long time, no blog

For my few faithful readers, I apologize for the lag in blogs. This is the first time in...well, I don't know if it's happened yet...that I've finished preparing for the next day's class(es) before midnight! I debated for a moment over writing or going to bed, but I couldn't help myself. Today was fun.

First, my students made me happy. I got to congratulate them today. I've been struggling with them. They haven't been where they should be. I've debated over whether it's me or them, or maybe something else. So I've been pushing them, challenging them, and motivating them with pop quizzes. But this week, they impressed me. We're finishing up what was supposed to be the most difficult chapter for students at this level, and they have done better than I've ever seen them do. They are getting it!! It's amazing. It's exciting. I told them I wasn't sure if it's because they're actually studying like they're supposed to now or if they just became brilliant all of a sudden. Or perhaps I'm figuring out a thing or two about how to teach them more effectively. My mom thinks it's a combination. Nonetheless, it's fun to see them doing well and understanding in a way that will allow them to actually use the language they're supposed to be learning. It was fun to see their smiles when I told them I was proud too. After class, a quick visit with mom turned into lunch with her and Tracy...also enjoyable.

When I arrived home, the stress was lighter than usual. Tomorrow's our first in-class write, so I didn't need to prepare a lecture, a quiz, activities, a PowerPoint, overheads...blah blah blah. I felt FREE!! It was nice. So I was excited when Chris Chris called and wanted to take me (well, technically, I guess I took her since she doesn't have a car!) to watch the sunset from the top of Mt. Rubidoux. This doesn't seem like a huge thing, but in all my years here, I've only been up the mountain once, and that was for sunrise...very, very early in the morning! Chris was excited because it was so windy today, which means the sky was nice and clear (plus, I think she knows how much I love being outside and probably knew a break in God's beauty would do me some good). So it was exciting to actually be able to say yes because I wasn't overwhelmed with school!

Being my normal self, of course we were late. We got to see the sunset as we walked up the mountain! But we had fun at the top for a moment, looking out over the city and enjoying the fresh air. I think Chris almost got blown off the mountain at one point, but we survived, and even made our way back down in the dark. I think Chris even saw her first star in Riverside. ;) It was a nice "get-away." Thanks, Chris.

on the way up


keep walkin' (Can you guess who's who?)

I told you the wind almost blew her off! (Look closely; she's holding onto the cross!)


hmm...(um, I guess you can check out the lip. Several of you have been asking about its progress. Not too shabby, huh!?)


Riverside...the good 'ole 951 (RCC's just to the right)


God's cool colors (no, it's not blurry; it was windy!)

Then, as if I hadn't had enough fun, Six let me attack her (with love, of course) when we got home. Isn't she cute!?

Phase 1 of the attack (no worries; it appears that Sixy is A-OK!)


Phase...I dunno, maybe, uhhh...6? The Not So Great Escape


Phase...The End...she still seems to be doing OK


Phase...Really The End...I think she's chet roi (yes, that's my floor she's sleeping on!). Good night, Sixy.

I am frequently reminded of how blessed I am to have people in my life that truly love me - when I'm up, when I'm down, when I'm not all I should be, when they see what I could be.