Oneida

I've been at Oneida for over a month now, so it would seem logical that I would have made a blog post by now. Alas, it hasn't happened. Overall, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here and to serve Jesus.

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service (1 Timothy 1:12)

I realize that my first year of teaching anywhere would be difficult, but being here is just a little bit better because I am surrounded by like-minded people and I'm able to freely share my faith. I also really enjoy the break after 3rd period for chapel, which definitely wouldn't happen at a public school.

This is not to say that my time here has not been met with its own share of difficulties. I've had to adjust to a different pace of life, learn to live with less internet and cell coverage, find my niche in an established community, balance the demands of first-year teaching, try to say no to some opportunities, build a support system, learn two curriculum, develop tougher skin, and make time to simply rest. If you know me even a little bit, that last one is very difficult for me because I tend to run myself dry.

Through it all, God has provided. I have found ways to communicate with the outside world, learned to appreciate the good conversations and the loneliness, learned to keep the books for volleyball games, given up on creating everything from scratch, listened to student complaints without second-guessing my decision, and found a good walking path. I'm still learning every day and finding that the best advice about the classroom and adjusting to this life comes at the least expected moments.

It's been a journey thus far, and I expect the journey will continue throughout this year and for however long God keeps me here in Oneida. If you're looking for something to pray about, ask God to continually give me patience, tenacity, love, and his eyes as I teach these students about English and God.


Granny Eyre

Fun! A Different Definition

Normally when I think "fun", I think of roller coasters, friends, baking, crafting, games, hiking, reading, etc., but today I had a different kind of fun at work.

I am finishing up a year long project this summer. I and the tutoring team created these resource binders, which list all of the standards and the resources we have in the room. Now that tutoring is over I'm putting the finishing touches on them. I spread them across my desk in order to sort a huge binder of misplaced items into the six grade level binders. It was enjoyable to me because it was active and had a very concrete finish.

Cheers!

Granny Eyre

Morning Struggles

Most mornings I wake up to the gentle sounds of "Pie Jesu" being sung by the Celtic Women and ask, either in my head or aloud, "Does anyone else want to get out of bed and go to work for me?"

No one ever answers.

So I drag myself out of bed and get ready for work.


*Please note that work is not the problem. The problem lies in my bed; it's too warm and cozy. I don't want to leave my bed in the mornings.*

A Quick Stop at Work

Woah! It's snowing like crazy out there, but I'm here at work with a cup of tea and a mini muffin. I thought I'd drop by and give a few thoughts from my life.

I just finished a really thought provoking book entitled A Prayer for Owen Meany. It had a lot of commentary on political events from the 60s and religious faith. At the heart of it was a story about two boys who became best friends in spite of the fact that one boy's baseball killed the other's mother. I'd recommend this book to anyone in for a long haul with a book. It has some language and risque topics, so it's for 20 somethings and above. Keep your eye on my personal blog for a book review soon.

Searching for a book cover image made me realize that there are many iconic symbols in this book. This cover is the one that I read from. The dollmakers dummy respresents the mother and the Mary Magdalene statue. I can't really say much else without giving away plot points. Other iconic images that have made covers include an armadillo, a tomato-red truck, a baseball, and a boy. 

There is a movie based slightly off of the book. In my blog post, I will discuss how Simon Birch does and does not represent Owen Meany.

Right now at work, I am helping the tutoring team think through their training. I also have been hosting transition meetings to help acclimate our newest team member to the programs that work with children. In the future, there is potential that I will be leading trainings for volunteers and students. I'll get to teach!

Very soon, I'll begin the job search for my first teaching position. I'm excited to be in a classroom. This time away has only reinforced my desire to work with teenagers. I'm also itching to know where I'll be living next. I'm open to most anywhere in Kentucky. I want to stay close to family and friends, and I already somewhat understand the Kentucky school systems. As far as grade level goes, I'm not sure yet. I can see positives for both younger and older high school students.

