I'm Alive!!... or at least I think

Yes, to those who check/read/worry/etc. I am very well alive if I say so myself.

In a kinda-quick summary, it has been an extremely busy 2 months packed with emotional, academic, and physical heat. I must say that I am continually learning how to rely on my Savior, on others and myself. I LOVE my students/kids/children/"dudes"/friends/amigos/etc. I continuously pray for them so that I am guided to meet their needs. For those of you who may or may not know, I am in a classroom with a handful of students ranging with all types of challenges - medical, family, etc. It has been trying me, spiritually and emotionally, to a point of almost breaking. I have learned a great deal from my extremely smart and dedicated teacher - I told her she doesn't only have 20 students, but 21 (the one being me). She is exceptionally patient, correcting and helping me be a better prepared teacher. I just want to say and kind of boast (which does not happen often for a person) that by the end of this experience I am going to be a SUPER AWESOME teacher - there's nothing like/can compare to inner-city teaching - nothing. I don't care what anyone says, if you can survive this, you can survive basically and practically anything/any classroom. Of course there will be the challenges but you will be able to address/fix them in a snap, literally.

Other than that ... It has also been an experimental month for Joyce. Why? Well, let's start with my "first's."
- I rode the bus by myself for the first time in October
- I carved (or attempted) to carve my first pumpkin
- I made an extremely sassy text to a boy ... that is a whole 'nother story (I'm so done with men ... yeah right)
- It was my BIRTHDAY! haha ok, not a first
- I went to the Museum of Natural History, soooo amazing
- I took my first picture in the rain with an umbrella (I don't know why this is relevant and here but whatev)
- I'll think of some other ones
- OH!! and I also saw a MOUSE for the first time EVER at my school (almost screamed) - yes, I'm totally serious - and it went under the preschool class door ... eww
- And a kind of sad one: I had to make my first ever parent calls home.
- Yep, the list is endless.

So now, I get to tell you of the question you are probably thinking (and it seems like the rest of the world too): "What are you going to do after you are done?" I'd love to say to find a really hot and attractive (and nice and mormon) man and marry him BUT that seems to be lacking in my life so we'll go with the next best answer. You want honest? I DON'T KNOW. Let's face it, it's hard enough to be a teacher, get certified in a million states and find a job that starts in the middle of the school year - that pays well. I don't know what I'm doing yet but what I DO know is that I've applied for about 12 jobs - so please PRAY that I get at least one. I have been thinking about moving to Cambridge/Boston to be closer to my sister. Like, I really am hoping/crossing-my-fingers/etc. Let's see where life takes me - or my impulses, whichever one comes first. I'm 23 now so I can do that, right?

Pics now since you're probably tired of reading my stories :)

Smithsonian Castle - in the Rain and with umbrella ... *sigh

I love them so much @ b-day dinner Cheesecake Fcatory 

First carving EVER

Just paying a nice visit to my mammal friends, no big

the BIG dino

I dropped the cookie mix I was so excited about  and sliced my finger :(

Eastern Market breakfast - yum

Because I love them this much :)

Washington DC!!

I'm finally here! Well, I have been here since Saturday morning but nonetheless here. I will have to condense everything I have done and learned in a list. At the end I will attach part of a letter I sent to my family about the schools. Here we we!!

1. I survived the "hurricane" 

2. Laura is such an amazing friend. Thank you!

3. My apartment is pretty legit. We called it a "hotel" by mistake

4. I have the master bedroom, my own walk-in closet AND a view of the Pentagon. 

5. I have great peers and roommates.

6. The grocery store is so far away. We got lost getting there, bought too much, and had to carry it in the metro. Pain in the REAR. We have proof. 

7. Found the fastest and easiest route to get to the grocery store the day after.

8. Almost killed the metro machine where you get in. I guess you're not supposed to put the card through . . . the guy was like "You want to break this or what?!?" Funny but embarrassing. Not a good sign of blending. 

9. Never, EVER stand on the left side of the escalator - there will be a stampede of people running behind you.

10. Witnessed a robbery when waiting for the metro to arrive. With police chasing and everything. Wow. 

11. I love riding the metro!

12. I need to buy lots of hand sanitizer.

13. Visited National Mall, Union Station, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress (my fave), and the Capitol. 

14. It hasn't been as humid as some people say it has been. 

15. Very attractive singles in my ward. Like very attractive. 

16. I will be in 1st grade!!

17. Have walked about 4 miles daily. Easily. 

18. I'm very happy and excited to be living here.

19. Hope I get a job here after I'm done!

20. I'm doing a pretty good job of blending - until I pull my camera out. Hah. 

Here is the excerpt of the letter: 

