last week i was standing in front of my students in line and saw them whispering and staring at me. when they saw me stare back i heard one of them say, "tell her!"

student: Miss H., you look like a pirate today.
me: (looking down at my gray capris, boots, and white long-sleeved shirt) a pirate?! yuck!
student: um, don't worry...more like a kiera knightly pirate, not a johnny depp pirate.
me: oh, ok...i guess that's good.
student: trust us, it is.


kids these days...

***


i need to go to church more. and, i can't wait for advent and christmas to come. rain, cold air, lights and trees, pageants and carols...and JESUS.

HE's coming...are you ready?

giving thanks.

so much to give thanks for this year. my family who continues to love, friends that continue to care, the love of my life who never gives up trying to make our relationship stronger...

and through it all i keep reminding myself that God is the reason for my life's happiness. knowing that it could all be taken from me in the one breath, i work hard in trying to never take any of it for granted.

thank YOU.

in the news...

as the air grows colder and raindrops become more frequent, life in the bay area continues to move with the weather.

i am steadily approaching the 3-month mark of being a teacher, and what a ride it has already been! still working late nights at school, continuing to say "yes" to duties and projects i should probably refuse, and trying my best to take in the experience and continue to believe in what i do. the most intruiging outcome of this whole thing thus far has been the realization of God's intricate plan for my life. who would have known that the very same activities i loved while in irvine would continue to be a part of my daily life over here. adoration with my students during first friday's, singing praise songs with the youth choir, praying the rosary as a school, leading faculty prayers, and bringing jesus into my daily classroom culture -- it all makes sense now. and i am moved.

even david is doing his own little part to change the world. okay, so maybe being a basketball coach to 8th graders isn't changing the world per se, but it is definitely changing the small worlds of each of those guys on the team. they come to class tired and sore, complaining that they didn't have time to do their homework because they were playing ball all night. but david is enjoying it, the kids are learning, and the parents look on in awe. so do i.

we just celebrated my mom and dad's birthday's two weeks in a row and are beginning to prepare for my brother's birthday next week. i may be so broke that i won't have enough money for christmas! speaking of christmas, my sister and i have decided on a more modern theme for this year's decor. the blues, greens, purples, and silvers of target really caught our eye and it's going to be beautiful. my brother isn't so sure, however. his exact comments were something along the lines of, "um, did you know it's christmas and NOT easter?!" let's hope people don't get confused.

yes, things are definitely moving in a steady, forward direction. as this year begins to come to its close, i feel good about the change, the growth, the inspiration that continues to be a part of my life. yesterday's homily talked about being holy in your calling -- that you and i are called to live out our "status," whatever it may be, as holy and as faithfully as possible. it reminded me of something blessed mother teresa said about acceptance -- how we should just accept whatever God lays down on our path, not because it's there but because HE put it there. not only should we accept, but we should accept it with a SMILE.

i think that makes all the difference.

DANCE to the music...

this was fun! thanks, kirs!

from my PURCHASED playlist...
(and, yes. i did actually pay money for these songs.)

1. How am I feeling today?
Honor and Glory – David Bauer (piano instrumental!)

2. Will I get far in life?
I Surrender All – Music for Piano Lovers (ah, let’s hope so.)

3. How do my friends see me?
Step Up – Samantha Jade (you step up I’ll step up too!)

4.Where will I get married?
I Am – Mark Schultz (oh really?)

5.What is my best friend's theme song?
Pon de Replay – Rihanna (what is this song even about?!)

6.What is the story of my life?
Come Clean – Hilary Duff (oh yes. hilary duff DOES, indeed, occupy a space in my place list.)

7.What was high school like?
I Will Be Here – Gary Valenciano (tomorrow morning if you wake up…)

8.How can I get ahead in life?
By Your Side – Hillsong (exactly.)

9.What is the worst thing about me?
Shout to the Lord – David Bauer (um, ok.)

10.What was today like?
I See the Lord – David Bauer

11.What is in store for this weekend?
Place in this World –M.W.S. (roaming through the night to find my place…)

12.What song describes my parents?
Me & U – Cassie (hmm. i don’t know whether to think this is cute or gross.)

13.How is my life going?
Hold Me Down – Danity Kane

14.What song will they play at my funeral?
SexyBack – Justin Timberlake (take note of this, please.)

15.How does the world see me?
Make Me Whole – Amel Larrieux

16.Will I have a happy life?
Stay With Me – Danity Kane (if he stays with me my life will definitely be happy.)

17.What do my friends really think of me?
Pump It – Black Eyed Peas (haha!)

18.Do people secretly lust after me?
Just the Girl – Click Five (oohh…just the girl i’m lookin for!)

19.How can i make myself happy?
Maunaleo – Keali’i Reichel (this is a song about mountains in Hawaii. so…i should go to Hawaii?)

20.What should I do with my life?
Breathe (2AM) – Anna Nalick (yes. thanks for the reminder.)

21.What will the person you marry be like?
Thy Word – Piano Instrumental

22.Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Press Pause – Danity Kane

23.Will you have a fulfilling life?
Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts (i hope so.)

24.How will you die?
I The Lord of Sea and Sky (:D)