Costco and Halloween

Today Beachcomber 106 had to go on a Costco run to get toilet paper and paper towels. For those who do not know me: I LOVE COSTCO. I love grocery shopping. I could spend hours in Costco. Not only are there slippery floors that you can slide on, but you get free samples! Every time I go there I get so happy. I went there in my Adidas shorts and a baggy t-shirt on, along with my Rainbows. When I was in Costco I became somewhat nostalgic for home. People in Southern California do not look like they are grocery shopping, they look like they are ready for the mall or a concert all the time. This does not happen in Northern California. It is socially acceptable for people to wear work out attire all day long. Time is much slower and the pace of life is so much more peaceful. People say hello to one another in the grocery store and on the street. I feel like I am in my own skin at home. 

This year I have actually gotten to the place where I feel like I could fit into the life of Southern California. There are some things, such as casual fashion, that make me miss home. People are not home bodies or even bad dressers, it is just so much more peaceful and comfy. Ah home, how I long for you (only a few more weeks). 

On another note: It is HALLOWWEEEEEEN! My roommates and I dressed up as the Spice Girls. I think that all of our costumes were quite appropriate. I was Sporty Spice, Christina was Baby, Rachel was Ginger, and Melissa was Posh. I am not a lesbian, but somehow I am the Sporty one of the group. Some say that I have fast forwarded into a soccer mom because I make sure that my clothes are always comfortable- I still look cute sometimes though, so it;s okay (at least I hope so)! Rachel is sassy and has the wit. Christina is just a baby- haha- and has blonde hair so it works perfectly. And Melissa always wears dresses, so she had to! I kept joking about Sporty Spice being a lesbian... and then I found out that she really is. Just my luck. Oh well- at least she is a good looking one! We went trick-or-treating as 21 year olds, played cut-throat mafia, and pictionary with our lovely neighbors and friends. It was grand.


I hope your Halloween was eventful and full of giggles :)

Teaching

Today when I walked into the classroom of second graders they all screamed. They were stoked- it has only been a week since I saw them last.

I was feeling the love big time. It was two kids birthday's and the teachers (who was having a hard time teaching because she was sick). Because of this I had the opportunity to read with the kids individually during their silent reading time. I almost started crying- one of the kids was having such a hard time reading that he was completely silent. He was tearing up and I just wanted to hug him and find out what is going on inside his brain. This made me want to learn more about learning disorders, how to address them, and how to work with them. It is not right for a student to be grade levels behind when the other students are not. Ah- it killed me.

I read a story to the kids for about 20 minutes. It was so great because we went over all the things they were learning about different vocabulary, non-fiction vs. fiction, and inferences. I was eating it UP- I felt so alive.
Not to mention that the Principal walked in while I was reading- which for some reason gave me great energy.

The students did a worksheet that was about nouns- which we went over and corrected afterwards. I REALLY LOVE explaining grammar to kids- nouns, verbs, and adjectives for these second graders. They just love learning so much and are easily molded that I am awe.  Learning should never get old. I feel like I am on the same level as them sometimes because we both love learning and the process of it.

Today was my last day with them. I am pretty bummed- but feel really blessed too. I had the chance to observe a teacher who was a Christian in a really diverse public school. Most of these kids come from broken families.

I got lots of hugs as I left and a lot of little kids screaming, "You are such a great Teacher Ms. Angela." As I left the teacher I observe told me that I am a natural and that I will be a great teacher!

I am just basking in encouragement. I feel so blessed- and I praise the Lord above all else for this experience.

Worth it.

"Tyler, Tyler, Tyler...!" After trying to get his attention, I had to start repeating his name. I was working with three kids who have learning disabilities and are often neglected. The teacher does not have time to spend with them in class because of all of the material that she needs to cover. When volunteers come in it is a huge help, because these students get some one-one-one time. 

I was askied to work on grammar with them. Their poor little brains do not comprehend it well and it seemed completely foreign to them. After about ten minutes the sentence, "I walked to the store yesterday" instead of "I walk to the store yesterday" finally made sense.

I feel so bad for these kids because they feel so lost during instruction and need way more attention then someone can give them.  They need testing and aids. 

As I left the classroom I was thinking "Man, I hope I wasn't too hard on Tyler since I was trying to get him to focus." Side note: He is a pretty shy kid as it is and has a hard time opening up.

The kids were at recess when I was leaving. He saw that I was leaving, ran up to me, wrapped his arms around my legs tightly and said, "Thank you Miss Angela." 

That hug expressed more than words could. That is why I am excited about this journey.

