Waspers

One of the fun parts of living in a new place is picking up local terms and phrases. For instance, locals often say some variation of "Lord have mercy" when they are a little overwhelmed or flabbergasted; most often that variation is "Lawdy mercy."

Another such colloquialism is the phrase "wasper." A wasper is a wasp. But nobody here calls them wasps - they are waspers.

Last week, I was helping a student work on a crossword puzzle in one of our educational newspapers. The word was four letters long and the hint was, "a bug that stings." She immediately thought of a wasp, but when she tried to fill it in she could not figure out how to make the "er" fit. (Don't worry, we got it figured out)

With all of the beautiful weather we have been having, all the bees and wasps are out - and a couple of them keep finding their way into the classroom. A little known fact about me is that I have never been stung by a bee or a wasp, so I get a little nervous when they are around. Thankfully, there is usually someone else around to kill them (as they maliciously laugh at me, of course - the person, not the wasper). Oh well, I can take it. I just hope my sting-free streak continues and that the waspers leave me alone!

My Promotion

I have been asked many times in the last few weeks whether or not it is actually possible to promote a volunteer, but alas, it is possible - and not only possible but now a reality. Okay, so it isn't really that bad, but I am nervous.

Backstory: This relates, once again, to the drama concerning the closing of Adult Ed. When we found out we were going to stay open until the end of our grant, we had enough money left in the grant to cover three salaries: Jennifer, Judy, and Janet. Their jobs, however, will be terminated at the end of June. Anyway, Janet applied to another position in CAP and got it - which is great! Unfortunately, they wanted her to join their program as soon as possible. We found out all this news about a week and a half ago. With Janet leaving, I am now the only full-time instructor left, which means - you got it - I am the new head teacher (Believe me, I have already asked my manager if she is crazy).

So, yeah. Today was my first day. I don't know if it was good or bad, but not many students showed up, so I spent the majority of my day making preparations for dinner tonight. It was a beautiful eighty degree day here, so I don't blame students for not coming to class (I was jealous that I could not sneak away myself).

I suppose when it comes down to it, I know that I will do fine. I have Jennifer and Judy there with me to offer support, experience, and advice. Duane extended to the middle of June to help share classroom responsibilities, and Paul is still around two days a week. Janet, too, will continue to serve a few hours each week with Adult Ed to help with the transition, so I will not be alone. And as Jenna said during devotion tonight, God does not give us more than we can handle (We were more specifically discussing how each of us relates to crises, and Jenna gave the example that she is usually absent from them - still a wise thing to remember though).

So I guess I just need to have faith and remember that things will work out. They usually do.

Of course now my new nickname at work is the "Boss-lady." But I suppose I've been called worse.

Peace.

Oh, and the picture is not related, but I just wanted to share how beautiful Kentucky is.

Earth Day!

I can't say that all of my Earth Days are eventful, but this one sure was. It was one of those days where I was constantly running from one thing to the next, but it all worked out okay, so that is good.

To start, yesterday morning Sister Therese and I were testing two of our ladies from the jail who were trying to earn their Kentucky Employability Certificates. Normally this goes pretty smoothly. Not so yesterday. For starters, I started setting up and a woman comes in and asks if I'm there for the development meeting...bad sign. Apparently they had double booked the room. Luckily, however, we were able to switch rooms pretty easily. Mishap number two: the internet did not feel like picking up - which is unfortunate since it is an internet based test. After fifteen minutes of trying everything I could I finally got them working and the tests went fairly smoothly. We had one pass, and thankfully the one who did not pass is still motivated to keep trying to get it.

After the tests were over, I had to head back to the classroom in order to lead a field trip. Our field trip was in honor of Earth Day. At the Kentucky Artisan Center, located in Berea, there was a paper making demonstration all day. I guess last year they took a field trip there and those who went really enjoyed themselves, so we went again. It was pretty fun, and a nice break for the day. Four of us went and we each left with a sheet of paper that we made. Our paper is very Kentuckian too - it is complete with real Kentucky bluegrass. After we made our paper we wandered around the center - there were a lot of amazing crafts available there (although some were a little ridiculous. For example, there was a five foot metal sculpture of a rose bush that cost $4,000 - eek!).

I didn't stick around work too long after I got back from the field trip; Paul needed to get home to start cooking and I needed to head home to change for my race.

Yes, I did just say race. I ran in a twilight 5K race last night. For those of you who don't remember, I ran my first race (a 6K) back in early December. I spent the month of November training for my race and I came out with a time of 41:26. Let's just say I was not as prepared this time. I basically had not run since the first week of February until Monday night...so I was more than a little worried about how this race would go. Especially when I found out that Allen was running too! Allen has basically been running since he was eight years old, so obviously I can't compare my running to his, but I also didn't want him to see that his girlfriend was the worst runner there. (Luckily that wasn't true!)

