One LONG Day...

Talk about hump day with a lot of oomph - man, it took a lot to get over it...but, after a 14+ hour day at school, I made it home.

We started off with Mass first thing this morning, which was lovely but also a little stressful because I have to make sure the students go up at the right time, coordinate the Eucharistic Ministers, check in with Fr. Larry, etc. As we left Mass, Fr. Larry had us all walk back to school by way of the fire department (located right next to the school) to say thank you for all of their service, as today we remembered all those involved in the events of 9/11. I think it's one of those small gestures that the kids will remember for a long time.

Classes went pretty well - 8th grade was up in the computer lab working on a project, and in 7th grade we learned about surrendering to God through prayer just like Mary did. I taught them the signs to the Our Father and a short Marian hymn over the past two days...it was pretty awesome. And then my 6th grade classes both took a test - which I am in the process of grading. (Note to self, next time include less short answer and more multiple choice. Ha ha.)

Right after school I was off and running to volleyball practice with my fourth grade girls. I think they were still excited by their win on Monday because they were a little bit silly. But we practiced bumping and serving quite a bit in preparation for our next game in a week. Woo hoo!

Grabbed a quick bite to eat before making final preparations for Curriculum Night (which, ultimately, is the reason I was at school until 8:45), and those were worth it because the event went over well. It was nice to be speaking to parents with whom I was already acquainted because I had taught a lot of their children in fourth grade. Apparently I am my father's daughter, as I got a few laughs during my presentation. (Well, technically, I gave 6 presentations, as the parents rotated to each teacher following their child's schedule, so I got pretty good by the end.)

And now I think it's time for bed. Two more days till the weekend...two days which I actually won't be spending in the classroom. It's sure making for an interesting week...

Have a good one!

Classroom & Volleyball

I needed to have a good afternoon with my fourth grade volleyball girls...because today in the classroom left much to be desired.

Mondays are rough, coming off the weekend and all. And I felt prepared...but things just didn't go right, from the SMARTBoard sound not working to the computer going slow (and not allowing me to show videos) to a few other minor things that seemed to add up. We got through it, but it wasn't pretty.

Volleyball, on the other hand, was quite fun. We had practice first, mostly practicing serving and bumping. And then we played - and won! - our first game of the season. The parents have been super supportive so far, and the girls have great attitudes. It is truly a pleasure to be their coach.

So, as far as the classroom goes...here's hoping for a better day tomorrow. :)

Weekend Moments

It's hard to believe the weekend's just about over - it was a good one, but it was far too short (in my humble opinion). Granted, I spent a good bit of time in a car (to and from E Lansing) and sitting in a stadium (for the USF/MSU football game), but it was all pretty fun and worthwhile...

In East Lansing, I had the opportunity to see one of my ACE housemates who is still in school at MSU, and I also had the chance to visit with two other ACE classmates just chilling in one's apartment and sipping sangria. It was a (needed) relaxing evening. As much as I enjoy time to myself I equally enjoy time with friends.

As for the football game itself...well, it left much to be desired. I didn't expect the Bulls to win - and they didn't - but I did expect both teams to play better. It was a pretty sloppy game! It was also the second week in a row at which we had to protect ourselves from the rain without umbrellas or rain jackets. At least it was overcast...so no sunburn!

Here are some pictures from the game:

USF Bulls @ MSU Spartan Stadium, East Lansing

Spartan Stadium Jumbotron

Special Halftime Show with MSU Alumni Band

Marisa, her co-worker, and I are already booked (hotel-wise, not ticket-wise) for an MSU basketball weekend in January, which I am beyond excited about! Can't wait for Spartan basketball!

Today, Marisa and I went for a run, and then I went to her school's annual Reventon! celebration (to be read as "Mass followed by socializing and delicious Mexican food"). The rest of my day consisted of grocery shopping, bellwork scoring, lesson planning, sub plan organizing, etc...typical...

