Wii-itis

Up to ten people a week are being hospitalized with injuries caused by playing Nintendo Wii games, prompting doctors in Britain to issue warnings of the dangers associated with the video game system.

"There has been a 100 percent increase in patients complaining of Wii-itis," Dr. Dev Mukerjee of Broomfield Hospital, Essex, told The Sun newspaper.

Article from foxnews.com

Vacation

I did it! We finished school yesterday until January 6th. I don't know how anyone else with a normal job can stand working 5 days/week with only a week off throughout the year.

It has been an interesting semester, but by God's grace I survived.

I'm excited about resting and also getting everything done that I haven't been able to this last month.

I'm off to drink my cuppa and listen to some Christmas Music. =)

Poor Mama

My poor mom broke her elbow last week. I took some pictures but they didn't turn out so hot, and because she reads the blog, I better not post any! She's going tomorrow to get a cast of some kind.

I got bit

I got bit last week by one of my students because I wouldn't let him eat ice cream during a writing lesson....in front of his mom. He ran away and then his mom found him, gave him the ice cream and said hurry before your teacher comes.

I bit him back.

Just kidding but can you believe that? If you remember...pray for me. I do need patience this year!

Brenten and Lena

Check out these awesome missionaries to Latvia. They are home for Christmas but have been serving faithfully in Latvia church planting. The whole family is learning latvian and really have a gift for learning languages. It hasn't been even 2 years and they can speak so well! Please join me in keeping the Power Family in your prayers!

This is one of my favorite worship songs, and it was the first time hearing it in Latvian!

Rosa and Greta

So get this: My dear friend Rosa lives in Oceanside. I felt this urge to call her last week and when I did she was shocked that I was calling her because she was in the same town as me! I had gotten home from school and was just resting on my couch in my cozy apartment and I gave her a call, and surprise surprise she was on the peninsula too! She had to take her daughter to Stanford for the day and so she was sleeping at her mom's house, which is in the same town on the peninsula as me! We got to hang out that evening. It was a great surprise!

She was my first teaching buddy and will always be my favorite. We both barely survived our first year as teachers at a diffcult school with some rough kids, together. I love you Rosa!

Glorious Sunset

Isn't it beautiful? This was taken in Avila Beach the weekend before last when I drove down to celebrate my sister's birthday. God gave her a beautiful sunset as a present.

The Serrano Family

This is a week and a half late but congratulations to Jaime and Janet and their beautiful new baby Cecilia Michelle Serrano. She was born 1 month early!

They didn't have a crib, a hospital bag, the room ready or anything! They weren't going to do all that until last weekend, after the holidays and craziness. But...Surprise...Celicia wanted to come early! Janet is a stud. She delivered Cecilia without any drugs. Go Janet!

Congratulations Serranos!

Im Alive

Barely.

It has been a busy few weeks. The week of Thanksgiving I worked Monday, Tuesday and took Wednesday off from school to drive up and be with my grandma. Tuesday before I drove up I fell asleep at 8pm. Emily drove up and got to my house at 11pm-ish. I blindly opened the door, welcomed Emily in, locked it again and went back to bed.

We drove up to my grandma's in the Napa Valley the next morning and went straight to the hospital. Extra props go out to Eliza who 'babysat' my 'children,' even when it rained!

We got to the St. Helena Hopsital in Angwin and got a chance to sit with my grandma. My poor grandma has been in the hospital for 2.5 weeks. She got M.R.S.A (a mega-bug staph infection) from somewhere and only the strongest anti-biotics are used to kill it. M.R.S.A. is resistant to most anti-biotics. Along with M.R.S.A. my grandma has another infection in the groin that she has to go through a surgical procedure every three days to change. Her toe was so messed up that she had her tendens on her toe visible. Thankfully though her brain is with it--and she is as sharp as ever, even at 88!

It makes me want to start using only nyquil instead of antiobiotics and start eating only organic meats because of all the anti-biotics injected into the animals. I never want to have an immunity to anti-biotics!

This is my grandma sun-bathing on the patio.

Her nurse one evening was my friend Heather! I was her R.A. in college and she came to visit me in London. I am so proud of her! Heather the RN.

Check out the view from the hospital patio! Beautiful vineyards.

Some entertainment in the hospital was trying to move the eating cart, but they just couldn't figure it out! We also found an old TV/VCR on a cart and brought in the Sound of Music. :-)

Thanks for praying for her and keep praying for her. Please pray that she will be out of the hospital and that the MRSA will be healed from her body.

Football

I heard something great this weekend. NFL is a different world compared to Pop Warner football. As you work your way up in the football world you acquire/need more coaches to win the game.

The NFL sees the need to intensify the number of coaches.The NFL just ruled there there can not be a cap on how many coaches a team could have.

