One Hundred

I have been thinking about this post for quite some time. This marks the historic 100th post of this blog, that I started back in 2011. I began it right after I finished my first ever online blog, Tre. Sei. Cinque, which is Three.Six.Five in Italian. It was my photo a day blog (go ahead, and give it a look see).

So for the 100th post, I have decided to make a list (I really do love lists) of my top 100 things I have done/learned since I started this blog. They are in the order that they come to my mind...

1. Always call a few days in advance to set up the water for your house before you move in. 
2. Pintrest is amazing but can suck you in to hours of time consumption. Be aware.
3. Knowing the weather ahead of time can be your best friend - find a good program to check your daily weather.
4. Take lots of photo adventures with friends.
5. Try to arrange your sickness during breaks and holidays so your mom can take care of you.
6. Kids carry germs. Lots of them. Sanitize and take your vitamins regularly.
7. Performance doesn't mean worth. It is, however, a challenge to believe this of yourself and others.
8. AAA baseball games are amazing and cheaper alternatives to professional games. 
9. Not planning can lead to some fantastic things.
10. Pigeons hold grudges. 
11. Fusion food made look scary but is secretly awesome.
12. Everybody needs a second chance because first impressions aren't always correct.
13. Photography can be such a blessing to others, but mostly to myself.
14. Sandwiches are best done in San Luis Obispo, High Street, Gus's, Konas....
15. Audio books make commutes more than tolerable but enjoyable.
16. The phone is an amazing invention, and I never appreciated it until it became a lifeline to maintain long distance friendships. 
17. Long distance friendships are full of confusion, frustration, and high phone bills. But are also full of God's grace. 
18. Sometimes you have laugh, otherwise you'll cry. But sometimes you just need to cry. 
19. My body will never get used to waking up 5:30 am. 
20. Strength Finder is just as good (if not better) that Myers-Briggs. 
21. Pho 75# 2 is the best Pho place ever. 
22. A child sitting on your lap is better than most expsensive therapy. 
23. Transitions from college to adult is one of the hardest transitions to make. 
24. When looking for a good place to eat, choose a place with the longest line. It probably has the best food. 
25. Joy is not always immediate and sometimes you have try to find it. 
26. The power of the cross is something that we should meditate on daily, not just at easter time. 
27. "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me,' For she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."-  Genesis 16:13
28. Memorizing scripture is one of the best things you can do for yourself. 
29. The best things aren't always done in the conventional way. 
30. Entering a contest can't hurt. You could win a car. Or in my case, a snuggie. 
31. There is never not a bad time for scones. 
32. Forgiving others is not a feeling, it's a choice. 
33. No amount of pre-sleep will ever prepare you for the pain of an all-nighter when you are an adult. 
34. Enjoy the local coffee shops, bars, and bookstores. Even if they aren't actually local to you, they are local to someone. 
35. Know how to disarm your smoke detector. And quickly. 
36. Don't eat all sugary foods all day. It will make you feel like a crazy person. To remedy: eat some eggs or something with salt. 
37. Be excited about the small things. And make a get psyched mix if you need help. 
38. When throwing up, aim for the toilet. If you puke in the sink, you will have to clean it up eventually.
39. Despite might what I may wish, my hair will not truly accommodate bangs the way I want them to. 
40. People admire you when you admit your flaws. 
41. It is appropriate to applaud after airport security finally shuts off a 40 minute beeping alarm. Be warned, it may confuse new comers to the terminal. 
42. Even after our teenage years, much to all of our disappointment, people are still driven by the opinions of others. 
43. Cheerleading can make for a surprisingly good musical with the right writers. 
44. Fries are always meant for sharing. Especially fries from The Hat. 
45. When dressing up for Jr. High students, go big or go home. 
46. "Sometimes you have to have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself." - Blue Like Jazz.
47. Keep calm and eat more ice cream. 
48. Money is stressful when you don't have enough. It is even more stressful when you have more than plenty and try to spend it well. You buy more crap that you don't need. 
49. It is still cool to built a fort when you are an adult. 
50. When people don't respond on the phone, it could mean they are listening intently. It could also mean, they are falling asleep. It is always ok to ask if they are still there. 
51. Drinks are complimentary in first class. And the stewardess will look at you weird when you giggle at this. 
52. I am not exempt from hardship just because of my faith in God. (When God Lets you Down.)
53. Take risks. 
