lost and found

if anyone knows me, they know that I tend to think outside of the box. Creativity is one of those things that make me, well, ME. through HS, I was the one to make the boring project fun..make it something that could be seen in 3D. for example, HS pysch class: my styrofoam brain lit up. Anatomy & Physiology: A human muscle was broke down into sections using a cottage cheese bucket and straws. 6th grade Social Studies: My dad helped me make a small catapult from wood..(which was Very good at making M&Ms fly across the room hehe ;]). and now, the last few months I've been on a spray paint kind of kick for my college projects.

But since starting college, the whole creative side of me has been put to the side. The studious, paper based, exam taking Andrea has had to come out. And if you know me, I hate paper based things; I have to have visuals to learn.

Earlier this week I got this book at the library..and I LOVE it. Its all about how to bring out the creative side of yourself. (Granted, it kinda sorta almost maybe promotes graffiti..butttttt, its really good. haha.)

Like Guerrilla Warfare, Guerrilla Art is the "boom, in your face, affect the world" kind of art. Now, I don't plan on going out and doing "illegal" things (like I've EVER done anything like that..psh, no!). But I have made it my new mission to have my creativity come out from suppression. (I sound so Revolutionary! but that IS the whole point..) In my future classroom, I don't want to be the plain, boring, worksheets type of teacher. I want my students to be able to open their minds and think outside the box; for the people who think outside the box are the ones who go the farthest in life, and are the most motivated ones.

My challenge to you? Be a guerilla artist in whatever place you work in, play in, live in. Think outside the box for things. Notice the small things in life and tell someone else about them. Leave a note for a random person telling them to smell the flowers more than just occasionally. *Think. Dream. Laugh. Love. Live. GIVE.*

Almost Finished

Well, its time again for college classes to start! Its so crazy to think this is my last year of my undergrad degree!! I am SO stoked. 9 more months and I will have a degree...a 4 year degree...the first one in my family. Granted, I will start into the grad program a month after receiving my degree...but it’s still a degree!! Haha ;)

I can honestly say that I think I will really enjoy this quarter. Everyone around me is incredibly stressed out, but it’s not affecting me a lot. I think starting early at my placement helped me adjust to that aspect of my quarter. Trotwood is going well too. I like my CT (cooperating teacher) and she is very nice and helps me get a feel for what a classroom really is.

My other education classes will be a full load, but I don’t have any doubts that I can handle them. Though I have a full schedule, these classes are what I have been waiting for and anticipating. I am so very excited to be an ‘almost teacher’ and from this week’s classes, I know that this quarter will be ‘fun’. Fun in the sense that we will be able to laugh and enjoy class, but also learn and get our solid foundation built.

Keep me in your prayers as I travel to and from Trotwood, Wright State and home. I will be looking for an on campus job as well. I’ll be taking on 20 credit hours once again, with my schedule as following:

MWF—Trotwood HS all day (7:30am-3/3:30pm)

TR—WSU education classes (8am-12:30pm)

MW – WSU for an evening ASL class (4:10-5:50pm)

over the river and through the woods

fall is finally here!! well, sorta. maybe not technically, but lets just say it is! fall is the official camping time of year, and let me just say how much that excites me :) camping is by far one of my favorite things to do; especially with my family. It's something that I have been doing since I was little, and something that I always want to do with my future family. I am SO looking forward to sitting by the fire, marshmallows (and seeing how big i can get the marshmallow blown up to be) and laughing with the family.

Through the years we've camped in tents and our little pop-up camper, and my grandparents have a big camper trailer. But by far, being in the tent is my favorite. Now that I'm older, I take my own tent and let my parents be in the pop up, that way i can sleep as long as I and have my own area! But it usually gets invaded by my younger cousins by oh, day 2? ;) but I do love them, and especially our Night Walks..to view the "wildlife" (usually consisting of raccoons, skunks and strange people).

I've tent camped in rain, snow, bad storms, and beautiful days; from ohio to wyoming and have learned that an air mattress is the way to go. That way, you don't get wet when you find out that your tent has a leak! ;)

I've got my things packed and ready to go. I'm ready for a weekend away and by the trees somewhere. :) Quilts and blankets for the cold nights, tye-dye fleece ones are especially warm! pillows for comfort, camo ones are especially comfy! and a tote with my clothes and air mattress. (the tote was originally used for a church camp trip a few years ago!) Totes are also water proof and good for setting a clock, flashlight and pocketknife on top of...since you must always be prepared! Extra bag (which doubles for a shower bag for the trek to the shower house) with books, a movie or two, laptop for viewing, papers to grade (im gettin teacher-fied!) and of course, my trusty camera.

have a great weekend everyone!! :)

The Wind

How do you know when to hold on…or let go?
How do you know, when to hide or let these feelings show?
So many times, along a strong slow gentle wind…
So many times, I just don’t know.

Sometimes you have to put the brave face on,
But inside all your courage is completely gone,
Sometimes it feels as if it has stolen everything from you, this wind..
Sometimes it feels like you’ll never see the dawn.

How do you stand by the side, and see your friends in love and sappy?
If I gave you a box of crayons, would you, could you color me happy?
Sometimes it’s so cold, so harsh; this blowing wind…
Will love find me? Oh why can’t it be ..snappy..