Now that you've gotten a small glimpse into my life, I must get back to work. Today I am spending my morning doing research about tutoring best practices. This afternoon I have several meetings.

Cheers!

It's About Time

Time is something that I am always needing more of. I spent Thursday-Sunday camping...the first two nights with the wonderful Twenty Somethings, and the last night/day with my bf and several of his friends at a cabin in the woods. Sunday evening, I stopped by my sister's house and went for a swim in her pool for the first time this year. It was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and just relax for awhile. I enjoyed having some time away from working and all the stress that comes along with a huge to-do list and no time to complete it.

 That being said, today was my first day back to work after a weeks vacation. We are starting summer work, which means that we are cleaning the high school from top to bottom. Today we cleaned out every single locker in the entire school, which took FOREVER, but so far I really enjoyed working with all the new workers (mostly high school students or recent high school grads). They seem like a very fun bunch of kids who will work hard, but like to have a good time while doing so. It is kinda weird for me to be gone for a week and suddenly come back and be sort of in charge. I was at the bottom of the totem pole (so to speak), and now I have moved up some, but my hourly pay has been decreased, since summer work doesn't pay as much as custodial work does during the school year.

After work, I went to my sister's Mary Kay debut party in Nicholasville, which was interesting. I was in a bit of a grouchy mood due to hunger, but I ended up having a pretty good time and getting a free pedicure and some eye shadow out of the whole ordeal. I am proud of my sister for going out on a limb and trying something new. All of the women there were very nice, and I hope that continues to enjoy it and do well. If any of you ladies are interested in getting a free facial or ordering from her, then feel free to let me know. I can hook you up with one of her business cards and a catalog so you can see what products are available and the prices and such.

Once I got home, I took multi-tasking to a whole different level. I simultaneously washed two loads of laundry and applied for a job while in the bathtub! Haha! I'm now getting ready for bed, since I have to be at work at 7:00 am in the morning. I will also be house-sitting tomorrow night, which I am sorta looking forward to, since I will get to be around all sorts of neat animals. I am still kinda stressed, though, because I don't have my clothes packed or lunch for tomorrow.

-Miss Ellaneous 

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.

Slowly Growing Up

Work
The past couple weeks I have been working 40 hours a week at the high school as a custodian. Although still considered a sub, there's a chance that I could be hired on full-time next year if I so choose. Also, custodians work during the summer while school is out, so that means I won't have to stress about finding a summer job. I enjoy my job and especially the people I work with. However, I am still on the lookout for a job that involves what I went to school for (or at least one that requires a college degree, since I do have one after all). About a month ago, I applied to a handful of such jobs and got several interviews, none of which turned into any job offers. I was a little bummed out, but I have not given up. I am confident that I will figure out where I'm meant to be when the time is right.

Living Situation
As some of you may know already, there has been talk of me moving out of my parents' house and in with one of my childhood friends who lives about 10 minutes away from where I live currently. However, there are a few kinks that need to be worked out before this will happen, and nothing is set in stone yet. Currently, there are no utilities at the house so all of that would have to be turned back on before we would live there. My friend owns the house, so we agreed that I could live there rent-free and just pay for my share of the utilities and help out around the house. This is one of the reasons why I have been working so much and trying to save up money. I feel like I need to move out in order to move on with my life and start to grow up. I am working my own job and would also like to have my own place (and even my own bills) without the help of my parents. I guess I just want to prove that I can do it. I know I can, but when people do things for you all the time, you begin to get lazy and start letting them. I don't want to do that anymore.

Callie Sue loves riding in the car.

Personal Life 
As you may have seen on the inter-web, I recently started dating someone and it's FB official! Haha! His name is Jeff. He has already started spoiling me rotten with homemade brownies and flowers that he hand-delivered on his motorcycle (how he got the flowers to me on a motorcycle without damaging them is a question I still have yet to answer). Jeff loves gummy bears and jelly beans and has a roommate with a pet tarantula. Haha! He is originally from Maine, but now lives in Lexington. Everyone will be excited to know that I have driven to Lexington on my own a few times now! So,  it should be easier to meet up with you guys when we go on adventures :). I don't know why I was so scared before. Yes, it is stressful with all of the traffic, but as long as I stay calm, I'll be okay.