54. The Lord is enough and is greater than the things that I lack. 
55. Bing is the new search engine of choice. 
56. Embarrassment lingers for a moment but shame roots itself in deep. If left undealt with, it becomes a part of your identity. 
57. Be extra nice to people who serve you (waitresses, cleaning crews, stewardesses, etc) because then they will go out of their way to help you. 
58. Sometimes the place you want to be the least is right where you are supposed to be. 
59. Stage Manager should really be Stage Mother. 
60. Want to make actors work better and stay on task - feed them.
61. "The miracle of grace is not that God stops the storms of life. The miracle of grace is that he is willing to stay in the boat with us during the storms of life." - When God Lets you Down.  
62. Our anger is often misplaced, not at the one who is absent, but at the one who is present. 
63. If plan "A" doesn't work, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet. 
64. You can have more than one favorite student. But NEVER tell them who your favorites actually are. 
65. Celebrate the good years with people who have them. It means that they will celebrate with you when yours finally come around. 
66. At age 25, you don't have to have everything figured out.
67. Don't work for people who make you miserable. The paycheck isn't worth it and you still have time to find the job that you love.
68. There is no need to rush dating and marriage. Spend time maintaining the close friendships of people around you. 
69. When moving to a new place, don't spend all your time church-hopping. Figure out what you must have from a church, what you would like but can live without, and what is not necessary. Pick one that fits the best. No church will be perfect but you need to be in community somewhere. 
70. Counseling is an amazing resource and more people should do it.
71. Practice spiritual disciplines like fasting, memorizing scripture, listening prayer, etc. 
72. Volunteer at places. Many places. 
73. Learn how to cook more than just pasta and Top Ramen. Then learn how to cook eggs other than just scrambled and chicken grilled. 
74. Even the young can start a revolution. 
75. The best way to get to know someone is let them take you to their favorite restaurant or cook their favorite meal. Food bonds people. 
76. Sometimes we need to waste our lives for God and to worship him. 
77. When you shut people out of your life, you are risking that they will take the hint and stay away. Be vulnerable with the people that matter to you. 
78. Dress up and let people compliment your outfits. 
79. Wear clothes you love, no matter what people say about them. 
80. "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him." - Psalm 40: 1-3. 
81. Spend time thinking about all the things in your life that definitely didn't happen by chance. 
82. Staying positive doesn't have to be overly bubbly and pink, but it is seeing that there is more to your situation than the here and now. 
83. People do see you when you sing loudly in the car. But their looks just mean they are jealous they aren't blasting their favorite musical. 
84. No matter how many you seem to buy, bobby pins and hair ties always seem to disappear within minutes of opening them. 
85. There are times when you may have to be in a box of crap. 
86. Looking at something close up can bring revelation. 
87. Clean your oven regularly. And regularly is not once every six months. 
88. It is ok to doubt God. Questioning means you are seeking real answers. Just don't stay in that land forever. Let God answer you. 
89. When making a difficult decision, take a false step into it. Try it on for a while and see how it fits before you commit. 
90. Don't let college students get a hold of your hats. Sometimes you don't get them back. Sometimes they play "keep away" from you as if you were back in elementary school. 
91. Be aware of your expectations. If you are holding tightly to a way something is done, God may want to challenge that. 
92. Visit the places you love frequently. You often don't realize how much you love a place until you can't go there. 
93. When you are in college you can miss a lot of sleep each week. When you become an working adult, even missing a few hours of sleep is a death sentence. 
94. Give yourself into what do you love. Your passion will bless others. 
95. We sometimes need to sit in the reality of our own sin, it makes us realize how amazing and necessary that Jesus redeems us. 
96. Nerf wars are always a great idea. 
97. Always know what time it is when you are having a late night conversation. Being loud at 2am is much different than being loud at 10pm. People generally don't enjoy laughter at 2am. 
98. God's kingdom is an upside down one where the king's throne was a cross, where he uses the incompetent for his purposes, and he redeems rather than condemns
99. Sometimes it is best when we don't totally fit in, when we are an astronaut in a robot invasion. 
100. 100 is a really large number and writing a blog post about 100 things you learned is a much larger feat than anticipated... next time I'll do it after only 50. 

