B & N

Barnes and Noble.
Sigh. Three of the prettiest words I know.

So today I spent almost ALL day in Barnes and Noble. I slowly perused up and down the isles picking up the books with intriguing, beautiful titles and catching pictures, to then read the back of the book. And finally I would decide whether or not I actually wanted to read the book. Once I found a book to fit my mood, I grabbed a cup of coffee and snuggled in to the chair for a nice session of reading.

What a Day! I love having time where I can just completely be myself, think all the thoughts I want without interruption, and dive into an unknown worlds created by an author. It is so good for the soul.

And not to mention, my "I want to read" list is growing out the wazoo.

Today I chose Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah.

Introducing Ms. Jacobs...

Many of you will be glad to hear that I have successfully survived my first day of school with the kids!

YAY!!

And now I am totally exhausted. And I didn't even TEACH anything. I just watched and helped out where needed. Can you imagine what I will be feeling when I am taking on three blocks a day for five weeks?!?! And then... when I am a REAL, FULL-TIME teacher. Right now, I am not sure how teachers do anything else.

Here are a few of the things I am nervous about.

-I want to be clear in my authority with the students. I am young and I smile alot- so I am afraid the kids will chew me up and spit me out. I am afraid they won't respect my authority in the classroom. So in these next few days I am working to really assert myself there. Please- if you have any tips- tell me!

- I want to challenge the students, not leave any behind, and not bore any to death. Whew- thats a huge task. So how do I affectively accomplish this? ( I guess this is what student teaching is all about!)

But all in all, I am working with two amazing cooperating teachers. I have so much to learn from them. I know they will prepare me well. :)

I've decided that one of the best moment's in a girl's life is hearing their dad say,

"I am so proud of you"

Thanks Dad.

Trippin' down memory lane

So today I ventured up to UNCA. Classes started on Monday, but since I will be student teaching this fall, I don't have any classes on campus. W.E.I.R.D. As I was walking around campus, it was such an odd feeling knowing I won't be spending 5 days a week in class, on and about campus. That part of my life is pretty much over. And somewhere inside I wish I could become a freshman and do it all over again. I know I have not technically graduated yet, but it still feels like that part of my life is over.

Boy. The past four years have been a whirlwind. I have experienced things I never thought I ever would. It has been a roller coaster to say the least. But I wouldn't change one minute of it because I am the Katie that I am today due to all of the crazy things I went through. I loved walking around and seeing new faces. These new freshmen who are so full of potential. It puts joy in my heart.

Here's a glimpse of what I have learned/gained over the past four years of my life...

I have met some of the best people in the world.
I have traveled down some hard, rough, lonely roads.
I have also traveled down roads of joy, friendship, the best LAUGHS in the entire world.
I have been in an out of relationship with boy, friends, and even God. (But today I sand firm in the Love of God)
I learned that my parents will always love me, no matter what.
I have the BEST siblings in the world. end of story. Family is SO important!
My "sisters" from high school will be my "sisters" for a lifetime.
It can be hard to forgive, but the fruit of forgiveness is much more beautiful and enjoyable than the fruit of bitterness.
I learned how stinkin' hard it is to major in math- but how much I LOVE math. nerdy? I know!
I Love the city of Asheville.
I learned that you need to check the oil in your car- regularly (and yes I can do this all by myself!)



Here is a picture of me and one of my best friends during one of the first weekends of college. This lady and I have such a great story of our friendship :)

And here, four years later. My how things change!

literary classics, eh?

I'm reading Wuthering Heights.
I want to be cool like those literature nerds who love the classics, sort of like my roomie.
And I thought, Wuthering Heights seems to be a reference in a lot of modern literature.
But I am afraid I might poke myself in the eye first.

So let's see how this goes. Im braving chapter three tonight... but when Emily Bronte says things like, "Aw wonder how yah can faishion to stand thear i' idleness un war, when all on 'ems goan out! Bud yah're a nowt, and it's no use talking- yah'll niver mend o'yer ill ways, but goa raight to t' divil, like yer mother afore ye!"

Um? Can you repeat that? What did you just say Mrs. Bronte?

But nonetheless... I venture on.

Urban... yes please!

So the wonderful Ashevegas is going to be getting an Urban Outfitters right in the heart of downtown. Is there anything more that I could ask for? (well- probably... but this will do for now)

I love love love Urban outfitters. I hope one day to be as cool as them. I would love to have a hip, chic downtown loft that looks like it was a picture straight out of Urban Outfittahs. But until then I will just shop there and rack up my collection.

I can't contain myself. It's just too cool. The only thing that would be better was if we got an anthropologie- which is an older, more sophisticated urban. But yay!

Check it out yo-
www.urbanoutfitters.com

Good friends & Good fun

It has been a couple of days since my last post. This is because some friends from high school were visiting as they passed through Asheville on a little road trip. And let me just say, it was an amazing couple of days with these friends! These two guys, Billy and Matt, totally get what it means to be a servant and full of God's love.

The boys came in on Monday night. We relaxed, caught up on life, and talked for hours. Both guys are crazy smart and they challenged me in many ways. I absolutely love those kinds of conversations. On Tuesday I had to work during the day, but the boys set out for a day of exploring the beautiful city of Asheville, or so I thought.

But when I got home from work, I came in to find
1) My apartment cleaner than when they had gotten here
2) My vacuum cleaner fixed!
3) And a huge, delightful dinner for my roommate and I
4)And they gifted me with a French Press because I had randomly mentioned how much I would love to have one... WOOHOOO!

