October 23, 2012: sneaky student

While doing a spontaneous desk check, I found that one sneaky student had been disassembling pencils and keeping the parts.  I am a little intrigued about what his plans were for the pieces, but I confiscating them was a better idea than waiting to see.

October 22, 2012: Da Bears

My first NFL game complete with the Bears tailgating experience.  What a cool experience!  I rooted for the Bears, even though they played the Lions.  When it comes to Michigan sports, I really only care about the Tigers.  Otherwise, I am a Chicago fan, all the way!  Bear Down!

October 21, 2012: Chipotle

Can't get enough

October 20, 2012: Wishes for Artie

I made these for Artie's baby shower next weekend.  I enjoyed taking a break from school work to get a little crafty.

October 19, 2012: Happy weekend to me

This was the stack of papers I brought home this weekend to grade.  I called Mom and offered to hire her as my personal assistant.  I would pay her in hugs and Chipotle.  I think she might think about it.

October 18, 2012: Ethiopian Diamond

I didn't pay attention to how blurry this picture was until I uploaded it.  When I take pictures in restaurants, I always feel really ridiculous.  Thus, I rush and get crappy pictures.  Either way, Ethiopian food may be my new favorite!  They serve all of the food on one large piece of bread.  Everyone digs in on the same plate of food.  No silverware allowed.  

October 17, 2012: New haircut

Got my haircut.  Took a weird picture on the way to work.  

October 16, 2012: Pumpkin goodness

After making an incredible salmon dinner, Kate wanted to try out cream cheese pumpkin muffins.  Despite the look on her face, they were a success!  

October 15, 2012: Fall leaves

A while ago I heard an analogy from a pastor and I have been thinking about it a lot lately.  He talked about how pretty fall leaves are.  It is interesting that it is in the stage of death that the leaves find their truest beauty.  The pastor made the connection to our own faith journeys.  As believers, when we die to ourselves (our selfishness, pride, anger, mistrust), we often open ourselves up to Christ's work in us.  Just like the leaves, it is then that we find our real beauty- in being a creation of the Lord and allowing Him to use us for His glory.  I have been thinking about that a lot this fall.  What is it that I need to die to?

October 14, 2012: Another rainy walk

Daphne and I went on another pretty walk today.  Fall walks are so beautiful!

October 13, 2012: Rainy walk

I dog sat for Daphne this weekend.  It was pretty rainy, but we enjoyed our walks regardless. 

October 12, 2012: Food overload

After a long week of school I headed straight to Pompei to treat myself to one of my favorite places to eat.  I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I had a little of everything.  When the food was brought to my table, the server looked a little confused to see I was sitting alone.  And yes, I dominated all of it.

October 11, 2012: A bit creepy

If you look closely, you can see my shadowy face.  This is what happens when I forget, until I am laying in bed with the lights off, to take a picture for the day.  This is my tired face.  If you can't see it, try tilting the screen.  Or just skip this picture and go to the next one.

October 10, 2012: Open Sesame

When I came home from open house, I realized that I left my purse and keys in the drawer of my school desk.  Kate was gone, and I was locked out with no wallet.  Starving, I called my friend Jennie, and she offered to let me stay at her house.  She even cooked me dinner.   Love her!!

October 9, 2012: Sunrise

As much as I dread the days getting shorter, being able to see this sunrise as I bike to school is a nice way to begin the day.

October 8, 2012: Earwax candles

This was my first school night since the beginning of the year that I wasn't swamped with work.  Earwax candles sounded like a perfect way to spend the evening.

October 7, 2012: Bringing joy to marathoners

Kate and I signed up to serve beer at the Goose Island tent at the marathon.  It was a chance to soak in the marathon experience without actually running it.  I must say that serving beer is ten times more enjoyable than running for 5 hours.  Plus, we got even sweeter free clothing for serving than we did for actually running.  

October 6, 2012: Going broke at Family Dollar

Just spent $42 to fill up my class treasure chest.  Hope I can trick the kids into thinking this stuff is worth behaving for.  :)

October 5, 2012: This is why I love my mom

I got a surprise package in the mail.  I opened it to find this super awesome artistic calendar from my mom.  I love that she finds random stuff like this and thinks of me.  She's the greatest.

October 4, 2012: Another shot of fall

I almost forgot how much I love biking in the fall.  The crisp weather and bright colors make it an enjoyable 8 minute ride to and from school.

October 3, 2012: Signs of fall

Boots and scarves.  I love fall.

October 2, 2012: Bad Luck shall find me

The woman in the Chinatown gift shop told me that if you let your bamboo die, it's bad luck.  

uh oh.  

October 1, 2012: PARTY TIME! (almost)

When my students make it through a bathroom break without any talking, fighting, hitting, cutting, or other misbehavior, they earn a letter toward the phrase "Party Time."  Once they earn all the letters, they will earn a party with the iPads.  After at least 15 days of school and over 30 bathroom breaks, they finally earned their second letter today! (I have a bit of a rough class this year!)  WE WERE PUMPED!!!!  Things are looking up!!

September 30, 2012: Black Car Posse

There was an entire row of black cars lined up on the street.  I thought maybe Obama was in Bacci or something, grabbing a slice of pizza, but it turns out the cars were just a coincidence.  

September 29, 2012: Twister

Katie insisted we play a round of Totally Twister before watching our movie.  This resulted in my lowered self esteem and a large bruise on Emma's back.  Lesson of the night: both of us are totally untwistable.

baboom ching. 

September 28, 2012: Apple Sauce

After a long, emotionally exhausting week, I can't tell you how blessed I am to have a roommate who makes good food.  Tonight, Kate made this awesome apple sauce, and the best cookies I have had in a while.  I ate four the next day.  (Who knew baking cookies without sugar, eggs, or baking soda would be magical?)

September 27, 2012: Instagram

I finally broke down and joined instagram.  I always felt like you could take a picture of the stupidest subject, and with Instagram, the picture would always turn out poetic and thought provoking.  All of a sudden, pictues of people's dinner plates are making me ponder life's biggest questions.  I decided to see if I could turn something meaningless and stupid into a poetic statement.  

Did it work?

Beats. Bears.  Battlestar Galactica.

September 26, 2012: Sunset

This was my view biking home from work today.  It's no sunset over Lake Michigan, but it felt strangely beautiful to be biking into the horizon.  There is something I will always love about evenings in early fall.

September 25, 2012: Parking Lot Visitor

This little guy was just chilling in the parking lot.  I just love how perfectly round he is.  I wish the picture was a little closer up, but to be honest, I was afraid to get any closer.  

September 24, 2012: My first apple!

 

After 5 years in the classroom, I finally received my first apple from a student!  I have officially become a real teacher.

September 23, 2012: Peace

 

After staying on this lake for the weekend, I was ready to move to Fennville.  Waking up to a quiet lake, peaceful orchards, and grassy lawn was a great change from city life.  Even for just a weekend.

September 22, 2012: Fennville Winery

After taking the tour of the winery, I tried to convince Dad to push out some of the apple orchards and plant a vineyard instead.  If he did, I would quit life here in an instant and become his farmhand. He told me there wouldn't be any money in it since I would most likely drink up all the profits.  True, but doesn't my presence and the desires of my heart outweigh money these days?  Apparently not.  Thanks, Dad.