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

Pictures Not Included

Hello fellow twenty somethings! It's been a while since my last post. Summer wasn't even here yet and now what do you, summer only has a month left. Crazy. These past couple of months have flown by. Lots of new music, an app that keeps getting better, and some fun adventures with all of you. Currently, well the last week and half, my life has consisted of watching the Olympics. By far my most favorite sport to watch is women's indoor volleyball. As a player of the sport sporadically in my mere 24 years of life, i very much get into the sport and of course i have to root for the USA. So far the team has been undefeated. After a complete shutout of Japan 3 sets to 0, these women are on their way to the semifinals on Thursday. Something that sort of bugs me about the Olympics is Micheal Phelps. i do give him props for doing so well in his swimming career. My qualm is with the way all these people are calling him the most decorated Olympian. In my opinion I do not think an athlete deserves that title unless they have competed in different sports not just one particular. That's all i have to say about that. i have made a couple of post about music in the past but haven't in a while so i want to catch you up on what songs are currently on my playlist, mind you some of these are a few months old but still on my playlist don't judge.
1. Charlie Puth- One Call Away (because you all know i'm only one call away)
2. Love Yourself- Justin Beiber (just tell it how it is bro)
3. Here's My Heart Lord- Passion Worship Band (i owe everything to God this song sings that)
4. To Live is Christ- Sidewalk Prophets (my life is lived for His glory)
5. How You Get the Girl- T. Swift (what's a playlist without my girl T. Swift)
6. Let It Go- James Bay (not to be confused with Frozens hit song)
7. One Step Away- Casting Crowns (God is always near)
8. One True God- Steven Curtis Chapman
9. Home- Blue October (i heard a song by them years ago and this song is just as good)
10. Fight Song- Rachel Platten (if ever i need motivation this is where i go)
11. 7 Years- Lukas Graham (reminds me life is an ever changing adventure, live it)
12. Stand In The Light- Jordan Smith (don't be afraid to go and do)
13. Between the Lines- Sara Bareilles
14. Lost Boy- Ruth B (my sister introduced me to this)
15. Refuge- Finding Favor (God is a safety)
Something i've been doing a couple days a week for a few hours on those days, is volunteering my time at the library. It is good for me, having a bit of structure. i have been mostly shelving books. It is a peaceful go at your own pace kind of task. This kind of task is a perfect fit for me, i very much enjoy it. A goal of mine is to start riding my bicycle at least 3 times a week. i think it will be helpful to stay active in this way. Well that's a bit of what's happening on my end. Captain Something Fun signing off.

This poem is for Martha S. and anyone else who loves the elderly.

Old Folks Laugh

They have spent their
content of simpering,
holding their lips this
and that way, winding
the lines between
their brows. Old folks
allow their bellies to jiggle like slow
tambourines.
The hollers
rise up and spill
over any way they want.
When old folks laugh, they free the world.
They turn slowly, slyly knowing
the best and the worst
of remembering.
Saliva glistens in
the corners of their mouths,
their heads wobble
on brittle necks, but
their laps
are filled with memories.
When old folks laugh, they consider the promise
of dear painless death, and generously
forgive life for happening
to them.

By Maya Angelou

Pokemon Go, Go, Go Away From My Life

The latest craze is Pokemon Go. Just as I didn't give in to Flappy Bird, Yik Yak, or any of those dating apps, I don't plan to download Pokemon Go. Anyway, I can understand the game vicariously through my friends. Other people can feel free to play the game (power to them), but I'm going to choose to let this phase pass me by (or I'll jump on it a few months down the road like I did with SnapChat and Instagram).

Here are my reasons for not downloading the app at this moment:
 (just to be clear, I did enjoy playing the Gameboy Pokemon games as a child. I still am intrigued by the world known as Pokemon.)

1. I don't know how people have time to be on the app. It seems that you'd have to invest time into this. Everyone is different about how they choose to spend their time, but I have other ways I'd rather spend my free time.

2. I love taking walks, but I don't like to be on my phone when I'm walking. I want to enjoy the world around me and the people with me.

3. It seems kind of dangerous. Walking and being on your phone is dangerous period, but this is extended amounts of time walking and staring at a screen. It could be very easy to walk into the road or a stationary object. Also, trainers, be sure to walk with a buddy and pay attention to your surroundings. There have already been stories of people getting lured into dangerous situations because someone is taking advantage of an innocent game.

4. It dominates conversation, even when it's not being played. "Have you caught a Pikachu?" "Which team did you choose?" "Where did you find that Jigglypuff?"

5. It would drain my phone battery.

6. I'm kind of anti-phones anyway. Granted I use it quite a bit on a daily basis, but I'd rather not add another reason to use it.

7. It creates a new reality. "There's a Squirtle over there!" Umm, no, that's a tree. I do love fiction and imagination, but I need a line between fiction and reality. This app pushes the line just a bit too much for me.

8. There are some security concerns. Do a quick search about security concerns with Pokemon Go and you'll find concerns about Google access, tracking, and hostile attacks. It's a little early in the game's release to know how accurate they are, but I'd rather not take the risk until they definitely clear those up.

9. It's going to cause problems with trespassing. People be smart about where you're going to catch Pokemon. Remember the person whose yard you're walking through may not see the Pokemon that show up on your screen.

10. It seems that right now the demand is so high that it just keeps freezing on people. I don't need that kind of frustration in my life.


None of this is to say that others shouldn't play the game. I'm sure it's enjoyable once you start, and I'll probably talk with you about it if you're playing. I just don't plan to download one more app that could cause one more addition. I already have plenty of technology addictions.

Maybe the bottom line is that I'm just a bit of a Granny.

Cheers!

The quality isn't great, but here's a protest song that I found on YouTube.

Peanut and Riley

I've been dogsitting this week, and it's always an adventure and a test of patience. My family didn't have a dog after my Kindergarten year. Before that, the dog was my brother's dog. Even though its name was Happy, I didn't like to get near it because it was bigger than me and barked. I have a distinct memory of waking up late on a Saturday morning and finding no one in my house. I went outside and the dog was out of its pen because someone was mowing the pen. I was not a happy child that morning.

Anyway, back to the present. The dogs I'm sitting for are nowhere near as big as Happy was (he died sometime while I was in middle school at my grandma's house in North Carolina). Also I've conquered my fear of dogs for the most part.

Peanut is a poodle. He gets really excited when I head toward the couch.

He's a bit older so he sleeps quite a bit. A little old man without the snores.

This is Riley's favorite spot. Even though he doesn't live in this house on a regular basis, this is his favorite spot.

I brought some laundry over to wash. He claimed this blanket as his own.

For the most part, they are good dogs. They do like to bark at  cats incessantly in the yard, and they beg for my food like they haven't eaten for days. I enjoy their cuddles and kisses though.