This speaks for itself. Especially for toady. 

Why is this so funny?!

Thankful in the Midst

I stress constantly. This is something that I have come to know more and more about myself throughout college. This is also something I do not like about myself at all. This year, as to be expected, is quite stressful. I have heard from previous classmates that Gospel and Culture should be called "Gospel and Torture," which I would agree with only in a slight sense- due to the large amount of reading. This year I have a different professor teaching the class then usual and the structure and expectations have changed a tad bit.

I went into class the other day expecting to get the approval to write about a community development initiative in Appalachia and the need for education to be improved and I left with the approval of writing about issues pertaining and affecting urban children in Memphis, TN. My professor asked me, "Well, is that what you really want to do?" And I went on to tell her about Memphis and she straight up said, "I want you to do what will benefit you in your future- something that you can use." Um... okay! Only at Biola- I tell you. I have been so encouraged by my professors. They are always here to back us up and have our best interest in mind. After class as I was leaving she went through her library and handed me a book that deals directly with the issues that I want my paper to discuss. Gospel and Culture is not so much torture after all... at least not yet.

I have been feeling really overwhelmed about a test that I am taking before I can go to Memphis, but God has been gracious with time. I have been studying up a storm- and I am relearning all United States history and math it feels ha. Which is somewhat sad... but hey I haven't done it in a while.

I am thankful for my roommates and for the close knit of friends who I have been able to hang out with only briefly recently. My social life has said "Adios" for a bit, but it will make a great return soon. I am sure of that.

And the last thing I am thankful for is the classroom that I have been working in. I am observing a 2nd grade classroom at a local La Mirada school and could not be more excited about it. It is my favorite time of the week. I walk out of the classroom every Thursday so happy,  feeling like I am on cloud nine. I have been able to work with students who have learning disabilities and students who are wanting to learn more and more every time I come in. I find myself dreaming about lesson plans- It is kind of odd. I still find it kind of funny that God is showing me this love my last year of school. Sometimes things work out this way!

Anyways, I just wanted to give a quick update.

Best wedding ever... I miss it.

I am nostalgic. I just had lunch with my beloved friend Shannon and once I mentioned Rocky Point I became instantly nostalgic. Not to mention when I walked back to her office with her there was a picture of her and Joel from Rocky Point to add to it.

As I have said before, I do not think any wedding can top that wedding. Friends, laughter, happy hour twice a day, wine, ocean, warm water, best tacos ever, Mexico, no rules, loved ones... I mean the list could go on forever, let's be honest.

Here are some pictures to fancy your eyes (from Rachel McCord Photography).

I have to raise 600 dollars....

to invest in young girls lives from an Air Force base in Germany with Meghan and go on the "Winter Blitz" trip through Young Life to Austria. Oh and not to mention this...

• 6 nights @ European 4 star ski in/out ski hotel nestled at over 4500 feet in the Austrian Alps, 5 breakfasts, 5 dinner
• 1 day Innsbruck Trip, 1 day Indoor Water Park Trip, New Years Eve Celebration
• Club, games, music, entertainment, laughter and fun every night with friends!
• Sledding & Snow activities at the lodge

I am excited. I need to figure out who would want to donate to a good cause :) 

Steward

I am learning what it means to be a steward of time. That is right. I do not want my blog to become a whine fest- but I will say it once and for all: My schedule is out of CONTROL. On top of everything that is due and making money, I am studying for two teaching exams. The programs I am applying to/have applied to depend on them. So I am studying like a mad woman.

I am constantly reminding myself, "Angela, this is a season! Come December 19th you can party and be carefree." That is truth right there my friends. Come December 19th... I will be done with my final interview for MTR, my UCLA app will be in (if I pass the CSET that is), and on December 21st I will be headed to Germany. Party on.

So in the mean time my social life is going down the tubes... for about two more months.

I must say I lucked out with my major though because I just got back from Westwood and mapped out Persian Square and talked to a really sweet PhD student who is Persian. He just moved here from Vancouver to LA two weeks ago. I thank God for my ability to talk to strangers and strike up convo or else this project would be disastrous. I am trying to map out the Persian Population and Nod in LA, which is going to be quite a challenge. It is for the purpose of Church Planting and for churches to better understand the population. I am coming to love Persians... they are the most BEAUTIFUL people I believe God created. I mean, that are a lot of beautiful people in this world, but they are definitely up there. So I mean I cannot complain too much about time because I still get to go to LA all the time. For class I get to go to Little India and Watt's for tutoring on Monday's... I still have my fair share of fun :)

Pray for time to multiple, please.