The Favorites Competition

I was walking by a group of my students from different periods when one student flags me down...

"Ms M. did you grade my poetry book yet?" - Student One 

"Yes I did, it was very well done." - Me

"It was the best wasn't it." - Student One

"She probably hasn't read mine yet though." - Student Two. 

"Ms. M, I'm your favorite student right?" - Student One

"Of my many favorites, you three are among them." - Me

"Yes but you can only have one ABSOLUTE favorite, and clearly that's me!" - Student Three

Canada and Geometry

May was not the month for blogging since I've only had one post all month. But since only three people probably read this, it doesn't really matter. Man - I've fallen victim for making my readers pity me... whatever.

Anyway, all month my eighth graders have created poetry books and I decided to join them. So I thought I would give you some of my poems that I have created. See the next few posts for them. But I wanted to include this conversation I had with one of my students yesterday.

"Ms. M, you know I just learned in math class that there were seven continents in the world."
"You what? How many did you think there were?"
"Like three..."

this disbelief continued until we got onto the subject of Canada and the student exclaims:

"Wait, Canada's not another state?"
"Well how many states did you think there were?"
"50... I just thought Canada was one of them."
"Canada is bigger than the whole U.S. What did you think Alaska was?"
"What's Alaska?"
"And you want to be a history teacher?! You need to learn your geography."
"But I'm not good at math."
"Did you think I meant geometry?" Students nods her head. "Oh dear, we have a problem."

Ode to a Love Affair

My students are working on a poetry book and their first poem they wrote as an ode. This was mine:

Ode to a Love Affair

The first time I saw you

Hiding in a lonely street

Almost forgotten but I still you
And my heart skipped a beat.

I heard about you from afar

My friends told me of your wonders so great

I knew that I would love you

Even on our first date.

I saw your nametag first

Written in green and white

I knew that I had found heaven

Even at the first sight.

I brought a coupon with me

Tacky I thought it must be

But you were understanding and joyful

For I was prepared you see.

My empty wallet thanked you

For it has little to spare

But you were loving and understanding of my troubles

I thought love this must be so rare.

Each time I went to the place you lived

I was wonderfully fed,

I was so tired from all the food

That I had to go straight to bed.

But our three year love affair must end.

How I terribly the dread that day.

For I am leaving town you see

And I must make my own way.

I will always cherish our time together

I will never forget you my treat.

I will miss your wonderful sandwiches,

Oh beautiful Deli on High Street.

Dear Blank...

Dear PACT, 
Challenge Conquered.
From, Passed!



Dear Frank and Judith,
I'm sorry we never got to officially say goodbye. Those of us in the Elderberry Lodge will miss you forever. But if we should ever return to that campus near the sea, will you please let us ride you? Aren't that what buffalo are for? I know it would strengthen our bond between man and beast.
With love and fond affection,
The Spring Break Inhabitants of the Elderberry Lodge.



Dear Noah, 
We could have sworn you said the boat was leaving at 5. 
- The Unicorns.

Love Poem to PACT

A love Haiku in honor of PACT: 

Twitching eye started 

Chinese food in library

PACT how I love you 

Dear...

Dear Growling Stomach, 
I understand you are hungry but making dinner takes so much effort. Make it yourself if you can. 
Sincerely, Tired. 


Dear Tired, 
Challenge accepted. 
- Stomach. 


Dear Melissa, 
I miss you. A lot. We used to sleep together all the time, now I feel neglected. We need more time together. 
Sadly, your bed. 


Dear Bugs, 
Everytime you hit me, it's like getting gunk on my newly polished surface. I would appreciate it if you flew around the car. 
Yours truly, Windshield. 


Dear Windshield, 
Do you think we want to fly into you? You are huge compared to us and when we hit you, we ---
(from a dead bug)


Dear public school system: 
Thank you for your days off every week. I don't know how kids learn when they are in school only four days a week it seems but I do like to sleep in. 
Sincerely, a new teacher 


The dear [insert random object here] letters will be a regular occurrence throughout this blog as a way to creatively update you on my life. It's like a facebook status - but one that has creativity and purpose.

H2O Irony

A Water Haiku:

My house lacks water
The rain pours onside in heaps
I need a bucket