As we walked to the starting line, I kept asking myself, "Why am I doing this?" I was fully prepared to make a fool of myself and to, possibly, die trying (okay, so I get a little dramatic when it comes to running). I took off running, but I was not sure how long I would make it without needing to walk. I made it a mile. About this point my manager's fourteen year old daughter passed me. It was also about this point that I noticed Allen heading back the other way. I was not about to let him pass me walking, so I started running again and caught up with Cheyenne - who ended up being a good running partner. We were able to push each other the rest of the race and keep one another going.

Anyway, prior to the race I had been told that the course was flat. Yeah, not so much. There was one big, long hill you had to run up to get to the turn-around point. We made it up and down, but it definitely hurt!

When we reached the last mile marker I saw Allen coming back again. Honestly, my first reaction was probably a little disgruntled ("He already finished and came back, and I am still a mile off?"), but he gave me a hug (while running) and I realized that he had come back to run with me and to encourage me because he knew that I was not feeling great about it. And who can be upset by that? With him there I was definitely more motivated to keep running - even though my legs and lungs were screaming that I needed to walk, I kept running. Just before the last bend, Cheyenne pulled ahead of me, but when that finish line came into view I took off sprinting and just barely passed her. I came in with a time about 35 minutes. I made it!

It turns out that not only had Allen finished, but he had won! He came in first place with a time around 20 minutes. Yong followed close behind with fourth place, and Kelly and Jenny came in a few minutes after him. Kim and Jenna were also both ahead of me. Duane, our walker, pulled up the rear for our team, but he did great too!

We had registered as a group from CAP (it was cheaper), so technically our times were being averaged together against other groups, rather than going into the pool for our age groups (something we didn't know ahead of time and a few of our more competitive runners were upset by this). Allen's win still counted for him though. And even though we couldn't place as individuals, Team CAP came in first place! (it helps to have two people in the top five on your team). So hey, I kinda sorta won a race!


Despite the fact that I am really sore today, I am very glad that I ran last night. I had a fun time with my friends and I was able to really push myself (with some help). I was very shocked that my time was on par with my last time, even with a two month break, but hey, I'm not complaining. I guess this means that I'll have to keep pushing myself...

To top it all off, my cousin Jimmy called to tell me he is engaged! Congrats!

And that was my crazy Earth Day.
Blessings.

Easter Doings

This weekend I was blessed to be able to get away and spend some time in Chicago with my sister and my aunt and uncle. I was also able to enjoy a few really fun (and less fun) activities and experiences.

The trip all started with a ride on a Greyhound bus. I rode from Louisville to Indianapolis to Chicago. It really wasn't that bad - despite all of the horror stories (for instance, my advisor in college once warned me that one must be prepared, when riding Greyhound, to be groped; needless to say, I was a little concerned...). In fact, the only bad part was that on the second leg I ended up sitting next to a guy who was overly preachy and was trying to convert everyone around him to Christianity. But, hey, I survived the seven hour trip, so that is all that matters.

After arriving in Chicago, I walked a few blocks to meet my sister. I'm sure most people have had a similar experience, but I love when you are walking to meet someone and you scan the crowd looking for them, then suddenly, you think you see them...and then you see them again, and you get really excited, because this time you know it is them. Anyway, it is a fun way to meet up with someone you love and haven't seen in a while.

We chatted for a few hours in a tea shop before heading on to the evening's main event: seeing the touring Broadway production of Rent with original cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal. Basically it was awesome! There were a few weak cast members, but overall, it was great. Rent has a special place in my heart - the movie came out around the first anniversary of Em's death and Bekah and I went to see it together, and it was basically an important part of my grieving process - so I am so thankful that I was able to see it.

Friday wasn't too crazy. We took it easy and went to some shops with Bekah's roommate Maria where we found an abundance of big Derby-looking hats. If they hadn't cost $30 I totally would have bought one for the Kentucky Derby (instead I will settle for making my own).

Friday night, however, was pretty great. My Aunt Vicky and Uncle Chuck took Bekah and I to see the touring Broadway production of Mary Poppins with original London cast member Gavin Lee and original Broadway cast member Ashley Brown. I just have to say that any weekend where I am able to see two Broadway shows is a good weekend. Juxtaposed to seeing Rent the night before (which is a very minimalistic show), Mary Poppins is quite the production. The lights, the sets, the costumes, the special effects were all absolutely incredible. For example, in the song "Step In Time" (the one with all the chimney sweeps on the roof) Bert tap dances up the edge of the proscenium (the side of the stage), then upside down across the top of the stage, and then back down the other side. Oh, and did I mention that he is singing during all of this? Yeah, pretty awesome.

Bekah and I went to brunch on Saturday before heading out to our aunt and uncle's house in Winnetka for Easter dinner (a day early). My Aunt Vicky made the most incredible appetizers, as usual, and then a wonderful meal. And it is always nice to be able to spend the holidays with family. On Easter we went to church together and then a had a nice lunch before my friend Kelly picked me up for our long drive back to Kentucky.

