To celebrate my week of summer before my month of Montessori classes I planned to visit my friend Marcia on Vashon Island. We work together at Geiger and the demands of planning the next lesson and organizing the shelves was always too insistent. Now, with summer we had time to spend on more fun endeavors like wandering in the rainy farmers market, stopping by her friends art installation and sipping tea while overlooking her terraced garden.

Marcia's and her home are whimsical and lovely. Her whole personality bursts in this house with the lofts, painted horses launching from the light sockets, colorful dishes stacked in the cabinet. We had a wonderful time mingling, sharing stories of the children that filled our lives, and nibbling sweet chunky marmalade. The pictures are very slow to upload but I'll post more when ever that might be.

Home sweet home

I have found a place! A really cute apartment. This past weekend I spent a lot of time packing up boxes. I think I'm pretty good at it. Everything fits perfectly in a box. Sometimes I will have an odd piece, like a really big plate. I'll just wait for the perfect solution. For this one I had a big laundry basket and I washed my clothes and had folded them and piled them back into the basket. Then on the top there was the perfect amount of space for the plate. And it wont break because it's sandwiched between some layers of clothes and a sturdy surrounding. I love solving the puzzles of packing. During the weekend I went shopping. I needed pretty much everything to start up a house. I needed pots, pans, knives, tupperware, glasses, plates, etc. I had a fun time shopping at T-J Max and Ross. They have some great deals. While shopping at these places I wasn't totally sure I was getting a deal, because pots are expensive. Then I went to Target and realized that they were a deal. I didn't buy any yet. I'll have to go back tomorrow. I was trying to find ones that were cast iron instead of non-stick. My favorite shopping I did of the day was at this health food store called Marlenes. They have bulk agave nectar and olive oil. They also have these beautiful jars you can buy and fill up. Then I loved filling up my individual spice jars, but not too full so I can have fresh dried herbs.

On Monday I drove over to the apartment at 10:00 with Kathy to get the keys. The place was all painted with the four colors that I got to pick out. I was excited to see how it looked, but a little disappointed when I finally saw it. The green was a little to florescent and the paint job was a little sloppy, needing an extra coat. When filling out the inspection paper I noticed a lot of little things that I hadn't before. The front door was really difficult to push closed, there was a hole next to the radiator in the bedroom, the basement door was missing a plane of glass. The great thing is though, the manager is wonderful to work with. Really easy going, understanding and quick. He had listed some other things he planned on fixing and in two days all those things were fixed. Except the paint job but I noticed that with my furniture moved in, everything looks a lot better. Mardie is going to help me hang fabric and pictures tomorrow and then I'm sure it will look even better. My parents are bringing up a couch on Saturday and with a new slip cover I'm sure the green wont be as bright, but will be perfect with some accented pillows.

I will have to go shopping again tomorrow for the smaller things, like dish soap, tp, broom, etc. I'm excited to do this as well. My place doesn't have a dishwasher, which is fine with me. I will have to get a couple more pieces of furniture, like a dinning table . I'm not quiet sure where I will put that. I'm thinking I will have some space in the living room. I'll probably go up to Ikea to get some great lighting and more of the basic essentials, but I also really like shopping at Bargain World, which has started to carry some great organic products.

I've spent the past two mornings sitting in my lotus chair, sipping tea, reading and looking out the windows. I love this room. In this room the green is perfect and cheery. This morning I watched the cars creep by on the snowy roads. I was watching for slippage or spinning tires.