 

On another random note, I recently read a book that I loved. It's called, The Glass Castle and is a memoir written by Jeannette Walls about her childhood. She grew up living in poverty and was always moving from place to place. Her parents are interesting, to say the least. My family isn't rich by any means, but I couldn't imagine living the way that she and her family did and I admire the children for staying strong and pushing through and making something of themselves. I won't say anymore because I don't want to give too much away, but it was a book that I couldn't put down until I finished it. My sister is currently reading it, but if any of you are interested in reading it, I would be more than happy to lend it to you....as long as you promise to return it, because I'll probably read it again!

That's all for now. I have to get in bed...5 am comes way to early!

-Miss Ellaneous 

I'm still feeling 22...

So as you might have guessed from the title of this post, I am currently jamming out to some T. Swift while finishing up some of psychology homework. The perks of being an undergrad I suppose. I would probably be up dancing right now if it weren't for the fact that there are people besides me in the dorm common area. I have not made a post in a while. I know, I know The Farmer's Daughter is probably very disappointed in me...
So since my last post a great deal of awesomeness has happened. Instead of writing in paragraph form, like Granny Eyre would probably prefer I am going to start listing.
1. I turned 23. WOAH. Exciting right? I am losing focusing writing I got distracted ahhhh.
2. The Lego movie is AWESOME, Seriously I enjoyed the movie for the most part. I had my hesitations about it but those were overcome.
3. I have officially been offered a real job that is not the mart of wal! Woot! I have had two interviews today one lasted 3 hours and the director did not even watch me she just let me loose in the center which was actually very exciting. I would really enjoy working with children even if it is not the CDL. But the job offer I got is working with mentally disabled individuals just helping them learn basic every day things that we might take for granted. I am kind of excited about the potential of this job because it is different individuals than what I am use to but I think I am up for it if God calls me to do this. I also applied at 2 other daycare's here but have not heard much back from them and I am not sure how much more harassing them I should do.
4.  There is a new little friend in my two year old classroom at work. I can't say much more except that they are super cute and adorable.
5. There are so many song lyrics I could insert in this post but, I can make the bad guys good for a weekend... , I better not though... But I'm FEELING 22!
6. I should not become a statistician, like ever. It is all gibberish to me.
7. I graduate in 16 days HOORAY!!! Finally
Okay that's all folks no more news on my end. Until next time Captain Something Fun signing off.

School, and Work!

I haven't made a post in a while which is not out of character for me but it gives me an excuse to tell you all about my many adventures. So it is now almost the end of week three in my final term as an under grad (SWEET!) only fourteen more weeks to go! It has been a very busy three weeks to say the least. The biggest change for me is in my job. I have worked with three year olds and one year olds a lot but very limited experience with two year olds. Now I am in the classroom full time working with a bunch of cute looking two year olds and one, twenty month old. It has been a daring adventure so far. It seems at first glance that there is no structure to their lives at school but after a couple days I think I figured it out. Two year olds have very short attention spans, except when it comes to bubbles, so they are always running from one center to the next and back and forth. It is hard to keep up. It is so much fun though listening  to them talk and play with each other. I really like how they are almost always willing to help with jobs like picking up toys and especially running the vacuum cleaner. There is one child in particular every evening who wants to help me clean the rugs and is always telling their parents how they are being helpers. I thought that it would be really hard adjusting to the new classroom teacher but it turns out that it was not that big of a deal as I originally thought it would be. The lead teacher is super nice and very willing so it has turned out very well so far.
On a different but similar note, it has been quiet an adjustment going from always having had a roommate to not having a roommate. I find myself talking out loud a lot more than usual and I am not as neat as I would be if there was some one else living in my room too. Meal times are the hardest for me because all of you have graduated and it gets kind of lonely sitting by yourself when there are hundreds of people around.
A cool story from last night during my AWANA class I got to explain to a child who Adam and Eve and how God made him, and everyone else here. It was very heart warming for me because it has only been three years ago when I was in the little boys place asking the same questions. I have hope that God will help him go far.
As far as classes go I am in five but they aren't super difficult this semester I am trying this new thing out called actually reading for class and doing my homework. So far I think it is working out for me. By far my favorite class is play throughout the lifespan. It is a fun class and very interesting topic to learn more about.

