Sweet Caroline... dun dun dunnnnnn

I just watched Fever Pitch again. I love this movie. Simply love it.

I can't help but have a little fantasy that I live in Boston, and by some terrific miracle my husband and I have enough money (and the hand of God) in our life to have season tickets to the Red Sox. Not kidding, my heart skips a beat just thinking about it.

I would like to move to Boston someday. At least somewhere in New England. Preferably in about five years. So maybe my season ticket holding husband is waiting for me there. Here's to hope, huh?

Side note... I realized while watching the movie that beer in a plastic cup looks like pee. Why would you drink something that looks like pee?

Then again, I like apple juice, so...

Glorious

I see the world in pictures, as opposed to just images. I am not a photographer, per se, but when I look at the world I see photos. I can't tell you how many times a day I think, "Oh, that would be a GREAT picture!". Usually I think it and move on. Tonight however, I went out to brave the freezing cold, in my pj's and bare feet, to take some pictures off the back deck.

That one, of course, is my favorite.

Worthy is the Lamb

I just had the most wonderful conversation with Kathy, a woman whom I fondly refer to as Mamacita because she's my second mother. We just talked about life and the Lord, and what's going on in our lives.

I am reminded of how much it means to me to talk to people that know me. People who understand me. I can say what I mean in very few words, sometimes they know what I am saying without words at all, even over the phone. My pauses say more than words.

It's hard to tell someone from home that I love that I may never live there again. Yet with someone like Kathy living there or not will not have much of an effect on our relationship. We are close and 5 months with nearly 3,000 miles between us hasn't affected that. Just like having Sharon in Siberia for two years, or Sho in Japan for a year hasn't torn us apart; rather, we are even closer.

There's a song called Worthy is the Lamb sung by Darlene Zschech of the worship team at Hillsong church in Australia. One of the saddest moments of my life, yet perhaps sweetest, took place in our conversation when she told me that someday when she has joined Christ and there is a party held for her- not a funeral, not a memorial, but a celebration- she wants me to sing that song with her daughter. She said there is a memory of our mission trip to Cranbrook that she just treasures, with me singing Worthy is the Lamb, and the moment was so powerful that she couldn't put it into words. Yet I knew what she meant, somehow. I get incredibly nervous singing in front of people, yet for her I would without hesitation. I would be terribly saddened at my loss of her, yet rejoicing in her gain of meeting our Lord face to face.

I want to end with the lyrics to Worthy is the Lamb- it's an incredible song in it's own right, and even fitting into the Thanksgiving theme though it's 1 am Friday east coast time, thus not technically Thanksgiving anymore.

Worthy is the Lamb
(Text and Music: Darlene Zschech, 2000)

Thank You for the cross, Lord.
Thank You for the price You paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame, in love You came and gave amazing grace.
Thank You for this love, Lord.
Thank You for the nail pierced hands.
Washed me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know,
Your forgiveness and embrace.

[Refrain]
Worthy is the Lamb, seated on the throne.
Crown You now with many crowns,
You reign victorious.
High and lifted up, Jesus, son of God.
The Darling of heaven, crucified.
Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.

With a grateful heart

So I've been asked more than once what I am doing for Thanksgiving. I have sort of avoided the question because I've not really felt up to answering it, only because I want to avoid the pity party.

I am doing Thanksgiving alone. Now, don't cry for me Argentina. Despite numerous offers to go to countless people's holiday festivities, I have chosen to do this on my own. I bought a turkey, stuffed it, and it's in the oven. Last night I made a pumpkin pie. I've got potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries, and nummy rolls. I'll have leftovers for a LONG time

This is my first time making a turkey, and I figure if I ruin it then it only affects me and not an entire family! I usually am a pretty good cook though, so I doubt I'll ruin it. But there's always a chance. I know enough to bake it at 20 minutes per pound and I took out the giblets and neck (yuck!). Hopefully it turns out yummy.

The main reason I am here alone is because I really want the down time. You see, I am in high demand from 80 teenagers for 8-10 hours a day, not to mention countless other teachers, principals, curriculum specialists, etc. I have four roommates (it's a big house, but still). That with the constant barrage of e-mails and all the responsibilities of being an adult, like paying bills and car maintenance and keeping such a huge house clean, has me totally excited to spend four days totally alone. I am not answering the phone, I am not doing school planning until Sunday, and I am just chilling and taking care of what I want to take care of. That includes finally unpacking all my stuff, getting my room organized into my anal retentive standards, and buying a TV for my classroom when everything's crazy cheap tomorrow.