Stirrings and Cruising

Today at church it was Global Missions day. We sung songs in different languages, Swahili, Spanish, Sanskrit, and Chinese. Pastor John talked about three simple facts. God is doing a work around the world. He can use us. And it's already happening. Something like that. I can't fully remember, because when we started praising God for what he was doing in Sudan by helping them break free of the North and having independence I just started crying. Then I cried the rest of the service. At times I just wanted to kneel down and just bawl. Something deep was happening in my spirit. I'm not totally sure what it was, but even as I write to you now, I can feel the stirrings coming again. It was just a reminder that I love the Nations, in-particular Africa. I have such a deep desire to see that Nation touched and functioning in wholeness. My heart was remembering all the beautiful times I've had with my brothers and sisters in Africa. All the times the children have grabbed my hand and lead me down dirt dusty roads to school while we sang in Swahili. It's such a deep desire to be there and to be with those people. To be with you in Kenya. To be with the Davis' on the Islands. At the same time I know I'm supposed to be here. While I was crying and thinking about being over in Africa, Nora was at my feet and playing near me in the pew. I know I want to be with her too. To see her grow up. To see her first day of Kindergarten. I want to be here loving on my students in my class. I want to speak value to them. I want them to know that they are uniquely made and have a special purpose in life. I want to continue to invest in Tacoma. Continue to speak to it that it is beautiful, diverse, and unique. And I know that these two yearnings don't need to be in conflict. I'm grateful that my job allows me to do both. To be here in Tacoma and then for a month or a little more, spend time in the dirt with my other family in Africa. I think maybe today at church and those unstoppable tears was just a reminder of this. That I am called to be in community with Africa. That I am called to be in community with Tacoma.

I was realizing during the sermon that I've invested so many hours and breaths and thoughts on Africa. I've read countless books about the Lost Boys of Sudan. I've watched films and uncomfortable documentaries about the blood diamonds, corrupt officials, and lived in the dirt with those children affected by HIV. When I hear such beautiful news about Southern Sudan stepping closer to liberation I shed tears of joy. What a long decade of suffering. I think about people like Ajak and Nibble who have been praying earnestly for stability and reunion with their families. I feel like I've chosen to share in their pain and now I'm sharing in their joy. Their hope that this will be an answered prayer documented in their prayer logs. It will have scribbled next to the cry, ANSWERED!

On a different note, back in my own little country of Sparkle Diamonds at Geiger Montessori. I feel encouraged. We've shifted into another gear. You know when you drive on the surface streets of neighborhoods the shifting is constantly back and forth. You build up speed in second gear only to approach a round-about and have to shift back into first. You build up to third in-between lights only to step on the breaks for the flashing lights announcing a pedestrian is crossing the road. This constant stop, go, stop, go. In the classroom this could look like a little set back such as Noah not getting enough sleep so he enters the classroom and crawls onto a low shelf, squeezing himself into the tiny space. It could look like Courtney telling me this morning her mother went to turn on the lights and they wouldn't come on. It could also mean that Jayden responds to my redirection with a smile and a air of lightness after we have fought tiny battles for the past two months. This year we've been riding on surface streets. That was until this past week. We've merged onto the freeway. We've shifted into fourth and sometimes we've even ventured into fifth gear. I'm joy riding. In the back, with my free hair blowing in the wind. I can let out yelps of celebration as we cruise straight through gentle bends or curves. I can sit back and enjoy the scenery as we pass other cars of lesser modern models. For us this looks like Noah building a towering prism with colored beads. He beams as the students whooo and awwww. He announces, "I've built the Empire State building!" And as he cleans it up, he cries the whole time. Saying, "I can make it again, can't I?" I celebrate, that he is following directions when I ask and that the structure of Montessori is one where he can build his Empire State building a million times to his hearts content. For us, fifth gear looks like Dylan begging for the next era book, a bigger piece of paper, and permission to cut and paste his own research on it. He wants to know more about the Paleozoic era. After he is finished and he proudly shows me his work, I ask him "What do you plan to do next?" He asks, "Could I share it with the class?" When I answer, "Of course, this would be a great idea." I know we have reached this cruising speed and that we are going to keep going. In our class it looks like these amazing Picasso inspired self portraits that we painted. Our eyes, noses and mouths are in odd positions and as Hayden would say, they are slanted on the face, not horizontal. I loved the honest conversations we had about art after they were disgusted by the butts and breasts of some of the paintings. So, we've shifted into higher gears this week and I'm in the back letting them drive, taking us to unknown destinations, driving us forward to lands undiscovered. There I am in the back, enjoying the ride.