Random Tidbits

Last weekend, my cousin came for a visit. She lives in Tennessee, so it isn't often that I get to see her. I took her over to my sister's house for a homemade spaghetti dinner and we spent hours catching up and ended the night with my sister giving us each a haircut. Even though she is over a decade older than me, we seem to have a lot in common to talk about. 

I have decided that I can get along with almost anyone. I was just thinking about it, and most of my friend groups are very different from one another, but I enjoy spending time with all of them. People are so different, but so alike at the same time...I don't know how to explain it. I love talking to people of various ages and backgrounds. I enjoy a conversation with a 1st grader just as much as I do a 75 year old. People are just cool!

This week, I have been riding a different bus in the morning than the one I usually ride. I have enjoyed this, because the route is quite a bit shorter, so I don't have to get up as early or stay out as late. I have been sleeping a lot more lately than I probably should, but I blame the cold weather. When it is gross outside, lounging on the couch in my pajamas is really the only thing I want to do. I have been wanting to do something crafty, but can't find the motivation to start a big project, so I bought a coloring book and colored a picture of a lobster instead! Haha...random, I know. I used to love coloring when I was younger and had no less than 30 coloring books. Although it may be a bit childish, coloring is great for relieving stress. When you are focused on staying inside the lines and which color the lobster's tail should be, it becomes easier to forget about what's bothering you. 

-Miss Ellaneous

Finally!

Today was a very exciting day for me in more ways than one. But the best thing that happened was this morning. In my line of work it is really easy to become attached to the little children I work with on a daily basis. So when a toddler just happens to hit a big milestone in their short live I get really excited. I need to back up a few months to the month of February. I had been working in the 1 year old classroom for about a month when a new little friend transitioned over to my room. (Transitioned means he had the cognitive and physical developments appropriate for him to be able to move up, i.e. he could crawl well, and eat table food among other things.) When the new friend arrived he was not yet one years old so he still had to sleep in a crib unlike his other one year old friends. Also among the group of then seven friends only four of them could walk so the new comer was not alone. A month later on his birthday however my new friend was still not walking and all my other little friends were leaving him in the dust so to speak. These past few months have been somewhat of a struggle trying to get the little guy to just take some steps. He has definitely become comfortable pulling himself up and standing there still but he would not walk. I was personally beginning to get worried that the teenie little babies from the smaller room were going to catch up with my little friend on the walking. Today however my worries vanished. I came into visit my little friends in their classroom and the little boy I've been talking about he walked to me! Exciting! Oh my goodness! And then to make the moment even better, one of the little girls who is about a month older than he goes up to him and holds his hand as they start walking. It was so sweet. I just wanted to grab them both up and give them hugs but I didn't. I did hear though from the teacher grapevine that they were able to catch the little guy on video walking and they were able to show his daddy, who was very excited!

In other exciting news I am finally finished with my summer class!! Now just six more credits and I can graduate. It is a strange feeling though. I thought I would feel better when this class got over but yet I still find myself sitting here wondering what in the world I am suppose to be doing. Maybe this will get easier as the summer goes on.
Signing off for now,
Captain Something Fun

Coffee, Barn Building & Llamas

Common Grounds

Jason and I were in Lexington and we happened to be near Common Grounds coffee shop on Nicholasville Rd. Since I live in the middle of no-where I don't have frequent access to coffee shops, so they're always a treat. This Common Grounds location had a large selection of espresso drinks as well as smoothies. I was interested in the espresso drinks though and they would make any of their espresso drinks into frappes. I got a Snickers frappe (hazelnut, caramel & chocolate flavors) and Jason got Almond Joy (coconut, chocolate & almond flavors). They were both awesome tasting and fairly reasonably priced ($3.77 for 16 oz.). They were also aesthetically pleasing and even included a chocolate covered espresso bean on top! I will definitely be visiting there again!

