied and studied for you, but still didn't feel ready. But while you were definitely hard, finishing you with a score of 92 made this girl happy, happy, happy! :)

Dear Less than a Month, That's how long it is before I see my family. And I am soooooo ready!

Dear Little League Baseball, My school just started you. I got to watch the tail end of the practice this past week. Oh my word! ...BEST THING EVER! :) ...so funny!

Dear President Obama, I realize you and I haven't agreed on a lot of things. ...especially your latest admission. I don't understand how you can call yourself a Christian and support something that is clearly a sin. And Sir, the Bible says I'm supposed to respect those in authority over me, so I will respect you. But I can guarantee I won't be voting for you.

Dear Roller Coaster of Life, I'm on you right now, or so it feels. It seems like as soon as I get to the top of you and all is going well, something comes along and pushes me hard to the bottom. I'm not going to lie. It's not easy. I sometimes feel like I'm struggling so hard that I can't get my head above water. BUT with that said, Roller Coaster, I will conquer you. I am working to get back to the top slowly but surely. And you know what, I'm going to be happy whether I'm at the top or the bottom. So take that Roller Coaster of Life!

Dear Hot Season, You stink! I don't like you one bit. Why? 1) incredibly high temps 2) incredibly high humidity 3) power cuts. ...not to mention how H - O - T it is! Boo to hot season! :(

Dear 32, You are the number of pounds I've lost since January. ...which is AWESOMENESS, just sayin'. :)

Dear 2, You are the number of sizes I've gone down. Can I just say that that feels so incredibly awesome?! :) I can? Good. That feels so incredibly awesome! :)

The 11th Dear _______ Post

Dear Friends That Let Me Watch Their Kids While They Were Gone,  I'm not sure if you'll see this, but thanks for trusting me with your children. Someone told me this week to consider it an honor for someone to trust you with their children. And I definitely do. Thanks for giving me the chance to hang out with them, to get to chat with them, to get to know them even better. I loved it! You have awesome kids and I really enjoyed myself!

Dear Chipwrecked, You are the third Chipmunks movie. I watched you this past Sunday. You were quite hilarious! I love a good kids' movie every now and then. It's fun to just sit back and laugh like a kid :)

Dear Bed, Oh how I've missed you this past week and a half while I was staying at a friend's house. I was so happy to be reunited with you Thursday that I went to bed at 8:00.  ...or maybe that was because I was so tired. Either way, I'm happy to be back home and in my own bed. :)

Dear Hair, I'm considering cutting you. But every time I make up my mind to set up an appointment, I chicken out again. Who would've ever thought that I, eternal loather of long hair, would consider not cutting my hair? :) Decisions, decisions...

Dear "I'm in the Lord's Army," I sang you in Children's Church when I was growing up and loved you! You were such a fun song back then and I remember all of us kids loving when that would be on the Children's Church Worship line-up. So, imagine my delight when my first graders fell in love with you too! :)

Dear 2011-2012 School Year, You are almost over. It's hard to believe that. It seems like time has just flown by. I've really enjoyed you and the students you brought into my life. It's a bittersweet feeling right now. I'm happy and excited to be getting closer to summer vacation but at the same time, I'm sad to be leaving my kiddos. :)

Dear Sorting and Packing, I'm not looking forward to you. I've got a zillion other things to do that are soooo much more fun. But alas, I don't have a choice. I have to start working on you soon. P.S. Did you realize that SORT and PACK (oh, and MOVE too) are all 4-letter words. Just sayin'...

Dear The Long Run, I just finished reading you. You were an amazing book that tells an incredibly inspiring story. ...which I would recommend to anyone to read. (...so to anyone reading this blog post: If you like "good guy overcoming incredible obstacles" type stories, you'd love this book!)

Dear EDM 510 Final Exam, I have to take you this week. Please be kind to me.

Dear Frustration, I've found a new way to combat you. I saw someone post on Facebook that you should always turn your frustration into a prayer. So that's what I'm doing. The minute I feel frustrated over something (or even someone), I immediately pray about it. It's "funny" how quickly my mood can change after that.