I thought I might be sad and homesick, but I am honestly not. I love having serious down time, totally alone. It's great!!

Things I am thankful for:

*My relationship with my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ
*My friends- including all the amazing people I have met since joining TFA
*My wonderful students ("my kids"
*My job- what a blessing to get paid to do what I love
*Great roommates (not to mention the nicest house I have ever lived in- praise God!)
*My mom- we have gotten a lot closer in the last year or so and I am so thankful for that.
*My Zags!!!
*My future husband... I don't know who or where he is, but today my sentimental self feels so connected to him. I wonder where he is and what he's doing right now... I can't wait to meet you, baby!

I could go on forever but I'll stop there. I hope that those of you with family and/or friends are taking the time to stop, look around, and be grateful to the one true God for all He has blessed you with.

lol... yay for pilgrims stealing corn from Native American graves, huh? (That's how we got Thanksgiving... the pilgrims were going hungry, so they stole corn from graves to eat, the Native Americans then shot arrows at the pilgrims, and they all came to an eventual truce in which the NA's taught the pilgrims how to grow corn. So there you have it.)

What day is it? And in what month?

So we lost a bit of a heartbreaker, but I love my Zags. It's not just that they can play with the big boys- we are the big boys now! I just about bit my frickin' finger off there towards the end with all the tension.

Let's start off with the team logos for UConn and the Zags:




Ok, now come on. UConn's puppy looks like something you want to take home and sneak little bites of your dinner to under the table. GU's bulldog looks like it should- a fierce competitor.

Some stuff we need to work on:

1) We cannot- I repeat- CANNOT keep fouling this much. We got lucky in that we didn't really get into foul trouble, but we had four fouls in the first 1:38 of the game. If we didn't allow so many bonus points (that is, points made off free throws due to fouls) the game might have had a different outcome.

2) I am feeling better about our defense, but it's clear that our man defense is very rough around the edges. The aforementioned (in a previous entry) problem with our zone is that it leaves us vulnerable to perimeter (3 point) shots. Even in the WCC there are guys who will make us pay for that. At the same time, our zone defense is good. You can tell that it's what the guys feel the most natural in. Our man defense is sketchy at best. At the same time, hello, it's November. We're playing quite a few freshman and guys that didn't get many minutes last year so I personally don't think you've seen even a shadow of how good we can be.

Well, maybe a shadow.

3) Turnovers. Maybe this is a result of those young guys, but these boys aren't on the JV squad in high school, and there should not be travels, palming the ball, or double dribbles. Tonight we did all right here compared to the Maui opener versus Maryland, but still- the few we had were picked up on by UConn and they made us pay in points off turnovers. Another way we handed away some points. Again, though, it's November. I am assuming we won't look like this in March (and we WILL be playing late into March this year, baby!)

4) Finally, we have got to work on our rebounds. Now, to be fair, we actually way out-rebounded UConn tonight- 43-27. But the fact is that we just aren't as big inside as the teams we'll be facing in March and we have got to get boxing out down to an art form. Also, reading the ball for rebounds is crucial. Obviously, sometimes the ball just takes a bad bounce off the rim and you weren't expecting it. But our weak side presence needs to step it up.

So that's my update. Most of you probably could care less, but I love these guys- they're my team! You gotta love your team, and I have stuck with them through thick and thin. It's nice to be in a thick year :) I actually kind of wish all the national hype would die down, but we have a real shot at the final four. Plus, we have something a lot of other teams lack- a real true sense of team. These guys are selfless- even "superstar" (as referred to by ESPN sports commentators) Adam Morrison knows when it's time to take the shot and when it's time to pass it off. They play with passion, not just emotion. Emotions can flounder but passion drives.

#3 UConn 65
#9 Gonzaga 63

One last thing... (the male readers will shake their heads at this) but... not only is J.J. Redick (Duke) a great all-around player, but the guy is smokin' hot. I won't complain at catching some Duke games ;) But here's a little ditty from Sportscenter for y'all:

J.J. Redick quote [pertaining to his scoring inside the arc]:
"I've found other ways to score. I'm not playing at the level of Adam Morrison last night or anything like that."