Now comparing this to a christian walk....a few years into your walk is when everyone thinks the most attention is needed, but its so important that even when you get into the NFL ProBowl of Christian Living, you need that many more 'coaches' to help you get through.

adorn.

I just got back from a wonderful weekend down south. I was able to attend 'adorn,' a conference put on by Reality LA and Reality Carpenteria. The weekend was full of solid teaching, solid worship and solid fellowship. I was really looking forward to hearing Britt Merrick teach, but because of the Santa Barbara fires he had to stay at home. I did get to here Tim Chadick preach it, Dominic Bali rock out, lead worship and preach it along with some other great teachers and worship leaders.

One of the best parts was being surrounded by 250+ twenty and thirty somethings. It was wonderful. We sang a song "Oh God let us be a generation that seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob." My generation wants to seek God's will for our country and our lives.

It seems that there is a gap in reaching the age group I was with this weekend, although there is such a need! I have a vision of DLI people, young professionals, students, couples, singles and anyone and everyone else come together on the pennisula.

I went to a 'cool' church last week and it had great great worship but lacked any sort of substance in the teaching. My vision is a home group, a church, a study or something with solid worship and solid teaching where relationships can be formed, gifts can be used and God can work. I know He wants to use us to make an impact on this world and pennisula and wants to use this generation to seek His face!

It was crazy to get this view of the fires down south. Check out the smoke cloud! My friend's father's house almost was hit!! The sunset was glorious because of the fire, but it was so windy I couldn't get a still shot.

Reality Camp

This weekend I am driving down to Green Valley Lake to go to Reality LA and Carpinteria's College Camp-"Adorn." It's great because its 18-30 and it sounds like a lot of people will be around my age! The Lord has blessed me with true fellowship the last weeks and it continues this weekend!

For my birthday present Jaime, Andrea and Aaron paid for me to go to Reality Camp. Its so cool because the Lord chose to use me to bring Jaime to the Lord. Then He used Jaime to bring Andrea to the Lord and used Me, Jaime and Andrea to bring Aaron to the Lord. Cool huh??!!

Britt Merrik and Tim Chaddick will be teaching and doing music! I can't wait!

Along with a glorious weekend where I really will 'go up to the mountains' to spend time alone with my maker, I get to skip school on Friday and my friend Eliza will be subbing for me, so I know that my kids will be in great hands!

I'll hopefully get some great photos this weekend! Please pray for the entire weekend!

It's Official.

I am an adult. Today was my 26th birthday. My two things I love most in life are church things and travel things-and they both say I'm too old.

1. As of today I am 'too old' to attend the young adult fellowship at church.

2. STA travel, Rail Europe, Student Universe (just to name a few) all say that 26 is not youth anymore and so I do not qualify for youth rail passes, student fares, etc.

Bummer. Thankfully though I am still blessed and thankful for the life my maker has chosen for me-the adventures I have been able to have and the adventures yet to happen.

Here's to year 26.

Macaroni and Cheese

I forgot to post this earlier, but here is my awesome Halloween costume fully complete. Last year I was looking and looking for my Macaroni, but this year I found her! I'm sure you could only imagine how hilarious our Kinder and first grade babies thought this was along with their parents! I wish you could see my feet. I had yellow socks and bright orange birks.

So yesterday as I was walking my students out front afterschool I ran into a 5th grader who was writing #1 Obama on many's faces with a marker. I took the marker away and let her know it was not appropriate. 5 minutes later I caught her again with another marker. I called her by name and let her know if she did not come with me to talk with her teacher that she would be in bigger trouble than she already was. After I talked to her teacher, this student (African-American 5th grader) called me a 'cracker' as I was walking away. I googled the term and it came up with: "Historically the word suggested poor, white rural Americans with little formal education."

So when the referral was written up and the principal was talking to her about her attitude, this 5th grader justified her name towards me by telling the principal that because I was a cheese for Halloween and crackers go nice with cheese that it was OK. I know its bad and disrespectful and horrible and rude.....but it definetly put a smile on my face. lol.

Proverbs 26:12 says

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

My King students have so much to learn and my prayer is that they do not continue to wise in their own eyes.

Politicians

If I had to choose a political party I would have to side with the Republicans because of my conservative values. So because of that I somehow get Monterey Republican emails for different events and social activities. I was able to attend the VP debate this way and last night I attended the Republican Election Party at the Hyatt. It was sponsored by Abel Maldenado to celebrate his victory last night. If you have ever been to a wedding at the Hyatt or looked into weddings at the Hyatt you know that they can charge $100/person for a chicken or beef choice with a salad. Last night they had a huge chunk of prime rib they cut off of all evening, a salad bar with roasted veggies, homemade sliders with grilled onions and an open bar! I was able to network and speak to different people in different occupations and even smiled with Mr. Maldonado.