Dear Colorful Bags and Fabrics Available in Dakar, You make for nice shopping trips and beautiful photo ops too. :)

                                                        

The 10th Dear ________ Post

Dear Mom and Dad, Today is your anniversary. 28 years...Wow! I pray that one day I'm as blessed as the two of you and to have just half the love the two of you share. I love you both so very much! Happy Anniversary!

Dear Late Nights, You and I just do not work well together. I start shutting down around 10:00. I'm such an old person, aren't I? :)

Dear Thursday, According to my first graders, you were the best day ever! :) We made pizza and cookies and then we went to visit our local pond and zoo for a fun field trip, followed by a picnic lunch (of our homemade pizza and cookies, chips, and carrot sticks) at the park. While I was so tired and slept like a baby that night, it was so worth it to see those excited, smiling faces all day. Thanks for being such an awesome day Thursday.

Dear Sunscreen, Why are you so easily forgotten? Can you say, ouch?!

Dear Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine, You're one of the Berean (AG licensing) courses I'm taking right now. I have learned so much! You have so much information packed into one book. I am definitely loving you!

Dear Entertaining, I love you. I love having people over. I love cooking for people. I really am a people person. :) For various reasons, I haven't been able to do this much, but I really love it when I do. And I'm looking forward to definitely being able to do this a lot more next year.

Dear Ceramic Travel Mug, At first, I considered not buying you. After all, you're heavy and take up a little more of my luggage weight allotment than I'd prefer. However, in the end, I am so glad I did decide to buy you. You are the perfect size for my morning cup of tea and the best part is that you are microwaveable!

Dear A Year Ago Yesterday, You weren't that great of a day. A large portion of my home state of Alabama was wiped out by tornadoes. There were so many lives lost that day. ...not to mention all the homes and businesses gone too. Many places Alabama were forever affected by this and, while they're in the process of rebuilding, will never be the same. A little closer to "home," on this day last year, my dad was in a hospital who had a wing clipped by one of the many tornadoes. My dad's health was already in limbo, having recently recovered from 2 heart attacks, a few surgeries, and a severe bout of peritonitis that almost killed him. His recovery was in limbo at the time. We really didn't know if he'd make it. But, A Year Ago Yesterday, we didn't know what we know today and my dad is still here with us today and hopefully will be for a long, long, long time! :)

Dear Breakfast, I normally don't eat you. But since I've been staying with kids that do eat breakfast and making it for them, I've been enjoying your morning goodness. And Breakfast, I think you and I will now have a lasting morning partnership.

Dear Longest Work Day of the School Year, You were yesterday. While it is an extremely exhausting day - having to be at school at 7:20 a.m. and not being able to leave until around 10:00 p.m., it's actually worth it. Getting to see all of those big smiles on the kids' faces, hearing reports of children praying the sinner's prayer, hearing the kids excitedly tell their parents about all the fun they had... It makes up for the exhaustion felt by the teachers. I really do so love my job! :)

The 9th Dear _______ Post

Dear Picture of Self, I kind of like you. (said in a non-prideful way, of course),  

Dear Noise Cancellation Headphones, WOW! You're amazing. I used you a few nights in a row when I was working on grad school work and didn't want to hear the sounds from the highway or loud, screaming babies, or the barking of all the stray dogs congregating in our neighborhood right now. 


Dear Worship Music, I've always liked listening to you. But lately you've had a more common presence in my life. When I'm cooking or working in the kitchen, I turn the volume up on my ipod and let you go. (...sorry neighbors) :) I have you playing in my classroom when I'm working before/after school and during planning times. I have you playing on my ipod when I'm running. And lately I've noticed that I've started doing something new - I keep catching myself humming or quietly singing a worship song at random times during my day or even falling asleep or waking up with a song in my head. I'm loving it! 


Dear Facebook, It's been (gasp!) a week since I last got on you. And you know what? I'm ok. :) I'm sure I'll be back. After all, you are a great way to stay in contact with my missions supporters, family, and friends. But I really need to focus more on God and grad school work (since I only use you when I'm at home), and less on you. And while I know I'm definitely not addicted, I could definitely spend less time on you. Therefore, I'm going to continue with my break from you. 


