Busy Busy Busy! But Wonderful!

2 weeks ago, we experienced a super busy week! Monday we had a teacher induction meeting for 3 hours in Visalia (about 35 minutes away) right after school ended (we need to complete a program called BTSA induction which will clear our teaching credentials - it lasts two years, and this was our first meeting...), Tuesday was a formal dinner for all new teachers to the school district (pictured to the left - Jeremiah, Me, Mike - the other history teacher at my school, Dalia - the Middle School Science Teacher, and her husband), and Thursday was my Back-To-School Night and introductory meeting for the summer Washington D.C. trip that I am helping to organize and lead. Needless to say, we were exhausted by Friday! But, with that said, we both kept feeling blessed for our jobs in this district. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to clear our teaching credentials right now - you have to be working for a school district in order to do it. The dinner was AMAZING! Students from my school and Jeremiah's school were on the culinary team and helped prepare and serve the food. It was great to see how much pride they took in their responsibility. The dinner was extremely tasty, and fancy! Plus, every single new teacher was formally introduced to everyone, and our biographies were read off (based on our resumes). It was a very special evening, and we definitely feel encouraged and supported here.



Well, needless to say, we needed a break... so we took off to Pismo Beach - the closest beach to Porterville. The locals gave us a much shorter route than our GPS would pick up, and after driving through the middle of nowhere for 2 1/2 hours, we arrived! (It was a very nice drive, actually - very peaceful). When we first arrived, we ate at the infamous Splash Cafe - and had their famous clam chowder soup bread bowl with a side of calamarie (pictured to the left). Then, we walked the beach for several hours, enjoying the coolness, the fog, and the noise and sight of the beautiful ocean.











Before leaving the beach, we found the same spot that Jeremiah carved a sand message 5 months before our wedding. (Pictured bottom left). This time, he carved a new message, and we posed for that one too!


Before heading home, we joined our cousins Rebecca and Nolan at their home in Atascadero for dinner (it's on the way back to Porterville, and only 30 minutes from Pismo Beach). We would have loved to stay longer, but by 8:00, we realized we better head out - after all, the road back would be pitch black, and there would be few other drivers out there! ...And the ride was definitely scary! In fact, the GPS didn't take us back the shortcut way, so we wound up driving for THREE (3) hours in blackness before arriving home! We're not sure we'll do that again! Next time we'll make sure we come home while it's still light outside!

But what a wonderful day!

During these past two days, I was actually in southern California with a co-worker at a workshop for a class that I teach, Success 101. The workshop was in Brea! It was so nice to go back to that area - we passed by our home, and I showed off all the nearby sites! I went to dinner with my father on Thursday evening which was a real treat, and then my co-worker surprised me on the way home and suggested we go and visit my mother at her work. Needless to say, she was really surprised, and I was so glad to see her!

So - week 6 is done! Crazy! And onto week 7!

We completed Week 4!

Wow! Time is flying! We're still happy, we still like our jobs, kids are still good! No complaints!

Last weekend for Labor Day, we went back down to southern California and visited with family members. Our first stop was to see our cousins and new parents, Bethany and Brian. We got to spend some wonderful time together, and we finally had a chance to meet their little one. They're all pictured here, but we didn't want the baby to get public exposure yet at his young age! (so, enjoy the artistic creations surrounding them! - seemed appropriate enough!)

The rest of the weekend was very enjoyable as well. We went to the Olive Garden with both sets of parents and even the neighbors on Saturday evening, (yes, we're badly missed in Cypress!) and on Sunday after church, we took Grandma out to lunch for her 80th birthday. We're unfortunately unable to make her birthday party coming up in a few weeks, so this was the second best way to spend time together that we could think of. More family fellowship over a yummy barbecue, and then lunch with Mom Weinberg, Mom Napper, and Charlene at Grounds Coffee Shop before departing back to Porterville on Monday. So yes, we ate all weekend long!

Regarding Porterville, we have a few updates. Earlier on the radio news program today, the reporter warned drivers to stay clear of Route 198 going east bound. A horse was blocking traffic.

Regarding our kids: last week, one of my students came into class telling everyone how he had found $20 outside. His classmates told him that the money didn't belong to him and he needed to give the cash to me. And he did! And I stared at him...and then I stared at the class. First I wanted to ask them what was wrong with them, but then I realized that might sound funny. So, I took the money and promised them a donut party this week following their test. (No one around campus claimed to have lost $20).

Regarding Visalia, our city: we finally found a restaurant that we truly love and that has a contemporary feel to it, but even though it's on Main Street with lots of cute shops around it, we weren't able to walk into any of those shops after dinner because every store closes by 5:00 on Saturday, and remains closed on Sunday. We were confused by this, but alas - small town living, even in the city!

Taught about September 11th on Friday...it was strange to think about when my kids told me they were between 3-5 years old when it happened... I think if they remember absolutely anything at all from this year in school besides the fact that they think their history teacher is 15 years old (yes, that's what they told me), I do believe they will remember what they learned in class about Septemeber 11th. Glad I had a tissue box. Turns out one of our 280 students had a grandmother aboard one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center....so even in Tulare County, it's personal. How I know they were touched: because after the videos that I showed in class, EVERY one of my 7th, 8th and 9th graders were SILENT and STILL.

Anyhow, not much more to report on for now. Onto Week 5!

Jeremiah's classroom

So here they are! Jeremiah took some updated pictures of his room for you all to enjoy. Such peace, huh? But look at all the desk...a 13 year old body fills each and every one of those seats 5 hours a day!








He gave you a view of the window in his room. I have a window too, however it wouldn't be very pretty to take a picture of because the kids at my school think it's fun to put their handprints all over the windows! I'm trying to find a creative way to make a curtain so I don't have to stare at 7th and 8th grade handprints everyday when I sit at my computer to do work!


Oh, the memories in motion!

And yes, I'm still trying new recipes. This week I made lemon asparagus chicken and if you want to try it, pick up campbell's cream of asparagus soup and it will give you the recipe on the back! Just a hint, more lemon juice makes it even yummier.