Outdoor School

I am sitting in the lodge right now getting a free wireless signal so I thought I'd write. I have had the EXTRAORDINARY privilege of taking the 5th graders to a week of outdoor school on a beautiful lake in Trinity, Texas. This place is beautiful, hard to believe it is in Texas! I look outside and I am reminded of what Oregon looks like.

The kids have had the opportunity to ride horses, go fishing, participate in a huge ropes course, learn about the ecology of ponds, forests, and farms, and much more. Most importantly, they have lived in a cabin in the outdoors surrounded by trees and bright stars for the first time in their lives. They have grown close to their peers and discovered a new sense of leadership and maturity. Most of my students have never been outside of Houston and were SHOCKED when they discovered the night sky and the radiant stars with the Milky Way right over their heads. The look on their face as they saw the stars has forever been imprinted on my mind. It has been so cool being here and watching from afar as they experience what they have been able to experience. The camp provides its own teachers and counselors, so my role has been quite miniscule abling me to watch and observe and work on some much needed work (ie graduate school applications). The kids got a chance to participate in a camp fire and sing songs and perform skits for their peers. At camp, they have bussed their own tables as they eat family style with each student having their own chore or daily task.

We're about to go back to school. I have heard over and over that they would like to stay for another week. I am so happy for them for having been granted this opportunity to explore the outdoor wilderness and discover a world outside of their 74th street and Harrisburg bubble that so many are stuck in.

It's Halloween today! Unfortunately I have a professional development for Teach For America early in the morning and have to work all weekend at Luke's Locker... I am honestly not sure how much longer I can work on the weekends... it is quite draining and not really worth it despite the fun people I get to meet.

Hope you are all well, thinking of y'all, 7 more weeks until Christmas break!!!!

Sick

Ugh, I am not feeling very well. I don't have the option of staying home sick because a. my kids are too far behind with Ike. etc and b. my principal prefers that we come to school no matter what as long as we're breathing. Since I have to be at school, the only thing I feel like doing is sitting at my desk and writing a blog. However, sitting at my desk, to the students, means time to talk and forget every rule in the book. The second I stand up, they get quiet and get back to work, an interesting game to watch and play. These kids are a handful. So much pressure is on me to bring them from 54% last year to 90%. I have faith that I can do it, but it is so hard. Other than a language barrier their main problem stems from laziness. They just don't know what it means to work hard. They have a difficult time using all of their reading strategies, sitting down to work, shutting their mouth, etc. They'd rather see me stand up and get angry.

I had a fairly good weekend. I worked all day Saturday and didn't really do much Saturday night. I randomly had Sunday off, which was nice! I went to church, ran some errands and had a VERY lazy day. I have gotten use to working on Saturdays and Sundays and so yesterday felt very bored with such a slowdown in usual pace. It made me feel lonely and reminded me why I work on the weekends. Last night I went to dinner at a new friend's house (Morgana). Morgana is an 08 corps member and from CANBY! How random!!! She grew up in Mulino then moved to Canby sometime after Mom moved. Her mother was in town and she cooked a Lebanese feast for a group of us. So, not only did I have a home cooked meal by a mom, I also had some Canby love too!
James, a good college friend and fraternity brother is in town for two weeks training for his job. I am looking forward to seeing him. Tonight I am going to a TFA benefit dinner with all the big money philanthropist in Houston as well as the founder of TFA, Wendy Kopp. Should be a good time and good food!

Next week, I am taking the 5th graders to outdoor school for a week at a camp 1 1/2 hours North of here, not really sure what to think nor expect... wish me luck. 7 months left! I have completed 19 miles of the TFA Marathon! WOOOOT!

Fall Happenings

My trip to Portland was amazing. I had a great time spending time with Christina, Mom, and Grandma. The marathon was amazing! I hurt like heck for a few days afterward... I mean I hurt!!! The race itself was fantastic. It was such a cool experience. I ran much faster than I was expecting too and had much more fun than I thought I would. It was pretty cool being in this massive group of fit people that had all been training just as hard as I had been. There was an inspiring amount of camaraderie among the other runners encouraging each other throughout the whole journey. It was wet and cold, but refreshing after spending a summer training in Houston.

School is going well... the countdown has begun to the end of the school. My students are beginning to make gains... I have so much doubt over my effectiveness as a teacher, I just hope I am doing the right thing. My kids are beginning to act like 5th graders and are growing and changing out of their sweet, innocent 4th grade personalities.

I started to go to a young adults group at St. Martin's Episcopal... I am enjoying it thus far... a bunch of young people my age, randomly many of them are teachers. We're reading the book, A Year of Living Biblically about an agnostic man who tries to live one full year by the exact words of the bible... I am on month two of his journey.

Kids are back from the one week trip to PE and it's time for school pictures.

If anyone wants to come and watch the Portland Marathon here is some information. I would love to know if you will be there so that I can look for you! In addition, the support from family and friends would be VERY helpful :)

Spectator Guide

Every year the Marathon runners consistently say how wonderful the spectators are throughout the course and are so encouraged along the way because of your enthusiastic support. We would like to help you find the best spot to cheer on runners with the following suggestions.

DOWNTOWN, due to its proximity to the start and finish areas, is a great area to observe:

* SW Broadway from Salmon north to NW Davis (mile 1).
* East on NW Davis to SW Naito Parkway (Front Ave.).
* South on SW Naito Parkway to SW Harrison (mile 1 to approx. mile 3).
* West on SW Harrison to Barbur Blvd.
* All SW Naito Parkway (mile 4 to 11). Runners pass twice on Naito Parkway between NW 17th Ave. and turnaround past mile 9.
* From NW 17th Ave. and west on Raleigh to mile 12.
* Toward the finish area on 3rd and Madison from NW Flanders and Front Ave. (mile 25 to 26).

Between mile 19 and 20 on Willamette Blvd. 1-5 North, take the Lombard West exit, follow until Olin Ave. or Portsmouth Ave. Take a left on either of the two until Willamette Blvd.

Between mile 21 and 22 on Willamette Blvd. 1-5 North, take the Lombard West exit. Left on Greeley Ave., and right on N. Portland Blvd.

We do not recommend spectators to watch between:

* All spectators must stay out of the assembly area on SW Salmon between SW 4th and SW Naito Blvd.
* Miles 12 and 18 due to the heavy traffic of St. Helens Rd!
* Mile 23 and 25 due to blocked streets or heavy traffic on Interstate Ave.