Amazing. period. I honestly felt so loved by my dear friends. And then the next day we set out to hike the highest peak east of the Mississippi, Mt. Mitchell. It was HARD. I am SO sore. And these guys are pretty intense when it comes to the outdoors. But they helped me the whole way. And we were able to have such GREAT conversations as we hiked 5.6 miles up to the top, and then 5.6 miles down (oh and we kind of got off track coming down- but it was so fun because we found blubs, or blueberries!) My body is killing me today- but I had the best time yesterday.

While the guys were here, I was totally immersed in the Love of God. They served my roommate and I so well, and I am completely grateful. I want to serve others the way these two have served me. I desire to be as generous as these two were. And I desire the real, honest fellowship we indulged ourselves in for the time they were here. Thank you Matt & Billy.

The Shack

So I just finished reading the book, The Shack, by WP Young. It was a fantastic, and quick read! I encourage it for anyone. It may be a little too "weird" for some people, but if you can get past some of the sci-fi elements, the truth that resonates from the words will penetrate your heart. Gauranteed.

I am still sifting through so much of what I read. What is stuck in my heart the most- is this idea of what it means to be in real communion (relationship) with Him. That all I need to do is receive His love... which is harder than it seems sometimes. Because I like to be independent. I like to do things right and do them well, but on my own. But let's be honest, I screw up so much of the time. But His love transforms, and brings total freedom. Freedom from performing, of being a "good" Christian. I get to walk in His love everyday... and such a weight is lifted!

Seriously- don't just take my word for it. Read the book!

http://theshackbook.com/contact.html

Just give me some kind of sign girl

Tax. free. weekend.
I should stop there.... but I won't. So I just finished a longg shift at american eagle (or american wrinkle as some may call it). And this weekend is tax free weekend, meaning all the loonies trek out the mall to try and save about 6 bucks. Its packed, sweaty, insane. And lets not forget that customers can be crabby. Very crabby. I hate getting yelled at by people when I am only trying to help them. So yes, working all day at the eagle can be wearing and tiresome. But how do I combat the retail blues you might ask? Well I am so lucky to work with awesome people and super funny managers who are always keeping me laughing...But more importantly- the tunes are bangin' this month. Some old. Some new. So my coworkers and I are always singin' and dancin' away. Lots of fun. And if you've never seen me dance, well maybe one day you will be so blessed.

Here a few of the songs we have been listening to and have been helping to keep my spirits high. Sit back. Relax. and let the tunes brighten your day, my friends.

Creator-Santogold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXpZi4I4G7k

Brenton Wood- Gimme Little Sign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEucad5x34o

Fleetwood Mac- Go your own way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GN2kpBoFs4

The asteroid galaxy tour- around the bend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFXSIndYIk

Steve Miller Band-Take the money and run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFGZufk4HFs&feature=related

And lots lots lots more!

P.S. I am sorry I can't figure out how to hyperlink the text... ugh so its long and ugly. But the music is still good!

Everyone has a story

I just met with my advisor for student teaching, and let me just say I am so pumped to start student teaching in less than 2 weeks! Ahh... It's like I have been dipping my feet in the baby pool for four years. And now I am going to jump off the diving board, head first, into teaching. I am nervous but so excited.

I have wanted to be a teacher for... uh... I don't know forever. When I was in elementary school I had a chalk board I would put in my window, and I played "teacher" for YEARS! And now my dream is becoming a reality. Cool, huh? Yeah, I think so.

Anyways, as I was meeting with my advisor we were just chatting about all the different kinds of kids I will be encountering over the next few months. (keep in mind, I will be in the middle school) Let's see, there is the "snapping turtle". Those sweet children who just SNAP, and shut themselves off... and you have to let them, knowing they will come back to ya. A little frightening. And then of course we have the "lava lamps". Those crazy kids bouncing off the walls incessantly, wreaking havoc in the classroom. Oh Joy. We also have the "cotton ball" kids. The quiet, not sure there is anything up there, students who just walk through the motions with you. Knock knock. Anyone up there?

Well as I was sitting there talking to Nancy, I was reminded that we all have stories. Every person has a story. And it is not finished. We put these labels on kids (clearly I am guilty of doing so), without knowing their story. And then we adjust our expectations to fit them... but shouldn't we raise the bar? And get beyond the labels. I am training myself now to see my students with fresh eyes and with an understanding heart of their story. The beauty of it is that I get to be a tiny part of their story- and who knows, it could be a defining part of their story. Not that I am great, but the One who lives in me is great. So Yes. I am optimistic, and perhaps a teensy bit naive. But at this moment, right now, I know that I am walking into what I was designed for.

So what's your story?

Laughing Katie?

When I was choosing what the title of my blog should be... I was stumped. And then I thought, what describes me the best? The answer of course is .... my Laugh! If you know me at all, you know I feel most comfortable when I am laughing. Literally almost every emotion can trigger laughing for me.

If I feel anxious, I laugh. If something is truly funny, I laugh. If I am totally unsure of what response to give, I laugh. If I am scared, I will laugh (a little).

And let's be real about this. My laugh is not just a small little, cute laugh. It is truly unique. I am talking, LOUD, high-pitched laugh. I have indeed been sushed before when laughing, and some people can be embarrassed by it. But I have totally learned to embrace it. It takes people by surprise the first time they hear it. But I love that about it- because it can bring a smile to someone else's face.

So I love to laugh. It is fun. Joyous. You can't have a bad day if you are laughing... So I laugh!

I've done it...

Okay... here goes nothing.

My first post on the blog.

So why am I doing this? I have been reading a few people's blogs lately, and I thought, Hey- I can do that. Not that my life is all that exciting, I mean crazy things don't happen on a regular basis. And perhaps no one will read this, but I love to journal and think out loud and ponder the silly(and sometime serious) things in life... and I think it will be fun to look back at this someday.

Alright. I did it. My first blog.