Sometimes it feels like the cold, sharp knife,
While others, I swear, you Feel…you Hear…that happy tuned fife.
But it’s always there. This SteadySlowRoughFastCalm.....steady wind…
That breath, this wind… called life.

the newbie :)

Starting August 16^th, one of my new titles will be Miss Myers as I will be starting my undergrad student teaching at Trotwood-Madison HS. It seems crazy!! I am so very excited to be starting, but yet, I am absolutely scared out of my mind. Even thinking about it gives me butterflies in my tummy! The teacher I will be under is a very nice lady, just 29 herself, and has been teaching at TM for seven years. This year she will be having all freshmen (this will be fun…). Maybe my experience at Dayton View Academy last spring was just the prep to what I will be experiencing at TM.

Yesterday was a shopping day to get “teacher clothes”, and I came home with some good stuff, and from good deals! I spotted a $12 pair of gray pants that were regularly 60 bucks! Though I hate shopping, I do love finding good deals ;).

This morning I went out to TM to have my picture taken for my ID I must wear. Walking out the door, I asked my mama if I looked alright, and if I looked teacher-fied. (yes, that’s a word in AnnieVocab) I think she got a little choked up about her little girl growing up and so close to being a full-fledged teacher. I love my parents SO very much and words can’t explain how much they have helped me become the person that I am; and no matter how much I’ll deny it, I’ll always be their little girl!

I covet your prayers for a few things. One: my SANITY! (Haha) Two: that I will be able to influence and impact these young adults to become better than they are. And Three: that I will have the courage and patience to keep up with these kids, as well as do other class-work outside of being at TM.

Well, now I suppose its back to packing and prepping for my family vacation to GA! Now that is definitely something I am SOOO looking forward too! A week of relaxing and fishing and boating and reading and did I mention relaxing? ;)

back to the flow of things

back to Ohio. back to the world. back to the daily flow. This year's youth conference was amazing once again: preaching twice a day by a variety of preachers, and fun times packed in between. God really moved in the hearts of the 2,185 teens registered this year.
Before going down, I was not extremely excited for the trip. Yes, there was some excitement, but not as much as usual. I think one reason was the fact that i am 21 and attending a Youth oriented trip. But I was so wrong in thinking that I would not get much out of the preaching. God hammered and broke my heart. Our church took 7 teens, myself, my pastor and his wife, and I can hoenstly say I love each one of them. This year the conference had a Singles/College & Career track (which included over 100 ppl) alongside of the teens. We had an ice cream social one night, and went bowling until 1am another night (and just let me tell you, driving through mountains, 'S' curves, and straight down drops, is a bit frightening by yourself at 1am!) I had so much fun! While bowling, my team was talking about our teens. most of my team members were all complaining about their group; whiney 13 year olds, sleepless nights, long showers, and more and more. I didnt have a lot to say about my group, in a way i was missing being with them because I knew they were having fun, and even though they get on my nerves occasionally, they're just like my little brothers and sisters.
In our group devotion time on Thursday night, I could not hold back my tears. I was telling our teens about those college counselors complaining, and how God had been working on my heart about being a good example to both them, and other young people in my life. A few of the messages during the week had hit on that point of being an example and getting on the right track to Christ. Am I helping young people along the road? Am I helping them end up Still Standing when it matters? My heart was so burdened about trying to be a leader and a good example to those around me. Even thinking about it now, my eyes are misting, where I still have a heavy heart in this area.

I long to be an example to my young friends, to my young cousins, to those which I have NO CLUE who look up to me. We all have unseen eyes on us, constantly, and it is my fervent prayer that I be a good example to those around me; even when i stumble and fall. Young people really need good examples of people stumbling too, we are all human and make mistakes, we sin everyday. I am just so thankful that I have a heavenly Father who saved me by his Amazing Grace and allows his Son to be the perfect example.

long lost andrea has returned..

Wow...so it’s been quite a while since I’ve dropped by here. Let’s just say things have been chaotic!

I decided to embark on the suicidal mission called “Summer Classes”. Not sure how I made it through those 5 weeks! It was definitely rough, and I ended up pulling an all nighter on weds night to finish everything. Took me about 8 hours to complete one portfolio! Anyways...I am SO thankful those classes are OVER.

It seems that summer is going by so fast. I’ve only got about 5-6 more weeks until school starts back up again. This fall I will be a senior. Well, I’ve technically been a senior for two quarters now, but I will be in my 4^th and final year of my undergrad degree. Where has the time gone?! In June I will be graduating with a degree in Integrated Language Arts, then onto Grad school in July to receive my Masters degree and my teaching license. (It is completely ridiculous that I will not graduate with a license...but that’s another story!) Keep me in your prayers as I will be driving to Trotwood-Madison school three days a week to complete my undergrad student observations. I’m nervous about it, but this is where God wants me to be. I will under another heavy course load, 20 hours once again, so I’m sure there will be many sleepless nights once again!

On a better note, my church youth group will be leaving next Sunday for a Youth Conference in Gatlinburg, TN. We’ll be gone for a week to hear some great preaching and be down there with around 2000 other teenagers from across the country. I know that technically I am not a teen anymore, but since our church does not have a singles/college & career age group, I tag along with the teens. And this will be my last year of going, since next year will basically be the beginning of the rest of my life. :)

We’re having a rummage sale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, to fund some more of our trip! So I’m quite excited about that! Keep our group in your prayers for traveling mercies, as well as prayers that God will move within our group, as well as in each heart of every teen that attends this year. I’ll definitely have to update after the week is over.