I kind of lied to him last night. I do not know what Abel stands for but know that he ran for Senator for the 15th District of California and won! So I went up to him when he was kind of free and introduced myself and told him I was a public school teacher and appreciated his educational values. I really don't know what his values are, but if the commercials are true I feel confident it wasn't completely a lie. Anyway, that got a smile and a picture! You never know....maybe he'll be our first Latino president who doesn't have a lot of experience other than being a Senator.

I also was schmoozing (sp?) with the Republican Women's Association and loving the Filipino Bartenders. lol.

(I'm pointing to my Abel pin) hehe

Grandma

I put my camera on the automatic timer and had a photo shoot with my grandma. Check out the beautiful fall leaves and the vineyards behind us!

Exciting Weekend

This weekend I drove up to my Grandma's house located in St. Helena in the beautiful Napa Valley. She is 88 and has had leg complications for awhile now. She still lives by herself but is one amazing lady. I was there and I told my Grandma to wake me up if she needed anything because I don't need that much sleep and I was there to help her.

Well at 1am I hear "GRETA, GRETA get me some orange juice. I am really dizzy and my blood pressure is low. I get her some OJ and then she says, "I think I should press the lifeline button just in case-I do pay $30/month for it."

Now my grandma is terrified of the hospital or 911 calls so I knew it was serious when my grandma suggested we call lifeline, which then called 911 for us.

Sooner than later I had a firetruck and an ambulance driving up and down the long road looking for my grandma's house. I did some morse code blinking the porch light on and off and finally they all arrived. They took the blood pressure, checked her heart with a cool machine and had her walk. They all decided she was fine and went off on their merry way. I told them to be thankful they got their hour back that evening.

So the next day I try to leave around 2pm and once I get on the Highway to travel out of town I notice my steering wheel is acting up. I pull over only to find out I have a flat! OH! I was annoyed. Thankfully Grandma had Triple A so I called and the man came, changed my tire and directed me to my owner's manuel about how much I can drive on the spare. It said I could drive speeds up to 55mph but try to stay at 50. So I had normally a 3 hour drive and so by the time I got home it had taken me about 4 hours.

Here is the bad news. It was dark and foggy after a certain point so I decided for safety reasons to drive with my hazard lights on. People were zooming past me and it was scary only being about to go 50 in a 65mph zone. A mile from my exit to home I get the wonderful signal that I need to pull over because a Highway Patrol is behind me. Thankfully he was really nice, but let me know that in CA it is illegal to drive with your hazards on. I told him I was scared and people were driving so fast and because it was dark and scary that I needed them on. He said he just wanted to make sure I was safe because the last time he pulled someone over with their hazard lights on, they were strung ou on lithium. I smiled politely and reassured him that I was not on drugs but a scaredy cat wanting to get home.

What a weekend!

Friends

God has blessed me with more great fellowship last week.

Tuesday I went to Janet aka "Baby Mama" Serrano's house for some dinner and ooowwing and awwing over the fact that Janet is a Mama! Isn't she beautiful! I do miss my rooomate and even though she lives in Salinas I feel like its a whole 'nother world!

And on Wednesday I had Mike and Eliza over for some curry and naan from England. It wasn't Hampton Tandorri but the next best thing. I really love these guys. Mike is in the Military and studying in Monterey and Eliza just passed all the tests to become a substitute in the area. Before that she has been enjoying her time being a good wife. November 14th watch out! She's going to babysit for my class! Eliza is queen of baking and cooking glorious meals for Mike, so I was feeling a little competitive because everytime I go to their house I have such a home-cooked meal---its amazing. So I googled pumpkin dessert and found this great recipe and decided to make it with Eliza. We even made our own whipped cream!

I wish I could have shown you a finished project...but they came out nice!

Joanie

I had a few agenda items when arriving on UK soil. My agenda went a little something like this:
1. buy Kinder Bueno Bars
2. buy boots chapstick
3. Deal with my NatWest Bank Account
4.Make a stop in Muji
5. Hear and record Joanie rocking out.

I asked her a few times but when she was 'warming up' her voice on Sunday morning before we went to church, she played me a few songs. Joanie is such a talented woman and sure has guitar skills!

Enjoy this!

Hampton Tandoori

Although I was only in Surrey less than 48 hours, I made it to Hampton Tandoori. Just like Brian Broderson who shows up at the Dingmans and makes a stop at Twickenham Tandoori, I showed up at the Dingmans making sure to go to Curry too, but because of a lack of a rental car-I go to Hampton Tandoori. It's only a few blocks from the Dingman home. Its a great little place with glorious curries and Indian food. The girls and Joanie and I all got different kinds of Curry and we got some Naan (garlic and stuffed lamb) and had a mini-Thanksgiving. I love England.

