(This is from a couple of months ago) I was looking through Micah's pictures from Africa today looking for sunset pictures and I was just thinking about how grateful being in Africa made me. I have come back to the U.S. for 4 months now and it seems that I so quickly forget the lessons learned so this serves as a reminder to me as well as to you of some of the things that I learned in Africa that I cannot allow myself to forget.
Do Not Forget...
...that sunsets are not created because of smog, pollution, and global warming... God created it...
...that schools have resources even if they just have enough teachers for each class to have only 40 students...
...that life it too short to miss small smiles...
...that life is too short to even think I could make it a moment without prayer...
...that hospitals hold too many hurting, need healing people who also just need a friend...
...that races must be ran and won...
...that there are some classrooms in the world who have 70 kids and they do not get paid and they still smile...
...that people are people... they hurt, heal, cry, smile, frown... and they need other people... just like we do...
...that children have been created to be loved not to love... they need someone to hold their hand, pick up their stuff, and sometimes pick them up and hug them...
...sometimes we just need someone to play with our hair and not look at it in the mirror...
...a smile goes a million miles and a pictures is a thousand words and sometimes those words need to be heard...
...it is important to say what you need to say even if you know it's going to be awkward or just not right... it needs to be said... say it.
Never forget how important and valuable life and how quickly it could be gone. Love those you have been given and smile at those who need it and give a dollar to the lady who asks for it... because it could have been you and somehow it's not.
-Melis
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Ode to Christmas Traditions
If your family is any kind of crazy like mine, you have Christmas traditions, maybe normal, maybe not so much but the list of the day of course is about Christmas traditions. We don't have that many, but I think they make for a list.
1. Tris and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, except this year, she told me I can't have all of it on Christmas Eve, what the what.
2. Chocolate pie for dessert at Gammy's.
3. Cole sticking his finger in the chocolate pie at Gammy's and then me and Trista almost beating him up for it.
4. Gammy's dinner prayers while everyone has already started eating.
5. Stories of what life was like for Grandpa when he was younger.
6. Christmas morning videos and gifts.
7. Watching the Christmas story and whatever other movie or TV show marathon is on.
8. Quoting Elf while in a store before Christmas.
9. Christmas breakfast at Noon.
10. Gammy and Poppa coming to see our Christmas presents, yes we are 23 and 25, but age is a little overrated.
11. Mom and Daddy arguing because "they weren't supposed to get anything for the other one."
12. Mom crying or tearing up because of a gift that Tris and I get her.
13. Dad being a goof (oh wait, that's not just a Christmas tradition, it's year round.)
I'm sure there are more things but I can't think of anymore right now. And of course after Christmas shopping... so excited for that! So to all of you celebrating Christmas and the holidays, I hope that you have a merry one with those you love and drive you crazy! Merry Christmas!
-Melis
1. Tris and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, except this year, she told me I can't have all of it on Christmas Eve, what the what.
2. Chocolate pie for dessert at Gammy's.
3. Cole sticking his finger in the chocolate pie at Gammy's and then me and Trista almost beating him up for it.
4. Gammy's dinner prayers while everyone has already started eating.
5. Stories of what life was like for Grandpa when he was younger.
6. Christmas morning videos and gifts.
7. Watching the Christmas story and whatever other movie or TV show marathon is on.
8. Quoting Elf while in a store before Christmas.
9. Christmas breakfast at Noon.
10. Gammy and Poppa coming to see our Christmas presents, yes we are 23 and 25, but age is a little overrated.
11. Mom and Daddy arguing because "they weren't supposed to get anything for the other one."
12. Mom crying or tearing up because of a gift that Tris and I get her.
13. Dad being a goof (oh wait, that's not just a Christmas tradition, it's year round.)
I'm sure there are more things but I can't think of anymore right now. And of course after Christmas shopping... so excited for that! So to all of you celebrating Christmas and the holidays, I hope that you have a merry one with those you love and drive you crazy! Merry Christmas!
-Melis
Monday, December 14, 2009
"Negative Nancy" starring Me... and the Sequel "Positive Polly" also starring Me
A list of negative things that I complain about on a regular basis, or things that just annoy me that I don't verbally complain about, just with body langugage...
