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.

Beauty & Grace

DISCLAIMER: Graphic photos at the bottom of this post. Proceed with caution.*

Ok, so many of you have heard about my recent adventures, but for those of you who haven't (and for those of you who just want pictures!), here are the details.

Sunday, I believe a couple people told me I needed to take some time to rest. Monday evening, my friend Paula and I were sitting at my desk (a.k.a. lying on the floor since I have no furniture) looking through pictures on my laptop. Mina knocked at the door, so I jumped up to answer it. Approaching the end of the hall, my usual blackout occurred. I rested my hand on the wall and waited for my vision to return...usually a few second process.

This is when things get fuzzy... Since nobody actually witnessed the catastrophe, let me share with you my theory (Disclaimer: Although not scientific, this theory is based on my extensive experience with CSI and on each bruise that presented itself throughout last week)...

I took another step, thinking I was ok. Then realizing I wasn't quite stable, I leaned on one of the chairs around our dining room table. I vaguely remember this, but then all consciousness momentarily ceased and my body began to fall rapidly.

First, my chin bounced off the top of the chair (this was probably the most painful collision...it's just now bruising!). Apparently, my bottom lip was between my teeth at this point. FYI, teeth and skin don't live in harmony together under such pressure (hence the inch-wide, teeth-shaped hole in the front of my lip). As a result of the bounce, my head flopped to the side, off the cute little knobby on the top of the chair back (there's a very tender knobby-shaped spot on the right side of my head).

With nothing left to bounce off at that elevation, my body continued its decent to the floor... First off my right knee (nice big bruise there), then flat onto my face. Now, this was an interesting predicament. Apparently, my top teeth went directly into the floor (judging by the tooth-sized chip we found there later), along with my nose and my right eyebrow (pretty bruises in those places too). Fortunately, my bottom lip acted as a cushion between my bottom teeth and the floor. However, it's not a very good cushion and, again, the harmony here was not so great (as evidenced by the blood gushing out of my lip...and the hole from which it flowed).

To top it all off, or as we might say, "the cherry on top," the chair, which assaulted me previously, was obviously a little shaken up by the whole experience and, as a result, lost it's footing and fell on my head (explaining the tender spot on the back of my head).

So this explains the injuries. However, the commotion wasn't over. Paula, wondering why I hadn't yet answered the door, emerged from the room to find me on the kitchen floor, under the chair, with blood everywhere. She immediately rescued me from the chair and I quickly regained consciousness. Slightly panicked and unsure of what to do, she decided it would be to my benefit to let Mina in so that she could rescue me. It is not common for most people to be calm in such situations, so Mina was equally frantic. Eventually, I was able to guide them to some paper towels and we slowed down the bleeding. I managed to get to the bathroom to clean up some of the blood, then quickly decided it would be wise to sit down...no, lie down and rest. Precious Mina held a fan over me while Paula called Six to come rescue me. Unfortunately, all Six gained from that conversation was, "Jenelle" and "fall". So I took over, and told Six it might be wise for her to come home.

After I rested for awhile and my body cooled off and calmed down, I got up to assess the damage. As I attempted to wipe the rest of the blood off of my face, I realized that, in fact, I had a hole, not just blood, and that wouldn't as easily wipe off. Hmm...perhaps this was a problem and would not just take care of itself. So I called Mom and Dad...they know everything, right? "Dad, I just passed out and I think I bit all the way through my lip. Do you think I need to go to the ER?" "All the way through? Ya, you probably ought to go in. Do you have a ride? Ok, we'll meet you there."

Lots of blood tests, an EKG, three nurses, a doctor, and 14 stitches later, we all got to go home for some much needed sleep. Now, judging by the fact that my lip was still it's normal size before the ER and was about 4 times that when we left, my dad and I think the doctor mistakingly injected Collagen instead of that spiffy numbing stuff when he did my stitches. It's almost back to its normal size now. Anyways, here are some pictures.

*STOP SCROLLING NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THE PICTURES!


**No, really...stop!!


***This is your last warning!!!

1-3 were taken after we got home from the ER. 4 and 5 were taken a few days later.
1) Tracy's favorite pic; 2) the full blow; 3) pitiful me and my poor pants (they got caught in the crossfire); 4) 6 stitches inside; 5) 8 stitches outside

Ok, I'll share more on the progress over the last week for those of you who aren't here to see how much better I look now.