CC Twickenham

I just wanted to add this picture. People in america are so spoiled when they show up for church and everything is already done for them. We show up, sit in a chair, enjoy the service and go home. This is not the case for many churches abroad. Everyone in the church comes and sees it as their duty to help serve by setting up chairs, doing the sound board, leading worship, teaching Sunday School, etc. Here is a great photo of Sarah and Charlotte passing out the bulletin/words to the songs.

More Photos

Here are some more photos of beautiful girls I got to hang out with in England. I wish I took a family picture!

Luncheon

Joanie put together a beautiful luncheon for me so I could get a chance to visit with Jenny and the girls, Arlene and her new baby, Mickaela, Joanie, and Arlee. Pure fellowship is so sweet.

Pictured from left to right:

Charlotte, me, Arlee, Sarah, Arleen, Mickaela

Jenny, Joanie and Katie are in the front row.

111

I love so many things about England. Here is one--the 111 bus. I love double deckers! While studying in Kingston the 111 was the bus we took every Tuesday to have dinner with the Browns and the bus we'd take to get to LHR.

England.

After my adventure to Cologne I was able to spend Thursday night with Michal, enjoying every last moment with her! Friday morning we woke up, went to breakfast and then I crossed the street and caught a train to Frankfurt Flugenhafen (airport). Silly me got on the wrong train. When typing in the directions I put Frankfurt Main Station, and not the airport train station. I was a little stressed out (to say the least) when I realized that I was at the wrong station and somehow needed to figure out how to get to the airport. I decided to be brave and started asking people who looked like they were going to the airport for help. I would approach someone, smile really big and say, "Excuse me, do you speak English?" It turns out that everyone looked like they were going to the airport, but really where just catching a train. Ah! So God brought a really nice American guy into my path who was married to a german gal and could read some german and speak it. He was such a gentleman and let me basically follow him to the airport. It was about a 20 minute journey in all--trying to figure out which train to get on, figuring out the tickets and then the journey itself.

So anyway, I checked in and then waited about 20 minutes in the Syngapore Airlines line. (I was suppose to be on Luftansa.) Oops. I eventually got on my flight and 2 hours later landed at Heathrow. I was glowing. I don't know how to describe it. Getting off the plane and stepping onto England land was glorious, listening to the people's voices and hearing the beautiful accents was wonderful. God has given me such a love for that little country and it feels like home everytime I arrive. I went through customs and the officer asked me, "What is the purpose of your visit to England?" My answer: "I LOVE YOUR COUNTRY!"

He didn't ask me anything else and let me go on my merry way. I picked up my luggage and walked out to see Jenny and Sarah waiting for me! If you have seen the movie, Love Actually, theres a few scenes at Heathrow Airport where people are meeting family and friends who have just arrived. That's exactly what it was like.

Jenny drove me to her house where we had some tea and then went to pick up Charlotte from school. The Wilshers are such a cool family. When I first met Elliot and Jenny they had a little 2 year old-Charlotte. Both are servants in the small church. Elliot uses his technical skills to design websites for missionaries and churches while having his own business. Jenny uses her gifts to be a mom, and wife who supports the church. That little description isn't giving them justice, but its a good start. They also now have a cute little girl named Sarah. If you look up the word "Cheeky" in the dictionary there is a picture of Sarah.

So we went to Rob and Joanie Dingman's home where I would be sleeping. Rob was packing up to go to a Calvary South Africa Conference, so I got to see him for a few hours before he left. They also are so special to me. They are a missionary family from Seattle, Wa. They have two beautiful girlies--one is in 4th grade and one is in 7th.

They work so hard serving people day after day after day. They are so generous and give so much of themselves to people. They live so close to LHR (heathrow) that they get so many calls from strangers asking to stay at the Dingman's for a night, or a worried parents calls from America about their child-there was a complication with a flight and a young christian who is away from their parents needs a safe place to go for a week. People google Calvary Chapel London and somehow find the Dingman's phone number. So, I stayed at Hotel Dingman and literally went to sleep smiling. =)

I woke up Saturday morning and rode into Kingston-upon-Thames on the 111 where I did a quick shopping trip and sight seeing adventure. My original purpose was to cancel my bank account I have there, because its more of a hassel than help, but I couldn't. Closing it would have been closing a special part of my life--so I put some activity on it where I got out 5 pounds. Now the bank account is valid for at least another 3 years. I ran around like crazy enjoying everything before catching the bus back to the Dingmans for a luncheon.

Here's a short video that shows how beautiful Kingston is. Kingston is in Surrey and only 13 miles from central london but a world away. Sorry for the long blabbing.