Today, I was able to go into the two elementary schools we will be closely working with - Miner Elementary and Maury Elementary. I will be in a 1st grade class in Maury Elementary. I think it was a definite culture shock when I got to these places. The streets seemed to come from movies and the schools themselves were renovated but still had a lot of parts of the old building. We were greeted at Miner Elementary by security, which every schools has, and a wonderful principal. You have to remember that these schools are 97% black - teacher andstudents. So you could see how that could be a bit intimidating. Just imagine 8 white people coming into a predominately black school - looked kinda funny. The principal, accompanied by her staff (or as she called them her "golden girls) told us the history of education weaved with information on education during the Civil Rights Movement, the history of Miner Elementary and made every educator in the room introduced themselves. This school has some of the greatest resources and programs (like Reggio Emilia preschool programs, government, etc)  I have heard of and some I have never even thought to have! This principal has a partnership with just about every important organization, university, and museum in the city. I can tell that she allocates her resources very, very efficiently and I saw this as I toured the school. They have art and music rooms, and science all around the school (including animals, a pond and a vegetable garden). Now, I feel this is a great place to have these resources bcause about 80 families in this school are homeless. This means that about 2-4 kids in each family are homeless and come to this school. You're talking approximately 160 to 320 students.These kids come to school seeing things they've never seen or heard of, and are welcomed into an environment that is welcoming, loving and uplifting. Now, Maury Elementery is where I will be teaching. The school was recently renovated (they moved in 2 days before school started) and we arrived at the same time the architects did. Apparently, some of the flooring glue stuff wasn't dried yet when the earthquake happened so they are going to have to do some fixing; therefore, we could not meet with the principal since she was busy. But, we were able to tour the school and I am extremely excited to be in this school. It's new, they have great resources, have great technology, and works closely with the programs at Miner Elementary. I can't wait to start on Friday! I will be taking the metro and them walking about 20 minutes to get to school - that means I will have to leave home at around 7:15 to make it in time for 8, yikes! I'm so happy to be in such a wonderful place with great schools and support. 

The thing that struck out to me today was one question made by the principal and staff of one school: Why would I, being a white student teacher, want to teach or be in an all black school? They didn't phrase it exactly this way but the meaning was the same. I thought long and hard about the answer since I was completely taken aback. What I answered them and myself I said because I care to educate, support and love children, no matter where they come from or what their situation may be. I want to be an instrument in God's hand to care for his little ones, to love them, teach them, and essentially do everything in my power to enhance all aspect of learning for my students and as a teacher. I hear many great things happen, as some here call them "miracles," in these schools, to the students being taught and the teachers. I can't wait to meet the little ones, get to know them, earn their trust, teach and grow as a teacher. I will be sure to think about this question throughout the semester and I'm curious as to what the response will be at the end of the semester. 

-pardon the spelling

Now what you've been waiting for - PICTURES!

This important street has my name!! 

Metro!!

Metro station

Archives Gallery - Where the Constitution is . . .

National Gallery of Art - I saw a the only Leonardo DaVinci painting in the US. 

I think where the Supreme Court meets . . .

Library of Congress!

Library of Congress

Capitol Building

Beautiful, huh?

much love!! :)

um

Sorry! This is just so I can copy picture below for something :)

The search has ended and we have a winner! (and update)

Yes. I have searched high and low, day and night. And I have found it, just perfect. If you are wondering if I have found my eternal mate you are way far from what I'm talking about (he'll come eventually I guess). It's actually so ridiculous you might stop reading this after you find out what it is. So, I keep you in suspense . . . Have you ever looked for something that was not significant but so important to you? Well, this is what I was searching for and I will explain why . . . a boot. That's right, and boot has kept me up later at night than school has.

Here's the thing: I have giant calves . . . well not that big but a size that boots are next to impossible for me. They take me years to find them and are usually either very expensive or cheap. I've liked my boots in the past and believe me when I say I have tried just about any boot style/fit out there. I wanted to get some nice looking boots for DC, ones with a mid-heel to wear at work and on the weekends. The ridiculous search began about two weeks ago when I started to look them up online. I first looked for the same brand as my old ones and found a site that had them, but I wasn't convinced. My calve measure 16" and most boots' circumference come in 15" - impossible for me to get through my calves. I found some that were cute and ok priced but I wasn't sold on them. Like when you know you have found something good but it doesn't feel right. So, the searched continued up to shoes.com, a great site btw. They has the boot I was looking for and had it in my cart for about 6 days while my mind decided to make itself up. I discussed it with Blanca and she said to go on and buy them since it would be hard to find other ones on sale, with free shipping and that fit me - but I waited. I felt so depressed at times that I even looked at plus size women's boots - sad story of my life! But, they were expensive and not my style. I came by these Madden Girl boots and thought they were cute and would fit on the calves, but they were last year's model and impossible to find. I looked at another pair of Madden Girl boots and read the reviews; it sounded pretty well except the info on the boot said that it was 15" circumference. That night, after staying up late and looking at virtually every shoes site there is (if you need a site for shoes just ask me and I will direct you), had a dream/nightmare about boots - pathetic, I thought, just plain pathetic. Just yesterday I decided to look them up and found that DSW had them so I went to try them on at the store and ALAS they fit like a glove!! I thought I would start dancing of how happy I was. I knew that the wait was necessary to make such an important purchase (hahah, I'm crazy).

My "I'm searching for the perfect boot" face

So if you are still reading the ridiculous boot story of my life, you really know how much this has meant for me and my self-esteem. I mean, just posting the size of my calve is like revealing my weight or something. Thank you for reading - I appreciate you!!

The ONE

Update on life: Nothing is really happening other than work and being home. Oh, and the super hot summer -  if you would believe that I love this 100+ weather.  I went to Sea World yesterday and redid my tan/burn. Now tomorrow is off to Six Flags for more tanning!! and burning?? I gotta grab some color while I can . . .

Here's what's been going on in picture - who needs words?

After a day of sun and water @ Sea World with Hailey

Omar planking . .  . we're working on it :) 

Hailey's soccer game -  she scored 1!

My favorite picture! They are so cute for church, smiling and standing beside each other for more than 5 seconds!  This never happens. 

Summer days and silly faces 

What more can I ask for my summer evening to be complete than having Austin running outside on his superhero undies?? priceless . . .   

Yep, he's here and ready to save you from . . . iguanas?? LOVE this child :)

Much love!!

*sorry for typos! I'm by no means a writer