Goodbyes

As graduation is slowing creeping up and real life is starting to hit I am hit with a sudden wave of goodbyes. I dislike goodbyes though, they seem too permanent. I like to think of a better way to depart from a person would be to say see you later alligator, after while crocodile. You know like children do. This way it leaves things open to possibilities and potential. Today I had to say goodbye to the CDL. I almost cried which is very unusual for me. I am sure going to miss those wonderful children a whole lot. Not to mention the other teachers and my fellow labor students, it was just an all around good work environment. This weekend is going to be full of goodbyes, some more permanent than others but that is okay. I keep thinking about that verse in Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Even though God was talking to the Israelite people, I think this verse is still applicable to His children today. No matter what lies ahead of me God will always be with me so as Paul says, " I will press on and keep fighting the good fight until that day comes when I am called home" (that is Amanda paraphrasation for you there). It has not really hit me yet that I am graduating from college in less than 48 hours. Maybe by the time Sunday rolls around it will, but there are still lots of goodbyes to be said, moving to be done, and lives to be lead. It has been a busy week and it's going to be an even busier weekend.
In other news as some of you may remember from last year, there have been goodwill bins placed in many of the dorms on campus. So this afternoon/evening I have been dorm hoping. I have to say that I have seen and found some pretty interesting things. I also gained a few extra things along the way like a huge duffle bag, a new backpack, and a trash  bag full of clothes. This should be an interesting addition to my current wardrobe.
In other other news I have unofficially but officially yet, gotten a duplex apartment with a trust worthy acquaintance It is exciting and will be officially moving in on the 15th. So yall should be on the lookout for me, for a bed and dresser?
I have been looking forward to this summer and what this next chapter in my life has in store. I am quiet excited to see what God has planned for me. My new job at the daycare starts on Monday so that will be fun I do believe. Also am thinking we should all meet up sometime soon I miss seeing you all. Sometimes I wish life would slow down a little bit and maybe even have a rewind button so to go back when we were all in one place and didn't have to travel very far to see one another.
I am getting sleepy so I should stop while I am ahead. But I'm sure I'll be making another post soon about graduating and starting my new job so be on the lookout. Captain Something Fun signing off.

Water, Goodbyes, and Bears; Oh My!!

Hello friends! There are so many things I would like to share with you. I have been procrastinating on writing this blog (imagine that right?) but now is the time. For a random person in history once said, "There is no time like the present." I wonder who wrote that, google time...

Five minutes later and I find these things about said quote 1. Georgia Byng said it. 2. It is an idiom. 3. It is a proverb. 4. The proverb has been traced back to G. Legh's Accidence of Armoury (1562).

Okay so this week marked the beginning of June some highlights real quick include, my BestFriend on earths Birthday. Shout out to Cathy aka Granny Eyre!, the spottings of black bear(s), and the release of The Fault In Our Stars movie, book by John Green. 

The spotting of the black bear(s) is actually legit. No, I have not personally seen it but the local newspaper and pd have been posting about it or them. I imagine seeing a black bear just wondering around your neighborhood could be a bit scary.( I went to Gatlinburg TN. once and as my dad was driving us around cades cove we saw a couple from a distance though.) It was just a very strange question to be asked first thing Monday morning, "Have you seen the bear?" Umm... Can I get a glass of milk before I answer this question please. 

Wednesday or yesterday, maybe even today might have been my favorite day this week. My friends in the three year old classroom that I help out with had their first water play day of the summer on Wednesday. I got excused from kitchen duty during that time. I went outside and my friends were jumping and running through the sprinkler the teacher had set up. I was having a good time just watching the kids enjoy themselves but then I noticed one of the kids did not look very wet. So me being who I am decided to pick the little boy up and hold him over the sprinkler to get wet. He enjoyed it very much which was great except all the other kids started asking me to pick them up and do the same thing. Unfortunately for them I am only one person. I am not sure who's idea it was but somehow I managed to be the one holding the sprinkler up to the metal slide making a super slipping slide. It was great, the kids loved zooming down the slick slide and plopping down in the muddy puddle at the bottom. Lesson learned from this experience however is that from now on I will not be wearing bluejeans on Wednesdays. My legs got all chapped up from the wetness I had to deal with the rest of the day. 

Thursday, I again had the opportunity to take a break from kitchen work and play with the children outside. This time with the four year olds out for their free time we had basketball. If you remember being four at all you might recall the whole aspect of sharing and how you probably did not want to. Well that still stands true today. With five children in the class and only three basketballs it posed a bit of a problem but we worked it out. We played steal the ball and run away from Ms. Amanda. Pretty self explanatory so I won't go into much detail except to say I need to teach these guys how to dribble. It was fun just bouncing the ball with them and trying to help them make baskets.... Uhoh here comes the five year olds outside to play. I think I have become known around the cdl as the labor student who likes to play tag. As soon as they got outside the five year olds were wanting me to run around and chase them. I love it! It allows me to run around, roaring like a dinosaur and not be judged for it, added bonus the children love it as well. Once the five year olds got started playing the four year olds joined in as well. 

I find it very interesting, the differences in children just a year apart, how they are developing physically. The five year olds for the most part have more control of their running around not falling or tripping over their feet as much as the four year olds.

I would never admit this to the children but I was very thankful for them calling breaks so much, I needed to catch my breath just as much as they did. I think some of them might even have more stamina than I do. 

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere. Something I have grown to learn is that children love catching bubbles. The joy in a childs face when they catch a bubble is precious. The last two days during afternoon playtime I have got use the bubble wand and make bubbles for the children to chase. I highly recommend bubbles for everyone. They can ease your stress. 

Goodbyes. I don't know what to say about them except that I do not like them. Unfortunately this week I have had to say goodbye to many of my little friends. In the one year old classroom (my babies) I am losing five friends this summer. Two had their last days this week and one of my favourite little girls is not coming back in the fall. The others will be leaving to stay at home soon. It makes me sad when my little friends leave because it means I won't get to see their smiling faces, watch them grow, walk and babble. Or even play ball with them. One year olds especially love to play ball!

In other exciting news: My tomato plants are growing big and strong! They are just going to be little cherry tomatoes but still yummy. Also I went to Lexington with Sarah and Clare on Tuesday evening. It was good to hangout, eat some dinner, and go to Plato's Closet. Even though Plato's didn't have any long sleeve shirts or cargo pants it was still ok. To make the night more interesting, the three of us were just chilling at Starbucks, when Katherine just pops out of the pushes. It was good to see yet another friend around and just catch up with the group. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get to see Cathy and Megan again. 

Signing off for now.

Captain Fun Something