Interruption of the Travel Blogging

I just want to make sure everyone knows that YES I am a California teacher but no I do support support Prop. 8.

I just saw a commercial that says that California Teachers are against Prop 8 and will vote NO!

I voted already. I voted YES!

This is my way to be loud about the issue! I wonder if there is anything else I can do.

More Videos of Helga

Before I post about my last bit of the adventure I wanted to post some videos of Helga. She is so cute! She learned English while she was a teenager when she came to America for 2 years. She lived with my Grandma and helped in my Great-Grandfather's Bakery. I didn't think I cared too much about it, but having family history is pretty cool. If you are going to only want one video, watch the third one down. You can hear the Schnitzel frying and you get an oral history of my family. After the war, the family was so poor and so my Great-Grandfather (Uncle Bill) went back to visit Germany and took Helga with him for two years.

Cologne

Michal had classes that I tried to get her to skip while I was visiting, but too bad its Bible College so she couldn't just say she wasn't feeling well....so....I had a 4-day rail pass and only had plans to use 3 days, so while Michal was in class all day on Thursday I hopped the train to Cologne. It is a beautiful city only 1.5 hours (by train) from Siegen. I had planned to get to Cologne around 10:15, but too bad everything is in German in Germany, so I got on a right train, got off at the wrong stop, rode the correct train back to where I started and tried again. I ended up in Cologne at 11:30 and hung out until 3:30. It was cold and rainy, but ohso beautiful! I also found a Starbucks where I bought a Germany coffeemug to add to my collection. I ended up sitting in the big Cathedral for awhile just spending some time with God. It was beautiful! The picture is me in the rain enjoying all the sights!

Birkenstocks

While in Germany I laid to rest my pair of birkenstocks that I had for the last 4 years. They had reached their last days and as the germans would say, they were "Kaput." I bought them for $12 at the Birkenstock Outlet in Gilroy-one of the best shoe investments ever. Michael took me shopping to buy a new pair and once I got home we had a little funeral. Thankfully they were put to rest where they were born and raised.

Second Part of Journey

After my night in Naumberg I caught a train to Siegen to visit my frieeend Michal. (isn't she beautiful!) I was roommates with Michal in a very small space big enough for only two bunk beds. We couldn't even close the door fully and we had a very small window that could only be opened part way. So living that close to someone for a long period of time really binds you together. I booked the ticket to Frankfurt unsure about where she would be back in August. She is studying at the CC Bible College Campus and I was able to visit with her, go to a few classes, and enjoy the beautiful area. It was like a mini-retreat. She took me shopping into town where I was able to have a funeral for my old pair of birkenstocks and buy a new pair. I also helped her write a few papers and taught her the art of taking a 600 word essay and stretching it to be a 750 word essay. (You can learn a lot in college these days.) I was also able to meet some wonderful and beautiful people! (Like Valentina from Argentina)

The train ride was about 2.5 hours and was thankful that when I stepped right off the train Michal was waiting for me! It was also wonderful that the station was directly across from the bible college living quarters. Its a big house that was transformed into a dorm. The ladies have the top floor, the guys have the middle floor and the bottom floor is a library/computer lab/common area and office. It's beautiful!

And I know its not the most appropriate, but I have to post this graphic sign that is posted on the walking path from the living quarters to where classes are held in Siegen. It literally translates: No Dog Toilet. Yuck.

Food in Germany

Germans eat their big meal at lunch time and at dinner have a lighter snack. I arrived Hungry and tired from a 10 hour plane and 2 hour train ride and I ate this. It actually tasted OK, but it was looking not so OK. It is basically hot dog bits in some kind of mayo salad. You are suppose to put it on toast. They thought I was nuts for taking a picture. I think they are nuts they eat this at least a few times a week.

Helga also taught me how to make Schnitzel. When she was cooking it she told me to get out of the kitchen because the scent would get on my clothes. I said No No...its OK...but sure enough I smelled so wonderful for my train ride that day... So if you are curious about how to make Schnitzel--here it is!

Europe

I am finally over jetlag (i think!) and am ready to post some photos of my adventures. Im not going to worry about posting too many photos because the internet is great in the fact that you can easily type in a new web address if you get bored looking at the webpage you are currently on. =)

My first adventure was arriving at Frankfurt Airport and taking a train to Kassel. Helga is my grandma's first cousin and Klaus is her husband. I had been there two other times visiting so Helga is basically my German Grandma. She has a daughter, Annetta, and her husband Yorgin. Annetta has two kids-Fabian who is 13 and Marina who is 18. Marina was in Berlin when I was visiting so I only got to visit with the rest.

Naumberg is a little village with not a lot happening in it. There isn't even police! The trees and scenery are beautiful though! My great-grandfather was born in this village.

