We're just that cool

As mentioned in a previous post, I decided to go rock climbing again. It was a pleasant surprise that there weren't too many people there, as Saturdays usually yield quite a few rock climbers at the green belt.

Nathan had arranged for us to meet up with a co-worker,Brian, and his fiance,Carissa. Carissa had never rock climbed before and said that she doesn't really like trying new things when other people are watching. I guess she felt pretty comfortable with us because just after Brian and I had gone up she decided to also. As she was up a handful of men with cameras emerged onto the scene. Turns out they are in a photography club and had come to the greenbelt for some shots. They asked if they could take a few pictures of us while we climbed. Of course we obliged.

I really love having pictures of Nathan and I but it is hard to remember to pull the camera out or to have it on me at all! Not long after the photographers arrived some of our friends from church joined us along with 2 of their friends. So what started out as a minimal group of people cheering Carissa on turned into what seemed like a walk on the red carpet. She did great though and got all the way to the top.

Nathan helped out all of us beginners by being the belayer (I don't know how to spell it but it's the person who is controlling the rope from the ground) and coach. He was very patient and helpful. I felt bad that he didn't get to climb much himself but he said that his back was acting up anyway.

So here are a few picutures that our "paparrazi" emailed to us.

Nathan and I

Carissa

Brian

Me again. Well..it IS my blog.

The power of a Compliment

I just recently read a post of a friend's blog wherein he talked about some really nice compliments he'd received lately. It got me thinking about the power of a compliment and why exactly does it have any power at all?

Some compliments make you happy but maybe you don't put a lot of stock into. For example when my first graders tell me that I'm the best teacher in the world. It's very nice but 1) they're in first grade, how many teachers have they really had? 2) At their age memories don't last too long. Unfortunately by the end of this summer some may not even remember my name.

I think other comliments gain power the more you hear them. I've never really thought anything special about my laugh but over the years as I've met new people on a more regular basis I've been complimented on my laugh. The first time I thought, "that was a nice thing for them to say" but now that I have heard it more often from people I feel I have a duty to share my laughter with the world.... just kidding. :) No nothing that dramatic. But at least I feel way less self conscious about laughing. I love to do it so much. It is nice to have a bit more confidence in doing so. I mean, if I would have been compared to a hyena on as many occassions my joy in laughter would have been squelched and I in turn would become an empty shell of a woman.

Some of the best compliments of all are those you receive in regards to something you are unsure of yourself in. I frequently worry about my cooking, as I don't think I'm a good cook. Therefore when my cooking is given a compliment it carries extra power because it makes me think, "wow, there really is hope for me!" Just this Saturday I went rock climbing with Nathan. I can count the number of times I've done that on one hand. It's not something I'm great at. So when he told me how awesome I'd done and how quickly I'd gotten up to the top... I didn't believe him. But he persisted and so now- I think I'll go rock climbing again.

I think we should make a concerted effort to give at least one compliment to someone everyday. It will get easier with time and it will work wonders on you and the person getting the compliment!

I quit!

As the title of my post suggests I recently quit something... my job. And I'm not just talking about the summer break. I will not be returning to the school in August. Do I have another job lined up? No. Is it scary? Not yet anyway.

I guess it was just too bad for me that I started my teaching career probably at the best school in the country. In my humble opinion. It was academically challenging for the students, obviously a challenge for me as a teacher but that would be the case anywhere simply by virtue of the job. The staff was supportive, the parents were involved and made the teachers feel awesome and I felt like my work as a professional was valued and important.

After moving back to Austin from SLC the quest for a new school began. I knew that I'd been spoiled but surely I could find a place somewhat comparable. I'll spare you the gory details of my 2007/2008 school year. In summary, the first week or so left me utterly drained and dreading the next day. At the beginning of the year, an email from a former student at the "fantastic school" stating that it wasn't the same without me, in a better situation would have made me smile with sweet memories. However it made me cry over what I had left behind and it was the first time that I EVER missed living in Utah.

As the year progressed my class and I made huge strides and were able to have fun together on occassion. But it just wasn't the same. In short the end of the school year concluded "not with a bang, but a whimper." The kids were picked up by their parents and went on their way. I had decided a while back that I wasn't going to be returning but I went ahead and gave the official word to my boss on that day. She said I had until the end of June to be sure about it so not to make any hasty decisions. I thought that was a nice offer and part of me thought, "Gosh, is this the right decision?"

The answer to that question came as I drove away from the school for the last time. I heard Dr. King's words in my mind "Free at last, free at last thank God Almighty [I'm] free at last!"

It's true that the students I taught this year were more of a challenge than the previous year. I guess where most of the hardship came was, not from the students, but the lack of support I felt from the school I was at. There wasn't really a system to look to or to lean on. So yes, I do have a place in my heart for the students from this class...just maybe not for the school.