I am pretty excited for the week, though, I am a bit wary of teaching the Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit to the 8th grade, as it is easy to get confused with the differences of each one within the set. Here goes nothing...

I hope you have a lovely week, whatever it brings. (Mine starts with my girls' first volleyball game tomorrow night - let's go dolphins!)

And remember...

Read...Meditate...Pray

Nearly a year ago, I read Grandad's Prayers of the Earth with my fourth graders. And today, I read it with my seventh graders.

Same story. Same meditation. Same results.

(Thank you Loyola Press.)

I honestly didn't know how seventh graders would handle their teacher reading aloud to them - they're 12 and 13 after all and could think of such an event as being below them. But, if you know me at all, I would say all children need to be read to - at least through eighth grade - so I was willing to take the chance that it might blow up in my face.

I'm sure glad it didn't.

Don't we all, once in awhile, like to be treated like kids again? When it's such a good story (as this one was), don't we enjoy being read to?

Going...Going...Going...

While running on the Lakefront Trail, I found myself about 20 yards behind a girl running about the same speed as I was. I didn't know who she was, but let me tell you, she kept me going - as long as I stayed the same distance behind, I knew I was keeping my pace about the same. She had no clue I was following her...but that doesn't matter. She kept me going anyways.

Allow me to make a connection, then...Throughout our lives, we all have those people who keep us going - some know it, some don't. And, at some point(s), knowingly or unknowingly, you will be that person for someone(s) else.

So, keeping that in mind...what are you doing to keep yourself going? What picks you up and energizes you when you'd rather sit this one out?

And our middle school religion classroom rules are...

Yep, those pretty much sum it all up.

Lessons from a Football Saturday

Leave it to my brain to wander to deeper musings while Notre Dame's home opener for the 2013 football season is going on right before my eyes...

Here are a few "lessons" learned from Saturday:

1) Never trust the weatherman. 80 and partly cloudy/sunny does not equal 80 and partly cloudy/sunny. I even told my roommate that she would not need a rain jacket for the day...oops. Guess who's not living that one down...

2) Always wear sunscreen (and bring your sunglasses), even when it's raining and overcast because, inevitably, the sun will come out. (And then you might get burned...though, luckily, that didn't happen this time around.) And then, it will be beautiful!

3) One person's cheering really makes no difference when taken in isolation. Face it, the players on the field can't hear what you're saying. However, taken as a whole, the crowd makes all the difference. If the crowd's dead, the players are dead, as evidenced by the second quarter. (ND (and the fans) better pick it up for the Big House game next weekend...)

4) Life is short...eat dessert...especially when it's from Ritter's. (Always a good life decision, right Marisa?)

5) Remember to always dress the part and act like a native/local. You'll fit right in...and if you know the cheers, you'll have more fun. It's okay to ask someone to explain the "rules"/"codes" of the stands, so ask. Better to know the reasoning/story behind the tradition than to do it mindlessly. (Maybe this is just a personal preference, but I like to know the story before I partake in the ritual.) There is quite a lot of history at Notre Dame...

6) When given the opportunity to attend Mass, even after a long, hard day of cheering and football, go! The ACE Mass did not disappoint this weekend - it was filled with singing and joyful hearts, as well as a brief to-the-point homily by Fr. Nuzzi. Even though we were all tired, Mass encouraged us to reach deeper and encounter Christ in the Eucharist. What a great end to the day!

7) Pizza is probably one of man's greatest inventions of all time, right up there with the microwave and play-doh. Nothing tastes better than a piping hot pizza with all the toppings after not having eaten for hours. And pizza with friends? Even better.

Ok, so my mind wandered a lot yesterday - and, admittedly, there were times when my mind (and heart) weren't fully in the game (not that it wasn't a good one!), but all-in-all, it was a good decision to go to the game and a worthwhile trip. Yay South Bend!

Until November, Notre Dame...