Back in the US

I'm back. I can't wait to show pictures and write about everything I did and saw. I was only gone a week, but I cannot express to you how perfect the week was! I barely got home tonight...our plane was delayed at Heathrow by 45 minutes which cut my time REALLY short in Denver. By God's Grace the plane to San Jose had been delayed too, so I made it.

Thanks Jenny for everything you did! It was so wonderful seeing the girls and really understanding the term "Cheeky." hehe.

Pictures to come later...now I have to try and get myself to sleep for school tomorrow morning!

Update

I am in Germany and am loving every bit of it but before I start talking about how amazing this place is, I HAVE to talk to NKOTB.

I apologize I am using a german keyboard and the y and z are switched so if i mess up, you do the math.

Although I missed the Bridge  Benefit dinner I went to the New Kids on the Block concert. I reallz did have the best time and am even looking to see if I can go to another concert in November. It sounds pathetic in everz way but I did have the time of my life!! If you were to ask me to sing any song by them I would not be able to, but somehow at the concert I was able to sing every EVERY song along with every other person in the stadium. The HP Pavilion in San Jose was 100% packed and there were only about 200 men there. Every one there was between the ages of 24 to 32 and all were huge fans. I was not ashamed.

OK Enough about them.

I got to Germany safely after some engine trouble, found the train to Kassel and managed to get on it. Helga picked me up and todaz I left Kassel and made it to Siegen to visit Michal! Germany is so beautiful! There are leaves with manz colors!

Its bedtime though. Adios!

Gettin' Jlos

So tomorrow night I will be in San Jose rocking out to New Kids on The Block. I am quite sad I won't be able to make The Bridge benefit dinner-but look out for my cool Yosemite photo I deveoped and framed and donated. Its a little fuzzy, but I think it makes it artsy.

Saturday afternoon I leave for Frankfurt, Germany. Pray for my flight! I arrive and will get on a train somehow (Donde esta Bahnhoff?) to visit Helga and Klaus (my grandma's first cousin and her husband).

Monday afternoon after a quick visit to Naumberg I will take another train (again pray for me that I find it) and prayfully arrive in Siegen at the Calvary Chapel Bible College. My dearest pal Michal who was my roommate in Austria is studying at the college. She is german and although I have not seen her in 3 years we have been sending packages and letters back and forth for those years. I can't wait! I'll get to sit in some classes and in the free time roam the streets of Siegen.

Friday morning I will take another train back to Frankfurt airport at the buttcrack of dawn and get on a flight to London Heathrow! My original plan was to just get on the 111 and ride to Hampton, but thanks to Jenny I will be picked up (pray we find eachother!) and get to stay until Sunday morning. I'll catch a flight back to San Jose, arrive at 8pm and find my car and go home.

The real zinger will be waking up and going to work the next day at 7am. haha.

So if you are reading this...please pray for me! Also, if you want anything from Germany leave me a message!

Pray for this Little Girl

The new "kumari" or living goddess, was carried from her parents' home to an ancient palatial temple in the heart of the Nepali capital, Katmandu, where she will live until she reaches puberty and loses her divine status.

She will be worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists as an incarnation of the powerful Hindu deity Taleju.

A panel of judges conducted a series of ancient ceremonies to select the goddess from several 2- to 4-year-old girls who are all members of the impoverished Shakya goldsmith caste.

The judges read the candidates' horoscopes and check each one for physical imperfections. The living goddess must have perfect hair, eyes, teeth and skin with no scars, and should not be afraid of the dark.

As a final test, the living goddess must spend a night alone in a room among the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes without showing fear.

Having passed all the tests, the child will stay in almost complete isolation at the temple, and will be allowed to return to her family only at the onset of menstruation when a new goddess will be named to replace her.

"I feel a bit sad, but since my child has become a living goddess I feel proud," said her father Pratap Man Shakya.

***This is horrible.....please pray for this little girl who has to live away from her family until Puberty.

Imagine College

Saturday morning I went to Seaside High School at 8am to help with a really cool thing. A group called "Imagine College" formed many years ago to encourage Seaside kids to go to college and do something with their lives! Many students in Seaside do not even consider college a possibility, so with the help of many volunteers every freshman at Seaside High School's home was visited and presented with a packet of information.

If the students kept at least a 2.5 GPA, attended two summer institutes at CSUMB, and graduated from Seaside High in 4 years they would get $4,000 for college AND if they met those requirements they would automatically be admitted to CSUMB upon applying. I and my partner, Highland's Principal, went to four homes and got to talk to two families. One of the families was shocked and amazed that someone would want to help them. You could really see the light in the eyes when we told them to "Imagine College."