I speak whale

I've been loving this long two week winter break. Ahhh. I'm so relaxed, so rested, and so thrilled with some of the photos and experiences I've been sharing.

Our daily routine is pretty much the same. Only with slight changes to the schedule.

Today I woke up early around 6:00. The sky is still dark, but there is a lot of activity. Trucks are busting down the dirt road to the beach. In these early trucks you see fishing poles through the dust-caked windows. Later after the sun peeks through the Sierra Lagunas mountains the trucks will be toting sun-kissed surfers with tassled hair.

This was my second morning waking up early to fish with my dad. I actually don't do any of the fishing. I'm behind my camera lens fascinated with all of the life around me.

We drove the one minute drive to the beach and found a smattering of other trucks and cars. This is a good sign. When the local fish you know you are bound to get something too. The fishermen space themselves out along the shore. Many of the locals still use the traditional method of throwing and pulling the line by hand. They need space to swing the line and let it zoom through the air. The sound is magical as the line whizzes and whinnies before plopping into the water. This morning they were pulling them out of the sea like crazy. Quickly they release the floundering fish from their lines, deposit them on the sea and within seconds are back casting into the glassy sea.

I used my macro lens to watch the Humpback Whales on the horizon. It's like binoculars. They are spouting and arching. I envied the boats as they nosed their way up close to them. Yesterday while my sister, dad and I swam in the ocean we would dive under and hear the whales moaning and trumpeting to each other. It is a beautiful experience. Sort of thrilling and a bit scary at the same time.

After fishing we stopped at home to drop off a sort board surfboard. My grandma joined my dad and I to check out the surf on a beach called La Pastora. It's just a couple minute drive from our house. While the waves weren't great my dad couldn't resist an opportunity. He went out anyways. As my grandma and I sat out a towel we oohhhed and awwed as the whales were leaping straight out of waves, repeatedly thumping their tales against the water and were very talkative. I could hear them hollaring from the shore. We also saw pods of dolphins and jumping fish. All this activity within the first couple hours of morning sunlight. Can't beat that!

It's been a trip full of amazing experiences.

Another Meag Adventure

We were sitting around the empty metal containers that just moments ago were filled full of steaming shrimp dumplings and sticky rice. If you know me and my family you know this is a familiar scene of ours. We frequent Dim Sum so often we have a golden membership.

But, it was in this blissful setting that I had a horrible realization. It was Christmas eve and in two days I would be catching a flight to Mexico with my sister. We were going to join my dad, step mom, grandma, aunt and migrating whales in the sleepy town of Todos Santos.

I had been so preoccupied packing all of my crafts that I had forgotten to pack my very important passport. But, I did have a photo copy in my wallet left over from my years in Nigeria. I called the airlines to see if this was legit. It's not.

Then I tried to mentally imagine where my passport was. My desk drawer? My unpacked Tupperware bins stored behind a wall of clothes? My memory was foggy with too many moves into different houses since my return from Nigeria.

We had planned to cross the street to Target where I was to buy some eyeliner. Instead we headed home where I searched the desk, the drawers, under the bed and sadly concluded it was in a pile of documents up in Tacoma.

About an hour later my step dad Tommy and I were in his Prius on the straight and forward I-5. Two and a half hours later we pulled up to my house. I rustled through the expected hiding places and found it moments later. Shoved safely in the pocket of my new Omni Heat jacket we piled back into the car and headed South. Since we wouldn't be making it back in time for Christmas Eve service and the dinner of Cajun tots we stopped by Burger Ville for our own hamburgers and waffle fries. I was so grateful for Tommy's company. We actually had a wonderful time talking. I loved hearing about his Irish family and how he grew up as a first generation Irish. My favorite part was when he did the Irish accents of his parents.

Now, I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for our delayed flight to Todos Santos. Don't worry. I know exactly where my passport is. It's safe and close by me. Exactly where it should be.

