Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Goodbye Summer. sigh.


So long.
Adios.
Hasta la vista.
I don't do well with goodbyes.
Never have, never will.
I have no enthusiasm for goodbyes.
When I have people or things in my life,
I like them to be around forever.
I like to think of myself as a cheery barnacle.
Not the kind of barnacle that you want to knock off with a stick (I hope...),
but the kind of barnacle that is a cohesive unit...
mutually beneficial.
I provide you with joy, treats, a couple giggles and a bit of sparkle and you
...well...you can just be you.
Nothing is needed in return, because I have decided to trust you...
let you into my guarded world.
That's enough.
See that crusty barnacle with a little glitter, that's me.












Hi there.
But I'm a realist.
I know that things can't last forever in this life...even those that I love.
But I'm also a dreamer and hopeful for a future filled with joy.
When I lose a beloved person or animal,
I find comfort in thinking about them romping around heaven
waiting for me to arrive someday. 
My heaven has a beautiful farm
where my horses graze in the prime of their life,
and my dogs splash and run too.
Beautiful picture, right?



But some goodbyes come more frequently.
Though it may seem insignificant, saying goodbye to summer has it's difficulties.
If you're rolling your eyes at a teacher moaning and whining about having to go back to work, well, that's not going to stop me. 
It's difficult.
See, teachers live in a different world 9 months out of the world.
From the moment we arrive, to the time we get in our cars at the end of the day, someone needs something from us. 
every. moment.
every. day.
Most people at work don't have people talking to them as they're racing to the bathroom...
sometimes to the point that they continue to talk through the bathroom door.
At most jobs you don't have 36 people talking and asking you questions at the same time...
every. day.
all. day.
Now I'm not saying that summer isn't a fantastic perk,
but really it's an essential break that helps us face the intensity that our job requires.
We're on...all. the. time.

So when summer comes to an end, I mourn.
I wave goodbye to silence.
I say, "Arrivederci!" to finishing a cup of coffee while still hot
...or even warm...or at all.
Goodbye conversations that happen with one person at a time.
So long late night walks and 3 am strolls.
And "Au revoir" to being able to go to the bathroom any time that I want.
Sigh.  That one is difficult.
Goodbye Summer.
See you in a year.
Sigh.
I miss you already.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving













No, it's not Thanksgiving...
but who says that you have to only celebrate Thanksgiving in November?!
It's rainy and cold in November...not very cheery.
Plus, I certainly don't think that being thankful happens only once a year.
For me, I feel lucky everyday for the people and things in my life.
So on this sunny day,
with the sun beaming in my windows,
I'm reflecting on all that I'm thankful for.
(Not in any order...just how it pops in my head.)

My little house on my little street

puppy snuggles

cherished garage sale finds

happy news

discovering new places in my heart

loving my family, more and more every day

yellow...anything that is sunshine yellow, or butter yellow...I love yellow.

Consistency

My "through-it-all" friends...they stick, thank goodness!

the evening breeze

daisies

straws...everything tastes better through a straw

flip flops and pedicures

new and old friends

Murphy and IO's paw-ship (friendship)

Hands that help others

Finding a charity that not only touches my heart,
but it replenishes my soul.
Love FFF!

The Murphy

Oregon berries...every berry that grows.

Mom and Dad :0)

The chance every day
to do something good

love

happy tears

early morning walks

strolls with the stars

summer

and YOU!
I am thankful for YOU
and letting me into your life.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Now I want a Thanksgiving dinner...minus the turkey.
Oooooo...maybe I just need a pumpkin pie.
Now that's being thankful!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Reflections of an 8th grader



Ever wonder what 8th graders actually think about? 
Yes? No?
Either way teenagers are just interesting creatures.
Though they think that school is
"stupid" or "pointless" or "way too long."
When they really think back on their time,
they find a few things that they enjoyed.
Just a few things though...just a few. 




Favorite Things About Middle School:
Band trip to Seattle
More freedom
Art Class with Mr. Rich!
KAOS with Tracy and Amanda
Ape Caves
1st dances
Outdoor School
Girls
New Social Ethics
Reduction Days (hmmm...)
Lunch with your friends
Hunger Games -Reading the book and going to the movie
More mature
The teachers are amazing
Playing with fire
Boys
Work is important- it has meaning
Not having the same teacher all day
Closer to high school
Support from teachers
Band
Chambers
Sense of Independence
Learning experience- you learn to be tough
Solar Car Races
Emmons
Skow
New friends without drama
Free pencils
Lockers
Talent Show
Mr. D(auenhauer)
The Whole Thing!
You learn a lot about yourself and grow as a person
Projects like the island in 6th grade and egg in 7th grade
Teacher know you and you can joke around with them a little more.
Being the oldest in the school
Being weird with nobody judging me
Coming closer together with my peers


Things that You Enjoy About Summer:
Horseback Riding
My Birthday!
Singing and dancing around
No bed time
Not having to wear certain clothes
Ice Cream
Sleep
Sleeping in
Fourth of July
Pendleton Round-up
Adrenaline rushes
Summer Ball! Volleyball, basketball, baseball
Theater camp
Doing Crafts!!!
Mind Craft
Being able to scream whenever I want to
Hanging out with friends
The Beach (Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, Seaside)
Camping
Cheerleading
Eating Junk Food
Building Forts
Exploring
Garage Sales
NO HOMEWORK!
Being Lazy
Long Boarding
Hot Weather
Swimming
Partying (I really hope that these are just movie parties. Cringe.)
Being warm FINALLY
Video Games
Scuba Diving
Rafting
Fishing
Staying up late playing Xbox
QUADS!!!
Annoying my brother
(Ha! I can totally relate to that one!)

I was happy to see that most of the things that they were looking forward to during the summer were outside activities.  And though I wasn't expecting to see it, I was sure glad to see my name a couple times on the "favorite things" list. Whew! 

Don't think for even a moment that we'll forget about you...
...once you're our student, you're always our student. 
Hugs,
Ms. Chambers