Dora the Explorer

This is my cousin Katia. My aunt and uncle recently adopted her from Mexico. Another one of my uncles calls her Dora and she responds without a second thought. :)

She is so sweet and good-natured, and it's fun to have her as part of our family.

Deep Breath

The last two days have felt like two weeks! Yesterday I received a call about a special ed para position at an upper elementary school. That evening I went to the open house to meet the teacher and see the school. There was also another applicant there to get the tour who also happened to be a student's mom, so I figured she would probably get the job.

I waited today to hear back, but in the meantime, I got another call for a job at another school. They were actually offering me the job, so I took it! Unlike the one from yesterday, this is full-time, salaried, full benefits, etc. And it's lower elementary, so I'm happy about that. I have probably even met some of the students before, because I helped with a Good News Club there a year ago.

The job is referred to as a Focus Room Facilitator. That actually means that if a child can't concentrate on their homework or they are upset about something, etc, they might eventually get sent to my room to cool down, concentrate, talk about what's wrong, etc. At first it sounded a little detention-ish to me, but I talked to a couple people, and it's more like kids that need extra help focusing. Thus, "focus room." ; )

I will be working some with the school counselor and helping kids be ready to go back to their regular classroom that day or in a couple days. It is exciting in a way, and I'm also thinking someone is going to walk in the back of the room, point an accusing finger at me, and shout "She doesn't actually know what she's doing! She shouldn't have been hired!!" : )

Since they are behind on hiring non-certified staff, I still have to get a background check, physical, TB test, insurance, even though I'm already starting to work. But that should all go smoothly.

Anyone have insight into 8 year olds in public schools these days? I guess kids are kids. They all have concerns, some more serious than others, and they are all very different too. It makes things interesting. : )

Monday

I hope the interview goes well tomorrow. I really want this job! I know God is sovereign over the outcome, but that doesn't mean it will end up the way I want it to. : ) It also doesn't mean I don't have to do as well as I can. I was told they are having all the para positions interviewed at the same time, so I have no idea how that works either. Interesting.

My Room

If You Haven't Seen This...

...here's your chance! : )

Some months ago, Steven Curtis Chapman's family experienced the heartbreaking death of one of his daughters. (He's a Christian singer.) They had the opportunity to be interviewed on Larry King Live earlier this week. Throughout the interview, they expressed honest grief, but also attested to the sovereignty, mercy and Father-love of God for them in their need. I got to watch it on television, and it was awesome to hear God's character so strongly confirmed even through their tears as well as an honest and Biblical effort to explain the problems of pain and evil.

And I'm so very glad they have found comfort and have been sustained through their relationships with God. How else would you get through something like that?

If 45 minutes is too long, here is just part three:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDQdvYyBu4Q&feature=related

And there are links to the other parts on the same page as the above video.

End of Summer

This has been a rather slow week. The three of us girls are looking for jobs and my parents are getting ready for their responsibilities for this year. I'm still waiting to hear back about my job applications. I went into the district office today and confirmed that the positions are still available. They just have a good number of applications still to go over I guess. So I think I will probably have an interview next week if they are not appalled by my lack of experience and skill. If so, I wonder how I would do in retail?

My new room in our house is half the size my dorm room was at Calvary. On the bright side, some of my furniture is pale green oceany looking, so sometimes it feels like I'm in a cottage by the sea. Kind of cozy. I am not sure about the peach window blinds, but they can be pulled all the way up and hidden with curtains. Just a few more hours of work, and all my books and papers will be sorted through and I will be done moving in!

Sounds Good to Me

One Serving of Perfectly Protein Mocha Cappuccino:
Potassium 19%
Vitamin C 150%
Calcium 45%
Iron 10%
Vitamin B6 150%
Vitamin B12 150%
Magnesium 20%
Zinc 20%
Vitamin D 20%

Low fat ~ All Natural ~ No Added Sugars.
Contains 60mg of caffeine per 8oz serving.
(One cup of brewed coffee ≈ 115mg)
No preservatives and nothing artificial.

That's what their website says anyways. I like the Starbucks refrigerator coffees too, but I think this one tastes better. And the list of vitamins makes you feel like you are being healthy when you drink it! : )