And then... I can't not include this... a quick little jab from one of the ESPN Sportscenter dudes in response:
"[Redick's] not Morrison but wise enough not to grow the moustache"


A big, hearty "Amen" to that one.

And they say that a hero can save us

That was simply one of THE most amazing basketball games I have seen in my life. There will not be a ball game like this again for a LOOOONG time. Not just because I love the Zags- this was just incredible. Though I swear my heart was pumping all erradically and I was literally frozen in a little ball in the last 30 seconds of all four endings!

College players tonight put NBA players to shame. They executed plays flawlessly. There was an upwards of 25 lead changes, and just about every time down the floor points went up on the board. Triple overtime proved that Gonzaga's main men could play long minutes and stay on it, running their cuts, boxing out, whatever needed to be done they were on it even at the end of a 55 minute game. Also, Ammo missed his first free throw but after that we didn't miss a one. So proud.

Ammo's sad attempt at a moustache is absolutely killing me, but beyond that they are doing quite well.

Here's a little exchange between a good friend of mine from high school and I after the game (after and not during because I do nothing but watch the game when we play!):

[me]tk - GO ZAGS!! says:
Did you SEE that game?
tk - GO ZAGS!! says:
AMAZING!!!
Go ZaGs!! says:
HOLY S#!T!!!**
tk - GO ZAGS!! says:
My heart is still pumping all crazy
Go ZaGs!! says:
I about puked in my mouth!!! It was awesome
tk - GO ZAGS!! says:
I was like ready to fall out of my chair, no kidding!
tk - GO ZAGS!! says:
Wow, your puking comment TOTALLY trumps my chair comment!
**I personally don't curse/cuss so I altered her original words :)

One more thing- I have to give major props to Michigan State, and especially Maurice Ager. That boy can play some ball. And he loves Jesus, which is a major plus!

#9 Gonzaga 109
#12 Michigan State 106

So far down, away from the sun

Read this article- I promise, you won't regret it.

Making money on my brain now, instead of 'caine now

So I just got a memo from my school stating that Harvard announced over the weekend that they're giving free tuition, room and board, books, etc, to families with income under $40,000 a year. One article said that students will still be expected to meet some self-help requirements via grants and such, but still- that's awesome. Of course, the students will still have to meet Harvard's rigorous admissions requirements, but it's incredible to me that I would have had a real shot at Harvard. I didn't apply because I knew that I could never afford the costs... this gives hope to some of my students in the same position I was in.

I hope that other schools, particularly those with huge endowments (i.e. most of the Ivy league schools which are so far out of reach for the vast majority of the population no matter how "bright" they are) follow suit.

About that song...

Ok, PS- If you can tell me the name of the aforementioned Irish sounding song that GU always plays at their home games I will pay you one million dollars.

Well, not really.

But I'd be really grateful.

[insert melody from the Irish sounding song Gonzaga always plays at their games]

Gonzaga rocks my face off.

That said, we looked good tonight. There for a little while we were getting too hyped, throwing the ball away and making foolish mistakes. Then we came out chill in the second half, played the game at our pace, executed our offense, and just played Gonzaga basketball. We also shut down the perimeter shot (aka the three-pointer for you non-basketball literates) which is our huge weakness. We shuffled our defense from our standard 3-2 zone into man back into a different zone (this time a 1-2-2... I don't know the real name, I can't lie. But it has a man out on point, then with a man at each corner of the key, two on top and two on bottom). Our defense is what normally keeps us out of the upper tiers of the NCAA tourney in March so maybe this year things will be different.

How about Ammo? (Adam Morrison) This All-American scored 25 points and pulled down 9 rebounds- one rebound away from a double double baby!! Derek Raivio, my favorite sophomore point guard, had 23, and our only real senior, J.P. Batista (I doubt Floyd will get many minutes), put in 21.

What I really liked was how we played with confidence. Not a bunch of nervous guys with something to prove- we just played our game and it looked good. There are definitely some kinks to work out and it was closer than I would prefer, but we buckled down and played basketball. We looked good- yay for us.

Final score:

#9 Gonzaga Bulldogs 88
#20 Maryland Terrapins 76

I love these boys!! You'll be sure to hear a lot throughout the season!

Stay right here in the light...