I was proud to say that many of King Teachers spent their Saturday morning walking home to home inviting students to stay in school and go to college. As I type this I laugh. A few years ago I probably would have thought this was a great thing, but I'd never be involved. Is my mindset changing? Goodness...I feel like I am really becoming a teacher. I'm not sure how I feel about it!

Out of all the schools--King had the most teachers represented! Go Panthers!

King Panthers love to Read!
King Panthers will succeed!
King Panthers go to college!
King Panthers get lots of Knowledge!

VP Debate

Thursday night I went to the Republican headquarters to mingle with like-minded people and to watch the VP debate. Although I'm not a big fan of McCain and most republicans who would go to a debate watching party probably does love McCain I still enjoyed myself! I ran into Herold while I was there and he graciously posed with the future President and VP for me. =)

1st Grade Stories

Though my class is more challenging than words could ever describe, they sure keep me entertained every day. Some funny-some not so funny. Last Friday I found pepper spray that had fallen out of someone's backpack. It should be shocking, but I feel like its more the norm than shocking. Last week got so bad I just broke down and actually cried. My kids saw that I was upset and for about 10 minutes they decided to behave. Then, they went back to normal.

Asking to go outside to "pass gas" is still the norm. The kids are not embarrased by any means and proudly continue to ask to go outside to pass gas and come back in like it is no big thing.

Yesterday a little boy went to the bathroom. He was there over 10 minutes so I sent another kid to go get him. He came in and I told him that 12 minutes in the bathroom was not acceptable. He looked at me like I was nuts and flat out told me that he had "a 10 minute poop." The girls of the class said EW and told him to just say #2. Goodness! That is so gross and I tried my best to keep my straight face.

The same little boy announced to the class today that if he didn't go to school that he'd have to go to County Jail. I was shocked and asked him who told him that. Of course my mom Miss Dobie...who else? I laughed to myself because in all reality his mom probably got a call from a Truancy officer who explained to her that if she did not bring her kids to school every day and on time, she (the mom) would be going to County Jail.

Thursday and Friday and then I have two weeks off. Two more days....Two more days....

Happy Birthday Madre!

Sunday Night I took my mom out to PF Changs for dinner. She was so excited!

I am Woman

Now I don't want to brag or anything, but last week I changed my own headlight in my car. (OK so maybe I do want to brag...but it was with the help of Erik at Kragen.) You see, one side of my Scion's headlights is easily accessible but one is not so much. The fuse box and a few other things that I would never be able to name were blocking the space to change the headlight. Because it wasn't an easy job, Erik was not allowed to do it, because if he broke something in my engine, I could sue them. So he guided me through the process. I used tools, changed the bulb and put everything back together! I took a picture of my dirty hand to prove! It took me a good 45 minutes, but when the time was up, I had two functioning headlights! WooHoo!!

This is for Hannah

Look Hannah. It isn't always foggy in Monterey. It was only during the summer. Let September's graph be my proof. Sunny won!

A Blessing

Last Monday I was having a tough morning. I had forgotten that it was RIF day at school. RIF is a non profit that gives free books to children a few times a year. RIF stands for Reading is Fundamental. The children get to choose a book and take it home and read it with their family. It's a great program that encourages reading within families.

Its kind of a big ordeal because a reader comes to the class and reads a story to the kids. Usually its a retired teacher who hasn't been in the classroom in awhile. They forget how wild they can get, and its embarrasing for me that my students don't listen and embarrasing for the person reading that they can't get the kids under control. Next we all go to a location and pick out a book. Usually 4 kids find one book that they all HAVE to have. They fight over it until one kid wins, and the students move on and forget. We always have a few kids who will get spanish books and they only speak english at home, or a kid who can convince the people stamping the books that they really NEED this chapter book about some historical figure even though they can't read, "The cat is fat."

Either way the Lord sent me a gift. That Monday morning when things could have been going a little smoother, He sent Mayra Skipwith into my classroom to read to the kids. She goes to my church and has such a special touch with people. I have heard about her for awhile and I randomly sat next to her during a bible study this summer. She taught for many years in the public schools and is a very knowledgable woman. She was wonderful with the kids and it was great that I got that encouragement!

The Glorious Single Life!

I first need to say happy birthday to my mother!! She is 16 today (and I'm dyslexic). :-) Happy Birthday to you! Also to my beautiful grandma who turned 88 on Friday! Go Grandma Go!

Soo.....This was my first weekend in ages that I really had no plans and didn't make any! It seems that my Friday evenings are the only evenings of the week that I am asleep before 9pm. The life of a teacher...

Yesterday I did nothing. Wait--I straightened my hair to see what it looked like since Stacey cut it last weekend. I took a few naps, worked out. A friend came over in the evening and we hung out, watched a movie and caught up on life stuff. But basically nothing.