Work

Dad and I have been working hard on the barn every morning. We're really beginning to see the progress, too. We have been putting tin up on the back side of the barn for the past week. I think we'll finish with the tin tomorrow (if it doesn't rain!) Check it out! I wish I had taken a photo every day so you could really see the progress.

Llama Shearing

It's that time of year. Time to shear the llamas! They never like being trimmed and we don't enjoy it very much either. We have to cut their hair so they can stay cooler in the hot summer months. Their wool is really warm! Just imagine wearing a wool sweater on a 90 degree day! We've only trimmed two so far. Emmie was very cooperative and didn't fight at all. Noah wasn't as cooperative though and kicked and spit at us nearly the entire time. His cut doesn't look as good and that's why! Many people use electric trimmers to shear their animals but we have found this is scary for the llamas and more trouble, so we cut them with large scissors. It takes a while and is tiring but since we only have 4 animals, it isn't too bad.

You may be wondering what we do with their wool. At one time my mother wanted to use their wool for spinning into yarn and then using the yarn to make things. We soon realized the llamas were going to supply us with much more wool than we wanted. There is also the added expense of having the wool cleaned and processed into rovings so it can be spun. So as of right now, most of the wool gets thrown away. We have so much of it we don't have enough uses for it. If you have any suggestions, feel free to tell us!

Some before & after photos: 

Before                                     Noah                                       After

Before                                        Emmie                                          After

The wool...just from Emmie.

Two llamas trimmed, two more to go!

Until next time...

The Farmer's Daughter 

Double Dog Dare Ya!

Today at work there were a few extra minutes of down time in between cleaning up lunch messes and getting ready for snack time. Usually I take the down time to sit down in the available chair in the kitchen and close my eyes but as soon as I sat down to do just that Katie, the second in charge of the kitchen, asked me to do a prank. Mind you this is not the first time she has asked me to do some prank idea she has made up. I was feeling a bit mischievous so I asked Katie what she had in mind. She wanted to prank call another student worker, like me, who was was up at the front desk covering for the main lady.
think bubble time...

(I have always loved the idea of prank calls and have been in on a few myself along with the help of some friends of course. The problem is though I start laughing so much just at the idea of what I am suppose to be saying to the person on the receiver that I give myself away, added with the fact that I am terrified of talking on the phone, these two things are not a good combination.) 

end think bubble...

When Katie got done explaining to me her idea I said to her, "Who is gonna call Chelsea(the student worker up front)?" This is when things started to get real. Katie told me to do it. She said, "I double dog dare you to!" I could not help but laugh when she said that. I have not heard that phrase used in a long time, mainly only growing up with my siblings and our crazy ideas to beat each other at something. Thinking of a comeback because I really did not want to be the person doing the calling I triple dog dared her to do it. This daring each other to infinity and beyond back and forth lasted about five minutes. Seeing as I infinity and beyond dared Katie, it was technically her that should of had to make the prank call but as she is older and more in charge, she bowed out. Not without a plan though. Three teachers and a minute later our prank was ready to go. (It was hard to find a willing teacher who was on break). Phone in hand Ms. Leighann dialed the extension to reach the front desk. I won't go into detail about the conversation except to say this, it involved a refrigerator running and sending someone to catch it. All in all I would say that it was a good, healthy prank. No one got hurt and there were lots of laughs shared around the building. 

If any of you reading this has a good idea for a prank of sorts please comment below!

Signing off for now,

Captain Fun Something