I have had another blog, on another site, for a while now but I am feeling like perhaps it's time to move on. Something about turning 24 is changing me. Or is it me changing and being 24 is just part of the process? All I know is somehow I feel like I went to bed a girl and woke up a woman. It wasn't a gradual thing, slowly finding more and more of myself leaning towards maturity. It was sudden. One minute I was sleeping all day and putting off writing papers, and the next I was getting up way before sunrise and found myself responsible for the education of 80 high school juniors.

That said, blogging at blogger (redundant, I am sorry) seems more mature somehow. Perhaps I am silly, but so many things have changed in the last year. One year ago I was student teaching and feeling slightly restless. I had lived in eastern Washington (the state; it should go without saying, but sadly it doesn't) my entire life and suddenly I had the itch to see a little more of the world, or at least the nation. Two month trips to China, three weeks in Honduras, etc, just weren't cutting it anymore. Then I heard of Tea*ch for Am*erica (hereon referred to as TF*A)- a program working with the nation's most impoverished children in the worst schools. The heart of the program is to bring an end to educational inequity, to eradicate the education gap.

My heart quickened within me upon my first visit to the website and the rest is history. The next thing I knew I was boarding a plane at the beginning of June, from Spokane to Raleigh. After a quick "This is what T*FA looks like in E*NC [East*ern No*rth Carol*ina]" week, I spent almost 6 weeks in Houston in teacher boot camp teaching 6th grade social studies. See, to be in T*FA you don't have to be trained for teaching, though I was. The goal is to take the nation's best and brightest college grads and get them to commit at least two years to teaching a subject they are highly qualified in. Upwards of 12% of the graduating classes from Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and the like apply. Had I known that these were the "competition", and that only 2,200 of over 17,000 would get in I might have been deterred. But I didn't know this- I only knew that when I started reading about the mission to see that "One day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education" it was me.

My degree from Whitworth College enables me to teach secondary social studies (aka 5-12 grade history/sociology/economics/psychology/anthropology/civics) just about anywhere that will take me, but what TF*A gave me was the opportunity to go beyond my comfort zone into a place that really needs quality teachers. So now I teach US history three times a day, 90 minutes each, to majority Black (68 of 79) students, with most of them in various depths of poverty. They are all eleventh graders but read on an average of about a sixth or seventh grade level. Most cannot easily subtract from 100 (something I learned quickly when we graded papers in class.) They know even less about history. However, they are extremely opinionated, albeit largely uninformed, on issues dealing with government. Most seriously think that there are still thousands of people in the superdome and on rooftops with no aid from anyone, particularly FEMA and what have you. Though, to be honest, most may not know what FEMA is.

This, then, is why I am here. The fact is, I love them. Had you asked me at ten if I would be in love at 24 I would have given you an emphatic yes (I've always been romantic... and optimistic!). I just expected it to be with one man and not 80 "po' kids" (as they say... must get it all into ebonics with the slightest southern edge!) in rural North Ca*rolina. "We po', Ms. TK [or T-kizzle, depending on the kid], we po'." There's still no man on the horizon, but I truly am content.

Being that I am a serious and devoted Christian (a better way to say that is that I have a deep and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ) this is an incredible way to do ministry. In the classroom I cannot teach God's truth by specific reference, but my patience, respect, demeanor, and outlook speak volumes to them. They don't know how to handle a well-adjusted (aka popular and well-liked- not a loner) young teacher who doesn't drink or cuss. Imagine if they knew that I have never even had a boyfriend (by choice... a story for another time!), let alone am a virgin. Anyway, there is nothing I would rather do than work with and serve youth so I am one blessed girl.

So... that's my first entry. One last little sidenote- hereinthelight comes from a song called Stay by Jeremy Camp. Amazing song, and I highly recommend it. Most all of my entries will start with song lyrics, so settle into that ;) Also get used to the fact that I LOVE SPORTS so there will be much talk about such things as Gonzaga (GO ZAGS!!), the Seahawks, the Patriots, and come April- or before- the M's (Mariners) and Red Sox. I am a girl torn between allegiance to Seattle and Boston. I grew up in WA, so Seattle makes sense, but I have never been to New England. Can't explain that one. But I am rather interested in moving to New England, and the Boston-ish area, in five or so years. We shall see! But I NEVER shut up so I shall go now.

Below: These are some of my kids dressed up for tacky day during homecoming week.