Dear Banana Bread with White Chocolate Chips, When I saw I still had a few white chocolate chips left and a few bananas about to "expire," I knew immediately I wanted to experiment. And oh my word! You were heavenly! :) 


Dear Jacket, I've worn you a lot this week. I thought cool season was over, but I was happily mistaken. :) 


Dear Psych, What's up with having such a big cliffhanger for the last episode of this season? I realize you'll be back, but not 'til the Fall. That's sooooo long to wait to see what happens! 


Dear Spring 2013, I got a notice this week that says I'm eligible for graduation during you. It's so hard to believe that it's finally about to happen! ...well in a year :) I am a little sad that I'll miss my actual graduation, though. But you know, I think it'd be just a little hard to fly back to the States for graduation on Saturday and be back in Senegal on Monday for school. What do you think? :( 


Dear 47 Days, That's how many days, from today, I am away from seeing my parents. While I love Dakar and will definitely miss it while I'm gone for the summer, I'm so happy to be able to get the opportunity to go see them while school is out for the summer. 


Dear Crockpot, You are an awesome invention. I love that I can put Saturday's lunch in you on Friday night before bed and you cook all night long. You make life just a little bit easier. Thanks for that! :)


Dear Saying Yes Ma'am and No Ma'am, In the southern United States you are a sign of respect. Kids could get in trouble for not saying you. So it was really hard for me to get used to teaching children that don't say that. ...because in everywhere BUT the South (U.S.) people don't say that. In fact, it's even considered NOT respectful in some places. Anyways, this week I got a new student whose mom is from Alabama. The first thing her mom says to me is, "Make sure she says yes ma'am and no ma'am." :) This may seem silly to some people, but it has made me smile every time this sweet little girl says ma'am at the end of her response to me. It is so sweet and refreshing for this southern lady's heart. :)

The 8th Dear ______ Post

Dear Dakar, I  missed you while I was gone, first to London for vacation and then to Saly for our mission's retreat. I've missed seeing your people. I've missed speaking French. I've missed the sights and smells of this city I've come to love so much. It's good to be home. Yes it is.

Dear First Graders, As much as I enjoyed my Spring Break, I was glad to get back to work this week. I have missed your hyperactive loving selves. I have missed your sweet smiles, your big hugs, and your sweet spirits. I have missed your eagerness to learn. I have missed your zeal for life. I have even missed your often clinginess and neediness. I have missed hearing "Teacher Teacher" and the one-word question, "Why?" a zillion times a day. But most of all, I have missed teaching the 9 of you each day. I am so grateful for the call God's placed upon my life to be your teacher.

Dear 26 Pounds, I've slowly lost you since January. I didn't believe it at first when I saw that number on the scale, but it's true. My waist line and baggy pants (well, clothes in general) prove it. And whether or not anyone else ever notices it, I don't care. I'm happy for and proud of myself. :)

Dear African Wedding, Today I experienced you for the first time. And wow! What an amazing experience you were. It was so fun to wear my nicest African dress. It so so fun to experience this joyous occasion with Christian brothers and sisters from a different culture than my own. I loved it!

Dear Stockpile of Canned Goods, My roommate and I created you when we were receiving constant warnings of political unrest and possible lockdowns. Now that things have settled down, it looks like we'll be eating canned food for a LONG time.

Dear iTunes Gift Card, When you were given to me by a friend this week, I was thrilled! Yesterday I uploaded you and now, I can't wait to start using you. What a fun surprise you were this week!

Dear Plain Rice Cakes, Some people think you're incredibly bland and disgusting, but I disagree. I bought a big bag of you while in London, and am slowly working my way through your deliciousness. :) 

Dear The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson,  You were recommended to me by a friend. I am so enjoying reading you! I have read, reread, and reread again each chapter. I've never read a book like you. I am literally "getting" something new every single time I read you. You were a wise investment. Yes, you were.

Dear Holy Spirit, I thank you for your comfort and for your guidance. I thank you for your awesome gifts. I thank you for being such a strong, present part of my life. I was discussing you with a co-worker yesterday and we both were saying how incredibly blessed we feel by getting to daily experience you, your gifts, and your overall goodness. It's so great to know that if I start to feel the smallest bit of sadness or loneliness, I can turn to you. That's a hope worth having. :)