One sad aspect of having such a busy weekend was that I didn't really have a lot of time to just reflect on the incredible sacrifice Christ made for us - the real reason for the season. I was disappointed that the pastor didn't even read the Easter story (I mean, seriously, it is Easter for goodness sake! You are supposed to read the Easter story). Since it is better late than never, I plan to take some time this week to reflect on this gift I have received - salvation and grace. How beautiful it is.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Easter holidays. Easter is a good time to remember how truly blessed, and loved, we are. Thank you to all who have offered love and support to me in the last twenty-three years. Believe me, I couldn't do this on my own, and I am so grateful to all who have helped me on my journey.

May the peace of the Lord be with you all. Happy Easter!

Back to the Daily Grind

Well, I am officially back at Adult Ed as of last week. And it is definitely strange being back - especially since we are in a different situation. We moved classrooms and downsized; not only downsized the materials we use, but our staff downsized too. Since we have lost a portion of our students, a smaller staff is, in some ways, a blessing. It is now rare that I have enough work to keep busy all day - although mainly because mornings are generally quiet until 11am. Afternoons have, thankfully, been pretty busy. We have had a decent number of former students return and we have even had a group of new students come in.

Despite the slowness, there have been a few exciting moments. One of my favorite students (who has been coming the entire time I have been here) was retested in math and language. The last few times we have tested her her scores have gone down or stayed the same - which has been very frustrating and discouraging to her. But on Monday, I retested her in math...her score went up! Yesterday we tested her in language...not only did her score go up, but she tested out of the level she was in! She was just beaming and she couldn't wait to go home and tell her family how she had done!

In other good news, Duane is back! For those of you who have forgotten, or maybe you didn't follow this blog last fall, Duane was a short term volunteer who came for two months to work in Adult Ed. In his time here, he kind of adopted Paul and I as his "Kentucky grandchildren." He migrated south for the winter, but since he loved it here so much he came back to spend the spring in Kentucky. And it is great having him back. We have continued our tradition of doing crossword puzzles together, so my vocabulary is getting whipped back into shape!

Tomorrow, Duane is giving me a ride to Louisville, where I will catch a bus to Chicago to go visit Bekah! I am very excited about a long weekend with my sister in the windy city, although slightly hesitant about taking the bus (I've never taken a greyhound bus before...). I've heard a few horror stories in the last few days, but I am optimistic that it can't be that bad. After all, the bus ride only lasts for six and a half hours. I may take the advice to not make eye contact and avoid smiling though...

Anyway, I hope everyone has had a good holy week and that Easter will be a blessed time to celebrate and reflect on the sacrifice of our savior.

Peace.

"I See da Keeng!"

Last night I cooked and led devotion. For devotion I read a story from Tales of the Kingdom, a children's series that I grew up reading (and still re-read - I'll be honest). This particular story was entitled "Sighting Day."

In the story, the main character, a boy formerly known as Scarboy - now known as Hero, is struggling to believe in a King he cannot see. It is Sighting Day, a day where the children of Great Park play "seek-the-King." But Hero does not play games and he cannot figure out how to believe without seeing first - a necessary ingredient if one wishes to see the King. Hero is first inclined to believe in the King when his five year old brother, Little Child, speaks his first words: "I see da keeng!" Unbeknownst to him, Hero spends his entire day with the King - though he appears in various forms and disguises - and throughout the day the King is gently prodding his heart, searching for a way under Hero's defenses.

After nightfall, Hero accompanies Caretaker to Outcast Village, where the King will be ministering to those less-fortunate residents. When faced with a beggar when he expected a King, Hero is disappointed, but upon being challenged to look deeper - "to see with [his] brother's eyes" - Hero is finally able to see that the King has been beside him throughout the day.

Suddenly it all came together. Hero understood. This was the King. This beggar. This peasant. This athletic young man. Here was the one who had made his brother laugh, and had helped him speak. This was the one who had poured joy into Hero's heart and taught him that games were fun.

In light of my time at WorkFest, I found new meaning in this story. In the past I have focused more on the transformation that takes place within Hero - learning to believe in a King. But this time, I have been struck by the game: Seek the King. Looking back at the people I have met in the last month, I am impressed at how many of them have shown me the King. Perhaps they didn't even realize it, but these participants and these students were allowing Christ to peek through their skins and smile, share a laugh, pound a nail, saw a board, fix a meal...Christ has been all around me. All because these wonderful people were willing to let Christ shine. And I am blessed because of their willingness.

Yet I am more than blessed; I am challenged to keep playing the game. To keep seeking the King in all my daily interactions. To see Christ in my students, in my co-workers, in my housemates, in the strangers I meet...

And so the boy discovered that seek-the-King is a wonderful game. Like all games it must be played with a child's heart, which believes and is always prepared to be surprised, because a King can wear many disguises.

Happy Sighting.