This morning I watched some football, did laundry and made it to church on time! Came home, napped and went to my dear friends Mike and Eliza's house for dinner and fellowship. I was originally planning on driving up to the Bay Area, but I'm so blessed it was cancelled! Eliza was an amazing chef as normal. I got to see them both for a bit. Poor Mike though has tests all week so while he was studying Eliza and I were suppose to play Wii boxing but we drank coffee and got a chance to just hang out...which is why I'm probably up now--I rarely drink coffee!

I never did mention it but last weekend I babysat and played guitar hero on Wii and it was so fun! Everyone talks about it, but I had never played! I was so tempted to go and buy a Wii just to play guitar hero.

I'm counting down the days until Fall Break! I'll be attending the New Kids on the Block concert!! I can't wait until I get to see Joey Macintyre. Oh how I loved him! I also loved Danny although I remember thinking he looked like a monkey! ha! Then the next day I'll be flying out to Germany and then onto London. Only a few more weeks until I get to ride the 111 to Priory Road and visit my Twickenham family--and see my Charlotte!.

The Glorious Single life!

Ok I need sleep! I'm getting another student tomorrow and I need all the rest I can get!

Job Description for our President

303,824,640 residents—each with an opinion
A budget of $2.568 trillion in revenuesand $2.73 trillion in expenditures
A debt of $ 9,697,453,381,850
3,537,438 square miles of land
12,380 miles of coastline and 7,476 miles of borders with Canada and Mexico
The world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India)
A government constituency of 50 states, over six time zones and an additional five territories, coordinating efforts with 55 governors
A Congress of 435 representatives and 100 senators, some members of his party, some not
1,436,642 members of the Armed Forces of which he is Commander-in-Chief
A workforce of 153.1 million
An unemployment rate of 6.1% and 12% of the population living below the poverty line

Hot Cheetos

God reminded me today just how wonderful He is. God always wants to bless us more than we could ever imagine and we sometimes set limits and God wants to go above and beyond this!

I was reminded of this today because my students earned their 100th star, which means they earn a party of some kind. We had a unplanned fire alarm which can throw the whole morning off depending...and because we had an overall successful fire alarm we earned our 100th star.

The last few times the kids earned 100 stars they have gotten a cookie party. It has been a cookie party because cookies were on sale. Today I really wanted to make sure the kids knew that they earned this party to encourage more good behavior. I let the kids throw out different suggestions and they all wanted another cookie party. I finally stepped in and said "Cookies are boring-let's have a cool party--how about a hot cheetos party?" You would have thought that I was sending them all to Disneyland or something. Cheering broke out like I had never heard before. The smiles on their faces were bigger than I had ever seen. There is something about Hot Cheetos that Seaside students love, and its almost an unspoken rule that Hot Cheetos are not allowed at school because kids love them so much--they dream about Hot Cheetos instead of listening.

We're asking for Dollar Tree cookies from God but God is wanting to give us $2.69/bag of Hot Cheetos.

Haircut

One of my students just said that because he got a haircut his brain was turned off. He has to let his hair grow again before his brain will work again....

Huck Pack

I went last night to Calvary High's Fundraiser at the Monterey Conference Center. The highlight was at the very end of the evening when I got to shake hands and say cheese with Mr. Huckabee! He looks like a cardboard cutout...I'm sure because he's done this so many times. He's real though...unlike that photo with Hillary on the right. I heart Huckabee!

And I can't get enough politics these days, so it was fun to come home and watch Tina Fey play Sarah Palin on SNL.

Guns n Roses

I had two students bring two completely different things to school today. Mary-Kate brought me some weed flowers and was so proud to give them to me.

Another boy brought a cap gun to school. Now I really don't understand guns at all. I know there are big guns and small guns and toy guns. It was still only plastic, but you could shoot stuff from it. Thankfully a little tattler told on the student who brought it....

I'm just thankful that today is Friday! I have earned the weekend this week.

Mary Kate's Love Note to Me

Pretty impressive writing for a 6 year old huh?

Visit to St. Helena

Grandma was keeping me company outside. Thankfully it didn't get too hot.

This is the view from the pool I spent an hour in on Sunday. Her vineyard beyond the pool! It was glorious!

View from Heather's bedroom window!

My other grandma lives on a vineyard in St. Helena. She has a pool as well...I think I even got a tan! It was beautiful. I stayed the night at my friend's house in Calistoga. She's a nurse and actually was working the same day at the hospital when my grandma went in to have her major surgery. The balloon was from the window of Heather's house! Amazing! And my grandma...check her out! She's turning 88 on the 19th. Isn't she beautiful?!

Pictures of Mommer's Visit

Mommers stayed at the Clement on Cannery Row---it was beautiful!! My grandma who we call Mommers is 82. Isn't she beautiful?