Let The Feeling Move You...

So, as I embark on my fourth year of teaching and as I move on to a brand new school, I can't help but think about my most favorite moments of teaching.  One occurred during the spring of my first year.  

My students and I are quickly preparing for a night called "Celebration of Learning." You know, a night where parents come to oohh and ahh over their children's achievements.  Anyway, it's third period and we've just had some thoughtful discussion about S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, I'm sure :)  My students close their novels and begin to pack up.  Before we transition to fourth period, I pass out their poetry project posters and give them one simple direction.  "Find an empty, appropriate space in the room.  Grab some tape from the various dispensers on the back table and hang your poster up."  After that I answer the general questions like, "Anywhere, Ms. Jones?  Even the whiteboard?"  Then, students are up, gliding around the classroom, contemplating that perfect spot for their posters.  Tape leaves the roll, chairs begin to move for the top spots, and everyone starts admiring the work of peers.  Admist the ruckus, I attempt to monitor the girl on her tip-toes in a chair by the television, offer suggestions as to how much tape everyone should use, and the like.  And then, I realize the rise of a sound...a note, if you will coming from the middle of the classroom.  I glance over to see one of my students standing in the center of our chaotic little world with his hands above his head singing, "AHHHH!" at the top of his lungs.  Slowly, I approach his little bubble and tap him on the shoulder.  Of course, his eyes are closed during his solo and I scare the notes right out of him.  Unsure of how to handle this performance and well aware of the nineteen pairs of eyes waiting for my reaction, I ask our superstar to step outside.  As the door closes, I say a little prayer for his parents, and ask, "What in the world were you doing?"  And, as serious as a heart attack, he says, "I don't know.  The feeling just moved me..." 

This is my world, people, in the land of seventh grade.

So, when the wedding stress combines with teaching stress, I'll take the advice of that student (who by the way, will legally be able to drive a car this year) and let the feeling move me.

The beginning...

This is the first known picture of me and Will circa 2005...ahhh the YMCA.  That's where we met about four years ago as summer camp counselors.  Anyway, enough with memory lane.   

Engagement Party Directions

From Athens:

1.  Follow U.S. 129 to Gainesville (starts out as Prince Avenue).  You'll go through Arcade, Jefferson, and Pendergrass (about 36 miles).

2.  This road turns into EE Butler Parkway/GA 11/Green Street in Gainesville.  Follow it for 1.4 miles.  

3.  Turn right onto Glenwood Drive and drive about two tenths of a mile before turning left on to Memorial Drive.  The house will be on your right.

Final Destination Address:  812 Memorial Drive - Gainesville, GA

From Atlanta:

1.  Merge on to I-985 from I-85.

2.  Take exit 22 towards Jefferson/Gainesville.

3.  Turn left onto EE Butler Parkway/GA 11/US -129 and follow it until you get to Glenwood Drive (about 2.5 miles).  Turn right onto Glenwood and then left onto Memorial Drive.

Final Desitination Address: 812 Memorial Drive - Gainesville, GA

If you have any problems, give me a call.  I will have my phone and Will on standby to help out :)

St. George Island

So, I realize I've been away from the blog for a while, but we really enjoyed vacation last week and I think all of us were sad to leave :(  St. George is such a beautiful place and holds some of my most favorite memories...It is where I first saw a real, live dolphin at the age of seven.  Even this year, as I sat in the shade of an umbrella with my feet buried deep in the sand, I grew extremely excited to see that glimmer of an oily black fin cresting in the waves.  Ahh...that's why I love the island so much.  When I feel the stresses of daily life drowning out my sensibilities, I think about St. George and it's unending peacefulness.  I can almost hear the laughter of my sisters and my cousins from all those years ago, terrorizing crabs on the shore after dark with our flashlights and nets.  Running up and down the coastline with a net and a head lamp is one of the most exhilirating feelings in the world.  For those of you who have been to our happy place, I know you can relate.  For those that haven't, I wish you could.  And although a twinge of sadness tugged at my soul when we left last Sunday, I was only able to think about my most favorite moment of vacation.  It's that first sight of the ocean that gets me.  Peeking through the trees ahead as we drive down Highway 98, the gulf reaches out and wraps its' salty arms around me on the drive in.  And for a week...hopefully next year, two...I breathe a little deeper and sleep a little easier.  

Here are some pictures from the week!