Wintertime Picnic

Today I had a surprise waiting for me at the end of my work day. Dash came to pick me up from work and got Thai takeout for us to eat. He called it a "picnic in the car." It was amazing!! He got me Panang Curry and Beef Pad Thai for himself. What a lovely way to end the day!

It's been sunny here lately, although it's been REALLY cold!! Even though I haven't lived in Arizona for some time now, my mind still thinks that sun equals warmth. The kids at work are enjoying getting outside. It's SO good for them. And really makes our day much better.

Things are finally getting straightened out for 2009. It's taken awhile, and it's been quite stressful. But I'm glad that some relief is here.

I miss being a full time student. I know that by this time next year I'll have said many times that I miss only being in school for 5 credit hours. I got nostalgic for it this week for the first time in a long time. I'm glad that I can do what I'm doing, but it's hard. I think it's wearing on me more than I thought it was. Or expected it to. But all in all, I'm okay. I'll be grateful at the end of this. What's funny though is that I look forward to the day when I have kids and can share this experience with them and then tell them that the world is theirs...they can have whatever they want and they will do it better than I ever could.

It's interesting to realize that while much of our lives are taken up by "education" and schooling that it isn't the ONLY aspect of our lives. I think we forget that sometimes. We can plan all we want but actually coming out on the other side of school is something else entirely.

I hope that this week will bring more stability and routine-- both at home for me and at work. I've picked up some more hours, which is a blessing. I'm now able to spend time with the preschoolers and the school-aged kids. It's nice to have the different variety in my world.

With all the crazy weather we've been having, school's have been canceled quite a bit. One mom said yesterday that it was like the kids came back from 2 different breaks. Our routine in the afternoons have been thrown off some, and no matter what people or kids will tell you, they need stability and routine. It's important for all of us.

I have 2 staff meetings to attend this week. I'm feeling a little afraid of the school-aged one. We're talking about "Reviving Ophelia." I know it will be good, but I just am anticipating that it will be sad. But I also know that it will be good. And I am sure helpful in dealing with and continuing to work with kids.

I'm also finishing up my first week of online classes. I think I'm going to really enjoy it. I like being able to do class on my time. It's nice not to have an hour and a half commute to/from school. I'm finding so many ways of taking back time for me in a good way. It's making me feel accomplished and much more at peace with my life right now.

Sometimes I really don't understand people. Each person is entitled to their own opinions and feelings.

The more I live in the Pacific Northwest, the more I realize that the culture here is very focused on the "me" and primarily the "me" only. It frustrates me. I was raised in a culture and a family that values people. And I'm living in a place where the majority of my things are used by everybody. I enjoy sharing with people, but I feel much less inclined to do so when people are unappreciative or won't share their own things with others. I understand but only so much. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands up and say, "Stop bitching! You didn't have to acquire all of this stuff. Suck it up and stop being a selfish fool."

But then I think, well maybe some days people feel like that towards me. Who knows?

I don't dislike where I live; some days I just really hate the things this culture values.