1. Stupid people saying stupid things
2. Ungrateful people
3. People that can't drive
4. People that don't know to merge
5. Students who don't know how to keep their mouths closed
6. People who do drugs and then yell at other people
7. Dirty dishes
8. Whiners... whining about people who whine and things that make other people whine
9. People who don't say the pledge
10. Bossy people who are lazy
11. People who are lazy in general
12. When my heel gets stuck in the crack of the sidewalk
13. Popping gum
On that note, I'll make a list of positive things...
1. My own bed to sleep in
2. Money to buy the things I need
3. Great cards
4. Bookstores
5. Sweet things that people say or send in text messages
6. Getting flowers
7. Sincere apologies
8. Being a "homie"
9. Laughing and being with friends
10. Family, holidays, special occasions, home.
Happy Holidays!
-Melis
1. Stupid people saying stupid things
2. Ungrateful people
3. People that can't drive
4. People that don't know to merge
5. Students who don't know how to keep their mouths closed
6. People who do drugs and then yell at other people
7. Dirty dishes
8. Whiners... whining about people who whine and things that make other people whine
9. People who don't say the pledge
10. Bossy people who are lazy
11. People who are lazy in general
12. When my heel gets stuck in the crack of the sidewalk
13. Popping gum
On that note, I'll make a list of positive things...
1. My own bed to sleep in
2. Money to buy the things I need
3. Great cards
4. Bookstores
5. Sweet things that people say or send in text messages
6. Getting flowers
7. Sincere apologies
8. Being a "homie"
9. Laughing and being with friends
10. Family, holidays, special occasions, home.
Happy Holidays!
-Melis
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Things That Make My Job Worth It...
No need to explain. I'm a teacher and most of you know that so here goes.
1. Students celebrating my birthday as if it's the only one I'll have for a few years... balloons, posters, cards, flowers, chocolate, cake, chocolate, singing, it was wonderful.
2. To sit at a computer with J while he tells me the reason that Rosa Parks made an impact on the people around her and how he can make a difference because of what he knows about her.
3. How many students are interested in how Jesus impacted the planet and people.
4. Days that students apologize for what they did and actually mean it and do something about it.
5. Parents who care enough to send flowers with their kids to say thank you to me for what I do.
6. Notes of encouragement telling me the reason that I influence students.
7. J (different than number 2) sitting next to my desk declaring himself my student aide and beginning to be a change. This J also is a Christian who has for some reason decided it is part of his job to tell other people that I am one too.
8. B- she wants to make a difference in the world and she actually does it and I admire that about her.
9. Bruno, one of my students from last year, who visited the other day and just hung out for a while... it's so nice to catch up.
10. Students who realize they are leaders and have confidence enough to do something about it.
11. Good evaluations that tell me I'm doing what I'm supposed to and rewards for good lesson plans, etc.
12. Faces that they make to make me laugh when I am not feeling so good... because we know for sure it happens and they are hilarious when it does.
13. Just them.. when they think about someone else, do something nice for someone, take up for someone, and have my back... it just helps my day be better!
What makes what you do worth it? Just think about it!
-Melis
1. Students celebrating my birthday as if it's the only one I'll have for a few years... balloons, posters, cards, flowers, chocolate, cake, chocolate, singing, it was wonderful.
2. To sit at a computer with J while he tells me the reason that Rosa Parks made an impact on the people around her and how he can make a difference because of what he knows about her.
3. How many students are interested in how Jesus impacted the planet and people.
4. Days that students apologize for what they did and actually mean it and do something about it.
5. Parents who care enough to send flowers with their kids to say thank you to me for what I do.
6. Notes of encouragement telling me the reason that I influence students.
7. J (different than number 2) sitting next to my desk declaring himself my student aide and beginning to be a change. This J also is a Christian who has for some reason decided it is part of his job to tell other people that I am one too.
8. B- she wants to make a difference in the world and she actually does it and I admire that about her.
9. Bruno, one of my students from last year, who visited the other day and just hung out for a while... it's so nice to catch up.
10. Students who realize they are leaders and have confidence enough to do something about it.
11. Good evaluations that tell me I'm doing what I'm supposed to and rewards for good lesson plans, etc.
12. Faces that they make to make me laugh when I am not feeling so good... because we know for sure it happens and they are hilarious when it does.
13. Just them.. when they think about someone else, do something nice for someone, take up for someone, and have my back... it just helps my day be better!
What makes what you do worth it? Just think about it!
-Melis
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