An innocent beginning

It all started so innocently. A little conversation based on a little question leading to something big. This past weekend at Geiger's staff holiday party a colleague asked if I had brought anyone as a date. No. At this time in my life there is no one to bring, but I do await the day when I will have someone to discuss and debrief with on the drive home. Well, Jo found my current status absolutely appallingand turned immediately to our principal, Paula, who was in the kitchen with us. Paula was giddy and said, "I wanted to talk with you about that! Now that I have permission I'm going to find you a guy! Just you wait." Chuckling she says, "Oh... this is going to be good!"

This evening I poked my head into my principals office to see if she had a moment to talk about phone call I had with a parent. She was on the phone, but took the time to talk with me. It was as if she saw my mouth moving but created her own dialogue because in response to what I said she talked back into the phone and said, "Hey, Brian, (her nephew) you know who I'm talking to? This really hot, smart, well traveled, artistic, amazing teacher. Do you know of any of your friends who are single?" Then she continued on for a good solid couple of minutes about my qualifications. Well, I take that back. She would pause for a second to ask me questions. "What's your type?" "When did you graduate?" "Blond or blue haired, I mean eyes?" "How young are you willing to date?" I would stumbled around for an answer all the while thinking.... can this really be? She never really waited for an answer. She took the liberty to translate my gawking and nervous giggles.

Brian was doing his own talking on the other end of the line. I couldn't hear what he was saying but from her answers I have a pretty good idea. "PLU." "Hot" "She thought you were hot." "No, he needs to be smart." "Artistic and athletic" "She's lived in Africa and Australia." "What are you a sicko, 18 is WAY to young!" " Yeah, like an 18 year old would think she is hot." And I'm wanting to sink into the floor, run far far away, and burst into hysterical laughter all at the same time. Instead I stood there dumbfounded. Could this really be happening? Who does this? What have I gotten myself into?

It gets even better.

With some perimeters laid she and Brian start to rattle off names of guys they mutually know. While she is talking at the same time she begins to open her facebook account, she goes to her friends list and types in a name to find a picture of a guy who would be just perfect for me. She shows me various pictures of him. Tells me his life story starting with his fathers' occupation, his jaw surgery and how he had to drink only liquids for two years of his life when the surgery went bad.

I'm flattered Paula thinks so highly of me and can so easily brag about my qualifications, but it's just hilarious to think about how my good intentions to keep her in the loop on my students turned into a speed dating session. I've also never worked for someone who can so easily blur the line between professionalism and personal life. I sort of like it, it catches me off guard constantly. Definately keeps me on my toes and is giving me plenty of good material if I ever write a sitcome about the life of a teacher.

Often my friend Kathy and I joke about creating a sitcom like The Office based on the lives of teachers. We've already talked about scenes in the staffroom. With really healthy teachers who dream about going to New York to visit the famous Moosewood Cafe. About the conversations around what that teacher pulls out of their lunch bag. And the quizzical looks and questions other teachers have about what's being eaten. I can't wait to tell her about the most recent scene. I think it will get some laughs. We'll have to store it away in our resources of good ideas because it's definitely laugh worthy. Yet at the same time it's actually my real life.

Field Trip

Our Mayor declared the 30th of Novemeber as the official day to honor our First responders. With banners rolled up and umbrellas protecting us from the rain we made our way to the neighborhood Fire Station. We huddled under the covered area and rang the bell to announce our arrival. After a short wait, we rang again, and again, and again. Even though we had called a head and arranged our visit they weren’t there. Since two of the firetrucks were gone we inferred these first responders were out on a call. To honor them we sang a Fireman song, propped our banners against the door and bundled up for the walk back to Geiger. Back in the class we talked about celebrations and disappointments. I reflected on the events and decided the children had a wonderful experience. In real life we have opportunities to show gratitude. Sometimes the process and planning is just as beneficial as the end destination. Through our preparation of the banners we got to reflect on the first responders role. We learned team work as we shared paper and crayons. Jayden and Dylan solved the problem of a ripped banner. Octavia got to feel pride as she saw how beautiful her fringed end looked when finished. I agreed with Natalie that while it was disappointing not getting to hand deliver the banners or to sing them the prepared songs, we did have a great time walking in the rain and working together to show our gratitude.